Eating raspberries could help increase the chances of
becoming a father, it has been claimed.
They contain high levels of Vitamin C, a key nutrient in male
fertility, and magnesium, which is involved in the production of
testosterone.
They are also thought to protect sperm from 'oxidative stress'.
A study found that men over 44 with the highest intake of
Vitamin C had 20 per cent less damage to their sperm DNA than
men who did not eat those foods.
Saturday 31 August 2013
How Stress Triggers Cancer Spread - Study
STRESS fuels cancer by triggering a 'master switch' gene, which
allows the disease to spread, according to new research.
The 'unexpected' discovery could lead to the development of
drugs that target the protein and stop tumours spreading to
other organs and causing death.
Stress has long been linked to many forms of the disease
including breast and prostate cancer, but the reason has remained
a mystery.
Doctors have discovered the 'stress gene' ATF3 can make
immune cells behave erratically, giving cancer an 'escape route' to
other areas of the body.
Now a team at Ohio State University says our own bodies help
turn cancer against us by turning on a 'master switch' gene known
as ATF3, which is expressed in response to stressful conditions
in all types of cells.
Usually, it causes normal and benign cells to commit suicide if they
decide they have been irrevocably damaged.
But cancer cells somehow coax immune-system cells recruited to
the site of a tumour to express ATF3.
It is unclear exactly how, but the gene promotes the immune cells
to act erratically and give cancer an escape route to other areas
of the body.
The results published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation
provide important insights into how tumour cells use their signalling
power to co-opt the rest of the body into aiding cancer's survival
and movement to distant organs.
Prof. Tsonwin Hai said: 'If your body does not help cancer cells,
they cannot spread as far. So really, the rest of the cells in the
body help cancer cells to move, to set up shop at distant sites.
And one of the unifying themes here is stress.'
Her researchers first linked the expression of ATF3 in immune-
system cells to worse outcomes among a sample of almost 300
breast cancer patients.
Experiments on mice then found those lacking the gene had less
extensive spread of breast tumour cells to their lungs than ones
that could activate it.
"The cancer cells were always the same, but we had different
hosts. The primary tumors were similar in size, but only in the host
that can express ATF3 - the stress gene - did the cancer cells
metastasize efficiently.
"This suggests that the host stress response can help cancer to
metastasize.
"If the body is in perfect balance, there isn't much of a problem.
When the body gets stressed, that changes the immune system.
And the immune system is a double edged sword," she said.
In general, when cancer cells first appear, the immune system
recognises them as foreign and various immune cells travel to the
site to attack them.
Hai said if further research bear out the results "the stress gene
could one day function as a drug target to combat cancer spread,
or metastasis as it is known medically."
Although the work suggests a drug to dampen ATF3's effect
could lower the risk for metastasis, Prof Hai noted scientists do
not fully understand what the overall effects would be.
She said: "We have this gene for a reason. It is a gene that helps
us adapt to changes. So it is a question of how and when to
target ATF3."
Another new study has found restricting calories for a set
period of time - combined with targeted cancer therapy - can
increase the success of cancer treatment in mice.
The journal Blood reports that we eat, the body metabolises food
to produce energy and assist in the building of proteins.
If we consume less, the amount of nutrients available to the
body's cells are reduced, which slows the metabolic process and
limits the function of certain proteins - including one protein
associated with several cancers.
Dr. Jean-Ehrland Ricci, of the French Institute for Health and
Medical Research in Nice, said: "By understanding the link between
metabolism and the body's natural cancer suppressors and
activators, we can perhaps improve the efficacy of therapy and
improve survival for patients suffering from specific types of
cancer."
Although more research in a clinical setting is needed, the
promising results are believed to apply to humans too.
"We next want to examine what component of a reduced-calorie
diet - fats, sugars, or another food compound - influenced the
lymphoma cells' improved sensitivity to treatment."
allows the disease to spread, according to new research.
The 'unexpected' discovery could lead to the development of
drugs that target the protein and stop tumours spreading to
other organs and causing death.
Stress has long been linked to many forms of the disease
including breast and prostate cancer, but the reason has remained
a mystery.
Doctors have discovered the 'stress gene' ATF3 can make
immune cells behave erratically, giving cancer an 'escape route' to
other areas of the body.
Now a team at Ohio State University says our own bodies help
turn cancer against us by turning on a 'master switch' gene known
as ATF3, which is expressed in response to stressful conditions
in all types of cells.
Usually, it causes normal and benign cells to commit suicide if they
decide they have been irrevocably damaged.
But cancer cells somehow coax immune-system cells recruited to
the site of a tumour to express ATF3.
It is unclear exactly how, but the gene promotes the immune cells
to act erratically and give cancer an escape route to other areas
of the body.
The results published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation
provide important insights into how tumour cells use their signalling
power to co-opt the rest of the body into aiding cancer's survival
and movement to distant organs.
Prof. Tsonwin Hai said: 'If your body does not help cancer cells,
they cannot spread as far. So really, the rest of the cells in the
body help cancer cells to move, to set up shop at distant sites.
And one of the unifying themes here is stress.'
Her researchers first linked the expression of ATF3 in immune-
system cells to worse outcomes among a sample of almost 300
breast cancer patients.
Experiments on mice then found those lacking the gene had less
extensive spread of breast tumour cells to their lungs than ones
that could activate it.
"The cancer cells were always the same, but we had different
hosts. The primary tumors were similar in size, but only in the host
that can express ATF3 - the stress gene - did the cancer cells
metastasize efficiently.
"This suggests that the host stress response can help cancer to
metastasize.
"If the body is in perfect balance, there isn't much of a problem.
When the body gets stressed, that changes the immune system.
And the immune system is a double edged sword," she said.
In general, when cancer cells first appear, the immune system
recognises them as foreign and various immune cells travel to the
site to attack them.
Hai said if further research bear out the results "the stress gene
could one day function as a drug target to combat cancer spread,
or metastasis as it is known medically."
Although the work suggests a drug to dampen ATF3's effect
could lower the risk for metastasis, Prof Hai noted scientists do
not fully understand what the overall effects would be.
She said: "We have this gene for a reason. It is a gene that helps
us adapt to changes. So it is a question of how and when to
target ATF3."
Another new study has found restricting calories for a set
period of time - combined with targeted cancer therapy - can
increase the success of cancer treatment in mice.
The journal Blood reports that we eat, the body metabolises food
to produce energy and assist in the building of proteins.
If we consume less, the amount of nutrients available to the
body's cells are reduced, which slows the metabolic process and
limits the function of certain proteins - including one protein
associated with several cancers.
Dr. Jean-Ehrland Ricci, of the French Institute for Health and
Medical Research in Nice, said: "By understanding the link between
metabolism and the body's natural cancer suppressors and
activators, we can perhaps improve the efficacy of therapy and
improve survival for patients suffering from specific types of
cancer."
Although more research in a clinical setting is needed, the
promising results are believed to apply to humans too.
"We next want to examine what component of a reduced-calorie
diet - fats, sugars, or another food compound - influenced the
lymphoma cells' improved sensitivity to treatment."
Wizkid Beats Davido
WizkId, Ayo Balogun has got every reason to beat his chest again,
even going as far as calling everyone “broke” this time around with
a bit of a smirk on his face is another feat that has been added to
his mounting heap of honours and accomplishments.
Though the 24-year-old met a lot of big guns on the scene but it
appears
he is out-muscling them on the popularity contest by a long
stretch. The twitter followers check reveals the ‘Pakurumo’
crooner has followers totalling over 720,000 while next in line to
him, D’Banj, Tuface Idibia and close rival Davido are a long shot
away, with the closest person with followers less than
400,000 people.
For sometime now, leading social media, twitter has been the litmus
test to measure popularity, especially among entertainers the
world over. Lady Gaga got so big she felt she should have a social
media of her own, hence ‘Little Monsters’ was born
even going as far as calling everyone “broke” this time around with
a bit of a smirk on his face is another feat that has been added to
his mounting heap of honours and accomplishments.
Though the 24-year-old met a lot of big guns on the scene but it
appears
he is out-muscling them on the popularity contest by a long
stretch. The twitter followers check reveals the ‘Pakurumo’
crooner has followers totalling over 720,000 while next in line to
him, D’Banj, Tuface Idibia and close rival Davido are a long shot
away, with the closest person with followers less than
400,000 people.
For sometime now, leading social media, twitter has been the litmus
test to measure popularity, especially among entertainers the
world over. Lady Gaga got so big she felt she should have a social
media of her own, hence ‘Little Monsters’ was born
Another Pastor Accuses Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo Of Adultery
I'm speechless; I don't know what to say. Read this pastor's
exposé on COZA's Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo:
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are
led of them are destroyed .
Isaiah 9:16.
They be leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both
shall fall into the ditch .
Matt 15:14.
My sole purpose in writing this piece is to open the eyes of
the world and believers to the hypocrisy and nonsense
behind the pulpit, and to plea that these wolves and blind
men stop deflating the faith of people who Christ died for. I
am a Pastor, a full time minister at that, and I shall not sit
back while the name of my God, the ministry, and the works
of other shepherds is brought to disrepute by the activities,
action and inaction of a few blind men behind the pulpit.
I was going to be silent on this sad, pathetic but true (in many
shades) allegation against Pastor B and his popular and trendy
ministry. My silence was borne out of respect for the kingdom of
God and things that pertain to God. But all this changed when I
heard the horrific tales of people who had been through the mess
of this blind man, and the fact that he had no moral motivation to
deny or accept the allegation; all he showed on Sunday was a
demented swagger and perverse talk.
I am tired of the nonsense of religion crying out, “touch not my
anointed”; does this mean we cannot rebuke ourselves when we
err , this much Paul did to Peter when he erred in Galatians 2:11
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the
face, because he was to be blamed”. It is therefore pertinent that
I rebuke the wolves in shepherd’s clothing’s. It is time to set the
record straight, and please don’t sell me the bullocks of judge not,
I haven’t said anyone is going to hell, but of course if they don’t
change, they have only one path.
It is high time we told the truth, which is plain, simple and without
coloration. The stories of Franca and Ese is not only true but they
are just a few tales of the tantalizing sex escapades of this
clergy. This has been a recurring decimal in the ministry of the
clergyman . This wasn’t the first time these stories will come
forth, for those old COZA members, for those who were there
when he was in Ilorin, when the church moved to Pipeline Road,
Ilorin, having left Kwara Hotel, they will remember there was a
time when the Pastor was suspended from ministering by his
Father in the Lord, Rev Oset of Canaan Ministries. Rev. Oset sent
guest ministers to the church every Sunday after that, but still
Pastor B in his deceit will still minister in the pretence of
introducing the guest minister, while he exhorts for minutes.
I therefore laugh in mockery when He says his wife
loves him, the woman has no choice . His core circle of
Pastors - Pastpr Wole (Ilorin Chapter, the only man who maybe
clean), and Pastor Flo (COZA, Lagos) knows of this fact. Little
wonder Ese said Pastor Flo said he knows about their adventures
in that hotel room in London.
This is not the story of a hater; I don’t want or envy anything he
has. He cannot ever have what I have and carry; neither do I crave
for what he has . I am sure no one in the city of Ilorin, where this
man started is bemused by these stories, no one who finished
from the University of Ilorin during the period of 2003-2008,
and was not a blinded COZA member can be mightily shocked at
these revelations. I have heard tales of many more victims, I even
heard from a woman who knows five friends who were victims , I
saw it online the other day of a guy who said he formally works
for him and he knows up to 130 people, outrageous as it may
sound that too is true.
Rev Oset in true conscience cannot deny the knowledge of these
negatives. But we are a nation of hypocrites and religious folks;
we ask no questions of leaders, so they can hide under the canopy
of religion, even when they are filthy. Anyone who asks is rebuked
by those who say, the bible says pray. It is sad that those who say
pray themselves have not prayed . But Pastor B is just a decimal in
an ever mounting number of wolves in the Church of Christ.
Someone told me yesterday that this can’t be the end of him and
his tyranny, because even in Ilorin in those days, the allegation was
rolled under the rug . On Sunday, August 25, 2013, the man
leading certain blind men under the veil of religion and ‘spiritism’
said God told him not to say anything, he then said they are
preparing a robust response. Who is fooling who? We must not
keep quiet and watch the bride of Christ, the church,
rubbed and undignified in mud and slime by a filthily rich
pastor who thinks he can do anything and get away
with it.
It is a pity that we run sensational press and media outfit in this
country, and that our press is blinded by religion. If this were to be
‘saner’ climes the press would by now be researching, there would
by now be investigative journalism. The truth would be dogged up
and resurrected to life. For this is not about a mistake that a
Pastor made, it is about a filthy man’s way of life.
And then about, “teaching a new level of grace’; please
be reminded that Grace is not a license to sin, rather it empowers
us to live above sin . Romans 6:1-2 says, “What shall we say then?
Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How
shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” In my years
of being a Christian, studying God’s word, preaching the gospel,
listening to sound teachers, I have not heard of a grace that gives
permission to sin. Stop being deceived, grace is the new
dispensation, according to Hebrew 8:6-12, and under grace we
do not follow any written code, law or traditions. That is done
away with. The tablet of Moses is over with. But we are not
reckless sinners; we are under a new covenant based on better
promises. God’s law is written in our minds and hearts. We live
according to His dictates. The Holy Spirit and our conscience
convicts and judges us respectively. This is the only way we live a
holy life . God’s strength and empowerment is the grace to do
according to that written by God in our hearts and minds.
I write this with a heavy heart, though I wish I never had to write
this, but I pray this madness stops. I know many who have
stopped going to church, many whose faith has been derailed by
the act of madness of this man, and many blind men like him . If they
are not going to heaven, let them stop taking men out of the
straight and narrow way. No one understands the pain in meeting a
man, whose faith has been derailed by a man who was supposed
to help establish him. For such a man, words can’t bring him back,
the best we can do is to pray and hope. I indulge the clergy to be
of a higher moral standard.
My candid advice to the church at this end time is that the church
must grow in knowledge; it’s high time we stopped bamboozling
you. You must stop making idols of men. You must stop making men
such as I, substitute for the Holy Ghost. Honour us; revere us… but
that is where it ends . Without the Call, the Oil, and the Holy Spirit;
we are mere mortal. But know for sure that this too shall pass;
only the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom abides forever.
For Pastor B and his sense making COZA people, remember the
word of Christ in Matthew 15:14 . How many of you even live life
bearing the fruit of righteousness. Stop being blind, the ditch is
close by. Look into this case, ask your pastor questions, seek
genuine answers and not emotional rhetorics, hold him responsible,
and do not forget the word of God, “then shall they know if they
follow to know…” I am sure evidence abound. Seek to know from
some key PCU members (who may need to be deposited in Gods
ICU). Its time you hear not only about grace, but HOLINESS without
which no one will see the Lord.
Finally don’t bother praying against me, I can say like Paul, “For me
to die is gain, to live is Christ”, but I cannot even go now, because I
am yet to fully finish the task set before me. Don’t waste your
time using misguided scriptural interpretation.
This I write is true, and I am sorry if you don’t like it. Your Pastor,
and every other wolf whose conscience is not seared knows it is
the complete true .
God bless you.
God bless His Church.
God bless Nigeria.
From Pastor J
God’s House, Abuja.
exposé on COZA's Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo:
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are
led of them are destroyed .
Isaiah 9:16.
They be leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both
shall fall into the ditch .
Matt 15:14.
My sole purpose in writing this piece is to open the eyes of
the world and believers to the hypocrisy and nonsense
behind the pulpit, and to plea that these wolves and blind
men stop deflating the faith of people who Christ died for. I
am a Pastor, a full time minister at that, and I shall not sit
back while the name of my God, the ministry, and the works
of other shepherds is brought to disrepute by the activities,
action and inaction of a few blind men behind the pulpit.
I was going to be silent on this sad, pathetic but true (in many
shades) allegation against Pastor B and his popular and trendy
ministry. My silence was borne out of respect for the kingdom of
God and things that pertain to God. But all this changed when I
heard the horrific tales of people who had been through the mess
of this blind man, and the fact that he had no moral motivation to
deny or accept the allegation; all he showed on Sunday was a
demented swagger and perverse talk.
I am tired of the nonsense of religion crying out, “touch not my
anointed”; does this mean we cannot rebuke ourselves when we
err , this much Paul did to Peter when he erred in Galatians 2:11
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the
face, because he was to be blamed”. It is therefore pertinent that
I rebuke the wolves in shepherd’s clothing’s. It is time to set the
record straight, and please don’t sell me the bullocks of judge not,
I haven’t said anyone is going to hell, but of course if they don’t
change, they have only one path.
It is high time we told the truth, which is plain, simple and without
coloration. The stories of Franca and Ese is not only true but they
are just a few tales of the tantalizing sex escapades of this
clergy. This has been a recurring decimal in the ministry of the
clergyman . This wasn’t the first time these stories will come
forth, for those old COZA members, for those who were there
when he was in Ilorin, when the church moved to Pipeline Road,
Ilorin, having left Kwara Hotel, they will remember there was a
time when the Pastor was suspended from ministering by his
Father in the Lord, Rev Oset of Canaan Ministries. Rev. Oset sent
guest ministers to the church every Sunday after that, but still
Pastor B in his deceit will still minister in the pretence of
introducing the guest minister, while he exhorts for minutes.
I therefore laugh in mockery when He says his wife
loves him, the woman has no choice . His core circle of
Pastors - Pastpr Wole (Ilorin Chapter, the only man who maybe
clean), and Pastor Flo (COZA, Lagos) knows of this fact. Little
wonder Ese said Pastor Flo said he knows about their adventures
in that hotel room in London.
This is not the story of a hater; I don’t want or envy anything he
has. He cannot ever have what I have and carry; neither do I crave
for what he has . I am sure no one in the city of Ilorin, where this
man started is bemused by these stories, no one who finished
from the University of Ilorin during the period of 2003-2008,
and was not a blinded COZA member can be mightily shocked at
these revelations. I have heard tales of many more victims, I even
heard from a woman who knows five friends who were victims , I
saw it online the other day of a guy who said he formally works
for him and he knows up to 130 people, outrageous as it may
sound that too is true.
Rev Oset in true conscience cannot deny the knowledge of these
negatives. But we are a nation of hypocrites and religious folks;
we ask no questions of leaders, so they can hide under the canopy
of religion, even when they are filthy. Anyone who asks is rebuked
by those who say, the bible says pray. It is sad that those who say
pray themselves have not prayed . But Pastor B is just a decimal in
an ever mounting number of wolves in the Church of Christ.
Someone told me yesterday that this can’t be the end of him and
his tyranny, because even in Ilorin in those days, the allegation was
rolled under the rug . On Sunday, August 25, 2013, the man
leading certain blind men under the veil of religion and ‘spiritism’
said God told him not to say anything, he then said they are
preparing a robust response. Who is fooling who? We must not
keep quiet and watch the bride of Christ, the church,
rubbed and undignified in mud and slime by a filthily rich
pastor who thinks he can do anything and get away
with it.
It is a pity that we run sensational press and media outfit in this
country, and that our press is blinded by religion. If this were to be
‘saner’ climes the press would by now be researching, there would
by now be investigative journalism. The truth would be dogged up
and resurrected to life. For this is not about a mistake that a
Pastor made, it is about a filthy man’s way of life.
And then about, “teaching a new level of grace’; please
be reminded that Grace is not a license to sin, rather it empowers
us to live above sin . Romans 6:1-2 says, “What shall we say then?
Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How
shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” In my years
of being a Christian, studying God’s word, preaching the gospel,
listening to sound teachers, I have not heard of a grace that gives
permission to sin. Stop being deceived, grace is the new
dispensation, according to Hebrew 8:6-12, and under grace we
do not follow any written code, law or traditions. That is done
away with. The tablet of Moses is over with. But we are not
reckless sinners; we are under a new covenant based on better
promises. God’s law is written in our minds and hearts. We live
according to His dictates. The Holy Spirit and our conscience
convicts and judges us respectively. This is the only way we live a
holy life . God’s strength and empowerment is the grace to do
according to that written by God in our hearts and minds.
I write this with a heavy heart, though I wish I never had to write
this, but I pray this madness stops. I know many who have
stopped going to church, many whose faith has been derailed by
the act of madness of this man, and many blind men like him . If they
are not going to heaven, let them stop taking men out of the
straight and narrow way. No one understands the pain in meeting a
man, whose faith has been derailed by a man who was supposed
to help establish him. For such a man, words can’t bring him back,
the best we can do is to pray and hope. I indulge the clergy to be
of a higher moral standard.
My candid advice to the church at this end time is that the church
must grow in knowledge; it’s high time we stopped bamboozling
you. You must stop making idols of men. You must stop making men
such as I, substitute for the Holy Ghost. Honour us; revere us… but
that is where it ends . Without the Call, the Oil, and the Holy Spirit;
we are mere mortal. But know for sure that this too shall pass;
only the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom abides forever.
For Pastor B and his sense making COZA people, remember the
word of Christ in Matthew 15:14 . How many of you even live life
bearing the fruit of righteousness. Stop being blind, the ditch is
close by. Look into this case, ask your pastor questions, seek
genuine answers and not emotional rhetorics, hold him responsible,
and do not forget the word of God, “then shall they know if they
follow to know…” I am sure evidence abound. Seek to know from
some key PCU members (who may need to be deposited in Gods
ICU). Its time you hear not only about grace, but HOLINESS without
which no one will see the Lord.
Finally don’t bother praying against me, I can say like Paul, “For me
to die is gain, to live is Christ”, but I cannot even go now, because I
am yet to fully finish the task set before me. Don’t waste your
time using misguided scriptural interpretation.
This I write is true, and I am sorry if you don’t like it. Your Pastor,
and every other wolf whose conscience is not seared knows it is
the complete true .
God bless you.
God bless His Church.
God bless Nigeria.
From Pastor J
God’s House, Abuja.
How Naija Students Are Selling Their Sperm In Lagos
People get married for different reasons. While some seek
companionship in marriage, many go into it for the purpose of
procreation. For couples who look forward to having children
immediately after marriage, being declared ‘infertile’ by experts is
like a death sentence.
It is generally agreed that it takes two to have a baby and every
couple is expected to be in optimum health to have babies, medical
experts claim men are having more fertility challenge now.
Sperm concentration in men is said to have decreased by a third
since 1990s while sperm count is said to have decreased by half
over the past 50 years.
Studies are also showing genetic abnormalities in sperm
particularly in older men. For men therefore, quantity, quality and
motility of spermatozoa are seen as important factors in fertility.
Since the male factor is a prominent cause of infertility in couples,
sperm donation has become vital in assisted conception treatment.
A study by the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction stated
that “a male factor is solely responsible in about 20 per cent of
infertile couples and contributory in another 30 to 40 per cent.”
According to experts, even when sperm numbers are great, a high
proportion of men may have DNA damage that significantly impairs
the chances of natural conception. Besides, male sperm
deteriorates with age the same way it does for women.
Studies have also shown that if a man has poor health, smokes,
drinks too much or has a bad diet, it’s very likely his sperms are
also going to be unhealthy.
Indeed, investigation by PUNCH showed that sperm has become a
commodity in high demand in Lagos. The Chief Consultant and Head,
Obstetrician and Fertility Department, Eko Hospitals, Dr. Adegbite
Ogunmokun, said fertility problem, based on recent experience,
had tilted more towards the male factor.
He said, “If 10 couples come in, there will be problem with the male
in six of them, using our parameter of 20 million sperm per
millimetre. But 10 to 15 years ago, maybe about four out of 10
men would have problem.”
PUNCH correspondents, who visited some fertility centres in
Lagos, learnt that more men are having low sperm count, thus
necessitating the need for more volunteer donors. But because
donors are scare, fertility clinics offer as much as N50,000 to
men who are interested in selling their sperm.
They also pay more when sellers have special features that the
beneficiaries are looking for.
Like blood sellers, investigations show that many people in Lagos,
especially students, now sell their sperms anytime they need
money.
A student of the University of Lagos, who identified himself as
John, said he had sold sperm to a few fertility centres in Lagos.
John said he had been funding his education for the past two
years with what he earned from selling his sperm.
John said he was introduced to the programme by a friend and
that he had in turn brought in two other friends to ‘business’.
“I’ve sold to a number of fertility centres. The money has really
helped me to stay in school. It takes care of my tuition and some
other personal needs,” John said, with a measure of satisfaction.
“It’s cool money, really and I’m also doing a service to mankind by
helping out some people in need. Even friends that I introduced to it
have not turned back since then.”
An employee in a Lagos fertility clinic, who identified himself as
Olufunsho, told PUNCH that some women would pay any amount to
get a sperm seller with the features they want.
He said, “We pay N50,000 here but there are times when women
come in and request that, at all cost, they must get a tall man. The
person can earn more when they make such requests, especially if
we don’t have any that fits the profile in our bank.
“There was a time a woman came and requested that we get a tall
man for her at all cost. I showed her the samples we had, but she
did not like the profile. She said she was not satisfied with the
heights. And we were unable to get what she wanted from the
sellers that came at the time.
“The sellers that came then were either AS, or positive with
hepatitis B or had low sperm count. We had up to twelve sellers
that came and we were unable to get anybody. In such cases, we
could offer a lot more when we find the right person. Sometimes,
such people are also in a position to negotiate for what they
want.”
However, subsequent drops attract lesser amounts of money for
the same seller.
To sell sperm, the person, according to Olufunsho, must stay off
sex for five days. He undergoes some tests to confirm that he is
not HIV positive and that he also has healthy sperm among others.
He said, “If the same person is still interested and we still need him,
he would repeat the screening process again. We pay N10, 000
per ejaculation for other subsequent ones. With my own
discretion, if the quality of the sperm is good and we have
somebody who needs something that matches perfectly with that
seller, we may reduce the probation period, but the sperm must be
very good.
“Although that is the protocol, it could always be amended when
there is nothing wrong with the person. Even if someone
ejaculates the first time and in twenty minutes time, he does the
same, it is still going to be good, but not as good as the first one.”
At the various fertility centres where our correspondents posed
as potential sperm seller, the clinic workers made keen attempts
to have them start the process immediately, by leaving blood
samples for tests.
On one occasion, a clinic worker told one of our correspondents
that he was willing to waive the two to five days’ probation period
of abstinence, after our correspondent said he wished to “sleep
over it.”
The worker said, “What is there to think about? After all, you
already said you’re not married. You can leave your blood sample
for testing while you go ahead and think over it.”
Investigation showed that fertility centres want sellers between
18 and 45 years of age and expect them to abstain from sex,
two to five days before giving sperm sample, depending on the
centre.
Other conditions to be met by potential sperm sellers include
testing negative to HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, sickle cell and
some other sexually transmitted diseases. Tests are also carried
out to determine the count, morphology (shape) and motility of the
sperm cells.
In addition, fertility centres claim to also place a high premium on
average intelligence, education and lifestyle. Although PUNCH learnt
that such claims are not always true as more emphases are
actually placed on height and other physical attributes.
“It is not immediately that we pay. We prefer AA genotype
because it can be given to anybody, unlike AS that cannot be given
to just anybody,” Olufunsho added.
However, an employee in another fertility clinic in Lagos, Akin, said
sperm sellers could get paid within a week of starting the
process. This is possible only if they satisfy the conditions.
He said, “If the motility is good, the count is good and you’re okay,
then, you can produce for us. If everything is okay, within a week,
you can get your money.”
A 2012 study into the reproductive health of 26,600 men in
France, warned of a sperm crisis worldwide. It said that sperm
concentration has decreased by a third since the 1990s. The
study found a continuous 32.2 per cent decrease in sperm
concentration over a period of 17 years.
During the European Society of Human Reproduction and
Embryology annual conference in London in July 2013, some
experts, critical of the study’s validity, said it did not completely
represent the situation in certain areas, particularly the
developing world.
However, a fertility expert at Mother’s World Care, Ikeja, Lagos,
Dr. Margaret Olusegun, said the situation is similar in Nigeria.
She said, “A man should have a good count, up to 40 to 50 million
sperm per millimetre of semen upward. But you find that these
days, men have more challenges with fertility than women.
“Although, I don’t have the statistics, men are the ones with more
challenges now, even though they are the ones who drive out their
wives if they can’t bear children.”
Olusegun explained that good sperm should have “at least 50 per
cent motility (activeness) because sperm cells can be active,
sluggish or dead.”
“For morphology (shape) too, which could be normal or abnormal,
sperm should have upward of 50 per cent normal cells. And there
should not be bacteria growth,” she added.
Ogunmokun described low concentration of sperm as
“Oligospermia.” He, however, said a sperm count with a minimum
lower limit of 20 million sperm per millimetre of semen would still be
considered normal. But he added that any sperm concentration of
less than 20 million per millimetre of semen could be categorised as
mild, moderate or severe oligospermia, depending on the count.
Ogunmokun said fertility problems could be with the man, the
woman or the two of them.
PUNCH learnt that the demand for sperm has made the fertility
business a lucrative one. Many of the fertility centres in Lagos
have facilities for sperm preservation, where it’s freezing costs
about N50, 000 per quarter.
Ogunmokun said, “After collection, the semen is processed and
seminal fluid and all other things are removed. The sperm is put in
little bottles and placed in special containers called dewars,
connected to a power source. It is stored at very low temperature
and there must be an indicator for monitoring should there be a
change in the condition.”
He, however, added that there must be a standby generator in a
place like Nigeria, where power supply is unstable, as sperm can
be frozen for decades.
“Although, there are many other reasons why people freeze
sperm, someone living far away from his wife can decide to
freeze his sperm for the wife’s use while he’s away. Also,
someone going for cancer treatment can freeze his sperm before
starting the treatment since such treatments affect sperm
production,” he added.
Ogunmokun said fertility centres focus more on university
undergraduates to ensure that sperm donors have a certain
degree of intelligence.
He said, “The current practice is to actually recruit sperm donors
and the focus is on undergraduates. The focus is on students
because they should be able to provide their ID cards so that
background checks can be done.”
According to Ogunmokun, the perceived increase in the number of
men with low sperm count is as a result of infection and lifestyle
habits like sitting for too long and wearing of tight underwear.
He said, “The testes are not supposed to be too close to the body
because of the higher body temperature. The testes are naturally
colder, so people who travel long distances or sit in traffic for
long can be prone to infertility.”
Ogunmokun advised that men should “exercise appropriately, take
good nutrition, avoid tight underwear, premarital sex, cigarette
and alcohol to try to prevent low sperm count.”
However, Olusegun identified good hygiene as key to the
prevention of low sperm count, saying, “Our environment is too
contaminated.”
companionship in marriage, many go into it for the purpose of
procreation. For couples who look forward to having children
immediately after marriage, being declared ‘infertile’ by experts is
like a death sentence.
It is generally agreed that it takes two to have a baby and every
couple is expected to be in optimum health to have babies, medical
experts claim men are having more fertility challenge now.
Sperm concentration in men is said to have decreased by a third
since 1990s while sperm count is said to have decreased by half
over the past 50 years.
Studies are also showing genetic abnormalities in sperm
particularly in older men. For men therefore, quantity, quality and
motility of spermatozoa are seen as important factors in fertility.
Since the male factor is a prominent cause of infertility in couples,
sperm donation has become vital in assisted conception treatment.
A study by the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction stated
that “a male factor is solely responsible in about 20 per cent of
infertile couples and contributory in another 30 to 40 per cent.”
According to experts, even when sperm numbers are great, a high
proportion of men may have DNA damage that significantly impairs
the chances of natural conception. Besides, male sperm
deteriorates with age the same way it does for women.
Studies have also shown that if a man has poor health, smokes,
drinks too much or has a bad diet, it’s very likely his sperms are
also going to be unhealthy.
Indeed, investigation by PUNCH showed that sperm has become a
commodity in high demand in Lagos. The Chief Consultant and Head,
Obstetrician and Fertility Department, Eko Hospitals, Dr. Adegbite
Ogunmokun, said fertility problem, based on recent experience,
had tilted more towards the male factor.
He said, “If 10 couples come in, there will be problem with the male
in six of them, using our parameter of 20 million sperm per
millimetre. But 10 to 15 years ago, maybe about four out of 10
men would have problem.”
PUNCH correspondents, who visited some fertility centres in
Lagos, learnt that more men are having low sperm count, thus
necessitating the need for more volunteer donors. But because
donors are scare, fertility clinics offer as much as N50,000 to
men who are interested in selling their sperm.
They also pay more when sellers have special features that the
beneficiaries are looking for.
Like blood sellers, investigations show that many people in Lagos,
especially students, now sell their sperms anytime they need
money.
A student of the University of Lagos, who identified himself as
John, said he had sold sperm to a few fertility centres in Lagos.
John said he had been funding his education for the past two
years with what he earned from selling his sperm.
John said he was introduced to the programme by a friend and
that he had in turn brought in two other friends to ‘business’.
“I’ve sold to a number of fertility centres. The money has really
helped me to stay in school. It takes care of my tuition and some
other personal needs,” John said, with a measure of satisfaction.
“It’s cool money, really and I’m also doing a service to mankind by
helping out some people in need. Even friends that I introduced to it
have not turned back since then.”
An employee in a Lagos fertility clinic, who identified himself as
Olufunsho, told PUNCH that some women would pay any amount to
get a sperm seller with the features they want.
He said, “We pay N50,000 here but there are times when women
come in and request that, at all cost, they must get a tall man. The
person can earn more when they make such requests, especially if
we don’t have any that fits the profile in our bank.
“There was a time a woman came and requested that we get a tall
man for her at all cost. I showed her the samples we had, but she
did not like the profile. She said she was not satisfied with the
heights. And we were unable to get what she wanted from the
sellers that came at the time.
“The sellers that came then were either AS, or positive with
hepatitis B or had low sperm count. We had up to twelve sellers
that came and we were unable to get anybody. In such cases, we
could offer a lot more when we find the right person. Sometimes,
such people are also in a position to negotiate for what they
want.”
However, subsequent drops attract lesser amounts of money for
the same seller.
To sell sperm, the person, according to Olufunsho, must stay off
sex for five days. He undergoes some tests to confirm that he is
not HIV positive and that he also has healthy sperm among others.
He said, “If the same person is still interested and we still need him,
he would repeat the screening process again. We pay N10, 000
per ejaculation for other subsequent ones. With my own
discretion, if the quality of the sperm is good and we have
somebody who needs something that matches perfectly with that
seller, we may reduce the probation period, but the sperm must be
very good.
“Although that is the protocol, it could always be amended when
there is nothing wrong with the person. Even if someone
ejaculates the first time and in twenty minutes time, he does the
same, it is still going to be good, but not as good as the first one.”
At the various fertility centres where our correspondents posed
as potential sperm seller, the clinic workers made keen attempts
to have them start the process immediately, by leaving blood
samples for tests.
On one occasion, a clinic worker told one of our correspondents
that he was willing to waive the two to five days’ probation period
of abstinence, after our correspondent said he wished to “sleep
over it.”
The worker said, “What is there to think about? After all, you
already said you’re not married. You can leave your blood sample
for testing while you go ahead and think over it.”
Investigation showed that fertility centres want sellers between
18 and 45 years of age and expect them to abstain from sex,
two to five days before giving sperm sample, depending on the
centre.
Other conditions to be met by potential sperm sellers include
testing negative to HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, sickle cell and
some other sexually transmitted diseases. Tests are also carried
out to determine the count, morphology (shape) and motility of the
sperm cells.
In addition, fertility centres claim to also place a high premium on
average intelligence, education and lifestyle. Although PUNCH learnt
that such claims are not always true as more emphases are
actually placed on height and other physical attributes.
“It is not immediately that we pay. We prefer AA genotype
because it can be given to anybody, unlike AS that cannot be given
to just anybody,” Olufunsho added.
However, an employee in another fertility clinic in Lagos, Akin, said
sperm sellers could get paid within a week of starting the
process. This is possible only if they satisfy the conditions.
He said, “If the motility is good, the count is good and you’re okay,
then, you can produce for us. If everything is okay, within a week,
you can get your money.”
A 2012 study into the reproductive health of 26,600 men in
France, warned of a sperm crisis worldwide. It said that sperm
concentration has decreased by a third since the 1990s. The
study found a continuous 32.2 per cent decrease in sperm
concentration over a period of 17 years.
During the European Society of Human Reproduction and
Embryology annual conference in London in July 2013, some
experts, critical of the study’s validity, said it did not completely
represent the situation in certain areas, particularly the
developing world.
However, a fertility expert at Mother’s World Care, Ikeja, Lagos,
Dr. Margaret Olusegun, said the situation is similar in Nigeria.
She said, “A man should have a good count, up to 40 to 50 million
sperm per millimetre of semen upward. But you find that these
days, men have more challenges with fertility than women.
“Although, I don’t have the statistics, men are the ones with more
challenges now, even though they are the ones who drive out their
wives if they can’t bear children.”
Olusegun explained that good sperm should have “at least 50 per
cent motility (activeness) because sperm cells can be active,
sluggish or dead.”
“For morphology (shape) too, which could be normal or abnormal,
sperm should have upward of 50 per cent normal cells. And there
should not be bacteria growth,” she added.
Ogunmokun described low concentration of sperm as
“Oligospermia.” He, however, said a sperm count with a minimum
lower limit of 20 million sperm per millimetre of semen would still be
considered normal. But he added that any sperm concentration of
less than 20 million per millimetre of semen could be categorised as
mild, moderate or severe oligospermia, depending on the count.
Ogunmokun said fertility problems could be with the man, the
woman or the two of them.
PUNCH learnt that the demand for sperm has made the fertility
business a lucrative one. Many of the fertility centres in Lagos
have facilities for sperm preservation, where it’s freezing costs
about N50, 000 per quarter.
Ogunmokun said, “After collection, the semen is processed and
seminal fluid and all other things are removed. The sperm is put in
little bottles and placed in special containers called dewars,
connected to a power source. It is stored at very low temperature
and there must be an indicator for monitoring should there be a
change in the condition.”
He, however, added that there must be a standby generator in a
place like Nigeria, where power supply is unstable, as sperm can
be frozen for decades.
“Although, there are many other reasons why people freeze
sperm, someone living far away from his wife can decide to
freeze his sperm for the wife’s use while he’s away. Also,
someone going for cancer treatment can freeze his sperm before
starting the treatment since such treatments affect sperm
production,” he added.
Ogunmokun said fertility centres focus more on university
undergraduates to ensure that sperm donors have a certain
degree of intelligence.
He said, “The current practice is to actually recruit sperm donors
and the focus is on undergraduates. The focus is on students
because they should be able to provide their ID cards so that
background checks can be done.”
According to Ogunmokun, the perceived increase in the number of
men with low sperm count is as a result of infection and lifestyle
habits like sitting for too long and wearing of tight underwear.
He said, “The testes are not supposed to be too close to the body
because of the higher body temperature. The testes are naturally
colder, so people who travel long distances or sit in traffic for
long can be prone to infertility.”
Ogunmokun advised that men should “exercise appropriately, take
good nutrition, avoid tight underwear, premarital sex, cigarette
and alcohol to try to prevent low sperm count.”
However, Olusegun identified good hygiene as key to the
prevention of low sperm count, saying, “Our environment is too
contaminated.”
I Became Responsible Since I Had My Child – Terry G Reveals
Gabriel Amanyi is the weird singer that answers the
stage name Terry G. The singer, who has a lot of
street followers judging from his type of music,
recently spoke with Showtime on his lifestyle,
music and other issues.
You released your new album few months back.
How is the album doing in the market?
At least, it’s selling more than pure water because the
reception at the moment, has been very encouraging. Most of
the songs in the album are already hits and it’s doing well in the
market.
What’s the title of the album?
The album is titled, ‘’Book of Ginger .” It contains over 21
tracks and it’s a diversified album where I took time out to
showcase the other side of my career that my fans are not
familiar with.
You also launched the album in Abuja, why the
choice of Abuja?
You know we had some challenges when I was planning the
album launch. I wanted to use Eko Hotel and Suites, but the bill
was too expensive for me. I even wanted to partner with
some brands but did not work out. I couldn’t afford it so I
didn’t want to give up because I have never done an album
launch in my life before. That was why I decided to move it to
Abuja .
We also learnt that you are planning to tour Europe
with your music?
Yes, but it actually has to do with my management who do all
the arrangement. They are working on it and I know, it’s an
Europe tour. It’s expected to last for nearly a month and it’s
going to be fun.
What’s happening to your record label?
So far, I’ve always represented TGP Entertainment Records
although I didn’t loud it that much. It’s a label owned by myself
and all I do is just to work with my management. I will say we
are doing well. As board members, we tried to bring up some
brands but there were some issues as at then which came up.
Along the line, we are trying to work on other acts apart
from mainly just doing collaboration. I think I should do
something that would profit me and for now, I am the only one
on the label. Although my younger brother is signed to the label
for now. I want him to create his own brand as well. For now,
we are looking forward to signing on new artistes. This is
because it has to do with experience so we will not do
something that we will start regretting in future
So what is new about Terry G?
So many things. Now, I have a child; I’m a father. His name is
Amaniyi Rex, and with him added to my life, he has given me a
new life as a father. And this has made me to see the other
side of life. It has put me in my right place because when you
are thinking about tomorrow, you will want to be more
responsible. His birth has helped me a lot and even helped me to
stay away from the negative things of life. Also, I’m now
focusing on concert and trying to work on my brand by making
it accessible and also trying to shoot musical videos.
Did you cut your dreadlocks?
There was a picture I took which looked as if I have shaved my
dreadlocks. Seeing the picture people thought I have cut my
hair. I never cut my dreadlocks.
But can you change your style some day?
Change is constant and that’s one thing about life. But for
now, base on the fact that I portray this image I don’t think I
will do so.
You have been keeping a low profile in recent times,
what is happening to you?
It’s just that it gets to a level where maturity comes in and you
just have to slow down on something’s unlike when one was
still a teenager. So, now that one is mature those things one
indulge in, becomes distractions .I became responsible since I
had my kid . I looked at life in the other way because it worth a
lot for one to be responsible as people will like to be or want
to learn from you. Now, music is no more a pleasure but a
business for me.
Many people believe you must take something to be
high. Is it actually true when it comes to Terry G?
It is not true. Most of the people around me will testify to
that. The only thing I do is, I just smoke my cigarette before
going on stage. I don’t drink before mounting the stage to
perform. This is because drinking exhausts the energy and am
this energetic artist that must not take a risk at all. People
also know me as an energetic performer, so, anytime I grace
the stage I have to deliver.
How are you rocking fatherhood?
It has been fun and I think I am now cool it has given me the
chance to relax and think of a positive life as a father. It has
helped me to scare away negative friends and is still building
as well
So when are you going to take your baby mama to
the altar?
We are making plan for that and when it is time we will let you
know
How exactly did you meet your baby mama?
I met her in the United Kingdom. There was a concert I
attended in London. It was my first major performance in
London. That was where we met. I met her through a friend
and we just started chatting. What actually happened was
that she got amazed knowing I was Terry G. She wanted to
know about me; but when she saw the other side of me, she
got interested and realised the difference between Gabriel
and Terry G. Now we are able to transform the relationship to
a family and I’m more responsible with her beside me.
stage name Terry G. The singer, who has a lot of
street followers judging from his type of music,
recently spoke with Showtime on his lifestyle,
music and other issues.
You released your new album few months back.
How is the album doing in the market?
At least, it’s selling more than pure water because the
reception at the moment, has been very encouraging. Most of
the songs in the album are already hits and it’s doing well in the
market.
What’s the title of the album?
The album is titled, ‘’Book of Ginger .” It contains over 21
tracks and it’s a diversified album where I took time out to
showcase the other side of my career that my fans are not
familiar with.
You also launched the album in Abuja, why the
choice of Abuja?
You know we had some challenges when I was planning the
album launch. I wanted to use Eko Hotel and Suites, but the bill
was too expensive for me. I even wanted to partner with
some brands but did not work out. I couldn’t afford it so I
didn’t want to give up because I have never done an album
launch in my life before. That was why I decided to move it to
Abuja .
We also learnt that you are planning to tour Europe
with your music?
Yes, but it actually has to do with my management who do all
the arrangement. They are working on it and I know, it’s an
Europe tour. It’s expected to last for nearly a month and it’s
going to be fun.
What’s happening to your record label?
So far, I’ve always represented TGP Entertainment Records
although I didn’t loud it that much. It’s a label owned by myself
and all I do is just to work with my management. I will say we
are doing well. As board members, we tried to bring up some
brands but there were some issues as at then which came up.
Along the line, we are trying to work on other acts apart
from mainly just doing collaboration. I think I should do
something that would profit me and for now, I am the only one
on the label. Although my younger brother is signed to the label
for now. I want him to create his own brand as well. For now,
we are looking forward to signing on new artistes. This is
because it has to do with experience so we will not do
something that we will start regretting in future
So what is new about Terry G?
So many things. Now, I have a child; I’m a father. His name is
Amaniyi Rex, and with him added to my life, he has given me a
new life as a father. And this has made me to see the other
side of life. It has put me in my right place because when you
are thinking about tomorrow, you will want to be more
responsible. His birth has helped me a lot and even helped me to
stay away from the negative things of life. Also, I’m now
focusing on concert and trying to work on my brand by making
it accessible and also trying to shoot musical videos.
Did you cut your dreadlocks?
There was a picture I took which looked as if I have shaved my
dreadlocks. Seeing the picture people thought I have cut my
hair. I never cut my dreadlocks.
But can you change your style some day?
Change is constant and that’s one thing about life. But for
now, base on the fact that I portray this image I don’t think I
will do so.
You have been keeping a low profile in recent times,
what is happening to you?
It’s just that it gets to a level where maturity comes in and you
just have to slow down on something’s unlike when one was
still a teenager. So, now that one is mature those things one
indulge in, becomes distractions .I became responsible since I
had my kid . I looked at life in the other way because it worth a
lot for one to be responsible as people will like to be or want
to learn from you. Now, music is no more a pleasure but a
business for me.
Many people believe you must take something to be
high. Is it actually true when it comes to Terry G?
It is not true. Most of the people around me will testify to
that. The only thing I do is, I just smoke my cigarette before
going on stage. I don’t drink before mounting the stage to
perform. This is because drinking exhausts the energy and am
this energetic artist that must not take a risk at all. People
also know me as an energetic performer, so, anytime I grace
the stage I have to deliver.
How are you rocking fatherhood?
It has been fun and I think I am now cool it has given me the
chance to relax and think of a positive life as a father. It has
helped me to scare away negative friends and is still building
as well
So when are you going to take your baby mama to
the altar?
We are making plan for that and when it is time we will let you
know
How exactly did you meet your baby mama?
I met her in the United Kingdom. There was a concert I
attended in London. It was my first major performance in
London. That was where we met. I met her through a friend
and we just started chatting. What actually happened was
that she got amazed knowing I was Terry G. She wanted to
know about me; but when she saw the other side of me, she
got interested and realised the difference between Gabriel
and Terry G. Now we are able to transform the relationship to
a family and I’m more responsible with her beside me.
ASUU Strike: Time For The Federal Government To Act To Save Education
On July 2nd 2013, the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) for the umpteenth time since
2009 went on strike over the refusal of the
Federal Government to honour the 2009
agreement on the funding of Universities and a
subsequent January 2012 MOU.
The grounding of the Universities and paralysis of all academic
and social activities to say the least is inimical to the long term
development aspirations of Nigeria.
In today’s world that is knowledge driven, it is a wonder that
almost two months into the ASUU strike, the government is
still fiddling while the Ivory towers are ‘burning’.
It would be recalled that the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement
was the culmination of three years of negotiation following a
similar strike by university lecturers in 2006. Since 1991, the
struggle by Nigerian lecturers to ensure adequate funding in
order to arrest the rot in the Nigerian tertiary education has
been on with hardly any year going by without the lecturers
going on strike to either demand that government implements
the agreement reached or calling for a review of the
agreements.
Much more disturbing is the predilection of the government for
reneging on agreements freely entered into with university
teachers as was the case when the university sector was
rocked by protracted industrial unrest between 1994 and
1996 as a result of the government’s refusal to honour the
terms of the FGN/ASUU agreement of September 1992. The
current round of strike is also a product of the federal
government’s refusal to honour the terms of the 2009
agreement entered into with ASUU. These acts of bad faith
by successive governments in refusing to honour the terms of
agreements freely entered into more than anything else, has
accounted for the intractable crisis in the nation’s university
system.
Beyond the immediate implications of government’s unilateral
repudiation of the terms of agreements freely entered into, is
the larger implication for the economy and society at large in
terms of the sanctity of agreements, contracts and treaties
signed by the Nigerian government. A government that
habitually reneges on agreements freely entered into with its
citizens cannot be counted upon to uphold the sanctity of
contracts, treaties or agreements. Little wonder then that all
the jamborees of the government in the name of attracting
foreign investors end up yielding little or no result since no
serious investor will invest in a country where the sanctity of
agreements or contract means nothing.
Fundamentally, ASUU’s demand has been on the need to arrest
the falling standards and ensure the quality of tertiary
education which has been generally acknowledged as having
fallen beyond imagination. The report of the Committee on
Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities (CNANU) set up by
the Federal government vividly captures this rot.
The struggles of ASUU to attract adequate funding as well as
qualitative tertiary education has been on despite the
existence of a statutory body created specifically for the
purpose of ensuring the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria
and advising government on issues of remunerations in the
university system.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has a duty as part
of its functions as stated in its enabling act to ‘… prepare
periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated
development of all universities in Nigeria’, ‘lay down minimum
academic standards in the federal republic of Nigeria and
accredit degrees and other academic awards’, ‘to ensure that
quality is maintained within the academic programmes of the
Nigerian university system’, ‘to advise the Federal Government
on the financial needs, both recurrent and capital of
university education in Nigeria…’, ‘to undertake periodic review
of the terms and conditions of service of personnel engaged
in the universities and to make recommendations thereon to
the Federal Government as appropriate’.
It is quite clear from the foregoing therefore, that the
incessant agitations of ASUU is a direct fallout of the
embarrassing abdication of responsibility by the NUC. Clearly,
it has not been up and doing with regards to its primary duty
to the Nigerian university system. The question in view of the
monumental and disastrous failure is, is there any basis for
the continued existence of the NUC?.
Incessant strikes by ASUU over the very issues that are
squarely within the remit of the NUC and for which it ought to
have properly advised the government on, clearly shows that
the NUC has over the years failed woefully in the discharge of
its primary function of ensuring standards and advising
governments on the needs of the universities.
The colossal failure of NUC to perform its primary functions
and save the nation the current embarrassing state of affairs
in the university system that has necessitated ASUU
embarking on strike is a product of NUC’s abandonment of its
primary duty of regulation, ensuring standards and calling the
attention of the government to the worsening decay in
tertiary education in the country. As recently revealed, the
NUC, which ordinarily should be focussed in regulating
standards in the university system was said to be enmeshed in
contract awards, management of scholarship funds and
directly managing the affairs of universities in clear violation
and breach of extant laws.
This, to say the least, clearly explains why the NUC has failed
woefully in saving the nation from its current woes through
timely advice on the critical state and needs of the Nigerian
university system as well making proposals on how to avert
the current state of rot in the system. Given the grave
tragedy that incessant strike actions constitute to the
immediate and long term economic and social wellbeing of the
nation, we, the undersigned civil society organisations, call on
the federal government to, with immediate effect-
1. Demonstrate the requisite political will to respect the terms
of the agreement which it freely entered into with ASUU. This
is, to us, the hallmark and minimum requirement for a
responsible and credible government.
2. Re-open the collapsed negotiations with ASUU as quickly
as possible. 3. Set in motion with immediate effect , all the
mechanisms necessary for meeting the funding requirements
of the FGN/ASUU agreement of 2009 including those that
have fallen due.
4. Stop forthwith all efforts at derailing the interventionist
agencies in stabilising the Nigerian tertiary education system.
5. Ensure that the extant laws regulating the operations of
the TETFund are respected by all and sundry including but not
limited to the NUC.
6. To immediately ensure that the NUC and other regulatory
agencies within the tertiary education sector forthwith
remain and operate within the ambit of their primary functions
of regulating and setting standards for the university and
tertiary education system and desist from getting enmeshed in
functions that are best left to the universities/tertiary
institutions/other relevant agencies and outside their core
mandates.
7. Ensure the full implementation of the report of the
Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities
(CNANU).
Signed:
1. Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)
2. Women Organisation for Gender Issue
3. CiviI Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
4. West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)
5. Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria
6. National Procurement Watch Platform (NPWP)
7. Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG)
8. Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN)
9. Public Interest Lawyers League
10. United Action for Democracy (UAD)
11. Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP)
12. Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social
Rights (CCIDESOR)
13. Community Outreach for Development and Welfare
Advocacy (CODWA)
14. Say No Campaign Nigeria 15. International Press Centre
(IPC)
16. Coalition to Save Education in Nigeria (COSEG)
17. Feed Nigeria Initiative (FENI)
18. Greater Nigeria Movement (GNM)
19. Ethical Computing and Cyber Research Centre
20. Centre for Responsible Engagement and Patriotism
Universities (ASUU) for the umpteenth time since
2009 went on strike over the refusal of the
Federal Government to honour the 2009
agreement on the funding of Universities and a
subsequent January 2012 MOU.
The grounding of the Universities and paralysis of all academic
and social activities to say the least is inimical to the long term
development aspirations of Nigeria.
In today’s world that is knowledge driven, it is a wonder that
almost two months into the ASUU strike, the government is
still fiddling while the Ivory towers are ‘burning’.
It would be recalled that the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement
was the culmination of three years of negotiation following a
similar strike by university lecturers in 2006. Since 1991, the
struggle by Nigerian lecturers to ensure adequate funding in
order to arrest the rot in the Nigerian tertiary education has
been on with hardly any year going by without the lecturers
going on strike to either demand that government implements
the agreement reached or calling for a review of the
agreements.
Much more disturbing is the predilection of the government for
reneging on agreements freely entered into with university
teachers as was the case when the university sector was
rocked by protracted industrial unrest between 1994 and
1996 as a result of the government’s refusal to honour the
terms of the FGN/ASUU agreement of September 1992. The
current round of strike is also a product of the federal
government’s refusal to honour the terms of the 2009
agreement entered into with ASUU. These acts of bad faith
by successive governments in refusing to honour the terms of
agreements freely entered into more than anything else, has
accounted for the intractable crisis in the nation’s university
system.
Beyond the immediate implications of government’s unilateral
repudiation of the terms of agreements freely entered into, is
the larger implication for the economy and society at large in
terms of the sanctity of agreements, contracts and treaties
signed by the Nigerian government. A government that
habitually reneges on agreements freely entered into with its
citizens cannot be counted upon to uphold the sanctity of
contracts, treaties or agreements. Little wonder then that all
the jamborees of the government in the name of attracting
foreign investors end up yielding little or no result since no
serious investor will invest in a country where the sanctity of
agreements or contract means nothing.
Fundamentally, ASUU’s demand has been on the need to arrest
the falling standards and ensure the quality of tertiary
education which has been generally acknowledged as having
fallen beyond imagination. The report of the Committee on
Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities (CNANU) set up by
the Federal government vividly captures this rot.
The struggles of ASUU to attract adequate funding as well as
qualitative tertiary education has been on despite the
existence of a statutory body created specifically for the
purpose of ensuring the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria
and advising government on issues of remunerations in the
university system.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has a duty as part
of its functions as stated in its enabling act to ‘… prepare
periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated
development of all universities in Nigeria’, ‘lay down minimum
academic standards in the federal republic of Nigeria and
accredit degrees and other academic awards’, ‘to ensure that
quality is maintained within the academic programmes of the
Nigerian university system’, ‘to advise the Federal Government
on the financial needs, both recurrent and capital of
university education in Nigeria…’, ‘to undertake periodic review
of the terms and conditions of service of personnel engaged
in the universities and to make recommendations thereon to
the Federal Government as appropriate’.
It is quite clear from the foregoing therefore, that the
incessant agitations of ASUU is a direct fallout of the
embarrassing abdication of responsibility by the NUC. Clearly,
it has not been up and doing with regards to its primary duty
to the Nigerian university system. The question in view of the
monumental and disastrous failure is, is there any basis for
the continued existence of the NUC?.
Incessant strikes by ASUU over the very issues that are
squarely within the remit of the NUC and for which it ought to
have properly advised the government on, clearly shows that
the NUC has over the years failed woefully in the discharge of
its primary function of ensuring standards and advising
governments on the needs of the universities.
The colossal failure of NUC to perform its primary functions
and save the nation the current embarrassing state of affairs
in the university system that has necessitated ASUU
embarking on strike is a product of NUC’s abandonment of its
primary duty of regulation, ensuring standards and calling the
attention of the government to the worsening decay in
tertiary education in the country. As recently revealed, the
NUC, which ordinarily should be focussed in regulating
standards in the university system was said to be enmeshed in
contract awards, management of scholarship funds and
directly managing the affairs of universities in clear violation
and breach of extant laws.
This, to say the least, clearly explains why the NUC has failed
woefully in saving the nation from its current woes through
timely advice on the critical state and needs of the Nigerian
university system as well making proposals on how to avert
the current state of rot in the system. Given the grave
tragedy that incessant strike actions constitute to the
immediate and long term economic and social wellbeing of the
nation, we, the undersigned civil society organisations, call on
the federal government to, with immediate effect-
1. Demonstrate the requisite political will to respect the terms
of the agreement which it freely entered into with ASUU. This
is, to us, the hallmark and minimum requirement for a
responsible and credible government.
2. Re-open the collapsed negotiations with ASUU as quickly
as possible. 3. Set in motion with immediate effect , all the
mechanisms necessary for meeting the funding requirements
of the FGN/ASUU agreement of 2009 including those that
have fallen due.
4. Stop forthwith all efforts at derailing the interventionist
agencies in stabilising the Nigerian tertiary education system.
5. Ensure that the extant laws regulating the operations of
the TETFund are respected by all and sundry including but not
limited to the NUC.
6. To immediately ensure that the NUC and other regulatory
agencies within the tertiary education sector forthwith
remain and operate within the ambit of their primary functions
of regulating and setting standards for the university and
tertiary education system and desist from getting enmeshed in
functions that are best left to the universities/tertiary
institutions/other relevant agencies and outside their core
mandates.
7. Ensure the full implementation of the report of the
Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities
(CNANU).
Signed:
1. Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)
2. Women Organisation for Gender Issue
3. CiviI Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
4. West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)
5. Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria
6. National Procurement Watch Platform (NPWP)
7. Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG)
8. Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN)
9. Public Interest Lawyers League
10. United Action for Democracy (UAD)
11. Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP)
12. Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social
Rights (CCIDESOR)
13. Community Outreach for Development and Welfare
Advocacy (CODWA)
14. Say No Campaign Nigeria 15. International Press Centre
(IPC)
16. Coalition to Save Education in Nigeria (COSEG)
17. Feed Nigeria Initiative (FENI)
18. Greater Nigeria Movement (GNM)
19. Ethical Computing and Cyber Research Centre
20. Centre for Responsible Engagement and Patriotism
PLEASE, LET’S PRAY FOR GOVERNOR AMAECHI
I am sure that many watchers of political events in Rivers State
would not have imagined that the political crisis rocking that state
could last this long, especially against the backdrop that high
profile personalities have have made frantic efforts to see an
end to the imbroglio.
More worrisome is the fact that while well meaning Nigerians are
seeking an end to the crisis, the PDP in the state led by Chief Felix
Obuah is constantly maintaining a posture that darkens on-going
reconciliation efforts. The recent expulsion of 18 loyalists of
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, including Commissioners, is a
case in point.
This development no doubt has cast a dark shadow on the efforts
of concerned Nigerians who are eager to see the return of peace
to this oil and gas-rich state.
The Inspector General of Police, Mohmamed Abubakar, is also not
helping matters. He recently swapped no fewer than 14
Commissioners of Police, but didn't move that of Rivers – even
while the National Assembly and Nigerians in general have called for
either Joseph Mbu’s transfer or removal.
The only option left to those who still feel concerned about this
unfortunate situation in Rivers State is to continue to pray for
the safety of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the embattled
Governor, as with God all things are possible.
By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
Obasanjo Assures Tambuwal: I Am Behind You
Contrary to the expectations of President Goodluck Jonathan and
his aides who have been accusing Speaker of the House of Reps,
Aminu Tambuwa, of associating with their "enemies", Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday took a different stand. He said he is
happy and very proud of the way Speaker Tambuwal has been
leading the House of Representatives.
In what some say is an open endorsement for Tambuwal's future
ambition, Obasanjo said:
“I like you, in fact I love you, please go ahead with what you
are doing at the National Assembly. I am behind you. I am a
principled person and I like the way you run the affairs of
the House of Representatives .”
Obasanjo stated this in Sokoto on Friday at a ceremony to lay the
foundation of phase 2 of the Usman Faruq Secretariat.
During his visit to Sokoto, Obasanjo paid a courtesy visit to Sultan
of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who he commended for his
“tireless efforts” at promoting unity in the country.
The Sultan, in turn, begged Obasanjo not to quit politics yet,
saying Nigerians still need him around.
his aides who have been accusing Speaker of the House of Reps,
Aminu Tambuwa, of associating with their "enemies", Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday took a different stand. He said he is
happy and very proud of the way Speaker Tambuwal has been
leading the House of Representatives.
In what some say is an open endorsement for Tambuwal's future
ambition, Obasanjo said:
“I like you, in fact I love you, please go ahead with what you
are doing at the National Assembly. I am behind you. I am a
principled person and I like the way you run the affairs of
the House of Representatives .”
Obasanjo stated this in Sokoto on Friday at a ceremony to lay the
foundation of phase 2 of the Usman Faruq Secretariat.
During his visit to Sokoto, Obasanjo paid a courtesy visit to Sultan
of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who he commended for his
“tireless efforts” at promoting unity in the country.
The Sultan, in turn, begged Obasanjo not to quit politics yet,
saying Nigerians still need him around.
Mandela Returns Home From Hospital?
After spending several weeks at the intensive care unit of a
South African hospital, Nelson Mandela the Papa Africa, has
finally returned home to his big family. What a relief!
Last week, his condition was described by the federal
government as “critical but stable”. He finally came out of the
stress and doctor's say he is now better than before, hence he
was discharged.
According to BBC, he will however continue receiving treatment
from home for a recurring lung infection which date back to the
time he spent in prison for anti-apartheid struggle, a period of
nearly three decades.
.
If true, it's good he made it out of hospital!
South African hospital, Nelson Mandela the Papa Africa, has
finally returned home to his big family. What a relief!
Last week, his condition was described by the federal
government as “critical but stable”. He finally came out of the
stress and doctor's say he is now better than before, hence he
was discharged.
According to BBC, he will however continue receiving treatment
from home for a recurring lung infection which date back to the
time he spent in prison for anti-apartheid struggle, a period of
nearly three decades.
.
If true, it's good he made it out of hospital!
Patience Jonathan's Abuja Rally Accident Victim Speaks Up
Mrs. Ifeanyi Chima was one of Lagos delegates that attended a
rally organised for women by the First Lady, Mrs. Patience
Jonathan, in Abuja on August 15, 2013.
The vehicle, which Chima and five other women were travelling in,
had an accident along Abuja/Gwagwalada road when they were
going back to Lagos the following day.
Their coordinator, Princess Abigael Adisa, died in the accident.
Chima and four others were lucky to survive the accident, but
sustained various degrees of injuries. Until her death, Adisa was
the Coordinator of the Women for Change and Development
Initiative in Ifako/Ijaye Local Government Area of Lagos.
Chima, in an interview with PUNCH at the Intensive Care Unit of
Primus Super Specialty Hospital (popularly known as Indian
Hospital) in the Karu area of Abuja, on Tuesday, painted a sad
picture of how she almost lost her limbs to the accident.
She said, “Five of us were brought to this hospital. I had a broken
left arm and dislocation on my left leg. Mrs. Titilayo Olorunda also
had a broken leg. She has been taken to another ward because she
was formerly here (in the intensive care unit). But after a surgery
she was taken to her ward. When I had the injury, I had some open
wounds in my hands.”
“At the specialist hospital in Gwagwalada, instead of treating the
skin, they covered it up. It was when they brought us here (Indian
Hospital) when I was complaining bitterly that the doctor said they
should open it. That was when they started treating the place I
had bruises. I had my surgical operation some days ago.
“The doctors and nurses here are wonderful. This is what I want
our doctors and nurses in Nigerian hospitals to learn. They should
be caring. Human life needs to be taken care of. When you see
somebody in pains, take care of that person because that person
needs you at that point in time.”
rally organised for women by the First Lady, Mrs. Patience
Jonathan, in Abuja on August 15, 2013.
The vehicle, which Chima and five other women were travelling in,
had an accident along Abuja/Gwagwalada road when they were
going back to Lagos the following day.
Their coordinator, Princess Abigael Adisa, died in the accident.
Chima and four others were lucky to survive the accident, but
sustained various degrees of injuries. Until her death, Adisa was
the Coordinator of the Women for Change and Development
Initiative in Ifako/Ijaye Local Government Area of Lagos.
Chima, in an interview with PUNCH at the Intensive Care Unit of
Primus Super Specialty Hospital (popularly known as Indian
Hospital) in the Karu area of Abuja, on Tuesday, painted a sad
picture of how she almost lost her limbs to the accident.
She said, “Five of us were brought to this hospital. I had a broken
left arm and dislocation on my left leg. Mrs. Titilayo Olorunda also
had a broken leg. She has been taken to another ward because she
was formerly here (in the intensive care unit). But after a surgery
she was taken to her ward. When I had the injury, I had some open
wounds in my hands.”
“At the specialist hospital in Gwagwalada, instead of treating the
skin, they covered it up. It was when they brought us here (Indian
Hospital) when I was complaining bitterly that the doctor said they
should open it. That was when they started treating the place I
had bruises. I had my surgical operation some days ago.
“The doctors and nurses here are wonderful. This is what I want
our doctors and nurses in Nigerian hospitals to learn. They should
be caring. Human life needs to be taken care of. When you see
somebody in pains, take care of that person because that person
needs you at that point in time.”
ASUU Strike: Give Them Their Money ––Parents Tell Jonathan
It’s been two months since the Academic Staff Union of
Universities embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike. This was
as a result of the inability of the Federal Government to implement
the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with ASUU.
Some Nigerian parents have sent out strong messages to
President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and put an end to the
prolonged strike immediately:
Here's what the affected parents told Vanguard on the issue...
Government not feeling the strike because their
children are in private universities
— Ohwaguono Onos
Mr. Ohwaguono Onos, a parent and a post graduate student of
University of Lagos( UNILAG), who was affected by the strike
has this to say.
“The ASUU strike has made my children shift focus to other things
that are costing me additional funds I didn’t budget for. And
parents who cannot engage their wards in these suffer distress
and heart-aches because of the nuisance the students constitute
at home. One thing I have learnt is that after each episode of
strike, the students are no more focused even when they resume
lectures because they have been out for so long. ASUU went on
strike because they want the government to come to their plight
and help them.
“If the Senators can have sitting and sleeping allowances, then
the builders of these characters should be considered; they are
the lecturers. My only pain is that these ones in government are
not feeling it because their own children are not in the Federal and
State universities. Their children are abroad schooling, their
children are in private universities. Most of the people in sensitive
government positions are the owners of most private Universities
which are funded by our own money. How can the strike affect
the government? Our plea is for the government to listen to the
masses, listen to ASUU and help them; that way they are helping
us and saving the future.
Federal government should meet the demands of the
lecturers
—Oluranti Olushola
Mrs Oluranti Olushola, a teacher who said her son was affected
by the strike pleaded that the Federal Government should help
them so their children can go back to school. “I am seriously
appealing to the Federal Government, on behalf of Nigerian
parents, to end the strike and make education a top priority and
also save the education sector from imminent collapse.”
She noted that the government voluntarily entered into an
agreement with the union in 2009 to fund universities better and
meet some other demands of the union. “The Federal Government
must at all costs meet the demands of the union to save the
future of our children,” she said.
Government should avoid workers’ strike
—Mrs Ruquiyat Adebayo
Another teacher, Mrs Ruquiyat Adebayo disclosed that that
ASUU’s demands were genuine. She urged the government to make
any sacrifice to improve the education sector. Mrs Adebayo also
advised the government to avoid workers’ strike by meeting their
demands early.“ASUU is not asking for too much. It’s demands are
justified. We have the resources in this country, and we must set
our priorities right. Education must come first in all our
plans.“Whatever it will take, Nigeria must improve the welfare of
the University teachers,” she said.
Government should resolve the conflict with ASUU
—Moturayo Madandola
Mrs Moturayo Madandola whose child was affected by the strike
said government should resolve the conflict with ASUU quickly to
save the University system from collapse. “The Federal
Government should accede to the demands of the striking union so
that our children can go back to school,” she said.
Government should be considerate
—Malik Alabi
Malik Alabi, a businessman expressed his feelings with anger
saying, “don’t mind those people in government , all their children
are schooling abroad. How would they remember us? They only
plan to travel to Dubai for vacation, travel out of the country for
medical check up, send their children to Harvard and all the good
schools abroad. These people should also consider the parents
who suffer to pay school fees for our children . I have two
children at OAU and they are both at home doing nothing and it
pains me a lot . My only plea is that Federal Government should help
us because the parents are the ones suffering it more”.
Four-year course is running six years because of the
strike
—Deaconess Joy Osewengie Deaconness Mrs. Joy
Osewengie, a mother of two students in the University of Benin
(UNIBEN) expressed her concern saying, “The ASUU strike has
turned into something else; my children are not doing anything at
home. Courses that are supposed to run for four years are now
running six years and above. When will the children finish their
programmes in the Universities and become very useful to their
family and the society?
“The government should know that an idle mind is the devil’s
workshop. We should bear in mind that these ones are the future
of this great nation and if they are half baked because of strike
and crisis, then we may end up with a very sick nation.”
Universities embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike. This was
as a result of the inability of the Federal Government to implement
the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with ASUU.
Some Nigerian parents have sent out strong messages to
President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and put an end to the
prolonged strike immediately:
Here's what the affected parents told Vanguard on the issue...
Government not feeling the strike because their
children are in private universities
— Ohwaguono Onos
Mr. Ohwaguono Onos, a parent and a post graduate student of
University of Lagos( UNILAG), who was affected by the strike
has this to say.
“The ASUU strike has made my children shift focus to other things
that are costing me additional funds I didn’t budget for. And
parents who cannot engage their wards in these suffer distress
and heart-aches because of the nuisance the students constitute
at home. One thing I have learnt is that after each episode of
strike, the students are no more focused even when they resume
lectures because they have been out for so long. ASUU went on
strike because they want the government to come to their plight
and help them.
“If the Senators can have sitting and sleeping allowances, then
the builders of these characters should be considered; they are
the lecturers. My only pain is that these ones in government are
not feeling it because their own children are not in the Federal and
State universities. Their children are abroad schooling, their
children are in private universities. Most of the people in sensitive
government positions are the owners of most private Universities
which are funded by our own money. How can the strike affect
the government? Our plea is for the government to listen to the
masses, listen to ASUU and help them; that way they are helping
us and saving the future.
Federal government should meet the demands of the
lecturers
—Oluranti Olushola
Mrs Oluranti Olushola, a teacher who said her son was affected
by the strike pleaded that the Federal Government should help
them so their children can go back to school. “I am seriously
appealing to the Federal Government, on behalf of Nigerian
parents, to end the strike and make education a top priority and
also save the education sector from imminent collapse.”
She noted that the government voluntarily entered into an
agreement with the union in 2009 to fund universities better and
meet some other demands of the union. “The Federal Government
must at all costs meet the demands of the union to save the
future of our children,” she said.
Government should avoid workers’ strike
—Mrs Ruquiyat Adebayo
Another teacher, Mrs Ruquiyat Adebayo disclosed that that
ASUU’s demands were genuine. She urged the government to make
any sacrifice to improve the education sector. Mrs Adebayo also
advised the government to avoid workers’ strike by meeting their
demands early.“ASUU is not asking for too much. It’s demands are
justified. We have the resources in this country, and we must set
our priorities right. Education must come first in all our
plans.“Whatever it will take, Nigeria must improve the welfare of
the University teachers,” she said.
Government should resolve the conflict with ASUU
—Moturayo Madandola
Mrs Moturayo Madandola whose child was affected by the strike
said government should resolve the conflict with ASUU quickly to
save the University system from collapse. “The Federal
Government should accede to the demands of the striking union so
that our children can go back to school,” she said.
Government should be considerate
—Malik Alabi
Malik Alabi, a businessman expressed his feelings with anger
saying, “don’t mind those people in government , all their children
are schooling abroad. How would they remember us? They only
plan to travel to Dubai for vacation, travel out of the country for
medical check up, send their children to Harvard and all the good
schools abroad. These people should also consider the parents
who suffer to pay school fees for our children . I have two
children at OAU and they are both at home doing nothing and it
pains me a lot . My only plea is that Federal Government should help
us because the parents are the ones suffering it more”.
Four-year course is running six years because of the
strike
—Deaconess Joy Osewengie Deaconness Mrs. Joy
Osewengie, a mother of two students in the University of Benin
(UNIBEN) expressed her concern saying, “The ASUU strike has
turned into something else; my children are not doing anything at
home. Courses that are supposed to run for four years are now
running six years and above. When will the children finish their
programmes in the Universities and become very useful to their
family and the society?
“The government should know that an idle mind is the devil’s
workshop. We should bear in mind that these ones are the future
of this great nation and if they are half baked because of strike
and crisis, then we may end up with a very sick nation.”
Man Says He Killed Wife To End Her Pain From Cancer
A
southeastern Kentucky man charged with killing his wife says
he fatally shot her because she asked him to end her
suffering from chest cancer.
Ernest Chris Chumbley told WKYT-TV he fired the shots that
killed 44-year-old Virginia M. Chumbley of London – and he
said he would have expected her to do the same for him. He
told WLEX-TV he loved his wife.
The Laurel County sheriff’s office says Ernest Chumbley
called about 2:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday saying he had shot his
wife. Deputies found her dead in the bedroom.
The 48-year-old Chumbley was arrested on a murder charge
and was being held on $200,000 bond. A jail official told The
Associated Press that Chumbley was declining requests for
further interviews on his lawyer’s advice.
southeastern Kentucky man charged with killing his wife says
he fatally shot her because she asked him to end her
suffering from chest cancer.
Ernest Chris Chumbley told WKYT-TV he fired the shots that
killed 44-year-old Virginia M. Chumbley of London – and he
said he would have expected her to do the same for him. He
told WLEX-TV he loved his wife.
The Laurel County sheriff’s office says Ernest Chumbley
called about 2:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday saying he had shot his
wife. Deputies found her dead in the bedroom.
The 48-year-old Chumbley was arrested on a murder charge
and was being held on $200,000 bond. A jail official told The
Associated Press that Chumbley was declining requests for
further interviews on his lawyer’s advice.
Abide By The Constitution, Stop Playing Politics With Suntai’s Health, NLC President Warns Political Actors
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed
Omar has warned against people playing politics with the
health of Gov. Danbaba Suntai of Taraba.
Omar gave warning in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday and added that those involved
in the controversy in the state act within the law in the
interest of the people.
He advised that no one should stage manage the governor’s
ability to govern the state, saying if the governor was not
incapacitated, he should be allowed to function.
“I think we should stop playing politics with the Taraba State
issue and even if we should play politics, we should make sure
we don’t contravene the provisions of the constitution.
“It is provided in the constitution that in the case where a
governor is not capable, the deputy will fill the gap pending
when the governor recovers.
“But in the case of Taraba, it is clear that some people are
stage managing the return of the governor and some of the
things we are hearing are very funny,” he said.
Omar said if the governor was fit as claimed by his
supporters, he should follow due process after returning to
the country.
“For a governor who returned from medical treatment abroad,
one expects that the first function the governor should have
carried out is to address the people of the state.
“But the first thing we are seeing is sacking people,
dissolving the cabinet and doing all sorts of things.
“I think this leaves a lot of questions to be answered. The
House of Assembly which should be working hand in hand with
the executive claimed they were barred from seeing the
governor.
“The governor remains the governor unless he decides to
resigns or he dies or there are clear indications that he is
incapacitated, then, a formal decision will be taken.
Omar called on all stakeholders to desist from actions that
would put the state in jeopardy. (NAN)
Omar has warned against people playing politics with the
health of Gov. Danbaba Suntai of Taraba.
Omar gave warning in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday and added that those involved
in the controversy in the state act within the law in the
interest of the people.
He advised that no one should stage manage the governor’s
ability to govern the state, saying if the governor was not
incapacitated, he should be allowed to function.
“I think we should stop playing politics with the Taraba State
issue and even if we should play politics, we should make sure
we don’t contravene the provisions of the constitution.
“It is provided in the constitution that in the case where a
governor is not capable, the deputy will fill the gap pending
when the governor recovers.
“But in the case of Taraba, it is clear that some people are
stage managing the return of the governor and some of the
things we are hearing are very funny,” he said.
Omar said if the governor was fit as claimed by his
supporters, he should follow due process after returning to
the country.
“For a governor who returned from medical treatment abroad,
one expects that the first function the governor should have
carried out is to address the people of the state.
“But the first thing we are seeing is sacking people,
dissolving the cabinet and doing all sorts of things.
“I think this leaves a lot of questions to be answered. The
House of Assembly which should be working hand in hand with
the executive claimed they were barred from seeing the
governor.
“The governor remains the governor unless he decides to
resigns or he dies or there are clear indications that he is
incapacitated, then, a formal decision will be taken.
Omar called on all stakeholders to desist from actions that
would put the state in jeopardy. (NAN)
Hired Assassins Spare Mother, 2 Daughters, R*pe Them Instead
Hoodlums who were purportedly sent by a top politician in
Ebonyi State to kill the mother of two daughters and
Councillor representing Ndiagu Echara Ward I in Ikwo Local
government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Margret Elom were
unable to do so, but decided to molest them and cart away
their belongings, reports have said.
The suspects who came at night when their victims were
already asleep allegedly r*ped them in turns at gun point after
stealing the sum of N50, 000, nine different models of
handset and a Carter motorcycle from them.
The incident was reported to the State Police Command for
investigation and arrest of the suspects.
Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sylvester
Igbo, who confirmed the incident, while briefing newsmen at
the Command Headquarters, insisted that only Hon. Elom’s
daughters were r*ped when the suspects invaded the
victims’ residence.
“One Hon. Margret Elom, the Councillor representing Ndiagu
Echara Ward I from Ikwo Local government area of Ebonyi
state reported that while she was sleeping with her
daughters that some hoodlums broke into their house and stole
the sum of N50, 000 from her and collected one Carter
motorcycle valued at N120, 000 and nine different handsets.
“And in the process of robbing her of her belongings, two of
her daughters were r*ped by the two suspects; the
suspects were later identified as one Chidi Eze, 24, Sunday
Nwogu, 23. Chidi has been arraigned in court on 12th August,
2013,” Igbo said.
Ebonyi State to kill the mother of two daughters and
Councillor representing Ndiagu Echara Ward I in Ikwo Local
government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Margret Elom were
unable to do so, but decided to molest them and cart away
their belongings, reports have said.
The suspects who came at night when their victims were
already asleep allegedly r*ped them in turns at gun point after
stealing the sum of N50, 000, nine different models of
handset and a Carter motorcycle from them.
The incident was reported to the State Police Command for
investigation and arrest of the suspects.
Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sylvester
Igbo, who confirmed the incident, while briefing newsmen at
the Command Headquarters, insisted that only Hon. Elom’s
daughters were r*ped when the suspects invaded the
victims’ residence.
“One Hon. Margret Elom, the Councillor representing Ndiagu
Echara Ward I from Ikwo Local government area of Ebonyi
state reported that while she was sleeping with her
daughters that some hoodlums broke into their house and stole
the sum of N50, 000 from her and collected one Carter
motorcycle valued at N120, 000 and nine different handsets.
“And in the process of robbing her of her belongings, two of
her daughters were r*ped by the two suspects; the
suspects were later identified as one Chidi Eze, 24, Sunday
Nwogu, 23. Chidi has been arraigned in court on 12th August,
2013,” Igbo said.
Friday 30 August 2013
Obasanjo In Sokoto, Hails Sultan’s ‘Tireless Efforts’ At Promoting Unity Among Nigerians
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday commended
the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, for his “tireless
efforts” at promoting unity in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasanjo
made the commendation during a courtesy visit to the sultan in
Sokoto.
He said that the country was in dire need of peace
for government at all levels to put in place sound policies and
programmes that would enhance the well-being of Nigerians.
Obasanjo said he was in the state to inaugurate some
programmes initiated by Gov. Aliyu Wamakko’s administration.
He explained that the Asari water project would be
inaugurated to enhance the well being of the people.
He commended the administration for making it reality for
people to have good access roads both in urban and rural
areas.
Responding, Abubakar also commended the former president
for his efforts to keep Nigeria one.
“The country is blessed with abundant mineral resources
needed to ensure its rapid political growth.
“The time has come for Nigerians, irrespective of tribal,
religious and political differences, to work together towards
moving the country forward.
“It is only by so doing that the dream of the country to have
things fixed in proper shape will be a reality,” he added.
Abubakar also commended the government for providing
people-oriented policies and programmes. (NAN)
the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, for his “tireless
efforts” at promoting unity in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasanjo
made the commendation during a courtesy visit to the sultan in
Sokoto.
He said that the country was in dire need of peace
for government at all levels to put in place sound policies and
programmes that would enhance the well-being of Nigerians.
Obasanjo said he was in the state to inaugurate some
programmes initiated by Gov. Aliyu Wamakko’s administration.
He explained that the Asari water project would be
inaugurated to enhance the well being of the people.
He commended the administration for making it reality for
people to have good access roads both in urban and rural
areas.
Responding, Abubakar also commended the former president
for his efforts to keep Nigeria one.
“The country is blessed with abundant mineral resources
needed to ensure its rapid political growth.
“The time has come for Nigerians, irrespective of tribal,
religious and political differences, to work together towards
moving the country forward.
“It is only by so doing that the dream of the country to have
things fixed in proper shape will be a reality,” he added.
Abubakar also commended the government for providing
people-oriented policies and programmes. (NAN)
MY STORY: I Slept With A Strange Woman And I Nearly Died
I am a womaniser or should I say, I love women a lot
and I could do anything to sleep with any beautiful
girl.
I was always after all the girls in my class when I was in
school; and you know, I always attracted them by the way I
moved stylishly and lavishly spent money on them.
Girls were all around me and I could choose whoever I wanted
at anytime. On a fateful day, one of my friends came to invite
me to a birthday party, I dressed gorgeously and followed him
knowing that I was going to make a ‘new catch, if not
catches’ so to say.
When we got to the party, I made myself so conspicuous that
it didn’t take time before girls started milling around me. I
forgot to tell you that I am quite lanky and attractive.
After partying for some time, I retired with one of my new
girls to a nearby hotel which we hired for the night.
As usual, we slept together but that was all I could remember.
What do you expect of someone like me? I was so drunk and
tired and the way I even managed to sleep with her that night
was a mystery. I guess when you are used to something; you
can even do it in the grave.
The following day when I woke up, the lady of the night
before was nowhere to be found. I dismissed the thought of
her as I used to do about other girls and went ahead to get
myself prepared to go home not knowing something had gone
wrong.
It was when I was about leaving the hotel that I discovered I
was not feeling well; I could barely walk and my limbs were
shaking. I called my friends and they immediately came to my
rescue and rushed me to the hospital for treatment.
I could not explain what happened to me; but all I knew was
that I felt empty within me and I knew I was dying gradually.
What could be the cause of my illness as it was not the first
time I would go to a hotel with a lady? The doctors could not
find anything wrong with me; all they said was that I needed
some rest when right within me, I knew I was dying.
I tried to explain to one of the doctors and he later sent me
for a blood test which revealed virtually nothing and it was
after that I became scared because of the way I was
feeling, I didn’t know how a doctor could say I was okay.
After two weeks in the hospital, without any improvement,
the doctors invited my parents and advised them to take me
home to find solution to my illness as it was beyond orthodox
medicine.
Hence, my father asked me series of questions which I didn’t
answer candidly. I knew I was dying, but at least, there are
some things you dare not tell your parents.
My parents spent so much money on this illness, after I was
discharged from the hospital; they took me to a traditional
medical practitioner.
The man told my parents to leave while he asked me certain
questions which I decided to answer, when it was obvious
that I was dying. He asked if I knew the girl I slept with at the
hotel that night and I said I didn’t.
That was when he told me I had slept with a ritualist who had
probably taken something out of my system to use for her
ritual purposes.
I was shocked and I couldn’t speak but when I did, I asked the
herbalist if there was any remedy for my problem. He said he
would try his best, he also asked if I didn’t mind if he consulted
his oracle on my behalf because my parents are Christians
who would not allow such things.
Since they were not there, I asked him to do anything to make
me get better. Well, to cut a long story short, he tried his best
with herbs, but he would not tell me what my illness was. I am
alive today to tell the story and I have mended my ways. Since I
got well, I never went after any lady. This story is not a
fiction; it happened to me in reality and it was God that saved
me.
Tope.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
and I could do anything to sleep with any beautiful
girl.
I was always after all the girls in my class when I was in
school; and you know, I always attracted them by the way I
moved stylishly and lavishly spent money on them.
Girls were all around me and I could choose whoever I wanted
at anytime. On a fateful day, one of my friends came to invite
me to a birthday party, I dressed gorgeously and followed him
knowing that I was going to make a ‘new catch, if not
catches’ so to say.
When we got to the party, I made myself so conspicuous that
it didn’t take time before girls started milling around me. I
forgot to tell you that I am quite lanky and attractive.
After partying for some time, I retired with one of my new
girls to a nearby hotel which we hired for the night.
As usual, we slept together but that was all I could remember.
What do you expect of someone like me? I was so drunk and
tired and the way I even managed to sleep with her that night
was a mystery. I guess when you are used to something; you
can even do it in the grave.
The following day when I woke up, the lady of the night
before was nowhere to be found. I dismissed the thought of
her as I used to do about other girls and went ahead to get
myself prepared to go home not knowing something had gone
wrong.
It was when I was about leaving the hotel that I discovered I
was not feeling well; I could barely walk and my limbs were
shaking. I called my friends and they immediately came to my
rescue and rushed me to the hospital for treatment.
I could not explain what happened to me; but all I knew was
that I felt empty within me and I knew I was dying gradually.
What could be the cause of my illness as it was not the first
time I would go to a hotel with a lady? The doctors could not
find anything wrong with me; all they said was that I needed
some rest when right within me, I knew I was dying.
I tried to explain to one of the doctors and he later sent me
for a blood test which revealed virtually nothing and it was
after that I became scared because of the way I was
feeling, I didn’t know how a doctor could say I was okay.
After two weeks in the hospital, without any improvement,
the doctors invited my parents and advised them to take me
home to find solution to my illness as it was beyond orthodox
medicine.
Hence, my father asked me series of questions which I didn’t
answer candidly. I knew I was dying, but at least, there are
some things you dare not tell your parents.
My parents spent so much money on this illness, after I was
discharged from the hospital; they took me to a traditional
medical practitioner.
The man told my parents to leave while he asked me certain
questions which I decided to answer, when it was obvious
that I was dying. He asked if I knew the girl I slept with at the
hotel that night and I said I didn’t.
That was when he told me I had slept with a ritualist who had
probably taken something out of my system to use for her
ritual purposes.
I was shocked and I couldn’t speak but when I did, I asked the
herbalist if there was any remedy for my problem. He said he
would try his best, he also asked if I didn’t mind if he consulted
his oracle on my behalf because my parents are Christians
who would not allow such things.
Since they were not there, I asked him to do anything to make
me get better. Well, to cut a long story short, he tried his best
with herbs, but he would not tell me what my illness was. I am
alive today to tell the story and I have mended my ways. Since I
got well, I never went after any lady. This story is not a
fiction; it happened to me in reality and it was God that saved
me.
Tope.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
Mob Avenges Smuggler’s Death, Kills Customs Officer
Apparently frustrated by the command’s hard stance on
smuggling, a mob yesterday killed a Customs officer on his
way to his office at the Seme border post, by a mob that also
burnt his car. The mob’s action, according to sources, was in
revenge of the alleged shooting of a smuggler by another
officer at the border post, earlier in the day.
The deceased officer was said to have been accosted by the
mob shortly after the shooting of the smuggler in front of
Operation Two Area at the border.
The smuggler who was killed had attempted to bring bags of
rice into the country from Benin Republic.
In a confirmatory statement by the Seme Customs Command’s
Public Relations Officer, Ernest Olottah, the dead Customs
officer was brought out of his car and beaten to death while
his car was set ablaze.The suspected smuggler identified
simply as Saturday, was said to have been shot during an
argument between him and another Customs officer.
Saturday, is an indigene of one of the communities at the
border area. He is said to be recovering at an undisclosed
hospital.
“The deceased Customs officer while in his uniform unarmed
and driving to the command’s headquarters for a routine
meeting was accosted by a mob who forced him out of his
vehicle. Buoyed by an identified chief of the community, the
officer was murdered in cold blood and his vehicle set ablaze,”
the statement said in part.
smuggling, a mob yesterday killed a Customs officer on his
way to his office at the Seme border post, by a mob that also
burnt his car. The mob’s action, according to sources, was in
revenge of the alleged shooting of a smuggler by another
officer at the border post, earlier in the day.
The deceased officer was said to have been accosted by the
mob shortly after the shooting of the smuggler in front of
Operation Two Area at the border.
The smuggler who was killed had attempted to bring bags of
rice into the country from Benin Republic.
In a confirmatory statement by the Seme Customs Command’s
Public Relations Officer, Ernest Olottah, the dead Customs
officer was brought out of his car and beaten to death while
his car was set ablaze.The suspected smuggler identified
simply as Saturday, was said to have been shot during an
argument between him and another Customs officer.
Saturday, is an indigene of one of the communities at the
border area. He is said to be recovering at an undisclosed
hospital.
“The deceased Customs officer while in his uniform unarmed
and driving to the command’s headquarters for a routine
meeting was accosted by a mob who forced him out of his
vehicle. Buoyed by an identified chief of the community, the
officer was murdered in cold blood and his vehicle set ablaze,”
the statement said in part.
Lagos APC Appeals for Ozekhome’s Release, Attributes Rising Insecurity to PDP’s Failure
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has
lamented the abduction of leading lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome
(SAN) by kidnappers in his native Edo State. The party said that
increasing cases of insecurity in Nigeria calls for urgent action to
address the rising poverty level in Nigeria, which is fueling the
security crisis in the country at present.
In a press release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Interim
Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that
rather than channel efforts to reduce poverty in Nigeria, the PDP
federal government is fueling massive corruption and looting that
had targeted resources meant for improving the lives of the
people.
It said that the country risks being plunged into an intractable
security quagmire unless proactive measures are taken to
leverage the huge national resources that are being looted
towards addressing the pressing needs of poor Nigerians.
The statement reads: “The kidnap of Mike Ozekhome is
condemnable given that he remains one of the few people that
share deep empathy with the Nigerian masses on issues that
border on their common interest. We see his kidnap as a sign that
Nigerians are becoming increasingly insecure and this demands an
urgent action aimed at taming the wildfire of youth unemployment
and general poverty. We feel concerned that the present federal
government is not interested in dealing with the issue of
joblessness and increasing poverty aside from dropping laughable
statistics of economic growth while the reality shows massive
penury and general poverty.
“We find it detestable that the nation is being plunged into a
worsening security miasma because the level of poverty continues
to rise while ironically, the country harvests hugely from an
unflagging oil boom, which in fourteen years of PDP corrupt and
inept leadership, has left Nigeria a poverty-ridden country where
various types of violent crime have made life brutish, short and
nasty. APC believes that solving the problem of kidnapping and
other forms of insecurity starts with engaging trained and
capable Nigerians youths in meaningful work. We believe that
Nigeria has the resources to ensure that its educated youths
secure employment after their education instead of pursuing a life
in crime.
“We use this medium to appeal to the kidnappers of Mike
Ozekhome to urgently release him as he is a wrong target. As a
human rights activist, we want to let the kidnappers know that
Ozekhome is concerned about the worsening fates of Nigerian
youths and indeed all Nigerians as we wallow in unrestrained
misery from the hands of political profiteers. We urge them to
listen to the yearnings of Nigerians and release Mike Ozekhome
from captivity so he can continue to make his contributions to the
solution of the problems that presently beset the Nigerian masses,
including those holding him hostage.”
lamented the abduction of leading lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome
(SAN) by kidnappers in his native Edo State. The party said that
increasing cases of insecurity in Nigeria calls for urgent action to
address the rising poverty level in Nigeria, which is fueling the
security crisis in the country at present.
In a press release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Interim
Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that
rather than channel efforts to reduce poverty in Nigeria, the PDP
federal government is fueling massive corruption and looting that
had targeted resources meant for improving the lives of the
people.
It said that the country risks being plunged into an intractable
security quagmire unless proactive measures are taken to
leverage the huge national resources that are being looted
towards addressing the pressing needs of poor Nigerians.
The statement reads: “The kidnap of Mike Ozekhome is
condemnable given that he remains one of the few people that
share deep empathy with the Nigerian masses on issues that
border on their common interest. We see his kidnap as a sign that
Nigerians are becoming increasingly insecure and this demands an
urgent action aimed at taming the wildfire of youth unemployment
and general poverty. We feel concerned that the present federal
government is not interested in dealing with the issue of
joblessness and increasing poverty aside from dropping laughable
statistics of economic growth while the reality shows massive
penury and general poverty.
“We find it detestable that the nation is being plunged into a
worsening security miasma because the level of poverty continues
to rise while ironically, the country harvests hugely from an
unflagging oil boom, which in fourteen years of PDP corrupt and
inept leadership, has left Nigeria a poverty-ridden country where
various types of violent crime have made life brutish, short and
nasty. APC believes that solving the problem of kidnapping and
other forms of insecurity starts with engaging trained and
capable Nigerians youths in meaningful work. We believe that
Nigeria has the resources to ensure that its educated youths
secure employment after their education instead of pursuing a life
in crime.
“We use this medium to appeal to the kidnappers of Mike
Ozekhome to urgently release him as he is a wrong target. As a
human rights activist, we want to let the kidnappers know that
Ozekhome is concerned about the worsening fates of Nigerian
youths and indeed all Nigerians as we wallow in unrestrained
misery from the hands of political profiteers. We urge them to
listen to the yearnings of Nigerians and release Mike Ozekhome
from captivity so he can continue to make his contributions to the
solution of the problems that presently beset the Nigerian masses,
including those holding him hostage.”
Blind Man Caught Blind Peoples Chairman With His New Wife Inside His Bedroom
The rate at which infidelity has permeated facets of our society
is quite alarming, OluFamous.Com observed. It is sad that even the
so called vulnerable in the society are not left out in the craze.
“Sometime in June, our chairman, Sarki, helped me to get a
woman, Lami, for marriage. After our marriage in July, Sarki
later enticed my wife and took her away from my house.
“I later discovered that my wife is staying in one of his rooms
and he has been sleeping with her.”
A 26-year-old blind man, Shaibu Ibrahim, on Tuesday dragged Mr
Shehu Sarki, another blind man to a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso
Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Shaibu Ibrahim accused Mr Sarki, 32, who is his friend and the
chairman of the blind peoples’ association in the area, of enticing
his new wife, 23-year-old Lami Ibrahim.
The offence is said to have contravened Section 389 of the
Penal Code, and if convicted, the accused, Sarki could spend as
much as two years in prison.
When the charge was read to him, Sarki pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, granted the accused person
bail in the sum of N20,000 and a surety in like sum. He adjourned
the case to September 9 for trial.
is quite alarming, OluFamous.Com observed. It is sad that even the
so called vulnerable in the society are not left out in the craze.
“Sometime in June, our chairman, Sarki, helped me to get a
woman, Lami, for marriage. After our marriage in July, Sarki
later enticed my wife and took her away from my house.
“I later discovered that my wife is staying in one of his rooms
and he has been sleeping with her.”
A 26-year-old blind man, Shaibu Ibrahim, on Tuesday dragged Mr
Shehu Sarki, another blind man to a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso
Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Shaibu Ibrahim accused Mr Sarki, 32, who is his friend and the
chairman of the blind peoples’ association in the area, of enticing
his new wife, 23-year-old Lami Ibrahim.
The offence is said to have contravened Section 389 of the
Penal Code, and if convicted, the accused, Sarki could spend as
much as two years in prison.
When the charge was read to him, Sarki pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, granted the accused person
bail in the sum of N20,000 and a surety in like sum. He adjourned
the case to September 9 for trial.
Go Back To Hospital, You Are Unfit ––Assembly Orders Suntai
The political power play going on in Taraba State took a different
turn on Thursday as the House of Assembly sat for the first time
since the return of Governor Danbaba Suntai and took far
reaching decisions that have already increased the tension in the
state.
Nikky Amebo blog (NAB) gathered that the Assembly passed a resolution,
signed by 16 members out of 24 members of the House, directing
Governor Suntai to vacate office and return to hospital
immediately.
The Taraba State House of Assembly also reaffirmed the deputy
governor, Alhaji Garba Umar as the Acting Governor of the state,
insisting that no one (Suntai's wife) will rule the state from the
back door.
In a statement, the lawmakers said the decision was taken in the
interest of the state:
“ The leadership of the assembly made several efforts to see the
governor since his arrival, but till Wednesday they were not
allowed access to him . [On Wednesday] the ailing governor spoke
in a manner that brought more doubt to his letter purportedly
transmitted to the speaker.
“In view of the above, we, the undersigned members of the state
assembly unanimously resolved at our meeting that the Deputy
Governor, upon whom power was earlier transmitted to by the
state Assembly, still remain the acting Governor of Taraba.
“He will continue to act in that regards until such a time the
governor is capable of administering the state.”
The Speaker of the House was the presiding officer, so there
was no mago-mago!
The ASUU Festival Of Craze
It is bad enough that the Nigerian educational system is buried deep
in the murky water of ignoble failure with no hope of redemption,
also it is something more than a stigma for an academic circle of
school administration to drag on a snail pace which has been
recycled too much for comfort, while those steering the wheel of
power close up their heart and lock their ears from the right
which is meant to be disbursed without hesitation.
One day, this strike craze will stop!...
I can't help but juggle the indecision between Federal Government
and Academic Staff Union of Universities. The strike has become
something close to an annual ceremony year in year out. Are both
parties being indecisive? Or OUR government cannot simply meet
their demands? The answers to those questions are strategically
embedded in the problems that are seen.
ASUU has clearly rejected Federal Government's offers and strike
still continues. The disagreement is not hidden, ASUU is fighting
for what is right and it is better now than never. The strike has
become a frequent dose dished to the Federal Government which
is taken for granted. In the year 2009, the union insisted that
based on the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement and the January 2012
Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, signed by both parties, what
was due for 2012 and 2013 was N500 billion, not N100 billion.
Clearly the matter has not been handled seriously and only the
substantial provision of this amount will meet the needs and
demands of the universities all over.
ASUU has been toyed with for 4 years due to the fact that the
FG have not been able to implement this. The Nigerian Universities
are in a bad shape lacking basic infrastructures, facilities and the
likes, what went amiss? The future of Nigeria and the Nigerian
youths are not put into consideration. I am not in support of the
wasted time but it is high time the government did what should
have been done. If this indefinite strike is to seek for that
paradigm change, something worth the wait should be done with
immediate effect.
This concerns us all, Nigeria as a whole because nothing positive
as emanated out of this, only if the Federal Government meets the
need and stop the blockage of funds. The ongoing indefinite strike
is starting to emerge as the longest of all. How long will this wait
hold? Will it be a continued ASUU Festival year in year out? Deeper
crisis might be drilled into the system and if this battle for right
rather than plea for submission is not held firmly, the educational
system should be ready to withstand the ASUU festival without
prior notice. What the Union fights for is for the benefit of the
future Nigerians and what better way than to keep the Federal
Government attention on hold!
Will this craze stop? Or we begin to anticipate for the 2014
ASUU festival? Whatever the decision is, we would know if/when
it is called off. However gloomy the decision may be, it is
disheartening that many lives have been affected negatively
without prior notice that can be traced to the Federal Government
and societal fault which reflects under poor decisions. ASUU
wants to change that and there is a greater price to pay for
change. Every once a while we need motivation to level up our lives,
openly it is vivid that ASUU is on that journey.
in the murky water of ignoble failure with no hope of redemption,
also it is something more than a stigma for an academic circle of
school administration to drag on a snail pace which has been
recycled too much for comfort, while those steering the wheel of
power close up their heart and lock their ears from the right
which is meant to be disbursed without hesitation.
One day, this strike craze will stop!...
I can't help but juggle the indecision between Federal Government
and Academic Staff Union of Universities. The strike has become
something close to an annual ceremony year in year out. Are both
parties being indecisive? Or OUR government cannot simply meet
their demands? The answers to those questions are strategically
embedded in the problems that are seen.
ASUU has clearly rejected Federal Government's offers and strike
still continues. The disagreement is not hidden, ASUU is fighting
for what is right and it is better now than never. The strike has
become a frequent dose dished to the Federal Government which
is taken for granted. In the year 2009, the union insisted that
based on the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement and the January 2012
Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, signed by both parties, what
was due for 2012 and 2013 was N500 billion, not N100 billion.
Clearly the matter has not been handled seriously and only the
substantial provision of this amount will meet the needs and
demands of the universities all over.
ASUU has been toyed with for 4 years due to the fact that the
FG have not been able to implement this. The Nigerian Universities
are in a bad shape lacking basic infrastructures, facilities and the
likes, what went amiss? The future of Nigeria and the Nigerian
youths are not put into consideration. I am not in support of the
wasted time but it is high time the government did what should
have been done. If this indefinite strike is to seek for that
paradigm change, something worth the wait should be done with
immediate effect.
This concerns us all, Nigeria as a whole because nothing positive
as emanated out of this, only if the Federal Government meets the
need and stop the blockage of funds. The ongoing indefinite strike
is starting to emerge as the longest of all. How long will this wait
hold? Will it be a continued ASUU Festival year in year out? Deeper
crisis might be drilled into the system and if this battle for right
rather than plea for submission is not held firmly, the educational
system should be ready to withstand the ASUU festival without
prior notice. What the Union fights for is for the benefit of the
future Nigerians and what better way than to keep the Federal
Government attention on hold!
Will this craze stop? Or we begin to anticipate for the 2014
ASUU festival? Whatever the decision is, we would know if/when
it is called off. However gloomy the decision may be, it is
disheartening that many lives have been affected negatively
without prior notice that can be traced to the Federal Government
and societal fault which reflects under poor decisions. ASUU
wants to change that and there is a greater price to pay for
change. Every once a while we need motivation to level up our lives,
openly it is vivid that ASUU is on that journey.
Just Forget About 2015 Ambition ––The Patriots Meet Jonathan
These are the words of Prof Ben Nwabueze after a meeting of
The Patriots with President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of
the nation at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday:
“That is not the purpose of our meeting today (Thursday),
but that is my view and I still maintain that view. I still believe
that the problem of this country is national transformation;
that you cannot combine national transformation with
contesting election.
“The two are so different because once you get involved in
electioneering, you undermine your authority to lead the
nation for national transformation and I said if I were the
President, I would restrict myself to serving the nation,
transforming this country and creating a new Nigeria. These
would be my concern and I would go down in history as a
hero.
“So, if Mr. President does that, he would become an instant
hero in this country; but it is for him to choose. If I were him,
I would choose to become a hero to lead the country into
transformation and abandon the ambition of a second term.
That is what I said and I still stand by it and that is what I
would do if I were the President of this country, but
unfortunately, I’m not.”
At the meeting which was held behind closed doors in the
President’s office in Abuja, The Patriots, a group of eminent
Nigerians led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Ben
Nwabueze, renewed its call for the convocation of a national
conference.
A 13-page memorandum covering issues such as the need for a
people’s constitution, the expansion of the agenda for national
transformation to include economic emancipation as well as good
governance , was presented by The Patriots to President
Jonathan.
Prof Nwabueze, who took over the leadership of the group from
the first Nigerian SAN, the late Chief Rotimi Williams, told State
House correspondents after the meeting that Jonathan must shun
the urge to seek reelection in 2015 and concentrate on his
transformation agenda.
The legal icon insisted that the President was eligible to contest in
2015, but he could become a national hero if he summoned enough
courage to shun sycophant and refuse to contest.
On the purpose of the meeting, Prof Nwabueze said he and
members of the group told the President that the nation of Nigeria
is in dire need of REAL transformation, not mere talks.
The Patriots with President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of
the nation at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday:
“That is not the purpose of our meeting today (Thursday),
but that is my view and I still maintain that view. I still believe
that the problem of this country is national transformation;
that you cannot combine national transformation with
contesting election.
“The two are so different because once you get involved in
electioneering, you undermine your authority to lead the
nation for national transformation and I said if I were the
President, I would restrict myself to serving the nation,
transforming this country and creating a new Nigeria. These
would be my concern and I would go down in history as a
hero.
“So, if Mr. President does that, he would become an instant
hero in this country; but it is for him to choose. If I were him,
I would choose to become a hero to lead the country into
transformation and abandon the ambition of a second term.
That is what I said and I still stand by it and that is what I
would do if I were the President of this country, but
unfortunately, I’m not.”
At the meeting which was held behind closed doors in the
President’s office in Abuja, The Patriots, a group of eminent
Nigerians led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Ben
Nwabueze, renewed its call for the convocation of a national
conference.
A 13-page memorandum covering issues such as the need for a
people’s constitution, the expansion of the agenda for national
transformation to include economic emancipation as well as good
governance , was presented by The Patriots to President
Jonathan.
Prof Nwabueze, who took over the leadership of the group from
the first Nigerian SAN, the late Chief Rotimi Williams, told State
House correspondents after the meeting that Jonathan must shun
the urge to seek reelection in 2015 and concentrate on his
transformation agenda.
The legal icon insisted that the President was eligible to contest in
2015, but he could become a national hero if he summoned enough
courage to shun sycophant and refuse to contest.
On the purpose of the meeting, Prof Nwabueze said he and
members of the group told the President that the nation of Nigeria
is in dire need of REAL transformation, not mere talks.
Meet The Women Behind Nigeria’s Current Powerful Politicians
As often said, beside every successful man, there is a woman. It
has just come to the fore that every successful politician has a
woman of great influence who plays along with him. If it was the
man’s spouse, it is considered better because courage and
support are brood right from home. This is more so, considering
the fact that no woman will watch her husband record a public
and documented failure during his stay in office.
Below are details of the women behind Nigeria's current powerful
politicians...
DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN:
As it stands now the biggest influence on the Nigerian political
landscape is undoubtedly President Goodluck Jonathan. President
Jonathan’s ascending political profile since the advent of this
democratic dispensation is a feat that is rarely achieved. Yet one
cannot glorify him and underestimate the role played by his
spouse, Dame Patience Jonathan. It is believed that Patience
wields much influence on Jonathan’s political decisions. For
instance, it was
Rumoured recently in some quarters and carried by some media
that Lady Jonathan, who is known to be a strong advocate of
women rights and growth, might have influenced the expulsion of
the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi, by the State
chapter of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as there
has been a face-off between her and the Governor who are both
indigenes of the State. Dame Patience pursues the course for the
empowerment and respect for the rights of women with
unprecedented zeal. She was known for this course even right
from when her husband was Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Patience, who has a BSc. in Biology and Psychology from the
University of Port Harcourt, was born in 1957 into a respectable
Christian family of Lazarus Iwari-Oba in Port-Harcourt.
AMINA SAMBO (OFR):
Mrs Amina Sambo (OFR) is the wife of Vice President Namadi
Sambo, and therefore Nigeria’s Second Lady. She was Kaduna
State’s First Lady between 2007 and 2010 when her husband
was governor of the State. As a background influence to her
husband, she must have been a good companion and adviser,
contributing to the political ingenuity that has seen him to the
topmost echelon of Nigerian politics today.
Mrs Amina Sambo was born in Riyom, Barikin Ladi Local
Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. She had her primary
education at Girls Boarding School, Gindiri, Plateau State, after
which she enrolled for a Nursing course before she had her
secondary education. She is currently the Executive Director of
the Grassroots Health Organisation of Nigeria (GHON).
She coordinated a national programme on the prevention of Vesico
Vaginal Fistula (VVF) towards safe motherhood in Nigeria, and
was a consultant on delivery at the Centre for Development and
Population Activities (CEDPA) projects in northern Nigeria. In view
of her outstanding achievements and contributions to national
growth, she was conferred with the award of Officer of the
Federal Republic (OFR) by President Jonathan.
HELEN DAVID MARK:
The Senate President, David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark is
married to four wives. They are Omale, Kate, Helen and Randa.
Mark, who represents Benue South federal constituency, is a
former military governor of Niger State. He was first elected into
the Senate in 1999 and has clinched the position till date. He is
indeed, one of the influential political figures in Benue State, if not
the most powerful and sophisticated politician in the state.
Senator Mark enjoys a lot of support from all his wives, one of
whom is Helen, who often identifies with him in his political
struggles and is often seen with him in official outings.
SENATOR (MRS) DAISY DANJUMA:
She is the wife of Theophilus Yusuf Danjuma, a retired General
who, by virtue of his philanthropic gestures has received various
awards and titles across the country; a man who is now seen by
many as a political benefactor and advisor to the political elites,
especially those of northern extraction. Senator (Mrs) Daisy, a
former senator from Plateau State, is a graduate of Law from
Ahmadu Bello University.
In 2003, she was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria where she has served on various committees, most
notably, as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Women and
Children Committee and Chairman, Senate Committee on Women
Affairs and Youth Development.
HAJIYA INNA MARYAM CIROMA:
Former minister of Women Affairs and current Acting Managing
Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Hajiya Inna Maryam
Ciroma, is the wife of former minister of finance, Alhaji Adamu
Ciroma. Hajiya Inna was born on September 11, 1954 in Biu, Borno
State. She attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where
she graduated in 1978 with a degree in Political Science. She later
obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration,
perhaps, in her desire to sharpen and equip herself for the task
of public service and administration.
Having had several careers cutting across federal civil service,
private entrepreneurship and investment, there is no doubt that
she is very exposed. Her husband, Adamu Ciroma, is also a former
governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He was the
chairman of the Obasanjo 2003 re-election Campaign
Organisation. This shows how the Ciromas are considered
politically weighty and relevant by Obasanjo who was, then, very
desperate for his re-election bid. Of course, he needed no less
political personalities than the Ciromas whose role in capturing the
north was considered un-negotiable.
There is no doubt that Adamu Ciroma is an old pillar in Nigerian
politics. In 1979, he was a presidential aspirant on the platform of
the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). However, he did not scale
through in the party primaries. He also served as NPN secretary.
Ciroma was,
at other times, minister of Industries and Agriculture. Behind this
unwavering politician who was a respected senior cabinet member
during the Shagari administration, Hajiya Inna is the woman that
provides all sorts of encouragement and support.
HAJIA HAUWA DANBABA SUNTAI:
The rave of the moment, Hajia Hauwa Danbaba Suntai is the wife
of Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State. Hauwa, a Shuwa
Arab from Borno State, is the reliable storehouse of the Taraba
governor who was
involved in an air crash in October last year in Yola, Adamawa
State, when he was reported to be flying himself in a private jet.
Hauwa has been standing by her husband throughout his ordeal,
practically demonstrating that what he needed mostly to recover
is, perhaps, the affection and emotional therapy of a dear one.
During this same time, Hauwa gave birth to twins in USA where
her husband was receiving treatment after he was transferred
from a German hospital where he was initially admitted.
Just last weekend, her husband was flown into the country from
John Hopkins Hospital, USA. Following this, many are still in doubt if
the governor is physically fit to function in his capacity as the
governor of the state. It therefore, looks similar to the Umaru
Musa Yar’adua sickness saga when Turai was practically doing
everything possible to rule the country by proxy, thereby, safe-
guarding her husband’s position.
Similarly, Hauwa Suntai is being rumoured to be playing the same
role to ensure that her husband’s seat is retained. Despite that
the Taraba State acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, is officially
carrying out the constitutional duties conferred on him in the
governor’s absence, Hauwa’s influence in the Taraba government
house cannot be denied.
DAME JUDITH AMAECHI:
Dame Judith Amaechi is the wife of Governor Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi of Rivers State. She is the founder, Empowerment
Support Initiative (ESI), a non-governmental organisation
concerned with campaigns against HIV/AIDS, protecting the
rights of women and children and promotion of gender equality as
well as girl-child education.
Dame Judith was born on December 24, 1970. She attended
Federal Government College, Abuloma in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State. She later attended Rivers State University of Science and
Technology, where she graduated in Urban and Regional Planning.
Her husband has suffered high degrees of political crisis in recent
times ranging from the imbroglio involving his official aircraft and
officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Akure,
Ondo State, an attempt to unseat him as the chairman of the
Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) which pitched him against
President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor David Jonah Jang of
Plateau State, to the recent violence that took over his state
assembly in what was unexpected of civilised lawmakers of this
century.
Not forgotten is the rift between Amaechi and the commissioner
of police in Rivers, Mr Mbu J. Mbu which was interpreted by many
as a stage-managed and tele-guided scenario. It is interesting to
note that while the wranglings lasted, Dame Judith, like the
proverbial rock of Gibraltar, stood closely by her husband with a
rare philosophical calmness and in a manner that seems to assure
him: “don’t worry; the coast will soon be clear and safe”.
HAJIYA JUMMAI BABANGIDA ALIYU:
Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu is the wife of Governor Mu’azu
Babangida Aliyu, the Chief Servant of Niger State, as often
referred to. Her husband is one of the most powerful politicians in
the country. Aliyu was elected governor of Niger State in April
2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He
was re-elected for a second term on April 26, 2011. Therefore,
by 2015, he would have governed the state for eight years.
Also, Governor Aliyu is the incumbent chairman, Northern States
Governors’ Forum, a formidable political forum to reckon with. At
the pick of the crisis that rocked the NGF, Aliyu, not minding
whose ox is being gored, stood his ground and maintained that the
embattled governor Chibuike Amaechi should be recognized as the
elected chairman of the forum, going by votes cast.
Hajiya Jummai, popularly known as Madam Chief Servant of Niger
State, following the nomenclature carved by her husband, is the
fountain of courage behind Governor Aliyu. Some of the initiatives
she introduced in the state are Women Empowerment, Reforming
Prisoners, minimizing and addressing the issue of sexual abuse and
ensuring that every Niger child is computer literate.
HAJIYA NANA KASHIM SHETTIMA:
Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima is the wife of Borno State governor,
Alhaji Kashim Shettima. Recently, Nana took a bold and exemplary
step by empowering no less than 500 women in the state with
soft loans to enable them start petty trading activities. Using
Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya (SWOT) Foundation,
a pet project founded by her, she was able to bring succour to
the less privileged women , most of whom were victims of the
serial insurgent attacks and destructions unleashed on the state
by the Boko Haram sect.
Recently, during the Ramadan, she distributed cash and food items
to 400 Muslim widows and orphans in Borno.
Her husband, Governor Shettima, would have been thrown into a
state of political convulsion following the eruption of violent
attacks in his state if he were not a man of strong will, added to
the support of a wife like Nana. It can be rightly said that since
Shettima came to office, he had not had opportunity to peacefully
drink water and drop the proverbial cup, having inherited a state
that has, overnight, become a training camp and breeding ground
for the insurgent group.
However, in good and bad times, Governor Shettima is sure of one
thing – the moral support and encouragement of his wife, Nana.
AISHA BUHARI:
Hajiya Aisha Buhari is the articulate wife of General Muhammadu
Buhari. She was born in Adamawa State to the family of Nigeria’s
first minister of defence, Muhammadu Ribadu. She is also a
granddaughter of the first Chiroma of Adamawa. Hajiya Aisha
attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where she bagged
a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She also attended
Carlton Institute of London and the Academy Esthetique Beauty
Institute of France, Dubai, where she obtained a Postgraduate
Diploma in Cosmetology and Beauty Therapy.
She is also a graduate of International Affairs and Strategic
Planning.
Over the years, as General Buhari continued to pursue his
presidential aspiration, she has always done everything within her
reach to support him and ensure that he wins election. She once
assured Nigerian women during a fund raising dinner for female
candidates of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC) that if her husband won the presidential election, that
women will be given the priority they deserved which would focus
on their health, education, and being given opportunity to
contribute to the growth of Nigeria. What else can a woman do to
further fortify the political fortress of her husband more than
what Aisha has done?
JUSTICE (MRS) FATI ABUBAKAR:
Justice (Mrs) Fati Lami Abubakar shares in the fame of her
husband, General Abdussalami Abubakar (Rtd) who ended the long
military rule in Nigeria by voluntarily handing over power to a
democratically elected civilian president. It is one historic gesture
that makes these Abubakars unique in Nigeria’s political history.
With the growing popularity of the position of First Lady, one
would have thought that Lady Abubakar would advise for a stay-
on.
However, Justice (Mrs) Abubakar is a success story on her own.
She is the first female lawyer, Solicitor-General and Attorney-
General of Niger State respectively. She is currently a Judge of
the High Court of Niger State.
A second child of the late Waziri of Minna, Alhaji Umaru Audu and
Hajiya Nana Asma’u, Justice Abubakar was born in Minna, Niger
State. From college, she gained admission to study law at Obafemi
Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, graduating with an LLB in
1975.
JUSTICE (MRS) MARY ODILI:
The mention of Nigeria’s strong politicians can never be complete
without the mention of Peter Odili, the immediate past governor of
Rivers State, who is said to have nurtured the incumbent
governor, Rotimi Ameachi. Justice Mary Odili is the woman that has
been behind Odili as his wife. Mary is currently a Justice of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Justice Mary Odili was born on May 12, 1952 at Amudi Obizi
Ezinihitte, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. She
attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus (UNEC),
where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B Hons) in
1976. She had held several judicial positions at one time or the
other in Rivers State, Abuja, Kaduna and so on. This legal giant
was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on June
23, 2013.
AMBASSADOR BIANCA OJUKWU:
Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu is the wife of Biafran warlord and
vibrant politician, late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu. Before his death,
Ojukwu was a national leader of All Progressive Grand Alliance
(APGA), on which platform he had contested for presidency but
did not win.
Controversies seem to trail this ethereal beauty, lawyer and
business woman and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant
winner in 1988, Miss Africa and the first black woman to win Miss
Intercontinental, Bianca Ojukwu.
Bianca Odinaka Olivia Ojukwu is the daughter of the legal luminary
and former governor of the old Anambra State, late Chief
Christian Chukwuma Onoh, of Ngwo, Enugu State. She met the
late Ojukwu when she was 22.
MORENIKE FLORENCE SARAKI:
Morenike Florence Saraki is the wife of late Dr. Olusola Saraki,
former governor of Kwara State and a politician that wielded
enormous power and control in Kwara State. She is the mother of
Senator Gbemisola Saraki and stepmother of the former governor
of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki.
Florence has been around her husband during his political struggles.
The exit of Saraki who has been a stabilizing and rallying factor in
the house might pave the way for Florence, the only wife, to be
the new force in the family politics.
MRS. MARGARET PETER OBI:
The was born Margaret Brownson Usen. She got married to
governor Obi in 1992. Margaret is the brain behind her husband’s
National Gender Affirmative Action which encouraged at least
fifty per cent slots to women under Obi’s administration. Margaret
is known for her humility despite her intelligence which she kept
hidden while working intensively and inconspicuously to garner
support for her husband’s administration. She is also known for
her fierce devotion to women empowerment and child protection
activities.
She facilitated the distribution of equipment grants to women
cooperatives that are engaged in dry season faming. Thus,
promoting their access to factors of production and enhancing
their capacity to support their families. She also facilitated the
establishment of Family Courts in the state’s Ministry of Women
Affairs and Social Development (MWAPD) to deal with issues of
child abuse and violation of women’s rights especially widows’
right to inheritance.
SENATOR OLUREMI TINUBU:
She is the wife of former Lagos State governor, Bola Asiwaju
Tinubu and the National Chairman of the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN). In 2011, she contested and won the Lagos Central
Senatorial Candidate of the ACN.
Claims of her husband, the ACN National Leader imposing Oluremi
on Lagosians as a 2015 gubernatorial candidate for the economic
capital without observance of the party’s primary election
surfaced in recent months. In June, 2013, in a public address on
Channels Television,
Oluremi Tinubu dismissed the claim that she has set her sights on
governing seat of Lagos, saying, “My husband did it for eight years
… I don’t think I have the strength to say I want to govern the
present state of Lagos.”
has just come to the fore that every successful politician has a
woman of great influence who plays along with him. If it was the
man’s spouse, it is considered better because courage and
support are brood right from home. This is more so, considering
the fact that no woman will watch her husband record a public
and documented failure during his stay in office.
Below are details of the women behind Nigeria's current powerful
politicians...
DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN:
As it stands now the biggest influence on the Nigerian political
landscape is undoubtedly President Goodluck Jonathan. President
Jonathan’s ascending political profile since the advent of this
democratic dispensation is a feat that is rarely achieved. Yet one
cannot glorify him and underestimate the role played by his
spouse, Dame Patience Jonathan. It is believed that Patience
wields much influence on Jonathan’s political decisions. For
instance, it was
Rumoured recently in some quarters and carried by some media
that Lady Jonathan, who is known to be a strong advocate of
women rights and growth, might have influenced the expulsion of
the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi, by the State
chapter of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as there
has been a face-off between her and the Governor who are both
indigenes of the State. Dame Patience pursues the course for the
empowerment and respect for the rights of women with
unprecedented zeal. She was known for this course even right
from when her husband was Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Patience, who has a BSc. in Biology and Psychology from the
University of Port Harcourt, was born in 1957 into a respectable
Christian family of Lazarus Iwari-Oba in Port-Harcourt.
AMINA SAMBO (OFR):
Mrs Amina Sambo (OFR) is the wife of Vice President Namadi
Sambo, and therefore Nigeria’s Second Lady. She was Kaduna
State’s First Lady between 2007 and 2010 when her husband
was governor of the State. As a background influence to her
husband, she must have been a good companion and adviser,
contributing to the political ingenuity that has seen him to the
topmost echelon of Nigerian politics today.
Mrs Amina Sambo was born in Riyom, Barikin Ladi Local
Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. She had her primary
education at Girls Boarding School, Gindiri, Plateau State, after
which she enrolled for a Nursing course before she had her
secondary education. She is currently the Executive Director of
the Grassroots Health Organisation of Nigeria (GHON).
She coordinated a national programme on the prevention of Vesico
Vaginal Fistula (VVF) towards safe motherhood in Nigeria, and
was a consultant on delivery at the Centre for Development and
Population Activities (CEDPA) projects in northern Nigeria. In view
of her outstanding achievements and contributions to national
growth, she was conferred with the award of Officer of the
Federal Republic (OFR) by President Jonathan.
HELEN DAVID MARK:
The Senate President, David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark is
married to four wives. They are Omale, Kate, Helen and Randa.
Mark, who represents Benue South federal constituency, is a
former military governor of Niger State. He was first elected into
the Senate in 1999 and has clinched the position till date. He is
indeed, one of the influential political figures in Benue State, if not
the most powerful and sophisticated politician in the state.
Senator Mark enjoys a lot of support from all his wives, one of
whom is Helen, who often identifies with him in his political
struggles and is often seen with him in official outings.
SENATOR (MRS) DAISY DANJUMA:
She is the wife of Theophilus Yusuf Danjuma, a retired General
who, by virtue of his philanthropic gestures has received various
awards and titles across the country; a man who is now seen by
many as a political benefactor and advisor to the political elites,
especially those of northern extraction. Senator (Mrs) Daisy, a
former senator from Plateau State, is a graduate of Law from
Ahmadu Bello University.
In 2003, she was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria where she has served on various committees, most
notably, as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Women and
Children Committee and Chairman, Senate Committee on Women
Affairs and Youth Development.
HAJIYA INNA MARYAM CIROMA:
Former minister of Women Affairs and current Acting Managing
Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Hajiya Inna Maryam
Ciroma, is the wife of former minister of finance, Alhaji Adamu
Ciroma. Hajiya Inna was born on September 11, 1954 in Biu, Borno
State. She attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where
she graduated in 1978 with a degree in Political Science. She later
obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration,
perhaps, in her desire to sharpen and equip herself for the task
of public service and administration.
Having had several careers cutting across federal civil service,
private entrepreneurship and investment, there is no doubt that
she is very exposed. Her husband, Adamu Ciroma, is also a former
governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He was the
chairman of the Obasanjo 2003 re-election Campaign
Organisation. This shows how the Ciromas are considered
politically weighty and relevant by Obasanjo who was, then, very
desperate for his re-election bid. Of course, he needed no less
political personalities than the Ciromas whose role in capturing the
north was considered un-negotiable.
There is no doubt that Adamu Ciroma is an old pillar in Nigerian
politics. In 1979, he was a presidential aspirant on the platform of
the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). However, he did not scale
through in the party primaries. He also served as NPN secretary.
Ciroma was,
at other times, minister of Industries and Agriculture. Behind this
unwavering politician who was a respected senior cabinet member
during the Shagari administration, Hajiya Inna is the woman that
provides all sorts of encouragement and support.
HAJIA HAUWA DANBABA SUNTAI:
The rave of the moment, Hajia Hauwa Danbaba Suntai is the wife
of Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State. Hauwa, a Shuwa
Arab from Borno State, is the reliable storehouse of the Taraba
governor who was
involved in an air crash in October last year in Yola, Adamawa
State, when he was reported to be flying himself in a private jet.
Hauwa has been standing by her husband throughout his ordeal,
practically demonstrating that what he needed mostly to recover
is, perhaps, the affection and emotional therapy of a dear one.
During this same time, Hauwa gave birth to twins in USA where
her husband was receiving treatment after he was transferred
from a German hospital where he was initially admitted.
Just last weekend, her husband was flown into the country from
John Hopkins Hospital, USA. Following this, many are still in doubt if
the governor is physically fit to function in his capacity as the
governor of the state. It therefore, looks similar to the Umaru
Musa Yar’adua sickness saga when Turai was practically doing
everything possible to rule the country by proxy, thereby, safe-
guarding her husband’s position.
Similarly, Hauwa Suntai is being rumoured to be playing the same
role to ensure that her husband’s seat is retained. Despite that
the Taraba State acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, is officially
carrying out the constitutional duties conferred on him in the
governor’s absence, Hauwa’s influence in the Taraba government
house cannot be denied.
DAME JUDITH AMAECHI:
Dame Judith Amaechi is the wife of Governor Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi of Rivers State. She is the founder, Empowerment
Support Initiative (ESI), a non-governmental organisation
concerned with campaigns against HIV/AIDS, protecting the
rights of women and children and promotion of gender equality as
well as girl-child education.
Dame Judith was born on December 24, 1970. She attended
Federal Government College, Abuloma in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State. She later attended Rivers State University of Science and
Technology, where she graduated in Urban and Regional Planning.
Her husband has suffered high degrees of political crisis in recent
times ranging from the imbroglio involving his official aircraft and
officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Akure,
Ondo State, an attempt to unseat him as the chairman of the
Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) which pitched him against
President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor David Jonah Jang of
Plateau State, to the recent violence that took over his state
assembly in what was unexpected of civilised lawmakers of this
century.
Not forgotten is the rift between Amaechi and the commissioner
of police in Rivers, Mr Mbu J. Mbu which was interpreted by many
as a stage-managed and tele-guided scenario. It is interesting to
note that while the wranglings lasted, Dame Judith, like the
proverbial rock of Gibraltar, stood closely by her husband with a
rare philosophical calmness and in a manner that seems to assure
him: “don’t worry; the coast will soon be clear and safe”.
HAJIYA JUMMAI BABANGIDA ALIYU:
Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu is the wife of Governor Mu’azu
Babangida Aliyu, the Chief Servant of Niger State, as often
referred to. Her husband is one of the most powerful politicians in
the country. Aliyu was elected governor of Niger State in April
2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He
was re-elected for a second term on April 26, 2011. Therefore,
by 2015, he would have governed the state for eight years.
Also, Governor Aliyu is the incumbent chairman, Northern States
Governors’ Forum, a formidable political forum to reckon with. At
the pick of the crisis that rocked the NGF, Aliyu, not minding
whose ox is being gored, stood his ground and maintained that the
embattled governor Chibuike Amaechi should be recognized as the
elected chairman of the forum, going by votes cast.
Hajiya Jummai, popularly known as Madam Chief Servant of Niger
State, following the nomenclature carved by her husband, is the
fountain of courage behind Governor Aliyu. Some of the initiatives
she introduced in the state are Women Empowerment, Reforming
Prisoners, minimizing and addressing the issue of sexual abuse and
ensuring that every Niger child is computer literate.
HAJIYA NANA KASHIM SHETTIMA:
Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima is the wife of Borno State governor,
Alhaji Kashim Shettima. Recently, Nana took a bold and exemplary
step by empowering no less than 500 women in the state with
soft loans to enable them start petty trading activities. Using
Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya (SWOT) Foundation,
a pet project founded by her, she was able to bring succour to
the less privileged women , most of whom were victims of the
serial insurgent attacks and destructions unleashed on the state
by the Boko Haram sect.
Recently, during the Ramadan, she distributed cash and food items
to 400 Muslim widows and orphans in Borno.
Her husband, Governor Shettima, would have been thrown into a
state of political convulsion following the eruption of violent
attacks in his state if he were not a man of strong will, added to
the support of a wife like Nana. It can be rightly said that since
Shettima came to office, he had not had opportunity to peacefully
drink water and drop the proverbial cup, having inherited a state
that has, overnight, become a training camp and breeding ground
for the insurgent group.
However, in good and bad times, Governor Shettima is sure of one
thing – the moral support and encouragement of his wife, Nana.
AISHA BUHARI:
Hajiya Aisha Buhari is the articulate wife of General Muhammadu
Buhari. She was born in Adamawa State to the family of Nigeria’s
first minister of defence, Muhammadu Ribadu. She is also a
granddaughter of the first Chiroma of Adamawa. Hajiya Aisha
attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where she bagged
a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She also attended
Carlton Institute of London and the Academy Esthetique Beauty
Institute of France, Dubai, where she obtained a Postgraduate
Diploma in Cosmetology and Beauty Therapy.
She is also a graduate of International Affairs and Strategic
Planning.
Over the years, as General Buhari continued to pursue his
presidential aspiration, she has always done everything within her
reach to support him and ensure that he wins election. She once
assured Nigerian women during a fund raising dinner for female
candidates of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC) that if her husband won the presidential election, that
women will be given the priority they deserved which would focus
on their health, education, and being given opportunity to
contribute to the growth of Nigeria. What else can a woman do to
further fortify the political fortress of her husband more than
what Aisha has done?
JUSTICE (MRS) FATI ABUBAKAR:
Justice (Mrs) Fati Lami Abubakar shares in the fame of her
husband, General Abdussalami Abubakar (Rtd) who ended the long
military rule in Nigeria by voluntarily handing over power to a
democratically elected civilian president. It is one historic gesture
that makes these Abubakars unique in Nigeria’s political history.
With the growing popularity of the position of First Lady, one
would have thought that Lady Abubakar would advise for a stay-
on.
However, Justice (Mrs) Abubakar is a success story on her own.
She is the first female lawyer, Solicitor-General and Attorney-
General of Niger State respectively. She is currently a Judge of
the High Court of Niger State.
A second child of the late Waziri of Minna, Alhaji Umaru Audu and
Hajiya Nana Asma’u, Justice Abubakar was born in Minna, Niger
State. From college, she gained admission to study law at Obafemi
Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, graduating with an LLB in
1975.
JUSTICE (MRS) MARY ODILI:
The mention of Nigeria’s strong politicians can never be complete
without the mention of Peter Odili, the immediate past governor of
Rivers State, who is said to have nurtured the incumbent
governor, Rotimi Ameachi. Justice Mary Odili is the woman that has
been behind Odili as his wife. Mary is currently a Justice of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Justice Mary Odili was born on May 12, 1952 at Amudi Obizi
Ezinihitte, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. She
attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus (UNEC),
where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B Hons) in
1976. She had held several judicial positions at one time or the
other in Rivers State, Abuja, Kaduna and so on. This legal giant
was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on June
23, 2013.
AMBASSADOR BIANCA OJUKWU:
Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu is the wife of Biafran warlord and
vibrant politician, late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu. Before his death,
Ojukwu was a national leader of All Progressive Grand Alliance
(APGA), on which platform he had contested for presidency but
did not win.
Controversies seem to trail this ethereal beauty, lawyer and
business woman and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant
winner in 1988, Miss Africa and the first black woman to win Miss
Intercontinental, Bianca Ojukwu.
Bianca Odinaka Olivia Ojukwu is the daughter of the legal luminary
and former governor of the old Anambra State, late Chief
Christian Chukwuma Onoh, of Ngwo, Enugu State. She met the
late Ojukwu when she was 22.
MORENIKE FLORENCE SARAKI:
Morenike Florence Saraki is the wife of late Dr. Olusola Saraki,
former governor of Kwara State and a politician that wielded
enormous power and control in Kwara State. She is the mother of
Senator Gbemisola Saraki and stepmother of the former governor
of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki.
Florence has been around her husband during his political struggles.
The exit of Saraki who has been a stabilizing and rallying factor in
the house might pave the way for Florence, the only wife, to be
the new force in the family politics.
MRS. MARGARET PETER OBI:
The was born Margaret Brownson Usen. She got married to
governor Obi in 1992. Margaret is the brain behind her husband’s
National Gender Affirmative Action which encouraged at least
fifty per cent slots to women under Obi’s administration. Margaret
is known for her humility despite her intelligence which she kept
hidden while working intensively and inconspicuously to garner
support for her husband’s administration. She is also known for
her fierce devotion to women empowerment and child protection
activities.
She facilitated the distribution of equipment grants to women
cooperatives that are engaged in dry season faming. Thus,
promoting their access to factors of production and enhancing
their capacity to support their families. She also facilitated the
establishment of Family Courts in the state’s Ministry of Women
Affairs and Social Development (MWAPD) to deal with issues of
child abuse and violation of women’s rights especially widows’
right to inheritance.
SENATOR OLUREMI TINUBU:
She is the wife of former Lagos State governor, Bola Asiwaju
Tinubu and the National Chairman of the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN). In 2011, she contested and won the Lagos Central
Senatorial Candidate of the ACN.
Claims of her husband, the ACN National Leader imposing Oluremi
on Lagosians as a 2015 gubernatorial candidate for the economic
capital without observance of the party’s primary election
surfaced in recent months. In June, 2013, in a public address on
Channels Television,
Oluremi Tinubu dismissed the claim that she has set her sights on
governing seat of Lagos, saying, “My husband did it for eight years
… I don’t think I have the strength to say I want to govern the
present state of Lagos.”
I Never Had Sex With Angelo, Maybe The Cameras Made It Look So – Beverly Osu
GNigeria’s co-contestant at the just concluded Big Brother Africa
reality show tagged “The Chase”, Beverly Osu, has denied having
sex with housemate, Angelo. Beverly who spoke to newsmen at
the media presentation of the two Nigerian housemates yesterday
at Protea Hotel, VI, Lagos, declared that her love for the South
African was real. According to sexy Osu, she did not know what
Nigerians watched during the show but that she put up the best
strategy she could just to get the star prize, which Namibian’s
Dillish eventually won. She however, asked Nigerians to forgive her
if what she did was wrong. Her words, “I am a blunt person and
very real. People that knew me before BBA know that. I don’t
pretend to be who I am. If it happens you fall in love, you can’t
fake it. I did not have sex with Angelo. I was under at the bath
tube, but we never really had sex. Maybe the camera made it look
so.” Beverly said she would use the avenue to pursue her career in
the entertainment industry and also continue her studies at the
National Open University of Nigeria where she is currently studying
Mass Communication. Also speaking, Melvin, who many Nigerians
have described as ‘good boy’, thanked Nigerians for voting for him
and promised to remain a proud Ambassador
reality show tagged “The Chase”, Beverly Osu, has denied having
sex with housemate, Angelo. Beverly who spoke to newsmen at
the media presentation of the two Nigerian housemates yesterday
at Protea Hotel, VI, Lagos, declared that her love for the South
African was real. According to sexy Osu, she did not know what
Nigerians watched during the show but that she put up the best
strategy she could just to get the star prize, which Namibian’s
Dillish eventually won. She however, asked Nigerians to forgive her
if what she did was wrong. Her words, “I am a blunt person and
very real. People that knew me before BBA know that. I don’t
pretend to be who I am. If it happens you fall in love, you can’t
fake it. I did not have sex with Angelo. I was under at the bath
tube, but we never really had sex. Maybe the camera made it look
so.” Beverly said she would use the avenue to pursue her career in
the entertainment industry and also continue her studies at the
National Open University of Nigeria where she is currently studying
Mass Communication. Also speaking, Melvin, who many Nigerians
have described as ‘good boy’, thanked Nigerians for voting for him
and promised to remain a proud Ambassador
Covenant University To Expel Any Student Who Participate In The Skelewu Dance Competition
Unconfirmed News reaching nikky amebo desk claims that
Covenant University has threatened to expel any of its
student who may be found to participate in the Skelewu
dance competition.
According to the school administrator, ” our students
should not be found YouTube dancing like lunatics and
deranges humans”, the school continued by saying that ”
the song skelewu is not even a gospel song, and unless our
students are going to dance for christ, they must not
participate in the competition or else they will be expelled”
FNN was able to gather that students are not happy with
this new regulation, and words going rounds claims that
some students have already uploaded a video on YouTube
saying ” we will go and get another JAMB form for next
year”.
Covenant University has threatened to expel any of its
student who may be found to participate in the Skelewu
dance competition.
According to the school administrator, ” our students
should not be found YouTube dancing like lunatics and
deranges humans”, the school continued by saying that ”
the song skelewu is not even a gospel song, and unless our
students are going to dance for christ, they must not
participate in the competition or else they will be expelled”
FNN was able to gather that students are not happy with
this new regulation, and words going rounds claims that
some students have already uploaded a video on YouTube
saying ” we will go and get another JAMB form for next
year”.
Thursday 29 August 2013
Beverly Osu Hospitalized
Many do not know, but Nigeria’s Big Brother Africa, BBA,
representative in the 2013 edition of the reality show, Beverly
Osu has not been feeling well since the last day of the show in
South Africa.
As you read this, she has been admitted into a hospital:
According to NET, Beverly was said to have sustained an ankle
injury on the finale of the reality show while climbing the stage and
I hear the situation was getting more serious than she had thought.
Beverly who returned on Tuesday night was admitted on
Wednesday at FaithCity Hospital, Oju Olobun Close, off Bishop
Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
She is said to be responding to treatment. Fellow housemate Melvin
and Uti Nwachukwu were some of the first people to visit her in
the hospital.
representative in the 2013 edition of the reality show, Beverly
Osu has not been feeling well since the last day of the show in
South Africa.
As you read this, she has been admitted into a hospital:
According to NET, Beverly was said to have sustained an ankle
injury on the finale of the reality show while climbing the stage and
I hear the situation was getting more serious than she had thought.
Beverly who returned on Tuesday night was admitted on
Wednesday at FaithCity Hospital, Oju Olobun Close, off Bishop
Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
She is said to be responding to treatment. Fellow housemate Melvin
and Uti Nwachukwu were some of the first people to visit her in
the hospital.
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