The Nation Newspaper

Tag: one

  • All sleeping and facing in one direction

    NLC & TUC

    When Emefiele confiscated Naira and hunger and death swept across the land, these AJAERO SIAMESE TWINS were not in Nigeria.

    They were in WONDERLAND” – a trending WhatsApp snapshot.

    Many Igbo friends of mine often think I am denigrating them (never, denigrate a whole over – achieving race, both here at home in Nigeria and Diasporan?), when I say that Igbos literally all sleep and face in one direction.

    On the contrary, I say that, when I do, to  show admiration for how mostly ‘ad idem’, they always are, on matters concerning Igbo interest, regardless of where in Igbo land they hail from.

    Witness, for instance, the near unanimity that  IPOB’S ‘Sit At Home on Mondays’ enjoys as a potent instrument in the Biafran actualisation effort, and

    compare it with the near total disdain Yorubas extended to a chivalrous Sunday Igboho whose dream of a brand new Oduduwa Republic they tossed in the winds, even when they knew the yeoman’s sacrifices, blood and tears, he invested in his Yoruba Nation  effort; almost losing his dear life in the process.

    That is a major difference between the two principal ethnic groups, South of River Niger, and it  reflects, to a considerable extent,  the politics of both.

    While in the  Southwest you would find elders, even an Acting Leader of the region’s leading Socio- Cultural Organisation, literally setting fire to the group he putatively leads, while celebrating to high heavens, and endorsing everything belonging to the other almost diametrically opposed ethnic group, whereas, you will hardly ever find any persons of  substance behave in that manner, amongst those he genuflects to.

    It is beyond shameful.

    Many have argued, though,  that this is majorly the case because of the fear that one may, willy nilly, prematurely answer his maker’s call, if he/ she foolishly goes outside groupthink.

    The result is that you hardly ever find, among the Yoruba, the near unanimity you quite easily see among Igbos.

    To be able to freely choose like the Yoruba, for example, you will either have to decide to damn the consequences of your action,  or be made in the mould of a David Umahi, a Hope Uzodinma, or perhaps, an Uzor Orji Kalu. That, they say, is the only way you can  freely make your personal political choices, without having a lingering fear of some brutal consequences. Many Igbo will deny this, anyway.

    But it is so obvious.

    The absence of  these negative consequences accounts for why, there is a lot of freedom of choice, or  seeming non unanimity on issues, among the Yoruba. Neither ethnic nor religious consideration constrains  Yorubas in their choice of who to marry, what political party to join, or vote for, or the name to give  their child.

    None of these is simple among the Igbo if you do not wish to be hauled before the ancestors, or worse..

    The Igbo cultural/ political practice is that powerful and universal and feared or respected.

    For the same factors, some things enjoy near unanimous support in the East which should ordinarily have been better examined if people enjoy freedom of choice.

    A good example is Peter Obi and the Igbo wholesale support for the  Labour party which saw the party cleaning the votes in favour of Obi in the Presidential election int all the Southeast states.

    You would think that the people have forgotten Obi’s years as Anambra state governor –

    a time in Anambra state when non- Anambrarian Igbos were deprived of their jobs and sent home,  when Anglicans, and non Catholic Christians were literally declared persona non grata and treated harshly, only a little less than Hausa traders who were ex- communicated from Anambra and banished to Delta state; so traumatised His Majesty,  Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, had to come all the way to Anambra state to plead with the plenipotentiary on behalf of the Northerners but without success.

    Read Also: Tinubu will reposition economy for progress- Minister

    But even if the people had remembered all these before the votes were cast on February 25, it would still have been dangerous to vote any party other than Labour; at least, not if you do not want your head hanged in the market place.

    While that was about partisan politics, almost the same groupthink has just happened in the Ajaero fiasco.

    NLC President, Joe Ajaero believing he had to take off their anti – Tinubu war from where  the judiciary left it,   decided to, coyly, rail road the NLC & the TUC, into the war some Igbo Intellectuals, home and abroad, have already commenced on behalf of Peter Obi.

    It is another phase they intend to engage in till 2027, that is, if they cannot subordinate extra – democratic forces to their side to effect a change of government earlier.

    Their media acolytes are, of course, not yet tired as Sam Amadi showed on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, 16 November, waxing much more lyrical than their unionist counterparts, calling  Senator Adam Oshiomhole, the indomitable Union leader and ‘Professor of trade unionism’ where the Ajaero’s of this world are floor members, names.

    He even had the effrontery to suggest that Oshiomhole should apologise to Ajaero.

    Infradig!

    Regarding this part of the article, I crave the indulgence of my readers to press into service, the versatile Ajibola Omole(author “Newsgrid

    Uyo Political Series) in what he titled ‘Ajaero And His Activities’.

    He wrote:

    “Tinubu cannot be paternalistic to Ajaero like Buhari, who

    paternalistically allowed Nnamdi Kanu to rage, and rant, instigating disaffection  against certain sections of the country as well as individuals, and causing incalculable destruction to his own peóple, apart from setting up a parallel security outfit before he was picked up in Kenya.

    Tinubu’s government, perhaps for reasons of being new, is intolerably  developing a leadership weakness while Ajaero is fast becoming a national security risk.

    It is time security agencies look into his activities which are a threat  against the state.

    His take over of  the Abuja international airport should be seen as a direct threat to state security for which he should be made to face the consequences.

    The man is no longer into labour activities but active partisan politics, with a clear intent to overwhelm the country and instigate a change of government.

     Security agencies must now invite Ajaero and his co – conspirators before it is too late, as obtaining court injuctions each time he threatens the country,  is obviously  not the solution. He has to be shown that there is only one elected national government, and source of power in Nigeria.

  • One, two …

    •Former Governor Dariye’s conviction opens the door for more after years of legal subterfuge

    In the past few weeks, Justice Adebukola Banjoko has delivered twice, on high-profile convictions. The latest convict is the former Governor of Plateau State and a serving senator representing Plateau Central, Joshua Dariye, who bagged 14 years imprisonment, on June 12, 2018. Like his former governor colleagues, still filibustering before the courts, Dariye had applied all manner of subterfuge to stall his trial since 2007. On May 30, Justice Banjoko had also sentenced the former Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, to 14 years imprisonment.

    We praise the sagacity of the learned Justice Banjoko, for patiently dispensing justice in the two matters, despite the several tricks by the defendants to frustrate the trial. But we consider it a shame that under our criminal justice system, an accused can waste as long as 11 years, before he meets justice. We are however not unmindful that the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), was enacted to ameliorate this national embarrassment.

    While Dariye was undergoing trial, he used interlocutory applications and even unfounded allegation of bias against the judge to buy time. Unfortunately, after all the shenanigans, he finally met his comeuppance on June 12. The better part of the 11 years were wasted on appeal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, over an interlocutory application claiming that it was the High Court in Plateau State that had the jurisdiction to try him, and not the High Court, Gudu, in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Yet all the while, Dariye and his lawyers were aware that the charges were federal offences, not state offences exclusive to state high courts. While we do not begrudge the accused his constitutional rights to test the law to its limit, we find it incongruous that it would take 11 years. Such possibility clearly defeats the maxim that “justice delayed is justice denied.” Of course, justice in a criminal trial, we understand, stands on a tripod: to the victim, the accused and the state.

    While the delay may have suited Dariye, as he is serving a second term in the senate, the state and the ordinary victims have been wasting scarce state resources pursuing justice, against the former governor. Now that he has been found guilty by the court, how can the state quantify its losses, considering that in the past seven years, Dariye was sitting in the hallowed chambers of the Senate, the highest law-making body for the country, pretentiously representing his state?

    What a travesty of justice, under the criminal justice system that we operate. But Nigerians should be consoled that the ACJA is beginning to have its bite. But for that act and the brave judge, Dariye and his lawyers would have sought another straw of a technicality to appeal on, before the judgement; and since that could take another decade of more, Dariye could live his entire life serving as a distinguished senator and remaining just an accused person all the while.

    In our view, Justice Banjoko’s sagacity must serve as a beacon to other judges, who have similar cases pending before them. We urge that the politically exposed persons whose cases are still pending for many years in court, should be served expeditious trials and our country should be saved the trauma of unending trial, in the interest of justice. A full application of the relevant provisions of the ACJA would save all the parties their scarce resources.

    Perhaps, those who have glaring cases of criminal infraction should plead guilty to save themselves and the state the agony of unending trials. Only in such instances can the courts be minded to listen to their plea for mercy.

  • 10m to grace One Lagos Fiesta

    10m to grace One Lagos Fiesta

    •Davido, Olamide, KSA, Ayuba, others brace up

    One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) will arguably be the biggest and the largest celebration in Nigeria with a record of 10 million people in attendance, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, has said.

    According to her, the OLF will turn the five divisions of Lagos into a tourist destination for eight days non-stop.

    These are: Ikeja (Agege Stadium), Badagry (Badagry Grammar School), Ikorodu (Ikorodu Town Hall), Lagos Island (Bar Beach) and Epe (Epe-Marina Beachfront).

    The cross over night to usher in the New Year 2018 on the night of December 31 will hold at the Eko Atlantic City.

    It will showcase not less than 40 concerts across the city and develop the local economy of the areas thereby making it self-sustaining during the festive period and after, Mrs Giwanson added.

    A-list artistes, including multi award winning artistes, Davido, Olamide, King Sunny Ade and other music stars will mount the stage across five different locations to thrill fun seekers.

    Veteran musicians like King Sunny Ade, Adewale Ayuba, Salawa Abeni, Ras Kimono, Pasuma and Osupa are also listed for action in the eight days non-stop fiesta.

    The event, she said, is the flagship yuletide revue of the Lagos State Government, also known as One Lagos Fiesta (OLF).

    Tagged See, Feel and Explore Lagos, Giwanson assured residents that adequate preparations have been made to guarantee safety and security of participants.

    She said traffic management officials have also been mobilised to ensure free flow of traffic throughout the eight days.

    According to her, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command and other related agencies have been fully briefed on preventing any chaos or break down of law and order.

  • One dead, RRS man injured in Iyana-Ipaja gang war

    One dead, RRS man injured in Iyana-Ipaja gang war

    One person was killed and many others, including a policeman, were injured in a gang war in Iyana-Ipaja on Wednesday.

    The clash which occurred at Abule-Oki, Iyana-Ipaja, was over a girl.

    It was gathered that youths from two streets engaged in a free-for-all on Tuesday, following the harassment of the Iyana-Ipaja girl by suspected cultists at a party in Elere, Agege.

    The girl reported to youths of her area, who went on a reprisal.

    They were said to have thrown bottles across the road, obstructing traffic until the arrival of policemen.

    The fighting resumed on Wednesday during which a young man was killed.

    An RRS officer was wounded on the head when the warring youths smashed the rear windshield of his patrol car.

    An eyewitness said: “Their movement on the old Abeokuta expressway created huge panic as passersby ran for their lives.”

    Yesterday, police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni told reporters at the Command’s Headquarters, Ikeja that the body was recovered.

    He said: “The command received a distress call around 11pm on Tuesday that some youths were engaging themselves in a free-for-all. One person died in the clash while eight others were arrested.”

    But RRS, in a statement, said 20 were arrested.

    According to Owoseni, “preliminary investigation conducted by the police revealed that a lady who resides at Iyana-Ipaja area had attended a party at Elere. While at the party, she was attacked by some youths in the area. When she got back to her base at Iyana-Ipaja she recounted her ordeal to those in her area who immediately embarked on a reprisal attack.

    “As at 2am yesterday when the situation was brought under control, a body was recovered. This brings to question the moral of those involved in the fracas. The command will soon hold meeting with stakeholders and leaders of political parties in the area ahead of the Local Government election on the need to have a free and fair election that is without fracas. We have done it before and we promise to do it again. Anybody or group of persons arrested for actions likely to cause a breach in the peace will face the law.”

    In its statement yesterday, RRS said over 100 youths set up bonfire on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, halting vehicular traffic on both sides of the road.

    “The officers were pushing back the youths into the inner streets of Abule Oki when the youths pelted the police with stones and broken bottles which smashed the head of an officer and the rear windshield of one of our operational vehicles, a Toyota Corolla marked RRS 041 LA.  While the RRS officer was taken to the hospital, those arrested have been transferred to Area Command,” the statement said.

  • One party state finally here?

    SIR: Nigerians may have to expect a full blown one party dictatorship unless the opposition parties gear up and put their houses in order. Year 2019 may just end up as a one horse race. The evidence is simply overwhelming. The ruling party is using all the political tricks in its bag to lure many members of the opposition PDP in the National Assembly into its fold. Their soft targets are the serving members who may, in the estimation of the party apparatchik, not likely get a return ticket for another term; they are also targeting those who are not in the good books of their state governors. Really the opposition PDP is in tatters. That has been the plan of the ruling APC. The plan is working well now. No thanks to overzealous state governors, lack of party cohesion and discipline that characterize Nigerian party politics.

    One of the greatest weapons being employed successfully by the APC strategists is the fear factor. Some governors and National Assembly members from the opposition PDP are scared stiff given the deployment of state power during elections in Rivers, Edo and Ondo. Then there is the fear of being pursued by the EFCC. Some prominent politicians from the opposition who are facing allegations of corruption are being declared saints for decamping to the ruling party.

    With the wave of defections likely to hit the PDP in months to come, and with the state sponsored leadership crisis in the party aided by the judiciary coupled with the politics of survival characteristic of Nigerian politicians, it will be a miracle for the party to survive the heat.

    Except there is a realignment of political forces, Nigeria should be ready for a one party dictatorship. With this obsession with 2019, governance suffers and the condition of the average Nigerian is getting worse by the day. Prices of goods are out of reach; unemployment and inflation rate have reached the double digit; there is so much hardship in the land; Boko Haram are still doing the hit and run; precious lives of Nigerians are being snuffed through inter-ethnic and inter-religious crises; nepotism, corruption and inertia still persist in government; over 80 percent of 2015 election promises are yet to be fulfilled; anti-corruption fight of the government is being used as a tool to intimidate the opposition. Power supply has fallen to an all-time low of a little over 1000 megawatts. Nigeria seems more divided now than ever before, according to a recent UN study. The list can go and on.

    What is the fate of an average Nigerian in all of these? Must the people be hypnotized again? Why are the citizens so complacent about their fate? Why have the media and the civil society suddenly become dumb? Just questions begging for answers.

     

    • Victor Effik,

    Abuja.

  • APC: This house must be one

    SIR:  I have no shred of doubt that the leadership of APC is getting it right at both the states and at the federal level even though many will think otherwise. I have implicit confidence in the leadership of President Buhari for doing what we voted him to do in order to bring back hope to Nigeria even though detractors will feel otherwise. I believe strongly in the leadership of APC at the federal level having seen the indices of solid foundation being laid for a better tomorrow even though many may not see it. I have no doubt if we keep faith, if we are able to allow ourselves to suffer a little and reap tomorrow, and if we sustain the tempo of what is going on now, Nigeria will triumph again and earn the respect and honour due to her.

    To build a strong and united Nigeria, APC must do the needful by working as a team. This administration came to fight corruption and restore the lost glory of Nigeria. Since May 29, 2015 we have seen the war on corruption and we have seen the struggle of corruption to fight back with every arsenal at its disposal. Yes President Buhari has been winning the war but he cannot do it alone. It has to be a collective responsibility and consequently the Party must be on the same page.

    I am aware how the legacy parties came together to form APC. I am aware that the ruling party then never thought it could ever be a reality but the rest is now history. APC won the election and 16 months after, this writer is noticing a dangerous trend within the family that may cause an implosion if we do not rise up to do the needful. I have noticed that there has been a calculated attempt to whittle the influence and well deserved honour of one of the national leaders, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This attempt was seen in Kogi guber elections and now in Ondo State. If a presidential rally could take place in Akure without Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola and Governor Ajimobi of Oyo State, then something is wrong somewhere.

    Anybody who ignores the capacity of the above leaders in the South-west and Nigeria does so at his own peril. You can ignore anything but do not ignore the capacity of Asiwaju and Lagos. President Buhari must look beyond the interlopers, hangers on, supporters of any government in power (SAGIP), scavengers, the mafia in the corridors of power, palace mongers, hustlers, rapacious greedy lots in the corridors of power, hungry gate keepers, carpet beggars etc to look for those who fought with him to defeat PDP.

    We know the story of a man who left 999 sheep to go in search of one missing sheep. If a great national leader like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu raised issues about the outcome of Ondo governorship primaries, political watchers expected that President Buhari will look into the matter and have it resolved. We did not see this. President Buhari could not have gone to Ondo State without Asiwaju Tinubu. If Asiwaju had gone there you would have seen Ambode, Aregbesola and Ajimobi. Whoever is telling President Buhari that he can do without those great men is missing the point. Those who are asking the President to ignore these strong men are doing the greatest disservice to APC and the president. Take it or leave it, South-west drives the politics of Nigeria and it dates back to history. With Lagos and Ibadan axis in its kitty they get everything they desire. I have been in the politics of South-west politics since 1985 and I know what am talking about. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a political phenomenon. He has built huge and formidable network of friends across Nigeria and this is not a day’s job. Now my advice to the President: Get Asiwaju back to the fold now! The President is the number leader of APC in Nigeria given his position as the President of Nigeria. He should carry the big stick when necessary and console the aggrieved when the need be.

    The battle to reclaim the soul of Nigeria will get messier and tougher as we go on and President Buhari needs every APC member behind him. Who would have thought that President Buhari will take on the Generals, top politicians, the untouchable judges and others? The next war should be on the universities including teaching hospitals, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Airways etc. we have to go the whole hug to reclaim Nigeria.

    Some shameless and totally confused politicians are exploiting the internal squabbles in APC to reposition themselves thinking that there is vacancy in Aso Rock. No sirs, we have not finished with President Buhari despite the challenges facing us as a county. The President has not disappointed those of us that believe in him. All we want him to do is to use his exalted office to unite the party leaders for the great task ahead.

     

    • Joe Igbokwe,

    Lagos.

  • One beheading, too many

    Kano State again! That was the exclamation of a young man when the chilling news filtered that a 74 year old woman and wife of a pastor, Mrs. Bridget Agbahime was beaten to death in Kano by Islamic fundamentalists on the spurious allegation that she blasphemed Prophet Mohammed.

    But the real account of what transpired was that the woman has been having a minor disagreement with a neighbour trader over the latter’s regular habit of washing his legs in front of her shop instead of his each time he wanted to pray. Reports had it that on that fateful day, the man after being cautioned as usual to wash his legs in front of his shop, went out and raised false alarm that Bridget had blasphemed Prophet Mohammed.

    Unknown to the woman who was busy attending to her customers, some hoodlums masquerading under the guise of their religion, attacked her and were on the verge of killing her husband before he was rescued by the police. The incident has attracted wide outrage and condemnation. The presidency, Kano State government and the Jama’atu Nasir Islam JNI among others have strongly condemned the killing. For the JNI, the act is un-Islamic and perpetrated by miscreants and criminals.

    But the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) northern branch is piqued at the frequency of such premeditated killings in Kano and has called for an open trial of the alleged masterminds. The CAN summed up the contradiction in the latest killing: “this type of issue is giving Kano State a bad name and image. So if your enemy is angry with you, the best thing to do is to raise false alarm using religion as a cover to kill you”.

    Some years back, another innocent citizen, Gideon Akaluka was in a similar dastardly circumstance killed and decapitated. Then, a group of Muslim fanatics had gone after the head of Akaluka after his wife was alleged to have desecrated the Koran. The police promptly arrested and detained him. But prompted by some faceless leaders, the angry group of fanatics and killers stormed the prison, captured Akaluka and cut off his head.

    They were later to put the severed head in a spike and drove around the Kano city with it in the most reprehensible manner. There is no official record of any person apprehended and brought to book for that dastardly act. Elsewhere, there was also the case of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oluwaseesin, a teacher at a secondary school in Gombe State who was murdered by students of that institution for alleged similar infraction.

    Her offence was that while invigilating an examination, she took away a bag which a student had brought to the hall against the rules and put it away on the floor. Incidentally, the bag was said to contain the holy book and this infuriated the students who later regrouped, burnt her car and striped her naked before killing and burning her.

    These represent a tip of the iceberg in the orgy of endless religion-induced crises in that part of the country that took serious toll in human lives and property. Curiously, Kano has been at the centre of them all including the devastating Maitatsine riots.

    Perhaps, the silence of the authorities each time such killings occur has emboldened more miscreants and hoodlums to take laws into their hands to extract punishment on behalf of their religion. A society that allows any and every body including miscreants to sit in judgment, determine what sentence to award a suspect and proceed to execute same under whatever guise, is a clear invitation to disaster and anarchy.

    That is the contradiction the CAN brought to the front burner when it contended that an enemy who has a matter to settle with another can just raise false alarm using religion as a subterfuge to kill his opponent. And that is central to the case of Mrs. Agbahime.

    If motives are being imputed into the frequency of these decapitations in Kano, there are sufficient grounds for them. Those worried by such raging feelings and their prospects for the breakdown of law and order must do something now to stem the tide. The section of the country constantly targeted is already tired of spilling the blood of their sons and daughters for this country to stand.

    Even then, the landlord of the shop was reported to have before the latest incident, wadded into the disagreement, advising the man to confine himself to his shop. Sadly, it was the same person that went and recruited the hoodlums and street urchins that attacked and slit the throat of the woman under the spurious reason that she was irreverent to his faith.

    One can now see the danger in the entire sad episode. The same scenario must have also been at play in the case of the decapitation of Akaluka since nobody was apprehended and punished for that dastardly act.

    Those who murdered Agbahime and Akaluka may have been acting out a devious script written for them by some criminal sponsors masquerading under the guise of protecting their religious faith. There could also be other motives to it. It is however, heart-warming that unlike in the case of Akaluka, both the Kano State government and the JNI have come out to denounce the killing claiming it has nothing do with their religion but the handiwork of criminals and urchins.

    But, that raises a very fundamental question regarding on whose shoulders the responsibility for determining infractions to the Islamic faith resides. The poser has become pertinent because the impression these acts of lawlessness conveys is that every and any Muslim can determine when their faith has been desecrated and award punishment as he deems fit including taking peoples’ lives.

    And we ask, are there no extant processes for apprehending such suspects and making them face trial? Are there no laws to which those accused of one infraction or the other are supposed to be subjected to before punishment can be meted out on them? Why is there always a standing army of fanatics ready to decapitate any time such allegations arise? And on whose behest do they exist? We raise these questions because of the constant recourse to mob justice each time allegations of desecrating the Muslim faith arise in Kano especially now we are being told such killings are the handiwork of criminals.

    It would appear there are issues leaders of that faith have to straighten out with their teeming adherents especially the illiterate and those exposed to radical teachings. It is clear from these unfortunate incidents that self-help in matters of this nature is the message that subsists in the minds of many adherents.

    What the situation calls for is the intensification of enlightenment campaigns on inter-faith cooperation and co-existence which the JNI said its scholars had embarked upon. Such campaigns must centre round the sanctity of the human life and the fact that nobody has the right to extract capital punishment in the name of his religion. Such messages should be extended to the schools, market places and other places of public interest in the most engaging and aggressive manner.

    Muslim scholars and the leadership of the JNI must get it down to their adherents what steps and institutions to contact any time there is suspicion of any infraction to their faith. It is obvious there is still much work to do in this direction. Had there been sincerity and sufficient education on this, we would have been saved the unfortunate situation where Citizen Bridget had to be slaughtered like an animal just for an individual to settle personal scores hiding under religion.

    Above all, trial of the suspects in the instant case must be handled openly in such a manner as to drum the message very clearly that the era of jungle justice in such matters has gone for good. Then, we can take seriously the condemnations, claims and assurances pouring in since the killing of Bridget. We are watching!

  • The one thing you must never do

    The one thing you must never do

    ONLY yesterday I was chatting with a friend, so she told me how she met this dashing young gentleman in the course of work. As a respectable married woman, she did what every self respecting married female does for her single friends- hook them up with eligible, single males with the hope that it would head somewhere. So the two meet, and before they can both hit it off, the guy goes to his village for Christmas, and the lady invites herself over to his village (unasked). That was the end of the budding relationship. Can you guess why? Simple, choosing to make such a visit made her look desperate, if not cheap; especially when the man had not made such an overture. What do I mean? I will explain.

    Let the man make the effort to initiate a relationship. Men are by nature hunters, especially when it comes to relationships. In spite of what women libbers wish to make us believe, ladies are better off letting the man take the lead in relationships. Let him make the effort to chase you, get you and hold your attention, and the usual male/female dating drama; anything less makes the woman look easy, and the man most likely lose interest. If men want us to be hard to get, attractive, sexy, interesting, mysterious; the list goes on, we must be that way. When you programme a man’s mind to always think of you; of ways to please you, and how he can make you his, it becomes a part f his thinking, and he will treasure you. When you do the chasing however, he will think that you are cheap, desperate, or lacking in worth. Trust me, men like women who are hard to get. Anything less is a recipe for disaster as so many heartbroken women can testify. Never ever chase a man.

    Never be the one to initiate the move to take a relationship to the next level. Why? Simple, a man knows exactly where he wants the relationship to lead to. If a man wants a serious relationship, he knows, and will do whatever he needs to get it. If he does not he won’t. Unfortunately, he might choose not to tell you that he does not want a serious relationship. Especially if the lady is meeting his sexual needs. Wise women know that with men, actions speak louder than words. Look at his actions, not his words. Ladies risk looking desperate when they attempt to push a man to make a commitment. So what does a wise lady do? Become unavailable, or end the relationship if the guy seems unwilling to commit himself to you. If he is serious, he will get the message and commit, if not, good riddance. So save yourself the heartache by ending the relationship, and make yourself available for a guy who is willing, and able to commit.

    Never be the one to make all the sacrifices at the beginning of the relationship. Why? Any lasting relationship will demand sacrifices from the couple, but it is in a lady’s interest to be with a man who is willing to make sacrifices for her at the beginning. What do I mean? Single ladies should not fall into the trap of acting like wives when they aren’t. For instance, a lady moved from her Ikeja home to take care of her sick sister living at Iyana-Ipaja. Her boyfriend lives at Suru-Lere. How did the couple manage the relationship? Some ladies would refuse to make the move so as to be close to their boyfriends, or she would be the one making the long, uncomfortable commute to visit her man. A wise babe, she allowed her man make the commute, at the end of it all, he decided that he could not imagine not seeing her as often as he liked, so he proposed.

  • Omotola, others unite to fight poverty

    Omotola, others unite to fight poverty

    An outstanding line-up of top women musicians from across Africa including Waje, Omotola and YemiAlade have joined forces with ONE to create a brand new song called Strong Girl, a rally cry to empower girls and women everywhere.

    Nine artists from seven African countries came together in South Africa earlier this month to write and record the track. They were joined by Nollywood superstar actress and activist OmotolaJaladeEkeinde, who stars in the Strong Girl video. The women are calling for action because poverty is sexist, and we won’t end it unless world leaders act now to help girls and women reach their full potential. The track and video was released on May 13, 2015 along with a global day of action amplifying the songs message and recruiting thousands worldwide to the fight for justice.

    This year, new global goals to end poverty will be set by world leaders. To be truly transformative, the goals must focus on the countries and the people that are worst off, and that includes girls and women. Evidence shows that investing in girls and women helps their families, communities and whole economies too.

    Talented Nigerian singer, Waje has said the campaign means a lot to her. “This is one of the most profound things I have done in my life. I am doing this for the African woman so she doesn’t have to die in childbirth. I am doing this so that girls in rural Africa can complete primary school education. I am doing this because it is the right and smart thing to do. Empowering girls and women is an idea whose time has come”.

    Also speaking as regards the campaign, top Nollywood actress, OmotolaJalade said “I am fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams and a trailblazer of my generation but I also recognize that many women and girls are not so fortunate. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the injustice of poverty and inequality. But when we invest in women and girls, we increase and accelerate the chances of overcoming extreme poverty”.

    On International Women’s Day, ONE published a policy report that revealed the scale of the gender gap in the world’s poorest countries, and how unlocking the potential of girls and women could transform lives. ONE’s call to action is already backed by more 36 of the world’s most powerful women, including Beyoncé, Meryl Streep, Lady Gaga, Angelique Kidjo and other leading women from the worlds of business, arts, politics and activism. They have written an open letter to Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and African Union Commission Chair NkosazanaDlamini-Zuma, who both host crucial summits in the coming months that should set us on a path to agreeing Global Goals that put women’s empowerment at their heart.

  • One dies in Owerri accident

    A trailer, with registration number XB 882 HAL, belonging to Ibeto Cement Company, yesterday, crashed into a government office in Owerri, killing one person and leaving many injured.

    Eyewitnesses said the trailer came into the state capital through Okigwe road.

    It lost control while ascending a hill and rammed into the ENTRANCO office.

    The other unidentified persons were injured.

    Also, property worth millions of naira was lost in the accident.

    The General Manager of ENTRACO, Emeka Osuoji, said he was in his office when he heard a noise.

    He said none of his workers was killed.