The Nation Newspaper

Tag: take

  • ‘Take becomes beautiful bride as politicians jostle for Ibori’s attention

    Since the announcement of her father’s release from incarceration at a London prison, Hon. ‘Take Ibori has become the toast of Delta State’s social and political spheres. Of course, she has always been relevant in the scheme of things since she joined partisan politics. But the spotlight on the 36-year-old representative of Ethiope West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly has reached an unprecedented level of late as politicians and hangers-on in the state scramble to wiggle themselves in the good graces of Chief Ibori ahead of his return to the country.

    The beautiful woman, who chairs the juicy Finance and Appropriation Committee at the state’s House of Assembly, has been delirious with joy since her father regained his freedom. The development has, expectedly, quadrupled her influence as politicians in the state are now gravitating to her. Those who had jumped ship at the time of her father’s arrest have also started trooping back to camp, singing new songs of loyalty.

    Beyond politics, ‘Take Ibori is making her mark in other areas. She runs Starlite Hopes Initiative, an NGO that provides speedy ambulance services in her constituency.

  • Rangers take Uzochukwu, Osaguona’s case to FIFA

    Rangers take Uzochukwu, Osaguona’s case to FIFA

    • Flying Antelopes pay FIFA dispute proceeding cost

    Enugu Rangers have formally reported Chippa United FC of South Africa and Raja Athletic Club of Morocco to FIFA after both clubs breached payment agreement on the transfer of Ugonna Uzochukwu and Ighodaro Christian Osaguona.

    The Flying Antelopes agreed in principle to release both players to the aforementioned clubs with their firm promise that they would pay

    the discussed $100,000 on the sale of Uzochukwu and €150,000 on the services of Osaguona but both clubs have not paid a dime to the account of the Flying Antelopes.

    Rangers showed SportingLife’s correspondent copies of the letters they have written and sent to FIFA’s Players Status Committee to get both clubs to pay transfer fees of their players after CAF and the both country’s Football Federation failed to act on the requests from the Enugu side to ensure compliance.

    The Director of Media and Publicity of the club, Foster Chime told SportingLife that Rangers decided to contact FIFA and to also pay the mandatory dispute proceeding cost to the FIFA’s accounts as required so that the matter could be pursued to a logical conclusion.

    “We have approached FIFA and have written to them after we paid the mandatory dispute proceeding cost to FIFA account. We are not going to relent until we get justice,” Chime told SportingLife.

  • ‘I’ll take a break from school’

    ‘I’ll take a break from school’

    Before emerging the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Miss Anna Banner was an unknown teenager. Today, the world craves her attention. She speaks with Entertainment Editor VICTOR AKANDE.

    WHAT is your educational status?

    I am a student of the University of Port Harcourt. I’m studying linguistics and communication, and I’m in my first year.

    What part of Bayelsa State are you from?

    I’m from Sangbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    How much of your state did you know before the competition’s tours?

    Before then, I had only been to Yenagoa. But MBGN took me around and I was glad that it happened, because it made me more aware of happenings in my state, things that I didn’t know before.

    What is your family background like?

    We are two, my older brother and I. My mum and dad are business people, and my brother is into Marine plumbing.

    What was your parents’ reaction when you entered for the competition and after you emerged winner?

    First of all, there were rumours about pageantry not being healthy for young girls. But despite that fact, I convinced them that it wasn’t going to be the same.

    What gave you the conviction that pageantry could be healthy for a young girl?

    I feel that almost all young girls would do anything to win a pageant; and that few will let things fall into place. And that I would not do any stupid thing just to get crowned, I will not sleep around either. But most people will go to any length. So, I feel it is healthy for me because I won’t do any of those stupid things.

    What battles did you have to fight?

    I didn’t have to fight any battle, because I discovered that there was nothing like that in the MBGN pageant. Some of the other girls were trying to get familiar with the guys around, but it wasn’t working for me because I felt that MBGN is a different type of competition. You don’t have to sleep with someone in order to win the crown; you just need to work hard.

    Don’t you think your legs are too small for the shoes you’re wearing at the moment?

    I don’t think so. Though, I don’t know much about this because I’m still young, but I’m willing to learn from people.

    Who are your role models and influences?

    My role model is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia. She’s not into pageantry, but I love her so much because she’s very courageous, zealous, fearless, a Christian and not someone to let go of her dream because of some kind of instability. During the presidential elections in Liberia, she didn’t win via violence, she won peacefully. She motivates me a lot.

    How much of political history do you follow or did you have to read up for the contest?

    I’m not a politics person. I’m not into it at all, and I feel it’s really boring. But I think I should start watching the news and become informed about what is happening around me. For the pageant, I didn’t have to open any book; I just had to go online to look for questions that I should expect and other things; hairstyles, dresses, make-up and how to combine colours.

    What was your beauty routine like before the pageant?

    I’m not a make-up person. I prefer to go natural, the highest I could do is eye pencil, lip-gloss and a little bit of eye-shadow. I was not even a powder person before MBGN. I started getting used to all that shortly before the competition so my face could look good for the camera, and I had to buy the makeup and everything. When it comes to dressing, I’m very good, combination of colours and all.

    How do you intend to convince the public that pageantry is decent, despite the bikini and ‘see through’ parades?

    I’m not a bikini person, so it was somehow new. For instance, during the auditions when I was told that I would have to wear a bikini, I was like ‘what? Are you kidding?’ And they told me it was one of the requirements, so I said okay. Apart from the bikini, I don’t wear short things. I wear it only when I’m going for dance rehearsals. On a normal day, I love to cover my body, because the way you dress is the way you’ll be addressed. Dressing indecently will attract unwanted glances. You can combine different clothes and colours. As far as it’s decent, it differentiates you from the crowd.

    Do you feel that bikinis are necessary in pageantries?

    Yes, to some extent. They want us to show our flat stomachs and curves. It is okay for some pageants, not all, because some local pageants would like to exploit that.

    What is your definition of beauty?

    My definition of beauty has nothing to do with the physical look, but the inner person. A girl might be pretty facially, but inside, which talks about her attitude, personality and every other thing, she might be ugly. When the inside is really good; it covers whatever ugliness there might be, and brings out the beauty from within. When a person has a good attitude, relates well with people and humble, that’s what I call beauty.

    What church do you attend?

    I attend Winners City.

    Did you ever believe that you would win?

    I had some shaky confidence that I might win.

    What lessons did you take away from your experience at the camp?

    Punctuality, perseverance and humility are some of the things I learnt.

    What are the packages associated with this crown?

    Apart from the car and the cash prize, which amount I’m not certain of, I will also represent Nigeria in Miss World.

    How do you hope to cope, especially with your studies?

    I’m going to pause, because it’s easier now that I’m just starting. If I was already in my third year, that would have been a big hindrance. But for now, I can take a break and then go back as soon as everything is done. And I’m thinking of studying abroad, so I might just have to move everything over there.

    What are your projects as MBGN?

    My projects are on both formal and informal education, redefining the lives of youths in Nigeria. I’m not going to do this alone, as I will liaise with the runner-ups.

    I want to make sure people understand that education is wealth and knowledge, and to also let them know that those who have proper qualifications are able to achieve better in life. I want to encourage people to quit violence and any other form of abuse. We are all humans with different talents, but it’s left for us to find it and then build it.

    Why are you focusing on education?

    I see education as one of the most important things in life. I remember the ups and downs I went through before paying my school fees at a time, until God sent a helper.

    You look like an ‘ajebutter’, no one would have believed you ever had problem paying your fees.

    People always say that. But it’s not always the way it looks, because you can’t judge a book by its cover. Most successful people struggled, even our president, Goodluck Jonathan. I’m sure that if someone had told him that he’ll be a great man and president of Nigeria, he might not have believed.

    Do you already have an agenda of becoming a Miss World?

    When I become Miss World, I can then start thinking of the problems of the world and not just Nigeria. Like in Africa, one of the problems most countries have is lack of good water, good education and even quality medication. I want to also open a modeling agency that’ll help girls of different sizes achieve their modeling dreams.

    What are your hobbies?

    My hobbies are writing, laughing and singing.

    What is your favourite meal?

    You might be expecting me to say spaghetti and all that. But my best food is actually pounded yam. But for now, I have to cut down on that because I don’t want to add too much weight.

    What talents would you say you have?

    I’m good at counseling. I’m also good at convincing people; and I can convince you that the red you see is not red. I’m good with business and I’m inspirational, because I get inspired by everything around me.

    What does your boyfriend think about your new life?

    I’m just eighteen, I don’t have a boyfriend. That’s not really my priority right now.

    What’s the most stupid thing you’ve done?

    I haven’t done anything stupid except when I drove my friend’s car and bashed it. Busybody made me do that because I didn’t know how to drive, the car was in reverse gear; and I didn’t know. The gateman had to jump into the garden, while the car hit the gate and the bumper came off.

    If you could change or make something happen, what would it be?

    What I want is to be closer to God than I am now. I want to be a better Christian than I am now.

    When was the last time you had shed tears?

    When I won.

    What was your father’s reaction after you won?

    I didn’t call him that day. But when I did, he just shouted, told me he was proud of me, and that he knew I was going to be the best.

  • Capital projects take N87b in Edo’s N150b budget

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday presented next year’s Budget proposal of N150,045,377,060 billion to the House of Assembly.

    He said the proposed budget, christened “Taking Edo State to the next level”, would consolidate on the achievements made in the last four years and accelerate economic growth.

    Oshiomhole said: “The 2013 budget is not only targeted at the completion of on-going infrastructural projects, but also at accelerating economic growth. We are committed to expanding the conducive environment already created for economic development and, above all, the empowerment of the citizenry.

    “We shall take measured steps to smoothen practically all the rough edges in the delivery of services to our people across all sectors.”

    In the proposed budget, N87,407,475,855 billion, representing 60 per cent, is voted for Capital Expenditure; N62,637,901,205 billion, representing 40 per cent, for Recurrent Expenditure.

    To speed up development, Oshiomhole said the government would concentrate on the completion of on-going projects; technical education, skill acquisition; improving Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR); job and wealth creation as well as youth empowerment.

    He said: “In line with our tradition, we are concentrating the bulk of our Capital Expenditure on our key priority areas. The proposed N87.40 billion Capital Expenditure will be allocated to the following priority areas: Works (Road), N33.35 billion; Education, Drainage and Sewage/Environmental Protection, N13.29 billion; Health,N2.80 billion; and Water, N1 billion.

    “The allocation for roads will be used to complete ongoing intra and inter-city roads and fund new projects. The designs of these projects are ready.

    “Of the N13.29 billion proposed for Flood and Erosion Control as well as Environmental Protection, N8 billion is allocated to the execution of projects under the Benin City Storm Water master-plan. Also, a substantial sum has been earmarked for the continued desilting and dredging of the Benin Moat.

    “Similarly, N2.55 billion is set aside for erosion and flood control infrastructure in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts and N1.20 billion for Beautification and Urban renewal projects across the state.

    The governor said N116, 479,778,045 billion is proposed as recurrent revenue, with N51 billion as Statutory Receipt and N26.97 billion IGR.

    The projected capital receipt amounts to N64,341,876,840.

    There is a projected deficit of N23,065,599,015 to be funded through the World Bank Budget Support Facility and additional credit lines.

    Oshiomhole said: “This budget estimate is intended to strengthen our administration’s resolve to galvanise our people towards developmental action and make the state competitive economically as well as increase self-reliance.”

    The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa described the proposed budget as a “budget of project completion”.

    In a statement by its National President, Alhaji Dada Akpeji, the group said: “We have no doubt that Oshiomhole has already hit the ground running since the people gave him a second mandate. This budget proposal is a reflection of the goodies Edo people should expect in the first year of Oshiomhole’s second term in office.

    “When the budget is approved by the Assembly, the governor would focus on the completion of ongoing projects and take advantage of the coming dry season to complete road projects.

    “We applaud the courage of the governor and his intention to sanitise the system and accelerate development. We also salute him for giving priority to roads, education, the Benin City Storm Water Masterplan, flood and erosion control.

    “His allocation of resources to the various sectors is very reasonable and we urge the people to support the governor in implementing this budget when it is passed by the Assembly.

    “It has not been business as usual since Oshiomhole assumed office and I believe he would not disappoint the people when he is sworn in on Monday for his second term.”

  • Oshiomhole, Airhiavbere take battle to Appeal Court

    The legal battle between Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.), the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election, yesterday shifted to the Appeal Court sitting in Benin, the state capital.

    Airhiavbere is seeking a declaration that the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal should assume jurisdiction on qualification matters. Oshiomhole is urging the court to quash the remaining reliefs sought by the appellant at the tribunal, on the grounds that the major issue of qualification had been determined.

    Airhiavbere’s counsel Chief Efe Akpofure said: “The issues before your Lordships are clear. Whether the issue of qualification is a pre-election matter and the Tribunal has no jurisdiction over it. I submit with the greatest respect that that was erroneous and does not have the support of the law and the Electoral Act.

    “The issue of whether materials for qualification were adequately pleaded before the lower tribunal was not in doubt because the tribunal, in its ruling, admitted so on Page 879, Vol. 2 Lines 11-16.

    “The issue of qualification is not a pre-election matter that ought to have gone to the High Court. The tribunal was wrong to strike out reliefs 1 and 2 in the petition.”

    Oshiomhole’s counsel Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) countered the appellant’s argument on the grounds that the PDP, which sponsored the appellant in the election, was not contesting the outcome of the election.

    Olanipekun said: “My Lord, this is an appeal by an orphan and the court is not an orphanage. His party has conceded the election, but he is insisting on an appeal.

    “There is no ground challenging disqualification or not of the first respondent. They only mentioned corrupt practices. The appellant has also argued that the lower tribunal ought to have taken cognizance of the provisions of the Constitution. He pleaded the Electoral Act and there was no reference to the Constitution and that was the argument we proffered; appeal is a continuation of a hearing.

    “If there is complaint that the form submitted in 2007 is different from that submitted in 2012, then those are issues they ought to have ventilated before the High Court, which could have led to a disqualification and not annulment of election.

    “My Lord, we are not here for magic. When you are pleading non-qualification, it will be non-qualification as per the provisions of the constitution.

    “The fora for ventilating non-qualification as provided by the Electoral Act, particularly with respect to the declaration in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Forms as provided by Section 31 of the Electoral Act, is either the Federal High Court or State High Court and should be pre-election and not post-election.”

    In his application, Oshiomhole also sought to quash the remainder of the case before the tribunal, saying that the tribunal “rightly agreed that there was no petition before it and struck out the main reliefs instead of striking out the entire petition. There is no live issue remaining before lower tribunal.

    The Appeal panel, headed by Justice H.M. Ogunmiju, with Justices S. Yakubu and T.O. Awotoye as members, reserved judgment in the appeal to a later date.

    Both Oshiomhole and Airhiavbere were in court.

    A Deputy Superintended of Police (DSP) was injured in a fracas between ACN and PDP supporters on the court premises.

    It was learnt that he injured DSP was the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ugbor Police Division.

    He was taken to a nearby hospital.

  • ‘We ‘ll take our stand soon’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday said it is studying the governorship election result released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, with a view to pursuing justice through the appropriate quarter.

    The party said it is compiling and collating reports across the state, adding: “We are heading for the tribunal to seek redress.”

    The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Wale Ozogoro, said it had noticed the misapplication of electoral guidelines in the governorship poll.

    It said: “We are convinced that justice will be obtained as we intend to seek same at the appropriate time.

    “However, the party is not taken aback by the comments of a few individuals who feel that the party should not go to the tribunal to seek redress. We want to put it on record that seeking justice at the appropriate quarter is part of the rule of law, which is the bedrock of democratic ethos.

    “We, therefore, want to avail ourselves of every available option under the law to seek justice and rekindle the hope and aspiration of the Ondo people that a democracy built on fairness, equity and justice can truly be achieved.

    “The party sympathises with Ondo people and assures them that victory will come in a short while.

    “Indeed, you have spoken and demonstrated it through your votes that you wanted a change and a rapid departure from underdevelopment. “However, your votes will count and hope will be restored in a shortest possible time.

    “All Ondo people should be resolute, determined and keep faith with the PDP and Chief Olusola Oke as we hope to get justice through the court.”