Ayo Oluokun/Abuja

Governors loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan, led by Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State are kicking against the return of Rotimi Amaechi, their Rivers State counterpart as the Chairman of Nigeria Governor’s Forum, NGF in an election conducted in Abuja on Friday.

Amaechi was declared re-elected after a three hour meeting of the NGF in Abuja today.

A.B. Okauru, Director-General NGF who presided over the election had announced that Amaechi defeated his opponent, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State by 19 to 16 votes. 35 of the 36 Nigeria state governors were present and voted during the election.

But in what seem a continuation of the intrigues and high wire politics that had characterized the election, Akpabio who led the other Governors who were disappointed by the result away from the venue of the election immediately after its announcement later told journalists at the Akwa Ibom State Lodge, Abuja that the poll was a sham.

He was supported by Jang of Plateau and Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, state Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state and Peter Obi of Anambra state, all of whom are regarded as die hard supporters of President Jonathan.

Akpabio declared that contrary to the result declared, Governor Jang won the election by 19 votes.

Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State governor.

Consequently, the Akwa Ibom State Governor said he and his colleagues regarded Governor Jang as the validly elected Chairman of NGF.

President Jonathan and his supporters within the ruling PDP are believed to be against the return of Amaechi as the Chairman of NGF over concerns that the Rivers State Governor may contest for the presidency or as vice president to a Northern presidential candidate in the 2015 election.

The PDP Governor’s Forum led by Akpabio was formed earlier in the year as a counterpoise to Amaechi led NGF.

Reports indicated that Akpabio had been in Abuja for some days before today’s election trying to lobby other governors against voting for Amaechi.

•Amaechi:

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of oil rich Rivers State, has been re-elected by his colleagues to chair the Nigerian Governors Forum, despite speculations that Aso Rock planned to block him.

In the election today in Abuja, he got 19 votes, while his opponent, Jonah Jang of Plateau State got 16 votes.

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state were earlier rumoured to be in the race to topple the Rivers governor, who has been having a bumpy relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan. But in a run-up to the election, the Northern Governors Forum endorsed Jang as consensus candidate, after Shema and Yuguda refused to step down for each other.

Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Geidam was absent at the election.

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam stayed away from the poll, there were indications that a governor might have stayed neutral.

According to an insider, Amaechi won the poll at the first ballot.

The insider said: “At the count of the ballot, Amaechi secured 19 votes against Jang’s 16.

“The verdict has been greeted with protest by pro-presidency governors. That is what we are now contending with. They want to stage a walk out.” But anti-Amaechi governors were alleged to have threatened a protest march out of the poll venue, reported TheNation online.

The loss meant the SuperSand Eagles who still progressed, will now face perennial foes Senegal, in the first semi-final match of the competition on Saturday afternoon.

A win on Saturday will give the former African champions one of the two African tickets to the World Cup.

The mundial is scheduled for Papeete in Tahiti in September.

The other semi-final encounter will see Cote d’Ivoire taking on hosts Morocco later in the day.

In Friday’s match, Cote d’Ivoire kept the first place on the Group B table by upsetting Nigeria in the last group-stage matchday of the competition.

A balanced and hard-fought game had seen a first period without goals, while the scoreboard got really busy in the first half of the second period.

Both sides, however, engaged in a ding-dong affair which finally had the Eagles 3-2 ahead at the end of the period.

Nigeria opened the third period with a goal to make it 4-2, but the Elephants netted two goals to level things back.

With the match seemingly heading to extra time, the Ivoriens fired a free kick home with just seconds to go to grasp the game’s full points, leaving Nigeria no time to react.

In the other matches played on Friday, Egypt mauled Libya 8-3 while Morocco beat Senegal 3-2 and Madagascar whipped Ghana 10-3.

Eight teams are participating in the competition which began on May 22 and end on Sunday, May 26.

Guatemala extradited ex-president Alfonso Portillo to the United States on Friday to face charges of laundering $70 million, sending him on a plane under the escort of US agents in a first for Latin America.

“Hasta luego (see you later), people of Guatemala,” Portillo, 61, said as he boarded the small plane at the air force headquarters south of the capital.

Portillo, who was president from 2000 to 2004, is the first former Latin American leader to be extradited to the United States. Panama’s former dictator Manuel Noriega was ousted by US troops in 1989 and jailed in Miami for 20 years on drug charges.

Wearing a black sweater jacket and holding two books, the former president described his extradition as a “kidnapping” and accused the Guatemalan government of breaking the law since he still had cases pending in his country

“They have acted illegally against me from the beginning. They have violated all my rights,” he declared after being taken from the military hospital where he was being treated for health problems.

“They are taking me away sick, so I hold the government and the interior minister responsible for anything that may happen to my health. I’m not well,” he said, adding he had fluid in one lung and an abnormal heart beat.

The United States welcomed the extradition as “an important affirmation of the rule of law and due process in Guatemala.”

“We commend the commitment of Guatemalan authorities to strengthen the rule of law and combat organized crime and corruption,” William Ostick, a US State Department spokesman, told AFP.

Portillo had been fighting extradition since it was approved by then president Alvaro Colom in 2011.

“I will be back,” he said as dozens of supporters protested outside the air base. “The evidence they have is not enough to convict me, and I thank the Guatemalan people for its support.”

Alfonso Portillo: to face money laundering charge in US

Following a request from a New York court, he was arrested in January 2010 as he was trying to flee to Belize. Portillo has described the case against him as a “political persecution.”

Portillo was indicted by a US grand jury on charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars of public funds and laundering the money through US and European banks, including $1.5 million intended for Guatemalan school children.

His attorney, Mauricio Berriondo, said the extradition was “outside any legal framework” and was conducted “by force.”

In 2011, a Guatemalan court acquitted Portillo and two of his former ministers of conspiring to embezzle $15 million from the defense ministry in 2001. His acquittal was confirmed by an appeals court in April.

Portillo was a member of the Guatemalan Republican Front, a party founded by former dictator Efrain Rios Montt, who faces a new trial after the nation’s top court threw out his genocide conviction this week.

“What they did was inhuman because the former president’s life was put at risk,” Mario Estrada, a losing candidate in the 2011 presidential election, said as he stood with other supporters outside the air base. “They kidnapped him from the hospital to take him away.”

The list released Friday in Accra, Ghana had some surprise inclusions, top of which is long-time absentee Dominic Adiyiah

Also getting a recall for action with the Black Stars is France-based defender Samuel Inkoom who has not played for Ghana for nearly one year.

In a list expectedly dominated by foreign-based players, four home-based players nonetheless were named for the two away matches.

Top on the list of local stars in the Ghana squad are Kotoko defender Rashid Sumaila and Aduana goalkeeper Stephen Adams who returns to the fold to replace goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey who will undergo surgery on an injury.

Top stars such as Mubarak Wakaso, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Agyemang Badu, Christian Atsu and striker Asamoah Gyan were all named in the team.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Ashgold), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Stephen Adams (Aduana)

Full-backs: Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Samuel Inkoom (Bastia, France), Kissi Boateng (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Baba Rahman (Greuther Furth, Germany)

Central Defenders: John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Rashid Sumaila (Kotoko).

Defensive midfielders: Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France), Edwin Gyimah (SuperSport, South Africa) Isaac Coffie (Chievo Verona, Italy)

Right midfielders: Albert Adomah (Bristol City), Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)

Left midfielders: Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy) Mubarak Wakaso (Espanyol, Spain), Christian Atsu (Porto, Portugal)

Offensive midfielder: Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Dominic Adiyiah (Arsenal Kiev, Ukraine), Richard Boakye Yiadom (Sassuolo, Italy), Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak).

A Nigerian Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday fixed 25 June to hear an application filed by Chief Debe Ojukwu, for alleged breach of his fundamental human rights.

The applicant, who is the first son of Late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, had filed the suit on 5 October 2012, seeking an order of the court to restrain 10 respondents, from threatening his life. The respondents are: Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Ojukwu, Bianca Ojukwu, Patrick Ojukwu, Patricia Ojukwu and Magaret Ojukwu.

Joined in the suit are the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Muktar and Deputy Commissioner of Police Anambra State, Mr Mike Okoli.

The late Ojukwu: family in legal war

Justice Okon Abang fixed the date for hearing Ojukwu’s application, after counsel representing second to eight respondents, Mr George Uwechue (SAN), had orally applied to regularise his processes.

Uwechue informed the court that he had filed a counter affidavit and written address, in response to the applicant’s processes, which he said had been served on the applicant, and prayed the court to allow him make some amendment.

Abang granted Uwechue’s prayers, and adjourned the case for hearing of the applicant’s substantive application.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicant in his originating motion sought a declaration that the flagrant threat to his life by the respondents, amounted to a violation of his rights.

He averred that since his birth as first and eldest surviving son of the deceased, he had been poorly treated by his family.

“I was trained solely by my mother until I was compelled by circumstances, to join the Nigeria Police Force in 1976. I was doing so well in the Police Force, when the respondents, beckoned on me to come back and manage Ojukwu Transport Ltd, owned by Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu (now deceased)’’ he said.

The applicant averred that he had managed the venture effectively with his expertise, until the death of his father when things began to fall apart with him.

He said he was suddenly informed by the respondents, to hands off the Transport Company, which he had been handling so well.

“They used me to savage the company that had become moribund and wasting and later resolved to dump me’’ Ojukwu averred.

He said that as a result of this, he filed a suit to challenge the proposed acquisition.

“When my father died, I traveled to London to confirm the situation, but before I returned to Nigeria, the first to fourth respondents had taken over my father’s house. They took the task of organising a befitting burial for the deceased, a duty which is traditionally the function of the eldest son,’’ he said.

The applicant further averred that he was later invited for a meeting by the respondents, during which they warned him to cease interference in the transport company and to withdraw the suit in court, or be killed.

He averred that they employed the services of the ninth and tenth respondents to continuously harass and threaten him.

Ojukwu said he was also excluded from performing the dust-to-dust funeral rites during the burial of his father.

He is, therefore, claiming the sum of N100 million as exemplary and punitive damage against the respondents for violation of his fundamental rights enshrined in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Mazzarri had been linked with a move to Inter ever since announcing he would leave Napoli at the end of this season.

And Inter president Massimo Moratti confirmed as much when he said: “I’ve chosen Mazzarri, I’m sorry for Stramaccioni.”

Moratti added: “That takes nothing away from the esteem I hold for Stramaccioni’s talent and potential.

“I’m convinced he’ll become one of the great Italian coaches but it might also be necessary to save his professional future after a particularly unlucky year, and maybe he needs to find an easier situation than Inter.

“We’re coming to a difficult season and I thought we’d need a coach with Mazzarri’s experience.”

The move comes after a torrid season for the Italian giants who finished a dismal ninth in Serie A and missed out on European competition for next season, just three years after winning the Champions League under Jose Mourinho.

Mazzarri will thus become the sixth Inter coach since that memorable night in Madrid.

He guided Napoli to a second place finish this season, their best result since the days of Diego Maradona in the early 1990s.

It completed four successful years in Naples for Mazzarri, who twice guided his team into the Champions League.

Stramaccioni, by contrast, suffered a miserable season as his side lost 16 times in 38 league matches, their worst sequence since the end of the Second World War.

Since winning the treble of Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup in the second of Mourinho’s two seasons in charge, Inter have won only one trophy of note, the Italian Cup in 2011 under Brazilian Leonardo, who promptly walked away to take over as sporting director at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mazzarri will bring his own backroom staff with him and is expected to decide on Inter’s transfer policy with Moratti.

He is also suspected to be looking at bringing Colombian wing-back Camilo Zuniga with him from Napoli.

Nigerian authorities said Friday they had freed three women and six children abducted by Islamist extremist group Boko Haram as part of an ongoing military operation targeting the extremists.

The group was abducted on May 7 during an attack on the town of Bama in the country’s northeast, according to Defence Spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade. Two children and one woman remain missing, he said.

“Efforts of the troops’ operation around the Sambisa forest resulted in freedom for nine of the women and children that were held hostage in that camp,” Olukolade told journalists, adding they were freed on Wednesday.

The military said those rescued from the forest close to Bama were among the kidnap victims shown in a recent Boko Haram video.

Suspected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed in the video that the group was holding women and children hostage in retaliation for wives and children of its members detained by the military.

Nigeria has since said it intends to release a number of suspects held in connection with Boko Haram’s insurgency, including women and children.

The May 7 attack in Bama saw insurgents disguised in military uniforms break into a prison and attack several government buildings, leaving 55 people dead. The women and children were around the sites at the moment of the attack and were taken hostage.

Nigeria declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states on May 14 and launched a military offensive seeking to end Boko Haram’s four-year insurgency.

Activists and the United States have raised concerns over the fighting, with Nigeria’s military regularly criticised over its response to the insurgency due to allegations of major abuses.

The conflict is estimated to have cost 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security services.

At exactly 07:30p.m. West Africa time Thursday, Tinsel, one of Africa’s favourite and most successful weekday soap operas, played out its 1000th episode. It was a milestone given the unfortunately high  rate at which TV soaps disappear from Africa’s contemporary television circuit. Launched five years ago, Tinsel, the multi-camera, multi-million naira studio-based production has turned out the most watched soap on  cable and terrestrial television. It has set a high standard of quality in the production of soap in the industry. And this is not by accident. The quality of the cast and crew stands the soap out.

Biola Alabi

In its first season, the soap progressed from airing two times a week to showing every day except at weekends. Initially, it had a cast which comprised actors from both Nigeria and Ghana, though Nigeria had over 90 percent of the cast and the crew. Tinsel started with a lot of expectations.  It was simply a return to the golden era of television drama.

“M-Net is delighted that Tinsel continues to be a popular series and is growing from strength to strength as Nigerian audiences positively react to its story lines and its characters. M-Net believes in investing in local talent, and with Tinsel, we are confident that our investment is reaping rewards by creating a series that is compelling, entertaining and dynamic,” said Biola Alabi, Managing Director, M-Net Africa.

Shot on location in Lagos, set in the glittering and dynamic world of film production, Tinsel melds all the elements of drama, intrigue, romance, deception, betrayal and triumph, into one thrilling ‘must watch’ series. Now in its fifth season, the series tracks the story of two rival film production outfits whose fierce battles for box-office dominance see them taking their rivalry from film-sets to industry boardrooms and everywhere in between.

This drama series centres around the energetic and enigmatic Fred Ade-Williams (Victor Olaotan), founder of Nigeria’s biggest independent film company, Reel Studios, who gets drawn into a battle of wills with daring newcomer Brenda “Nana” Mensah (Funmilola Aofiyebi-Raimi), whose beauty and intelligence is only surpassed by her drive to transform her film company, Odyssey Pictures, into a dominant force. And she will stop at nothing. Brenda installs a link in Fred’s company as a mole, and her exploitation of it sparks off a corporate war that reverberates throughout the entire film industry. What starts out as a power struggle between these two influential studio owners soon grows disastrously out of control. No one is immune and everything is put to the test as these titans clash and destinies are changed, forever. With so much at stake, Fred’s refusal to sink to his opponent’s level raises fear whether this will cost him everything he has ever held dear.

Tinsel is showing in about 45 African countries and has millions of fans around the world.

There was slight drop in the quality of production when the studios at Phillips building, Ojota, Lagos, where the soaps was being recorded, was gutted by fire some months ago. Some scenes had to be shot outdoors, pending when the entire studios will be put in place; though the soap retained its X-Factor.

Other actors that have made Tinsel a must watch include: Iretiola Doyle, Gideon Okeke (Philip Ade-Williams), Omar Shariff Captain (Reginald), Uzo Egeonu, (later replaced with Funmi Holder as Amaka), Matilda Obaseki (Angela), Chris Attoh (Kwame), Kunle Coker (Ziggy), Gbenro Ajibade (Soji), Iyke Okechukwu (Chuks), and Damilola Adegbite (Telema Duke).

Other major characters include the couple, Florence Uwaleke (Ene) and Iyke Okechukwu (Chuks) who recently got married in real life. There is also the hilarious trio of Biola Segun Williams, (Titi Kagbesioye), Dan Ade-Williams (Bimbo Manuel), the estranged brother of Fred and their daughter, Shalewa, played by Tomi Odunsi, who in real life is an upcoming musician.

Top actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), made a debut appearance in Tinsel during its Season Four. He joined the league of Nollywood stars who have made appearances in the soap since 2008. Others are Jide Kosoko, Segun Arinze, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Bayo Bankole, Kalu Ikeagwu, Norbert Young, Ann Njemanze, Carol King, Jude Orhora, among others.

Recently, new faces such as Tunde Kelani, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Ghana’s Majid Michel and Nse Ikpe Etim joined Tinsel cast.

•Tinsel’s lead cast

There are also non-actors who have been allowed to play cameos in one or two scenes. Karen Igho, one time winner of the Big Brother Africa show, is currently on the show.

Tinsel is not just for the oldies. It has also created new talents for the industry. Acts such as Damilola Adegbite, Gbenro Ajibade, Ifeanyi Dike Jr., Linda Ejiofor, were really unknown prior to Tinsel. Today, they are stars who can’t just walk the streets without being noticed.   Nigerian film/TV industry will benefit immensely from capacity building and exposure through  this eclectic mix of actors.

P.M.NEWS Entertainment Café observed that the team headed by Alabi, has created a show that competes with the best across the continent and will surely be around for some more years. But that has not insulated the series from having its own fair share of controversies. There have been controversial exit of some major characters in Tinsel. After four years of playing the role of Telema Duke on the soap, Adegbite announced her exit from the series. Also, beautiful Obaseki was relieved of her role when she became pregnant in real life. Her role as Angela Dede, a personal assistant working in a Production Studio, was then handed to Ghanaian Actress, Leonora Okine, who replaced her.

The exit of Coker (Ziggy) was trailed by stories about artistes asking for pay rise, while another of their top actors lashed out on Twitter, calling the scriptwriters of Tinsel dummies. And this turned a huge trending discourse on social media.

In spite of all this, Tinsel continues to gain more converts.

Juliet Femi, a fan of the drama series said Tinsel represents Nigeria’s acting prowess.

“I love watching the series because it is captivating. The story line, the characters are very interesting. My favourite character is Brenda Mensah, she is stern and determined to stand against her father, Fred Ade Williams till the end,” said Femi.

To celebrate this memorable 1000th episode, the cast and crew of the series had a photo shoot of themselves and visited different states in Nigeria to meet fans and sign autographs.

—Funsho Arogundade

Grace Onuoha, a model, actress, fashion designer and the current Miss Eko, tells ABIMBOLA OBATAYO about her career and how she copes as a student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ

Grace Onuoha, Miss Eko

How was growing up like?

I will say it was quite challenging. I am not from a well-to-do family, so growing up, for me, was challenging.

Give us an insight into how you started your modelling career…

I started my modelling career in 2008, a day after my birthday precisely. I was just 17 years old then. I went with my sister for an audition because the previous day was my birthday, so she decided to take me out with her for the audition. We got there and I saw girls like me and I decided to take part. I was interviewed and then I was chosen. I didn’t even expect it because I went there for fun. So two days later, I was called upon that I have been chosen. I was asked to report to the camp that they were going to train us. That was how I began.

Which outfits/designers have you worked for?

I have modelled for Zizikado, Itien Bassy, Modela Couture, Mood Couture and for myself, Great Grace Collection. I have modelled for some designers whose names I can’t even remember.

Were you paid when you started modelling?

Yes, I was well paid. That was what encouraged me to go into it fully.

Did you really love modelling or was it circumstances that led you into it?

I have always wanted to be a top model right from when I was a kid. I think I was four years old when I said I wanted to be on TV, that I wanted to be a broadcaster, I wanted to be everything that has to do with broadcasting. While growing, I liked Genevieve and Agbani Darego, so I have always wanted to be a model.

Did your parents support your?

Yes, very much. They were really in support even before I started modelling; I had acted in some films. My first movie was done in my secondary school. The production team came to my school to pick people that will act and then I was chosen and I played the lead role in the movie. My parents really liked it because they knew that was what I wanted to do, even right from when I was young. I participated in a lot of church activities like drama and debates, so they already knew what I wanted to be. They have always been in support, they provide me with clothes and all that I need, even when I wanted to contest for Miss Majoss, I was about 7 years old then, but my parents provided all I needed, taught me what to say and how to say it. When I was in the secondary school, I contested again and won. So they have always been praying for me, showing me all their support.

How have you been able to combine education and modelling?

I chose a part-time programme because of my modelling career, so none of them is disturbing the other.

What modelling competitions have you won so far?

A lot of them and I am going to start from my primary school. I won Miss Majoss International School and while in secondary school, I won Miss Majoss International College, and after my secondary school, I went for Instant Beauty Queen on Soundcity and I won. I was Miss NIJ in 2011 and Miss Eko 2012.

Apart from the car you won, what other things did you get from the Miss Eko pageantry?

Well, I was supposed to be given N2 million and a jeep, they have been paying me in instalments. I would say I’ve been paid but still expecting my balance and I was supposed to have a year contract with women affairs and poverty alleviation and also to do some things with the Commissioner for Sports. I was also supposed to be on a monthly salary but I have not seen any of that yet, I am still hoping.

What are the challenges since you became a professional model?

I wouldn’t want to say it is very easy, but compared to other people and other stories I have heard, I think it’s been quite rosy for me. I won’t say it’s because of my beauty or anything; it’s by the grace of God because I have always been chosen at most of the auditions that I have attended. Maybe it was just a few that I was rejected, which I felt was normal for some obvious reasons. But many auditions that I went for, I was chosen. I have been getting money from modelling and it’s been very good for me.

Have you been given any endorsement deal since you became Miss Eko?

Yes, I have done an advert for Emily. I did for Best Lube Oil, Gentle Touch and some I can’t remember.

How have you been able to handle the fame?

For me, it’s like my normal everyday life. It’s like a continuation of me not being Miss Eko. Well, there’s something special about me being a queen and having a car but I still see people as the way they’ve always been, my friends are still my friends. I also have my privacy even as a queen and everybody is still what they are to me. The fame has not changed anything.

What other things do you do aside modelling?

I do fashion designing, and like I said, I also market other things. I sell what I make. I make accessories and Ankara shirts.

How have you been able to cope with the opposite sex?

Well, it’s been the same. It’s normal for guys to want to come around when they know this girl is now made but I’m too wise to be fooled by people pretending to be friends when they are not. The best time to know when people love you is when you’re nobody. The people that I have in my life now are those that have always known me. So, these guys coming around to ask me out are like they’ve always known me but don’t have the courage to walk up to me. But I still make them understand that it can’t be. If it wasn’t that time then it can’t be now.

What is your take on the issue of lesbianism in the modelling world?

I don’t really know what lesbianism holds in the modelling industry. I have never experienced or seen anybody that came to me and said ‘oh I’m a lesbian’ and I have never been molested before. So, I don’t know anything about lesbianism. Models should not be seen as lesbians.

Tell us how you got into Nollywood?

It all started when I was in secondary school. They wanted to use my school as location for a movie, and because the school uniform is really nice and I was the president of the literary and debating society, I was auditioned and did very well and I was chosen. I played the role of Amina. After that, I did What Went Wrong and Wind of Change where I played Izoduwa the daughter of Patience Ozokwor. I have done other movies afterwards.

What advice will you give to upcoming models?

I will advise them to be patient; they should avoid every form of desperation because people take advantage of others when they are desperate. Then, I will also advise them to hold God tight. Anywhere I am today, any position I see myself could not have been if not for God. They should have a prayer routine and make God their only source, because if you don’t make God your only source you cannot make headway. Importantly, they should have a role model. If you know you want to become somebody; you should have someone you look up to. For instance, you want to become a top model; you look at Agbani Darego and Oluchi. You look at those that are already there and how they live their life, the way they dress, their poise, everything. My role model is Tyra Banks. I love her life, her dressing and things that she does.

What are your future plans?

Like I will always say, the future is now. My ambition is to be one of the best fashion designers in my country first and to still leave more examples to upcoming models.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a friendly person, adorable, humble and of course very intelligent. Wisdom is really embedded in me because I have the wisdom of God. I am also fun to be with and also a peacemaker.

Any regrets so far?

I don’t have any regrets. Life is good, life goes on, so, there is no energy to regret or live a life of regrets.

Are you engaged or getting married soon?

I am not ready to get married. I am someone that sets my priorities right. In fact, marriage for now is not in my top ten priorities. I still have like two to three years to give myself, to enjoy my career, to enjoy my single life. So I don’t have plans for marriage now. So, relationship right now is not in my top ten priorities either and I am not engaged.

•Chidinma

Music talent discovery and grooming competition, MTN Project Fame West Africa, is back for its sixth straight season. Looking for raw talents, the annual show will commence auditions on 25 May till 29 June.

The auditions will hold across four West African countries- Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria. Thousands of young talents are expected to fight their way into the prestigious Project Fame Academy.

Previous music stars that have graduated from the ‘Fame Academy’ include Iyanya Mbuk, whose Kukere, with the famous Etighi dance won the best pop single on the 2012 Headies Award in Lagos; Mike Anyasodo, who by virtue of his Fine Fine Lady video won the 2010 Sound City’s Best R&B Video Award; Kesse Frimpong, who was voted the Ghanaian’s Best Male Vocalist of the year 2012 and Chidinma Ekile, who won the Best Female Act (West Africa) of the prestigious Kora Award in 2012.

This year, three music concerts will be held in Benin-City (7June), Calabar (21 June) and Lagos (28 June). It is aimed at showcasing Project Fame superstars alongside other Fame Academy alumni and the possibilities the show holds for making dreams come true for young people.

–Bayo Adetu

Music fans and Star Lager Beer lovers across Nigeria are in for an amazing time on this year’s Star Trek as top music stars are billed to perform at the highly anticipated 10-city musical concert.

At a star-studded sign-on ceremony held at Rhapsody’s Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos on 22 May, to officially herald the gigs, the top artistes and the host cities were unveiled.

Headlining the concerts this year are 2Face Idibia, D’Banj, PSquare, Ice Prince, Tiwa Savage, Sound Sultan, Naeto C and M.I.

Other big names expected to perform are K.C, Timaya, Wande Coal, Obesere, Mr Raw, Dr Sid, and J Martins.

Fast rising hitmakers such as Seyi Shey, Kas, Phyno, Yinka Best, Olamide, Juke Box, Da Beatz and Crystalz will also thrill fun lovers at various venues of the concerts.

Star Trek 2013 will span 10 weeks and it will kick off on Saturday 8 June at Festac, Lagos, and move through other Nigerian cities, namely Aba, Abeokuta, Agege, Lagos, Asaba, Enugu, Lokoja, Nnewi, Owerri, Lokoja, and culminate in  another massive gig in Victoria Island, Lagos on 10 August.

Speaking at the sign-on ceremony, Edem Vindah, Corporate Media and Public Relations Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said Star is always keen on giving back to its loyal consumers.

He said Star Trek is one of those avenues to pay back and give them top range entertainment and fun.

Vindah said adequate security has been arranged at all the venues for a wonderful moment during and after the concerts.

The exclusive sign-on event witnessed celebrities, industry top shots, consumers as well as Nigerian and international media practitioners in attendance.

—Funsho Arogundare

P-Square Shoots New Video

The duo of Paul and Peter Okoye of P-Square fame will shoot the video of their new single, Personally, on Monday.

•P-Square

The audio and video of the song will be released simultaneously towards the second week of June.

The multi-million naira budget video will be co-directed by the twin brother’s elder brother, Jude Engees Okoye and Clarence Peters. It will be shot in Nigeria.

P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe gathered that the video will star Peter’s son, Cameron and a couple of Nollywood stars. P-Sqaure’s latest video, Alingo, was also shot in Nigeria and co-directed by Engees and Clarence.

It is currently one of the most popular videos in Africa.

–Bayo Adetu

Born2learn

Born2learn To Launch Album

The duo of Kingsley Adene and Richard Adene of Born2learn hip hop group, are set to launch their debut album.

The Akure, Ondo State-based singers are already one of the most promising singers in the state, having recorded a hit track, Omalicha1, featuring Sabi.

According to Kingsley, “we featured Sabi because is a close friend of our producer, Lahlah. We know he is talented and people know him for his unique talent.

“Lahlah knows he can add something good to the song and he suggested that we have him and it worked out well.

We are planning to record our next single with Flavour.” Kingsley and Richard are siblings, and they started their music career in Yaba, Lagos before relocating to Ondo State where they are fast becoming a household name.

–Bayo Adetu

Rosemary Unveils New Album

•Rosemary

Female gospel singer, Olabisi Rosemary Udochi, will launch her new album, Ayanfe, on Sunday.

The event, slated for Oshodi Hall of the United African Church, Ebute Meta, Lagos, is expected to be graced by top politicians including Mr. Jide Jimoh, Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, his Lagos Mainland council counterpart, Mr. Oladele Adekanye (LADO), a former council chairman, Mr. Tunde Okusanya and Eng. Rasheed Shabi, an ex-council chief and currently the General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

A graduate of Lagos State University (LASU) and former councillorship aspirant in Yaba LCDA, Rosemary veered into music in 1996 and later debuted with an album, Asiko Ti To, a remix of which she is currently working on.

–Kayode Aponmade

9ja Queen Dedicates Album

9ja Queen

Ten year-old singer, Princess Favour Nwabueze, a.k.a. 9ja Queen, has dedicated her new album to Toba Oke, the Chairman of Ifako Local Government.

Titled Toba Oke is the Best, the video of selected tracks in the album will be shot soon.

While thanking the singer for her effort, Oke promised to assist her. “I appreciate music a lot, and I know how to discover a hidden talent. With what you have done, I will do as much as I can within my capacity to encourage you.”

Princess is currently a student of Upright Nursery and Primary School, Ifako, Lagos southwest Nigeria.

–Bayo Adetu

May D In Chapter One

Wave-making singer, Awodumila Akinmayokun, a.k.a May D, will launch his debut album, Chapter One, at the ThisDay Dome, Abuja, on Sunday.

The album will be unveiled with a concert that will feature Iyanya, Davido, 2Face, Olamide and Reminisce to mention a few.

May D

Comedians like Tee-A, Gandoki and Klint De Drunk will also be on stand to entertain guests.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe before leaving Lagos for Abuja on Tuesday, May D said the album concert was long overdue and promised his fans to expect the best of him.

The concert will also be held in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria. May D’s latest video, So Many Things, directed by Moe Musa is currently enjoying fair reviews and rotation.

–Bayo Adetu

Former Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay is certain the Bavarians, Bayern Munich, will emerge victorious in Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga champions were beaten by Chelsea in last year’s showpiece, while Inter proved to be too strong in the 2010 final.

However, the Dutchman is confident that Bayern have what it takes to bring the trophy home this time round.

“I think Bayern have a very good chance. If the team play the way they did in the semi-final, I’m confident they’ll win,” Makaay told the official Bundesliga website.

“It’s a one-off game and you can never tell what might happen, but that said, I’m sure Bayern are going to do it this time. Dortmund are not bad at all, but Bayern are a little bit better. “Every opponent’s awkward in a final, but Dortmund have nothing to lose. Bayern have got this far for the third time in four years and they lost on previous occasions. “The pressure’s on them – but then, they’re a club who are used to dealing with pressure.” Makaay represented Bayern between 2003 and 2007, winning two Bundesliga titles during his time in Munich.

•Bayern Munich players train ahead of Wembley showdown tomorrow

On the other hand, ex-Borussia Dortmund striker Alexander Frei has backed his old club to beat Bayern to the trophy.

“Borussia Dortmund will win the Champions League!” he told Fifa.com.

“I knew BVB would get past Malaga in the quarter-finals. The pressure at Signal Iduna Park when the fans get behind the team is so enormous, only the truly great teams survive.

“Against Real Madrid in the semi-final return leg, Dortmund could so easily have landed a lucky punch, as people call it, then it would have been basically all over from the start.

“But I do have to say if the game had gone on five or seven minutes longer, BVB would have been knocked out.”

•GETTING SET: Dortmund team members train ahead of their Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium in London tomorrow. PHOTO: AFP.

Frei went on to say that German teams are now setting the standard in European football.

“Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have developed a playing style which could well set the benchmark for the next two years,” he said.

•Captain Isiaka Olawale

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles will this evening face their West Africa counterparts, Ivory Coast, in the last Group A match in the ongoing African Beach Soccer Championship in Morocco.

The Super Sand Eagles are tied with Ivory Coast on six points apiece but lead Group B on goals difference. The team emerged victorious in their second game of the competition, thumping Egypt 8-4 and defeating Libya with the same margin on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Abu Azeez has expressed excitement that his five goals helped Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles beat  Egypt 8-4.

•Abu Azeez

The Kwara United striker was the hero of the day while Babatunde Badmus got a brace and team captain, Isiaka Olawale, netted once.

He admitted that the Egyptians were not easy opponents as the result suggested. The Nigerians and their Egyptian counterparts battled through almost all of the first period goalless until Badmus scored with about a minute left to play.

And Azeez told supersport.com: “It wasn’t easy at all. They gave us a very good fight.”

But in the second period the Nigerians overpowered the North Africans and raced into a four-goal lead and subsequently won 8-4 in the final period to reach the last four of the tournament. Azeez believes the Super Sand Eagles were too strong for the Egyptians in the last two periods of the tie.

“They couldn’t match our strength and force in the second and third periods,” said Azeez to supersport.com.

The striker has now set his sight on the final group clash of his team against West African rivals, Ivory Coast today.

Two athletes of Adopt-A-Talent Sports Program were part of the athletes that received monetary reward from President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan for making Nigeria proud at the recently held African U-18 Athletics Championship in Warri, Delta

Abire Mercy, who won silver medal in Long Jump and Temidayo Oshibanjo, who also won silver medal in Pentathlon and Huddles received awards worth N400,000 each from President Jonathan for their performances at the first ever Africa Youth Championship in Warri.

Mercy and Oshibanjo are two of the four Adopt-A-Talent athletes currently in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, camp in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State preparing for the upcoming Africa Junior Athletics Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa from 27 – 30 June.

•A cross section of athletes during the launching of Adopt-A-Takent Sports programme in Alausa, Ikeja in 2011. Phot: Emmanuel Osodi

Incidentally, arrangements for the unveiling of the Adopted athletes of the programme, which is scheduled for Thursday, 30 May by Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Governor of Lagos State, are in top gear, letters have been dispatched to sponsors, parents and the athletes concerned.

Arrangements have also been made for transportation of these four athletes and a coach who are in the AFN camp in Port-Harcourt, preparing for the upcoming Africa junior tourney in South Africa to join their mates at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos.

Interestingly, the programme has attracted more sponsors as four more athletes have been adopted bringing the number from 39 to 43.

Prince Wale Oladunjoye (Snr), Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development and the Chairman, Central Working Committee of the programme has expressed hope that more athletes would be adopted even before the unveiling ceremony.

Plans have been concluded to accommodate the 185 man strong contingent comprising athletes, coaches, medical staff and other supporting staff who are expected to assemble by 4.00 p.m. at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Sports Hostels on Wednesday, 29 May. They are to proceed to the Auditorium, Governor’s Office, in a convoy on the morning of Thursday, 30 May, the day of the unveiling.

Expected to be launched, and a first of its kind in Nigeria’s sports annals, is a Coaching Compendium, compiled by the Adopt-A-Talent Sports Program coaching crew, in the ten sports disciplines – Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Judo, Karate, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball.

Croatian Drazen Miksic proved too strong for Uwazie Jude as he won 6-3, 6-3 in the Men’s Singles yesterday, while Anto Joskic was no match for Alex Adewale as he dispatched the Nigerian 6-1, 6-3.

In the Men’s Doubles, Uwazie lived up to pre-tournament expectations as he partnered Alex to see off the Croatian pair of Drazen Miksic and Ninoslav Krsnik in two straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, but this victory could not help Nigeria’s qualification bid as the players had earlier lost too many matches prior to the doubles play-offs.

President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, Engr. Sani Ndanusa wasn’t happy that the team crashed out, but he was glad that they made a remarkable statement with their victory in the doubles event.

He lamented the absence of the country’s number one wheelchair tennis player, Wasiu Yusuf, as he believes that Wasiu would have fared better in the singles.

“It’s a pity that we lost out, but I’m really happy with how we defeated Croatia in two straight sets to win the doubles. If Wasiu were to be at the tourney, our performance in the singles might have been better,” he said.

—Damilare Okunola

The Spaniard, who goes into Roland Garros having already surpassed Bjorn Borg’s mark of six titles in 2012, and having lost just once in 53 matches on the Paris red dirt, was keen to play down fevered talk that the 2013 trophy was his for the taking.

“The Grand Slams are not the only tournaments on the tour,” said Nadal, who has won six titles in eight finals since his return to the tour following a seven-month lay-off to rest his injured knee.

“When I go on court playing in a Grand Slam or playing in a Masters 1000 or playing in a 500 or 250, my feeling is try my best and try to play with the same passion in every tournament.

“It’s true that the Grand Slams are special tournaments. But for me, winning Barcelona, winning Madrid, winning Rome means a lot. I don’t take these tournaments like preparation for Roland Garros, seriously.

“So if you can ask me if I win one Grand Slam during the whole year or win six tournaments like I already did, I will choose to win six tournaments.

“Because when you win a Grand Slam you are happy one week or two weeks. When you are winning tournaments you are having the chance to be happy and you feel that you are doing the right things during the rest of the time, no?”

This French Open represents Nadal’s first Grand Slam event since his shock second-round exit to Czech outsider Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon last year, a defeat which sparked his lengthy absence and rehabilitation.

That time away, spent at home in Manacor, has made the 26-year-old appreciate what time he may have left on the tour as he attempts to build on his haul of 11 Grand Slam titles.

“To talk about numbers, to talk about history, you have to analyse when somebody finishes his career, not in the middle, you know,” said Nadal.

“And for sure I would like to be remembered like a good guy and a good player.”

Nadal’s absence also contributed to his number three seeding at the French Open and when the draw was made on Friday, he was placed in the same half as world number one Novak Djokovic.

That will mean defeat for one of them before the final and making a repeat of last year’s title match, won by Nadal in four sets, an impossibility.

The Spaniard has a 19-15 record over the Serb, but stresses that talk of a semi-final showdown between the two is premature.

“If a player is not 1 and 2 in the world, that can happen and it happened. But the tournament starts from the first round.”

Even the strongest person would first feel the pangs of being rejected and only put self together after a good session of either self-talk or simply reminding himself/herself of whom they are and what they stand for.

There is no point making people who suffer rejection feel like they are the most insecure persons on earth- everyone feels pain when rejected but what you do with the pains distinguish you from a feeble hearted fellow who thrives on self pity or setting pity party around them.

I have heard someone say once that rejection is a gift; it comes to you from others but you decide what you want to do with it. Since rejection basically comes from other people to you, it will be worth mentioning that there is very little you can do to stop it or control its coming.

With our focus on marital/sexual rejection, it’s good to know that even when it can be one of the signs that the relationship is grinding to a halt, couples can also show rejection without any intention of terminating the union.

Maybe the word to use should be ‘Denial’ which spells more of a temporary stuff than rejection but whatever word or expression used; the effect on the recipient is undoubtedly that of ‘REJECTION’.

When a man is rejected by his wife, he feels the pains but can put up with it as one of those things but when the woman does the chase and gets turned down; her whole world seems to crumble. Thoughts of shame, unworthiness and all sorts of negative emotions flood her mind and keep her thinking ‘I am not good enough’.

Thus, this article is reaching out for such a fellow who is crushed in the rubble of rejection. I had earlier mentioned that several things could make a man say no to his wife’s moves: there are yet a lot other issues to be mentioned.

If you find yourself in a relationship where the man feels he is a lot better than you, there’s bound to be problem in the bedroom. He sees himself as the lord of that little palace and enjoys your falling before him in ‘worship’ – what a shame.

Malicious people also find rejection as a ‘payback time’ for their spouses. They want you to feel the pains of life just the way you hurt them at other times and sometimes in other ways. Once sexual act shifts from being a mutual act of intimacy to a weapon of war; the casualty plunges deep into vengeance at every available opportunity.

Meanwhile, the rejected keeps thinking…

•There should be something seriously wrong with me

•I am not physically attractive

•Not educated enough

•Probably too old

•Not as good as others

•Not financially strong

•Not useful in any way

•Out of place

•Chasing what is bigger than me

•Simply unlucky to be rejected -self pity.

In all these I’ve mentioned, allowing self-pity to overtake you when rejection knocks is probably the worst step to take. Self pity robs you of the possible meaningful solutions you would have proffered for the situation. Your vision becomes totally blurred, thinking clustered, eyes misty and heart too sick to carry you on.

I always tell people when I have the opportunity that there is no authentic promise anywhere in the world that things would never go wrong. If a brand new car has warranty even for the first year of manufacture; it means ‘it can happen’ –things can go wrong but you have where to go and fix it.

When things go wrong in relationships; no matter how young or old they may be, your first instinct should be ‘how to fix it’- this is why I feel so sorry for people who toy with divorce- every little thing makes them think divorce.

One way of fixing sexual rejection as I mentioned briefly before would be to be patient and give time the chance to heal the cause of it. I know ‘patience’ is an old fashioned word but take it from me ‘nothing succeeds without it’. Starting a new business? You need patience. Looking for a job? You need If you wait and things still do not work well then try other measures- in life you’ve got to keep trying till you succeed. Instead of chasing your spouse the more; spend some good time to become the person you’ll love to be.

Taking a distant learning programme turned Sarah’s life around she could not explain how. The level of concentration, diligence and excellence she attained made her husband realise what an intelligent wife he had. He began to treat her with a lot more respect and trusted her with important decisions unlike before.

Everyone has a dream- that thing you have always thought of doing or becoming; channel that energy there; you’ll be amazed how much success you’ll amass. I read a man’s blog on how his son’s rejection made him decide to lose weight at all costs. Now he has not only lost the weight but has helped thousands of Americans and others to attain their target weight- he practically earns a living from writing diet blogs, books and giving advice. How did it happen? Instead of moaning about the nasty comment the son made about his weight and the open rejection by his wife, he decided to handle the problem and make the best of it.

When people reject you, they know you’ll be hurt; refusing to let that hurt overwhelm you will tell them you are not only mature but also confident. Developing yourself is a priceless investment. Look around and explore ways you can make ‘your world’ a better place to live.

Knowing how to overcome rejection is not too far from knowing how to survive in today’s world because rejection has become a daily experience for many. Consciously make effort to love, respect and value yourself. Treat ‘you’ with dignity and go for things that will help boost your person. If someone sees you as a ‘failure’ what do you say about yourself- that is really what matters and will determine your happiness. Don’t let people define you their own way.

Barrister Tony Odey, an aspirant for the chairmanship seat of the Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, southsouth Nigeria, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in this interview with EROMOSELE EBHOMELE, speaks on his cardinal programmes for the people when elected in the forthcoming election

•Barrister Tony Odey

Why did you decide to vie for the position of the chairman of Yala Local Government Area?

I will start by saying democracy is the ‘oxygen’ of development in accordance with the will of the people. Ultimate power belongs to the people who in turn elect people of their choice to hold same in trust for them.  When a group of people take a decision on behalf of the enlarged society without their approval, then the people are in trouble. The destiny of Yala Local Government Area should not be negotiated. The local government system is very important in the socio-economic development of the people, being the closest tier to them. Before offering myself to serve the good people of the area as chairman, I had gone round all the wards and discussed with a cross-section of the people to know the root causes of the hardship being faced by them. It is sad to note that Yala is the only local government where poverty has become so endemic that the people have no other alternative than to accept it as a way of life. This is not their wish and it should not be so. My desire is for us to join hands to transform Yala into a model local government area in Cross River State that others will emulate in Nigeria. Though the challenges are enormous, it is no longer going to be business as usual. We shall restore the dignity of Yala people. We shall press for the creation of more wards and additional local government areas. We shall work with progressive forces in and outside the state to actualise the creation of Ogoja State, God willing.

Don’t you see availability of funds as a major challenge to your ambition?

It is not a matter of lack of funds but of right placement of priorities and understanding the comparative needs of the people vis-à-vis the available funds. It does not matter whether I am from Yala, Ukelle, Yache, Gabu/Igede, Ezekwe or Okpudu. It is not even a matter of any particular religion. It is a matter of patriotism, attitude, philosophy and will power.  Above all, the cardinal philosophy of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, shall  be our guiding principle. I cannot claim monopoly of ideas or wisdom to solving the huge challenges confronting Yala people, but the destiny of the area is in our hands.

There is this serious voter apathy when it comes to council elections. How do you hope to muster the needed support?

We shall re-orientate the leadership and followership of the political forces in the area to keep them abreast of the realities on ground. Our greatest problem is distrust and lack of unity among political leaders, who ironically belong to the same political party.

What are your cardinal goals for the Yala people?

I hope to create wealth by eradicating poverty through the radical provision of critical social infrastructure like motorable rural roads, encouragement of formation of cooperative societies, introduction of small scale factories and provision of boreholes. I also hope to engage in activities that can boost agriculture, education, health, sports, culture and tourism, and youth empowerment. I have plans for the establishment of an unemployment data bank or an employment opportunity desk equipped with internet facility to store records of unemployed youths and widows and to investigate vacancies in public and private organizations including military and paramilitary and non-governmental organisations. It is a known fact that agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of Yala people. Yala has capacity in the cultivation of oil palm, rice, yam, maize, cassava, honey, sesame seed, moringa, locust beans and a lot more. To ensure that our people get value for their labour, we shall coordinate their potentials, and regularly invite professionals to educate farmers on modern methods of farming. We shall liaise with federal and state agencies for interest free bank loans, and for them to provide chemicals like herbicides and fertilizers at subsidized rates. The local government will also partner with the state and federal governments to supply improved varieties of seedlings to farmers. We shall also partner with individuals and organizations who wish to invest in small scale agro-allied industries and also vigorously engage in planting of trees to check the menace of deforestation. Generally, the council under my leadership will encourage and support our people to establish poultry, rabbit, piggery and other livestock farming.

What are your plans for education in Yala?

Education is the bedrock of every society and it remains the basis of our daily activities. In recognition of this, the state and local governments have done a commendable work with the massive rehabilitation/renovation of primary and secondary schools in some wards across the state. We shall however improve on that, while also creating conducive teaching and learning atmosphere for schools in Yala. Yala students in tertiary institutions shall be entitled to annual bursary award, while those in law school, clinical students and post graduate students shall be given financial assistance to cover books in addition to the bursary. We will take issues of health very seriously. Experience has shown that our people, especially those in the hinterland, without good roads, suffer from avoidable health challenges at times resulting in death because they cannot get help on time. We will provide motorcycles for mobile health workers to visit villages on emergency calls. We will partner with relevant government agencies and organizations in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic which is still ravaging our people. We shall embark on aggressive rehabilitation of rural roads while building new ones to enable the people move their farm producce to markets at minimal cost. Specifically, we will rehabilitate streets and roads in Okpoma, Yahe, Yache, Wanikade, Wanokom, Igede and Okuku, while working on Ijiraga-Ebo Road, Mfuma, Ijokom, Benekaba roads. We will procure a rig for drilling of boreholes. At least one market per ward shall be upgraded and provided with sanitation facilities, water supply and toilet. We shall sufficiently work on the Okuku and Wanikade parks in the first 100 days in office. The council will introduce at least ten 18-seater buses to boost the Yala Line which for now is being operated by private persons. We shall purchase graders, rollers, tippers and a low boards for road construction. We will provide necessary infrastructure at the Itekpa Lake to make it a leading tourism site. The annual new yam festival will be properly planned and executed to serve as a forum to showcase our rich cultural heritage to tourists, fun seekers, holiday makers, and researchers.

How do you hope to empower the people of your area?

Most of our people are suffering because they lack capacity to excel in their chosen trade. We will therefore embark on the establishment of skill acquisition centres, equipped with modern training tools and gadgets and manned by qualified personnel in the two constituencies of the local government area. Occasionally, we will bring officials of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to train our people on various trades. The people so trained will be given interest free loans to establish trades of their choice in order to be self-reliant. We will directly encourage small business people and artisans with financial grants to improve their businesses.