I’ll choose Poland Nigeria again

olisaDEE

Former Poland international, Emmanuel Olisadebe, tells ’TANA AIYEJINA about how he overcame racist attacks to play for Poland and more in this interview

What have you been doing since you retired from football?

Actually I have been in Nigeria for the past two years. I am just trying to see what exactly I’ll be motivated to do. Maybe it’s to go back to school or get my coaching degree. At this point, I am trying to see that out, but I’ve not made up my mind yet.

If you eventually choose coaching, will it be in Nigeria or in Poland, your adopted country?

I have to be logical in situations like this. You don’t have too many black coaches in Europe, so I think it should be in Nigeria, my birthplace.

Reports in the media said you quit football due to frustration at your last club, Veria …

There’s a little bit of truth in that. If I am not motivated, I can’t play; I play if I really want to play. I got to a stage in my career, where I played in a team for five months and they didn’t pay; it was really frustrating and I just decided to quit. I played three years in China, which was the best time I’ve ever had. I tried to come back to Europe but it was very difficult; once you play in China, it’s always very difficult to return to Europe and I wasn’t getting younger. It was very difficult, so I decided to stop.

What made China the best place you played football?

Firstly, the money was good and it was a new experience for me. Before I went to China, I was in England with Portsmouth and I had a bad time there. I went back to Greece and I also had problems in my team. Then I had to go to Cyprus and from there I went to China and I don’t regret it.

What actually happened to you at Portsmouth?

I don’t know. It’s a long story because there is a lot of politics involved. The way I came to the club was different from the way some other players came in. (Harry) Redknapp was the coach then and he came after I made the transfer to Portsmouth. The team wasn’t doing well and when he came, he tried to bring in his own players. He pushed the guys that were there before, including the Senegalese (Papa Bouba) Diop, aside. I only spent six months there; I decided to go back to Greece and stay one year before moving to Cyprus and then China.

You left for Polish side Legia Warszawa from Nigeria in 1997. What was the initial experience like in your first sojourn in Europe?

When I got to Poland, what I got wasn’t what I expected. Many of my friends told me not to go there. But it was my destiny and I told myself, ‘I will go there and if doesn’t work, I will come back.’ It wasn’t the best experience because the football then in Poland was low-class but for me as a young boy, I enjoyed the experience being in Europe.

How did you feel when you first encountered racists in Poland?

I experienced a lot. At that time, their football was very low and they were not so used to foreign players, not to talk of black players. Initially I didn’t understand it. I was harassed by the fans; they threw bananas and beer at me and even spat at me. But I just took it like an experience in life because I knew what I went there to do.

When the then Poland national team coach, Jerzy Engel, wanted to bring you into the team, was there a resistance from the fans, players and officials?

Yes, there was from some players who thought I was a mediocre player. They said, ‘No, we don’t need a foreigner to play for Poland.’ But in the last 16 years Poland hadn’t qualified for the World Cup and I helped them qualify. I was top scorer with eight goals in qualifying and the team qualified for the World Cup after 16 years. But they resisted a little bit. Some of the coaches didn’t want me in the team too. But like I said, it was my destiny and nobody could stop it.

How did you feel about the rejection?

What I did was to read less of the newspapers. That was my only way of not getting demoralised. I didn’t listen to the news; I just knew what I wanted and that was it.

Why did you choose Poland ahead of Nigeria?

Many people ask me that question. It’s a matter of choice, I always tell them. I just chose that option. If I wanted to play for Nigeria, maybe there would have been a few things I needed to do to play for Nigeria and I would have done that. But when the Poland option came, I didn’t have time, I had to make that decision there and then. I didn’t have six months to think, I had a few days. So, I took the decision to play for Poland. I could have decided to play for Nigeria but you know that at that time, it would be difficult because I was playing in Poland. As at then, they didn’t call up people playing in Poland. Probably, when I went to Panathinaikos, I would have stood a chance. Nigerian national team prefers players playing in France, Germany and those countries. So, I thought the clever thing to do was to play for those people who needed me most.

You scored on your debut for Poland in a friendly game against Romania in Bucharest. What was the reaction of the fans and players who didn’t want you in the team?

I remember that first game clearly. We didn’t have too many fans from Poland there; the Romanian fans were everywhere and there were monkey chants from them. And then something happened; before half time, I pulled my shoulder, so I went back to the dressing room and the team doctor said, ‘You’re off.’ And I said to myself, ‘It’s impossible. My first game injured? No way.’ I wanted to prove something to the Romanian fans, so they gave me this big injection and all the pain went away and I came back into the game. It was still the same monkey chants from the stands and in the 79th minute, I scored. It was my first goal and the game ended 1-1. Because of the sacrifice I made despite my shoulder injury, they (Polish people) were happy and I was just scoring afterwards.

You scored Poland’s first goal at the World Cup in 2002 in a 3-1 defeat of the US. What was it like scoring at that level?

The World Cup is the highest stage in football. It was the third game in our group and we were already out. We had a lot of controversies in the team; there was accommodation and other problems. We didn’t go there as a team; that’s why we didn’t perform well. In the last game against the US, the whole team changed. I think I was the only player who played the first two games left in the team and I scored in the second minute. It was a corner, a header, a rebound and I shot the ball into the net. It was a very exciting moment. After the goal, I ran to my coach to say, ‘At least I scored a goal in the World Cup.’ It’s a goal I will never forget.

Nigeria was at the same World Cup too. Did you feel you should have been in the Nigerian camp and not with the Polish?

We were far apart. Really, I didn’t have emotions because I had made up my mind. If Nigeria and Poland were playing and I wasn’t playing, I would say Nigeria should win but if I was playing, I will help my team to win. I still have sentiments for my place of birth. It’s like you nationalising for another country but you are still a Nigerian. It’s my job. Some people say, ‘Why didn’t you play for Nigeria?’ And I say, ‘Maybe I wasn’t good enough.’ But I made the choice I needed for my career and I think it wasn’t a bad one.

Did you face any discrimination in Nigeria after opting to play for Poland?

Just a little bit; Nigerians are a special kind of people and I think they understood that I had to play for Poland. We have a culture of Nigerian athletes nationalising and running for the US and England. So, it wasn’t such a big deal and I think it was normal for them.

Is Emmanuel Olisadebe Polish or Nigerian?

I am a Nigerian; I still like Nigerian food, Nigerian music and I stay here. You cannot spend 15 years in Poland and don’t assimilate some of their culture and the way they do things. Here (Nigeria) is my home and I feel Nigerian. I love being here.

Are you hoping to give back to the Nigerian society?

I would try my best; every footballer would like to give but you have to choose exactly what path you want to follow. It could be to help young players travel abroad or maybe set up an academy. Coaching too is like giving back.

If you had a second chance, would you still choose Poland ahead of Nigeria again?

It’s a very difficult question but based on the ride I had playing for Poland, I think I will do it again.

How do you think racism can be curbed?

It will never stop. I think somewhere along the line, they are being taught to be racists. It’s a personal statement. If you look at it closely, you will find out that most people who are racists are males. I think it’s the testosterone thing. It’s complex and I don’t know what it is. It’s like saying fear will end. It can’t. In my opinion, racism will never end, it’s been there. Racism evolves; we’ve passed the stage where you see someone on the street and you point fingers at him and say, ‘You are black.’ That stage is long gone. Now it has reached an extent where because you are black, you will not be given a job, where your value as a football player is reduced because you are black, where you cannot be captain of certain teams because you are black. There are so many things like that. You can reduce it in the stadiums but deep down inside the system, it’s still there. You see great black players but they never have the chance to coach. It just happened in the US, with a racist basketball club owner. It’s there but they try to hide it. The whites want to stamp themselves as the superiors; it’s a system and its always been there and it will never change. For us as Africans and black people, we should also find a way to make ourselves proud and it’s simple. The leaders should help. If our country is good and we have the basic things we need and there is security, we will be proud people too as blacks. I find it difficult to fight against racism because I feel like a hypocrite. It’s like I will go there, fight but deep down within me, I know it’s not going to end. So, what is the point fighting. As black people, we have to be proud of ourselves because on their side, it will not stop.

Who was the toughest defender you played against?

I think it was the big Arsenal defender Sol Campbell. We always played in the UEFA Champions League and I played four games against him. He was so big, fast and tough.

Which is your best goal?

It would be the first goal I scored for Poland in the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup against Ukraine in Kiev. Before the game, it was Olisadebe versus Andrei Shevchenko. I scored two goals in that goal and we beat Ukraine 3-1 in their home and the my first goal was my best. It was a cross and I got my head to it.

What’s the favourite city you have visited?

I like Athens, I have a place there and I like going back there. After the crisis, it’s not so good but I love Athens and London.

What attracts you to women?

The first attraction is the eyes, before we start talking about her intelligence.

Do you live the flashy lifestyle, with big cars and expensive jewelry?

I used to like cars but at the moment, I just drive a CL 55 AMG. I am not crazy about cars any more because when you stop (playing) you have other things in your mind you want to do.

What are your best and worst moments?

I had some very good moments; winning the Polish Championship for Legia Warszawa after 40 years, qualifying to play in the World Cup and helping Panathinaikos to win the Greek league after 10 years. The bad moment was when I had a terrible injury in China. I helped my team qualify for the Asian Champions League and we had five games left before I had the injury. It took me eight months to come back. I felt bad because I was really at my peak then.

Stewart Parvin: Queen Elizabeth’ designer

Queen Elizabeth
| credits: File copy

Often described as a designer who cuts clothes to flatter women, Stewart Parvin is the youngest of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s   designers. He designs her outfits for official occasions.

Stewart Parvin, 45, trained at Edinburgh College of Art. He grew up in Ascot, Berkshire, and from a young age showed a keen interest in fashion, which later developed into a unique talent.

Wondering why the queen never looks anything other than cool and immaculate? According to the royal dress designer, the queen is a ‘cold person’ – in terms of body temperature. He explained that the coolness of her skin keeps the clothes perfectly pressed – accounting for her impeccable appearance at all times.

He said in an interview with Daily Mail: “We always choose fabrics that don’t crease – we go to extra lengths to line them so they don’t,”

“I am somebody who creases all their clothes. I’m always hot. The Queen is very lucky – she doesn’t crease her clothes. The clothes are always impeccable. But it is also that she doesn’t glow. If you are a cold person, your clothes don’t crease.”

To ensure that the queen does not appear in public too many times in same outfit, or in the same company, each dress is recorded on a spread sheet with the time and date it was worn. “The queen is apparently keen to adopt ‘outrageous designs and bright colours’ such as pink and yellow,” Mr. Parvin said.

He added that block colours ‘elongate her; she’s only very tiny.’ For Her Majesty, practicality always comes first – which is why she favours dresses rather than skirts and blouses which can become untucked.

The couturier, who has been working with the Queen since 2000, described the techniques his team use to keep her looking perfect. As one of Her Majesty’s shoulders is higher than the other, she wears an extra shoulder-pad. Moreover, a servant with the same sized feet usually wears her shoes in for her to save her toes from blistering.

Parvin told the Sunday Times: “The shoes have to be immediately comfortable … she does get someone to wear them. The Queen can never say, “I’m uncomfortable, I can’t walk any more.’

 She often dons his classically cut dresses and jackets to critical worldwide acclaim. Parvin added: “There is always someone there photographing her. So when she gets out of a car, she can’t pull her skirt up, tuck her shirt in, tighten her things; she gets out and she’s ready.”

Last year, he also designed the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Philips’, wedding dress. With the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012, the passion for luxurious, impeccably cut fashion with the royal seal of approval is set to continue as his passion for contemporary chic design and couture quality has resulted in several collections that are both sensuous and elegantly stylish.

Sofia Vergara’s evening gown rips open

   

 

Sofia Vergara

Sofia Vergara tore up the dance floor at HBO’s Emmys after party held in the Pacific Design Center in Hollywood, when she suffered a wardrobe malfunction in the process.

The 42 year-old Modern Family bombshell was joined by Dancing With the Stars pro Derek Hough who scooped her up and twirled her around the dance floor. An observer at the bash tells US Weekly that Vergara and Hough were spinning around the dance floor and Vergara was flying through the air.

Soon, a crowd gathered around the two stars and the cell phones came out to capture the crazy moment as “Hit the Road Jack” started playing.

The actress, wearing a form-fitting strapless white gown by Roberto Cavalli, got so into the dance sequence that when Hough, 29, whisked her off the floor, she accidentally flashed her nipple.

“It was a full five minutes of him spinning her around the dance floor,” the observer notes. “No one could quite believe what they were seeing,” the eyewitness recalls, “nor were they able to take their eyes off it.” One of the spectators was Hough’s younger, equally-famous sibling Julianne, who stood by the stage and eagerly clapped along to her brother dancing with Vergara.

Despite that nip flash, the gorgeous Colombian actress had an uproarious night. Earlier that evening, she hit the floor with Modern Family costar Sarah Hyland and Orange Is the New Black actress Laverne Cox, and later, with show creator Steven Levitan, Nolan Gould, and others. The group danced to “Shout,” “Do you Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)”, and “La Bamba,” the observer adds, “as if no one was watching.” At one point, they hilariously got a hold of maracas, too, and it “got wild.”

Although Vergara opted to leave hot boyfriend Joe Manganiello at home, the actress was seen happily texting a special somebody throughout the night. She eventually left Manganiello a sexy picture on Instagram. “Where R U BigBy?” she wrote alongside a sexy side snap of her posing provocatively at one bash.

Milan Fashion Week

Milan may have made its name with body-hugging tailoring, but the main design language the just concluded Milan Fashion Week was more relaxed and about draping the body in soft materials that subtly reveal the shape.

Despite the predominance of the brassiere top, these were not vamped-up collections. It came in studded leather, ironic pop-art cartoon renderings, or luxurious python bandeaus, which were almost always veiled beneath sheer fabrics or worn beneath peek-a-boo tops that stood away from the body. A belt often defined the silhouette.

The fashion in Milan this season was very much a battle between minimalists and non-minimalists. While some designers hued to the clean lines, many employed ruffles, bustles and pleats for flair. And there was no shortage of sequins, beads or metallic studs.

Even the most feminine collections had sporty references: athletic stripes, visors, tube socks, jogging shorts, tank tops and trekking shoes. The 1950s swimsuit, ostensibly modest, left the poolside and headed for the street.

Top designers took inspiration from architecture with ancient Sicilian temples printed on dresses at Dolce & Gabbana and structured tailoring at Salvatore Ferragamo.

“It’s a very architectural season,” Ferragamo designer, Massimiliano Giornetti, told Reuters before his show, saying he was inspired by Mexican architect Miguel Angel Aragones.

Beige was the predominant colour in Giornetti’s collection, which featured tailored blazers and blousons cut high at the waist or low at the neckline, exposing midriffs and snakeskin bras.

Giornetti also drew on the archives of the fashion house founded by shoemaker, Salvatore Ferragamo, who made footwear for Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn, to create square-toed shoes with broad snakeskin straps at the ankle.

Flamboyant Italian duo, Dolce & Gabbana, drew their own inspiration from an “imaginary journey to discover ancient Sicily”, presenting dresses printed with ancient ruins and shoes with heels shaped like the columns of a temple.

The collections provided the finale to a week which has seen 74 official shows, store openings, and parties attended by celebrities including Cate Blanchett and Blake Lively.

Giorgio Armani not only summed up next summer’s diaphanous look, he perfected it. The designer, whose relaxed styles have caressed rather than grabbed the body for over three decades, used different lightweight fabrics to create shadowy layers for summer 2014. He also mixed silks and knits to create a pale shimmering effect.

This time, Armani kept to a pastel palette for his delicate styles, with flashes of bright shades such as deep-sea blue and coral red. Tiny floral embroidery, always an Armani favourite, lent an even more feminine touch to the summer look.

Gianfranco Ferre’s architectural style continues to survive him. Design team Federico Piaggi and Stefano Citron’s women’s styles for next summer, presented on the last day of Milan Fashion Week, had a structural look that adhered closely to the design language developed by Ferre, who died in 2007.

Concentric seams gave structure to the bust, the waist and hemlines, while layered pockets, shoulders or pleats gave a depth to the looks reminiscent of an Escher print. Hemlines varied from mini to floor-length, often in the same garment, with either a short skirt under a draped overlay, or short shorts exposed beneath a wide slit.

Culled from www.vogue.com

Wash weaves

Many women wear weaves but do not know how to care for them properly. You are expected to wash weaves after every install

Weave washing is important because the sweat, oils and dirt accumulated will cause tangles, bad smell and tangling. To wash your weaves and wigs properly, follow these steps and keep your weave smelling great all the time.

Step 1: Detangle the weave

Immediately you take down your weave, detangle it with your fingers or a wide toothcomb. Remove sewing thread from the weft with your fingers. Do not use scissors in order not to cut the weft.

Step 2: Clean weft with spirit

Depending on the dirt or if you have dandruff and it has extended to the weft of the weave, I advice you use spirit and cotton wool to clean the edges.

Step 3: Wash with shampoo and lukewarm water:

The next step is to wash the hair with shampoo and lukewarm water. Ensure you use shampoo specifically for hair extensions. even if its coloured

Step 4: Condition

This step is very important. You need to condition to restore the hair back to its original texture. Use one to rinse out first and a leave-in conditioner later or just the later.

Step 5: Air dry

It is always better to air-dry your weaves. This means leaving them to dry naturally without a blow dryer or excessive heat.

Step 6: Storage

Ensure you store your hair in a cool dry place until your next install.

Best, worst dressed of MTV Awards

   

 

Rita Ora

Best dressed

• Nicki Minaj

No one could deny she looked incredible in her anaconda-inspired (short) dress. She slinked down the carpet in a snake print gold mini by Saint Laurent.

• Rita Ora

It’s unclear whether Rita Ora was wearing underwear with this silk Donna Karan Atelier slip dress.

• Jennifer Lopez

Her Charbel Zoe outfit glittered like it was covered in thousands of diamonds. J.Lo stole the show as she looked amazing from top-to-toe and finished it off with her beautiful warm smile.

• Solange Knowles

She went for dark colours and menswear with this midnight suit from H&M Studio with an oversize jacket. She kept it feminine with a voluminous Diana Ross hairstyle.

• Beyonce

She literally shut down the red carpet in this black lace Nicolas Jebran gown.

• Demi Lovato

This bright red Lanvin had a low-cut neckline. The elegant drape and cinch at the middleand a sexy centre slit. The floaty weightlessness of the fabric was inspiring.

• Ariana Grande

She rocked leather from head-to-toe. Ariana sported a severely short look with a pair of thigh-high boots as she rocked Moschino from head-to-toe.

• Taylor Swift

She was beyond sexy in the shortest silhouette. It was the best way for her to flaunt her amazing legs.

• Katy Perry

Dancer, singer, actor and comedian, she rocked up, with Riff Raff in a denim throwback to what Britney and JT wore at the 2001 American Music Awards.

• Iggy Azalea

Aussie babe, Iggy Azalea showed off her famous curves in an incredibly tight fitting reflective mirror dress.

Worst dressed

Miley Cyrus

She wore a leather bandeau top and high-waisted pant. Not very red carpet glam but very Miley.

Amber Rose

Her chained number draped over her curves, just barely covering her assets. While the metallic Laurel DeWitt dress didn’t leave much to the imagination. Hubby, Wiz Khalifa, 26, looked happy to be by her side.

Kim Kardashian

She opted to go for a whole lot of funky pattern at once in her Balmain ensemble. More boohoo than boho, the poncho-esque top revealed some massive cleavage which Kim has been rocking a lot of lately.

Charli XCX

ZMapp cures 100% lab monkeys

Ebola Virus
| credits: streamafrica.com

An experimental Ebola drug, ZMapp, has cured all 18 of the laboratory monkeys infected with the deadly virus.

According to Reuters, these include those suffering the fever and hemorrhaging characteristics of the disease and had been hours from death.

Monkeys not treated until five days after infection also survived.

Reportedly, no other experimental Ebola therapy has shown such success in primates. Five days of infection in the animals has been said to be the equivalent of nine to 11 days after infection in humans.

Although, two American aid workers who contracted Ebola in Liberia were cured after receiving ZMapp, their physicians do not know if the drug helped.

A Liberian doctor with the disease on Monday was confirmed dead, despite being given the drug, as did a Spanish priest.

ZMapp, produced by Mapp Biopharmaceutical in San Diego, USA, has never been scientifically tested in people, and the current study was the first in primates.

The development was described by virologist Thomas Geisbert of the University of Texas Medical Branch as a monumental achievement.

There are no approved Ebola vaccines or treatments, but human safety trials will begin this week on a vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline, and later on, on one from NewLink Genetics Corp.

According to the World Health Organisation, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed 1,552 people out of 3,069 confirmed cases and is on pace to infect 20,000. WHO also said the outbreak would almost certainly continue into 2015.

ZMapp has been described as a mix of three antibodies that bind to proteins on Ebola viruses and trigger the immune system to destroy them.

Ebola: Police raid Lagos hotels, arrest 39 foreigners

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Umaru Manko
| credits: File copy

Men of the Nigerian Police from the Area A Command, Lion Building, Ikoyi, Lagos State, and operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service, on Friday raided one hotel and a guest house on Lagos Island, arresting 39 foreign nationals over the Ebola Virus Disease scare.

The foreigners identified as 35 from the Democratic Republic of Congo and four Senegalese, were were said to be co-habiting in Benin Hotel and another guest house both situated on Atere street on Lagos Island.

According to security operatives, the raid of the two hotels was motivated by reports from residents of the area who expressed concern that activities of the foreigners, swarming the area, could lead to the spread of Ebola.

It was gathered that the Commander of Area A Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Imohimi Edgal contacted officials of the NIS and some health workers after the tip-off from residents.

The police said it has placed all the hotels in the area under close surveillance and charged the residents to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the police.

A police source said the immigration officials would determine if the suspects are legally residing in the country while the health officials would determine their health status to know if they have the virus or not.

Chibok girls: Powerful Nigerians don’t want girls rescued — Negotiator

Abducted Chibok girls

Some powerful Nigerians are sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government and other concerned citizens to ensure that the over 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are set free.

This was disclosed by the President, Civil Rights Congress, Mr. Shehu Sani, in an exclusive interview with SUNDAY PUNCH last week.

Sani, who has been involved in efforts to get government and Boko Haram to discuss the fate of the girls in the past, said some powerful individuals, whom he refused to name, ensured that the talks derailed.

Sani’s disclosure came even as SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that government had begun fresh talks with the group to secure the release of the girls.

Reports have claimed that the girls who were kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, have been sighted in camps inside Sambisa Forest, in some border towns near Cameroon and in the Central African Republic.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Sani; and a United Arab Emirates-based Nigerian freelance journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who had communication channels with Boko Haram, had offered to mediate between the government and the sect. But none of these efforts have yielded fruits.

There have been speculations that recently President Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo held a meeting to discuss how to negotiate the release of the girls.

Sani, who is one of the negotiators facilitating the current talks, confirmed that government and the sect had started another round of talks for the release of the girls. However, he expressed fears that the powerful Nigerians who sabotaged earlier talks might derail the ongoing talks if care was not taken.

“What I want to tell you is that something is being done about it but I’m not disposed to making it public. Most times, publicising these issues always lead to sabotage by those who do not want the girls freed. I will not mention the names of these Nigerians.

“However, I can tell you that real and genuine moves are going on, which I am a part of. The claim that the girls have been abandoned is not true. There are genuine efforts by government and some individuals, who are discreetly making efforts toward getting their (pupils’) safe return home.”

The human rights activist noted that the girls could only be freed either forcefully or through dialogue and negotiation.

He added that the foreign intervention sought by some Nigerians had not produced results.

The United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Israel had offered to assist Nigeria in rescuing the school girls.

Both the US and the UK had sent security experts and technology to locate the abductees and secure their release. While the US claimed to have located the girls, France had specifically opposed negotiations with the sect.

Speaking on efforts made by these countries so far, Sani said, “I am not aware of any serious efforts made by any foreign country. I am not aware of what is happening on the side of the US forces. From the side of dialogue or negotiation, I have not seen any serious intervention or involvement of these countries.”

Similarly, the Convener, Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said some powerful forces had been frustrating efforts to free the girls

The Second Republic lawmaker said, “Powerful forces have proceeded to stall the negotiation over certain political gains.”

Confirming the negotiation plan, the President, Kibaku Youth Association of Nigeria (a community in Chibok Local Government Area), Mr. Moses Zakwa, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the Federal Government engaged the services of an Australian negotiator.

He, however, said he was not aware if any Nigerian was engaged by the government for talks with the sect.

Zakwa said, “Some weeks ago, we understood that the Federal Government hired a private negotiator who has been working in regards to the release of the Chibok girls. Every person in Chibok and Borno State knows too well that a former governor of the state is the founder of Boko Haram. Everybody sees him like a semi-god that cannot be touched by any authority.”

Zakwa also revealed that the Chibok community had resolved to protect itself against further attacks from Boko Haram. He also dropped hints that the community might take the fight to the Islamic sect.

He said, “What I want to assure you is that the community and its indigenes are ready. We want to take the bull by the horn. Whatever it will cost us, we are fully ready to face members of Boko Haram. I want to assure you that an earthquake will soon happen and Nigerians will be happy with what we plan to do.”

However, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pan Chibok Youths Association, Dr. Allen Manasseh, told our correspondent that he was not aware of any ongoing talks between the government and the sect.

He said, “I am not aware of any negotiation because I am not privy to that information yet. As I am speaking to you, I am in Chibok and I don’t know when negotiation started or how far they have gone with the negotiation. But if they have started negotiation with Boko Haram, then it is okay by us.”

Manasseh, however, expressed doubts about the Federal Government’s resolve to rescue the girls. While describing the ongoing efforts as belated, the Chibok youth leader said the government had had enough time to rescue the girls.

He said, “That is where my scepticism will come in because the girls in captivity are over a hundred and if the Federal Government is willing to negotiate with whoever is holding them captive, then it has taken too long for them to do that.”

The Northern Elders Forum had on August 11, 2014, given President Jonathan up to October to produce the schoolgirls or forget his 2015 presidential re-election bid.

An ex-Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Solomon Dalung, at a press briefing on behalf of the forum said the failure of the President to produce the Chibok girls and tackle other security challenges in the land, amounted to the forfeiture of his rights to ask for another mandate to lead Nigeria beyond 2015.

“In the light of our firm conviction that the insurgency and related security challenges pose threats to the 2015 elections and the survival of our nation, we strongly advise President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to bring an end to the insurgency in all its manifestations and produce the Chibok girls before the end of October 2014,” Dalung stated.

But Jonathan had reacted through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, saying he was already working on how to rescue the abducted girls.

“President Jonathan does not require any threat or ultimatum from any group of persons to be alive to his responsibilities to the Nigerian people,” Okupe had said.

Efforts to get the Presidency to confirm the said negotiation on Friday proved abortive.

Several calls made to the telephones of both the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, were not picked. Also, they did not respond to a text message sent to them.

Last Monday, a United States-based journal, Foreign Policy, listed the girls’ rescue as one of the missions that had been “forgotten” by the US government.

According to the magazine, the rescue of the girls is one of ‘The Pentagon’s top five “forgotten missions.”’

In a report titled ‘Forgotten Mission,’ which was published on Monday, the journal said there was no end in sight for the US mission in Nigeria to free the schoolgirls.

The abduction had called global attention, especially through a social media campaign with the hash tag, #BringBackOurGirls.

Foreign Policy recalled that President Barack Obama’s administration had deployed manned and unmanned aircraft to find the girls.

“It also dispatched advisors from the State and Defence departments, as well as the FBI. In late May, 80 troops (were) deployed in Chad to support and maintain unarmed Predator drones providing the mission with surveillance,” Foreign Policy added.

The journal further said, “Approximately 60 girls have escaped but the rest remain missing. Other missions said to have been forgotten by the US government included the hunting down of Joseph Kony of the LRA in Central Africa; destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons; NATO air policing; and the US operations in Afghanistan.

Oyakhilomes divorce splits Christ Embassy members

Oyakhilome and Wife

Members of the Christ Embassy are divided over a divorce suit filed against the Senior Pastor of the church, Chris Oyakhilome, by wife, Anita, in a London court.

Oyakhilome is the President of the Believers’ Love World Incorporated, the registered name of the Christian ministry, while his wife is the Vice President.

Some members of the church on a Facebook page, ‘Where is Rev. Anita Oyakhilome,’ which is believed to have been opened by Anita’s fans, expressed differing opinions on the matter.

On Saturday, one of the church members, Ijeoma Olive Ehirim said, “I am a Christ Embassy member. I hate one thing there: How can a pastor be working together with a lady hand in hand, attending meetings and lodging in a hotel for days. My girlfriend travels with our branch pastor annually for PPCF which holds in Lagos. Only God knows.”

Sharing a similar view, Samantha Iwowo, described adultery as one of the grounds for divorce.

Iwowo said, “Pastor Chris Oyakhilome must have been discovered compromising his marital bed business. It is what it is. God says judgement will start from His house. ‘Touch not my anointed’ is God’s instruction regarding all His children, not an individual nicking, scheming, threatening monies off people’s purses and telling them that salvation is tied to tithes and that seed sowing is only money donation to the church/pastor’s coffers. One down, more to roll. Christ be praised.”

In her post, Chinyere Okechukwu-George, claimed to have left the church when she observed some irregularities.

“I and my family left Christ Embassy for our own good after worshiping there for three years plus and seeing all the things going on under the disguise of church. And I can comfortably say that for over a year now, we have had so much peace in our Christian lives. I don’t care how you view my comment but truth must be told.”

Joseph Osagiede, however, responded saying the Oyakhilomes were still together.

He said, “I have been in Christ Embassy for 12 years. All is totally well with thier marriage. All those wishing them to split and also those going about saying nasty things about the church, be careful.”

Faith Ebunoluwa Adetayo also said, “I have been in Christ Embassy since 1990s and I can authoritatively say some things: I have seen the power of God work, demonstrated in healings and many other things. I have seen how that Pastor Chris is less concerned about mistakes we make.

“He believes that these sins of the flesh will disappear, only if we listen to the word of God. Rather than condemning us, he speaks words of encouragement. And for your information, Pastor Anita is still very much in the ministry and she’s with her darling husband.”

Meanwhile, the Christ Embassy has kept mum on the divorce case.

A woman, who picked SUNDAY PUNCH’s call to the Nigerian office of the church on Saturday, said she had no information to give on the matter.

When asked to confirm if the divorce suit was true or not, she simply said, “I have no information to give on the matter.”

When another call was made to the church thorough another number, the respondent, who identified herself as Pastor Christabel, said the church had no information about the case.

“No, we have no information on the matter,” she said.

An online newspaper, The Cable, had reported on Friday that the divorce case, with Suit No FD14D01650, was filed on April 9, 2014 at the Divorce Section A, Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, the United Kingdom, on Anita’s behalf by Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors.

Anita reportedly filed for dissolution of the marriage between her and her pastor husband, which produced two teenage daughters – Sharon and Charlyn – on the grounds of “unreasonable behaviour” and “adultery.

Next edition of AMVCA will be bigger – Ogbe

As MultiChoice Nigeria unveils the third edition of the AfricanMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards, its Managing Director, Mr. John Ugbe, has stressed the company’s desire to unearth more skills and talents on the continent.

In a statement where the organisers declared the 2014 edition of AMVCA opens, Ogbe expressed delight at what is described as the growing success of the awards.

He said, “There have been two editions of the AMVCAs and, so far, the improvement that this award has brought to African film production cannot be ignored. For us as MultiChoice, the success of these awards further showcases our commitment to recognising the amazing skills that exist in this ever-growing industry. Furthermore, our continued investment demonstrates our dedication in helping unearth and celebrate talent in the whole continent. I have much confidence that the next edition in 2015 will leave an even bigger impact on the African film production industry than the previous two.”

AfricaMagic says a special inauguration programme will be broadcast on Africa Magic channels on September 3, and participants can begin to send in their entries from the same day. Winners will be announced at an award night at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos in March 2015.

It adds, “The AMVCAs were created to celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry and with the success of the 2013 and 2014 editions, preparations are in top gear for the 2015 edition.”

The Brand Manager, Amstel Malta – sponsors of the awards – Miss Hannatu Ageni-Yusuf, is also quoted as saying it is a unique platform which aligns perfectly with the brand’s essence, encouraging and also rewarding young ambitious Africans who have proved to be the best they can be.

In the last edition, multi-award winning actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim, took home the award for best actress in Michele Racca’s Journey To Self while Ghanaian film producer/director, Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s movie The Contract won in several categories. The 2014 AMVCAs also saw renowned film and TV veteran, Pete Edochie, clinching the prestigious lifetime achievement award.

PDP will produce next Lagos governor –George, Mimiko

Mimiko
| credits: File copy

A South-West leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George has said the next governor of Lagos State will be a member of his party.

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; and a former Ogun State Governor, OtunbaGbenga Daniel, who are still members of the Labour Party, also promised to help the PDP to “capture” Lagos next year.

The politicians said this at the presentation of the Mandela Icon Award to George by the National Association of Nigerian Students on Thursday.

The event was also the “fundraising for the flag off of students and youth coalition for President Goodluck Jonathan in the South-West zone ahead of 2015.”

George, who described his incarceration in Kirikiri Prison for alleged contract splitting as “political persecution”, said he would free the people of Lagos from the shackles of the All Progressives Congress just like Nelson Mandela freed South Africans from apartheid after his release from prison.

He said, “We shall produce the next governor of Lagos State. But I am not deluded. I am not Mandela. Nobody can be.

I was also unjustly incarcerated. But God is greater than all of us. I am vindicated now.”

Also speaking, Mimiko, who is rumoured to have tacitly defected to the PDP from the LP, described the political atmosphere in Lagos as one based on “propaganda.” He, therefore, promised to assist the PDP in every way possible to actualise its dream to take over Lagos.

He said, “I can see, I have the gift of clairvoyance that by 2015, we shall come to celebrate with Chief Bode George when he has produced the next governor of Lagos State. You better believe it. I am speaking under divine inspiration.

On his own part, ex-governor Daniel, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged financial impropriety, said it was unfortunate that Lagos had never been ruled by the PDP before despite the fact that George is an indigene of the state.

He said, “In 2000, the Yoruba nation was in quandary and we had a President (Obasanjo) who had no political support in his home. So Chief Bode George led us to tour Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and everywhere and the PDP won everywhere in 2003 but in Bode George’s state. It now behoves on all of us to understand the concept of one good turn deserves another and now that he is no longer as strong as before, we must stand by him to ensure that he can swear in the next governor of Lagos.”

Some other prominent figures at the event were: a former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala; a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, DimejiBankole; a former Minister for Works, Chief AdeseyeOgunlewe and governorship aspirants in the state.

You are here: Home / Sports / Cristiano Ronaldo named best European player

Cristiano Ronaldo named best European player

Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has won UEFA’s award as the best player in Europe last season after scoring a record 17 goals in the Champions League.

The Real Madrid and Portgual forward beat Bayern Munich pair Manuel Neuer of Germany and the Netherlands’ Arjen Robben.

The voting was by journalists from UEFA’s 54 member countries at the Champions League groups draw event.

Ronaldo also ensured Portugal qualified for the World Cup by scoring a memorable hat trick in a playoff win against Sweden.

Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Franck Ribery previously won the award first presented in 2011.

UEFA created the prize after the original European Footballer of the Year honor, known as the Ballon d’Or, merged with FIFA’s world player award.

Nadine Kessler of Germany won the women’s award.

Failure to punish impunity responsible for terrorism –Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi
| credits: naijamayor.com

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has identified the Federal Government’s failure to punish impunity as the major factor responsible for the rise in violent crimes and terrorism in the country.

He cited the failure of the Federal Government to punish the members of the violent Ombatse cult who killed over 70 security personnel in Nasarawa State, noting that it was such impunity that encouraged people to commit grave crimes.

He spoke on Friday during the Emerging Leaders’ Conference 2014 organised by a non-governmental organisation, the Guardian of the Nation International, in Abuja, with the theme, “Leadership for Transformation: A call to make a difference.”

The event is a two-day annual conference for young leaders and a gathering of 1,000 leaders from across Nigeria who are making progress in their fields of endeavours.

Fayemi said, “Only one or two persons have been convicted for terrorism in the last four or five years. If you give somebody the impression that nothing would happen if you do this, the person will likely continue to do worse things.

“I remember the killing of over 70 security operatives in Nasarawa State and one of the heads of the security agencies had the temerity to say he has forgiven them, so it is no surprise that a few days ago, a crisis erupted in the state because we have promoted impunity to a prime level.”

The governor described Nigeria as a nation of armchair critics and ringside spectators in spite of the challenges and crises facing the country.

He also described youths as “Twitter activists” who are only content with complaining about the situation around them without engaging in anything to change the status quo.

Fayemi, however, wondered why the country was being ruled by old men when 70 per cent of the population are youths, adding that the youths need to be actively engaged in the nation’s development.

“Don’t just Tweet the change, be the change,” he told the youths at the conference.

The Chairman, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Wale Aboderin, who encouraged youths to strive to be the best they could, advised them to develop a reading culture, which he said would prepare them for leadership positions.

According to him, a good leader must have compassion and humility and should be able to network with others to actualise his dreams and plans.

Aboderin said, “A good leader must have humility and compassion and must network among people. He should be able to network with others because a joint venture is better than a monopoly. So, don’t just dress where you are coming from, dress where you are going.”

Aboderin, whose charge to the youths, elicited a loud applause from the audience, also harped on showing love to the poor, saying it is important to show charity to the less- privileged in the society.

The President, GOTNI, Linus Okorie, said the organisation is a youth leadership development group that has over the years been relentless in its efforts to groom and develop leaders for the African continent.

He explained that the NGO drives its vision through series of leadership events, seminars and programmes, some of which include the Emerging Leaders Conference, Leadership Roundtables and the Leadership clinic held across cities in Nigeria.

Oyakhilome’s wife, Anita, files for divorce

coutrtesy the punch newspaper

Pastor Chris and Anita Oyakhilome

The wife of the founder, Believers’ LoveWorld Incorporated, popularly known as Christ Embassy, Anita Oyakhilome, has reportedly filed for dissolution of the marriage between her and her pastor husband, Chris Oyakhilome, on the grounds of “unreasonable behaviour” and “adultery.”

According to an online newspaper, The Cable, the divorce case, with Suit No FD14D01650, was filed on April 9, 2014 at Divorce Section A, Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, the United Kingdom, on Anita’s behalf by Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors, a firm with expertise in commercial law, family, wills and estate, personal injury and medical negligence.

It was also reported that efforts to reconcile the couple, whose church is one of the biggest denominations in Nigeria with branches all over world, have failed. They have two teenage daughters, Sharon and Charlyn. Oyakhilome is the president of Believers’ Love World Inc, the registered name of the Christian ministry, while his wife is the vice-president.

However, according to an elder of the church, Chris Oyakhilome has denied allegations of adultery and believes his wife is being influenced by “bad friends” who are intent on destroying their home. While Anita believes she has been relegated in the scheme of things in the church, her husband has reportedly accused her of trying to usurp power and authority above her seniors in the ministry.

Some sources said the pastor had been making efforts to avoid divorce in the hope that the wife would eventually have a change of mind. However, it was reported that the decree nisi was served on the charismatic pastor in his hotel room during a recent visit to the UK.

Decree nisi, in legal terms, is like a yellow card in a football match which is a precursor to a red card (“decree absolute”) if no new evidence is provided to stall proceedings.

Church insiders said Oyakhilome had been hoping for rapprochement, but he was left with no option than to receive the papers when the lawyers cornered him at his hotel in London.

The decree absolute, which will effectively end the marriage, is expected to be issued soon while the terms of the divorce will be worked out by the lawyers on both sides.

A London spokesperson who refused to tell her name and who spoke with our correspondent on the phone said she was not aware of the situation.

She said, “I am not aware of this but I will transfer your call to someone who could speak on the matter. I don’t have any information on this.”

After a few minutes of holding, she told our correspondent she could not get the person who could speak on such issues.

Likewise, a spokesperson of the church in Nigeria, who simply identified himself as Pastor Rich, said “I cannot confirm this. Meanwhile, you can send your enquiry via text message and it will be forwarded to the right department. We are going to respond to this at the right time.”

N968bn budget not enough to fight insecurity —Obanikoro

In this interview with ENIOLA AKINKUOTU, the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, speaks on the $1bn loan request of the Federal Government and other related matters

Recently President Goodluck Jonathan approached the National Assembly for $1bn to fight insecurity. Can you explain in specific terms what the money will be used for if the loan is granted?

The money is to beef up our security capacity and acquire more equipment needed to make us a very strong country. And don’t also forget that in order for you to have peace, you must be prepared for war. So, I think what the President is doing is in the right direction. In fact, if this had been done before now, we would have been in a position to crush this Boko Haram insurgency faster and with the necessary swiftness.

But what about the N968bn that was budgeted for defence as well as the billions spent over the years?

When such a budget is made, always try to understand the breakdown. You have a military that also must be properly taken care of. There are other issues to deal with because you look at salaries, emoluments of the personnel, the barracks, maintaining the existing equipment at their disposal etc. When you look at some of the vessels that we have today, to even fuel one of them will cost close to a billion naira a year. Let us take NNS Thunder (a naval warship), for instance. If we use Thunder the way it is meant to be used, there is no way we will not be buying close to half a billion naira worth of fuel to maintain it and that is not the only vessel we have, there are a lot more that require a lot of money to manage and maintain and beyond that, if you look at the army and air force, you’ll understand that maintaining a strong military does not come cheap. And you will agree me with me that if not for the Nigerian military, there may have been a state of anarchy in the country today because we deployed them almost everywhere that has crisis. Even in terms of fighting armed robbery, they are also part of that effort. We have stretched the military to the limit if not beyond and yet they are still performing at their best so the only way we can make their job lighter is if modern equipment are procured that will lessen the burden of work and certain things are also put in place capacity for preventive strikes. As they say, prevention is better than cure and you can only acquire that when you make wise investments.

Isn’t this loan request evidence that we cannot win the war on terror without foreign aid and intervention?

No, I disagree. We have had a more difficult situation in this country in the past and we succeeded in dealing with it. Although the boundary for the war then was clearly defined but in this instance, we don’t have a clearly defined boundary and the insurgents are faceless. That is the only difference but I can assure you that this is a battle we are going to win because I am a good student of history and there is nowhere in history where evil has triumphed over good. For us as a nation, collaborating with other countries makes good sense because terrorism is no longer a local issue; it has becomed global issue. Trying to localise a global issue would be a mistake on our path because from what we are looking at and what we have seen, it is evident that their funding is not coming from Nigeria alone but it is also coming from outside and it is the effort of other friendly nations that we can all work together to bring this to an end and that is why the Federal Government has accepted from the United States, Britain and France and other nations that have agreed to support us in overcoming this challenge.

Nigeria fought a civil war for about four years without borrowing. Why does Nigeria now need to borrow $1bn?

For every generation, there is a different challenge. The challenge of our time is different from the one faced by our forefathers. Bear in mind that we were just coming out of colonialism then and also we just ran into oil money. The situation now is different. Nigeria’s population was about 60 million and now you have a country that is about 170 million. Our revenue has not increased at the pace our population has increased. The kind of revenue that came in during the time you are talking about was far more than the needed expenditure that as some point, it was said that our problem was not money but how to spend it but you will agree with me now that our problem is not how to spend money but how to make money so we are facing a very different period and the challenges are not the same. I understand that we can be more prudent with spending but the challenge we have now is far bigger than the challenge we had then. Don’t forget also that in the last 25 years, no major acquisition of military equipment was made in this country. Don’t forget that once the investment is made now ($1bn), we won’t have to make it again for the next 30-35 years so that is the beauty of making the investment now.

Is it that Boko haram will defeat Nigeria if the $1bn is not granted?

Whether the loan is granted or not, we are going to defeat Boko haram, mark my words. But the President is preparing us for the future. We must continually make progress and part of making progress is retooling yourself for the challenges ahead of you. Those challenges, you don’t know the form that they will take but a wise man always prepares for the dry season and I think what the President is doing goes beyond today.