My physique attracts women to me –Kenneth Okolie, ex Mr. Nigeria

February 7, 2015

Kenneth Okolie

Former Mr. Nigeria 2010 and 2nd runner up Mr. World 2010, Kenneth Okolie, is now a household name in Nollywood. He tells Ademola Olonilua about his style

Why did you opt for Nollywood instead of modelling?

After I won the Mr. Nigeria contest in 2010, I proceeded to Mr. World contest and that was where my passion for acting grew. I did not just want to be a model. I remember that during the Mr. World contest, they asked me to display my talent and I acted a monologue drama and I was given a standing ovation. After that experience, I decided to give acting a shot and it is working for me.

But people think you became an actor because other notable models have dumped the runways for the silver screen?

I don’t agree with that because when I went into acting, I did not know of any model that did the same thing. I did not do it to copy anybody. Like I said, my passion for acting grew after I performed well at the Mr. World contest. It motivated me. Also seeing veterans like Desmond Elliot and Ramsey Nouah also inspired me. I watched their movies and they encouraged me to work on myself.

When it comes to fashion, are you a trendsetter or you follow trends?

I tend to start my own trend and any time I dress, I try to make it simple and classy. I don’t use stylists when I have an event. All I do is call my designer and tell him what I want, depending on the occasion. I have a shoe-maker who does my shoes. By the time I put them all together, I look good.

Why do you always change your look?

Most times, the movie role I feature in determines the type of look I wear. Sometimes I have to be clean shaved and sometimes the movie requires me to look rugged but personally, I like keeping my beard. I make sure I keep my beard neat and trimmed all the time. I keep my beard because it gives me a manly feeling.

How true is it that women are attracted to men with six packs?

It is true. It is just the same way a man would like to see a woman with curves and natural endowments. I am a fitness freak, so I go to the gym a lot to maintain my physique. If that attracts females, I thank God for that and I think it is cool. To be sincere, it attracts women one way or the other but I will not say that I am a woman magnet.

How often do ladies compliment your body?

It happens a few times depending on what I am wearing. Whenever I wear a T-shirt, it advertises my physique and women often tell me that I look good.

Do you think there is any difference between fashion and style?

I think fashion is about the trend while style is how I pull off the trend. As for me, when it comes to my style, I try to keep it simple and classy. I like dark colours, I don’t like looking too loud.

People often say that the modelling industry is unfavourable to models, do you agree?

Yes, it is true. Models in Nigeria are not paid and recognised as they ought to be. The modelling industry in Nigeria is not what it is supposed to be. The models are underpaid and their worth is not acknowledged. Models are hangers for designers and for them to perform well to showcase a designer’s masterpiece, I feel they ought to be properly acknowledged. The industry is not favourable to them and it is really bad. It is something that should be looked into. To be fair, there are actually some designers that are supporting models but I feel more can be done.

What is your fashion weakness?

That would be shoes and wristwatches. My love for shoes started at a very young age. I have big feet and I wear size 47. When I was young, getting shoes for me was quite difficult. I barely found my size and anytime I did, it was always very expensive. I ended up buying a pair of shoes for the price of three. As I grew older, I discovered that there are people who could make shoes for me. I found out that it was convenient and affordable and I fell in love with shoes. If I have an event, I give them about three weeks notice and they come up with some creative designs. I always move around with my shoes. I have three in my car just in case I have an impromptu engagement.

What fashion item can’t you leave home without?

That would be my wristwatch. I love my wristwatch a lot and I do not mind saving a fortune just to acquire a particular wristwatch. I also doubt I can leave home without my shoes but my wristwatch comes first.

What is the most expensive fashion accessory you own?

Currently, it is a wristwatch. It was a gift from someone and it is worth at least N800,000 in the market. I don’t want to mention the brand or person that gave it to me.

What do you admire in a lady?

The first thing I admire is her hair. The next thing I look at is her outfit; how neat and well put together the outfit looks on her. Then I look at her shoes too. The hair is important because it gives a woman an elegant look. Like they say, the hair is a woman’s crown. Even if she is not so good looking but her hair looks neat, you might want to give her a second look. But if she is fine and her hair is tacky, you would look away.

How often do you buy made in Nigeria brands?

About 70 per cent of the things in my closet are made in Nigeria. My shoes and suits are made in Nigeria. The only things that are not made in Nigeria are my accessories and maybe T-shirts. Every other thing is made in my country. I am proudly Nigerian.

How has your job as actor and model influenced your style?

It has influenced my style a lot. It has even boosted my confidence. When you are in front of the camera, it builds your self confidence because when people begin to compliment you, it makes you feel good within. It makes you feel more confident. It makes you feel really important and motivates you to work harder. It also reflects in your style, in the way you dress because you want to look good every time. You don’t want to disappoint people that have been admiring your style. At the same time, you want to look good for the camera all the time because nowadays, everybody owns a camera.

Who do you think is more fashionable between Nigerian men and women?

There is no way Nigerian women can be more fashionable than the men. I am not being biased but it is the truth. Nigerian men wear lesser clothes than the women and we do not need too much colours, either on ourselves or clothing, yet we look good. When we talk about the corporate look, any man in suit looks good. Now imagine when the suit is well made, a bespoke suit, the man would look fabulous. In the fashion industry, they say less is more; men have less to play with but achieve more results. The women also dress well but it is nothing close to what the men do.

Many believe that homosexuality thrives in the modelling industry. Have you ever been wooed by a man?

No, I cannot recall any event like that.

How have you been coping with female fans?

The ladies are my friends. They come to me, greet me and we take pictures together. No one expects anything from anybody.

What is the craziest thing a female fan has done to you?

Aside from screaming my name from afar, running towards me and jumping on me, there is nothing else.

Last year you said you were single. Are you in a relationship now?

I have no comment on that.

Miniskirts not for me –Essence

February 14, 2015

 

Essence

Singer, Essence, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about her style and why she would rather not have a tattoo

Most ladies say their style is different from their fashion, is it so for you?

No. My style and fashion are the same. If you have a particular style, you will not be swayed by fashion change. If you know what complements you, the colours that suit you and the cut of the materials that fit your physique and enhances your best asset, then that is your style. It will then determine your fashion sense. As for me, my style and my fashion sense are together. I will definitely not wear half mini skirt and ‘show belle’ because I don’t have any belle to show.

But midriff clothes are in vogue, would it be a bad idea if you show a bit of skin?

Why would I wear such? At my age?

But everybody is wearing it no matter the age…

You will look stupid wearing such when you have grown past the age. If you read top style magazines, you would be told how to wear certain things at certain age. There are clothes you wear when you are in your 20s, 30s, 40s and certainly, there are some you also wear in your 50s and 60s and so on. So why would somebody who is above 30 wear midriff when they are not exercising? I agree there are some that would show just a bit of flesh. It is okay. But the one I don’t like is what you wear when you don’t have six packs. I cannot start baring my midriff now, no way.

Why don’t you wear miniskirts?

I want to be comfortable and as a Warri girl is concerned and as a Naija babe, anything can happen at any time, so you ought to be ready and be able to move fast when the situation arises.

So what do you like wearing?

I prefer wearing trousers. Nowadays, I love floor-sweeping outfit. It is more elegant. You just wear one piece and you are okay and not when you start separating bottoms and tops.

For your trousers, would you prefer tight-fitted pants or loose pants?

It depends on my mood. I can wear loose trousers but they have to be tailored very well. If you wear a pair of loose trousers that is not well cut, you will end up looking like a ‘corodone.’ If you wear too tight pants, you might end up looking like a sausage. So your tailor has to be wise.

Do you buy already made dresses or you have tailors/designers that make your clothes?

I buy my dresses. I have a friend that has a boutique and she has nice stuffs. She is a gospel artiste. Her name is Annie. I patronise her a lot because she always has things I love.

Is there a particular reason you don’t have a tattoo?

Just to go to the hospital and take an injection is a problem for me. So how then can I go and tell somebody to be piercing my skin? I cannot bear pain. It looks fine on some people. But then, how can I draw flower on my skin? Wouldn’t it wither?

Can you remember the fashion mistakes you have made?

I made plenty mistakes. Is there really anybody who would say she didn’t make any fashion mistake or had fashion mishap? It is all part of the learning process. If you don’t make mistake, you will not get better. There is nobody that would tell you she was born a fashionista. Fashion sometimes comes from mistakes. Something you consider a mistake might become a trend in future. Remember there was this thing we used to call ‘colour riot.’ But then, it became ‘colour blocking’ and it started trending.

Hair extension is also trending, do you invest in such?

If I put together the money I have used in buying hair extensions, it would be enough for me to buy a piece of land. If I do a job, I have a knack for spending all the money I got, so I always try to buy something for myself at least, I would say I used part of that money to buy one thing. So I would rather buy hair extension. I am a weave-on freak. But then, it is not just on hair extensions. I just like to have a different hair-do every two weeks. Sometimes, I can carry a style for a week and I go to the salon to change it. I like to indulge myself when it comes to my hair. There was a time I calculated the money I spent on hair extensions and I said to myself, ‘this is not funny at all.’ But I have repented; I will not do it again.

What else do you indulge in?

I love perfumes. I have so many bottles. But then, I don’t always buy them. If anybody I know travels and makes the mistake of asking me what he/she could buy for me as a gift, I would quickly say I would want a bottle of perfume.

Are there times you wish you were slimmer?

Why should I be slim? Can everybody sing? Everybody cannot be slim as well. I have always been on the chubby side and African men like to have something to hold. I cannot be slim. What matters most is for you to be healthy and for you to exercise. I do brisk-walking every morning.

But your size must have stopped you from wearing some stuff?

No way. I would tell my tailor to make the stuff for me in my size. But I still say I will not wear ‘show belle’ and hot miniskirt. I can wear knickers in the house but not outside the house.

But guys find such sexy…

Is it for every man or just for one man? He will see me wear such in the house. What kind of man would want to make me a spectacle for everybody?

Do you patronise Nigerian designers?

I do at times but maybe not the known names. I like to buy already made stuffs. If I need anything custom made, an ‘Iya Risi’ tailor can make it for me.

Are you a shoe freak?

I am. My house is littered with so many pairs of shoes.

Are your nails natural or do you go for artificial nails?

I always fix my nails. My hair and my nails go together. But now, my nails are natural. I almost got wounded recently when I was cleaning fish.

How much can you spend on your hair?

You really want to expose me. You know how much they charge in salons to retouch hair. And this is minus the hair pieces. No, you will not expose me. But then, it is all part of our job. Do you want somebody to write that Essence ‘re-rocked’ this particular hair style at an event?

Are you saying you don’t re-rock your dresses?

That is why you have separates. If I wear this bottom on one top, I could wear same on another top and nobody would know it’s same. If it is a dress, I would accessorise and it would look different. That is everybody’s trick. Even if you have all the money to buy clothes every day, you would get tired. I am not a shopaholic. I hate trying on dresses in a shop. So why would I be killing myself to buy and buy, am I being paid appearance fee?

If you are asked to do a cosmetic surgery, which part of your body would you choose?

I may have to choose my bum. I am just joking, don’t mind me. God has been good to me. I don’t see any reason I should fix what is not broken.

What of skin ‘toning’ or bleaching?

It depends on what the person wants. But I would continue to say things should be done in moderation. Your father and mother are very dark skinned and suddenly, you start looking like a half caste. But then, you cannot bleach your womb and as such, your children will not be half caste unless you marry oyinbo.

What is happening to your music career?

I am on break. I am re-strategising. Companies re-strategise all the time. You would see a beverage company dumping one bottle and coming out with another one. I think an artiste should do that periodically. They do it everywhere in the world. But I am still recording. I am experimenting with new styles.

Do we see you coming out with different genre of music?

You will see the real Essence. RandB is prevalent and I am older and wiser, I will do a great music that will not be for everybody. I will streamline myself to a particular audience and stick with it.

My jewellery are my most expensive fashion items –Terry G

February 28, 2015 

Terry G

Gabriel Oche Amanyi, popularly known by his stage name Terry G, is a Nigerian musician and producer, who is widely known for his eccentric dress-sense, controversial lyrics and awkward identity. He tells Ademola Olonilua about his career and style in this interview

Why did you decide to go into sachet (pure) water business when most of your colleagues usually go into fashion industry if they want to venture into another line of business away from their career?

I feel water has no enemy and it is a long term business. I worked so hard for my money and I would not want to venture into a business that would collapse. It is something I plan to fall back on later in life. I thank God for my partner, my girlfriend and the mother of my son, who brought up the idea. I still have other businesses in mind like opening a bakery and running an orphanage as well.

Why would you want to open an orphanage?

It is because I want to focus on abandoned children. Often times, we see new born babies dumped along the road side or on a refuse dump because their mothers could not take care of them. I want to take care of such children and they would bear my surname.

Does it mean you would leave music at some point?

I can never leave music. It is still music that funds everything. It is just a way of giving back to the society. I feel I am privileged to be where I am today and we can never know who is going to be the next leader of this country. Everybody is very important and I feel abandoned children are normally the ones with the brightest future if only they have a helping hand. If you look at most of our leaders today, they were not all from privileged backgrounds.

You started music from church; do we see you going back to the church to continue your music?

Of course. But I sing both secular and gospel music too. I feel we are all disciples of God and He knows why He made the secular music singers more successful. Nevertheless, God is still involved in my songs and He knows why He is giving us a lot of fans. The truth is that I perform my gospel songs in churches. There are reasons why they invite secular musicians to church to perform and it is because they want us to bring the people from the ‘world’ to the church. In future, we can still be used by God to change people’s lives.

What is the significance of the bell you normally carry about?

The bell is a wakeup call and I was just fortunate to be able to create an image for myself. D’banj is known with his mouth organ and I am known to have a bell. Although I play all the instruments, I can’t always carry them around, even the saxophone. It could be heavy sometimes. I really wanted to have an instrument that could be indentified with my brand. After I sang the song, Apako, something was missing in my mind. There were lots of instruments in my studio but I reached out for the bell and as I rang it to the song, they complemented each other. The song became an instant hit and people began to reckon with the bell. Now I cannot go anywhere without the bell.

How do you feel when people have a negative perception about you?

It is allowed, it is my image. I like the comment people make when they see me in real life. Some ask why I allow my make-up artiste to paint my face in various funny ways while I am cute in real life and I say it is because I project craziness. It is my market.

But of all the words, why did you use craziness to portray yourself?

It is because it is my market. Everybody has their own market. I did not choose this path. The craziness came as a song and became an attitude. When I sang, Free Madness, I was not crazy but people accepted the song and I had to play the part. It was my fans that made me begin to portray myself as a crazy person. As they accepted the song, I had to play the part of a crazy man just like the lyrics of the song say. I cannot mount a stage and sing R&B songs; people would think something is wrong with me. As the song, Free Madness went viral, I had to go mad.

Why do you like being controversial?

It is what sells. I am not the rave-of –the –moment artiste but I am still very relevant in the industry and it is because I am controversial. I love the controversy. I like making people talk.

People are of the opinion that since you became a father, you have calmed down in your lifestyle, do you agree to that?

Yes it is true. Anybody that has a child must calm down, it is a general thing. Once you have a child, you must become a responsible man. That is when people would know that the madness is deliberate and it is just being done to make money. My son is a British citizen and he is going back to school in London in March. This is to show people that I know what I am doing. The craziness is what puts food on my table and money in my bank accounts. There are people that support and love it.

When do you intend to get married to your ‘baby mama?’

It will happen very soon but it takes planning and much more. Ironically, I am facing a lot of pressure regarding marriage but it is not from either of our families. The pressure is from outsiders. I want to work hard and be stable. I want to work to the extent that I would not rely on music because I do music for fun. Everybody knows that she lives with me and I am already living like a married man.

What influenced your dreadlocks?

I had to look crazy like my music. I had to look artistic and I believe the dreadlock has a spiritual meaning in my life. I value it a lot. My style of music would not be interesting without this hair. As the hair is growing, my future is growing to be bigger and better; I respect the hair very much. The hair stands for the craziness when I am on stage. I cannot imagine myself singing on stage without the dreadlock. It still stands for my brand.

How long have you been keeping it?

I have had it for over seven years.

Do your tattoos have any meaning?

They all mean personal things to me. There is one that shows a flaming microphone which represents my music. There is another which is a wise saying.

Don’t they hurt?

They do and that is why I do not have many on my body. I doubt I would add others to the few I have. Everything on my body is positive because my children would see them and they would want to be like me.

Back then, you pierced your entire face, why did you eventually remove the studs on your face?

I stopped because I already set the pace and everybody is piercing now. I will still do something that they will follow.

What is the most expensive fashion item you own?

It is my jewellery but I cannot say the amount I bought it for security reasons. They are investments and even my earring is gold.

What kind of clothes do you feel most comfortable in?

I love looking hip-hop. Dressing is a style and there are so many reasons I am not on a billboard. I will not cut my hair for any reason neither would I change my brand. I cannot lose this image because of my fans and I love them so much.

Why do you like wearing bright coloured clothes?

I like flashy colours because of the kind of shoes I wear. I like blue, red, and green. I like colours a lot but I do not like pink. I believe pink and purple are colours for homosexuals.

What fashion item can you not leave home without?

That would be my jewellery. They call me Mr. Bling Bling, I started it.

What is the biggest fashion mistake you have made?

There was a time I put different colours on my hair at once. My hair was multi-coloured and I looked like a masquerade. It had yellow, green and red. That was a big fashion regret but I just wanted people to talk about my brand. I just started out back then.

Since you portray craziness with your brand, can you do that hairstyle again?

Never, God forbids.

I don’t miss my days of short skirts, hair extensions –Shareefah Andu, Arabel boss

March 7, 2015

Shareefah Andu, Arabel boss

Arabel boss, Mrs. Shareefah Andu, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about her career and why she changed her style

Why did you choose to be a journalist?

After I left the University of Lagos in 1982, I did my youth service at the University of Ilorin. I still had that academic thing in me. I wanted something that was more intellectual. I liked journalism and decided to pursue it. I got into it and then, I felt I needed more money. I had a young family. I decided I could do something that could fetch me more income, so I went into banking.

Really?

Yes. I was in the bank for a long time. But I had to stop to set up my own business.

Did you retire or resign?

I resigned. A lot of things happened along the way. When I was in journalism, I was handling the women and children’s pages. I was doing the fashion pages and it exposed me to a lot of people, especially designers. So when I left journalism, I started a fashion house. I operated it for some months and I felt I wasn’t getting the kind of fulfilment I thought I would get. That was when I went into banking.

So why did you leave banking?

I wanted to do something more fulfilling. I wasn’t fulfilled. There was money, yes. But I just wanted to do something that I had passion for. Then, I became more conscious of my religion, Islam. Thereafter, I felt I could do something towards my calling and my faith. That was when I started Arabel, an Islamic shop. At least I could do my entrepreneurial skill around my faith.

You had quit banking then?

No. I was still in the bank but I had lots of energy. I could do so many things at the side. But after six months, the response I was getting was very nice. This was in 1998. So in 2000, I decided to leave the bank entirely and concentrate on the shop. There was a dearth of Islamic shops back then; there was really a need for it.

What made you to become more conscious of your faith?

In life, you go through ups and downs. When you have challenges, you tend to get closer to God. You want to do something for God. That was what happened in my own case. In spite of all that happened, I was still blessed.

Did your fashion sense change when you became more conscious of your religion?

I have always liked to dress well and look good. But I thought if I was going to be more conscious, more Islamic, I could do it and still be stylish. So instead of wearing short sleeved dresses, I specifically looked for dresses with long sleeves. I started wearing dresses that had longer lengths. And then, if I was going to cover my hair, I decided I would do it in a cool way so that you won’t even see me as if I was totally covering up. So yes, I would say my style changed a little bit but it wasn’t drastically. I still cover my hair, I choose what to wear and I am so conscious of what I wear.

How would you rate the dress sense of Nigerian ladies these days?

It is what you see in the shops that you would buy. When people don’t give you so many options and the only things you see are the skimpy things, then those are the things you would buy. During my 50th birthday, I wanted something nice and stylish I could wear. I went all over but all I could get weren’t things I wanted to wear. I wanted an evening dress but all the ones I saw were sleeveless. I can’t blame Nigerian women who take fashion to the extreme. It is what they see that they will buy. I try to create my style. In my shop, we sell only long skirts.

How did you cope when you were in the bank in terms of your fashion?

I was always looking for long skirts to buy. I didn’t want to keep wearing trouser suits all the time. And because I wanted long skirts, I would buy big sized trousers which I took to my tailor to convert to long skirts. It was clumsy but that was the best I could do because I wanted long skirt.

You don’t look 50. Is it natural or you go all out to look younger?

I thank God. I think I was blessed with a good gene. My mother is 83 and she looks very well too. Maybe I also make a little bit of effort to look nicer. My children would always say they want to have a nice mum that looks stylish and funky.

How did your colleagues in the bank feel when your style changed?

It was a gradual thing. I first started with covering my hair. For a long time, I was still wearing my short skirts and short sleeves. I would still wear hair extensions but then, I would put a small cap on my head. Gradually, the hair extensions went and it became just my cap alone. The short skirt went eventually and the long skirt came in eventually. It wasn’t really something I did overnight. It wasn’t as if I came to work the next day and I was all covered up.

Don’t you miss those days of short skirts and weave-on?

No way! I have never missed them for a day. I think I look better with my hair covered. I look at myself in the mirror and I feel I look better. I would ask myself why it took me long to do away with those stuffs.

But some people would have felt you were taking your religion to the extreme…

Oh yes. Some people felt that way. I remember a particular friend who asked me if I would be covering my hair if I was invited to a party. I told her I would and if she didn’t like it, I would rather stay back home. It is about me and not about anybody. Some time I wear my full hijab. Sometime I just wear a cap and sometime I just wear a veil. But my hair must be covered and I have a decent dress on. I don’t believe Islam has a particular uniform. It has a dress code and that is, you must be modest. As long as you can achieve that modesty, it is what matters most.

Do you wear trendy and classic designs?

I still wear my iro and buba. I wear my skirt suit. I wear boubou . I wear anything I want to wear. It is not as if I am putting myself in a box. My religion is simple and wonderful.

Is your family okay with your style?

They are very okay with it. I remember one day, I went to visit my son. I hadn’t seen him for a long time. I wore my full hijab that day and he was very happy. It made my day. So why would I want to change my style? If I try wearing a low neck dress, my son would point it out. He encourages me. So it makes it a lot easier.

I must wear perfume before leaving home –Uche Nnaji

March 14, 2015

Uche Nnaji

Popular fashion designer and consultant, Uche Nnaji of OUCH, tells Ademola Olonilua about his style, career and the Nigerian fashion industry

How did you discover your passion for fashion?

I would say it discovered me because as an undergraduate, I realised I enjoyed assisting fellow students to look good. My fellow students encouraged me into taking it seriously.

What was your ambition when you were growing up?

I had always thought I would end up as a pastor someday because in my early teens, I had started acting as a pastor and preaching on Children’s Day in the adult church. But as one grew older and got into the university, things aligned differently and I discovered that I would want to become a diplomat. That was why I studied Political Science as my first degree.

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At what point in your life did you decide to go professional with fashion?

I took that decision in 2006 after the British Consulate denied me a student visa to go and study International Diplomacy and Politics. Eight years later, I am very grateful to the British High Commission for denying me visa because I am fulfilled at what I am doing today. That denial helped me align properly and discover my purpose in life. I feel great today when I see the smile on the face of a bride who just saw her groom looking good in his OUCH suit and accessories or when a man calls me to say he was picked as the best dressed at his child’s school party.

Would you say there is a clear cut difference between a tailor and a fashion designer?

I would say there is because a fashion designer can be likened to an architect who does all the conceptualising and drawings while the tailor is the builder who gives flesh to the abstract concept of the designer in most cases.

How was it like building your business and the challenges you faced?

It has been an interesting journey. I have my little regrets but it’s all part of the learning cycle and curves. Someone in the fashion industry told me five years ago that I was going to fail in what I set out to do. His reason was that he didn’t imagine Nigerians would wear Nigerian brands for long. As a matter of fact, about three other guys in the business mentioned this to me while I was seeking advice. But I’m glad I never listened to the words of men. In retrospect, I realised that it was not enough for people to form an opinion just because it happened to a few persons. Never allow man’s opinion to determine how far you will go, because seven years later, the story is completely different and we have been able to build a fashion and lifestyle brand Nigerians world over have become very proud to wear and be associated with. As I would always say, the challenges are not peculiar to me, it is the same challenges of power supply, unfavourable loans characterised by short tenures and astronomical interest rates. These are also faced by anyone starting out a business in Nigeria. But with little or no support from the government or anybody, I had determination and I ran with that and completely focused on what I set out to do in life.

What is your fashion weakness?

I have a weakness for shoes. I love good shoes. I own quite a collection of shoes.

What is that fashion item you cannot leave home without?

I doubt I can ever forget to use my perfume before leaving home.

What influences your style?

Most time my mood influences my dressing. Also, the event and location determine my style.

Is there a difference between style and fashion to you?

Style is the inner state of the individual that is expressed outwardly with what you wear or how you live, but fashion is more of what you use to form this expression.

What fashion item do you admire on your wife?

She knows what suits her figure well. But I usually love it whenever she is wearing her urban traditional outfits and the head gear to go with it.

Were you a fashionable kid?

Well, my father was a stylish man and I picked it up from him.

Who is more stylish between Nigerian men and women?

I would agree that women own fashion, but the last half decade has seen a lot of men pushing it to the limit and are more daring in what they wear.

What are the common fashion errors Nigerians make that irk you?

I can’t stand it when men button the last hole on their two-button or double breasted suits. Another thing I wish I can educate Nigerian men on is that they don’t need to wear a brooch or lapel pin and then pocket square and badge all together on one outfit. It is too clumsy.

What are the basic fashion rules people should be aware of especially while stepping out for an event?

It is a sign of proper upbringing and good manners to respect dress-codes of any event.

How do you come up with your design ideas?

I monitor the trends and society. Recently, we had to increase the thigh area of our trousers and back bend of our suits because we realised that Nigerian men have bigger thighs and back side posterior than the European men and they complain about this. That complaint led us into providing a solution which has seen most men with such challenges now smiling.

How has it been combining work with your marital role?

I try by the grace of God to always be there for my family. I am blessed because my wife is a very understanding woman who knows the nature of what I do. She is never paranoid when I get home late or if she sees me with female clients, fans and friends.

How would you describe the Nigerian fashion industry, has it reached its full potential?

No, it hasn’t started tapping into it one bit. We need support from the government and telecommunication companies because we are also part of the entertainment industry. It hurts me whenever I visit Rome and see a huge Giorgio Armani billboard welcoming you from the tarmac.

In your line of business, you must have been well travelled. How would you rate Nigerians in terms of fashion compared to other nationals?

Italians, Japanese and then Nigerians, this is how I grade them because I not only do business with all these people; we always meet at fashion fairs around the world. Nigerians dress like their lives depend on it; we don’t want to come last when it comes to style.

Prosecute actors of Ekiti gov poll rigging tape – Poll

March 5, 2015

 

 

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose
| credits: File copy

Participants in an online poll have demanded the prosecution of those identified to be involved in a leaked audio tape, alleged to be that of a meeting, where the plot to rig the June 21 governorship poll in Ekiti State, was hatched.

Those who have admitted that the voices in the leaked tape belonged to them include the immediate past Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan; Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore; and Governor Ayodele Fayose.

One Brid.-Gen. Momoh, who was the military commander in Ekiti State for the election, and the immediate past Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, were among those who attended the controversial meeting.

The alleged rigging tape, which was said to have been recorded on June 20, the eve of the election, by one Capt. Sagir Koli, who worked with Momoh, suggested that the actors discussed how the army commander would assist the PDP to win the election.

Koli, who leaked the audio tape, has being in hiding, believed to be outside Nigeria.

Readers, who took part in the poll on PUNCH ONLINE, said the actors in the rigging tape saga should be prosecuted.

One thousand, six hundred and seventy five readers participated in the poll, which opened February 12 and closed on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, with the question: Do you believe that the people identified in an audio clip, alleged to be involved in the Ekiti rigging plot of the June 2014 governorship poll, should be prosecuted?

Respondents were asked to answer ‘Yes’ (for those supporting that the actors should be prosecuted) or ‘No’ (for those who are opposed to their prosecution).

One thousand, five hundred and eighty one respondents, representing 91 per cent of the total number of participants, answered in the affirmative, that those identified in the controversial tape, should be tried.

On the other hand, 144 respondents, which represent nine per cent of the participants, answered No, opposing the prosecution of the actors.

Obanikoro and Adesiyan had admitted that the meeting with Momoh actually took place but denied that the forum was held to plan how to rig the election.

The ex-defence minister, who has also been nominated as a minister, said in the leaked tape, that he was not in Ekiti for “a tea party”, telling others at the meeting that he was “acting on the order of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Fayose initially denied that the meeting took place but recanted shortly after, saying the PDP chiefs, who spoke in the controversial tape, did not discuss rigging.

Curiously, Jonathan described the tape as a “fabrication”, arguing that he would not order an investigation into an allegation based on fabrication.

Rivers rough ride towards credible election

March 21, 2015

Peterside and Wike

Some people say the recent protests by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in Rivers States are an indication that the forthcoming elections in the state may not be credible, writes CHUKWUDI AKASIKE

That Rivers State has been tagged a flash point as far as political violence is concerned did not come to pundits as a surprise. Unfolding events within the past two years point to the fact that the state will be hot as a result of the actions and inactions of politicians and stakeholders during the forthcoming elections in the state.

From the crisis in the state chapter of the PDP, the defection of the then leader of the party and state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to the crisis in the State House of Assembly and the closure of the courts, absolutely nothing has shown that there will be peace before, during and after the 2015 polls in the Treasure Base of the country.

In fact, some pundits had predicted that only the 2015 election would douse the ongoing political tension and they seem to be accurate in their prediction as the polity has overtime been overheated. But the pressure in Rivers State appeared to have gone out of control recently when the unexpected happened at the front gate of the Independent National Electoral Commission located on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway.

APC supporters and their counterparts in the PDP had converged almost at the same time on INEC office protesting what they described as biased posture of the electoral body ahead of the next general elections. It was difficult to fathom how PDP members and supporters stormed the state secretariat of the commission the same time with protesting APC supporters, even as both groups were laying a similar allegation against the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Gesila Khan.

Both the PDP and the APC in the state accused Khan of plotting to manipulate the 2015 governorship and presidential elections in favour of the other party. Members of the APC, according to one of their leaders, were on a peaceful protest with 14 other political parties, excluding the PDP. Supporters of the ruling party spent about an hour inside the Legislative Quarters that is not up to four poles to the state INEC office.

Inside the Legislative Quarters, the protesters from the APC and other political parties had put their placards in order, using the boards to express their grievances over an alleged move by the state REC to rig the election in favour of the PDP. They had marched close to INEC premises when they surprisingly saw a huge number of protesters, who had a different chant and war song. In their protest, the PDP and APC supporters had something in common: anger against INEC’s REC.

While the APC maintained that Khan was planning to manipulate the election in favour of the PDP, the opposition party (PDP) did not want to hear any of that and went ahead to also accuse the state REC of planning to rig the election in favour of the APC. What would have been a deadly clash between supporters of both parties numbering up to 4,000 was, nevertheless, averted by the police.

Armed policemen, who were earlier on the ground, had a hectic day, trying to avoid the exchange of blows by supporters of both parties as some security operatives took position in strategic points to ward off any incursion of the protesters into INEC’s office. Not comfortable with the presence of the APC supporters, who were chanting “Change,” the PDP supporters chased away their perceived enemies and destroyed some of their placards.

A journalist, Mr. Femi Ibrahim, who was injured on the leg as he tried to dodge a stone thrown by one of the angry protesters, was taken to the hospital by some of his colleagues. Some of the placards displayed earlier by the APC supporters read, “Rivers REC, Are You a Member of PDP?” “We need unbiased umpire in Rivers,” “Rivers people will resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process,” “INEC, your secret agenda with PDP has been exposed” and “We want a free and fair election in Rivers.”

However, some of the inscriptions on the PDP supporters’ placards read “INEC, you are working for APC,” “INEC, we need a free and fair election,” “We will not accept fake results” and “INEC, you are partial.” One of the PDP protesters said they (PDP supporters) would never be intimidated by their APC counterparts, even as he queried why the APC would decide to stage a protest on the same day and time with the PDP.

“We have chased them away. Some of them (APC supporters) ran to the bush. We took their placards away from them. Why would they venture into the place we are protesting,” he said.

Speaking on the matter, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, told journalists at the venue of the protest that INEC was recruiting card-carrying members of the APC as its adhoc workers, adding that such a development would not create conducive atmosphere for the conduct of a free and fair election.

Nwanosike, who later met with the state REC, also faulted INEC’s insistence on the use of card readers during the March 28 and April 11, 2015 elections, maintaining that the test-run of the new technology by the commission had shown that the machine would not be able to assist the commission to conduct a hitch-free poll.

He specifically stated that one of the aides to Governor Amaechi, Chief Tony Okocha, had two brothers – Godfrey and Gibson – who were working as Assistant Electoral Officers with INEC in the state, adding that the development would not pave way for the conduct of a free and fair election in the state.

In Nwanosike’s words, “From the record and INEC’s position, the number of PVCs distributed in the North East where Boko Haram had been on rampage is on the high side. If many people have been displaced in the region, who then did INEC give the PVCs to?

“Again, you can see through the utterances of the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lai Mohammed, that he has become the spokesman of INEC. The card reader has been faulted going by INEC’s test-run the other day, yet they (INEC) want to go ahead with it.”

On the skirmish between his party supporters and the APC’s, Nwanosike maintained that it was the APC that attacked PDP members, who were on a peaceful rally.

Also, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, explained that the party decided to protest, having noticed that INEC’s system had been “strategically compromised.”

Finebone said, “But surprisingly, the PDP supporters in their usual thirst for violence got wind of our protest and appeared at the same venue. We are calling on security operatives to always be proactive and intervene by arresting PDP supporters, who only came to scuttle our peaceful protest.

“You can see that no member of the PDP was arrested as they disrupted our protest at the INEC office. It has been the same situation, even when APC members are being attacked by the PDP. You saw how they took away the placards displayed by our supporters.”

Expectedly, Khan, who appeared to be in the eye of the storm, said it was obvious that she had been neutral in carrying out her functions. On the issue that one of the governor’s aides has two brothers working with INEC, Khan explained that the development had nothing to do with the commission’s determination to conduct a free and fair election.

“The PDP and APC have been complaining. I am happy that since the APC and PDP are accusing me of being partial, that means that I am neutral. I thank God that the police were on the ground when the protest began, you people would have clashed,” she added.

In his reaction, the Chancellor, International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Dr. Jackson Omenazu, said INEC must show that it is independent and ready to conduct election as a neutral umpire.

Omenazu expressed surprise that members of both PDP and APC clustered at INEC main entrance because a mole in the commission had informed the PDP that the APC was about to protest. According to him, the electoral body in the state was the first suspect over the ugly incident that took place on Port Harcourt-Aba Road.

Omenazu said, “From our investigation, the APC members came for the protest against INEC with nine other political parties. But a mole in INEC informed the PDP about the planned protest by the APC and both political parties clustered at the frontage of INEC office before a fight began.

“What happened is an indication that INEC is not independent. From our investigation, Rivers REC has been sent to carry out a project that could cause an uncontrollable crisis in the state. Whether she is from Bayelsa State or not, her duty is to conduct a free and fair election for the people of Rivers State. For instance, we have it on good authority that INEC has recruited some card-carrying members of political parties to work as its adhoc staff and with this, it will be difficult to achieve a credible poll in the state because such adhoc staff cannot be independent.”

A Port Harcourt-based public affairs analyst, Mr. James Barini, urged politicians to leave INEC in the state alone, adding that the commission was trying its best to conduct a credible election.

Barini described the REC as an upright woman, whose enviable achievements in Delta State brought her to limelight.

He said, “Rivers people should watch and I am predicting that INEC with the REC in the state will do a good job. It is wrong to say the woman is biased when she has been trying her best to conduct a free and fair election on March 28 and April 11, 2015.”

How to deal with men

March 21, 2015

 

Temilolu Okeowo

Dear Temilolu,

I read your write-up titled “Girls, Beware of men” and I must say it is a must for every girl. My daughter will read it. Thanks a million times. May God bless you and may your children possess the gates of their enemies.

Mrs. Olatunya

Dear Temilolu,

I am a 25 years old virgin. I thought holding on to it was foolishness until I read your article in Punch and your words gave me hope but I must confess it has not been easy for me. There are times I feel like bowing to pressure especially when my body yearns to be touched by a guy. Those moments are so terrible. However, today’s guys don’t seem to bother whether their future wife is a virgin or not. So, sometimes I feel like staying chaste isn’t worth it after all. My friends are sexually active. I feel ashamed to tell them I’m a virgin.

Angela

My darling, precious, glorious, dignified, world-famous and heavenly celebrated Nigerian sisters,

You will not only possess the gates of your enemies, God will give you the grace to control your flesh and have a firm grip on your super destiny in Jesus name. AMEN! As for Angela, if I catch her, I could be tempted to give her 12 hot strokes of cane because of her mindset (Laughs). Which man wouldn’t like to have a brand new, unspoiled, untouched for wife? Now, if you had to choose between two, which would you opt for? Brand new or fairly used?

Kudos to you Angela “omo ti o common” (uncommon lady). If only you knew how so many girls wish they could turn back the hands of time. Some say they never even enjoyed it after all their curiosity and arousal and wished they never got involved with pre-marital sex/the wrong person. Congratulations my golden Cherie, may God make you greater than the greatest person in your family and pair you up with the best husband in the world. AMEN! Please endure some more and be patient with God, you will certainly be too glad you did things His way. And if your entire life is a holy package, I assure your reward would be mind blowing.

How to deal with men

This topic discusses how to relate with both male and female and is for every age.

• 1. Don’t commit your life into the hand of any man. John 2:23-25

Our knowledge of the true nature of man is limited, Jeremiah 17:9-10 and there is an inherent or congenital propensity in man to do evil. Psalm 51:5. Also, the nature of man is fickle- man naturally can vacillate at any time. Matthew 26:33-34, 58, 69-75. By nature, man is liable to error. So we must not expect too much from any man.

• 2. If you make God your best friend, He will send good and faithful men your way.

The devil, our common enemy specialises in connecting great destinies with the wrong people i.e. people who could divert the course of their destiny in one way or the other. Most times, these people don’t even know that they are tools in the hands of the devil. They come into our lives as angels and may eventually wreak so much havoc that could cause irreparable damage. And that’s why it’s most advisable to make God our best friend and let our minds be God-centered. Once your mind is stayed on God, He’s not only committed to directing your steps and talking to you, He will also shield you from people who will cause you harm.

To be continued

Are you still engaging in pre-marital sex? Each act devalues you! Your wonders are waiting to start. God is waiting for you to become a Secondary virgin! You are most welcome on board the chastity campaign train and Girls Club is open for all girls and ladies. Please text your name, age, school or occupation and State of domicile to 07086620576.

The Girls Club of Nigeria is aimed at influencing a positive change in the female folk and re-orientating the Nigerian girl. Amongst other things, to promote and enhance the development of girls by instilling a sense of self-worth, competence, usefulness, belonging and influence while of course restoring traditional moral values and encouraging the girls to toe the paths of righteousness. If this generation can make amends, the next generation will come out clean. Don’t you think so? I love you all and I think you are all wonderful sisters!

For more inspiring articles and prayers against sexual perversion (masturbation, lesbianism, addiction to pornography and immoral thoughts etc.) prayers against ungodly soul-ties and prayers for recovery of virtues please visit my blog www.temiloluokeowo.wordpress.com

twitter@temiloluokeowo

Dear girls,

As designed by God, your virginity is the bedrock of your destiny. It is your spiritual beauty. It carries the star, potential and talent which God created with you to make you unique. It is the star in your sky. Please don’t pollute your destiny. The world is waiting for your star to shine! Your curiosity about sex and the way your body feels is normal. However, there’s so much you need to know which may eventually condition your mind and calm your desires. For now, DON’T dabble into it please.

Polls: Sultan asks district heads to protect corps members

March 21, 2015

The Sultanate Council has asked District Heads in Sokoto State to take charge of the safety of corps members in their domains during the elections.
The measure is to reduce the trend of attacks on corps members and avoid a repeat of what happened during the 2011 post-election violence in parts of the North.
A statement on Saturday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Bose Aderibigbe, said the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said this during a pre-election advocacy visit by the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, to the monarch’s palace.
The statement stated, “The Sultan also charged security agencies to provide adequate protection for corps members and other personnel that will be involved in the conduct of the forthcoming general elections. The Sultan told the DG about a standing directive from the Sultanate Council to all District Heads in the state, asking them to take charge of the safety of corps members, serving in their domains, and went on to advocate the replication of the same arrangement in other parts of the country.”
While calling on the public, especially politicians, to ensure the safety of the corps members, the monarch enjoined corps members not to be deterred by the crisis in the past, but to consider their involvement in the conduct of elections as a national duty.
He called upon the corps members to approach the electoral assignment with a high sense of patriotism and avoid being partisan in their duties.
The monarch reminded them that winners of elections had already been pre-destined by God and wondered why some of them viewed elections as a do-or-die affair.
The Sultan also used the occasion to call for recognition and compensation to persons who suffered incapacitation in the course of service to the nation.
The NYSC boss told the Sultan that the security of corps members was paramount to the scheme.
He appealed to the monarch to help in sensitising members of the public, especially politicians, on the need to ensure the safety of the corps members before, during and after the elections.

Nigeria can become beach soccer giants – Abu Azeez

March 21, 2015

 

Abu Azeez

Super Sand Eagles and Warri Wolves forward, Abu Azeez, has been representing Nigeria in beach soccer since 2009. In this interview with IDRIS ADESINA, the former Kwara United player speaks about beach soccer in Nigeria

How far do you think Warri Wolves can go in the CAF Confederation Cup?

I have played continental football for two years. This is my third time.I believe that we have a good team. We are ready to compete against any team on the continent. We will go far in the tournament.

You also play beach soccer. What is the difference between the two? Which do you prefer?

I prefer playing normal   football because it is more popular than beach soccer. It has more fans than the other one. Beach soccer is not popular in Africa. Playing on grass is easier than playing on the beach. Beach soccer is more of a game played for fun. Until it is popular on the continent, many footballers will not embrace it. The difference between the two is just the surface. I believe that if you are good at beach soccer, it will reflect on your performance in normal football. It builds your stamina and makes you stronger and helps you in decision-making.

How would you describe your experience since you started playing for the Sand Eagles in 2009?

The experience has been very great. Playing with the likes of Isiaka Olawale, Mosquito, Ogbonnaya Okemiri and Abdul Isa is a great experience. They were the big names in the team back then. They are still great players.

With their encouragement, I was able to get into the team.

Ever since then, I have become part and parcel of the team as well as a household name in beach soccer in the country.

Last year, Nigeria lost in the final of Copa Lagos to Ivory Coast.

Before the 2014 Copa Lagos, I said that we might not be able to defend our title because our poor preparation for the tournament. The story was the same as in 2013 when we won the title by luck. I knew this could not continue for too long because when other countries were preparing for competition, we were not in camp.

Ivory Coast, who eventually won the competition, camped for up to two months. But we camped for a few days ahead of the competition.

Nigeria have not progressed beyond the quarterfinals of the Beach Soccer World Cup. Why?

We had a good squad for the 2011 World Cup in Italy. We had a little problem on our way to our training camp in Faroe, Portugal. Three key players – myself and two others, who I can’t remember now, had visa problems. Therefore, the team had to travel with nine players instead of the 12 registered for the tournament. We lost to Brazil in the quarterfinals. I believe that the team would have done better with a full squad in Italy.

The Africa Beach Soccer Championship will take place in Seychelles, what are your expectations?

Having placed third at the Power Horse Invitational in South Africa, I believe that with adequate preparation, we can do well at the competition.

We have the players to do it but the preparation is the greatest problem affecting us. If we can begin preparation early for it, we will perform.   Morocco for instance, have since been preparing for the tournament.

Do you think the Sand Eagles have been given a fair treatment in comparison to the Super Eagles?

The Sand Eagles have not been fairly treated when compared with the Super Eagles. For instance, we may be in camp for days and we will not have the things needed to keep us going. Before leaving the country for tournaments, nobody discusses with us about bonuses. After the competition stipends will be paid into our accounts. That one does not even come on time. We play for the love of the game not because of what we are paid or what we get. So, the gap between the Super Eagles and us in really wide.

You have two African titles to your name in beach soccer; would you consider that as your best achievements?

My best achievements in football have not been those two titles. I say so because beach soccer is not popular in the country. Even on the world stage, you discover that African countries are not reckoned with. So for now, I have yet to achieve what I am aiming at.

The likes of Okemiri Ogbonaya have been left out of the squad for the African championship. Do you think his absence can affect the team?

The coach (Adamu Audu) has his reasons for leaving them and other experienced players out of the squad. But I believe he will invite them later. Their absence may affect the balance in the team a little because the new players still have to learn the ropes.

The FIFA Beach World Cup is also coming up this year in Portugal, what is your target?

My target for the World Cup is to get as far as possible with the team. That is beyond the quarterfinals.

What are your best and worst moments as a footballer?

My best moment was when I went to the Morocco 2013 beach soccer and emerged as the highest goal scorer. In grass football, my best moment was when I scored the lone goal against Racing Club Bobo Dioulasso in our first leg CAF Confederations Cup match.

The worst moment so far was when I had problems with Kwara United and I was asked to leave. It was not easy watching my teammates playing every week while I was without a club.

How do you think the challenges facing beach soccer in Nigeria can be solved?

Beach soccer is suffering from a lack of attention. When the Nigeria Football Federation pays more attention to the growth of beach soccer in the country, It will grow to enviable heights. I believe Nigeria have the talents to become a great team in beach soccer. But, that can only happen if the interest of the sport is in the hearts of our administrators. There are many talents in the country and if they are called upon, they are ready to give their all for the game.

You were the MVP of Copa Lagos for two consecutive years, how does it feel losing the award to another player last year?

I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep the award. I was not fit for the tournament at all. I was just recovering from an injury and I played less games. I was not disappointed when I lost it.

Who has been the toughest defender you played against?

That will be Chinedu Udoji (of Enyimba). He is a no-nonsense defender.

What are your plans for retirement from the game?

My plans for retirement are really on track and I have bigger plans for life after football.

What is your impression of the Nigeria Premier League?

The league is really growing and improving. The development needs to be commended as we can count the number of players leaving for professional football abroad. If the tempo can be sustained, we will soon get there.

What is your advice for up-and-coming footballers?

They should be strong and focused on what they are doing. Players want to travel abroad but they should be careful of the contracts they sign with any team abroad. They should not be desperate to travel rather they should concentrate on developing themselves.

Buhari excused from Yobe rally over insecurity – Gaidam

March 21, 2015

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, on Saturday said the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was advised not to attend the campaign rally in the state on Saturday because of the state of insecurity in the area.

Speaking at a grand rally of the APC in Damaturu, Gaidam said contrary to reports that he was not on good terms with Buhari, the insecurity of the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway accounted for Buhari’s absence at the rally.

He said he was amused by the “fabrication of falsehood” by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party that Buhari’s absence at the rally was due to the alleged sour relationship between him and the APC presidential candidate.

Gaidam said the APC standard bearer remained the candidate with proven integrity.

“Buhari  is a straight forward person, whom Nigerians will benefit from under his leadership,” he said,

He called on Nigerians to come out en mass to ensure victory for the APC during the forthcoming elections. The governor explained to party supporters at the August 27 Stadium that despite the insurgency in the state, he had performed creditably, and deserved to be re-elected.
He said with a renewed mandate, he would take Yobe to a new height, lamenting that the insurgency had limited the developmental strides of the state.

A former governor of the state and senator representing Yobe East, Senator Bukar Ibrahim, said  Buhari would address three things if elected president of Nigeria on March 28, which he listed as insecurity, corruption and the state of the economy.

Yemeni President pledges to fight Iran’s influence

March 21, 2015

 

Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi pledged Saturday to fight Iran’s influence in his violence-wracked country, accusing Shiite Huthi militia of importing Tehran’s ideology.
In a televised speech, Hadi said he would ensure that “the Yemeni republic flag will fly on the Marran mountain in (the northern Huthi stronghold) Saada, instead of the Iranian flag.”
“The Iranian twelver pattern that has been agreed upon between the Huthis and those who support them will not be accepted by Yemenis, whether Zaidi (Shiites) or Shafite (Sunnis),” he added.
It was the first televised speech by Hadi since he fled house arrest in militia-held Sanaa last month and resurfaced in Aden which he declared the temporary capital.
Tehran is accused of backing the Shiite militiamen who seized Sanaa in September, but the Huthis insist that Iran does not meddle in Yemeni affairs.
The Huthi-run Saba news agency reported last week that Iran will supply Yemen with crude oil for one year, and also establish a 165-megawatt power plant.
The agreement was made during a Huthi visit to the Islamic republic after an Iranian commercial flight landed in Sanaa earlier this month — the first in many years and the fruit of an aviation accord with Tehran.
Saudi Arabia, Iran’s arch-rival in the Gulf, is a strong backer of Hadi.

[Video] Jonathan accepts blame for violence in Nigeria

March 21, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan
| credits: File photo

President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted responsibility for the Boko Haram violence in his capacity as the leader of the country.

“Whatever goes wrong, I accept. Whatever goes right, I take the glory,” the President said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation on Friday while fielding questions on the violence that has characterised his administration.

“Whenever I hear that somebody dies in Nigeria… I feel pain because we are all Nigerians,” he added.

On the 219 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok last year, the President assured that the girls are still alive.

“We have not seen dead girls, that is the good news. I believe they are still alive, I believe we will get them,” he said.

Jonathan, however, reiterated his belief that he would win the March 28 election.

The election is expected to be tough between him and the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, with many analysts concluding that the latter would win.

Barely one week to the presidential election, experts say it is still too close to call but Jonathan believes his disposition, party structure, good judgement of Nigerians and his achievements while in office would swing victory his way.

“I will surely win… my party is still the strongest party,” he said.

The President also said that all territories seized by Islamist militant group Boko Haram would be retaken within a month.

He said, “I’m very hopeful that it will not take us more than a month to recover the old territories that hitherto have been in Boko Haram’s hands.

“We never expected that Boko Haram will build up that kind of capacity. We under-rated their external influence. Since after the civil war we’ve not fought any war, we don’t manufacture weapons, so, we had to look for help to re-equip our army and the Air Force.”

But the President admitted that the response to the insurgents’ initial advance in the North-East of the country had been too slow.

The army has claimed recent victories over Boko Haram in a conflict that has killed thousands since 2012.

Backed by neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon, Nigeria’s military said it had recaptured 11 of the 14 districts which had been under Boko Haram control.

On Thursday, however, Boko Haram attacked Ngala town, killing 11 people, after the army said it had retaken it.

February’s elections were postponed by six weeks after the armed forces said they needed more time to secure the country.

President Jonathan told the BBC he was confident of victory – despite many predicting the most fiercely contested polls since the end of military rule in 1999.

His main opponent, Buhari, has described the 16-year rule of Jonathan’s party as “a disaster for the country and its citizens.”

Interim govt plotters risk prosecution for treason – Jonathan

March 21, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday said those plotting the alleged interim national government in the country risked arrest and prosecution for treason.
Jonathan said this during his visit to Daura, Katsina State, the birth place of the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.).
He also visited the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, where he informed the monarch that the Federal Government had build 28 Almajiri schools and a federal university in the state.
Details later…

We’ll expose govs offering us gifts –RECs

 

 

Edo State REC, Mr. Mike Igini

Resident Electoral Commissioners have threatened to expose governors and top government officials that offer them gifts, saying their conscience is not for sale.

They said their major duty was to ensure the credibility of the forthcoming general elections in the interest of peaceful co-existence of the country.

The RECs, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH in separate interviews during the week, said the governors and politicians’ gifts would be considered as bribing them against their conscience.

They, however, threatened to expose whoever offers them any ‘Greek gift’ no matter how highly placed the person may be.

The Kwara State REC, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, said he was not ready to receive any gift from any politician, including the state governor.

He said the intention of such gifts – financial and non-monetary – were meant to compromise and influence the election results.

Onucheyo said INEC had made a lot of provisions and comforts for the RECs such that none of them should be tempted to receive any gift.

According to him, there are many gadgets that will expose any INEC official who collects bribe.

“We are living in an age where even a biro is a camera,” Onucheyo said.

The Ekiti State REC, Mr. Sam Olumekun, told politicians that they could not bribe their way to victory in the forthcoming elections.

Olumekun, said, “It is unimaginable for a governor or any politician to give monetary or non-monetary gifts to a REC or his spouse, especially when elections are around the corner.

“We should think about the people, no governor would offer me such gift and I won’t accept if offered.

“The commission has advised officials to stay away from politicians. INEC is determined to conduct a transparent and credible election; we will not be distracted. Our conscience will not be for sale.”

Apart from the fact that the Oyo State REC, Rufus Akeju, said he would disregard gifts offered by politicians, he advised his colleagues to mind their relationship with governors.

“If we are seeking free and fair elections, we should be mindful of our position and relationship with politicians. The policy is that you don’t meet anyone for anything,” Akeju said.

On the classification of favours to RECs from governors during election period, he said such favour would be deemed a bribe depending on what was offered and what the demand was.

Akeju said, “A smart person will not ask or demand for anything at this crucial time. The election is around the corner and if anybody offers the corner anything as a politician or governor, then there is something behind it.”

In one of the South-South states controlled by PDP, a former REC (identity withheld) had rejected a posh car and lavish accommodation presented to him on assumption of office in 2010.

It was gathered that the then Chief of Staff to the governor, who is currently aspiring into the National Assembly, had approached the REC and made the presentation which included cash gift running into millions of naira, but the concerned REC turned down the offer.

In a recent interview granted one of our correspondents shortly before he was redeployed to Edo State, the immediate past REC of Cross River, Mr. Mike Igini, said it was wrong for an electoral umpire in the state to demand favour from politicians.

Asked why RECs seemed loyal to governors in the state where they work, Igini said, “Loyal in what terms? RECs have their primary loyalty to the Nigerian citizen guided by the legislative mandates as spelt out in the Constitution, Electoral Act, and other germane laws and guidelines.

He said, “Governors are respected public servants, while they hold that office, every citizen must accord them the dignity related to that office, and the dignity accorded every human being, but loyalty must be qualified, it is an adjective that is dynamic to the context in which it is used. If you mean civil loyalty relating to compliance with state laws of which a state governor is the chief custodian, that is appropriate, but if you mean political loyalty, that is an aberration and complete abomination.”

When also asked if RECs rely on governors for provision of logistics, Igini said, “When you seek assistance of the kind you are talking about, you lose your moral authority to lead and enforce compliance and that is why people like me would not indulge in such reprehensible conduct.

“There is no logistics that a REC or state INEC office requires that demands or justifies political loyalty from any office other than the INEC headquarters and the Nigerian constitution, none that I am aware of.

“I have been here for over four years and I have not taken even a glass of water from politicians and they all would confirm that to whoever cares to find out. I have never compromised or surrender the pristine values of a true umpire but rather I have been true to them to the glory of God.”

The Ondo State REC, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, who also talked tough on the matter, said he would not hesitate to expose any politician who attempts to compromise him.

He said, “Any form of gifts or favour at this time when election is at hand is unacceptable. A politician or a governor who has not talked to you before and now calls you to give you a favour or gifts, you should know there is something fishy about that and we have to be careful.

“If any politician offers me a gift I will expose him, at least to my organisation because such gifts or favours could also be used as blackmail. So, it is better to make it known in the interest of the integrity of INEC.”

Asked what would happen if such gifts were directed to his spouse, he said it was impossible for politicians to reach his spouse.

Agbaje said, “My spouse is not here with me and I don’t see anyone trying to reach her with gifts. That is even not possible, I will not allow that.”

The Kano State REC, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi, said he would be guided by the law of the land which forbids collecting and giving of gifts in a period like this.

He said, ‘’I think it is clear that the law of the land governing the public office do not allow acceptance of any form of gift and as much as possible, I am glad to say that INEC is aware of the need to be independent.”

According to him, acceptance of a gift is a bribe.

Abdullahi said, ‘’I have repeatedly said that as much as possible, we relate with everybody, all the politicians, as well as with all the political parties, we accord them equal opportunities and access to information and if there is any reason whatsoever for somebody to tip you with a gift, it must be rejected in all ramifications.’’

The Niger State REC, Nasir Olarewaju Ayilara, told Saturday PUNCH in Minna that: “RECs should not base their work on whatever anybody is bringing to them. We must carry out our duties with no fear of contradiction or molestation of any kind as far as elections are concerned.

“It is wrong to collect gifts from politicians; it is not normal but what is very clear is that there is no way a REC can perform his job without having to deal with the state government. So, the office cannot be an island, but one should be mindful of the relationship between the government and the INEC.”

On the possibility of offering gifts to the spouses of RECs, Ayilara said, “Politicians are ready to do anything to get what they want, but it depends on the training and culture of the family. If the house is properly cultured they will not get you through your wife.”

In Ogun State, REC Timothy Ibitoye said no politician had offered him any gift since he was posted to the state late last year.

He said the only politician who had come to his office was the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who came to complain about the slow pace of delivery of Permanent Voter Cards in the state.

Ibitoye explained that he did not require any gift from any politician because he is a contented person.

The Delta State REC, Mr. Anidi Ikowak, said INEC officials who compromised their positions during the electoral process would be dismissed.

Ikowak told Saturday PUNCH that INEC had taken into consideration the fact that as human beings, some electoral officers could compromise their positions with candidates and other stakeholders during the electoral process and had devised means of dealing with such situations.

Ikowak, who said he was not aware of anyone who had tried to compromise him or his workers, said, “There are laws in the country that INEC would not have to manufacture new laws to take care of persons that compromise and collect gifts or other items.

“Everybody has been warned so that you don’t compromise your position or work. Our staff and those we recruit as adhoc staff have been told to be neutral as referees in the course of the elections.

“And INEC itself knowing that we are dealing with human beings has been trying to bring in innovations that would keep staff from doing certain things.”

He said that staff of the commission had the right to report people that attempt to bribe them using hard evidence to the security agencies.