How to identify a suicide bomber

Suicide bombing is an act whereby an individual
personally delivers explosives and detonates
them with the sole aim of inflicting the greatest
possible damage, killing himself in the process in
order to serve the interests of the sponsoring
individuals or organisations.
Records have revealed that suicide bombers are
capable of carrying out very wicked, audacious
and highly destructive acts that are shocking on
the account of their specific intention to destroy
critical infrastructure and kill mostly
unsuspecting civilians or injure anyone within the
range of the explosion. But if I may ask, what
kind of a person would sacrifice his life in order
to kill innocent people and what would possibly
motivate that person to take the offer of
becoming a suicide bomber?
In the wake of several tragic incidents, the
government, civil society as well as security
agencies have always found it difficult to
objectively analyse the causes and processes
through which suicide bombings are carried out
since there is no single theory as to what brings
about such wicked act. Although many people
have cited negative indoctrination, radicalisation
and religion as prime motivators but the act
involved a wide variety of motivation including
politics, quest for revenge, humiliation as well as
altruism.
The willingness of the perpetrator to kill himself
shows a very high symbolic value and dedication
to whatever may be his cause. However, the
truth is that suicide bombing has become a most
accessible weapon of choice available to the
terrorist groups because of its cost-effectiveness,
lethality, ability to cause confusion as well as
the tremendous amount of publicity and fear it
generates as clearly witnessed in the series of
bomb attacks across the nation. For example,
immediately after the last blast, the usual crowd
witnessed at motor parks, night clubs and other
social event centres, in no time, disappeared
because of the wide speculations through the
media that there was likely to be another bomb
attack in those areas. This is a classical example
of the effect of fears associated with terrorism.
Characteristics of a potential suicide bomber
There is no specific profile for anyone who
engages himself in suicide bombing. A suicide
bomber can come from nearly every cultural
background, religion, race, creed or gender.
However, the following are common
characteristics of a potential suicide bomber.
Through his behaviour
• He behaves in a way similar to someone with
no future.
• His mental state could present clues – his eyes
are secretive, he makes obvious attempt to avoid
eye contact with the people he perceived to be
his enemies and always looking at every possible
exit.
• Mumbling prayers – may be fervently praying
to himself, showing the impression of whispering
to someone else.
• He shows no response to any authoritative
voice, command or instruction.
Through his appearance
• He wears clothes that are unsuitable for the
present-day weather. For instance, wearing of
sweater or rain-coat during hot weather.
• He wears slack or puffy clothes. This gives the
impression that his body is excessively larger
than his head or feet.
• Sweating – resulting from tension and stress
or wearing of unsuitable clothes. For instance,
wearing a heavy coat during high weather
temperature.
• He appears to be focused and more vigilant on
his target.
• He will usually have his hands placed in the
pocket, around the button of the detonator and
ready to set off the bomb at the slightest
opportunity.
• He carries big bags or backpacks tightly with
wires piercing out of the bag.
• He may most likely have a clean shave or low
hair-cut especially when he is ready to carry out
the task. This may be done to disguise his real
appearance.
• He displays signs of drug use. For instance, his
pupils become enlarged with fixed staring.
• His breathings are heavy and rapid.
• Mostly male who falls between the age range
of 16 to 30 years of age.
• He looks aggressive, restless, irritable and
nervous.
Through his movement
• He walks awkwardly or clumsily in an unusual
and odd manner. This is usually due to the
unsuitable attire he is wearing and sometimes
due to the weight of the explosive devices tied
around his body.
• He tries to be evasive in movement. This
unusual gait is adopted to evade security agents
and some other persons who may foil his plans.
• Often times, he may not know the route to his
target destination very well, hence he may
occasionally ask for directions. One of the
suicide bombers that struck at a church in
Kaduna in late 2013 had to ask commercial
motorcyclists for direction to the church he
eventually struck.
Through his kind of person/other features
• He tries to blend into a group which he clearly
does not belong to. For instance, he tries to
attend Church worship services even as a non-
Christian with clear intention to carry out
surveillance and identify vulnerable areas before
attack.
• He demonstrates forceful actions in order to
reach his desired target by pushing the crowd so
as to find his way into a restricted area or
showing desperations to reach a crowded point
or particular target.
• He will usually have an unusual herbal smell.
This is as a result of incense used in the final
rituals performed on him as he takes off for the
suicide mission.
• Culled from Frank Mba’s blog

Jonathan: There are plans to bring down my govt

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said
those behind the violence in the country were
planning to bring down his government.
Jonathan, at the 2014 Democracy Day
Interdenominational Church Service with the
theme “Love The Lord…and your Neighbour” in
Abuja, described them as evil forces.
Terror attacks by Boko Haram in some parts of
the North, especially the North-East, have led to
the death of thousands of people. On April 14,
2014, the sect abducted more than 200 girls
from a government college in Chibok, Borno
State, a development that brought global
attention to the terrorist activities in the country.
In Benue State, there have been clashes between
the Tiv and Fulani cattle rustlers that have led to
bloodshed. Six days ago, suicide bombers struck
in Jos, Plateau State, killing over 15o people and
on Saturday night another bomber visited
mayhem on football fans in the city.
During the service, Jonathan, who touched on
several national issues, said despite the security
challenges, Nigeria would continue to move
forward.
He said, “You can imagine if this government had
not been facing these distractions within this
period, definitely, we would have moved farther
than this.
“All these distractions are planned to bring this
government down and since they failed, terror
will also fail.
“We have been witnessing terror attacks for two
years plus, but the Chibok incident has added a
major dent on the security of the country. There
is nothing God cannot do. With your prayers, our
girls will be seen by our security personnel, “he
said.
“Terror will not stop this country from
progressing. We know that these terrorists are
human and they are evil men. Definitely, they are
among those we categorise as evil forces.
“Forces of evil will never prevail. Forces of
darkness will never prevail. I call on all Nigerians,
Christians and non-Christians who pray, to
continue to pray and I believe that God is on our
side. Forces of evil and darkness will never
prevail.”
Jonathan admitted that the April 14 abduction of
schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno
State was a major dent on the nation’s security.
The President also assured Nigerians that
despite the security challenges, elections would
hold next year as scheduled.
He explained that one of the beauties of
democracy which the nation has been practising
for 15 years was that every public office holder
knows the terminal date of his administration.
Jonathan said despite the problems associated
with democracy, it remained the best form of
government.
He however posited that four or even 10 years
were not enough to develop a nation because
nation-building is a continuous process.
The President also said that the revamping of
the rail sector, the privatisation of the power
sector, the housing sector, industrial
development, the remodeling of the airports and
the reforms in the agricultural sector among
others were clear signs that his transformation
promises were not mere political promises.
While pointing to the successful hosting of the
World Economic Forum for Africa, Jonathan said
Nigeria under his leadership would have gone
farther but for the challenges his government
was facing.
He recalled that some forces wanted to frustrate
the WEFA by detonating bombs in Nyanya, a
satellite town near Abuja.
Jonathan reiterated his position that if not for
prayers by Nigerians, the security challenges in
the country would have been worse.
He said, “After today, the next Democracy Day
will witness a new government.
“I remember when I was in my village to collect
my permanent voter card, a pressman asked me
if there would be elections in Nigeria and I told
him ‘yes.’
“This country will continue to move on in spite of
some of the setbacks we are witnessing.”
Quoting from the Holy Bible, the President said
nothing could separate Nigerians from the love of
God because forces of retrogression had always
remained part of human history.
He added, “In human history, either individuals
or societies, they are always confronted with two
forces- the forces of development and forces of
retrogression. They call the later evil forces.
“Our country is facing the challenges of some of
these forces, the evil forces. I really do not want
to celebrate them because surely, we will get
over them.
“You will agree with me that within these three
years of this government, our agenda for
transformation is coming out.
“We have not reached where we want to go but
there are certain signs that people will use to
know whether government is committed or is
deceiving.”
On national development, he said, “Definitely, we
cannot build a nation in three years. This
government is three years old. By May 29 next
year, we would have completed our four years.
“Four years, even 10 years are not enough.
Nation building is a continuous process. The
most important thing is to start very well and
continue to do things very well.”
Pastor Goodheart Ekwueme in his sermon taken
from Esther 4:13-17 assured Nigerians that a
new nation beckons.
Ekwueme likened the violence in some parts of
the county and other social ills to birth pains
that a woman undergoes before giving birth to a
child.
He said, “The present situation in the country is
just an indication of birth pains, we will go
through the storms and a new Nigeria of our
dreams and aspiration will soon be born.
“A Nigeria where there will be justice and equity
will evolve. A new Nigeria where corruption will
become exemption rather than the rule will
evolve; a county where every citizen will have a
sense of belonging will evolve.
“When a child is born, the mother forgets the
birth pains. So shall it be in Nigeria soon.
“Such a new Nigeria is about to emerge. It will
emerge in spite of the chaos and violence that is
presently ravaging our streets, in spite of the
naked image of the nation at the global stage, I
believe the new Nigeria will emerge.
“The noise will come to an end. Let the new
Nigeria evolve.”
Ekwueme said although this was a defining
moment in the history of the nation, it could also
be a period of great opportunity if perceived
right.
He said Nigerians must be ready to rise beyond
their ashes and move to the glory prepared for
them by God.
He said corruption, among other social ills, must
no longer be accepted as the rule but an
exemption to the rule in the country.
The first reading for the service was taken by a
representative of the judiciary from Genesis
11:1-6 while the President of the Senate, David
Mark took the second reading from Luke
10:25-37.
At the well-attended service, special prayers
were rendered for the successful search and
release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls by
three pupils selected from three schools in
Abuja.
Prayers were also offered for the victims and
families of recent bomb blasts by Boko Haram,
the nation’s security, peace and development, for
the President and his family, the three arms of
government as well as the church.
The service also featured praise and worship
sessions as well as special songs rendered by
the Christian Association of Nigeria Mass Choir,
the National Security and Civil Defence Corps
Band and pupils of some selected schools in
Abuja.
It was attended by the President’s wife,
Patience; his mother, Eunice; the Deputy
President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; the
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Emeka Ihedioha; and former Governor Peter Obi
of Anambra State.

Chibok Girls : President Jonathan Disgraced & Booed Off Stage In South Africa

President Goodluck Jonathan’s perceived
mishandling of the case of the more than 200
school girls abducted by Boko Haram in Borno
State got further knocks yesterday in South
Africa.
Crowd at the inauguration of President Jacob
Zuma for a second term in office registered their
disapproval of government’s inability to rescue
the girls one month after, with boos of “Bring
back our girls” directed at President Jonathan as
he stepped into the venue of the swearing in.
By his side was the First Lady, Patience.
And for a moment, Nigeria became the issue at
the Union Buildings, Pretoria, where the late
Nelson Mandela who became South Africa’s first
black president, took the oath of office 20 years
ago in a ceremony officially ending white minority
rule.
President Jonathan was one of the more than 20
heads of state gathered for the event.
Aside the shouts of “Bring back our girls” a non-
governmental organisation – The Concerned
Young People of SA (Cypsa) – handed out
pamphlets at yesterday’s ceremony calling for the
release of the kidnapped schoolgirls.
The pamphlets were entitled Umphakathi
Ukhathazekile (The society is concerned).
“Now Nigeria. Who’s next? “, read a message on
the pamphlet.
“Where can we hide our girls from Boko
[Haram]?” read another excerpt on the pamphlet.
President Jonathan was due to hold talks last
night with other African leaders in Pretoria on the
security situation in Nigeria.
[The Nation]

‘My dead cousin just proposed to his girlfriend’

What was your cousin’s name?
His name was Afam Egemba. He was about 31
years old.
How did you get to know about the blast?
I was at the Living Faith Church for a
programme. But while there waiting for the event
to start, we heard a blast. It was later on they
told us that the incident happened at the
Terminus Market. My cousin’s shop was just
opposite the scene of the first blast. When we
tried getting him through his phone, the call was
not going through. Later on, someone picked up
the call and told us that he was dead and his
body mangled. But we did not believe because if
his body was mangled how come his phone was
intact and receiving calls? We started looking for
him. We couldn’t find his body until the next day.
We saw over 170 bodies in all at the places we
visited. Some were in terrible shape with body
parts missing. Some were found on the roof of
buildings in the market. Corpses are still being
brought in, so no one can ascertain how many
people really died.
Was his body mangled?
No. He didn’t have any visible injury on him and
we wondered what killed him. Although there
was a lot of blood on him, his body was intact. I
think he died of internal bleeding or shock. His
neighbours at the market only had bruises but
they survived. We don’t know where he was at
the time the blast occurred, maybe he was close
to the car laden with bombs when the first blast
occurred. We were hoping he would wake up
when we saw his body. But seeing how stiff he
was, we knew he was gone. It was difficult
claiming his body. We had to get one of his
pictures from his room to show the hospital
authorities.
How did the family take it?
We all felt very bad. But I learnt a lesson. I
realised that no matter how wealthy one is or
whatever one’s achievement, man is just
nothing. He shouldn’t have died this way. Seeing
him lying there dead with all his achievements
was painful. We were not prepared for his death
neither did we see it coming. He was supposed
to get married this year. He proposed to his
fiancée on Sunday (two days before the
incident). He even fasted for seven days before
he proposed. He had called a family meeting to
tell us that he was getting married this year.
How is your family coping?
Everyone is affected. I’m the only one at home
right now. We are all going for the wake keep
today (Wednesday).
What was he like when alive?
He was tall and a bit bulky. He was very
ambitious because he relocated from the village
a few years ago and first stayed with my aunt.
He was able to start something for himself and
get a shop in the market. He started by with
selling shoes and clothes on tables. Later, he
secured a shop and his business started
growing. He was doing well. He was a respected
person among his colleagues. That was why the
people there, his friends, could not tell us on
time. They only gave us a clue of what
happened. He was also very respectful.
What is your view about the act?
Right now I am speechless. Now, I don’t feel
safe anywhere I go. Right now, I cannot depend
on the government for my safety. I run away
from soldiers when I see them because one
cannot tell these days the real soldiers from
insurgents.
Would you still want to reside in Jos?
Yes, I was born and brought up in Jos. Jos is a
very peaceful place. After a while, things will
return to normal and it will seem as if nothing
happened, though one would always remember
the pains of yesterday. I don’t even feel safe
being a Nigerian. I know they say there is no
place like home, but what of if that home
becomes a danger zone? I’m really scared now.

‘Nigeria not ready for female president’

Nigeria is not ready to have a female president,
women from Kenya and Nigeria, who spoke
exclusively to our correspondent on the sidelines
of a conference tagged ‘Role of Women In
Emerging Democracy,’ have lamented.
The conference held at the Nigerian Institute for
International Affairs, Lagos, on Friday.
One of the women, a consultant clinical
pharmacist and public health manager, Bisi
Bright, said, “To have a woman in a position of
authority takes a lot. Although we have female
CEOs and deputy governors, I don’t think we are
ready yet for a female governor, not to talk of
female president.”
Her position was shared by the Chairman of the
House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Abike
Dabiri-Erewa, who said a lot of people in Nigeria
were not ready for a female governor.
Dabiri-Erewa, who confirmed that she would
declare her intention to contest for the Lagos
State governorship seat after the APC national
convention, said, “To get a woman in position is
difficult no matter how good she is. I am sure a
lot of people in Nigeria are not yet ready for a
female governor. This is the challenge women
face. No matter how good a woman is, those
that take the decisions are men. In Nigeria’s
politics, women are doing very badly in terms of
numbers. The number of women in politics in
Nigeria is less than six per cent. That is the
worst in the whole of Africa.”
She gave reasons why women can’t make it yet
to the very exalted political positions, saying, “To
contest elections in Nigeria, one has to spend a
lot of money and women don’t have huge
amounts of money to spend. Also, women battle
with cultural stereotypes. Apart from these,
women do not believe in themselves. If a woman
comes out today and says she wants to be
president of Nigeria, most women will not
support her.”
Dabiri-Erewa, who was one of the speakers at
the ROWEAD conference under the general theme
‘Women As Agents of Change,’ urged women to
brace for and get involved in governance despite
the challenges, noting that with their
compassionate nature, they had the ability to
bring the insecurity situation in the country under
control and to restore peace. She added that
without more women in governance, the situation
would get worse in 2015.
The Vice-Chancellor of International University of
Professional Studies, Professor Koi Muchira
Tirima, observed that Nigerian women shared a
similar fate with the women in Kenya, her
country.
Tirima, said to be the youngest female vice-
chancellor on the continent, said, “My country is
not yet ready for a woman president. Martha
Karua, a four-time minister and somebody who
had served in the Kenyan parliament for 20
years, was the only woman in Kenya who
contested for president in 2014. She is brilliant, a
no-nonsense and intelligent person but our
people did not elect her. That for me is
problematic. People use double standards to
judge women. When a woman is a hardliner, they
say she is insensitive and emasculates men.
When a man displays the same tendency, people
say he is strong and determined. We need to
change the language that we use to describe
female candidates. We should stop using phrases
like, ‘she is just a woman.”
On her part, the Chairperson of Women In
Business, Adeola Azeez, stated that women did
not command enough number in government to
warrant one of them becoming president. Azeez
said, “There are women who have the ability to
lead at the moment but before you say you want
to have a female president, there must be a
significant number of women already in
government and in the corridors of power. Even
though 51 per cent of women make up the
population of Nigeria, we do not have enough to
get the critical mass that will make us ready for
a female president. there is also the issue of
stereotype.”

Only war will bring Bakassi back —Ita-Giwa

The Chairman, Committee on Environment in the
ongoing national conference, Florence Ita-Giwa,
speaks on her efforts in this interview with
MUDIAGA AFFE
You have been championing the cause of the
Bakassi people; to what extent have you
presented the plight of the displaced people
before the conference?
In the Committee on Environment, which I am
the chairman, we talked about loss of natural
resources and recommended compensation for
the people of Bakassi. The mandate from Cross
River was that the issue of Bakassi, among
others, must top our priority. The mandate is on
the loss of the territory. It was not contemplated
that Nigeria would suffer any loss of territory in
the modern era but the experience of the
International Court of Justice judgment of 2002,
where Nigeria lost Bakassi to Cameroon, should
provide us lessons. The Bakassi episode remains
a sad one with the displaced people in the
territory left without succour. Currently, these
people are destitute and are sustained by the
Cross River State Government. The Federal
Government has yet to pay compensation or find
a solution to the resettlement of the people. The
above situation is almost understandable on the
premise that such loss of territory was not
contemplated in the constitution, thus there is no
guidance on how the situation should be
resolved.
Has the conference provided the opportunity to
discuss and address such issues?
This conference is an opportunity for the nation
to contemplate this occurrence and make
provision in the constitution to take care of the
unlikely event of loss of territory leading to the
displacement of people or the loss of resources.
This constitution should operate retrospectively
so that the case of Bakassi can be addressed. In
this vein, we submit that upon loss of territory
as stated in the above circumstances, the
Federal Government should pay compensation in
perpetuity commensurate with the direct loss of
the state in terms of resources. Resettlement
and compensation for the people displaced
consequent of the loss of territory should be an
obligation of the Federal Government enshrined in
the constitution. We have been relocated and
resettled and comfortable with the host
community. We have in place a rotation that has
worked well with the host community in charge
of local government at Ikang. Right now, the
returnees have taken over the mantle of
leadership. There has been a peaceful transition.
I heard that someone made a presentation
without consultation that one committee
recommended that the matter of reclaiming
Bakassi be revisited. I am not interested in that.
I don’t want anybody to come and deceive me
into developing false hopes. When I talk of me, I
mean Bakassi indigenes –that I am likely to
return to Cameroon to go and live in Abana–it is
not possible. The 10-year period we had to
appeal has elapsed. That territory now belongs
to Cameroon and our people have been relocated
to Ikang. But we need proper resettlement. As I
speak now, I have 3,000 refugees in that camp.
They should be resettled. You cannot be a
refugee in your own country. They need to be
taken out of that camp and provided with
shelter. The people should be compensated in
form of scholarship to the indigenes, providing
health care and skill acquisition, among others.
To what extent has the South-South mandate
been met?
The entire South has come out with a position. I
am impressed that based on our submission, it
was agreed that the people of Bakassi be
compensated in perpetuity, not only for the
mental dislocation and trauma arising from the
ceding of Bakassi Peninsula but also for the loss
of economic and financial potential and
opportunities. Cross River State should be
compensated in perpetuity for the colossal loss
of land mass and the attendant loss of revenue
from the natural resources occasioned by the
ceding. Also, Bakassi indigenes, currently
languishing in the displaced persons camp,
should be properly and comprehensively
relocated and resettled in their home state of
Cross River. That is not to say that this is final,
it is still subject to further debate. In the
environment committee, this demand has been
put under loss of natural resources.
Can you give further insight into the loss of
natural resources you talked about?
Loss of resources is not only oil but also about
aquatic wealth because hitherto, the crayfish
that the entire country used came from Bakassi
and it is gone– all the big lobsters from there
are gone too. We lost oil wealth as well as
aquatic wealth. We have also taken care of our
forestry. That is why we recommended resource
management, which is different from resource
control.
Would you say you are satisfied with your efforts
so far on the mandate given to you?
Fortunately, the mandate the state gave me is
also my mandate. It is a mandate that, if the
Federal Government is serious, can be achieved.
But if you come here and tell us that we should
go back to court to bring back Bakassi, it is not
possible. The only way Bakassi can be brought
back is if the country goes to war, which is out
of it because they would not entertain the case
anymore. Mind you, we subjected ourselves to
the jurisdiction and we also allowed ourselves to
be used as guinea pigs that two countries can
settle scores without any loss of blood. Being
nominated by the state, I am abiding by the
mandate and I am pursuing it with all vigour. I
have recorded like 70 per cent success in going
round the committees. I think I am too old in
politics to deceive people. I am too old to give
people false hopes. I wear the shoes and I know
where they hurt. And for now, my people want
compensation and to be taken off the refugee
camp. Cross River State wants compensation in
perpetuity. We are also saying the issue of
Bakassi was a lesson; it must not happen to any
other state. What I tell my delegates is that this
thing happened to Cross River State, tomorrow it
could be you. So, we try to make provisions, in
case it happens or take steps to ensure it does
not happen again.
The debate on resource control seemed to have
pitted the North against the South, what is your
position?
This is one thorny issue that has been ongoing. I
have been saying we should put in place a truly
devolution of powers along the federating units.
Every region has their resources. If you do not
have oil, you have groundnut or cocoa. I do not
know why the issue of oil has become a serious
issue. Until you reduce power at the centre to
strengthen the federating units, this issue will
remain so.
Are you of the view that the country should be
governed on regional basis?
I personally do not agree with that. Rather, I
agree with the idea of strengthening the
federating units.
Would you say the conference is worth it?
I think this is the most well organised conference
so far. My only concern is the time limit. All the
key players in the Nigerian nation are here. Most
of those politicians who are the cause of what
had happened to Nigeria today are here. We are
obliged to put it back on course. What I am
saying is that even at fulfilling that obligation, I
see people who are determined, knowing that
they are obliged to put the country back on
course. Even very old people, still mentally alert,
are working day and night. I am pleased with
what I have seen and I am hopeful that at the
end of it, we will achieve success.

SWAGGER CHURCH: We Are Not Ashamed to be Called the Church of the Rich – OYEDEPO

Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners
Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, in this interview
with The Punch's Olabisi Deji-Folutile, Gbenro
Adeoye and Tunde Ajaja, talks about the
church and sundry issues:
You preach as if you have committed the
entire Bible to your memory. How many times
have you read the Bible? The Bible is an
unfinishable book, you keep reading. A student
once met me after a meeting and said that I
quoted 68 scriptures verbatim. He asked if I
memorised the scriptures, I said no, I eat
them. No matter how unintelligent you are, you
can’t forget the food you ate last night, except
you are mentally derailed. If you are given
three seconds, you could tell what you ate
about five days ago, if you truly ate it. So, the
Bible is just not for reading, it’s actually for
eating. I’m not among the people that have
read the Bible three or five times, I don’t know
how many times I have read the Bible and I’m
not planning to know how many times. I just
know it’s my delight to feed on it daily, and I
can’t claim to have finished reading it.
Is it true that church members here pray for
the dead and they wake up, even in the
mortuary, how do they do it?
(Cuts in..) By tapping them and saying wake
up (laughs). We must know the source of
everything that we experienced or observed. No
man has the power to raise the dead. Jesus is
the only one that has the keys of resurrection
and death in his hands. So, we rely on him to
do those things and he quickens whosoever he
wills; he determines who to bring back and
who not to. We only believe in God to bring
back whosoever he wishes, if we have the key,
we would be delighted to bring back
everybody, and even open a clinic for bringing
back the dead.
The Living Faith church is 33 years old, how
has it been pastoring this church for the past
years?
The ministry is 33 years, the church is now in
its 31st year. It started as an itinerant ministry
before we were called into the church ministry.
It has always been interesting. These things
work when you have the right perspective on
them. Every pastor is ordained to serve the
congregation, not to be served by the
congregation. When that understanding dawns
on any pastor, and he embraces it, then,
pasturing becomes a sweet adventure. I’ve
never looked towards what I can get from any
member since inception. But I’ve always longed
for what I can give to the people. I must say
I’m jealous over them, I don’t want anyone to
take advantage of them or play games on
them. I want them to just be the children of
God that they are, serving God without duress
or pressure.
Why are there so many rich people in
Winners?
Because they know better than their
contemporaries. If you don’t know what you
have, you won’t know if you are deprived of it.
The Bible is an open chequebook, it is by
revelation we access what belongs to us; by
faith we take delivery of it. Someone had
access to our empowerment programme and
she is a pepper seller, while others sell one
basket a day, she sells six, seven. I learnt she
had become the envy of all the pepper sellers
in her area. Such person has an understanding
that whatever she does, she prospers and she
knows that when she pays her tithe, she
experiences open heavens. But in case people
don’t know, they perish for lack of knowledge,
and in case they think when you are rich you
miss heaven, then they perish for lack of
knowledge.
So, it’s right when people claim that this
church is only for the rich?
It’s for all the people who believe that Jesus
already paid for them to be rich. And those
who don’t believe, when they come they start
believing when they see it happen in a lot of
people’s lives. And we are not ashamed to be
called the church of the rich. If they call your
family poor, will you be excited? Nobody would
be excited. Even when a family is poor, they
hate to be called poor. No man in his right
mind enjoys being called poor, and nobody
truly wants to be poor, people may pretend.
Which is more honourable between being a
giver and a beggar? Most of us came in very
poor, but the light of God’s word came on us
and we walked out of poverty in grand style
into wealth and riches.
How come there is such wealth in the church
despite the poverty in the nation?
The kingdom of God is funded by God’s
resources. We are not funded by the economy
of the world, but by the economy of the
kingdom, which has a budget for all of its
agenda on earth. We’ve been here since 1999
and we have never had power outage or water
shortage. The main players are Nigerians, the
builders are Nigerians. There is no building
here that any foreign expert took part in. There
is no foreign company’s presence here,
including the tabernacle. Some of the revered
foreign companies here in Nigeria are
technicians in Germany, and they are all
political contractors, not that they have
something special to offer.
Is there any way we can translate this into the
Nigerian system?
It is possible by believing in the capability and
capacity of Nigerians to do whatever they need
to do. This is the largest church auditorium in
the world. It’s 104m free span wide. Even one
of the reputed foreign construction companies
came here to take pictures. Nigerians have
unusual capacity to match any expertise in the
world in any field they are involved in. Most of
us go to school in foreign lands and we beat
them, is it that when they get here, they
become smarter? It’s just for the authorities at
the various levels to believe that we cannot
develop ourselves seeking foreign aides for
everything. We must take advantage of the
opportunities around us to develop the
capacity of our men and women. This office
was built in 2001 and it’s neat and there is no
crack on the wall, so, what is the problem? But
if we want to do anything, we must give it to
people from foreign countries so that those
who award the contract can have a deal and
share the money and at the end of the day,
they are still poorer than poverty because any
money stolen never enhances a man’s value.
We learnt your church members once donated
about 700 cars as seed and that the cars were
given to the pastors?It’s important to mention
that there was no time that I know in the
history of this church where there were 700
cars. There is no such story. People can make
anything out of anything. There was a time
they said we had six planes, and I said they
didn’t count them well, they should be up to
30 so that we use one each day of the month.
Those are things that make news in the social
media even when they are lies. People give
here because they are taught to give, because
we understand from the scriptures that it is the
only way to increase. Every normal Winner
takes good care of his parents. We also give to
the poor. My family has sponsored close to
150 people out of university and others at
Landmark University are on scholarship on our
own ticket because of our commitment to
agriculture. It is a lifestyle; it didn’t start
yesterday or two days ago. Since 1992, I have
been consciously sponsoring students in
various universities in Nigeria. The church is
blessed because the church is a giving church.
Just today (before you came), I signed millions
for people who have health needs from the
welfare account. And that continues. For
instance, the church gives scholarships
annually, not N100m or N150m. And it’s not in
the news. And that we have been doing for
years.
How do you feel when people accuse you of
flying in jets and spending church money to
maintain the jets?
I feel very good. It’s an opinion. Let me tell
you what my understanding of persecution is;
it’s simply an opinion harshly expressed. And
everybody has a right to his opinion. People
who are walking in the truth are hardly
bothered when things are said negatively about
them because they have nothing to hide. The
truth is I have never felt it, some say it’s not
human, but I have not. I can’t be wasting my
time trying to reply lies because I have too
many things to do. They are doing their work,
let me be doing my work too and before they
wake up in the morning, I’ve done the next one,
so, it doesn’t matter. My idea of it is that, in a
football match, you have only 22 people
playing with thousands of spectators. And that
is the way it is in the journey of life. In every
field, you find just few players and many
spectators, multitudes. If we don’t know where
to place opinions, they will displace us. When
we started Convenant University, so many
people said it would not work, now, we hosted
two Nobel Laureates this week, whereas no
Nigerian university has ever hosted one in the
history of university education in Nigeria. Now,
it is the most pronounced and preferred private
university in Nigeria. In fact, they say this is
the university of the future; that is what they
say in the university community.
Those who said it could not work now have
their children here because they have changed
their mind. Some people say how can you tell
children how to dress? We have to do that so
they won’t behave like mad people on the
street. They say how can you tell them they
can’t use phone? We tell them so they would
be disconnected from cultism. Ask me
anything, I can tell you why we did it. Where
are you going to find the President of a nation
with a woven hair? I can tell you that in the
next 100 years, you won’t find a male
president using earring because they would
count you as irresponsible, even in the secular
world, they won’t see anything in you. As free
as America is, have you ever seen any minister
there with earrings? The person may be
qualified, but he will be termed irresponsible.
But if you train these children how to carry
themselves, it will open up their future.
Everywhere you get to in this world, people are
looking for responsible people, who don’t only
say so, but prove so. So, all the opinions on
Covenant University have died now because we
didn’t stop pursuing what we believe was right
and now it has become a standard.
Is that why the CU had the highest number of
first class graduates that won the Federal
Government’s scholarship twice now?What we
do first is to package the man to suit the
future that he is dreaming of. And that we do
by injecting our seven core values into them,
and we used SIM CARDS as the acronym for
it: Spirituality, Integrity, Posssibility Mentality,
Capacity Building, Responsibility, Diligence and
Sacrifice. We package that into them so that
right from here, they have two things;
character and capacity working for them. With
those two, you can go to any level in life. Here,
there is time for everything.
We learnt the university wants to be one of the
top 10 universities in the world in 2020. Don’t
you think this is a tall dream?Where we are
today, Harvard was not there 100 years after it
took off. I studied the world class universities
in depth. So, we are closest to it. The two
Nobel Laureates that came signed up as
visiting professors at Covenant University, we
have about five of them in different areas. That
somebody has never done it does not mean it
cannot be done. We are believing God for it,
not by using strength and power. There is a
particular university in the US that never takes
anybody from outside North America for
postgraduate studies, but we have 19
Covenant University graduates there. Prof.
Okebukola shared that with me at the
conference last week. A Covenant University
graduate is the overall best graduating student
in a school in Britain. So there is increasing
expression in the quality of training that they
receive in their respective areas. Except the
dream is taller than God; if it’s not taller than
God, it’s a cheap possibility.
We even learnt the church is planning to
establish two more universities?
It is actually seven in our vision plan.
Are universities now secondary schools that
you establish here and there?
We are trying to avoid having too many
students on one campus so that we will not
lose the quality of the training programme.
Otherwise, the quality would wear down
gradually. But because of the present security
challenge that the nation is facing, it’s normal
for us to review our approach in a manner that
does not create tension for workers and
anybody else. We believe God to help us out of
the crisis. So if there are no adequate
mentioning of our programmes, it is to create
adequate room to see these security issues
overturned.
Some people believe faith-based universities
charge high tuition that some of their members
can’t even afford...They should bring the
comparison. You know people talk all kinds of
things. Compare what they pay here and there
and what those payments cover. The rate of
power consumption in the hostels alone is out
of this world. All we need to juxtapose this is
that they should rent the room and pay for
electricity and they would pay ten times the
amount. People should just sit down and find
out what exactly they are paying for. The
church has not drawn anything from Covenant
University since inception in 12 years. But this
year, the church reserves about N1.6bn stakes
in its development. So, it’s not a business, it’s
a service platform. In every nation of the world,
the government subsidises education to all the
stakeholders, not in this country, not a dime
has ever crossed from government to any
private university in Nigeria. And ask those
who are in it how much profit they are making,
they would explain to you how it has been
wonderful to pay staff salaries and keep the
system running. Move to the next country
where people rush to study, look at how much
they pay and what they get for it. Whether they
have teachers or not doesn’t matter.
But every visiting professor here takes more
than N1m. We are not talking about top
individuals, Nobel Laureates and others. So,
it’s where we find ourselves and we want to
make a difference, and we must make a
difference. I want to believe that the private
universities are doing the best they can. Ask
the federal universities how they get their
allocations, what they calculate to train a child
out of the university. Ask them what it is and
ask them who subsidises for private
universities. Most of them don’t have any
equipment whatsoever. There is no engineering
equipment you are looking for that you won’t
find here, bought brand new. If the government
is not accepting responsibility, all we can do is
to do the best we can to get these children
trained, but at a cheaper cost than they do and
with greater quality than they have. Those who
cannot afford it can go to government
institutions and if they are committed, they will
still come out with good results.
The attention of the whole world has turned to
Nigeria because of Boko Haram. What's your
take?
I hope that we are willing to find solution to it.
I would be the last person in this world to
believe that government has not discovered
those who are behind Boko Haram. Otherwise,
we don’t have any intelligence service in our
country. Are they sacred cows that cannot be
brought to book? Until we cut the source of
their supplies and get those who are involved,
we cannot stop them. But the danger is this,
and I must say it here, we are at the verge of a
break up. That is the truth. It’s unfortunate.
The Nigerian nation is too intelligent to claim
not to have discovered those who are behind
this. So, I really believe it’s all in the hands of
the authorities to decide whether they want to
confront the issue headlong or to keep
watching it until Nigeria breaks up.
Does it mean there is nothing the church or
other religious organisations can do?
All that the church can do is to pray. The
church is not in power, it has no political
power. And when invited, we give advice, when
required or called upon. You can’t call
someone and say can I advise you?
But people also criticise men of God like you
for honouring the President’s invitations?
A president is a president, whether it is
Jonathan or not, It would be stupid not to
honour your President’s invitation. So, what is
wrong with honouring the president? This is
the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. He’s our President, not that he made
himself President. It’s all nonsense. We are not
politicians. We are men and women of God
who are pursuing a divine call. I honour
President Jonathan as our President as a
nation and as my president as a citizen, and
so I have no regret and I would never regret
being there at anytime he calls. My
understanding is that anyone who is the
President of this country requires the honour of
the citizens and no matter your political view,
it doesn’t change it. If he is doing thanksgiving
or marriage, he is doing it in the church, who
would be with him if the men of God are not
with him? If I were in Canada or Australia, and
I knew that my President was having an
occasion that I thought I had to be there with
him to honour him, I would fly down here.
Whether it is President Jonathan or somebody
else, as long as it is the president, and he says
please can I see you, it is an honour.
Apart from insecurity, corruption is another
problem in Nigeria. We have looting here and
there which is also capable of causing unrest.
What is your take on the corruption in the
country? That comes down to the kind of
education that we offer. This is nothing but the
expression of the content of the men. For
instance, I have never given a bribe and I
would be the last to give a bribe. I would
rather die than give one. And those who collect
bribe know that they can’t collect from me.
Corruption has stayed with us for too long and
I think it is a breeding ground for revolution.
There is nothing happening in any private
university today that would not have happened
more in public universities, but for leakages
here and there. But my understanding is that
the church has a place of intense prayers
because only God can change the hearts of
men. People seek for appointment today not
because of what they want to contribute but
what they would have to share. Everybody is
bothered, I am bothered. The rate of corruption
in our society as Nigerians and Africans is
enormous. But the church needs to be the
example of what it wants to see in the society
as far as corruption is concerned. Be that
example; be able to say no and stand with it
like Daniel. Right now, unlike in the time past,
there are many Christians occupying sensitive
positions at all strata of both public and
private sectors. If the church people really
come to a point of taking a stand against
corruption, it would affect and impact Nigeria
and the citizens positively.
Some people think there are too many
churches in Nigeria and the best way to make
money is to establish a church...Let them go
and start one. Almost every house in some
parts of Nigeria is a mosque. So what is the
complaint about? Multitudes still flock the
roads on Sunday mornings going nowhere. Are
churches enough? No. Until everybody is saved
and everybody is off the street on Sunday
mornings, we don’t have enough churches. So
for those who are angry, they would be angry
for too long because we haven’t seen churches
yet. A time is coming on Sunday morning that
we won’t see anybody on the street, because
they would be in church. And those who go to
church to make money go bankrupt before they
start. Church is not a money-making platform;
it is a life-raising platform.
There are many men and women who are
coming out to start stronger ministries than
the ones we are doing. So, you can’t say
enough. Enough of what? Why don’t you say
people in the market are enough? Somebody
else is starting shoe or wrist watch business
today in spite of the millions that are in it in
Nigeria. Some barbers are just graduating
today to join the company of barbers in the
country already, yet we didn’t say they are
enough. So, what’s the headache? My
submission is that we don’t have near enough
churches in Nigeria yet and the ones we have
are doing well. I can tell you that there are
hundreds and thousands of vibrant and Bible-
believing, heaven-focused and life-changing
churches, founded by genuine people who are
called by God and are pursuing their callings
and ours is just only a little thing out of too
many, and many more would still rise, so
anybody that wants to be angry can just get
ready to be more angry. Church is not a
money-making venture, those who are saying
it is should open one and they would make a
lot of money.

Another Bomb Goes Off Near Football Viewing Center In Jos, Plateau State

Less than a week after multiple explosion killed
over 200 people in Jos, the Plateau State
capital, another round of explosion has gone
off in the city Saturday night, residents and a
security official say.

Residents say the explosion occurred along
Bauchi Road near the University of Jos, Jos
North Local Government Area.
The sound of the explosion was heard in Jos
South LGA, about 25 kilometres away from the
scene.
A witness, Tank sh*ttu, who rushed to the
scene five minutes after the blast, said the
explosion occurred near a car park, few meters
away from a security checkpoint.
The spokesperson of the Police State
Command of the Nigeria Police, Felicia Ali,
confirmed the incident but said details were
still sketchy.
A resident said the suicide bomber died 20
metres from a viewing centre where football
fans gathered to watch the ongoing final of the
UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid
and Athletico Madrid. That could not be
independently verified at this time.
Multiple explosions had on May 20 occurred
around the ever-busy Jos Main Market,
between Railway Terminus and the temporary
site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital,
killing over 200 people.

heckout 2face Idibia's N1M Custom Gold Encrusted Versace Trainers

2Face Idibia is probably Nigeria's most humble
and disputably biggest music act. And by
extension one of the top 10 biggest in Africa.
The Pop icon, was recently seen wearing a
customised gold encrusted Versace sneakers
worth N1 million Naira, during the video shoot
of music giants, Tunde and Wunmi Obe on
Tuesday, May 20, 2014.





For a guy, who has worked very hard for his
money, he should be allowed to indulge in
some self loving kinda of shopping sometime
also. It's not only D banj and a few others
that knows the swag, 2 Face also does.

I wouldn’t Trade My Body For Nollywood Roles…… Actress Chiamaka Nwokeukwu

Fast rising Nollywood actress Chiamaka
Nwokeukwu, has cleared the air about the
challenges in getting movie roles which she says
it has to do with dedication and genuine interest.
Recounting her way to stardom, the actress said
she never encountered any silly challenges
except getting roles as an up and coming actress
but was through the grace of God because she
was ready to prove that she had passion for it.
According to her, some actresses say that the
only way they get roles is through s*x-for-role.
But I wouldn't trade my body for roles because I
am not a prostitute.
The actress has featured in movies like Innocent
Devil, Serpent of the Sea and Unborn Son shortly
which were her first movies then later Illuminati
Girls, Innocent Fugitives, Enemy Among Us,
Desperate Singles, Play Girls, Games of Love,
Love and Lust, Men In Chains, All My Ladies,
Kurekere Babies, The Suspense, Letters From The
Sea, Happiest Woman, Official House Boy, Bandit,
Between Two Worlds, Chinelo The Shy Virgin,
and Unthinkable among others.

How i Moved From Bad Boy To The Good Guy…… Chidi Mokeme

Ace actor, Chidi Mokeme, has denied being a bad
boy the way his roles might portray him to be
because there is always a transition and there
had been many different transitions in the course
of his career.
According to the actor, you can’t compare
modeling with movie. As a model, there is a
certain look you must always wear. But movies,
the impression is that it is either this guy is a
nice looking play boy or the other way round.
These two personalities have the same look, but
they are just different mentally.
The actor stated that the fastest role one can get
when coming into the movie industry is the
muscle or bad guy roles.
Chidi stated that he wanted to play the lead role,
but there was something holding him back, and
that was physique and looks. Adding that he had
to change that and stop going to the gym,
stopped wearing my folded T-shirts. “I started
wearing nice shirts that made me look so cool.
Then I started looking more like the play boy, so
I started losing the bodyguard roles and I got
more nice boy roles. It was just different
transitions.”

8 Years After 2Pac's Death Policeman Reveals His LAST WORDS! Here's What he said......

Almost 18 years after the most renowned rapper
of all times Tupac Shakur had left this world,
new details of the last moments of his life
surfaced online.
Former policeman Chris Carroll, who arrived at
the scene where 2Pac had been shot several
times, said that he pulled the bleeding rapper
out of the car.
According to TMZ report, Carroll wanted to know
who shot him, thus he kept asking "Who shot
you?" over and over again. But the 25-year-old
rap icon said only one and the last thing in
response: "F*** YOU."
Already unconscious Shakur was rushed to the
hospital and died 6 days later without coming to
himself.

N200million Annual pay, Mansion, After Leaving Office: Governor Akpabio Demands

Barely a year to his exit from office, Governor
Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has,
initiated a law to enable him pocket a
whooping N200 million in annual pay after his
tenure expires. Mr. Akpabio is allegedly also
demanding other benefits including a new
house, brand new cars, furniture and luxurious
living for the rest of his life.
The controversial law, is known as Akwa Ibom
State Governors and Deputy Governors Pension
Bill 2014. If passed by the assembly, the bill
would repeal the Governors and Deputy
Governors Pension Law, 2006. To underscore
the urgency of the proposed law, the Governor
has allegedly indicated that he wanted it
passed hurriedly so it could come into force on
June 1.

Angry Okada Riders Killed 2 Police Officers In Festac Lagos

Two policemen serving at Area ‘E’ Festac Town,
Lagos State, western Nigeria, have been
reportedly lynched by angry commercial
motorcycle riders in the area.
Sources said the victims, a sergeant and an
inspector simply called Bashiru, were lynched
when they attempted to seize some motorcycles
at notorious spot called Aso Rock in Festac
Town.
P.M.NEWS learnt that a team of police officers
raided the place located at 7th Avenue, 72 Road
at about 1.30a.m to seize commercial
motorcycles parked inside the compound by
owners who reside there.
However, the four officers who went on the
operation on Tuesday were overpowered and
disarmed.
While two of them were clubbed to death, the
other two escaped.
After the mob action, occupants of the large
compound fled.
An eye witness said the men came in a police van
and forced themselves into the compound and
started carting motorcycles into the van at that
time of the night.
When efforts by the residents to stop the
policemen failed, they decided to attack the
officers. It was not yet certain whether the
operation was illegal or not.
The residents suspected that they might have
come on illegal duty to extort money from them.
The police later went to the place and took away
their slain colleagues.
When P.M.NEWS visited the spot on Thursday, it
was deserted and a police Armoured Personnel
Carrier, APC, marked RRS 182 LA belonging to
Area ‘E’ Command was stationed at the place.
A team of RRS officers from Alausa, Ikeja, came
in five vehicles positioned themselves opposite
the place.
Efforts to speak with the officers on ground
proved abortive as they directed our reporter to
PPRO.
When P.M.NEWS contacted the police PRO, Mrs
Ngozi Braide, she confirmed that there was crisis
in the area and a team of policemen have been
posted there to maintain peace and order.
Residents who witnessed the incident said the
killing of the officers was unfortunate, adding that
the police should not have gone to the place at
that time of the night.
P.M.NEWS learnt from residents that the place
where the incident happened known is a jungle
where all sorts of vices thrive.
The police knew that it is a haven where for
criminality thrives such as prostitution, drug
dealing and other vices.
[Reported by Cyriacus Izuekwe]

Wife Wants Divorce Over Husband ’ s Addiction To Porn In Lagos Nigeria After 15 Years Of Marriage

A father of 3 is about to lose his wife over his
addition to watching pornographic movies.
50-year-old Obiorah Onwutalu was rebuked in
court after his wife, Ogonna, accused him of
watching pornography with their 3 children (2
boys and a girl).
Mrs Ogonna Onwutalu requested for divorce at a
court sitting in Ejigbo Lagos yesterday. She said
her hubby has become a bad influence on their
children.
She said she was shocked to hear from their
children about the porno film they watched, which
was bought by her husband.
Ogonna said she destroyed the film but her
husband bought another one without considering
their children being exposed to the film.
The mother of three told the court that Obiorah’s
attitude made her to stop loving him and lose
interest in their marriage.
She also alleged that Obiorah had attempted to
poison their children by forcing them to eat
spoiled food and to use soap to brush their teeth.
She said when the incidents happened, she
reported to the police at Ejigbo division but the
matter was settled out of court.
She also alleged that her husband did not take
good care of her and the children.
Ogonna told the court that though Obiorah
properly married her by paying her bride price
according to their tradition in their Oba town in
Anambra State and brought her to Lagos, he did
not relate well with her family, especially her
mother before she died.
Obiorah denied all the allegations levelled against
him by his wife.
He told the court that his estranged wife knew
about the pornographic film because they agreed
to buy it when they had just got married in 1999.
He further claimed that they usually watched the
film together.
Obiorah denied encouraging the children to watch
the film, insisting that he did not know that the
children were watching the film until his wife
raised the issue.
He also told the court that his wife lied that he
did not take care of his family and attempted to
poison the children.
He said his wife started misbehaving because he
was facing challenges in his business.
Obiorah told the court he is ready to reconcile
with his wife.
The case has been adjourned till June 4th, 2014
for judgement.

Imo Chief Arrested For Robbery In Lagos Months After Coronation

For Mbaise people in Imo State, Ifeanyi Nwigwe is
one of the respectable men in the land, hence the
choice of making him the Aku enwe ebe 1 of
Ezinihitte Mbaise (money is not restricted to any
town). But months after he was crowned by the
community, Ifeanyi was arrested in Lagos for
robbery and now cooling his heels in detention.
Saturday Sun gathered that prior to his
installation as the Aku enwe ebe 1 of Ezinihitte
Mbaise, the suspect had been on the wanted list
of the Lagos State police command whose
operatives eventually arrested him along with his
relative, Vincent Emezuem over a armed robbery
incident in the state. Now guests at the Special
Anti Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos, the duo
admitted to having vandalized hundreds of cars in
Lagos and other states.
It was learnt that following intelligence reports on
the activities of car vandals in Lagos, the state
Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko directed
the commander of SARS, Abba Kyari, who
deployed detectives that tracked Ifeanyi down at
ASPAMDA market where he had a shop stocked
with motor spare parts. Realising that the game
was up, the suspect was said to have fled and
resurfaced when he felt the coast was clear.
Unfortunately for him, the detectives, who knew
his modus operandi, caught him in the act in the
Ojo area of Lagos while he was busy doing what
he knows best, car vandalization.
Giving an insight into how he ventured into the
world of crime, the suspect said: “Shortly after I
graduated from the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
Owerri, Imo State, my elder brother requested that
I should relocate to Lagos and join him in his
business. He was into auto parts business at
ASPAMDA market, Lagos.
“I learnt the trade for one year and while I was
waiting to raise money and start up my own
shop, I decided to relocate to Ladipo market
where second hand products known as tokunbo
are sold. I joined a group of young men who
served as middle men between customers and the
main dealers. All they do is to source for
customers and refer them to a dealer who has the
product in his shop. You will be paid an agreed
commission for each customer you bring.
“It was while I was in the process that I realised
that most of the goods sold at Ladipo market
were stolen. Reason being that they are sold
cheap to mechanics and customers who decide
to come and pick themselves.”
Desperate and impatient, Ifeanyi decided to cut
corners by learning how to get those cheap
motor parts from the right source. “I discovered
that those who were supplying these stolen motor
spare parts were driving cars and building
houses. I briefly learnt from one Martin, how to
successfully vandalize cars undetected. So,
sometime in 2010, I went into full vandalization.
Initially, our target areas were in big churches
where they park cars carelessly without any
security man ensuring the safety of the cars.
“It was becoming risky, so we started working at
night and I discovered that for every successfully
operation, we will almost leave with a bag full of
motor spare parts. These include motor top
gasket which we normally sell to dealers at the
price of N10,000, N15,000 or even N20,000
depending on the content. Others are side mirrors,
the head lamps and so many other things that
are in hot demand in the market. In Nigeria, there
is much demand for Toyota and Honda products,
so we concentrate on these two brands,” Ifeanyi
further said.
For over three years, Ifeanyi made so much
money and never forgot to extend the proceeds to
family and friends. He also acquired so much
wealth that he was able to start up his business,
by securing a shop at the ASPAMDA market
where brand new motor parts are sold. “God was
on my side and the business flourished. I wanted
to stop stealing; I saved so much money and
rented a shop at ASPAMDA market. I also ordered
a container load of brand new motor spare parts.
“Naturally, when you are making progress, people
will love to associate with you. My community
recognised me because I was so generous. This
has always been my dream to help people better
their lives. In recognition of my contribution to the
progress of my community, I was elected as the
financial secretary of our village meeting.
Impressed by my performance, I was made the
Aku enwe ebe 1 of Ezinihitte Mbaise in 2012.”
Unfortunately, Ifeanyi never knew that his crime
was gradually catching up with him. Hundreds of
his victims reported his activities to the police
hence the manhunt. In 2013, they tracked him
down but he escaped when he learnt that
policemen visited his house and shop. “I had
sincerely stopped stealing when they came for
me. I wanted to hand myself over to the police
but when I learnt that it was SARS, Ikeja, I
decided to run for my life. For months I had
nothing doing and only relied on my savings in
the bank. When it finished, I had no choice but to
return to the business of vandalizing cars.
“I needed to retain my honour in the eyes of my
community so that I will not lose my respect. It
was while on duty (vandalizing a car) on May 11,
2014 that the police arrested me. I am terribly
sorry and I ask for another opportunity to get it
right,” Ifeanyi pleaded.
His accomplice and relation, Vincent, confirmed
his story and begged that they should be
forgiven. “Our own style of robbery is different.
We do not carry guns but instruments that will
assist us to open a car with ease. We also go
along with fireworks, this is necessary to scare
anyone who dares to come close when we are on
duty vandalizing cars. I am a father of three boys
and I wanted to give my children a good life by
sending them to school. Please, forgive us for the
sake of my children,” Vincent said.
[Reported by Saturday Sun]

Blind corps member marries colleague in service

Hearing the moving story of Isiuwe Daniel
Isiwoso, a National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC) member currently serving at the State
House would move the stone hearted to pity.
At 14 years, by either fate or design, his
collision with a man leaving the Mosque after
Jumat prayer led to his blindness and it
almost ruined his lofty ambitions.
Thinking that life had lost its true meaning and
at the verge of committing suicide after
wasting excruciating six years at home without
a solution to blindness, succour finally came
his way. According to him, the journey to
surmount odds had started after the six years
when he got the opportunity to embrace Braille
education that saw him through from
secondary school to higher education at the
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
However, recalling how he embarked on that
journey to carving a niche, he revealed that he
passed through many tough and challenging
situations including the pain and difficulty of
depending on his classmates to record
lectures, recalling that many people even had
to avoid him like plague.
Today, he announces triumphantly, that he has
cast all that behind him especially after
wedding a lady of his dreams on February 1 in
Abuja. His spouse equally graduated from the
same institution. The union, he noted dried the
tears of his mother, who still could not believe
that her first son is blind.
Facing blindness
It is a long story but I would say that the
incidence was more or less a domestic
accident, which occurred when I was still a
teenager of around 14 years. I was playing
with my younger brother, while he was running
and I was pursuing him, I collided with a man
from the Mosque after Friday Jumat. I fell flat
on my face and became completely blind. I
lived in Zaria, Kaduna State with my family
then.
Immediately after the collision I shouted
repeatedly that I can’t see again. My eyes had
turned inside out that even at the hospital, the
ophthalmologists said that they could only do
their best medically to return my eyeballs into
normal position but it will take divine
intervention for me to regain my sight.
I visited the best eye hospitals even in Lagos
and almost travelled to India before we were
discouraged that only God could restore the
sight through miracle. It is not possible to
calculate the amount we have spent on
medication but we spent so much.
Since the incident, I have survived by the grace
of God because when it became obvious that I
have lost my sight after all manners of medical
solutions, I spent almost six years at home
without going to school, or taking up any
vocational activities.
It was on my sixth year idling and wasting
away at home that the opportunity of going
back to school came, but I had to start by
learning how to read and write using Braille in
a special school in Kaduna. It was after
mastering the use of Braille that I returned to
secondary school. When I finished, I wrote
West African School Certificate (WAEC), wrote
JAMB and gained admission to UNN to study
Political Science.
Living without sight
I faced horrible challenges I would not want to
recall again. There were harrowing experiences
especially as we don’t have the facilities in
this country to aid physically challenged
persons like me to study. The study materials
for the blind are very expensive. A Braille
machine sells for at least N160,000, which
made learning more challenging.
So, what I did in the university was to get
friends that would help me do audio recording
instead of using the Braille machine to follow
the lecture since we don’t have the equipment.
I will listen to the audio recordings, analyse
and memorise them and use typewriter on the
day of examination to write so that the lecturer
could read my scripts and mark them.
The frustration came to the head that at a
time, I felt like committing suicide. The thought
of killing myself took over me when I thought I
don’t have any opportunity of continuing my
academics because of the blindness.
I had to stay at home even when everybody
left the house, for six years. My saving grace
was when the opportunity of going back to
school materialised. I had to pick up the pieces
of my life from there.
What sustained me from then till now was the
grace of God. However, I must add that
listening to the words of God actually helped
me. Going to church and hearing the word of
God was the secret source of my strength and
encouragement. It really made me strong to
keep pursuing success.
Unwilling helpers
Some of my course mates willingly assisted me
in so many ways, but many others would
refuse and say they have their own business to
handle. The willing ones helped me record
lectures even when handling their own
assignment wasn’t easy. Sometimes I
appreciated them with one or two gifts to
motivate them to do more for me.
It was not easy overcoming the rejections I
suffered in the hands of some people. I recall a
particular incident when I wanted to get a
fiancée. I spoke to one lady who insulted me
thoroughly, asking me how I could claim I love
her when I don’t know how she looks.
In fact, there were some of them that won’t
even want to sit down close to me or walk
with me on the road. But I am grateful to God
for seeing me through.
Getting a wife
Convincing my wife to marry me was not what
I could attribute to my power or skills. It
happened because she really loves me. I want
to believe that God is behind the whole thing.
Incidentally, we graduated from the same
university. It was not difficult convincing her
because she already has the love for me
without which, it would have been a bit
difficult.
My proposal was like a fulfilled dream. I cannot
say if she was surprised the day I proposed to
her because when I told her about my plan for
her, she only requested that I give her time to
think and pray about it.
People discouraged me from marrying him —
Wife
Former Miss Charity Chinyere Ugwuarum, now
Mrs. Chinyere Isiuwe, a native of Nkanu West
LGA of Enugu State, deserves an award. It is
not easy to pass through the pressures from
friends, mother and relatives, as she did, and
still went ahead to marry a blind man,
according to her desires.
Mrs Isiuwe, a graduate of the University of
Nigeria Nsukka, said she passed through
trauma and dilemma before finally saying ‘I do’
to her heartthrob and fellow corps member in
Abuja recently. Despite the pressures, she said
what sustained her was the revelation she had,
directing her to marry a physically challenged
husband even before she met Daniel.
Difficult decision
It was not really difficult making up my mind
to marry him because prior to his marriage
proposal, I had a revelation even before I
gained admission to the UNN in 2008, about
getting married to a physically challenged
person even though it was not a blind person.
Then, I didn’t have anybody in my life, not
even a boyfriend or somebody close to me that
was physically challenged. I don’t know how
that dream came about, but I met him in our
Redeem Christian Fellowship as an
acquaintance then. One thing clear was that I
admired his kind of person.
I admire his wisdom, courage and dedication
to church programmes. He was always coming
to programmes on time, he is a very likeable
person who always have friends around him
ready to help. So, I just admired him from a
distance because we were not close then.
Parents objection
One thing I believe is that when God is
involved in something, it always goes
smoothly. My father was late but honestly, my
mother fought the battle to stop the marriage
with everything she has. My siblings were
divided but incidentally my younger sister who
had met my husband in school then, knew how
good a chorister he is. She only told me to
follow my mind.
After several prayers, I met my uncle
concerning the marriage, and he handled it
with maturity, advising me that somebody can
get married to a normal person only for the
man to become blind or deformed shortly after
the marriage.
He tactically endorsed the marriage but warned
that I should be sure of the kind of marriage I
was going into. There were friends and
relatives that confronted me to ask why I made
such choice. But I always told them that there
was no going back since I have made up my
mind.
How he proposed
I can’t really remember now but the only thing
I know is that he asked me if I would like to
marry him the day he proposed. I told him I
will not say yes or no until I pray and think
about it. It took me up to one month to make
up my mind because in marriage we need such
time to think of the new life one is entering
even if the man is not physically challenged.
Marriage is not something you just rush into.
You have to put one or two things into
consideration so that you will not have
problem along the journey of marriage. One
thing I detest with passion is divorce. I cannot
just stand it. It is better I took my time to get
it right than rush into the marriage only to
rush out.
Friends really tried their best to discourage me
from going into this marriage but one
particular question I always asked both friends
and my family members was what if I were the
one blind, won’t they pray that somebody
should marry me.

Photos: President Jonathan and wife land in South Africa

President Jonathan and First Lady Patience
Jonathan pictured on arrival in South Africa
today for meeting on terrorism and President
Zuma's inauguration.

Boko Haram Member Tells CBS That There Are Plans To Abduct More Girls

It would seem that since the world’s attention
has been focused on Nigeria and the abduction
of almost 300 school girls, the Boko Haram
militant group has grown more confident in
carrying out more heinous acts of terrorism.
There have been more bombings and a man
who identified himself as Saleh Abubakar told
CBS This Morning‘s Debora Patta that there
are plans to abduct more girls.
The man who kept his face covered and was
very nervous about being on camera sat down
with the reporter in Abuja. He also revealed
that he knows where the abducted Chibok girls
are and they are “okay”

Stunning!!! Star Actresss, Halima Abubakar Shows Off Her Weight Loss In New Pix

Shes been hitting the gym and this is the
result, impressed?

Father Brutally Beats 8year old Son in Lagos for Losing their House Key

The young boy's father is a commercial bus
driver, separated from his wife, so lives alone
with their 4 children. He came back home after
work only to discover his 8 year old son has
lost the house key and he decided to do this :

Court Grants Bail To Wazobia FM Presenter, Diplomatic OPJ

A popular radio presenter with Wazobia FM,
Lagos, Pius-Junior Opute, better known as
Diplomatic OPJ, has been granted bail by a
Tinubu Magistrates’ Court. The comic On Air
Personality was accused of peeing in a drainage
in Lekki and allegedly resisted arrest.
At the court, the prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel
Ighodalo, told the Magistrate, Mrs. Olaitan Ajayi,
that OPJ, a staff member of Wazobia 95.1 FM,
was caught urinating at Marwa Bus Stop, Lekki,
adding that he (OPJ) resisted arrest and
obstructed a free flow of traffic around the Lekki
Toll Plaza.
The radio presenter pleaded not guilty to the
charges and was granted bail in the sum of
N20,000 with one surety in like sum. The court
later adjourned the matter to June 18 for further
hearing.