Day soldiers feted civilians in Ondo

Officers and men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, in Akure, Ondo State had their 2013 end-of-year party at the Owena Cantonment penultimate weekend and it was a day to remember, Dream-naija reports

If you think the military is all about war and peacekeeping, then you need to attend a “West African Social Activities” or WASA as it is better known organised by the Nigerian Army to see the civilian side of the soldiers.

Officers and men of 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Owena Cantonment in Akure, Ondo State capital had one recently and the civilians invited had the opportunity to rub shoulders with the soldiers and saw them in mufti or civilian clothes as against their normal khaki uniform.

WASA or “Civilian day” as some would call it is an annual event meant to take officers away from their routine regimented life to an atmosphere where they unwind and relax freely with one another as well as with their civilian brothers and sisters.

It was an event that dated back to the colonial era when Britain had the West African Frontier Forces comprising of units from her various colonies in the subregion, Nigeria being one of them.

The forbearers of the West African units distinguished themselves in many battles under the British flag and due to the diverse cultural inclinations of the West African soldiers, the colonial authorities introduced the West African Social Activities as an annual social event in response to the requests by soldiers to participate in their local cultural rituals.

The Nigerian Army derived its existence from the Frontier Forces and when Nigeria gained her Independence from the United Kingdom WASA was officially adopted in the Army, as a way of showcasing the cultural backgrounds of officers and soldiers from Nigeria’s rich and diverse heritage.

Apart from the officers and men of 32 Artillery Brigade and their families, friends, retired Generals and other top ranking soldiers returned to the barracks at Owena Cantonment on that day to celebrate the event with their friends and colleagues.

Not only this, other security agencies, like men of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), State Security Service (SSS), Traditional rulers, Government officials and members of the public were all invited.

The event was unique in the sense that, it was the second time the barrack was having its WASA under the leadership of the Brigade’s new Commander, Brigadier-General A. M. Dikko, who succeeded Brigadier-General Mansur Dan Ali (rtd).

Cultural displays from various ethnic groups in the country were performed mainly by soldiers, their families, members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), in the barracks and members of Ondo State Cultural Troupe. Traditional dancers from Enugu and Delta States, and Ikale in Ondo State among others, were all allowed to showcase their talents at the event.

In his address, Brigadier-General Dikko said, WASA was initiated for the purpose of strengthening the relationship of the civil populace and the military men.

Dikko said: “WASA is a forum where the military shows appreciation to friends and the deserving personnel through the presentation of gifts and award as well. This event normally takes place in the last month of the year.

“It was rescheduled to January this year in order to give allowance to festive celebration and to enable our good friends and good people of Ondo State to witness and have a feel of our culture.

 ”You might be surprised to know that most of the cultural shows that will be staged here will be performed by soldiers and their families. At the same time we have also leveraged on the rich cultural heritage of Akure and its environs.

 ”The Nigerian Army is constituted by people from almost all ethnic and cultural groups in the country. This is what makes it a unique organisation that is aware of its cultural and societal obligation and always seeks to promote and guard Nigeria heritage, particularly at formations and unit levels.

 ”WASA has come to stay like other events all over Nigerian Army formations and units. It is a means of bringing families of soldiers to interact and celebrate the end of year and as well as to preserve the rich cultural heritage of our nation.

“The cordial relationship that had existed between the 32 Artillery Brigade and the people of Ondo State and also Ekiti State which is one of our areas of responsibility has been commendable.

“We are also reaffirming our commitment to the aspirations of the two state governments and the protection of lives and property in the country.

 ”This event is remarkable to members of the 32 Artillery Brigade, during last year under review, the Brigade participated in a couple of activities. I am glad to inform you that the Brigade singled itself out and came third in all the competitions that we participated in 2013. We are grateful to the government of Ekiti and Ondo States for all the assistance rendered to the Brigade.

“Our feeling also goes to the families of soldiers who went out for operations in other parts of the nation and also outside the country in response to national duties”.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who was represented by his Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Bekekhimi Idhiarhi praised the soldiers for partnering with other security agencies in ensuring that the State is crime free.

Mimiko, however called for more cordial relationship between the Military and the civilians, as the country prepares for another general elections in 2015.

Uproar in House as APC members claim majority

Gbajabiamila calls Leo Ogor Minority Leader
Members of the House of Representatives returned from the Christmas/ New Year break to a rowdy session yesterday.
The session also saw members criss- crossing from one party to the other. APC lost two members —Francis Hananiya and Ganama Titsi, who moved to PDP, Adamawa. PDP also lost two members to the APC, with Emmanuel Jimeh (PDP) moving to APC (Benue) and Yahaya Kwande (PDP) to APC (Plateau).
But members of the APC, who insisted on changes in the leadership, deferred to a court order and withheld the letter they had intended to read on the floor, asking for a change in leadership due to their numerical strength, which the leader of the opposition, Femi Gbajabiamila, said “ is 20 more than the PDP”.
There was confusion as members of the APC and the PDP launched into hot exchanges, threats, shoving and insults.
The leadership change tension exploded in near violence over a statement made by Minority Leader Gbajabiamila.
Plenary was on hold for over 20 minutes as the chamber became a scene of angry members.
Trouble started when Aliu Madaki (APC Kano) brought up a matter under urgent national importance on the Rivers State crisis and the attack on Senator Magnus Abe. According to him, what is happening in Rivers State if not curtailed, could spell doom for Nigeria’s fledging democracy.
He urged the House to adopt his prayers, which called on the President to sack the Inspector General of Police, and asked for the dismissal of the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, by the Police Service Commission and his prosecution for all the perceived crimes he may have committed.
But the Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, raised a fundamental issue of fair hearing under point of constitutional order.
Citing Section 36 of the Constitution, Ogor said: “Nobody should be crucified without hearing from him. If we take the resolution, it might become an embarrassment.”
But Gbajabiamila said the responsibility of the government is the security and the welfare of its citizens. He referred to Ogor as the Deputy Minority Leader.
This infuriated the PDP members. A horde of PDP members headed in Gbajabiamila’s direction. Believing they were bent on attacking Gbajabiamila, APC members sprang to their feet, and raced toward them off.
A tumultuous crowd submerged Gbajabiamila on his seat.
Efforts to get Gbajabiamila to recant his description of Ogor proved abortive. While the PDP members demanded a retraction, the APC members encouraged him to stand firm.
Thereafter, hot exchanges, threats, shoving, warnings and insults began, with members of the opposing parties almost throwing punches.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal looked on as his initial efforts to quieten the House failed.
Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Samson Osagie, Victor Ogene, Karmil Akinlabi, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi and a host of others conferred with the Speaker.
It was a battle of supremacy that brought the plenary to an abrupt halt and replaced it with an uproar that lasted over 20 minutes.
Eventually, the Chamber quietened and the Speaker asked members to allow Gbajabiamila finish his submission. He opined that Gbajabiamila who he said “is a very senior lawyer and a ranking member of this House” must have been joking by addressing Ogor in such manner.
Gbajabiamila, however, stuck to his guns, saying: “With deference to Mr. Speaker, I will hereby refer to Hon. Leo Ogor as Hon. Leo Ogor.”
This brought a loud protestation from the members of the PDP who had expected Gbajabiamila to either retract his words or apologise.
The Speaker thereafter referred Madaki’s motion to the House Committees on Rules and Business, Judiciary and Justice. They are to report back to the House within one week.
Tambuwal admonished members to be careful of their actions, saying he is aware of the desire of the APC to assume the majority position of the House, but that as an institution, the House must not be seen to be flouting court orders even if they are questionable.
Said the Speaker: “We should be the last either as an institution or individuals to disobey court order. Let us continue as leaders to manage what I would refer to as an interesting development.
“We should work together as one. Politics we must play, but the institution of the House of Representatives is key to the stability of democracy. So, we should not slide into a situation in which we cannot conduct our business here. Nigerians will be the losers”.
The drama in the House came to an amiable end. Gbajabiamila and Ogor were sitting together about five minutes to the end of the plenary, laughing and sharing jokes.
At a news conference after the plenary, Gbajabiamila described the court order secured by the PDP as “strange” and “shameless”.
He said: “PDP’s restraining order is shameless as the constitution and the House rules are clear. We abide by the court order for now, until we study it in detail. With the court order, they are only trying to delay the inevitable.
“The situation in the House as at now is ridiculous because it’s the only legislature in the world where minority is in control. But we want to say here clearly that the numerical strength of the House has changed.
“APC more than PDP even with the two members that defected. How can the party with the majority be in the minority?
Ali Ahmad, Chairman House Committee on Justice and a former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Kwara State said the court lacked the powers to entertain such cases.
Describing the court order as a “Strange court order”, he said: “The quality of debate has not reflected the fact because arguments are not premised on the fact that no court has said there is no faction in PDP.
“PDP knew that there is a faction. The court did not even have the jurisdiction to stall another arm of government from performing its job. It is disturbing because there is no amount of urgency that will allow an arm of government to prevent the other from performing its responsibility to the people.”
Samson Osage, the Minority Whip, said: “We affirm our faith in the leadership of the House that has demonstrated fairness in the affairs of the House.
“We are not tenants in this country and to ridicule an arm of government by another arm through the court is not good for our democracy.”

Reps move to simplify impeachment process of President,Vice President

A bill with the aim of simplifying the procedure for impeaching the country’s President and Vice-President passed second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The bill seeks to amend Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) “to remove the ambiguities in the process of removal of the President and the Vice-President from office on allegations of gross misconduct and to provide for a more transparent and democratic procedure for impeachment…”
Sponsored by a lawmaker from Bauchi State, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, it seeks to adopt the American model of impeachment by giving the sole powers to remove the President to the National Assembly.
According to Dogara, adopting this model will alter the present constitutional requirement where the Chief Justice of Nigeria will constitute a panel of seven persons to investigate any allegations of gross misconduct made against the President.
He stated that this power would now be transferred to the Senate, which would sit to convict the President after he would have been impeached by the House.
However, he added that the CJN would preside over the sitting of the Senate to convict the President.
Dogara claimed that the current provision whittled down the powers of the National Assembly, noting that should the CJN’s panel fail to establish the allegations levelled against the President, the legislature would be ridiculed.
He spoke further on why the current provision in Section 143 needs to be changed, “Once the omnipotent panel of seven is constituted by the CJN, who himself is an appointee of the President, and the panel reaches a decision, no authority, not even the courts can question it.
“This may ridicule the National Assembly to the high heavens.
“It will be unprecedently ridiculous for a body consisting of 469 members to pass a resolution supported by two-thirds of its members only for a panel of seven to throw it out.”
Dogora tried to rally support for the bill by telling his colleagues that President Gooduck Jonathan was not the target of the bill.
“This bill is not talking about a particular office holder here.
“It has nothing to do with the current administration”, he added.
Another lawmaker from Benue State, Mr. Emmanuel Jime, also told the House that Jonathan was not the target of the bill.
“This bill is not meant to impeach President Jonathan.
“It is an attempt to return to the House the powers that belongs to us to call check the Executive,” he added.
However, many members kicked against the bill, describing it as “unnecessary, “undemocratic” and “a waste of parliamentary time.”
Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, known for supporting such reform bills in the past, opposed this one.
The Action Congress of Nigeria legislator from Lagos State expressed concern over the “timing” of the bill, which he said could send the wrong signals over its real intention.

I’m Not Jealous Of Alariwo’s Female Fans — Wife

His real name is Rotimi Martins but many refer to him as Alariwo of Africa. A musician cum entertainer, he is married to Sola and they have three children. The couple, talk about their 17-year-old union
How long have you been married?
Alariwo: We have been married for 17 years.
What attracted you to her?
Alariwo: She visited my friend alongside her friend and I was attracted to her conduct. Immediately, I knew she would be mine. I knew I would be comfortable with her for the rest of my life and I proposed to her on the first day.
Sola: I met him in Oregun. That day, I went out with a friend and we ended up at her boyfriend’s place. That boyfriend happened to be Rotimi’s friend and we started talking. In fact, he proposed to me the first day he met me.
When he approached you, what went through your mind?
Sola: I had just the normal feeling but I liked him.
Was he a star when you met him?
Sola: No, he was just a Deejay. It was after I met him that he went to the studio to record his first album. That he was not a celebrity or star didn’t cross my mind. I just liked him and agreed to marry him. When he became an entertainer, I didn’t mind as long as it didn’t disturb my marriage.
Are there times you wish he was not a musician?
Sola: No.
How has the marriage been over the years?
Sola: Interesting but sometimes challenging. In all, our love for each other and our children has kept us going.
Alariwo: It takes the grace of God to be in a sustained marriage and be a father, a husband and a musician.
Do you get jealous when his female fans come around?
Sola: Why should I? That would be foolhardy of me because he is a musician. Entertainment attracts women and it would be unfair to send them away with my jealousy. I don’t get jealous because his kind of job entails women flocking around him. Besides, I know he is all mine when he gets home, so why bother with any woman outside?
In what ways has marriage changed the both of you?
Alariwo: Many ways. While we were dating, we never cared about any other person aside the two of us but now, we have responsibilities.
Sola: Some of the things we did while we were courting have stopped because of the children. Apart from that, I am not the outgoing type and I’ve never encouraged having a maid at home. When we go out now, we go as a family to see movies, eat out and party. We always observe a family holiday.
Were your parents happy that you wanted to marry an entertainer?
Sola: No, they were not angry but they were a bit apprehensive. Then, entertainment was no big deal and their initial reaction was expected. Later, they embraced the relationship and I don’t think they regret allowing me to marry him.
Alariwo: Initially, her parents were a little bit uncomfortable because I was an entertainer. When my parents met her, in less than an hour, they knew she was the right person for me.
When you quarrel who is the first to apologise?
Sola: Most of the time, I apologise first. I go on my knees and I tell him I am sorry.
Alariwo: If she is at fault she will apologise and vice versa.
Apart from apologising verbally, what other things do you do to show remorse?
Alariwo: I make it up to her by buying her gifts or I take her out on a date.
How do you spend time together as a couple?
Sola: See a movie or sometimes, we go out.
Alariwo: My schedule is very busy but I do create time to spend with them.
What are those things you dislike about each other?
Sola: I don’t like my husband’s temper. He gets angry easily. He’s hot-tempered.
Alariwo: She does not like my temper. I don’t like when she demands for money—her timing is bad. This is a common feature with most women and I don’t like it.
What would you say has kept your marriage going all these years?
Sola: Tolerance, love and the fear of God.
Alariwo: Patience, tolerance, understanding and the grace of God have been keeping our marriage.
Apart from being his wife, what else do you do?
Sola: I am into business— I buy, I sell and I make jewellery and accessories.
What are the best gifts you have given each other?
Alariwo: I have given her cars and she has given me three beautiful children.
What advice will you give to couples especially those who are in the limelight?
Alariwo: I will always advise that, ‘See but pretend you didn’t see. Hear but you pretend as if you never heard.’ That way, you are not influenced or controlled by external factors. This keeps your home in place.
Sola: First, I will advise the women. When you see anything, pretend as if you didn’t see. Whatever you hear anything, feign ignorance. That way, you will be at peace, your marriage is in place and you are happy. Moreover, couples should respect and tolerate each other’s shortcomings. You should know that you are from different background and had a different upbringing.
What kind of man is your husband?
Sola: He is very caring and loving as a husband. As a father, he is loving and second to none. He puts his family first in everything and he does not fail to provide for our needs.
Are there times when you are suspicious of your husband?
Sola: Yes, I am not a perfect woman and sometimes, such things bother me. But when I remember I am the only one in his life, I perish such thoughts.

AMAECHI ADAMANT,VOWS NOT TO STEP DOWN AS NIGERIA GOVERNOR'S FORUM CHAIRMAN

The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, on Tuesday rebuffed suggestions that he should step down as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, following the emergence of a faction of the Forum headed by his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang.
He said he will stick to the mandate freely given to him by his colleagues in the election two weeks ago in which he polled 19 votes to Mr. Jang’s 16.
Mr. Amaechi told journalists in Abuja after inspecting the NGF secretariat belonging to his faction that it was wrong to ask him to relinquish the office of the chairman he was elected into and reminded Mr. Jang and his self acclaimed deputy, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, that God hates liars and heaven is real.
“Mimiko and I are Christians and I think he’s a good Christian and one of the sins against God is the sin of lying, I am not saying he is lying but I am saying Mimiko voted,” the Rivers State Governor said while reacting to Mr. Mimiko’s statement in the media that he (Mimiko) did not vote during the controversial election.
“I think they suspected that they will (not) win and Mimiko was one of those who refused to vote, but when they whisper among themselves and they thought they will win, they all casted their votes. Those governors who were pro-Amaechi voted first and those against him voted last. Tell Mimiko that I said he voted. Mimiko voted, everybody there voted.”
Also speaking about Mr. Jang, Mr. Amaechi, who was in company of the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, said, “I want to urge Jang because he said he is Christian, to know that God watches over everybody and whatever you say, say it according to God because beyond NGF you and I know that there is heaven and you can’t go to heaven if you don’t tell the truth and stand by the truth.”
The Rivers State Governor, while responding to the video clip of the election, which leaked to the media last week, explained that when he was informed that one of the governors was recording it, he did all he could to protect the interest of all the governors by calling the governor to order.
He said he has now realized that the governor was doing the right thing as the video has turned out to be a historical evidence about the election.

Why I’m no more a pastor –Queen Ure Okezie

Queen Ure Okezie, who was a banker for more than a decade, is an interesting personality. This diva, ex-pastor, celebrity, ex-wife of Soul-E, a musician, whose marriage crashed after a few years, is a great beauty. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she reveals why she stopped being a pastor and how she regained her composure when her marriage crashed.

Please, tell us a little about your growing up

Growing up was awesome. I have a beautiful family. I was born in the 1970s. My late father used to be in government; he was a minister twice - the Minister of Agriculture and then Minister of Health. I’m the only girl and the last born. I was pampered, loved but not spoilt. I attended Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri, Imo State. My dad started giving us books to read very early in life.

Were you then born with a silver spoon?

I would say I was born with a silver spoon. My father wasn’t just a government person, he was a medical doctor. He owned his own hospital, a big central hospital and most people from Umuahia, where I come from, were coming there. My dad was their family doctor. He practised for 50 years. He became a doctor when he was 25 and died at the age of 77, still practising. My dad was a disciplinarian, an academic. Having a doctor as a father entailed a lot of reading.

How about your mum?

Oh yeah, she is a female activist. At the moment, she is the special adviser to Abia state governor on human mobilization. She is still strong, she is less than 70 and she is even lighter in complexion than I am. I have a very wonderful mum. She is a fashionista too.

What’s your discipline in the university?

I studied Physics at the University of Jos. I’m a scientist and I’m abreast with all the scientific new findings. When people learn that I studied Physics, they usually tell me that I look like someone who studied Theatre Arts. My best subject, growing up in school, was Mathematics. I enjoyed studying Physics too.

You were once in the banking sector; what were some challenges that confronted you then?

Well, I was in the industry for over a decade. Immediately after my youth service, I got into the Diamond Bank, then Zenith Bank, after that Platinum Bank. That was before it became Bank PHB, after that Fin Bank. It was wonderful, no regrets at all. The corporate world would give you that proper foundation of discipline, of being goaloriented. It would give you the experience of being a subordinate and a supervisor. You would learn how to work with people and it would increase your interpersonal relationship skill. You would have knowledge of how to run your own company or organisation when you want to. Waking up early and going home late just became part of my lifestyle. You start doing something and you get used to it. At 4 a.m., your alarm rings and you are not getting home until 10 p.m. I knew that it wasn’t something I would keep doing for a long time, until retirement. I knew it was strenuous and it was something I would just do for a while and let go. But it was good while I was there.

How did you develop the passion for music having studied Physics and worked in the banking sector for over a decade?

Music has always been part of me right from childhood. My mother is a great singer but she would just sing in the shower and then in the church. Music is something in our family. I have been writing songs but hardly ever publicised them. I had a music group on campus known as Rubies. Basically, I have been into music, although I have been doing other things. But now, I want to face it squarely.

You were a pastor, why did you step out from pastoral work?

Most of last year, I was out of the country and I handed the ministry over to someone. You know how it is when you are not the one there, they had some challenges and they couldn’t continue. I still go to church every Sunday. I have gone back to my former church which is Household of God Church, owned by Pastor Chris Okotie.

Is that why people are insinuating that you have an intimate relationship with Pastor Chris Okotie; is it true?

Well, I think that both of us (Pastor Chris and myself) are two people who God’s hand is upon. So, in our lives, only the counsel of God will stand. I’m in Household to worship. I have been a householder for years. Pastor Chris is a man of God that I hold in high esteem and I respect him a lot.

When you are down, what do you do to derive your inspiration?

I can’t be down for five minutes, it is not possible. I mean why should I be down in this beautiful world?

Don’t you cry?

I cry sometimes. I can’t sit down for five minutes brooding. Five minutes is too long for me to be down. If there is anything, maybe it would just hit me that moment and then I remind myself that I’m here on earth to enjoy and not to cry. Crying doesn’t change anything. I don’t stay down.

What do you do when you are heartbroken?

Why should people be heartbroken? Is it that you are in a relationship and the person walks out or when a person is not getting enough attention from the person she loves? Well, you are bound to feel bad for a while. I don’t think it is right to desire to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with you. It doesn’t even make sense to begin to cry over someone. There are over a billion people on earth and then you choose one person and begin to cry over the person, it doesn’t make sense.

Haven’t you been heartbroken before?

I have but I didn’t get heartbroken for long because I’m a wonderful person, I’m a loving person, I’m fun to be with and anyone who has me is blessed. That is the way I look at it. Someone should know your value and if the person doesn’t know, it is his loss. Women should begin to value themselves and you should be a woman that a man would need, not a woman that needs a man. That doesn’t mean I can’t fall in love and I’m like, ‘oh my God I would like to be with this person’. I’m a very open person; if I like you, I would tell you I like you and the whole world would know I like you. I’m not someone who hides my feelings. But if you didn’t feel the same way, before you know what is going on, I’m done with you.

When your marriage with Soul-E crashed, all sorts of things were written about you and…

I didn’t even let that bother me (cuts in). Yes, if you meet a million people, they would have a million opinions about you. And those opinions have nothing to do with who you are. From my early childhood, I grew not to bother about what people think of me because time would eventually unfold who you truly are