We Are Lucky We Are Both Orphans 

I HEARD a couple who have been in a happy marriage said this recently. They have been married for two decades and when they were asked the secret of their successful relationship, they observed that they did not allow outside influences to interfere in their union.
  Specifically, the woman said: “We are lucky that we are both orphans” 
  Now, this is commendable, that is, not allowing other people to meddle in their relationship.
  However, I think that it is wrong to blame parents-in-law totally when they are close by and when marriages fail. It is true that they meddle in their children’s lives when they should not interfere, but thanking your good fortune for removing them through death is unfeeling and selfish.
  This couple is not the only ones who want their in-laws out of their lives; many people would rejoice that their parents-in-law are out of their lives for good.
  But think what it would be like if your children were to grow up without knowing their grandparents and nobody to tell them their true origin.
  We may moan about mother-in-law and father-in-law, but they occupy important spaces in our relationships. And complain all you want, you cannot kick them out of your life without dumping their son-your spouse.
  And before you act self-righteous, bear this saying in mind that “the daughter-in-law becomes the mother-in-law ultimately” with all her faults. She will eventually harass or show love to her own daughter-in-law.
  Instead of celebrating that the death of your in-law gives you freedom to your spouse, make the most of their wisdom when they are still around. 
  They do not pray to outlive the children, who include you; all they ask are grandchildren and time to spend with them.
  They are critical, it is true, but you should not mind their tongues- your mother-in-law’s sharp tongue especially. But you can have a good relationship with her if you try.
  The modern mother-in-law has gone through the same experiences of non-acceptance, like you, and being more informed than the older generation should make her more considerate.
  Try to be her friend before you send her to an early grave by seeing her as mother-in-law, your ally.
  Some people paint the picture of absolute monsters of their mothers-in-law. Still a larger number have real love for their in-laws.
  You may start the relationship by believing that your parents-in-law would give you approval if you show them love. So, disabuse your mind that they are your enemies, because they would not give blessings for the union for a very long time.
  Do not view your marriage as a victory over them and use every opportunity to show them that you have their son now.
  Some mothers-in-law especially are notorious for being a stumbling block in their children’s marriages, saying their daughters-in-law are miserable.
  In a situation like this, therefore, she will never give you a peace of mind; she would not approve of whatever you do either. But you should not think of leaving because of her; it is not her home, although her son would not like you to disrespect his mother.
  So, study her behaviour to know how to get on well with her. It may not be easy, because her disapproval may be the result of issues, like Mama not accepting you because she sees you as one who has stolen her son from her.
  In her mother love, she sees only a rival; one who cannot even take care of her son, the baby she has nurtured so well, only for another woman to take him away.
  If her disapproval stems from this, it is not your fault. Another woman in your shoes would go through the same stress.
  Don’t give up; make friends instead. You have seen that her son is the centre of the universe for her; talk his talk with her, all the time.
  When you have had the mother of all arguments with her son, rush to her and in utter consternation, ask how she was able to handle him before he married. She will oblige you. After all, you imply that she has successfully raised a macho man. Ask her for recipes of his favourite dishes.
  Put yourself in her shoes; she had scrimped and saved to send him to school, hoping that he was there to take care of her forever, but he marries and she cannot even see him in months. So, his wife takes the blame.
  Men forget anniversaries, like birthday, and your son may forget his parents’ birthday, as he forgets yours, so remind him to get presents for them.
  They will know that his dutiful son’s actions come from you, the wife even though they refuse to acknowledge you.
  However, you may know that there is a limit you can please anybody. If after all the effort to win the approval of your in-laws, they are still unfriendly, leave them alone and concentrate on making your relationship happy.
  Limit the time you see them to when all the family comes together and continue to play the part that is expected of a good daughter-in-law, lovingly.

We Are Lucky We Are Both Orphans 

I HEARD a couple who have been in a happy marriage said this recently. They have been married for two decades and when they were asked the secret of their successful relationship, they observed that they did not allow outside influences to interfere in their union.
  Specifically, the woman said: “We are lucky that we are both orphans” 
  Now, this is commendable, that is, not allowing other people to meddle in their relationship.
  However, I think that it is wrong to blame parents-in-law totally when they are close by and when marriages fail. It is true that they meddle in their children’s lives when they should not interfere, but thanking your good fortune for removing them through death is unfeeling and selfish.
  This couple is not the only ones who want their in-laws out of their lives; many people would rejoice that their parents-in-law are out of their lives for good.
  But think what it would be like if your children were to grow up without knowing their grandparents and nobody to tell them their true origin.
  We may moan about mother-in-law and father-in-law, but they occupy important spaces in our relationships. And complain all you want, you cannot kick them out of your life without dumping their son-your spouse.
  And before you act self-righteous, bear this saying in mind that “the daughter-in-law becomes the mother-in-law ultimately” with all her faults. She will eventually harass or show love to her own daughter-in-law.
  Instead of celebrating that the death of your in-law gives you freedom to your spouse, make the most of their wisdom when they are still around. 
  They do not pray to outlive the children, who include you; all they ask are grandchildren and time to spend with them.
  They are critical, it is true, but you should not mind their tongues- your mother-in-law’s sharp tongue especially. But you can have a good relationship with her if you try.
  The modern mother-in-law has gone through the same experiences of non-acceptance, like you, and being more informed than the older generation should make her more considerate.
  Try to be her friend before you send her to an early grave by seeing her as mother-in-law, your ally.
  Some people paint the picture of absolute monsters of their mothers-in-law. Still a larger number have real love for their in-laws.
  You may start the relationship by believing that your parents-in-law would give you approval if you show them love. So, disabuse your mind that they are your enemies, because they would not give blessings for the union for a very long time.
  Do not view your marriage as a victory over them and use every opportunity to show them that you have their son now.
  Some mothers-in-law especially are notorious for being a stumbling block in their children’s marriages, saying their daughters-in-law are miserable.
  In a situation like this, therefore, she will never give you a peace of mind; she would not approve of whatever you do either. But you should not think of leaving because of her; it is not her home, although her son would not like you to disrespect his mother.
  So, study her behaviour to know how to get on well with her. It may not be easy, because her disapproval may be the result of issues, like Mama not accepting you because she sees you as one who has stolen her son from her.
  In her mother love, she sees only a rival; one who cannot even take care of her son, the baby she has nurtured so well, only for another woman to take him away.
  If her disapproval stems from this, it is not your fault. Another woman in your shoes would go through the same stress.
  Don’t give up; make friends instead. You have seen that her son is the centre of the universe for her; talk his talk with her, all the time.
  When you have had the mother of all arguments with her son, rush to her and in utter consternation, ask how she was able to handle him before he married. She will oblige you. After all, you imply that she has successfully raised a macho man. Ask her for recipes of his favourite dishes.
  Put yourself in her shoes; she had scrimped and saved to send him to school, hoping that he was there to take care of her forever, but he marries and she cannot even see him in months. So, his wife takes the blame.
  Men forget anniversaries, like birthday, and your son may forget his parents’ birthday, as he forgets yours, so remind him to get presents for them.
  They will know that his dutiful son’s actions come from you, the wife even though they refuse to acknowledge you.
  However, you may know that there is a limit you can please anybody. If after all the effort to win the approval of your in-laws, they are still unfriendly, leave them alone and concentrate on making your relationship happy.
  Limit the time you see them to when all the family comes together and continue to play the part that is expected of a good daughter-in-law, lovingly.

‘I Placed A Curse On My Ex-Boyfriend Who Messed Me Up, Now He Wants Me To Release Him’ (2)

MY ogas had to tell her to go home and settle with her fiancee and stop disgracing herself in public. Later in the day, they called Mike and me into the conference room and asked questions. Right before my eyes, Mike told my ogas I knew he had a fiancee and he told me and I insisted I wasn’t bothered, that I would be the second wife. I didn’t know when I started crying cos I never believed he could lie against me. He also told them I was always enticing him with gifts and money and that was why he decided to date me. I opened my mouth and couldn’t utter a word. I just started crying. My ogas who were women shouted at me to stop crying and defend myself. I told my ogas I had nothing to say, but one thing I know is that even if it takes 10 years, we are all going to sit down again and Mike would confess he lied against me. With that, I stood up and walked out of the room.
   When I arrived home that night, I ate my dinner and when it was 12 midnight, I went outside the house, removed all my clothes, including my pants and bra. I looked up to God and cried. I said, God, you are the father of the fatherless. You know my story with this guy called Mike. You know what others don’t know. If it is true I knew about Nike and still insisted on dating Mike, keep quiet about my issue, but if Mike lied against me, I want you to fight for me. I commit Mike, Nike and me into Your hands. With that, I went back inside the house, still crying.
  Mike later resigned cos my male ogas were really on his case. They told him that if he could say I enticed him with gifts and money, then, he is not fit to be called a man. He had to resign when he could no longer bear the shame.
  On the other hand, I am still with the organisation and that singular case endeared lots of my ogas to me. They really showed me lots of care. All these happened in 2003.
   Fast forward to 2013, I received a call and it was from Mike. I was shocked and he told me he decided to call just to say hi. I was surprised to hear from him and I spoke with him warmly. Ten years is a long time to keep grudges, I told myself. He asked for my BB pin and I gave him. Once in a while he says hi and I reply. I was surprised when in September last year, he pinged me and told me he needed to speak with me and it wasn’t a phone thing.
  I told him to meet me at an eatery near my house. He came and he wasn’t really looking good. He said he came to ask for my forgiveness cos he lied against me and I told him, haba, 10 years and you think I would still carry your matter in my head. I told him there was nothing to forgive. He now said I should bless him and that was when I told him to go back to the office and confess to those same ogas that he lied against me. He said he would never do that. I asked him, how is your wife? Does she know you are here? He said, no and I smiled. I told him, so you want to make amends and still want your wife and my ogas to think I am all you said I was. I laughed. I left him hanging and went home.
  In October last year, I celebrated my birthday and one of my ogas who works in a similar organisation as the one I work with, called to wish me a happy birthday. He said he would like to take me and my friends out for a drink or two at the weekend.
  I agreed and during the weekend, he took us out. We were eating cat fish pepper soup when his phone rang. I heard him sigh and say, nawah o, what is this again?
  When he dropped, he started a story about a certain Mike in his office. He said the man is so effective, but seems bad luck keeps following him. The name Mike caught my fancy and I asked for his surname. Lo and behold, it was the same Mike I dated. I was curious and asked him for more details. He said anytime anything good is about to happen to Mike, something happens and someone else is given the goodies instead.
  He said the latest one is the issue of a car he personally approved. He said the oga who is supposed to sign the final approval said he doesn’t want Mike to have the car, instead he gave it to someone else who was lower in rank to Mike. He said lots of good things that have evaded Mike. I didn’t tell him anything, I just kept quiet.
  Last week, Mike sent me a mail and sent a text to my phone that I should check my mail. In the mail he said: “Dupe, continue to play God over my life. I know I made a mistake, why can’t you just forgive me? Why must you insist I go back to that office and confess my mistakes? What’s the big deal in forgiving me? We are fasting and praying in my church and one of the prophets that was invited told me to come and apologise to you and that you need to bless me to enable me move forward in life. Before this, I have been having dreams of someone asking me to come and beg you. Please, forgive me, but don’t tell me to go back to that office. Let’s bury the hatchet once and for all. I know you have challenges and I know you are still unmarried. What if this is because you have refused to bless me? Why don’t you forgive and bless me and see if God won’t turn your story around?”
   Now dear readers, this is where I need your advice. God knows I have forgiven Mike, but why can’t he just go back to the office and tell my ogas he lied against me 10 years ago? What’s the big deal in it? At the same time, I don’t want to play God over anyone’s life. Am I playing God by insisting he goes back to tell the truth?
Please, advise me. Thanks.
Advice:plsdear  readers mail your comments  or reactions to this email  :simonclar @yahoo.com
Download the Color Of Love App free at
https://itunes.apple.com/ng/app/the-color-of-love-guide-free/id767393599?mt=8
Or search for Color of Love in the Apple App Store on your IPhone or iPad and download

‘I Placed A Curse On My Ex-Boyfriend Who Messed Me Up, Now He Wants Me To Release Him’ (2)

MY ogas had to tell her to go home and settle with her fiancee and stop disgracing herself in public. Later in the day, they called Mike and me into the conference room and asked questions. Right before my eyes, Mike told my ogas I knew he had a fiancee and he told me and I insisted I wasn’t bothered, that I would be the second wife. I didn’t know when I started crying cos I never believed he could lie against me. He also told them I was always enticing him with gifts and money and that was why he decided to date me. I opened my mouth and couldn’t utter a word. I just started crying. My ogas who were women shouted at me to stop crying and defend myself. I told my ogas I had nothing to say, but one thing I know is that even if it takes 10 years, we are all going to sit down again and Mike would confess he lied against me. With that, I stood up and walked out of the room.
   When I arrived home that night, I ate my dinner and when it was 12 midnight, I went outside the house, removed all my clothes, including my pants and bra. I looked up to God and cried. I said, God, you are the father of the fatherless. You know my story with this guy called Mike. You know what others don’t know. If it is true I knew about Nike and still insisted on dating Mike, keep quiet about my issue, but if Mike lied against me, I want you to fight for me. I commit Mike, Nike and me into Your hands. With that, I went back inside the house, still crying.
  Mike later resigned cos my male ogas were really on his case. They told him that if he could say I enticed him with gifts and money, then, he is not fit to be called a man. He had to resign when he could no longer bear the shame.
  On the other hand, I am still with the organisation and that singular case endeared lots of my ogas to me. They really showed me lots of care. All these happened in 2003.
   Fast forward to 2013, I received a call and it was from Mike. I was shocked and he told me he decided to call just to say hi. I was surprised to hear from him and I spoke with him warmly. Ten years is a long time to keep grudges, I told myself. He asked for my BB pin and I gave him. Once in a while he says hi and I reply. I was surprised when in September last year, he pinged me and told me he needed to speak with me and it wasn’t a phone thing.
  I told him to meet me at an eatery near my house. He came and he wasn’t really looking good. He said he came to ask for my forgiveness cos he lied against me and I told him, haba, 10 years and you think I would still carry your matter in my head. I told him there was nothing to forgive. He now said I should bless him and that was when I told him to go back to the office and confess to those same ogas that he lied against me. He said he would never do that. I asked him, how is your wife? Does she know you are here? He said, no and I smiled. I told him, so you want to make amends and still want your wife and my ogas to think I am all you said I was. I laughed. I left him hanging and went home.
  In October last year, I celebrated my birthday and one of my ogas who works in a similar organisation as the one I work with, called to wish me a happy birthday. He said he would like to take me and my friends out for a drink or two at the weekend.
  I agreed and during the weekend, he took us out. We were eating cat fish pepper soup when his phone rang. I heard him sigh and say, nawah o, what is this again?
  When he dropped, he started a story about a certain Mike in his office. He said the man is so effective, but seems bad luck keeps following him. The name Mike caught my fancy and I asked for his surname. Lo and behold, it was the same Mike I dated. I was curious and asked him for more details. He said anytime anything good is about to happen to Mike, something happens and someone else is given the goodies instead.
  He said the latest one is the issue of a car he personally approved. He said the oga who is supposed to sign the final approval said he doesn’t want Mike to have the car, instead he gave it to someone else who was lower in rank to Mike. He said lots of good things that have evaded Mike. I didn’t tell him anything, I just kept quiet.
  Last week, Mike sent me a mail and sent a text to my phone that I should check my mail. In the mail he said: “Dupe, continue to play God over my life. I know I made a mistake, why can’t you just forgive me? Why must you insist I go back to that office and confess my mistakes? What’s the big deal in forgiving me? We are fasting and praying in my church and one of the prophets that was invited told me to come and apologise to you and that you need to bless me to enable me move forward in life. Before this, I have been having dreams of someone asking me to come and beg you. Please, forgive me, but don’t tell me to go back to that office. Let’s bury the hatchet once and for all. I know you have challenges and I know you are still unmarried. What if this is because you have refused to bless me? Why don’t you forgive and bless me and see if God won’t turn your story around?”
   Now dear readers, this is where I need your advice. God knows I have forgiven Mike, but why can’t he just go back to the office and tell my ogas he lied against me 10 years ago? What’s the big deal in it? At the same time, I don’t want to play God over anyone’s life. Am I playing God by insisting he goes back to tell the truth?
Please, advise me. Thanks.
Advice:plsdear  readers mail your comments  or reactions to this email  :simonclar @yahoo.com
Download the Color Of Love App free at
https://itunes.apple.com/ng/app/the-color-of-love-guide-free/id767393599?mt=8
Or search for Color of Love in the Apple App Store on your IPhone or iPad and download

Obanikoro: We'll Rescue Kidnapped School Girls Soon

The Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has assured that the over 276 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State would be rescued and return to their parents very soon.
Thisday reports that Obanikoro made this disclosure at the graduation ceremony of 404 retirees drawn from the Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) collectively held at Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos at the weekend.
The former Nigerian ambassador in Ghana made this statement while responding to allegations that the rescue efforts for the schoolgirls had slowed down, saying the federal government is working assiduously to rescue them at all cost.
Obanikoro however, did not give details on the form of rescue that would come the way of the kidnapped students who have spent two months in captivity.

* Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro
It could be recalled that the schoolgirls were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents inside their school's dormitory on 14 April, 2014 and since then, the militant group had said it would only release them in a swap with some of its members captured by the Nigerian soldiers.
The Nigerian federal government led by President Goodluck Jonathan has continuously stated that it would not negotiate with the terrorists but wage war against the militants.

* Nigerian soldiers
While giving the assurance of the Chibok girl's rescue, Obanikoro said President Goodluck Jonathan was pained by the abduction of the girls and was doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the abducted girls are rescued and returned to their parents.

* Kidnapped schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State
He said: “Let me say that as a father, all hands are on deck to ensure that those girls are brought back. I know, because I see the president everyday and I know he is pained that those girls are out there.
"All it takes to appreciate what the president is going through is to sit back and switch roles, so you can imagine the pain. I am also pained because I have daughters and I would not want them abducted for anything and having said that I want to let you know that everything humanly possible is being done to return those girls."
Nigerians both home and abroad have been staging protests and demonstrations since the abduction of the schoolgirls in Borno.
A High court in Abuja last week ruled that the Nigeria police did not have a right to ban people from staging protests over the continued abduction of the girls.

READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/68191.html

Obanikoro: We'll Rescue Kidnapped School Girls Soon

The Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has assured that the over 276 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State would be rescued and return to their parents very soon.
Thisday reports that Obanikoro made this disclosure at the graduation ceremony of 404 retirees drawn from the Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) collectively held at Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos at the weekend.
The former Nigerian ambassador in Ghana made this statement while responding to allegations that the rescue efforts for the schoolgirls had slowed down, saying the federal government is working assiduously to rescue them at all cost.
Obanikoro however, did not give details on the form of rescue that would come the way of the kidnapped students who have spent two months in captivity.

* Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro
It could be recalled that the schoolgirls were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents inside their school's dormitory on 14 April, 2014 and since then, the militant group had said it would only release them in a swap with some of its members captured by the Nigerian soldiers.
The Nigerian federal government led by President Goodluck Jonathan has continuously stated that it would not negotiate with the terrorists but wage war against the militants.

* Nigerian soldiers
While giving the assurance of the Chibok girl's rescue, Obanikoro said President Goodluck Jonathan was pained by the abduction of the girls and was doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the abducted girls are rescued and returned to their parents.

* Kidnapped schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State
He said: “Let me say that as a father, all hands are on deck to ensure that those girls are brought back. I know, because I see the president everyday and I know he is pained that those girls are out there.
"All it takes to appreciate what the president is going through is to sit back and switch roles, so you can imagine the pain. I am also pained because I have daughters and I would not want them abducted for anything and having said that I want to let you know that everything humanly possible is being done to return those girls."
Nigerians both home and abroad have been staging protests and demonstrations since the abduction of the schoolgirls in Borno.
A High court in Abuja last week ruled that the Nigeria police did not have a right to ban people from staging protests over the continued abduction of the girls.

READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/68191.html

Fans Mob Mikel, Osaze And Moses In Brazil

As Nigeria's Super Eagles get ready to play Iran later today at the ongoing 2014 World Cup in Brazil, PUNCH reports that John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie and Victor Moses are the three Super Eagles players that Brazilians are showing more love and demanding autographs from.
The trio play professional football in England’s Premier League with Chelsea, Stoke and Liverpool respectively.
It was gathered that Mikel stands out as many of the fans' favourite as they roar Mikel, Mikel, Mikel from the moment he steps out of the hotel to the team’s bus and onto the pitch where kids dare security personnel in a marathon race to either embrace him, clean his boot or kiss him.
Mikel is reported to always show some love by clapping and waving back at the fans.
Mikel, who is playing in his first World Cup, while speaking with newsmen on his expectations in Brazil said: "It is my first World Cup and I am ready just like other players are ready, too. The World Cup remains the highest height of every footballer’s ambition.

* Super Eagles players in Brazil
"I am happy to be playing here but more importantly is that we have a dream of playing for each other. We want to make something out of the World Cup. It is not about individuals. It is about a team. And I am a member of the team.
"It is good to know that many expect me to lead. In this team, the coach determines what we do and we do it according to his instructions. People might not notice the roles of players but the coach knows and we do things collectively to ensure that we come out victorious.
"There is love and unity in the team. We are like a family. All the players are ready to give their best. And with these will-power, I think that we will do well because of this determination.
"I promise good outing by the team. You are aware that all teams are well prepared for the World Cup. So, no one underestimates any team. You need to work hard first and also rely on goodluck. We’ve been working hard and deserve to do well."
Nigeria is in Group F along side Argentina, Iran and Bosni-Herzegovina.
The South Americans currently top the group after they defeated Bosnia 2-1 early this morning.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/68192.html

Fans Mob Mikel, Osaze And Moses In Brazil

As Nigeria's Super Eagles get ready to play Iran later today at the ongoing 2014 World Cup in Brazil, PUNCH reports that John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie and Victor Moses are the three Super Eagles players that Brazilians are showing more love and demanding autographs from.
The trio play professional football in England’s Premier League with Chelsea, Stoke and Liverpool respectively.
It was gathered that Mikel stands out as many of the fans' favourite as they roar Mikel, Mikel, Mikel from the moment he steps out of the hotel to the team’s bus and onto the pitch where kids dare security personnel in a marathon race to either embrace him, clean his boot or kiss him.
Mikel is reported to always show some love by clapping and waving back at the fans.
Mikel, who is playing in his first World Cup, while speaking with newsmen on his expectations in Brazil said: "It is my first World Cup and I am ready just like other players are ready, too. The World Cup remains the highest height of every footballer’s ambition.

* Super Eagles players in Brazil
"I am happy to be playing here but more importantly is that we have a dream of playing for each other. We want to make something out of the World Cup. It is not about individuals. It is about a team. And I am a member of the team.
"It is good to know that many expect me to lead. In this team, the coach determines what we do and we do it according to his instructions. People might not notice the roles of players but the coach knows and we do things collectively to ensure that we come out victorious.
"There is love and unity in the team. We are like a family. All the players are ready to give their best. And with these will-power, I think that we will do well because of this determination.
"I promise good outing by the team. You are aware that all teams are well prepared for the World Cup. So, no one underestimates any team. You need to work hard first and also rely on goodluck. We’ve been working hard and deserve to do well."
Nigeria is in Group F along side Argentina, Iran and Bosni-Herzegovina.
The South Americans currently top the group after they defeated Bosnia 2-1 early this morning.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/68192.html

Walking- The Essentials

I SEE so many people walking and jogging down the road in Lekki and it really is the easiest form of cardiovascular exercise available to everyone. It is great for losing weight and keeping fit. Remember cardiovascular exercise is an important part of your fitness and if you take up walking, you are half way there.
  However, to get the most out of our walk, we must get some things right so as to hit our fitness goals and reduce injuries.
  Brisk/Fitness walking is not a stroll neither is it a leaping contest. It burns approximately the same calories as running, yet it is much easier on the body. It also tones muscles in the buttocks, thighs, hips, shoulders, upper back and abs. 
Below are some tips for effective walking
Get good walking trainers. They should be light, have flexible soles and should be a half to one full size larger than your normal shoe size cause your feet swell when you exercise and your socks will also take up room in there. 
Use good posture. Walk tall, look forward, (not at the ground as this stresses your neck) looking about 20 feet ahead. Your chin should be level and your head up.- imagine you have a heavy book on your head
Keep your chest down (imagine you have weights hanging from your ribcage, pulling it down towards your pelvis. Be sure not to hunch over, you want your spine straight without your chest popping), and shoulders relaxed (shoulders down, back and relaxed).
Bend your arms in slightly less than a 90 degree angle. Cup your hands gently. Swing arms front to back (not side to side - arms should not cross your body.) Do not swing elbows higher than your chest. If you swing your arms faster , your feet will follow.
Tighten your abs and bum. Flatten your back and tilt your pelvis slightly forward.
Pretend you are walking along a straight line. Resist the urge to take large steps. This makes your stride clumsy and opens you to injuries. To go faster — take smaller, faster steps.
Technique. Push off with your toes. Focus on landing on your heel, roll through the step to the ball of your foot then pushing off with your toes. Use the natural spring of your calf muscles and power from your hips to push you forward.
 Breathe. As you walk, take deep breaths, to get the maximum amount of oxygen through your system. Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Your pace should get your breathing increased but  you shouldn’t be out of breath.
Do not carry hand weights or place weights on your ankles as it unbalances your stride. Leave the weights for when you strength train ( this is great before your walk)
Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after walking. 
Incorporate a warm up, cool down and stretches into your routine. Start your walk at a slow warm up pace, stop and do a few warm up / stretches. Then walk for the desired length of time. End your walk with the slower cool down pace  ( walking slowly) and stretch well after your walk. Stretching will make you feel great and reduce injuries.
The toughest thing about starting a fitness program is developing a habit. If you are walking for the general health benefits try to walk 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, at a “talking” pace. (Talking pace means you have elevated breathing, but you can still carry a conversation.)
To improve cardiovascular fitness you should walk 3 to 4 days a week, 20 to 30 minutes at a very fast pace. At this pace you are breathing hard but not gasping for air.
If you are walking for weight loss you should walk a minimum of five days a week, 45 to 60 minutes at a brisk pace.
Love your body......www.bodyworknigeria.com

Walking- The Essentials

I SEE so many people walking and jogging down the road in Lekki and it really is the easiest form of cardiovascular exercise available to everyone. It is great for losing weight and keeping fit. Remember cardiovascular exercise is an important part of your fitness and if you take up walking, you are half way there.
  However, to get the most out of our walk, we must get some things right so as to hit our fitness goals and reduce injuries.
  Brisk/Fitness walking is not a stroll neither is it a leaping contest. It burns approximately the same calories as running, yet it is much easier on the body. It also tones muscles in the buttocks, thighs, hips, shoulders, upper back and abs. 
Below are some tips for effective walking
Get good walking trainers. They should be light, have flexible soles and should be a half to one full size larger than your normal shoe size cause your feet swell when you exercise and your socks will also take up room in there. 
Use good posture. Walk tall, look forward, (not at the ground as this stresses your neck) looking about 20 feet ahead. Your chin should be level and your head up.- imagine you have a heavy book on your head
Keep your chest down (imagine you have weights hanging from your ribcage, pulling it down towards your pelvis. Be sure not to hunch over, you want your spine straight without your chest popping), and shoulders relaxed (shoulders down, back and relaxed).
Bend your arms in slightly less than a 90 degree angle. Cup your hands gently. Swing arms front to back (not side to side - arms should not cross your body.) Do not swing elbows higher than your chest. If you swing your arms faster , your feet will follow.
Tighten your abs and bum. Flatten your back and tilt your pelvis slightly forward.
Pretend you are walking along a straight line. Resist the urge to take large steps. This makes your stride clumsy and opens you to injuries. To go faster — take smaller, faster steps.
Technique. Push off with your toes. Focus on landing on your heel, roll through the step to the ball of your foot then pushing off with your toes. Use the natural spring of your calf muscles and power from your hips to push you forward.
 Breathe. As you walk, take deep breaths, to get the maximum amount of oxygen through your system. Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Your pace should get your breathing increased but  you shouldn’t be out of breath.
Do not carry hand weights or place weights on your ankles as it unbalances your stride. Leave the weights for when you strength train ( this is great before your walk)
Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after walking. 
Incorporate a warm up, cool down and stretches into your routine. Start your walk at a slow warm up pace, stop and do a few warm up / stretches. Then walk for the desired length of time. End your walk with the slower cool down pace  ( walking slowly) and stretch well after your walk. Stretching will make you feel great and reduce injuries.
The toughest thing about starting a fitness program is developing a habit. If you are walking for the general health benefits try to walk 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, at a “talking” pace. (Talking pace means you have elevated breathing, but you can still carry a conversation.)
To improve cardiovascular fitness you should walk 3 to 4 days a week, 20 to 30 minutes at a very fast pace. At this pace you are breathing hard but not gasping for air.
If you are walking for weight loss you should walk a minimum of five days a week, 45 to 60 minutes at a brisk pace.
Love your body......www.bodyworknigeria.com

Photo: Tortured boy rescued from kidnappers’ den in Ogun state

A young boy (pictured left) was recused from a house in Ota, Ogun state just as he was about to be killed for ritual. Below is the full story from Punch

Fate smiled on an unidentified young boy hawking on Alhaji Jamiu Sulaimon Street in Itele, Ota area of Ogun State on Tuesday evening as he was rescued from kidnappers in the area, just as he was about to be killed.

No 3, Alhaji Jamiu Sulaimon, where the boy was rescued is unarguably one of the most beautiful houses on the street but no one could have imagined the horror discovered behind its high walls.

When a Punch correspondent visited the scene on Wednesday morning, a police patrol vehicle was stationed in front of the compound to ward off curious residents and looters.

Upon gaining access to the house, it did not take long for the correspondent to notice a spatter of blood on the walls of almost all the toilets in the house. One particular toilet had more heavy smears of blood on its walls and door.

A resident of the street, Abdulateef Isa, told the Punch correspondent that the rescued boy used to hawk belts on the street.

Isa said, 

“The boy is Igbo, he sells belts and he is known by many in this area even though we don’t really know his name. He was hawking with his friend yesterday (Tuesday) before this whole issue came to light. His friend, who is also an Igbo boy, knew when he was called into the compound but when he waited for more than 30 minutes and his friend had not come out, he raised the alarm.”

A police officer from the Itele Police Division said residents of the area came to the station to report on Tuesday evening that a boy who went into a compound to sell had gone missing.

“Our divisional police officer instantly issued a search warrant and detached a team to the compound. When we got there, a large number of residents had gathered and we had to be strategic in controlling them for us to gain access.

“We got there and met a young man who said he was the brother of the owner of the house. He started opening each of the rooms, acting calm and repeating that, ‘See for yourself, each room is empty.’

“But our DPO insisted that she perceived an odour that was abnormal. She asked one of us to climb through a window and check the corner of a toilet. And there was the boy, covered in blood. He was even too weak to shout.

“From the look of things, the kidnappers had already attempted to kill the boy but hurriedly abandoned him and fled because the victim’s friend raised the alarm. The man we arrested must have been given order to stay behind and divert suspicion.”

The boy was said to have been blinded in one eye as caked blood covered one of his eye sockets. There was a bloody deep gash on his neck also, which was suspected to have come from an attempt to slaughter him.

The Punch correspondent learnt that the boy was immediately rushed to the hospital while the man found in the house was arrested. The agent in charge of the house was also later arrested.

Few minutes after the police left the compound, the residents set the house ablaze and every valuable in the house was destroyed.

A four-bedroom bungalow, painted in and out with fancy paint, it was clear the house was built by a wealthy person.

Residents said the house was completed about three years ago.

“The generator in this house runs all day long,” one resident said. “The men we see coming in and going out of the house keep to themselves. All we know is that so many people come into the house. Nobody has gone missing on this street before, so nobody had any reason to suspect anything,” Mr. Olusegun Adio, who lives a few houses down the street, said.

One of the leaders of the community, Alhaji Isa Jimoh, who notified the police about the missing boy, said he never had any inkling that kidnappers could be operating a den in the area.

Jimoh, who lives about seven houses away from the horror house, said, 

“I have no idea who owns that house and I have no idea when it was built. The short time it was built from start to finish, I was not around then.

“When I got report that a child who was hawking and called inside the compound never came out, I had to inform the police because I realised it was not the duty of residents to storm the place.

“The first time the police came, the place was under lock and key. They went back to their office and when they came back, they broke the gate, arrested a man inside there and discovered the boy almost dead on the floor of one of the toilets.”

Jimoh said no one had ever been missing in the area, which was why they probably did not suspect any criminal activity in the house.

Spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects arrested in the case have been transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigation, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

He said, 

 “Our men from the Itele Division moved in as soon as they got a report about the house suspected to be used by kidnappers and succeeded in rescuing the boy alive even though he was in bad shape.

“The boy will pull through as he is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. In the meantime, the Comissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case. Efforts are being made to apprehend other accomplices who fled the house. This is just an evidence of our determination to stamp out criminality in this state.”

Culled from Punch

Photo: Tortured boy rescued from kidnappers’ den in Ogun state

A young boy (pictured left) was recused from a house in Ota, Ogun state just as he was about to be killed for ritual. Below is the full story from Punch

Fate smiled on an unidentified young boy hawking on Alhaji Jamiu Sulaimon Street in Itele, Ota area of Ogun State on Tuesday evening as he was rescued from kidnappers in the area, just as he was about to be killed.

No 3, Alhaji Jamiu Sulaimon, where the boy was rescued is unarguably one of the most beautiful houses on the street but no one could have imagined the horror discovered behind its high walls.

When a Punch correspondent visited the scene on Wednesday morning, a police patrol vehicle was stationed in front of the compound to ward off curious residents and looters.

Upon gaining access to the house, it did not take long for the correspondent to notice a spatter of blood on the walls of almost all the toilets in the house. One particular toilet had more heavy smears of blood on its walls and door.

A resident of the street, Abdulateef Isa, told the Punch correspondent that the rescued boy used to hawk belts on the street.

Isa said, 

“The boy is Igbo, he sells belts and he is known by many in this area even though we don’t really know his name. He was hawking with his friend yesterday (Tuesday) before this whole issue came to light. His friend, who is also an Igbo boy, knew when he was called into the compound but when he waited for more than 30 minutes and his friend had not come out, he raised the alarm.”

A police officer from the Itele Police Division said residents of the area came to the station to report on Tuesday evening that a boy who went into a compound to sell had gone missing.

“Our divisional police officer instantly issued a search warrant and detached a team to the compound. When we got there, a large number of residents had gathered and we had to be strategic in controlling them for us to gain access.

“We got there and met a young man who said he was the brother of the owner of the house. He started opening each of the rooms, acting calm and repeating that, ‘See for yourself, each room is empty.’

“But our DPO insisted that she perceived an odour that was abnormal. She asked one of us to climb through a window and check the corner of a toilet. And there was the boy, covered in blood. He was even too weak to shout.

“From the look of things, the kidnappers had already attempted to kill the boy but hurriedly abandoned him and fled because the victim’s friend raised the alarm. The man we arrested must have been given order to stay behind and divert suspicion.”

The boy was said to have been blinded in one eye as caked blood covered one of his eye sockets. There was a bloody deep gash on his neck also, which was suspected to have come from an attempt to slaughter him.

The Punch correspondent learnt that the boy was immediately rushed to the hospital while the man found in the house was arrested. The agent in charge of the house was also later arrested.

Few minutes after the police left the compound, the residents set the house ablaze and every valuable in the house was destroyed.

A four-bedroom bungalow, painted in and out with fancy paint, it was clear the house was built by a wealthy person.

Residents said the house was completed about three years ago.

“The generator in this house runs all day long,” one resident said. “The men we see coming in and going out of the house keep to themselves. All we know is that so many people come into the house. Nobody has gone missing on this street before, so nobody had any reason to suspect anything,” Mr. Olusegun Adio, who lives a few houses down the street, said.

One of the leaders of the community, Alhaji Isa Jimoh, who notified the police about the missing boy, said he never had any inkling that kidnappers could be operating a den in the area.

Jimoh, who lives about seven houses away from the horror house, said, 

“I have no idea who owns that house and I have no idea when it was built. The short time it was built from start to finish, I was not around then.

“When I got report that a child who was hawking and called inside the compound never came out, I had to inform the police because I realised it was not the duty of residents to storm the place.

“The first time the police came, the place was under lock and key. They went back to their office and when they came back, they broke the gate, arrested a man inside there and discovered the boy almost dead on the floor of one of the toilets.”

Jimoh said no one had ever been missing in the area, which was why they probably did not suspect any criminal activity in the house.

Spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects arrested in the case have been transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigation, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

He said, 

 “Our men from the Itele Division moved in as soon as they got a report about the house suspected to be used by kidnappers and succeeded in rescuing the boy alive even though he was in bad shape.

“The boy will pull through as he is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. In the meantime, the Comissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case. Efforts are being made to apprehend other accomplices who fled the house. This is just an evidence of our determination to stamp out criminality in this state.”

Culled from Punch

Intrigues behind Njodi’s emergence as UNIMAID’s VC

ON Tuesday June 3, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, assumed office as the ninth vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, (UNIMAID) succeeding Prof. Mala Mohammed Daura, whose tenure expired on Monday, June 2, thanks to the intervention of the supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who spearheaded the resolution of the protracted disagreement between the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman and members of the Governing Council of the university, over Daura’ successor.
   At a meeting, which the minister convened in Abuja barely three weeks ago, between the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council, Mallam Lawan Bukar Marguba; principal officers of the university and some top officials of the ministry to resolve the stalemate that trailed Njodi’s appointment at a special council meeting at Kanem Suites, Abuja, on May 20, Wike, a lawyer was reported to have directed Marguba, who has been stoutly opposed Njodi’s emergence to respect the decision of the majority of the council members who voted to appoint Njodi. Marguba was also advised to go to court, if he held anything against the new vice chancellor.
  Shortly after the meeting with the minister, the council in a two-paragraph statement in Abuja, signed by the school’s Registrar, Babagana Muhammad Aji affirmed the Njodi’s appointment.
  The statement said the appointment of Njodi, a professor of Physical and Health Education, and immediate past deputy vice chancellor (Academic Services) of the university takes effect from June 3, for a non-renewable period of five years.
   The statement further stated that the appointment was “duly certified” by the Governing Council of the university at a special meeting it held on May 20th, 2014, having emerged the overall winner out of the 11 candidates interviewed for the position.
   The minister’s intervention came on the heels of steps taken by the Federal Character Commission (FCC), which has been actively involved in the selection process and the eventual certification of the newly appointed university helmsman.
   The commission’s stamp of approval was contained in a Certificate of Compliance with Ref FCC/099/S.5E/19/11/267, dated May 23rd, 2014. The letter addressed to the University of Maiduguri entitled, “Authority to Issue Letter of Appointment to Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as the Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri.”
   According to the document, “On no account shall the name of the approved candidate be substituted/replaced, altered without prior written consent of the commission.”
 Marguba has been in serious disagreement with his other council members since the commencement of the selection process in April. The acrimony stirred up fresh debate about the “indigenisation” of the appointment of vice chancellors for federal universities.
  Though the current leadership of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and even the one before it has been working towards eradicating it from the Nigerian university system, the trend, it appears, would continue to haunt the nation for some time to come.
 The process of appointing a new vice chancellor for the school began well, but when it was apparent that the candidate anointed by the powers that be was far from the clinching the coveted office, things began to get awry.
  In line with the legal requirements of the laws establishing the university, the council on January 23rd this year advertised the position of the vice chancellor, thus marking the beginning of the process of selecting a new helmsman.
  The law also requires the university to constitute a search team and a selection board from its statutory organs, made up of the Governing Council, the Senate and the Congregation. Members of the search team and selection board were elected accordingly. Legally, the process leading up to the selection of a vice chancellor is a joint task executed majorly by the Governing Council and the Senate of the institution.
  The joint council and Senate selection Board comprises two external members of the council, appointed by the Federal Government; two professors from the Senate, who are not members of the council, with the Pro-Chancellor as the chairman.
   Accordingly, Dr. Paul Attah and Chief Innocent Oparadike, a journalist, both of whom are representing public interest in the council were elected as external members on the Joint Selections Board, while profs. B. R. Badejo and Abdulrahman Tahir represented the Senate of the university and Marguba chaired the panel as stipulated by law.
  Over a period of three days from April 22 to 24, the Joint Council and Senate Selections Board met and successfully interviewed all 11 applicants. Both the Education Ministry and FCC sent in representatives to observe the process. They were Mrs. Oluwatofunmi E. Akamo, a deputy director while Mr. Haruna Mamuda Gadam stood in for FCC.
   At the end of the three-day exercise, the board recommended three top candidates for final selection in order of their performance at the interview.
  On the score sheet, Njodi amassed 90.1 per cent and was followed by professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isa Hussaini Marte who scored 71.2 per cent. Prof. Abubakar Kundiri of the Faculty of Agriculture came third with 69.5 percent.
  At a special meeting of the council convened on April 25th to consider the report of the exercise, Marguba, who had signed the final report of the selection suddenly, aborted the meeting claiming to be in receipt of an anonymous petition against one of the applicants, apparently, the candidate with the highest scores.
  Against convention, he held on to the report and ordered that a summary, without the scores be presented to council members, on the excuse that he was going to investigate the anonymous petition. Of course members objected and sensing that he would not have his way, he allegedly decided to unilaterally announce the adjournment of the special meeting with no decision reached by the council.
   Not long, some groups including the University of Maiduguri Alumni Association, Concerned Stakeholders and Concerned Professionals of Borno State petitioned President Goodluck alleging corruption and forgery in the selection process.
  In their petition to the minister, signed by one Prof. Shettima Dala, the UNIMAID Alumni Association alleged that bribery, perjury and corruption have tainted the performance of the council. They further alleged that the Federal Government’s nominees on the council had compromised their positions and as such, were promoting the emergence of a candidate with questionable credentials.
   The association therefore, demanded for a transparent selection process; immediate disqualification of one of the candidates “involved in illegal promotion and forgery,” in the petition, which was addressed to Jonathan.
  On their part, the Concerned Stakeholders of Borno State called for the “prosecution of the compromised members of the governing council.” Their real intentions were, however, unfolded as they both made a case for Marte, the first runner up, who they described as “the most qualified candidate for the position.”
   Njodi, who obviously was the target of the groups denied the allegations of forgery and sundry crimes leveled against him by the groups, saying that the groups were doing that as a ploy to sully his image and question his high scores.
   But at the resumption of the special council meeting at the same venue in Abuja on May 6, the report of the board was presented and adopted, but not without Marguba coming up with a written petition on alleged irregularity against Njodi in his elevation from reader to professor.
  Even though most council members were not convinced about the authenticity of the documents, a very reliable source confided in The Guardian that they decided to give it the benefit of the doubt, in order to have a credible selection process that would not be faulted anywhere.
  Consequently, council members resolved to constitute a special panel to investigate the allegations, and it was to submit its findings on May 20th, 2014. Members of the panel were Alhaji Abubakar Adamu Waziri, Prof. Alhaji Maina Gimba, Dr. Ahmadu Brono and Mrs. O. E. Akamo.
  But while the panel was investigating the allegations at the university, Marguba called them to say that he had received a letter that the police was also investigating the same matter as such they should stop the process. Waziri who chaired the investigation panel declined insisting that the police could go ahead with their investigations, as theirs was an internal thing.
  Besides, he insisted the chairman had no powers to stop the work of an investigative committee set up by the council.
 A document obtained by The Guardian on some of the resolutions of the May 20th special council meeting informed that, “The Report of the council committee found out that all allegations made against Prof. Njodi were false and baseless. Council therefore, cleared Prof. Njodi of all the allegations against him.”
   However, in spite of Njodi’s clearance by the council, Marguba strangely tried to scuttle the meeting again, insisting that investigation was inconclusive as the police was still investigating Njodi.
  But the outgoing VC, on receipt of his own copy of the police letter, sought legal opinion from the university’s external solicitors, who said the police investigation should not affect the council’s work, and that the police could take whatever course they liked latter, but that council had the powers to do what they were doing.
  Though Daura made this legal advice available to the relevant authorities, Marguba told members that he would not participate in the special meeting for the conclusion of the appointment of vice chancellor because of the police investigation. He said the council could go ahead, but without him. He then left the meeting, despite pleas from members urging him to stay and conclude the process.
  In view of the above, Council, in accordance with the University of Maiduguri decree No 83 of September 28, 1979, Schedule 3, Article 6 (as amended), having formed a quorum, and mindful of its responsibility decided to act in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations by nominating a chairman in the person of Oparadike to serve as acting chairman and continue with the meeting.
  The council relying on powers conferred on it by Decree 11 of 1993 as amended by the University Miscellaneous Act (2003), after having cleared Prof. Njodi of all allegations, went ahead to confirm his appointment with effect from June 3, 2014, after which Marguba went ahead to issue a statement dissociating himself from the outcome of the special meeting and describing the selection by some members of the council as “totally wrong and unacceptable.”
 According to Marguba, he and some members of the council had objected to the consideration of the report of the selection board, which had recommended the appointment of Prof. Njodi as VC, due to the police investigation and the alleged absence of the inputs of the school’s registrar.
  He noted that the Borno State Police Command had written to him, demanding that the process of selecting a new VC be halted as it was investigating allegations of illegal promotions of Njodi, adding, “As a law-abiding citizen, I had no option but to comply with the police order and instructed an earlier set up by the council to investigate the allegation to stay action in the interest of peace and tranquility.
 “However, the panel refused to comply with my directive and went ahead with their activities and submitted their report to the council’s special meeting, which held on May 20, 2014,” adding that despite his objection and walk out on the meeting on that day, other members of the council proceeded to announce that Prof. Njodi had been selected as the VC for UNIMAID.
  Marguba in his statement added that, “If the police investigations were not completed before the end of Daura’s tenure, an acting vice chancellor would be appointed for the university.”
  However, the ministerial order penultimate weekend effectively annulled that position hence Njodi’s confirmation.
  The university on its part quickly denounced Narguba insisting that he had no powers to unilaterally annul the decision of the council in respect of the May 20 selection of Prof. Njodi as the new VC, which was in line with extant laws, regulations and due process of the university.
  A statement by the University’s spokesman, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed said the constitution and functions of the university and its constituent bodies, including the Governing Council, were contained in the University of Maiduguri Act CAP U10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
   He said the clarification had become necessary to clear the air on the purported unilateral cancellation of the appointment of Prof. Njodi as the new Vice Chancellor of the university as approved by the Governing Council at its Special meeting on May 20, 2014 by the Pro-Chancellor.

Intrigues behind Njodi’s emergence as UNIMAID’s VC

ON Tuesday June 3, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, assumed office as the ninth vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, (UNIMAID) succeeding Prof. Mala Mohammed Daura, whose tenure expired on Monday, June 2, thanks to the intervention of the supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who spearheaded the resolution of the protracted disagreement between the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman and members of the Governing Council of the university, over Daura’ successor.
   At a meeting, which the minister convened in Abuja barely three weeks ago, between the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council, Mallam Lawan Bukar Marguba; principal officers of the university and some top officials of the ministry to resolve the stalemate that trailed Njodi’s appointment at a special council meeting at Kanem Suites, Abuja, on May 20, Wike, a lawyer was reported to have directed Marguba, who has been stoutly opposed Njodi’s emergence to respect the decision of the majority of the council members who voted to appoint Njodi. Marguba was also advised to go to court, if he held anything against the new vice chancellor.
  Shortly after the meeting with the minister, the council in a two-paragraph statement in Abuja, signed by the school’s Registrar, Babagana Muhammad Aji affirmed the Njodi’s appointment.
  The statement said the appointment of Njodi, a professor of Physical and Health Education, and immediate past deputy vice chancellor (Academic Services) of the university takes effect from June 3, for a non-renewable period of five years.
   The statement further stated that the appointment was “duly certified” by the Governing Council of the university at a special meeting it held on May 20th, 2014, having emerged the overall winner out of the 11 candidates interviewed for the position.
   The minister’s intervention came on the heels of steps taken by the Federal Character Commission (FCC), which has been actively involved in the selection process and the eventual certification of the newly appointed university helmsman.
   The commission’s stamp of approval was contained in a Certificate of Compliance with Ref FCC/099/S.5E/19/11/267, dated May 23rd, 2014. The letter addressed to the University of Maiduguri entitled, “Authority to Issue Letter of Appointment to Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as the Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri.”
   According to the document, “On no account shall the name of the approved candidate be substituted/replaced, altered without prior written consent of the commission.”
 Marguba has been in serious disagreement with his other council members since the commencement of the selection process in April. The acrimony stirred up fresh debate about the “indigenisation” of the appointment of vice chancellors for federal universities.
  Though the current leadership of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and even the one before it has been working towards eradicating it from the Nigerian university system, the trend, it appears, would continue to haunt the nation for some time to come.
 The process of appointing a new vice chancellor for the school began well, but when it was apparent that the candidate anointed by the powers that be was far from the clinching the coveted office, things began to get awry.
  In line with the legal requirements of the laws establishing the university, the council on January 23rd this year advertised the position of the vice chancellor, thus marking the beginning of the process of selecting a new helmsman.
  The law also requires the university to constitute a search team and a selection board from its statutory organs, made up of the Governing Council, the Senate and the Congregation. Members of the search team and selection board were elected accordingly. Legally, the process leading up to the selection of a vice chancellor is a joint task executed majorly by the Governing Council and the Senate of the institution.
  The joint council and Senate selection Board comprises two external members of the council, appointed by the Federal Government; two professors from the Senate, who are not members of the council, with the Pro-Chancellor as the chairman.
   Accordingly, Dr. Paul Attah and Chief Innocent Oparadike, a journalist, both of whom are representing public interest in the council were elected as external members on the Joint Selections Board, while profs. B. R. Badejo and Abdulrahman Tahir represented the Senate of the university and Marguba chaired the panel as stipulated by law.
  Over a period of three days from April 22 to 24, the Joint Council and Senate Selections Board met and successfully interviewed all 11 applicants. Both the Education Ministry and FCC sent in representatives to observe the process. They were Mrs. Oluwatofunmi E. Akamo, a deputy director while Mr. Haruna Mamuda Gadam stood in for FCC.
   At the end of the three-day exercise, the board recommended three top candidates for final selection in order of their performance at the interview.
  On the score sheet, Njodi amassed 90.1 per cent and was followed by professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isa Hussaini Marte who scored 71.2 per cent. Prof. Abubakar Kundiri of the Faculty of Agriculture came third with 69.5 percent.
  At a special meeting of the council convened on April 25th to consider the report of the exercise, Marguba, who had signed the final report of the selection suddenly, aborted the meeting claiming to be in receipt of an anonymous petition against one of the applicants, apparently, the candidate with the highest scores.
  Against convention, he held on to the report and ordered that a summary, without the scores be presented to council members, on the excuse that he was going to investigate the anonymous petition. Of course members objected and sensing that he would not have his way, he allegedly decided to unilaterally announce the adjournment of the special meeting with no decision reached by the council.
   Not long, some groups including the University of Maiduguri Alumni Association, Concerned Stakeholders and Concerned Professionals of Borno State petitioned President Goodluck alleging corruption and forgery in the selection process.
  In their petition to the minister, signed by one Prof. Shettima Dala, the UNIMAID Alumni Association alleged that bribery, perjury and corruption have tainted the performance of the council. They further alleged that the Federal Government’s nominees on the council had compromised their positions and as such, were promoting the emergence of a candidate with questionable credentials.
   The association therefore, demanded for a transparent selection process; immediate disqualification of one of the candidates “involved in illegal promotion and forgery,” in the petition, which was addressed to Jonathan.
  On their part, the Concerned Stakeholders of Borno State called for the “prosecution of the compromised members of the governing council.” Their real intentions were, however, unfolded as they both made a case for Marte, the first runner up, who they described as “the most qualified candidate for the position.”
   Njodi, who obviously was the target of the groups denied the allegations of forgery and sundry crimes leveled against him by the groups, saying that the groups were doing that as a ploy to sully his image and question his high scores.
   But at the resumption of the special council meeting at the same venue in Abuja on May 6, the report of the board was presented and adopted, but not without Marguba coming up with a written petition on alleged irregularity against Njodi in his elevation from reader to professor.
  Even though most council members were not convinced about the authenticity of the documents, a very reliable source confided in The Guardian that they decided to give it the benefit of the doubt, in order to have a credible selection process that would not be faulted anywhere.
  Consequently, council members resolved to constitute a special panel to investigate the allegations, and it was to submit its findings on May 20th, 2014. Members of the panel were Alhaji Abubakar Adamu Waziri, Prof. Alhaji Maina Gimba, Dr. Ahmadu Brono and Mrs. O. E. Akamo.
  But while the panel was investigating the allegations at the university, Marguba called them to say that he had received a letter that the police was also investigating the same matter as such they should stop the process. Waziri who chaired the investigation panel declined insisting that the police could go ahead with their investigations, as theirs was an internal thing.
  Besides, he insisted the chairman had no powers to stop the work of an investigative committee set up by the council.
 A document obtained by The Guardian on some of the resolutions of the May 20th special council meeting informed that, “The Report of the council committee found out that all allegations made against Prof. Njodi were false and baseless. Council therefore, cleared Prof. Njodi of all the allegations against him.”
   However, in spite of Njodi’s clearance by the council, Marguba strangely tried to scuttle the meeting again, insisting that investigation was inconclusive as the police was still investigating Njodi.
  But the outgoing VC, on receipt of his own copy of the police letter, sought legal opinion from the university’s external solicitors, who said the police investigation should not affect the council’s work, and that the police could take whatever course they liked latter, but that council had the powers to do what they were doing.
  Though Daura made this legal advice available to the relevant authorities, Marguba told members that he would not participate in the special meeting for the conclusion of the appointment of vice chancellor because of the police investigation. He said the council could go ahead, but without him. He then left the meeting, despite pleas from members urging him to stay and conclude the process.
  In view of the above, Council, in accordance with the University of Maiduguri decree No 83 of September 28, 1979, Schedule 3, Article 6 (as amended), having formed a quorum, and mindful of its responsibility decided to act in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations by nominating a chairman in the person of Oparadike to serve as acting chairman and continue with the meeting.
  The council relying on powers conferred on it by Decree 11 of 1993 as amended by the University Miscellaneous Act (2003), after having cleared Prof. Njodi of all allegations, went ahead to confirm his appointment with effect from June 3, 2014, after which Marguba went ahead to issue a statement dissociating himself from the outcome of the special meeting and describing the selection by some members of the council as “totally wrong and unacceptable.”
 According to Marguba, he and some members of the council had objected to the consideration of the report of the selection board, which had recommended the appointment of Prof. Njodi as VC, due to the police investigation and the alleged absence of the inputs of the school’s registrar.
  He noted that the Borno State Police Command had written to him, demanding that the process of selecting a new VC be halted as it was investigating allegations of illegal promotions of Njodi, adding, “As a law-abiding citizen, I had no option but to comply with the police order and instructed an earlier set up by the council to investigate the allegation to stay action in the interest of peace and tranquility.
 “However, the panel refused to comply with my directive and went ahead with their activities and submitted their report to the council’s special meeting, which held on May 20, 2014,” adding that despite his objection and walk out on the meeting on that day, other members of the council proceeded to announce that Prof. Njodi had been selected as the VC for UNIMAID.
  Marguba in his statement added that, “If the police investigations were not completed before the end of Daura’s tenure, an acting vice chancellor would be appointed for the university.”
  However, the ministerial order penultimate weekend effectively annulled that position hence Njodi’s confirmation.
  The university on its part quickly denounced Narguba insisting that he had no powers to unilaterally annul the decision of the council in respect of the May 20 selection of Prof. Njodi as the new VC, which was in line with extant laws, regulations and due process of the university.
  A statement by the University’s spokesman, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed said the constitution and functions of the university and its constituent bodies, including the Governing Council, were contained in the University of Maiduguri Act CAP U10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
   He said the clarification had become necessary to clear the air on the purported unilateral cancellation of the appointment of Prof. Njodi as the new Vice Chancellor of the university as approved by the Governing Council at its Special meeting on May 20, 2014 by the Pro-Chancellor.

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