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NIGERIAN WATCH
To Inspire, Inform and Entertain FORTNIGHTLY
F
R
E
E
September 5th 2014 Issue No 035
THE UKS LEADING AFRICAN NEWSPAPER WITH THE LARGEST CIRCULATION
INSIDE
Your next
NIGERIAN
WATCH
available from
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ONE IN A
MILLION
Surprise delivery
for Nigerian mum
Page 4
HISTORIC
ROYAL VISIT
The Oba of Oyo at
the High Commission
Page 12
FREE BBC ACADEMY
TALENT DAYS
see page 18
AFRICA IN THE CITY
London African Music Festival,
Unplugged, Utopia, Buff
BACK TO THE FUTURE BACK TO THE FUTURE
NATIONAL CONVERSATIONdelivers a new vision
for a new Nigeria pages 2&3
Obasanjos Anthem should be
scrapped and original restored
ORIGINAL
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native
land
Though tribe and tongue
may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all and proud
to serve
Our sovereign
motherland
OBASANJO
Arise, O Compatriots,
Nigerias call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength
and faith
The labour of our heroes
past
Shall never be in vain,
A NEW VISION
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
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@NigerianWatch 2
NEWSWATCH
Publishers Tevin Jemide & Victor Omosevwerha
Publisher/Managing Director Maryanne Jemide
PR Director Ilonka Omosevwerha
Managing Editor Jon Hughes
Art Editor Cathy Constable
Contributors Obah Iyamu; Harriet Ogbeide; AJ James;
Ayo Akinfe; Funmi Odegbami; Samuel Kasumu;
Ngozi Mbana; Ekanem Robertson, Jessica Onah,
Laura Adenuga
Chief Cartoonist Harold Ogbeide
Ofce address
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Nigerias National
Conference ended on August
21 with the ceremonial
handing over of its fnal
report to President
Goodluck Jonathan.
When a week earlier the
report had been formally and
unanimously adopted by the
conference, Nigerias media
reported that the delegates
spontaneously rose as one
and delivered a rousing
rendition of Nigeria We Hail
Thee (see box left).
Former Minister of Justice,
Chief Richard Akinjide,
NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE
(The original National
Anthem
1960-78)
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribe and tongue
may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all and proud to
serve
Our sovereign motherland
Our ag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign
In peace or battle honour
And this we count as gain
To pass unto our children
A banner without stain
O God of all creation
Grant this our one request
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed
And so with peace and
plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
ARISE, O COMPATRIOTS
(The new National Anthem
adopted under President
Obasanjo
1978- present)
Arise, O Compatriots,
Nigerias call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and
faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom,
Peace and unity.
Oh God of all creation,
Direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to
know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign.
TIME TO
RESTORE
THE FORMER
NATIONAL
ANTHEM?
The National Conference
called for the country to
revert to its original na-
tional anthem, scrapped
in 1978 under the mili-
tary regime of President
Obasanjo.
The original was
adopted at independ-
ence in 1960.
The conference dele-
gates were unanimous
in their belief that the
original was the better
symbol of unity, peace
and prosperity.
Let us know which you
prefer at editor@nigeri-
anwatch.com
NATIONAL
CONFLAB
DELIVERS
BLUEPRINT FOR
A NEW ERA OF
OPEN AND
ACCOUNTABLE
GOVERNMENT
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
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facebook.com/NigerianWatch
NEWSWATCH 3
believed to be the oldest
conference delegate, moved the
motion for the adoption of the
fnal report while the youngest
delegate to the conference, 24-
year-old Miss Yanomah
Mandara, seconded it, in a
symbolic act of passing on the
baton from the old to the new
as Nigeria passed from its frst
century to the second.
That the conference
concluded in such a show of
unanimity was a triumph,
celebrated across the country
and even in its normally cynical
press. Thats not to say it will be
all plain sailing from here any
changes to the constitution
must be endorsed by the
National Assembly and two
thirds of the States houses of
assembly.
Whether the consensus
achieved by the conference
proves to be an irresistible force
in these arenas remains to be
seen. And the timeframe is
tight, with the Presidential
Election looming. Nevertheless
President Jonathan pledged at
the closing ceremony that the
conferences work would not be
in vain.
He told the delegates, On
behalf of all Nigerians, let me
thank you most sincerely for
your hard work. Your tireless
efforts aimed at coming up with
recommendations to chart a
path of peaceful coexistence,
sustainable development, justice
and progress as we march into
our second centenary shall not
be in vain.
Despite diffculties along the
way and at the 11th-hour a
potential split over the naming
of Vol 3 of the report as a Draft
Constitution, subsequently
amended to Resolutions of the
conference as draft amend-
ments to 1999 constitution
the conference has delivered .
The President said, It is
now very clear that as Nigerians
we have devised a way of
addressing and resolving our
differences amicably: we
dialogue and dialogue until we
agree! You have built a new
architecture of negotiation
based on trustful give-and-take
that is going to be a permanent
reference point in our national
life. Im greatly delighted that
you worked that out in practical
terms by your patriotic
demonstration of the truism
that though tribe and tongue
may differ, in brotherhood we
stand.
The result of the
conference has shown that we
are not enemies, neither are we
antagonists, no matter our
religion, region, state, and
tongue. This Conference has
reinforced what I have always
believed: that Nigeria is here for
our collective good.
He assured the delegates that
we shall do all we can to
ensure the implementation of
your recommendations which
have come out of consensus
and not by divisions.
With proposals for the third
tier of government to be
scrapped and creation of 18
new states, to strengthen
federalism and make the states
independently more
transparent and accountable to
their respective electorates he
called on all Nigerians to play
their part.
I appeal to all arms of
government and the people of
Nigeria to be ready to play the
different roles that the volumes
of reports you have produced
would assign to you. It is my
hope that with what you have
done, our country is on the
right road to getting the job of
nation building done.
The report of the National
Conference, coming 100 years
after the Amalgamation,
promises to be a landmark in
our history.
All those who have
predicted the disintegration of
our country at the end of our
frst centenary would wish they
chose another country when the
possibilities of the new vision
for Nigeria are actualised. In
place of disintegration we shall
have integration.
In place of bitterness and
spilling of blood, we shall have
sweetness and healing in our
land. Henceforth, our country
shall become like a running
water that approaches a rock,
rather than stopping it takes a
curve and fows on.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
AT A GLANCE
Started March 17
Ended August 21
492 delegates
2 delegates died during the
ve months deliberations
20 standing committees
3 volumes the nal report
in Vols 1&2 and Resolutions
of the Conference as Draft
Amendments to 1999
Constitution
The report runs to 10,335
pages and contains over 600
resolutions
Cost N7bn ($43m; 26m)
Numbered states
1 ANIOMA
2 ANAMBRA
3 ENUGU
4 ADADA
5 ADADA
6 OIL RIVER
7 RIVERS
8 ABA
9 AKWA IBOM
10 ABIA
11 ETITU
12 NJABA
13 IMO
How Nigeria will look if
the proposal for 18 new
states gets the go-
ahead. New states are
highlighted in yellow.
KEY FINDINGS OF NATIONAL CONVERSATION
MAP OF
THE NEW
NIGERIA
Hon Justice Idris Kutigi,
Chairman, National Con-
ference handing over the
ofcial report of National
Conference to President
Goodluck Jonathan
States: Recommends the creation of 18 new
states; Apa from Benue; Edu from Niger; Kainji
from Kebbi; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah
from Borno; Amana from Adamawa; Gurara
from Kaduna; Ghari from Kano; Etiti from South
East; Aba from Abia; Adada from Enugu; Njaba
from Anambra and Imo; Oil River from Rivers;
Anioma from Delta; Ogoja from Cross River;
IJebu from Ogun; Ose from Edo; and New Oyo
from Oyo. It also recommends that states willing
to merge can do so based on certain conditions.
Derivation Principle/Fiscal Federalism: The Con-
ference noted that assigning a percentage for an
increase in derivation principle, and setting up of
Special Intervention Funds to address issues of
reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas rav-
aged by insurgency and internal conict, as well
as solid minerals development, require some
technical details and consideration. It therefore
recommends that Government should set up a
Technical Committee to determine the appropri-
ate increase and advise government accordingly.
Revenue Allocation: That the sharing of the
funds to the Federal Account should be done in
the following manner: Federal Government (FG),
42.5%; State Governments, 35%; and Local Gov-
ernments 22.5%. That the percentage currently
given to population and equality of states be re-
duced while that assigned to Social Develop-
ment be increased greatly, to ensure accelerated
development of all parts of the country.
Forms of Government: Recommends the Modi-
ed Presidential System, which combines the
presidential and parliamentary systems. The
president shall pick the Vice President from the
Legislature and select no more than 18 ministers
from the six geo-political zones and not more
than 30% of his ministers from outside the Legis-
lature. Reduce costs of governance by pruning
the number of political appointees.
Power Sharing/Rotation: Recommended that the
presidential power should rotate between the
North and the South and among the six geo-po-
litical zones while the governorship will rotate
among the three senatorial districts in a state.
Local Government: All 744 to be scrapped, leav-
ing the FG and States as the only tiers of govern-
ment. States can create as many local govern-
ments as they want, but assume responsibility
for funding. The Constitution should x the
tenure for Local Government Councils at three
years. Conference recommends the scrapping of
State Independent Electoral Commission.
Governance: The creation of the ofce of the Ac-
countant General (Director-General) of the Fed-
eration to oversee the accruals of revenue into
and disbursement from the Federation Account
as and when due; and shall administer these
funds as required by the Constitution. The ofce
of the Accountant General of the FG shall re-
main to oversee the accounts of the FG.
Independent Candidacy: It recommends that
every Nigerian who meets the specied condi-
tion in the Electoral Act should be free to contest
elections as an independent candidate. And for
the diaspora to be given the vote in time for
2015 Presidential election.
Anti-corruption: A Special Court to handle cor-
ruption cases should be established in the light
of undue prolongation in the trials and prosecu-
tion of corruption cases in the regular courts. A
non-conviction-based asset forfeiture law
should be enacted with broad provisions to deal
with all issues of proceeds of crimes by the anti-
graft agencies and the courts.
Religion: Government sponsorship of pilgrim-
ages to the holy lands will cease. It also resolved
that churches and mosques should pay tax.
FOR A NEW NIGERIA


The Association for
African Owned Enter-
prise which boasts a
membership of over
6,000 has launched an
awards ceremony to
recognise the great
contribution of African
entrepreneurs to the
UK economy and in-
spire the next genera-
tion.
Founded in 2006,
AAOE launched the
schedule for the inau-
gural awards at Lon-
dons newest private
members club the Li-
brary in St Martins
Lane and the event it-
self will be staged at
the Grand Connaught
Rooms in Covent Gar-
den on November 22.
We are an afuent com-
munity and contribute 10bn
to the UK economy annually,
explained AAOE Chairman
Washington Kapapiro. Yet
there is very little narrative
about Africans success here
within the UK and we are
looking to showcase some of
these shining stars who have
excelled far and beyond in
their elds against all odds.
The AE Awards will showcase
the success and strength of the
UK African community.
Awards will be given across
18 categories. For more infor-
mation visit www.aaoe.org.uk
NIGERIAN mother Catherine
Howarth and doctors and
nurses at Milton Keynes
Hospital were dumbfounded
recently when she gave birth to
a baby boy and he came out
wholly white.
Financial analyst Catherine,
32, is married to white medical
recruitment consultant, Jonah,
34, and they were both
expecting their child to have a
conventional mixed-race
appearance.
But when Catherine was
handed her child, she was
convinced she had been given
the wrong baby, as even doctors
said the chances of him being
wholly white were an incredible
one in a million.
Catherine told local media, The
midwife looked at me and looked back
down at Jonah and then at me again and
couldnt believe it. The doctors confrmed
it was extremely rare.
Although the couple plan to have
more children, they have been told the
chances of them also being born white are
highly unlikely.
Mr Howarth too was equally
astonished as he had expected his son to
have darker skin. He said, When I frst
set eyes on my baby boy Jonah, it was a
feeling of pure delight and relief that he
was healthy and strong. His complexion
was very pale due to the umbilical cord
being wrapped around his neck when he
was being delivered.
After a few hours his colour came to
his cheeks and Catherine and I noticed his
complexion was very similar to mine and
were surprised it was as light. The
midwives and doctors told us hell most
likely remain this colour.
Mrs Howarth added,
Some children get darker
after a few weeks when the
skin colour they will have for
life starts to become obvious
but you can see from the
colour at the tips of their
ears what that will be. We
saw straight away that Jonah
was fully white and doctors
have said he is not an
albino.
We have been told that I
must have been carrying a
recessive gene. My parents
were from Nigeria and for as
far back as anyone can
remember, my family have
all been black but at some
point there must have been a white gene
in my family that has remained dormant
for years and years until now."
She added that doctors said they knew
of only two similar cases, both in the US.
In 2010 Nmachi Ihegboro, was born
wholly white despite having two black
parents, while nine years ago, mixed-race
couple Kylie Hodgson, 27 and Remi
Horder, 25, from Nottingham, became
parents to twin daughters, with one being
white and one black.
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch 4
NEWSWATCH
Baby is one in a million
AFRICA ENTERPRISE
AWARDS LAUNCHED
Recessive gene springs surprise on mixed race parents
A film by
Academy Award

Winner
Alex Gibney
PRESENTS
MUSIC
IS THE WEAPON
IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE 5 SEPTEMBER
/FindingFela WWW.FINDINGFELA.CO.UK @FindingFela
COVENT GARDEN GREENWICH LEE VALLEY STREATHAM
A MUST SEE
Rolling Stone
ABERDEEN Belmont Filmhouse BIRMINGHAM Odeon Broadway Plaza BIRMINGHAM Midlands Art Centre BRISTOL Watershed CARDIFF Chapter
EDINBURGH Filmhouse GLASGOW Glasgow Film Theatre LIVERPOOL Picturehouse At Fact MANCHESTER Cornerhouse
MANCHESTER Odeon Printworks NOTTINGHAM Broadway Cinema
Legendary Fuji drummer Yomi Bashiru is in
town and rearing to go. He is affectionately
known back home as Nigerias Phil Collins
a reference to the legendary British drummer
and multi-instrumentalist, who became the
lead singer in the supergroup Genesis and
went on to become one of the most success-
ful solo artists of all time.
Likewise Yomi. Hes been all over the
stage. He started out as backing singer with
Fatai Ayinde before taking his place behind
the drums for Bashiru Adeguns outft. In
1989 he became the driving force behind
King Wasiu Ayindes band and revolu-
tionised the Fuji sound by introducing ampli-
fed drums to the mix.
I made them talk more, he says mod-
estly of the sound he created. It elevated the
music and saw the group break through and
cross over into Europe and America. The
next decade was spent undertaking world
tours.
Having recently graduated in Political Sci-
ence and Education hes now back doing the
thing he loves most, making music, with his
own band the Naija Grooves. This is bold in-
novative, funked-up Fuji.
He likes being at the front. You get more
love, he says. And he gets to give more. You
have to entertain the audience, he says with
his customary wry smile. Is he, like all drum-
mers, mad, bad and dangerous? Only be-
hind the kit, he says with a chuckle.
Not solely, however. His lyrics ft the bill
too. I write about Nigeria, Nigerians, the
politics. You have to entertain and engage the
audience and hope they understand there are
other ways, he explains.
This is a rare opportunity to see Yomi
storm the stage. He is one of the greats of
Nigerian music, up there with his heroes
Fela, King Sonny Ade, Tony Allen, Wasiu
and it is an opportunity not to be missed.
Hes currently in London laying down
tracks for an album and preparing for a one-
off show at the London African Music Festi-
val. Now in its 12th year this is WOMAD in
the city, one the great celebrations of African
music with over 40 gigs in 10 days.
Panic now and avoid the rush for tickets.
Yomi Bashiru and the Joyful Noise play
The Forge, Delancy Street, Camden on Sept
25. For tickets call 020 7383 7808 or visit
www.forgevenue.org
The Joyful Noise London African Music
Festival runs from September 15 28 at vari-
ous venues across London. For full details
visit http://www.joyfulnoise.co.uk/london-
african-music-festival/
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch 6
NEWSWATCH
DIASPORA BOND GETS SOFT
LAUNCH AT LONDONS SAVOY
Nigerias Minister of Finance
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was in
London on Monday September
1 to introduce the diaspora
bond to an invitation only audi-
ence of 500 prominent UK
Nigerians.
The event at the Savoy Hotel
was part of a roadshow of in-
teractive sessions organised by
Nigerias Debt Management
Offce, that is taking in Europe
and America, to sell the dis-
apora bond.
While the Savoy meeting was
held behind closed doors the
proposed issuing of the bond
has been heavily trailed.
Reuters Africa reported at
the end of June that Nigeria
was planning to issue a bond, to
raise between $100-300m by the
end of the year.
The report continues, We
are still working on it, it will be
a minimum $100 million and up
to $300 million, Abraham
Nwankwo, director-general of
Nigerias debt management of-
fce, told Reuters on the side-
lines of an Africa debt forum,
adding the bond would launch
before the year ends.
Nigeria chose Stanbic IBTC
and Goldman Sachs as lead
managers of the diaspora bond
in April. Mr Nwankwo said the
bond would be sold only to off-
shore diaspora investors, with
no on-shore portion.
NIGERIAS REVOLUTIONARY
PHIL COLLINS
The Association of British Nigerian Law En-
forcement Ofcers and Nigerians In Dias-
pora Organisation are tohold a joint
immigration awareness event at the Nigeria
High Commission Banking Hall, Northum-
berland Avenue, on Saturday September
20between 11- 5 pm.
The aim of the event is to raise aware-
ness among the diaspora of recent changes
to the immigration act and its potential im-
pact. On the introduction of new rules
Home Secretary Theresa May made clear its
aim was to ensure our immigration system
is fairer to British citizens and legitimate
migrants and tougher on those with no
right to be here.
See page 14
New Immigration Act
awareness meeting
THE UKS LARGEST HIV AND SEXUAL HEALTH CHARITY TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST has launched a
Faith and Community Project, which aims to provide faith leaders with the skills and knowledge to
support people living with HIV in their communities. The charity will also offer faith groups the op-
portunity to access rapid HIV testing services. Testing involves a nger prick blood test, providing
results within 20 minutes. African communities remain one of the groups most at risk of HIV in the
UK, with 1,522 new diagnoses last year. If you are a faith leader who is interested in developing
your knowledge to support people living with HIV or if you are interested in volunteering with the
Faith and Community project, contact marcy.madzikanda@tht.org.uk.
Selected stores. Available while stocks last. Offer available from 8am on Friday 5th September 2014. Tropiway Fufu Flour 681g (4.41 per kg), Tropical Sun Nigerian Honey Beans/Brown Beans 1.5kg (33.3p per 100g), Africas Finest Pure Palm/Pure Zomi Oil 1 litre ( per
100ml). Online delivery charges may apply. Mobile network charges may apply.
Discover something new
from our West African range
Find these and more in the World Foods aisle
or at ASDA.com (selected stores only)

2

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1.19 each
100g
3 each
681g

5
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1 litre
4.99 each
1.5kg

9
Pure palm oil Pure zomi oil Nigerian brown beans Nigerian honey beans
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On arrival at Lagos after an
evening fight and a long wait
for my luggage you can
imagine that the last thing that
I was interested in discussing
was politics.
To my surprise the frst
statement of my friends
father when he came to pick
us up was something along
the lines of Why are you
Conservative? You need to not
be that.
I was initially stunned and
didnt really know how to
react so I simply smiled and
carried on to the car.
Once we reached our
destination the questioning of
my political persuasion began
again. Why are you a
Conservative? he yelled.
Dont you know they dont
like black people?
Maybe it was because I was
tired or because I have been
on a bit of a political
sabbatical, but a response
from me was nonexistent.
Perhaps I should have
notifed him of the fact that
two of his dear daughters-in -
law are Conservative
sympathisers, and that on one
occasion I even took one of
them to a Tory Reform Group
meeting where she duly posed
for a picture with the
President... none other than
the Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke.
I am not sure if their
conservative views have been
kept secret from him but he
did mention that he reads my
Nigerian Watch article
regularly. So if you were
unaware that your sons
partners are conservative... I
guess you know now uncle!
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
9
The SAMUEL KASUMU Column
Turning 27
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WHY ARE YOU CONSERVATIVE?
The usual hustle and bustle of Lagos airport is
something that one must prepare for mentally
when travelling. I made sure that I had my serious
face on as I arrived from London and thankfully
was untroubled. A friend however wasnt so lucky,
and was encouraged to pay an unofcial ne for
the luggage he had brought with him.
The journey back was smoother but I felt the
need to complain to Virgin Atlantic for what can
only be classied as rst world problems. Not hav-
ing the food I wanted and failing to put a tag on
my luggage to represent the cabin I was in was
hardly something worth writing about,
but in the world today it is a right to get
what you pay for.
I made the complaint and received a reply
within 14 working days. Not only did I receive a
reply, but I was also given 8,000 air miles for my in-
convenience. I have now forgiven the wrong by Vir-
gin Atlantic and will of course duly complain if they
wrong me again.
ALESANDRA SEUTIN
FEATURING AYANNA
WITTER-JOHNSON
Friday 12 September
The regal Alesandra is a
commanding presence
(The Independent)
Mulatu Astatke
Saturday 13 September
A rare show featuring special
guests and a post-show party.
GINA YASHERE
Saturday 13 September
One of the best comics in the
world (The Guardian)
Plus TALKS AND DEBATES
food stalls desIgn & craft
exhibitions fashion shows
free events workshops
& more
Southbankcentre.co.uk/
africautopia
0844 847 9910
11 14 September
#africautopia
Why its good to complain
I recently returned from my second
trip to Lagos in as many years, this
trip was for both business and
pleasure. I attended the traditional
wedding of a close friend which was
a lot of fun. Seeing over 1000 people
attend a wedding is something that
is usually only the preserve of
royalty in the UK, so this was an
experience that was very much new
to me.
One thing that stood out more than
anything else on this trip was the
entrepreneurial spirit of the Nigerian
people. Everyone that I met was doing
something enterprising, or at least had
the aspiration to do so.
The driver that we had hired for the
day, my namesake, Mr Samuel, was
among them. We got talking and he
told me about how he was saving up
N1 million to buy old car parts from
England. He asked me where the best
places were to obtain such goods as
there were huge opportunities to sell
them on in markets for so-called
Tokunbo cars.
For all of the entrepreneurialism
amongst the people I couldnt help but
feel perplexed about the lack of regard
for the other that so many people I
spoke to have. For the rich, many were
solely focused on obtaining more
wealth as opposed to helping to build
up the country.
I engaged with quite a few
Diasporans who had moved back to
Nigeria and must say I was very
disappointed to see just how selfsh and
self-centred they were. These were not
young people that had come back to
make a difference, but mercenaries that
had returned to see how they could
rape the country in the same way that
so many Europeans did in times past.
It was disappointing to see that
people had very little heart for the poor
and in fact were keen to exploit the
access to such cheap labour for their
own pleasures.
At frst this made me decide that
perhaps Nigeria was not the country
for me to do business.
But upon my return to
the UK I have had the
opportunity to refect
and my conclusion is
that I should engage with
the country on the basis
of humanitarianism as
opposed to economic
gain.
If the next time I go
back to Nigeria it is to open a school,
or sponsor a childs education, as
opposed to exchanging contracts
perhaps then, and only then, will I be
able to say that I am different from
some of my fellow Diasporans.
Disappointed in diasporans that have returned home
August was the month when I
turned 27, on the 27th. Unfor-
tunately, Im not too supersti-
tious so the dates didnt have
much special signicance but it
was of course another oppor-
tunity to reect.
Having fallen into the trap
of becoming too busy with the
cares of this world I must say it
was very difcult this time
around to really look back at
the last year.
One must of course give
thanks for the privilege to have
another year as so many were
unable to. I always say that in
life it isnt the length of days
that is signicant but what you
have done with the days that
youve been given.
PS. If you are having any
Black History Month celebra-
tions in October let me know.
As always were hosting the
largest debate tour in the UK
and are always looking at
other initiatives we can sup-
port. Get in touch at info@en-
campaigns.com .
These were not young
people that had come
back to make a difference
pay as you go SIM
closer than you think
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NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
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YOURWATCH 11 YOURWATCH 11
Letters to the Editor
Let us know what you think. Put pen to paper and send your letters to: The Editor, Nigerian Watch, Chartwell
House, 292 Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8NP, or email us at: editor@nigerianwatch.com
Letters to be included in the next issue must be received by no later than Sept 14, 2014. Anonymous letters
will not be published. Please include your full name, postal address and contact telephone number. Names
and addresses can be withheld, if preferred.
Letters may be edited for publication.
F
or the past few years the sword of Damocles
has hung over Nigeria, ever since a US
intelligence report predicting the break-up of
Nigeria by 2015. Uncertainty breeds uncertainty.
Many feared the National Conversation that
has just concluded would be the straw that broke
our nations back. The nay-sayers had a eld day
predicting that ethnic divisions and faction
ghting would see the Conversation end in chaos.
It didnt. It ended in unanimity.
Over 500 delegates, representing all interests,
patiently and at times passionately debated the
challenges facing the nation and worked out
ways to overcome them.
Under the blueprint delivered there will be a
stronger federalism with more power devolved to
the States, under plans to scrap the current
system of local government. This will serve to
make Governors more answerable to the people
they serve and that can only be a good thing.
It will also raise competition between States to
develop as the electorate will be able to see
who delivers and who doesnt. This is a step in the
right direction toward greater transparency and
accountability and a brighter future.
The consensus that has been found must not
be allowed to be kicked into the long grass. If it is,
then predictions like the one that has dogged us
for years will return, to
the detriment of all
Nigerians and the
continent as a whole.
Maryanne Jemide, MD
NW COMMENT
The item in Womens Watch about writing a
will was an interesting piece and informative
too. The next step is to act upon what was
said in due course. I also found the piece
about Y.A.M (both Nigerian Watch, issue 34)
both comical and relevant too, and it happens
to be my favourite food!
Im not sure if youre aware, but some remit-
tance frms ask for a favourite item as a pass-
word, which has to be changed periodically. I
have been pondering this name as an option,
only to read about its converted meaning!
All the best with the next issue.
Wale Bakare, via email
Thanks to Nigerian Watch (issue 35) I am
aware of the imminent release of the new doc-
umentary flm about Fela Kuti, Finding Fela.
There are some interesting parallels to be
made between Nigeria and the present Algeria
in respect of Saint Augustine of Hippo and
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430A.D.),
of the present day Algeria, has been described
as the greatest thinker to have come out of
Africa, whereas Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been
described as the greatest musician to have
come out of Africa.
One of the names given to Fela by his fans
is Augustine because of his protruding head.
In Yoruba language, a protruding head is
known as OGO, anglicised to AUGUR and so
the nickname AUGUSTINE.
Fela was born in 1938, the year the Augus-
tinian monks came to settle in Nigeria in Jos,
where you have the Augustinian Seminary and
the Augustinian Monastery.
Saint Augustine and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
Remembering Fela
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have both been described as womanisers and
philosophers. Saint Augustine was a Priest
and Fela a self-confessed Chief Priest.
Saint Augustines mother, Monica, has
been described as the Patron Saint of Moth-
ers and Felas mother, Funmilayo Ransome
Kuti has been described as an icon of the
struggle of Nigerian women and the Mother
of Africa.
Saint Augustine and Fela both died in the
month of August. Saint Augustine died on
August 28, 77 days before his birthday (No-
vember 13), while Fela died on August 2, 74
days before his birthday (October 15).
Augustine Bickerstith, via email
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch 12
EMBASSYWATCH
NEWS FROM THE NIGERIA
HIGH COMMISSION, LONDON
Allegations of war crimes levelled against
the Nigerian military in a documentary
broadcast on Channel 4 have been frmly
refuted by Nigerias High Commissioner to
the UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafda, OFR,
CFR.
Entitled Nigerias Hidden War and shown as
part of the Dispatches strand on August 18, the
documentary took the spotlight off Boko
Harams violent insurgency and turned it
instead on the Nigerian militarys response.
Written and produced by freelance
documentary flm maker Evan Williams the
programme was also shown in Australia under
the title Nigerias Dirty War.
His Excellency Dr Tafda was alerted on
August 6 to the UK programmes imminent
broadcast in a letter from Mr Williams, in which
he sought an offcial response to the allegations
about to be aired and described in his letter as
[my] own fndings.
In his reply Dr Tafda wrote, While I totally
agree with you that decent treatment of civilians
in a situation of armed confict is not only in
line with natural justice and indeed has found
expressions in several international instruments
and anything that contravenes that could
constitute war crimes. However, nothing of the
sort is being perpetrated in Nigeria.
What is happening in Nigeria Dr Tafda
wrote is a concerted effort on behalf of the
Federal Government, which has won
international support, to defend the populace
against indiscriminate attacks by the terrorist
group Boko Haram.
Boko Haram insurgents have pitched
themselves against the country and its people,
wreaking havoc, killing and maiming people
and destroying property with reckless
abandon, Dr Tafda says in the letter. It is safe
to say that the group is now an enemy of the
people and territory of Nigeria.
To parade them in any other light is an error,
especially as the insurgents have previously used
the tactic of dissembling as Nigerian forces to
launch deadly raids on towns and villages,
including the Chibok schoolgirl kidnapping.
Therefore it should not be surprising that a
propaganda campaign could be unleashed on
the government to dilute the collective resolve
to stamp out this puzzle called Boko Haram.
While accepting that in a campaign like this
one possible collateral damage could be
experienced Dr Tafda continues for the
avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Government
is committed to putting behind it this problem
in the shortest possible time and is doing
everything possible within the ambit of the law
in that direction.
And that resolve does not just equate to
boots on the ground but manifests itself in the
form of many initiatives including development
agencies, safer schools initiative and victim
support fund to mobilise resources and
administer appropriate support to victims of
insurgency and Boko Haram terror activities.
He continues, To read [in your letter] about
war crimes in the Nigerian situation of today is
to give in to disinformation and unfair
assessment of the current state of affairs in the
north-eastern part of Nigeria.
Pondering the issue in a personal capacity Dr
Tafda cautions against pointing accusing
fngers. He writes, I think we should be less
selective in pointing accusing fngers and be more
inclusive in crying foul. For instance, we are yet
to hear from your organisation as to your
fndings about cases of war crimes and human
rights violations in the ongoing standoff between
Israel and the Palestinians, or between pro-
Russia Ukrainians and Ukraine, in regard to the
secessionist bid of easter Ukraine.
Once the question of human rights violation
accusation is seen to be targeted at country A
and not country B, or government A and not
Government B then it loses its utility and
fairness.
As a member of the UN and several other
international organisations, contributing men and
materials towards peace-keeping in several parts
of the world, neither the Federal Government
nor its agencies can be said to be targeting
unprotected civilians as a matter of policy.
He asserts Nigerias commitment to human
rights as a signatory to the UN charter the
international covenant on civil and political
rights highlighting that Nigeria has
domesticated human rights protection and
promotion in its constitution, with a very
independent Judiciary and Human Rights
Constitution to attend to cases of abuses, if any.
He concludes, Consequently our take on
this as a Mission of Nigeria in this very
important country is to dismiss the purported
cases of human rights abuses and war crimes in
Nigeria but instead restate the commitment
and resolve of the FG in Nigeria to address this
insurgency and psychologically reintegrate the
people of north-eastern Nigeria to its fold.
Dr Tafdas 3-page letter was reduced to
three lines and presented at the end of the
programme when broadcast.
History was made at the
High Commission on
Wednesday September 3
when the King of the
Yoruba nation, His Royal
Majesty Oba Lamidi
Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the
Alaafn of Oyo, was
welcomed to the Mission by
Nigerias Ambassador to
the UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki
Tafda, OFR, CFR.
Never before has there been
such a royal visit by one of
Nigerias traditional rulers.
The air was full of
anticipation before the Oba
and his entourage arrived at
the mission.
His Royal Majesty frst met
privately with Dr Tafda in the
Ambassadors offce where the
two men greeted each other
with the traditional clenched
fst salute.
After a brief conversation
they joined their respective
colleagues to offcially mark
the grand occasion.
A scholar of history, the
Oba regaled his audience with
a learned overview of the
Yoruba Empire, and
emphasised that it was now
widely recognised to be the
place where, what are now
considered the fundamentals
of any democratic society,
were frst practised.
At 600 years, the empire is
the longest-surviving in
modern times.
What made the Empire
last so long was due process,
he told to gathering. We were
the frst to practice due
process.
The Yoruba Empire was
also the frst to essentially
devolve power and establish a
social contract with its
peoples. He lamented the fact
that when the British
colonised they ignored the
Empires constitution as it was
not written down.
The principles, however,
remain true and ones to be
followed today now we are
one.
His majesty was glad to
note that Dr Tafda upholds
those principles. We are
aware of what you are doing,
he told His Excellency. I
know because I have watched
you interviewed many times
on television.
He praised the work of the
Mission under Dr Tafda for
promoting the positive face of
Nigeria and redeeming the
image of Nigeria.
Dr Tafda returned the
compliment, noting the Obas
sagacity and intellect. He told
the gathering, He is stronger
than all of us here. He is over
80 and has been on the throne
for 45 years.
He recalled vividly when in
1975 the head of state General
Murtala Ramat Mohammed
included Oba Adeyemi in his
entourage to the hajj. He
there made one of the great
political speeches of all time.
Dr Tafda concluded by
saying, We are your servants,
here to serve the people.
His majesty then signed the
visitors book before being
accompanied to his car by Dr
Tafda.
Boko Haram
insurgents
have pitched
themselves
against the
country and
its people,
wreaking
havoc
Historic Royal visit by Oba
WAR CRIMES ALLEGATIONS DISTORT THE TRUTH
NIGERIAN WATCH
11-24 Apr 2014
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch 14
NEWSWATCH
AFRICANS IN FAVOUR OF AN
INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND
In a little over two weeks the
United Kingdom might be
no more, if the people of
Scotland vote in the looming
referendum to become an
independent nation.
The polls (at the time of
going to press) are narrowing,
with six points separating those
voting against independence
and those voting for (48% and
42% respectively). A key factor
in determining the outcome will
be the black vote and there have
been active campaigns in favour
of independence from the dias-
pora there in the form of
Africans for an Independent
Scotland (AFIS) and Nigeri-
ans4YesScotland.
AFIS group secretary
Chimezie Umeh launched
AFIS in October last year, post-
ing an article on the Scottish
Left Review website under the
Nigerian proverb, The journey
to manhood begins only when
a man leaves his fathers house
to build his own homestead.
It continues, Within the
African and Caribbean com-
munities of Scotland, we are
aware of how independence for
our countries brought radical
social change and social devel-
opment in the 20th century.
Representing members from
25 countries on the continent
Afs mission statement says,
The things we all have in com-
mon is that we believe: in free-
dom and Independence for
Africa and are happy to apply
that principle to Scotlands self-
determination.
And, That issues such as
race discrimination, gender
equality, borders and immigra-
tion, and asylum policies all
that directly impact on African
& Caribbean communities are
currently decided at Westmin-
ster level, much to our collective
disadvantage. These could be
radically changed if Scotland
was to become an independent
country.
With the polls narrowing so
dramatically the no vote
started with a 20 point lead
Afs believes the black vote can
make a difference to the even-
tual outcome. The latest census
shows that there are around
36,000 Africans living in Scot-
land, mostly in Glasgow,
Dundee and Aberdeen.
Mr Umeh, formerly from
Nigeria, is passionate in his be-
lief that an independent Scot-
land would go from strength to
strength.
He told the Daily Herald,
The right to be self-suffcient
and self-reliant is a fundamen-
tal human right and I believe
that exercising these rights has
nothing to do with who your
neighbours are. Scotland is a
home to me now. I have lived
here for seven years and my
children were born here. I want
this to be the future for my
kids.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian
Community in Scotland has
also been active, under the ban-
ner Nigerians4YesScotland.
The group has held meetings
that have been attended by min-
isters. One of the key issues has
been how independence will ef-
fect migrants and their status.
The Old Coal Yard, 8 Westcourt Street, Chatham, Kent ME7 5RD,
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FABULOUS FUN DAYS DRAW BIG CROWDS
Despite the clash of dates, the dias-
pora rallied in their hundreds to cel-
ebrations of Nigerian culture and
heritage staged by the Nigerian
Schools Sport and Family Fun Day
and Central Association of Nigerians
in the UK respectively on August 24.
Over 800 attended the NSSFF event,
and were still dancing at dusk.
Meanwhile, at the Canuk event,
Nigerias Ambassador Dr Dalhatu
Sarki Tada, was guest of honour.
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T
he Immigration Act
2014 is a sad story for
immigration lawyers.
Not only because it is
essentially an Anti-
Immigration Act, but
also because it attacks the core values
of our legal system, which most of us
in the UK would have thought to be
impregnable. Judicial control over
immigration decisions will be largely
lifted once the relevant provisions of
the Act are in force.
Reduced right to appeal
The current system allows appeals
against a number of immigration
decisions, such as refusal of entry
clearance, refusal of applications for
extension of leave to remain,
revocation of leave to enter, decision
to remove a migrant from the UK,
and so on. These rights will be
scrapped.
Instead, the new system will
provide for the right of appeal against
refusal of a human rights claim. This,
together with refusal of a claim for
asylum or humanitarian protection,
will be the only decisions bearing the
right of appeal.
How this will pan out is a mystery
to most immigration experts,
particularly because no one knows in
what shape or form this human rights
claim has to be presented. I, for one,
am of the view that the right to a
private life of any migrant is affected
when his application is not treated in
accordance with the law.
In my seven years of practice I
have dealt with hundreds of
successful appeals where the decision
under challenge was simply not in
accordance with the immigration
rules. So how will I protect my client
against an incorrect, or unlawful,
decision? Sadly not an uncommon
affair with the Home Offce.
Will I need to put a line in the
covering letter or enclose a postcard
saying and by the by, dear decision
maker, please do not forget to act in
accordance with the law it is my
clients right under the Human Rights
Act (Article 8, in case youre
wondering) so please take this as a
human rights claim? Just the way I
used to send parcels to good old
Russia with a note inside Dear
postal worker, herein are vitamins for
the seriously ill, please kindly refrain
from stealing! Being assertive, you
still have to be nice.
Apparently, Parliament has
thought along the same lines. And
there are provisions in the Act aimed
at preventing any such DIY
obstructions to freewheeling.
Little weight should be given to a
private life established by a person at
a time when the persons immigration
status is precarious, says the new
Act. Precarious is defned in the
Oxford English Dictionary as
dangerously lacking in security or
stability, subject to chance or
unknown conditions. From the Latin
precarious obtained by entreaty
(from prex, prec- prayer)+ -ous.
It all adds up really nicely if you
apply logic: the lesser control over the
decision-making process, the more
precarious the applicants position
becomes, and hence less weight
should be given to the applicants
private life. It is a vicious circle.
Access to the tools of everyday
life
The Act brings to life the Home
Secretarys pledge to make it more
diffcult for illegal migrants to live in
the United Kingdom by denying access
to the tools of everyday life by
introducing new restrictions on access
to accommodation, health care, bank
accounts and driving licences.
Residential tenancies
When this part of the Act takes effect
landlords will bear responsibility for
the immigration status of their tenants,
similarly as employers bear
responsibility for employing migrants
without right to work.
Migrants without leave to remain in
the UK will not be allowed to rent
accommodation. A civil penalty of up
to 3,000 may be imposed on the
landlord or estate agent for breach of
the prohibition.
The prohibition will extend to any
disqualifed adult occupying the
premises whether or not the person is
named on the written agreement. The
landlords will be expected to make
reasonable enquiries about the
identity of the occupants. A term in the
rent agreement prohibiting disqualifed
occupancy will not be suffcient to
prevent liability of the landlord.
This part of the Act requires a
Commencement Order, which has not
yet been made. And there are serious
practical obstacles to implementing
this innovative system of
neighbourhood watch.
First of all, immigration status is
not always as transparent as one might
assume. There are thousands and
thousands of people awaiting decisions
of their applications by the Home
Offce, who have the right to remain in
the UK and no proof that they might
produce if challenged.
Just last week after endless requests,
pleas, complaints, and angry letters I
fnally received an acknowledgement
of an application for my client reading,
Your application for further leave was
received on 26 August 2011 (sic!) and
it has been allocated to the appropriate
section for consideration We
currently have a number of such
applications outstanding and because
of this, it is taking longer than we
would like for a fnal decision to be
reached. We are, however, currently
aiming to conclude your case within
the next 12 months.
His right to live
and work in the UK
is not prejudiced by
the delay, but for the
three years between
August 2011 and
August 2014 we did
not have even a piece
of paper to confrm
this!
Secondly, there
may be a dispute as
to the immigration
status of the migrant:
the Home Offce may
be of one view, the
migrants lawyers of
the other, and it may
be a matter for the
judiciary to make a
decision.
Thirdly, will residential landlords
and estate agents be trained to
determine someones immigration
status? Would all of them be familiar
with the full list of EU member states?
What about family members of EU
nationals who have an automatic right
to live and work in the UK provided
their EU national family member is
exercising Treaty rights?
These family members are not
required by law to have a document
confrming their status. And for some
of them it is next to impossible to get
this document even if they want to, say
if they are unable to surrender their
passport for six months or so that it
takes the Home Offce to issue an EEA
residence card.
All in all, minor practicalities will
not impede the main thrust of the Act:
landlords will be unwilling to rent
property to foreigners unless they have
incentives to take the risk. Whether the
incentives will come from the natural
human striving for justice, equality and
humanity, or from greed, and
opportunities for taking advantage is
something we may all ponder about.
Healthcare
This provision of the Act also requires
a Commencement order, which has not
yet been put in place. It will introduce
a healthcare levy payable by migrants
who lawfully come to or stay in the UK
to work, study or be with their family.
They will be required to pay in advance
for each year of stay to preserve access
to the NHS and the validity of their
visa.
The Department of Health will
make new regulations under the
National Health Service Act 2006 in
autumn this year introducing an
extended range of NHS charges
applying to migrants who are subject
to immigration control. Payment of
the levy will exempt those lawfully in
the UK from payment of charges.
In other words, the system of levies
will act as a government run obligatory
health insurance for non-EEA
nationals. What remains to be seen is
whether provisions for urgent and
necessary treatment will be in place
and whether these will be subject to
capacity to pay for those who are
outside the system of levies? Will
access to GPs and nurses be subject to
a lawful residence test? Will
communicable diseases be left
untreated where the payment cannot
be secured?
Driving licence revocation
Those who are unlawfully in the UK
are not permitted to hold a UK driving
licence. Applicants for a licence have to
be lawfully resident in the UK. There
are new powers to revoke a driving
licence if the holder is not a lawful
resident.
Bank accounts
Banks are now prohibited from
opening current accounts to which
someone who is unlawfully in the UK
has access.
Whats missing?
Not much really. Maybe a conspicuous
mark on the sleeve of those who are
subject to immigration control it will
be easier to carry out the necessary
checks, and the mark does not have to
be a yellow star, please do not take me
wrong!
Access to sustenance. We deny them
the right to rent accommodation, so
why sell them food? Drinks as well. We
control sale of alcohol for those under
21, why not for those who are not
allowed to be here? Why let them into
the pubs at all? And why do they use
the underground? A curfew may also
be imposed to weed out those who are
left in the streets.
And we are on the right track: no
accommodation, no driving licence, no
health service, no bank accounts, no
work, no food. Just mark them out,
and see how their numbers will fade.
Surely we are winners?
Helena Sheizon is an immigration
lawyer with Kadmos Consulting,
www.kadmosimmigration.com
Educated at UCL and called to the bar
in 2005, she has been practising
immigration since 2007. Her
professional interests are on the rights of
migrants in the UK in light of Human
Rights legislation and broader context of
EU free movement rights.
NIGERIAN WATCH
11-24 Apr 2014
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NEWSWATCH 15
NOT FAR SHORT OF A YELLOW STAR
The Immigration Act 2014 is essentially an Anti-Immigration Act and attacks the core values of our legal system, writes
lawyer Helena Sheizon. Here she considers the major new clauses of the act and the harsh implications for migrants
No accommodation,
no driving licence, no
health service, no
banks, no work, no
food. Just mark them
out and see how their
numbers fade

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NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
17
A
pparently, it seems, every
person who relocates to
Nigeria will in their frst
three to six months
undergo a crisis or worse
a series of crises that infringe on your
human rights.
Perhaps its pay day drama, that
glorious day that came and went
without one kobo being put in your
account. Or maybe someone in the
bank jumps the queue and the banker
says nothing. Or possibly it might even
be worse, perhaps you are prescribed
the wrong medicine, by MISTAKE. Or
your car is damaged whilst innocently
being parked at the kerb by a hoodlum
with no licence. Or someone who owes
you change runs off!
So who are you going to call?
Defnitely not the Ghostbusters! The
police? Nope. Fire your mouth! The
police are not your friends! Forget it!
Nothing will happen. This is Nigeria. I
will say no more on this matter.
LOW SECURITY AND WHAT
ABOUT MY HUMAN RIGHTS
Recently I went through a crisis. The
incident in question involved
something being broken in a shop I
visited. I was told that I did not want
to buy but I spoiled something on
purpose, I was called a thief by one
uneducated shop girl and followed half
way down the road until I was escorted
back to the store by the security guard
where the girl forced me to buy the
beads that had accidentally broke.
(Do you know what it is to be called
a thief in Nigeria when they know you
are from abroad? Azzin the whole
street can do jungle justice to you
Finish!!)
I was told to empty my bag and
accused of being a thief and security
did nothing to stop her pushing me, (so
obviously I pushed her back because
Im not a pure Christian everyday!).
I ended up paying for the damage
so that I could end the matter, but it
taught me a big lesson about security
and human rights, there are none.
NIGERIANS PRIDE
THEMSELVES ON IMAGE
Projecting a positive self-image is very
important in Nigeria, this is said to be
the one thing you can have control
over. One of my earliest lessons on self-
image as a child was learnt when we
were expecting visitors at home.
I can remember my mother laying
out the best crockery, china wares,
crystal glasses, stuff that we did not
know existed, for our visitor. It was as
if we preparing for the queen of
England to arrive!
Wetin be this kind cleaning again?
The house had to be immaculate and
that shake-and-vax freshener was used
all over the carpet. Falling short of this
would have resulted in mummys if I
deal with you now look, the one
where you begin to
regret your life. Yes,
you know the one.
Needless to say
everything had to be
on point for a reason,
your homelife was
and still is your self-
image. Now as an
adult I have come to
refect on this image
of a thing in Nigeria.
Sometimes we
have higher standards
or pay more attention
to things that dont
matter as much in life
like our hair, phones,
cars and clothes, yet
our dwelling places are not so much in
order as they could be.
DRIVING CHAOS!
Daily driving here is performed by
short blasts of horns to signal right,
left, or to overtake. Its hectic!
As a general rule, assume every
vehicle is driven by someone who has
not passed their driving test. You can
buy licenses for a fee. Remember that
commercial bus (danfo) drivers and
okada drivers, will try and squeeze
through two parked cars. Yes its true.
I even suspect that driving is a survival
test; that is, if you make it to your
destination and back home alive you
have passed!
Everybody is in a hurry and doesnt
consider his fellow sister or brother on
the road so driving here is a case of
me-frst behaviour, which means that
if you do not drive-by-force-and-beep
you will NOT get anywhere for the rest
of the day.
Laugh out Loud
Even though we live in a constant
predicament of lack and plenty, doom
and gloom, hope and glory, growth
and stagnation, Nigeria is Africas
own big apple and Africas best kept
secret.
Being here I have learnt to laugh
out loud or else I will cry. This is the
most crucial factor to life in Nigeria.
In the midst of every challenging
situation you cannot help but laugh at
yourself, someone or something.
You can follow Edel Meremikwu
@NigerianWatch @editorsoffce online
using the tags #NigeriaRising
#ThisIsNaija
You need to blow your horn to get anywhere
EDELWATCH
Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/NigerianWatch
As a proud British Nigerian Edel Meremikwu shares some of the infuriating little things one should know
about daily life in Lagos, which have made her learn to laugh out loud
Have you got a property to let?
Let it to Lewisham Council and guarantee your income.
We will:
pay rent in advance
pay for any void periods
begin rental payments within one week
of the property being ready
provide a fully-managed service
work with individual or portfolio landlords.
Contact us now
020 8314 6733

psl@lewisham.gov.uk

www.lewisham.gov.uk/landlords
W
e
w
ill n
o
t

c
h
a
r
g
e
c
o
m
m
is
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io
n

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f
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e
s
.
A
ll o
ffe
rs su
b
je
c
t
to
d
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m
a
n
d
.
T
e
rm
s a
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d

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o
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itio
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s a
p
p
ly
.
Lewisham Council will offer
guaranteed rental payments over
3, 5, 7, and 9 years for your studio,
at, house, HMO or hostel.
TRAFFIC INCIDENTS
occur everyday in Lagos
but arnt usually as
extraordinary as this one
in Ikeja July 2012!
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch 18
EDUCATIONWATCH
Platform sandals When you hear the words platforms
and shoes in 2014 the frst thing that comes to mind is
shoe scrapheap. But wait until you see the revival of the
70s stacked sandal, they are indeed the best thing that
happened to feet. Now.... the trick is to stay well clear of
burlesque-type platforms
and closed toe shoes; think
block heels, insane platforms
and ankle straps, all in one,
and your shoe update is the
perfect hit. As the days get
cooler, wear with tights (yes
sandals and tights are fne)
and enjoy the comfort of
platforms once again.
The BBC Academy is holding
a series of free introductions
to the world of broadcasting
to help BAME (black and mi-
nority ethnic) men and women
feel comfortable appearing on
television, radio and online as
expert contributors or presen-
ters. These Expert Voices
events aim to help boost the di-
versity of experts in the media
and follow the acclaimed Ex-
pert Women campaign of 2013.
There are fve days taking
place across the country offer-
ing a range of practical media
experiences, including sessions
on camera and in a radio stu-
dio as well as masterclasses and
networking with experienced
programme makers and indus-
try leaders.
The day is all about coach-
ing people from BAME com-
munities who have expertise in
various subject areas to become
regular contributors/presenters
on radio, television and online
and to meet key producers, ed-
itors and commissioners.
SPECIALIST SUBJECT AREAS
The application process is open
to men and women from the
BAME communities who can
demonstrate expertise in their
chosen area, which matches an
editorial need identifed by
BBC programme and content
areas. Applicants will need to
submit a short self-shot flm,
story idea and their CV, and
each event will train between
20-30 people.
Danny Cohen, Director,
BBC Television, said, We
want to take big steps to in-
crease the diversity of the ex-
perts our viewers see on BBC
Television.
Mary Hockaday, Head of
BBC Newsroom said, Expert
Voices will undoubtedly help to
enrich our news content for au-
diences in the UK and around
the world, and it will also help
to demystify the process of ap-
pearing on radio and TV for
the successful applicants.
Experts are being sought in
a wide range of felds, includ-
ing; antiques and fne art; busi-
ness and economics; cultural
commentary; history; science;
health and medicine; fnance
and statistics; food and nutri-
tion.
The specialist subject areas
vary according to the location
of the Expert Voices session.
LOCATIONS
Sessions take place this year in
London on October 9th and
Birmingham on November
27th. With further sessions
in the new year in Bristol
(January 29), Salford (Febru-
ary 26) and Glasgow (March
12).
APPLICATIONS
Applications for the London
sessions close on September
7. Applications for the rest
of the country open from
September 1, 2014. Check
the website for specifc dead-
lines (see below).
You can email Expert
Voices prior to the applica-
tion procedure opening and
you will then be reminded
when to apply.
PREVIOUS BBC ACAD-
EMY SUCCESS
Angela Roberts, Managing
Editor, College of Produc-
tion, BBC Academy, said
Many of the women who
took part in the Expert
Women training days have
gone on to considerable suc-
cess as broadcast presenters
and contributors.
To date, the 71 of the 164
women who undertook
training (16.5% BAME)
have between them clocked
up 273 media appearances,
including news bulletins for
the BBC (radio and TV),
CNN, Channel 4 and other
outlets. In addition a number
of the women have secured
agents and are in active dis-
cussion with programme
makers.
Apply by typing into your
browser: bit.ly/BAMEEx-
pertVoices
The Fortnight
Extreme print
clashing The
art of clashing prints to perfec-
tion is a serious talent. Master-
ing this art is a testing process,
requiring fashion expert cre-
dentials. We all love
great style but fash-
ion MUST be
beautiful and
thats why we
need to follow
the rules when
clashing prints.
These rules
work and they
are: pick a rich
fabric, pick
complimen-
tary colours
and prints, and run a mile from anything
neon. These key points are the crown
rules of wearing
prints. This sea-
son I will be wear-
ing printed shoes
to update the mis-
match trend.
Next seasons trends seem so distant at the
moment but you can start test-driving these
updates with summer wear. I call it mixed
season fashion.
FASHIONWATCH by Obah Iyamu
GCU offers scholarships of up to 2500
for self-funded international students.
High-quality programmes and award-winning
support make us a top choice for students
from over 100 countries.
Brighter futures begin with GCU
www.gcu.ac.uk
Study in the UK with a scholarship of
up to 2500 (Glasgow and London)
+44 (0) 141 331 8630
studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk
For more information, or to arrange
a visit to campus visit
www.reading.ac.uk/international
www.facebook.com/AfricaAtReading
or email international@reading.ac.uk
Study at Reading
Home to your future
Welcome to one of the top 1% of
universities worldwide. The University of
Reading is one of the UKs leading research
institutions, enjoying a world-class
reputation for teaching, research
and enterprise.
BBC BAME Talent days
Are you an
expert in subjects
like food,
science, medicine
or nance?
B
B
C
FILM
British Urban Film Festival
2014
BUFF has been showcasing
urban independent cinema
since 2005 and this years fes-
tival will not disappoint, with
more than 25 feature-length
and short flms being shown
in theatre, online and by The
Africa Channel UK.
Highlights include An-
thony Abuahs latest feature
Woodfalls, about persecuted
gypsies; Montana about gang
life in east London; Magpie
about the desire for celebrity
status, pitting two sisters
against each other; and Per-
ceptions, the tale of two
teenagers regenerating a north
London estate through the
power of spoken word poetry.
For full listings and venues see
www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk
BUFF runs from Spetember 5.
THEATRE
Eye of a Needle
Provocative, topical and sav-
agely funny, Eye of a Needle
gets under the skin of a sys-
tem branded by both Left
and Right as not ft for pur-
pose. It tells the story of
Laurence, a UK Immigration
Control offcer, and Natale
Bamadi, a Ugandan gay
rights activist. While Lau-
rence loves to go out and get
wrecked in his spare time, Na-
tale fnally makes it to the
coveted shores of the UK.
Neither are prepared for what
happens when her high profle
case is dropped onto his desk.
Southwark Playhouse, London SE1
6BD, Until 20 Sep, 8pm, From 16
In Bed
Written and directed by Ade-
bayo Bolaji In Bed tells the
tale of two actors Nina and
Sean who spend a night to-
gether to rehearse a play...
What you think happens, (or
might happen), is maybe part
of the problem. A testing,
funny and sexy piece of con-
temporary theatre looking at
sexual objectifcations and as-
sumptions.
London Theatre Workshop,
15-20 Sept, londontheatre-
workshop.co.uk
Sept 15-20
BOLD Festival
This festival has older people
at its heart, celebrating their
creativity and rich variety of
experiences. It will challenge
visitors to think about ageing
differently, from unpicking
the politics of the care system
to presenting the seemingly
frail in unlikely settings.
Expect pop-up perform-
ances, photography, discus-
sions, workshops and poetry
in and around the Albany
and Deptford, as well as
Bradford and Stockton.
The Albany, 15-27 Sep, various
times
www.thealbany.org.uk
CHILDREN
Colourscape Music Festival
As the festival celebrates its
25th birthday, there has never
been a better time to take the
kids to explore the colourful
tunnels. There will be music
performances during the
weekends including Pied
Piper a childrens opera
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
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LEISUREWATCH 19
What to see and do over the next 14 days...
BEYOND
NOLLYWOOD
The BFI Southbank will
launch the Nigerian Film-
makers Guide to Success:
Beyond Nollywood, a refer-
ence manual of Africas most
dynamic lm industry writ-
ten by Nadia Denton. It will
be available from 20 Sep.
To mark the release the
BFI will host the Beyond Nol-
lywood weekend, screening
a selection of compelling
Nigerian lms and hosting a
discussion with Nadia Den-
ton and guests from Nigeria
to discuss her latest work.
Films being shown include;
B for Boy Amaka Okoli is a
devoted wife and mother.
At nearly 40 shes expecting
her second child, and resorts
to extreme measures to
guarantee a male successor
and the security of her place
in the family. B for Boy pow-
erfully captures the ongoing
struggle between progress
and tradition. Sat 20 Sep,
2pm
Mother of George This
lm takes an enlightened
look at immigrant life, cap-
turing the vibrant culture of
the Yoruba community in
New York with great use
of music where a young
Nigerian wife is driven to
despair as she tries for a
baby. Sun 21 Sep, 6.20pm.
Nigeria Through a Lens A
selection of engaging docu-
mentaries, which include
George Osoki: Kings of
Nigeria; Emeka Okereke: In-
visible Borders; and JD
Okhai Ojeikere: Master Pho-
tographer. Sun 21 Sep,
3.10pm.
The BFI Soutbank, London SE1
8XT, 20-21 Sep, 6.50
www.bfi.org.uk
NOW BOOKING: RUDY'S RARE RECORDS by Danny Robins at Hackney Empire, starring Lenny Henry
Rudy's Rare Records is a tiny down-at-heel old reggae record shop in Birmingham. Father and son must put their differences aside as
they face a battle to keep the music alive. Rudys Rare Records shows how desperate times draw families together, even when you cant
stand the sight of each other.
from Sept 24 Oct 5) www.hackneyempire.co.uk
WIZKID
An SJM Concerts and Smade Presentation
by arrangement with Echo Location Talent Agency
Friday 26 September
London Indigo 2
Sunday 28 september
Manchester Ritz
gigsandtours.com | 0844 811 0051
24hr Hotline: 0794 980 6892
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch 20
LEISUREWATCH
Supported by AFROBEATS IN DA CITY DLA FACTORY78
STRICTLY ENTERTAINMENT WE PLUG GOOD MUSIC WYLD PYTCH
SILVASTONE - BUS MA HEAD
Production chops, check. Catchy vocals, check. Bassline,
check. Hot video, check. Welcome to the world of Silvas-
tone, the UKs quietly emerging producer/singer who has
been calmly collecting props from good old Blighty all the
way to the Motherland. Cutting edge UK based artist/pro-
ducer Silvastone dropped the new video to the smash hit
of a track that is Bus Ma Head. With quality visuals to
match the panoramic sound of the audio, Silvastone has
made a landmark move for UK Afrobeats.
Ooh this girls voice is like
honey, smooth, sweet but not
sickly and it just courses over
you. And the cinematic style
and storyline of the video is
just so slick, especially for this
avid fan of celluloid. A wel-
come mid-tempo love ballad, a
rarity in African music today,
this track deserves to be picked
up and raised to the sky by
African music fans. But the dis-
appointing thing is that odds
are they wont, as theyre too
blooming jaded if the beat isnt going at a frenetic pace. Anyways, whinge over and this is
saying hats off to Simi and her team for putting together a brilliant track and video.
LIBERTY AFRICAN SHOP
The Feel of Africa, Finally in Borehamwood!
Have you been looking for an African Food shop in Borehamwood? Well, look no further!
Welcome to your very own African food shop
Only Local Delivery afer 7.30pm. Order now!
Minimum order 20.00+ 2 delivery charge. Free delivery on orders over 50.
Cash on Delivery
South African lines in store now!
l Biltong, Drywors, Boerewors etc....
Share with your friends: call to book!
l Box of Plantain, Box of yam, Stockfish etc....
Visit Us at:
142 Aycliffe Road, off Leeming road, Borehamwood, Herts. WD6 4DY .
0208 207 6485
On Local Buses Routes: 306 & 292
We try and stock food items fom all over Afica. Why not buy in bulk to save on delivery cost. If there is any item you
require that is not listed here, please let us know and we shall see what we can do to get such were possible.
which will take the public on
a journey through the
labyrinth of Colourscape led
by the Pied Piper and a chil-
drens choir. Join in for maxi-
mum fun! Weekdays are
centred around workshops
(12 noon-1pm access only)
Clapham Common, London, 1-6pm
(weekends only), 25 (Family)
Sept 13-21. www.eyemusic.org.uk
EXHIBITIONS
The Black Chronicles II
This new exhibition explores
black presences (African and
Asian) in 19th and early 20th
century Britain, through the
prism of studio photography.
Autograph-abp, London EC2A
3BA, 12 Sep 29 Nov, FREE
http://autograph-abp.co.uk
MUSIC / GIGS
Afrospot
This evening will take you
straight to roots music, art
and African culture. To kick
off, DJs will splice and dice
global styles, followed by two
live sets: the frst one draped
in the rich music of West
Africa, the second will deviate
like a globetrotter. Featuring
the ten-piece Afrospot Or-
chestra with guest musicians
including Ossibisa, Nana Tsi-
boe, Abdul Teejay, Juldeh Ca-
mara, Modu Toure, Highlife
International, and Soothsay-
ers.
The Forge, Camden NW1 7NL, Fri
12 Sep, 7.30pm, From 5
This years festival will be hosted by the legendary DJ Abass
and will headline the hottest African artists of 2014, MTV and
BET award winning artists Davido, Tiwa Savage, Diamond
Platnumz with support acts from all over Africa and the
United Kingdom, including Britains Got Talents CEO dancers,
and dance groups AFRIKA, D3 and PROJECT G.
O2 Academy Brixton, Stockwell SW9 9SL, Sun 14 Sep, 7pm,
From 35
AFROBREAKERS CHART
1. P-Square - Ejeajo Ft T.I.
2. Michelle Williams - Say Yes
Ft Beyonce, Kelly Rowland
3. Mavins - Dorobucci Ft Don
Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid,
DPrince, Reekado Banks, Ko-
rede Bello, Dija
4. Sarkodie - Adonai Ft Castro
5. Wizkid - Show You The
Money
6. Mani Bella : Face Face
7. Yemi Alade - Tangerine Ft
Selebobo
8. Aka Ft K.O - Run Jozi
(Godly)
9. Banky W - Jaiye Ori Mi
10. Wizkid - Bombay Ft
Phyno
11. Wande Coal - Baby Hello
12. Jaguar - One Centimeter
13. Seyi Shay - Murda Ft Pa-
toranking, Shaydee
14. Shaydee - Won Gbo Mi Ft
Wizkid
15. Faze - Your Daughter
16. Deplick - Cri De Bilengi
17. Timaya - Bow Down
18. Skales - Shake Body
19. Joey B - Wave Ft Pappy
Kojo
20. Simi - Tiff
Beyond being a family festival, Africa Utopia
has a vast range of events, which focus on how
Africa can lead the way in thinking about
dance, politics, culture, art, technology and
fashion among other things.
Those who are interested in break-dancing
culture will delight in attending Say it Through
Breakdance. Taking the breakdancing art-form
beyond the battle spirit, the project is artisti-
cally driven byHakeem OnibudoofImpact
Dance, who has been working with 10 B-Boys
from North Africa, namely Morocco, Tunisia
and Libya, who will be performing in London
for the rst time. There will also be workshops
with the dancers where anyone can learn to
breakdance. Other join-in and free moments
include gigs on the Clore Ballroom from Homage to Magool and Simply Soweto, plus Afrikan
Yoga, and a Big Sing.
Combining spoken word, theatre and dance, Alesandra Seutin stages an incredible perform-
ance of her play This Is Not Black (Ceci Cest Pas Noire). A powerful mix of dramatic art, the piece
explores the journey of a mixed-race woman walking down memory lane, a winding road be-
tween Europe and Africa. As perceptions of her change from place to place, she plays with masks,
roles and attitudes, highlighting the idea that what you see is not always what you get.
There will also be the premiere of the dance solo work by Qudus Onikeku, with spoken word
by Zena Edwards - My Exile is in My Head.
There are a host of talks from leading commentators on the continent and celebration of the
burgeoning fashion industry through a number of high prole catwalk shows.
Africa Utopia For full listings, prices and venue details visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk
AFRICA UNPLUGGED
AFRICA UTOPIA
SIMI - TIFF
Mani Bella - Face a Face: Francophone African music set to make you
move, crazy styling and dance moves so go check it out.
HOT SHOTS
Doliziana Debordo - Transformeur: The beat on
this just rocks! Google it and learn a dance move
or two, go on you know you want to.
HOT
SHOTS
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
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LEISUREWATCH 21
Our hair loves water
Black hair needs moisture to thrive.
The proteins that make up our hair
are attracted to water, and water is in-
corporated extensively into our hairs
natural bonding structure. Hair pro-
teins even seek out water in the air
around us.
Daily wear and tear causes our hair
to lose much of its natural moisture to
the air and treatments
like blow-drying and at
ironing. Sometimes
water never makes it
into our hair bres be-
cause oils and silicone
coatings block it. We
need properly lubricated
bres to help us reduce
frictional forces between
our hair bres.
Regular misting, shampooing and
conditioning allow us to meet this
need for moisture because water is
encouraged to bind with the hair
shaft each time. Regular hydrating
and conditioning will help restore
the hairs moisture balance quickly. It
will also keep the hairs elasticity
within normal ranges and reduce
breakage when the hair is manipu-
lated.
If you are experiencing dryness
after a shampoo and conditioner then
you may be using the wrong products.
Choose the right shampoo and condi-
tioner for your hair
Squeaky-clean hair is not a goal in
black hair care and neither is oily
weighed-down hair.
Stripping shampoo products pro-
duce bare unprotected
hair bres that become
prone to dryness, crack-
ing, splitting and break-
age over time.
Moisturisers, pomades
and conditioners that
load the cuticles down
with silicones and oils
rather than infuse true
moisture into the hair
can leave the hair feeling dry. These
products make the hair look nice im-
mediately after use, but dont support
the true, longer term needs of the
hair.
Because black hair encompasses
such a vast category of textures and
types there is no one shampoo for-
mula that is perfect for black hair.
However, since our hair already natu-
rally falls on the dry end of the mois-
ture spectrum, we cant go wrong by
adding a moisturising shampoo, espe-
cially those that are sulfate-free. This
type of shampoo will gently cleanse
the hair without stripping it of natural
oils and works best for weekly light
duty cleaning.
The conditioner you select plays
the most critical role in maintaining
the hairs protein/moisture balance.
Conditioners are formulated to help
us achieve strength and softness and it
is important that we invest in quality
conditioners.
Choose both a moisturising and a
protein based conditioner for your
hair. You will recognise a protein-
based conditioner because they often
use words like repair, strengthen,
deep condition in the products de-
scription. Moisturising conditioners
should be used weekly and protein
based conditioners should be used on
a monthly basis.
Oils and greases are NOT moisturisers
Oils and greases can soften, nourish,
add shine and increase the hairs plia-
bility. However, they are not moisturis-
ers. If you use oils without a
moisturiser, or before one, the oil will
stop moisture from entering the hair
strand and lead to eventual dryness.
Selecting a moisturiser is perhaps
the most challenging part of building
a healthy hair care regimen. In most
product formulations the rst 3 to 4
ingredients set the tone for the nature
and quality of the hair product. Good
moisturisers will always contain water
as a rst ingredient and should con-
tain very few occlusive ingredients
such as petroleum, waxes, silicones,
mineral oil or lanolin oil.
You should moisturise your hair
several times a week or whenever
your hair feels dried out. Daily mois-
turising is essential for some people
with natural hair. The best times to
moisturise are just before bed, prior to
combing or styling the hair, before
outdoor activities and after youve
rinsed out conditioner or leave-in con-
ditioner. Focus all moisturising efforts
on the ends of your hair, where the
hair is oldest and trauma and damage
are most concentrated.
After moisturising apply a light
coating of oil to help seal the mois-
ture inside and prevent outside hu-
midity from frizzing the hair. This
technique is called product layering.
Adopt a healthy hair care regimen
Black hair grows in a manner that re-
quires unique care. Our hair care must
be concentrated, dedicated and dili-
gent.
Below is a simple corrective hair
care regime, adapt the approach to
suit your particular hair needs:
Step 1 Detangle your hair.
Step 2 Saturate hair with warm run-
ning water to remove debris
Step 3 Use a sulphate-free shampoo,
gently massage your
scalp with the pads of
your ngers
Step 4 Rinse out
shampoo thoroughly
Step 5 Apply a protein-rich condition-
ing product (once a month or as re-
quired). Cover the hair with a plastic
cap and leave for 15 mins. Apply heat
if you can for maximum penetration.
Step 6 Rinse out conditioning treat-
ment with cool water.
Step 7 Apply creamy moisturising con-
ditioner and leave on for 10 15 min-
utes. Additional heat is optional
Step 8 Rinse the conditioner with cool
water
Step 9 Blot dry with a microbre
towel
Step 10 Detangle the hair
Step 11 Apply a protein-rich and/or
moisturising leave in conditioner (as
required)
Step 12 Apply a moisturiser
Step 13 Finish with an oil to seal
Ideally use products that are as natu-
ral as possible, because most commer-
cially available products contain
chemical compounds with possible
links to increased incidence of cancer
and other health problems in the
black community. And of course dont
forget to cover your hair at night.
To help determine the best hair regi-
men for you, then a great starting
point is a book called The Science of
Black Hair by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy.
THE SCIENCE OF BLACK HAIR
After years of private study my hair care regime can now rival the Queens. I
cant tell you everything Ive learnt in one short article although the old wives
tale about black hair not liking water is wrong but here are my four top tips.
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SUPER Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has fnally
been offered a new agreement by the Nigerian
Football Federation (NFF) that will keep him in
charge of the team until 2018. It could not have come
sooner with Nigeria preparing to embark on the
defence of the African Cup of Nations on Saturday
(Sept 6).
Sports minister Tammy Danagogo personally
intervened and negotiated the deal. Since the end of
the World Cup, Keshi and the NFF have been
involved in constant stop-start negotiations that saw
the coach say he was walking away at one point.
But now he is in place to lead the Super Eagles for
the forthcoming double header against Congo and
South Africa, on September 6 and 10 respectively.
They will play the Congo in Calabar and then fy out
to Cape Town to engage Bafana Bafana as the 2015
African Nations Cup qualifers begin.
However the Super Eagles will be without their
new skipper Vincent Enyeama following the
retirement from international football of Joseph
Yobo who has asked to be exempted from camp for
family reasons.
Another likely
absentee is
Lazio
midfelder,
Ogenyi Onazi,
who has not
featured in any
of his clubs
pre-season
friendlies and
was not named
in the 23-man
squad to face
AC Milan. The
last time he
kicked a ball
was on June 30
during the
World Cup
second round
loss to France.
During that
game, Onazi got injured and despite claiming he has
recovered after surgery, he was omitted from Lazios
pre-season training activities.
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
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SPORTWATCH 23
TRANSFERS ODEMWINGIE TO
MISS SEASON
Here we go again
rave reviews and
ratings.
A player like Frances Raphael Varane,
however, who made fewer tackles, blocks
and interceptions despite playing a game
more, was nominated for the FIFA Young
Player of the Year award. Such a nomina-
tion would surely have made meruo a
major transfer target.
Meanwhile, Everton, after being linked
with Onazi, went on to sign Bosnia mid-
felder Muhamed Besic. No doubt about it,
Besic is not a better option than Onazi,
who had a better tackle-completion rate,
made a higher frequency of key passes and
even managed a better shot accuracy.
Eighty per cent of Besics passes at the
World Cup were sideways and backwards.
Onazi also offers an appreciable
amount of experience, having played for
Lazio in Serie A for two seasons. Besic,
however, only joined Everton from the rel-
ative backwater of the Hungarian league.
This beggars the question, are African
players being acknowledged as they should
be? Its a well-known fact that before most
of the clubs competing in Europes top fve
leagues bid for a player, his club records,
and not only his performance in tourna-
ments like the World Cup, are considered.
This is where many of Nigerias World
Cup stars fall short. For instance, a player
like Emmanuel Emenike, who scored 12
times and provided nine assists last season
for Fenerbahce in a less-reputable league,
cannot be considered a prolifc striker.
It may well represent a major gamble to
recruit someone who is not tried and
tested despite his seemingly abundant
qualities. He might have also provided two
assists at the World Cup, but he also failed
to fnd the back of the net and this does
not augur well for his EPL transfer ambi-
tions.
The transient and sometimes unstable
conditions that African players need to
work in to make the leap from the conti-
nents domestic leagues to one of Europes
Big Five are not favourable, and too
often, would-be successes fall by the way-
side.
One can only hope that the Super Ea-
gles players will have an impressive season
with their various clubs. This, coupled with
a fantastic outing at the 2015 Afcon,
should help make a good case for moves to
bigger clubs.
With thanks to Ude Ikenna Ezekiel for
goal.com
SUPER Eagles winger Osaze Odemwingie
may miss the whole of the season after hav-
ing been ruled out of action for eight
months amid fears he has seriously dam-
aged his cruciate knee ligament.
On Saturday, Osaze limped off injured in
the match between his club Stoke City and
defending champions Manchester City. In
what was a big blow for Stoke, Osaze col-
lapsed on the pitch with no one around him
and it had been thought he just took a
knock which would heal after a few days.
However, subsequent medical examina-
tions have shown that Osaze has ruptured
his knee ligaments and is likely to be out of
action for the entire season.
Stoke City has now acquired Moroccan
winger Oussama Assaidi on loan from Liv-
erpool as his replacement. Group A
NIGERIA
South Africa
Sudan
Congo
There are seven groups, teams
play both home and away x-
tures. Group winners, runners-up,
and the best third-placed team
qualify for the nals in Morocco
Jan 17th Feb 8th 2015.
Nigeria Fixtures;
6 Sept Nigeria v Congo
10 Sept South Africa v Nigeria
10 Oct Sudan v Nigeria
15 Oct Nigeria v Sudan
14 Nov Congo v Nigeria
19 Nov Nigeria v South Africa
Continued from page 24
ROUTE TO THE AFCON FINALS
MAN CITY 0 STOKE 1 Odemwingie celebrates with
Dioufs goal with new clubmate Victor Moses.
NIGERIAN WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014
Premier League clubs have splashed a
record amount of cash during the recent
transfer window but little has gone to-
wards securing the services of Super Ea-
gles, despite many anticipating a Naija
infux after the teams admirable showing
in the World Cup.
Ideye Browns move to West Bromwich
was one of the few to have materialised.
More notable perhaps are the ones that did-
nt. Many expected Kenneth Omeruo to be-
come a regular Premier player, if not for
Chelsea then with another Prem club.
He was one of Nigerias best outfeld play-
ers at the World Cup, but has returned to
Middlesbrough on loan, where he spent the
second half of last season. This has baffed
many football commentators; why would
Chelsea decide to send one of their highly-
rated youngsters to a Championship side ?
At the World Cup, after the Round of 16,
Omeruo was statistically above many more
experienced and established centre-backs in
Europe, but he rarely got
SPORT WATCH
5-18 Sept 2014 nigerianwatch.com
INSIDE
OSAZE
OUT FOR
SEASON
After 32 games the FIFA U-20 Womens
World Cup in Canada 2014 has come to an
end, with Germany overcoming Nigeria to
win the trophy.
The adidas Golden Ball, presented to the
tournaments most outstanding player went
to Asisat Oshoala, as featured in the last edi-
tion of Nigerian Watch. Nicknamed Superzee
by her appreciative team-mates, the free-
scoring forward set several records during
the competition and ended it as the leading
markswoman to also pocket the adidas
Golden Boot.
Golden Girl
WHY THE BIG FIVE EUROPEAN LEAGUES SHUN AFRICAS STARS
TRANSFER MYSTERY
Turn to page 23
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