Sunday c e version 13 december 2015 by Daily Newswatch

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

NEWS Chief of Army Staff escapes assassination Continued from page 1

COAS was blocked in Zaria on his way to the Emir’s Palace. An eyewitness account told our correspondent that the COAS was in Zaria to a end the passing out ceremony at the Nigeria Army Depot, Zaria, yesterday, when the fracas took place. According to the eye witness, the Shiite movement was to hold its annual maulud at Hussaimiyya in Zaria, yesterday, at about the same time the Chief of Army Sta was passing through the area. Eyewitnesses said that as early as 12 noon, members of the Shiite group barricaded the road where the COAS would pass as is their usual custom. However, the security details a ached to the Chief of Army Sta came down from the vehicle to plead with the congregation to create space for the Army Chief to pass, but to no avail. He said there was commotion and pandemonium, as from the distance, people could hear gun shots. He also a rmed that at a point, the convoy of the Chief of Army Sta succeeded in clearing the way for him. Findings in Zaria also revealed that immediately the COAS le , some soldiers in three trucks came to the scene and people started scampering for their lives. It was from then that pandemonium broke out between the Shiite members and soldiers that resulted in the death of many people. Speaking on the clash, the Shiite spokesperson, Ibrahim Usman, said three people were reported dead and 20 were injured. Also reacting to the clash, the Army spokesman, Colonel U K. Usman, disclosed that the Chief of Army Sta went to the Emir’s palace to pay homage to the royal father. He said, as the convoy was moving towards the military depot, the COAS’ vehicle was a acked by members of the Shiite group, adding, “In fact, the COAS escaped an assassination a empt.” There has been a long history of

Ooni, Tinubu, Ekwueme, others witness coronation of new Olu of Warri Sylvester Idowu, Warri

El-Rufai

clashes between the military and the Shiite sect. For instance, a clash last year led to the death of many members, including the sons of the leader of the sect, Ibrahim El Zakzaky, in Zaria, which is the base of the sect’s head. This was even as members of the sect were a acked by suspected Boko Haram insurgents along Zaria, Kano last month. Sunni Islam and Shiite Islam are the two major schools in Islam throughout the world. The demographic breakdown between the two denominations is di cult to assess and varies by source. It is, however, alleged that 85 to 90% of the world’s Muslims are Shiites. Boko Haram, the dreaded Islamic Jihad group in Nigeria is said to belong to the Sunni radical jihadists, who want to create a people in the region. It has operated close to 10 year as an Islamic insurgency group in Nigeria and it has le at least 17,000 people dead, just as it has made more than 2.6 million homeless. There are several InternallyDisplaced Peoples’ (IDP) camps in the northern part of Nigeria today. It has increasingly used suicide bombers against ‘so ’ civilian targets since the start of a military o ensive earlier

Buratai

this year that pushed them out of territory they controlled. The Nigerian authority has set a target to end Boko Haram in Nigeria. President Buhari promised Nigerians that the group would become history by December 2015. The military is expected to completely uproot the group. Nigerian Shiite Muslims had in the past accused the Nigerian troops of killing their members and injuring others in clashes between the group and soldiers in Zaria in 2014, including the leader of the group, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, as well as a woman with a baby strapped to her back. The group said in a statement at the time that: “Reports reaching our desk now indicated that some soldiers of the Nigerian army have opened ﬁre on the tail end of the Quds procession held a er Jumaat prayers in Zaria, Kaduna State. The procession, which took o from Sabon Gari Jumaat Mosque, reached Kofar Doka peacefully with no incident.” It continued: “However, some soldiers a acked the procession at the PZ junction in Zaria. They shot Mahmud Ibraheem Zakzaky, but his body was taken away by the Muslim brothers. And several other Muslim brothers were shot by the security agents.”

he Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; National leader of All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme; were amongst dignitaries that yesterday witnessed the coronation of Ogiame Ikenwoli, Ikenwoli Gbesimi Emiko as the 20th Olu of Warri. The colourful ceremony took place at Ode Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiris, where the new king of Warri was formally crowned amidst wild jubilation amongst the Itsekiris and their neighbours as well as visitors. Ogiame Ikenwoli was formally crowned at about 3.55 p.m in the presence of dignitaries a er the completion of the ritual formalities at 1.5 p.m having taking the sword of o ce that gave him the tile of Ogiame Ikenwoli. Speaking at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari commended the Itsekiris for a peace transition following the demise of the late Olu acknowledging that it was obvious that the ethnic group have always been peaceful. He urged the Itsekiris to extend the cooperation given to the late Olu whom he described as a unifying ﬁgure to the new royal father. Represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. Babachir David Lawal, President Buhari also commended the Itsekiris for not been involved in scandals and embezzlements plaguing the nation so far. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa described the coronation as historic and also praised the Itsekiris for a peaceful and successful transition without rancour over who succeed the late king. He solicited for the support of the Olu for his administration policies which he said was aimed at widespread development of the state and prosperity for all Deltans. Oni of Ife described the event as a new dawn in Itsekiriland and Warri as well as Ife and Yorubaland and urged the Federal Government to create employment for the teeming youths of the country. He assured that the exisiting relationship between the Yorubas and Itsekiris would be sustained and solicited for peaceful coexistence between the ethnic groups.

Insurgency: Poverty, unemployment to blame –Buhari

Continued from page 1 Dangote, who was also honoured with a Doctorate of Science, said the high level of unemployment of the Nigerian youths had contributed to insurgency in the country. According to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Williams Barnabas Qurix, the President was awarded a honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his contributions to the development of the country as a former o cer of the Nigerian Army, former minister, former Head of State and currently, the President of the country. Responding to the honour done to him and Dangote, President Buhari commended the University for considering both of them worthy of the award. He, however, used the opportunity to harp on the importance of entrepreneurial education, saying that the security challenges confronting Nigeria could not be separated from poverty and unemployment. According to him, job creation and youth employment were top priority list

of his administration. Employment would come a er security and the ﬁght against corruption. He said: “One of the focal points of this administration is job creation. Because job creation helps in the achievement of other objectives of the government, such as poverty reduction and security, which are the major challenges this administration is confronted with. Insecurity cannot be divorced from unemployment and poverty, because an idle mind, they say, is the devil’s workshop. “This administration will ensure that youths in the country are gainfully employed and youth restiveness curtailed. With the declining internally-generated revenue and over-dependence on equallydeclining oil revenues, there is need to seek other ways of diversifying the economy, so as to boost the internallygenerated revenue. One of the ways we can achieve this is through reorientation of our youths towards an entrepreneurial mindset. You should, therefore, promote and enhance the teaching and learning of entrepreneurial skills in all schools and

tertiary institutions, such as yours.” The President noted that it was in recognition of the importance of entrepreneurial skills that the Federal Government, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), made it mandatory for all universities to teach entrepreneurship skills, so that graduates can become job creators instead of job seekers a er schooling. He linked entrepreneurship skills acquisition to national development, and said that, to encourage and assist Nigerian youth to move from being job seekers to job creators, his administration would sustain and improve ongoing programmes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Bank of Industry (BoI), the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), and other federal agencies, to grant them start-up loans at concessionary rates. He also urged the Nigerian private sector to also do more to support government’s e orts to boost youth entrepreneurship and the development of micro, small and

medium scale enterprises in the country. He thanked the University for conferring a honourary Doctorate degree of Le ers on him. Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Qurix, said the Kaduna State University was one of the ﬁrst universities to establish entrepreneurship research and development centres in line with the directive of the NUC. He said: “We have, in addition to this, established a skills acquisition centre. I am happy to report that we have fully implemented the teaching of entrepreneurship studies at the second and third years for all students of KASU.” On the honorary doctorate degrees awarded President Buhari and Dangote, the Vice Chancellor said the university resolved to honour them because they had since underlined the place of Nigeria in the comity of nations, and that they had proved beyond reasonable doubt that they were determined to make Nigeria great.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

NEWS

Economy: Nigeria heading for revolution – Ekweremadu Kenneth Ofoma, Enugu

fter an elaborate x-ray on the state of the nation’s economy, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday, warned that except the Federal Government takes a drastic measure to reverse the downward slide and biting economic hardship, the nation may be heading for a revolution. Speaking at the opening of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) South East Zonal Executive Council meeting, Ekweremadu expressed dismay over the handling of the nation’s economy by the All Progressives Congress (APC)led Federal Government. He listed the devaluation of the nation’s currency, which now makes naira to exchange at r N260 to a dollar, as well as lack of clear-cut economic blue print, as major causes of hardship on the populace. “Traders who depend on Forex are now trapped. In the next six months, Onitha

Former minister advises FG on management of agric varsities Godwin Akor, Makurdi

ormer Minister of Agriculture, Dr She ima Mustapha, has advised the Federal Government to ensure that all the Federal Universities of Agriculture operate under the Ministry of Agriculture or Ministry of Education. Mustafa, who delivered the 22nd Convocation Lecture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, at the weekend, lamented that in the past, Federal Universities of Agriculture had been moved to Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Science and Technology. He said such movements had a ected agricultural policies and advised the Federal Government to take a decision on the ma er. While delivering the lecture entitled “Solving Nigeria’s Fod Security Challenges Through Integrated Research , Financed Skills and E ective Engagement of Agriculture, Dr Mustafa also enjoined the Federal Government to adjust the handover date of one administration to the other from May 29 to November or December of a particular year because change in the administration negatively a ects agriculture as more than a year is devoted to reelection campaign and handover processes. He said often, a long period of farming is lost because after elections, experienced policy makers begin to lobby for appointments. He further stated that farmers who should continue with farming activities are drafted into campaign, lobbying and celebration groups at the state and federal levels and pointed out that agricultural policies and programmes should not be broken in such a way because of the involvement of farmers.

and Alaba markets will shut down. If government does not do anything, I’m not a prophet of doom, but I believe if nothing urgent is done to reverse the ugly development, we will have revolution in our hands. “Both our nationals and foreigners are worried; we need to inform APC that Nigerians are dying, unless APC changes style, Nigerians

will, in 2019, be begging PDP to come back,” he said. The Deputy Senate President said his party, the PDP, supports the ﬁght against corruption, but it must not be selective and should follow due process and not a media trial. He said PDP is currently facing trying moments but that it will come out stronger, even as he frowned

at the development in Kogi governorship elections where he alleged that APC guber candidate contested without a running mate. On his part, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, challenged the APC-led government to publish the names of those who have purportedly refunded stolen cash and that they should be tried and jailed

if convicted. Earlier, while welcoming the delegates, National Vice Chairman of the party in the South East, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.), said that South East remains one of the geo-political zones in the country where the party was dominant, and urged members to take up the challenge of helping to rebuild the party.

Ogiame Ikenwoli, Ikenwoli Gbesimi Emiko, ﬂanked by palace chiefs, after his coronation as the 20th Olu of Warri... yesterday.

Legislator urges govt, politicians to collaborate with journalists on nation building Gyang Bere, Jos

eputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has advised government o cials and politicians in the country to always partner with Journalists in the drive for good governance and economic development. He expressed dismay over the a itudes of some politician and private organisations towards Practising Journalists in the Plateau State and sue for cordial relationship. Hon. Gagdi who made the observation yesterday when he noticed that some government appointees, Serving and past senators, heads of board and paratatals and key stake holders who often need the services of journalists conspicuous boyco ed an Almanac lunch organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Plateau state Chapter. The Almanac launch,

according to the organizers was conceived in response to the huge outcry among the general public over allegations on gross impersonation and fake Journalists with the view to assistant the public to be able to identiﬁed authentic practising Journalists. Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry

of Information and Communication Mr. Stephen Pam urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism and promote peace in the interest of development. He noted that his administration will provide a conducive atmosphere for journalists to carry out their constitutional responsibility as the forth estate of the realm.

Ecobank partners Enterprise Development Centre; train, award grants to SME operators

Friday Ekeoba

cobank Nigeria in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University has trained and extended ﬁnancial grants

worth millions of naira to ﬁve budding Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators in the country under the ‘Ecobank New Venture Initiative’ (ENVI). The ENVI, an innovative business training education programme is collaboration between Ecobank SME Club and EDC of the Pan Atlantic University. The ﬁve selected SME entrepreneurs otherwise known as ENVI Fellows

Stanbic IBTC to provide scholarships for children in CSI initiative

tanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of Standard Bank Group, has launched its signature corporate social investment initiative tagged ‘Out for a Limb’. The logo for the initiative was also unveiled at the launch, which took place in Lagos recently during a dinner Stanbic IBTC organized for its customers. The o cial unveiling of the logo was performed by Chairman of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside, assisted by Mrs. Sola David-Borha, the CE, and Mr. Alasdair Peach of Recki Benckiser. At the launch, Stanbic IBTC Holdings reiterated its readiness to champion the cause of providing prosthetic limbs to disadvantaged children who su er limb loss. The ﬁnancial institution also promised to

Lalong promised to o set all the outstanding advents money of media Houses inherited from the previous administration to provide a harmonious working relationship. However the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists Abdulweed Odusile vowed to weeds out quacks parading themselves as journalists in the country.

take care of the educational needs of such children. David-Borha, while thanking the clients for their support and patronage, assured that Stanbic IBTC will, through its CSR initiatives, continue to explore opportunities to impact lives, in line with its pledge to move individuals and businesses forward. It will be recalled that Stanbic IBTC had pledged during a charity walk on 14 November 2015, tagged ‘Out for a Limb’, which it organized as part of activities to raise awareness for children without limbs. The charity walk, which was ﬂagged o by the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, a racted a large turnout of participants, including Stanbic IBTC top management, sta , government o cials, clients, and other interested individuals.

The initiative is in line with Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to value-driven corporate social investment, designed to make positive impact on the society. David-Borha, who presented cheques towards the education of each of the five beneficiaries at the charity walk, said the activity is part of the corporate social investments of the Group, which is focused on three key areas of human life: health, education, and economic empowerment. “Stanbic IBTC, as part of our corporate social investment, has three areas of focus: health, education and economic empowerment. We wanted to have a flagship cause that people will identify us with and we did a survey among the sta and arrived at health for children, which was then narrowed down to prosthesis.

include: Olufemi Adenekan, Daily Fresh Farms; James Onyebuchi, Ojames Footwears; Winifred Obazeh, Asa Organics; Ifeoluwa Olatayo, Soupah Kitchen Limited and Adegboyega Adesida, Charms Horizon International Farms Ltd. The beneficiaries were enrolled for a one year training and mentorship with EDC leading to the award of the highly sought Certificate Entrepreneurial Management at EDC, the premier SME focused training Centre of the Pan- Atlantic university. The grant was awarded midway into the training so as to monitor a real life growth in their businesses over the one year mentorship with EDC. Speaking at the presentation of grants to the recipients in Lagos, Business Executive, Business Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Umadia, said the massive support for SMEs is in line with the bank’s philosophy whichrecognizes the SME sub sector as the engine room of the nation’s economic growth. According to Umadia “the EMVI initiative is part of our plans to help grow small businesses. Apart from capacity building, we want to see these businesses grow hence the financial support. I believe this will further deepen Ecobank brand in the SME sector in Nigeria”.

National

CBN stops further disbursement of N213bn power intervention fund

ureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has suspended disbursement of the N213 billion intervention fund for the power sector. The fund was introduced as a loan facility to assist power generating companies, GENCOs, and the distribution companies, DISCOs, to se le their gas debts, execute agreed metering programmes and ﬁnance procurement of transformers. BPE’s Director General, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, said in Lagos that the suspension is in response to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC), plan to review upward the electricity tari by 40 percent. Describing the planned tari review as “strange,” he noted that it was not included in the agreement for the disbursement of the fund when it was introduced in 2014. The D-G noted that the upward review of electricity tari by 40 percent when implemented, in addition to the CBN intervention, might lead to over-funding of the power sector, hence the CBN decision to suspend further disbursement of the fund. About 50 percent of the N213 billion intervention fund has already been disbursed to some GENCOs and DISCOs prior to the CBN decision. It was not clear, and Dikki did not explain, what would happen to the funds already in the hands of the GENCOs and DISCOs, if NERC proceeds with its upward tari review.

Winners emerge in UBA NEC competition, as GMD extols values of reading

inners have emerged in the fifth edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria. In a keenly contested competition, Miss Emediong Uduak Uko, a 15 year old student of British Nigerian Academy, Abuja, won the coveted prize of N1m education grant. Emediong emerged the winner from over 3,326 entries received across the country. Starish Ugie-Oritse-Ete Enonuya of The Lagoon School, Lagos and Eze Ugochinyere Golden of Living Word Academy School, Abia, emerged first and second runner ups, winning N750,000 and N500,000 educational grants respectively. Speaking during the event at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, GMD, Phillips Oduoza, commended all the participants and the schools for encouraging the students. Oduoza explained that the digital age of technology called for increased interest in reading culture among youths, adding that this had led to the decision of UBA, through its foundation, to begin the Essay Competition. He said, “UBA Foundation believes in sustainability and in supporting of the environment where we operate, and that is why we have earmarked a certain percentage of our profit to this end.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

NEWS

Soldiers arrested over destruction of lives, properties in Makurdi Godwin Akor, Makurdi

oldiers involved in the destruction of lives and properties at the Northbank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in July this year, have been arrested. Disclosing this during a public enlightenment programme on human rights in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state yesterday , Executive Secretary of the Human Rights Commission, Professor Bem Angwer, said the arrests were made possible through the help of the House of Representatives member from Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency, Mr Iorwase Hembe. Angwer said the soldiers were brought to the headquarters of the commission on the orders of the Chief of Army Sta , Lieutenant General Tukur

NSUK Alumni wants govt to establish faculties of Medical Sciences, Engineering, others Godwin Ojoshimite, Laﬁa

he Alumni Association of Nasarawa State University Ke has called on the State government and the school management to establish Faculties of Medical Sciences, Engineering and other courses in the university. National President of the association, Barr Ayiwulu Baba-Ayiwulu, made the call at the 10th Graduate Anniversary and Foundation Laying Ceremony of its National Secretariat in Ke Local Government Area of the state. The President said that the call became imperative because such faculties would provide the platform for indigenes and would help in training the manpower needed that would help in developing the state. He appealed that the state government should provide the needed resources to establish these faculties in order to achieve the vision of the school. According to him, “the roles of medical personnel and engineers in the development of the society and sustaining human lives cannot be overemphasized hence the need for those faculties. He commended the contributions of made by various personalities such as Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Governor Umaru Al-Makura and Theophilus Danjuma, among others to the establishment, growth and development of the university. “The university would not have a ained its present rank as the 7 best states universities in Nigeria if not for the intervention made by these distinguished Nigerians,” he added.

Burutai, who promised to follow the ma er with due diligence. He said the public enlightenment programme was aimed at educating the people on their rights

and maintained that the programme would be systematically carried out in order to reduce incidences of human rights abuses in Nigeria. It would be recalled

that recently, the Chief of Army Sta , Major , Lieutenant General Tukur Burutai, was in Makurdi to address soldiers of the 72 Ba alion and the Nigerian Army School of Military

Engineering and inspect the vehicles and houses destroyed by soldiers who were on rampage over alleged manhandling of one of their colleagues by suspected cult members.

North Kano govt plans to float anti corruption units in LGs

Ted Odogwu, Kano

President Muhammadu Buhari with Rt. Rev Dr. Mathew Hassan Kukah (l) and Chief Ernest Shonekan (m), as President Buhari participates as Keynote Speaker at the 15th Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Lecture series at the International Conference Centre, Abuja... recently.

Suspected kidnappers abduct, kill Plateau council boss

Gyang Bere, Jos ragedy struck the newly appointed Transition Commi ee Chairman of Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Hosea Azi, who was said to have been abducted by kidnappers and killed along Ke Road in Nasarawa State. Newswatch Times gathered that the suspected kidnappers

had abducted and killed the newly appointed transition commi ee chairman. It was learnt that the LGA boss, who was sworn in to o ce last Monday by Governor Simon Lalong, was kidnapped on Friday night at Miango Road, in Kufang, Jos South Local Government Area of the state. A source told Newswatch Times that the politician

died alongside some of the suspected kidnappers who abducted him after the car in which they were driving him away got involved in an accident in Ke , Nasarawa State. The state Police Public Relations O cer, Abuh Emmanuel, conﬁrmed the development to our correspondent in Jos, saying that his o ce is yet to get the

details of the incident. According to him . “ I am waiting for detail information from the DPO in charge of the area with a view to get details of what actually transpired. Meanwhile, another family source said two of the suspects, who su ered serious injuries in the accident, confessed to the crime while receiving treatment in an unnamed hospital .

Buhari commends El-Rufai over Kaduna Music Festival

Baba Negedu, Kaduna resident Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, praised Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El Rufai, for using the creative industry as an avenue for job creation in the state. Speaking while declaring open the Kaduna Music Festival, the President also formally expressed his gratitude and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the tremendous contributions artistes made to the party’s victory during the last election. He commended Kaduna State Government for organizing KADAMFEST as a platform to recognize talents and to encourage the emergence of new ones. According to Buhari, “the story of 2015 cannot honestly be told without acknowledging the contributions of creative people to the APC’s success.” He said many politicians made e orts to mobilize people to make the success of 2015 possible, but the Nigerian artistes made a massive contribution to public enlightenment, adding that “many actors, musicians and writers - from di erent strands and in various stylesdrew Nigerians to the banner of change. Buhari said” they spoke the language of the people, enlightening and mobilising them with words and images they could understand, I doubt if any politician surpassed the likes of Dauda

•Thanks musicians for support during campaign Rarara and other musicians. “The artistes gave hope to our people and persuaded them to believe that things could really change. Musicians and actors across the length and breadth of Nigeria mobilized the citizenry to stand up for

peaceful, orderly and transparent elections. You preached both peace and hope leading to democratic change. You did so patriotically at great personal risk and without any expectations, inducement or ﬁnancial reward.”

Commending the musicians and artistes, the president said that their “application of creative talent to the cause of political change in a dire moment for our country deserves eternal gratitude. As President, I say a formal thank you today on behalf of myself, the APC and our victorious candidates.”

Kano govt poised to embrace cashless policy – Ganduje Ted Odogwu, Kano

ano State Government adopted cashless policy, so as to enhance its ﬁnancial inclusiveness as well as to avert leakages in government ﬁnancial transactions, the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has explained. Ganduje made the explanation, while receiving a delegation from the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN), who paid him a courtesy visit to access the level of the state’s compliance with the National Financial Inclusion Strategy. “Already, the state government has halted all cash transactions, right from Local Government, including all parastatals”, the governor explained, adding that the process would not only encourage anybody, who transacts business with the government to have bank account but will also provide basis for the monitoring and evaluation of monetary dealings. Also, Ganduje explained that transactions of

the administration’s empowerment programmes are channeled through not less than 37 Micro Finance Banks in the state, pointing out that all the beneﬁciaries have been sensitized that they can only access the money when they open accounts with banks, a directive they have since

complied with. “Even the N100 million we o ered to rice farmers recently for the purchase of improved seeds was done through banks”, Governor Ganduje averred, stressing that the present administration in Kano is being encouraged by the scheme.

ano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is soon to establish its o ces in all the 44 local government areas of the state, the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has disclosed. Ganduje made the pledge at a ceremony, organized by state Public Complaints and AntiCorruption Commission to commemorate the World Anti–Corruption Day, at the Government House, Kano. According to Ganduje, the decision is part of e orts to wipe out corruption from the grassroots, adding that unless Nigerians support the on-going war against corruption at all levels, poverty, social deprivation and infrastructural deﬁciency would continue to elude the society. Furthermore, the governor disclosed that plans have been concluded to ﬂoat a due process agency, so as to ensure probity and accountability in public procurement processes, while a SERVICOM Directorate has been established in the state civil service to improve governance and public service delivery. Ganduje further disclosed that the state Board of Internal Revenue was reformed recently, with a view to blocking leakages and a endant corruption in tax assessment and collection. Currently, he maintained that the state Public Complaints and AntiCorruption Commission has detected numerous cases of corruption in the public and private sectors, just as he urged the people to cooperate with the agency to enable it successfully execute its mandate. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Commission, Malam Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, who decried the damage done by corruption to societies, thanked Governor Ganduje for reinvigorating his commission, as well as for allowing it to function without political interference.

Appeal Tribunal upholds Abaribe’s election Taiye Odewale, Abuja

he Election Appeal Tribunal si ing in Owerri, Imo State, on Friday, a rmed the election of the Senate Commi ee Chairman on Information and National Orientation, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe as the validly elected senator representing Abia South Senatorial District in the senate. The three-man appeal panel led by Justice Tur in a late evening judgment not only upheld the senator’s appeal against the lower

• Sets aside Election Tribunal rerun ruling tribunal judgment ordering a rerun election in Obingwa and some wards in Ugwunagbo local government areas of Abis State, but also struck out the cross appeal ﬁled by Chief Chris Nkwonta for being incompetent and not in compliance with legal procedures. He awarded a cost of N50,000 against Nkwonta who had challenged Abaribe’s election at the lower tribunal. Nkwonta had in the crossappeal prayed the appeal court to declare him the winner

of the election and set aside the judgment of the lower tribunal, which had ordered a staggered rerun election. Abaribe, who was a Deputy Governor of Abia State, is a currently a third-term senator in the senate where he was its spokesman in the 7th Session. In his ruling, the judge held that the petitioners/ respondents failed to prove their allegations challenging the election and added that Abaribe’s election was valid as it complied with the electoral Act

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

South

NEWS

79 stolen cattle uncovered in Lagos abattoir

Bolu-Olu Esho, Abeokuta

o fewer than 79 ca le stolen by rustlers from ca le rearers in Zamfara and Katsina states have been uncovered in Agege aba oir ca le market in Lagos State. This was revealed by the National Chairman of Miya i Allah Ca le Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Kirwa, in Agege on Thursday. During the week, 50 stolen cows and oxen were identiﬁed as stolen ones by the association in the ca le market in Agege, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, besides another 29 earlier discovered a fortnight ago in the market. Lagos State Chairman of the association Alhaji Abdullahi Lailaga contacted the national chairman when the discoveries were made. Revealing how they uncovered the antics of the rustlers, Alhaji Kirwa said some of the cows gave birth to calves shortly arrival while some are pregnant. He emphasised that ca le rearers hardly sell their cows and don’t sell the pregnant cows because it is economically unreasonable to do so. Giving a break down of the stollen ca le recovered by the association, the national chairman said the 29 ca le earlier recovered by in Agege

Activist beaten to pulp by illegal tricycle revenue collectors

Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

he Chairman of a human rights group, Fundamental Rights League International FRLI), Comrade Mike Umezulike, was beaten to pulp by alleged illegal tricycle revenue collectors at Obodo-ukwu/ Atani Road Junction, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, for daring to question them on reasons for the imposition of multiple levies on commercial tricycle operators. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the revenue collectors during the 67th celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human rights held last Thursday by the United Nations, he said, “seven men came to my o ce at Uga Junction and one of them was a police o cer and they served me with a notice of summon to the police station for stopping them from the imposition of the multiple levies. “I obediently followed them to the Police Station and after making my statement, the police asked me to go that I have no case to answer having found out that they were operating illegally. “However, when I left that station with my wife and another colleagues, I did not know that these people were trailing me and on ge ing to Obodo-Ukwu junction, they rushed to me and beat me to pulp.” He revealed further that, “As I am talking to you now I am in pains because of injuries I sustained on my body, legs, head and neck. I was hospitalized for some days.”

were stolen from Safana Local Government, Katsina State and have been returned to owners with the assistance of the state Governor Aminu Bello Masari. The culprits were also handed over to law enforcement agents in the state for prosecution. Alhaji Kirwa also disclosed

that 60 cows were stolen from Kaduna State and 38 among them were brought to Lagos. Another 12 ca le were stolen from Zamfara State and brought to Lagos for sale. According to Alhaji Kirwa, four persons have been arrested in connection with the crime and handed over to the police at

police station close to the Agege ca le market for further investigation and prosecution. “The cows were taken back to where they were loaded and with the help of the Kaduna and Zamfara State governments their actual owners will be traced and their ca le would be handed

over to them,” Alhaji Kirwa said. The national chairman, however, charged all members of the association to be vigilant and ensure proper screening of any ca le brought to their market for sale before they buy. He observed this as one of the best ways to frustrate

rustlers out of their illicit trade. Alhaji Kirwa, however, solicited the support of governors of Northern states to assist the association in tackling the raging menace of ca le rustling in the region.

‘Oyo will not sack workers despite poor resources’ Olusakin Babalola, Ibadan

L-R: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Minister for Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Mrs. Oluyemisi Adesina, at the Convocation of Post Graduate students and conferment on Honourary Doctor of Science Degree on Adesina at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State... yesterday.

Kidnapping for ransom spreads to Oyo, Police smashes syndicate Olusakin Babalola,Ibadan

he spate of kidnapping for ransom which pervades the Eastern part of the country has spread to Oyo State where the state Police Command apprehended some suspects during the week. Their victim, Akintunde Akintayo, who was billed to pay N10 Million ransom to the kidnappers for his freedom has been rescued by the anti kidnapping team of the police command. Akintunde, who was a poultry farmer, was abducted at Ayede village, near Egbeda, where the suspects ambushed him and whisked him away to an unknown place. Those currently in police net for interrogation are Ekosun Okoto Kenneth, James Samuel, Jacob Ocha, Emmanuel Ankpe, Iyene Ifan and Iyene Uker. Immediately their victim, Akintunde was se led in their hide out, he was made to call his sister, Mrs.Edeke Adepoju, to get N10Million within a given time, lest her brother be killed. The ma er was reported to the police who swung into action and eventually located the operational base of the kidnappers where their victim

was rescued. The confession of Okosun, one of the suspects arrested at their criminal base, led to the apprehension of others. One of the suspects confessed to the police that their team kidnapped one Uche in Benue State, adding that he was released after the

payment of N5 Million as ransom. Conﬁrming the arrest on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, the spokesman for the command, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said that during preliminary search, four cutlasses, assorted criminal

charms, one big handkerchief to gag victims mouth, three handsets, and one jack knife were found on them. He further said that Emma, one of the suspects, confessed that he masterminded the crime, adding that they would be charged to court after discreet investigation.

Anambra Govt. to provide insurance cover to student nurses Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

nambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabike, hinted yesterday that the government would provide a health insurance scheme for student nurses and other health workers in the state. He gave the hint during the Matriculation Ceremony of School of Basis Midwifery, Anamba State University Teaching Hospital, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area. The Commissioner stated that, “a health insurance scheme would be introduced by the state Government in which the people would be required to contribute minimally to have insurance cover”. According to him the

insurance scheme became necessary in view of the state government determination to render health services to the health workers and people of the state. He expressed satisfaction with the accreditation of the school which he said, has almost been completed as the school has been authorized to admit 50 students like others in the country instead of its earlier 30 , adding that both the schools of nursing and midwifery have been uplifted with the accreditation given to them by Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. He urged the students to work hard adding that to train a student health wise , money, good learning environment, hostels and lecturers must be provided. “We have go en accreditation for school of

Nursing and Midwifery at Nkpor and we now aim at having 100 students intake now for the school of Midwifery”. He pledged to work on the school landscaping adding that Igbos are sharp and brilliant and that is why they excel in academics. Earlier, the Principal of the School of Midwifery, Mrs. Juliana C. Nwazuruoke listed the problems confronting the school to include, accommodation, installation of transformer giving to the school by the state Govt., fencing, security, labourers and cooks. The chairman of the occasion,Barr. Vincent Ezeaka, had in his speech expressed satisfaction with the conduct and performance of students and sta .

Ugolor enjoins FG to strengthen EFCC, ICPC to fight corruption ThankGod Ivere-Ijomah, Benin

he Executive Director (ANEEJ), and Legal Adviser to African Bar Association (ABA), Reverend David Ugolor, has called on all Nigerians to assist the anticorruption security outﬁts in the country in the ﬁght against corruption. This, he said, would help improve the country’s rating on the corruption index by Transparency International. Ugolor gave this charge at the weekend while speaking to journalists in Benin to

mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day. The human rights crusader also called on the Federal Government not to relent, as ‘corruption has become one of the instruments they use in sustaining inequality in the country’, a disturbing phenomenon that has increased the level of poverty in the country to unacceptable heights. He therefore enjoined the government to strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission

(ICPC) to competently tackle corruption which has become a distraction to development in the country. Ugolor said, “Today is an important day in the history of tackling corruption globally; we want to send a strong message to the government that level of poverty in the country is unacceptable and the only way to tackle poverty is to ﬁght corruption; we also believe that the traditional approach in tackling corruption is failing; the anticorruption agencies need to be strengthened.

“It is very clear that the Buhari administration has announced to the country that it is not going to be business as usual and one way to demonstrate this is to see that Nigeria improves in the ranking of transparency international where Nigeria is ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world”. “We have a responsibility to work together to take us from this ranking to a position where we can a ract foreign direct investment that would help grow the economy”.

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has assured that he would not retrench any worker despite the dwindling resources of the state. Ajimobi gave the assurance in Ibadan on Friday during the annual celebration of Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) Oyo State council. The Governor, who was represented by the state Head of Service, Mr.Soji Eniade, urged the state work force to help the government in boosting the states Internally Generated Revenue. The Chairman, National Union of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Dr.Abel Afolayan, who was represented by Mr Gbadegesin Akande, condemned the statement of states governors, who at their recent meeting said that they would either reduce the workers’ minimum wage or retrench the workers. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo, has commended journalists in the state for being partners in progress to the government. Adeyemo gave the commendation during the veteran day at the Press Centre, Iyaganku Ibadan, where he stressed that the importance of the media cannot be overemphasised. He called on other unions to understand the signiﬁcant role of the media in democratic processes.

Ondo ex-Assembly member dead Ade Akanbi , Akure

former lawmaker in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Soji Akinkurolere, is reportedly dead in the early hour of yesterday during a brief illness at the age of 56. The deceased, who was a member of the state Peoples Democratic Party, represented Okitipupa State Constituency I between 2011 and 2015. A source informed our correspondent that the late former lawmaker stated complaining of stomach disorder on Friday and when the situation was ge ing worse, he was rushed to a private hospital where he reportedly gave up the ghost. He was elected under the platform of Labour Party in 2011 but later defected to the PDP with the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and some members of the state House of Assembly in October last year. He is survived by mother, wives and children.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Death toll from clashes in Burundi capital rises to nearly 90

early 90 people were killed during Friday’s clashes in the Burundian capital, Reuters reported the army as saying yesterday, the worst outbreak of violence in Burundi since a failed coup in May. Blasts and gunﬁre echoed around Bujumbura for most of Friday and residents said o cials spent the day collecting bullet-riddled bodies from city streets. There was no ﬁghting overnight and the capital’s streets were calm yesterday. Army spokesman Gaspard Baratuza said gunmen had a acked three military sites in Bujumbura, kindling a day of clashes across the city. He said 79 a ackers were killed and 45 others

captured. Four police o cers and four soldiers also died. “Sweep operations have finished now,” Baratuza said, adding that o cials confiscated weapons and ammunition. Unrest in Burundi, which started in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans for a third term in o ce, has unnerved a region still volatile two decades after the genocide in neighboring Rwanda. Friday’s clashes were condemned by the United States, which like other Western powers fears the Central African nation could slide back into ethnic conflict. The police did not identify the gunmen. One of the generals behind the failed coup a empt said afterwards that his rebel

S.Africa’s Zuma denies romance behind finance minister sacking

outh African President, Jacob Zuma, under fire for sacking his finance minister, took the unusual step yesterday of denying that a romantic relationship had anything to do with the move, AFP has reported. Zuma dumped respected finance minister Nhlanhla Nene on Wednesday -leading to media speculation that he was protecting the chairwoman of the national airline, Dudu Myeni, to whom he is said to be “close”. Just days before he was sacked, Nene had slapped down a controversial move by Myeni to renegotiate a South African Airways plane-leasing deal with Airbus -- a move which analysts said would hit the loss-making airline’s finances hard. Nene’s sacking, as

Africa’s most sophisticated economy, struggles with high unemployment, low growth and social unrest, sent the local currency plunging to all-time lows and sparked widespread calls for Zuma to be removed as president. Zuma’s statement said that Myeni’s “relationship with the President is purely professional”. “Rumours about a romance and a child are baseless and are designed to cast aspersions on the president.” Zuma,74, who has four wives, has a reputation as a womaniser and his sexual activities have been scrutinised in public previously, when he was acqui ed on a rape charge in 2006. He became president in 2009.

U.S. asks Germany for more military help in fight against IS

he United States has asked Germany for more military help in the ﬁght against Islamic State, a German magazine reported yesterday, a week after parliament approved a plan to join the campaign in Syria. Der Spiegel said U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had sent a le er asking for a bigger military contribution from Berlin. Its mission currently includes six Tornado reconnaissance jets, a frigate to protect the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, refueling aircraft and up to 1,200 troops. The deployment is a direct response to a French appeal for solidarity after militant a acks in Paris killed 130 people. Germany does not plan to carry out air strikes in Syria. A German Defence Ministry spokesman conﬁrmed a le er had been received from the

United States and its content was under consideration, giving no further details. Germany has over the last two years shown a growing readiness to commit troops to foreign missions. Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said last week Germany might need bigger armed forces to cope with the more assertive role. She said an analysis into sta ng and the organization of combat forces would report in a couple of months on whether personnel levels were appropriate. More than 3,000 personnel are currently deployed overseas and the Syria mission will raise that by up to 1,200. Von der Leyen also wants to send 650 troops to Mali to help the French campaign against Islamist militants there. Germany last year started arming Iraqi Kurds ﬁghting Islamic State.

group still aimed to topple the president. Residents said some of Friday’s dead were killed after being rounded up by the police in house-to-house searches, an allegation the police denied. According to witnesses and pictures circulated on social media, some bodies had their hands tied behind their backs. “They entered in our compounds, gathered all

young and middle aged men, took them and killed them away from their homes,” said one resident in Nyakabiga. But police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said there were “no collateral victims” during Friday clashes. Baratuza said some a ackers who a empted to raid the Ngagara military camp retreated and were pursued by security forces

who “inflicted on them considerable losses”. Kenya Airways, which canceled flights to Burundi on Friday, said it would resume flying to Bujumbura on Sunday. Until now, ba le lines in Burundi’s crisis have followed the political divide. But Western powers and neighboring countries fear prolonged violence could reopen old ethnic rifts in a nation of 10

million people. Burundi’s 12-year civil war, which ended in 2005, pi ed rebel groups of the Hutu majority, including one led by Nkurunziza, against what was then an army led by the Tutsi minority. Rwanda has the same ethnic mix. More than 220,000 people have ﬂed the violence to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Congo.

World seals landmark climate accord, marking turn from fossil fuels

lobal climate envoys agreed a landmark accord on yesterday, se ing the course for a “historic” transformation of the world’s fossil fueldriven economy within decades in a bid to arrest global warming. According to Reuters, at the tail end of the ho est year on record and after four years of fraught U.N. talks often pi ing the interests of rich nations against poor, imperilled island states against rising

economic powerhouses, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius took just minutes to declare the pact adopted to the standing applause and whistles of delegates from almost 200 nations. Hailed as the ﬁrst truly global climate deal, commi ing both rich and poor nations to reining in rising emissions blamed for warming the planet, it sets out a sweeping longterm goal of eliminating net man-made greenhouse gas output this century.

It also creates a system to encourage nations to step up voluntary domestic e orts to curb emissions, and provides billions more dollars to help poor nations cope with the transition to a greener economy. Calling it “ambitious and balanced”, Fabius said the accord would mark a “historic turning point” in e orts to avert the potentially disastrous consequences of an overheated planet. In some ways its success

was assured before the summit began: 187 nations have submi ed detailed national plans for how they will contain the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, commitments that are the core of the Paris deal. While leaving each country to pursue those measures on its own, the agreement ﬁnally sets a common vision and course of action after years of bickering over how to move forward.

Residents look at the covered body of an unidentiﬁed man killed during gunﬁre, in the Nyakabiga neighbourhood of Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura...yesterday

‘Kuwait ruling family member given suspended jail term’

Kuwaiti court has given a suspended prison sentence to Sheikh Ahmad alFahad al-Sabah, a senior member of the ruling family and a powerbroker in international sport, for quoting remarks by the country’s ruler without permission, local media said. The Gulf Arab state’s constitution describes Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as “immune and inviolable”, and quoting him without permission from his court is punishable under Kuwaiti law. According to Reuters, the Criminal Court gave Sheikh Ahmad, who is

President of the Olympic Council of Asia and sits on the International Olympic Commi ee, a six-month suspended sentence and ordered him to pay 1,000 dinars ($3,300), the Arabic-language al-Qabas newspaper reported. He had been accused of quoting the emir without permission in an interview with a local television station in 2014, al-Qabas reported. Although al Qabas did not cite the comments made by Sheikh Ahmed, he was at the time at the center of a controversy after ﬁling a legal complaint concerning two former o cials. As part of his complaint,

Sheikh Ahmed submi ed audio and video clips seemed to suggest that former prime minister Sheikh Nasser alMohammad al-Sabah and former parliament speaker Jassem al-Kharaﬁ were suspected of contacting a foreign power, of money laundering and stealing public funds, state news agency KUNA said at the time. Kuwait’s public prosecutor dropped the inquiry in March, ruling the tape was bogus. The English language Arab Times said the trial also saw Sheikh Ahmad accused of violating a ban by the public prosecutor on publicly discussing the

case. According to the Arab Times, the prosecutor’s ban prohibits Sheikh Ahmad from using phrases that “instigate chaos or cast doubt on the integrity of the General Public Prosecutor”, as well as members of the judicial authority. Sheikh Ahmad’s lawyer, Falah al-Hajraf, conﬁrmed an initial ruling had been made in the case on Thursday. He told Reuters on Saturday that he would decide how to proceed once he had seen details of the ruling. Local media said Sheikh Ahmad, who is outside the country, plans to appeal the verdict.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

OPINION Newswatch Times www.mydailynewswatchng.com

-Tradition built on truth

Published by Newswatch Times Ltd. (RC 1220646) BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR - PUBLISHER

BANKOLE MAKINDE DELE FASHOMI PATRICK ASONYE OLANREWAJU OYETADE MIKAIL MUMUNI AKIN ORIMOLADE SONI EHI ASUELIMEN OLUKAYODE OGUNJOBI

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Seizing the moment to protect our world James F. Entwistle,

rom rising seas across the globe and the melting of Greenland’s sheet ice to the bleaching of coral reefs around many coasts, the signs of climate change are all around us. As a global society, we are at a critical juncture where our decisions today will help shape the climate into which our children and grandchildren will be born. But this is not just about the future. There are immediate benefits to keeping pollutants out of our environment: cleaner air, lower energy costs, and new growth industries. These were the stakes at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, where representatives from almost 200 nations gathered from November 30 to December 11 to negotiate a comprehensive climate agreement for the post-2020 world. Now more than ever, there is social and political will to do something about the rise in global temperatures and its ripple effect through the environment. More than 160 countries, responsible for around 90 percent of global emissions, have announced climate targets ahead of the conference, and we welcome President Buhari’s commitment to a 20 percent emission reduction of greenhouse gases for Nigeria. As a reference point, only about 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions were addressed under the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. The United States is taking bold action on climate change at home as we work with partner nations to do

the same. Since President Obama took office, the United States has reduced carbon emissions, tripled domestic wind energy production, and increased solar power twenty fold. We have put in place stringent new fuel economy standards so that our cars are using less gas, energy use is more efficient, and a historic amount of land and water has been protected for future generations. At the same time, the U.S. economy has expanded, proving that growth is not inextricably linked to carbon output. Going forward, the Clean Power Plan will cut emissions from the U.S. power sector, which makes up a third of the nation’s carbon emissions, by 32 percent by 2030 and will save more than $50 billion in climate and health-related costs in the process. With countries like China, India, and Brazil now pledging to reduce emissions, we have a serious chance to put in place a transformative plan. In Paris, the United States will push for an effective agreement that continues to drive ambitious climate action by all countries, while recognising the differences among them. It should provide a longterm framework—with high standards of transparency and accountability—that calls on nations to ratchet up their targets over time. It must also provide countries in need with financial and technical support for lowcarbon development and adaptation to a changing climate. Cities, businesses, and individuals all play critical roles in turning climate policy into action. Former New York Mayor Michael

Bloomberg is spearheading the C40 effort that links megacities in proactive steps to tackle climate change. More than 80 companies, including Alcoa, Coca-Cola, and Wal-Mart have signed the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, committing to actions such as investing in renewable energy and reducing waste. Individuals make choices every day, from the type of coffee cup they use to the way they get to work, that have a huge cumulative impact. We applaud President Buhari’s forward-looking statements on ending routine gas flaring and ratifying the Lake Chad Basin Water Charter, in addition to the actions he has already taken

to revive oil spill remediation efforts in Ogoniland. The United States looks forward to deepening our partnership with Nigerian farmers in using new climate-smart agricultural methods. We also embrace the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs and the greater business community in developing Nigeria’s renewable and clear energy markets. Moreover, we are exploring ways to help strengthen Nigeria’s protection of its delicate ecosystems, such as helping park rangers keep wildlife poachers at bay. The world is watching as Nigeria takes on new leadership roles, and we believe that Nigeria’s active participation in COP21 will

help bring an air of openmindedness, realism, and hope as the world strives to mitigate and adapt to climate change. With leaders and representatives from almost every nation on earth convening in Paris, there is a historic opportunity to strike a far-reaching and durable climate agreement. We have the political will and groundswell of social support to make it work, but we will need to come together and be pragmatic in order to reach a deal. For brighter skies today and a more secure tomorrow, now is the time to act. Entwistle is the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

NEWSWATCH TIMES POLITICS NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

IT’S FOOLHARDY TO AGITATE FOR BIAFRA STATE –Olapade Agoro

pgs. 10-11

Pg. 10

INSIDE

Nigerians slam senate over bill on social media pg. 12

Why appointment of commissioners was delayed in Plateau –Gov. Lalong pg.13

APGA has overstayed its welcome in Anambra –Ezeanokwa, LP chair pg. 14

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

POLITICS

It’s foolhardy to agitate for Former Presidential candidate of the National Action Council (NAC), Dr.Olapade Agoro can see no justification for the protest or the call for the revalidation of Biafra Republic by some groups in the South Eastern part of the country. To him, the 30 month civil war that claimed several lives has put to rest the likelihood of Biafra ever becoming a reality. The elder statesman spoke with OLUSAKIN BABALOLA in Ibadan and called on the protesting youths to give peace a chance. He denied the insinuation in some quarters that the purpose of taking President Muhammadu Buhari to court and his suit both at the Federal High Court and Appeal Court in which he demanded that Buhari should not be sworn in as President of Nigeria in May meant that he was against him as a person. Excerpts:

o you support the agitation of a pocket of home based Igbos for the revalidation of Republic of Biafra which some Nigerians see as a treasonable act? The fact that nobody of good sense commonality is able to discern the currency of socio-economic developmental events today will fail to realize the fact that the Igbos are not only there visible, but just too good leaders and in ﬁrm control of entire business climates of Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, the nation’s business nerve centre and, as well as sprawling all over Abuja, Ibadan, kano, Ilesa, Ile-Ife like bush ﬁre in the dry season. They are all over there as visible game masters in common house hold daily needs marketing (i.e. electronics, shoes, clothing, food, furniture) the almighty oil and communication industries, hotel and hospital management, automobile business management, transportations of air, roads and seas management, music industry, life making merry

Nollywood entertainment industry, print and publishing industry, motor spare parts, arms and ammunition suppliers just to mention a few. These Igbo people, if real facts must be faced, are just too good business gurus with set boundary limitation not yet in sight to what they can and, or cannot do unless that of turning man to woman and, or walking on the sea. Remember these agitators are seemingly idle home based youths who were not alive during the last civil war? Yes, deﬁnitely. That is why one is wondering aloud in bewilderment to ﬁnd some youthful pranksters mad mimicking the last ode of Biafra, dead and buried since 1970. Incidentally, late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the great and colourful character that a empted seceding Biafra as a nation out of Nigeria (19671970) sooner than expected like a great leader, retraced his way back, to end up as a hero, the type found only among the greats of the world. His widow, Bianca at a time not too long ago to be soon forgo en meritoriously served as

The nerve soothing intervention of Chairmen of Forum of seven Igbo speaking State Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo –cultural organization distancing themselves from the activities of dead Biafra State agitating pranksters was not only enough a direction to peace and peaceful living among the well meaning nationalities of Nigeria, it was enough a signal that the mad dogs are on their own rampaging to self destruction

Agoro

This cannot be compared to anything worth touching by those now engineering madness and attempting to uselessly put ﬂesh on dry bones that will at any rate end up in gamesmanship of running mad in the circle of low mentality

a high calibre Nigerian Ambassador to a European country. It therefore brings to fore, the need to ask the salient question the wise would be tempted to as on why some Igbo rabble rousers who are youths and who knew nothing about the hell on earth we the elderly now in age group 60 and above went through between 1967-1970 hiding in damn hot caves and holes during the Nigeria- Biafra war. We will just like prophet Ezekiel in the Holy Bible like to see lives given back to dry bones when our world currently has more than enough problems than we can conveniently cope with. Are you aware that some patriotic elders have intervened? Sure, the nerve soothing intervention Chairmen, Forum of seven Igbo speaking States Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo –cultural organization comprising highly respected Igbo elders came up of very recent, distancing themselves from the activities of dead Biafra State agitating pranksters was not only enough a direction to peace and peaceful living among the well meaning nationalities of Nigeria, we all need now but was enough a signal

that the mad dogs are on their own rampaging to self destruction. The agitators might be hiding under the exercise of Fundamental human rights as enshrined in our constitution? Although agitation for human serving noble cause and particularly human rights cause pleading and pursuing is opium in the life of a nation guided by rule of laws. However, this cannot be compared to anything worth touching by those now engineering madness and a empting to uselessly put ﬂesh on dry bones that will at any rate end up in gamesmanship of running mad in the circle of low mentality. How did you feel when your suit praying a Federal High court not to swear in President Mohammadu Buhari in May was thrown out? I was not frustrated, devastated nor excited. Politicians, particularly those in the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarded the step you took at the time as sabotage capable of rubbishing the good work of INEC. What is your

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

POLITICS

Biafra State –Olapade Agoro reaction to this? It is unfortunate that many people, especially as you observed, the APC leaders, misconceived my intention. It is a gross misconception to insinuate that I was a er PMB by the suit, far from it. What I was a er was the judicial system which supported the illegality commi ed by INEC. You know my prayer as regards the Electoral Act, I have a grouse against the system. That is it. Can you expatiate? The INEC abused the judicial system, the rule of law. My concern is for the sustenance of rule of law in the country. Let me, for the sake of emphasis say that I have no personal issue with Mr. President. He is my friend. And what I am doing now, he also did it. You might have forgo en that he took INEC and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to court many times. What is the update on the case now or you have been se led underground? Se led? No. It is in Appellate court and the other in Federal High court, Ikoyi, Lagos. He who ﬁghts and runs away lives to ﬁght another day Congratulations on the emergence of a new leader, the Ooni of Ife, being the head of all Yoruba traditional rulers. Do you have any word of advice for him? Let me quickly correct you. I do not believe he(Ooni of Ife ) is the leader of all Yoruba traditional rulers. You should say he is the leader of all Yoruba at home and in the diaspora. By saying He is the leader of Yoruba traditional rulers, you are limiting him. He has entered the spiritual leadership of all the Yorubas, not the political leader. What are your expectations from him? He is a young man on whose shoulder great responsibilities are entrusted. He should seek means of uniting with those who contested with him and are aggrieved before they lost out. He should not be an arrogant young monarch but a young Oba with the wisdom of elders. He should be guided by elders. I am sure that by this, his tenure would bring peace, progress and stability to his domain and the Yoruba kingdom. If you look at photographs when he came, there were no elders there. He needs elders and their wisdom in order to succeed. How do you assess the performance of your state Governor? You know he owns me and I own Rauf Aregbesola. And you know when your son is playing a ball and he is losing in the game, you don’t say, Oh my son is doing badly and ask for his head. So, I am fully supporting Ogbeni Rauf. Under the prevailing socio economic circumstances, he is trying his best. As Owa Tapa of Itapa, you earlier in the year a acked Justice Olamide Oloyede who accused Governor Aregbesola of mismanagent, have you changed your prejudice against the

Judge? It is unethical for the Judge being a civil Servant, to accuse her employer. I don’t know if the Judge is still there now. You are one of the few who criticized Mr. President for not appointing his cabinet early enough. Why? I will illustrate proverbially. You see, the best time to know the true beauty value of any woman is very early in the morning, when she gets out of bed. The lazy one gets out of bed leaving it rough, not laid and her person un-kept, smelling in tardiness. The real beauty will get out of bed looking fresh like an early morning rose radiating colour of strength, life and love to behold. Would you mind coming speaking for the understanding of pedestrians? President Muhammadu Buhari and his newly announced cabinet members, one must confess, are coming onboard the a airs of Nigeria at this particular period with their roads strewn with pebbles, rough stones, gullies and bumps. To be sincere, this is not the best of time for any right thinking and well meaning individual trying to envy President Buhari in his coat of many colours of national You are apparently optimistic that this team will prove their me le and justify the expectations of the masses of Nigerians? For the past years or so, Nigeria has never been this too bad and tough to handle because of challenges. Political tinkering apart giving way for one’s core value nationalistic opinion sharing, one can equally value some of those in the newly set up Buhari’s cabinet as men and women with tested hands just waking up and ready to radiate colour of strength and to smell arrogance of love vapour as early morning rose. These men and women, unless they are prepared to be stoned dead and buried under rubbles of shame by overburdened, over abused, over traumatized and over worked Nigerians, they cannot a ord to fail in the arduous task they wilfully and willingly brought upon themselves with their change mantra. If the truth must be faced for the beneﬁt of all, the ﬁrst to be realistically changed must be Buhari, his men and women from rhetorical speech making into progressive actions practicality. You sometimes likened Buhari with the late sage, Chief Obafemi

Agoro

My concern is for the sustenance of rule of law in the country. Let me, for the sake of emphasis say that I have no personal issue with Mr. President. He is my friend. And what I am doing now, he also did it. You might have forgotten that he took INEC and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to court many times

Awolowo who le an indelible print on the sands of time as a result of his monumental achievements... Of course, yes. President Muhammadu Buhari, like late Sage Obafemi Awolowo could be rightly said to be two of the nation’s political leaders who have in the past roughly, painfully and bi erly tasted Nigeria’s beer parlour judicial and electoral horrors of shame. Otherwise, President Buhari, the wise for it shedding hot tears in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday 9th November 2015 at the swearing in of Professor Mahmud Yakubu, the new Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its ﬁve National Commissioners, where he rightly enthused among others that : “ It was long overdue to address

I do not believe he (Ooni of Ife ) is the leader of all Yoruba traditional rulers. You should say he is the leader of all Yoruba at home and in the diaspora. By saying he is the leader of Yoruba traditional rulers, you are limiting him. He has entered the spiritual leadership of all the Yorubas, not the political leader

what he described as shortcomings in the nation’s judicial system” . He went further to say that: “Similarly, perpetrators of electoral violence and thuggery should not be spared. Unless our system stops covering up all forms of electoral malpractices, we can hardly get it right.” In essence, for the sake of emphasis, we should expect the best from members of his cabinet? What is your advice for them? These men and women now trusted by Buhari to help him work out solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political problems and must be unanimous in starting from the block of judicial reform and electoral evils corrections. A er all, almost all of them with the exemption of one or two recent political o ce sweet honey tasters could be said to have been active partakers in what led to and or the fall out of what Buhari bi erly complained of as ‘judicial shortcomings’ and ‘electoral evil malpractices”. On the last note however and perhaps assisting to start addressing ‘Judicial Shortcomings’ is asking President Muhammadu Buhari the promoter of ‘change’ mantra to compel it on his new Minister of Justice and A orney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN ) to be a reasonable and responsible respecter of Court Judgments, particularly those pronounced against governments, ministries and agencies.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

POLITICS

Nigerians slam senate over bill on social media Duro Adeseko

igerians last Thursday joined the human race to celebrate Human Rights Day that is usually marked throughout the world on December 10, every year. It was a day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, a er the Assembly passed resolution 423(V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day. The popularity of the day can be shown by the fact that the commemorative Human Rights Day stamp was issued in 1952 and it received approximately 200,000 advance orders. The celebration last week came at a time the Nigerian Senate reportedly passed the second reading of a bill to curb the activities of the Social Media. It is a law that would ensure that those found guilty of the o ence of reporting any false story in the social media are sent to jail of not less than two years. Nigerians cried out on the undemocratic nature of the bill. President Muhammadu Buhari is also on the same page with the protesting Nigerian as he made it clear through his Special Adviser on Media, Mallam Garba Sheu that the Nigerian Senate is on its own because he was not ready to be a party to any undemocratic move to curtail the freedom of expression of Nigerians. President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Mr. Wahab Odusile stated on a television station yesterday that the media should be allowed to curb itself of any perceived excesses rather than the Senate of Nigeria enacting an arbitrary law making it an o ence. He pointed out that President Buhari has through his body language and statements by his aides that he would not be part of any such law and should the National Assembly pass such law into law with two third majority, the law court would be final the arbiter because any law that is not consistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot survive. A human Right Group, SocialEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on being reliably informed that the Nigerian Senate was planning to censor use of social media, sent an urgent appeal to David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The appeal by SERAP specifically asked the UN, through the o ce of Kaye, to ‘urgently request the National Assembly of Nigeria, specifically the Senate, to withdraw a bill which if passed into law would undermine the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression and press freedom on the internet in the country.” The le er reads in part: “We are seriously concerned that the National Assembly of Nigeria will any moment from now pass a bill to jail for two years and fine anybody or group of persons who send any alleged false text message or post false message on the social media against another person. “SERAP is concerned that rather than increasing universal and inclusive access to the Internet for all Nigerians, the National Assembly of Nigeria is working to undermine access of citizens to the Internet. Yet, freedom of expression

Buhari entails the ability to both speak and receive information, including through the social media and other generated content services such as YouTube, Twi er, Facebook, and chat applications,” “By initiating this bill, the National Assembly is impermissibly restricting the ability of the citizens to use these tools to communicate, connect, and seek independent sources of information. “SERAP also contends that the bill will restrain access to internet and social media, curtail the freedom of the press, and online content in illegitimate, disproportionate, or otherwise unlawful and abusive ways. The real targets of the bill are social media and human rights defenders that might be critical of government policies or report on corruption involving high ranking government o cials, “International law provides that any restriction to rights online must be provided in law, pursuant to a legitimate aim, and limited to only what is necessary and proportionate. SERAP believes that the bill falls far short of international requirements of legitimacy, necessity and proportionality, “The bill will also have chilling e ect on freedom of expression in the country, as it will create an atmosphere of fear among

Bukola bloggers and online activists who may not post critical commentary on Facebook or other social media platforms for fear of being sent to jail. The Internet cannot enable citizens and others to participate in governance or critique government policy if they cannot freely access information, use social media services, or if they fear being sent to jail simply for expressing their views.” “The Senate has set in motion a process to accelerate the passage of this obnoxious bill. SERAP is seriously concerned that if passed into law the bill would contravene Nigeria’s international legal obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a signatory,” “While it is important to protect personal integrity in social media, a clean, transparent and accountable government that has nothing to fear will not use this ground as an excuse to undermine the sacred right to freedom of expression.” Consequently, SERAP asked the Special Rapporteur to: •Publicly express concerns about the proposed bill and insist that the National

President Muhammadu Buhari is on the same page with the protesting Nigerians as he made it clear through his Special Adviser on Media, Mallam Garba Sheu that the Nigerian Senate is on its own because he was not ready to be a party to any undemocratic move to curtail the freedom of expression of Nigerians

Assembly of Nigeria should withdraw the bill: •Urge the National Assembly in particular the Senate to protect freedom of expression online in line with international standards: •Urge the National Assembly to allow free space for expression without fear of criminal prosecution, and not to contemplate impermissible restrictions to access internet and social media: .Urge the National Assembly to promote and facilitate access to the media in the country •Urge the National Assembly to ensure that in the exercise of its legislative dutie, it complies with Nigerian international human rights obligations and commitments. •The bill, titled: “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Ma ers Connected therewith”, was sponsored by Senator Ibn Na’Allah, APC, Kebbi South. The bill provides for an option of N4 million for persons convicted of false newspaper, radio and television statements and N2 million for o enders of false phone text messages or messages on Facebook, twi er, Instagram, or WhatsApp. The bill also punishes alleged malicious intent to discredit or set the public against any person or group of persons, institutions of government. On the social media, the bill read: “Where any person through text message, tweets, WhatsApp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an o ence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000.00 or both fine and imprisonment.” The senate, through the Senate President, Bukola Saraki explained later that there are areas the senators would give an indebt treatment during the third reading. Many commentators however remarked that it was an a erthought on the part of the senate leadership. Nigerians are determined to fight the bill to the end.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

POLITICS

Why appointment of commissioners was delayed in Plateau –Gov. Lalong Gyang Bere, Jos

t is obvious that the in ability of most state governors to constitute their State Executive Councils nationwide may not be unconnected to the global economy downturn which appears to be beating so herd in Nigeria. The situation is not di erent in Plateau, even as Governor Simon Lalong took time recently to addressed Plateau Stakeholders on the reasons why he has not appointed his commissioners a er six months in government. At the crucial meeting which a racted dignitaries among others included former Deputy Senate President, Dr. Nasiru Mantu, former civilian Governor of the State, Amb. Fidelis Tapgun, Senator Venmark Dangin and PDP Chairman, Chief Raymond Dabo. Others included community’s leaders, various ethnic nationalities in the state and chairmen of professional bodies. Governor Lalong reiterated his commitment to give every ethnic nationality in the state fair representation in his administration and stressed that government was consulting widely before making any political appointment to ensure that those who will come on board gain wide acceptability of their respective communities. He informed that the list of commissioners have been forwarded to the Security Agency for security screening for ve ing and returned to government and that same names have been forwarded to the Plateau State House of Assembly for screening. According to him: “Let me use this opportunity to also assure you that we are on course with respect to the appointment of Commissioners and the constitution of Boards, Agencies and Institutions. “Nominations have been received, security ve ing has been done and the process of final submission and presentation to the House of Assembly is on course. In all of these, what seems like a delay is the process we undertook in the selection and the need to streamline our exercise to reflect the lean government bureaucracy adopted at the Federal level as well as the consideration of the current financial predicament confronting us as a State and the Nation.” However, Director of Press and Public A airs to the Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, had earlier said that lack of funds and other requirements was delaying the constitution of the Plateau Executive Council. He however, said that the state cabinet will be constituted as soon as the issues were resolved. According to him, some issues needed to be resolved before the appointment of individuals to head the ministries and commissions in the state, adding that the ministries and commissions cannot function e ectively without funds. According him: “The APC-led government came to power and replaced another political party that had been in charge for the past 16 years. So, there is the need for it to lay its foundation before making appointments. “The governor is waiting for the transition commi ee report to get the true position of things in the state. APC took over from a government that has been in power for the past 16 years. The rivalry and animosity prevented access to vital information that would influence government’s decisions, as it was, and that took almost two months. “The governor, therea er, directed every local government to initiate a process through which people, who will represent them in government, will be selected. Through the process, three names were produced from each local government, and since democracy is process-driven, there is the need to give time for consultation from the community level up to the state level.” Mr. Nanle said that the government was

Lalong

also waiting for the Federal Government to streamline the number of ministries for the state government to have a ﬁrst line charge. He said that persons nominated to serve in the state executive council had passed the stage of security screening, adding that “the list will be presented to the State House of Assembly soon and hopefully, in the second week of December, we should have commissioners and special advisers in Plateau,” he stated. However, Governor Lalong gave the rundown of his achievement in o ce in the last six months, and urged the stakeholders to make contributions toward improving on the current development in the state. He maintained that : “Upon assumption of o ce, we made it clear that our government is people oriented, and that our patriotic desire to serve is therefore anchored on the pursuit of truth and the enthronement of a governance process that shows commitment to social justice, economic progress and respect for the rule of law. “I am formally addressing you as key stakeholders in the Plateau Project so that together, we can take stock of the Governance Process on the Plateau, and with your inputs, we can drive positively the impact of the change mantra upon which we came into o ce. “In the consciousness with which I

assumed leadership of our dear state, we made promises and gave assurances of what would be done in a term of four years. This is with the expectations that at the time of our pronouncements; our projections of the workings of government and the condition, with which we would be taking over the mantle of leadership, will not be any worse than we have imagined. “We struggled with competing demands; we are not despairing, because of the economic down turn that has reduced income projections to the least ever expected. We are commi ed to sustaining the hope of our people in a government that feels their pain and is religiously commi ed to alleviating their su erings, through the search for alternative sources of income and the appropriate use of our common wealth.” Lalong explained that “through the instrumentality of law, we would immediately pursue the recovery of funds and all government properties annexed or carted away. These include monies fraudulently siphoned through the instrumentality of State Agencies for which works have not been done or have not reached the level of payments. “The restructuring of Governance with the merger of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as the implementation of a civil service reform that addresses the

Lalong assured citizens that the desire of government is not to witch hunt but to ensure that through probity, accountability and transparency, value for money is obtained in all on-going projects

injustices in promotions, appointments and postings would be sustained. This we have already started in earnest and we will sustain it under the new Head of Civil Service of the State. “We will ensure the prioritization of projects and completion of on-going projects with emphasis on completing those that address the Five Policy Thrust of this administration, namely; Peace, Security and Good Governance; Human Capital Development and Social Welfare; Agriculture and Rural Development; Entrepreneurship and Industrialization and Physical Infrastructure and Environment” he stated. Lalong assured citizens that the desire of government is not to witch hunt but to ensure that through probity, accountability and transparency, value for money is obtained in all on-going projects. Giving the breakdown of his achievement in the last six months in o ce, he said :” We have been able to PayWorkers Salary Arrears from November 2014 to August 2015 with a renegotiated bank facility; bail out as well as statutory monthly allocations. Pension arrears of up to five (5) months have also been paid amidst the painstaking verification exercise that had to be done, given the inconclusive biometric exercise that was inherited. “We have e ected payment of Seven Months arrears of Security Allowances for Personnel of the Special Task Force (Operation Safe Havens) in Plateau State. We have almost completed Road Rehabilitation and Construction on 18 Metropolitan Roads. We have almost completed the Federal Low cost Housing network of roads. We commenced and sustained construction work on the Rantya Road network. “We purchased and distributed 650 trucks of fertilizer on assumption of o ce, through a community based distribution, which involves Ward and District Heads, which eliminates the sharp practices associated with middle men. Government donated a Coaster Bus to the Permanent Orientation Camp of the NYSC to aid mobility. “We resumed intensive work on the Secretariat fly – over bridge, Yakubu Gowon Road Extension to the Old Airport Junction and the State Secretariat Complex. Government is expecting to take delivery of the fly – over before the Christmas break. “We have completed and Commissioned the Remodeled West of Mines High Court building that facilitated the Appointment by the National Judicial Council of three (3) additional Judges out of the six (6) applied for. We have e ected Payment of counter funds for the Community Social Development Agency (CSDP) World Bank Assisted Projects, the PADP food security and Wheat value chain for Fadam III Project and; the World Bank Assisted Sustainable Water and Sanitation Project. We completed the House of Assembly Complex Legislative Chamber. We purchased vehicles for the three arms of government and provision of accommodation in line with NJC requirements for the three (3) appointed Judges. We purchased two Mobile Clinics/ Ambulances for the Government House and the House of Assembly. Government donated Security Patrol Vehicles to University of Jos, Nigeria and purchased Tractors to facilitate accreditation requirements for the establishment of Faculty of Agriculture, all in University of Jos. “We paid back log of bursaries and scholarship for Law School and Tertiary Institutions Students as well as the Sponsorship of 26 Plateau State Students to the Arab Academy of Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt among other,” he stated.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

INTERVIEW

APGA has overstayed its welcome in Anambra –Ezeanokwa, LP chair Comrade Luke Ezeanokwa is a veteran politician and the Chairman of Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State. Recently, he spoke to select journalists in the state. ALPHONSUS EZE was present as he spoke on a number of issues including the controversial N10billion loan approved by the State House of Assembly for Governor Willie Obiano, alleged poor performance of Governor Obiano and attack on the House of Assembly that has been branded by some as a rubber stamp among other issues. Excerpts:

ecently, Governor Willie Obiano got the nod of the State House of Assembly to obtain a loan of N10billion from the Central Bank (CBN). What is your position on that? My reaction is that I found it very uncomfortable and funny. My reaction is not di erent from the reactions of some other stakeholders who have criticized and condemned the idea of borrowing money in less than two years in o ce. And you know that his predecessor, Peter Obi stayed for eight good years without borrowing a dime. It is unfortunate and something that every Anambrarian should wake up from their slumber and start asking questions. The former governor le an asset portfolio worth of N75 billion and today, we are talking of borrowing money. This shows the kind of rascality and financial imprudence on the part of APGA led government in Anambra State. If the State can squander N75b in addition to the Federal Government allocation and Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), it simply shows that calamity awaits us in this state. I am calling on my fellow Anambrarians to sit up and demand for an account on how that money was spent if our representatives in the State House of Assembly cannot do that. If the state government can squander that huge amount of money in addition to the Local government fund they are currently si ing on and IGR in a couple of months, that means that we will borrow more than N50billio before their tenure expires. We need to know what he wants to do with the money. This act shows that APGA led government has failed us in Anambra State because he has not build good roads in our rural communities, our hospitals are not equipped among others and one wonders what they used the state money for and what he will do with the one he wants to borrow from the CBN. So, the borrowing is not justifiable until he explains to Anambrarians what he did with the one bequeathed to him by his predecessor. But the Government said they inherited debt from their predecessor? It is not true. Why has it taken them almost two years to say that? This amount was announced at Women Development Centre, Awka some days before Obiano was sworn in as governor. Why is he trying to confuse Anambrarians now, saying that he inherited debt and all that. If he inherited debt, how did he get the money he used in celebrating his first 100 days in o ce, how did he get the money spent on Christmas lightings and trees? Our party, Labour Party raised this alarm last year that this government will lead Anambra State into bankruptcy and that is gradually happening. He jacked up IGR and

by so doing, he is suppose to have enough money. Ironically, he is borrowing money. My brother, we are in trouble. People are of the opinion that the State House of Assembly is not really carrying out their constitutional responsibilities in terms of checkmating the executive. Do you share their view? They are not only weak but rubber stamp and I am not surprised because we all know how they came in and that is why nothing good have come out of them since inception. They were unable to question how the N75billion bequeathed to the present administration was spent before horridly approving the borrowing of N10billion. We all know how much that was spent during the House of Assembly election in Anambra state. We all know how much was spent on procuring ordinary bed and N150million that was spent on tiles and kitchen equipment. So, why won’t the N75billion ﬁnish. The only governor in Nigeria that uses the largest convoy is our governor. Are you suggesting that the Obiano led government has not made any mark anywhere in the state in the past two years? We must call a spade a spade and that is what Labour Party stands for. In any administration, if bad things supersede the good, the bad takes prominence and that is what characterizes this present administration in Anambra State. The only place they have recorded a li le improvement is on security. He is really trying on security but failed woefully in other aspects of

Ezeanokwa

governance. Security is not enough to justify the huge sum they have squandered in just few months. We want dividends of democracy. Do you know that up till today, our governor has not declared his assets and that shows that he has something to hide. What of the State government intervention on the Nkpor flyover and the three flyover bridges he is constructing in Awka? In that case, you ask yourself, why now? In Igbo we say: “Kwoo mmiri mgbe o ka di n’ukwu” which means doing the right thing at the right time. Why is the state government intervening in the gully erosion in Nkpor fly over now that it has caught o part of the road? The State commissioner for Environment allowed people to be dumping refuse at the Nkpor bridge, which caused the erosion and Labour Party raised the alarm before now but nobody listened to us because they don’t want us to take the glory of making that valid suggestion. So, I cannot count that intervention as an achievement because they are investing the state resources that would have been used in doing other things to improve the living standard of Anambra people. The intervention is ill timed. You earlier talked about mismanagement of the Local government fund by the

Our party, Labour Party raised this alarm last year that this government will lead Anambra State into bankruptcy and that is gradually happening. He jacked up IGR and by so doing; he is suppose to have enough money. Ironically, he is borrowing money. My brother, we are in trouble

present administration... (Cuts in) Yes, if we are really in a democracy, allow Federal authority to look into the income and expenditure of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state with a view to unravelling why local government system is so passive in Anambra state. Let the Federal Government checkmate the flow of income in the local government areas because a lot is happening in this state. We need to know how much that is really going into the local governments and why there are no meaningful developments in various communities of the state. With all these in view, are you foreseeing other parties like LP unseating APGA in Anambra State in 2017? The taste of the pudding is in the eating. APGA in this administration has showcased their incompetence to handle the a airs of this state. By 2017, APGA would have been on seat for 12 years without anything to show for it. What Anambra State wants now is a credible and selfless leader that can take the state to the next level. Anambra needs somebody that will care for the welfare of Anambra people and prudently manage the resources of the state as well as use it for the welfare of the citizens. The only party that can deliver on that mandate is Labour Party. A lot of people complain of multiple taxes in the state these days, what is your take on that? Multiple taxes is another area that Labour party got angry with the present administration. There is nothing wrong in government collecting taxes, but it should be spelt out and not over taxing the citizens for the simple reason of jacking up the IGR. It is inhuman. Do you know that an individual in this state pays up to five levies and nobody is happy with that? Labour party sees that as a calamity on our people. They engage di erent individuals to collect these levies that sometimes two groups may come asking for one particular levy. That kind of thing can only happen in a disorganized society. Why can’t government come out with a policy that traders will only pay for this particular levy and put machineries in place to ensure its enforcement? This government is just unduly punishing the citizens that voted them to power, and, to me, it is man’s inhumanity to man. The taxes are overbearing and burdensome to ordinary citizens.

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NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

Life

Government can’t succeed without traditional rulers – Monarch As of old, the colonial masters were on the same page with the traditional rulers when they operated both direct and indirect rules in what was referred to then as “native authority.” That successful experiment gave birth to the expediency of local government administration as the third tier of government in Nigeria today. Five centuries later, the Alapa of Apa, Oba Adekanbi Oyekan Ilufemiloye Ajose Possi III JP. insists that all three tiers of government in Nigeria cannot succeed without a robust relationship and constitutional roles for traditional rulers. He cited England, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, Holland etc, all western countries who were able to marry traditions with modernity and remain be er for it socially, culturally and economically. PODO SUNDAY examines the import of Alapa’s position and weighs its merits and demerits in the political equation in the world’s most populous black nation, Nigeria. Excerpts:

he roles of traditional rulers in an everyday African se ing cannot be overemphasised from family rift to land dispute, robbery and theft to security, protection of culture and traditions and so on. These category of leaders play important roles in the development and progress of every traditional society. In fact, every democracy or civilian rule has both traditional and cultural dimensions to the way they govern their people and administer their resources and also the carriage of their justice administration. To this end, the ﬁrst class Oba Alapa gave knocks to the legislative arm of government for not doing enough to assist the Executive through “peopleoriented” laws in order to make the society grow with speed. Oba Alapa said if vehicle are upgraded every year, computers upgraded daily, knowledge is upgraded per second, then society cannot but try new ideas and innovations in an ever dynamic world. Not done, Oba Alapa claimed that the traditional rulers are doing so much to foster peace, unity and progress of the nation, more than any group within government, yet all what they get in return is paltry and sometimes just mere thumbs up. Whereas, in some western countries which still retain their old tradition of monarchy, people still worship their crowns and treat

them as lords. The Apa strongman wants same status for Nigeria’s monarchs. The Oba maintained that we must, as a people and country, romance our traditions with modernity if we are to progress meaningfully and determined to maintain our cohesiveness. In Yoruba land, for example, the honour and reverence given an Oba cannot be compared to any gods because ancient belief and practice ranked them higher and so are the Ezes, Igwes, Obongs and Emirs in other parts of the country and advised strongly that these group of “leaders” are the closest individuals to the people and also acts as their “oracle” in times of peace or war. A serious government could not a ord to relegate this category of rulers permanently in the back seats, considering their traditional and sociocultural relevance, even in the world to come. Apparently not satisfied with the present status of an Oba in the administrative demography of the nation, the monarch calls on both chambers of the National Assembly to set machinery in motion to give first class rulers verves and voice in the constitution in bequeathing an egalitarian society so family values could be more pronounced in our national life and character. Beyond the excuses of economic hardship in the land, Oba Alapa also a ributed some of the vices bedeviling the country today to the collapse of human values in the society. The 28th Alapa of Apa Egun Awori Kingdom told Newswatch Times that as the third oldest traditional institution in Lagos State and the first and oldest in the Badagry division of Lagos State, he was more resolved

On the change mantra of the new administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, the Oba insists on attitudinal change of the people in positions of authority ﬁrst before they could effect any institutional change. He said given the necessary constitutional backing, traditional rulers could be the needed catalyst for change

Oba Adekanbi Oyekan Ajose Possi III posing with 700 years old brass carved Staff of Ofﬁce presented by the British in early 14th Century to the 13th Oba Alapa.

than ever to give necessary support and voice to government of the day in Lagos State and the federal government so as to reposition the Badagry division as the Eko Igbeyin, that is, the last resort in Lagos State. He mentioned the ongoing Badagry Deep Sea Port and the 10-lane LagosBadagry Expressway projects as being passionate to him and his people and enjoined all stakeholders, especially the host communities where Apa Kingdom enjoys sizeable ownership, the APM Terminals port operators and the governments to give necessary support and expertise to vigorously bring the projects to fruition. On the ongoing censorship of ownership and villages, the monarch said the exercise has been completed and gradually moving to the level of relocation of inhabitants and compensation of land owners before the commencement of the massive construction and movement of heavy equipment could commence going by the terms of agreement and assures there won’t be any breach from their own side as land owners because according to Oba Alapa, we all appreciate we are at the verge of national economic interest. The Monarch posed for a photograph taken by our correspondent and holding an over 700 years old brass carved sta of o ce given by the British when they discovered and visited the 13th Alapa in the early 14th Century, where they resided for many years before ﬁnally moving to Badagry’s water front during the obnoxious slave trade era. According to the Alapa, the ﬁrst white men to touch Badagry’s soil were received by the Alapa and were treated like ‘gods’ because of their whitish skin and that informed the then Alapa to allocate them a plot of land directly opposite the Oro Forest where they erected a red brick o ce and residence. Though, the building is now dilapidated, the Monarch promised to rebuild it from his own purse as part of Apa’s monument. He told Newswatch Times that some experts from University of Ibadan recently came to collect samples of bricks and other materials from the

site for test so as to ascertain the exact age of that structure which was the first concrete building by the white on Nigeria soil before Badagry mainland was occupied as slave port and colony administrative o ce. Interestingly, on the rumoured rivalry between the Alapa and the Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, the Apa Monarch denied and dispelled such insinuations as figment of imagination. Oba Alapa said De Akran and himself are both first class Obas, residing in two separate kingdoms and with two distinct history. Alapa also reminded our correspondent that it was the British that o cially declared Apa a Kingdom and that actually gave the 13th Alapa a British recognition and a brass sta o ce long before the emergence or pronouncement of any kingdom by any government within this axis. So history determines the age of your crown and not your political or economic influences, and the truth remains that the Alapa stool is the first and oldest from the Badagry Division. According to the Alapa, it was the obnoxious slave trade that put Badagry in the limelight as a leading slave market and port of loading with the a endant political and economic influences. On the change mantra of the new administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, the Oba insists on a itudinal change of the people in positions of authority first before they could e ect any institutional change. He said given the necessary constitutional backing, traditional rulers could be the needed catalyst for change because they could put those representing us on their feet to deliver and they must or they loose their integrity and credibility in the society. The monarch advised state governments across the nation to strengthen and give more teeth to state chieftaincy councils in order to berth the much desired change in our national life. Alapa also wants political o ce holders to constantly visit traditional rulers in their various constituencies so as to remain on top of realities and in touch with good governance.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

ARTS & REVIEW

with Bukola Bakare 08034198320 bukkybakky@yahoo.co.uk

Yoruba Lakotun: Continuing cultural literacy through Arts

ecently, the second edition of Yoruba Lakotun, a quarterly audience participatory programme that brings people from all walks of life together under one roof to celebrate indigenous arts and culture in a cultural ambience took place at the Ethnic Heritage Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos. Passionate about the preservation of Nigerian and African Languages and culture, the vision of the centre is ‘’to inspire and equip participants with the knowledge to speak and understand the three main Nigerian indigenous languages and acquire ﬁrsthand knowledge of the Nigerian history and culture’’ while its mission statement is: ‘’ To equip participants to read, write and speak indigenous languages through a more modern, creative and innovative method of learning’’ Thus, it was established to help interested people to imbibe the rich Nigerian cultural heritage with programmes and activities that cut across di erent ethnicity and life styles. The programme was dedicated to the new Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. Welcoming participants to the programme, Biographer, Playwright, Novelist, OAP, Translator, Poet Olutayo Irantiola who also doubled as the host of the event , made it known that the programme is a way of promoting Yoruba literacy in diverse forms such as poetry, music, creative writing and other arts that would continually showcase the beauty entrenched in the language. According to him, ‘Yorubas have a great heritage that must be passed down to the next generation. We should not make Yoruba language and other Nigerian languages second-languages despite being resident at the crux of these languages. It would be recalled the maiden edition of Yoruba Lakotun took place in Lagos in September in an atmosphere of fun, gli and glamour and celebrated renowned indigenous sculptor and author, Prince George Olusesan Ajewole who has wri en a number of books, which include Eni Bimo Oran,( Evans Publishers), Ki

ile to pa Osika (2003), Casting Spells(2010), A True Nigerian Child: Memoir of Prince George Olusesan Ajewole, et al. He would go on to share his thoughts on his thoughts on the notion that the Yoruba Language, just like other indigenous ones is gradually becoming extinct due to the influx of western culture and values, he had said : ‘’ As a writer, I look forward to the day when we would begin to teach our children entirely in indigenous languages. It may seem like a tall order at the moment but the truth is that indigenous arts and culture remains one of the ways to keep these languages from dying. Consequently, Literature remains one of the ways this can be done’’. At the second edition, the special guest of the day was Taiwo Olunlade; Associate Professor of Yoruba Studies at the Lagos State University who stressed the need to embrace the Yoruba language and its inherent beauty because that is the only way in which Nigerians can export it to other nations. In his words, ‘there are about fifty universities in the United States where di erent certificate programmes are awarded in African languages. We have to ensure that we give our best to understanding our languages.’ He also dismissed the insinuation that Yoruba language studies is fetish in nature and made the audience understand that all areas of language studies in English language is also in Yoruba language. Moving on, he read from his anthology of poetry titled, ‘Ewi Igbalode’ to the admiration of the audience Rebecca Jones, a post-

nlade, Professor Taiwo Olu st, Yoruba Lakotun; cond se Ho , the ola at nti ba Ira oa o Ab tay (L-R) Olu and Madam Iyabo ia em ad Ac d an r ite tly Yoruba Creative Wr ge Centre, Ikoyi recen kotun at Ethnic Herita edition of Yoruba La

R-L Adebayo Coker, Rebecca Jones, Olad oja Larry, Pelu Awofeso at the second edition of Yoruba Lakotun held at the Ethnic Heritage Centre, Lagos.

doctoral research fellow from the University of Birmingham who had come to Nigeria on a study tour was part of the event. She was excited seeing people si ing, learning and conversing in Yoruba language from di erent genres of arts. This experience, according

to her, has enriched her vocabulary of the language. Music was provided by Ire, a folklorist and comedy by Lawrence Aninye popularly called MCLaw, who hails from Delta State in Yoruba language. There were a lot of people drawn from corporate

and social Nigeria, who showed their support for the sustenance of our cultural heritage. It was a night of folk and fun with educated and learned minds who had converged on the centre to learn about the Yoruba language in its totality.

Lottery Ticket set for stage this yuletide

ininso Koncepts Productions is set to lit up the stage this festive season. Lovers of the arts would be opportuned to watch a hilarious stage play titled: Lo ery Ticket wri en by Ahmed Yerima and directed by Joshua Alabi. This play shows the ‘Impermanence of the Human Nature’ when Money is involved. For some people, its food, while for some, its women. Lo ery Ticket gives

a detailed Answer to that question of- if you receive an Alert of a Magical 1million Naira in your Account, would you return it to the owner? Did you say Yes? Wait until it happens before you truly respond to the Question. It is said that every human has a devil hidden inside of him and something reveals the Original us. Watch as the struggle for another Man’s Sweat and Wealth suddenly become a thing to

cause dispute. Mama Lizi and Landlord are always at loggerheads, Lizi and Danger are in Love, Yellow Fever is killing himself under the Sun, Sergeant is Ranting and Quoting the Law. Something led to a serious Conﬂict. All because of money? Where does this leave Baba Tailor whose sickness is more than Nigeria’s Debt? Lo ery Ticket answers all these Questions. Tickets are available at 2,500naira and 9.000naira for

a family of four. The play would feature some of Lagos’ ﬁnest Actors such as Opeyemi Dada, Jubril Gbadamosi, Tolu Aina, Angela Peters, Bodunrin Afolabi, Yemi Adebiyi, Blessing Ikhatalor and Anieﬁok Inyang and a host of others. It will show on Sunday 20th and 27th, December 2015 at The Ethnic Heritage Centre, 35a, Raymond Njoku Str, o Awolowo Road, Ikoyi by 6pm.

1 17

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

Vibes NEWSWATCH

I spread salient messages through music –Saeon

S Saeon iis a ffastt rising artiste in Nigeria. She came into limelight when she did a cover version of Brymo’s hit song, Ara and since then, she has continued to step up the ante in the music industry. Li le wonder, she has performed at notable events within and outside the country. In this interview with BUKOLA BAKARE, she speaks on her foray into music, its inherent challenges and how she is able to spread salient messages through her brand of music.

hy did you decide to use the stage name, Saeon? I had always known that I was going to sing right from my secondary school days. Consequently, I’d always wanted something that will sound like Seun. Basically, Saeon was coined out of di erent le ers from my names, S is from Seun, A is from Omolara,E is from Eva while the ON is from my surname. A lot of artistes go into entertainment for various reasons. Why did you decide to become an artiste and who were your earliest influences? My Dad actually sings and I have always been in love with music right from an early age.’ I’d listen to my walk man and all of that. I just thought that ‘ I want to do this. I grew up listening to the likes of Mariah Carey, Usher, Oasis, Sheryl Crow. This was back in the day. Weren’t you inspired by any artiste back home? (Cuts in)As I grew up, I started listening to Nigerian artistes such as the defunct Plantashun Boyz, Olu Maintain and a host of others. Having been influenced by artistes at cross boards, how would you then describe your genre of music? My genre is a fusion of hip-hop and rap. However, I don’t have to box myself because I’m an artiste and I just make music. I also do R n’ B because it comes naturally. Do you write your songs? Yes, I write all my songs but over the years, I realised that I can dabble into di erent genre so I can rap, do afro-pop, reggae. So it’s just a lot of things in one . Like I said earlier, I don’t box myself into a corner as an artiste. I remember vividly that I wrote my first song in secondary school. I went to Queens College and in my final year, we were having a general class and I think I was just bored. The next I knew was that I just started humming a tune and I said ‘Let me just try and put words to it’. I remember I wrote the song titled True Love. It was just a spontaneous song and I just let the melody guide me at that time. So, at what point did you decide to go professional? I’ve always known in my heart that I wanted to go professional but I decided immediately I turned in my dissertation last year. I went to Babcock University where I majored in International Relations and History. After my youth service as a pre-school teacher at Lekki British School, I went for my masters at The University of Warwick, where I studied International Relations with concentration on

Terrorism Counter Terrorism Terrorism, Terrorism, the CIA and Foreign Policy. Now, you did a cover version of Brymo’s Ara. What was the reception like for the Nigerian music populace? It was very good because it was quite di erent from what people had known. Obviously, that was your first single? Oh, yes, it was my first as a professional artiste. The first day when I put it up online, I had 7,000 downloads and by the next day, 15,000 downloads. More so, Brymo had asked people to do a cover to the song but I had to finish school first. I hadn’t really heard the song so I didn’t really understand it, I’ll just listen to one line, do my part and record. When Brymo heard it, he said ‘This is the best cover version that I have heard’. Consequently, it has opened so many doors for me. Let me chip in this question, these days, people go online and download an artiste’s song. Don’t you think it infringes on the copyright of an artiste? Secondly, where does that leave the album when it’s eventually released? The music industry in Nigeria is totally di erent, it doesn’t have a structure yet. This is because we haven’t built a means of royalties collection. Normally, outside the country, people release one or two singles and then an album so they are under one structure; it has a management, producers and PR people who think about strategies for them. These things are in place already but in Nigeria, artistes have to start underground, you need to show what you can do and try to get many people to know about you. You need a couple of singles. If you’ve noticed, people that are main stream artistes such as Tu-face or Whizkid, they released singles before their album. Tiwa Savage will be releasing her album before the year runs out, yet, her singles have been rocking the airwaves. The idea of pu ing a song on the Internet is just our way of making more people hear about us. These include fans, air play on radio stations and management companies so I wouldn’t say that it’s infringing on anyone’s copyright. I want a Nigerian music industry that will have a structure where artistes would be able to collect royalties and be appreciated but we have to start from somewhere and that’s why it takes a while to release an album. I think the only person that successfully released an album in no time is Asa and that’s because she had the French government and people backing her so there was a structure on ground already. She didn’t have to go through hassles. However, that’s not to say that she didn’t have some challenges. It was rumoured at some point that she went for Idols audition and the judges didn’t think she had a good voice. She has since nurtured her talent and carved a niche for herself so it works for her in that regard. You’ll agree with me that di erent artistes who sound like her are coming up.

I want a Nigerian music industry that would have a structure where artistes would be able to collect royalties and be appreciated. B ut we have to start from somewhere and that’s why it takes a while to release an

How would you describe ibe your personality? y? Iss there a di erence e or fusion between n the artiste and thee individual?? I think k thesee personalitiess are in n sync with each other. I don’t think hink Saeon n would exist ist without Seun, so they y are one and d the same p people. p Thoug Though gh in di erent nt circumstances, circumstancess, one is moree dominant. As an n individual, I p probably y just j t want to keep eep p to myself, y it may sound funny y but I grew g up in a close ose kni ed family. However, Saeon as an artiste who needs to be in the public p c glare. Every y time I come on n stage, I havee to put p in live into o my performances, rmances, things gs that I will probably p y not do o on a normall day y so they y aree two di erent nt things. g Theree are ties when en y you will find d elements of one in thee other one. How would you u describe yourself ourself as an n artiste and do you have e set goals? Definitely, y, I hope y pe to become a well ll established artistee within and d outsidee Nigeria. In five years, y , I hope to o be an n international al brand. Who are re yourr mentors? I would d s a y T-face because cause I have seen hiss work as a lyricist. ist. Hee i s humble, down-toown-to oearth and that’s what I want want to emulate and d infusee these qualities in n thee way way that I do my stu . I likee people that are humblee a n d that is one of thee qualities q ualities of a super er starr because when you becomee a star and people know w you, you u, it tends to get into o your y r head. head. I have a good brand nd and d I don’t want to throw that way. way. y What was your family’s reaction when you wanted to go into music full time? Didn’t they y raise an an eyebrow? Not at all. I remember when I was m u c h younger, I’d d call m my y mother and say ‘Mum, Mum, I want to be an artiste’ and she she will say y ‘Seun, see, its a g good ood thing g but you need something g to always fall back on. Why y don’t you go g to o school, finish your degree, egree, g , do your NYSC, finish h your masters degree. Then, n, you y u can can now go g into musicc fully y and and have a backup plan just in case Plan A doesn’t work, plan B would’. I listened to her and at some point, she told me that I wanted to be a dancer (chuckles), I didn’t even remember that one so that is how it is in my family. You have to go to school, get the basic education before you now go into what you want to do. By the time I was handing in my project and finished my masters degree, In a short space of time, how would you describe the music industry in Nigeria, are there problems?

Saeon S Sa aeo eon

I mentioned d earlier that we don’tt have a structure and d it’s a major j issue. issuee. Sometimes, when n you y are growing g g in n any y industry y in life, lifee, you y have to crawl. You u can’t just j find your y feett just j like that becausee there were people p p theree before you. y If there is any y problem, p then it would d be that of funding g and d other financial issues so I think those are the visiblee problems in the industry. y As you y know, w, entertainment and musicc are synonymous y y with h fashion. Every y artiste on the th he red carpet p want to outdo outd do themselves, some g get iitt right, g some get g it wrong. g So, it’s more like a symbiotic y relationship. p Yes, it is but I have a stylist y t who handles everything Saeon wears. Once I comee out as Saeon, she takes caree of everything; y g from thee clothes to shoes and bags and d gets me ready. y What is your philosophy of life? Remember God in all you do. Let him lead you, let him guide you. Ask for help according to his will. There may be rough times or things may not happen the way you want it to, stay strong. Always remember where you came from, that is your background and it will always take you places. More so, love your family and friends. Move with people that will reflect on you positively. People should smile and say ‘Oh, you move with this person’. These are things that keep me going in life.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

FAMILY OF THE WEEK

Be open to your spouse in

Though he studied Agriculture, Chico Ejiro has risen to become a renowned movie director and producer in Nigeria. He met his wife, Joy, in 1994, got engaged in 1997 and tied the nuptial knot in 1998. In this interview with BUKOLA BAKARE, the duo shared their love story and how they both work on location. The couple also spoke on burning issues a ecting most marriages today.

ou are a notable movie producer and many have seen your works over the years. How did you get into this line of business? He: Where do I start from? Well, I started production as a student way back in 1987, with my elder brother at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He was working on the soap, Ripples. Later, I started working with my big brothers, Charles Owoyemi, Ralph Nwadike, and Tunji Bamishigbin in Mega Fortunes. I also worked with Sadiq Daba and that broadened my experience. That was after my tertiary education at the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Anambra State. Having studied Agriculture, why did you decide to tow a di erent career path? He: Well, because I have been doing production jobs all along, my interest sort of increased the more. After my youth service in 1990, I started doing a lot of movie productions. In 1994, I worked with my boss, Opa Williams, and we did movies such as Deadly A air, Onome, and Tears for Love. I worked with Jide Kosoko on the set of the movie, Asiri Nla, and I also worked with Sola Adeyemo, Lola Adegbola and Idowu Philips (Mama Rainbow). My ﬁrst English movie was called Obsession. Can you recall when you met your wife? He: I met her in 1994 at The University of Lagos. She was still a student then, but we got married in 1998. Ma’am, what were the things that endeared you to your husband? She: Nothing in particular, we were just friends. He told me back then that he was a movie director and I said that I didn’t know about that. We began to talk and gist. He had a relationship then and so did I. So, what happened, how did you click? She: I don’t know. It just happened. He was telling me what his then girlfriend did to him. Then, he wanted to do a movie and called me in to do the costume since I had a passion for it, so he gave me the job. I think along the line,

as we were working together, somehow, the chemistry just clicked (chuckles). How would you describe the journey through marriage? He: Marriage is fantastic. There are a lot of things you must know. First of all, you must be patient enough to tolerate each other. Then, you must also learn how to communicate. Both of you must be God-fearing and learn how to plan. She: He’s right. Marriage has been sweet because my husband is my friend. I think that makes it easier for me. People often ask me if I knew I was going to get married to him and I tell them no, because the thing just ﬂowed and one day, he said: ‘I want to marry you,’ and I said ‘just like that.’ I was very stubborn back then. We had a quarrel one day and I went to my mum in Benin and told her, ‘I don’t want that man again,’ and she said to me, ‘you left that quiet man? Who is going to tolerate you with this your madness?’ (chuckles). ‘Just ﬁnd your way back to Lagos and make up with him.’ When I got to Lagos, I looked at him and told him what my mum said and he replied: ‘Oya, let’s get married now.’ There was a formal proposal though. He came to the house, bought me a very big box and when I opened it, I saw the engagement ring and he formally asked me to marry him. We got engaged in 1997 and got married in 1998. What were those qualities that endeared you to your wife? He: It was her ability to understand me and my job. You know, I encounter a lot of people, especially females, so she has to learn how to tolerate a lot of situations like that. She is also very compassionate, if I don’t have, she supports me and vice versa. My wife is a very understanding woman. There is no marriage that doesn’t have hiccups, but as a couple, you have to learn the chemistry between yourselves and do not allow anyone to come in between you. If you have a quarrel, se le it yourselves because there is no marriage that is perfect. My wife is a costumier and runs a shop called: Real Colours. When I

Joy and Chico Ejiro

started movie production, she was my costumier too and I brought her in, to work with me on some of my early shoots like - Daybreak and Full Moon. I am shooting a new movie now called: The First Cut and my wife, Joy; is going to be the costumier. You are a costumier, run a boutique and doubles as an events planner. How are you able to multi-task? She: It is not easy, but I just

As a man, you must understand what you are going into and the same goes for the woman. You should know which advice to take and which to drop. Some women will tell you that they left their matrimonial homes due to wrong advice

try to strike a balance. I make myself available. I can just put things together, like if I want to do three or four things today, I can do them. It’s all about early planning. What do you think is responsible for broken marriages? Is it that most people are interested in the wedding ceremony rather than the marriage itself? She: I don’t think so, and I am going to speak generally now. You and I know that nobody wants to get into a marriage today and get out the next day. It takes the grace of God to have a pass mark, so it’s not by choice to lose out. People often ask: ‘Didn’t they court and didn’t they know each other before they got married?’ Sometimes, people can hide their true character. She: Exactly my point,¬ people pretend a lot! There’s this saying that, ‘Let me play the fool to get what I want.’ Most people do that now. Sometimes, a woman is destined to get married and meets a man who pretends all along. She gets into the marriage and ﬁnds out that it’s not what she bargained for and do you want her to die in there? She cannot. She will say to herself, ‘Let me opt out of this marriage before I die.’ Then, when they are out, tongues begin to wag that they cannot keep their marriages and that is not entirely true. If my husband had turned out to be what I didn’t bargain for, what would I be saying now? Nobody plans to get into a marriage and walk out.

It takes a lot for any man or woman to do so. You can court for 10 years and be married for just six months and vice versa. Courtship is an individual thing. It takes grace, understanding and tolerance. I think that’s one thing that I know most people lack. In my early years of marriage, I was very stubborn. In fact, I was a warrior and at a point, I thought my husband was going to pack his things and run away but he was able to tolerate me and felt like, ‘this woman is not all that bad. She gets angry because of certain things.’ He was able to identify those things. My husband is the one that made me the woman I am today because whenever I get angry, he responds quietly: ‘Madam, cool down, you have come again, leave this your talk. You know dey tire?’’ I will just chill. Of course, when the other person is not giving you what you want, won’t you relax? I’ve found a way round his shortcomings too because he’s a bit slow to a lot of things and I am a hyperactive person. If I want something done today, Chico will tell me it would be done tomorrow or next. When he says that, I’ll go and do that thing myself and won’t wait for him to do it for me. That way, we strike a balance somehow. You must understand and learn to tolerate each other because nobody is perfect. These are two individuals coming together; even brothers and sisters ﬁght. He: The fact remains that most people go into marriage

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

FAMILY OF THE WEEK

marriage –Joy and Chico Ejiro

because of lust and not love. For instance, you meet a very beautiful girl and lusts for her, without studying her character, understanding her and knowing her mannerisms. After your marriage and the glamour, you now begin to see the other part of her. The same thing happens when a woman meets Mr. Six-pack with a very good voice. He has money and rides a good car. By the time you get married, you begin to see that he is a di erent kind of man from what you thought. When you begin to complain and say: ‘Honey what’s wrong?’ The man could tell you to shut up and ‘let me have fun, all those Mr. Biggs, Chinese and eat-outs have stopped. You are a full time housewife, sit down. Clean the kitchen and cook. When I go out, you don’t have the right to talk to me.’ The woman, now in shock, has suddenly become a slave. She wonders what is going on because she didn’t bargain for that type of life. You talk in front of his friends and he asks you to shut up your dirty mouth and feels that because he gives you money, he can control you. That’s a big problem. Then, for some, the problem is peer pressure and hearsays. ‘You see that your husband, he is a ﬂirt and sleeps with all the girls around.’ If a woman believes that, her marriage is on the verge of collapse. Some deal with mother-in-laws and other in-laws, who complain the wife does not know how to cook or complain that after three years of marriage, there is no child. Thus, they no longer want the wife. There are so many issues to contend with. As a man, you must understand what you are going into and the same goes for the woman. Know which advice to take and which to drop. Some women will tell you that they left their matrimonial homes due to wrong advice. I’ll tell you a story: There’s this friend of mine who was married to a man. Unfortunately, the guy had a girlfriend. Each time she quarrelled with her husband, she would leave the house and go to stay with her mum. The husband warned her that next time she does that, she wouldn’t come back into the house. She retorted that it’s not possible. The next time, she packed out of the house. And do you know what the husband did? He brought in his girlfriend into the matrimonial home! After a while, the wife came back to the house and the girlfriend or mistress, as it were, said she wasn’t going to leave the house. Consequently, wife and girlfriend began to live under the same roof! That’s serious; so how did the man at the centre handle the situation?

Couples should learn to tolerate each other; understand each other and don’t always think that all would be rosy. There is no Mr. or Mrs. Perfect in marriage

He: The man bluntly told his wife that he could not ask his girlfriend to leave because he had warned her. They called a family meeting and he told his mother-in-law pointedly that he had warned them severally and said that for peace to reign, he would rent an apartment for his wife! Now, the wife lives outside her matrimonial home while the girlfriend took over the home. It sounds crazy but that’s what happened. Marriage takes a lot of understanding from both parties. As a couple, you have to devise a formula. You just have to ﬁnd a way to understand each other’s mood How would you describe life as a family man? He: It still boils down to ﬁnding a formula. For me, on weekends, I hardly go

The Ejiro family

out. Even, to a end events is a problem because I am a die-hard Arsenal fan. If you invite me for an occasion and Arsenal Football Club is playing, I’ll ﬁnish watching the match before I a end your event. Then, I make sure that I eat before the match because if Arsenal loses, I may not be able to do so again. There is always time for the kids too. ... and you as a mother? She: No ma er how late I get home, I go through my kids’ books. They are on holidays now, so I ask them what happened during the day. I make them understand that if there’s anything going on, I must know so they always line up to tell me what happened. I have laid that foundation that every day, we must talk. How many kids do you have? She: We have four kids and we talk. Even, my last baby makes gestures, so, I know he’s trying to tell me something and I try to

Joy and Chico Ejiro

listen. No ma er how late, their books are always on my bedside. When I come home, I take them and look at what they’ve done. Weekends, I am home, I don’t go to my shop. Maybe, later in the day, if I have an event, I’ll go. Then, Sunday, after church, I stay at home, so I just try to strike a balance somehow. What are your likes and dislikes as an individual? He: I don’t like people who cheat and tell lies, be truthful. Then, I don’t like people who pretend to be what they are not. I abhor people that are dirty, as well as a dirty environment. Obviously, I like the opposite of all that I mentioned. Advice for prospective couples just going into marriage. She: Couples should learn to tolerate each other; understand and don’t always think all would be rosy. There is no Mr. or Mrs. Perfect in marriage. You should understand why this woman is behaving in a particular way. If I do something my husband doesn’t like, he’ll say, ‘Joy, I don’t like what you are doing.’ I will turn a new leaf immediately because I know that he is very quiet and it’s not good to take advantage of that. I don’t take advantage of my husband. Sometimes, people call my husband a ‘woman wrapper’ because of the way we behave. That he does what makes me happy doesn’t mean that he’s weak. He’s just trying to create a happy home.

He: I keep telling women that, ‘your marriage dey your hand.’ It’s like the palm of your hands. No matter how difficult your husband is, you can tolerate him. Learn how to tolerate one another, and then communicate. Talk to your spouse. Let your wife know you so when she hears things about you, she is not shocked, but rather dismiss certain gossips. Most times, when I come back from work, I go into the kitchen and cook. I’ve learnt how to cook some simple foods, especially when I know that my wife is tired. It’s not a crime to go to the market and buy foodstuffs. Do you? He: Yes, I do and you can ask my wife, I am a fantastic cook. More so, you and your wife should be going to the same church and sit together so that when the pastor is preaching, you can draw inferences and apply them to your lives. Learn how to endure, be open to each other and you should make love to your wife; that’s the truth. As a wife, if you don’t allow him to, he will go outside and chop pepper soup and before you know it, someone else may take advantage of him. What’s your driving force? He: Whatever you do in life, you must have principles and add value to what you do. You must be time-conscious and disciplined. She: (Pauses.) My driving force is: The grace of God is true; His grace is sufficient for me.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

KIDDIES’ PLAY

...with Aunty Bukky

Hello kids, hope you are already counting down to Christmas? Many of you would be eager to visit Santa Claus to receive mouth watering gifts? This week’s story is about the devoted mother duck. Learn a thing or two from the poem titled: Minecraft Mike as well. Happy Birthday to Oluwasekemi Adelaja and Gerard Anietie Iyoho, who celebrated their birthdays recently. Compliments of the season and have a good week.

Storyline: The devoted mother duck

mother duck and her little ducklings were on their way to a lake one day. The ducklings were very happy following their mother and quack-quacking along the way. All of a sudden the mother duck saw a fox at a distance. She was frightened and shouted, “Children, hurry to the lake. There’s a fox!” The ducklings hurried towards the lake. The mother duck wondered what to do. She began to walk back and forth dragging one wing on the ground. When the fox saw her he became happy. He said to himself, “It seems that she’s hurt and can’t fly! I can easily catch and eat her!” Then he ran towards her. The mother duck ran, leading the fox away from the lake. The fox followed her. Now he wouldn’t be able to harm her ducklings. The mother duck looked

Poem Minecraft Mike Hello, my friends. My name is Mike. I never hike or ride a bike. You see, the only thing I like is playing lots of Minecraft. I never run, or climb a tree, or sail a ship across the sea. Why, I don’t even watch TV. I just play lots of Minecraft. I don’t play sports of any sorts, on basketball or tennis courts, in training shoes and running

shorts. I’m only good at Minecraft. You’ll never see me pet the cat, or shop online to buy a hat, or instant message, text, or chat. I’m busy playing Minecraft. In fact, I’m busy as can be, so if you’d like to talk to me, there’s just one way, and that, you see, is multiplayer Minecraft. --Kenn Nesbi

Kiddies Birthdays towards her ducklings and saw that they had reached the lake. She was relieved, so she stopped and took a deep breath. The fox thought she was tired and he came closer, but the mother duck quickly spread her wings and rose up in the air. She landed in the middle of the lake and her ducklings swam to her. The fox stared in disbelief

at the mother duck and her ducklings. He could not reach them because they were in the middle of the lake. Dear children, some birds drag one of their wings on the ground when an enemy is going to attack. In this way they fool their enemies into thinking they are hurt. When the enemy follows them this gives their children time to escape.

Oluwasekemi is 3!

Wordsearch

Happy birthday to Oluwasekemi Adelaja, who celebrated her 3rd birthday on November 30, 2015. Gerard is 10!

You can write to Aunty Bukky through: 08034198320 New email address is: bukkybakky@yahoo.co.uk

Happy birthday to Gerard Anietie Iyoho, who celebrated his 10th birthday on December 12, 2015.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

Sunday Business

Reinforcing regulatory functions in a ﬁnancial inclusive market

Gwarzo

Onyema

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), is no longer the only platform known for transaction in stocks in the domestic economy, especially with the setting up of the FMDQ OTC and NASD OTC markets. FMDQ OTC and NASD OTC also engages in the buying and selling of bond and equities. FRIDAY EKEOBA writes that having a financial inclusive market in the capital market calls for increased regulatory responsibility in their oversight functions to check any form of infractions. Excerpts. he business terrain in the country is full of increasing potentials that need to be turned into desired actions. It is a terrain of poor infrastructure for entrepreneurship that only the courageous can cope with the dynamics of its modus operandi. It is also a place of gross alleged weak institution that has the capacity to deploy appropriate and e ective sanctionsthis makes doing business here unpredictable. Despite the state of health of the economy in the recent times, a number of major changes have taken place in the capital markets in the recent years. These include: the growing importance of non-equity financial instruments; new types of equity owners; changes in the services o ered by, and the use of, intermediaries; and pressures to harmonise internationally diverse practices in corporate governance. Furthermore, a number of major business controversies are discussed as corporate governance issues, for example: state bailouts of failing financial institutions during the economic crisis, public outcry over executive remuneration, and the lack of diversity on boards. These changes and controversies present significant challenges to existing models of

corporate governance built around the agency theory which sees boards of listed companies acting as agents of absent equity owners. Moreover, the changing nature of capital markets tests the validity of existing models of corporate governance. Especially with the coming on board of FMDQ OTC and the NASD OTC market platform. Capital markets all over the world is

Exchange rates as at 9/12/2015 Currency

Buying (NGN)

Central (NGN) Selling (NGN)

US DOLLAR

195.97

196.47

POUNDS STERLING

295.4444

296.1982

296.952

EURO

214.058

214.6042

215.1503

SWISS FRANC

197.6102

198.1143

198.6185

YEN

1.5982

1.6023

1.6063

CFA

0.3057

0.3157

0.3257

WAUA

270.5555

271.2458

271.9361

YUAN/RENMINBI

30.4813

30.5595

30.6377

RIYAL

52.2197

52.3529

52.4861

DANISH KRONA

28.6904

28.7636

28.8368

SDR

272.026

196.97

272.72

273.4141

from their stockbrokers, investors stake their funds in shares in the stock market. The importance of information to the market cannot be overemphasized, stock exchanges world over set listing and post-listing requirements for companies seeking quotation. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is not an exception. In a bid to stem the tide of corporate governance lapses in quoted companies, there are listing and post listing requirements issued by the NSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission to be met by those companies. One of the major standard requirements includes regular dissemination of information about the financial performances and any changes that can a ect their operations. Regre ably, some quoted companies have not been adhering to this corporate governance ethics, thereby keeping investors in abysmal trance about their financial health which had led many took a wrong investment position by investing in moribund companies which hitherto do not furnish the stock market with their financials. To this end, many ignorant investors have burnt their fingers by investing in some of the dormant companies, which do not furnish the market with their financials. It was therefore

Continued on Page 22

MONEY & CAPITAL

Transcorp Hotels issue N9.758bn bond

information driven, this is because investors do not see the physical products such as shares and stocks of companies they are buying but rather take investment decision based on information about the companies that are issuing those shares and stocks. Having so much conviction and conﬁdence in the information received from quoted companies coupled with investment advice

Pg 25

‘ BUSINESS INTERVIEW

‘SME’s key to socio-economic wealth’ Pg. 24

xx NEWS BUSINESS

Oil firms paid $293bn to government between 2006-2012- NEITI Pg.23

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

BUSINESS COVER Reinforcing regulatory functions in a financial inclusion market Continued from page 21 not surprising that the NSE last year wield the big stick by penalizing some companies especially from the insurance sub-sector of the economy for violating post listing requirements which also showed the weak adherence to sound corporate governance. Collaborative e orts Determined to sanitize operations in the equities market and further ensure investors confidence, regulators have rekindle the need for synergy to stem the tide of market infractions. SEC and NAICOM recently stressed the need for collaboration to strengthen enforcement actions against insurance companies that fail to comply to post listing requirements. The Acting Director General of SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, who hosted the Management of NAICOM on a courtesy visit to his o ce in Abuja noted that the collaboration is germane to boost investors’ confidence. The Deputy Commissioner of Insurance (Technical), NAICOM, Mr. Muhammad Kari, had highlighted some cases currently being investigated by NAICOM where funds were raised from the capital market and applied for other use by some insurance companies. According to him, such cases necessitate the involvement of SEC as the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market with the responsibility of protecting investors. Responding, Gwarzo suggested closer cooperation between the two regulatory bodies to ensure erring persons or institutions are swi ly brought to book. “We are ready to work closely with NAICOM to resolve these cases,” Gwarzo said. Currently, collaboration between the two institutions is within the framework of the Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Commi ee (FSRCC). However, Gwarzo believes the collaboration could be even stronger and more result oriented if the two regulatory bodies were to set up an inter-agency commi ee for speedy resolution of the issues. He said “The FSRCC was established to facilitate collaboration across the entire financial system. But beyond that platform, we need to create an inter-agency commi ee involving specific contact persons between our two institutions who will strengthen the synergy between our respective areas of oversight”. NSE zero tolerance posture The Chief Executive O cer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema speaking at investors’ forum said the exchange will sustain a zero-tolerance stance on dealing member firms and listed companies’ violations. Onyema noted that the exchange proposed several rules to codify the accepted mode of engagement in our market adding that of a particular interest was its proposed Related Parties Transaction rule and rules around the conduct of AGMs. He said while the NSE’s focus from 2011 to 2013 has been on revamping corporate governance, improving human capacity, cleansing and restructuring the market, improving technology, product development, and advocacy for changes to policy, “from 2014, we were determined to shi gears to drive innovations centred on increasing global visibility for the Nigerian capital market”. Onyema noted the exchange intend to develop a larger footprint on the African continent and ultimately, targeting emerging market status adding that it was the reason why it is very much in support of the WACMI e orts and similar programs.

He noted that the improved regulatory environment and performance of quoted companies from 2012 till date, has positively impacted on stock market prices and overall market indices. What companies need do, to sustain market growth It is believed that there are important benefits from recognising that companies have a full and diverse range of responsibilities. Being sensitive to the full range of its responsibilities can help a company to be agile and adaptable to its environment and identify new opportunities on a sustainable basis. If companies are conscious of these responsibilities and consider what they can do to meet them, they should be be er at developing coherent responses and anticipating or even eliminating potential expectation gaps in a changing business environment, for example as social norms change. The need to rebuild public trust in business is a racting widespread a ention as a result of the global financial crisis. Acknowledging a broad range of responsibilities and continually trying to meet them will give companies a solid foundation for building and maintaining trust. Moreover, where companies are convinced of the importance of the full range of their responsibilities and a empt to meet them, legislators and regulators can focus on developing requirements that are proportionate to specific needs. This should help companies and other stakeholders resist the pressure for the ine cient or ine ective use of hard law and regulation to address social norms that are hard

to articulate and constantly changing or business purposes that are unique to each company. Principle-based approaches such as codes and guidance are o en more appropriate in relation to these responsibilities, but only if companies are seen as commi ed to act. The lack of such commitment will lead to calls for prescriptive hard law and regulation which is costly to implement, ignores the diversity of companies and their circumstances, and discourages companies’ own adaptability. FMDQ OTC assures be er Services FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) has assured stakeholders in the over-the-counter (OTC) fixed income securities market of be er deal. The Managing Director/Chief Executive O cer of FMDQ OTC, Mr. Bola Onadele.Koko gave the assurance while speaking at the 2015 annaul workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos. Speaking through the Head, Business Development, FMDQ OTC, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, the CEO said having succeeded in turning around the market within two years, the next move is to bring more innovations that will benefit all stakeholders and make the platform more a ractive to issuers and investors. According to him, FMDQ OTC has not only deepened the fixed income debt securities market but has also made it very liquid for investors to enter and exit. Onadele disclosed that while the platform has been quoting federal government and corporate bonds of public companies among others,

Inauguration of Capital Market Master Plan Implementation Council (CAMMIC), was a major step towards the master plan implementation and has in it distinguished and highly respected Nigerians

there are plans to quote bonds of private companies as part of its commitment to support e orts aimed at galvanising the development of the Nigerian economy. Private companies’ bonds that, by law, can only be issued through private placements. Some of the Nigerian, significantly important, private companies in oil & gas, power, telecommunications, manufacturing and infrastructure require long-term funding. Currently, their long-term funds are structured as loans and funded by banks thereby pu ing their balance sheets under significant risk management, liquidity and capital adequacy pressures. “FMDQ will establish the requisite market governance over these private companies’ bonds as part of its investor protection standards in making the Nigerian debt capital market globally competitive to a ract pension funds and foreign capital,” he said. He added that FMDQ is establishing the building blocks to redefine access to long-term debt capital for private companies and ventures in Nigeria. “ 85% of share certificates dematerialised The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said that over 85 percent of share certificates in the Nigerian Capital Market (NCM) has been dematerialised. The Director General of the Commission, Mounir Gwarzo, disclosed this while speaking at a workshop organised by the Capital Market Correspondent Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos at the weekend. “Dematerialisation of share certificates has reached unprecedented level of over 85 percent with 100 percent in sight before the year ends,” he a rmed. He noted that SEC is currently leading the capital market in implementing the 10-year Master plan for the growth and development of the NCM. “It is our main agenda for the market and we dedicated this week to tracking the level of implementation of the master plan as well as launching some of the major initiatives that have been concluded in the plan. The other recommendations of the key master plan initiatives tracked include the recapitalisation exercise to strengthen market institutions, E-Dividend with excellent collaboration from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Interbank Se lement System

(NIBSS) and Direct Cash Se lement leveraging on the Bank Verification Number (BVN) database. Still on the list of tracked master plan initiatives recommended include deepening non-interest capital market through regional workshops targeting potential issuers, Robust public enlightenment campaigns, zero tolerance posture reducing the level of infractions in the market and strengthening capacity of SEC to serve as a more e ective apex regulator and become the depository of capital market knowledge in Nigeria. According to him, following the fruitful CMC meeting the Commission launched three (3) imports at Master Plan initiatives which include the unveiling of SEC’s Corporate Governance Scorecard, “this brings about a new era in corporate governance compliance as we have made specific rules that make compliance with the SEC Code of corporate governance mandatory,” Gwarzo a rmed. The second is launching of the National Investor Protection Fund (NIPF) and inauguration of its board: “this was the second major initiative launched that is bound to boost investor confidence in our market,” Gwarzo added. The third is the inauguration of Capital Market Master Plan Implementation Council (CAMMIC), which he said was a major step towards the master plan implementation and has in its council distinguished and highly respected Nigerians who will lead advocacy e orts to various master plan initiatives. Expert’s perception The Managing Director, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze who commended the collaborative e orts of the regulators said some companies especially among those in the insurance sub-sector were not helping ma ers as they are most visible among companies that are o en sanctioned for breaching post listing requirements. He linked the inability of the subsector rise above the nominal level to crisis of confidence which according to him the few ones that raised high expectation for good results ended up posting negative financial results. “There were high expectations that some of them will bring good results to the market, investors started taking position on the insurance stocks, but they ended up posting negative results which now has a spiral e ect on other insurance companies, hence investors started dumping their shares,” he said. Insurance companies are the worst hit in the capital market in terms of drop in share prices. The reason is that that they are playing second fiddle to the oil and gas as well as the banking stocks. So what we now have is that we see volumes being traded, yet it does not result into capital gain in the capital market. According to the President of the association, Chief Adolphous Wakama, lack of interest in insurance stocks, following the huge meltdown in the market in 2008-2009, have contributed largely to the high value decline. Wakama said that investors’ hope has been put in abyss for an earlier recouping of their investment in the sub-sector. Since the crash of the nation’s capital market in 2008 negative perception has trailed the subsector which was compounded by inability of about 85 per cent of the companies in the industry to pay dividend to shareholders for many years.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

Insurance: UK’s approve 19 solvency II internal models William Anaebonam & Friday Ekeoba

he UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a list of 19 insurers whose full or partial internal models have been approved for use under Solvency II from January 1 2016. Nineteen UK insurance companies have been given the greenlight to use a full or partial internal model for Solvency II by the UK’s insurance supervisor. ThePRAsaidtheannouncement marks a signiﬁcant step forward for the UK insurance industry in preparing for the arrival of the Solvency II regime on January 1 2016. The list includes Lloyd’s as well as individual London market companies Amlin, Aspen, Markel International, QBE European and RSA Insurance. Andrew Bailey deputy governor, Prudential Regulation, Bank of England and CEO of the PRA, said in a statement that the announcement marks a major milestone in the implementation of Solvency II in the UK. “The PRA has approved 19 insurers’ internal models for use from day one of the new regime. Going forward we will monitor insurers’ models carefully in order to ensure they continue to deliver an appropriate level of capital.” From 2016, as in other European markets insurers in the UK have to operate under the new Solvency II regulatory regime. Under Solvency II, an insurer can apply to use an internal

model in order to calculate the amount of capital it needs to hold, in recognition of the risks it faces. Insurers that do not use an internal model will have their capital requirements set using the standard formula, which is appropriate for the majority of insurers. Many companies originally set out to develop a full internal model to use from the start of Solvency II but were unable to make the deadline. However, UK insurers are thought to be ahead of most other European markets in terms of the number obtaining approval to use internal models, partly because regulators in many other markets have been unequal to the task. A number of UK insurers are planning to apply for model approval later than January 1 2016. These insurers are continuing to develop internal models to the standards required by the Directive, and are expected to apply for approval in due course, the PRA said. The PRA has not disclosed where an insurer’s application to use an internal model has been either rejected or withdrawn. The PRA said it cooperated with colleges of supervisors and reached joint decisions where applicable. Communication of joint decisions rests with the group supervisor, and therefore decisions for ﬁrms where the PRA is not the group supervisor are not included here. The PRA noted that other national supervisory authorities have already communicated some of these decisions. The full list of UK insurers

Olam to enter feed business in mills, hatcheries

ingapore-based agribusiness group Olam International is planning to enter the feed business by investing in mills and hatcheries in the domestic economy reports FeedNavigator. The company said it will leverage its ‘Grains’ platform to expand into animal feed and related businesses in the west African country. “The global animal feed industry is a large and growing part of the agri-commodity complex with a ractive returns and a strong growth outlook, particularly in emerging markets,” said Olam. Following a detailed review of the global feed market, Olam said it has chosen Nigeria as its preferred entry market, as it ranks favorably on the country selection criteria, which includes meat consumption per capita; degree of fragmentation; extent of vertical integration and commercial feed penetration; scalability potential; and supply and demand factors impacting the feed raw material trade. “In Nigeria, increasing urbanization and a change in consumer preference towards more protein-rich diets is driving strong demand for poultry and aquaculture products,” said the

group. Singapore-based agribusiness group Olam International is planning to enter the feed business by investing in mills and hatcheries in Nigeria, reports FeedNavigator. The company said it will leverage its ‘Grains’ platform to expand into animal feed and related businesses in the west African country. “The global animal feed industry is a large and growing part of the agri-commodity complex with a ractive returns and a strong growth outlook, particularly in emerging markets,” said Olam. Following a detailed review of the global feed market, Olam said it has chosen Nigeria as its preferred entry market, as it ranks favorably on the country selection criteria, which includes meat consumption per capita; degree of fragmentation; extent of vertical integration and commercial feed penetration; scalability potential; and supply and demand factors impacting the feed raw material trade. “In Nigeria, increasing urbanization and a change in consumer preference towards more protein-rich diets is driving strong demand for poultry and aquaculture products,” said the group.

gaining approval for their full or partial models is as follows: Amlin Plc · Aspen Insurance UK Ltd · Aviva Plc · British Gas Insurance Ltd · Just Retirement Ltd · Legal & General Group Plc · Markel International

Insurance Company Ltd · MBIA UK Insurance Ltd · The National Farmers’ Union Mutual Insurance Society Ltd · Paciﬁc Life Re Ltd · Pension Insurance Corporation Plc · Phoenix Group · Prudential Plc · QBE European

Operations Plc · RSA Insurance Group Plc · Sco ish Widows Group · Society of Lloyd’s · Standard Life Plc · Unum European Holding Company Ltd.

L-R: President International Facility Management Association Nigeria, Richard Okesola; General Secretary, Lekan Akinwunmi and the Past President Iyabo Aboaba at the 18th Annual General Meeting of International Facility Management Association in Yaba Lagos…recently.

Google, Apple and Starbucks faces fines for tax dodge

uge multinational companies that dodge millions of pounds in tax in the UK and around the world face “laughable” fines of £300 under new rules proposed by HM Revenue and Customs. The paltry penalties for corporations that file late or inaccurate tax records are dwarfed by the millions in potential profits for those that take advantage of international tax-avoidance schemes. Under a new “tougher” regime to curb multinational tax avoidance, Treasury o cials are proposing an initial fine of £300 for late corporation tax records, followed by £60 for each additional day they are late. Businesses failing to declare for a year would face a maximum fine of only £22,140. Those filing inaccurate returns face a maximum fine of £3,000. (Currently, companies who file one day late face a £100 penalty and those who file six months late face a penalty calculated at 10 per cent of the estimated tax bill.) Campaigners are angry that the proposed new rules also limit the number of multinationals that would be forced to reveal to UK tax authorities detailed information for each country they operate in. Tax o cials propose limiting the new reporting rules to companies with an annual turnover of more than £585m, as well as restricting who can inspect the information supplied. Experts believe that country-bycountry reporting is vital to curb some of the worst tax abuses in which major firms have engaged, including Starbucks, Vodafone, Apple, Google, Facebook and Amazon. Currently, companies are not required to break down their operations by territory. Tax justice campaigners want a crackdown on tax havens, countryby-country reporting for UK companies and further reform of the

international tax system to compel multinationals to pay their fair share of tax wherever they operate. The charities Christian Aid, Oxfam and ActionAid have wri en jointly to HMRC to highlight the weaknesses of the new proposals. They warn that multinationals will feel free to ignore a fine of £300 for filing late. Joseph Stead, senior economic justice adviser at Christian Aid, said: “This reform is potentially an incredibly powerful weapon against multinational tax cheats, but if the UK government wants multinationals to pay their fair share of tax, here and around the world, then these regulations must be much tougher.” The small fines for businesses that

flout the reporting rules or file late were “laughable”, he said. “As it stands, a firm which ignored the law would face a maximum annual penalty of £22,140. Clearly, for those misbehaving, it’s going to be more profitable to carry on tax dodging, hide it from HMRC by not filing your country-by-country report and then pay the fine.” The £585m threshold would also allow the vast majority of multinationals to slip through the net, he warned. “Questionable tax practices are not the sole preserve of the biggest companies, so it makes no sense to ignore most firms, as proposed,” Mr Stead said.

Oil Firms paid $293bn to government between 2006-2012- NEITI

igerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has disclosed that the number of companies captured under its audit process is on the increase which ultimately will improve on government’s revenue collection from the sector. The NEITI observed though there are grounds to be covered, there is rise in participating ﬁrms in the last few years. Speaking during the inauguration of ‘The Companies Forum’, acting executive secretary of the body Orji Ogbonnaya Orji disclosed that from its oil and gas industry audit, between 2006 and 2012, total companies’ payment stood at $293 billion. Giving breakdown, Orji said $44.687 billion was paid in 2006 and $43.781 billion was received in 2007. He said in 2008, a total of $60.364billion while $30.129 billion was collected in 2009. Other includes $44.945 in 2010; $68.442billion in 2011 and $62.944billion in 2012. Orji said that the trend analysis on companies that participated in the NEITI audit so far shows increasing acceptance of NEITI process and

buy-in. “For instance, the numbers of participating companies have increased from 21 companies during NEITI’s ﬁrst oil and gas industry audit covering 1999-2004 to 42 companies during the 2012 audit cycle. The same trend was observed in our solid minerals audit where the number of participating companies increased from 78 companies in the 2007-2010 audit cycle to 87 companies during the 2011 audit exercise” he stated. However,he said that the number of participating companies dropped to 65 during the 2012 audit cycle. According to him, This was as a result of the decision by NEITI to increase the materiality level for royalty payments from N1 million to N2 million. “There are still some challenges regarding delay by some companies in responding to request on audit templates during data collection stage of the audit exercise. This is why companies must fully embrace the on-going NEITI Audit Management System (NAMS).

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

‘SME’s key to socio-economic wealth’ But Nigeria was recently reported to be the largest economy in Africa; don’t you think it is the collective e orts of all stake holders in the industry and especially the SMEs? It is an environment that protects ‘crony’ capitalist, the bourgeois class that seems to have cornered the political class for gains. There is an increase in the works of the creative class, given birth to a lot of creative entrepreneurship as you would ﬁnd in the entertainment industry. The massive population of ours gives credence to that, and then the telecom industry is helped by Nigerians response to be er service than what the monopoly of NITEL had to o er. The rebased GDP was based on the Telcos and entertainment industry. Telcos are not SMEs, are they? We have over 17 million SMEs in Nigeria, but they have been next to nothing, because of lack of structural support. Yet, SMESs are the key to our increased socio-economic wealth. But how best do you think the government can support the SMEs with the current status of the nation as the largest economy on the continent? Now, SMEs being an authentic nurseries for spawning management talents and indigenous entrepreneurship, and at another level help to ameliorate the endemic problems of poverty and labour unemployment faster than larger corporations, being a more o en than not labour intensive production ventures, the government must ﬁrst see SMEs as the platform for socioeconomic solution, and so managers of state apparatus as it were should create enabling environment for creative entrepreneurship to thrive again The government should be sincere concerning the over 200 billion it promised to help small

Government should be sincere concerning the over 200 billion it promised to help small businesses

The continued poor showing of the Small and Medium Scale has variously been attributed to lack of adequate financing of that sector of the domestic economy. Taiwo Fajolu a business consultant said in this interview that although there are 17 million SME’s in the country, they are next to nothing, because of lack of structural support. FRIDAY EKEOBA brings excerpt. businesses What is the main focus of your book, how can it improve entrepreneurship in Nigeria? The problem of double taxation of all sort should be tamed My book, ‘Cracking the Code of Possibilities in Business’, it’s a practical book, though inspirational, targeted towards engaging one’s thinking faculty to drive best practices in business, identifying through the application of vacuum analysis, gaps in existing business structures, market and other commercial environments and developing systems to latch in on the vacuum so identified through the evolvement of new ideas.. My book tries to promote the development of the spirit and character of creative entrepreneurship without geographical limitation, and the discipline of ge ing things done But have you noticed a gap between theoretical business and actual business in Nigeria said to be the largest African economy yet with over 70 million people living below poverty line. It can help budding or new entrepreneurs to understand the framework in which to turn their ideas into business, taking advantage of a fla enedworld platform through internet and other advantages that globalization has helped to o er It will also help existing business executives and entrepreneurs to apply ‘blue ocean’ strategies of highly innovative dynamics to a empt new territories in business, thereby creating increased demand where it ordinarily wasn’t available, increasing profitability and market influence, and rendering the competition almost irrelevant The more reason why people have to read a book like mine I made use of practical examples of radical business initiatives developed by ordinary people like you and I, who turned out to be change agents all over the world to draw home the point that uncommon progress could be recorded by thinking outside the box Though we might have such massive numbers of people living below poverty line, this can change if the policy documents or strategy that the managers of state a airs have designed for economic recovery purpose can be focused on two things: one, massive creation of jobs; and two, creating a healthy environment and platforms for creative entrepreneurship to thrive, and then, motivate the process to the point it becomes sustainable You can imagine what growth we will experience if the 17.3

Fajolu

million SMEs in the country are empowered to be able to create job opportunities for one person each, and the process is followed-through, it will get a massive number of over 17 million out of deep poverty, crime rate will nosedive as a result of more people engaged in something productive, indigenous entrepreneurship would increase with improved management talent To be honest, SMEs is the key and then, a revolutionary process towards improving industry and manufacturing sector of the economy, this is the key to the wealth of nations, and then, take the limitless opportunities in the global market, in standards, in branding and packaging, in customer service delivery and so on Nigeria is potentially blessed, we just need to have appropriate and e ective institutions that would drive the process of greatness in an authentic revolutionary way, just like the intelligent colaboration between the ministry of agriculture and the ministry of trade, industry and commerce There’s also an increase in the middle class as the economic

growth spiked between year 2000-2014, due to the return of democracy and increase in private sector investment, this is in a way impacting the valuechain in the economy I mean, the middle class households have jumped 6-fold since then. And, with the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), where Nigeria’s industrialization is intended to be driven by longrun competitiveness, where our industry will thrive locally and compete globally, and create an environment where costs are low, regulation is streamlined, infrastructure is reliable, and government bureaucracy is minimized - this could go a long way to reduce the poverty level in the country: These thoughts are in line with the purview presented in my book. Well, with an economy largely depending on oil, do you think SME s can ever been empowered? Things are changing, and we have to be hopeful that leadership in political class will be more sincere to creatively and innovatively drive the engine room of the economy, leveraging on where we have competitive

and comparative advantage to create definitive impact in the Small and Medium Enterprises. Again, you should not forget that, the economy was rebased to $510 billion due to the contribution of the entertainment industry and telecommunication industry, and with the NIRP as I mentioned earlier, all the connections to these industries are going to provide enabling capacity for the product and market value-chain for SMEs. How do you advise President Jonathan’s economic team on Nigerian economy which the common man still find hard to believe is anything to write home about as he needs it to translate to food on the table? In the seventh chapter of my book, which I called ‘The Critical Launch pad for Nigeria: An Economic Imperative’, with a subtitle - Panacea for Economic Recovery: Job Creation, Creative Entrepreneurship: Here, I proposed that the government’s economic team must focused their policy documents and strategy on massive creation of jobs, and creating enabling environment for small and medium scale, and creative enterprise on the whole to thrive. The president’s economic team should tie all money spent on public expenditure to creating sustainable employment While establishing formidable and consistent policies, and institutions that will regulate and close up all loopholes and corrupt practices that could frustrate this process And also to pay genuine a ention to sectors that have the potential to create the most jobs, but that have either been le untapped or redundant, such as tourism, commercialised agriculture, education etc; and engage a blue-ocean strategy that would make the informal sector more e cient, productive, profitable, and accountable. And the second proposition is to execute, with sense of urgency and the discipline of ge ing things done, the mandate to create healthy platforms for creative entrepreneurship, because, it is the aggregation of the e orts of entrepreneurs who are actively engaged in small businesses and other innovative enterprises that can guarantee 70% of new jobs The economic team must help the president to follow-through on the process that would remove obstacles to doing business and the problem of infrastructural constraints, such as inadequate electric power supply and a dysfunctional and corrupt public services, while promoting small and medium enterprises.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

MONEY/CAPITAL MARKET We are committed to building financially literate generation-NSE Stories by Friday Ekeoba

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recently hosted its fourth quarter Investors’ Clinic targeted at youths in the country. The clinic which was themed ‘Securing Your Tomorrow, Today, hard over 100 youths in a endance. The investors’ clinic is a free and open ﬁnancial literacy and inclusion programmes to educate Nigerian youths on the culture of investment in the capital and money markets. To participate in the clinic, the youths were simply required to apply online. To further extend the invitation to other young people who may not be digitally savvy yet, the NSE partnered with youth empowerment focused NonGovernmental organisations like Lynx Nigeria, Mind The Gap and Fi h Gear Plus to get additional participants. According to Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, “we are commi ed to building aﬁnancially literate generation and will continue to commit resources to implement a variety of programmes that will enable young people imbue the requisite skills and knowledge that will help them navigate the future through smart investing .” The clinic kicked o with opening remarks by Bola Adeeko and then Abimbola Babalola, Head of Market Surveillance gave an introductory lecture on the evolution of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. This was followed by insightful presentations by an array of seasoned professionals such as Chukwuka Monye, Director General, Delta State Economic Summit Group who spoke on Understanding Capital Market Basics; Nimi Akinkugbe, CEO, Bestman Games discussed, Personal Financial Management

while Adetola Fasuyi, Group Head, Asset Management, Sterling Capital Limited presented on Understanding Your Investment Choices. Mr. Oladapo James, Head, Corporate Communications, Afrinvest gave a step by step approach on using its online portal to access and monitor an investment portfolio. Speaking on their experience at the investors’ clinic, Miss Damilola Obafemi an applicant, said “I’ve always heard that the stock exchange is relevant to the Nigeria and the economy. Being here today is an opportunity for me to get information that will allow me to participate in the market”. Mr. Kayode Awokoya, an applicant and a participant, also said “It is a very well organized event basically for the youths, and I think being here is an opportunity for me to take away skills andknowledge on investment opportunities available for youth in the country” while Michael Adewunmi from Portfolio Adversory Limited, a stockbroking firm, said “I got the information about this event from the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s website. I’m here to acquire knowledge about the market and to apply and disseminate such information to people who need it”. In closing, Pai Gamde, Head, Human Resources at The NSE reiterated that “It is imperative that this financial literacy clinic hits home. With the startling statistics that 47% of our 29.4 million youths within the ages of 18 and 25 years are financially excluded and they have no access to financial services either formally or informally. As a responsible organization, we will continue to play our part in deploying financial literacy programmes that will develop our youths to become sound leaders of tomorrow.”

Premium pension repositions, appoints chief marketing officer

n response to the ever expanding markets in the Contributory Pension Scheme, Premium Pension Limited has continued its repositioning e orts toward having a greater market share. In this unfolding dynamics, the Board of the company recently approved the appointment of Mr. Kabir Ahmed T jani into the newly created position of Chief Marketing O cer. The appointment which takes immediate e ect is expected to enhance business development and customer relationship management. “There is no doubt that the pension industry has been ﬁrmly rooted in the country” said Mr. Kayode Akande, the Company’s Executive Director, Business Development and Investment. “There is every reason for us to respond to industry exigencies occasioned by the impending extension of the contributory pension scheme to the informal sector and the associated rise in micro-pension possibilities.” “By this appointment, we are proactively responding to the medium and long-term business challenges that will be emerging in the industry” Mr. Akande further stated. “The industry has been growing by leaps and bounds and we are only being strategic.” T jani joined Premium Pension

Limited since its inception in 2005 as a management sta . As a seasoned corporate legal practitioner, he ﬁrst served the company as Company Secretary and Head of Legal Services Department. As the Chief Marketing O cer, Mr. T jani is now saddled with the responsibility of facilitating the business development functions, customer base growth and all activities geared towards marketing drive. He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School (LBS), Howard University Washington DC and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He a ended several professional courses, seminars and workshops on Corporate Legal practice, Telecommunications, Pension Ma ers, Information Communication Technology and Finance within and outside Nigeria. Until his present appointment as CMO, he served as Head, Corporate Services and has performed creditably well in the e ective supervision of Human Resources, Facility Management, General Administration and Security Departments of the Company. He is a certiﬁed IT Manager in the USA, member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as well as Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).

L-R: Director General, The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Muda Yusuf; LCCI President, Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande; General Manager, External Relation, Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, and Head, Brand & Events, NLNG, Mr.Emmanuel Ike, during a courtesy visit to the LCCI ofﬁce in Victoria Island, Lagos

Transcorp Hotels issues N9.758bn bond •To build 5,000-seater multi-purpose banquet centre

s part of growth strategy, Transcorp Hotels Plc – the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp Plc) has announced a successful naira bond market transaction, issuing a total of N9.758 billion. It is the second tranche in its N30 billion medium term bond programme registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Addressing newsmen during the completion board meeting in Abuja recently, Managing Director/ Chief Executive O cer of Transcorp Hotels, Valentine Ozigbo, said the proceeds of the issue will be used to finance the upgrade of the company’s flagship hotel, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, and other buildings, including construction of a 5,000 seater multipurpose banquet centre. Ozigbo said that the transaction, which is a 5-year fixed-rate bond, due in 2020, is in addition to the to a prior issue of N10 billion, being Series 1 in

a Senior 7-Year 16.00 per cent fixed rate (Unsecured) Bonds due 2022 issued in October 2015. According to agency report, the total amount the company has successfully raised to date is N19.758 billion. The Series 2 Bond will carry a gross coupon of 15.50 per cent per annum for a period of five years. The redemption on maturity, expected to be 2020, will be at 100 per cent of the nominal amount of the Bonds. The Bonds are available in denominations of N1,000, and will be listed on the main market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and also the FMDQ OTC platform for enhanced tradability. FSDH Plc is the lead issuing house, while United Capital Plc and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited are joint issuing houses. “We are embarking on a full renovation of the historic Transcorp Hilton Abuja and its 670 rooms and on-site facilities. This is the first major renovation of the historic Transcorp Hilton Abuja for the first time in its

30-year history, save for a minor one 10 years ago. This bond issue will finance the upgrade, new hotels and the development of a 5,000-seater multi-purpose Banquet centre,” said Ozigbo. “The availability of funds enables us to enhance our financial flexibility by diversifying our sources of funding while significantly extending the maturity of the Group’s funding and ensuring optimal capital mix.” We are delighted by the investor reception for Transcorp Hotels in the bond markets” said Emmanuel N. Nnorom, President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc. The company held a signing ceremony in Abuja on Friday December 4, 2015 to mark the issue of Series 2. The company has secured Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval as well as a certificate of “PenCom Compliance” to enable participation by the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) community, as one of the target investors in the bond.

Declining oil prices drag down Wall

all Street started the week in the red as energy and raw material stocks took a hit, with oil prices falling to their lowest in nearly seven years. Brent crude prices LCOc1 dropped to $41.38 and U.S. crude CLc1 fell to $38.15 a barrel, a er OPEC’s meeting ended last week without a reference to its output ceiling. [O/R] A stronger dollar also made it more expensive to hold crude positions. The dollar .DXY rose for a second day and was up 0.3 percent at 98.64 against a basket of major currencies. Oil majors Exxon (XOM.N) and Chevron (CVX.N) fell about 4 percent and were the biggest drags on the Dow and the S&P, while Dow Chemicals (DOW.N) and DuPont (DD.N) fell more than 2 percent. The impact of the fall in oil prices o set some of Friday’s gains that were triggered by a strong jobs report. The solid November employment report showed that the economy was strong enough to absorb an interest

rate hike, which is widely expected to be raised when the Federal Reserve meets on Dec. 15-16. “The Fed is pre y locked in regarding a hike next week and any fall in commodity prices will be seen as transitory factors,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities in New York. However, Hogan said a further plunge in oil prices and a stronger dollar could mean subsequent rate hikes will be gradual. At 11:03 a.m. ET (1503 GMT) the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 167.26 points, or 0.94 percent, at 17,680.37, the S&P 500 .SPX was down 19.85 points, or 0.95 percent, at 2,071.84 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC was down 43.41 points, or 0.84 percent, at 5,098.86. Eight of the 10 major S&P sectors were lower, with the energy index .SPNY falling 4.3 percent, pu ing it on track for its biggest single-day decline since the end of August. Falling oil prices helped airline stocks, with JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O) up 5.7 percent and

Republic Airways (RJET.O) up 4.5 percent. The S&P 1500 airlines index .SPCOMALI hit its highest level since January. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart told CNBC in an interview on Monday that the economic conditions are satisfactory and the market is well-prepared for a hike. Lockhart is a voting member of the central bank’s policy se ing commi ee. Traders see a 79 percent chance that the central bank will increase rates for the ﬁrst time in nearly a decade, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch. Keurig Green Mountain’s (GMCR.O) shares soared 73.3 percent to $89.60 a er the co eepod maker agreed to be bought for about $13.9 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG.N) fell 4 percent to $538, a er the popular burrito chain warned that sales at established restaurants would fall in the fourth quarter due to the impact of an E. coli outbreak.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

MOTORING

FRIDAY EKEOBA bostonremy22@yahoo.com

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee & Wrangler challenges bumpy roads

‘CX-4’ out with lower, sportier model than CX-3/CX-5-- Japanese car-maker boss

ee is eep i looking looki for fo a way ay into i to India and the South East Asia market and their ﬁrst time will be to start o ering the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler in India ﬁrst and move on from there. India is not known for having

the best roads in the world, but both the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee will probably have no problem adapting to the roads since both models are known for their ability to take on almost any kind of roads and for being the tough ones. A few

bumps are not going to stop them. Jeep next plan will be to build a production hub in India, but it will all depend on how the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler does in the market ﬁrst. It has been speculated that Jeep is considering Prune as the location for their ﬁrst production plant.

azda’s CEO, Masamichi Kogai, has conﬁrmed that the production version of the Koeru concept Koeru concept revealed at the Frankfurt motor show will be a new standalone model that will help it enter a new segment to compete against the Subaru Outback. Refusing to reveal the new name for the small Mazda crossover — which is expected to be called either CX-4 or CX-6 — Kogai told Automotive News the production version of the Koeru is “a totally

new car. It’s a lower, sporty SUV. It’s close to a wagon.” Likening the production car to a Subaru Outback, Kogai said the Koeru “aims to generate more driving pleasure” and that it would be the size of a CX-5 but would help it enter new segments. Kogai said he’d like to see the concept of an Outback rival evaluated globally and that Mazda was still “collecting customer feedback”, hinting that the sporty crossover isn’t quite completely signed o for production.

Toyota joins move to small turbo engines

2017 Ford Escape teased Hyundai-like design

ord has never been afraid of experimenting with various designs. Throughout the year, stakeholders in the industry have seen the Ford Escape with all kinds of design language. Ford has now given the market a glimpse at what the 2017 Ford Escape will look like. The ﬁrst impressive got

was that it looks almost like something Hyundai would come out with. The front and the rear design has been restyled for 2017 with the front now coming with an Edge design instead of the Fusion design. They also gave it a new grille with horizontal bars and shallow by wider air intakes. The 2017 model will also be coming in with an all-wheel

drive system and a front wheel drive system. They also made some changes to the taillight giving the Escape a smaller and di erent taillights this time around. Features like the rear glass and the bumper will stay the same for now. All in all, it looks like Ford is on the right track.

ot so long ago, engines with capacities of just over one litre were considered tiddlers, consigned to powering town cars and shopping trolleys. How the world has changed. Most major manufacturers are downsizing their engines, yet ge ing performance out of them that would have been inconceivable just a few short years ago. The old bogan expression that “only milk comes in two litres” is as outdated and superseded as pounds-shillings-andpence. Now there’s news that a new 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from Toyota is likely to be the power source for a new range of small models that includes a baby SUV and a small sports car. Kicking o the changes will be Toyota’s release of the C-HR concept SUV at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and the S-FR sports coupe that was shown as a concept at the recent Tokyo Motor Show. The 1.2-litre motor is already providing service in the Euro-market Corolla (called the Auris over there) where it puts out 85kW of power and 185Nm of torque.

A small SUV and sports car are totally di erent propositions. It hasn’t yet been confirmed whether the C-HR production model will get frontwheel drive or all-wheel drive, but word on the streets is that the S-FR will certainly be rear-wheel drive, as befits a proper sports car. If the turbo 1.2 is to meet the many configurations Toyota will demand of it, the engine will need to be adapted and we understand development is already underway. Another option is to increase capacity although it appears the 1.2-litre unit is unsuited to hybrid technology that could be another way to increase power and torque. Electric turbocharging is another possibility under exploration and Toyota engine development chief Tetsuya Yamada has suggested that the engine has be er combustion and performance characteristics than the 1.8-litre engine currently used in the local Corolla. There are no plans to replace the 1.8-litre engine in the local Corolla with a turbo 1.2-litre unit, but who knows what the future holds? Speaking for ourselves, we don’t care what the nominal engine capacity is, so long as performance isn’t

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

PERSONAL FINANCE

Money mentalities that lead to lack & poverty Money Talk By Kenneth Doghudje E-mail: money@moneytalkng.com, 08023122649

hat is your money mentality? A money mentality is simply defined as the various beliefs and a itudes individuals have towards money. These beliefs and a itudes are intrinsically part of us and have been formed by several factors such as religion, education, background, environment and race. It doesn’t ma er if they are true or otherwise; all that ma ers is that the individual has adopted them as his or her guiding philosophy where money is concerned. Your money mentality is extremely important because it could be the enabling or stumbling factor on the road to wealth. All wealth and riches start in the mind, where your mentality resides. The wrong mentality, therefore defeats the wealth thoughts, ideas and possibilities thereby causing the flow of wealth to cease from an individual. The right mentality, on the other hand, creates the exact opposite, which is why it becomes obvious that a di erence exists in the way the rich and the poor approach money. This di erence is based on their mentality. Let us examine a couple of money mentalities that lead to lack below: Firstly, the greed mentality is a sure sign that you are headed for lack and poverty. This individual wants to grab all that he can by any means possible. It is a “Me, myself and I” trait where it is all about the promotion and preservation of self at all costs. This person uses stinginess, cunning, deceit and manipulation among other tools to ensure he gets ahead financially. He will definitely succeed in the short term, but when he is found out for who he truly is the wealth will fade away. Wealth should be shared. The entitlement mentality is another trait that leads to penury. This individual has a warped feeling that everyone is here on the Planet to give to him, or to give way for him to succeed financially. They feel that everyone owes them something and they are always demanding for it whenever you meet them. Sooner or later people start to avoid them because they are constantly complaining. There are also those who have the “Compete” mentality. They see life as one big competition where they have to prove to others that they are richer, be er and more successful. They thrive in a fantasy world of make believe that everyone is watching them and honouring and worshipping them because they have the latest things. They will do anything to acquire the latest things which they cannot a ord; they are perpetually in debt and short of friends because of their “fake” lifestlyles. Those who have the “Spiritual” mentality are also headed in the same direction. These individuals prefer to do spiritual

exercises like fasting and praying, a ending miracle crusades, or at the other extreme visiting many commercial spiritual entities for financial breakthrough. They want to invest all their energies in these spiritual gymnastics hoping to have money drop on them overnight. This mentality ultimately leads to frustration, as money comes as a result of solving problems, not by spiritual exercises. It may surprise you to know that lots of people have the “winning the lo ery” mentality. They hinge their hopes of making wealth on accidentally stumbling on, or winning a big windfall such as the lo ery. This mentality is common among those who gamble. They keep hoping for the big payday and end up in frustration because only a few eventually win. These privileged few end up wasting away their winnings because they never really worked hard to create wealth in the first place. Wealth go en on a silver pla er almost always ends up lost and fri ered away. The sixth money mentality that leads to lack and poverty are those that have an addiction to spending. They thrive on spending everything that comes in for them and more on credit. They are just like gamblers because they have an incurable optimism that more money is coming their way soon. “Life is too short,” and “Money is meant to be spent,” are some of the common sayings they base their lifestyle on. One who spends everything frivolously can never be wealthy because he or she has nothing le to multiply into wealth a er going on a spending spree. There is the “chronic debtor” mentality. These individuals do not understand what the essence of debt is. They use short term debt to fund their lifestyle, borrowing or going into debt just to survive. Whenever they receive an income or inflow their outstanding is so substantial that they have used it to pay the backlog and then go back into debt for the new month thereby continuing the cycle. A debtor hardly qualifies for wealth as his reputation, tendencies and character is opposite of that which is needed to grow wealth. Finally, we have the lack mentality. Those manifesting lack cannot believe they are candidates for plenty. They see lack and poverty in everything around them. This is prevalent in people who started out poor. An individual who cannot see plenty does not deserve plenty in his life, even when it comes he would seriously doubt it is his, or ultimately plenty is not likely to last even when it comes. Identification is indeed the first step. Once done through the process of replacement these wrong mentalities can be taken out and the right ones inpu ed. All it takes is a decision to change. However change must be sustained until it totally consumes you. For example the addiction to spending can be replaced with a love for saving, winning the lo ery with hardwork and determination, seeing lack always becomes seeing opportunities and so forth. If you can change your mentality you can most definitely change your financial life. Kenneth Doghudje is an expert in Marketing Communication and Research, and is currently the Managing Director of GfK RT Nigeria Limited, the West African subsidiary of the GfK Group, the 4th largest market research company in the world. Doghudje is passionate about helping people achieve, a ain and exceed their financial potentials.

Preparing your children for financial independence

ducating kids when they are young about money management, savings and living within their means can literally save their financial lives. It is the greatest gi you can provide. As adults, we can manage and live within our means, but children and teens are quickly becoming one of the largest target markets with more and more youth culture campaigns popping up each year. They [kids] are bombarded with these marketing messages, practically from birth, and countless influences sent them the messages that they need to spend so as to be satisfied. Unfortunately, there is no counter point to that: there is no class in school where kids learn to distinguish what they “need” from what they “want” and how to pay for what they buy. They need to hear it from you. Not only do parents have to educate their children in the ways of financial prosperity, but should discern between what is necessary and what is not. Children who learn to prioritise their spending also learn the most valuable money management lesson: to live within their means. So, there is need for financial education and fiscal responsibility among kids and adults. The good news is that more people are realising the importance of educating today’s youth about financial responsibility. It is good that teens understand how to live within the constraints of their financial realities. Studies show that kids who work a part time job throughout their academic careers are be er prepared when it comes to financial literacy. It is this experience that enables them to earn money that they own, and learn how to manage that money. It is important you provide your child with space and time to ask and answer questions like what she or he thinks an appropriate monthly payment might be

and what he or she thinks is the di erence between debt and credit, just to mention a few. Moreover, it is good to accentuate the importance of making a “spending plan,” which might be a lot easier for your teens to understand than the word “budget.” Teens need to practice “watchful spending” and how to track every dime they spend. Over a period of 90 days or more, they will be able to see where their money went, and be able to make adjustment and informed decision about the smartest way to spend their money in future. It is a well-known fact that properly-educated children will know the value of money, how interest works, how to budget money in order to live within their means and plan for the future. As parents, we have an obligation to educate our children on debt and money managements. But, the problem is that many of us are life-long slaves to debt. Our children may not know about debt because most of us live in gigantic houses, drive nice cars and take vacations every now and then, just to mention but a few. But, all these can be a mirage. Living within your means and teaching your children to do same is part of parenting and lesson to be taught if you, as an adult, understand the importance of savings and budgeting. Let your children see and be part of your budgeting process so that they learn how it works. Introduce them to the concept of bank accounting at age-appropriate intervals. Teach them about savings and debts by giving them allowances so they can learn money management and make mistakes on a small scale. This will save them from big money trouble once they are independent. Let us teach our future leaders that planning is the key to success, whether ﬁnancial or otherwise.

Wealth & Wisdom with

Lanre ‘Inspirati’ Oyetade 08158604744 (SMS only) lanreoyetade@gmail.com

Show the people Light, and they will ﬁnd their own way —Dante

10 lessons from Noah’s Ark (1) This column, Wealth & Wisdom, was created at my entrance into the Newswatch titles some years back, to give vent to my long-standing interest in ma ers of motivation tilting towards the inspirational, and of course, to allow the reader share some of the insights one might have garnered over the years. While most of the articles that have featured in this column were wri en originally by yours truly, some of them I came across in one publication or the other and could not help adapting them for my readers’ a ention and use. This write-up is an example of the la er. It was actually adapted from an article sent in to a national newspaper several years back by a certain Adeboye Joseph. It was very brief, but I liked it very much and decided to expand it and let my readers have a feel of it. Please enjoy it. Lesson 1: Don’t miss the boat Each time in life, there are boats of opportunity to fulfilment, greatness, wealth and even survival. One of such in Noah’s time was the ark; but more o en than not, most people, out of sheer lethargy and apathy will miss these boats. In more contemporary times, there are the boats of education, which can launch one to lands of great opportunity, but which many choose to miss; there are also the boats of diligence and hard work, which are really opportunities to move to higher grounds, and there are equally the opportunity boats of several investment vehicles, which many will miss either due to improper preparation, ignorance or complacency, and thus refuse to be saved from the clutches of want and lack. Don’t be one of them; take advantage of the boat’s presence to launch yourself to greater possibilities in life. Lesson 2: Remember that we are all in the same boat Yes, for those of us who choose to get into the boat, we end up in the same boat. So the issues of relative e ciency and healthy competition crop up here. It is not nearly enough to get a choice employment, for instance. You need to realise that several of you eventually got into the company and are constantly being measured against one another; you need to realise that the requirements to get the job are not the same requirements to e ectively retain and progress on the job. So the issue of going the extra mile comes in here. You must be prepared to provide that very ‘jara’ into all your undertakings that will stand you out and ahead of the crowd. Lesson 3: Plan ahead; it wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark It is a popular saying that every minute spent in preparation saves ten in execution. Imagine the catastrophe that would have resulted if Noah had waited till the very last moments to start building the ark. You probably would not be reading this today, neither would I have wri en it in the first place. So we need to devote ample preparation time into every act and deed we need to perform. My late father used to get me prepared completely as at the preceding night for any task I had to carry out on any particular day. For instance, the writing materials, documents, clothes and shoes to wear, bus fare etc had to be prepared and get well laid out on the preceding day to every examination and that has become part of me. Ample preparation will save you a whole lot of embarrassment, frustration and failure and make you feel good and confident when the deed has to be done. Lesson 4: Stay fit; when you’re ‘600’ years old (like Noah was) someone may ask you to do something really big (like God did ask Noah). It is important that you are fit at all times both in body and in mind. You will need the good health edge at every point in your life and may have to carry out a tasking assignment at a particularly unexpected point in time. Noah built the ark at age 600. Imagine how he would have managed to carry out the task without much external help if he had had to do it with an abused, burnt out body or with a sick mind. I doubt if God would have found him fit for the ‘call’ with any of these. A lot of people make their breakthrough moves in the la er years of their lives. Until next Sunday when we shall conclude this treatise, please stay INSPRED in His presence! •Excerpts from my latest book, Inspired Keys from Successful Achievement.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

GLOBAL BUSINESS

Ripples of China’s $60bn spread

P L-R: Managing Director, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc/Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Peter Folikwe; Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YCT), Dr. Margret Kudirat Ladipo and Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, at the 2015 YCT Research Fair tagged ‘Emerging Technology Panacea for Societal Challenges’, in Lagos. Photo: Segun Padonu

VW: Qatar talks ‘not to curb labour role’scandal

William Anaebonam with agency report

olkswagen has denied a report saying its chief executive and chairman were urged on Sunday by its third-largest shareholder to reduce the inﬂuence of VW’s powerful unions as it ba les to overcome its emissions scandal. CEO Ma hias Mueller and Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch met with leaders of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in Doha on Sunday to discuss the state of investigations into its cheating of emissions tests, as well as VW’s new company structure and future business focus, two people familiar with the ma er said. Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper, without citing sources, said earlier the QIA would use the meeting to demand a scaling back of

the role of VW’s works council. The council, whose representatives hold as many seats on the company’s 20-member supervisory board as shareholders, has long wielded great influence at the German company and has headed o cost cuts in the past. “Co-determination (joint decisionmaking by corporate and labour representatives) and the (role of the) works council were not on the agenda of the talks,” said a VW spokesman, who earlier described Mueller’s visit to Qatar as communicating with “an important partner”. The QIA, which holds a 17 percent stake in Europe’s largest automaker, declined to comment, as did VW’s works council. The emissions scandal has wiped billions o VW’s stock market value and Mueller has said the firm will have to make massive cuts to meet a bill which analysts say could top 40 billion euros ($44 billion) for fines, lawsuits and vehicle refits. VW’s supervisory board, which includes two members from the

CNN Int’l embarks on new strategic partnerships

NN International Commercial is expanding the CNN brand and generating additional revenue streams in the areas of English language learning and international money transfers through two new partnerships. Working with Germany-based learning solutions provider Papagei. com, CNN is launching a dynamic English language learning service – CNNLearn English. Available on desktop and mobile, the subscriptionbased digital service will facilitate English language learning by overlaying CNNvideo content with Papagei.com’s unique translation and learning aids. Content is focused on ﬁnance and business, spanning a range of subject ma ers and a variety of dialects. Tailored to enable the learning of business-level English, CNN Learn English will be available globally to consumers directly or to companies wishing to upskill its workforce. The CNN brand is being licensed to launch CNN Money Transfers in partnership with award-winning international payments and foreign exchange specialist moneycorp. CNN Money Transfers is a payment tool managed by moneycorp, o ering consumers a highly

competitive service to transfer money without paying commission and the higher exchange rates o en charged by mainstream banks. The CNN-branded solution, available on desktop and mobile devices, is part of the high-growth and digitallydriven financial tech sector. “These initiatives are yet more steps in our ambition to take the CNN brand to wider audiences by entering into smart partnerships that enhance our footprint,” said Rani Raad, Chief Commercial O cer, CNN International Commercial. “In a changing media landscape, these partnerships add new revenue streams to our business, but more importantly launch new CNN services that will be valued amongst our audiences. We look forward to working closely with Papagei.com and moneycorp to develop these propositions.” Both CNN Learn English and CNN Money Transfers will be marketed across CNN International digital platforms, giving CNN audiences the opportunity to benefit from both products. This new business diversification expands upon CNN International Commercial’s core business areas of advertising solutions, content sales and syndication, marketing and research.

QIA, will hold an out-of-sequence meeting on December 9 to discuss the state of investigations as well as luxury division Audi, where 3.0 litre V6 diesel engines were also equipped with illegal emissionscontrol so ware. Mueller, who is due to publish intermediate results from VW’s probe into the scandal on December 10, has been pushing a corporate overhaul at VW since taking o ce on September 25. He is aiming to cede more power from VW’s Wolfsburg corporate headquarters to brands and regional divisions, wants to establish a less authoritarian style of management and expand the carmaker’s electric vehicle o erings. The QIA also wanted to demand a multibillion-dollar campaign to promote electric vehicles in the United States to regain ground in the world’s second-biggest auto market, Bild am Sonntag said. To shore up its ﬁnances, VW has told banks supplying a 20-billioneuro credit line that it would sell assets if it ﬁnds no other way of repaying the one-year loan, people familiar with the ma er said.

resident Jacob Zuma is not well known for poetic phrases. However, as he opened the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (Focac) in Johannesburg this past week, he delivered a poetic phrase that could define how African countries will benefit from the dollar billions pledged by the Chinese government. “It is for this reason that we want to prioritise beneficiation and value-addition. In that way, what is buried in the belly of our soil will translate into benefit for the bellies of our citizens,” said Zuma. The strong emphasis on localisation, beneficiation and the increase in production of value-added products by African countries dominated some of the sessions at the summit and there is consensus that extracting minerals and exporting them is not sustainable. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s announcement of a $60 billion (R861bn) investment package for the African continent was coupled with calls for African countries to also focus on increasing exports of value-added products to the PRC and other countries. This would necessitate the development of massive factories as countries would be transforming their raw materials into value-added products to be exported to consumer-driven economies, which China itself is surging towards becoming. Countries like South Africa, which have historically been major exporters of raw minerals, have seen the demand and prices plummet, but have survived because their economies are diversified. Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, speaking on the sidelines of the summit, lamented

how exports of raw materials had decreased, and emphasised that countries would have no choice but to diversify. “Our trade ﬁgures show a 19-percent drop in our exports to China and that’s because mineral commodities are in less demand and the prices are lower. “The lesson from that is to diversify, and countries that are focused on single commodities for exports are in a far worse position. “There is much more value we can add and that is the theme that is being punted, it makes this journey much more urgent. There is great value in moving up the value chain,” said Davies. The pressure on African countries to diversify into other sectors beyond extractive industries, created by a reduction in demands for commodities, has also been met with enthusiasm by the business community. Speaking at the Focac summit in Joburg, Black Business Council chief executive Mohale Ralebitso said there was a need to move from the normality of “made in China” to “made in Africa, with China”. With the $60 billion investment package announced by the Chinese, they have positioned themselves to play a much bigger role in Africa’s industrialisation process, with various sectors standing to beneﬁt. Agriculture has emerged as one of the areas of focus. “In terms of Africa’s agricultural modernisation plan, Chinese enterprises must be involved to create more jobs and raise the incomes of African farmers. “We are very concerned about the poor harvests caused by the El Niño for many African farmers,” said Xi at the Focac high-level business engagement.

Beware of the debit order fraudsters

espite the Payment Association of South Africa’s (PASA’s) bid to crack down on illegal debit orders, fraudsters are back with a vengeance, says SmartCollect. PASA recently introduced a system whereby, if a company illicitly debits a consumer, they can be ﬁned as much as R1 000 per debit order. This means that if a service provider cannot prove they have a mandate to deduct money from an account, they are susceptible to a ﬁne. However, says SmartCollect, this system has not weeded out the fraud syndicates who continue to defraud unsuspecting consumers. MD Fred Ste ers notes, a er an initial decrease in fraud some syndicates were back in business using new names and addresses – mostly in and around Durban – plying their trade. “The holiday season has always been high season for fraudsters and this year will be no di erent. We have seen a

substantial increase in fraudulent activity and have recently closed the accounts of 12 companies who showed unusually high levels of disputed debit orders, which is usually a clear indication of fraud,” Ste ers said. He said many consumers became lax about checking bank statements during the holiday season and fraudsters know that and take advantage of this behaviour. “There is absolutely no excuse for not checking bank statements thoroughly – even when you’re on holiday. All the major banks now o er on-line services which makes it dead easy to stay on top of things.” Ste ers explains the “amounts these fraudsters deduct are usually just below R100 because they know that most banks send an SMS to a client when an amount larger that R100 is deducted,” which alerts clients to potential fraud. “An amount of R99 may sound like a small sum of money but when you multiply it by the hundreds of thousands of fraudulent debit orders these

fraudsters submit for payment you are talking about serious amounts of money,” Ste ers notes. Ste ers said his company, and other debit order processing companies, touch base with each other on a regular basis to exchange information on fraudsters in order to prevent a syndicate from hopping from company to company. “The interesting thing is the fact that it is the same individuals who keep popping up under di erent identities. It seems they have found ways and means of evading the law judging by the fact that very few of them have been prosecuted over the years.” He said it was impossible for the companies who processed debit orders to verify that the mandates on every debit order sent for processing by call centres and other users of debit orders was valid. “We don’t have access to their databases and even if we did, the sheer volume of transactions that are processed every month would make it impossible to check every single transaction.”

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

AMAZON

Women should have the audacity to dream –Treasure Durodola F u n k e Durodola remains a household name in broadcasting. Popularly called ‘Treasure’ on radio, it is a name which has stuck with her over the years. She is also the author of the book, Memories of Grandma. She is of the ﬁrm belief that women should always have the audacity to dream and develop their careers, in spite of seeming challenges. BUKOLA BAKARE writes.

any listeners find her voice soothing and are often in awe of her impeccable diction on air. Funke ‘Treasure’ Durodola has indeed become a household name on radio. Her incursion into broadcasting started in the eastern part of Nigeria in 1995 during her youth service, when she was posted to Abia State. According to her, “I remember that I started broadcasting from the orientation camp and from there, I was posted to the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, where I worked for four years.” Within a short space of time, she became a name on every lip from Aba to Calabar and Port-Harcourt to Onitsha. She recalled that one of the things that made her popular was the fact that she could pronounce some of the names and places peculiar to that part of the country quite well. As a result, there was this controversy that she must be Igbo or perhaps her mother was. There was no explanation for such competence and that was a feat for her, one that a lot of people who listened back then would never forget. Ironically, she couldn’t speak Igbo, even though she became a major newsreader. At the turn of the century, she moved to Lagos and joined Radio Nigeria, where she has been plying her trade in the past 15 years. Describing her experience, Durodola said there is a huge di erence between working with the state government and the Federal Government. She further explained: “Radio Nigeria is a huge platform; we may have our challenges but we still remain a force in the broadcast industry. Radio Nigeria is still the largest radio network in Africa and if you compare it with the likes of BBC, Radio France International, Voice of America or MPR, you just see that there are standards here and this is where you find professional contents in broadcasting. There is continually an a empt to keep the standards of radio broadcasting.” However, despite the fact that she can fly with her ideas, she bemoaned the fact the remuneration is not too good but comparatively, her job opens her up to a world of opportunities which remains one of the positives that come with working with Radio Nigeria. Hence, there is that pressure to be able to defend the network at all times. Durodola also doubles as an author, which is not too surprising, given her professional pedigree. So, what informed writing her book, Memories of Grandma? She said the book is about her grandparents: “I grew up with them and they used to come

and visit when I was growing up.” She saw them as libraries because at that time, they seemed to know everything and would be quick to provide answers to everything. In addition, she could always dive to them for protection whenever her parents were crossed with her. Thus, they provided the much needed shelter. “I thought I should share some of these memories, especially in these contemporary times where a lot of our moral values and cultures are being je isoned for all manner of foreign ideas and concepts, so I decided to put pen on paper and write. My maternal grandfather was a farmer and hunter while my maternal grandmother was a trader. On my father’s side, my paternal grandfather was also a farmer, while grandma was a food vendor.” Li le wonder, her younger siblings would often tease her that she would have ended up an akara vendor. The reason wasn’t far-fetched because her grandma sold akara in addition to ewedu and gbegiri in large quantities, so people who sold amala and such things would come and buy soup from her. She remembers these remarkable women with nostalgic yearning: “They were remarkable women; they were very industrious and you would always find them working. I am like that too, because I wake up to work. Consequently, I do not dread work because I just see it as a way of life. These were women who had dignity for whatever they did back then. They taught me the dignity of labour, to be contented with whatever it is that I have, they taught me to carry myself well.” Another notable thing was that her paternal grandmother was very sassy, vivacious and was a no-nonsense woman, she was quite fashionable. However, the other grandmother on whom Memories of Grandma centred on thee quie quiet si side. Shee a ce e was as o e S recalled that she was a gentle woman. She taught her er how not to answer back, even when people ople say hurtful things about her. She taught ht her not to hustle for something and just like Sefia A a says, everything good would uld come. She continued: “I think I got this media thing from my grandmother because she always had her radio on. There, I learnt the he culture of listening to the radio. My fatherr also was a radio person.” Somee of the programmes she used to listen to in n her teens included a lot of news and breakfast akfast shows. Particularly, she would listen sten to Deola Alagbe and Yanju Adegbitee on Y-Connect on BCOS while still a studentt of Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School in n Ijebu-Ode. Consequently, she would dress ress up in front of her mother’s mirror and nd pretend to be Ronke Ayuba, Ruth Benemasia-Opia nemasia-Opia at some point or Shola Omole, mole, who is now the DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Television Authority. She would mess with her mother’s make-up case because use she generally wanted to be like these people ople who read the news. “Tracing ng my evolution in broadcasting, it was easy for me to learn the ropes because I had listened tened to some of these people as a child. It was also easy for me to glide into news-reading ws-reading because I had always envisioned ed myself, so I wasn’t fidgety at all when en I went on air,” said Durodola a Her first first exposure was way y back in Adeyemii College of Education, ducation, where she did a project ect on the Odun un Oba Festival in Ondo Town. As the anchor, her course mates marvelled

and wondered if she had prior experience; Durodola just had an a nity for presentation. She also remembered vividly her presentation for her final project during her undergraduate days. She said, “I had to present for a group and at the end, everyone just said, that’s Funke reporting (chuckles). These were pointers to what I would eventually become later in life. I actually went to the orientation camp with a radio and a lot of casse es and we would wake up the entire camp, we had shifts. It was just a natural thing for me to be posted to the state broadcasting service. I was a news producer, I was writing commentaries and press reviews. It was after my service year that I got into presentation.” As a woman in a highly competitive field, there are challenges, especially those that professional women go through. Durodola stressed that a woman has to “prove her me le 10 times over than the man.” If a man is on the same level with you at work, he doesn’t have to prove anything but you have to prove that you are fit for the job that you have been given and show results. Aside that, you also have normal issues that woman have; it’s either you are having children or issues with your health. If it becomes an issue at work, you have to learn to manage your health. Men outnumber the women in most o ces. In the media, people think women outnumber the men. The theme for this year’s World Radio Day was ‘Gender and Women Empowerment’ and people raised eyebrows. The question is what are we doing? Are we at the bo om or at the top? Are we breaking the glass ceiling? How many of us are entrepreneurs in broadcasting and in management positions? We have more women in Radio Nigeria. A woman is the General Manager in Metro FM and twice, we have had women as Acting DGs at

Durodola

Radio Nigeria, but if you compare these to what the men have achieved, we still have a long way to go but we can catch up.” With regards to developing a career and marriage commitments, she emphatically stated that it is not easy to juggle both worlds. “It is a huge challenge, especially when the woman has to travel. Men don’t think twice when they have to travel and leave their wives at home but a woman has to think twice. You begin to wonder if you will come back to meet your home intact, will you meet your husband, what will your in-laws say? These are burning questions. You also have issues with your domestic wellbeing. I know some women give up some fellowship opportunities. In my case, I don’t know how I have been able to cope but I have been favoured by God to have someone who has supported me, so he’ll never take such things for granted. I get fellowship opportunities almost every other week but I can’t go because I just came back from one, so you have to constantly look at how this ﬁts into your life as a wife and a mother and how do you create the much needed balance as a professional. As a woman, you have to keep weighing your opportunities and your overall wellbeing as a woman. You cannot just change the system to suit you but men will. You cannot just travel as a married woman because there are other things involved and this could hurt at times,” she admi ed. In spite of all these challenges, Durodola’s message to women remains clear: she doesn’t subscribe to the saying that women should be seen and not heard. “I, for one, have not been able to keep my mouth shut for years, so I am one of those women people hear on a daily basis. If I am not talking on radio, I am airing my views on the internet; I keep talking because women need to be heard. Women develop the world and we have some who have not represented us well but if you take a critical look, there are some women who have made progressive e orts to steer the course of history. On my turf, women in media have contributed milestones, you can talk of Anike Agbaje-Williams of WNTV, we remember the contributions of Seine Allwell-Brown, Lola Alakija etc; these were people who glamourised the news and they were professionals. You couldn’t help but look at their geles. I also remember Julie Coker. These women by choosing to be visible made it possible for others to be there. Ruth Benemesia-Opia led a sterling professional life on TV. She had a distinguished career. If you meet with her today, on and o TV, her diction is excellent and her professional candour is fabulous. These are women who refuse to be silent. My mentors include Boma Kaliawo and Elele Coker. These women made it possible for some of us to have the audacity to dream.”

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014

CUISINE Wines et al

Tayo Olanipekun

08032319698

tayo.olanipekun@mydailynewswatchng.com

Merlot: Wine with versatile styles

M Array of Lebanese food

From Calabar with love

he bar is a classic: glasses hanging upside from holders at the top of the bar, further above the glasses are li ered with plaques and whatnots, possibly from the travels of the owner of the restaurant. Pre y basic atmosphere, especially with the dark wood ceiling, which leaves a lot to be desired, but the fact that this restaurant is based in Calabar gives you hope that the food will, at least, be decent. And before you start imagining all the local cuisines on your plate, it serves continental cuisine and its Lebanese cuisine has some legends. If you are not too hungry or you are hesitant about trying new meals, you can try the shrimp salad, or some of the basics like salad, fries and burgers. The best part is, everything on their menu is really available, at least, according to a diner, who found that most restaurants in that part of the town have meals on their menus that are not available.

Classic Burger

Yes, it is available but the time it takes to get to your table is something you will not be happy with. Depending on your order, you might have to wait, for close to 30 minutes or less, but it comes fresh and steaming hot as required. From Hummus, Sfeeha, Ko a, Shish taouk and other dishes, you will ﬁnd something to please you and your palate.

erlot (Pronounced Merl-oh) is the third most planted red wine grape in South Africa. Merlot grape is reputed for higher sugar content and lower malic acid. Merlot-based wines usually have medium body with hints of berry, plum, and currant. Its so ness and “fleshiness,” combined with its earlier ripening, has helped to make it one of the most popular red wine varietals in the United States and Chile too. This varietal is fruit-driven with plum and cherry flavours manifesting less tannin and smoother finish. Merlot wines are pocketfriendly and excellent for food pairing. It also tends to taste fruitier and thus inherently sweeter. However, compared to other varietals, say Cabernet Sauvignon, even if both wines are produced in the same manner from the same area, Cabernet Sauvignon will usually taste bolder because of its high tannin content. For merlot to be as bold, however, the grape must have been grown from the hillside making for smaller grapes which give more intense and tannic wines. Thus, it is always instructive to read the label on the wine bo le to learn about the region the grape was grown as the flavour of your Merlot will largely depend on the climate of that region. For instance, Merlot from Bordeaux tastes much more savoury than that from California. This is because cool climate region (aka ‘old world’) produces wines with higher acidity and more subtle fruit flavours and wines from such climates tend to taste more savoury, unlike the hot climate region (aka ‘new world’) which produces wines with body and bolder fruit flavours. Merlot from hot climates will thus have increased alcohol content and taste inherently sweeter. Given the relatively cheap cost and the excellent food pairing nature of Merlot, it is can be indulged by anyone in moderate quantity and it is available in the local market.

Sfeeha

Easy and Smooth Hummu

If you would like your restaurant, bar, lounge and/or wine stock featured on this page, kindly get in touch via oseyitayo1@yahoo.com Tel: 08032319698

Cuisine 13-12-2015.indd 1

12/10/15 9:08 PM

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION Making difficult decisions in turbulent times N

apoleon Bonaparte once said that, “Nothing is more di cult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.” He recognized that a few critical decisions put leaders to the test. In turbulent times, some leaders make tough choices with courage and conviction. Others cannot cope with the complexity and uncertainty. They remain indecisive, and their rivals gain the upper hand. Like Napoleon, today’s business leaders must cope with a great deal of ambiguity as they make important choices about the future. They face uncertainty with regard to world politics, macroeconomic growth and stability, technology and changing consumer tastes. Many worry that an unknown event will transform their entire industry in a ma er of a few weeks or months. Most executives find ways to cope with this uncertainty. They adopt strategies for simplifying complex situations so that they can make decisions quickly and e ectively. These strategies enable managers to make sense of a confusing situation. In this article, I describe seven strategies that leaders can employ to cope with ambiguity and complexity as they make critical decisions. The strategies are reasoning by analogy, imitation, rules of thumb, reformulation, deference to experts, rigorous debate, and experimentation. These strategies often prove very e ective because they enable leaders to make accurate judgments under stressful conditions. Unfortunately, each of these strategies has serious drawbacks as well. When employing these techniques, many leaders draw the wrong conclusions, make biased estimates, pursue flawed policies, or impede the development of commitment within their management teams. Thus, leaders must use these strategies with great care. 1. REASONING BY ANALOGY Business leaders often draw analogies with past experiences when faced with a complex problem. They draw comparisons to similar situations or circumstances from their past or the history of other organizations, and deduce certain lessons from those experiences. John Rau, a former CEO and business school dean, argues that analogies provide a wealth of information: “The fundamental laws of economics, production, financial processes and human behaviour and interaction do not change from company to company or industry to industry. Reading about other companies makes me a be er decision maker because it provides a store of analogies.” (J. Rau, “Two Stages of Decision Making,” Management Review, December 1999). Indeed, researchers have shown that people in a variety of fields, from foreign policy to firefighting, reason by analogy as a means of coping with complexity and ambiguity. Analogies prove especially useful when decision-makers do not have access to complete information and do not have the time or ability to conduct a comprehensive analysis of alternatives. They enable people to diagnose a complex situation very quickly and to identify a manageable set of options for serious consideration. Unfortunately, most analogies are imperfect. No two situations are identical. Many decision-makers spot the similarities between situations very quickly, but they often ignore critical di erences. In foreign policy, o cials often refer to the “Munich analogy” when making decisions. When confronted with international aggression, many world leaders argue against appeasement by drawing comparisons to Hitler’s belligerence during the 1930s. They argue that British Prime Minister Chamberlain’s decision to appease Hitler in 1938 actually encouraged him to pursue further expansion. Political scientists Richard Neustadt and Ernest May point out, however, that not every situation parallels the circumstances in Europe in the late 1930s. For example, they argue that President Truman would have been well served to identify the di erences, as well as the similarities, between Korea in 1950 and Czechoslovakia in 1938. Ignoring these distinctions may have impaired the United States’ strategy during the Korean conflict. Business leaders often draw imperfect analogies as well. Take the recent dot-com boom, for example. Several market research firms projected the growth of on-line advertising by drawing analogies between the internet and other forms of media. They examined the historical growth in advertising in other media industries and projected Internet growth by selecting the analogy that they deemed

most appropriate. In doing so, they failed to recognize the critical di erences between the Web and other media such as television and radio. Similarly, many research firms project the demand for new technologies by drawing analogies to the adoption rates for VCRs, personal computers and cellphones. Again, the di erences among these technologies are often rather striking, yet they receive scant a ention. 2. IMITATION When faced with uncertainty and environmental turbulence, some business leaders emulate the strategies and practices of other highly successful firms. After all, why reinvent the wheel; one way to simplify a complex problem is to find someone who has already solved it. Learning from others can pay huge dividends. At General Electric, former CEO Jack Welch launched a major best practice initiative in 1988. He credits this initiative with fundamentally changing the way that GE does business and produces substantial productivity gains. Welch and his management team identified approximately 20 organizations that had long track records of more rapid productivity growth than GE. For more than a year, GE managers studied a few of these firms very closely. They borrowed ideas liberally

from these organizations and adapted others’ strategies and processes to fit GE’s businesses. For instance, they learned “Quick Market Intelligence” from Wal-Mart and new product development methods from Hewle -Packard and Chrysler. Over time, imitating others became a way of life at GE, and it produced amazing results. All of this learning sounds wonderful, but imitation has its drawbacks. In many industries, firms engage in “herd behaviour.” They begin to adopt similar business strategies, rather than develop and preserve unique sources of competitive advantage. Take, for example, the credit card industry. Many firms have tried to emulate the highly successful business model developed by Capital One. Over time, company marketing and distribution policies have begun to look alike, rivalry has intensified, and industry profitability has eroded. Consider too the many instances in which a leading firm decides to merge with a rival, touching o a wave of copycat acquisitions throughout an industry. In times of great turbulence and ambiguity, executives may feel safe imitating their rivals rather than going out on a limb with a novel business strategy. However, the essence of

good strategy is to develop a unique system of activities that enables the organization to di erentiate itself from the competition or to deliver products and services at a lower cost than its rivals. Simply copying the strategies and practices of rival firms will not produce a unique and defensible strategic position. It takes great courage to stand alone when rivals engage in herd behaviour, but it can pay huge dividends. Being di erent does not mean that a firm refuses to learn from others. For instance, General Dynamics studied its rivals very closely during the turmoil in the defence industry in the early 1990s, and observed that many firms had decided to pursue commercial diversification to compensate for diminishing military spending. The company’s historical analysis indicated that aerospace firms had not fared well during past diversification e orts. Therefore, it chose to focus on defence despite the precipitous decline in industry demand. Many rivals ridiculed this strategy at the time. Yet for the past decade, General Dynamics has generated shareholder returns well in excess of that of most large competitors. 3. RULES OF THUMB In many situations, managers cope with ambiguity and complexity by adopting a rule of thumb, or heuristic, to simplify a complicated decision. These shortcuts reduce the amount of information that decision-makers need to process, and shorten the time required to analyze a complex problem. Often, an entire industry or profession adopts a common rule of thumb. For example, mortgage lenders assume that consumers should spend no more than 28 percent of their gross monthly income on mortgage payments and other home-related expenses. This provides a simple method for weeding out consumers with high default risk. Computer hardware engineers and software programmers have adopted many rules of thumb to simplify their work. Many of us are familiar with one such rule, Moore’s Law, which predicts that the processing power of computer chips will double approximately every 18 months. Finally, the conventional wisdom in the venture capital industry used to suggest that firms should demonstrate four consecutive quarters of profits before launching an initial public o ering. Alas, many venture capitalists regret abandoning this rule during the dot-com frenzy of the late 1990s. Many executives also develop heuristics for their own firms. For instance, Dennis Kozlowski, CEO of Tyco International, uses a few rules of thumb to simplify his firm’s acquisition screening and evaluation process. Tyco considers hundreds of potential acquisition targets per year. Conducting an in-depth analysis of each firm would take enormous time and e ort. To streamline the decision process, Kozlowski and his management team only consider deals that are friendly and immediately accretive to earnings. These two rules of thumb enable managers to weed out una ractive deals very quickly and to conserve precious organizational resources.

How to start a dreadful conversation

Peter Bregman anticipated that the conversation would be di cult. Shari and I had worked together for many years, and I knew she was expecting me to hire her to run a leadership program for one of my clients, Ganta, a hightech company. But I didn’t think Shari was the right ﬁt for Ganta or, frankly, for the role of running the leadership training. In fact, I had become increasingly critical of her recent performance, though I hadn’t mentioned anything to her about it yet. That was my ﬁrst mistake. I should have said something before it got to this point. So why didn’t I? I’d love to claim that it was because I liked her, and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Or because I hoped things would get be er without my intervention. And while those things were true, there was a deeper truth: I was afraid of the cringe moment. Do you know that uneasy moment – right as you’re saying something that feels risky, but before the person responds? That’s the cringe moment. In other words, I delayed speaking with Shari because I was afraid of how I would feel giving her the negative feedback: awkward, uncomfortable, and maybe even unreasonable.

But I couldn’t avoid it anymore. And because I had waited so long, the conversation promised to be even more awkward and uncomfortable. And now that she was ge ing a more extreme message with no warning, I would feel – and appear – even more unreasonable. The cringe quotient had gone up. The day of the di cult conversation, I felt anxious as Shari came into my o ce. We shared a few pleasantries and then I began. I told her that I knew she wanted to run the leadership program at Ganta. I talked to her about the complexities and challenges of the leadership program and of Ganta in general. And I spoke with her about my frustrations with her recent performance. She asked me questions and I o ered explanations and examples. I did such a good job avoiding the cringe moment that, 30 minutes into the conversation, I still had not clearly communicated to Shari whether I was ﬁring her or hiring her. My build-up was equally appropriate as context for either. Finally, she did it for me. “So,” she asked, “Are you saying that you don’t want me to lead this program or you do?” Now that I’m aware of it, I see my own behavior in leaders everywhere. Standing in front of the room, one senior VP slowly

constructed a case to close a business. But he never got to his conclusion as people began debating unimportant details related to his argument before they even knew where he was headed. In another case, a CEO sat in a meeting of department heads with the intention of telling them she was creating a new position to which they would all report. But she lost them as she spent the ﬁrst 20 minutes giving context to a decision she hadn’t yet announced. As one person later told me, “All of the context was lost on me as I was trying to guess what she was ge ing at. It was a complete waste of time.” The intellectual reason we build a case, or give context, to a di cult decision before announcing it is because we want to convey that the decision is well-thought out, rational, and an inevitable conclusion to the facts. But since the listeners don’t know what decision is being made, they have no context for the context and it all feels meaningless. The emotional reason we give such long introductions to hard decisions is because we are procrastinating. We’re delaying the cringe feeling. But this delay is counterproductive; it only stretches and deepens the discomfort of everyone involved.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

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JUST JUSTICE

NAFDAC officials in N1.85million bribery scandal over drug registration Folake Sokoya

wo top officials of the Abeokuta office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control NAFDAC) are currently enmeshed in a bribe allegation to the tune of N1million. The officers known as Mr. Orji and his colleague, Mr. Dilo, both staff of the Abeokuta office of NAFDAC, were said to have collected the sum of N1million from Mr. Taiwo Aremu to help him escape from NAFDAC. According to Mr. Aremu, whose company, Onigboho Ventures, produces popular herbal drink, Doro Webo, he landed in the hands Orji and Dilo after his workers were arrested in Abeokuta. While talking to this paper, Aremu stated that before he met Orji and Dilo, he had fallen to a dubious man who pretended to be an agent of the agency. He told this newspaper that the earlier man collected the sum of N1.5million and ended up providing a fake NAFDAC registration number for Doro Webo.

When he met Mr. Orji, who was confirmed to be an employee of the agency, Aremu heaved a sigh of relief that the dubious days were over until it turned out to be another fraud coming from within the agency. Narrating his ordeal, Aremu said he met Orji after his workers were arrested in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. “Somebody called me from Abeokuta that they needed our products. I quickly sent my workers to do the supply. After almost six hours, we didn’t see them return. We became worried at the factory and set out to look for them. We went to Abeokuta and after searcheing the entire town, we found them at Ibara Police Station. They had been arrested by NAFDAC men led by Orji and I was asked to pay N1million to get my workers released. The N1million, they called it ‘settlement’. Part of the bail condition was that we must provide the man who produced the fake NAFDAC number. We set out for the man named Dele Afolabi and he was arrested,” he said. Speaking further, Aremu disclosed how Orji later approached him with a promise to help him facilitate a genuine NAFDAC registration number, “After my workers were

released, he (Orji) came to me with the promise of processing a genuine NAFDAC number for my product. He demanded for the sum of N850, 000 which I paid again. To my greatest surprise, he did not produce any NAFDAC number. Instead, he has been leading different groups of NAFDAC officials to harass us in the market. Recently, a team of NAFDAC officials stormed the Nimask store and PIC store at Agege market and Trade Fair complex respectively to raid the product, Doro Webo, from the said distributor’s stores on the ground that the product is not market worthy. Meanwhile, Aremu has since, through the help of another person, approached the office of the agency in Oshodi, Lagos and the product has since passed all the stages of tests. The product is at the verge of getting the NAFDAC number after the agency conducted its routine acute toxicity test on the product. The production factory for Doro Webo also got a certificate of pest control and fumigation from LASEPA approved So-clean Nigerian Services. When we tried getting his side of the story, Mr. Orji did not confirm nor deny the allegation of collecting

The ofﬁcers known as Mr. Orji and Dilo, both staff of the Abeokuta ofﬁce of NAFDAC, were said to have collected the sum of N1million from Mr. Taiwo Aremu to enable him escape from NAFDAC

money but denied leading his team to raid Doro Webo from the market. “I am not aware of this allegation. I have been seriously sick and just recovering. If his products are raided in the market, I am just hearing it for the first time from you.”

Assassination attempt: Accused to be remanded in prison

here was a mild drama at the Igbosere Court in Lagos, recently, when one Nojeem Raheem created a scene by vomiting and passing out excreta as a Black Maria awaited him for his onward journey to the Ikoyi Prison. Raheem was accused of being the mastermind of an attack on Baale of Abijo, Alhaji Akibu Alarape, in March this year at his palace in IbejuLekki, Lagos. It would be recalled that Raheem, with some thugs fully armed in a Lagos State commercial bus, stormed the palace, and one of them, intending to kill the Baale, fired a shot at close range but missed. The bullet hit and

Baale of Abijo

perforated a floor tile at the entrance and inside the palace, scrapping the wall slightly above his head and chopping-off the edge of a wall photo frame. As everyone ran for safety, a few of the thugs chased to assassinate him. A source said the attack was led by Raheem with some armed thugs namely, Tajudeen Raji, Moshood Azeez, Otunba Tunde, Mustapha Isheti, Yemi Kilanko (a.k.a FIRE), Alaba Osoba, Ayo and Ubah. Meanwhile, Raji, Azeez and Osoba were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate court in Lagos by the operatives of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Alagbon Close, Lagos, on a four count charge. Raheem that was said to have been at large was recently apprehended at a village called Awoyaya in Lagos. According to a reliable source, police from the Alagbon X SQUAD has been on his trail for some time. “It was on Friday (penultimate week) that they were able to arrest him, he was taken to custody and charged to court. We learnt that immediately he was asked to be taken to prison, he started vomiting and even passed out excreta on his body. These he did with the claim that he was sick. Magistrate W. Balogun of Court 7 Igbosere, Lagos, has adjourned the case to December 15, 2015.

Nojeem

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Dayo Emmanuel 08033374017

Terrorism, product of failed parenthood, only surmountable by prayers – Aromolaran The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Covenant of Peace Parish, last week, held its special program, 365 hallelujahs which a racted thousands of worshipers from Ikorodu and beyond. Pastor of the parish, Pastor Olaitan Aromolaran, in this interview with DAYO EMMANUEL, explains the reason for the programme and what beneﬁt it holds for members and participants. According to him, it is a covenant with God for the congregation to shout 365 hallelujahs to subdue the coming year. He also stated that terrorism which the world is collectively ba ling today comes as a reason of failed parents who now have children they cannot discipline under their rules.

hat is the reason and uniqueness of the 365 hallelujahs programme? This years program is the fourth edition. The story behind it is quite interesting. Many years ago, I was trying to know what to do for life. I met pastor Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian

Church of God, not physically though. We had some deep discussions. Later he was to come to Ikorodu for Letsgo-A-Fishing program. Then I was privileged to meet him. I was someone struggling, I couldn’t feed myself but there was something in me pushing me to do something for God. I saw that the carpet the church was using on the podium was not too beﬁ ing.

Dokpesi, Izeze, other media managers eulogise Alli at funeral Pg 36

I went to borrow money, I bought a red rug. I can’t forget that, so I put it on the podium for use. So as soon as he left, it became my property. It became my prayer mat for years and I remember I said one day I would be gathering crowd like him. To me I couldn’t explain why I made that prayer to God but after some years, in 2012, the Lord brought that picture to me and He said, it is time for you to gather crowd for Him. We started then, it was the days of li le beginning in 2012 though it’s still a day of li le beginning this year as well, though the Lord took us higher. I was out of the country at a time and the Lord spoke to me. He said I should get ready to make seats available for 50,000 people, to me it was a height di cult to a empt, but in obedience to Him. I made an a empt, we went

Legal battle between CCC, Oyo govt adjourned till Jan 27

Pg 37

Continued on Page 34

Aromolaran

How Donnie McClurkin rose from child abuse, homosexuality to Pg 38 stardom

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Terrorism, product of failed parenthood, only surmountable by prayers Continued from Page 33

to rent 2,500 dozens, so we were and I told God ‘if you know the number of my friends, my entire family, if we rent ﬁve dozens it would be enough, if you mention my father’s name, it can’t gather crowd.’ But you know the name of God is a strong tower and that day came, we saw what we saw like when I was interviewed yesterday, I said words can’t explain what we say the best way is to experience it. It is always a night to shout 365 hallelujahs to subdue the coming year. It is a covenant and God always visit us with miracles. Some can say it is because of your anointing in the area of singing that a racts crowd, can you say it is a factor? It can be a factor, but there are several be er singers that can sing and preach be er than I. But I think it is the God factor, if it is preaching or signing, every pastor or every singer should be able to gather crowd. Can you mention certain happenings at the event? Yes, as we were ge ing prepared to hold the program for the 365 hallelujahs, God spoke to me that next year is going to be a busy year and the word ‘busy’ is pregnant. It is going to be busy for some people, going to be good for some people, its going to be otherwise for some people but we have been praying for mercy, He said mercy will be more active for people, it is going to take people to where they never thought they could get to. It will take judgement away from people, when mercy is at display impossibility will become impossible. I believe it is going to be a year to a ain seemingly impossible height, people that have been wri en o , you will just see them because of the mercy of God, doing what nobody thought they could do. Any message for the New Year? I believe you know God loves Nigeria

Aromolaran

and I remember Pastor Adeboye always said it will be well, people always struggle to believe because the more he says that, it seems di cult, but now even the blind can see that it is going to be be er and what we need to seek is more of God because with more of God, there is more manifestation of His power. We can see so many Churches springing up but it doesn’t seem to check the vices in the society, how do you react to this? We have not seen anything yet, more Churches would still come to the lime light. The closer we are to the end time, more of such will happen, you can’t stop it, it is one of

the prophecies in the Bible, but to say they are not making physical impact, I will not easily believe that because, it is not easy to evaluate spiritual things. Though there are some that are there to make money, then you can’t say the righteous ones too are not there. Even if there is a law in Nigeria today that checks establishment of churches or mosques, there will still be more Churches, you cannot stop prophecies. The world is ﬁghting terrorism now, how do you see the role of the Church in this ba le? Curbing terrorism to me starts from the homes. The homes are important in this ba le. I grew up under a ﬁerce woman, my mother. But then, I still

went the way I went. But each time I smoked and did other things, I would always remember her sayings that I would be a pastor in future. Curbing terrorism depends on the roles of the parents; it is not enough sending them to schools, paying fees and the rest. I believe everyone that gets involve in terrorism can be traced to failure from the homes. There are people that cannot hurt a ﬂy, but they turn out to be something else when the parents fail. There is work to be done by the parents. We must be prayerful. What is the social responsibility of your parish to its immediate environment? One of my concerns is social responsibility. It is my personal opinion. Like the RCCG I belong to is trying, but I believe we can do more. I would not have been able to speak English today; I wouldn’t have been able to access medical facilities today just like many others, if not for the missionaries. Even the Muslims a est to it that the hospitals we have today in Nigeria, started from the missionaries. To me it is not all about preaching heaven. Here in this our local place, we sponsor people in schools, we do so many things that we cannot be speaking and publishing on the pages of the newspapers. To me, the gospel is for the people, there is nothing you can do that can make God bigger, there is nothing you do that can add to God, He cannot be more glorious by your activities. He said when I was sick, he did not mention that you did not give me your tithe, all he said was when I was sick, I when I was in prison, when I was hungry. They asked him, but we didn’t see you sir, he said, when you did not do it to any of these, you have not done it to me. I believe the Church is doing its best, but we can still be be er.

CAC crisis: Ruling for Feb 23 on amended criminal charges

Olusakin Babalola,Ibadan

Federal High Court si ing in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital will on February 23 next year, rule on the two applications argued by the counsel to the two accused persons charged with conspiracy and forgery of the certiﬁcate of incorporation of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC)World Wide. The two accused persons in the 24 year old crisis of the CAC )being tried by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel are the immediate past General Secretary of the church Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh and Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Mohammed former Director of Corporate A airs Commission. Pastor Elijah H.Oluseye, the immediate former President of the Church who was an accused person in the old charge has been removed from the list of accused persons as contained in the new charge. In a new seven count charge number FHC/IB/992011 ﬁled against the two

remaining accused on 6th of November 2015 in Ibadan ,it was stated “that you, Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh ‘M’ ,Mr. Abdul Hakeem ‘M’ and others at large on or about 7th day of December, 1995 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire with each other to fraudulently procure a certificate of registration of Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria No 147 of 1995 from Corporate A airs Commission Abuja when you know that the original and valid certificate of registration bearing the same No 147 of 1985 of the same Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria was in possession of Late Pastor N.E Udofia and you thereby commi ed an o ence contrary to section 518(7) of criminal code act ,cap 77 laws of the Federation of 2004 and punishable under the same section of the act. Addressing court yesterday counsel to the two accused, Michael Lana said that the first application filed on the 16th of November 2015 is seeking for an order

striking out the new charge against his clients while the application ﬁled on 24th of November 2015 is an appeal before the appellate court challenging the re-arraignment of the two accused persons based on constitution . He submi ed that the two accused cannot be re-arraigned under the new charge because there is still an appeal pending before the court of appeal base on the old charge that involved his clients and the former president of CAC General Executive Council faction Pastor Howard Elijah Olusheye. However, counsel to the prosecution Barrister Kareem Salawu told the court that section 395(2) of the constitution forbids court allowing the accused person whose plea has not been taken to be heard or enjoy any beneﬁt before it. He argued ed that in the new book, Administration of Criminal Justice (AJA) ,section 396 it was stated that before the accused can raise any objection or argue applications, he

must have submi ed himself to the jurisdiction of the court through taking of his plea which is not so in this case . Salawu therefore urged the court to dismiss the two applications and directed the two accessed to take their plea. It would be recalled that Pastor Oluseye about a couple of months ago, did restitution and ﬁled an a davit to discontinue with litigation because he did not want to compromise his eternity adding that truly they forged certiﬁcate of the Church (in 1991) which was the bone of contention was not an authentic one. His a davit prompted the desire of the state counsel to now use him as a prosecution witness against the remaining accused persons. Pastor Oluseye was consequently sanctioned by his former faction which has stopped all his entitlements as the former President and also removed him from member of Board of Trustees of the Church.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

o the glory of God alone, you have been preserved in the year 2015 and I pray for you that nothing shall stop you from a triumphant entry into 2016 in Jesus name. I hope you understand my prayer? A triumphant entry connotes an entry without backlogs of promises and prophecies, an entry without sicknesses, worries or debts. This will be possible because God will show up for you within the last two weeks remaining in this year and se le you in Jesus name. How big are your challenges before the Alpha and Omega who manages the a airs of the entire and the earth? If you can believe and say a believing amen, God will speedily perfect all that concerns you in Jesus name. However, sequel to some of the topics we have been looking at over the past few weeks, I want us to once again look at the place of preparation for the New Year. In this scenario, I will liken the year 2016 to a house. How do you build a house? First and foremost, you count the cost according to the scripture above and ensure that you have what it takes to complete it. All around you will see unfinished housing projects, started but without the necessary means to complete; receive the grace and the means to complete yours in the name of Jesus. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Luke 14:28-30 An uncompleted project connotes an abandoned dream and a frustrated e ort. It also connotes wasted resources both time and material. An uncompleted project is a symbol of frustration and mockery. You will not su er shame

+2348030752799, +2348053695097. femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

Count the cost

again in Jesus name. A completed project connotes achievement, accomplishment, a gratifying e ort and a symbol of pride and completion. Sir/ Ma, I will like you to compare the year 2015 in your life to a building project and critically appraise to see if it will fall under completed or uncompleted. When the year is likened to an uncompleted project, it means the year was frustrating, it means the e orts put in to get quality results all through the year only led to mediocre results, it means it was a year of worries, of unfulﬁlled promises and many closed doors. It also means it was a year where it seemed as if the heavens were shut and the earth was made of brass. A year that help either trickled down or it was completely unavailable. However, when a year is likened to a completed project, it means satisfaction is a word to describe it with. It means you were able to accomplish your dreams, you enjoyed favour, you saw the fulﬁlment of promises and prophecies, you enjoyed showers of blessings and the book of that year can be closed satisfactorily. Sir/Ma, honestly speaking how is the year 2015, completed or uncompleted? Either ways, the God who is never late but shows up to wipe away the tears of man will show up within the next two weeks and deliver your balance for the year in Jesus name. Listen to

07036022317 Email kenny4impact@gmail.com

Let’s talk about sex

the following grave consequences. 1. Spiritual consequence- soul ties, evil transfer/flows. 2. Physical consequence- unwanted pregnancy, abortion. 3. Emotional consequencesguilt, shame and regret. How can you honor God with your body? First by waiting until you are married to engage in sex, set boundaries in every engaged relationship, if a brother is violating your boundaries, FLEE, run away, avoid it like a plague, and dress in a godly way by not exposing your private parts, i.e. navel, breasts, waist etc. Second, if you find it difficult to control your body, go for a deliverance ministration. Anything you can’t control is demonic. No matter your past or mistakes, you can still be sexually pure. I invite you to pray the following prayer of commitment to seal you decision please say it out loud, wholeheartedly and with faith. Jesus Christ, you are lord, the son son of God, and the only way to heaven. I surrender and re dedicate my body to you as a living temple of the Holy Ghost. Forgive me for my past sexual sins. Let the blood of Jesus purify my soul, spirit and body. I receive the grace to live a life of sexual purity. Help me God in jesus name. Amen. I SEE GREATNESS IN YOU

Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke

Kehinde Agbele

ave you ever been in a church and heard the minister say, ‘our message today is sex? If that should happen in a church setting, I believe people will be shocked and have a thought that the minister is carnal, but I don’t believe people will leave. But the general message we have heard from our churches, and families is that sex is unholy or dirty and should not be discussed. In fact, if you suggest to your pastor that sir, we would like you to do a teaching on sex, he might look you as someone carnal, and we have allow the world to define the subject of sex in his own way, whereas God instituted sex. I will be using this platform to open your understanding to the kingdom view of sex. Let’s go, let me ask you

better prepares you for marriage and God says taste in the marriage covenant. Gary chapman one of the leading marriage counsellors in the world said in his book, Things I wished I had known before I married that In today’s sexually-open culture, many youths have been sexually active before marriage, the commonlyheld idea is that sexual experience before marriage better prepares you for marriage. All research indicates otherwise. In fact,the divorce rate among thosewho had previous sexual experience is twice as high as those who have had no sexual experience before marriage. The reality becomes a psychological barrier in achieving sexual unity in marriage. Ladies hear this, any guy who cannot wait till marriage before sex in a relationship will definitely not wait after marriage. For you not to be a victim you must understand that the male is physically designed to be a giver, men are almost always ready to give sexually. This is natural, while a lady is an emotional being and also a receiver, that is why a man can have sex with several ladies because his emotions is not tied to it, a lady equates sex with love and have her hearts and emotions involved when she commits the sexual act, it is more of a physical release with men as opposed to an emotional act. Pre-marital sex have

Destiny Hour

Youthful & Useful

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.1 Cor 6v18

this, prayers made on this platform are inspired but they will not accomplish themselves except man is ready to take responsibility for their fulﬁlment and own them. If you can own these prayers just like Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 owned his destiny and prayed down turn around for his own situation, God will perfect all that concerns you in Jesus name. Amen. Ladies and Gentlemen, for 2016 to become a completed project and not an abandoned one, the Bible says YOU MUST COUNT THE COST. The question to ask at this junction therefore is this, how do I count the cost? Whatever you can se le in the spiritual is already solved in the physical. The lack of preparation we su er from is more of spiritual preparation than physical. As we speak or read now, quite a number of us have already determined and decided how to come about children’s school fees; how to feed in 2016, what project to invest in etc.; however how prepared are you spiritually? Have you prayed and fasted? Have you meditated through the word of God on what God wants you to accomplish for the year 2016? This is the time to sharpen your spiritual antenna and pick up signals early in preparation for a grand year. Yes, you have decided on certain resolutions but that is not enough!! Count the cost of a fulﬁlling year in the place of prayer

and fasting. Not just church prayer and fasting, be disciplined to call a personal fast and pray. This is how to count the cost. Buy over 2016 for your favour in prayers, clear the year as you clear the land for building in the place of prayer; any powers that will want to stop you from actualizing the plan of God, let the Holy Ghost ﬁre deal with them early. Begin to nurture a sure foundation for the year 2016 as you prayerfully receive scriptures that will be the backbone and the cornerstone of your year. Your 2016 building will not be an abandoned project but a completed one in the name of Jesus. However, an unbeliever or one who has lost touch with God is allowed to be a victim of uncompleted projects. If your 2015 was not what it should be and you know in your heart right now that is due to the fact that you need Jesus then get ready to say yes to Him Now!!!!! The process is simple: •Believe in your heart that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. •Believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary paying the price for your sins and rose from the dead the third day to establish your victory •Confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and saviour. •Repent of all sins before the Lord and forsake them. •Welcome into God’s family. Now you can enjoy and experience true healing of the soul. Please locate a bible believing church and share you new-birth experience with the church leaders. For further prayer & counseling, pleases contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Plot A22 Power Crescent, Arab road, Kubwa. Abuja 2348030752799, 2348053695097

this question, how did you learn about sex? The truth is that many young people have learnt about sex from pornographic magazines or internet, movies, peers, biology books, and sexual experimentation during youth, but sometimes none of these sources can give an accurate information. In this last days, sex is one of the tools that the devil is using to capture the destinies of many young people. As I type this, I sense this and I pray that every virtue that you have lost as a result of sex, recover it now in Jesus name. So what is God’s view about sex, God is not negative about sex because God created it. Please check genesis 1:28. Every baby is born as a sexual creature with the potential to have a sexual relationship as an adult. God is negative only about the mis-use of sex, because God designed sex within marriage for procreation, to seal a blood covenant, and for enjoyment. But the world system says taste it first before marriage, because sexual experience before marriage

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

EACE BE STILL “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mk. 4:39). Life is pressure prone and when pressure of life increases, we are hit by worry. No one is insulated from the storms of life. And Jesus made this clear to His disciples when He said “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). In this world, we shall be faced with trouble but we are encouraged to be brave, bold, and cheer up for Christ has overcome the world. He has conquered the world. Victory is certain. Triumph is guaranteed. No ma er what you are passing through, peace is your heritage for Jesus Himself is the Prince of Peace. The world news is a catalogue of evil report, hurricanes here, tornadoes there, earthquakes here and there. Every time, there are natural calamities, accidents, devastations, and evil winds blowing all over the place. In families waves of unexpected storms of sickness hit hard, bringing worry in their wake, causing faith to be blown o , and uprooting the hope of survival, leaving us with terrifying experience of being lost or left alone. Yet our God is faithful. He said He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). When you pass through water He will be with you and through the river it will not overflow you. When you pass through fire, it will not burn you neither will the flame kindle upon you: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isa 43:2 NRSV). Jesus indeed is a shelter from the storm of life; He will provide shade from the heat of the sun and a place of shelter and protection from storms and rain (Isa. 4:6). Have you been hit by the storm of life and it seems your life was going to suddenly come to an end? There are times however we earn these storms due to our disobedience to the commands of the Lord. You remember Jonah, the prophet? He was asked to go to Nineveh to preach the gospel but he was reluctant, fearing that God would change His mind and forgive the Ninevites. So Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish “from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3). As a result of Jonah’s disobedience, the Lord sent out a great wind and there was a mighty tempest in the sea so that the ship was almost going to be broken into pieces. The mariners were afraid, calling upon their gods and there was no respite until Jonah was thrown into the sea. “So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth

Sunday Message of your Brother:

Dayo Adewumi

Foursquare Gospel Church, Ikeja District, Omole Estate Phase 1

07040057805 Email: fgcomole@yahoo.com

Finding peace in life’s storm (Phil. 4:6-8; Matt. 8:23-27)

into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging” (Jonah 1:15). The seas ceased from raging. You would think that Jonah would be swallowed up by the sea. But God had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah and he was in the belly of the fish for three days. Our God is very faithful. May be you are now in the belly of the fish or in the midst of a tempestuous storm, you will still overcome. Jonah prayed unto the Lord out of the fish’s belly (Jonah 2:1). And the Lord spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land, not in the midst of the sea! Glory to God. Our God is always with His own people; He will never leave or abandon you. You are coming out of the storm in the name of Jesus. If Jonah could overcome his storm, you too should. God is speaking peace to your life right now: “I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly” (Ps 85:8). He is the Prince of Peace. You are precious in His sight and you are honourable because you are loved (Isa. 43:4). He will deliver you from your predicament in Jesus’ name. The bo om line is that in whatever storm you find yourself, Jesus is always in the boat. Even if the boat of your life is covered with water, you need not despair, Jesus will bring you out! You will overcome every storm as you call upon His name: “Lord, save us, we perish” (Ma . 8:25). Do not be afraid. God has not given you the spirit of fear but of love, power and sound mind. His presence will go with you and He will give you peace always (Exo. 33:14). Paul told the Christians in Thessalonica: “Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess 3:16). The Lord of Peace Himself will give you peace always by all means. Whatever it takes for the Lord to bring peace to your home, He will do it. The Lord of Peace Himself will give you peace always - not just once in a while but always, all the time, all over the place, in all circumstance, howsoever it may be! God is going to be with you. You will not drown. Your boat shall not capsize. Jesus will stand by you always: “But when the

morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus” (Jn 21:4). Jesus stood by the disciples on the shore, but they knew Him not! Pray: O Lord, stand by me in my moments of trouble and let me know You are with me. It takes faith to know that Jesus is with you at the time of storm. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:2). Prayer of Faith “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). When life seems unfair, go to God in prayer. Life is full of challenges, both within and without. No one is spared its constant bombardments. It’s by constant crying to the Lord that we can a enuate the pressures of life. That’s why the Lord wants us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). The Church in Philippi was born out of prayer. Paul and Silas had gone there to preach the gospel through a divine invitation: “Come over into Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). This was what led Paul and Silas to Philippi, the capital city of the colony of Macedonia. On ge ing there, a li le damsel possessed of the evil spirit was delivered through prayer which of course led to the incarceration of the duo by her masters, who profited from the divination of the li le girl. However at midnight, “Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God” (Acts 16:25). Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and the doors were flung open and the chains were loosed. Even the keeper of the prison got saved with all his household. Paul here was encouraging believers not to worry about anything they may be going through. Just take it to the Lord in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and all will be well. Prayer produces power, it procures power. In fact, prayer precedes power. Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. It’s far be er to carry a prayer card than a placard! Our God answers prayer. The prayer of faith avails

much (Jam. 5:15,16). So dear brothers and sisters, do not worry about anything. Just take the ma er to God in prayer. The disciples woke Jesus from His sleep saying, Master, we perish! Of course, He rebuked the wind and there was calm. Peace, be still, Jesus said (Mk. 4:39). Program Your Thoughts “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these thing” (Phil. 4:8). It is interesting and important fact that we can only e ectively think of one thing at a time. Try it and see, beloved, try looking up and down at the same time. Try thinking about reading the Bible and watching TV at the same time. Futile, isn’t it? Your mind will simply hop back and forth from one thing to the other with poor results for both. Brother Paul focuses on this peculiarity of our minds and he admonishes us to program our thoughts - to fix our thoughts firmly on things of eternal value, on certain virtues to live a holy life. Think on things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely and commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise, dwell on these things. These things will facilitate peace and engender good relationship with other people at the social, spiritual or secular planes of life. For as a man thinks in his heart so is he. When we meditate on things that come from above, we have a mentality that overcomes this world. Set your minds on what’s above, not no what is on the earth (Col. 3:2). Principle of Thanksgiving “...with thanksgiving..” (Phil. 4:6b). A thankful heart is a grateful heart and a grateful heart is a gracious heart. Thanksgiving produces grace. When you are thankful, you are “graceful”! God loves a cheerful giver (Acts 20:35). Ten lepers were healed but only one came back to say thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, who made them whole. Eventually, although ten lepers were healed, only one was “made whole”! “And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole” (Lk 17:19). This man glorified God with a loud voice. To glory is to give adoration, appreciation, worship to God. We should honour and praise God for all the things He has done for us. We must learn to place value on God’s greatness like David:“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all” (1 Chron 29:11). We ought to fall down at His feet and give Him glory. Be appreciative and you will enjoy God’s peace and joy.

Dokpesi, Izeze, other media managers eulogise Alli at funeral Dayo Emmanuel

he remains of the former General Manager of Raypower 106.5FM, Abuja, Rev. (Mrs.) Olufunke Alli, were laid to rest during the week. The funeral service, held at her local Church, the Innercourt Christ Assembly, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, drew mammoth crowd, including family members, friends, well wishers and professional colleagues of the deceased. One of her colleagues was the Managing Director of the Guardian newspaper, Mr. Emeka Izeze. According to grieving Izeze who had had close contact with the deceased, not only the family is grieving at this period but the Nigerian media inclusive. “The family is missing a mother, we in the media are missing a colleague, a mentor, a professional,” Izeze told the congregation. Izeze, who was on The Media Project; a project to mentor younger journalists in the profession, with the late Alli in the United States of America, added that, “We miss Olufunke Alli here, but heaven is rejoicing over a believer in Christ that has gone home.” He however advised that, “We must live for Christ so that at the end, we would be with our sister, Olufunke and with Christ, our saviour.”

In her own remarks, Mrs. Tosin Dokpesi, Managing Director, AIT, who represented her husband, Chief Raymond Dokpesi of DAAR Communications, extolled the virtues of the late Rev. (Mrs.) Olufunke Alli. “We are here celebrating a mother, and a big sister. I got to know about the demise of my big sister through Mr. Tony Akiotu, our Group Managing Director. She was very dear to my husband. Despite all that is going on, he said I must be at the funeral service and commiserate with he family,” she said. Dokpesi added that, the deceased was a no nonsense person, ‘’ She was a big sister we all looked up to. She was a disciplinarian and younger sister to my husband. She is gone, but we know she is in heaven, no one knows tomorrow or when the trumpet would sound. She was a good Christian, always smiling, always praying for all of us. We were much younger then, but she had always been there, we would miss her greatly.” Online Editor and Director, Special Publications, of the Nation newspaper, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, further extolled the virtues of the late Mrs. Alli. Otufodunrin, who was also on the media project in the United States with the deceased is the President of Christian media group;

Journalists For Christ, on whose board, Alli served until her transition. Otufodunrin said, “The likes of Rev. Olufunke Alli were rare to get around today, but she has paid her dues, and we are celebrating her today, the Lord will console us all.” In his sermon, General Overseer of InnerCourt Christ Assembly, Rev. G. Ola, told the congregation the need to live a meaningful life while on earth. While his message captivated the audience, Ola added that, “the way you die does not ma er but the way you live does.” He explained further that, “The condition of your death does not make you a saint. The fact that someone murdered you does not make you a saint, but the way you live your life today determines your ultimate end.” He however enjoined the congregation to see a great example in the life of the deceased who lived her life for others in sacriﬁce, serving God and humanity. Giving the vote of thanks, eldest child of the deceased, Pastor Oluwatobi Alli appreciated all who honoured the event with their presence and prayed for journey mercies back to their various destinations. He also encouraged people to emulate the virtues of his mother, who everyone had a ested lived an exemplary

lifestyle. Alli passed on November 14 at Ibadan, her last duty post, where she served as the General Manager of Impact Business Radio and Dean of the media school owned by the organisation. She was interned at the Atan cemetery, Yaba, Lagos.

The late Alli

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

ast week, we began this teaching series with the understanding that faith is the master key to a world of unlimited breakthroughs. This is because our faith is what engenders our exploits on earth. We also defined “Impartation” as the tangible transmission of divine virtue from an anointed vessel to others. However, it is not enough to know what impartation is, we must know how to receive same. That is why this week, we shall be examining the covenant terms that guarantee our access to the impartation of the Spirit of Faith. We must identify a carrier: It is common knowledge that people only give what they have. That means we cannot receive the Spirit of faith from someone who does not have it (Matthew 25:9; Acts 3:6). Receive the person and ministry of the carrier: The Bible says: He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward… (Matthew 10:41; see also 2 Chronicles 20:20). •Crave for what he carries: From scriptures, we discover that every release of God’s Spirit answers to a craving, a thirst and a panting. In other words, it takes desperation to encounter impartation. Therefore, only those with a genuine crave get it. As it is written: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39; see also Isaiah 44:3; Psalms 63:1-2). We must honour the carrier in our hearts: We cannot partake of

TheVoice of Victory Dr. David Oyedepo 01-7747546-8 E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Receiving the impartation of the spirit of faith! (2)

the virtue of the Prophet we do not honour in our hearts. Remember the Bible says: Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured (Proverbs 27:18; 2 Kings 3:11). Unfortunately, this is a missing link in the present generation, where people lack honour for their Godsent Prophets and this has impeded access to the virtues they carry (Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 13:5758). The Sonship connection: Apostles and Prophets are ordained spiritual fathers to whom they are sent. For instance, when Elisha saw the chariot of fire that came from heaven to pick Elijah, he said, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof….” In Bible history, Elisha was the biological son of Shaphat, but he found a father in Elijah and partook of his unction (2 Kings 2:12; see also 1 Kings 19:19, 2 Kings 6:21; Matthew 10:41; Acts 24:14). Thus, just as every child shares the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) of his/her father, every son/daughter of a Prophet is also entitled to the spiritual DNA of same. This is because every living thing always produces after its kind (Genesis 1:24-25). Furthermore, the Bible says: A

good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just (Proverbs 13:22; see also Genesis 1:24-25). That means just as inheritances are transferred from fathers to children naturally, virtues are also transmitted from prophets to spiritual sons and daughters. However, until we establish a sonship connection with them, we cannot partake of the virtue upon their lives. Therefore, we must become bona fide members of a spiritual family to partake of the unction therein and produce their kind of results. Remember, being close to a family does not qualify one for an inheritance; it is being a member that does. That is what makes the sonship connection the master key to automatic impartation of the Spirit of Faith (2 Samuel 21:1619). God is restoring the mystery of spiritual fatherhood and sonship tie to the body of Christ, today. I pray that your own place will not be lost! (Malachi 4:5-6). As we all know, every giant is born of a giant. Similarly, every spiritual giant has a spiritual giant for a father. Therefore, just as an elephant does not struggle to be big but exhibits it size naturally, I see you producing results after your giant spiritual parents, in Jesus’ name!

In conclusion, it is important to know that the mantle is one of the channels through which the Spirit of Faith is transmitted as we saw in the account of Aaron the Prophet. It is written: It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments (Psalms 133:2). This means that Prophets carry overflowing anointing and their garments are channels through which we can partake of same, for the rise of the giant in us. That is why God is restoring the ministry of Apostles and Prophets across the nations of the earth today (Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 3:1-4). It is my prayer that you will locate your God-sent prophet on time, establish a sonship tie with him/her and be imparted with the Spirit of Faith at work in him/her to produce their kind of exploits! Remain every blessed! Are you born again? If you are yet to be, please say this prayer and you shall be born again: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Unlimited Power of Faith, Exploits Of Faith, The Law Of Faith. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@ lfcww.org

Legal battle between CCC, Oyo govt adjourned till Jan 27

Olusakin Babalola,Ibadan

ustice A.A. Gbolagunte of an Ibadan High Court Wednesday adjourned civil suit between Prophet Kolawole Olakanmi of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Onala Parish and Oyo state Government where the government bid to demolish the Church was being challenged. Olakanmi, the claimant was praying the court to declare that the demolition notice dated November 16, 2012 issued by the Oyo state commissioner for physical planning and urban development on behalf of the state Government was null and void. He said that the demolition if carried out, would injure the physical, emotional, spiritual and material well being of his church members including himself. The plaintiff wanted the court to grant an order compelling the government to release the letter of

allocation approved in his favour to him. Olakanmi also prayed the court to grant him an order of perpetual injunction restraining government agents from further disturbing, harassing or intimidating him and his members or threatening to demolish

his structures. Testifying Wednesday in the case, the claimant who was cross examined by Mrs. Sotonu, the defence counsel, said that he was granted permanent approval by the last administration. He deposed that he was paying N12,000 annually on the land to the

government coffer adding that he was issued receipts to that effect. The witness added that he was told the land would be used for 99 years. Justice A.A. Gbolagunte has adjourned the case till January 27 next year for the defendants to open their case.

Gbenga Adenuga unveils new single at concert

rom 5pm today, Soar-away contemporary gospel singer, Gbenga Adenuga, will treat thousands of fans to his new single hit Oluwa Is In Control at the Muson Centre, Lagos. The unveiling of the new single will be the climax of the fast-rising Worship With Gbenga Adenuga (WWGA) concert, the nation’s premier family series. Adenuga, in a statement said: “Being the last concert of the year, we

expect families to come excited with a higher commitment to worship God in a relaxed atmosphere.” The concert is mainly sponsored by MTN and has a special, comfortable session for kids. That way, parents have no worries about their safety and convenience. The Awimayehun crooner added: “It is a ﬁne way to wrap o the year and 2016 cannot but be greater as we load the heavens with undiluted worship.”

Adenuga

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

How Donnie McClurkin rose from child abuse, homosexuality to stardom

Dayo Emmanuel with agency reports

o doubt, Donnie McClurkin, born Donald Andrew, is today, one of America’s most outstanding gospel artistes whose music has gone round the world. The great worship leader, who has remained evergreen was born in South Carolina on November 9, 1959 and raised in Amityville, on Long Island. His background like many other great artistes was humble. At the age of eight, little Donnie’s twoyear-old brother was hit and killed by a speeding driver. Soon after the loss, McClurkin experienced family turmoil due to the loss of his brother and shortly after, became a victim of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of his great uncle, and years after, by his great uncle’s son. Two of his sisters dealt with substance abuse, and so, the young McClurkin found comfort in church and through an aunt, who sang background vocals with gospel music musician, Andraé Crouch. He formed the McClurkin Singers, as a teenager, and later formed another group, the New York Restoration Choir. He was hired as an associate minister at Marvin Winans’ Perfecting Church in Detroit, in 1989. McClurkin served as an assistant to Winans for over a decade. In 1991, a sharp pain and swelling, followed by internal bleeding led, he says, to a diagnosis of leukaemia. The doctor suggested immediate treatment, but McClurkin, who was then 31, decided to take his own advice. “I tell people to believe that God will save you,” he says, “[and] I had to turn around and practice the very thing that I preached.” He was ordained and sent out by Winans in 2001 to establish Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York, where he is now a senior pastor. A friendship with a Warner Alliance executive, resulted in his signing to the label for his 1996 self-titled: LP, with producers Mark Kibble of Take 6, Cedric and Victor Caldwell plus Andraé Crouch. The disc, which featured the perennially popular “Stand” went gold shortly after being publicly lauded by Oprah Winfrey. At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, he won in the category: Traditional Soul Gospel Album for “Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs”. McClurkin is best known for his hit songs “Stand” and “We Fall Down” which were played in heavy rotation on both gospel and urban radio. His

three solo albums have topped the Billboard charts. Dovetailing off the success of his near double-platinum selling album, “Live in London and More” McClurkin released “Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs” in 2005 and “We All Are One: Live in Detroit” in 2009 which also topped Billboard charts across various musical genres. McClurkin’s love for people and desire to share gospel music, globally, is why he includes a language medley: Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Dutch in most live performances. Tom Versen and Tony Sisti of T&T Creative, signed McClurkin to a radio syndication deal with advertising giant, Dial-Global, and syndicator, Gary Bernstein. T&T Creative provided a mobile recording studio in Pastor Donnie’s church that he can also take on the road. He is quoted as saying, “As much as I love music and singing, I really love doing radio and the direct feedback I get from my listeners all over the country. I never thought I would be having this much fun doing radio and I could touch and impact so many people.” In 2009, he also broadcast his own television series, Perfecting Your Faith, on cable television. His television appearances include Good Morning America, CBS’s The Early Show, The View, Girlfriends and The Parkers. He has also been featured in such films as The Gospel and The Fighting Temptations. McClurkin, in 2002, told a Christian website that, due to the sexual abuse, he had “struggled” with homosexuality. He also said he had rejected that lifestyle: “I’ve been through this and have experienced God’s power to change my lifestyle. I am delivered and I know God can deliver others too.” In 2013, McClurkin was “asked not to attend” a ceremony in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, in Washington, DC, in which he had been scheduled to appear as a featured performer. A spokesman for the city mayor stated: “The Arts and Humanities Commission and Donnie McClurkin’s management decided that it would be best for him to withdraw because the purpose of the event is to bring

people together,” but McClurkin denied having agreed, stating the mayor had “uninvited me from a concert where I was supposed to headline.” McClurkin was invited to perform at the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement in Washington, D.C. This event was a governmentsponsored concert with other singers at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial on a Saturday evening. But after the gay rights activists got wind of his participation, the fight was on

McClurkin, in 2002, told a Christian website that, due to the sexual abuse, he had “struggled” with homosexuality. He also said he had rejected that lifestyle: “I’ve been through this and have experienced God’s power to change my lifestyle. I am delivered and I know God can deliver others too

to disinvite the Grammy Awardwinning singer from this amazing event. Today, McClurkin is an internationally acclaimed gospel singer, worship leader and role model to countless youths around the world. These youths and young adults alike have continued to savour the grace of God upon the life of a man who rose from a background of child abuse to embrace Jesus Christ. The three times Grammy Award winning gospel singer and evangelist, McClurkin, repeats his familiar tale of sexual abuse that allegedly led to two decades in the gay “lifestyle” and channels fellow gospel gay-bashers, to compare gays to drug dealers and prostitutes. This reported in a Barbados newspaper in 2008: “The lifestyle began to grow. The girls did not want a broken man; in homosexuality, there’s always someone to abuse you. My lust for man and lust for God was pulling me one way and tearing me apart. “I don’t condemn it, so don’t condemn them. God does not hate the homosexual, he hates the sin,” said McClurkin, adding he is now a sincere, compassionate man, who keeps his masculinity, ready for a wife and who is “transformed by the blood of Jesus”. McClurkin said God wants to reach out to people who society may view as cast-offs with no hope in sight such as drug leaders, prostitutes, gang members, whom he termed as “evangelists [but] just don’t know it”.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

HEARTBEAT...with Folake

08024219850 (sms only)

Do you think our friendship will lead anywhere?

Dear Folake, This semester, I met a guy in one of my college courses, and we started spending time together. We hang out multiple times a week and talk or text every day. I found myself really liking him (he’s handsome, smart, and funny) and was confused as to whether or not he liked me. Two weekends ago, he took me out to dinner and he paid (something he insists on regularly doing). We ended the night watching movies at his house when he kissed me. We had sex and I stayed the night. Now I’m extremely confused! It’s been two weeks, but we haven’t talked about or even acknowledged what happened; however nothing has changed, he still takes me out, we talk every day, and we cuddle like a couple would. I want to ask him what’s going on, but I don’t want to ruin things. Even if he doesn’t want a relationship, I value his friendship, but if he wanted something more, I would definitely say yes. What should I do? Olivia, Calabar. Dear Olivia,

Dear Folake, My problem is that the holidays are the only time that everyone gets together. It is crowded, hectic, and fun except my sister insists that her autistic son be involved in all activities with his cousins. He is sensitive to noise, flashing lights, and can melt down into tantrums that leave holes in walls. Last year, he threw a lamp into a TV while several of the boys played video games. My sons will do puzzles and spend time with him but have asked me why they are being punished by having to “babysit” him all the time. I keep biting my tongue, but how do I tell her I think she is the problem here? Justina, Abuja.

You will not ruin anything by acknowledging that the two of you had sex and that you are a human being with feelings! Tell him, “I value your friendship, but if you wanted something more, I would be interested. Is that something you want, too?”

Not in the mood for a baby shower Dear Folake, About a year ago, I gave birth to a stillborn baby just before my due date. The loss was a devastating shock after a healthy pregnancy. My husband and I continue to work through our grief, but my question for you is how I can tactfully excuse myself from baby showers from now on. Close friends and family members are sure to announce pregnancies in the next couple of years, and I know that I never want to attend (let alone host) a prebirth celebration again. How can I communicate that my lack of attendance does not indicate a lack of excitement and love? I would want the expectant parents to know that they are in my hearts, but I simply don’t have it in me to celebrate a baby before it is born, given what happened to me. I can’t seem to find the right words to express this, without implying anything morbid or calling attention to my loss. Ibidun, Ikorodu.

How do I tell her she is the problem at xmas?

Dear Ibidun, I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you think you will be able to cope with your friends having children after they are born, you are not going to avoid the children of loved ones, you just don’t feel up to participating in the pre-birth celebrations. How thoughtful and discerning of you, to be able to feel excitement and joy for your friends who are having children while also acknowledging your own limits. Hopefully the people who are close to you will be tactful and sensitive when it comes to any future baby shower announcements, but if and when you are invited, send a small gift and a kind note along with your regrets that you won’t be able to attend. And when you get pregnant again and asked if you would like a shower. Tell them “I have decided not this time. Let’s have a sprinkle after the baby is hopefully born.” Thoughts with you dear.

If he hedges or says no, you can let yourself be sad and figure out what sort of friendship you want to have with him in the future.

If he says “I want something more,” congratulations! You now have a boyfriend.

I know it’s wrong, but I cheated on him

Dear Folake, Things have been a little tough in my marriage for the past few years. We haven’t spent much time together, I get almost no help around the house, and the burden is on me to discipline and get some help out of the kids. I am tired of doing the work and being the serious parent while he gets to be absent. Nothing ever seems to change despite my efforts to talk about it. While out of town about a year ago, I slept with a man that I had met previously through work. Although I feel extremely guilty, he is interested in getting together again. He lives in a neighboring state and is married too, and it’s clear that it’s just for fun. The thing is, it was fun and really gave me a mental boost when I really needed it. I find myself obsessing about another rendezvous. My husband is a good guy, and I don’t want to end it. I just want some fun for a change and more support. Having someone pay attention to just me for a while felt great. I have tried to communicate my needs, but short of revealing this (which I don’t want to do), I can’t figure out how to show my husband how

desperate I have become. He is pretty resistant to marriage counselling. Do I just live with things as they are and hope I can cool off until this urge leaves me? Yemi, Lagos. Dear Yemi, Is your husband a good guy? Do you really not want to end your marriage? All I know about him is that he doesn’t help out around the house or with the children, refuses marriage counselling, doesn’t change, and dismisses your attempts to talk about the problems the two of you have. Maybe there are things about your marriage that bring you great satisfaction you simply didn’t have time to mention here, but it doesn’t sound like things are going to improve if you adopt a wait-and-hope strategy. Desperation doesn’t wear off. I can understand your reluctance to tell your husband you have cheated on him, but if you are interested in staying together, I think you need to let him know you are desperate and considering an affair because you are so frustrated with the way things are. If he is still resistant to counseling after that, you will have a good sense of how invested in your marriage he is.

Dear Justina, There are, I think, two issues here. One is safety, if your sister’s son is getting violent and throwing things at the holiday gathering, your main concern should be calmly separating the children and making sure that everyone is unharmed. If he threatens himself or other children, it is absolutely appropriate for you to end playtime and for your sister to help calm him down. Has the sister investigated whether or not spending time with his noisy cousins is actually something that makes the kid happy? Holiday parties can be a sensory nightmare that your sister’s son get through from a sense of obligation. If the nephew wants to be included, he absolutely should be so long as it can be done in a safe way, but he also shouldn’t be forced to be if he would prefer the quiet. The other is whether or not you should accommodate a neuroatypical child’s needs when you see him once a year. I think that is not only reasonable, but a good thing to do! Surely you want your children to be comfortable around and friendly with, all types of people, regardless of their neurological makeup. Explain to them that being with their cousin while not playing video games for a few hours is not a punishment. Your sister is not asking you to rearrange your whole world, she is asking you to include her special-needs son (who it does not sound like is included in many things) once a year. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate empathy and compassion. Don’t miss it.

NEWSWATCH TIMES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

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Emu as guard pet Swollen testes in Dayo Emmanuel

mus are often thought to be dangerous and aggressive creatures, but studies have found that this is mostly untrue. They can actually be trained to become great companions and guards because of their strength. These large birds have been found to be very inquisitive and social creatures that just happen to look like a dinosaur and react on instinct like most prey animals. Not saying those three big toes that hold very sharp claws are not dangerous, but Emus in general do not go slashing feet around without reason. Emus use those claws as protection and will stomp or kick out at anything they see as a threat, but their beak seems more the business end when dealing with a pet Emu. The only time they could be dangerous is when trying to grab them and hold them still or load them into a trailer.

Their instinct is to run away, and if held down they are likely to kick out and put up a fight trying to get away. An Emu’s beak has a hardened tip with almost serrated edges carved at an angle on the inside edges. They use these as teeth in a sense, for tearing and holding grasses, small reptiles and the occasional shiny object they confiscate from the distracted visitor. Emu also use their beaks to investigate things. They can be very careful and softly pick up or peck at an object. Also, they can be very strong and quickly grab something then lock on. The eyes of the Emu are big, brown an expressive. They are sight animals and extend their long necks upward to view things at a good distance. Their long eyelashes help keep out dirt and debris and shade their eyes from the sun. You can tell a lot about an Emu’s attitude and mood by their eyes. These large creatures have been highly recommended as pets or livestock guardians. It is, however, advisable to get them as chick under a month old, so that they could easily grow to blend with the farm or family as this will make socialising them much easier.

male dogs and cats

wollen testes in the male dogs and cats, known medically as testicular inflammation or Orchitis, is the infection and inflammation of the testes. This condition, usually, is accompanied by the inflammation of the epididymis, which is the testicular tube inside the testes where sperm is stored, known medically also as epididymitis. So common are orchitis and epididymitis together that their clinical and medical names have been combined to form one word, epididymoorchitis. The testes are the males’ eggshaped gonads in the scrotum where sperm develops. Orchitis can involve one (unilateral testis) or both (bilateral testes) testicles .Two types of orchites are diagnosed in dogs and cats: bacterial and lymphocytic. In bacterial orchitis, the most common route of infection is via reflux from the bladder. In such cases, bacteria are the isolated organisms. Lymphocytic orchitis results from the failure of the animal’s immune system to recognize the testis as “self.” Eventual destruction of the testis usually follows. This immunologic attack is often triggered, following testicular trauma, infection or inflammation. Direct trauma to the scrotum can cause orchitis, most especially, the immune mediated orchitis, lymphocytic orchitis, where the body’s own immune system causes the inflammation and testicular damage. Injuries also, such as any deep skin penetrations and open wounds that allow bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms to have the ability to enter the system and the testes via the urine, prostatic secretions, blood and mucus membranes are also fingered as the causes of these debilitating diseases. Bite wounds on any area of the body can also lead to the development of epididymitis or orchitis.Therefore, it is very important if a dog or cat is

bitten to get immediate emergency care from the veterinarian. Bites, which can cause other harmful diseases apart from orchitis and epididymitis, are not just a concern for rabies. Treating a bite wound immediately could prevent more serious diseases. It is of utmost importance for pet owners and lovers to be more sensitive and to look out for changes in body parts of their pets, in this case, the scrotums and the testicles for the signs and symptoms of orchitis and epididymitis like pains and swellings of the testes and scrotums, most especially if the testes feel warm to the touch, excessive licking, specifically of the scrotum and testes, reluctance to move due to pain, as in walking stiffly or unwillingness to walk, inability to eat and lack of appetite, fever, infertility (it is especially important for breeders to understand that a stud dog’s lack of ability to breed could mean they have orchitis and epididymitis), sleeping all the time, lethargy and being more tired than usual and appearance of open wounds and injuries are some of the signs and symptoms of these infections. The qualified and licensed veterinarians (No quacks please!),who are the medically trained, qualified and competent hands and personnel should be contacted promptly if and when any or combinations of the signs and symptoms enumerated above is noticed for prompt commencement of proper treatment as early clinical examinations, tests, diagnosis and commencement of treatment will go a long way in resolving this debilitating disease which affects and incapacitates the’Balls’and the adjourning areas, which are the ‘engine’ or the ‘strong’ room, the most critical and important part, in fact, the definer of the male species!

Give football autonomy, Okaro tells FG

Adejube knocks NFF over indebtedness to coaches, players

Pg. 42

•Siasia

• Charges football house to get its priorities right

Newswatch Times

SPORTS

NEWSWATCH TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

Babs Oyetoro

ormer Nigeria F o o t b a l l Federation board member, elder Dickson Adejube, has hit hard on Nigerian football authorities over Continued on page 43

FINANCIAL CRUNCH TEARS NIGERIAN FOOTBALL APART

Gbolahan Dada

inancial crunch is hi ing hard on the administration of the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as backlog of debt is threatening the existence of the body. Investigation carried out by

the Newswatch Times revealed how players and coaches have been knocking at the NFF doors, demanding for their dues, ranging from outstanding salaries, camp allowances and match bonuses. Concerned football pundits have appealed to the NFF to Continued from page 42

‘...Inadequate funding is hitting hard on the running of the country’s national teams’

NEWSWATCH TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

Give football autonomy, Okaro tells FG

Brigadier- General Emmanuel Okaro (rtd), has been like a recurring decimal in Nigerian football and other sports in terms of administration at the national, state and military levels when he was in active service. A graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Okaro has been in the NFF Disciplinary and Organising Committee from 1992 till date. He was also NFF Match Commissioner since 1986, and chaired the Bauchi State FA between 1987 and 1988. Later, he was Sole Administrator, Bauchi State Sports Council from 1988 to 1990. As a staunch member of the Association of Sports Veterans- Nigeria, he took time out and itemised what he considered the clog in the wheel of Nigeria’s football development, while advising on how to organise a strong professional league in the country. According to him, NPFL clubs should establish strong feeder teams, which would give valid credence to Nigeria’s quest for rapid football growth.

INTERVIEW BY VICTOR ENYINNAYA

ome have criticised the Super Eagles as lacking the quality to threaten Egypt in next year’s AFCON qualifier. What’s your take on that, sir? Well, we are all aware that the team is currently undergoing rebuilding process, and the coach has a lot on his shoulders. Yes the game against Egypt would prove to be a litmus test for him. It will be a match that would not only reshape but will also define the direction of the team. Actually, what the Eagles handlers need is to consolidate before the crucial qualifier against Egypt. The truth about is that Egypt game would be tough and Oliseh must devise a means to hold the Pharaohs at their home and come down here and beat them convincingly. Our strikers must be up and doing, and must not fire blanks against Egypt that have sharp shooters. If you follow their trend, they score many goals in each game. Eagles must beware not mincing words about it if we dream of being in Gabon 2017 AFCON. What’s the way forward? Good the NFF leadership has been doing enough to stabilise the team in terms of welfare and sundry. The tension in camp has calm down. The onus is on the technical crew and the players to resolve to go out there against Egypt and prove that they equally a force to be reckoned with. As the game is sending tough signal to Nigerians, I believe also it is doing so in the opponent’s camp too. Vigilance and grand preparation would be the major factor that will rule both legs of the encounter. The Sunday Oliseh led side has the pedigree to cut its pound of flesh against Egypt.

What in your view is wrong with Nigerian football today? In football administration, nothing much is wrong. However, the problems in most cases are self inflicted all these years. We must acknowledge also those that found themselves in the corridors of power ensured they did their li le beat to run the game properly. In all honestly, the greatest problem confronting the game is politics being played alongside running the Federation. Again, a situation when State Governments finance and appoint their stooges to run football clubs definitely politics creeps in, then when their clubs err in laws governing the sport no doubt interested parties come and change the rules of the beautiful game. So as far as I am concerned, government has no business funding or running football clubs in the land. There are other pressing issues that would enhance the standard of living of the larger citizenry begging for the a ention of the government, that are allowed to lie low in the scheme of priories to ordinary man. The unfortunate thing is that we don’t copy right things that are obtainable in other countries, for instance, the English national side how much involvement is the British government involvement in the funding the Three Lions. It’s just mere assistance while corporate concerns pick the bills, otherwise how on earth would majority of football clubs owe players, coaches and other o cials upward of nine to ten months salary. Nigeria Professional Football League games played in near empty stadia, with such worrisome trend where then will they make their money from.

How then would NPFL grow? It is a ma er of time if concrete plans are put on ground and strictly implemented. The Shehu Dikko led League Management Company showed some flashes of brilliance during the out gone season. We saw some firm decision taken no manner whose ox is gored. It has to be made more to tighten loose ends if we must see the ugly back that was the era where club have no endorsements from reputable. Players don’t have banding contracts. Players are transferred in most cases without due process and regard to the NFF, are the sole authority to is International Football Certificate, sadly, players sneak out and people to benefit eventually lost out, the NFF, State FA of the concerned players and most times the clubs. In principle mechanisms are not on ground to checkmate it. The NPFL would grow rapidly if the system is nurtured to run its full course without let or hindrance. For instance, LMC has all these in place but the issue of political will to see most of those things through remains lacking because the powers that be most times prevail on them to change the goal post at the middle of the game, thereby making these laws ine ective. Checkout and tell me any of the clubs that audited their accounts in the last 10 years. The fact is that when you take out Lagos FA, it is where you will see a resemblance of how FA should be run. The structures the last administration put on ground remains overwhelmingly excellent. It is one that would ordinarily make the game and its administration thrive. The situation in other States FAs is terrible that many of these elite FCs don’t have even stationary in their makeshi o ces. These are the areas LMC would stamp its feet firmly and break the ice no ma er whose ox is gored.

What’s the way out sir? It must be made mandatory that clubs on government subvention must stop and made to go out and bring in sponsors for their activities. The culture of self sustaining must gain ground forthwith among clubs. They must forced to play by the rules of the game, any defaulter would be heavily ﬁned, in addition any club that failed to honour a game, full weight of the law must be applied, only such atmosphere would encourage development and discipline in our league system. Improper registration of players must be curbed so as to allow growth, proper record keeping and sundry. It is my belief that with such and many more others in place, we can beat our chest to say we are arriving to administration of football in our league. There will be no room for manipulation which gives some clubs the advantage over others. Club that works hard would emerge as NPFL champion. There must be training and retaining of our coaches, Team Managers, referees and sundry to keep our league up-to-date with the trends of the game in the globe. Many more innovations can be introduced from time to time all in the bid to strengthen our league which will enable our clubs compete strongly in the continental level. Adequate a ention must be paid to grassroots football growth and insistence that clubs in the NPFL have well established feeder team, no bending of rules to that e ect, he said. The NFF recently directed the coach to critically look in the direction of the home based professionals for the Eagles duties? Yes, our domestic league remains the bed rock for the growth and strength of our national team. This sole dependence on our foreign legion is risky. It may be in that direction

of thinking that may have informed this mandate from the leadership of NFF to Super Eagles handlers. I have said it o en times that Nigeria has the capacity to raise a solid national that would face squarely any team worth his salt from her domestic league if sincerely want to drive it because there enough materials to realise such lo y project. So the instruction from the apex football governing body is not misplaced rather it should serve as the needed stimuli that would boast our collective to source our Super Eagles players from Nigeria Professional Football League.The bi er truth is that Nigeria and her football have reached level where the game ought to fend for itself accordingly. There are lots of companies that can make it happen. I have all along been an advocate of such status. Our administrator are lazy because they fold their hands and wait for government subvention they dont account for to come. This directive will help strength our league and bring the best out of it. This is how God wants to use to upli the domestic league and it would make clubs to sit up and be alive to their contractual agreements with players in their various clubs. Once these contracts are respected, then we are inching towards a promised land for our football, where salaries would be paid promptly. Such scenario would encourage and improve the league drastically. The spirit would be high among the coaches, players and others. The move would strength the game locally and bring to the fore the beauty of the game when we ﬁnally resolve to do football ma ers as business as it is the norm in most other countries because without the players who are the main actors, there will be no football administration in Nigeria. Therefore the earlier we treat these lads like that, the be er for the money spinning sport.

Yaya Toure: Karate kid-turned-ßfootball-

f things had worked out di erently, Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure - who was crowned the BBC African Footballer of the Year for a second time on Friday might have been a karate star. That was the sport the Manchester City midﬁelder was into while a kid and one he may well have excelled at had his father not blocked it. “He went to learn karate before he took up football, which he didn’t play at the time,” Mory Toure, Yaya’s father, told BBC Sport. “Within one week, he did so well he was selected to travel for a competition in Kenya.” However, his ambitions were swi ly nipped in the bud by his father, who banned Yaya from travelling because he feared him su ering injury or worse so soon a er taking up the sport. “I used to ﬁght a lot with my brothers, so my dad said he would put me in a sport that would calm me down - and karate did,” Yaya himself told BBC Sport with a smile. Yet Toure senior relates the tale about karate to highlight the range of his son’s abilities, which he says extend far and wide. “One time I brought him to the village and put him in Koranic school because it was the holidays,” says the 69-year-old, who is now retired a er a lengthy career in the army. “A week later, he was writing and speaking in Arabic. His teacher called me and said ‘he’s clever, eh? He’s

already writing and he doesn’t forget what you tell him.’” “Now Yaya speaks Spanish, Russian and English. He doesn’t speak his own dialect - Tawana though but I think that’s his parents’ fault,” Mory laughs. Toure’s varied languages come as a result of his European football adventures, which started in Belgium in 2001 and which have since incorporated spells in Ukraine, Greece, France, Spain and now England. Along the way, he has won countless titles - leagues championships with Olympiakos, Barcelona and City, and a Champions League and Club World Cup with Barca in 2009, to name but a few. His very ﬁrst trophy came when winning the Ivorian league with ASEC Mimosas in 2001. The club is a famous breeding ground for a host of Ivorian football stars, such as Gervinho, Salomon Kalou, Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboue and Yaya’s elder brother Kolo. But one player immediately stood out for Jean-Marc Guillou, the former France international who ran the academy in the mid-to-late nineties. “From the moment he started to play with ASEC, almost from the moment he ﬁrst touched the ball, Guillou said he had a great player in Yaya and that he was going to win the best African footballer prize,” says Mory.

NEWSWATCH TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

SPORTS

Financial crunch tears Nigerian football apart Continued from page 41

source for resources and pay up all the debts crippling the a air of football in the country. It is no longer news that Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has been crying over unpaid wages since he was in charge of the senior national team. Oliseh who was celebrated by the NFF to have received three months payment upfront before his unveiling, had to deny it publicly. ‘When it comes to money I am disappointed because based on what am being owed I should have stopped working, my assistants should also stop working. ‘They make people think I was paid in advance, which is not so and am still waiting to be paid. The only thing is that I just decided not to go public with it,’ Oliseh said. The Coach who was hired in July, 2015 and has managed to qualify Nigeria for the ﬁnal qualifying round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 African Nations Championship. Also, NFF had also threatened to sack Under-23 coach, Samson Siasia when he raised alarm over his unpaid salaries and the unfair treatment of his players. According to him, the team has not been paid their allowances in the last 9 months and they have not been provided with training kits as well. NFF had planned to sack the coach and replace him with Salisu Yussuf with Fatai Amao and Ogunbote as assistants. Siasia is not the only coach

owed by the NFF. Emmanuel Amuneke and Salisu Abubakar are also being owed by the NFF. According to the NFF, measures have been taken to ensure the situation does not degenerate as the coaches and players of the various national teams have been genuinely aggrieved especially with how much press the situation is ge ing. Meanwhile, Players of ElKanemi Warriors, Taraba FC and others are in the news over unpaid salaries. This is not the ﬁrst time a premier league clubs will be owing players and experiencing boyco of games as Warri Wolves also had the same issue with their players about one month ago.

Pinnick

Women League elections: Igbokwe petitions NFF, Electoral Committee on zoning Victor Enyinnaya

ice-Chairman of NFF Organizing and Disciplinary Commi ee, Barrister, Iyke Leo Igbokwe, has petitioned the NFF and NFF Electoral Commi ee with regards to the equitable representation of the six geo-political zones in the NFF Executive Commi ee during the forthcoming elections into the League Boards. “I ﬁnd it most necessary to personally write you and o er my free patriotic advice on the distribution of the chairmanship positions of the three (3) remaining

League Boards i.e. National League, Women League and Nationwide League respectively in the forthcoming League Board Elections in line with Art. 33 of the 2010 NFF Statutes which provides for equal distribution of the ﬁ een (15) NFF Executive Commi ee positions amongst the Six (6) geopolitical zones of Nigeria. I want to recommend the distribution and zoning formula of the League Board Chairmanship positions that will best give e ect to the intents of Art. 33 and save our League Boards from postelection crisis as was witnessed in 2011”, he pointed out. Writing under the headline ‘Advice on the zoning and sharing of the remainder Three League Board Chairmanship elections’, Igbokwe advised that contestants from South-South that produced the NFF President should be

barred from the elections. He wrote; “The NFF Electoral Commi ee should bar candidates from any Zone where the President of NFF comes from contesting any of the League Board Chairmanship positions. This has been the practice from the Sani Lulu and Aminu Maigari NFF Administrations. The Zone of the NFF President has never produced three (3) NFF Executive Commi ee members. Even in the Aminu Maigari regime, his North East Zone produced just one Executive Commi ee member which was Aminu Maigari himself. But in the present NFF Board led by Amaju Pinnick as President, his South South Zone has already produced two (2) NFF Board members (Pinnick and Barr. Chris Green)”. He pro ered a formula that will give all the zones a sense of belonging.

Adejube knocks NFF over indebtedness to coaches, players Continued from page 41

indebtedness to coaches and players as well saying if it continues this ugly trend might kill the moral of both the coaches and the players. Adejube recalled that coach Samson Siasia cried out before the African Nations Cup for the Under-23 team but the NFF reprimanded him for speaking to the press. The former Nigeria Referee Association boss lamented that the U-23 team went for the return leg of the African qualiﬁer in Congo and picked the ticket for the just concluded championship yet they were not paid a dime.

He stressed that since they started the last championship they were not paid until the last minutes intervention by the Hon. Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Darlong before they were paid on Wednesday. He noted that it was reported that the NFF was owing the Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh three months salary while his assistant were being owed six months salary. “Honestly, this development is becoming worrisome and it may have negative e ects on the players if it is not addressed. The allowances of the players should be given priority and

salary of the coaches as well. Money, naturally has a way of boosting the morale of the players and vice versa. “The time has come for the football house to get its priority well. There are some projects they should not have embarked upon just to conserve funds. “Besides, the time has come for the NFF to widen its revenue drive base to be able to meet up with its ﬁnancial obligations”, he noted. Meanwhile, he also commended the Dream Team for winning the Rio Olympics ticket by beating the host country 0-1.

“The Electoral Commi ee should take into serious consideration the fact the following three (3) Zones (SouthSouth, South-West, and North West) produced the top three (3) Board positions in the current NFF Executive Commi ee and the remaining three (3) Zones ( NorthCentral, South-East, and NorthEast) did not produce any of the top three (3) NFF Board positions. It is therefore right, equitable and just that the three (3) named zones that did not produce top NFF Board positions should be allowed to produce the three (3) remaining Chairmen of the League Boards”, he noted “The Electoral Commi ee should remember that the SouthEast zone now has only one NFF Executive Commi ee member (Felix Anyansi Agwu). The Electoral Commi ee decided in Warri during the NFF Board Election on September 30, 2014 that the South-East should have one of the League Board Chairmanship Positions to bring its Executive Commi ee members to two as provided in Art. 33 of the 2010 NFF Statutes”, he concluded.

NEWSWATCH TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

SPORTS/GOLF Tiger still has a chance, says Nicklaus

GolfWatch

f you polled golfers and golf fans at large, the overwhelming majority would probably tell you they believe Tiger Woods has no chance of winning the ﬁve majors he needs to pass Jack Nicklaus’ major tally of 18. However, one of those golfers that would say Woods still has a chance is Nicklaus himself, who has maintained throughout Woods’ personal and health struggles that the 14-time major champion will eventually catch him. Once again, Nicklaus has answered in the a rmative when asked if he thinks Woods will get to 19 majors. “He has always been a very focused young man with a great work ethic, and is tremendously talented. To count him out of [the majors record] would be foolish, he certainly has a very good chance of doing that,” said Nicklaus. As we’ve said before, it behooves Nicklaus to maintain that Woods can catch him because the day he declares Woods’ chase over, it is one of the last big headlines he can make. The class act he is, the 75-year-old Nicklaus would much prefer Woods to play out the chase, le ing the question answer itself inside the ropes, rather than potentially prematurely declaring himself the winner.

Top players eye Rio Games with contrasting views

MARK OGAGAN 08035177253

mark.ogagan@mydailynewswatchng.com

OBJ Tourney ends at Abeokuta Golf Club

Obasanjo

Tiger

Ben credits Challenge Tour for An-nus mirabilis

t has been quite a 12 months for Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year Byeong Hun An since he le European Challenge Tour ranks and embarked upon a rookie season on The European Tour. The 24 year old finished third in the 2014 Challenge Tour Rankings – aided by a maiden victory at the ROLEX Trophy – to earn graduation to The 2015 Race to Dubai, and he took to life in the big time like a natural. Three top ten finishes in his first nine events preceded An’s historic victory in the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in May, where an imperious seven under par final round of 65 gave him a staggering six shot win. If I hadn’t played on the Challenge Tour I don’t think I could have won at Wentworth - it prepares you for the big events and definitely improved my game The South Korean – known on Tour as Ben An – then saved some of his best form for the Final Series, finishing in the top four

he ﬁrst edition of Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) PRO-AM golf tournament ends today at the prestigious Abeokuta Golf Club at Oke-Mosan. Jointly sponsored by First bank and Unity bank, the organizers said it’s part of e orts to honour and celebrate elder statesmen for their numerous contributions towards nation building while they are still alive, and same gesture applies to former President, Olusegun Obassnjo (GCFR). According to the organizers, the week-long monumental tourney is in celebration of the Balogun of Owu Kingdom, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is a respected son of the soil. Captain of Abeokuta Golf Club, High Chief Olabode Mustapha, said the club decided to

Close associates reveal secrets to Lydia Ko’s success

L Ben

host chief Obasanjo based on his numerous contributions to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole. The tournament was contested in both the professional and amateur cadres involving golfers within and outside Nigeria. At stake for the three-day event is a mouthwatering cash prize of One Million naira cash prize, and it will be contested for by 26 Pros, plus there are lots of trophies and plaques to be won. Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, Competition Secretary of the Club, Com. Dolapo Jinad, said the tournament, which is the maiden edition, is going to be a continuous annual programme, and with time, it will go international.

ydia Ko is being praised for her laidback personality as much as her golf game as the women’s world No 1 continues to draw acclaim with 2015 drawing to a close. United States broadcasting giant ESPN, continued their love a air with the New Zealand 18-year-old, listing her in their top 25 women’s athletes for the year. On Friday (NZ time) they released their proﬁle and year summary on Ko and much of it was dedicated to her image away from

the course as much as it was focused on her remarkable achievements with club or pu er in hand. Meghan Flanagan, the LPGA’s senior coordinator of tour media, marvelled at Ko’s level-headed a itude. “She has that gi of treating the regular people like superstars and the superstars like regular people,” Flanagan told ESPN. “We get a lot of requests, a lot of demands for her time, and seen very few times where she has looked or seemed overwhelmed. If she doesn’t want to do something, she’ll probably do it anyway.” Ko’s coach David Leadbe er felt sure that much of Ko’s success was drawn from her personality. “She’s a very humble sort of person. She’s not one to shout from the roo ops,” Leadbe er said. Ko’s older sister Sura, 27, was hired by the golfer’s management company, IMG Golf, and began travelling with her on tour late this year in a quest to ease her homesickness. Sura says one of her most important duties is making the crust-free peanut bu er sandwiches her li le sister likes to eat during rounds. Sura says Lydia is pre y much a normal teenager – most of the time. “She normally goes through the yardage book before she goes to bed,” Sura said. “That’s the only time that we’re talking about the golf thing. Other than that, we’re talking about boyfriends and gossip and shopping lists.”

op golfers, including American golfer Ma Kuchar, a seventimes winner on the PGA Tour who has played amateur tennis at a high level, have expressed mixed feelings about the impact of his sport’s return to the Olympics. “Most of the Olympic sports have their ‘big event’ either once every four years – at the Summer Games -- or once every two years with the World Cups and world championships that go on,” Kuchar told Reuters. “In the golf world and the tennis world, we have our four majors and our four grand slams every year, and then every other week there is a big event going on with major a ention. “For the fact that this is going to be the first time in over a hundred years for golf to be played at the Olympics, we will certainly be awfully excited. But would you rather win one of the majors or an Olympic medal? I don’t know exactly.”Golf most recently featured as an Olympic sport in St Louis in 1904 and leading players such as American world number one Jordan Spieth and fi h-ranked Swede Henrik Stenson have warmly embraced its return to the Games agenda. “When I was really young, I always thought of the Olympians that walked in the opening ceremonies as the greatest-athletes-in-the-world type of thing,” said Masters and U.S. Open champion Spieth. “But once I chose golf, I didn’t think it would ever be a reality. To be one of those athletes ... I would never forget that ceremony and that walk, walking with the American flag ... it will be awesome if I can make that team.” “To go and play an exhibition event down there (in Rio) ... in the middle of the major (golf) season, I don’t think any other athletes in their sport would do that. “Most of the athletes at the Olympics have probably trained four years specifically to peak at this one event. It’s the pinnacle of their sport ... (golf) doesn’t need to be in the Olympics.”

Matt Kuchar

NEWSWATCH TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

POLO/SPORTS Prince Harry’s Sentebale raises £3m for charity

Keffi Ponys Patron and Founder Keffi Polo Ranch, (second from right) closing down on Sayyu Dantata who makes an open back hand shot at a recent polo event in Kaduna. Abuja and Nasarawa State are agog as international polo stars arrive for the inaugural Keffi Polo Tournament.

Buhari leads dignitaries to Keffi Ranch Polo Tourney Ekpenyong Ekpenyong

he season of celebration and bounty harvest in the exclusive world of polo is here, as preparations for the biggest polo fiesta in Nasarawa, the Ke Ranch International Polo Tournament is nearing a feverish stage, with plenty excitements to look forward to. Already President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to be joined by other top dignitaries to grace the closing ceremony of the Ke Ranch Polo tournament, organizers of the tournament have said. Founder and Chief host of the inaugural tourney stage in support of Education in Nasarawa State, Honourable Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, confirmed that Nasarawa State Governor, Al Makura, his Plateau State counterparts, Dalung and top dignitaries and emirs and diplomats are also expected. According to Wadada the tourney, scheduled to hold between November 15 and 20, 2015 at the prestigious Ke Polo Ranch Polo Club, is packaged as the first and the biggest international tourism event in Nasarawa whose proceeds would be challenge to support education in the state. Wadada, who would lead his Ke Ponys in the quest for honours during the high profile polo extravaganza, also disclosed that polo players from Argentina, South Africa and the United Kingdom are expected to join other top Nigerian players in the six days polo fiesta. Already, a record entry of 16 teams

from all the major polo centres across the country have confirmed their readiness to participate in the historic festival that would remain the biggest tourism cum polo event in the years to come. Top Nigerian patrons like the Mohammed Babangida and Georgian Cup kings, would be there in Profile colours, just as Adamu A a and Tajudeen Dantata would be hi ing Ke with Fi h Chukker and Kano Titans respectively. They would ba le for event’s biggest prize, the President Cup alongside home team, Ke Ponys. The race for the medium-goal Senate President Cup promises to be a fierce one as six equally match teams with enough horse power to start up a Calvary are already perfecting their strategies ahead of the showdown. The teams include Kano Terra E&P side that won the Fallen Heroes Commemoration Cup at 12-12 Polo event last weekend and the Rubicons who are still smarting from their smarting from the Abuja Carnival Polo top prize. Others are Almat Group team, the debuting Abuja Brick Point, Kano Dantex and Kaduna Trappco who are warming themselves back to the exciting Nigerian polo circuit, a er a momentary break from the road tour. Another six highly ambitious teams are lining up for the royal prize of Emir of Ke Cup that has been the talk of the town since the draws of the tournament was confirmed. The Emir of Ke Cup contenders are Kaduna Liberty, Aminatu Farms, Iyatu Farms, Kano Bichi Farms, Kano Hamden Trust and the top firing

Abuja NSK Farms. Other top prizes to be carted home by the respective winners of the glamorous Ke polo carnival include the Governor’s Cup, the Speakers’ Cup, and the Queen’s Cup. A lot of individual prizes are also lined up for players who will distinguish themselves during the weeklong grand festival. “I am hoping that the president will ﬁnd time in his schedule to grace the closing ceremony. We have extended several invitations to a large number of dignitaries, including the president and we are hoping that, in case he might not be disposed to a end, he will probably send a representative. “Well, as is traditional for us, we have planned to hold a tournament during the festive period and we are expecting players from Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Ke , Minna, Yola, Zaria, Bauchi and Jos. “This is yet another bold statement of our resolve to contribute to the development of the noble game of kings as well as impact positively on the physical and mental wellbeing of the teeming youth in Nasarawa and sports lovers, we decided to host this event in support of the education of our youths.” Wadada pointed out. Founded a few years back, the Ke Polo Ranch is a private facility that represents the new in the old world of the equestrian sport of Polo in Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole. With many thoroughbred polo ponies stabled in the resort, Ke Ranch & Polo Club sets a benchmark in excellence while maintaining its relaxed family orientated atmosphere.

rince Harry took the field for the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup in Cape Town as part of His Royal Highness’ South African tour that raises funds for charity. The Royal Salute team took home the trophy – presented by Royal Salute Guest of Honour, Torquhil Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll, in what was a closely fought match, with a victory of 8-7. This is the first time Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup has taken place on the African continent. Sentebale is a charity started by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho 10 years ago to help the vulnerable communities of Lesotho. A er six years, annual polo match raises over £3million for His Royal Highness’ charity. In the sixth year of partnership between Sentebale and British luxury whisky Royal Salute, the Polo Cup follows the charity’s o cial opening of the ‘Mamohatu Children’s Centre – the flagship centre in Lesotho that will provide emotional and psychological support to communities currently a ected by HIV and AIDS. Distinguished international guests at the renowned Val de Vie Polo Club included Laura Main, George the Poet and some of South Africa’s most influential figures, including Ryk Neethling, Jeannie D, Graeme Smith and Tokyo Sexwale who eagerly watched Prince Harry ba le it out on the field, alongside Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick and Sentebale Polo Ambassador Nacho Figueras. “As title partners for the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, we are proud to say that our donations amounting to over £1million have gone to inspiring Sentebale programmes, all of which support communities in Lesotho a ected by HIV and AIDS.” Sophie Gallois, Global Marketing Director, Chivas Brothers, brand owner of Royal Salute stated “It has been a great honour to play at the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup this year alongside Prince Harry. I have been around the globe with Royal Salute World Polo Programme and this tournament remains the most inspirational event I take part in, “added Malcolm Borwick, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador. Royal Salute is a proud supporter of the oldest team sport in the world and this year became title partner of one of the most prestigious polo events in Britain, the Royal Salute Coronation Cup. Supporting over 18 international polo events across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, Royal Salute’s next polo tournament is in Jodhpur, India, where guests can look forward to an unparalleled artistic and cultural experience.

NEWSWATCH TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

SPORTS UPDATE

Aminu, Ozokwo dazzle in Turkey

I have never doubted my scoring ability –Emenike

igeria Under-23 striker, Umar Aminu, was among the goals for his Turkish Super League club Osmanlispor in a 4-0 win at Bursaspor. Osmanlispor are 12th on the league table with 15 points in 14 games. The former Samsunspor striker scored in the 84th minute to give his team a 4-0 lead on Friday. He was stopped by the Turkish team from representing Nigeria at the on-going CAF U23 AFCON in Senegal. Compatriot Nduka Ozokwo also scored a goal for Adanaspor in a 2-1 win over hosts Alanyaspor. He scored in the 39th minute to give Adanaspor a 1-0 lead. Former Nigeria U20 winger Ozokwo has scored three goals in the league this season.

Emenike

l Ain striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has said he has never doubted his ability to score goals despite criticisms. And the Fenerbahce loanee said he is looking forward to end the year on a higher note a er scoring two goals against Al Shaab on Friday in a 4-2 win. The former Spartak Moscow striker has been criticised for going through a

rough patch, but seems he has been able to block out the critics to concentrate on his performance and score goals a er he returned from injury. “I always believe in what I can do most, I don’t doubt myself and it has always worked for me,” Emenike said. “My last goal at home against Al Ahli has really boosted my spirit and I am building on it with these two goals. “Scoring goals is my responsibility but my bigger priority is to contribute to the team.

“We are playing well every week, it’s a sign of good form and hopefully working towards being champions again. But it’s not all about an individual but everybody in the team.” “Every game is important, we need more points before the year runs out, it will enable us to resume with high conﬁdence to continue from where we stopped, and for me, I aim to end it on high and resume with more goals next year.”

Zenke promises more goals

ormer Nigeria youth international, Simon Zenke, has promised to score more goals as a top striker for Turkish secondtier league side Karabukspor. The former Strasbourg striker scored his ﬁ h goal of the season on Friday in Karabukspor’s a 2-1 loss at Elazigspor in a top of the table clash. “I am playing as a centre-forward now, so I am enjoying my football again. I am looking forward to ge ing more goals because the more a striker is in the front as point man, the more chances he has to score goals,” said Zenke. “It was a top of the table clash and we ddin’t deserve to lose, it was unfortunate we lost the game.” He has now scored two goals in the league and three in the cup.

igeria champions, Enyimba, will take on Vipers of Uganda in the preliminary round of next year’s CAF Champions League with fellow countrymen Warri Wolves taking on Praia Cruz from Cape Verde. The matches will be played between February 12 and 28. Two-time African champions Enyimba will ﬁrst play away to Vipers before they welcome the Uganda champions to the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, southeast Nigeria. The overall winners will keep a date in March with the winners of the preliminary round matches between lioli of Lesotho and Vital ‘O from Burundi. Wolves will host the ﬁrst leg with the overall winners facing Al Merriekh of Sudan in the next round of the competition.

Akwa Utd, Nasarawa get Confed Cup foes Zenke

Olayinka to partner Simon at Gent

ent new signing, Peter Olayinka, says he is looking forward to a partnership with Nigeria forward Moses Simon at the Belgian champions a er he signed a three and a half year contract. He said his move to Gent will develop him as a footballer. “It’s going to be a good one for me to partner Moses Simon, I am looking forward to that because

CAF Champions League: Enyimba draw Uganda’s Vipers

he is a fantastic player and he will lead me through at Gent because he understands the league. I am willing to learn from him,”Olayinka o ered. “I am very happy with the deal because I see it as the reward of my hard work. This will motivate me to do more. “I see Gent as a team where I will develop more as a professional football player because they encourage young players like me.”

Olayinka

ederation Cup holders Akwa United will face Vita Club Mokanda of Congo in the preliminary round of next year’s CAF Confederation

Cup. The country’s other representative in the competition, Nasarawa United, will come up against Senegalese outfit, Generation Foot. Akwa United who won the Nigeria Federation Cup for the first time in their history this year will slug it out with Police of Rwanda or Atlabra from South Sudan in the next round should they beat Vita Club in the two-legged tie. The winner of the Nasarawa United versus Generation Foot tie will take on CS Constatinois of Algeria. The matches will be played between February 12 and 28. Both clubs are bidding to become the first Nigerian side to win the competition.

NEWSWATCH TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015

SPORTS UPDATE

IAAF President, top athletes set for Lagos City Marathon

Iheanacho, Ighalo warm Oliseh’s heart ...Score for EPL clubs

ome of the world’s top marathoners as well as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President, Lord Sebastian Coe, are expected to storm the Centre of Excellence ahead of the maiden edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon slated to hold on February 6, 2016. At the world press conference held at the Access Bank Corporate Headquarters on Friday, December 11, the organisers elucidated on the modalities for the Marathon which amongst other things is targeted at reviving the healthy life style among Nigerians whilst showcasing major sights in the city of Lagos. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports and Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Ayodeji Tinubu pledged the unwavering support of the government while appreciating the e orts of Access Bank in sponsoring the event. Tinubu revealed that a lot of work had already gone into making the event a success as this will be the ﬁrst full marathon to be held in the mega city of Lagos and indeed

Nigeria. He also stated that the world’s top marathoners from ten nations, both males and females, have already indicated their interest in participating in the 42km road race. Executive Director, Personal Banking of Access Bank, Mr Victor Etuokwu announced that mouthwatering cash prizes will be won at the epoch making event, with winners in both the men and women’s events expected to go home with $50,000 each, while second and third place ﬁnishers will take $40,000 and $30,000 respectively. The top 20 Nigerians will also be rewarded with cash prizes starting from N1 million, while the second and third positions will se le for N750,000 and N500,000 respectively. Etuokwu said, “When the idea came up that Lagos was planning to host a marathon which had been endorsed by the IAAF and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), we felt we should support this initiative.

Injured Onazi back training at Lazio

igeria international midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has resumed training with his Italian Serie A side Lazio a er he was sidelined for three weeks by injury. The AFCON 2013 winner resumed full training with the rest of the squad on Friday a er he was given a clean bill of health by the club’s doctor Roberto Bianchini. “Good news for Stefano Mauri and Eddy Onazi, as today (Friday) both athletes resumed training with the rest of the group,” announced Lazio. The midfielder sustained the injury while playing for Nigeria in a 2-0 win over Swaziland on November 17 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Gbolahan Dada

wo Super Eagles players, Manchester City star, Kelechi Iheanacho and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, were at their best yesterday when they made good impact in their clubs victorious outing in the English league. Iheanacho’s stoppage time deflection sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over Swansea as Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table yesterday, while Ighalo’s 10th goal of the season handed promoted Watford a third successive victory and plunged Sunderland deeper into relegation trouble. Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, must be in a joyous mood with the news of his players painting the English league red with their goals. Wilfried Bony opened the scoring for Manchester City a er 26 minutes, heading home from Jesus Navas’ corner for his fi h goal in his last four matches in this fixture. Alan Curtis, taking caretaker charge of Swansea for the third time in his career, saw substitute Bafetimbi Gomis smash home a 90th minute equaliser from a fine

Wenger turns attention to league

Onazi

Eagles’ star to remain a Hornet –Flores

atford manager, Quique Sanchez Flores expects o ers to ﬂood in for his Nigerian charge, Odion Ighalo but insists the striker is happy at the

Ighalo

Federico Fernandez through ball, but there was more drama to come. City immediately went back on the attack, and as Yaya Toure weaved into the box, his deﬂected e ort looped up o Iheanacho and over a helpless Fabianski to hand City the three points. The victory puts City top, with Leicester to play Chelsea on Monday Night Football, while Swansea remain 15th with one win from their last 13 games. City, protecting the best home record in the league, joined Leicester on 32 points, although Claudio Ranieri’s men have the chance to regain the lead in Monday’s game with Chelsea. Crystal Palace continued their best start to a Premier League season with Yohan Cabaye’s goal earning them a 1-0 win over Southampton and elevating them to sixth in the table, just six points o the lead. Odion Ighalo’s 10th goal of the campaign for Watford consigned Sunderland to yet another defeat, a 1-0 home loss leaving the north-east club still languishing in penultimate place on 12 points Romelu Lukaku is another marksman in rampant form, Everton’s Belgian striker scoring for a sixth successive league game to give the Merseysiders an early lead in a 1-1 draw at Norwich City. Wes Hoolahan equalised for the struggling Canaries.

club. Ighalo has been in superb form for the Hornets this season scoring important goals that has shot the newly-promoted club to the top half of the Barclays Premier League standings. Flores however believes the impressive forward will not be leaving the club anytime soon. “We know the o ers will start coming in for Odion and (Watford captain), Troy (Deeney) but we are conﬁdent they will stay. “They are both happy here and will not leave,” Flores said at his press conference on Thursday. Ighalo has scored nine league goals for Watford this season.

Wenger

rsene Wenger hopes the euphoria generated from Arsenal’s against the odds qualiﬁcation for the Champions League last 16 will provide a welcome boost to his side’s Premier League title charge. The Gunners recovered from a miserable start to the campaign to progress in Europe thanks to Olivier Giroud’s hat-trick in a 3-0 victory at Olympiakos on Wednesday. Today’s trip to bo om of the table Aston Villa o ers Arsenal a good chance to maintain that momentum and Wenger has warned his players not to rest on their laurels. “We came back on Thursday morning but we

have no injury worries a er the game,” Wenger said. “None of the short term injuries will be back. “We wanted to stay in the Champions League, it was very unlikely. It was a fantastic performance in the end that got us through. Now we’re in it let’s focus again on the Premier League. “I do not look a er my own ego, I just want to do well. I want to do well for everyone at Arsenal. I cannot inﬂuence people’s opinion and accept that.” For Wenger, the performance of much-maligned France striker Giroud in midweek gave him great satisfaction. “Giroud has gone through this calendar year with ups and downs,” he said. “It has been a typical Olivier Giroud year and when he has his downs he has put the e ort in. Wednesday was one of his best performances on all fronts. “You should look at Giroud’s record. He has special qualities. You want him to be e cient as well but he has improved his link play and that’s very important for our team. “He has a positive mentality and a strong one. We are in a job where we have to accept that. “I’m just so happy we have him, he’s one of the best strikers in Europe.” This weekend’s clash at Villa Park gives Wenger the chance to take on his former player and fellow Frenchman Remi Garde in an intriguing encounter between teams with contrasting ambitions.

Newswatch Times -Tradition built on Truth

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Vol. 1, No. 59

SUNDAY

December 13, 2015

LAST WORD

...with

N200

PAT UTOMI dinachi2005@yahoo.com

It’s on record FASTEST TIME TO SOLVE 5 RUBIK’S CUBES Bhargav Narasimhan, 22, an Indian student from the southern city of Chennai, set a new Rubik’s Cube record by solving five of the puzzles in just over a minute, using only one hand; he achieved the feat in 1.23.93 minutes at an event in the city, breaking the existing Guinness World Records record of 1.52 minutes.

The celebration of helplessness (2) •Continued from last Sunday When I ﬁrst returned to Nigeria from graduate studies in 1982, a group of us emerging academics used to gather at the NIIA almost on a daily basis to discuss policy, and challenge the system. I formed the group into a network we called the Congress of Concerned Citizens. From that same group, Femi Aribisala, Olisa Agbakoba, Jimi Peters, Mohammed Garba, and many others, who have since ‘le town’, as part of the brain drain in ‘the generation that le town’, began to publish a journal called Spectrum. We engaged on public policy, went to meetings with and had workshops with policy makers. Chief Philip Asiodu still asks me about the group till today, just as the now-late Deacon Gamaliel Onosode used to. What have I done? I was so determined to be the voice of the voiceless that, at a point, I wrote three di erent weekly columns in Newspapers. One that appeared every Tuesday in the Vanguard with the title, Thinking Aloud; On ma ers of the economy, I wrote another column appearing every Friday in Business Concord under the banner, The Economy; and every Thursday, I had an OPED piece in the Guardian on ma ers of Social Justice. These ran for years as part of a determination to grow a market place of ideas. I would later follow with an electronic market square, the television series, PATITO’S GANG. At a point, Patito’s Gang aired simultaneous on several networks from NTA to AIT, Channels and Silverbird Television. Back then, that initiative, besides my troubles, time, and energy, cost my personal treasury close to N100 million a year, because Corporate Nigeria was reluctant to sponsor a programme that spoke truth to power. Back then, all the revenues from work by one of the companies I founded, which had a lucrative patch doing institutional advertising work for a multinational food and beverages company, was ‘donating’ its entire proﬁts towars keeping Patitos’s Gang on air. What have I done? I have matched on the streets against unjust decisions, organizing

professionals to protest the annulment of the elections of June 1993, and have been beaten by policemen twice on Lagos Island on that cause. Those encounters would be like chicken contributions to breakfast, the egg, compared to the pig’s contribution, when one thinks of agents of the state actually trying to assassinate me in 1996. What have I done? I have shown the courage to get into the arena of politics, lest it be seen as an arena only for scoundrels and those who have nothing to lose, and I have travelled through every single state in this federation, on the most horrible of roads trying to persuade people there is a be er way. Key to this is the state of the roads. To survive them had to be pure Grace. One governor felt so sorry he thought our cars inappropriate, and gave us some government SUV’s for the rest of the journey, even though he was from the ruling party we opposed. What have I done? I have struggled to show that you can bridge the knowing-doing gap not only in the political arena but in inspiring and helping build business and social enterprises that try to solve

critical problems of society. How did Nigerians get on the internet? It started in my LBS class in 1994. This story, told many times, can bear repeat. I was rebuking the executives in the class that small countries had email addresses, but we did not in Nigeria. One of them, Chima Onyekwere, came to me a erward and proposed we work together on it. We developed a business plan; I invited investors to dinner and made a presentation. Weeks later, the company, Linkserve, was born as Nigeria’s ﬁrst ISP. You can tell a similar story in the media industry, producing one of the best newspapers in Nigeria today. In social enterprise in the founding of CVL, and the work it does with young people to build leadership values, one cannot be more thankful for the Grace to endeavor. Ndidi Nwuneli speaks with generosity about evidence of the impact from what they see in the work they have done at Leap Africa, where, across the breadth of Nigeria, young people pick me out as emblem of authentic leadership. I seem to always feature in their perception of top leaders, Mrs. Nwuneli says. I am sure we can take testimonies

for the work we have been able to do with widows and the disabled these last 30 years. But those are in the social realm even if advocacy for those causes help shape the public sphere and show a unity of thought, advocacy, and action, because in each case, we raise a big idea of a social problem, pursue advocacy for them to gain public support, and actually put in place programs and action that help ameliorate the problem. The Widow Support Centre we founded in 1991, which is still active, is evidence of that. What have I done? The most important work I think I have managed to do is live simply. I was recently on tour of slum-based private schools as National Patron of the Association for Formidable Education Development. Everywhere we went, people were struck by the fact of absence of aides or security guards. Years ago, former Daily Times Managing Director, Onukeba Adinoyo Ojo, observed that I was probably the hardest-working public intellectual in the country. A Ghanaian Political Scientist friend even dared to suggest on the continent of Africa. It is more the commitment to the public space than celebrity or even competence that is the issue here. For the gi of energy and a sensitive conscience that fuels this passion, I cannot begin to give enough thanks to the Creator. If the Porter can take clay that knows that of its own it can do nothing, unless the Porter provides it enablement, then it understands all that should count is the gratitude of the piece of clay. Most of these claims are no doubt collaborations with many who did much more. I can only hope not to return to this question again, because, even if some history has been o ered, I am persuaded they come to a small fraction of what should be possible from the gi of being. The triumph of the human spirit, wri en into our history every day, dwarfs these things one can claim to have done. • Concluded

Pat Utomi, Political Economist and Professor of Entrepreneurship, is founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership.

FACTS FILE From its oil and gas industry audit, companies under the watch of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) between 2006 and 2012, paid a total $293 billion into government coffers.

The Ibadan Peoples Party (IPP) was established on June 15, 1951, by a group of eminent Ibadan indigenes, who opposed the politics of tribalism and personality, which held sway among the Yoruba people who dominated the Western Region, Nigeria, in the 1950s. Its founding chairman was Chief Adisa Akinloye.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that stimulate proteins that help build non-fat muscle mass, helping an athlete become stronger and able to train and play for longer periods of time.

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