Saturday, april 30, 2016 binder1

Oba of Benin dies

News

EFCC closes in on ex-gov over 29 Dubai assets Pg.5

●Life and times of late monarch ●Buhari, Oshiomhole, others pay tributes ●How new Oba will emerge Pgs.12,46,47

Magu

SATURDAY Saturday, April 30, 2016

Vol. 3 No. 801

/newtelegraph

N150

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

Ekiti doctors’ last moments, aborted dreams

Dr. O J Taiwo

●Aladesanmi would have been Pgs.10,11 ordained Redeemed pastor in August ●’I spoke with him at 4pm, he died 5pm’ ●Taiwo died a day after mum’s death ●Olowookere buried on daughter’s birthday ●Doctor planned 50th birthday for June 12

Survivors’ stories

Dr. Tunde Aladesanmi

Every move I made and every project I laid my hands on was going bad. Thanks to your mum’s witchcraft! Tell her to confess to you

–Husband

45 mins of hell in the hands of herdsmen

●We are ready for war –Agbekoyas Pgs.5,51 ●Ohanaeze, others to Fulanis: Leave S’East

Tiwa Savage: I fed, clothed TeeBillz, I’m done with him

Pgs.15,16

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Mass defection looms in PDP over zoning of national offices Onyekachi Eze

T ABUJA

he decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the national chairmanship position of the party to the North-East might likely lead to mass defection from the party.

Indication that the decision did not go down well with most party members was the poor attendance at last Thursday's NEC meeting.

It was gathered that most Board of Trustees (BoT) members boycotted the meeting.

The acting BoT Chairman, Senator Walid Jubrin, who said he was recently discharged from the hospital, confirmed that the board did not meet to consider the report of the zoning committee before it was passed to the NEC for debate.

Commenting also, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, who is among party members kicking against zoning the national chairmanship to the North-East, said he might leave the party on moral ground.

According to him, there was unanimous decision

l Jubrin: BoT didn’t meet over report l Jalo kicks as disquiet envelopes South-West to zone the chairmanship to the South-West due to the fact that the North has produced about nine PDP national chairmen from the time of late Chief Solomon Lar, up to the period of Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff.

“The north is interested in the presidential ticket, not the national chairman,” he said.

Jalo noted that he was taken aback when a chieftain of the party from the SouthWest, Chief Shuaibu Oyedekun, told him that the zone was relinquishing the position to North-East, while the North-West would produce the presidential candidate.

This, Jalo said, was an unwise decision since President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is from the same North-West.

“There is a sitting APC president from the NorthWest, that is Buhari. In the whole of North-West, we have only one member of House of Assembly from Kaduna South, and four members of the House of Representatives.

“How do you think a

presidential ticket there can produce the expected result with Buhari as a sitting president? This is my calculation, I may be wrong.

“But had it been that the presidential ticket is taken to the North-West, we have two state governors - Gombe and Taraba. And other states (from the zone) that are not likely give PDP votes. Then, you now go and get the votes from the South-West,

South-East and South-South, in 2019,” he counselled.

In the same vein, there is a disquiet in the SouthWest over the zoning of the national chairmanship to the North-West.

Former presidential aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in a statement last week, warned that the region might reconsider its continued membership of the party.

He said: “I want to state

categorically here, without any fear of equivocation, that we the Yoruba from the South-West, desire and demand the post of the national chairman at the next convention of the party.

“In the interest of fairness, equity and justice, it is most compelling that the Yoruba of the South-West zone must be allowed to contest for this post at this coming national conven-

tion. Any attempt to do anything to the contrary, no matter the reason advanced cannot be acceptable.

“Failure for a Yoruba man to emerge as the national chairman can only mean two things: That there is a pervasive and concealed hatred for the South-West in the PDP. Or that the PDP has very little or no regard for Yoruba interest as was envinced by the obvious cheating of the South-West from the position of the Speaker in 2011, which was never rectified nor compensated for the whole of four years."

Ekiti doctors’ death: NMA raises N20m for families

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he Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday said it had raised a N20 million Educational Endowment Fund for the immediate support for families of its six members from Ekiti State who died in an auto accident on Tuesday.

This is contained in a communique issued by the association at the end of its 56th Annual General Conference and Delegates meeting in Sokoto.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that six medical doctors from Ekiti state and the driver of the vehicle in which they were

travelling to Sokoto for the NMA AGM died in the crash which occurred along Kaduna-Abuja Highway.

In the communiqué, which was read at a news conference by the newlyelected National President of NMA, Prof. Mike Ogirima, the association said an interfaith service in honour of the departed members would hold on May 16 in Ado-Ekiti.

The association urged federal and state governments to urgently provide and station well-equipped, functional ambulances along major highways for immediate conveyance of

injured victims of vehicular accidents to hospital.

“Furthermore, the federal and state governments should commence immediate rehabilitations of roads with proper and appropriate road signage on the major highways across the country.

“The meeting resolved that the former interim Administrator of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owi, Dr A.O.J. Kolajo, be suspended indefinitely and referred to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCON) for further disciplinary action,” it said.

The communique also

stated that a free medical programme was organised in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State as part of the AGM where general and specialist medical services were offered to the community.

It stated that 754 patients were seen during the programme and that 120 general surgeries were successfully carried out.

NAN reported that the highlight of the event was the election of a six-member National Officers Committee to run the affairs of the association for the next two years.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Kenneth Ofoma Enugu

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hat went wrong?

Why didn’t the relevant authorities prevent it from happening?

Why did the police leave just 30 minutes before the deadly attack? Was the police departure a coincidence or a deliberate conspiracy?

These are puzzling questions residents of Enugu and indeed, many well-meaning Nigerians are asking following Monday’s murderous invasion of Ukpabi-Nimbo, a rural agricultural community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, even as survivors of the attack have begun to recount their ordeal in the hands of the rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

Narrating the incident that was said to have lasted about 45 minutes, some of the survivors told Saturday Telegraph in graphic details, how the police allegedly compromised during the period.

The survivors, including two brothers, explained that policemen were actually deployed in the community on the eve of the attack, as there was an intelligence report that the area would be descended upon.

However, the indigenes of Nimbe were shocked to see police officers leaving the area about 5.30am on Monday, only for the marauders to arrive just 30 minutes later.

“The police left around 5.30am while the herdsmen attacked around 6am”,

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Our 45 minutes ordeal in the hands of herdsmen, by Nimbo survivors lamented one of the two brothers who spoke with our correspondent, while lying critically ill at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH).

The two brothers, Cyprien Ogbobe, 41, and Innocent Ogbobe, 35, are currently on admission at the teaching hospital on Park Lane Enugu, where our correspondent interviewed them.

Despite his injury, the elder brother, Cyprien, managed to mutter some words with the assistance of their mother, Mrs. Regina Ogbwhile, but the younger one, Innocent, was unconscious with machete cuts all over his head and arms.

Cyprien noted that the herdsmen came with buses but parked far away probably at Kogi side of the border, and sneaked into the community on foot. They were said to have laid siege in the bush while monitoring the police, who allegedly tipped them off about their departure.

Mrs. Ogbobe who held back tears to collaborate her son's account noted that the herdsmen had posed constant threat to the community over the years. She said they usually go to farm in groups following constant rape of women and destruction of their farms by the cattle herders.

Another victim of the attack on admission in the hospital, Mr. Utazi Michael, 71, was sleeping, but his daughter, Eze Ngozi narrated their ordeal to our correspondent.

She said the invaders shot sporadically into the air, and as people open their doors running helterskelter, they were either gunned down with AK47 assault riffle or cut down with machetes. She said those shot died instantly while most of the survivors were those who ran away with machete cuts. She said that those they captured alive were cut into pieces, severing their arms first before slaughtering them.

George Ajogu, a community leader alleged during the visit of Governor Ugwuanyi and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, that they suspected possible conspiracy between the herdsmen and the police deployed in the area. He said there was too much of a coincidence during the 30 minutes interval the police departed and the time the herdsmen invaded.

The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze John Akor, on his part, called for increased deployment of security personnel to the area, saying it was not only a tragedy foretold, but also a looming danger foreseen.

Other sources in the area told Saturday Telegraph that armed cattle-rearers, numbering over 100 invaded the sleepy community in the early hours of Monday April 25, disclosing that continuous gunshots were heard as the rampaging herdsmen moved to sack villagers from their homes.

Apart from guns and machetes, the herdsmen, also wielded bows and arrows, it was learnt. When the deadly noise subsided, more than 40 lives were cut down and more than 100 others sustained injuries, in the tale of horror. Several buildings including churches were burnt and the community was left lying desolate.

“There were catalogues of sporadic clashes between Fulani herdsmen and rural farmers in different communities in the state before

now. There were pockets of destruction of farmlands, rape of women, isolated killings and kidnappings.

“In fact, a story was told of how the herdsmen once forced a farmer to watch while they forcefully raped his wife in their farm. Even in recent time, an auditor in the state civil service was kidnapped and later rescued”, another villager recounted.

It was learnt that the villagers, in anticipation of an imminent attack by herdsmen, had alerted the Enugu State Government, and the leadership of the Enugu State Police Command.

According to sources, the Chairman, Transition Committee, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Cornell Onwubuya, who was said to have informed the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the police commissioner, Nwodibo Ekechukwu, of the fears nursed by villagers, also met the leadership of the Hausa-Fulani community in the area over the matter.

Interestingly, the rumoured planned attack by 500 herdsmen was the sub-

ject of an emergency stakeholders meeting in the UzoUwani area council during the weekend, hours before the herdsmen struck. The meeting, reportedly, also deliberated on incessant herdsmen-related problems in the area, including several cases of murder, kidnappings and rape recorded in the recent past.

At the meeting, Onwubuya, chairman of the Uzo-Uwani local council, reportedly disclosed that some leaders of the HausaFulani community had confirmed the rumoured plan by the herdsmen to launch an attack in the area.

Also at the said emergency stakeholders meeting, leaders of the HausaFulani community in Enugu reportedly assured that they would take urgent steps to avert the planned attack.

However, the attack still went ahead, as planned, despite the prior notice given to the authorities, and the assurances given at the stakeholders meeting.

"We have become refugees in our community," laments the traditional ruler of Nimbo.

Kidnapped ‘DNA Twins’ freed in Kogi Lanre Odukoya, Olushola Ricketts and Muhammad Bashir

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he 20-year old twin brothers, Blaire and Clinton Roberts Opara, who were abducted by gunmen at Kabba, Kogi State on their way to Lagos from Abuja last Sunday have been freed.

The kidnappers who had earlier demanded for a sum of N6million later raised the sum to N10 million making it a lot more harrowing for the family to find.

But succour finally came to the family after their father, Chief Roberts Opara, made an appeal to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to help facilitate the return of his boys unhurt.

Kogi State police Commissioner, ‎Mr. Usman Yakubu, who confirmed their release through a telephone conversation denied any knowledge of ransom before the release.

Yakubu also confirmed that the twin brothers were released at about 4pm on Wednesday. Though the NPF boss could not reveal the particular spot where they were set free, he said the captives were released

in Kogi state and have since reunited with their parents.

Meanwhile, there was an attempt to con unsuspecting members of the public through the introduction of fundraiser purportedly to save the twins.

The Roberts Opara later disowned the group, The La Vida Foundation, which had launched a fund-raising appeal on the internet to facilitate the payment of the ransom being demanded by the abductors of the singing duo.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left) and President Muhammadu Buhari during the governor’s visit to the President, at the State House in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

EFCC closes in on ex-gov over 29 Dubai assets —Investigation Our Correspondent

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is closingin on a former governor from the Southern part of the country, who is alleged to own 29 choice property in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), Saturday Telegraph's investigation has revealed.

Sources disclosed that the former governor would soon be invited to the commission's headquarters in Abuja, to answer questions on the alleged ownership of the luxury houses, each of

...as UAE tightens noose around offshore companies which is said to be valued at over $1 million.

It will be recalled that New Telegraph had exclusively reported on Monday the tracing of the property by the Foreign Desk Office of the EFCC. A source, who spoke in confidence with Saturday Telegraph, said the commission was determined to deploy all that is legitimately required, to recover the controversial property, once it has incontrovertible evidence to link the owner-

ship of the property to the erstwhile governor.

He insisted that the said luxury homes, were allegedly acquired through offshore companies, who are also responsible for their management.

This is even as Saturday Telegraph further gathered, that the UAE government was mounting pressure on the offshore companies to come clean on the true ownership of the assets.

The decision by the Federal Government to seek

the support of the government of UAE, and the latter's cooperation, Saturday Telegraph learnt, comes on the heels of a subsisting Bilateral Agreement, which countries signed sometime in January.

The signing, which took place in Abu Dhabi, was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of the UAE, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“Further to the earlier tracing of the assets, the

EFCC is working towards inviting the ex-governor to come and defend himself,” the source said.

Asked to be specific on the date, he declined, saying: “I can't tell you that; you will know once that happens.”

He added that: “The UAE government is mounting pressure on the offshore companies to make some disclosures to it, which will definitely help our investigation. Once all relevant procedures are concluded, and the commission feels strongly it has a prima facie case, it will charge him to court.”

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Boko Haram: Northern govs want civil authority restored in North-East Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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overnors of the 19 Northern States yesterday asked the Federal Government to restore civil authority in the North-East zone after the Boko Haram insurgents have been routed out of the country.

The governors who met at the late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina House, Kawo, Kaduna, also hailed the Nigerian Military for the crack down on the insurgents.

They appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to restore civil authority to the affected part of the states for a safe return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their homes.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, who briefed journalists at opening, also harped on the need to work with security agencies in order to address the situation and other security challenges

confronting the region.

According to him, the governors commended the Federal Government for its intervention in the Agatu crisis in Benue State by deploying security forces to the affected areas.

“We also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our gallant Military and other security agencies who, buoyed up by the President's enthusiastic support and adequate and regular supply of the required Military hardware and welfare incentives, were able to relentlessly pursue the insurgents and destroy their infrastructure,” he said.

Shettima also pointed out that Boko Haram had been defeated, adding that: “What remains now are few isolated pockets of suicide bombings which the recalcitrant remnants of the insurgents use as a last resort to attract attention and create unnecessary panic among the general population.”

Ambode lauds Buhari’s economic investment drive

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agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent overseas trips, which he said was aimed at attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs) into the country.

Ambode, who spoke during a visit to President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, expressed optimism that the President’s trips would in no short time begin to yield benefits in the interest of all Nigerians.

The governor commend-

ed the President for his purposeful leadership to restore the nation’s place in the comity of nations, saying his recent trip to China and the profitable discussions will go a long way move Nigeria forward, including Lagos.

He said the investment pact signed with the Chinese Government will benefit the people of Lagos, especially with the coming of the Lagos-Kano Rail Project and the Lagos Metro-rail project expected to cost about $2.5 billion.

FG pegs board meetings to save N1bn annually Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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he Federal Government has pegged the frequency of meetings of part-time Chairmen and members Committees, Boards of Statutory Corporations and Government-owned companies from eight to four times annually.

The drastic reductions in board members’ meeting could translate to savings in excess of over N1 billion per annum, a statement signed yesterday

by Director (Press) of the finance ministry, Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta, on behalf of the Efficiency Unit of the federal ministry of finance said.

The statement added that, the reduction in the frequency of meetings by such bodies followed a review by the Unit and the discovery that the average annual expenditure on honorarium and sitting allowances between 2012 and 2014 was N12.8 billion.

“The Unit found that by 2010 part-time Chairmen of government Committees and Boards were paid sitting allowances ranging from N40,000 to N150,000 per sitting, while Members received payments ranging from N30,000 to N120,000 per sitting, and the number of sittings has been increased from four to eight per annum,” the statement said.

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Alimodu Sherrif; Akwal Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and others, during the inauguration of Adunni Olayinka Civic Centre… yesterday PHOTO: EKITI STATE

Fresh crisis hits Ogun PDP as factions plan parallel Ward congresses Kunle Olayeni and Adeolu Adeyemo

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s the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goes to the poll today for its ward congresses nationwide, rival members of the party in Ogun State are set to conduct parallel congresses.

Indications to this emerged yesterday when nine out of the 14 members of State Working Committee of the PDP distanced themselves from the planned congresses of the Chief Adebayo Dayo-led executive.

They vowed to hold what they described as "the authentic congresses" in line with the provisions of the party's constitution.

Saturday Telegraph reliably gathered that the development was a new twist in the supremacy battle between the power blocs in the state chapter, including the Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, and a House of Representatives member, Oladipupo Adebutu.

The Dayo-led executive, being backed by Kashamu, had on Friday published venues of where it planned to hold the ward congresses across the 236 wards of the state.

Addressing reporters in Abeokuta yesterday, the PDP

l Oyedokun bcks zoning of PDP national chair Organising Secretary, Mrs Folasade Filani, and Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Oladipupo, said the planned exercise

by Dayo and four other officials remained illegal.

The other officials include the Deputy State Chairman, Elder Sunday Soledolu; State Youth Leader, Alhaji Taofeek Osundara, State Women Leader, Alhaja Nike Odutola; State Treasurer, Muritala Adegoke; Vice Chairman, Elder Amusa Isiaka; State Auditor, Chief Ibukun Ojosipe; and Legal Adviser, Boladale Sanni.

They debunked media reports that the party had been restrained by the court from conducting the congresses, saying the court only restricted Dayo and the PDP State Secretary, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo.

Filani declared that since it was the constitutional responsibility of the organising secretary to conduct congresses, the exercise in which she and others would participate in remained the authentic.

She said: “We have passed a vote of no confidence in Bayo Dayo. I believe that forum needs to be formed before congresses are held.

“As the organising secretary, I'm the one in charge if

we want to conduct congresses. It is a field event. The role of the chairman is to oversee all other officers. Our congresses will be held and it's going to be hundred percent valid.”

Corroborating him, the publicity secretary alleged that Dayo had excluded other officers and hijacked their functions.

“We want to distance ourselves from the Bayo Dayo-led executive. Any congresses conducted by them in deemed illegal; just five people cannot go ahead to hold congresses,” Oladipupo said.

But reacting, the PDP Secretary, Semiu Sodipo, debunked the allegations levelled against him and the chairman, saying no official was sidelined in the affairs of the party.

He, however, described the nine officials of the PDP executive as those who have defected to either the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He said: “They are no more in PDP. They are members of APC and SDP. They want to come back, they should familiarise themselves with the guidelines of the PDP." Similarly, a chieftain of the party and a member of

Jackson’s family plans music academy in Lagos Muritala Ayinla

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amily of the late music icon, Michael Jackson, has disclosed that the family is planning to build the Jackson Academy Performing Art School in Lagos to raise up musical talents.

Mr. Jermaine Jackson, elder brother Michael made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, as part of global tour marking the 50 anniversary Jackson band group, saying that academy

would create more talents in the continent.

The artiste, who said there are a lot signs which shows that Africa is the cradle civilisation, said the academy to train up Nigerians and Africans in the area of music.

He said: “There is a lot of great talents here and we want to use our 50 years of experience in being in the business to teach the arts.

We want to construct the Jackson Academy Performing Art School here.

“It will have a curriculum and also will teach music, directing, film, light-

ening, producing, dancing and so on. We want to get the talents here ready for the global market. I do believe that the drums and the beat started from here,” he said.

Jackson, who said he would grace the Jazz Day celebration organised by the state government, said: “We are going to give you nice compilation of songs that you know and I am just very honoured to be here because we have been kept away from you because of the politics and we are not interested in such politics because we are people who cared about people."

the party’s Board of Trustee (BoT), Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, yesterday backed zoning of the position should go to the Northern part of the country.

Oyedokun, who was a former deputy national chairman of the party in the SouthWest, said this in a statement issued in Osogbo, where he argued that the South-West had held “the Presidency for two consecutive terms whereas there are some zones that had never held it, and are still politically alive.”

He added: “Instead they had always sought for positions that turned out to benefit their people. We have uncovered this secret and could be copied by the South-West."

INEC gives condition for conduct of suspended rerun elections Onyekachi Eze ABUJa

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given conditions for the conduct of suspended court order elections in some states.

The commission has deferred the conduct of rerun elections in Imo North senatorial zone and three state constituencies in Imo State, Kogi East senatorial zone and some federal and state constituencies in Rivers State, among others due to violence.

In a statement on Friday by Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, INEC said for it to retrun to the field to complete the elections, there must be “firm and unequivocal commitment to violence-free polls by the affected political parties and relevant stakeholders.”

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

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Ugwuanyi sets up judicial panel over Nimbo killings Kenneth Ofoma, Charles Onyekwere, Enugu and Steve Uzoechi

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nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday announced the setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the Ukpabi-Nimbo killings and other related violent attacks of residents of the state by suspected herdsmen.

The inauguration came

…attack on Igboland, great humiliation –Iwuanyanwu on a day elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, raised the alarm that there could be a possible collaboration between Boko Haram fundamentalists and the Fulani herdsmen to attack and put the country severe security threats.

Speaking on the the commission, Ugwuanyi said the inquiry followed his briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari about the invasion and killing of scores of

Bello: People working with me not sincere Dan Atori Minna

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iger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has decried the level of insincerity in some ministries and people working with him.

Speaking yesterday during a town hall meeting in Minna, Bello said the present administration would not allow any reckless mismanagement of funds to repeat itself.

While speaking on the level of corruption in the ministries, he warned civil servants to be prudent in their spending especially now that the state is in financial mess.

He said: “The situation is so bad and hopeless that

I don’t even know whom to trust, when people around me give me false information then I begin to ask where is the love, where is the concern, where is the patriotism and I have files on my table to attend to but I am afraid to touch them because I find myself in a position that I don't even know whom I will trust.

“When people working with you find it extremely difficult to tell you the truth then you know they are there for something else. In the past, the governor might not notice what I have noticed because he has a lot of money, but for me when I see those bills I will verify because I don't have money. it is unfortunate the system is rotten and collapsed.

Don’t play politics with death of Ekiti doctors –Group

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he Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has said it received with shock the attempt by some persons to politicise the death of six medical doctors and a driver attached to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State last week.

Speaking through its president, Olarinde Thomas Lukmon Olawoyin, the group laments the cruel interpretation the tragedy was getting from some persons.

The group said: “While we received the news of their

death which occurred during the ill-fated journey to Sokoto on official assignment, we were amazed by the protest that followed and sadly the comments attributed to some persons blaming their death on the Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Dr. Lawrence Ayodele. Worrisome is how these people could be inhuman to the extent of seeking political gain from the death of these great sons of our land at a time, that the FMC and the entire Ekiti State is mourning the death of these compatriots.”

FG inaugurates c’ttee to screen BoI entrepreneurship scheme Taiwo Hassan

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he Federal Government has restated its commitment to its financial inclusion programme in a bid to reduce the high unemployment rate in the country, especially among the teeming youths.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, disclosed this at the inauguration of seven-man committee to screen Bank of Industry (BoI) Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) programme participants and presentation of a roadmap on the pro-

gramme in Lagos yesterday.

He said government was committed to creation of jobs for the teeming youths in the country, stressing that the YES programme was one of the key programmes President Muhammadu Buhari administration would explore to tackle the menace of unemployment.

Enelamah said the BoI YES programme was designed to enhance entrepreneurship capacity among the youths, adding that government will endeavour to meet the aspirations of the youths by providing all the support needed by BoI to successfully implement the YES programme.

residents of Ukpabi-Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area by suspected herdsmen.

According to him, the President condemned the dastardly act in clear terms and directed security operatives to take measures to arrest culprits and forestall future occurrence.

The governor expressed disappointment over the dereliction of duty by security agencies despite assurances they gave give him after a security meeting preceding the attack which they were forewarned.

“So long as we are Nigerians, we cannot live in isolation but those who come

to Enugu State must respect our values and not engage in such dastardly act as we have witnessed recently.

“I am at once, constituting a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of all the violent occurrences in the state associated with suspected Fulani herdsmen and recommend appropriate measures that will be put in place to prevent future occurrence.

“What happened between 6.30am and 7.30 am on April 25 despite assurances from the Security Agencies? Only the security agencies can answer this question. Finally, all security agencies in the State are hereby directed to con-

tinue to ensure that lives and property of the people of the State and all its residents are protected,” Ugwuanyi stated.

Ugwuanyi did not, however, name the composition of the panel.

Meanwhile, Iwuanyanwu said his views were hinged on the recent killing of scores of indigenes of Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen.

He noted that the greatest injury one could inflict on an Igbo man was to attack him in his home. To kill his children, wives and burn his property is the deepest cut of all.

He said: “In this land, nobody is allowed to carry

some calibre of firearms and weapons unauthorized but these herdsmen seem to have authority as they have been reported as freely wielding automatic assault rifles like AK-47. This is unacceptable and should be addressed urgently because Nigeria is strategically under siege by these herdsmen.”

The elder statesman, who lamented that the action of the herdsmen would endanger the nation’s food security with the attendant poor agricultural yields across the country, said farmers now live in fears when they go to their farms for fear of being attcked.

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, condoling Chief Ongodi Nkwoji, the widow of late Chief Michael Nkwoji, at the burial service for Nkwoji at the Immanuel Church Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State…

Thursday

278 policemen killed in two years –IGP Musa Pam Jos

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he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, has disclosed that between January 2014 and December 2015, 278 police officers were killed in the discharge of their responsibilities in the country.

According to him, 194 others sustained various degree of injuries while between January and April, this year, 72 police officers lost their lives even as he said 78 others were injured in the line of internal security duties.

He also noted that cases of killing of police personnel have increased since 2009 due to terrorist attacks by Boko Haram.

Arase disclosured this in Jos, while speaking on the topic: “Police-public partnership in prevention and control of violent crimes and conflicts in Nigeria”, organise by the advancement office of the University of Jos (UNIJOS).

The IGP added that in order to performe its function effectively of preventing and controlling crimes, the police required diverse skills, noting that the work of the police is more difficult in societies like Nigeria where there was mutual distrust between the

police and the public.

He recalled that this was heightened by the fact: “Assistance to the police is often withheld by the citizens.”

Arase highlighted some of the factors that undermine effective partnership between the citizens and the police to include the circumstance in which the police emerged in the country, inability of the country to introduce required reforms for the re orientation of the inherited police forces in a manner that will integrate both the police and the community and lack of required resources and skills to ensure the efficiency of the police.

Other factors to includes

widespread disrespect for the law by the citizens across all the sectors and strata of the society adding that attempt to re-enforce the law is often resisted by significant, proportion of the population who resent support for law, authority and police in Nigeria.

Arase also noted that policing in Nigeria was particularly difficult because of some inadequacies such as logistic and resources, which affects transportation, telecommunication, arms and ammunition, accommodation for police services, inadequate personnel with training, skill and orientation required for policing.

Anisulowo’s kidnap: Ogun CP, senior officers relocate to border area Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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gun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, and some senior officers of the command have relocated to Ilaro and the border area leading to the Benin Republic in a bid to rescue abducted Senator Iyabo Anisulowo.

Also, special teams from the office of Inspector-Gen-

eral of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, have been deployed to assist in the rescue operation.

Anisulowo, a former Minister of State for Education, was kidnapped on Wednesday night by gunmen while returning from her farm in Sawonjo, Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the commissioner of police

relocated with a view to rescuing the former lawmaker.

He said senior officers who have joined the CP included the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence; Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations; officers in charge of Special Anti-Robbery and Kidnapping Squads; officers and men of the State Intelligence Bureau and Police Mobile Force as well as information and communica-

tion technology experts.

He added that the police have been on their toes and working assiduously to ensure the victim is rescue unhurt and the perpetrators apprehended.

Adejobi said: “The command detectives are also presently working with other security agencies and special teams from the office of the Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja to rescue Senator Iyabo Anisulowo without delay.

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News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Asset declaration: ACF cautions FG over Saraki’s trial Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday cautioned the Federal Government not set a bad precedent for in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over false assets declaration.

The Federal Government is prosecuting Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged anticipatory declaration of assets while he was the governor of Kwara State.

ACF which is the umbrella body of the leaders of thought in the North warned that the Federal Government through the CCT should not give a predetermined judgment against Saraki for political reasons as doing so, will not be in the best interest of the country.

Speaking through its Na-

tional Vice-Chairman, Senator Joseph Waku, the forum described the ongoing prosecution of the Senate President as a premeditated trial that will bring no justice to the defendant (Saraki).

Addressing journalists, Waku claimed that from all indications via the conduct of the proceedings, the tribunal chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar, was being teleguided by external forces.

Waku, who claimed that he was sent to the tribunal by the national leadership of the ACF, said he was not impressed with the performance of the tribunal in the trial.

He said: “I have been watching the proceedings on the television and reading in the newspapers, and I was mandated by the Arewa Consultative Forum to come here as an observer and watch the proceedings and go back to report what I have found."

Customs begin probe into ‘assaulted’FAAN employee incident Wole Shadare

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he Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has commenced investigations into the incident involving one of its officers and a staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), over clash of right of way near the Palace Gate of the Cargo Terminal.

The investigation, the spokesperson of the NSC Airport Command, Thelma Williams, said had become imperative to establish the veracity of the claim by a staff of FAAN that a Customs officer attacked him near the Palace Gate over right of way on the road leading into the Cargo Terminal.

She said preliminary findings by the Customs had revealed that the officer was not trying to gain access into the Palace Gate as alleged by the FAAN staff.

She said the officer had made a turn towards the Hajj

Camp axis of the road, when the FAAN staff in company of others blocked his car.

Williams said the Customs officer was at no time taken to the Airport Police Station over the matter, but, reported the matter officially.

She said it was important to clear the air on the matter because of information being pushed out to the public that the Customs officer battered the FAAN staff and damaged his car.

She gave account of the incident: “At no time did our officer try or attempt to access the monument gate as being alleged. Rather, the officer in question veered off the road to drop off a friend only to be barricaded by a FAAN staff in the company of four other FAAN workers.

“He tried to inquire the reason for the barricade and this led to an argument which further culminated into a scuffle.

There was never a point that our officer was taken to the Police station as reported in the press,” he said.

‘Why A’Ibom govt okayed N10bn loan to firm’ Tony Anichebe uyo

A

kwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon, has said the N10 billion loan facility guaranteed to Wizchino Nigerian Limited for construction of Etinan-Ndon Eyo Road was to relieve the already over-stretched purse of government the burden of paying a lump sum for the contract.

Okon, who stated this

on a 60-minute interaction programme on Atlantic 104.5 FM Radio, Uyo, said if government were to fund the project from its coffers, it would have gravely affected its ability to meet other obligations.

He said the mode of funding of the project was novel and helped to check extra expenditure that may have arisen from variations in the contract sum at expiration of the contract completion period.

ABEOKUTA FG recognises youths as change agents —Buhari

NEWS IN BRIEF

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President Muhammadu Buhari has urged youths in the country to uphold the tenets of patriotism in national service to enable them to support the change philosophy of the Federal Government.

The president made the call yesterday during the swearing-in of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Batch ‘A’ Stream I members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun St. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the president’s message was delivered by Mr. Afolabi Afuape, Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Ogun State, who represented the state’s governor, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun.

“This is cheering news for the government that is currently scouting for Nigerians with zeal and determination to join in selfless service to the nation,” Buhari said.

FCT

PORT HARCOURT

Rivers saves N1bn from BVN FCTA okays N76.5m for projects Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, yesterday said the state had saved about N1 billion as a result of workers’ bank verification exercise (BVN) it carried out.

Harry-Banigo made this known at the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) Business Luncheon.

She said the state government was constrained to embark on the verification due to current poor revenue profile of the state.

She said the state’s Board of Internal Revenue had been strengthened to perform optimally towards improved revenue generation.

Harry-Banigo assured that the state government would provide the necessary infrastructure to encourage business to thrive in the state.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has released N76.5 million for the execution of projects in the territory.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made this known while receiving a delegation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by its Country Senior Representative, Mr Hiroshi Kodama, on Friday in Abuja.

The minister said the amount represented its counterpart funding for projects being executed in the territory in partnership with JICA. He said N46.5 million of the ammount was counterpart funding for integrated solid waste management system in the FCT under the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

He said the balance of N30 million was its share for the water sub-sector projects, including metering of water consumers in the FCT.

Boko Haram: FG signs MoU on MNJTF Intelligence Headquarters AGREEMENT

The Federal Government has signed an agreement for the establishment of RIFU for MNJTF

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he Federal Government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to site the headquarters of the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) of the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Abuja.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, who spoke at the event, decried the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the West African sub-region.

Onyeama said the establishment of the unit was important to totally defeat the insurgents operating in the Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.

He said: “The Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit is something that was created within the framework

of the intelligence of the insurgency that this country and neighbouring countries have been facing.

“In coordination with some of our country supporters like France, it was decided to institutionalise the sharing of intelligence among the frontline states engaged in the battle against Boko Haram.

“It was agreed that in institutionalising this intelligence sharing cooperation mechanism a headquarters should be established.

“And it was agreed that the headquarters of this intelligence sharing mechanism should be located in Abuja.”

The minister said the formal establishment of the headquarters of the Unit in Abuja was a very important step in the battle against extremism and terrorism.

“We know that beyond the classical military confrontation, one of the most important weapons that we have in fighting terrorism and insurgency worldwide is intelligence sharing.

“Intelligence gathering ability has to be really tip-top to really make headway in

this fight because it is now a different kind of fight, no longer so much in the battlefield.

“But as we see with these sporadic terrorist suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices, penetrating local communities, what we absolutely need in that fight is intelligence,” he said.

Onyeama pledged Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the RIFU to make it a success.

“As we are the host of this international organisation, we will do everything possible to make sure that your residence in our country is a happy one.

“We commit to providing you with the enabling environment to be able to carry out your work effectively as a member of the organisation.

“We also commit to doing everything to ensure your success because your success means the security of not only the sub-region but increased security for the whole world,” he said.

Responding, the Coordinator of RIFU, Mr. Dennis

Myntia, from Cameroon, said Boko Haram could not be defeated without intelligence sharing and commended Nigeria’s contributions to the Unit.

“Without intelligence sharing, nothing can be done; not only in the field of security or terrorism but on every field that exists.

“The intelligence we have made helped in the arrest of the masterminds of the first Boko Haram attack in Chad, and also in Niger.

“Nigeria gave us some telephone numbers and we sent them to Niger, and Niger, after investigation, succeeded in arresting the head of the vast network in Niger.”

Myntia said the Unit had operatives in all the member-countries who were inter-linked and sharing intelligence all the time.

“As Boko Haram has network, we have a network also in sharing intelligence if not we cannot succeed. We have to be ahead of them.

We have operatives in every country involved in the fight against Boko Haram in the region,” he said.

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; DirectorGeneral, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nteranya Sanginga and Founder, Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), Hajia Salamatu Garba, at the inaugural meeting of Nigeria Zero Hunger Strategic Review Committee in Ibadan, Oyo State… yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

9

'Why we pushed for N56,000 new minimum wage' Yekeen Nurudeen

A Abuja

s the Nigerian workers prepare to mark this year Workers’ Day tomorrow, the umbrella body of the workers, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has said its proposal for a N56,000 minimum wage for civil servants was hinged on the current inflationary

trend in the country.

The union also argued that it was not out of place for government to increase workers salary even in times of recession, as it was an indirect means of stimulating economic activities.

NLC Deputy President, Mr. Peters Adeyemi, who defended the congress’ demand for wage increase said wage increase was a constitutional matter which

ought to be observed by government as the employer, once every five years.

Adeyemi who spoke in Abuja yesterday at a press conference to herald the May Day commemoration, noted that as at the time N18,000 minimum wage was negotiated with the federal government, the exchange rate was about N145 to a dollar.

He argued that while inflation had resulted in the

increase of goods and services, workers salary had remained stagnant.

He said: “If you ask me how justified is the N56,000 wage increase in spite of the economic crisis, my answer would be yes, it is highly justified.

“First do not forget that the naira itself has collapsed,beyond the expectation of every Nigerian,I recall when we negotiated the

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama (left) and Coordinator, West African Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) against Boko Haram, Mr. Dennis Myntia, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU in Abuja… yesterday.

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at the values associated, even the unlawful increase in electricity tariff, you will find that there has been tremendous increase in the prices of goods and services and salaries of workers have remained stagnant, right now we are talking of fuel scarcity, you also know that Nigerians have had to contend with buying of petrol as much as N250 and workers are involved at these outrageous demands.”

On the theme of this year’s event which is: “The Working Class and the Quest for Socio-Economic Revival”, he said the current economic situation called for stakeholders, particularly workers to chart a way for national rebirth and engendering pro-poor policies.”

FG pledges support for mineral sector investors Adeolu Adeyemo and Amadi Nnamdi

PHOTo:NAN

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME

N18,000 minimum wage, the exchange rate then was about N145 to a dollar.

“As at this morning, its about N321 to a dollar, I heard its a bit stable now at N321, but if you do arithmetical calculations, it shows it more than one hundred percent poor, in whatever way you want to look at it.

“What that means in effect is that the N18,000 itself has gone down beyond one hundred percent from the time it was negotiated.

“By implication, what N18,000 could buy as at when it was approved has reduced significantly beyond more than half, it would not be fair to say that we must continue to insist that N18,000 should be what is payable.

“Talking about the inflationary trend, if you look

‘PDP defectors in Osun are on sabbatical leave’ Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

A

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming election in Osun State, Mr. Soji Adagunodun, yesterday said all party members who defected to APC are currently on sabbatical leave, saying, “very soon, they will come back to the PDP they belong to.”

Adagunodun, who made this known in an interview with journalists in Osogbo, said all the aggrieved members of the party would also be re-united if voted in as the next chairman of the party in the state.

He argued that they had all contributed in one way

or the other to the development of the party and pledged to bring them back to the party.

Also, a chieftain of the party, Mr. Ibukun Fadipe, while speaking at a programme organised by hundreds of party members in the state for Adagunodo’s endorsement at the party secretariat in Osogbo for the position, commended the efforts made by the National chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff and the Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, to make the party more formidable in the South-west.

He specifically commended their efforts in wooing Senator Adewolu Ladoja back into the PDP. Fadipe described the step taken by the leader-

ship of the party as progressive and remarkable and expressed optimism that, with the development, the PDP will outsmart all other political parties in the forthcoming elections in both Oyo and Osun states.

He, however, described the aspiring chairman, Adagunodo as a focused, dynamic and straightforward personality who can manage and steer the ship of the party to an expected promise land.

Fadipe, a former local government chairman however charged party members in the state to rally round him through their votes to be able to make the party more virile in the state.

T

he Federal Government has assured Investors in the solid minerals of its support in form of incentives, in order to ensure that the sector contributes maximally to the economic diversification plan and development of the country.

Giving this assurance in Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday during the foundation laying ceremony of the ultra-modern KAM Industries Steel Melt Shop, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said his ministry would also focus on capacity building in the steel sector in order to drive the country’s technological development.

The minister who said basic metals such as processed steel, aluminium products and associated derivatives import was about 25 million tonnes per annum, said the estimate had hit about US$4.5 billion.

Kwara Speaker tasks NBA to rescue judiciary Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

S

peaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr.Ali Ahmad, yesterday tasked the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to rescue the nation's judiciary, which he described as being on “trial”.

Ahmad, who gave the charge while addressing the executives of Ilorin NBA branch during a courtesy visit, said the leadership of the NBA should rise to the occasion and speak up on various issues affecting judiciary with a view to protecting the judicial arm

of government and save the nation.

A statement issued by the speaker’s Media Aide, Shuaib Abdulkadir, in Ilorin quoted the Speaker as lamenting situations where judges were falsely accused, hoodwinked, blackmailed and threatened before giving judgments, arguing that it posed serious threat to the judiciary independent as enshrined in the constitution.

Ahmad who commended the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria for airing their views on some political trials in the country maintained that the NBA

must also continue to speak on the side of law without taking side particularly as it concerns administration of justice.

He said: “The NBA does not have to be political, but it must at all times speak up against anything that could threaten the judicial arm of government.”

“NBA should speak on our fundamental institution which is the judiciary by supporting judges who are being hoodwinked, blackmailed and threatened.

This is due to the fact that not only politicians are on trial but also the judiciary.

And NBA must assist in re-

storing the integrity of the judiciary, otherwise we will be in trouble.”

On the issue of some reputable lawyers standing trials for alleged bribery and corruption, the Speaker who is also a barrister advised the association to quickly embark on internal cleansing by scrutinising its members in order to sanitise the sector.

Without that, he warned that it could get worse to a certain level whereby those who knew nothing about law would be saddled with the responsibility of determining who becomes a judge as it is the case in some countries.

Fayemi, while lauding the new steel industry which was regarded as the largest indigenous private sector investment in the steel sector in the country, said such a landmark project became possible because government had put in place structures to support and provide incentives to genuine investors in order to enhance their productivity.

He said: “Adequate incentives and encouragement have been extended to investors who have distinguished themselves in their various areas of businesses leading to such ventures as this which we gather today.

“The government is doing this in realisation of the fact that Nigeria, like all other developed nations of the world, must have a viable steel sector. Therefore, this government is turning on all the keys and pushing all the buttons to ensure that the steel sector is brought to its rightful place.

“The enabling environment created by government is what has given spore and muscles to the private sector such as seen in the strides of today.”

Speaking further, the minister said a new Mineral Sector Road Map had been developed in order to accomplish the set targets of boosting the sector.

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10

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heirs was a ghastly fate. Six medical doctors, substantive consultants in various medical specialities and others soon to gain that status, serving across various government-owned hospitals in Ekiti State and their driver, had started a journey to Sokoto last Sunday, but ended up in the belly of the earth. This was an aftermath of a fatal crash along AbujaKaduna Road.

Their mission in Sokoto was to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of their parent body, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), a meeting in which they had been assigned to participate in.

Reports indicated that the bus conveying them ran suddenly into a deep hole in the middle of the road while approaching Kaduna from Abuja, a development which caused a skid off the path, followed by rounds of summersaults, then a blackout. All six, according to reports, died on the spot.

There were equal number of survivors though of the ill-fated journey, including the Chairman of the Ekiti State arm of the NMA, Dr. John Akinbote, who led the twelve-member delegation and who himself also came within whiskers of death.

He however escaped its (death's) merciless fangs. Fate spared the six to tell the tale.

But the Ekiti six and one driver must have their tales told. This category includes Dr. Adeniyi Atolani James, Senior Health Officer with the Ekiti State Hospitals Management Board; Dr J.B. Ogunseye, who served as Senior Dental Officer at General Hospital, Ifaki-Ekiti; Dr. Olayiwola Olajide who was still serving as President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) Branch.

Others are Dr. Alexander Akinyele, who before his death was a Resident Doctor, Community Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI); Dr. O.J. Taiwo, a Consultant Anatomic Pathologist at EKSUTH; a Consultant General Surgeon at FETHI, Dr. Tunde Aladesanmi and the driver of the NMA bus, Mr. Ajibola Olowookere.

Their remains, welcomed into AdoEkiti, the state capital, about 7pm the following Tuesday from Akure, Ondo State capital, in a hail of wailing by family members, professional colleagues, friends and well-wishers, at Fajuyi Roundabout, were borne in six ambulances amid a fairly long motorcade. It was led straight to the mortuary of the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) by State Governor Ayodele Fayose who spotted all black T-Shirt, a pair of trousers and fez cap, accompanied by a throng of ranking lieutenants.

Mourners, complementing the sombre atmosphere, had lined the way all through the about half-kilometre walk from Fajuyi to the morgue of EKSUTH, consisting mostly of women, both elderly and of middle ages, residents and traders around the area, some singing dirges, some wailing. Quite a few others however just looked blank, befuddled by a calamity whose enormity they found unfathomable.

Emotions ran high on the arrival of the motorcade at Fajuyi Roundabout, as the immediate family members, especially wives and their relatives, wept uncontrollably. They made remarks, wondering if such destiny rightly, perhaps even deservedly, belonged to them; openly querying God "Why, why me, why Aladesanmi, why Ogunseye, why, why, why?" The queries, just like the wails, were torrential and seemed unending throughout the time it took to place the corpses one after the other in the morgue, immediate home place of mortals certified for eternity.

City & crime update

SATURDAY, 30 APRIL 2016

Ekiti doctors' last moments, aborted dreams

The death of six medical doctors and a driver (Ekiti seven) in a fatal road mishap on Abuja-Kaduna Road last Sunday was a sad phase in the history of Ekiti, writes SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN

His elder brother, also a medical doctor, Bode Olajide, described his death as 'shocking', adding "the entire family is still coming to terms with the loss".

His words: "I am short of words, I don't know what to say again. We were four in number, two boys and two girls.

We struggled through life to survive.

Lord, I have so many questions in my heart.

"We use to call him 'Balogun', he was a peacemaker. He used to say 'boda mi... boda mi' (my brother, my brother). He promised to follow my footsteps when I was in medical school. This will be a heavy burden in my heart but the consolation I have is that 'Layi is in heaven."

Scene of accident INSET: Olowookere Ajibola

So far, five of the dead had been interred. Dr. Aladesanmi was buried on Wednesday at his family’s residence in Araromi Quarters, off Adebayo in AdoEkiti. Dr. Ogunseye and Dr. Olajide were interred within the environment of the Doctors' House (NMA Secretariat), IyinRoad, also in Ado-Ekiti. Dr. Adeniyi and the driver, Olowookere, were however taken to their various communities.

It was gathered that the corpses of the two remaining victims, Dr. Akinyele and Dr. Taiwo, would be committed to earth on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Dr. Aladesanmi Aladesanmi, 54, is survived by aged parents, wife and children. He would have been ordained full-fledged pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God in August, the process which had been concluded.

His widow, Bola, who was full of sorrow, and three children were at the church and funeral service. But, while Bola could not speak, Jesutoni the deceased's eldest child, a female, urged her dad, in a tribute, to appear to her in dream and imbue her with sufficient academic brilliance, possibly to sustain his legacy of academic excellence Her words: "My sweet dad, I love you so much. I know you are dead but I believe

you are still with me.

Please, just appear to me in a dream and make me brilliant and tell me you love me. I will always make you proud dad.

Rest in peace."

Another daughter, Jesutomisin, said: "Daddy, it was too soon to leave me. Continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ."

His younger brother, Mr. Adewunmi Aladesanmi, recounting the immediate period around the fateful time on Sunday, told journalists he spoke with his late brother about 2:30 pm on the day.

He said: "Shortly after, I could not get to him again. I spoke with him again around 4p.m. This was the last time we spoke. By 5p.m when I called him again, his line had been switched off. Ten minutes later I received a call that his vehicle was involved in an accident. Immediately, I went to his house to inform his wife. As soon as I got there, I received a call again from someone who said he had died."

Dr. Olayiwola Aged 33, Olayiwola, is today being mourned by an aged mother, his siblings, his very young wife and their 10-monthold first born. He was the Resident Oral Maxilofacial Surgeon.

Dr. Taiwo Dr. Taiwo is survived by a wife and children. Taiwo's mother died just a day preceding his own death, Saturday, April, 23, 2016, which is why his burial was delayed a bit. He would have turned 50 years on June 12. A 'big' birthday was being planned for the late doctor by a committee of friends.

Dr. Tunji Omotayo spoke on virtues of Taiwo.

"We were in the university together, did National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) politics in the school together and all these years, we put our lives on the line. We were looking forward to June 12 to celebrate his 50th birthday, but death has taken him away. He was a good friend, very dependable friend; I don't know what to say rather than to wonder why," Omotayo mourned.

Dr. Atolani James His elder brother, Mr. Olabisi Atolani said: "In everything we should give thanks, says the Word of God. What happened was beyond our control. My brother was the last born of the family and he never disappointed.

"He was a lovely brother and when you called him that you have any problem, especially when you are sick, he was ever ready to assist and he was a great blessing to the family.

"He never allowed anything to push him away from the Word of God. He would never look down on anybody, despite his status as a doctor.

"The lesson for us all is that no matter the number of years you spend on earth, we should try to make positive impact in the lives of the people."

CONTINUed on PAGE 11

City&crime update 11

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

CONTINUed from PAGE 10

Dr. Ogunseye Ogunseye's younger sibling, Mr. Muyiwa Ogunseye said: "He was my immediate elder brother, I never knew that this was how his death would come.

"I saw him last on Saturday (April 23) and he talked to me about our parents. On Sunday, I went to our mother but nobody believed that this would be how he would end it.

"He was a loving husband to his wife and a caring father to his daughter. I pray that God will give his aged parents and the younger ones the courage to bear this loss."

Mr. Olowookere In his early thirties, Aji-bobo, as fondly called by friends, was a father of three, survived also by a mother and wife. He was buried exactly on the day his last child, a daughter, turned one year.

A family member of his, who identified himself as just Mr. Olowo, gave a touching oration, describing the deceased as a

'He died in company of great men' committed family man.

Olowo said: "Aji-bobo, they call you the seventh man but to us, you are Aji. You are a son to the larger family, a father, a husband; you are irreplaceable, unforgettable.

"They say you are the seventh person, while to some others, you are just anonymous; you are a stranger in the midst of doctors. My dependable brother, you are a caring person, friendship was worth more than money to you.

"You died in company of great men, Temi is exactly one year today and she will bear your name forever. I called you on April 24, no answer, I called you when I saw your body in the mortuary even though I couldn't recognise you anymore but you didn't answer."

At a church and funeral service for Aladesanmi, Pastor Steven Omotayo of

Ekiti Province 1, in his sermon, had cautioned people against making remarks to deride either God or men, urging people not to attribute the deaths to anyone but God. Omotayo had said: "When things happen to you suddenly, watch your mouth".

NMA National President, Dr. Kayode Obembe, represented by the Ogun NMA Chairman, Dr. Adenike Odewabi, who is equally the South West Coordinator of the body, said in his tributes: "Even though his life was short, it was impactful. We will defend the dream he lived for. We shall live with his principles and ideals. His memory will continue in our minds. He has lived a worthy life."

Programme moderator, Dr. Samuel Omotoso, a member of the House of Assembly representing Oye Constituency

Dr. J B Ogunseye

Dr. Adeniyi James

Dr. Olajide Olayiwola

Dr Tunde Aladesanmi

Dr. O J Taiwo

Dr. Akinyele Alexander

1 rendered funeral oration to honor Dr. Olajide and Dr. Taiwo who hailed from his constituency.

During his oration, Omotoso, who all along had maintained his emotions, broke down in tears and was immediately led away.

Governor Fayose, who had earlier announced automatic employment for the wives of the doctors who needed jobs, had also declared three-day mourning period, ordering that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast. He equally pledged to immortalise the seven at the appropriate time.

FETHI’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Ayodele, described the deaths as a national calamity, noting ‘’It is not about the state, but the whole country because it involves six senior doctors and a driver.

His words: “On behalf of the entire hospital community, we pray that this kind of very sad event would not happen again. We need a period of prayer to put an end to this kind of ugly incident”.

Meanwhile, contrary to the report by Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), one of the six survivors of the Kaduna/Abuja auto accident that claimed the lives of six doctors and their driver, Dr. Ekundare Folu, has insisted that the driver was not on speed.

Speaking through WhatsApp social media platform, the chairman of National Association of Government and General Medical and Dental Practitioners stated that the driver was not picked on the roadside to take them for the journey.

“This is the man that has been working with us for more than four years. The FRSC are indirectly telling the world that a bus of 12 doctors, including several senior consultants could not control a driver we employed and pay salaries to.

“I was in the same vehicle and sat in the row behind the driver and I cheeked the speedometer from time to time. The bus also makes a beeping sound once the speed exceeds 110km/hr. Let me state categorically that the bus driver was not speeding. The FRSC are probably trying to justify their intension to sell their speedlimiting device to Nigerians hence associating every possible accident to excessive speeding. And, it is sad that they would even attempt to use such a sad event to do such.”

Tribute

Ogbomoso agog as monarch clocks 90

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he ancient city of Ogbomoso is set to play host to prominent personalities from all walks of life as all is set for the grand 90th birthday and 42nd coronation anniversary celebrations of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111 CFR. The modest self-made revered monarch, who is also the Chancellor of Plateau State University, Bokkos, will become a nonagenarian on May 27, 2016.

We gathered that a special committee comprising the monarch’s children and associates has been meeting day and night to ensure a flamboyant and historic event.

The three-day fiesta will be rounded off with an elegant reception on Friday, May 27, at Ogbomoso palace ground with King Sunny Ade (KSA), Abolore Akande popularly known as Nice (an indigene of Ogbomoso) alongside other Fuji and Juju musicians on band stand.

Speaking under condition of anonymity, a reliable source close to the palace said, “Alayeluwa rarely

throws parties. For him to have decided to mark his 90th birthday and 42nd coronation anniversary, you can imagine what the event would look like.

“We thank God for Kabiyesi’s remarkable life, we appreciate his contributions to the society through his selfless roles as a statesman and an upscale philanthropist.

“As a man of principle, he has carved a niche for himself in the traditional institution. He is a very rare monarch”.

According to Mrs. Aduke Alade, a businesswoman in Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewumi is the pride of Ogbomoso, noting that the monarch’s passion for his people is immeasurable.

She said, “We are happy that our Baba is 90 years old and 42 years on the throne.His reign has brought unprecedented development to Ogbomoso and its environs.Kabiyesi is loved by all and sundry. He is passionate about his domain.

"We pray God will grant Oba Oyewumi more rewarding years in good health in the service of God and humanity”.

Oba Ajagungbade

12 News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Chiefs break white chalk to announce Oba of Benin's transition Cajetan Mmuta Benin

I

t was a solemn moment for the ancient Benin kingdom and the capital city of Edo State and its residents yesterday as top hierarchy of palace chiefs announced the transition of Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba Nedo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

The passage of Oba Erediauwa was broken by the chiefs led by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom Chief Sam Igbe and Chief David Edebiri (The Esogban of Benin Kingdom) to the heir apparent His Royal highness Eheneden Erediauwa and Edaiken N’Uselu, children and other members of the royal family as well as the Enigies and large crowd of sympathizers who thronged the ancient palace.

There were traditional rites that heralded the solemn moment held amid wailings and reflections on the death of the sage and monarch of the kingdom.

The chiefs in a procession like manner accompanied by a man carrying the traditional Akpoki (a round sacred stool-like box with cover at both ends and said to be containing some traditional items of high spiritual powers), trooped to the centre of the main entrance gate where the Iyase of Benin made some traditional incantations and broke a big white chalk and announced to

The Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, leading other palace chiefs to announce the death of Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Nedo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, in Benin City… yesterday. INSET: Traditional chalk used in announcing the death.

the hearing of all that the monarch had reunited with his ancestors.

An official statement by Chief Sam Igbe which was made available to newsmen stated that the HRM Oba Erediauwa has joined his ancestors after the traditional while chalk was broken at the main entrance gate and within the ancient palace after some rites laced with spiritual invocations and rites were also performed by the Iyase of the Kingdom who was accompanied by an army of top chiefs to carry out the all-important ceremony.

The Iyase of Benin Kingdom who described the late Oba of Benin as the Prince of Peace also prayed God to grant his soul external peace.

According to the statement, “As announced by the Iyase of Benin kingdom, Osorhue Bunrun, Oba Erediauwa of Benin Kingdom, the Prince of Peace, Ebo, Ayenmwirhe (CMINI, MINI, MNI) has reunited with his ancestors. May he find perfect peace

has been assured by his long and highly successful career as a public servant, administrator and chief custodian of the much celebrated culture and traditions of his people.

The President prayed that God Almighty will receive the late Oba's soul and grant him peaceful repose.

He also prayed that God will grant Crown Prince Erediauwa the wisdom and courage he will require to build on the laudable legacies of Oba Erediauwa.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole eulogised the sterling contributions of the monarch.

Oshiomhole in a condolence message yesterday said: “Our hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief, at the announcement of the passing on to glory of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, our highly revered Oba. He described the Oba as “a distinguished Edo numero uno, an accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary Omo N’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense class, finesse and integrity to traditional institution in Edo state and the country at large”.

According to Oshiomhole ,”His carriage comes with an élan that was peculiar with the reverence of royalty. His uncommon courage was symbolic of the can-do spirit of the Edo mind. His unity of purpose was not in doubt even as he used his revered position to promote constructive engagement amongst

all shades of opinion and culture in Edo state”.

He stated that, “As a thorough-bred bureaucrat, rising to the pinnacle of his career as a Federal Permanent Secretary, he understood the dynamics and intricacies of governance. He was the alternative voice to the many voiceless in our society, calling government attention to issues of development and transparent governance, without minding whose ox is gored.

He was brave, fearless, punchy and instructive in his verbal and written messages.”

The governor added that, “Edo people will miss our iconoclastic royal father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity.

Adieu until we meet to part no more. Oba gha to kpere, ise.”

Also, the Senator representing Edo south in the National Assembly under the platform of the PDP, Senator Matthew Urhoghide said he received the announcement of the passage of the monarch as a rude shock.

Senator Urhoghide said “The announcement has come to me as a rude shock. To me and the entire people of Edo South, Nigeria and the whole world that an institution like the Benin monarch at his passage. There will be tremor and checking in tha land because the loss is too huge. We are saddened by his passage but we take solace in the fact that he has gone to rest with his ancestors, but that his fatherly and royal leadership of our people will remain in the

w i t h G o d ,

Amen.”

The core chiefs of the inner chamber of the palace had before the public announcement of the death of the monarch held hours of closed door meeting with the HRH Eheneden Erediauwa, the Enigies and other elders of the

royal family before they came out to break the news of the exit of the nation’s revered traditional ruler and a former Federal Permanent Secretary.

The Oba’s children, relations, Enigies, in-laws and others were made to stand in a circular form with the top palace chiefs while the breaking of the sad news about the death of their father and other ceremonies lasted.

At the palace were large crowd of sympathizers including popular businessman Captain Hosa Okunbor and others most of who gathered in groups to discuss hushed tunes about the sad development.

It would be recalled that the heir apparent HRH Eheneden Erdiauwa had recently completed the mandatory traditional rites of traditional spiritual fortification and also moved to Uselu traditional palace ground preparatory to the formal ceremony that will usher in his reign as the next Oba of the kingdom rich in culture and tradition.

A 28 day traditional burial rites is expected to be carried out with the latest breaking of news about the death of Oba Erediauwa who mounted the revered seat in 1979 and his reign has witnessed tremendous development and peaceful coexistence amongst all segments of people of the state, the country Nigerian and beyond.

Buhari, Oshiomhole, Dogara, Oyegun mourn Cajetan Mmuta, Philip Nyam and Anule Emmanuel

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eactions by eminent Nigerians yesterday poured in as the news of the Oba’s death was made public.

President Muhammadu Buhari expressed sadness over the death of the highly revered traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he received with sadness and an immense feeling of great national loss, news of the death.

President Buhari extended condolences to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the people of Benin Kingdom and Edo State on the passage of the beloved monarch who had ruled over his people since his ascension to the throne in 1979.

He also extended commiserations to Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa and other members of the late Oba's immediate family.

Buhari assured them of the fullest sympathy and solidarity of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they mourn Oba Erediauwa who will always be remembered as one of the most outstanding traditional rulers of his era.

He said "as the late Oba goes to join his very illustrious royal ancestors, President Buhari believes that his place of honour in the history of the Benin Kingdom and Nigeria

sand of time.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has condoled with the people of the ancient Bini Kingdom over the transition of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Erediauwa I. In a statement signed by his spokesman Turaki Hassan, the speaker noted that the late Oba's legacy of peace will continue to make impact in the Edo nation and the entire country for generations to come.

"The Edo nation will always remember the late revered monarch as a royal father who loved peace and mediated disputes with fairness. Nigeria has in-

deed lost a dependable royalty and jewel of peace", the speaker lamented.

Reacting to the transition of the revered monarch, two-time governor of old Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, said: “I express my deepest condolence to the Royal family and the great people of Benin Kingdom. He was a great King who ensured peace in his Kingdom and more importantly, Benin Kingdom experienced tremendous progress during his reign and he shall be missed greatly. We take solace in the fact that he lived an honest and exemplary life and his reign as a king will never be forgotten”.

Tension as shops hurriedly close Cajetan Mmuta Benin

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here was tension within the Benin Metropolis and adjoining towns following the announcement about the death of Oba of Benin Kingdom, HRM Oba Erediauwa by the palace chiefs.

Most residents, especially, visitors and strangers including traders, market women and non traditionalists were enveloped by fear and suddenly closed their shops over fear of traditional rituals which some fear might cost human heads.

New Telegraph investigations revealed that the popular New

Benin market and similar markets and business outlets within the City were forced to closed as against the normal closing hours in the day.

Traders and market women were hurriedly seen locking up their shops as rumour went about the town about the latest development.

It was learnt that residents do not come out at night hours as from 7pm and business activities, particularly, drinking spot have low patronage during the time.

Source close to the palace who confided in this paper however said yesterday that such old and ugly practice was non-existent and if it ever happens it was in decades past.

WeekendBliss

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

JONATHAN'S INTERVENTION FUNDS FOR NOLLYWOOD SENSELESS Not many know that famous comic actor, Nkem Owoh, is a graduate of Electrical Engineering from the University of Ilorin. The thespian of note speaks about his career while tasking government on developing Nollywood among sundry issues in this interview with FLORA ONWUDIWE How did you come about your stage name 'Osuofia'?

Let me start by telling you that Osuofia is derived from a stage play that was organised before the inception of Nollywood and I used to play the role in the play I wrote. ‘Osuofia’ simply means fact-finder; even though he may not be a rich man, he is a fact-finder and ready to go. I started acting because I had something I was doing on television in the early ’80s, it was an Easter comedy promo.

How do you feel when your fans call you Osuofia when you are not what the character has portrayed you to be?

Osuofia is not a bad man, if they call me that it is not bad; I know it’s a stage name. It’s not my baptismal name and I have had a lot of stage names in the past.

I don’t think Osuofia is going to be different. I started on television by the way, the activities of such are in the past. I’m glad my fans appreciate what Osuofia is doing on the screen and that is why I respect them, they are my friends and I have to manage them well.

It will be difficult to recall all the movies you’ve starred in apparently; do you have any one you could call the most challenging?

I don’t think I remember now, but there are a lot of them that were very challenging to me, particularly the ones that are cross-cultural. Like doing the ‘Osuofia in London’ is cross-cultural and there are a lot of others that I had done before then. But I love the challenges; in fact, I don’t like stories that I am conversant with or the stories that I have been doing before. I usually feel very comfortable and challenged when I’m doing a new concept like the examples

that I have just given you.

So I welcome challenges, but I cannot specifically mention one that is most challenging.

You are also portrayed as very problematic in most of the roles, is that who you are in real life?

I am happy you say most of the roles, the person that is playing the roles is problematic not really me as Nkem Owoh. I am not the subject because if you look at the society people are uptight, so I try hard enough to make my people laugh.

You are naturally endowed with the ability to interpret comic roles, how did this part of you evolve?

I think it is a gift; even in my early days when it started, I just realised when I wanted to talk people would just laugh.

And many times I felt so bad that people wouldn’t take me seriously.

When people recognise you as being funny like they do with me, you must harness that to achieve something concrete which was what I did. And you just have to appreciate people for finding that gift in you. Yes, I know I have that gift.

You are an engineer, but one occupying a space strictly for Theatre Arts graduates…

Well, I don’t think it’s strictly for Theatre Arts graduates. I am an engineer by certificate yes, but I think, I do not agree with you. I

Instyle

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Blaze blowing blue

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The Arts

Hospitality

TV & Radio

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Documentaries of Conscience: Femi Odugbemi’s strategy for change

Starwood Hotels in Nigeria redefine culinary offerings

The Money Show: State of the economy

13

14

Close Up

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

'Film marketing not all comers' affair' C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 1 3 Osuofia

am the one that usually put the rail when there is still a hook. If engineering does not pay going by the circumstances in the country in terms of economy, engineers are not meant to just stay with wheel spanners, bolts and nuts’; if there are places where they can give better services, like being part of politics, we have a lot of professionals in politics, if they can give a maximum time and expertise as technocrats, the country will be the better for it.

There are a lot of things that could have been generating income, so I don’t think oil doom is affecting us now

Is your incursion into the movie industry accidental after a fruitless effort in getting employed as an engineer?

No, before you begin to aim next for other things, the place you are must be made comfortable for you to crave progress, if not, you’d find yourself running helter-skelter in that vicinity. Things were very hard in the country then, I was an engineer, a supervisor in one of the companies in Ijebu. This gift like I told you or you rightly mentioned, kept resounding in my mind, so at a stage I had to succumb to it, because people were telling me ‘why don’t you come out and do something new?’ As soon as I left the place, I quickly keyed into the new plan and that by the grace of God has been paying the bills.

The era of oil boom is gone and we are faced with oil doom, how does the industry generate revenue for the country?

The oil doom does not affect the industry. The industry is booming on its own as recognised by the government; even during the oil boom we were generating our own income. The mistake of the governments in the past was that they all focused attention on oil and what else could be that quick to earn Nigeria that much money? There are a lot of things that could have been generating income, so I don’t think oil doom is affecting us now.

And they abandon the other areas that would have been generating income; I don’t think oil doom is affecting us now, now is time to show that Nollywood is booming and can generate revenue for the country.

What is most challenging in Nollywood?

There are a lot of challenges, there is lack of an enabling environment, political situation, the economy generally, personal finance, and government has not made any policy to finance us or even protect our finance or come up with common policy to protect us generally. Piracy, plagiarism and more are allowed to fester.

We learnt that some people pay producers money to feature in movies. Do you agree?

That is one of the challenges. That is why I said we need an enabling environment and perfection. So, if you’re perceived as somebody who is trying to

...on a movie set in Brazil

...with Funke Akindele in a movie

be on the screen by all means, a lot of people are going to use you. But if the government has a policy, we will structure according to the policy the government provided. As stakeholders, we should be involved in the policy because we know where the shoe pinches. So, there are a lot of challenges, but if government should give us that enabling environment, I believe we can make it.

The former President, Goodluck Jonathan, gave out some intervention funds for the industry, what happened to the money?

It was announced that the money was given to the industry. This is a personal opinion, even if the funds were given to the industry, was that the right thing to do to protect the industry? No, you have to lay down a foundation and help us to build the structure first. If we don’t have a structure and you bring that money, you are going to cause chaos. This, I think, had caused a lot of damage already. So, I don’t think bringing out that money and then saying ‘it’s for the industry’ makes sense. Who are the ‘industry’? How are you protecting

...with Kate Henshaw receiving an award

the industry? Where are the technologies? What are the guidelines from the government that protect this industry?

We want enabling environment, we are not requesting money from the government; nobody has the easy access to bring in technology from outside.

I am sure if somebody from outside this country wants to go and make arrangement from abroad for somebody to come in here with technology, he or she is going to go through a lot of hiccups. Minimise some of these things for us then we can forge ahead, we can really feed this country I believe.

The marketers are crippling the industry because they know how much

they’re needed.

Do you agree?

I don’t agree that the marketers are crippling the industry, it still boils down to policy formation.

A lot of people use it as all comers affair, everybody comes into the industry with pretence of being a marketer. If you really get inside the system, you would find out that most of these people are gold-diggers. They just think this industry makes money and they are facing the repercussions now. If they build the industry a lot of people will not spoil it like they are doing. All of them say they are marketers, but truly there are some marketers who want to change the structure of this industry. The ignorant ones think it’s all comers’ affair.

Having being in the industry for a long while, what would you wish Nollywood borrow from Hollywood and Bollywood?

Technology is the thing. We have the content here, it’s only technology we need so much. Plus the government giving us the enabling environment and bringing some of those equipment and subsidising them.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Tiwa Savage, Teebillz’s marriage in tatters

●You slept with Don Jazzy, 2Face –TeeBillz ●I fed, clothed you –Tiwa Savage of gold just a year before and resolved to give the industry what to talk about for years to he Nigerian showbiz industry recorded come. You see why cynics were quick to one of its most extravagant wedding conclude this marriage is but a farce? ceremonies of all time on April 26, 2014.

It was barely five months after And the white-wedding (as the traditional the honeymoon that the cynics’ phase had held a couple of months before) claim got validated. Words had which held at the luxurious Armani Hotel, travelled far and wide that the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, was between Nigerian marriage was in tatters and it singing sensation and super diva, Tiwa Sav- all sprang from a story posted age, 35 and Tunji Balogun in his late 30s, (a.k.a. online by a blogger, Kemi Filani, on SepTeeBillz, his manager tember 26, 2014, and lover which reads; Their marriage is “Bad news at the time). guys! Tiwa Banky Welbarely five months Savage and lington old… but Tiwa can't hubby, Tunji known by Balogun, are his showhold it in anymore, biz monihaving issues. ker, Banky “I have she's tired of putting W, the got some bad up with Tunji. He president of news guys and EME label, yes the parties beats her etc... so was Baloinvolved can deny it but it's many incredible gun’s best man at the TRUE! Heard this stories I can't even lavish shinlast night but didn't dig. Not put it up till I was put here and it all in a hurry able to do some little revolves around her would one confirmations here and forget the there...Tiwa Savage and money glitzy acTunji Balogun's marriage count of is heading for the rocks, but that celebraI pray they are able to manage tion of love. The fairy tale wedding was or- the situation well...they are undergoing some ganised by an upscale events planner, Elohor serious marital crisis.”

Aisien of the ‘Prive Events’ fame, and to the Their marriage is barely five months old… admiration of all was Tiwa Savage resplen- but Tiwa can't hold it in anymore, she's tired dent in Vera Wang wedding dress, Joyce Ja- of putting up with Tunji. He beats her etc... so cob’s make-up with her hair embellished by many incredible stories I can't even put here Debola Falana while the groom clad in Mai and it all revolves around her money. Three Atafo’s suits posed amid the drooling of eli- different sources in their inner circle confirmed gible and waiting spinsters. The spectacular this. “Kemi it's nothing new abeg. We were gig became the envy of others. They’d perhaps shocked when she accepted to marry him, watched their co-travellers, Annie and Inno- he's been beating her even before he asked her cent Idibia who had wedded in the Arab city to marry him, but love is stupid sometimes.

Lanre Odukoya

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End of the honeymoon?

When she agreed to marry him fine, we said 'okay, do a private and not a big wedding in case things fall apart, but they said no…it's money sharing formula that is worrying them,” one of the sources in the circle confidently told me. Today is Tunji's birthday and although congratulatory messages have started pouring in, Tiwa is saying nothing and

News Feature 15 that's ‘kinda’ unusual of her. Also, she has sacked him and got herself a new manager too, someone else now answers as her manager. If you have noticed, since they attended the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in New York, Tee Billz and Tiwa have not been spotted together, nor have they shared pictures of each other on their respective social media platforms. Tiwa performed at her Africa Unplugged concert in London and the husband wasn’t there, and the same was the case at Mo Abudu's birthday party and Senator ItaGiwa's daughter's wedding.”

Filani’s account turned out to boast of some shreds of truth as Savage would later announce that she’d got a new manager, Emeka, a young man by the alias, ‘Mekka Millions’. But the ploy seemed like one to taunt Balogun because Mekka Millions was actually one of his acolytes. Since then, the two were hardly ever spotted together. But weeks after Savage had sacked her husband as manager, they were spotted together at a Sunday service held at the House on The Rock Church, Lekki, Lagos where they fellowship.

Savage, who had remained disturbingly silent over the matter would later shock everyone with a witty reaction, and it reads; “All sales are final. No exchanges, no return, which means you MrBillz @teebillz323 cannot return me to my parents or exchange me.”

In a previous report, Saturday Telegraph had published that the first cold war between the couple could have stemmed from the new wave of distrust that festered between the couple. From the grapevine, it was gathered that Savage was irked by the manner her husband had been managing the family’s finances. it was learnt on good authority, that Savage was rude to Ayo Animashaun, the owner of Hip TV because the latter had breached their agreement to pay N2million for the exclusive coverage of their wedding.

Obviously disappointed and embarrassed, Animashaun told Savage her husband had been paid. Apparently Savage had no knowledge of this hence her reason to begin to probe other transactions handled on her behalf by her better half. This and more evidently explain why Savage relieved him of one role (manager) and permitted him to continue with the other (husband).

Two days ago, the hell was let loose with a damning revelation TeeBillz had made about his wife on his Instagram page.

His unedited lamentation partly reads: “Lord knows I tried. I can’t take it anymore. I decided that I wanted to take time out from music business so you and I will not be in the same basket of music industry. You never supported me from day one.

Every move I made and every project I laid my hands on was going bad. Thanks to your mum’s witchcraft! Tell her to confess to you. Tosin Yusuf a.k.a.

Omawumi’s husband. I wish I met you earlier when I just moved to Nigeria.

You have been a great friend and brother too. I should have done this two weeks ago, but the joy of being around didn’t let me. You have a wife that did not let the music business to take the best of her. I know how Mrs. Yusuf treats us when we are at your house. I feel very at home and pray that my wife can get a life and be like this. All she cares about is Continues on page 16

16 News Feature

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Tiwa Savage, Teebillz’s marriage gets messier

C o n t i n u e s f r o m pa g e 1 5

A cursory look at Nigeria’s briefest showbiz marriages

truly love. What brings true hapher next single, her makeup, hair and piness is finding you, being true brand. Pls. tell the world, have you to urself and worrying less about asked your husband in the last three how others feel about u. To say years if he has eaten? Thanks to Annie the least, being selfless is the key.

Idibia and Anita, my neighbours, that haven’t talked to my bro@teeAdeniyi Johnson andToyin Aimakhu (2013-2015) Ibillz323 provided home cooked meals for me in over 4 yrs nor have I when I needed. Yes you became the seen him or cared to see him. But Stella Damasus and Emeka Nzeribe (2013-2013) I must admit it saddens me to see bread winner when I decided I’m not in business with you again. You will in such state. I coulda got ur FunkeAkindeleandAl-MaroofOloyede(2012-2013) him never have peace except my spirit forfone number, email or whatever gives you. Tell your mother to confess many means but I’d rather TaiwoAromokunandOlayemiAbimbola(2012-2016) thru what she mounted in the house for do it this way. This is the only time you to shine with my star. It is deeper I will use social media to express Mosun Filani and Kayode Oduoye (2012-2015) than what you think. Within what pemyself on this issue. None of these riod of time did you fuck Jazzy and rants come as news to me. A lot Chika Ike and Eberibi (2010-2013) Dr. SID but I didn’t care because of the of people will try to put dirt on love I have for you. I looked at it that your name and make u look bad Ini Edo and Philip Ehiagwina (2008-2014) we all have a past even when at this at this tough time, do not break, same f**king time you were f**king All I have to say is whatever de9ice and Toni Payne (2008-2010) with 2face.” mons u fighting my G, come out And the tears flowed accompanied Lola Alao and Olawale Ajibola (2013-2014) on top. Wish u the best.” by words: “Lord knows I tried. The The tale bears recalling that be2Shotz and Precious Jones (2013-2015) woman I gave everything has menfore their wedding, TeeBillz has tally tortured me. I’m not perfect but had two kids with a lady in the I am far away from being the best United Kingdom. She had fought husband. When I didn’t have, you paid the tooth and nail to keep her man who would bills and you took my manhood away. You’ve later slip into the waiting hands of Savage in thrown my clothes out of the house more than 2013.

All she cares about five times but because of the love I have for True to type, Tee Billz would later deny is her next single, you and Jamal I still came back. I don’t want the posts were not his but the handiwork of to go through divorce like my father who has dare-devil hackers. her makeup, hair been married for four times. Your mother huBut in an emotive confession Savage would miliated me so much that I didn’t care. Please later have with her friend, Azuka Ogujiuba and brand. Pls. tell just take care of JamJam. I sacrificed my life for yesterday, she held nothing back. Her words the world, have you you, put in work and my money to your sucpartly read; cess. You are Tiwa Savage, the superstar now.

“Just before I went to Jamaica, I found out asked your husband You will never have peace with that fame. Your that I was pregnant. We were just trying to in the last three mother wants to turn me to what she turned find out how we were going to manage anyour dad into? I would rather die. Ask her to other baby so soon. I got to London, on a 10years if he has eaten? confess what she has done to me!” hour flight to shoot a video with Busy Signal The tension wasn’t doused as quickly as (Reggae Artiste). While doing my makeup, I Thanks to Annie many would think, so Banky W, replied to one found out I was bleeding and I passed out. I Idibia and Anita, of his posts: “TJ, Please, please call me back was rushed to the hospital, and we were tryright now.” ing to call TJ to tell him what happened. While my neighbours, Shortly after, it was reported by Linda Ikeji we were sleeping at two AM a number called that provided home that TeeBillz was sighted on the Lekki- Ikoyi him saved as Edible Catering….I checked his toll bridge, Lagos, about to commit suicide. An phone, and the number was asking him if she cooked meals for me eyewitness, Chukwuma Ani, shared the story. can come to his hotel. She responded that He “I thought I was watching a movie. The (TJ) knocked her out last night, that he was a when I needed man held the railing and tried to jump over it great night. I confronted him, and he said he and that was when the yellow man held him took another woman to the hotel and said they and started shouting for help. The two of them were just chilling. This happened the period He shared: “It saddens me to see some- I was in Jamaica, and I was in the hospital. I nearly fell into the water. I quickly joined the yellow man to pull the guy out and while we one I had love for going thru it and keeping sent TJ pictures, and he was busy with another were struggling with him, one P-Square twin my mouth shut. I don’t do this social media woman. I was in a hospital and you couldn’t brother, (Peter Okoye) and Banky W joined us bullshit. I mind my own business and handle be bothered find out what happened to me. I my own business. So many things happen packed my stuff, took my son and went to my to pull the man out," Ani said.

A former associate of TeeBillz and musi- behind closed doors, so many secrets will friend’s house, her name is Tiwa also. I stayed cian, Saucekid, wrote on Instagram that he was come out to the open, so many disappoint- the night, and she asked me for the next step, ments will happen even with the ones you I told her I was done.” not surprised.

O u t &A b o u t

UNESCO International Jazz Day

Lagos brings together some of the world’s biggest Jazz artistes, including Grammy award-winning Norman Brown during Satchmo’s Jazz and Culture Festival.

A star-studded lineup of international artists will perform at the different events are Nigeria’s award-winning Afro Jazz Guitarist, Femi Leye; London-based Afro Soul musician, Jon Scott; renowned Jazz Saxophonist, Imoleayo balogun; Saxophonist and Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of David Choir Administrator, Saxtee, as well as acclaimed leader of All-Female band Girls Rule, Phebean and budding violinist Godwin Strings. London-based Carlo Rossi & The Organic Jam will also be in the country for the festival.

The festival takes off with two Satchmo's IJD Pre-Countdown events; the first on Wednesday in partnership with Industry Nite at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos and another on Thursday at The Blowfish where attendees will enjoy live music.

All for Mr. 2Kay Musician, Mr. 2Kay, is set to host another episode of the ‘Count It All Joy EP’ concert in Bonny Island, Rivers State, today.

Confirmed to join the singer for this event are Mr Capable - Banky W, Ice Prince, Cynthia Morgan, Skales, Faze, Ketchup, Doray and a host of others. The ‘Count It All Joy EP’ Launch Party will be hosted by Beverly Osu of Big brother with special appearance from Uti Nwachukwu, Ex-beauty queen Munachi Abii and Osam.

The event will also feature comical performances by Senator, Pencil, Funnybone, Prince Hezekiah, Dan de Humourous and Kenny Blaq.

Mr. 2Kay has already successfully taken the ‘Count it all Joy EP’ party through Lagos, Enugu, Ilorin and Kaduna respectively, in the company of other acts like Reekado banks, Ketchup, Humble smith, Adekunle Gold, Viktoh and CDQ. He said: ''Bonny Island has a lot of memories because my dream started there, and it will be nice to go back home in the company of my colleagues and friends to see my people.''

Jawywon and friends Jaywon will be partying with friends for his ‘Oba Orin’ album release party at Lekki Beach tomorrow.

The musician is not new to the game and has always been loved by his fans for his hits songs.

Artistes billed to perform are OritseFemi, Reekado Banks, 9ice, Reminisce, Small Doctor, Sojay, Obesere, Mode 9, Vector,May D, Phyno, Terry G, Seyi Law, Yq, Yung6ix, Ketchup, Capital Femi, Lk Kudi, Klever J, Deekay, Danagog, Mayorkun, Funny Bone, Pencil, Toby Gray, Stormrex, 2Sec, Kef Child, Alllwell, Joel, Charass, Seriki, Beejay, Dabuilda, Fmg, Senator, Niniola, So Fresh, Kash, Holy Wahala, Gbenga Adeyinka, Babibevis and Dayo Amusa.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Blaze blowing

blue Deborah Ocheni

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many celebrants opt for blue as their colour of the day because it is an irresistible colour that can be paired with different colours like white, pink, red yellow. And the one in vogue now is combining blue and arrange to make style statement.

Blue is a colour of trust, honesty and loyalty. It is sincere, reserved and quiet, and doesn't make a fuss or draw attention. It hates confrontation, and likes to

do things in its own way.

If you still feel that blue is too loud for you, you can create more varieties with hues of blue to achieve a vibrant style with a darker tone. Blue is one of the must have shades of the season, and it’s got a lot of personality.

Blue is reliable and responsible, it exhibits an inner security and confidence. You can rely on blue hue to take control and do the right thing in difficult times.

It is a colour that seeks peace and tranquillity.

Apart from the fact that it reduces stress and creates a sense of calmness and relaxation, it is a colour that flatters all skin type.

Tips •Keep it versatile, timeless and elegant by combining blue with ladylike creamy top.

•You may complete the look by adding leopard print skinny belt and matching print pumps to your blue dress.

•Steal attention by opting for blue dress designed with sequin for more classy looks.

•Go a step further by adding multicoloured necklace, brown leather vintage look belt.

•You can also use accessories to enhance your shape; select a long, dangling pendant for the necklace. The vertical lines will draw eyes up and down, giving you a taller, leaner shape.

•If your blue blouse has a higher neckline, segmenting your shape, you can apply the same vertical-line strategy to your top half by putting on silver dangling earrings.

•Depending on the statement you want to make, makeup can either be loud or subtle.

Instyle 17

18 Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Acc e s s o r i e s to l i v e f o r

The vintage inspired tassel loafers Deborah Ocheni

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t is amazing how some vintage fashion accessories are making a huge come-back; the tassel loafers is becoming a hit and the preferred ready-to-wear footwear by many fashionable women this season.

The origin of tassel loafers dates back to 1950 as a result of experimentation with design and they are considered as big style statements but to achieve this, ensure you keep it simple. Do not get tassel loafers in colours or patterns that are overly outrageous.

When you think of tassel loafers, think of them as a substitute for a pair of sneakers or other flats.

Consider a different style option for whatever casual outfit you choose to wear them with.

Wearing loafers without socks and with a pair of slim cut trousers is a very modern style. The appeal of tassel loafers for fashionable women this season is apparent; they are adaptable shoes to casual outfits.

Tassel loafers are designed to give the feet maximum comfort; they are good for picnics or relaxed evenings out. They come in varieties of hues but common ones among them are black, brown and oxblood; they are mainly made of leather and

suede.

Tips •When pairing tassel loafers with shorts, they should be worn without socks.

•If you are bold enough, you can pair tassel loafers with a suit for a smart formal look; you can even add extra statement and choose to wear them without socks.

•The tassel loafer looks great with tight fitted trousers that is, skinny cut pants in every fabric.

•You can go a step further by contrasting your loafers with outrageous socks on skinny jeans, depending on the style statement you want to make.

•When choosing what type of loafers to buy, make the investment and purchase a higher quality leather, because not only will they last longer, but they will be more malleable to the shape of your foot, making them more comfortable to wear.

•When wearing tassel loafers, the most important factor is the length of your trousers leg; the break should be slight at the top of your loafers so that the silhouette appears clean and you can still see the detail of the shoes.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

MY STYLE Paul Cole Chiori aka Ossy, the CEO of Achievas Entertainment, discusses his fashion philosophy, hunger for investment in human development and sundry issues in this interview with Deborah Ocheni.

What is your fashion sense?

Fashion to me is wearing anything that makes me looks good without jamming colours. I am not a label freak I wear anything I like regardless of the price and label.

Don’t you think there is beauty in jamming colours right?

I don’t buy that idea of jamming colours, I dress to impress myself and to be addressed the way I dress.

What determines the kind of outfits you wear?

The occasion I am attending.

Do you consider any fashion item indispensable?

I find my native attire indispensable because they suit me a lot and give me that classy look.

What is your beauty routine?

I don’t have any. I don’t use cream at all, just that I visit spa lately.

When it comes to fashion, would you say your physique works to your advantage?

Yes of course because I am not too tall or too short. I don’t have any problem with my physique. In fact my physique is perfect for me.

Is there anything that you will not be caught wearing?

I wear everything meant for men.

What is your ready to go outfit?

Polo, jeans and a hat Which fashion items take up most space in your wardrobe?

Native attires because they give me that perfect look.

Instyle 19

‘I am not a label freak’ Who is your best designer?

Yomi Casuals because he uses unique materials, is very creative with his style and has good finishing. I admire Yomi Casuals and Sexy Steel.

Which fashion item catches your fancy while shopping?

Shoes, I like very simple and classy shoes. I don’t joke with good shoes.

Which jewellery holds special appeal to you?

None, I am not a jewellery person.

How do you relax?

I relax at home with my family watching football over weekends and I hang out with friends on Fridays.

What is Achievas Entertainment all about?

Achievas Entertainment is born out of the zeal to give back to the society, and in this regard we discover talents and help them to become what they want to be in life. We are into music, events, films and sports.

Where do you see Achievas Entertainment five years from now?

We are the major recording company now, so five years from now we will do more concerts and we are thinking of doing something bigger that will attract so much attention to us. We are supposed to have a concert in June - July, but the challenge we are having is security. We cannot guarantee the security of people that are coming.

You seem to be into many things. How do you manage your time attending to all these?

I have a team for each of the sectors and managers that handle them.

Apart from Solidstar, which other artistes have you nurtured?

We have discovered lot of artistes that are truly talented.

What informed the decision of investing in creative people?

Human investment is the best form of investment, there is no way you will lose if you invest in humans and my humble background influenced the decision too. For instance, Akon is one of the richest artistes in the world now because he invested in people.

Beauty

Audacious stiletto nail shape Deborah Ocheni

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tiletto nails are audacious, fearless and elegant, and they surely add charm to the figure of the person who chooses them.

They are also particularly fashionable and the legion of curious admirers who are interested in trying them is growing season after season.

Stiletto nails are derived from the knife like shape of the nails, they extend the fingers, making them slim and slender.

Stiletto nail shapes are perfect for those who have short fingers and small hands.

Women who already have long, slim fingers, however, have to consider the fact that stiletto nails would probably produce a shocking effect.

If you are one of those whose work requires you to use a computer, or any other garget you can’t access without using your fingers, then this nail style is not the best choice for you. Unless you choose the shortest kinds and be very careful else, you could end up breaking them. Stiletto nails are very resistant.

Ossy

How involved is the government in entertainment industry?

Honestly, government has not contributed anything to the industry, America generates so much money from entertainment. Apart from their oil reserves, their biggest sources of income is entertainment but in Nigeria, we don’t even have proper platform. I believe it is time to look at the entertainment industry since oil has failed us. Nollywood is the third biggest in the world, government should create a ministry for entertainment; we

have many creative people with wealth of experience to head such a ministry if they are giving the opportunity to showcase what they can do; entertainment industry is dying in Nigeria.

How is the industry coping with piracy?

It has gotten so bad that even the artistes pirate their own music, they pay to get pirated. Piracy has eaten so deep but big thanks to MTN Music Plus and Cloud9 for making it a bit easy for artistes to generate money from their music on line.

Facts 2010 was the year of the bloggers, some of them even achieved celebrity statuses.

Mr. Bryanboy got to hang around at Vogue Italia for a day and recently stated he earns 75.000 Euro a year.

Men didn’t wear underwear until the 17th century and women didn’t bother wearing underwear until around 1800.

Lara Stone became extremely big in 2010. The Dutch model appeared on the most glamorous covers of international fashion magazines and was featured (often topless/ naked) in high fashion editorials.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (D&G) celebrated their 25 years of working as fashion designers in 2010.

20 Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Wooden dining set, simple leek and retro

Deborah Ocheni

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ining rooms are family social centres, and one of the most important things you can do to help bring your family together is to sit down to a meal together at the end of the day. Tables are highly functional, providing a place to settle after the end of the day, but wooden dining set can do so much when it comes to giving a room a theme and a personality.

Furniture is the only thing that increases the beauty of your home and as such it is safe to say having a beautiful home means having good furniture. Those days are passed when people use iron dining set which are obviously stronger, flashier than wooden ones but, wooden dining set are the rave of the season.

Even though technology and industry already contribute alternatives on furniture, wooden furniture always makes the most favourite choice for buyers. People will love to have outdoor and indoor furniture made of nice wood. This trend also attracts many entrepreneurs to make their own designed wooden furniture.

If wooden dining sets are made up of good quality wood, then there is no doubt about its durability, they have lighter weight than iron products and so it becomes easier to shift them from one area to the other. Wooden dining set are safer than iron especially for the children.

The fact remains that your choice in table can make or break a dining room. In short, it’s one of the most important pieces you will add to your dining room and there is need for you to make adequate preparation before you buy it.

TIPS If you plan on hosting many family members or guests, opt for a large wooden table that will accommodate many chairs.

Wooden dining set not only adds a splash of elegance to the space but fits in well with a theme that recalls gentle imagery.

For a look that is clearly fabulous, place a number of transparent glass vases and fill them with tropical leaves and other interesting stalks.

Wood has beautiful pattern and lines. It is naturally beautiful already but if you choose to go a step further then you can paint you wooden dining set in different colours.

Naturally, wood is strong and such durability will be reliable even on high duties. The durability also gives a pleasant reason for owners to keep it.

They are easy to clean; all you need to do to clean it is just wiping it. For stain, you may need cleaning product, but it will be simple and easy.

Wooden set will make nice focal points; it has authentic and antique style.

The material is not damaging to the environment like plastic.

The tree grows fast, and you do not have to worry about environmental side effect from it.

We have no more reasons not to use wooden furniture. Of course, we need to make sure that we purchase only one with the best quality. You will find good suppliers around you just easily but ensure you are keen in quality checking.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Dayo Amusa: I’m not in a hurry for marriage

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Ehiz: I don’t know why people crucify me for appearing in musical videos

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Denrele Edun: I can’t walk with flat shoes What happened to your planned marriage?

Honestly, I planned to get married last year, though I didn’t intend to make noise about it. I just wanted to invite everyone to the wedding on that day to see things themselves. I think there was just too much media buzz around the whole thing and it looked like a fabrication. It looked as if I just I wanted to be in the news, but it was a real deal for me.

I am still working on that and it would happen this year, but I won’t mention when.

People would get the invites at the right time.

I am doing it in Nigeria; I am not interested in going outside the country because I have discovered that I am not just loved by a certain people, but everyone. I want a wedding where I can invite everyone.

Denrele Edun’s controversial lifestyle has earned him fame many can only dreams about. The showbiz personality, in this interview with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, speaks on marriage, childhood and being a subject of ridicule.

to

positivity.

It would be painful though, but I must survive The hair is my saving grace; I am really tiny. If I take off all these shoes, my hair and my dress, it would be hard to recognise me. This hair holds me together.

Would you like to go into music someday?

I am not sure because I cannot sing to save my life. I used to be in the choir. I was asked to take auto at some point, but I couldn’t deliver at all. Since I was a very good dancer, they thought I was good at singing too. I would not be a hypocrite to say I want to sing except I go for voice training lessons.

I visited Terry G in the studio and he said he would feature me in a song. I was just screaming in his studio. But I don’t think I have that ability to be a musician. I feel anything you do you should do it well.

Is the lucky lady into entertainment too?

She is not an industry person. Although she used to be, she really didn’t understand the industry and later decided to do a regular job.

How has featuring in musical videos helped your growth?

I am not necessarily putting myself on the map, but I was one of the first veejays (VJs) to start featuring in musical videos.

But the truth is that the brand I used to represent then, Sound City, did not like the fact that I dance in videos. I was doing it behind them. Artistes now felt that since I featured in D’banj’s ‘Why Me,’ and it got massive airplay, using me in their videos would be helpful as well.

Everyone kept calling me to feature in musical videos. I had never met the late Goldie Harvey, but she offered to pay me N50, 000 to feature in her video. The money was bigger than my salary. The only video I didn’t feature in that pained me was Faze’s ‘Kolomental’. They were shooting at FESTAC and I was at Lekki phase 1, Lagos.

I think visibility is key. When I started, we didn’t have social media; it was just television, editorials and magazines. So if music videos enhance your visibility, why shouldn’t you embrace it?

Don’t you feel marriage could change who you are?

Relationship is all about cordial communication. In the case anyu woman tries to change me, I would just send her back to the parents and collect my bride price. At the end of the day, we would be hungry at home and things won’t go well. I would still remain the person I am. Again, I value the notion of staying true to one person.

Do you feel hurt when you read negative things about yourself?

No doubt, I am human after all. It was a different case when I was younger.

Regular comments used to get to me while growing up and trying to find my foot in the industry. On the streets, people would tell me to behave like a boy even when I was not standing on their way. But right now, my skin is very stick and I am not bothered. I need new haters because the old ones are in love with me right now. If I put just a picture on Instagram, there is always a big deal around it. I also feel that if people don’t talk about you, it means you do not exist.

What happens if none of your children takes after you?

As long as my children can differentiate between mummy and daddy, I am cool with them. I can always trace my family background to the fact that my father allowed me to express myself as a kid. I would definitely give my kids freedom to express themselves. If I don’t give them free room, I am a hypocrite and that would be disastrous. It is no big deal if they don’t tow my line.

21

Denrele

to you that your personality would make you famous?

Somewhere inside my head I knew it would pay off, but I didn’t know how long and it took a while. It took lots of criticisms and negative reception. I just made use of every opportunity that came my way.

What is your biggest fear?

I think my major fear is running out of work because I don’t like to be idle. If I am idle, I could run mad. I don’t know how to sit in a place without doing anything; I like to make things happen.

Why does it appear as if you enjoy negative criticisms?

I always tell people that there is nothing like bad publicity. I am not misleading people; I am just living my life and doing what I know how to do best. I don’t read the news because we make it.

When you came into showbiz, did it occur

Are you not feeling pains with your hair-

style?

Trust me, fashion is pain. As I speak to you, my head is hot. I underestimated the heat today; I am feeling so hot.

Why don’t you wear flat shoes?

I am not comfortable with flat shoes and I don’t know how to walk wearing flat shoes. There has to be one uncomfortable balance somewhere to keep me on top.

How would you feel when you wake up and your hair has been shaved?

Nobody has asked me this question, but it is something I had played in my heart. I thought all I would do is to invest in plenty wigs. I always try to turn negativity

A picture where you were injured went viral recently. Did you actually sustain a cut?

It was actually real. We were on set and my director pushed me too hard. I fell on a rod and it injured me. I decided to be calm because I saw that people felt it was the end of the shoot. It was my first scene that day and I had not collected my money. There was a lot of fear because it was so close to my eyes and blood was gushing out.

Are you not concerned that your style would be outdated eventually?

I know what you mean. I started this in 1995 with Kiddie Vision 101 and that is quite some time to get tired of someone. Overtime, I have met people in the industry who used to watch me when I was on Kiddie Vision 101.

I was with Tubaba over the weekend and he told me that they used to argue if I was a boy or girl. People still make references to that. I don’t think it is about people getting tired of one; it is about rebranding and keeping one out there.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Social Media Craze

Trending

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fter being arrested on Wednesday by some heavily armed policemen at the Olaiya Junction area of Osogbo, the Osun State, Mercy Aigbe, took to her Instagram to explain what went wrong.

The policemen were said to be on a stopand-search when they saw a police cap on the dashboard of her car. Angered by the effrontery of the police to block her, the actress was said to have flared up and insulted the policemen, who then seized her mobile phone. The star actress however shared on Thursday: “Morning fans, it has come to my attention that news has been flying around that the police in Osogbo arrested me. For the records I was never ARRESTED! I was shooting a movie in Osogbo and was going for a break with my PA and driver when we saw a police van chasing us. They later double crossed us, came out of their van and started banging the bonnet of my car asking us to come down.

“I was shocked and scared because I didn’t know what was going on. I stepped out of the car to ask them what happened and why they double crossed us in that manner, one

Gist

Photos Controversies

With Olushola Ricketts

Police rumble: Mercy Aigbe clears the air of the policemen started shouting and acting crazy pointing his gun at me. On seeing his behaviour, I took out my phone and started to record them, one of them forcefully collected my phone from me. My PA also started recording them with an iPad and the policeman slapped her and threw the iPad away.

“At this point a lot of crowd had already gathered when they saw me and what was happening and they started booing them, saying that is how Osogbo policemen harass innocent citizens. When the policemen saw the large crowd supporting us and that they could be mobbed, they stylishly left only to call for reinforcement of other police officers.

“Those ones came and started shooting sporadically into the air, everyone had to run for their lives. The police officers then forcefully collected my car key and car documents from my driver and even tried to beat him up. They then ushered us into my car and a policeman drove us to Scene of the arrest

PHOTO OF THE WEEK PHOTO: FACEBOOK

their state headquarters. On getting there, we were taken to the office of the assistant commissioner of police where we narrated what happened and how his men harassed us and caused unnecessary commotion! I even

showed him the videos I recorded. The ACP then apologised and pleaded with me to delete the videos. We settled the matter and I went back to work. Big thanks to my family, friends and fans for checking up on me…”

Olamide, Kesh...the end of a romance

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he separation between former YBNL artiste, Lil Kesh and YBNL boss, Olamide, has been the talk of the town.

After revealing plans to float his own record label ‘YAGI’, Lil Kesh made up his mind not to renew his contract with YBNL and Olamide seemed to be happy with his decision.

Both artistes took to their Instagram pages to say final farewell to each other and also to speak on the alleged rift between them.

Olamide tweeted: “I planned to make Lil Kesh the best singer in the world, instead he made me the best boss. I wish my out going artiste, Lil Kesh, lots of luck.”

On Instagram, Kesh wrote: "Ok so it’s true that my contract ended about two weeks ago.

We all know that my contract with YBLN was for two years, but that is the business side to it.

And I didn’t state that my contract included three videos and one album? But Baddo went out of his way to shoot five videos for me.

Business or no business, YBNL is family and will always be till I go 6ft under the ground.

YAGI records is real with the support of my big bro Olamide and YBNL remains my management for life. YBLN doesn’t just produce successful artistes; it produces artistes that will

Ibinabo Fiberseima in Christ

I

binabo Fiberesima now speaks like a pastor. The troubled actress has all reasons to be grateful to God, at least for taking her out of the Kirikiri prison recently after a sentence.

She posted series of image, expressing her faith in God. Read below: “Dear God, I live in a constant state of love. Your love is in every fiber of my being. I feel your Holy presence in the innermost reaches of my soul.

There is nowhere I go without know-

ing that you love me. I thank you God for infinite love.

“God has a good plan for your life.

Choose to trust and wait on Him even when you don’t understand what He is doing “Thank you God for never giving up on me “Dear God, I need you every second, minute, hour, of the day.

“When you realise how much Jesus has done for you.”

Kesh and Olamide

help produce other successful artistes. That’s the dream Baddo shared with me about a year ago.”

But fans and colleagues shared divided opinions on the development.

•@MI_Abaga I applaud @olamide_YBNL for being a visionary leader and wish @lilkeshofficial the best of luck on his new jorney. #Growth •@ssamilicious Lil Kesh is making a smellos decision.

How dare he? Also what does “YBNL MGMT” mean?

•@Yemi_DOROcute A lot of people want Keshi to die for YBLN. New sound must be found, so he needs to break the ground just like @MI_Abaga talked in one of his songs.”

•@IfeDavid Olamide, the owner of YBLN, has no problem with it. But we fans, ordinary listeners, are ranting about Kesh’s YBLN exit.

•@TOOnday_AFC There is more to Lil Kesh departure from YBLN but it’s cool. They kept it to themselves.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Investigations

23

SON, FRSC raid sub-standard goods at Yola tyres market

ON THE

DEATH WHEELS Tyres are the main elements of wonders-on-wheels. They are the parts that have constant contact with the road. But, besides gauging the air pressure, many people do not know how long it takes before a tyre is unfit for the road. This, according to findings by ISIOMA MADIKE, adds to increase road mishaps, which often results to high fatality

S

Isioma madike

Editor, INVESTIGATIONS isiomamadike69@gmail.com 08090896879 © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

hoppers look at expiration dates on things like food and medicine, but not tyres. Most vehicle users often do not think of such things as tyres being expired. Ignoring this, however, could have dangerous and even deadly consequences.

Drivers have been seen on the side of the road, swerved to miss the debris and maybe, even wondered what they do in the moments after one of the tyres on their cars burst. Matthew no longer has to wonder. “It was like a POW,” he said.

In December 2013, a man who identifies himself simply as Matthew was driving on the interstate in his Honda SUV when the tread separated from his driver’s side rear tyre, according to his narrative. Skidding out of control, the vehicle rolled over.

Matthew’s 13-year-old cousin, Peter, was inthe car with him at the time. “They told me he had passed away,” Matthew said.

15-year-old tyre, rotten and failed at 70mph on the highway. photo: www.aa1car.com

Peter was killed. And Matthew was left with questions. “I didn't run over anything,” he said. “I didn't hit anybody, but I just did not know what caused the accident.”

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), which investigated the accident, said he bought that tyre new, one year before the accident at a tyre shop, and then had it inspected by a vulcaniser shortly before the car wrecked. Moulded on the tyre, the FRSC found a code that could lead to the answers Matthew was looking for. That code revealed the tyre was manufactured in 2006, meaning, according to the FRSC findings, it sat on a shelf for about six years before Matthew purchased it and put it on his car, driving on it the day his cousin died.

The corps did not stop there. They explained the problem many people may have never considered. “The tyre needed

to be put into use to have elasticity, to continue its strength and perform the way it was designed to perform,” said Nseobong Akpabio, Assistant Corps Marshal and Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 2.

But he said some retailers are leaving tyres on the shelf too long. Most safety experts contacted recommend four years as the age limit for tyres. With this revelation, it is left for drivers to figure out if they are “driving on danger.” The number that revealed the manufacture date is usually on tyre walls. The last four digits are the most important.

They stand for the week of the year and year the tyre was made. For instance, experts told Saturday Telegraph, that the last two digits needed to watch out for in the case of Matthew was 06, meaning the tyre he used was manufactured in 2006. This continued on page 24

24

Investigations

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

How expired, substandard

Accident scene c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 2 3

would have helped him to calculate its expiration date.

Tyres sitting on the shelf being sold as new and never used, though, could have been manufactured well before that. The family of Peter is still trying to figure out that dilemma. “If they've got it coded for a specific year that it was manufactured, then, it’s really not new, even though it hasn’t been used,” Matthew said.

Apart from the case of Matthew, the unfortunate demise of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi, his wife, son and driver recently in a road traffic accident was also as a result of a burst tyre. Ocholi’s incident has, however, helped to raise the consciousness of the populace to the issue of expired tyres and the risk thereof.

Incidentally, many drivers still do not know that tyres can expire. When Saturday Telegraph confronted some drivers at the popular Ogba Motor Park with a simple question bothering on expiry dates of tyres, many of them looked at the reporter like an alien from another planet, an expression that seemed to ask in awe, “do tyres ever expire”?

Yet, they have been driving professionally for years. But, the reality, however, is that every tyre has an expiry date after which it is supposed to be replaced, lest it risks a blow-out. The life span of a tyre from the date of manufacture, according to the director, Inspectorate & Compliance Directorate of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Engr.

Bede Obayi, is four years.

Obayi told Saturday Telegraph that the date a tyre was manufactured, is written on it as four digits. The first two digits, according to him, represent the week, while the last two is the year of manufacture.

“Please note that the four digits stand alone, not added to any alphabet. Some manufacturers place the asterics sign (*) before and after the four digits, while others simply encycle it. So, 1612 means, for instance, that the tyre was manufactured on the 16th week (last week of April) in

the year 2012. The tyre will, therefore, expire on the 16th week of 2016.

“You may, therefore, buy a ‘brand new’ tyre, which has since EXPIRED or just about to expire. Some middlemen with negative creative ingenuity have a way of deleting the date of manufacture on their tyres, breaching the estacode thereof. They may also inscribe another date, making it more dangerous for use.

Buying such a tyre is akin to swallowing a pill without an expiry date. I think it’s even worse, because the expired drug can only hurt you, while a burst tyre puts the life of ALL the occupants of the vehicle in jeopardy,” Obayi said.

However, most annual reports from the FRSC have indicated that human error contributes to the major causes of road accidents in the country. Yet, they have observed that tyre bursts is now becoming the major cause of accidents.

The FRSC reports often indicate that most motorists do not pay keen attention to their tyres before driving and most of them are also not keen on expiry dates.

“Most dangerous accidents that occurred on our roads were as a result of tyre bursts which resulted into the cars overturning, Akpabio said. He advised all motorists to buy authentic tyres from authorised dealers to avoid the possibility of purchasing expired ones.

Apart from Akpabio, the FRSC’s Head, Media Relations and Strategy, Bisi Kazeem, also said: “Some tyres are expired, some are substandard, some are under-inflated, some are over-inflated, and some have been handled wrongly

by Vulcanisers.” He confirmed that tyre burst is one of the factors responsible for road traffic crashes in recent times.

Kazeem equally said that the increasingly hot weather conditions have significant effect on the tyres; hence motorists should always drive below the speed limit. He advised that given the conditions of the roads and the possibilities that a few tyres may be substandard and fast wearing out, some expired, and some not installed rightly, motorists should drive carefully to help save lives and properties.

Tam Tamunokonbia, a lawyer and

head of the Lagos office of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), has also said that the Council has launched a campaign that it called “Check the BB Date” Campaign. It was first launched by the former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, on June 30, 2014. “BB” means “Best Before”. What this implies is that consumers should check the labels of the goods or products they buy to see if the product has expired or is close to its expiry date. Once the “BB” or expiry date on a product label has expired, consumers are advised by the CPC to avoid the product.

However, motorists in Lagos State, who spoke to Saturday Telegraph, said they prefer to buy fairly used tyres because of their affordability as against new ones. This was also the declaration of some vehicle owners as they shed light on the two types of tyres which are the fairly used, otherwise known as tokunbo, and the new ones.

Findings by Saturday Telegraph appear to suggest that the patronage of

the tokunbo tyres is higher than that of the new ones. This is attributed to the high cost of the new tyres. Tokunbo tyres, for instance, are said to range between N3500 and N6000, while new ones, range between N11, 000 and N13, 000.

It could also be up to N35, 000 and more for bigger SUV cars and trucks.

These variations in the prices prompt vehicle owners, particularly commercial motorists, to prefer tokunbo tyres to new ones. They argue that some tokunbo tyres, if one is lucky enough, could last for more than two years. The new ones, which are obviously more expensive, last longer, depending on the model and the usage.

But, there are those who would never have anything to do with tokunbo tyres, no matter how good they may look.

According to a Lagos-based lawyer, Emmanuel Nwaghodoh, “though new tyres are very expensive, we still manage to buy them. It is only when you don’t have money that you settle for less. I think it’s only when a car owner is in dire need of tyres and he does not

A vulcaniser attending to a customer at Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Interview

People laughed at Eaglets on our way to China ’85 – Amakapabo p.27

Sport Splash

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

We must beat Mali, Luxembourg for rankings – Alloy AGU

•Hails in-form Enyeama, says Eagles door still open for goalie

S

Ajibade Olusesan uper Eagles assistant coach, Alloy Agu, has said the team’s international friendly matches with Mali and Luxembourg are crucial to their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign as they seek to rise on the FIFA rankings ahead of the draw for the qualifiers.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are ranked 68th in the world and 13th in Africa and might not be seeded for the draw if rankings do not improve. The three-time African champions may face other big teams in Africa in the second stage of the series, a situation that needs to be avoided.

Agu told our correspondent in an interview that the two friendly matches provided an opportunity for the Eagles to work hard on their standings in the FIFA rankings, declaring that they would approach both games with utmost seriousness.

He said the priority was to win those games not only for the rankings but team cohesion, confidence building and understanding.

“Mali is one of the biggest footballing nations in Africa, they are going to give us a big test so also Luxembourg. We know we have to be at our best to be able to win those games. We are assuring Nigerians that by the grace of God, we are going to get good results so that we can improve in FIFA’s rankings. It is not as if we are afraid of any team in Africa but it is also important to get a favourable draw and that is why we have to work hard in these games.

“Friendly matches like these come with a lot of advantages, it is good for team cohe-

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Mali is one of the biggest footballing nations in Africa, they are going to give us a big test so also Luxembourg sion, more new players will be tested and you can improve as a team. We are going to take full advantage of this as we move forward,’ he said.

Coach Salisu Yusuf has come under criticism for naming a 26-man list without a home-based player and Agu said: “The chief coach is the one to speak on this but I think we have invited to the national team only players who are doing well for their clubs and they are Nigerians, so we want our fans to keep supporting us."

Erstwhile national team captain, Vincent Enyeama, is still regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and some pundits are saying he should still be persuaded to rescind his decision to quit the national team.

Agu said: “We appreciate everything Vincent has done for this country and we have to also respect his decision. He is certainly welcome back into the team anytime he is ready, because we have great respect for him; we will continue to work hard to give upcoming ones opportunity like Vincent “Vincent has got solid experience and we are not surprised he is still doing very well, winning awards and we pray God continues to sustain him. Personally, I did not approach him to come back into the national team, the then head coach (Samson Siasia) did and anything done at that level is a collective one but we respect his decision when he said no. He is welcome anytime,” he said.

Ahmed Musa INSET: Agu and Enyeama

Global

25

Leicester's Schmeichel aims to triumph on father's stage p.28

Sport

26

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous

Lagos fans to enjoy double header

NPFL LEAGUE TABLE Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1 Rangers FC

13

8

3

2

20

12

8

27

2 Abia Warriors

12

6

5

1

15

8

7

23

3 IfeanyiUbah

13

7

1

5

15

13

2

22

4 Kano Pillars

12

6

3

3

20

12

8

21

5 Lobi Stars

13

6

3

4

15

11

4

21

6 Wikki

12

5

4

3

15

6

9

15

7 Rivers Utd

13

6

1

6

15

14

1

19

8 Warri Wolves

12

5

4

3

7

7

0

19

9 MFM FC

13

5

4

4

14

15

-1

19

10 Akwa Utd

13

5

3

5

17

13

4

18

11 Heartland

13

5

3

5

10

10

0

18

12 Sunshine

13

4

5

4

16

12

4

17

13 Plateau Utd

13

5

2

6

14

19

-5

17

14 El-Kanemi

13

5

1

7

14

18

-4

16

15 Nasarawa

13

5

0

8

12

18

-6

15

16 Shooting

13

5

0

8

13

21

-8

15

17 Tornadoes

13

4

2

7

15

17

-2

14

18 Giwa FC

13

4

2

7

11

17

-6

14

19 Enyimba

9

4

1

4

8

8

0

13

20 Ikorodu Utd

13

1

3

9

6

21

-15

6

S

Stories: Charles Ogundiya ince the return of top flight football to Lagos State, the fans have been opportun to see some big names coming to the former nation’s capital to take on MFM FC and Ikorodu United.

Fans at Agege and environs have been privileged to watch Friday night football with MFM already taking on Kano Pillars and Wikki Tourists.

This weekend, it will be another top flight action, but this time a double header with both Lagos teams playing on the same day inside the Agege Stadium, with the two matches live on television.

Ikorodu United welcome Heartland in the first game of the day which will start by 5pm, while MFM FC will be taking on Akwa United under the floodlights by 7pm.

The League Management Company devised the double header approach so as to have more matches on television with two teams in the same state allowed to play on the same matchday.

It has been a difficult season for Ikorodu United as they are currently occupying 20th position on the league table with six points from 13 matches.

On the other hand, MFM’s bright start to the season continued to falter after winning once in their last seven matches and are currently ninth on the table after amassing 19 points from 13 matches.

Both sides will be looking forward to recording victories against their opponents to boost their standing on the table.

Other matches will see Sunshine Stars playing host to Kano Pillars as league leaders Rangers travel to Port Harcourt to play against Rivers United.

Embattled Giwa FC will host Wikki Tourists in their new home, Ilorin Township Stadium, as they serve their -three match ban.

Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves will lock horns in Lafia, while Tornadoes will be home against El-Kanemi Warriors. The champions, Enyimba, will be home to Lobi Stars as Shooting Stars take on Plateau United in Ibadan.

Crisis rocks Shooting Stars L ast season, it took the coming of Coach Gbenga Ogunbote for Shooting Stars of Ibadan to escape the drop and they are already romancing relegation again.

They are yet to pick a point away from home this season and last weekend recorded the biggest defeat this term when they lost 6-0 to Kano Pillars.

The excuse by the coach, Kadiri Ikhana, was lack of motivation for his players, claiming they are owed five month salary.

However in a quick reaction, a source from the club who confided in League Rendezvous on condition of anonymity said the technical knowhow of the coach was nothing to write home about.

“Last season, with the little resources available to the team, the coach (Ogunbote) was able to achieve a top 10 finish despite not starting the season with the side,” the source said.

“Before playing a game, the coach already gives the players excuses for failure. Instead of him motivating his players, he keeps giving flimsy excuses.

“I can now see reason why he was booted out after winning the league with Enyimba, he is living on past glory and if care is not taken, he might lead Shooting to relegation.”

The Oluyole Warriors currently occupy 16th position on the table, just one point and one position above the relegation zone.

MATCHDAY 13 Ikorodu Utd vs Heartland Sunshine vs Kano Pillars Shooting vs Plateau Utd Rivers Utd vs Rangers Nasarawa Utd vs Warri Wolves Giwa vs Wikki IfeanyiUbah vs Abia Warriors MFM vs Akwa Utd Enyimba vs Lobi Tornadoes vs El-Kanemi

A

Ubong Ekpai of Akwa and Stanley Bimgba of Sunshine

I

n 2014, Giwa FC were banished to Abuja after fans invaded the pitch in their Week 33 tie with Sharks at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, a development which reportedly had match officials beaten up and a Sharks player injured.

The first match to be played at their new home was a Week

Giwa FC goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke

Giwa FC again!

35 fixture against Nasarawa United on October 29, 2014, but Giwa FC failed to show up for the game leading the League Management Company to grant them a 24-hour reprieve.

But, in spite of the reprieve, Giwa FC still failed to honour the match, leading to walk-over formalities being observed by the match officials in favour of Nasarawa United.

But in a quick reversal by the LMC, the match was again rescheduled for November 6, 2014, but this time, it was the turn of the Lafia side to boycott the game.

The game was finally played on November 14, 2014, ending in a goalless draw at the FIFA Goal Project ground in

Abuja.

This season, the club was recently banished to Ilorin for their next three home games after the unruly behaviour of their fans against Rangers leading to LMC placing a huge sanction on the team. The club was supposed to play the remaining 16 minutes of their abandoned game against Rangers in Abuja on Wednesday, but again failed to show up.

It is expected team hosts Wikki Tourists in Ilorin this weekend but the recent instances show that Giwa may not honour the match.

League followers have been asking whether Giwa are untouchable as the team always escape the hammer despite flouting the rules.

Injury-ravaged Rivers Utd face Rangers

t least four first team players will miss Rivers United’s clash with Enugu Rangers on Sunday.

Yaovi Douhadji, Guy Kuemian, Godbless Asamoah and Wilson Andoh will definitely miss out on the match day 14 encounter against the Flying Antelopes.

Togolese international defender, Douhadji, is currently indisposed and has not trained since last week.

Kuemian recently aggravated the injury he suffered in United’s 2-1 loss to Heartland in Owerri on April 10, a strain of the left quadriceps.

Ghanaian marksman, Asamoah, has struggled with hamstring issues all season and has been declared unfit to play on Sunday.

Andoh’s injury appears to be the most serious as he appeared to rupture knee ligaments in the defeat to Plateau United in Jos on Sunday.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Imama Amakapabo is one of the youngest coaches in the Nigeria Professional Football League and was recently named Super Eagles assistant coach. In an interview with Saturday Telegraph’s CHARLES OGUNDIYA, the coach said he was not under pressure to win the league with Enugu Rangers. Excerpts…

People laughed at Eaglets on our way to China ’85 – Amakapabo anyone. Although I try to work very hard, but there are some others that worked harder than me, I am just blessed and nothing more. I try to be myself and did same things I did even before achieving that success.

How did you feel when you made the team to the inaugural FIFA U-16 World Championship, China ‘85?

There was no pressure on me, it was nothing special, I was just a school boy then enjoying myself while playing football. To me it was just one of those things.

How did your parents’ react to the invitation?

I actually had this challenge with my parents; the truth is my dad never wanted me to play football.

I came from a family that lays emphasis on education, but at the same time, I continued playing football secretly because I love the game. Exactly in 1984, I was in form three then when I represented my youth team at the RAMAT Cup and was voted the best goalkeeper of the competition, where I was discovered.

I went back to school after the competition because I never wanted my dad to know I was playing football.

To deceive my parents, I shortened my name to Amas instead of Amakapabo, my dad saw it in a newspaper and asked me, I wanted to lie but he told me straight that I never taught you to lie, so I told him everything.

He then told me to always use my full name Amakapabo. He said since that’s what I wanted to do, I should go ahead.

Then about the invitation, personally I never wanted to join the team, but after some pressure from the NFA to the Rivers State FA, to the ministry of education, to my school and to my parents, I was able to resume in camp.

How did you manage the fame then?

I never looked at myself as someone special and never saw the invitation as something special. It was kind of a surprise to me when I walked on the streets and some people started looking at me. It was like, 'what are they looking at,' have I done something wrong? But seriously, I have been a privileged person right from my childhood.

No one gave the team a chance to excel in China, but against all odds, you guys did the impossible, what was the secret?

We had this closeness in the team, many years after, most of us are still friends, it was a solid unit. Most of us have also played in various youth competitions before, with and against each other that really helped us because we knew ourselves. I remember before the first match, we went to the coach, Sebastian Brodrick-Imasuen’s room, to pick up our jerseys for the game, suddenly he started crying that people were telling him that he brought kids to China to be disgraced, and truly, when we saw our opponents, they were big. Even

27

Did you have a girlfriend then?

I grew up in an environment where it was difficult to indulge in something like that.

Although there will surely be some special female friends that personally you would be close to maybe in class, but nothing like serious relationship of boyfriend, girlfriend then.

Amakapabo

when we were leaving Nigeria because of the agbada we were wearing, people at the airport were making fun of us that 'why were they taking these little children to such a big competition.' But all these worked in our favour. All that is history now.

You left unheralded and came back as champions, can you recapture the feelings?

It felt very good. It was a wonderful feeling and one thing people fail to understand about that team was that we were special breeds. We didn’t lose a match throughout our campaign both in the qualifiers and the tournament in China. We drew but we never lost a match. It is unprecedented in the history of the country.

When we were coming back to the country, we never looked at it as if we had done something special until we arrived at the airport and we saw the mammoth crowd that came to welcome us, that was when it dawned on us that we had done something special. Our aim was just to come back to the country and quickly run back to our families after being away for weeks, but the crowd was awesome.

We were surprised and all what we were thinking was that they were waiting for the president before we realised they were actually waiting for us, it was a great feeling to be so honoured by your country.

To deceive my parents, I shortened my name to Amas instead of Amakapabo

Did it change the way you related with people around you especially your friends?

I never look at myself as special, I am always guided by a biblical verse, Ecclesiastes 9:11 ‘…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time Amakapabo (right) with and chance happeneth to them all’. a team mate I never look at myself as been above

Can you describe the whole experience in China?

It was exciting, we were able to meet people of different cultures, some of them had never seen a black man before. I could recall a scenario when one of our players decided to touch the cheek of a Chinese kid and thinking it would fall down, a wonderful experience. But the fact is, like I said before, it was not the first time most of us would be travelling out for a competition, YSFON had exposed many of us a lot, we were in a way prepared for the occasion. When we came together, we already knew ourselves and we were just on autopilot.

Why goalkeeping when many people are interested in outfield ppositions?

It’s just a miracle that I ended as a goalkeeper. In my school, I was a striker; in fact when we trained with

Sharks junior team, I was also a striker. I however went with a club, Endeley Youths FC, Port Harcourt, for a youth competition, the Ramat Cup, and we were trying to qualify to represent the old Rivers State in the final.

After the first game, our goalkeeper didn’t come for the second game, so someone said they should try me in goal. Ironically, I had a good game as a goalkeeper, we won the game on penalties and I stopped three kicks.

I was also named the Most Valuable Player of the game as the goalkeeper.

The following game we won on penalties till we got to the final. That was how I came to Lagos with the team and I became a goalkeeper.

Rangers started the season on a high note, they are currently top of the league table, are you under pressure to win the trophy?

I am having fun, I just keep enjoying myself and don’t allow any pressure to get to me. The truth is, if they waited for 32 years, they can still wait for one more year if we didn’t achieve it this year. We are working to achieve it this year, but if we didn’t, then we have to try again. The good thing is the players are playing to my philosophy and the kind of football I want them to play. If we keep doing that, then it is okay by me. The expectations I put on myself is what I am pursuing and I know it will yield results.

You are now part of the coaching crew of the national team albeit on a temporary basis, what should Nigerians expect from you?

This is an interim thing, but even at that I have to give it my all. I don’t always want regrets in my life, so I do things to avoid regrets in the future.

I am a perfectionist and that is what people should expect from me as the Super Eagles coach.

B

Lewandowski

D

Ronaldo

chester City – with a thigh problem and is still rated "day-to-day" to make the return match on Wednesday.

Benzema had been deemed fit to play after a knee problem for the match at City, but was replaced at half-time and will, like Ronaldo, be held back from the trip to Anoeta in a bid to make the second leg.

With three La Liga games to go, Madrid sit one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of the table as part of a thrilling title race.

But they will have to cope without two of their starting forwards and Jese Rodriguez (knock) is also a fitness doubt, putting huge pressure on the likes of Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez to deliver.

"Ronaldo had a niggle and he preferred not to play [at City] given everything that lies ahead," said Carvajal. "We have got a big squad – Lucas came in and he put in a more than worthy performance.

No Clubs P Pts 1 Juventus 35 85 2 Napoli 35 73 3 Roma 35 71 4 Inter 35 64 5 Fiorentina 35 59 6 AC Milan 35 53 7 Sassuolo 35 52 8 ChievoVerona 35 48 9 Lazio 35 48 10 Genoa 35 43 11 Torino 35 42 12 Empoli 35 42 13 Atalanta 35 41 14 Sampdoria 35 40 15 Bologna 35 40 16 Udinese 35 38 17 Carpi 35 35 18 Palermo 35 32 19 Frosinone 35 30 20 Hellas Verona 35 25

SERIE A

TABLE

LA LIGA Clubs

P

relegated.

Palermo's official website (www.palermocalcio. it) listed what it called "three absurd episodes" during Carpi's win and provided screenshots of incidents where the Sicilian club claimed that the referee had made the wrong call.

There are two matches remaining after this weekend and should Carpi and Palermo finish level on points, relegation will be decided on goal difference as they are level on their head-to-head record.

Frosinone, a further two points below Palermo, visit AC Milan while bottom club Verona area already down. Most commentators feel that Zamparini would have only himself to blame for Palermo's demise after overseeing an astonishing eight coaching changes this season.

Allardyce

am Allardyce has warned his struggling Sunderland side to be wary of a wounded Stoke City when they go in search of three points to boost their Premier League survival hopes.

The Black Cats moved out of the relegation zone with a battling goalless draw against Arsenal last weekend, which left them above 18th-placed Norwich City on goal difference.

Sunderland have lost just once in seven matches, including five draws, and Saturday's trip to the Britannia Stadium presents a good opportunity for three points against an outof-sorts Stoke side.

The Potters have lost three consecutive league matches and conceded four goals in each of those games as a fine campaign appears to be petering out.

But Sunderland manager Allardyce warned that opposite number Mark Hughes will be hurting from Stoke's run and is sure the Welshman will have his side motivated to end their rut.

S

Allardyce wary of wounded Stoke

alermo have opened the Serie A "biscuit tin" of conspiracy by implying there is a plot to send them down into the second division as the battle for survival heats up.

The Italian season would not be complete without such speculation, bizarrely known as biscuits by the media, and Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini duly obliged by crying foul after fellow strugglers Carpi beat Empoli 1-0 on Monday.

The win kept Carpi, who are 17th and hovering just above the drop zone, one place and three points clear of Palermo, who won a key relegation battle away to Frosinone (19th) on Sunday to revive their own chances of staying up. The bottom three in the 20-team table are

Controversies as relegation battle rages in Serie A

FIXTURES

SATURDAY

Bundesliga

Real Betis v Barcelona 8:30pm

Valencia v Villarreal 8:30pm

Deportivo v Getafe 6:15pm

Espanyol v Sevilla 4pm

LBilbao - Celta Vigo 12pm

SUNDAY

Granada v Las Palmas 10:05pm

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao has pressed on with his campaign for a seat in the Philippine Senate, barnstorming in a province south of Manila despite a reported militant plot to kidnap him. Pacquiao said he doubted the threat but would not ignore it, although he had few visible security escorts as he campaigned in Laguna province, shaking hands and allowing mobs of villagers to take selfies with him.

Manny Pacquiao

Lazio v Inter 8:45pm

Sassuolo v Hellas 3pm

Palermo v Sampdoria3pm

Empoli v Bologna 3pm

AC Milan v Frosinone 3pm

Juventus v Carpi 1:30pm

SUNDAY

Chievo v Fiorentina 8:45pm

Udinese vTorino 6pm

SATURDAY

Serie A

Atletico v Rayo 6:15pm

Sociedad v Real 4pm

Bayern v M’gladbach 3:30pm Everton v Bournemouth 3pm Dortmund v Wolfsburg Newcastle v Crystal Palace 3pm 3:30pm Stoke City v Sunderland 3pm Darmstadt v Frankfurt 3:30pm Watford v Aston Villa 3pm Hannover v Schalke 3:30pm West Brom v West Ham 3pm Hoffenheim v Ingolstadt 3:30pm Arsenal v Norwich City 5:30pm Mainz v Hamburger SV 3:30pm SATURDAY Leverkusen v Hertha 6:30pm Swansea Cityv Liverpool 12:00 La Liga Man United v Leicester 14:05 SATURDAY Southampton v Man City 16:30

FA CUP Saturday

Dyabala

30 APRIL 2016

She's the number one tennis player and one of the richest athletes in the world, but if you ask Serena Williams, she says she hasn't "made it."

"I don't think like that," Williams told CNBC. "I'm still going and doing the best that I can."

At 34, Williams has achieved what most people can only dream about.

Serena Williams

SPORT BRIEFLY

BUNDESLIGA

No Clubs P Pts 1 Bayern 31 81 2 Dortmund 31 74 3 Leverkusen 31 54 4 Hertha 31 49 5 M’gladbach 31 48 6 Mainz 31 45 7 Schalke 31 45 8 Cologne 31 40 9 Ingolstadt 31 40 10 Wolfsburg 31 39 11 Hamburger 31 37 12 Augsburg 31 36 13 Darmstadt 31 35 14 Hoffenheim 31 34 15 Stuttgart 31 33 16 Bremen

31 31 17 Frankfurt 31 30 18 Hannover 96 31 22

82 82 81 61 57 55 52 44 43 42 42 42 41 39 37 35 33 32 32 29

P Pts 1 Barcelona 35 2 Atletico Madrid 35 3 Real Madrid 35 4 Villarreal 35 5 Celta Vigo 35 6 Athletic Bilbao 35 7 Sevilla 35 8 Valencia 35 9 Las Palmas 35 10 Malaga 35 11 Eibar 35 12 Real Sociedad 35 13 Real Betis 35 14 Deportivo 35 15 Espanyol 35 16 Rayo Vallecano 35 17 Granada 35 18 Sporting Gijon 35 19 Getafe 35 20 Levante 35

No

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Nico Rosberg believes that Ferrari cannot be underestimated as a potential threat to his F1 world championship ambitions, despite winning the first three races of the 2016 campaign quite comfortably in his Mercedes.

“Ferrari, amongst others, haven't shown what they can do yet. They took each other at the last race and, from there, it was just messy.

Nico Rosberg

ani Carvajal is attempting to look at the bigger picture with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo struggling with injuries ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga trip to Real Sociedad on Saturday.

The Portugal international has missed his team's last two matches – including the 0-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg draw against Man-

Premier league

No Clubs P Pts 1 Leicester City 35 76 2 Tottenham 35 69 3 Manc City 35 64 4 Arsenal 35 64 5 Man United 34 59 6 W/Ham United 34 56 7 Liverpool 34 55 8 Southampton 35 54 9 Chelsea 34 47 10 Stoke City 35 47 11 Everton 34 41 12 Watford 35 41 13 West Brom 35 41 14 Bournemouth 35 41 15 Swansea City 35 40 16 Crystal Palace 35 39 17 Sunderland 34 31 18 Norwich City 34 31 19 N/castle Unite 35 30 20 Aston Villa 35 16

TABLE

I

f Leicester City win the Premier League by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will have stepped out from his father's huge shadow on a richly symbolic stage.

Peter Schmeichel enjoyed stellar success as keeper for United where he was integral to five titles during the 1990s, and as a result his son Kasper has spent much of his career being defined by his family name.

But there will be no need for comparisons should Leicester snare the first title in their 132year history, and Old Trafford can expect the Schmeichels to party like it was 1999, the year Peter won the last of his United titles.

"The issue is that I am 29, I am married, I have two kids, but people still see me as someone's son," Kasper said with respect to his upbringing in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.

Schmeichel is an indispensable and unsung star of Leicester's season, one of only two players, alongside centre-half Wes Morgan, to play every minute of their league campaign.

Unlike their opponents United, Leicester know who their best team is and how to get the best out of them. On Sunday, a packed Old Trafford is again likely to witness the sort of attacking fluidity Alex Ferguson's teams once trademarked. But this time it will be the visitors, with five of the top 10 quickest players in the league, forcing the pace. A Leicester victory would be welcomed by Arsenal, seeking to pip United to fourth place and Champions League qualification. On Saturday the Gunners entertain Norwich City, who are aiming to avoid a return to the Championship after just one season.

With Aston Villa already down, Sunderland and Newcastle are battling Norwich to dodge the two remaining relegation slots. History suggests one of the northeast giants, away to Stoke City and home to Crystal Palace respectively, may escape as a promoted side has gone straight down in each of the past three seasons.

Kickoff: 2:05pm

Leicester's Schmeichel aims to triumph on father's stage

Sport

Real hope to cope without Benzema, Ronaldo

ayern Munich will have to overcome the team that has caused them more trouble than any other in the last two seasons as they attempt to wrap up their fourth successive Bundesliga title on Saturday.

Bayern's dominance of German football is almost total except when it comes to facing Saturday's opponents Borussia Moenchengladbach, who they have failed to defeat in their last three meetings. Last season the Foals drew 0-0 at home and then beat them 2-0 away.

Gladbach followed that up by becoming the first team to beat them in the league this term, winning 3-1 after coach Andre Schubert gave a tactical masterclass to his opposite number Pep Guardiola. Schubert surprised the Bavarians by starting with a three-man defence, then repeatedly switched his formation and was rewarded when his side scored three times in a dramatic 15-minute spell in the second half. He is hoping to pull off another surprise at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, where Bayern are looking to clinch the title with two games to spare. "We must not make ourselves out to be less than we are,"

said Schubert, whose side are fifth and still battling for a top four finish and a place in next season's Champions League. "Munich should and must have respect for us. We want to go there and make our opponents run.

Troublesome Gladbach may halt Bayern

Terry

night.

Standard Sport revealed earlier this month that the centre-back was targeting playing in the Spurs game as he tried to recover from a hamstring and Achilles problem.

It is believed the 35-year-old trained with the Under-21s yesterday and is joining up with the first team squad today.

Chelsea haven't lost at home to Spurs since 1990 and Terry is desperate to help keep that record intact.

The former England captain has the added incentive of making sure their London rivals don't win the title should leaders Leicester lose at Manchester United on Sunday.

Terry has been out of action since sustaining the Achilles and hamsting injuries in Chelsea's 5-1 win over Newcastle in February.

He recently underwent platelet rich plasma therapy, which was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency until 2011, in a bid to speed up his recovery and now looks set to play when Chelsea host Spurs on Monday night.

helsea captain John Terry is on course to make his comeback against Tottenham on Monday

C

Terry set to return against Tottenham

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28

Sport 29

B

ayern Munich will have to overcome the team that has caused them more trouble than any other in the last two seasons as they attempt to wrap up their fourth successive Bundesliga title on Saturday.

Bayern's dominance of German football is almost total except when it comes to facing Saturday's opponents Borussia Moenchengladbach, who they have failed to defeat in their last three meetings. Last season the Foals drew 0-0 at home and then beat them 2-0 away.

Gladbach followed that up by becoming the first team to beat them in the league this term, winning 3-1 after coach Andre Schubert gave a tactical masterclass to his opposite number Pep Guardiola. Schubert surprised the Bavarians by starting with a three-man defence, then repeatedly

said Schubert, whose side are fifth and still battling for a top four finish and a place in next season's Champions League. "Munich should and must have respect for us. We want to go there and make our opponents run.

Troublesome Gladbach may halt Bayern

Terry

night.

Standard Sport revealed earlier this month that the centre-back was targeting playing in the Spurs game as he tried to recover from a hamstring and Achilles problem.

It is believed the 35-year-old trained with the Under-21s yesterday and is joining up with the first team squad today.

Chelsea haven't lost at home to Spurs since 1990 and Terry is desperate to help keep that record intact.

The former England captain has the added incentive of making sure their London rivals don't win the title should leaders Leicester lose at Manchester United on Sunday.

Terry has been out of action since sustaining the Achilles and hamsting injuries in Chelsea's 5-1 win over Newcastle in February.

He recently underwent platelet rich plasma therapy, which was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency until 2011, in a bid to speed up his recovery and now looks set to play when Chelsea host Spurs on Monday night.

helsea captain John Terry is on course to make his comeback against Tottenham on Monday

C

Terry set to return against Tottenham

Premier league

No Clubs P Pts 1 Leicester City 35 76 2 Tottenham 35 69 3 Manc City 35 64 4 Arsenal 35 64 5 Man United 34 59 6 W/Ham United 34 56 7 Liverpool 34 55 8 Southampton 35 54

LA LIGA Clubs

1 Barcelona 2 Atletico Madrid 3 Real Madrid 4 Villarreal 5 Celta Vigo 6 Athletic Bilbao 7 Sevilla 8 Valencia

No

TABLE

35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35

82 82 81 61 57 55 52 44

P Pts

have

relegated.

Sport

alermo

Controversies as relegation battle rages in Serie A

I

f Leicester City win the Premier League by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will have stepped out from his father's huge shadow on a richly symbolic stage.

Peter Schmeichel enjoyed stellar success as keeper for United where he was integral to five titles during the 1990s, and as a result his son Kasper has spent much of his career being defined by his family name.

But there will be no need for comparisons should Leicester snare the first title in their 132year history, and Old Trafford can expect the Schmeichels to party like it was 1999, the year Peter won the last of his United titles.

"The issue is that I am 29, I am married, I have two kids, but people still see me as someone's son," Kasper said with respect to his upbringing in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.

Schmeichel is an indispensable and unsung star of Leicester's season, one of only two players, alongside centre-half Wes Morgan, to play every minute of their league campaign.

Unlike their opponents United, Leicester know who their best team is and how to get the best out of them. On Sunday, a packed Old Trafford is again likely to witness the sort of attacking fluidity Alex Ferguson's teams once trademarked. But this time it will be the visitors, with five of the top 10 quickest players in the league, forcing the pace. A Leicester victory would be welcomed by Arsenal, seeking to pip United to fourth place and Champions League qualification. On Saturday the Gunners entertain Norwich City, who are aiming to avoid a return to the Championship after just one season.

With Aston Villa already down, Sunderland and Newcastle are battling Norwich to dodge the two remaining relegation slots. History suggests one of the northeast giants, away to Stoke City and home to Crystal Palace respectively, may escape as a promoted side has gone straight down in each of the past three seasons.

Kickoff: 2:05pm

Leicester's Schmeichel aims to triumph on father's stage

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 SATURDAY

30 AP

Lewandowski

D

Ronaldo

47 47 41 41 41 41 40 39 31 31 30 16

No Clubs P Pts 1 Juventus 35 85 2 Napoli 35 73 3 Roma 35 71 4 Inter 35 64 5 Fiorentina 35 59 6 AC Milan 35 53 7 Sassuolo 35 52 8 ChievoVerona 35 48 9 Lazio 35 48 10 Genoa 35 43 11 Torino 35 42 12 Empoli 35 42 13 Atalanta 35 41 14 Sampdoria 35 40 15 Bologna 35 40 16 Udinese 35 38 17 Carpi 35 35 18 Palermo 35 32 19 Frosinone 35 30 20 Hellas Verona 35 25

SERIE A

TABLE

9 Chelsea 34 10 Stoke City 35 11 Everton 34 12 Watford 35 13 West Brom 35 14 Bournemouth 35 15 Swansea City 35 16 Crystal Palace 35 17 Sunderland 34 18 Norwich City 34 19 N/castle Unite 35 20 Aston Villa 35

43 42 42 42 41 39 37 35 33 32 32 29

Palermo's official website (www.palermocalcio. it) listed what it called "three absurd episodes" during Carpi's win and provided screenshots of incidents where the Sicilian club claimed that the referee had made the wrong call.

There are two matches remaining after this weekend and should Carpi and Palermo finish level on points, relegation will be decided on goal difference as they are level on their head-to-head record.

Frosinone, a further two points below Palermo, visit AC Milan while bottom club Verona area already down. Most commentators feel that Zamparini would have only himself to blame for Palermo's demise after overseeing an astonishing eight coaching changes this season.

Allardyce

am Allardyce has warned his struggling Sunderland side to be wary of a wounded Stoke City when they go in search of three points to boost their Premier League survival hopes.

The Black Cats moved out of the relegation zone with a battling goalless draw against Arsenal last weekend, which left them above 18th-placed Norwich City on goal difference.

Sunderland have lost just once in seven matches, including five draws, and Saturday's trip to the Britannia Stadium presents a good opportunity for three points against an outof-sorts Stoke side.

The Potters have lost three consecutive league matches and conceded four goals in each of those games as a fine campaign appears to be petering out.

But Sunderland manager Allardyce warned that opposite number Mark Hughes will be hurting from Stoke's run and is sure the Welshman will have his side motivated to end their rut.

S

Allardyce wary of wounded Stoke

opened the Serie A "biscuit tin" of conspiracy by implying there is a plot to send them down into the second division as the battle for survival heats up.

The Italian season would not be complete without such speculation, bizarrely known as biscuits by the media, and Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini duly obliged by crying foul after fellow strugglers Carpi beat Empoli 1-0 on Monday.

The win kept Carpi, who are 17th and hovering just above the drop zone, one place and three points clear of Palermo, who won a key relegation battle away to Frosinone (19th) on Sunday to revive their own chances of staying up. The bottom three in the 20-team table are

P

She's the number one tennis player and one of the richest athletes in the world, but if you ask Serena Williams, she says she hasn't "made it."

"I don't think like that," Williams told CNBC. "I'm still going and doing the best that I can."

At 34, Williams has achieved what most people can only dream about.

Serena Williams

SPORT BRIEFLY

BUNDESLIGA

35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35

No Clubs P Pts 1 Bayern 31 81 2 Dortmund 31 74 3 Leverkusen 31 54 4 Hertha 31 49 5 M’gladbach 31 48 6 Mainz 31 45 7 Schalke 31 45 8 Cologne 31 40 9 Ingolstadt 31 40 10 Wolfsburg 31 39 11 Hamburger 31 37 12 Augsburg 31 36 13 Darmstadt 31 35 14 Hoffenheim 31 34 15 Stuttgart 31 33 16 Bremen

31 31 17 Frankfurt 31 30 18 Hannover 96 31 22

9 Las Palmas 10 Malaga 11 Eibar 12 Real Sociedad 13 Real Betis 14 Deportivo 15 Espanyol 16 Rayo Vallecano 17 Granada 18 Sporting Gijon 19 Getafe 20 Levante

FIXTURES

SATURDAY

Bundesliga

Real Betis v Barcelona 8:30pm

Valencia v Villarreal 8:30pm

Deportivo v Getafe 6:15pm

Espanyol v Sevilla 4pm

LBilbao - Celta Vigo 12pm

SUNDAY

Granada v Las Palmas 10:05pm

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao has pressed on with his campaign for a seat in the Philippine Senate, barnstorming in a province south of Manila despite a reported militant plot to kidnap him. Pacquiao said he doubted the threat but would not ignore it, although he had few visible security escorts as he campaigned in Laguna province, shaking hands and allowing mobs of villagers to take selfies with him.

Manny Pacquiao

Lazio v Inter 8:45pm

Sassuolo v Hellas 3pm

Palermo v Sampdoria3pm

Empoli v Bologna 3pm

AC Milan v Frosinone 3pm

Juventus v Carpi 1:30pm

SUNDAY

Chievo v Fiorentina 8:45pm

Udinese vTorino 6pm

SATURDAY

Serie A

Atletico v Rayo 6:15pm

Sociedad v Real 4pm

Bayern v M’gladbach 3:30pm Everton v Bournemouth 3pm Dortmund v Wolfsburg Newcastle v Crystal Palace 3pm 3:30pm Stoke City v Sunderland 3pm Darmstadt v Frankfurt 3:30pm Watford v Aston Villa 3pm Hannover v Schalke 3:30pm West Brom v West Ham 3pm Hoffenheim v Ingolstadt 3:30pm Arsenal v Norwich City 5:30pm Mainz v Hamburger SV 3:30pm SATURDAY Leverkusen v Hertha 6:30pm Swansea Cityv Liverpool 12:00 La Liga Man United v Leicester 14:05 SATURDAY Southampton v Man City 16:30

FA CUP Saturday

Dyabala

PRIL 2016

Nico Rosberg believes that Ferrari cannot be underestimated as a potential threat to his F1 world championship ambitions, despite winning the first three races of the 2016 campaign quite comfortably in his Mercedes.

“Ferrari, amongst others, haven't shown what they can do yet. They took each other at the last race and, from there, it was just messy.

Nico Rosberg

ani Carvajal is attempting to look at the bigger picture with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo struggling with injuries ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga trip to Real Sociedad on Saturday.

The Portugal international has missed his team's last two matches – including the 0-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg draw against Man-

chester City – with a thigh problem and is still rated "day-to-day" to make the return match on Wednesday.

Benzema had been deemed fit to play after a knee problem for the match at City, but was replaced at half-time and will, like Ronaldo, be held back from the trip to Anoeta in a bid to make the second leg.

With three La Liga games to go, Madrid sit one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of the table as part of a thrilling title race.

But they will have to cope without two of their starting forwards and Jese Rodriguez (knock) is also a fitness doubt, putting huge pressure on the likes of Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez to deliver.

"Ronaldo had a niggle and he preferred not to play [at City] given everything that lies ahead," said Carvajal. "We have got a big squad – Lucas came in and he put in a more than worthy performance.

Real hope to cope without Benzema, Ronaldo

switched his formation and was rewarded when his side scored three times in a dramatic 15-minute spell in the second half. He is hoping to pull off another surprise at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, where Bayern are looking to clinch the title with two games to spare. "We must not make ourselves out to be less than we are," Y TELEGRAPH

Sport 29

30

Sport

Lifestyle of Sportsmen

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Joshua poses with new Rolls

Rooney A caught in threesome sex scandal Ronaldo (left)

Ronaldo's new date, a Barcelona fan

C

RISTIANO RONALDO is keeping his latest hot date under wraps — because she’s a Barcelona fan.

Portuguese magazine Flash suggests that the Real Madrid superstar has been meeting Mexican pilot Alejandra Manriquez on secret trips to Morocco.

The North African country seems to be a favourite hangout of the former Manchester United man — after it was claimed he was flying there regularly to see hunky kickboxer Badr Hari last year.

Beautiful blonde Manriquez has posted pictures of the pair looking loved up on Instagram.

But there is a snag — as the stunner’s page is littered with snaps of her wearing a Barca shirt.

To make matters worse, she is also apparently a megafan of arch-rival Lionel Messi.

H

elen Wood has revealed some dirty details about the threesome she claims she had with Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney eight years ago.

Wood, who won season 15 of Big Brother, burst through the shackles of an alleged injunction to share some juicy info with the Daily Star.

It is summarised below.

1. She admitted that the three-way, with Rooney and Jenny Thompson, was a “stupid thing to do”.

2. Ms Wood is clearly not on good terms with Thompson, who she claims got £95,000 for selling her side of the story.

3. Helen describes Jenny as “hairy nipples” and suggests that she sounded “like a Smurf getting shagged”.

4. According to Helen, threesomes are “not all what they’re cracked up to be”.

5. Underwhelmed by her famous threeway, Helen says she did not get a “good seeing to”.

nthony Joshua’s ascent to becoming unified world heavy champion is certainly gaining momentum.

Away from the ring the towering Londoner is also living life in the fast lane, posting a picture next to a Rolls Royce Phantom Limousine car Joshua is working towards his next fight, which will see him defend his IBF world heavyweight title against unbeaten Dominic Breazeale at the O2 Arena on June 25.

The 26-year-old uploaded the picture as he sat on the bonnet of the Rolls Royce, which can cost from £350,000 up to bespoke models at £1million and can reach a top speed of 155mph, with the caption ‘ Work...

That's all a brother's working with #AJBoxing.’

Joshua put in another devastating display to take the belt and unbeaten record of Charles Martin earlier this month and will have to put in the hours in the gym to prevail against another undefeated American.

Joshua

Stories courtesy : Dailymail

PSG pool party lands cricket player in trouble

R

Castrogiovanni (2nd left)

acing 92 have suspended Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni while they investigate images of him partying in Las Vegas last weekend.

Castrogiovanni, 34, is said to have told his club he could not play in their Champions Cup semi-final win over Leicester Tigers as he attended to a family matter.

But he was then pictured socialising with Paris Saint-Germain players in the United States.

Racing say the suspension is a 'precautionary measure prior to launching legal proceedings'.

Castrogiovanni did not travel with the rest of the Racing squad for the game against Leicester in Nottingham while apparently

dealing with a family health issue in Argentina.

However, he was then seen alongside PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Vegas' Encore hotel pool party as part of the Ligue 1 champions' French League Cup celebrations on the same weekend.

A club statement read: 'Following the publication in the media of photographs showing Martin Castrogiovanni with Paris SaintGermain footballers this weekend at a hotel in Las Vegas, while the entire Racing squad was in Nottingham to contest a European Cup semi-final, Racing 92 have decided to suspend the player as a precautionary measure prior to launching legal proceedings.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Top overaged players jostling for Olympics slots

A

Vincent Enyeama (Lille) lthough Enyeama has retired from international football, he could be lured back with an Olympic Games slot. He has featured in five editions of African Nations Cup and another three World Cups but the Lille of France shot stopper is yet to represent the country in any Olympics. So, Siasia could tempt him to quit retirement with an Olympic slot. He actually needs a confident and experienced goal minder like Enyeama, the team’s current number one goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel did well during the qualifiers but his confidence level is still suspect and it remains to be seen if he has the capacity to face players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juan Cuadrado and even Neymar.

Enyeama still got plenty of skills under his sleeves, he is nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year Award in France and he is arguably Lille’s best performer in the outgoing season.

FIFA rules allow participating countries in the football event of the Olympics to include three overaged players in their U-23 teams; AJIBADE OLUSESAN, in this piece, highlights players outside the age-bracket competing for places in Coach Samson Siasia’s squad to Rio 2016.

S

Mikel Obi (Chelsea) uper Eagles captain has signified intentions to play for the Olympics team and that seem the only condition he needs to make Siasia team. He is another top star without Olympic experience, he was supposed to be the anchor man for the team that reached the final of football event at Beijing Olympics in 2008 but Siasia blacklisted him after failing to show up during qualifiers. The 29-year-old seems to have mended fences with his coach and the two are now best of friends. Siasia’s team needs leadership on and off the pitch and that is what Mikel will bring. The coach already has Azubuike Okechukwu and Oghenekaro Etebo in midfield but the lads are not experienced enough to handle pressure at the highest level. Mikel will bring that stability and grit not only to the middle of the park but the entire team and can galvanise the youthful

Enyeama

A Mikel

Victor Moses (West Ham) lthough it depends on what Saisia needs, it will look odd to have a Nigerian Olympics team without a fit Moses. He is arguably the most skilful Nigerian player at the moment, his dribbling skill is unmatched, his pace, awareness, positioning and passing accuracy will be a delight to watch in Rio. He struggles with injuries, but can be devastating to opponents when he is fit and in form. He may not score many goals but can be the creative force in the team if given the chance. His season with West Ham is not a bad one, and having an experienced lad like him in a major tournament like the Olympics will not only add strength to the Nigerian team but glamour to the competition.

H

Musa

Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow) e is another experienced hand that can add value to Nigeria’s campaign in Rio. The Super Eagles vice-captain has not been to the Olympics before and will fancy his chances this time around. There are many younger players who could play his role in the team but many fans across the world will be looking forward to seeing that pacey Nigerian striker who scored sublime two goals against Argentina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

He has an outside chance of making the trip, the position where he plays is not where Siasia actually needs reinforcement but having such a talent with incredible top international tournament experience is an added advantage.

Musa’s club form this term is good, although inconsistent, he has impressive 11 league goals to his name for CSKA Moscow and can help the team with such resume.

H

Moses

H

Ighalo

I

Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio) e was initially shortlisted in the provisional list as a player within the age bracket but the Nigeria Football Federation has knocked him off when it discovered that the midfielder was slightly overage. He is above the stipulated age by just seven days but Siasia can consider him as one of the overage players. His incredible work rate and athleticism are some of his greatest assets which will greatly benefit the side but Siasia is not a great fan of this player. It remains to be seen if some powerful individuals in the federation could convince the coach to give the Lazio star a chance.

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United) f Enyeama is overlooked then Akpeyi will not be a bad idea to be on the plane to Brazil. He is proving to the future of the Nigerian team with excellent displays for the Super Eagles. The Chippa United goal minder is Nigeria’s second choice goalie, some pundits even said he deserves to get a regular nod ahead of Carl Ikeme because of his performance. He was in the squad to the 2008 edition but did not see action and the experience garnered at such competition should come handy this time if given the nod.

I Onazi

31

Chibuzor Okonkwo (IfeanyiUbah FC) t is surprising to have the IfeanyiUbah FC defender in this list but with Siasia in charge anything is possible if the great bond between this player and the coach is considered. To some observers, Okonkwo will always be one of the first set of players in Siasia’s mind anytime he is in charge of a national team this defender is still eligible to play in. He was part of the Super Eagles squad for the Egypt match and many pundits would not be surprised if the coach names the 2008 Olympic silver medallist as one of the three overaged players for this edition of the games.

Okonkwo

Odion Ighalo (Watford) e is one of Africa’s best strikers at the moment and the whole world will be glad to have such a huge talent at the Rio Games. He has been heavily linked to the team as one of the overage players and Coach Siasia has not also hidden his preference for the 26-year-old.

Ighalo would have played at the last Olympic Games in London four years ago, he was in fact the captain of the Austin Eguavoen-led U-23 team but the squad failed to pick one of the tickets at the qualifying tournament in Morocco although many foreign-based stars including the striker did not make the Nigerian team because of club engagements. He now has opportunity to feature in the grandest sporting tournament if Siasia picks him this time.

Although Nigeria is blessed with quality strikers still within the age bracket, the experience Ighalo will bring to the frontline will be invaluable. This is a player with incredible 14 English Premier League goals under his belt this season and 16 in all competitions. His brutal physicality, pace, intelligence and ability to get to the ball first will help the team a great deal.

He is not new to Siasia; apart from being the first choice striker during the coach’s interim stay as Eagles coach just a month ago, the striker had worked with the manager at the U-20 level as the Flying Eagles reached the quarterfinal of Egypt 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

32

Sport

NWF rounds off preparation for Continental Championships

T

he Nigeria Weightlifting Federation says it’s closed camping in preparation for a continental weightlifting championships in Yaoundé, Cameroon has been rounded off.

George Aluo, the NWF Public Relations Officer told the News Agency of Nigeria that eight weightlifters had just completed the camping in Abuja ahead of the event.

According to Aluo, the tournament will be holding from May 5 to 19.

“The lifters trained under the supervision of the head coach for a long time; so now that the competition is close, it is important to bring them together,” he said.

Aluo added that the lifters were made up of eight women and were invited for camping based on their current forms, national rating as well as their international records.

The NWF official added that the championships, being organised by the African Weightlifting Federation would be a qualifiers for upcoming Rio Olympics, scheduled for August 7 to 21, in Brazil.

He said the team hoped to depart the country on May 4 to enable them to acclimatise with the weather before the start of competition on May 5.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

La Liga/NPFL partnership: A win-win situation – Adepoju E Charles Ogundiya

x-international, Mutiu Adepoju, has said the recent partnership between Nigeria's League Management Company and the Spanish League Board, would be of great benefit to the two leagues.

The former Racing Santander of Spain said kudos must be given to the LMC for coming up with such a great idea.

“We tend to gain a lot, it is good we are doing a great thing like that, partnering with one of the best leagues in the world,” Adepoju said.

“La Liga is one of the best leagues in the world in terms of organisation, market value and level of play. We have to give kudos to the LMC for that initiative, and also give hail La Liga too because

they also understand what they tends to gain from our football.

“It will be a mutual benefit for both sides, in terms of technical support, players transfer and commercial value.”

He further called on the players and coaches currently working in the NPFL to take full advantage of the partnership.

The member of the Nigeria Football Federation’s technical committee said it was time for Nigerian coaches to improve on their knowledge of the game.

He said: “It is only someone that is serious that will not want to take advantage of the partnership. As a player, you know if you play well in the league, you have the opportunity to play for a club in Spain through the partnership, same applies to the coaches.

“A coach that has not had the op-

T

here are just less than 100 days until the Rio Olympics and defending women's high jump champion Anna Chicherova is in limbo as Russia fights for a place in the athletics contest.

While the Russian government and sports authorities race to overcome a huge doping scandal, Chicherova is perfecting her technique at a training centre in Sochi.

"We are preparing for the Olympic Games regardless of what lies ahead," Chicherova told AFP. "I am training for results."

Rio 2016 would be Chicherova's fourth, and possibly last, Olympics. The doping scandal that has hit her sport has caused widespread doubt.

"There are times when you don't know where you're going, when you lose sight of the goal," she said.

"I have experienced many things on an emotional level from this situation, from desperation to not understanding what is going on."

The International Associaton of Athletics Federations suspended Russia in November after a World Anti-Doping Agency commission said there was "state-sponsored" doping and widespread corruption in Russian sport.

The IAAF said last month that Russia still has "considerable work" to do to be reinstated.

A decision on whether Russia can return for the Rio Olympics will not be made until June.

The suspension means Russian athletes are excluded from money-spinning international events like the Diamond League. They can now only gauge themselves against domestic rivals.

Asaba agog for Return of Glory Charles Ogundiya

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Chicherova

Russia races against time to reach Rio

portunity to improve on his skills and knowledge of the game now given a chance to travel to Spain to learn more, they must be happy with it so that they don’t lag behind. It will surely improve the level and standard of our football and league as a whole.”

Under the terms of the five-year technical and commercial partnership between the two leagues, will focus on key areas of capacity development, training for coaches and club administrators; inter club exchanges and commercial activities including joint marketing.

Enyimba's Uche John (middle) vying for the ball with Warri Wolves' Stanley Dimgba

Don’t expect victories always, Iorfa tells NFF, fans Adeolu Johnson Abuja

F

ormer Super Eagles striker, Dominic Iorfa, has told the Nigeria Football Federation and fans not to always expect victory anytime Super Eagles play a game.

Commenting on the forthcoming matches against Mali and Luxemburg, Iorfa said there was nothing bad if the Eagles lose in the two friendly matches. While saying the pressure from the NFF and Nigerians always affect the team.

He said such friendlies were for preparations and not must-

win ties pointing that it was when teams lose matches that the coaches could identify their area of weaknesses.

“It is during friendlies that you experiment with the new players.

It is during friendlies that you gamble with the players before you arrive on who are regulars in a proper match,” the former Queens Park Rangers of England said.

“We need a team for the future, I am saying this because of my experience as an ex-international and a football administrator.”

He begged Nigerians not to see every defeat in warm up matches as something bad.

he capital of Delta State, Asaba, will on Sunday May 1, witness some of the best wrestlers from the continent of Africa and some other part of the world in a wrestling competition tagged Asaba 2016 The Return of Glory Wrestling Championship.

The highlight of the championship will be the much anticipated bout between Nigeria’s heavyweight champion, Godspower ‘Power Lee’ Ikpide and Angola’s Marvelous Buffalo.

The Secretary of Pro Wrestling Africa, Olusesan Olukoya, informed Saturday Telegraph, that everything had been put in place for a successful championship.

“Most of the wrestlers expected are now in town,” Olukoya said.

“After all the postponement and challenges, we are happy and thankful to the government of Delta for making the event possible to hold on Sunday.

“Staging this bout in Nigeria will go a long way to rekindle passion for professional wrestling and gradually the sport will regain its lost glory.”

Also speaking to our correspondent, the champion, Power Lee, expressed his readiness to defeat his opponent and defend the title.

He said that he had perfected the tactics that would enable him to defeat his rival.

He said: “I have been training hard in Asaba for few weeks now, and with what I have done, I believe victory is sure.

“I am not trying to underrate my opponent, but I have an advantage especially fighting in front of my fans.”

Lee

xxxxx

photos: tony eguaye

Investigations 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

tyres, cause road accidents have much to purchase new ones, he then goes for the fairly used with the mindset of getting new ones when he is financially buoyant. But, some commercial vehicle drivers prefer the fairly used ones just to cut corners.”

For Osejindu Mordi, “I usually buy tokunbo tyres whenever I am in need of them. I feel safe using them because I usually buy from a particular dealer and he tries as much as possible to give me the best. Most tokunbo tyres last longer than you can imagine, but if I can actually afford the new ones, I will buy. But right now, I settle for fairly used tyres.”

While Tomi Ayodele simply prefers tokunbo tyres because, “they last longer.

The expiry dates on tyres are not really genuine, they just put them there. Tokunbo tyres are stronger and more reliable. I settle for them any day, anytime.”

Worried about the loss of lives and property as a result of the usage of substandard tyres in the country, the SON has given the dealers of the product, manufacturers and importers ultimatum to clean up their stores. A reconstituted task force, the organisation said, has already started the search for and impounds fake and substandard tyres across markets in the country. According to Obayi, the statistics from the FRSC indicates that a high number of people are killed in the country due to incidents from substandard tyres.

Obayi said: “The statistics is gruelling, in 2015, the total annual road traffic crashes was about 8,986 road accidents, killing about 4,910 people, out of which over 722 of those road crashes resulted from burst tyres. This is what we have been suffering in Nigeria. We are not going to charge for dealing with fake and substandard tyres but charge people for killing innocent citizens,” he said.

Against the backdrop of the influx of unregulated second- hand motor tyres popularly called tokunbo in local parlance the SON is collaborating with relevant agencies like the FRSC in stemming the ugly trend. “Presently, we are launching an indigenous campaign against substandard tyres, and anywhere we see these tyres in circulation, we confiscate them.

“The awareness campaign will let the vulcanisers know because even if you are using a brand new tyre, and the vulcaniser puts in pressure higher than what is not recommended because the gauge he is using to measure the pressure is not well calibrated, the danger would still be there. Often times, if you measure three vulcanisers’ gauges, you may find out

Obayi

Akpabio

Some motorists use tyres meant for agricultural purposes on commercial vehicles

differences in them.

“And so that correction is what is needed for them to know that at each point you ought to know that what you are using is correct. If you are in Ojuelegba and somebody gauges your tyre at 50 and then you take it to another place to check, and they tell you it is 40, you go to another place and they tell you another thing. You are at a very big risk.

“Tyre maintenance starts from the users. Are you aware of the roads guiding the vehicle you want to drive?

You know that some drivers not even licensed, when you are trained to become a driver there are many checks one must carry out before one starts driving, and it is not just entering the vehicle to carry the steering on the road.

You also need to know and understand the workings of that vehicle. If you are

Driver, conductor and a passenger fixing a damaged tyre at Ojota Bus Stop, Lagos. photos: tony eguaye

Nwaghodoh

taught to drive, when the time comes for you to change your gear if you are driving a manual, you will know, the engine will tell you.

“If there is also an abnormal behaviour about the car, you should be able to know which component is giving you that sound, not that you will be using a vehicle until it stops you on the road or involve yourself in an accident, because if you are not sure of the maintenance of your vehicle there are so many things that could happen.

“So these are awareness creations, and the collaboration with government agencies like FRSC, even the Customs.

We have had very serious collaborations with the FRSC. This is one agency of the government that does not play with the issue of substandard. And everything they do, technically, they ensure that the standard of their operations are guaranteed wherever they are needed, that is the kind of collaboration with them.

“We also collaborate with the CPC because they are the foot soldiers that intercede for the consumers. So, what we need is that everybody should support this programme, because, if one is doing badly and you don’t report, how will SON know,” Obayi said.

He stressed that the corps have been good allies in this regards and have remained focused in their enforcement strides with emphasis on the fairly-used tyres. Obayi lamented the abuse of tyres specifications as recent survey by his men indicated that about 250 different brands of tyres are used in the country.

“Some motorists use tyres meant for agricultural purposes on commercial vehicles, thus widening the possibilities for avoidable road traffic accidents,” he added.

He called for a stronger legal framework to address the influx of righthand steering vehicles into the country, noting that increased collaboration between the SON, the FRSC and the National Automotive Council (NAC) in this direction will enhance compliance.

Also speaking on the collaborative efforts of the SON and FRSC, Akpabio told Saturday Telegraph that “In some cases, you stop a vehicle with four different brands of tyres being affixed to the same vehicle and we take extra steps to sensitise such drivers on the traffic hazards associated with this practice.

But, in most cases, we prosecute them in line with provisions of the traffic laws.

“It is worrisome that motorists patronise these products which have not only expired in some cases but also do not conform to minimum safety standards. It is also imperative to note that new tyres are not ruled out from expiration because some tyres may get close to expiry date before being purchased and used by motorists who are ignorant of this,” he added.

Already, SON, according to Obayi, has taken its campaign against fake and substandard products to warehouses in Matori tyre market, impounding about 20 containers full of substandard and expired tyres. The SON boss explained that Nigeria can no longer be buying products that would gravely endanger the lives of citizens in the country.

In like manner, the organisation has impounded more than 10,000 used and substandard tyres in Kaduna. The tyres were seized after SON raided shops in new Panteka market and along Katsina Road in Kaduna metropolis recently. He said that nine shops were also sealed during the raid coordinated by the SON, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the FRSC. “All those used and substandard tyres may have been smuggled into the country; they didn’t come through normal process. This is an exercise that is going on simultaneously across the country,” Obayi noted.

However, tyre has remained one of the most important components in a vehicle, but unfortunately, it is the least that is looked after, or taken care of. For some people, so far they do not have flat tyres, everything is just fine. However, one surprising thing about tyres, which most Nigerians do not know about, is the fact that they have expiry dates.

It is so terrible that a larger percentage of Nigerian drivers do not even know that tyres expire, or even know how to check if their tyres have expired.

This is, therefore, one of the contributors to burst tyres while vehicles are in motion.

Vulcanisers that often work on tyres, also seem to be ignorant of all these.

For instance, Chinedu, a vulcaniser in Ojuelegba, Lagos, said since most tokunbo tyres were produced to be used in the US and Europe, the manufacturers produced the best. “But whenever it comes to producing tyres for the Nigerian market, they would produce substandard tyres for us.

“That is why many motorists prefer tokunbo tyres, and it has nothing to do with whether vehicle owners have money or not. However, I know a client who is well-to-do who prefers buying tokunbo tyres; this is a question we should ask ourselves in this country.

Why is it that products manufactures for us in Nigeria do not last, while fairly used products manufactured for clients in the US and Europe last longer?”

34 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Ehiz: I don’t know why people crucify me for appearing in musical videos Ehizojia Okoeguale aka Ehiz became MTV Base VJ in 2013 after beating Ada Ogunkeye and Kemi Owatemito. The host of Dance With Peter reality show speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS. How has it been since winning the MTV Base VJ Search?

Every day I thank God for my life. I studied computer science at the Leadcity University, Ibadan, so it is a different ball game if you look at what I am doing now.

What were the factors responsible for your rise?

I don’t know really. I just kept working and I smiled a lot. I guess that smiling worked for me. I also believe if you do your job well and you are good at what you do, you will excel.

Certain people feel you appear in videos too much; how many musical videos have you featured in?

I have only appeared in five videos, big videos! I know people who had featured in more videos than me and it is not my fault that people want me in their videos. I like it and people shouldn’t expect it to end soon; it would even increase. In my next video, I might be kissing Tiwa Savage. You can never tell.

I won’t be a television personality for the rest of my life, though some people did it for a very long time. I believe people talk about me because I am doing great.

Being on TV is not just fun as people think; we work really hard. You work non-stop and there is little or no rest. The thing about being a Veejay is that it is all your life. As a marketer or banker, when you go office, you clock in and clock out. But as a VJ representing the biggest musical station in the world, you don’t clock

out. Once you wake up, you are that person.

If your neighbour’s children see you, what they would call you is “Egbon MTV.” So if I am not doing this correctly, I don’t think kids out there would want to be like me.

What does it take to appear in a musical video?

If you are comfortable with me being in your video, I will be in your video. I don’t know why people keep saying I am in all videos. But I thank God I’m the only one people see because it means I stand out.

MTV is searching for another VJ; don’t you think it would take the spotlight off you?

Not at all, I don’t see it that way. I am like a big brother and I could always do bigger things. To me, it is opening the chance for other young people to be like me and live their dreams. There is no hate; I am happy and I am glad another edition is coming up. I have been around for three years.

Ridiculousness America is huge; how do you intend to keep up with it?

First thing, we are going to make it African since theirs is American. We are going to make it compact and funny. I have two other cohosts. It would be amazing and we are going to make it bigger than you’ve ever seen. To me, this is a battle between Lip Sync Battle Africa and Ridiculousness. I think they have a good show but it is not as good as ours.

How did you get to know about MTV VJ Search?

It was my mother that saw the advert and she told me to try it. She is at home enjoying herself. Though she is not doing anything anymore, you know women don’t like to be idle. She is happy and has probably recorded all the shows I’ve been on. If I pick up my phone now, I would probably see her missed calls.

A FAN DID TO ME

A

–MC Shakara

fan once paid me to travel with him to South Africa.

He just wanted me to be around him and make him laugh. He also paid for my hotel accommodation and gave me additional money for shop-

ping When we came back, he made sure I was the MC at his son's wedding. It was the first time I got paid not as the MC or stand-up comedian, but to escort someone outside the country.

What other things do you do?

It is one thing at a time; I have only two hands. Hopefully, I would get a project out soon, though it is not 100 per cent yet. There are other things in the pipeline, but television is the key because I intend to be on it for a while. With God on my side, other plans will work out in due time. When I am not in front of the television, I am behind the camera to still make sure that TV is on.

Why haven’t you tried out music like VJ Adams?

No, I cannot sing. I can mime a D’banj’s song, but I don’t see myself sitting down to put a song together.

How was your childhood?

Growing up w a s great. I cannot say my dad gave me everything, but he definitely provided the basic things. I am the last of five children. I am like the baby of the house; I have one brother and three sisters.

I was born in Ikeja, Lagos and I attended a private secondary school.

What have been the challenges on the job?

I would say challenges we face are as Nigerians. We have poor electricity supply, terrible traffic, bad roads and a host of others. I won’t call all these challenges on the job; I would rather call them challenges of being a Nigerian because everyone faces it.

What are those things you would love to do better given a second chance?

I think I like where I am. I would probably have loved to eat more while I was younger; I am not the biggest person in size. Apart from that, I am very happy with where and who I am. If I come back to this life, I would love to be who I am again. God has been good to me.

So there has not been a time you felt you were in a wrong profession?

I have never had that mind-set or feeling. There’ve not been reasons to think about it really. I have no regrets; I have all my life. Though I am still young, everything is just fine with me. I am healthy and I have basic things I need. Though I would have loved that the country was a better place for all, I cannot help it. I am yet to live half of my life and more opportunities will still come my way by God’s grace.

Ehiz

What are the qualities you look out for in a lady?

We get it wrong in the main because most men are busy looking for ideal women. That is where we miss it. I just want her to be Nigerian, have a great smile and she must understand me. If you marry a lady because of beauty and she doesn’t understand you after marriage, do you want to kill yourself? I am not interested in physical looks; I don’t care if you are tall or short. Once I like you, we are good to go.

Who is the girl in your life?

I am still very single.

Do you have a crush on any woman?

I don’t have that again because there is no point. I used to have in the past.

Can you recall your experience as the host of Dance with Peter reality show?

It is life changing. I love dance and it was a perfect opportunity to express and enjoy myself on the show. The turn-out for the audition was amazing and we did everything to make it beautiful.

What is your advice to younger ones aspiring to be like you?

It’s easier to be oneself; being somebody else is really hard. The industry is tough but they should continue to work hard; given up is not a choice. Though I know it is hard out there but people have done it and people will continue to do it.

Showbiz 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Actress, producer and scriptwriter, Dayo Amusa, earned the admiration of many from her flick, ‘Unforgiveable’ which featured Mike Ezuruonye and Desmond Elliot. The sound track of the movie later became the debut single of the actress as a singer. In this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, Amusa speaks about straddling movies and music and romance.

C

harming and impressively enterprising actress, Dayo Amusa speaks on why she chose to work with Desmond Elliot and Mike Ezuruonye who had never acted in Yoruba movies. “Well, I wouldn’t say anything actually informed the decision. He is an artiste; I am an artiste as well so I believe we can all work together one way or the other. And considering what I wanted to do and what I’m trying to portray in the movie, I just felt that Mike would give me what I want and having Desmond Elliot, to direct is one of the best thing that happened to that production. So I went for what I felt was good.”

For Amusa, this effort was careerdefining as it gave her the much needed crossover appeal. Introducing Ezurounye to Yoruba movie was quite a feat and interestingly too, Nollywood movie buffs were surprised to see the actor speak Yoruba. “I know that a lot of people expected him to speak in English because that is what he does, but he spoke 90 percent of Yoruba in Unforgiveable. That was what I wanted, that was what I paid him for and that was what he did. And he really did well” she boasts.

Like every new thing, Amusa had her share of criticism within her clan (Yoruba movie industry), people who accused her of abandoning them to pick an English speaking Nollywood director, Elliot and an actor Ezunruonye. But she shrugs it off, “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve not heard such thing. We are all one, so whether I call an Igbo

I’m not in a hurry for marriage –Dayo Amusa actor to take part in a Yoruba movie or I choose to call a Hausa guy to take part in a Yoruba movie, I don’t see anything wrong in that. We are all one, the same movie industry, so I don’t see anything wrong in that.”

It was as though Amusa took the industry by storm because of the success of Unforgiveable, many had previously addressed her as burgeoning actress, but to this she takes exception; “I’m hearing it for the first time that Dayo Amusa never paid her dues. For someone who has been in the industry for almost thirteen years now, of course I paid my dues. Well, I could have been lucky unlike some people but the fact remains that I paid my dues. It wasn’t like I got into the industry and shine within a twinkle of an eye; the name started ringing a bell. I joined the industry in 2002 and this is 2016 for heaven’s sake. I started acting in 2002.

I started with Wemimo Films in Ibadan and then proceeded to Lagos.”

About the challenges she knew at the early stage of her career, the actress says she actually didn’t go through any hard time and she’s yet to face any challenges. “It’s just the usual stuffs, do what you have to do, one way or the other producers will get to notice you, they will get to feel Dayo, I think she can do it. I don’t think I fall into the league of those who are desperate to reach that height. I believe slow and steady wins the race. And that has always worked for me.”

The graduate of Food Science Technology from the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State, also recognises piracy being a menace killing the industry. “Well, that is a challenge we are facing. There is no profession without its challenge so it’s not surprising. However, with all hands on deck and the needed support from government, we shall overcome the problem. It’s just a phase; we will surely conquer by God's grace.”

TURNING P INT Damilola Afolabi a.k.a. L.A.X

I

t was when I featured Wizkid in my song, ‘Caro,’ in 2013. We just went into the studio and the chorus came up. The song was recorded within 40 minutes.

I lived in Opebi, Ikeja, with my grandma and everybody around me spoke only Yoruba. I played on the streets like any other kid. So when people say I had

enjoyed life all through, it was not all rosy like that. I started from somewhere.

I want to be great. When you think of great people, people like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Martin Luther King, among others come to mind. I want my picture to be next to theirs.

Amusa

Where Amusa plies her trade, it is common to see actors double as producers. Most of the times, for the purpose of getting roles that will catapult them to stardom, they delve into movie production. “I joined the movie industry in 2002 and I did my first production in 2006 it wasn’t because I wasn’t getting roles that I went into production. It’s just that I have something to offer to the teeming Nollywood buffs both as an actor and a producer.”

As one of the eligible spinsters in Nollywood, she’s got her take on what marriage should be; “Marriage is beautiful. It was instituted by God and one of the best things that could happen to a woman.” But she wouldn’t budge on questions bothering on why she’s still single. However, she speaks about how she handle male fans who want more than a platonic affair, “I try to be polite and friendly. I don’t like to be rude to them because some of them are first my fan before ever the thought of dating me crossed their minds.”

But when asked when she plans to walk down the aisle, she says, “That's left for God to decide and He will do it at His own time. I’m not in a hurry or desperate for marriage, but I desire it and I have left everything to God. It will surely happen someday.”

Being in an industry where scandals have almost mired the sanctity of marriage, does the high rate of divorce in Nollywood bother the actress? “We have actors in this industry whose marriages are stable. And we have those whose marriages are not stable. Married or single, it is important to be up and doing and to be good to the people we meet on our journey of life. But I pray for the best in my marriage, when it eventually comes,” she reacts.

Here’s what the man of her dreams look like, “My ideal man is a man that understands my job, who can't be intimidated irrespective of my status in the society. I appreciate a man that can differentiate me from what I do, a man that loves me for me.”

Amusa, who wouldn’t readily recall the number of nominations or awards she’s got since she began acting, feels she has won millions of award already “because every good comment made by my fans is an award.”

On what her beauty secret has been to remain aglow, she simply answers, “I really don't have any beauty routine.

I take a shower after the day's work. I try as much as possible to rest properly, eat good food and drink lots of water.

Sometimes, I go to the spa, but mostly I relax at home.”

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

30 APRIL 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

This weekend ONTV

Dr. Mailafa

THE MONEY SHOW

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State of the economy

he Money Show is an AIT programme that discusses topical economic, financial and business issues in Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole with a mission to uniting the investment community through trade and investment opportunities. It is aired every Tuesday at 11am.

This week’s edition of the programme focused on the state of the nation’s economy and has Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria as the guest speaker.

Mailafia pointed out that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has no plan to drive his intention. “I fear that the greatest challenge of this administration is the fact that they don’t even have a plan, not even with his foreign trips.” He added that all the trips that President Buhari is making should be a part of a comprehensive plan and well thought out economic blue print to act upon. He differentiated proper action plan from election manifestos: “we should have a plan that goes before action, planning is different from election manifestos because during elections we promise so many things and at the end what happens?”

Speaking about Buhari’s plan as related to the budget, Mailafia said: “fair enough, some people can decide that they don’t need a plan other than the budget, but to me that is not good enough. Budget should reflect a holistic plan and I don’t mean planning as socialist style planning but macroeconomic blue print with an actual plan going forward to face the major finance crisis in this country and the fact that we need to contend with the post reality of oil.

He spoke further on the importance of adequate planning in moving the country forward. “To move this country away from over dependence of oil, we need a comprehensive plan and we are in a major moment requiring very serious economic action and very strategic economic policy choices. I fear that with the way things are, we still

haven’t understood this” Speaking on how Nigerians have been coping with scarcity of fuel and electricity, Mailafia said: “I don’t know how patient Nigerians can be, the truth is that Nigerians have been very enduring, I hope what they need to do is not to stretch their patience a little further. I am not among the desperate youngsters that are leaving the university today, if I were I would not take it kindly with the government because they are suffering.

“I agree that nobody can doubt Buhari’s nationalistic patriotism, if you are to rank Nigerian leaders since independence to the present in order of patriotism, I will rank Buhari first and there is no doubt about that. He is one of the

few leaders of this country who have no other agenda than Nigerians who are scandalised by the height of corruption and lawlessness in this country and he has this hunger to change Nigeria.

But to be frank with you, I suspect he has no methodology to drive his good intentions,”Mailafia added.

The programme is an interesting and educative one but what I notice as its flaw is the manner in which the presenter overshadows the guest speaker.

She shuts him down whenever he wants to make relevant points; she obviously talks more than the guest speaker in the sense that she asks questions without allowing her guests to drive their point home.

News

African Startup TV Launched to Tell African Entrepreneurs Story

A

frican Startup TV www. africanstartup.tv has been launched recently to tell the African Entrepreneurship story to the world.

African Startup TV is a web based TV that features news, interviews, how-tos and interesting articles about African entrepreneurship spirit.

Speaking about this initiative, the Founder/CEO Roberta Edu said the TV can be accessed on the internet "We are very excited to launch African Startup TV which can always be accessed on the Internet anywhere at any time to basically tell the African story. The platform will also inspire many others to start their own busi-

ness leveraging technologies like the Internet”.

African Startup TV features interesting stories of African entrepreneurs who are building their businesses despite all odds. Their story of starting a business in Africa is a unique one that inspires, educates and empowers, and African Startup is a medium that showcases African entrepreneurs’ work and their resilience to the world.

It carries out interesting episodes of interviews with some African entrepreneurs on the WebTV and viewers from across the globe have started watching this great African content Platform.

Programme summary

A woman’s world

TVC (418) Saturday@10:30 am It is a documentary that looks at issues of interest and relevance to more than half of the continent’s population from the stigma of rape to fashion.

Vox Populii Nigeria Info FM (99.3) Sunday @7:45 AM

It is a radio programme that plays recorded interviews about the views of public or key audience members on trending issues.

TELEVISION

TVC

Saturday 7:00 Hossana Hour 8:00 Boom Box

Saturday 7:30 Crocadoo 8:00 The Indomitables 8:30 Pocahontas 9:05 Arambara 9:30 Village Square 11:05 Snakes and Lizards 12:00 Souncity Top Choice Videos 1:00 Hitz 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 2:35 Village Square 4:10 Movie 5:35 Los Rey 6:20 Spice Most 7:00 News Headline 7:10 Footprints 8:00 Pulse 234 8:30 Spider 9:00 Spice Specials 9:30 Soundcity Party Mix 10:30 Omnisport Sunday 8:00 Hutos 9:05 Arambara 9:35 Village Square 11:05 Snakes and Lizards 12:00 Soundcity’s Global Countdown 1:00 Hitz

10:00 On the Town 11:00 Between the Lions 12:00 News 12:30 Video Fashion 1:00 The Big Issue 2:30 Fireworks 3:30 Golden Chance Lotto 4:40 Boom Box 5:00 Hyperchondraic 5:30 Stand by Me My Beloved 6:00 Boom Box 6:30 Project Your Poise Show 7:00 Teju Baby Face Show 8:30 Fenz Championship 9:00 Sillent Noise 9:30 Events Diary 10:00 News 11:00 Play on Repeat Now Sunday 7:00 Hosanna Hour 8:00 Nollywood English 10:00 News 11:30 Sports Week 12:00 News 12:30 Nollywood English 2:30 The Sunday Interview 3:30 Golden Chance Lotto 4:30 Excellent Leadership 5:00 Hitlist and Cruising 5:00 Vivid View 6:00 Stand Point 9:00 Pastor’s Teaching 9:30 Ogun 10:00 News

1:30 Pavitra Rishta 2:40 Village Square 4:10 Movie 5:35 Los Rey 6:30 Glam Mamas 7:05 Before 30 7:30 Saints 8:00 Sunday Paparazzi Show 8:30 Spider 9:00 On the Couch 10:25 Omnisports 10:50 Movies

CITY FM 105.1

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Saturday 6:00 Saturday Breakfast Show 8:00 Weekend Update 8:30 Growing Up Matters 9:00 City Talks 10:30 Don-Digy’s Corner 12:15 The City Kids Show 2:00 Fan Zone 3:30 Soccer Wrap 7: 00 Encounter with Grace 8:00 Round Table 11:00 Elisha Baza Show

Sunday 5:00 Praise in the City 5:30 Christ Embassy 6:00 Sunday Praise Show 3:00 Music Culture 6:00 Singspiration 8:00 Only the Hits 9:00 Once Upon a Time 10: Refresh

RADIO LAGOS Saturday 75:10 Audra Aro 5:20 Iwure Aaro 5:25 Waasi Idaji 6:15 Nigba Ti Wa 7:15 Asayan Iroyin 9:10 Idan Orita 10:15 Ara Ewe 12:00 World News 1:00 Mooko Mooka 1:30 Lere 2:00 Oyin Momo 2:30 Ogegele 3:00 Odo Iwoyi

Sunday 6:15 Oro Igbala 6:30 Oro Iyin 7:00 Personal Paid Announce- ments 7:15 Asayan Iroyin 7:30 Ase Ibi Mimo 10:15 Eba mi Dupe 11:10 Mukulumuke 5:30 Rotimi Akinwole on FM 9:00 Obirin Ologo

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30 APRIL 2016

The Arts

37

Documentaries of Conscience: Femi Odugbemi’s strategy for change

I

Odugbemi

the hands from which such a documentary or documentaries evolved.

Odugbemi can be seen here as a forerunner of this rare artistic sensibility. In this regard there is an influence which his works deploy, while anxiously immersed in what can be described as “an aesthetic attitude in radicalisation”. A system of artistic rendition that shapes the formation and strictures of a documentary which lends itself to entertain.

Foremost historian and scholar of African cinema Professor Manthia Diawara, argued specifically about the tenacity and enthusiasm of Odugbemi, at developing an entertainment and artistic language in his documentary oeuvre.

The future of documentary in Nigeria is intriguing, and you have just mentioned Femi Odugbemi….who….makes cinema.

The way he treats his documentary genre is such that they are steeped within a form which is almost artistic…you know a research documentary, a cultural documentary, where you follow a particular subject with the aid of questions and answers or community, groups, and follow them, and literarily try to construct that tradition into a kind of film. For the future of documen-

n a country that is in a moment of all adigm. There is a marked difference bekinds of transitions, a country in which tween his works and what is constantly decadence, corruption and acts of de- churned out of the Nollywood arena. Even humanization thrive, and are allowed if we have to, and for the sake of the industo thrive, the only possible way (if possible try, it would first be clearly observed that at all) to get rid of all these instruments Odugbemi’s works possess that exemplary of agonies, and pain and false burden, is streak of the alternative to the search for an alternative strategy. The mainstream Nollywood, and documentaries of Femi Odugbemi are ex- also an ‘’Alter/Native’’ oeuemplary works that thrust the deafness of vre of documentaries quite that which lacks conscience, and what con- rare among the most sigstitutes humanitarian ideals. His works do nificant films, found within not only have the knack for, and towards the annals of Nigeria’s film change in society, but also ruptures that so- industry. ciety to provide those ideals which are caIt is very possible to say pable of instigating, and sustaining change. that feature films in Nigeria The word ‘change’ in the context of this are likely to create that depiece does not refer to an overhaul of an sired entertainment streak unfavourable status quo, but we refer to anticipated by those who a sort of change that teaches and reawak- regularly, watch them. But ens the mind and soul, of all and sundry not much of that can be to things that matter most in the episteme said about the typical and of our everyday existence in Nigeria. A mainstream conventionalchange that instigates the heart of each man documentary genre. The to the elements of our threatened but living documentary, when it is ordiculture, our fragile education, a selfish sys- narily or simply approached tem that does not pay meticulous attention or compared with its counto the hard and genuine work of men and terpart, the feature film, it women who have contributed so much to constitutes that which has a the growth and reputation of this country; slight difference about it. It a change that draws our attention to the caters, not for everybody but squalor and poverty of the down trodden for a select few who undermasses who, at best, occupy the slums and stand the language of real ghettoes - even in metropolitan Lagos and documentaries, appreciate its other cities; a change that recognises that rhetoric (both in sound and the young lad or girl, hawking all sorts visual measures), give credof commodities for survival in the streets ibility to its themes and subDesire series by Uzoma of Lagos and elsewhere, also deserves an ject matters, painstakingly exideal education and a good life. amine and explore the reason With an oeuvre that constitutes diverse for taking up an issue, manTony Okuyeme themes in works like; Ifa, Ibadan, Bariga age to discuss such matters Boy, Fatai Rolling Dollar, and D.O Fagun- at various forum, symposia, reaking News, a group exhibition exwa, and more recently, Makoko: Future conferences, workshop and ploring the politics and mechanisms Afloat, we are invited to journey in the sub- seminars, or wherever such of the mass media, opens today Satversive and radical prowess of Odugbemi’s matters that documentaries urday April 30, at Eko Hotel, Victoria Isexplore, gain adedocumentary world land, Lagos. which is steeped in quate and keen inPresented by Art Twenty One and cuThe way he treats terest. At the same the reality, of modrated by Joseph Gergel, the exhibition feaern and postmodern time it can be artures artists working in painting, drawing, his documentary Nigeria. gued that the docphotography, video and installation and Much like the umentary also has genre is such that questions how information is disseminatace filmmaker, and the rare potential, ed, fact is constructed, and how social and they are steeped cultural advocate of to create very lastpolitical life are filtered through the lens longstanding Tunde ing entertainment of the culture industry. Participating artwithin a form value. But such Kelani, it is extremeists are Jakob S. Boeskov and Teco Benson, which is almost ly hard to fix Femi entertainment valObinna Makata, Native Maqari, Abraham Odugbemi within ue can only come Oghobase, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe, Chibuike artistic the Nollywood paralive, depending on Uzoma, and Uche Uzorka.

tary in Nigeria, and with Odugbemi at the forefront, there is really nothing to worry about. Young people who come to IREP are inspired.

The works of Odugbemi are not just about the essence of reality, but about how reality is constantly questioned in the everyday Nigerian life, and this idiosyncratic nature and attitude towards a domain of visual representation has only continued to compel critics to see Odugbemi, as an important subject in the annals of the Nigerian film industry. With his documentary oeuvre he is making suggestions. Suggestions which compartmentalise various topics begging for treatment. Such suggestions are enabling; ready to steer up reactions through the visual impact of the documentary genre, which for Odugbemi begins as a proposed preference, and by all means his ultimate condition for selecting his issues for explanation. Odugbemi’s documentary oeuvre, have only come fully made, and for him documentary is art and ‘art’, is at once a subversive phenomenon, and even more “subversive in an age of impact “.

Tunde Onikoyi, is a film scholar and critic.

He writes from Kwara.

Breaking News: Eight Nigerian artists explore politics, mechanisms of mass media

B

Unregistered Gun by Uwagboe

In Breaking News, “the artists are critical about divergent social and political issues in Nigeria, from violence and government corruption to Nollywood and popular consumer trends, questioning not only the content of the news but its very framework. They look at how Nigeria is defined in the local and global news media, and how cultural myths are articulated and perpetuated. In an act of subversion, these artists cut, crop, and shred the vernacular news archive, a literal and symbolic act of destruction. Rather than succumb to the commercial pressures of the media industry, they create a visual language to portray new perspectives and alternative narratives”.

The exhibition will run till Friday June 22, 2016.

38

FRED NWAOZOR

“E

te my son,” the 75-year-old Elder Obong called right in his sitting room.

“We invited you home to hear from the horse’s mouth.”

His 66-year-old wife, Mrs Obong who was seated very close to him nodded.

Ete, a 45-year-old successful young man based in Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria who worked with one of the oil servicing firms in the said state in which he also hailed from, was the first child of the above named couple. He obviously had anything money could afford. That he was still a bachelor at 45 in spite of the fact that all his younger ones had gotten married, was to say the least a thought-provoking and striking phenomenon to all his loved ones particularly his beloved parents, Elder and Mrs D.A. Obong.

“We want to know why you are still single.” Elder Obong who was sharing with his wife one of the three-in-one upholstery chairs in the room said succinctly.

His amiable wife nodded as usual.

Ete who was seated directly opposite his parents in a single upholstery chair remained calm and silent. Prior to this moment, he needed not a seer to inform him the purpose of that very meeting which marked the umpteenth time a meeting would be hosted by his father for such reason.

“You are the dream of every lady.” The old man attested frankly.

Mrs. Obong assented via a nod.

“If anything is the matter, please kindly tell us.” He added.

“Besides,” his mother chipped in. “Since we gave birth to you, we haven’t seen you with any woman.”

Elder Obong concurred through a nod.

“Not even for once.” She landed.

“Please my son, tell us the truth,” the chief host continued.

“What’s exactly the problem?”

Ete noisily exhaled fathomless air, shook his crossed legs continuously and placed his left arm on his left chin. “Papa and Mama,” he finally broke his silence. “You worry yourselves over nothing.”

He said, paused. “There’s nothing absolutely wrong with me.”

“Then, why the unnecessary wait?” his father ranted, concurrently tapped his right leg on the tiled floor furiously.

His mother slightly clapped her hands continuously indicating how amusing her son’s statement sounded.

“I’m waiting for the appropriate time.”

“Appropriate time…?” the old man quarrelled. “Did I hear you say appropriate time?”

“My son,” she chipped in.

“Why are you doing this to us.”

Ete was unresponsive.

“What have we done to deserve this?” She added.

“How many of your mates are still single?” Elder Obong proceeded emphatically. “Answer me, how many of them?”

“Or even at your working place,” Mrs. Obong came in again.

“How many of your male col-

ShortStory Hideous truth

leagues are single?” She reiterated.

She was of the view that even a 20-year-old man who was privileged to secure the kind of job Ete had wouldn’t wait for a second before getting married let alone Ete, 45 despite the fact that he got the said job over six years back.

The bombardment from the old couple continued to an extent that the interviewee couldn’t bear the tension any longer. Hence, he pleaded to take a leave; or would I say, he walked out on them. He left for Uyo that very moment in one of his private cars he came with.

Henceforth, Mr. Ete Obong thought it wise to keep a reasonable distance from his parents in order not to encounter further query. Notwithstanding, the distance never served as a deterrent to the old but agile couple who were seriously willing and prepared to sacrifice anything towards ensuring that their first son who had turned a deaf ear to their unrelenting importunities settled down without further ado.

Having fulfilled the expected righteousness, the newly wedded man was relieved of the endless trauma which was solely manufactured by his elderly parents As time went on, the persuasive argument which proceeded unabatedly via phone calls became so intense and severe that Ete was left with no other option than to do otherwise, perhaps just to fulfill all righteousness. In view of this, he tied the long overdue

nuptial knots with Ukot Abang, 34, a young lady he came across few weeks back in the city of Uyo. The long-awaited union brought another explicit joy to the entire family of Obong that on the day of the white wedding, the family was agog. Elder Obong who couldn’t hide his extreme gladness felt not unlike a 20-year-old man; to him, it was like a dream come true.

Having fulfilled the expected righteousness, the newly wedded man was relieved of the endless trauma which was solely manufactured by his elderly parents.

Ironically, it seemed the trauma was shifted to his innocent wife, Ukot. For several months instantly after their honeymoon, which lasted barely fourteen days, Ete hardly paid attention to her especially on issues relating to bed affairs.

He went to work on weekdays and returned late at night almost on a daily basis, and when confronted by the wife he would tender frivolous excuses. More pitiably, at the weekends when

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30 APRIL 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

he was meant to spend more time with her, he would prefer to hang out with his so-called friends. The melodrama lingered persistently until she decided to share the ugly experience with both her biological and matrimonial parents.

The aforesaid couples - Elder and Mrs. Obong and Mr. and Mrs. Abang, who frowned at the incident the moment they separately received the complaint took their precious times to enquire from Ete why he had chosen to treat his wife cruelly rather than doing the needful, even when everyone earnestly looked forward to hear the cry of a newborn baby. The defendant who claimed that his actions weren’t deliberate, therein abjured the idiosyncrasy.

Consequently, he adjusted his lifestyle as promised for a few weeks but later reawoke his real self. This time, it was densely unbearable.

Hence, Ukot made up her mind to spy on him, thus she employed an expert to do the critical job.

“Hello madam.” The spy called Ukot on phone as she picked the call.

It was barely two days after she assigned the work to him.

“Yes Bassey.” She answered.

“Please, are you alone?” Bassey inquired.

“What’s it?”

“I’ve an important message for you.”

“Go ahead.” She urged.

“Go to Avocado Hotel right now,” he enjoined. “Your husband is about to meet his guest in Room 301.”

“A woman…?” She exclaimed.

“Maybe.” Bassey responded with a thick voice. “Good luck, madam.” He added, cut the informative call.

Avocado hotel was situated about ten kilometres from their place of residence. The moment she arrived at the hotel, she went straight to the room having received a direction from the receptionist; she lied to the receptionist that she was an expected guest.

As soon as the door was let open by starkly naked Ete on hearing a knock which he thought came from an awaited waitress, Ukot could not believe what she saw. Right in the hotel bed was a nude young man who appeared to be in his early thirties partly covered with the bedspread. It wasn’t even her fellow woman as she presumed.

The astonished Ete was speechless, stood still at the door. Whilst the other deviant seemed paralysed as he lied helplessly in the bed.

So, ab initio this had been the reason for his weird lifestyle? Really pathetic and astonishing.

Therein, Ukot who couldn’t withstand the ignominy attached to the hideous truth passed out right at the entrance.

What transpired afterwards ought to be a story for another day. Think about it!

• Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

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Travel & Tourism

CHEF'S CORNER With its recent introduction of culinary academy series devoted to the training of chefs, Starwood Hotels in Nigeria, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA has signalled its intention to elevate its bar and restaurant offerings

Starwood Hotels in Nigeria redefine culinary offerings

S

tarwood Hotels in Nigeria, which consist of Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Four Points By Sheraton Lagos, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt and Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo as well as Four Points By Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, has continued to show its strength in the Nigeria market by constantly consolidating on its hold through series of innovations and new offerings in the market place, the latest being in the world of gastronomy where it has signalled its intention to wow its patrons with rich and refreshing culinary treats from across the globe.

To this end, the group has launched its first series of intensive culinary training sessions known as the Culinary Academy for its team of seasoned chefs from all it properties in the country, which is

39

Some of the chefs during the training session

designed to train and introduce Nigerian chefs to upward trends and culinary expertise.

Speaking on this development, the Area General Manager for Starwood Hotels in Nigeria, Barry Curran, who also doubles as the general manager for Sheraton Lagos Hotel, said: “We continue to focus our efforts in delivering unique and eclectic culinary experiences for our esteemed customers; so much that each time

Menu samples

you dine in any of our distinct restaurants; you get a creatively inspiring dining experience that you do not get anywhere else.”

Curran added that “presently we are very glad to introduce Damian Cooper to our team.

Damian comes with a lot of experience in heading area food and beverage teams for our company and he has the task of overseeing our culinary teams in Nigeria apart from his fore-

most operational responsibility as the deputy general manager for Sheraton Lagos Hotel.

“We have just kicked off our first series of the academy at our fascinating Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Akwa Ibom State. Damian led the kickoff while our expert in charge of training; our executive chef (complex) for Le Meridien Ibom and Four Points By Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, Chef Johan DePrins, led

an initial four sessions with 26 modules,” explained Curran.

“These topics comprise hands-on practical’s such as stocks and glazes, sauces, vegetables, food presentation, Hors d’oeuvres, understanding meat and game, understanding fish and shellfish, sanitation and safety, menus, recipes, nutrition and a lot of other itineraries,’’ added the area general manager.

According to him, “the rest of the year will be quite an engaging journey in further developing and harnessing the skills of our chefs, diversifying and improving their knowledge of cuisine from all over the world including Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.”

With this, he said that the six hotels are poised to treat their various patrons to the best of culinary treats, adding that “watch out for more exciting menus and the global cooking lifestyle trends we will deliver. The growth and expertise of our associates and the confidence our customers place in the value promise alongside the experiences we deliver are things we take very seriously.”

TRAVEL BEATS

Travel Personality

Princess Tina Amuziam: Delta will become the next tourism destination soon p.40

Hospitality

Nike Lake Resort Enugu: Repositions for challenges ahead

p.41

Destination

Bonga: The birth place of coffee

p.42

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA Editor, TRAVEL&TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Ethiopian Airlines to fly New York-Newark route As Ethiopia Airlines continues its blaze into global aviation, it has announced the commencement of scheduled thrice weekly flights to New York-Newark from its Addis Ababa Bole International Airport hub via Lome, Togo, beginning from July.

The airline, which this month celebrated its 70th anniversary, will deploy the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route in its bid to offer the best to the travelling public, as the airline is configured with 24 business class and 246 economy seats, all of which are equipped with the airline’s famed audio-visual inflight entertainment consoles.

With this new flight, passengers will now be able to connect easily between New York-Newark and L-R: Chairman, Sinotrust Group of Companies, Alex Wang; Group Executive Chairman, Peacock Group of Companies, Aare Segun Phillips; Chairman, Sino Travel International, Air Services (Beijing) Co Ltd, James Zhan; and Chief Accountant, Peacock Group, Mr Olawale Oyero, shortly after a discussion in Lagos by the three companies on travel business collaboration between Nigeria and China.

many African cities as passenger flying from Lome are to enjoy seamless connections to/from points in West Africa with ASK, Ethiopian Airlines partner in Lome.

Some of the routes to be linked with this service include: Abidjan, Bamako, Bissau, Brazzaville, Conakry, Dakar, Douala, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, N’ djamena, Niamey, Ouagadougou and Yaounde. Others are Nairobi, Dar e Salaam, Khartoum, Kampala, Kigali and Johannesburg.

The Group Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde, GebreMariam, said: “We are thrilled to resume our service to New York, our fifth gateway in the Americas.

New York is one of the world's most economically powerful cities and

including it in our ever expanding network will play a critical role in the expansion of trade, tourism and investment between the fast growing continent of Africa and the United States. I would like to thank all who strived hard to make the route possible.”

New York-Newark becomes Ethiopian’s 93rd international gateway and 4th gateway in North America. Ethiopian currently operates daily nonstop flights from Washington DC to Addis Ababa, as well as three weekly nonstop flights from Toronto to Addis Ababa and three weekly flights from Los Angeles to Addis Ababa via Dublin. Ethiopian is expanding its network rapidly.

African Business Travel Association corporate forum holds in Johannesburg African Business Travel Association (ABTA) has scheduled its next corporate forum to hold in Johannesburg, South Africa on May 17 at The Sunnyside Park Hotel, Princess of Wales Terrace Parktown.

The theme for the half day gathering is what went horribly wrong and what we can learn from it. Speaking on the choice of the theme, the Founder of ABTA, Monique Swart said that ‘‘with the recent spike in terrorist attacks and seemingly endless and often unpredictable threats that face our world, keeping our travellers safe has never been of more importance. ‘‘This ABTA Corporate Travel Forum will identify the key questions that need to be answered and the gaps that need to be filled in order to truly test a travel risk management plan that can be relied on in times of crisis.’’

The content for discussion, according to her, include: Understanding the key threats facing today's business travellers; Practical case studies for crisis situations and how they were (or were not) well managed; Testing a travel risk management plan to ensure all gaps are dealt with pre-emergency; and Brainstorming practical solutions to enhance a travel risk management plan.

40 Travel&Tourism

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30 APRIL 2016

PRINCESS TINA AMUZIAM

Delta will become the next tourism destination soon Princess Tina Amuziam, a former Special Adviser Emeritus on Politics in the last administration in Delta State, is now director, Delta State Tourism Board (DSTB). She speaks to FLORA ONWUDIWE on her efforts for tourism in the oil-rich state

TRAVEL PERSONALITY hotspot for Nigeria, being the third largest movie industry in the world.

So, I understand the intricacies of delivering the wow experience to your audience.

Now, as a strategic approach towards advancing DSTB, I am going to replicate a little bit of the Nollywood model in delivering the huge tourism offerings of our dear state to the great population of Nigeria and the world.

I bring an assurance that Delta will become the next tourism destination in a very short time.

Amuziam

What are you bringing to the state tourism industry?

Delta State is hugely blessed with both human and natural resources. Our diversity is massive and second to none.

You may also wish to know that Delta State is multi-ethnic with five ethnic groups namely: Anioma, Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and Urhobo. They are people with different tongues and languages, hence the diverse festivals, traditional religions and indeed significant cultural heritage.

Therefore, as an individual and as a member of the Delta State Tourism Board (DSTB), and with the support of the government, I shall be bringing strategic ideas and initiatives that will lead to maximum return on investments in the tourism sector of Delta State.

Our untapped potential is so enormous and requires commitment, uncommon innovation and inspiring approach to unleash these tourism potential for the good of the people, the community and the environment.

In addition, tourism is about population, it is about glamour and it is about advocacy. Over the years, I have been in the movie (Nollywood) industry, which in itself is a major tourism

How do you see the present state of the industry in the state?

Tourism in Delta State needs a lot of interventions. There is a need to channel what we have originally into productive tourism and that requires a lot of mind mining and ideas generation backed by funding (internally and externally) in addition to a strong political will to drive this sector as a major revenue earner for the state. Comparing Delta State to some other states like Cross River State in Nigeria and Kigali in Rwanda, East Africa, and then you will find that there is a huge gap. Therefore, it is not in doubt that the state tourism is not yet what it should be.

How do you intend to improve on it?

Delta State’s domestic tourism potential is second to none. With unending eco-tourism potential hidden in our delta areas, enchanting beaches like the Otuogwu beach, the very many dances and festivals available in our land, interesting sites and monuments and unquestionable allure of historical lineages, you will never run out of events or programmes that will attract international and local tourists. With this in mind, and with the S.MA.R.T of governor Okowa that is very ready to promote and invest in tourism, I will ensure that these potential are revealed to the investors and will continue to push to ensure that something tangible comes out of it. Also, I am already devising ways of engaging the private sector. Of course, you know I have functioned in the private sector for quite a while. Nobody wants to invest where they are not going to get back their investments as many folds as possible. So, my inputs will also be to assist in convincing and where necessary

persuading both willing and unwilling investors to see the need to invest and be blessed in Delta State.

How do you intend to make the governor pay serious attention to tourism?

The governor is already paying attention to tourism. Since his inception as Chief Executive of Delta State he has continued to express his unrelenting support for tourism as a key alternative to Oil. In several foras the governor has expressed his avowed commitment towards reducing unemployment via the development of the tourism sector. Very recently, at the international Hospitality, Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF) held in Asaba, the governor who was represented by the deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro, further expressed his unflinching support for huge investments in the sector.

Permit me to quote the exact words of His Excellency while declaring IHTEF open “My covenant with the great people of Delta State is to provide S.M.A.R.T leadership that offers gainful employment, generates sustainable businesses, and stabilises families and communities. It is a pact that must not fail. It is therefore, my belief that fully developing the potential of hospitality and tourism in the state and in the region will go a long way in reducing the several challenges we face today.”

What are you plans in forging synergy between the government and the private sector for the purpose of achieving this tourism agenda?

The private sector is key. With my modest connections in the industry and of course, with emerging opportunities, I am already building relationship with individuals and organisations in the private sector. Now, with the political will of the S.M.A.R.T, government of Delta will be a lot easier. In a short while, all these will become evident by the level of improvement and growth that the sector would witness.

For instance, the Lander Brothers’

BACKGROUND Princess Tina Amuziam, a mother of two is from Delta North axis of Delta State and a veteran actress/producer in the Nollywood industry with a number of credits. Of recent, she but veered into politics where in the last couple of years she has made her mark as a former Special Adviser on politics to the former governor of the state, Emmanuel Uduaghan. Given her dedication and loyalty, she now serves as Special Adviser Emeritus on Political Matters to the present governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa and also a director, Delta State Tourism Board (DSTB).

An ordained minister of the gospel, Amuziam is eternally grateful to the governor for giving her the “opportunity to serve and contribute my quota to his ‘S.M.A.R.T’ agenda for a new Delta State vis-à-vis the tourism sector. His Excellency had gone the extra mile to put the square peg in a square hole. I sincerely remain most grateful.”

Anchorage, Asaba, the Araya Bible Site, where the Holy Bible was said to have fallen from heaven, is a superb site for religious tourism that needs private partnership from the media and other religious organisations. This site is replete with supernatural signs and wonders. Diverse healings are experienced here and can attract so many people and finance in return.

Other tourist locations that need private sector participation include the Bomadi Beach Party; The Ethiope River Source Umuaja provides a stupendous opportunity for eco-tourism, speed boating, sport fishing, and many more.

The Ethiope River Source is so deep that it can habour ocean-going vessels.

The opportunities for partnership are massive and I intend to drive private sector participation to buy into these. So, I wish to use this medium to call on tourism enthusiasts, financial institutions, equity investors, and others to find their way to Delta for the food is cooked.

The state use to have tourist buses for tours, but that has been abandoned.

What are you going to do about it?

Delta Tours is an outstanding initiative of the DSTB that used to provide luxury air-conditioned transportation for VIPs, tour operators, students, and even the private sector used to enjoy riding in them. I wouldn’t say the Delta Tours have been abandoned. I also know that DSTB is working hard towards reinventing the Delta Tours. Of course, the best bet would be a private sector and government partnership that will sustain the Delta Tours. I believe that shortly, the Delta Tours that we are proud of will be back and better.

What is your position on some of the tourism related projects that are abandoned like the Delta Leisure Project?

The government is appraising projects presently and would definitely come up with their best position on any project that is yet to be completed. Even in the light of dwindling economy, government will determine if such projects are viable and whether they should be continued or stopped.

What is the future of tourism in the state in view of the ‘Delta beyond Oil’ policy of the state?

Permit me to answer this question with the very words of governor Okowa that “… as a state with diverse ethnicity and multiplicity of cultures, Delta State has what it takes to become the tourism capital of Africa in the near future.” Clearly, the visionary leader of Delta State has already seen the future as bright, bold and beautiful. So, I align with him to say, the future of tourism in Delta State is even brighter with this S.MA.R.T government. I believe that by the grace of God and with our commitment, innovation and dynamism, the world will invest in Delta by 2020.

Travel&Tourism

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HOSPITALITY

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes that with the change of management at the Nike Lake Resort Enugu, the resort is poised for the future

N

ike Lake, which is located on the banks of Nike Lake in Abapka-Nike town, Enugu, has constantly repositioned itself for the market at every turn in its rich and enduring history.

Following the recent exit by the African Sun, the international hotel chain formerly managing the hotel, and the subsequent takeover by the Enugu State Government, owner of the hotel, a new management in place, thereby making the legendary resort to once again reposition with upgrade of its facilities and services with the its sight on staying atop competition.

The new General Manager of the resort, Bona Ugwunweze, with many years of experience in the hospitality sector and who has been part of the history of the resort is upbeat and very confident of the ability of the new management team to deliver on its mandate.

According to him, the management is poised to restore the hotel’s glory of and put it on the pedestal as the number hospitality home in the state.

Ugwunweze said the resort is uniquely located featuring an inviting natural ambience given its garden- like landscape and nestled against the Nike Lake, which is one of the resort’s selling points, adding that a rich blend of its natural pull and array of sophisticated and quality facilities give the facility an edge over competitors.

He insisted that the resort is poised to offer its patrons the best of hospitality services including entertainment and leisure, noting that the target of the hotel remains that of a business and leisure hotel because of its blend of facilities, which is enhanced by its natural environment.

This, he noted, made it a rich haven for business travellers and a peaceful and scenery hideaway for leisure seekers and holiday makers looking for a

NIKE LAKE RESORT ENUGU

One of the executive rooms. Inset: Frontview of the hotel

Repositions for challenges ahead pleasurable home away from home to relax and savour the good life.

Facilities/Services With about 15 minutes’ drive from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, and 10 minutes from the city centre, it has 210 rooms and suites including classic, deluxe and superior rooms, while the suites include diplomatic, executive and presidential plus self-catering villas.

The rooms and suites are all lavishly furnished and fitted with sophisticated hospitality gadgets such as comfy king sized bed, with en-suite bathrooms, digital satellite television, telephone, tea/coffee station, mini bar, private balcony and free wireless internet as well as work desk and table with a good view of the luscious green and well-manicured resort’s environment and the alluring town of Nike especially at night time.

The Executive, Diplomatic and Presidential suites are all fitted with amenities found in the Classic and Superior rooms, including a separate lounge, bar, work station, mini kitchenette, guest toilet

and separate shower. The self-catering villas consist of five three-bedroom duplexes and five two-bedroom bungalows, which could actually be used by long staying guests.

As a conference resort, its boasts a large convention hall that is fully fitted with modern conference facilities including four breakaway halls. Nike Lake Resort also prides itself as a wedding venue centre with over five outdoors and one convention hall, making it the best wedding destination in Enugu and perhaps the whole of the South East region.

Other facilities include the Lake View restaurant which offers buffet breakfast and dinner as well as a la carte menu. The restaurant offers an inviting and serenading mood with a good view overlooking the lake.

There is also a cosy bar/ lounge serving a range of cocktails, beverages, wide selection of wine and light meals. Other facilities to explore include gift shops, massage therapy centre, well equipped gymnaUgwunweze sium, children’s

splash pool, two tennis courts, and swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts.

For leisure seekers you can savour nature and the allure of the outdoor within the resort’s picnic area, which is dotted with thatched gazebos and inbuilt block chairs while the Nike Lake, is added attraction of the resort offers one the opportunity for boat cruise, sport fishing and ample relaxation spot just exploring the beauty of nature.

Tour packages The resort also offers a rich tour package of Abakpa-Nike and Enugu, which are noted for their fascinating natural attractions. The endless list includes Ohum Spiritual Water Falls, which is about 45kilometres from the resort, Milken Hill, eight kilometres, National Museum, 10 kilometres, Enugu Golf Club with 18-hole golf course, is 12 kilometres and 10kilometres away and Shoprite/game and banking facilities, five kilometres.

For all your care, the resort is riding the crest and remains the location ‘where great minds meet,’ as revealed by its popular sobriquet but more than that it is a truly conference and leisure destination.

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS B E N E F I TS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195, e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com

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Bonga: The birth place of coffee

JAMES JEFFREY explores the richness of Bonga, Ethiopia, which is the legendary home of coffee

DESTINATION

T

he coffee berries prove hard to spot amid the forest’s thick green shrubbery, especially those that haven’t ripened.

But a coffee tree in full bloom leaves little doubt, its red berries glinting in a shaft of sunlight penetrating the canopy. I feel I’ve found what I came searching for. And there’s an added frisson to seeing these particular coffee trees — for they grow in the forests around Bonga, the very birthplace of Arabica coffee.

Despite its unique coffee heritage, Bonga, a town hidden away deep in south-western Ethiopia, is not a name

A

madeus, which is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry, has recently released the outcome of its survey in respect of travellers’ behaviour when it comes to booking online.

It concludes that the future success for Nigerian travel agencies lies in their ability to embrace the mobile revolution and reach out to their customers on the platforms they prefer.

According to a recent study commissioned by Amadeus and conducted by independent research firm Inquisition, some 25 per cent of Nigerian travel-

encountered often. I’d certainly never heard of it, despite extensive travels around Ethiopia, until I was invited by the Japanese embassy in Addis Ababa to visit a project helping small holder coffee farmers.

The term “coffee” is said to derive from Kaffa, the ancient name for the present-day Oromia region in which Bonga lies. The Kaffa Kingdom lasted as an independent state for over 500 years, supported by a rich trade in gold, ivory and coffee, until annexed by Ethiopia in 1897. More notably, perhaps, legend has it that sometime around the sixth century in Bonga’s locality, a curious goat

herder named Khaldi spotted his goats eating red berries from a shrub he’d never seen before, after which they became particularly frisky. So Khaldi gave the berries a try himself, the coffee bean was discovered, and breakfast time across the world would never be the same again.

Yet the global coffee phenomenon has largely bypassed Bonga, where coffee farmers have continued planting trees and picking berries by hand, mostly unaware of the lucrative coffee revolution occurring beyond their country’s borders. And while rural-to-urban migration is accelerating across Ethiopia, many Bonga locals have remained rooted to the forests, around which their lives have revolved for centuries.

The Bonga Forest Reserve, which covers some 500 square kilometres of

hillsides, is among the last remaining subtropical moist forests of any significant size found in Ethiopia. Its varying topography, which ranges from 500 to 3,300 metres in elevation, partly explains the superb quality of its coffee berries, which grow best on land between 900 and 1,800 metres. The shade provided by forest trees also helps the coffee beans to develop more slowly, becoming more dense and flavourful as they go.

A group and I had arrived at the reserve after making the bottom-numbing 460-km journey from Addis Ababa by minibus. We’d been brought here to explore the work being done by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, a governmental group, focused on development through technical cooperation.

Since 2014, JICA has been working in Bonga to improve the standards of forest coffees harvested, as well as farmers’ in-

Amadeus: Nigerian travellers embracing lers said they booked with online travel agencies, 12 per cent above the African average.

The research also revealed that Nigerian travellers are more likely to book their travel less than a month prior to travel. Some 60 per cent of Nigerian travellers polled book one month prior to travel, 30 per cent one to three months and 10 per cent more than three months.

The sample population of 2 500 travellers were from

Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa, with the conclusion that travellers in Africa are increasingly taking control of booking online tools but still rely on traditional agencies for booking travel with 34 per cent still using their travel agents while 16 per cent use travel agencies that have a website.

The General Manager of Amadeus IT Group, Nigeria, Yann Gilbert, said: “Travel booking management will con-

tinue to migrate from brickand-mortar travel agencies to travel agencies with online and mobile service provision as smartphone penetration increases so travel agencies offering online booking and management services will increase their competitiveness in the Nigerian market.”

Also, the survey report shows that at least 53 per cent of Nigerian travellers use their mobile phones to plan a hotel stay based on their schedule

and 50 per cent use social media on their mobiles to share their trip.

The favoured apps used by African travellers are those that help them orientate themselves and which act as a virtual tourist guide, the latter providing an opportunity for travel agents in Africa to offer a more concierge-style service for travellers.

When it comes to online payments, the study shows that Nigerian travellers have

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comes and livelihoods, and to protect 3,296 hectares of trees. It aims to achieve this primarily through connecting farmers with international markets, starting with Japan, where high-quality organic coffee has gained a huge following.

After my first night in Bonga, I awoke to find the slopes surrounding my simple hotel enveloped in low-lying clouds, a result of the air’s characteristically high moisture content. The effect was impressively cinematic, particularly as households came to life, their chimneys emitting small columns of smoke into the surrounding mists.

Later that day, I joined the group to trek up steep hills deep in those cloud forests. Sweat dripped onto the lenses of my glasses while diminutive Ethiopian girls with loads strapped to their backs passed me by. After a couple of kilometres stalking along winding tracks, we came to a clearing and I found myself gazing up at the towering Barta waterfall, plunging more than 100 metres down a sheer face of jagged glistening obsidian rock. And it’s not the only one — there are 14 waterfalls throughout the forest reserve, as well as hot springs, caves and natural bridges, formed through erosion by wind and water.

Approaching the waterfall’s tumultuous base, I felt struck by how refreshing it was to find no entrance fee, no tourist signs — just a gift from nature for the senses.

I fell behind the group

as we continued, chatting with the local beekeeper who accompanied us, Mirutse Habtemariam. As we walked, he gave me a crash course on the foods of the forests. He pointed out forest cardamom (the most expensive spice in Ethiopia) and long green peppers growing among shrubbery beside dirt tracks, as well as fruiting banana trees with dangling purple flowers.

Motioning skyward, he then directed my eyes to individual wooden cylinders hanging in the trees: traditional beehives, Mirutse explained.

In addition to coffee berries, fruits and spices, Bonga’s forests also abound with honeybees, who are attracted to the diversity of flora that grows here. Local farmers also often resort to prayer, it is said, beseeching the wild bees to stay in the hives and make honeycomb. The result, whether influenced by the surrounding vegetation or divine intervention, is delicious. Samples of the sticky nectar abound at a myriad of stalls dotted around the town, where tubs vary in colour from dark caramel to light amber to opaque white.

Not surprisingly, plenty of tej (Ethiopian honey wine) is also available; in fact, it is estimated that about 1,600 tons of honey is consumed inside Kaffa each year, mainly to make tej. Another important local industry is the Wush Wush tea plantation, the country’s largest. *Culled from Selamta, Ethiopia Airlines in-flight magazine

online travel booking the highest propensity in Africa to pay for a service on their smartphone. At least 40 per cent of Nigerian travellers polled said they had saved debit or credit card information to their phone, while 22 per cent pay for their travel directly with the travel agency.

This development, Gilbert says, makes the future brighter for online based travel agencies: “The fu-

ture success for Nigerian travel agencies thus lies in their ability to embrace the mobile revolution and reach out to their customers on the platforms they prefer. This includes building a mobile app that allows Nigerian travellers to manage all their travel services from their mobile phone, from pre-booking travel research, through to booking and managing their travel experiences.”

NATOP on destination Nigeria

F

ollowing the conclusion of its national tourism conference and Annual General Meeting 2016, which was held in Calabar, Cross River State, the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has released a communiqué on the conference with the conclusion that for Nigeria to be a truly tourist destination, the Nigerian government and the private sector need to work in harmony in instituting and executing the right policies: On Nigeria visa regime: Procedure for Nigeria is cumbersome and cost is very high especially for tourist visa; Need to streamline visa procedure for tourist to encourage in-bound visitors; and Nigeria Immigration Service eVisa system is not visitor friendly and do not work most times.

National Carrier: A national carrier is very necessary for Nigeria to develop tourism; Top tourist destination countries worldwide leverage on the advantages of national carrier to increase visitor arrivals with the attendant benefit of revenue generation.

Tourism Products: It is important that unique Nigerian tourism products be developed to promote and market destination Nigeria.

Creative Industry: Tourism Nigeria should leverage on opportunities being created by the creative industry; Need for

movie industry (Nollywood) can be used to develop tourism; immigration service is a major constraint to tourism development; Tourism assets/ resources/products should be developed; Need to build and develop a service culture among Nigerians; Need to build strong institutions in the tourism sector; Engagement of stakeholders to evolve viable institutions; Human capacity development – need for training in the tourism sector; Tourism is a low hanging fruit in the economy if developed; Need for regional integrated approach to tourism development.

NATOP president, Nkerewuwem Onung

value chain optimisation in the industry; Tour packaging in collaboration with the creative industry; Need for tourism policy advocacy.

Wealth and Employment Creation: Tourism industry is the largest employer of labour worldwide; Need for a welldefined cultural tourism calendar and tourism product quality standardisation.

Recommendations by the keynote speaker (Prof. Pat Utomi) Need for commercialisation of culture: Revenue from music/

National Council for Arts and Culture angle To promote national festivals -Boat regatta, Durbar, Ofala, Calabar Carnival, Osun, Igue, Ojude Oba; Smart country needs to fast track processes and procedures in the system.

National Commission for Museums and Monuments Tourism is key to diversification; Ranking tourism as one of six priority focus of government; Review of policy: Re-launching and implementation; Need to invest in tourism Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria: Need for affordable intervention funds for tourism development.

Akinboboye advocates African Drum Festival

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he debutant Nigerian Drum Festival hosted recently by the Ogun State Government in Abeokuta was full of pomp and pageantry with theatrical and enchanting performances on display by the various artistes and troupes, which attended the festival that recorded an amazing turn out of personalities, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, who was accompanied by over 10 African envoys.

Besides the titillating and awesome performances showcased by the various performers, a reflection of the rich and diverse performance culture and extensive repertoire of the various ethnic groups in Nigeria, masterfully embellished and crafted in the best tradition of the performing art, the occasion also attracted rich presentations by some notable culture, entertainment and tourism promoters.

One of such presentations, which was widely acclaimed by all, including the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was the chief host, was that by the Founder and President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, as he submitted that the drum festival, which made its first entrant to the cultural landscape of the country, should be renamed African Drum Festival.

Akinboboye, who is also the President of Motherland Beckons, an organisation through which he promotes African culture to the world, said that

the drum festival is something that will resonate well with the rest of the world because it is a showpiece of the authentic and creative ferment of Nigeria culture, which the world has never seen except the fleeting percussion sessions that they are treated to in our musical performances.

As the true African ambassador that he is, he advocated that the festival be made an African event and named African Drum Festival with the scope and content enlarged so as to use it as a force to unite Africa countries but more importantly to lauder the image of the continent.

He submitted that if properly put together and that he has no doubt that it could be, judging from what transpired at the festival, it has the potential of drawing huge traffic to Nigeria and the continent especially The Diaspora, whom he said are yearning for a return to their root.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Aljahi Lai Mohammed, who was represented by the Director General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, also spoke on the richness and potential of the festival suggested that the festival should rather be called World Drum Festival.

But Amosun right on the spot endorsed Akinboboye’s suggestion that the festival should henceforth be called African Drum Festival, which was resoundingly given the nod by everyone.

Besides, the governor gave directive that plans for the 2017

edition of the festival should immediately commenced.

Amosun who applauded the festival and commended all the artistes and troupes as well as the guests and the audience, publicly acclaimed the performances of Anu, the lady Ekwe, who is Nigeria’s only female Ekwe percussionist and Olo Omidan Bata, who is also Nigeria’s only female bata drummer both of Atunda Entertainment.

He described their feat at the festival as not only entertaining but exceptionally creative and enchanting, adding that being ladies made it more captivating and that their devotion to the art and the authentic talents displayed by the duo should be embraced and emulated by all especially the youth and young girls. He later honoured them at the executive dinner he hosted at the Government House.

Akinboboye

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30 APRIL 2016

Celebrity RĂˆsume Real name: Theresa Edem Nick name: Tessa Biggest influence: Meryl Streep.

Mentors: Rev. Ntia.I.Ntia First director- Ndubisi Oku First producer: Full Life Foundation.

First movie: Take Back Your Throne.

Reaction of parents: You need a real job.

Ugliest moment: Falling off a bike on my way home from a shoot.

Most heard song: Sade's

By Your Side.

Favorite musician: Sade Ringtone- My phone's tone.

Best items: A good book, phone and sneakers.

Best food: Ribs with Fries.

Best colour: Black and Pink.

Favourite holiday spot: Obudu cattle ranch Man crush: Johnny deep State of origin: Akwa Ibom Zodiac sign: Capricorn Dislikes: Dishonesty

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30 APRIL 2016

Young Telegraph with DEBORAH OCHENI

Question

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

It will relegate my status as a man

It’s not something I can subscribe to

It’s no big deal, a lot of ladies do it but I don’t think it is something I can subscribe to for the fact that it is a first date; it may create a wrong impression about you.

How can I allow a lady to pay for our first date? I will not allow that to happen because it will relegate my status as man. Ladies of these days will be pointing fingers at you and call you all sorts of names if you allow that.

AMAH AKON

AKIN ADEOLA

Yes, if she offers to pay

I will rather give the money to the needy

I will prepare for the date personally but if she offers to help, why not. We both enjoyed the date, so I don't see anything wrong if a lady offers to pay for our first date, but I will not ask her to pay against her wish.

That is not possible, I cannot foot date's bill whether it's the first or the last. Instead I will send the money to the needy.

RUTH MOSES

JUDE IGWE

I will if it’s a business date

It will reduce you to a desperate lady

If it is a business date I don't have any problems with that but, if it's a date that is leading to intimate relationship I will not because the guy may see the kind gesture as presenting yourself as a big lady that want to flaunt her money.

The issue is our cultural background; ordinarily nothing is wrong with it but if you do that in Nigeria people will see you as a desperate lady and an opportunist.

TOPE SUWEJE

PASCALINE ADA

It is a wrong way to start a relationship

If condition permits it

If that is the only way to avoid embarrassment I will. I feel no guy will arrange a date without preparing for it but if something happened along the line and he cannot settle the payment I will pay.

No, I will not allow that. Any man that allows a lady to pay for their first date is starting the relationship on a wrong note. How can you allow a lady to feed you and probably pay your hotel fee? Personally, it is not something I will fancy.

ANN EDIBO

Such action affects men’s ego

Lady paying for first date

NAT ADEMOLA

Depending on the relationship

If the date is planned by the lady, fine but if not such actions affect men's ego and it will have a lasting effect on the relationship. The fact is, even if the date is organised by the lady, I’d rather cancel it if I am not ready than to allow a lady pay.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it but then it depends on the relationship that exists between us. Some guys can feel embarrassed but it depends on the situation and who fixed the date. I can pay on a first date if the guy permits me so long as we are having fun.

SAM ONOGWU

MAWEDO ZULIAT

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Tribute

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30 APRIL 2016

In his time, he displayed uncanny commitment to the wellbeing of his people through his many developmental strides.

He was a man of integrity, a statesman and astute administrator to the core. He carried himself with dignity and was fair to all as he dispensed justice with uncommon touch. He was a beacon of hope, faith and justice to his people and kingdom.

Above all, he displayed high level of sanctity and spirit of forgiveness and reconciliatory attitude that many people around him couldn’t comprehend.

O

Andrew Iro Okungbowa

n March 15, 2015, the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor, in a signed press statement tried to calm the rising concern by the Binis and others about the health condition of their most revered and esteemed traditional ruler, that Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa, who was not only the royal father of the ancient Benin Kingdom but was the spiritual father of the people in many respects, when he stated thus: ‘‘It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that in the Palace parlance, “Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb’ Ato”, meaning “the Leopard is ill in the Savannah bush,” adding, ‘‘the explanation is that Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin is indisposed.”

Several months after, the palace, yesterday, April 29, formally announced the homeward journey of the monarch to join his ancestors thus putting to rest the disquiet that has pervaded the blue sky of the ancient city since March 2016 when the Oba took ill and went out of the public space.

Royal birth Late Oba Akenzua 11 was perhaps the happiest monarch on June 22, 1923, when his olori (wife) gave birth to his first son and heir to the throne of his forefathers, thus assuring his place not just in history but among his ancestors when he finally made his homeward journey because he had given birth to an heir apparent that would ensure the perpetuation of his dynasty on the revered throne of Benin Kingdom.

Therefore, the palace and Binis all over the world celebrated the birth of the new heir apparent, Prince Solomon Aiseokhuoba, Igbinoghodua Akenzua.

Milestones The 37 years reign of Oba Erediauwa witnessed a series of milestones, which were all pointers to his greatness and the depth of his wealth of knowledge and experience as a royal father. In many respects the Oba was regarded as a peacemaker extra-ordinary as all through his reign his kingdom witnessed no discord but rather he promoted peaceful co-existence among his people. Harmony and prosperity where the epitome of his reign as he did all within his powers to ensure the prosperity of his people.

He was apolitical and held wholesome and healthy views about the socio – cultural, economic and political developments in his kingdom and country and his world view was well articulated and respected by all. Despite his apolitical position, he never once failed to weigh in on happenings in the political space when it was necessary for him to do so and this awesome and fearless stance of his no doubt brought him in collision with the powers that being almost serving as both threats to him and his people but yet he was never cowered or tampered his views.

One clear example was during the reign of the former military head of state, late General Sani Abachi and the phanthom coup involving General Oladipo Diya and other military officers, Whilst other royal fathers and traditional fathers across the country were pandering to the head of state and racing to Abuja to watch the infamous coup video and expressly declaring support for the maximum military ruler, Oba Erediauwa was the only oba of his class and status that refused to play to the public gallery by not endorsing the perfidy and macabre dance and theatrics that were being enacted by General Abacha and his goons.

When finally the dust settled down following the demise of Abacha, Oba Erediauwa was vindicated for his stance thus his position and views were further elevated and his person highly rated by every Nigerian for his uprightness and forthrightness. Till his final exit the Oba remained true to his commitment and dedication to fighting the cause of the people no matter the cost.

His was also a bridge builder and pathfinder who ensured that the nation never crumbled and was very outspoken against any evil or wrongdoing by the governed and government. He was said to have contributed immensely to brokering peace across board among the various political leaders and rulers of the country.

He was also very detribalised and extended hand of fellowship to everyone. Also, very accommodating of other people’s views and stance and never went against the grain of humanity to bring any one down or unjustly invoke his power.

He was never the type to thrown his enormous weight and power around rather he conducted himself within the most refined and acceptable norms of society and royalty.

Perhaps one of the greatest milestones of his reign was the celebration of the Benin Centenary - that is 100 years of the 1897 punitive expedition - invasion of Benin

OBA EREDIAUWA 1923 - 2016

Early education and career path Growing up under the close watch and monitoring of the Benin palace, Prince Solomon Akenzua attended Government School, Benin (now Edo College), Government College, Ibadan (1939–1945), Yaba College, Lagos (now Yaba College of Technology), before proceeding to King's College, Cambridge to study Law and Administration.

On the completion of his studies he returned home and signed up with the then Eastern Nigeria Civil Service in 1957 as a District Officer and later transferred his services to the Federal Civil Service where he served in different ministries, departments and agencies and in various capacities before finally bowing out of the civil service as a retired Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Health in 1973.

He was also noted to have had a short stint as the regional representative of Gulf Oil while in 1975 he was appointed Commissioner for Finance in the then Bendel State under the Military Administration of Major-General George Agbazika Innih.

He was to later bid farewell to civil life and existence and take on the role of His Royal Highness when he was crowned the Oba of Benin years later.

Ascendancy of the throne Following the home call of his father, Oba Akenzua 11, Crown Prince Solomon Akenzua, was on March 23, 1979 crowned the Oba of Benin after a series of rites carried out by the palace.

He formally assumed the official title of Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa and thereafter ordered that he should be called or simply referred to as Oba Erediawua.

His ascendancy to the throne of his forefathers was marked with a colourful ceremony, which exhibited the rich

Life and times of late monarch

and enduring culture and tradition of the Binis. A highly elevated, dynamic and cerebral culture, which despite the pillage and punitive expedition of the British colonialists in 1897, still remains one of the most authentic and respected cultures and traditions across Africa and the world in general.

The same with the institution of the Obaship, which withstood the aberration visited on it by the British and rather than wane in importance and relevance to the people grew to an unimaginable proportion. Such that after the demise of Oba Ovoranmwen who was banished to Calabar, the Obaship institution bounced back to reckoning with the people according it the most respected accolades and reverence.

According to palace historians, the assumption of the throne by Oba Erediauwa on March 23, 1979 witnessed a natural phenomenon, which has never happened in the history of the kingdom and during the enthronement of any oba.

That is a momentary eclipse of the sun as the moon visited the earth not only to herald his ascension to the throne but to acknowledge what would be the greatness of his majesty and royalty.

This reporter then was a witness to this phenomenal and historic occurrence as a young secondary school boy was among the millions of people who watched his coronation live on TV right in the courtyard of the house master, Mr. Obanor, in Edokpolor Grammar School, Benin City, when suddenly in a few seconds the TV screen went blank and everywhere plunged into darkness and utter confusion and just when anyone could scamper

for hiding the light (sun) came back, beaming and shinning brighter than normal.

It was under this natural occurrence that the new Oba was presented to the world under the title of Oba Erediauwa, which is literarily translated to mean ‘I have come to straighten my people.' His name, historians say clearly showed the kind of leadership that he was to provide for his people, the nation and the world in general.

Incidences, which characterised the reign of the 38th Oba who ruled for about 37 years are pointers to the fact that the Oba lived out the full meaning of his name.

That his strides and greatness are not in the realm of conjecture but rather practical and empirical evidence abound in the kingdom and across all spectrums of society to clearly show that Oba Erediauwa was indeed an astute oba, a towering figure with a colossal image and huge following and had rightly claimed his position in history through the dint of hard work and the commitment to the welfare and development of his kingdom, people, state and nation.

He carried himself with dignity and was fair to all as he dispensed justice with uncommon touch

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30 APRIL 2016

Reign depicted his name

CONTINUed from PAGE 46

Kingdom by the British. The celebration spanned several weeks climaxing in a very colourful ceremony.

Developments/growth of Benin It could be safely said that Benin Kingdom during his time experienced a lot of development and growth with him serving as a catalyst of change. Thanks to his astute administrative skills and global view. This led him to introducing a lot of changes and transformations within the palace and Benin kingdom itself.

He brought some level of panache and modernity into the celebration of the culture of the people. He ensured among others that justice was duly administered and liberalised the way and manner the people were treated by the palace and its various presiding authorities as well as ensuring that his vassals were well taken care of by strengthening the administration of all Benin villages under his domain.

In a way the Oba demystified the palace and the Benin traditional institution by promoting openness and instilling confidence in the people, thereby, not only entrenching the institution but endearing himself the more to the people and winning their trust in the process to such extent that the oba’s words or commends were never questioned or faulted by the people but rather he compelled a willing obedience from his subjects and others who revered him and elevated him beyond a mere mortal.

In fact, in Benin cosmology and belief, the oba is not just only regarded as a royal father or mere mortal but rather he is seen and regarded as a god because he is seen as the intermediary between the people

and the ancestors and so he was both the royal father and the religious/spiritual head of the people. So it was with Oba Erediauwa who in every respect played his God given role to the hilt.

He took his final bow when the ovation was the most loudest. He departed the world unscathed and without any blemish and for years when the history books are turned, he would forever be remembered and his name written in gold because he had indeed played at the world stage not just the mortal he was born as but rather as a god that he assumed later in his sojourn as oba.

Rumbles in the kingdom Benin or Edo State during his reign also witnessed some rumbles but not due to fault of his or something confined strictly to the palace or tradition that he was birthed to protect and preserve but on an account of ensuring good governance in the state for which he at every point stuck out his neck and personality, speaking out when the need arose and when he needed to without fear or favour.

A clear case was when there was dispute in the election that brought in the short lived administration of former governor John Oyegun. The Oba was listed as one of the witnesses in the court case. And true to his conviction and person, he never shied away from going to the court in person to give evidence even when such court summon was seen as against the custom and tradition of the people, the palace and his status as Oba. In fact, it was sacrilegious summon him but the Oba thought otherwise as he defied all oppositions and heeded the court summon, trekking barefooted from his palace to the Benin High Court on Sapele Road, which is some distance from his palace. The

Benin chiefs

city stood still on this day as many of his subjects abandoned their chores and businesses for the day and accompanied their most revered Oba to the court.

The Oba also had a face - off with a former military administrator of the state, late Navy Captain Anthony Onyearugbulem in 1999 and it was well publicised then as the governor accused the oba of partisanship for allegedly supporting the candidate of the All People Party (APP), Lucky Imasuen.

This led to the suspension of the Oba by the military administrator from both the state security council and the chairmanship of the state Traditional Rulers Council for about four months. This action of the governor was seen by his people as an affront on their oba and tradition but the oba took it in his stride and appealed for calm among his people in what would had resulted into breakdown of law and order.

Such was the character of the Oba that he showed reconciliatory spirit and deposition and equanimity in his handling of state affairs and matters that would had led to crisis. At every point, he showed enough strength of character and was able to weigh in on his people and restore equilibrium to his cosmo because that was what he pledged to do when he ascended the throne by taking on the title of Erediauwa.

Few years after that incident, the Oba again was embroiled in some kind of confrontation with the House of Igbinedion with the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawuru Igbinedion and the son, Lucky Igbinedion, who was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2007 said to have acted in manners that were seen by the palace and the people as an affront to the Oba, which eventually led to the suspension of the Esama by the palace.

But years later the difference between them were resolved and calmness again returned to the palace and the city. The lesson here is that the Oba was a peace loving man and very accommodating otherwise the infractions by Esama and his son, Lucky, according to palace authorities and Bini historians were enough to cost them their titles or banishment from the domain but the oba never took any of these extreme positions but rather he forgave all their infractions against his person, the palace and the culture of the people.

Other than this instance, his reign never witnessed any other rumble or threatening issue of note that he couldn’t handle. His 37 years on the throne have been described by many as perhaps one of the most peaceful era in history and also very enriching and prosperous for the people and the city because there were a lot of transformations made in the growth and development of the city in all spheres of human endeavours.

How the new Oba will emerge

...With wives

Tribute 47

Benin traditional system is a monolithic one, therefore, the crown Prince of Benin, the Ediaken of Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, is expected to succeed his father on the throne in a matter of days. In fact, the crown prince, prior to the public announcement of the homeward journey of the Oba, according to the palace sources, has commenced the process of ascending the throne as a number of in – house rites and ceremonies may have been conducted.

But to formalise this process, a number of rites would be performed by the crown prince in the days ahead. Some of these include: Being escorted from Egua Edaiken (his palace) by the people of Uselu on his journey back to Benin City. On the way he would stop over at an historical palm tree named “Udin ama-mieson aimiuwa,” which he would climb symbolically.

This little ceremony dates its origin to the time of Oba Ewuare the Great whose life as heir apparent to the throne was characterised by long suffering which included periods when he personally had to climb palm trees on this spot to cut the fruits for a living.

After this, he continues on his journey to Benin City and make a stopover at the first moat called (lya-akpan) in along the location where you have the defunct MidMotors (Nigeria) Limited. Here his chiefs would take leave of him and return to Uselu while the Edaiken is thereafter escorted into the city by Benin chiefs.

The procession continues through Iguisi (now Lagos Street) and proceeds to EkoOhae (bachelors’ camp) where Edaiken is expected to spend the next three days. After which the procession proceeds to Usama, the venue of the traditional coronation rites.

Usama was the site where Orominyan, the father of Eweka I, built the first palace and all succeeding Obas from Eweka I were crowned and lived there, until Oba Ewedo in the 13th century moved the palace to the present site in the centre of the city.

While at Usama, various rites and ceremonies would be engaged in by the Edaiken for about seven days. He is also expected to visit Use village, which is few kilometers away from the city where he performs one of the most important ceremonies that would define his reign as an oba, that is, choosing his official name by which he would be known thus consigning the era of his father to the backwaters of history and commencing his regime as oba.

Interestingly, “This tradition started during the period of Oba Eweka I whose maternal grand-father, Ogie-Egor, lived in the next door village of Egor. When Prince Orominyan left Benin, he left behind his Bini wife who was pregnant in the care of her father the Ogie of Egor. The woman delivered a male child who was dumb from birth”.

Furthermore, the, “Maternal grandfather then sent him to Use, the mother’s village, for treatment, but when he grew up and still could not talk, words were sent to his father at Uhe. His father sent 7 magical Akhue with which the dumb Prince participated in the popular village game known as Akhue. With only one seed remaining on the ground and every player having failed to strike it, the young Prince used the magical Akhue from his father and succeeded in striking down the remaining seed”.

“Excited by this feat, he spoke for the first time exclaiming in Yoruba, Owomika (my hand has struck it). He later assumed this expression for a title which became corrupted to Eweka”.

Later, ‘Having picked a name at Use, the Edaiken returns to Usama where the crowning ceremony is performed by Oliha, the leader of the Uzama and proclaims Edaiken in his newly acquired name as the Oba of Benin.

48

Politics

'APC chair must go, he's working for Dickson' Sequel to the loss of the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been enmeshed in crisis over considerations for national appointments. Tonye Okio, who is the Organising Secretary of the party, is rumoured to be among the would-be beneficiaries, allegedly sponsored by the party’s gubernatorial candidate and a former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva. In this interview with PAULINE ONYIBE, Okio gives insight into happenings within the party. Excerpts…

Why is there a crack in Bayelsa APC? Or those that have nothing but only OrWell if you say there is a crack in dinary Level School Certificate? That APC as a body, I will disagree with you informed the choice of Lokpobiri, who but if you say that some individuals is qualified by all standards. So what is have become so greedy, then I will agree the whole noise that he was just coming with you on that. It is unfortunate that to the party? For goodness sake, Gova former chairman of APC, Chief Tiwei ernor Tambuwal of Sokoto State came Timipa Orunimigha had gone a little into the party and the following day, bit off track from the party's ideology. I he was given the governorship ticket. don't know from where and whoever is What was wrong with Tiwei when he propelling him but we have been able to nominated Lokpobiri as the Director discover that all of this is coming from General of Timipre Sylva's campaign external forces, because we have it on organisation? good authority and evidences to show that money had exchanged hands. The state governor is interested in decampAre you confirming that Tiwei nomiing to the APC. So, what he intends to nated Lokpobiri as the DG? do is to destabilise and disorganise the Yes he did. So, all this while, he never party and make the leader of the party, knew Lokpobiri was not a member of Timipre Sylva look bad, so that he can APC? It is quite unfortunate that Tiwei be able to take over the party structure. will descend so low to allow himself These are verifiable information I am to be used. I strongly believe that he giving you. Dickson has colluded with is not doing it alone because from all Tiwei to carry out this act, some people indication, Dickson is involved in this issue. We are very much aware of that have been bought over. That is the situand we have stumbled on documents. ations we found ourselves. He went on For example, most of the press releases air trying to blackmail and rain insults that are coming from Tiwei's camp are on Sylva over unfounded allegations.

He said Sylva has been collecting monwritten by Markson Iworiso, the CPS to ey, selling slots of federal appointments.

Dickson. And it sounds laughable but I How many appointments have been can assure you that we have stumbled on emails that emanated from him that made from Bayelsa State? There were were addressed to journalists. only two appointments that have been made from Bayelsa at the federal level; Tiwei is always on ground and you one is the Special Adviser on Niger are based in Abuja, yet you are Delta and Amnesty Programme and the removing a chairman on ground, do coordinator is Brigadier General Boro, you think that will make a positive who is not Sylva’s candidate. He was impact? a direct product of the NSA and that is why you won't even see him around Who is on ground Sylva. All through our campaigns, did and you see him? He wasn't part of us and when it comes to the issue of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, he was picked in his own right. It is very unfortunate for Tiwei to come out and cast aspersions and allegations on Sylva that he collected money from Lokpobiri. Let me give you the analysis, Sylva is from Bayelsa East. Tiwei and the deputy governorship candidate, Elder Igiri are both from Bayelsa Central. So, it is only fair that the ministerial slot go to the West. That is why the choice of Lokpobiri, and if you look at the party’s bigwigs within that zone, though Boro has not been identifying with us, he is seen as a product of the APC, because he is in government. Boro is from Trofani in Sagbama Local Government and therefore, it is only wise that the ministerial slot should go to somebody from Ekeremor Local Government. Now, tell me, who is in APC from Ekeremor that can be presented as minister? Is it those that can Okio hardly make a good statement?

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

FaceOff who is not on ground? Am I not on ground? Tiwei has a house in Abuja, I also have a house in Abuja. Have you not been to my house in Yenagoa? As I talk you, the acting chairman of the party, Joseph Fafi, is in Yenagoa, he lives in Yenagoa.

But Tiwei claims that his suspension was supposed to have come from the national body.

That is an act of deceit on his part.

Let me tell you the process. The powers of the State Working Committee, as far as the deputy chairman, Julius Eddy and the secretary, Marlin Daniel, are concerned, they are suspended and disciplinary action starts and end with us. For them, their suspension and disciplines have been concluded by us. In the case of Tiwei, he is a member of NEC by being a chairman, but he wasn't elected into NEC but because he is the chairman of a state, he becomes an observer member of NEC. Now, we have the right to suspend him and that would have to be ratified by the National Working Committee. So his suspension stands until the NEC will either ratify or do otherwise. He goes around bragging, was he elected by NEC that he is bragging. Was it not at the state level that he was elected? So the people that elected him do not have power to remove him?

Who said so?

They have suspended Sylva and yourself in retaliation. Doesn’t that stand?

Very laughable. As a journalist, I’m sure you have been following the activities of the APC. We suspended Tiwei Orunimigha, Eddy Julius and Marlin Daniel, only for them to go out two days after to announce our suspension. And besides, how can three people suspend 14 people.

They are only three plus Alagoa, making them four. Four working committee members and we are 11 working committee members and the rest non-working committee members are also with us. All of us put together are 29 that signed the impeachment and removal of Tiwei. I can forward the letter to you.

We are 29 that have

signed so far. But like I mentioned, Tiwei is going down, dancing the Arigo dance.

It is unfortunate.

If Tiwei is under suspension, why are you operating from Sylva's campaign office instead of the main office?

When we were in Abuja to submit the letter, like I told you, we have to inform the national body of the suspension of Tiwei and the rest of them. We were in Abuja to submit the letter of suspension when he sneaked into the party secretariat with the backing of Dickson to hold a press briefing. If you have been following our activities, you will realise that there was never a time we used the state security outfit, operation Doo Akpo.

We have never used it before because it is the state government's outfit, and that will tell you the involvement of Dickson. It was government-sponsored Doo Akpo that provided security for them.

You are out there doing your legitimate duty and somebody breaks into your house to make an announcement, does that announcement make it legal. I can assure you that Tiwei is gone and gone for good, the party is bigger than him.

How much did Tiwei pay to become the chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government when Sylva made him chairman? How much did he pay to Sylva to make him the chairman of the party? I'm talking about people that are purportedly on the supposed list that is making Tiwei to go gaga. They said we paid money to Sylva, I am sure you must have stumbled on the list in the media, I have not seen it myself but from what I’m seeing in the media, my name is also on the list.

Do you mean those that would be given appointment in Abuja?

Yes. Now, let me ask you, you know Diofe Ola, you know Julie Oka. Do you think that we have money to bribe Sylva before putting our names on the list?

How much will Tonye Okio who is like a son to Sylva pay? It is very unfortunate for Tiwei to go on air and cast aspersions and further lied that Sylva newly became a member of APC, it is very laughable. Sylva contested the national chairmanship of the APC as far back as June. You see the lies in a young man who is too desperate. Only Tiwei wants to become the deputy governor, only Tiwei wants to become the chairman of Local Content Development Board, only Tiwei wants to be an executive director in NDDC. It is greed.

So, what actually led to his suspension?

Three things were outlined for Tiwei's suspension; lack of respect for party elders, gross misconduct, embezzlement of funds and financial indiscipline.

The gross misconduct is so enormous because he has not called meetings for several months. Tiwei cast aspersions on the leader of the party, calling him a thief in public, that is gross misconduct. He has been high handed, it is him alone, and whatever he says is final. We have documentary evidence. He connived with Seriake Dickson to sell out the slot of the Assembly. We have documentary evidence how money was paid for the Southern Ijaw Local Government election. As a matter of fact the person who the money passed through was with me and he made a confessional statement. These are the reasons we suspended him.

FaceOff 49

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Is it true that you were removed as chairman because of embezzlement and antiparty activities? Some even alleged that your press releases emanated from the Bayelsa State Government House They said I embezzled money, please ask them who brought the money. Was it Sylva that brought the money? I don’t understand. Tell them to give you the evidence. Anyway, we have gone beyond that level. Tonye Okio used to be my account officer when he was working with UBA. Please ask him, when he was in UBA, what kind of business I was doing before now.

When APC started, the Sylva they are talking about now didn’t even have one naira, in fact, to eat was a problem for him. That was the level we started. I am not fighting Sylva, the only issue we are talking about is that, as the state chairman, I stand to defend the party and to work with him as the state chairman. Everybody witnessed the pressure we brought on ourselves by choosing Sylva and all of you saw how the APC you are seeing today became APC in Bayelsa State. The APC today is between people that play politics for their supporters to stand before Jonathan and Dickson. The Dickson we are talking about is the Dickson that I ordered to leave Oporoma, the Dickson whose offer I rejected.

Dickson wanted me to be his Chief-of-Staff but I told everybody that I will not be. So what amount of money would he give me that is bigger than what he promised me.

Is it true that you were scheming to be the deputy governor?

Of course, I am a politician and politics is a game of interest. I, Sylva and a lot of our party members sat down and agreed that I was going to be his running mate. To some politicians, that was the reason their energy was put into the business. I’m a politician with full supporters. If APC is divided into three, Sylva will only have one side and we will have the other two parts. Some people feel that if I am Sylva’s running mate, they will be able to reach me and their future can be tied to my own. That is why people play politics. Politics is a game of interest. If Sylva has interest to be governor and I have interest to be the deputy governor, what is wrong with that? Is it not my interest? Was Sylva having anything to give to anybody? Was he giving me money to work for him? Was he paying me salary? If he pays me salary then I will be his employee, but I spent my money, my time, my energy. Everybody work for something in politics, but when you destroy the party, it causes problem. That is politics for you. But now we have passed that stage. Tonye Okio did not understand what we are saying as a party, we have told Sylva that the people he is nominating or writing to Abuja to be announced as Bayelsa representatives for appointments are not recognised, we don’t know them. We don’t want them. That is the bone of contention. We

They want to remove me because of Sylva –Bayelsa APC chair Tiwei Orunimigha, who is now a factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, was the party's recognised leader until few weeks back when a group of party loyalists purportedly impeached him. He speaks with PAULINE ONYIBE on the crisis that has been rocking the broom-symboled party in the state. Excerpts… body salary. Administratively, Sylva has not given anybody one naira, not even money to buy letter-head paper, that was how we suffered and toiled for the party. So you are coming to do party nomination and you will not tell me because of the respect I have for you? At my age, I am over 40, and you expect me not to talk? If they are saying I should not talk, then they are saying that I should be a fool forever because I am loyal and committed to them.

They also alleged that you sold the Southern Ijaw Assembly slot.

What are you telling the public when you don’t have money to fund election. What Tonye Okio did not know is that I agreed with Sylva to let it go because we don’t have money to fund the election.

We were called to INEC for a stakeholders meeting. I called for the postponement of the election saying that it was too close. But INEC said they can’t shift it. But because Sylva wants support from the party, he was telling them what they wanted to hear but unknown to them it was Sylva and I that decided that we don’t have money that I should write to the national secretariat to tell INEC to shift the election.

Orunimigha

are not talking about election.

Yes, Sylva failed election, so we know that he is coming from an aggrieved point. As leaders in the party, we need to sit down and talk. It is natural that if you fail election, you will not be happy because you are the person running. Sylva funded his election through people. He did not have money to fund his election. Some of us used our money, time and sweat to play politics. Tonye Okio is playing politics because his boss is in it.

I and Tonye Okio are two different species in the game.

Did you betrayed your party?

I don’t border about all these side talks and the rest of them, the issue that we are talking about is the appointment that Sylva is making without consulting anybody, and it is unauthorised. Let the issue be corrected. Until that issue is corrected, they will be talking the way they like but I don’t care.

If I’m greedy, why did the is-

Dickson wanted me to be his Chiefof-Staff but I told everybody that I will not be. So what amount of money would he give me that is bigger than what he promised me

sue not arise until this one came up? I’m even getting stronger by the day. They are making me more prominent. They want to bring me down because I challenged Sylva but I am the chairman of the party and I brought this party to Bayelsa. They were not on ground, I was the one on ground. If we agree on an issue, we should keep to it, that is my kind of person. Now, we are lucky that our party is controlling the Federal Government, so, we want to fill the opportunities that Bayelsa State has, and they want to leave out people that worked for the party. I do not agree, that is why they are calling me a betrayer.

Do they know who a betrayer is? When I became the chairman of APC in Bayelsa, was he in APC at that time. They said I embezzled money. Is it not somebody’s money that would be embezzled? Is it Sylva’s money? When we started this race, Sylva didn’t have money? That is why he could not pay any-

Is it true that Kombowei gave you N200m?

Does Kombowei have N200m to give to me? Have they ever worked for such amount in their lives. I put Kombowei in the Assembly in his first four years. Where does he have money to give to me? kombowei is a product of my political career.

Do you have any relationship with Dickson because you have been accused of acting Dickson’s script?

That was what Sylva told them. Is it not because of Southern Ijaw result that we are in court? APC won Southern Ijaw.

Is it not my local government?

14 of my followers are in the hospital right now, 14 are in court, all of them are Southern Ijaw people. If Tiwei is a betrayer, how come 28 of his people got involved? Were Lokpobiri and the rest of them able to deliver their local governments?

So who betrayed who? What are they saying? The issue is this; they are fighting me because I have come out to say that what Sylva is doing is not good. That is just the problem we are having.

50

Features

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Herdsmen

Ndubuisi Ugah, Okegwo Kenechukwu and Uchenna Inya

S

trong indications emerged on Thursday that the activities of Fulani herdsmen across the SouthEast states may be curtailed, as a pan Igbo-socio cultural group, “The masquerade”, has directed Fulani herdsmen across the Igbo speaking states to relocate within seven days or face dire consequences.

The directive came as the prime minister of a self-proclaimed group, Biafran Government in Exile (BGIE), Mr. Emmanuel Enekwechi, alleged that some militants disguising as Fulani herdsmen have targeted southerners throughout Nigeria for decades.

Similarly, youths in Ebonyi State have threatened reprisals should the Federal Government fail to come up with any “concrete” policy drive that will check the activities of the herdsmen.

Saturday Telegraph gathered that the warning to the herdsmen came on the heels of the invasion of Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu State on Monday as well as the resolutions reached by the “The masquerade”, which is called Ajofia Nnewi, after its emergency meeting in Nri, Anambra State.

The group, it was gathered, also threatened to sue President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase and the Department of the State Services (DSS), for the killings, which it vowed would no longer be tolerated.

The spokesman for the masquerade Mr. Chinedu Efuru, also warned that unless the Fulani herdsmen were completely eradicated from the South-East, the unity of the country would remain threatened.

He said: “We are masquerades, the Igbo evil spirit, the time has come for Nigerians to know that the invasion of the Fulani herdsmen in various parts of the country is a plot by the North to enslave other components of the country.

“We are ready to defend our lives and property with the last drop of our blood if after the seven days there are still herdsmen in any parts of South-East states.

Enough is enough!

“We are a peace loving and law abiding group, but we cannot fold our arms to be ambushed and killed by unknown Fulani herdsmen who are not in any way related to this part of the country.

“While we are mourning the untimely death of our beloved brothers and sister, we wish to passionately ask Mr. President to order the relocation of all cattle herdsmen currently in the South East in the interest of peace and unity of this country.”

In a related development, the group

Igbo group to Fulani herdsmen:

Leave South-East in 7 days

•Youths threaten retaliation •Southerners ‘have been targeted for decades’ said yesterday there were infiltrations into Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Delta and Ebonyi States by yet-to-be identified young Hausa people.

The leader of the group, Chief Nnamdi Ohagu, advised Ndigbo to stop patronising the cattle sellers and avoid reprisals.

“We are therefore, calling on the SouthEast Governors’ Forum and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to urgently investigate this claim with a view to finding their mission to avert further possible attacks on the people of Ndigbo.

“We want to raise the alarm that the present government is on a vendetta mission and unless the people rise to the occasion it would degenerate to a point of no return because it is now clear that the Federal Government is determined to make the country an Islamic state.

“The presence of the Hausa people in various localities of Igbo speaking states is a long-term planned plot to wipe out Ndigbo. And until Ndigbo realises this, their future survival is bleak, we want to warn,” Ohagu said.

Speaking also, Enekwechi told an online news portal, the International Business Times (IBTimes), United Kingdom, that: “We don’t have the details yet of what happened in Enugu, but from my experience, thousands and thousands of Biafans (who inhabit South Eastern Nigeria) have been massacred in the north.”

He added: “A very large percentage of Biafrans living in the north relocated to their homeland, but even then, you can see they are still being pursued and killed.”

The killings, according to him, occurred at a time when attacks attributed to Fulani militants are on the rise in Nigeria, where pro-Biafran secessionist groups have accused the Fulani herdsmen of targeting Christians and southerners in a bid to “Islamise the Christian-dominated region.”

In Ebonyi State, the youths warned that they would not relax even though such killings have not taken place in the state.

The youths, who noted that they have increased security surveillance, warned that they would not hesitate to carry out

reprisals against the herdsmen in the face of any attack.

Speaking to Saturday Telegraph, the President of Ozibo Youths Association (OYA), Mr. Shedrack Mbam, said: “We are not relaxing; we have taken security measures to ensure we are not invaded by the herdsmen. We are living with them here in Ozibo and that will make us to be security conscious especially now there are attacks in some parts of the south east by the herdsmen.

“We will not take it lightly with them any time they attack us and they know this. We will not allow what happened in Enugu to happen here no matter the way or time it occurs, we will not tolerate it.

“We have allowed them to live in our midst but cannot allow them intimidate or attack us, and let me tell you, we are sad overe what they did in Enugu. If they try it here, there will be no escape route for them.”

In the same vein, the state police command has said it will not harbour herdsmen whose stock in trade is to kill innocent citizens.

Speaking to our correspondent in his office at the state police headquarters, Abakaliki, the command’s image maker, Mr. George Okafor, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the police would not hesitate to arrest any herdsman who commits criminal offence with the intent of using the police as refuge.

He said: “Fulani herdsmen are not taking refuge in the police barracks in Ebonyi State. You can go round and check by yourself. The rumour is unfounded and if there is any place they can hide, it cannot be in the police barracks. We cannot accommodate them because our lives are equally at risk if we allow them take refuge in our barracks.

“If they attack anybody or community and come and hide in the police for protection, we will easily arrest them because we cannot protect them following criminal activities; we will easily catch them and make them face the law.”

On the measures taken by the command to ensure the massacre in Enugu

State does not occur in Ebonyi, Okafor said: “In this command, I want to tell you that we have been very outstanding in dealing with matters involving cattle rearers because we believe in alternative dispute resolution strategy.

“In Ishielu, Ohaukwu Ezza North, Ebonyi Local Government Area and other areas, Fulani herdsmen have entered the areas and caused some damage which would have led to serious clashes between members of the communities and the herdsmen but we didn’t allow it to happen. We called leaders of the herdsmen and the communities and made sure there were no clashes, we dialogued with them.

“Many issues between herdsmen and villagers which would have resulted in a bloody clash more serious than that of Enugu State have been resolved by the police command. We have an agreement with the herdsmen that if farmers’ crops are destroyed or eaten up by their cows, the herdsmen will pay for it. We also told villagers or the farmers that they will pay for any cow they kill without any reason and the two parties have agreed on this.

“Herdsmen have on many occasions paid farmers for the crops their cows destroyed and the natives have also paid for cows they unduly attacked.

“So, we have taken so many measures to ensure that the incident of Enugu does not occur in Ebonyi State and God has been on our side because we have not had any clash and our dialogue strategy has been yielding fruitful results.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), Mr. Alimi Sulaiman Adeniyi, urged President Buhari to order Fulani herdsmen to relocate to Sambisa Forest, as their next grazing reserve.

Adeniyi alleged that Fulani herdsmen have been a danger to the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.

Adeniyi, who was reacting to the controversial bill on “Grazing Reserves”, said the bill, if passed into law, would increase avoidable crisis in the land, “given Fulani herdsmen belligerent activities across the states of the federation.”

Features

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

51

Tension as Hausas flee Enugu over fear of reprisal •Leave S’East now, Ohanaeze youths tell Fulani herdsmen

Charles Onyekwere and Igbeaku Orji

T

ENUGU / UMUAHIA

here are strong indications that fear of possible reprisal attack has gripped the Hausa community in Enugu State following the invasion and killings in Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state by assailants suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, which left over 20 people dead and scores injured.

As a result of fear, some of the Hausa quarters in Enugu and its environs, visited

by Saturday Telegraph, have been deserted as over 300 Hausas have left their businesses and fled for fear of being attacked.

At Oba Street, one of the major places where the Hausas trade, it was also evident that they have deserted the area.

Artisan Ogui Road and New Garriki were not left out as the entire areas looked like ghost towns.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide also posited that the attacks by Fulani herdsmen was a calculated attempt by the Hausa-Fulanis to Islamise Nigeria, especially Ndigbo, saying the plans will not work.

In Umuahia, the Abia State capital came a report that a group, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), has issued a four-day ultimatum to all violent herdsmen to leave the zone.

Speaking with Saturday Telegraph on the telephone, the Director of Media and Publicity of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, said there had been such attempts in the past, starting from Usman Dan-Fodio to Islamise Nigeria, but they all failed.

The group frowned at the leaders of Igbo people, especially the governors of the South East for not living up to expectation, saying that this was what gives room for the senseless killings and maiming of citizens by the Fulani herdsmen.

They pointedly accused the South East governors of playing politics and games with the lives of their subjects by not doing much to check the rampaging herdsmen.

“The governors and the politicians use

the life of their subjects to play game and politics, if not so, why would they not summon an emergency meeting to deliberate on the impending dangers, condition of their people, because they were used by their counterparts in the north against their people.

“Let them go and see what the governor of Kaduna State is doing to Christians in that state and their master in Aso Rock is not saying anything because it is a strategy to Islamise Biafrans and Christians.

“While Fulani herdsmen kill hundreds all around the country daily, we remember this tweet from @el-rufai never forget, we will write this for all to read, anyone, solder or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.

“Now, the Hausa Fulani Boko Haram terrorist groups are killing, raping our women and girls, destroying our farmland and kidnapping our people with impunity on a daily basis in in the guise of rearing cattle and nobody is saying anything because they are Biafrans. The DSS will never come up with their concocted intelligence report again, let the world hear it now.

“We are totally disappointed with the governors and politicians of this land for not knowing the meaning of chief security officer of their states,” the statement stressed.

They particularly flayed the governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for not rising enough to the occasion after the unfortunate incident that took place in his state recently, saying that declaring two days fasting and prayer was a mockery of the dire situation.

While lamenting what happened at UzoUwani, IPOB lamented thus: “Biafrans, our destiny changes with our thoughts, we shall become what we wish to be. The governors and politicians correspond with our heart desire because they are sabotaging every efforts we make.

“In line with this, the posterity will never forgive those who sabotage the struggle and Biafra restoration. We have no other place except Biafra.

“IPOB worldwide will not fail to let the Hausa Fulani know from history that the Biafrans were not born like cowards and we are ready for what is to come. They tried this

Gov. Ugwanyi

Islamisation agenda before, during the era of their fathers Usman Dan Fodio and Amadu Bello, but they did not succeed.

They did it again from 1966 to 1970 when they decided by Hassan Katsina, Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Murtala Muhammad and Ibrahim Babangida and others to kill Biafrans from two years up. We know that they will still fail again but you bear in mind that this is 21st century. Biafrans are the chosen people of Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty) and no weapon fashioned against us shall prosper.

“These happenings prove the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the prophet and visionary of our time right because all his prophecies have come to pass.

“The Christians in this country, you still waiting for the total Islamisation before you do something. This is the time for you to take the destiny into your hands before what happened to Christians in North Africa and Turkey happen to you,” the group pointed out.

...Agbekoyas read riot act to herdsmen Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

I

nundated with the spate of attacks against their men by the nomadic Fulani herdsmen across the country, the Nigeria’s frontline farmers group, 'Agbekoya Farmers Association' in the South West, has said that its members were battle ready to protect Yorubaland, threatening to prevent herdsmen from further entering any village in the zone should the nefarious activities continue.

"The fact that Yoruba people are accommodating and peace loving does not mean we are cowards. Agbekoya warriors are battle ready to protect and defend our people and our land”, the National Publicity Secretary of the association, Chief Olatunji Bandele told Saturday Telegraph on behalf of the President-General of Agbekoya Worldwide, Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola.

Warning the Fulani herdsmen "to stop killing of innocent people and farmers”, ‎the Agbekoya farmers called on President Muhamadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase "to

urgently take action and necessary steps that will stop the nefarious activities of the herdsmen, who for sometime now have been killing innocent people and farmers in Yorubaland and other parts of Nigeria".

Bandele said the decision to confront the herdsmen and put an end to their "condemnable" activities especially in the South West, was taken after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council of the group, led by Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola on Thursday.

Expressing the group's resolve and warning not to be pushed to the wall by the herdsmen, the President General said, “we have been watching with dismay, the nefarious activities of Fulani herdsmen in Yorubaland for sometime now, who destroyed the crops of our farmers and also turned around to kill innocent people and farmers, with sophisticated weapons.

"We hereby use this medium to call on Northern traditional rulers, Governors, Arewa leaders, to caution these Fulani herdsmen before we run out of patience".

Calling on Buhari, the South West

governors and the Inspector General of Police, to do something urgently, before the situation gets out of hands, the Agbekoya group reiterated that, urgent steps must be taken in curbing the nefarious activities of invading herdsman in Yoruba land all over the country.

Should the concerned leaders fail to do something urgently and decisively, Chief Ikikiola added that Agbekoya Farmers Association might be forced to take some drastic steps.

"Agbekoya will close down all markets in South West; Agbekoya will make sure that Fulani herdsmen do not enter any village in Yoruba land, with their cows. And if they dare enter, they are doing it at their own risk". ‎He said that the leadership of the group had alerted Agbekoya Southwest warriors across the Yorubalnd "to be battle ready in case the Fulani herdsmen do not heed our warning".

Not willing to reveal all its tactics to the public, the group said that its members were "keeping other security measures we have to our chests, until further notice".

Meanwhile, the OYC has warned the South-East members of the National Assembly against supporting the proposed grazing bill saying that the bill “is only a ploy by Northern elements to confiscate Southern lands for their commercial interests which we have vowed to vigorously resist.”

A statement jointly signed by OYC National Vice-President, Mr. Obinna Achuonye and the Chairman of OYC in seven Igbo-speaking states, Alex Okemiri, in Umuahia, Abia State yesterday, the group said: “Any violent herdsman who fails to quit South-East soil on or before Monday next week will have himself to blame.”

The position, according to OYC, was in response to the recent massacre in Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State

by Fulani herdsmen where over 40 lives and properties were lost.

The group said: “Enough is enough, never again will Igbo youths fold their arms to watch our people being massacred by blood-sucking terrorists under the guise of being herdsmen.”

The statement further disclosed that the decision was part of the resolutions reached after an emergency meeting of OYC Worldwide where issues bordering on the security of Ndigbo were reviewed.

The group hinted that Igbo youths in consultations with their counterparts in the Southern and Middle Belt regions were mobilising to storm the National Assembly to protest the controversial bill.

The group came to the conclusion that the blood-letting herdsmen “are off-shoots of Boko Haram and must not be allowed any breeding ground in Igbo land.”

The statement reads in part: “Urgent times need drastic measures. We warn all violent Fulani herdsmen to vacate our farmland, our backyards, our territories and boundaries on or before Monday next week.

“Even though Ohanaeze Ndigbo will meet over the weekend to discuss this menace, Igbo youths will not wait until our people are massacred again before we take action.

“If after Monday the herdsmen are still around, we will direct Igbo vigilance groups set up by OYC in all the 95 local government areas in the South-East to force them out.”

OYC said it had intelligence reports that Ebonyi State was the next target of the rampaging herdsmen.

“We have uncovered plots that their next line of action is Ebonyi State because they are moving from boundary to boundary. They are coming from Taraba State to attack Ebonyi State. We want the Governor of Ebonyi State and all the security agents to be at alert.”

The Ohanaeze youths said President Muhammadu Buhari should be held responsible should civil war erupt again in Nigeria because of his deliberate silence and docility over the atrocities of his Fulani kinsmen.

OYC disclosed that Igbo youths are already collaborating with Ijaw youths and Middle Belt youths on how to defend their people as the Federal Government under Buhari has failed to protect them.

“Ijaw youths, and Middle Belt progressives are already waiting for the expiration of the deadline on Monday. Fulani herdsmen have pushed us to the wall. Time to take action is now or never!"

Ohanaeze further called on South East governors to be united against menace of herdsmen and to encourage poultry and fish farming in the zone.

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Perspectives

30 APRIL 2016

The troubles of divorce (2)

t is easy for you to scream ‘GOD FORBID’ when someone talks about divorce threat in your marriage. Check yourself. Are you sure you are not doing something that could make your spouse wake up one day and say that he/she is tired of your marital relationship? Self evaluation is the purpose of this piece.

Today, many people are enduring rather than enjoying marriage. Some have given up, breaking the marital vow of ‘for better or for worse, till death do us path.’ Sometimes, children are at the receiving end. Someone divorces his/her spouse, leaving some messages for the children. The first message to the children is ‘I brought you into this world to suffer and I don’t care what happens to you. I am off to seek comfort for myself.’

Second message is that when you grow up, don’t show love or fall in love with an opposite sex because they are an evil breed. Third message is that marriage is like a business partnership or contract where you pull out when you feel like doing so. Fourth message is that everyone came into this world for his/herself.

There is no sanctity in the family union and institution and it can be discarded or despised. There are so many other generational baggage that have continued to increase divorce rates in the world.

Most people who rush to break their marital vows fail to realize that there is a superior third party in this agreement.

Your marital vow and relationship is not all about you and your spouse. God or Satan (whichever you choose and invite) is involved in this deal. The atheist could have an argument here but truth has no respect for argument on facts. Marriage is a destiny issue and the destiny of everyone God created, including you, is

E

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com success rather than failure (Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11), except if you yield to the control of Satan, God’s enemy.

Getting a divorce is one of the hardest decisions to make especially when children are involved. Leaving someone whom you pledged to love till the end, isn't as easy as most people think.

Divorce is that kind of experience that alters every part of your life and takes a toll on you physically and emotionally.

It is particularly hell and criminal when one party physically assaults the other repeatedly, almost killing the person.

Yet, advisers urge you to stay put in the marriage. Yes, it could be wise to stay away temporarily when threat to life is involved. This is still not divorce. Divorce is an extreme case that sometimes tends to suggest you have always been eager to leave the marriage from the beginning and this puts a question mark on your own integrity.

I do not intend to leave a judgmental note of finality here because counseling experience indicates that circumstances, which lead to divorce are as diverse as one can imagine. But what is God’s position? An enemy of God has no hope of joy and peace and what makes someone God’s enemy is simply disobedience to his instructions.

The manufacturer of a car provides guidelines for its operation and gives you the manual, along with the car. Operating outside the recommended guidelines creates a problem. In the same vein, God is the founder and owner of the marital institution. Any attempt to operate outside the guidelines he has provided is bound to produce problems. Many cases of divorce have been traced to marital foundation as some people marry strangers, only to jump out of the marriage on discovering that they married someone else’s spouse.

Life is like a road journey with so many bus stops on the way. When you get to a point where there is a challenge such as flat tyre and so on, you do not decide to settle down at that spot, ending the journey unexpectedly, just because of that challenge. Rather, you seek solution to that challenge so that you can continue the journey and get to your destination.

As a married person, divorce is not the first option of numerous solutions to a sudden change in the character of your spouse. Sometimes, that change is even a mere suspicion or perception. Misunderstanding is common, even in your relationship with blood relatives, including mother. For couples getting divorced or thinking about it, there are a lot of things

to consider before making such a move.

When you are fed up with the relationship, it is easy for you to tell me that I cannot understand what you are going through. You wear the shoe and know where it pinches. In fact, to you, nobody can understand. But I will advise you to pay attention to godly people's subtle description of your attitude. It will really help you adjust your perspective. In most situations in life, if you change the way you look at things, things will change the way they look. Surprisingly, it might enable you discover whether or not you have a contribution to the problem. If there is, it will help you adjust your life and work on your flaws. For instance, if you have bad habits like jealousy, envy, extravagance, lust and pride, these habits will leave you unhappy in marriage. Replace them with worthy virtues.

Stop looking for a license to divorce your spouse. Start looking for instruments to restore or strengthen your love, intimacy and bonding.

If your life is truly under threat in your marriage, this is a peculiar issue and you need a godly counsel. Read more in the book, MAKING YOUR MARRIAGE WORK by Albinus Chiedu. We can also communicate via contacts above this piece.

Your marriage shall be a blessing and a testimony in Jesus name. Amen.

For questions, prayers, personal counselling, seminars, wedding ministration, etc, CONTACT: The Coordinator, MARRIAGE CAN WORK MINISTRY Mobile: +234-8038117704 E-mail: marriagecanwork@yahoo.com; marriagethings@gmail.com P. O. Box, 13188, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Accountability versus Rio 2016 Olympics

ight weeks ago, I wrote a piece titled: ‘Rio 2016: Another sightseeing trip for Team Nigeria, or...’ in which I expressed my deep reservations over Nigeria’s lack of preparations ahead of the Rio Olympics Games.

Sadly with just 97 days to the Games, there has been no sign that anything has changed and that the nation was actually getting ready to join its counterparts from over 200 countries to take part in the largest and most prestigious multi-sports event in the world on a decent footing.

Rather, available information in sports circles indicates that the situation is even worse than I thought. Although it is not bad enough to bar Nigeria from travelling to South America in August; but it is bad enough to ensure that perhaps this will be the worst preparations, if any, for the nation ahead of a major sporting event.

According to sources, the Federal Government is insisting that until the Sports Ministry explains how the money released to it last year was spent it would not be releasing any more money.

Although Team Nigeria is not to be blamed for the current impasse, unfortunately under the current change mantra it has to bear the brunt for no fault of theirs.

From what I have been able to gleam, government released N2.9 billion to the then National Sports Commission (NSC) in order to enable the country take part in the All Africa Games (which held in Congo Brazzaville) and kick the preparations for the Olympic Games; however, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was in dire financial straits with the U23 side campaigning in the African U23 Championships along

TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com with other national teams.

Desperate to ensure the Dream Team not only won the CAF Championship but also qualified for the Olympics, the NFF appealed to the NSC for a ‘bailout’ in order to make sure the footballers were well taken care off so as to achieve this.

From what I was told by highly placed sports sources, the NSC decided to ‘bailout’ the NFF to the tune of N600million from the balance of the AAG funds, which I learnt was about N1.3billion.

The team did go on to win the championships, for the first time ever and also qualify for the Olympics but in doing so had severely depleted the NSC’s purse.

Unfortunately this had been the pattern in the past with the Commission always struggling to ensure sporting associations are able to take part in the necessary qualifiers to make the Olympics, Commonwealth or All Africa Games.

The cash-strapped NSC jigs money between the associations and then makes appeals to the Presidency for ‘bailout’ – usually for the NFF or to take part in the various games proper.

Of course wary of public opinion more

often than not the Presidency used to accede to these ‘bailout’ requests and release funds in order to starve off any backlash.

However, this time around the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari is not willing to toe the line of previous occupiers and is insisting on more financial accountability with the resulting effect being the lack of money to kick-start the Rio 2016 preparations.

Depending on whom you talk with the issue is further muddied because although the NSC is no more, it has allegedly not been able to explain satisfactorily to the Sports Ministry how it spent the money; consequently the Sports Ministry has also not been able to explain same to government, which has meant government has not released any money.

So it’s a classic case of when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers!

So while government sticks rigidly to its position the nation’s Olympic preparations are comatose. However, while I’m not advocating that government drops its accountability posture, it also should know that the image of the nation will severely be dented with another poor outing in Brazil.

After our last humiliating outing at the London 2012 Olympics where Nigeria performed woefully, our sports officials mumbled the usual words to assuage the feelings of the angry public promising to ensure that such an outing will not be repeated at the next Olympics (Rio 2016) because they had learnt their lessons and would ensure early preparations.

Alas many of us have become used to from our officials – it was all talk and nothing but talk! As far back as Seoul’88 when our contingent came back from South Korea empty handed and full of scandals have we been hearing that things will change.

‘Unfortunately’ at the next two Olympic Games Barcelona’92 and Atlanta’96 Nigeria punched above her weight and rather than using the triumphs to build and put proper structures in place to ensure preparations for major competition will go on smoothly; we once again fell back to our old ways of not preparing.

Thus by the time of the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games our star had began to wane and our outings were not as impressive (although we did win a gold medal at Sydney after our men’s relay team was upgraded following the disqualification to Team USA).

However, our trip to China in 2008 for the Beijing Games once again brought some succour when we won four medals – one silver and three bronze.

Conversely as things stand, we are once again banking on ‘Mother luck’ to ensure that Team Nigeria does not end up just embarking on another sightseeing trip to Brazil this summer.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

53

Fulani herdsmen, Saraki and persecution theory

“G

ood evening uncle.”

“Good evening Chucks.

How do you do?”

“How do you do too

sir?”

“Congrats!”

“On what sir?”

“Is your school not resuming on Monday?”

Oh, I don’t know that was what you meant sir. We are resuming on Monday.

You’re right sir.”

“But I learnt the school authorities have banned the students’ union...”

“That’s bad sir. How could they ban the students’ union? How could they do that when we’re in democracy? How many unions will they ban?”

“Are they planning to ban more unions?”

“It seems so sir. As we speak sir, no fewer than four universities have been shut and as I heard, as the schools are being reopened, the authorities will ban unionism in those schools so as to cow students not to protest against egregious policies.”

“Egregious policies by who? School authorities or the government because the crisis in your school has absolutely nothing to do with the government? So, don’t drag government into this please.”

“Why won’t I? Have you forgotten that the crisis started as a result of no power, no water, no fuel on the campus? Look at how they wasted that student...”

“Which student?”

“The University of Port Harcourt student that was killed by the police during the students’ protest last month...”

“That was allegedly killed by the police or were you there?”

“I don’t need to be there uncle. Why will the police quell students’ riot with live bullets? Are there no rubber bullets again?

They should have dissipated their energy, dexterity and marksmanship elsewhere.”

“Elsewhere like?”

“Like the Fulani herdsmen.”

Ha Chucks, your heart is evil. How could you say that?”

“If my heart is evil because I said the monstrosity of these vampires should be James F. Entwistle

I

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com checkmated, then Fulani herdsmen are the real evil. Or how else can we describe people who take their cattle to farmers’ arable land, destroyed their crops and when they complaint, you make a predatory incursion into their villages, kill and maim them. Can you beat a child and ask him not to cry?”

“You’re making sense Chucks. From Agatu to Ondo on Chief Olu Falae’s farm and now Ukpabi-Nimbo community in Enugu State, the herdsmen are just having a field day. I learnt when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi got to the scene, he could not hold back tears.”

“You mean the same governor that went to complain about the killing of his people to the president and was smiling?”

“I don’t believe you Chucks.”

“Haba Uncle, you’re behaving like old school o. The photograph has gone viral on social media and it’s being trailed by gale of criticisms.”

“But are you saying the governor has no right to smile? Besides, he has declared two days fasting and prayer. After all, ours is a praying nation. And is smile not nearly opposite in meaning to cry? He cried on Monday and smiled on Wednesday...”

“Uncle, this is not a trivial matter o. I am worried that the president has not said anything on these killings by the rampaging herdsmen.”

“No, he has ordered security agents to clamp down on these cow boys from hell and on May 29, the president will further address the issue. Rest assured that the perennial killings will be part of the president’s speech on May 29. “ “So, we should wait till May 29 before the issue is properly addressed. Is there

any assurance they would not have killed more people before then?”

“I hope there is. Let’s be optimistic.”

“Uncle, I’m not an incurable optimist like you. Okay, what will happen after the speech?”

“Chucks, you should know now. Just put on your thinking cap. A panel will be set up, recommendations will be made, everybody goes home, fold their arms until when another disaster will happen. That’s Nigeria for you my boy.”

“Nigeria we hail thee.”

“That’s good Chucks! So, you know our old national anthem.”

“Noooooo, I don’t o.”

“Youths of nowadays, what do they know? They know nothing about our history. It’s a shame! Look at those who claimed to be students protesting in support of the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

The banners they were holding were full of errors. Primary school pupils’ errors. It’s a shame!”

“I hope when you get to school you won’t go and join either of the rented crowd. I mean either the pro or the antiSaraki’s groups. The matter is before the tribunal so let the law decides where the pendulum will swing.”

“Uncle, what’s your take on Saraki’s position that he’s being persecuted because he opposed the vaulting ambition of a particular politician and vehemently opposed the APC’s plan of Muslim-Muslim joint ticket for the 2015 presidential election.”

“But Saraki never said this until now.

Is it not belated? And is there anything wrong with joint Muslim-Muslim ticket or joint Christian-Christian ticket? But that is the price we are paying for being too

heterogeneous.''

“On your first question, it is belated for Saraki to now whip up religion sentiment. But you know Karl Marx long ago described ‘religion has the opium of the masses.’ Do you even know Karl Marx and do you know the origin of that sentence: ‘religion is the opium of the masses?’”

“Hmmmm, not really uncle.”

“Youths of nowadays, what do you read for God’s sake even when you have gadgets at your fingertip with which you can access millions of information?”

“But I wasn’t born then?”

“So, I was born? Karl Marx was a German philosopher and economist. He posited that religion is an expression of material realities and economic injustice. According to him, the problems in religion are a reflection of problems in the society. He went on to say that religion is a mere symptom and not the disease. It is used by the oppressors to make people feel better about the distress they experience due to being poor and exploited. This is the origin of his comment. So, if you want to appeal to pity and emotion, religious sentiment is your surest way.”

“So, do you think the senate president is being persecuted and not being prosecuted?”

“Both.”

“No sir, just take one.”

“Just hold on. Persecution because nobody told us Saraki has all those skeletons in his cupboard until he pulled the rug off the feet of his party. Prosecution because allegations have been levelled against him.

So, a clear conscience should fear no accusation.”

“Did you see the cartoon of the caricature of our senators with cars stuck into their mouths?”

“That was mischievous. Did Reps not also buy exotic Peugeot cars? Why did you not make caricature of them too?”

“Uncle, theirs was bought out of patriotic zeal to patronise a Nigerian company.”

“Interesting, I hope they will now be buying made in Aba shoes, eat Abakaliki rice and wear more of adire, Ankara and other traditional stuffs. Yeye dey smell!”

Ending malaria in Nigeria for good

n the past 15 years, Nigeria has made historic progress in turning the tide against malaria. Since 2011, an aggressive program to fight malaria in Nigeria reduced mortality rates among children under five by 18 percent, and malaria among this same group declined by a remarkable 15 percent.

Although this is impressive, worldwide progress on malaria control during this same period resulted in infection rates dropping globally by 60 percent.

As we commemorate World Malaria Day on April 25, we celebrate this success. The United States, as the world’s leading donor in global health, remains strongly committed to working with Nigeria and all our partners to intensify the efforts to free people from the tremendous burden of malaria.

Despite Nigeria’s tremendous progress, we must remain committed to our fight against malaria. More than 430,000 people around the world still die each year from this preventable and treatable illness. Ninety percent of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The vast majority are children under five, as malaria kills one of our children every two minutes. Malaria sickens hundreds of millions of people over and over again. More than half of all school absences in Africa are due to malaria. The disease costs the continent billions of dollars each year in health costs and lost productivity. In

Nigeria, the National Malaria Elimination Program estimates malaria costs the Nigerian economy 132 billion naira ($660 million) annually.

I am proud that the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) continues to play a key role in the global fight against malaria. PMI, which supports 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, provides Nigerian communities and families with a mix of tools to fight malaria, including long-lasting, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor insecticide spraying campaigns, the latest drug therapies to treat infections, prevention treatment of malaria in pregnancy, and community education campaigns. Treated mosquito nets are a highly effective means of preventing infection and reducing malaria transmission.

In Nigeria, PMI works with national partners such as the Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Elimination Program. PMI also works with international partners such as the UK Department for International Development, the World Health Organization, and the Global Fund to reach and maintain universal coverage with long-lasting, insecticidetreated nets for all individuals living in malaria endemic areas. This year alone, PMI will provide 8.7 million nets to families in Nigeria.

The United States also supports the Nigerian people by training medical personnel and community health workers to care for people with malaria. This past year alone, PMI supported training for nearly 7,000 health workers around the world in malaria case management. PMI also provides the test kits and medicines to help those patients who come to them. In just the past year in Nigeria, PMI procured 19 million anti-malarial treatments and more than 6 million rapid diagnostic tests kits.

The most exciting news about malaria is that it can be eradicated. To make this happen, we must recognize that we do not need to accept malaria as being a normal part of life. If we sleep inside a treated net every night, if we seek treatment from a qualified health worker within 24 hours of the onset of a fever, we can drive down the presence of the malaria parasite in our environment and ultimately eliminate it.

Despite our impressive gains, we still have much work to do. We must improve the protection of expecting mothers and their newborns from malaria. During pregnancy, malaria can cause particularly serious, life-threatening risks for both the mother and her baby. Common problems include maternal anemia, miscarriage, prematurity, stillbirth, and low birthweight in newborns.

We must increase access to health

services, especially for the poor. Community health workers must be able to provide reliable testing and treatment for malaria and other childhood illnesses. We have shown in a number of countries that such services can be scaled up quickly and affordably, and that they make a difference.

Ending malaria is not just good social policy, it is good business. Leading economists have identified the fight against malaria as one of the “best buys” in global development, estimating that a 50 percent reduction in global malaria incidence could produce over 7,000 naira ($36) in economic benefits for every 200 naira ($1) invested. Malaria eradication could deliver more than four hundred trillion naira ($2 trillion) in economic benefits and, more importantly, save an estimated 11 million lives.

Success during the next three to five years will be crucial to attain the vision of this year’s World Malaria Day theme, “End Malaria for Good.” Ridding the world of this burden will have a long-term transformative impact across the globe, saving millions of lives and generating trillions in additional economic output.

I thank my colleagues and counterparts in Nigeria, who fight malaria tirelessly in communities every day. If we all continue to pull together, we can rid the world of this deadly scourge.

•Entwistle is the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

54 News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Kebbi dissolves state KSIEC, JSC members

N EWS I N BRIEF

ST

Kebbi State Government has dissolved the executives of the State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC) as well as the four government appointees of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in the state.

A statement issued by the state governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari, said the decision was in line with the provisions of the laws establishing the commissions.

It added that the state House of Assembly had requested that the state government should dissolve KIEC, JSC and executives of the state Civil Service Commission.

He stated further that government would soon forward the lists of new appointees to the lawmakers to fill the vacant positions in the respective commissions.

FCT

KADUNA

BIRNIN KEBBI

El-Rufai inaugurates electronic land registry

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday signed the first set of digital Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) produced by the state’s new Electronic Land Registry.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, ElRufai said the government was making the process of securing title deeds easier for the people.

He inspected the facilities of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), the agency responsible for the registration of land documents and commended the efforts made to digitise the land archive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that KADGIS was established following an executive bill presented to and passed by the state House of Assembly, to replace the former Ministry of Lands, Survey and Country Planning.

Herdsmen killings: Security agencies have failed us –UPP

The United Progressive Party (UPP) has blamed security agencies for the unrestrained killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen across the country.

A statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Ogbuehi Dike, said the inability of security agencies to check the activities of the herdsmen had led to the numerous killings of Nigerians by the herdsmen.

The party said: “It is time to stop this unprovoked slaughter of innocent Nigerians by rampaging Fulani herdsmen armed with sophisticated weapons.

Enough is enough.

“We urge security agents to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime and their sponsors with a view to bringing them to book to serve as a deterrent to others."

L-R: Member of the House Committee on Interior, Mr. Dan Charles Hosea; Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Musa A. Maza; Manager Corporate Affairs, Contec, Mr. Tunde Ayansanwo and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Interior/Team leader, Hon. Patrick Aisowieren, during the committee’s tour of NIS facilities in Ikoyi, Lagos … yesterday

Fake drugs: UNN graduate bags 5-year jail term Dominic Adewole ASABA

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he Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, has sentenced a graduate of Economics from the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka, Mr. Osita Paul Ely, to five years imprisonment for dealing in fake anti-malaria drugs.

Osita was arrested in 2015 at his residence in Asaba by operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

He was subsequently arraigned on a sevencount charge, bothering on possession, packaging, importation, labelling and distribution of fake drugs and unregistered products.

Although, Paul pleaded guilty to count one, which led to the striking out of other charges by Justice A.O. Faji, he was however unlucky to escape the charge when the matter was called up for judgment yesterday.

In the said count one, Paul was found to be in possession

Benue workers desert offices over unpaid salaries Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

92,200

The total number of followers on Twitter of Obafemi Martins (Shangai Shenhua) in 2016.

Source: Goal.com

£61.8m

The total amount spent by Watford in the whole 2015-16 season.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

73

The life expectancy of women at birth of Guyana in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

LASU VC: Ambode didn’t approve 70-year retirement age for professors

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Mojeed Alabi he management of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has explained that the newly amended bill of the institution signed into law on January 5 by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode does not contain an approval of the 70-year retirement for professors and 65 years for non-academic staff members, as claimed by the workers.

The new position, which is in contradiction to earlier reports on the matter during the signing into law of the bill by the governor, is already causing disaffection between the affected staff members and the university management.

This is as the university has clarified the issue of its sacked 19 workers over falsified West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, saying the decision was taken in February by the institution’s

of “fake drugs to wit: Rysovin - 500, Buscomac - 10mg, Maloxine, Lumartem, Lofnac - 100”, an offense against Section 1 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. CAP C34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 3(a) of the same Act. Delivering his judgment, Justice Faji sentenced the convict to five years imprisonment, which he said, represents the minimum custodian sentence for such offense as stipulated in Section 3 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. CAP C34 LFN 2004.

Justice Faji, who wondered how many Nigerians would have been affected by the action of Paul before he was apprehended, held that the fake drugs which lacked the major anti-malaria and anti-bacteria components had serious detrimental effects on persons as well as serious environmental impacts on the society.

l Varsity clarifies row over 19 sacked staff Governing Council after as thorough investigation.

At a media briefing, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, said the LASU Amendment Bill 2015 as passed into law by the state House of Assembly, and which was an improvement over the two previous amendments in 1990 and 1992, only changed the status of the university to be residential, and approved the five-year-single term for the vice-chancellor as demanded by the workers’ unions on the campus.

Fagbohun, while commending Ambode for his efforts and determination to rebuild the 34-year-old ivory tower, said the institution’s Governing Council had upon a complaint by the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), approached the governor for

A

gainst the backdrop of non-payment of their accumulated salaries amounting to over three months, workers in Benue State have gradually introduced a “No pay, no work” policy as they have stopped going to work because of the non-payment of salaries.

Investigation by Saturday Telegraph at the state secretariat and ministries showed a near collapse of all government activities as civil servants have deserted their duty posts.

It was gathered that even those who manage to come to work, close as early as 12 noon when the sun is not too hot to enable them to trek home as most of them have equally abandoned their cars at home due to lack of money to buy fuel for the cars.

The workers lamented that the unpaid salary sit-

uation had caused untold hardship to the extent that many of them could no longer afford transport fares to their places of work not to talk of payment of school fees for their children and feeding their families.

They further lamented what they described as “imposed tax on the people by the Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration”, saying it was absurd for residents to be forced to pay taxes when salaries are not paid.

Ortom had instructed the tax collectors “to show human face” in the process of collecting the taxes, Some workers were seen at the state secretariat with most offices securely locked, while others were seen chatting with colleagues on the corridors when Saturday Telegraph visited yesterday Speaking with our correspondent, a certain Mr. Odeh said it was difficult to work without pay.

clarification.

“I can tell you clearly that the feedback from the governor is that the government is not opposed to the demand but that it was not part of the matter debated on the floor of the House in connection with the 2015 LASU Amendment bill.

The union has resolved to

pursue it logically and we are not opposed to that because the strategy for crisis resolution in LASU now is dialogue,” Fagbohun said.

Meanwhile, the VC has revealed that the university will in May hold its aborted 20th convocation ceremony, pledging that the new date will be announced soon.

Andrew Iro Okungbowa

Chi Limited introduces new product

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hi Limited, makers of fruit juices, has added a new product to its growing list with the introduction of Chivita Active Vegetable and Fruit Nectar, the first of its kind in the Nigerian market.

The new product is said to be perfectly blended with the goodness of vitamins, fibre and nutrients, and is a healthy and tasty way to get the antioxi-

dants and stamina required for a healthy active lifestyle.

The product is produced with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and is available in three different variants – Carrot Orange, Beetroot Grape and Beetroot Apple.

Managing Director of Chi Limited, Roy Deepanjan, said the new product is in line with the company’s vision of staying ahead of competition

through innovation.

“We are once again pioneering a new segment of the juice market with the Chivita Active Vegetable and Fruit Nectar in line with our market penetration strategy. As an innovative company, we are always looking for new ways to excite and invigorate the market which is why we will continue to develop the right products that meet market expectation of consumers

who are health conscious, in the years ahead.”

Chivita Active Vegetable and Fruit Nectar is for consumers who desire more from their drink. The juice is almost like receiving an intravenous infusion of vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants and stamina from vegetables because it is already in an easily digestible form and goes straight into the system without having to be broken down.

Sport Extra 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

30 APRIL 2016

Rio Olympics: Toblow berates Team Nigeria’s preparation

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Brume

Six athletes get $30,000 each as ANOCA grants

•Gumel confirms 70 athletes for Rio Olympics Adekunle Salami

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he Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa has approved six Nigerian athletes for Olympic Scholarships for elite athletes.

Interestingly, all the six athletes are from athletics. They are Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru, Patience George, Regina George, Funke Oladoye and Tosin Adeloye.

ANOCA, with its headquarters in Nigeria introduced this gesture to support the preparation of the elite athletes for the forthcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel, who made this known on Friday also noted that 11 athletes were also on the list of the International Olympic Committee for another grant aimed at boosting the preparation of the athletes for the games.

They are Okagbare, Oduduru, Regina George, Ese Brume, Christian Morton (athletics), Oduayo Adekuruoye (wrestling), Adesanmi Oluwatoyin, Maryam Usman (weightlifting), Aruna Quadri, Effiong Edem (table tennis) and Jonathan Akinyemi (Rowing).

Gumel said: “The IOC grant is not new. The athletes get it regularly especially in an Olympic year like this but that of ANOCA is a new initiative. We are also working with the ministry of Sports to ensure Nigeria performs well at the games.

“Olympic Games involve many things. We have held meetings with the Brazilian Embassy in Nigeria to ensure visas are given out to people who have genuine reason to travel. But they must come through the NOC for endorsement.”

The NOC boss also said 70 athletes have so far qualified for the forthcoming Games while many other qualifiers are still outstanding especially in weightlifting.

Serena pulls out of Madrid Open

Dele Alli banned for rest of season

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S

erena Williams has withdrawn from the Madrid Open because of flu.

Agnieszka Radwanska takes over as top seed for the tournament, which starts on Saturday, while Williams is now due to start her claycourt season in Rome.

The 34-year-old world number one has only played four tournaments since August, failing to win any of them.

She lost in the US Open semifinals in September, before defeats this year in the Australian Open and Indian Wells finals and a round-four loss in Miami.

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enowned former National athletics coach, Tobias Igwe, on Friday berated the preparation of `Team Nigeria' for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

The Games are scheduled to run from August 5 to 21 in Brazil.

Igwe told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday that the country’s preparation for the Games was not good enough.

“As we speak, the athletes have yet to be invited for camping, even when the Olympics will commence in less than 100 days.

“So, how do we expect our athletes to win medals of any colour, when we are yet to rally them for camping. ``Many things are left undone, which is not good enough for our performance and image at such an international sports competition. ``We know the shame we suffered at the London 2012 Games as a result of our dismal performance; we may find ourselves in similar situation in Rio. ``We can't continue to do this with a `fire brigade approach’ and expect good results even though we have the talented athletes. ``But the question is; are we giving them the training they require to be world beaters?’’

He also said that the junior athletes training for the World Junior Championships were not being well-motivated. ``Junior athletes are just resuming camping since breaking off for Easter holiday; as we speak they have yet to be paid their allowances. As a coach, this breaks my heart. ``I see talents around me but I can't go beyond my limit as a coach,’’ Igwe said.

The world junior championship holds in Poland from July 19 to July 24.

Serena

ottenham midfielder Dele Alli will miss the rest of the season after being banned for three games for violent conduct.

He admitted a charge after television cameras showed him punching West Brom player Claudio Yacob in the stomach.

Alli, 20, contested the standard three-match penalty as "clearly excessive", but that claim was rejected, said the Football Association.

He tweeted: "Gut-

ted my season is over.

Shouldn't have reacted like I did."

He added: "Will learn from this and come back stronger."

The 26th-minute incident was not in the referee's report of Monday's 1-1 draw.

However, it was caught by cameras and reviewed by an independent panel.

England international Alli was named as the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year on Sunday.

Ranieri to get £5m bonus if Leicester win title

eicester City manager Claudio Ranieri will earn a five million pound ($7.33 million) bonus if his team win the Premier League title, The Times reported on Friday.

Italian Ranieri also has a separate clause in his contract that guarantees him 100,000 pounds for every place that his team finish above 18th, which will see him earn 1.7 million pounds if the Foxes come first.

When Ranieri took charge of Leicester in the close season, he was tasked with keeping the team in the Premier League. Leicester's owners wrote a

number of clauses into his contract to make a parting of ways easier if he failed.

Ranieri asked for clauses of his own, granting him incentives if the club qualified for the Europa League, the Champions League or won the Premier League, reports Reuters.

He currently earns about 1.5 million pounds a year, according to the report, and is in discussions with the club over a new contract.

Leicester need three points from their last three games to win their first top-flight title and will be crowned

champions if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday or if second-placed Tottenham Hotspur lose to Chelsea on Monday night.

Ranieri

Sport Slaming Adekunle Salami adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Investing in multi-medal sports

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hat football is the number one sport in Nigeria is not new. Many people are so crazy about the game that it affects administrators and indeed government. When the Super Eagles play in a tournament, it affects the entire country such that the President could open the Federal Executive Council meeting with a review of the game especially if the outcome was in favour of Nigeria. This has happened in the past.

However, despite the huge love Nigerians have for the game, not much has been achieved with the senior national team, the Super Eagles. The Eagles have been to the World Cup only five times with three second round appearances as best feats. Senegal have been to the World Cup only once and they made it to the quarterfinals at Korea/Japan 2002. Cameroon were also in the last eight at the World Cup at Italia 90.

However, it is important to also look at the kind of huge investment the country is undergoing with football. The NFF requires about N150m to host one Eagles match in Nigeria.

Funding the Super Eagles is not the only football expenditure, attention is also needed for the U-17 team, U-20 team, U-23 male and female teams respectively. While we are busy with football, we should not allow this to affect other sports.

At the inauguration of 20 boats recently by the minister of sports, Solomon Dalung, I was happy that the country had potential in sports with The NFF requires huge medal prospects at inabout N150m to ternational meets. Rowing, host one Eagles canoeing and yachting have 87 gold medals at stake at match in Nigeria... the Olympics and we are not we should not serious with these events.

Swimming is also another allow this to affect medal-spinning event with other sports 44 gold medals at stake after adding diving and synchronized swimming. Gymnastics at the Olympics have eight gold medals for men and six for women. A colleague noted during the week that Nigeria has never taken part in synchronized swimming but I quickly added it was not enough to think the talents were not here. There are good gymnasts in Edo and the Niger Delta region, all they require is training. That area also has natural swimmers who can be tutored on all aspects of swimming.

I always wonder why so much noise is made on football and little on athletics that have 24 gold medals at stake for men and 23 gold medals at stake for women at the Olympic Games. We do well relatively in athletics but can do much better especially in the sprints which is the country’s area of core competence.

Weightlifting is another sport that is not getting the attention it deserves. In the past, we had shown promise in this event at continental and Commonwealth levels. Ruth Ogbeifo, a female lifter, won bronze at the Sydney 2000 Olympics but somehow, we have not developed the sport further.

Boxing and wrestling are traditional sports in Nigeria. The athletes are all over the place but not much is being done to nurture their talent. Wrestling is getting better just now with the presence of Daniel Igali, who is an Olympic gold medallist in the colours of Canada. It is sad that only one boxer qualified for the forthcoming Rio games while we have seven wrestlers warming up for same event. Boxing has 13 gold medals at stake while wrestling has 18.

No doubt, time has come for Nigeria to closely invest in some of the medal-spinning sports because this will be of huge effect at big competitions like the Commonwealth and the Olympic Games. With good planning, great talents can be discovered and groomed for the 2020 Olympics. Some multinational organisations can be approached by the ministry to take up each of the multi-medal sports. For example, a telecommunications outfit can sponsor wrestling while a bank can sponsor swimming. The problem is administrators strive to achieve instant results without planning. Because there is no continuity in leadership especially in the sports ministry, it has been a herculean task to plan. Somebody has to start this and if Dalung intends to write his name in gold, he can take a bold step of investing in multi-medal sports.

SATURDAY, 30 APRIL 2016

DESTINATION

Bonga: The birth place of coffee

p.42

Sanctity of Truth

SATURDAY

N150

- QUOTE OF THE DAY A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on

- Sir Winston Churchill

PERSPECTIVE Fulani herdsmen, Saraki and persecution theory

p.53

Mahrez

leads Ranieri’s title charge to Old Trafford R

Ajibade Olusesan iyad Mahrez is the man of the moment, the best player in England and the Algerian can eventually help his side Leicester City complete one of the most remarkable English Premier League triumphs when they visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

With seven-point gap over second placed Tottenham, Leicester City need a victory over hosts Manchester United to claim the EPL crown and with top marksman, Jamie Vardy, out due to card offence, the newly crowned PFA Player of the Year will be expected to lead the onslaught against the Red Devils.

He beats teammates Vardy, N’Golo Kante and Harry Kane of Tottenham to the PFA award, to become the first African to win the gong.

Although Vardy hugged the headline most part of the season with his breathtaking goals, Mahrez’s superior incredible dribbling skills, organisational savvy, impressive awareness and electric pace set him slightly above other contenders.

Vardy was not in the team last weekend, Mahrez still led the side to a 4-0 win over

Swansea. He scored a goal and was generally the creative force at the King’s Stadium.

Manchester United defenders will surely have their hands full today taming this slippery Algerian. He is not your typical out-and-out striker but Mahrez still contributed an impressive 17 goals for the title-chasing side.

The player himself said Leicester City’s players have been living in a “bubble” as they attempt to secure the club’s first-ever league title. He admitted they never believed they could challenge for the title until they defeated Manchester City at home.

“We do not have the best players, nor the biggest budget, but our solidarity compels admiration. We had a bit of luck too. It was this year or never. Until January, we did not think of the title. It has become possible, but we will not let it go to into our heads,” he said.

They head back to Manchester, but to the Red side of the city and can they claim the crown at the ground of the most successful club in England?

Leicester can still win the title even if they lose this game, but they will have to wait till the second day if Tottenham lose to Chelsea in London. But doing the job in Manchester will be the target and can Mahrez lead the Claudio Ranieri side to achieving that? It is a matter for 90 minutes

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