Saturday, august 13, 2016 binder1

City&Crime Update

News Feature

ARMY/VILLAGERS' CLASH

SHOCKING

He went for a search but I didn't know he won't return

The gay marriage that shook the Nigerian Internet Pg. 10

SATURDAY Saturday, August 13, 2016

Vol. 3 No. 906

Pgs. 50, 51

–Wife of slain soldier

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

N150

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

NIGERIANS REPLY BUHARI

WE ARE FACING HARDSHIP PAGE 3

A'RESE

I'd love to do collabo with Waje

Pg. 21

BUDGET PADDING

Jibrin drags IGP, police to court

Pg. 5

THE TRUTH IS, THEY MAY NOT BE FEELING WHAT WE ARE FEELING, THAT IS WHY MR. PRESIDENT CAN AFFORD TO TALK THAT WAY. WE ARE NOT ONLY HUNGRY BUT DYING –Anthony Cardinal Okojie

IT IS UNFORTUNATE AND SAD THAT WE HAVE A NUMBER ONE CITIZEN WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE PLIGHT OF HIS PEOPLE

–Alhaji Yerima Shetima, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum

Count me out of negotiation –Kanu ...sacks defence lawyers, confirms pact with Avengers

Pg. 5

PDP crisis: I won't compromise our political interest –Sheriff Pg. 6

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Comment

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NPCC: No killing EFCC

ttorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is in the eye of the storm following media reports quoting him as directing certain government agencies handling corruption cases to be ready to move some of their investigations to a new body to be known as National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC), These agencies include the Nigerian Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Department for State Security (DSS) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Nowhere in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is it stated that the AGF is empowered to adopt extra-legal means to prosecute cases. The intention even raised much suspicion, given the fact that this is is a clear attempt to usurp the statutory right of these agencies to prosecute cases. Such a body as the NPCC is not backed by any law or the Constitution and therefore the AGF's attempt to introduce an illegality into Nigeria's judicial system should be rejected and condemned outright by all well-meaning Nigerians.

Another angle to this strange development is the interest of the SGF in these 'high-profile' cases. We dare to ask when it became standard practice for government officials to segregate cases. It is also an insult to Nigerians, who elected this government, for it to now adopt a narrow view of prosecuting cases. It is trite that all men (and women) are equal before the law.

Therefore, to tag certain cases as 'highprofile' raises suspicion about the real intent behind the action. It is interesting to note that among the cases being referred to this aberration called NPCC are those involving Nigerians whose matters are before competent courts. Some of them have, for instance, sought judicial remedy to the government's refusal to obey orders of different courts granting them bail.

One of those likely to be affected is a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd). Dasuki is standing trial over alleged diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms as well as alleged illegal possession of firearms. Dasuki has been granted bail by different courts but he is still being held by the Department for State Security. Also being held despite being granted bail is the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Other such 'high-profile' cases that may

be affected are those of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; and ex-Chiefs of Air Staff, Air Marshal Umar Dikko and Air Marshal Adeola Amosu, among others. Also, every corruption case involving any past governor or any other public officer may be categorised in this new list and handed over to this illegal committee. Going by certain comments of President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing cases against some of these suspects, the fear that they may not get justice is palpable. Buhari had on different occasions clearly pronounced guilt on some of the accused persons even though their matters were pending in courts. In an interview with Al Jazeera in March 2016, Buhari made remarks that could be interpreted as a predetermined outcome on Dasuki's case.

Asked about the proof of the alleged diversion of $2.1 million arms funds for which Dasuki and some other persons are standing trial, he replied: "We are trying to recover such used for personal purposes. That is why we are prosecuting those who shared the money meant to procure hardware and software for the military. It is easy to say we have not recorded a high-profile conviction but there must be court processes.

However, with the revelations coming out from the arms probe, you can imagine where Dasuki will end up."In May 2016, the IPOB leader's lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had told journalists in Abuja that Buhari made comments prejudicial to his client's case. He said that some comments made by the President during a visit to Katsina were capable of influencing the court to convict him for treasonable felony even when his appeal for bail was before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

"After Kanu was granted bail on December 17 (2015), the president was heard saying at a presidential media chat that he would not leave the prison cell, for any reason. That bail was made known to the Federal Government on December 18, 2015 but they failed to grant the bail. Only a few days ago, he also went into the issue if whether or not Mr. Kanu should be granted bail when he visited Katsina. Having taken him to the court, they should allow the court of law to determine the matter," Ejiofor said.

The Buhari administration’s war against corruption must be seen as a heightened attempt to stem the sleaze.

The idea of NPCC sounds more like using federal might to fight a political war.

We are compelled to remind the AGF that if the war must be won, justice must also be seen to prevail.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani (Leave of Absence)

Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor n Vincent Eboigbe

Contents | 13.08.16

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam News Editor, Saturday n Ndubuisi Ugah

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Arts & Creatives n Ugochukwu Nnakwe Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

Slay blazers with chic vibes

INSTYLE

A blazer is so much more than an item of clothing that can be worn in a professional setting. They are a lot more versatile than something you pair with corporate trousers or a skirt as they easily transform casual wears to dressier ones. A good blazer should be a wardrobe staple

}15

Mystyle

Ochimana’s selective instinct Prosper Ochimana is a gospel artiste with a passion to lead people into the heart and presence of God. The recording artiste and entrepreneur speaks about his fashion philosophy, juggling several engagements at the same time and much more

}17

Interiors

Sleek centre tables Centre tables also known as coffee tables may look simple but they can enhance the look of your interior especially with their wooden touch.

Modern centre tables refer to those tables that make use of sleek lines.

They are not just appealing but are also functional

}18

The voice of A’rese

SHOWBIZ

Following her victory at the recently concluded The Voice Nigeria singing competition, Etihad Airways presented Agharese Emokpae, popularly known as A’rese, and her partner, with air tickets to Abu Dhabi. She relives the joy of that triumph, growing up, family support, music and dreams

}19

SPORT

Okwaraji’s mum’s pain It was 27 years yesterday when Sam Okwaraji died in harness playing for his beloved Nigeria at the National Stadium in Lagos. Mrs Jane Okwaraji, mother of the late Eagles midfielder, recalls the pain of that fated day and the fact that his son has been forgotten by the country he served so well

}27

THE ARTS

Heineken’s crusade Heineken, leading international premium beer, has partnered three prominent Nigerians in the arts and entertainment industry to bring the third edition of its Cities Campaign to Nigeria. This year’s campaign tagged “Shape your City” is aimed at transforming cities while broadening the imagination of new generation city dwellers

}37

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Pictures that tell stories The enigmatic Clintons on the verge of history

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lthough Bill Clinton is definitely more well-known for his forward ways, it was actually Hillary (Rodham) Clinton who made the first move. While both were in law school at Yale in 1971, Hillary Rodham was getting a stare-down from her future husband at the library, and so she decided to break the ice — a move that would forever change her life. "I was studying in the library, and Bill was standing out in the hall talking to another student — and I noticed he kept looking over at me. He had been doing a lot of that. So I stood up

News Ndubuisi Ugah, Isioma Madike, Temitope Ogunbanke, Wale Elegbede and Charles Onyekwere

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minent Nigerians, including a former Archbishop of Lagos, Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie; Chairman of Northern Elders Council (NEC), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, among others yesterday expressed divergent views over President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration that Nigeria was now poor.

While some of the commentators expressed mixed reaction, others hailed the president for his frankness in letting Nigerians know the true state of the nation’s economy.

Buhari had stated on Thursday when he received the Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof.

Babatunde Osotimehin, at the presidential villa, Abuja that Nigerians are not feeling the imapct of hardship had suddenly become poor.

The president’s declaration followed last Tuesday’s drop from its first position as the largest economy in Africa, overtaken by South Africa, which is a reflection of the dwindling state of the economy.

He had said: "It has been a very difficult year for Nigeria. Before we came to office, petroleum sold for about $100 per barrel.

Then it crashed to $37, and now oscillates between $40 and $45 per barrel. Suddenly, we're a poor country, but commitment to transparency and accountability is not making people know that there is severe shortage.”

Okogie: President should take care of Nigerians

But Okogie in his comment wondered why the

from the desk, walked over to him and said, 'If you're going to keep looking at me, and I'm going to keep looking back, we might as well be introduced. I'm Hillary Rodham.' That was it. The future political powerhouses married on October 11, 1975, at a simple, at-home ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas in the infamous brick cottage that Bill had purchased. And their union was blessed with a child, Chelsea, on February 27, 1980. In a matter of weeks, history might be made in the U.S., perhaps in the world, of a couple who would both first be presidents of a nation.

The Clintons in the early '80s

The Clintons today

Hardship: Okogie, Yakassai, Shettima, Ohanaeze, IPOB differ with Buhari l ‘FG should evolve pragmatic policies' President Buhari-led government was being economical by not telling Nigerians the real truth.

The cleric stated: “Well, it could be that Mr. President and his team are being economical with the truth or they may have been detached from the masses that brought them to power. I want to agree with those who say that his statement does not reflect the reality on ground.

“In the first place, it doesn’t mean that because the federal government is trying to beef up the economy then the whole nation should go hungry or everyone should die. That is not right.

“A good father takes care of his children and he is supposed to be the father of the nation. He must, first and foremost, take care of the children. The President is not paying a good attention to the masses that brought him to power. The country is poor and Nigerians are hungry, except of course, those of them in the government.

The truth is, they may not be feeling what we are feeling, that is why Mr. President can afford to talk that way.

“He should be told the truth the way it is; we are not only hungry but dying.

Those people that are looking after our economy, a good number of them don’t know anything about the economy.

This is the problem we are having. And a good number of people have advised him to go out for experts so that they can come and advise and tell him what to do.

“Look at what Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra

State, for example, is doing in his state. He has literally gone to the farm, cultivating and exporting all that he can. Who says that Mr. President cannot do the same?

“I even understand that he has already lifted the ban on forex, true or false, I don’t know. He didn’t study the thing before legislating. He is no more in the barracks.

He ought to come down to the grassroots. If he doesn’t come down to the grassroots, I’m afraid anything can happen any moment. “The category of people that I am afraid could give him more problems now in the country, the youth. If you watch what is happening today, attention should be paid to the youth because they are not as patient as their fathers. They are not taking it slow at all.

“What of all the money that is recovered, what are they doing with it? They reduced the number of ministers, that is good, but the money that they recouped, where is it? We want to know. A hungry man they say is an angry man. What of those in the corridors of power? Some of them are still having Owanbe, riding very expensive cars and living in expensive houses.

“Why are they supposed to be doing all that for?

However, their actions thus far are questionable. That is my take for now.”

Buhari needs time –Yakassai

On his part, Yakassai who was a former Special Adviser to ex-President Shehu Shagari in Second

Republic, said: “I doubt if it is true that President Buhari said so because recently he was reported in the media as saying that he is feeling the pains Nigerians are feeling. He said he is aware of the agony and pain that Nigerians are passing through.

He said he is aware and working hard to overcome the problem, so how can he contradict himself?

“We are all Nigerians and we can all feel the hardship in the country. Who is in Nigeria that is not feeling the pinch? There is nobody in Nigeria today who is not feeling the pinch; nobody including Aliko Dangote, who is also feeling the pinch.”

We’re all feeling the impact, says Ikedife

Commenting also, a former President-General of the apex Igbo social cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, said: “It doesn’t make sense to me to say that Nigerians are not feeling the impact of the poor economy because of his (Buhari) administration commitment. If he said he is committed to alleviate the effect of the poor economy, I can say maybe he did but to say that Nigerians are not feeling it is totally wrong.

Is he waiting to see people dropping dead on the street?

“The President should travel round the country and he will know that people are feeling the impact of the poor economy. Look at the state of our roads unrepaired and unmaintained.

How else can you say you are not feeling the impact?

Look at the cost of things; bag of rice that used to be sold for N9,000 is now selling for N18,000 to N19,000.

“Those of us who live in the village are feeling the impact of the poor economy.

Those in towns and cities may not feel it but we feel it; we feel it sufficiently. I know the number of people who come to me to beg for money for ordinary one day meal. We feel it; the impact is felt very well. But while the president may be doing his best and we appreciate his effort but it does not alleviate the hardship.”

This is what APC-led govt stands for -Shettima

For the President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shetima, said: “It means that President Buhari has demonstrated clearly our thought about his government. It is unfortunate and sad that we have a number one citizen who does not know the plight of his people.

“If the animals that live within our vicinity know that there is poverty in the land because they have no crumps to eat again, which shows that there is hunger in the land; therefore, it is sad for number one citizen in the country to open up and speak the way the president is talking. May God save our country!”

Nigerians are in misery –Okorie

An elderstateman and the National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said: “I read about

the comment in the newspaper and I was a little bit surprised that President Buhari could make such a comment. He is very determined to fight corruption but if the feedback he is getting is that people are not feeling the pains of this time, then I think the feedback is wrong.

“People are in misery, people are dying daily, so many hardworking men and women can't even feed themselves, people are being layed off daily and these are daylight occurrences. But I don't know the kind of feedback he is getting from his aides.

“One would expect him to give out soothing words of hope and encouragement to douse the tension and pain of the people. Of course, I sympathise with his government given what it met on ground but for him to say that people are not feeling the pain is quite disappointing.”

Release Kanu and be rich, IPOB insists

IPOB spokesperson, Mr. Emma Powerful, said since President Buhari took over, Nigerians had been facing hardship due to the bad policies and recycling of old people as ministers.

According to him, “the president should operate on all inclusive government no matter political party differences adding that only technocrats can revive the nation's economy.”

When contacted for comments on matter, the president General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu declined comment, but said he would respond at the appropriate time.

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News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

PDP chairmanship: Intrigues, horse-trading intensify Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

l Bode George, Agbaje divide party

ith about four days to the August 17 national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), politicking, intrigues and horse-trading among aspirants for the various positions in the party are almost at feverish pitch.

The aspirants are adopting different strategies to outwit opponents. There were reported cases of blackmail, intimidation and threat to use anti-graft agencies and security operatives to force some aspirants to drop their ambition.

But a former national officer of the party however, said there is nothing like that. “It is the delegates that will decide everything,” he said.

Those in the race for various positions in the party are demanding for a level playing fielding.

Perhaps, this might the first time since its formation in 1998 that PDP would have a competitive national convention to elect its national officers.

Previous conventions had turned out to be simply affirmation of “consensus”

candidates as party leaders often use the presidency (which was controlled by the party until last year) to force some aspirants out of contest in favour of preferred candidates.

Also, the National Working Committee (NWC) has been made more attractive with the creation of the position of two deputy national chairmen (North and South) while the six zonal vice-chairmen are now NWC members.

The national chairmanship position, which has been reserved for southern Nigeria has attracted the highest number of aspirants.

At the last count, five persons have obtained the party's nomination form to vie for the position.

They include former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, the party's governorship candidate in Lagos State in 2015, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, Chairman emeritus of Daar Communications Plc, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and former Minister of sports and Youth De-

W

velopment, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

This is the first time since 2008 such number of people is aspiring for the party's number one job.

Thought PDP had zoned the position of national chairman to the South but at a meeting of PDP South caucus in Port Harcourt two weeks ago, the office was micro-zoned to the South West.

And attempt by PDP South-West to further narrow down the contest to only aspirants from Lagos and Ogun States were rejected, thereby leaving the contest open to interested aspirants from the zone.

All the aspirants are from South West geo-political zone except Dokpesi who rejected the decision to leave other geopolitical zones from the South out of the contest.

Dokpesi who is from Edo State, South-South Nigeria, had embarked on campaign tour of states in the country immediately it was obvious that the national chairmanship position would be reserved for southern Nigeria.

The contest is seen to be

a straight battle between Bode George and Jimi Agbaje. The former governorship candidate is said to be enjoying the support of PDP governors while George enjoys the sympathy of party members who don't want the hijack of the party by the governors.

George and Agbaje’s ambitions have polarised PDP along anti-governors and pro-governors’ lines.

The former national officer who said he wants the former Deputy National Chairman to be the next national chairman of the party, said he wants impunity and imposition stamp out of PDP. “I am for Bode George because he is an old member of the party; he was a military man with lot of contacts. The governors don't want him because he is not the type of person they can control. Anybody who want good of PDP will support Bode George to be our next chairman,” he added.

George’s independent mindedness is the reason why he does not have the support of the governors.

Also some governors like

Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, said PDP needs a younger person to pilot its affairs.

But George in an earlier interview with journalists said: “The head of crocodile is not meant for a small child.”

According to him, now that PDP is no longer in power, the party needs a disciplinarian who will instill discipline among the members.

Agbaje's supporters said PDP will have a moral burden if George emerges national chairman.

Though the Court of Appeal has quashed his two years prison term, which said he was wrongly convicted for the offence he was accused of when he served as Chairman of Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), the stigma will still be there.

Apparently, that was why the former national officer who said he is support George wants PDP to change its name.

“You know some of our members have been arrested, others are being investigated by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission). Let it not be that whenever the name of PDP is mentioned people will tag it as party of

robbers!” he said.

He admitted that Dokpesi had toured parts of the north during his campaign, the source however, said the Daar Communications Chairman is not averse with the intrigues in politics.

“Dokpesi has met with state party officials but not the delegates. It is the delegates that will vote at the convention and not party officials whom he went to canvass for vote.

“There are automatic delegates like the governors, national and zonal officials, state chairmen and secretaries among others. Some other delegates emerged just yesterday (Wednesday).

“He has not yet campaigned to these people who will form the bulk of delegates that will vote at the convention.

“Besides, Dokpesi still has a case in court and we will not like to have a chairman who will be distracted by court cases,” he explained.

He said there is no need forcing either Adeniran or Adedoja to step down because they have not been identified with any serious block in the party that might cause some upset.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

5

Biafra: I’m open to negotiation with FG –Kanu

...denies ties with MEND lOnitsha agog as IPOB insists on Biafra liberation

Yekeen Nurudeen, Charles Onyekwere, and Okegwo Kenechukwu

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new twist emerged yesterday as the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, said he was willing to enter into negotiation with the Federal Government to secure his release as well as end the political upheaval his continued incarceration has caused.

This came as the Biafra activist also denied having any ties with the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), which purportedly engaged in a negotiation on his behalf with the Federal Government.

Speaking through his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu said: “He is not averse to political solution, in resolving his present politically orchestrated ordeal.”

Ejiofor who addressed a press conference in Abuja yesterday, however, said the IPOB leader would not renounce his ideology for him to be released, noting that IPOB was bigger than him.

He said: “Kanu will not renounce his ideology, IPOB is bigger than him, he cannot say yes or no to renouncing it. But he is open to political resolutions of the problem. Nobody has ap-

proached him for negotiation where he is kept.

“The issue of IPOB is beyond him, he is open to negotiation, we are not against discussion on this issue. A political solution will be easily achieved than legal solution but Kanu must be released unconditionally.”

While reacting to media reports that the IPOB leader and MEND were negotiating with the Federal Government, Ejiofor said Kanu had no connection, contact, ties or any form of relationship with the members of MEND. “MEND has no implied, direct or express authority of Nnamdi Kanu to represent him or IPOB in any purported negotiation going on between MEND and the Federal Government.

“The general public is accordingly advised to ignore, discountenance and disregard the falsehood being peddled by MEND. Nnamdi Kanu does not know them,” he said.

On the way forward, Ejiofor said: “Kanu welcomes genuine political solution to this case. The Federal Government does not need to sponsor their representatives to travel to far away Bayelsa State or the creeks of Niger Delta region in order to reach Kanu.

“They know where they kept him, which is easily accessible to them. Nnamdi Kanu has people of proven integrity and unimpeccable character that will negotiate on his behalf based on

his demands when communication to this effect is established.”

Similarly, the IPOB said yesterday that the release of 20 members of the group, who were detained since February 9 in Aba, Abia State, has given the members a moral boost.

The members were released by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia state, The Federal Government, through the AGF had ordered the court to release the detained IPOB members who were arrested in Aba High School, on February 9, during their prayer rally and charged to court.

But buoyed by this development, the group stated that it received the released members back to the fold with open arms and have restated that the struggle cannot be swept under the carpet.

A statement signed by the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, noted that in spite of the persecution and intimidation they suffered in prison cells, the released members were not daunted.

“The IPOB worldwide under the leadership of Kanu who is still in illegal detention welcomes the long detained members of the group in Aba High School since February 9.

“We welcome them and thank to God Almighty (Chukwuokike Abiama) who gave them power to bear the persecution, intimidation meted upon

them in the police cells by the security agents before their release.

“The Nigeria government and security agents charged them with two counts charges of conspiracy to levy war against the Federal Government of Nigeria, and levying war against Nigeria thereby engaging the army, police and other security agents in conflicts.

“Although 19 people were released while one of them was released before now with the efforts made by his family members, however, we are calling on the Federal Government to release our members who are still languishing in different prisons and security cells in the country.

“The IPOB commends the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and all those with common sense who understand that all those arrested in Aba must be released because our quest is the restoration of Biafra not to take over the rulership of Nigeria,” the organisation explained.

“IPOB is a liberation movement dedicated to the self determination of the indigenous people of Biafra in line with universally acclaimed processes and procedure. Having launched Biafra exit, IPOB is fully committed to pursing a referendum to determine once and for all time the issue of the sovereignty of Biafra.

“The same way the British government of David Cameron allowed the Scot-

tish nation to freely choose if they want to be part of the UK or not and most recently Brexit that culminated in the exit of Britain from the EU, we IPOB will continue to ask the civilised world to prevail upon Buhari to allow Biafrans to freely choose where they wish to belong."

MASSOB, BIM elders’council fault Delta monarchs Dominic Adewole, ASABA

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embers of the elders’ council of the Movement for the Actialisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) yesterday described as “unfortunate” the stance of some traditional rulers and political leaders in the Igbo speaking axis of Delta State.

This came after Governor Ifeanyi Okowa disassociated the state from the Biafra agitation at his maiden press briefing in Government House, Asaba.

The elders wondered why the monarchs and

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PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUEMENISAN

Anule Emmanuel, ABUJA

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has assured youths in the country to remain steadfast as his government continues to take steps that will improve their lives.

The President emphasised that the administration belonged to the youth, noting that: “This government belongs to you.”

Buhari: My govt belongs to Nigerian youths

President Buhari stated this yesterday in a message to mark the international youth day celebration.

The President who praised the talents of youths in the country and the capacity they have exhibited in nation building, said a number of programmes had been lined up to assist them live a better life.

He said: “We have launched a number of initia-

tives targeted at expanding the economic opportunities available to young Nigerians. Ware mindful of the fact that Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world.

“Those young people are immensely energetic and talented, consistently blazing the trail in the arts, sports, business and technology. We are proud of what you have done and what you are able

to do.”

President Buhari also praised Nigerian youth for the roles they played in the election that brought his government to power saying it will never be forgotten.

“I would like to use this opportunity to assure you of our commitment to improving the quality of your lives and to creating opportunities for you to achieve your dreams and ambitions.”

FG sets up 20-man c’ttee to concession Nigeria railways Anule Emmanuel, ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday inaugurated a 20-man committee for the concessioning of the eastern and western lines of the Nigeria Railways.

Government said the decision part of the administra-

tion's commitment to spur a transformation of the railway infrastructure in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, who inaugurated the committee at the presidential villa in Abuja, said the purpose of the committee was to create a one-stop shop for the concession, fast track the process and beat bureaucratic bottlenecks.

The steering committee

on the concession of the nation’s railway is headed by the Transportation Minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

Osinbajo charged the committee to be innovative, while also urging the members to remove whatever obstacles that stand in the way of a smooth concessioning process, with the hope that it would meet its deadlines and end up “to be an example of how it should

be done.”

“I think this steering committee is extremely important, because we have tried to bring together everybody that should be involved in this (concessioning) project in order to see to it that we deliver quickly and efficiently in a manner that justifies Federal Government’s expense in the project," he said.

the politicians were shying away from their true identity under acute marginalisation by the Federal Government.

They maintained that the ongoing persecution, humiliation and intimidation of their supporters and officials by the Federal Government of Nigeria and in certain quarters of Delta North Senatorial District of the state, would not deterred the group from realising the vision.

A member of the elders’ council of BIM, Chief Larry Odinmah, alongside his Zonal Leader in the state, Mr. Chinedu Amaifeobu, explained how traditional rulers and the political class scuttled the struggle in 1967.

Budget padding: Jibrin drags IGP, police to court Philip Nyam, ABUJA

President Buhari (left) and the pioneer Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of traditional rulers, Chief W.S. Joshua Igbugburu X, at the State House in Abuja… on Thursday.

In Onitsha, Anambra State, came the report that the released IPOB members were given a red-carpet reception.

Powerful, who confirmed the red-carpet reception in a statement, however, did not disclose the venue of the even but maintained that they welcome them home.

acts have emerged that the embattled former chairman of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin has put in motion moves to starve off any arrest by the security agencies and stop impending suspension by the House.

Consequently, Jibrin has filed two separate suits at the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the police or EFCC from arresting him and arraigning him in court as well as preventing the House from reconvening and suspending him.

Jibrin’s decision to file the suits on Thursday, Saturday Telegraph gathered may not be unconnected with reports that the EFCC may any time from now arraign him before a court over charges of alleged fraud, corruption, diversion of public funds, money laundering, among others.

In the suit with reference No; FHC/ABJ/CS/539, seeking to restrain the police or any of the security agencies from arresting him, Jibrin has joined as defendants, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the House of Representatives, Clerk to the House of Representatives, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner, Deputy Speaker Suleiman Lasun, Chief Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader Hon. Leo Ogor and 10 other members of the House.

Similarly, in another suit with reference No; FHC/ABJ/ CS/595 against the House of Representatives, the Speaker and others, Jibrin is among other things seeking an order of the court stopping the House from suspending him pending the determination of the substantive suit.

In an affidavit deposed in the Court, Jibrin said if the respondents/defendants "are not immediately restrained, he would be suspended as a member of the House and this will greatly prejudice him and thousands of his constituents who rely on him to afford them their due representations in the Federal legislature.”

In the said affidavit, the sacked appropriations committee chairman said he was aware that they held meetings wherein they agreed to urgently reconvene the House which is currently on recess with a desperate agenda to suspend him as a member of the House.

This latest suit, however, contradicts the series of statements released by Jibrin, in which he called for the reconvening of the House to address the allegations he raised against the Speaker and 13 others.

Contrary to claims by the former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Hon. Jibrin that he was invited to shed light on his petition, details have emerged that he was actually grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over several petitions against him.

Sources at the commission say Jibrin was summoned to answer questions over allegations of money laundering, fraudulent diversion of contracts in his Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency and sundry petitions against him.

It was learnt that the antigraft agency might have resurrected the money laundering case against Jibrin which was dropped in 2012 in a rather controversial circumstances.

It will be recalled that Jibrin was arraigned along with former Nasarawa state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma over N15 billion money laundering allegations.

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News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Sheriff: I won't negotiate away our political interest

L-R: Divisional Police Officer, Ilasamaja, Lagos State, Mrs. Titilayo Oriyomi Oluwasanmi; the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Sole Administrator, Isolo LCDA, Mrs. Abimbola Osikoya; Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, during the arrest of illegal oil bunkers at Abeokuta Street, Ilasamaja…yesterday

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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PHOTO: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Fuel scarcity looms as NNPC, NPA differ on N5bn debt

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Paul Ogbuokiri igeria's fragile economy faces another threat of scarcity of petroleum products as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is restraining berthing of ships contracted by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) due to over N5billion indebtedness.

Sources at the NPA said yesterday that NNPC’s debt would have been higher but was reduced by a rebate of about 30 per cent the authority granted to the state oil company.

One of the contracted shipping companies bringing products said to be owned by a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

also owes the NPA a whopping sum of $2 million.

Saturday Telegraph that the ports authority is also insisting on collecting its dollar payments in dollars as against the move by some of the debtors to pay in naira at any exchange rate which is not certain owing to fluctuations in the foreign exchange market.

Vessels owned by the indebted PDP chieftain’s company and other ships laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) are presently seeking berthing space at Capital Oil Jetty in Ibafon Lagos.

Aware that its insistence on collecting it monies before the vessels discharge may lead to fuel scarcity, as the NPA appears unwilling to change its position, saying NNPC have not shown

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as ONYEKE MERCY NWAKAEGO now wish to be known and addressed as OKWOR CHARITY NWAKAEGO. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

NWAKAEGO

testimony

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ezemegwalu

amusan-oloko

I formerly known as MRS. WURAOLA ADEROJU AMUSAN, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MRS. WURAOLA ADEROJU AMUSANOLOKO. All documents reflecting my former name remains valid. The general public please take note.

gloria

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IGHEDOSE

I formerly known as MISS MODINAT ADEJUMOKE BAKARE henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MODINAT ADEJUMOKE ANTHONY. All documents reflecting my former name remains valid. The general public please take note.

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This is to notify the general public that the names OKEH SOMUAYINA EMMANUEL and PRINCE SOMUAYINA OKEH refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as PRINCE SOMUAYINA OKEH EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, Fidelity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

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OKI

I, formerly known and addressed as OKI SHEMAIAH now wish to be known and addressed as OKI SHEMAIAH ENIMENI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

enough commitments to pay up.

Saturday Telegraph further learnt that the NPA, under the new management led by Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman, has commenced serious debt recovery drive aimed at addressing chains of indebtedness spanning between one and ten years.

Usman told some terminal operators in Calabar on Thursday that NPA will ensure maximum collection of all fees due to the government while urging them to stick to the terms of agreements entered with government.

“Is good time for us to compare capital dredging and maintenance dredging,” she said.

Terminal operators who had paid fees to NPA

in naira in June this year have had their money returned with NPA insisting that the payments be made in United States Dollars as specified.

Meanwhile, NPA’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu has said that the ports authority has written to NNPC to pay the debt, saying he hopes it does not get to a point NPA will be forced to cut off it services to the state oil company.

“We are following it procedurally. We have written to them to meet their debt obligation to us. We just hope that it does not get to the point that we will be forced to cut off our services from them and that means that their vessels will be stopped from berthing.”

actional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff said he would not accept anything that will affect his political interest and that of his supporters in the current effort to resolve the leadership crisis in the party.

Sheriff who spoke when he received in audience, executive committee members of Yobe State chapter of the PDP, said he had met with members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and some PDP governors in a bid to resolve the crisis but noted that "that does not mean that we are going to agree on anything that will affect our integrity, followership and our political interests."

The factional chairman stated that if former President Goodluck Jonathan had listened to the advice, PDP would have won Borno and Yobe states in the 2015 general elections.

“But unfortunately whatever God decides, we will accept it and we cannot do otherwise. Yobe and Borno are one and they will remain forever. I am following the trends of events in Yobe very well and I believe that PDP should never have lost Yobe State at all,” he stressed.

Six die in Hausa/Fulani, residents clash in Imo

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ix persons were yesterday feared dead after a violent clash erupted in Akokwa community in Ideato North Local Gov-

Nigeria to review Foreign Direct Investment strategy

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inister of Interior in Nigeria, General Abdulrahman Danbazzau (rtd), yesterday said he would soon set up a committee that would come up with solutions on how to fast track the nation’s investment inflows.

When established, the committee will review issues of delays associated with the issuance of visas to prospective investors into Nigeria, according to Channels TV reports.

At a meeting with key government officials in Abuja on Friday, General Danbazau expressed hopes that the initiative would lead to an upward increase in the nation’s foreign direct investment.

The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Interior, with special focus on how to remove barriers to doing business in Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister Trade and Invest-

ment, Okechukwu Enelema and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service were in attendance.

Each of them promised to ensure that they speed up all processes that would help prospective investors come into Nigeria.

Earlier in May, Enelamah had said one of the key priorities of the government was to promote the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Enelamah made the statement during a public hearing on two consolidated bills organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce to ensure fairness in economic activities in Nigeria.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill seeks to establish a commission to regulate competitive activities in every sector of the economy.

Pope Francis meets 20 former prostitutes

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ope Francis left the Vatican yesterday to visit a Catholic charity that is giving shelter to women rescued from forced prostitution, the Vatican has said.

Francis met 20 women at the Community Papa Giovanni XXIII in Rome, including six from Romania, four from Albania, seven from Nigeria and the rest, each from Tunisia, Italy and Ukraine.

In another development, a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has denied the rumour making the rounds that he is also vying for the PDP chairmanship job.

Daniel, who took to his official Twitter handle yesterday to confirm that he is not running, thanked those who had been mounting pressure on him to run, but politely rejected the call.

At exactly 1.34 pm yesterday, @JustusOGD wrote: “PDP Chairmanship: I thank all those who wanted me to run and the pressure on me to lead the party.

Thanks, but no thanks”.

Earlier, there were reports that Daniel had stepped down for Chief Raymond Dokpesi, when the duo met recently in the Shagamu. But his supporters, including Senator Buruji Kashamu, denied the report, expecting OGD to throw his hat into the ring.

However, a group of Daniel’s supporters, The Reformers, led by one John Adenekan, has backed the decision of the former governor not to run, saying they respect his decision.

Meanwhile, an aspirant to the position of National Publicity Secretary in the November 17 national convention, Kola Ologbodiyan said there is no crisis in the PDP.

"Today's visit by Pope Francis is another call to conscience to fight the trafficking of human beings, which the Holy Father has on several occasions defined as 'a crime against humanity," a statement said.

This year, on one Friday per month, the pope pays special visits to honour the Jubilee of Mercy, an 11-month Catholic festival that ends in November.

ernment Area of Imo State in south eastern Nigeria.

Though it was not clear what led to the clash, according to Channels TV reports, investigations, however, revealed that the clash was between some Hausa/ Fulani and some indigenes of the host community.

Meanwhile, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has ordered the immediate fortification of the five cells at the Minimum Prison, Nsukka.

The directive follows the jail break incident in the prison in which 15 inmates in the Awaiting Trial Men Cell escaped as six of them have been recaptured.

The Nsukka incident came barely two weeks after 13 inmates escaped from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Prison in Kogi State.

Ugwuanyi who spoke during an inspection tour of the prison to ascertain what caused the incident, was received by the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons incharge of Enugu State, Mr Lawrence Felix.

Addressing the prison officials, he ordered the immediate release of N1.5 million for the fortification of the five cells in the prison to avert such incident from reoccurring.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Pipeline vandalism: Lagos seals 10 houses

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Muritala Ayinla

he Lagos State Government yesterday sealed 10 houses suspected to be used by oil bunkers to syphon petroleum product from the pipelines in Ilasamaja area of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.

Saturday Telegraph gathered that each of the houses which were usually occupy at night by tankers have diesel in their domestic well.

The police, in a crime bursting format, also arrested five persons in connection with the crime.

The syndicate, who are residents of the densely populated suburb, were exposed by the eagle eye of the Divisional Police Officer of Ilasa, Oriyomi Oluwasanni, a Superintendent of Police, who acting on intelligence swooped on them.

It was gathered that the DPO had gone undercover, pretending to be a buyer of the ill - gotten petroleum products, lured them before she and her men arrested them.

A visit to Abeokuta Close, off Ibadan Street, Ilasa, revealed that virtually all houses in the close had water-wells turned into oil wells, from which they ran a well-oiled operation.

Checks also revealed that the suspects had connected water pumps into the wells, from which they pump the products, suspected to be diesel, into an overhead tanks.

From the overhead

...Police smash syndicate, arrest five tanks, the suspects then run into jerrycans and then sell them off to buyers under the cover of darkness.

One of the landladies, who was arrested by the police, Mrs. Moji Adeshina, of 10, Abeokuta Street, was said to have even given quit notice to her tenants to afford her the privacy to run her business.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai

Owoseni, who was at the scene, said the residents had been advised to relocate because of the danger the oil wells portend for their safety.

Owoseni went for an onthe-spot assessment of the area in the company with Oluwasanni; Area D Commander, ACP Gyadiayadi Salisu; Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu; the state Police Public Relations Offi-

cer, SP Dolapo Badmus and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Michael Akindele.

In an interview with journalists afterwards he said, "The Ilasa DPO had gathered intelligence that some houses had diesel where the landlords do illegal oil business.

“The landlady of one of the houses on Abeokuta Street was also selling the vandalised product. She sent

BENIN

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ultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday urged leaders across the country to strive towards protection and effective care of the citizens devoid of biases as a people of one indivisible entity, creation and background.

He noted that what the nation needs most in the present state of her sociopolitical-economic situation is for religious and political leaders to work relentlessly and collaboratively to be their brothers’ keepers.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House ahead of the annual meeting of the council holding today in Benin City, the monarch said as Nigerians, the citizens irrespective of race and religion must live together as one because God who created all to stay together knew why he chose it as such since He does not make any mistake.

Abubakar, who is the president of the Nigerian

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Mrs. Moji Adesina, said: “It's true that they found diesel in my well but I never sold it. I noticed it three weeks ago and I haven't touched it."

When she was asked why she didn't report to the police and why she sent her tenants out, she said: “The house belongs to my late husband and was transferred to me after his death. It was a well we use for water but later diesel started coming out of it.”

Another suspect, one Tajudeen Bamiloye, of no 11 Abeokuta Street, said: “I came on my own to report the well to the police. I am the landlord of one of the houses in question.

“My tenants called me about the well. When I got there and saw the diesel inside the wall, I moved straight to report to the police. I am not an oil vandal.”

The other vandals, Mrs. Tayo Agboola, and Chinyere Nnadi, a landlady and tenant respectively, denied culpability, adding that they stayed off the well once they noticed the diesel.

Edo guber: Court strikes out Iduoriyekemwen’s application

A Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III (left) and Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, during a visit of the Sultan and members of NSCIA to the governor, in Benin City…yesterday

Place priority on protection of citizens, Sultan tells leaders Cajetan Mmuta

all her tenants out and has been doing the business illegally.

“They are all aware and she is one of the landladies that lives there and connected pipes to the wells with a pumping machine.

“Some of the tenants have denied culpability.

How can they live here in the midst of oil and keep quiet. This is a disaster. If this catches fire, it will be disastrous because the area is densely populated.

“After now, the Lagos State Government will make an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to decide what to do with the diesel found in these wells.

“Already, the personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) are at the wells to collect sample and test the quality of the diesel.

“As investigation progresses, we will track the buyers of the products and also arrest them. Already, we are ferreting information from the suspects arrested.”

One of the landladies,

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Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said: “When God Almighty put us together, He did not make a mistake because God doesn't make mistake. He had a reason for putting us together and for us as His creation we must strive to live as one.

“By your agreeing to host this meeting you have strengthened the ties that bind all of us together as Nigerians. That is exactly what we want to see other leaders do. And for us, we must live decently, live with one another to the best of

our ability as our religions dictates to us. Let us all be our brothers' keeper so that our country will develop.”

He told Oshiomhole that: “We are here to pay this courtesy visit to further thank the governor for all that he had been doing since you assumed office in this state. ‘‘By your acceptance to hold this meeting you have shown the whole world that yes, Benin or Edo is traditional-Christian state with of course Moslem minority but you have taken it upon yourself to host us to further

strengthen the ties that bind all of us together as Nigerians in this great country.”

Abubakar while commending the governor for his giant strides since assumption of office, said: “We have seen tremendous changes from the Edo we use to know and we believe that such changes can only come from people who are committed to making the lives of people better, God Almighty will always uplift such leader. We urge you to continue to work for the state and Nigeria as a whole.”

Buhari hails Odigie-Oyegun at 77 Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, as he marks his 77th birthday.

President Buhari in statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, joined OdigieOyegun’s family, friends

and admirers, in celebrating the party chieftain’s birthday.

He described Oyegun as a man who has shown uncommon dedication to the peace, progress, stability and development of Nigeria.

The President commended his patriotism, hardwork and leadership in managing the affairs of the governing party through the period and in the aftermath of the historic

2015 elections.

President Buhari affirmed that Oyegun’s dedication to noble causes and democratic ideals had indeed endeared him to many Nigerians who would continue to draw inspiration from his legacies to offer their best for the country.

The President prayed that God Almighty would grant him many more years of happiness and good health to see a better and prosperous Nigeria.

n Abuja High Court yesterday struck out the application of Mr. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urging the court to dismiss Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu's suit Ize-Iyamu won the governorship primaries of the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP while Iduoriyekemwen won under Ali Modu Sheriff-led PDP. Ize-Iyamu sued INEC to explain whether the commission could substitute his name for another if he was not dead or tender a formal withdrawal to contest.

At the resumed hearing, Iduoriyekemwen’s counsel, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, told the court that he had filed

an application for joinder and a preliminary objection urging it to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit.

Oluyede, however, withdrew the preliminary application seeking to dismiss the suit and his application was not opposed.

Ize-Iyamu’s counsel, Mr. Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application for being incompetent and a waste of time to the court.

Orbih told the court that there was no reason why INEC shouldn’t have filed its processes.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi struck out Iduoriyekemwen’s preliminary objection, which asked the court to dismiss Ize-Iyamu’s suit.

UNWTO condemns attacks on tourist sites in Thailand Andrew Iro Okungbowa

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s the world and people of Thailand are still struggling to grasp the reality of the attacks on a number of tourist attractions in Thailand, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), has condemned the attacks, describing it as hideous acts, which the world must stand against.

Speaking for the international tourism community, the Secretary General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, in a statement issued yesterday, said: “Thailand is one of the most consolidated tourism destination in the world. A destination where people of

all cultures unite and enjoy tourism and its strong potential to foster development.”

Rifai, who heads the world body for tourism development, also insisted that the attacks would not deter tourism not even UNWTO, which as long slated Thailand as the official host of this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD), disclosing that UNWTO is continuing with its plans to gather in the country come September 27.

“We are fully confident that this will continue to be the case and we look forward to meet in Bangkok next 27 September for the official World Tourism Day celebrations,” he said.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Tension as Fulani herdsmen sack communities in Enugu Okegwo Kenechukwu,

T ONITSHA

he Federated Opi Town Union in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to urgently mobilise security men to Opi Agu autonomous community to save the people from further attacks by Fulani herdsmen who have invaded their farm lands and sacked them from their homes.

Addressing Opi general Assembly in Anambra State, the President General, Dr. Samuel Ugwuoti, said the call had become imperative in view of the security of lives and property in the area.

Represented by the Secretary General of the town union, Mr. Uche Agama, Dgwuoti said the situation was worrisome as it might degenerate into a serious cri-

sis if not checked, adding that the sacked residents are now refugees in their neighbouring communities.

On his part the traditional prime minister of Opi community, Ezeopi Vincent Ugwuanyi, also raised the alarm over the invasion, saying the

state government should save the people before more lives are lost.

Ezeopi said over 2, 000 inhabitants of the area are now hiding while some had fled the area.

He told the stakeholders of the town that he had also

petitioned Governor Ugwuanyi and the state police commissioner over the matter, warning that if nothing urgent was done the situation might degenerate to bloodshed or breakdown of law and order.

He said the community does not want bloodshed even

L-R: President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Austin Alegeh; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tanbuwal, at the inauguration of the NBA House, in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

LG elections: ‘No parallel primaries in Ogun APC’ Kunle Olayeni, ABEOKUTA

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State yesterday denied that parallel primaries were held anywhere in the state ahead of the October 8 local government elections.

The party described as lies and misleading reports that parallel primaries were held in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of the state by the camps of Governor Ibikunle Amosun and that of the Senator representing Lagos West, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi.

A statement issued by Adeyemi Mukaila and Salako John, the APC Ward Chairman and Leader respectively in Idogo Ward, Yewa South Local Government Area, noted that

the report was untrue.

The parallel primaries reportedly produced Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi and Jimoh Taiwo respectively as the chairmanship candidates for the forthcoming local government poll.

But according to the statement, the only congress held in Ilaro, the political and administrative headquarters of Ogun West Senatorial District, resulted in the emergence of Mrs. Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi, having defeated Tajudeen Adebiyi and Rasaq Taiwo, who polled two votes each.

They faulted the claim that the state party executives were not represented at the primary election, saying the APC Youth Leader in the state, Kayode Olurin, witnessed the exercise which produced Ajayi.

They said: “It is necessary to set the record straight in respect of the tissues of lies being fed the public that factional congresses produced two candidates in Yewa South; that

party leaders were not present at the only primaries held and that security personnel were not present.

“The fact remains nothing but the fact that Mr. Taiwo Jimoh, who is said to be laying claim to emerging as a factional candidate from the camp of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, did not make it to the local government level, having been defeated at his Ward III shadow election before the final primaries.

“Putting lies to the allusion that no party stalwart was present at the primaries, the signatories to the statement named Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Egunjobi Babatunde, Alhaji Adetunji Idowu and Mrs. Amudat Ajibogun, as some attendees at the primaries.”

Mukaila and John also expressed dismay at the role of the Transition Committee Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, Akeem Tiamiyu, who is being accused of hobnobbing with the antiAmosun camp in the party.

component, both parties - NSIA and Old Mutual agreed to make commitments for an initial special purpose vehicle size of $50 million ahead of targeted size of up to $200million, with deal origination and execution to be undertaken jointly by NSIA and UFF Agric- Fund.

Speaking at the ceremony, Adeosun said the agreement was in line with economic diversification initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

She said: “Today’s groundbreaking announcement between NSIA and Old Mutual investment group of South Africa marks a critical milestone towards delivering on NSIA’s broader mandate to invest in key sectors of Nigeria economy.

“It's consistent with the administration’s concerted efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy away from oil and attract investments in to other core sectors which can stimulate sustainable growth", she said.

S’Africa firm okays $700m investment in Nigeria’s real estate, agric Abdulwahab Isa,

N ABUJA

igeria's ailing economy is to be deepened with investments totaling $700million split between agriculture and real estate development, courtesy of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and South Africa based Investment group, Old Mutual Investment.

A formal signing of transaction documents kicking off the investments was concluded yesterday in Abuja with the Minister of finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, a representative from the National Assembly and senior officials both from NSIA and Old Mutual in attendance.

Under the real estate agreement, the objective is to invest $500 million in commercial and retail assets. The vehicle is expected to have initial commitment of up to $100 million both from NSIA and Old Mutual, targeting a total commitment size of $500 million with deal origination and execution to be undertaken jointly by both parties.

For the agriculture investment

as he called on the federal and state governments to quickly come to the aid of the people, adding that the community will not want a repeat of the Nimbo Uzouwani massacre.

Shedding more light on the issue, the traditional ruler of Opi Agu community, Chief

Ortom orders residents on flood-prone areas to vacate Cephas Iorhemen, MAKURDI

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ollowing an earlier warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) of an impending flood disaster which would affect Benue State among other states, the Governor, Samuel Ortom, has directed people residing along the banks of Rivers Benue, Katsina-Ala and Buruku to vacate those areas in view of the impending flood.

Giving the order yesterday while inspecting flood-prone areas and

drainage channels in Makurdi, the governor said residents of Agatu, Guma, Makurdi, Buruku, Gwer-West and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas should heed the warning.

He said even as the state government had taken steps towards avoiding the repeat of the 2012 flood disaster, those residing in flood- prone areas should not wait for the rivers to overflow their banks before moving out.

The governor warned residents of Makurdi and other towns against blocking drainage channels with empty water sachets and plastic containers, stressing that such acts made many areas to be prone to flooding.

FCT Fayemi mourns Adu

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has condoned with the family of the late Mr. Ayodele Adu, on the death of the late Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters, which occurred on Friday.

Fayemi said he was shocked and saddened by the death of Adu, who served in his government on the Board of Fountain Investment Company Limited, describing it as a personal loss to him and a major, loss to the party and government of Nigeria.

He said Adu’s death has robbed the APC, Ekiti State chapter, of another prominent member, and compounded its grief, especially coming closely on the heels of the death of Chief Ibidapo Awojolu and Alhaji Femi Ganiyu Adeyemi.

NEWS I N BR I E F

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Pius Agbo, expressed regret that the Fulani herdsmen were currently unleashing terror on his subjects, while also appealing to the governor to come to the rescue of the community.

He said: “Some of the residents who reported the matter to the palace alleged that the herdsmen and their cattle had destroyed their farm crops running into millions of naira while some of the herdsmen harvest their cassava to feed their cattle and had also threatened to kill anybody who dared to challenge them.

“The community will continue to toe the part of peace but their position to maintain peace and mutual co-existence with the Hausa Fulani herdsmen should not be taken as weakness or for granted adding that they will have no option than to defend themselves if they no longer feel safe.”

On his part, the former Secretary to Enugu State Government under military administration and the traditional ruler of Ogbozalla Opi Community, Chief Fabian Ogbebor, called for urgent government intervention, describing the situation as unacceptable.

He said the community would not resort to violence but regretted that the issue of Fulani herdsmen in and around the communities in the state was becoming a source of worry to the people especial when they threaten people’s lives with impunity.

The monarch recalled that the herdsmen had a settlement at Idodio Eqwegbe, a neighbouring community where they have lived for over 20 years but had maintained a cordial relationship with the people.

He said the recent attack on people particularly on the people of Enugu State calls for serious investigation and government intervention.

Hajj stampede: Shettima renames pilgrims complex after El-miskin

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n honour of one of the victims of the 2015 Hajj stampede, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, has renamed the office complex used by the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, after Prof. Tijjani El-miskin, who died alongside hundreds of victims from across the world during a stampede on their way to the 'Jamrat' for stoning the Devil, an obligatory rite in hajj, on the outskirts of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

El-miskin died in his official capacity as chairman of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Speaking on Thursday in Maiduguri, before inauguration of Sheikh

Goni Gapchia, as new chairman, Shettima extolled the virtues of the deceased chairman and promised the govt continued support for his family.

He announced that the building where the Pilgrims Board is located would be known as “Prof. Tijjani Elmiskin Memorial Complex.”

The building was commissioned by then Vice President Namadi Sambo shortly before he flagged off the 2013 national hajj airlift in Maiduguri, which held on September 14, 2013.

Shettima called on the chairman and members of the reconstituted board to come up with internal steps aimed at safeguarding pilgrims from the state with regard to the 2015 Hajj stampede.

Forgery: Four brothers bag 72 months

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our brothers are to spend the next 72 months behind bars in Lagos for forging the official stamp and signature of a Lagos High Court registrar.

The men are Abayomi Oluwa, 64; Ismaila Oluwa, 69; Tajudeen Oluwa, 60; and Musa Oluwa, 58.

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which handed down the verdict, sentenced each of them to 18 months for forgery and eight months for conspiracy.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Adesanya, however, did not give the convicts option of fine.

He said: “From the evidences and

facts provided before the court, the accused were not truthful in their evidences and testimonies; they are, therefore, found guilty of the offences. ``You are hereby sentenced to 18 months in prison for forgery and eight months jail term for conspiracy each without an option of fine; the sentences should run concurrently.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the men were first arraigned on June 30, 2014 on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

The Oluwas all pleaded not guilty and were granted bail each in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Gombe govt, BoI sign N360m solar power pact Amadi Nnamdi,

G ABUJA

ombe State Government and the Bank of Industry (BoI) yesterday signed N360m deal for the deployment of pay-as-yougo solar home systems in selected rural communities in the state.

The project, which is expected to commence with the deployment of standalone solar home systems in Lule 1 and 2 communities in Dukku Local Government Area and Pata community in Yemaltu Debba, would be co-funded by BoI and Gombe State Government with each contributing N180 million.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Gombe, the Acting Managing Director of BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said the project would boost economic activities in the benefiting communities.

He said the problem of electricity supply from the national grid in Nigeria underscored the need to explore other sources of power generation.

It would be recalled that Gombe State was one of the states that benefitted from the first phase of the BoI/ UNDP rural electrification

programme involving one community in each of the six geopolitical zones The success of the project had prompted Governor Ibrahim Damkambo to seek its replication in other nine local government areas of the state.

Olagunju said: “The persistent problem of electricity supply from the national grid in Nigeria has made it imperative to explore alternative power supply options to lift Nigeria and its rural communities in particular, out of darkness and provide them a new lease of life afforded by the presence of not only reliable, but clean and sustainable energy.”

He called on other state governors to replicate the solar systems in off-grid communities in their states.

Olagunju said it had been stories of improved livelihood, better living condition and economic rejuvenation in the communities where the first phase of the projects was executed.

Olagunju added: These communities with an average of 200 homes each hitherto had no electricity and lived in darkness. But since the provision of solar electricity, the lives of the inhabitants of these communities have changed dramatically.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sport to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and Super Falcons and Arsenal Ladies star, Azeezat Oshoala, during Oshoala’s courtesy visit to the governor’s wife, at Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday PHOTO: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

Boko Haram: NEMA reunites 200 displaced children in Borno l US pledges $37m aid for victims

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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday said it had reunited more than 200 children Internally Displaced Children (IDPs) with their parents.

Mr. Sa’ad Bello, the Head of Operations, Adamawa and Taraba office of the agency, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.

Bello said that the successful reunification was

conducted with the collaboration of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under Restoring Family Link Programme.

He said that the children, mostly between ages five and 12, were from Bama and Baga in Borno State.

“Meanwhile, we still have about 165 unaccompanied children in four designated camps in Adamawa,” he said.

The official said some families from Bama visited some IDPs camps in Yola

Plateau set to produce 6, 975 metric tonnes of rice –Lalong Musa Pam,

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lateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has indicated that 6, 975 metric tonnes of rice will be harvested in

the 2016 cropping season from Plateau farmlands.

Lalong said this in Ajikamai, Shendam Local Government Area of the state, where he inaugurated the Fadama III rice production by Fadama clusters.

He said: “From expert estimation, 6,975 metric tonnes

Hotelier charges govt on enabling environment, taxation

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Stanley Ihedigbo he Nigerian government has been charged to create the enabling environment for the hospitality sector to thrive as this would attract more players and investors to the sector while the country benefits from the returns, especially in the area of taxation if properly measured and captured.

This charge was given by the Chief Executive Officer of The Home Guest and Suites, Mr. Adetunji Adegboyega, during the formal opening ceremony of the Lagos – based hospitality outfit.

According to him, hospitality is a big business in Nigeria and for it to thrive and attract more investors, the government needs to make the environment more conducive as the present operating environment is very challenging.

He disclosed that as a

booming sector the nation stands to gain from it especially in the areas of job creation and revenue yield through taxation. He said that the problem with taxation in the country was not that businesses were not willing to pay taxes as at when due.

But, the failure of the government to streamline the existing tax regime. This had made it more cumbersome for many operators to pay.

Despite the challenging environment, Adegboyega said it was his passion for the sector that motivated his investment in the guesthouse, which he said is devoted to serving the people by providing excellent facilities and services.

“We built The Home Guest and Suites to make people relax as if they are in their homes. It is not expensive considering the facilities and services we offer.

This is a company that has come to reposition the hospitality business in Nigeria,” he said.

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of rice will be harvested during 2016 season. This is a giant stride towards attaining food sufficiency not only in Plateau but the country in general.”

According to him, the state Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with Fadama III project had disbursed rice seeds to 1,395 beneficiaries in the state.

Lalong said: “This gesture will translate to the cultivation of 1,395 hectares put together.

He said the state government would continue to build stronger bridges between agricultural sector and the rest of the economy.”

He said the Fadama project had stimulated the government to establish processing plants for rice and tomato through public private partnership arrangement.

He noted that the state was endowed with 100,000 hectares of Fadama farm lands, cleared and suitable for rice production.

He said the state also had 200,000 hectares of all-season farm land suitable for tomato production.

Lalong stated that his administration was desirous to reduce poverty among the people of Plateau State and attain food sufficiency.

He said the state government had promptly paid arrears of counterpart funds for the Fadama III project for 2014 and 2015.

“This is what has given the state the legitimacy to be considered for the Fadama III Additional Financing Project which allows greater participation by farmers in the project,” he said.

The governor said although the Fadama III Project would support only tomato farming in the additional financing support, he requested for rice because of the competitive advantage.

where they identified their children.

He said after intensive investigation by appropriate authorities concerned, the children were handed over to their parents.

The agency, he said with the support of ICRC, was working hard, through appropriate channels, to identify the parents of the remaining unaccompanied children.

NAN reports that family

reunification during armed conflicts is a right under international law.

The development is in line with the fourth Geneva Convention.

The convention states that governments should facilitate the reunification of separated families according to the standards of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Meanwhile, the United States on Wednesday pledged $37 million in aid for victims of Boko Haram, government officials said, as fears of a famine mounted in the ravaged Lake Chad region.

'Mayowa Ahmed’s case is no scam' Lanre Odukoya

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fter several days of disturbing silence on the story of Mayowa Ahmed, the bilateral ovarian cancer patient, the Nigeria Police Force through her Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command, Dolapo Badmus, has said the case is not a scam as speculated by many.

The command through its X-squad department had concluded investigations into the scandal.

And the squad discovered Ahmed is critically ill, diagnosed of ovarian cancer and confirmed the interest of her first benefactor, Aramide Kasumu, director of Lifestake Foundation, as genuine. X-squad reports that Toyin Aimakhu got to know the matter through Instagram and was moved

by Ahmed’s plight be-

cause she is her fan which was why she did the video soliciting help for the ailing lady.

“To date a total of #81,278,954:81 was realised into Mayowa's bank account while the total sum of $100,000 is in Gofundme Internet Account.

Ahmed's Family stated that they have initial plan of taking Mayowa for treatment in Atlanta Georgia, United State America for Medical Treatment and this plan was what they communicated to both Aramide Kasumu and Toyin Aimakhu.

"On the 28th of July the Ahmed's Family wanted to take Aramide out of the hospital and both Toyin and Aramide demanded to know the destination, this led to crisis between the family and the other party, with both Aramide and Toyin Aimakhu realising Mayowa does not have a valid visa to the United State of America,” Badmus said.

Delta assembly c’ttee holds public hearing on Criminal Justice Bill

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elta State House of Assembly Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters has held a public hearing on the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill.

At the hearing, the stakeholders canvassed the need for reforms in the criminal justice procedure in order to enhance the dispensation of justice in the state.

The stakeholders at the public hearing which was held at the press centre of

Delta State House of Assembly complex include officials of the state ministry of justice, representatives of the state Chief Judge and the Customary Court of Appeal, members of the Bar and Bench, Nigerian Police, Department of State Security, Nigeria Prisons service, civil liberties organisations, Human Rights groups and the Muslim community among others.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the committee, Reuben Izeze, said the bill was people-oriented hence the need for the public hearing

for stakeholders to make inputs geared towards reforming the justice delivery system.

He said the public hearing would enable stakeholders canvass their different positions on how to take the Administration of criminal justice system from the colonial era to the present age where justice would be delivered rather than judgement.

Izeze who represents Ughelli South constituency in the assembly noted that the bill would help in providing a holistic approach to criminal justice where the

rights of suspects will be protected in line with the constitution of federal republic of Nigeria.

Others members of the committee who spoke including Daniel Mayuku, Dennis Omovie and Evance Iwurie, said the House was committed in making laws that would stand the test of time in line with modern day realities.

They expressed hope that stakeholders will make useful contributions that would assist the committee to come out with a law that is all embracing.

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Voices Would you allow your spouse host their ex at home p.12

City & crime update

Baby Michael: Long road to recovery

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Isioma Madike

he story of Baby Michael Alvez is a pathetic one. He has been battling with facial haemangioma. The health condition is said to be caused by vascular malfunction, according to medical experts. But, the good news is that it is a benign condition (non-cancerous).

Michael, it will be recalled, was rescued along with his mother, identified simply as Mary, on Lagos roads begging for help by Kate Henshaw, goodwill Ambassador to Project Alert along with Temitope Oluwagbemi and Aramide Kasunmu about three months ago. He was 16-months old at the time Kate Henshaw, Oluwagbemi and Kasunmu took him in.

Kate Henshaw and Project Alert later solicited for assistance to help take care of Michael’s medicals from Nigerians, who overwhelmingly responded. Thereafter, the mother and child got admitted into the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, where he was diagnosed with ulcerated infection.

About the same time the baby was admitted in LUTH, the Lagos State social welfare department was notified. They, subsequently, referred Kate Henshaw, Project Alert, Oluwagbemi and Kasunmu to the social welfare office in LUTH headed by Mrs Funmi Doherty. The kind donations of spirited Nigerians, it must be noted, have thus far helped in feeding Michael and his mother/grandmother while in hospital. It has also helped the rescuers, Kate Henshaw, Project Alert, Oluwagbemi and Kasunmu to pay hospital bills for the three months the baby was on admission until he was taken

''W

e tried very carefully to make sure this wouldn’t happen. Guests were instructed not to take photos during the ceremony. We were very particular about who was invited. It was a sad added bonus that most of the guests from Nigeria were cancelled just 24 hours before the ceremony. ''On July 30, I married a Nigerian man.

Although he is very special to me, he is not famous. He has never done anything to warrant so much media coverage. We had a small ceremony under the leaves of some great old trees on the lawn of an adorable little restaurant. My family and our closest friends joined us. Our vow exchange was only 30 minutes long. ''What followed was a day of love, laughter, joy, eating, sore feet, and kids running circles around the yard, and family and friends celebrating our day together. We posted only a few photos to our Facebook pages and asked guests to not post photos or mention our marriage. '' That night, we went out dancing in a club with friends who stayed over. The next morning, we decided to take some friends with us on the first day of our honeymoon to see Niagara Falls. We were still enjoying every moment of calling each other husband, taking photos, kissing in front of the falls, getting sprayed at the Cave of the Winds, and accepting well wishing texts from family and friends. ''Monday morning, I woke up early to return the rental car that we had used for the weekend. When I returned, my husband was pacing and crying, distraught, pointing to his phone. Somehow, someone had either

out on June 20, when nurses commenced the ongoing strike.

However, the road to full recovery, according to doctors managing Michael’s condition, is a long one. The doctor in charge of the case further stated that taking out the growth through surgery will leave a hole on the baby’s face as the tissue under the growth is abnormal and not healthy. With strict adherence to the treatment plan of administering Propranolol and Nylol Gel daily, the tumour, the doctor said, will gradually compress a n d shrink.

SATURDAY, 13 AUGUST 2016

to Project Alert Shelter for continued care and close monitoring and strict adherence to administration of drugs and appointments.

“Your kind donations are still what we are using to feed Michael and his grandmother, who is his carer now but under supervision by Project Alert Shelter Administrator, Nsini Udonta and programme officer, Bimbo Adeniji,” she said.

The Project Alert Ambassador did not stop there. She added that at the last hospital appointment the organisation had with one Dr. Mofikoya on Thursday, July 21, it was revealed that taking out the growth through surgery will leave a hole on Michael’s face as, according to the Doctor, the tissue under the growth is abnormal and not healthy.

“Thus surgery is not a good option at LUTH. The treatment plan for Michael is continued administration of the drugs, Propranolol compounded at LUTH for oral administration and Nylol Gel, a cream for the ulcer used daily. That way, the benign tumour will gradually compress and shrink. But that will take a long process,” the doctor said.

He cited an example of a patient (a boy) he has been treating since the child was a baby and the child is now 10 years and they are still on it, to buttress his point. He pointed out that similar treatment is what Baby Michael requires in LUTH. Notwithstanding, the social welfare issues surrounding the boy’s mother, circumstances of birth, the family and care for him in general are huge.

But, Kate Henshaw, Project Alert, Kasunmu and Oluwagbemi have pledged continue care for his medical cost while the family, represented by Michael’s mother elder sister, Syndi Ezeanyeji, promised to be fully involved in the social responsibility of mother and child.

Kate Henshaw with Baby Michael

be taken to Project Alert Shelter for continued care, close monitoring and strict adWith herence to adt h i s ministration of reality, drugs and hosthe baby pital appointwas later ment,” Josephine taken to Effah-Chukwuma Shelter for explained. proper care. It Kate Henshaw was gathered that Before and now added: “We would like to the decision to take thank members of the public baby Michel to a special who donated their widow’s mite to lodging was because his biohelp treat and feed Michael and his mother/ logical mother, Mary, who is a commercial grandmother while in hospital. I want to sex worker abandoned him in the hospital emphasize that your kind donations have after she threatened to burn down the ward helped in paying hospital bills until the reas she felt caged in the ward. cent strike action. We had to take Michael “Michael and his grandmother had to

Shocking: The gay marriage that shook

J: Eric, which blog are you talking about? could do. At the same time, his phone and sold or given photos from our wedding and Me: There should only be one. first dance to one of Nigeria’s notorious gosmy phone started to heat up with Facebook J: It’s already on at least a dozen blogs. sip bloggers, who chose to publish them on messages from strangers condemning us for her blog. Whether to out David and make a ''I had to tell David at this point that being gay. His phone started to ring conmockery or to somehow use it as advocacy, there was little I tinuously from unknown Nigerian phone no one knows. What we do know is that she numbers. had no permission from either of us to use '' I felt lost. I still get a terour photos or story. rible feeling in my stomach My husband calls me “the fixer” for a just a week and a half later. reason. I felt like I might be able to fix this I hate being helpless. How before it got out of control. I called my sister could our tiny, personal who is an attorney for advice. Given that wedding in Rochester mean the information was posted on an internaso much to hateful people on tional site, there was little we could do. My the other side of the planet that friends at Google and Blog-spot, and atthey would find us on the Internet so they could harass us? torneys who are friends of mine gave me '' I worked as fast as I could, the same unfortunate news. Mind you, this asking bloggers to remove our is all happening at 6:30 a.m. on a Monday morning. Friends from all over the USA photos and mention of us, but messaged me as soon as I posted on my only one complied. By the end Facebook for some assistance. of the day, more than 150 sites ''I did contact the blogger directly via had blogged about us. They were email and asked that the photos of our not saying anything overtly mean wedding, of our trip with my family, for the most part. The comments, photos of our groomsmen, and direct on the other hand, mostly menquotes from my Facebook page be retioned the “end of times,” beheadmoved. I quickly locked down the seing us if we came to Nigeria, asking curity on my Facebook, which had been God to rain down evil upon us, sugrelatively open so that I could use it for gesting that we got anal cancer and die, calling us devils, and threatenadvertising and sales. I never heard Eric Shoen-Ukre and David Shoen-Uk ing us in various other vulgar ways. back from her. re walked down the aisle for the first time as a legally married ''At 7:00 a.m. I got a call from my Some people commented positively, couple PHOTO: www.huffingtonpost.com twin brother, who is my best friend: but they were in the minority.

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Ndubuisi Ugah

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with agency reports

resh facts emerged yesterday on how eight Nigerians alongside their Cambodian woman accomplice were arrested and put on trial by the Anti-Drug Unit of the 9th Intervention Police Office in the Ministry of Interior in Cambodia.

The eight Nigerians and their Cambodian accomplice were all arrested and charged under article 40 of the nation’s Drug Law, according to two online news portals, Khmertimeskh. com and Abiyamo.com.

Reports also revealed that the trial of the suspects had been concluded but was awaiting the ratification of the nation’s judicial authorities.

The anti-drug unit named the nine suspects as Okorom Nhabu Favor (36), Izuchukwu Chuwuma (40), Nnamezie Victor (30), Simon Maduka Ukadu (45), Sunday Nwabusi (31), Okorom Kizito Chimedu (35), Francis Nnamedi (30), Tony Mmaduka Chuwuonye (34) while Morn Vinyung (31), was the Cambodian woman.

Speaking on how the suspects were arrested, the deputy chief of the Anti-Drug Unit at the 9th Intervention Police Office in the Ministry of Interior’s anti-drug department, Captain Proeung Pheap, alleged that group was using a Nigerian church, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) as a front for a drug ring, hiding their identities and trafficking under the guise of missionary work.

He claimed that the suspects were arrested after the police caught the group allegedly trafficking one kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district in January 2015.

Pheap alleged that the police discovered the illegal operation after Vinyung delivered drugs to undercover officers three separate times at the Sovanna supermarket in Chamkarmon district in January 2015.

He said: “Among these nine accused people, Morn Vinyung and Francis Nnamedi were arrested after they brought a package of drugs for sale to our undercover officer. The other accused people were later arrested based on the answers of Morn Vinyung and Francis Nnamedi.”

The other seven men were arrested when police raided three rented homes in Chamkarmon district’s Boeung Tumpon commune in Phnom Penh on January 8 and 9 in 2015.

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Revealed: How Cambodia arrested eight Nigerians for drug trafficking •Ring leader on ‘the run’ as court ends trial

Following this, the police announced that it arrested another Cambodian woman found at one of the homes but later released her.

During the raids, police claimed it found six large packages of crystal methamphetamine weighing 802.44 grams and other drug-related paraphernalia.

It also stated that they had been watching the group for a long time and alleged that their ringleader, Obieze Kenneth Uche, was still on the run.

During the trial, Vinyung said she had been dating Chuwuonye, also known as Tony, for three months before their arrest.

She told the court that her boyfriend paid her $100 to take a package to an unidentified man three separate times.

“I admit that I really did bring the package from Tony and gave it to his clients at the

Sovanna supermarket, but I did not know that the packages were drugs. If I had known that the packages were drugs, I would not have agreed to bring them, even though Tony offered to pay me money,” she told the court.

In their defence, the eight Nigerians denied the allegations, saying they were Christians, not drug dealers.

Chuwuonye acknowledged that he had dated Vinyung, but said he never asked her to take drugs anywhere.

“I was not a drug trafficker. I am a Christian missionary. I did not do any of the things I am accused of,” he said.

Victor, the leader of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries church in Phnom Penh, said he volunteered to come to Cambodia from Nigeria as a Christian missionary in 2014 and had run the church in Chamkarmon district since then.

“Police arrested me while I was praying at my own home. They handcuffed me and called me a drug dealer. But I don’t know anything about this case or about any drugs.

I am the victim of accusations and arrest by the police,” he said.

He claimed police forced him to confess during an interrogation session.

Chimedu, Victor’s brother and an assistant at his church, said he had nothing to do with drug dealing but was arrested when police raided his home in Boeung Tumpon commune on January 8. Police found no drugs or paraphernalia at his home during their raid, he said.

“I was a church assistant, and my job was to prepare bibles and prayer ceremonies for foreigners every weekend. I have never smoked or used drugs in my life. I have never even seen drugs,” he said.

The nine drug suspects being led out of a court after the conclusion of their trial in Cambodian...

Thursday PHOTOS: Khmertimeskh.com and Abiyamo.com.

the Nigerian internet NDLEA nabs suspect with N9.8m '' David’s groomsmen were also accused of being gay. One of them felt compelled to come out via social media after the pressure. David’s family was harassed by neighbours and local hooligans. He hadn’t told his family we were getting married. They were not even aware he was gay. David’s sister called to make sure we knew that she knew and she supported us.

She relayed that his mum was not admitting anything and continued to defend David to anyone who bothered her. His other siblings also messaged us to say that they were being harassed via telephone, in person, and social media. ''You might ask yourself why I would share this story.

You see, I fell in love with an amazing Nigerian man. I knew it was illegal for him to be gay in his country. I knew it was illegal for his family to know he was gay and not report him. I never thought that my tiny little wedding in Rochester, New York, to this man would go any further than between our close friends who were invited and maybe some of their friends. ''David was afraid to come out of the closet to his family for so many reasons, some of which I recognize in my own coming out story. Telling my

parents was very frightening, painful and tough, but they support me now.

I grew up here, where letting someone know you are gay was tough, not illegal. Some of David’s reasoning can only be understood by someone who grew up in Nigeria or a similar country where it is illegal to be gay. ''Why would this be such big news in Nigeria? I believe it is because the press still wants to vilify gay men and women. They want to show that the USA is a place that corrupts the morals of children and is a den of sin an iniquity. The current political election probably isn’t helping change that impression much. The mere thought of two men getting married is enough to incite vitriol from all corners of Nigeria, and other parts of the world still today. ''We queer folk still have a lot of fighting to do. We may have thankfully won marriage equality here on American soil, but until it is legally safe for our gay, queer, trans, and gender non-conforming brothers, sisters, and family to live their lives as they wish to be in all corners of the world, the fight must go on''.

•Culled from HUFFINGTONPOST.COM

fake currency in Kwara

…arrests three, discovers cocaine inside shoes in Lagos Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command yesterday paraded one Mohammed Adamu who was arrested for allegedly being in possession of N9.8million fake currency.

The agency’s officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos also detected parcels of cocaine hidden inside the sole of shoes.

Speaking on the arrest of Adamu, the state Commander of the agency, Mr. Apeh Reuben, said the suspect concealed the fake currency, mainly N1, 000 notes, in a cartoon of noodles wrapped with cello tape.

Reuben said the suspected fake currency trafficker was arrested by the Jebba Command of the agency while in transit to Kano on August 9.

He further alleged that the suspect connived with a yet-tobe-identifed individual in Ilorin to carry out the criminal act promising that ongoing investigations will lead to the arrest of the accomplice He said: “We just want to alert the public to be aware of such fake money because if this amount of money is allowed to be injected into the economy, it's very bad.

“A lay man can hardly identify that it's a fake currency.

These days we even have cases of people collecting money from ATM and still find fake currency in them.”

In an interview with journalists, the suspect who spoke in Hausa language admitted that the fake currency was found on him.

Meanwhile, the consignment of shoes where the cocaine was discovered was said to have originated from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The owner of the luggage has been arrested while two other

suspected drug traffickers that tested positive and excreted narcotic are also being investigated.

A white powdery substance found to be cocaine with a total weight of 3.950kgs were seized from the suspects.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Ahmadu Garuba, said one of the suspects concealed the drugs inside the sole of their shoes while the remaining two ingested wraps of cocaine.

He said: “Three suspects have been arrested with a total of 3.950kgs of cocaine. They are Mbatugosi Paul Ifechukwu (32) was caught with 1.950kgs of cocaine hidden inside the sole of their shoes, Adugba Ugochukwu Godson (34) who ingested 1.50kgs of cocaine on his way to Sydney, Australia and Onuoha Friday Dominic (42) was found to have ingested 850 grammes of cocaine from Brazil. The cases are under investigation and suspects will be charged to court soon.”

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Voices

13 AUGUST 2016

Would you allow your spouse host their ex at home?

That can’t happen in my home I will not allow such thing in my house. Such action negates the law and vows of matrimony. Culturally and naturally, it is wrong and a taboo, no African man/woman will have the effrontery to bring an ex home and introduce to his/her spouse. It is the height of disrespect and dishonour to one's spouse. Distrust will surely tear the marriage apart.

—Babatunde Ajala, freelance journalist

My wife has no justification for it

It is odd Absolutely no! I think it would be very disrespectful of a spouse or a partner to even suggest such an arrangement.

No matter the trust between the couple it is grossly inappropriate for such to occur. That would be courting unnecessary problems for the couple. I would even be upset with my spouse for suggesting it at all not to mention actually allowing such. It's not about being insecure or jealous, but about the oddity in it.

—Dr. Akin Etin-Ojehomon Sr, company executive

It is not proper I can't take it because it's not proper. If anything happens between them it can bring separation between the couple and I don't pray for such.

—Yusuf Ahmed, teacher

—Mutiu Oyedele, teacher

It is unhealthy for our relationship Why would I allow that?

There shouldn't be any purpose reason whatsoever why she should meet with her ex whether at home or anywhere else. It's unhealthy for our relationship.

—Pascal Williams , businessman

It depends on the ex in question

Oh yes, but again it purely depends on the ex-girlfriend in question. If it is clear there is nothing between them why not.

Unless my partner gives me a reason to be in doubt.

—Oochie Udoji, educationist

I will welcome the move

I would ask for what reason. Is he selling something that we need, is he in need of help and you want me to hear him out or does he have a business proposition that he would like to discuss? One could easily say absolutely no, but if I trust my wife without question then there is nothing wrong with hearing her reasons for wanting to invite this ex to the house.

businesswoman

estate manager

It must be for a good reason

I wouldn't allow that because for you to bring him home, it implies that there is something going on. It would even be unfair for her to attempt such. If I allow her to do so, there is a possibility that something amorous may happen later.

—Bridget Amolo Emiowei ,

My wife has no reason to come up with such a request. It is unheard of. As soon as we declare our wish to be a couple, all ex should be kept at arms length.

—Vincent Onwuegbuzie,

Yes, I will welcome the move as long as we are on the same page as to the reasons for hosting. Relationships are complex, an ex may be sharing the custody of the offspring(s). The end of a relationship is not the end of existence, other 'ships' exist.

—Professor Oritsejolomi J Isebor,

educationist

It would be unfair on her part

I am not ready to lose my wife When they are not on spell! It is not proper because there might still be some feelings for each other and that might trigger the old time. I am not ready to lose my wife.

—Sikiru Audu, civil servant

I once visited my ex at home It depends on who the ex is and what experience she had with that person.

There are some past lovers who couldn't get married due to very minor issues. In such a case, there are chances that an emotional attachment still exists between the duo which could subsequently stir up a relationship. I have once visited my ex at her home and her husband received me warmly. Essentially, knowing who the ex is and understanding your partner are factors that come into play.

—Abiola Tomisin, teacher

It is not a bad idea There is nothing bad about it because life is very simple and short for those who understand it.

—Sa'had Jimoh, civil defence

I can’t allow it I can't allow that because anything can happen between them and I am not ready to lose my wife.

It is like bringing the devil home I wouldn't give room for that. It's his ex and all possible connections between them should have reached a dead end after getting married.

The moment they start seeing each other again trouble looms. It's just like bringing the devil home.

—Idowu Olabisi Agada,

business analyst

—Tijani Abdullahi, civil servant

I can’t take chances with that

I can never give chance for that for what reason. Why not somewhere else even though they are no more together the feelings will still be there and I don't know what is on the lady's mind.

—Mrs. Bisola Issa, make-up artist

compiled by: OGE NDUBUNMA OLANIYI ADERUKU AND MARIAM ABDULLAHI

WeekendBliss

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13 AUGUST 2016

13

N O P U E S O L C DEYINKA GBENGA A

I'M NOT BIGGER THAN COMEDY THAT FEEDS ME Fondly called the CFR, Comedian of the Federal Republic, Gbenga Adeyinka, has unarguably lived up to this pseudo name. In this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, he speaks about his career, the industry and his staying power.

Many entertainers believe the man on stage is supposed to be different from the one at home, does this apply to you?

I am not what I do. There are two people, the quiet one and the noisy one, the noisy one is what you see outside while the quiet one is who is at home.

Does this convey dual personality?

I won’t want to call it dual personality before I get treated for dual personality disorder. People think that the comedian is always happy and eager to tell a joke, he never has a sad time. I think every individual has dual personality. I tell people that it is not possible to meet a footballer who is not on the field and he is jogging the ball at all times. People will say that he has mental problem if he does that. When he is on the field he is in a different world and when he is off it he is another person entirely.

The same applies to me, when I am in the office I just want to be calm and think about other things and work on my jokes, because if I don’t work on them it will tell later. I will not have anything to make a livelihood from. I hope you understand what I mean. It

is about trying to balance your life as a comedian and a human being.

Where’s the difficulty in comedians telling their real jokes?

When I started as a comedian, I used late Gbenga Adeboye’s jokes.

The beauty of using someone’s jokes is to use it as a reference. You elongate it, you embellish it. There is nothing new under the heaven and I am sure that if I start a joke now you will know where I am going, but it is the way that I deliver it that elicit the laughter from you. What we see nowadays is someone just comes, picks your jokes and tells it the exact way you told it, but because he is not you and he does not have your mannerism, and your delivery makes it worse. I think as you grow in the industry you have to start developing your materials because you become the one that younger comedians will steal materials.

Is theft of other comedian’s jokes not an indictment on older comedians, shouldn’t there be a standard for new comers?

Anybody who hopes to break into mainstream comedy must have at least 10 materials which are his own, and which he is going to use to

Instyle

Slay blazers with chic vibes © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

p.15

break out or blow in the case of musicians. When I started, my style was the Mushin thing, you must have your style. If you don’t then you have no business doing comedy. At the end of the day, you will just keep rolling and rolling and rolling. It’s like when a musician goes into the studio and does a cover of another artiste’s song. For instance, when Majek Fashek did a cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ a lot of people were wooed. For me, ‘Redemption Song’ by Majek was better than the one by Bob Marley because of the percussion, and all of that. That is what I meant by the statement that as a young comedian you are allowed to steal jokes of older colleagues. But what you do with it will now decide if it’s right or not. Then, you must acknowledge that I first heard this joke from Ali Baba. After the joke people will acknowledge the unique way you told the joke. For me, when I say there is nothing new under the heaven it is because when I sit down to work on my jokes I read joke books. I read book like “The Parliament of Whores”, this is a purely political book of jokes by P.J. O Rourke. I won’t tell the jokes that are in the book, but they will structure the next jokes I want to tell when I am

The Arts

Hospitality

p.37

p.41

Gidi Blues for Odugbemi at Ghana, Uganda film fests

Accra City Hotels: A devotion to excellent treats

doing something about politicians. You can’t just say a joke about President Clinton in Nigeria and expect people to laugh. But you have to tell the joke in a way that something which Clinton has done will apply to a Nigerian politician. For instance, some people will say Governor Ayo Fayose is a close relative of Donald Trump because of their mannerism. There are ways of stealing technology; even in science it is done.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will say that “nobody will give you power, you take it.” So, nobody will give you his jokes, you take it and refine it. I am not saying it is okay to steal jokes, but as a young comedian you should look at the works of the greats and see what you can do with it. I stole Baba Sala’s jokes, I stole Gbenga Adeboye’s jokes, but I didn’t tell it the way they did. I told them differently. What happens now is that you go to an event and one young man come on stage, tells your joke exactly as you told it without any difference. At the end, he comes to you and says boss how was it?

It’s a mountain of books you have in continued on page 14

TV & Radio

Focus Nigeria: State of the nation

p.36

14

Close Up

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13 AUGUST 2016

'Ali Baba, Basketmouth not over-used' C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 1 3

your office; do you really get the time read them?

If you don’t work this hard you will run out of jokes. People ask me how I get my jokes and I just narrow and pedestrianly direct it down to what ‘Daddy Showkey’ said sometimes back. “Shine your eye well well, look well well, read well well.” You have to read; you can’t help but read. I have a joke about Obama and Donald Trump’s wives. If I don’t watch Cable News Network (CNN), there is no way I would know about what inspired the joke. I have also realised that as you grow older as a comedian people expect more from you. You can’t tell dirty jokes. When I started I could tell dirty jokes and get away with it, but now I can’t. People will say “you are supposed to be a mature person.” So, what I do with such jokes is to pass it to a young comedian and advise him not to tell it at corporate events. You must research; unfortunately we don’t research in Nigeria. Abroad, entertainers are probably the laziest set of people in the world because every comedian has a road manager, has a booking manager, has somebody who writes his jokes, has somebody who books his tours, and somebody who sequences things. If I have a show for instance, they would have given me a sequence of the jokes I will tell, I will just come in to deliver them. If you watch big shows the comedian has a teleprompter with what he is to talk about. However, in Nigeria it’s a lie, you are your Alpha and Omega under God. If you succeed it’s you, if you fail it’s your responsibility. You have to write all your materials, you have to do everything by yourself. I also don’t like to be lazy. Aside the comedy you know me for, we have launched our blog, it’s called www.laffmattaz.blogspot.com, we used to have a comedy magazine, I used to do training for young people because I know that if I am abroad I won’t be doing one job. I will be washing dead bodies, sweeping train station and doing the job of a security man. So, if you can do all these jobs abroad why do we get lazy in Nigeria? And like my grandmother always tells me, “hard work has never killed anybody it is only poverty that kills.” Although people say it’s not how hard you work that determines your success, it has been proven that if you don’t work you won’t get paid. So, why don’t you just take the chance and work hard, pray to God and believe him that money will come.

Like every other career with its pinnacle, how does a comedian recognise when his time is spent?

The beauty of comedy and talent is that it never peaks, if you don’t allow it to peak. I will tell you what I mean by that. There is something called rave of the moment. Every artiste is the rave of the moment at one point. As a musician, you have one big song, as a comedian you have like 10 jokes that can shake ground. Ali Baba was the rave of the moment at one point, Teju was, Tee A was. I don’t really know who the rave of the moment is now, but I think that Akpororo was last year. This year, there is a boy called Kenny Black, there is a boy in Ibadan called Peteru, there is Arole. There is always a rave, but the transition from that rave to extinction is where you come in. Where you come in is I have made it, I have made all the money, so I live large. I don’t have to border to go to the studio again. I just want to go into the studio and sing.

You believe that if you sing junk people will dance because it is you, after all you have been given N5, 000,000.00 to perform at a show. You say after all I have been accepted. That is what kills a lot of musicians forgetting that your art is greater than the money you have made or will ever make. It kills some of us too. When you are a rave is when you should start working hard, when you start writing jokes because you will burn out. After you have become a rave, you will burn out, you go back and redefine yourself and when you come back you are there.

What does it require to re-invent a joke especially because even the big ‘goons’ in comedy sometimes tell flat and regular jokes?

I think that it is to continually strive and be sincere with yourself and still do what you have been doing. I sample my jokes before going on stage. If I am sitting down with friends, I will simply say something and if nobody laughs I won’t use that joke when I go on stage. I used to board bus in those days so that I could learn slangs, but I can’t do that anymore. So, what I do now is to sit down with area boys when I have the opportunity. I don’t grow bigger than the art because it is the art that puts money on your table. When my mechanic comes to repair my car, I sit down with him and we joke. He becomes free with me and I can learn from him about the streets, slangs that mechanic use. When people wonder what next, we have heard it all that’s when you have to work extra hard. I noticed that in Nigeria it is when the money has come that we reduce the work and use panache to carry on, but it doesn’t work like that.

Do you agree with people who believe that Ali Baba and Basketmouth now merely play on past glory?

I don’t agree. You see, everybody has his strength. A lot of people will say I am saying this because Ali is a friend and a mentor. Ali Baba, is the King of one liner. Ali Baba is the quintessential Master of Ceremony (MC), I wish that I had half of Ali Baba’s wits.

There are

a couple of things that makes you a comedian. There is the versatility which a lot of Nigerian comedians don’t have, the ability to work with a large street crowd and also work with a small corporate crowd. It is very rare. You should also be able to think on your feet. The number one person who can think on his feet in Nigeria today is Ali Baba. I don’t know how to explain it.

If I sit down with Ali Baba you won’t believe the number of jokes I will get.

If I can get just 30 percent of what Ali Baba has then I don’t have to worry again. I was with Ali at a corporate event and he did one hour on stage and people were laughing. Maybe people no longer see him as the street comedian and now conclude that he has arrived. That is one of the disadvantages I told you about earlier. Now Basketmouth, anybody who says he is a spent force should pray to God. Bas-

When I started I could tell dirty jokes and get away with it, but now I can’t. People will say “you are supposed to be a mature person"

ketmouth is our own Trevor Noah. He is our biggest export. Funny enough, I never thought that Basketmouth could do it because his style is a blend of English and pidgin. If you go anywhere in Africa or the world today and make reference to comedy in Nigeria, then its Basketmouth, he is like the P-Square and Wizkid of the comedy industry.

For me, everybody has a niche when you find it you don’t have to care about what people say. Find the niche and use it as an ace.

Don’t you get scare of your job knowing you are close to your prime, if not there already?

I watch Channels Television a lot and there is this programme they do every Friday. I watch it and I see myself anchoring several events. This scares me for three reasons. One is that it might get to a situation when people will say this guy is pure water stop calling him, call another person. Another reason is why me? And the third is that I have to continuously do more to be relevant. It scares me, but I thank God. More and more people now frown at insulting people in the name of comedy, how do you see this?

Actually there is a limit. We were sitting together at an event and Ali made reference to a picture on the stage and asked what it looked like. I asked him what and he said doesn’t it look like a particular girl’s G-string and we all laughed. Julius Agwu went on stage made the joke and said he wasn’t the person who said it and that it was Ali Baba, we all laughed the lady even went on stage and said we were not serious and it ended there. At a later event another comedian made reference to the lady’s G-string and when he was coming off the stage the lady slapped him. Because of relationships you can get away with a lot of things, but like I told you earlier it also gets to a stage when you can’t do some things or make some jokes anymore. With age comes responsibility and appropriateness.

Adeyinka

Instyle

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13 august 2016

15

Slay blazers with chic vibes

A

Deborah Ocheni structured blazer and statement necklace can make any outfit look more glam, even when it’s just jeans and a graphic T shirt.

A blazer is so much more than an item of clothing that can be worn in a professional setting. They are a lot more versatile than something you pair with corporate trousers or a skirt as they easily transform casual wears to dressier ones.

A good blazer should be a staple in every fashionable lady’s wardrobe. Wearing a blazer with jeans is an effortless way to ramp up the

otherwise casual outfits and add a feeling of chic sophistication.

Blazers are also great if you are looking for structured layers. Cardigans can sometimes seem too relaxed, and jackets are too bulky to wear all day long. Blazers are just right! So, find your favourite colour and pattern that fits you just right.

No matter what your age or vocation, chances are there is a black blazer somewhere in your closet that you think it’s only meant for a job interview.

This is not correct! There are ways to take your trusty blazer in new yet chic directions.

TIPS z zWhen you go out wearing a tight, short dress, you can keep warm while also looking glam by wearing a blazer. z zA fitted blazer makes distressed jeans look much less casual. z zGo for a bright coloured blazer to give a big pop of colour to any outfit. z zA blazer nicely breaks up denim-on-denim. z zA fitted blazer looks amazing with loose boyfriend jeans. z zYou can have fun with a printed blazer like floral one; wear it with similar colours for sleek looks.

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Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

ACCESSORIES TO LIVE FOR

Heart shaped sunglasses: Simply girly Deborah Ocheni

E

ver been to the optical shop feeling unsure about which style and shape of glasses you should purchase? Perhaps it is important to know that not every trendy style is fit for all face shape but in the case of heart shaped glasses, it fits almost all face shape.

Sunglasses, whether designed for men or women, look great on their own, and combination of the right clothing choices with this particular heart shaped glasses will instantly transform looks into girly ones.

Heart shaped sunglasses

TIPS zzIf you have a small face with delicate features, large heart shaped sunglasses will look too much on you, making you look like a little child wearing your mother's dress. Opt for the size that will perfectly define your style. zzIf you have a wide face and you attempt to wear a pair of narrow sunglasses, it will only make your face shape more noticeable. It's like trying to fit in a dress that's too small and everything just pops out.

So you should opt for bigger sunglasses with either heart shaped frames or angular frame depending on how sharp or delicate your features are. zzColours affect the way you look. It can either make you look drained or give a healthy glow to your face. Look your best by selecting the right colours for your hair and skin complexion. zzIn general, if you are warmtoned, you will look fabulous in golden, warm colours such as brown, cream, gold and tomato red. zzIf you are cool-toned, you will look best in colours such as black, blue, white and silver.

You may go a little over-thetop by opting for the ones designed with colourful flowers.

are the perfect style for any face shape: whether you have an oval, round, square or heart shaped face, these heart shaped sunglasses style are for you!

Heart shaped sunglasses are not just a style statement, they can attract or repel, be a mirror or a shield while protecting the eyes.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Prosper Ochimana is a gospel artiste with great Passion to lead people into the presence of God. In this interview with Deborah Ocheni, the recording artiste and entrepreneur speaks about his fashion philosophy, juggling several engagements at the same time and much more.

What is your sense of fashion?

I love fashion actually, but am very selective. I am not really crazy about being trendy with the kind of fashion being unveiled these days; I’d rather look good and please God with my Look.

Would you say your physique works to your advantage?

It does, and I am so sure about that because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I look good in whatever I put on.

Do you consider any fashion item indispensable?

I love my lapel pins and brooches. Most times I love to be in suit, and in some cases I just take my jacket with me.

What determines the kind of outfits you wear?

The event and my mood Is there anything you are unlikely to be caught wearing?

There are a few things I cannot be caught wearing like putting on shorts on the streets, wearing nose or ear rings and distressed jeans especially the very torn and dirty ones I see these days.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

Sincerely I can’t really figure out anymore but I guess it’s between my suits and shoes.

How much was it?

It’s personal What is your ready to go outfits?

Suits accessorised with lapel pins or brooches

Ochimana

17

MY STYLE

I'm not crazy about trends –Ochimana Which jewellery appeals to you most?

My bracelets; I love them and I can have as many as possible.

Who is your best designer?

I don’t think I have one. I appreciate most designers but I cannot call any of them my best for now.

Do you have any signature perfume?

I don’t really have one; I wear any perfume that smells nice.

How easily do you get your fashion items in Nigeria?

It is not really easy; most times I make do with what is available.

If you were to be a fashion item, what will that be?

Maybe I would be a perfume to make people smell nice with confidence all-day long.

If given the opportunity to alter a part of your body, which will you change?

I won’t alter any part of my body; I love everything God gave me.

How has entertainment affected your style sense?

It has really affected my style sense such that I get the best of any outfits while I try to look my best at all times unlike before.

Which fashion item takes up most space in your wardrobe?

Suits, I still want to have more especially the three piece suits and double breasted ones.

What informed your decision to go into music?

It’s a call, not just a decision that I made. Music to me is a purpose and discovery that I was born for.

Why gospel music?

I am doing gospel music because the Bible instructs us to go into the world and preach the gospel. So, gospel is good news and I am glad to do this.

Is gospel music paying the bills or you are into other businesses?

My bills are paid via this gospel music. I am sent to do this assignment and the one who sent me pays my bills although I am doing something else.

What are you working on currently?

Am actually working on my album that will be out before the end of the year.

Any challenge so far?

There are challenges; the major one right now is managing time, my academic engagements, responsibility in the church, lots of travels and invitations to minister at events within and out of town.

Music market seems saturated already, what are you offering differently from other gospel artistes?

Music market is saturated already, but what God has given to us will penetrate

and pierce through the hearts of men by the Grace of God regardless of what is happening in the industry right now.

Would you say you are satisfied given places music has taken you?

The truth is, I’m very grateful for what and where God has really taken me to via gospel music. By nature we were not created to be satisfied, it’s a journey we will keep pursuing to gain more ground until we see Jesus face to face Would you say government has done enough for creative people in the society?

I don’t think so; we don’t have the kind of government that really bothers about creative people, but I urge creative people to keep working hard to sell themselves rather than wait for government.

What is your advice to up and coming artistes that wish to attain the height that you have?

Trust in God, no man can prevail by his own strength; pursue God and try to know the will of God concerning your life. Work hard and never look at what you will gain rather concentrate on what you can give.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Denim up and down

T

his week’s fashion face off is between two actresses; Mercy Aigbe Gentry and Funke Akindele.

The outfit in question is denim up and down; both celebrities rocked the outfit with different touch of class to different occasions. They both wore skinny denim trousers and oversized denim shirts with folded sleeves.

Mercy tied her oversized top on high waist skinny denim making it look like a crop top. She matched her multi-

Funke Akindele

coloured hand bag with yellow pointy stiletto, she accessorised the denim with over sized sun glasses and bracelet on both wrist; she looked glam with her flying center part hairstyle.

Funke on the other hand paired the denim with nude coloured platform stiletto and Burberry hand bag; she accessorised her already glam looks with statement cocktail ring and oversized sun glasses.

Both celebrities look striking in denim up and down but who do you think rocks the outfits better?

Mercy Aigbe

18

Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Sleek centre tables Deborah Ocheni

C

entre tables also known as coffee tables may look simple but they can enhance the look of your interior especially with their wooden touch.

Modern centre tables refers to those tables that make use of sleek lines. They are not just ap-

pealing but are also functional since modern design focuses more on an item’s function.

Centre tables are those that are placed in the living room in front of the sofa. We also place a stunning centrepiece on top of it while the lower portion usually bears other items like magazines and books.

These sleek and elegant coffee tables are available in vari-

ous styles, sizes, shapes and colours. Ranging from glass top coffee tables to storage coffee tables, they are the preferred option for homes that lack space because they are multifunctional.

They are made from different types of wood, appear soft yet strong and will no doubt give your living room a totally beautiful look.

TIPS zz Owners of sitting rooms that lack space should use centre tables that have apt storage areas.

zz You can go sleek and modern by opting for centre tables with a space in between to place items like magazines.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Reno Omokri taunts Mr. President p.22

ShowBiz

Toke Makinwa gushes about life after divorce p.35

I’m not at war with Kosoko, Odule – Mr Latin Ace comic actor, Bolaji Amusan, otherwise known as Mr. Latin is gradually leaving the scene for the new breed to shine. In this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, he speaks about his career, the industry and other ventures.

You share an amazing relationship with Fuji singer, Sefiu Alao, he’s not an actor like you, so how did you get so close?

Alhaji Sefiu Alao and I have been together for over 30 years. We lived and grew up in the same area but got closer about 15 years ago. And since then we’ve been brothers and friends. Something linked us permanently and since then, there’s been no going back.

What exactly do you share in common and what has sustained the friendship for a decade and a half?

I’m sure that must be love and mutual respect. He loves me and I love him too and we show each other a high level of respect. We tell each other the truth no matter the situation. He advises me about my career and I give him wise counsel to succeed in his.

Has this bond tempted you to try your hands in music?

You know I’m an actor first of all, and last of all I’m still an actor. I recognise my calling and I stay true to it.

How does it feel to be part of those who were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the recently concluded City People Awards?

Well, I deeply appreciate the award and the reason is that most people honour you when you’re dead; so when you find people honour you while you’re alive, it’s really something profound.

The younger comic actors like Sanyeri, Kamilu Kompo, Ijebu and others seem to have ousted you from prominence in the industry…

The point is that the older you get, the less you would obviously appear in movies. I have a lot of other things that occupy my time and I still act really; it’s just that I have deliberately cut down on my appearance in home videos. There are a lot of younger actors springing up and you must leave the stage for them whether you like it or not. That doesn’t mean that I quit acting.

What are those things that occupy your time?

I have a foundation, a business and other things on the side.

Your NGO gives financial empowerment to people; what spurred your interest in philanthropy?

I’ve been doing that for the past six years now. This year I thought we should have 100 youths and 100 widows, so that they can be self-reliant and we would have used that gesture to augment government’s efforts to better people’s lives.

Have you been doing this with the help of Ogun State government?

No, the support I get is from my brothers, colleagues and friends. I’m honestly just using my celebrity status to pull this through.

The Yoruba movie industry is so divided with too many factions. There are even insinuations that you don’t agree with the faction led by Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule and others. What are you doing as one of the top actors to unify the industry?

I’m not in cold war with anyone at all, and the government is even trying to bring us all under one umbrella in a new union. Before the end of this year, I hope that the plan would come to fruition and we

would all have the good news.

How long have you been in the movie industry?

My acting career started in March 1988.

By 2018, God willing, I’ll be celebrating 30 years in the industry.

In near three decades of your career, what are the changes you can recall in the industry over the years?

A whole lot of things have changed since I joined the industry. In recent years, you can see for yourself that there is more awareness and acceptance for the profession compared to the past. Then, acceptability was very low and people looked down on the job, but now, it is a generally accepted profession. The trend has changed drastically. Nowadays, you see engineers, doctors and other people in different fields encouraging their children to enrol at acting schools. Another significant change can be seen in the aspect of technological advancement. We cannot compare the types of cameras and equipment we use in shooting movies these days with the types we had when I just started out. The cameras and equipment we have now are very good, fast, efficient and easy to set up. You see, the artistes that started out during my time, my humble self-inclusive, went into acting because of the passion and zeal we had for the job. At that time, dedication and professionalism were on the high side. We received very little remuneration for the jobs we did and we were not even bothered. All we wanted to do was to impact our society through our acting prowess. It’s so unfortunate that in recent times, most of the people in the industry are not passionate about the profession but the fame and money that come with it. That’s why you see a lot of half-baked people parading themselves as celebrities because they have featured in one or two movies.

There is this general belief that most female artistes are doing better than their male counterparts, how true is this and why is it so?

It is a very wrong notion and perception. Do you know how successful Odunlade Adekola is with the number of properties and assets he owns? Have you been to Femi Adebayo’s abode to see his success? Same can be said for Sanyeri, Muyiwa Ademola and many other male artistes.

My humble self is also not left out. To God be the glory, I can call myself a success in this profession as well. The way we all decide to use our lives are different. There are some of us who don’t like to blow our trumpets. Even many of the male artistes including our seniors in the industry are doing well. But of course, I admit that the female nature is somehow different. Even outside the movie industry, to know that a man is rich you need to see his wife. A man may have a Range Rover and another small car, for all you know he may be driving the small car while the wife will prefer to cruise around in the Range Rover even just down the road to buy tomatoes. Even if she is a full time house wife, she will dress to kill with jewellery and other accessories, drive the Lamborghini to the market just to buy ‘Iru’ (locust bean), that is the feminine nature for you.

Mr Latin

19

20 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Producing On The Real was tasking, but fun – Temidayo Abudu Beyond the family ties to Mo’ Abudu, who made a bold statement as producer of the top-grossing movie, Fifty in 2015, Temidayo Abudu is charting her own path in the filmmaking world. With On The Real, a new TV series to her name, she is on the way to carving her own niche. She spole with Adedayo Odulaja.

On The Real is a new TV series produced by you, what is it really about?

At the time I thought of this TV show, I was watching a lot of reality TV series and I noticed that a lot of them were obviously scripted. There wasn’t much reality TV in Nigeria or rather reality TV here wasn't like reality TV abroad so I thought maybe we should have a cross between real and fictional.

And then I thought it will be interesting to hear the characters actually comment on their real lives based on the reality TV show. So the idea is kind of even confusing to describe until you actually watch to know what it is about.

But it is really about young people, how they live or aspire to live; you know not everyone in this age has the conventional lawyer, doctor, engineer job so it is exploring that and also touching on different social issues. From the first episode, it would seem there is not that much to the story but as you go along you will see that we will start to touch on topics that relate to young people and almost anybody actually.

How many episodes are there already to assure fans of continuity?

For this season, there are six episodes which we will get to see.

From now until the next six weeks and then we will shoot another set of episodes for next year.

It airs on Accelerate TV at 5pm but being an online platform you can catch it anytime you log onto the website while it airs on Ebony TV on Wednesdays with a repeat broadcast during the week as well. But I’m actually happy that people will get to see it online as even Nigerians living outside the country, in places like the United Kingdom, United States and elsewhere can get to see it.

TURNING P INT

I

Klever Jay

t was when I dropped ‘Konikoni Love’ in 2009.

The song was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. But after ‘Koniknoi love,’ I dropped ‘Igboro Ti Daru’ and ‘Se O Wa Sexy’.

You have to understand certain facts in this in-

dustry for you not to have a problem. When everyone wants to see you, whatever you touch becomes gold or the best in people ears. Even when you make rubbish songs, people will still appreciate them.

And in Nigeria, people like to hear new things. Once you understand the system, you won’t have any problem.

When your product is not getting the attention you desire, don’t think God has forsaken you. For, the good thing is that my name is

already registered and people can never forget me. Before ‘Gongo Aso,’ 9ice was already doing music but the song came and gave him the major breakthrough. Before ‘Limpopo,’ we all knew Kcee and how much effort he had put into music. He had done many videos and collaborations.

I don’t allow things that didn’t work for me to bring me down; I try to learn from them and move on.

There is clearly some adult language in the first episode, is that deliberate?

I guess I would say that is part of keeping it as real as possible.

You would notice that Lolu, the TV producer, is a very angry guy and that shows in his character and I’m sure you will come across people like that in real life. But having said that, there is really nothing that will make you shut your TV down or make you ensure your kids don’t watch it. So, beyond the swear words, I think people will enjoy watching it.

In terms of producing, how long have you been in this?

This is the first TV show I have produced but I wrote the idea like two years ago even though I only started working at EbonyLife TV in September. But I’ve always had the passion for TV and wrote the idea then and it was sitting on my laptop until I got to work on it.

A number of product placements appear to be in the movie, is that deliberate as well?

Accelerate TV is one of our headline sponsors, we also have Samsung along with Ciroc which was part of the launch party we had last week, but we are hoping some others will come on board.

How easy was it for you to put the members of cast together?

It was difficult. We held an open, online audition with people sending in their entries from UK, America, and found some but had to also hold close audition through which we brought in people like Nancy Isime; you know they are up and coming, talented and professional. It is directed by Tosin Coker, a Nigerian director, is based in the United States.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

I’d love to do collabo with Waje in future –A’rese Sequel to her victory at the recently concluded The Voice Nigeria singing competition, Etihad Airways presented Agharese Emokpae, popularly known as A’rese, and her partner with air tickets to Abu Dhabi to experience some of the best entertainment and attractions the capital of the United Arab Emirates has to offer. She speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA. and a strong woman; she really thought me a lot about that.

How strong would you really say you are?

A’rese is strong o! She has been through a lot in the last three months and she has come out stronger than she had ever been.

Are you planning to do a collaboration with Waje?

Ah! I hope so. I mean Waje is a huge deal, she is an amazing vocalist, so I would love to do one with her but I think that’s in the future... we’ll see what the future brings.

What advice will you give young singers who want to take part in the next season of the competition?

I would say to young people coming up in this industry or going for competitions like this, it is very important to be yourself and to stick to what you believe in. if you want to be a reggae artiste, do that. Don’t be afraid of being different and just be true to yourself.

How do you feel emerging the winner from this keenly contested The Voice Nigeria singing competition?

I feel grateful to have emerged as the winner. I feel overwhelmed and I’m still so excited and ready to get to work. It’s a feeling that words cannot convey enough. I am so happy.

Take theatre and music out of A’rese, what would be left?

I’m not sure you can have A’rese without music and theatre. It lives in me. Even when I wasn’t performing I just love watching shows and listening to music. It’s just part of who I am.

Did you ever think that you would get to this stage from when the show began?

I think all of us as contestants just wanted to do the best we could and see what happened. I think that’s how I came in. Let me try this new thing and learn a little bit. Of course who doesn’t want to win? But it’s the main thing of the many experiences I’ve had. So, I’m grateful.

Give us some insight into your background.

I’m from a very creative family. My parents have always supported us as far as wanting to be musicians or wanting to paint or draw, they’ve always nurtured our love of the art and I am very grateful that I have parents who give me so much emotional support as far as doing something as difficult as entertainment for a living. I’m the eldest of four.

I have three younger siblings - we are two girls and two boys.

After The Voice, what’s next for you?

I just have to keep working hard. So, I will keep working hard as far as music goes, as far as stage goes and just keep chasing my dreams.

How has the background you had in music helped?

I think my work as a stage performer probably influenced my song choices, influenced the way I chose to interpret the music and brought something special and different to the competition.

What do you think makes The Voice Nigeria different from every other singing contest in the country?

The show is a cut above other singing reality shows.

From the moment we started we knew we were on a different journey and the attention to detail, mentorship by the coaches and the incredible training sessions were unparalleled. At the end of the show I could confidently say that all the contestants showed incredible growth personally and professionally. We are all grateful for the experience, the exposure and the platform.

So what should Nigerians expect from you?

Nigerians should expect me to just keep working hard, and I’m literally going right into the studio to bring out something that they will like.

During the competition, who was your greatest threat?

I don’t know about anybody else but I don’t think of other contestants as threats. I think of them as colleagues that I respect, that I learn from and gain knowledge from and with that mindset I don’t see anybody as a threat. We are good friends.

With Waje being your principal, what is that special thing you learned from her?

There are so many things I learned from Waje. But the biggest is confidence and being her own woman

How old are you?

I’m 28 While you were performing Hallelujah, you did it so passionately like something really emotional was going on within you.

What was happening while you were singing the song that endeared you to all?

I was just so grateful to have got that far. Each week my prayer was just that I will have the grace and confidence to carry out what ever destiny God had planned for me. So, in that moment I made it all the way to the final top four and I was able to sing that song and just say thank you. It meant a lot to me. So in that moment I think it’s that sincerity that made it win so deeply.

Critics say your family is separated. What is the extent of its influence on your focus?

Well, I think everybody is different. Having support from my family helped me be confident in what I was doing. It is very easy to be discouraged if many people around you don’t believe in what you are doing. So if you have relations who say: ‘what is this music you are doing? Go and work in the bank’, it’s easy to feel discouraged and it would be a harder journey. But if someone is standing behind you saying: ‘Go for it, you can do this thing, let’s keep working hard’, that really does make a huge difference and that is what helped me.

What did you study in school?

I studied Art. Fine Art at the Washington and Lee University in the US

Arese

21

22

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Social Media Craze TravelTourism

13 august 2016

Trending

Gist

Photos Controversies

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Noble Igwe romances Buhari

N

ewly married blogger and media personality, Noble Igwe, took to Twitter to explain why he prefers President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to Goodluck Jonathan's

Who copied who?

The Nigerian blogger and Chief Executive Officer of 360 Group who was recently criticised by his fans for saying his wife should not cook posted a series of tweets, rallying support for Buhari.

He wrote, “We are not exporting palm kernel and the economy cannot turn around in one hour. They have work to do but still better than last govt.

“You cannot compare GEJ & PMB; PMB is an upgrade as regards what a president should be.

“I made my choice, you made yours and while I may not be happy with the speed of things, I’d choose him still over GEJ. “Just the fact that bombs are not going off every weekend is enough to vote PMB again. We forget so soon.

Churches were bombed weekend after weekend, still nothing changed.

Omokri taunts Mr. President

A

Bolanle

Mum didn’t allow me to sit on uncle’s lap, Project Fame host speaks on sexual molestation

T

he co-host of Moments and MTN Project Fame, Bolanle Olukanni, saw reasons has educated the public on sexual abuse.

Omokri

Noble Igwe

Daddy Freeze mocks Duncan Mighty

T

he former special assistant on new media to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, notes that South Africa’s economy has overtaken Nigeria’s economy as Africa’s largest.

On Instagram, he said, “I can bet you that there will be an attempt to put blame on the former President. Let’s no man blame Goodluck Jonathan, under his tenure we overtook South Africa. Jonathan is an overtaker, not an undertaker! At times like this I am reminded of Psalm 23:5 ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.’ As I speak, Dr. Jonathan is being honoured by the entire political class of Zambia. Meanwhile, look at what has happened to what he left behind.”

“7 years and I didn’t even have this much light (power) and no, I have not given up on this government.”

Having listened to many stories of survivors, she came on Twitter on Wednesday to share her views.

She reacted, “If you have been sexually abused, please seek some help. @MirableCentreNG offers free services. May God heal our broken hearts.

“When there isn’t any healing from molestation, it is cycle that continues. You grow up and then do the same to someone else’s child.

“When I was a kid, my mum would yell at me to never sit on any uncle’s lap. It didn’t matter who. We just weren’t allowed.

“Boys are molested by older women. They grow up and say they lost their virginity at nine, with pride. Newsflash you were taken advantage of.

“In another, a 12-year-old, was raped by her dad and when confronted by the mum, he said if it was my penis that produced her I could do whatever.

“In one case 4 months old baby was raped, not molested. How do you explain that?

“The rapist is rarely the stranger in the alley. It is the uncle, the cousin, the neighbor, the house help. And in some cases, the father.

“The stories our guests have told us about their own experiences of rape and also molestation are sobering.”

Nigerian musician, Duncan Mighty on Wednesday shared a picture on Instagram where he was praying with some widows. It was his way of giving back to the society.

He then wrote, “One of my secrets of moving higher unstoppable is remembering the widows. God answers them instantly, pls make sure u reach out to the widows close to u.”

But, popular OAP, Daddy Freeze, had a different view about this gesture.

He replied on the same Instagram, “Nigerian entertainers, we can do things for the gram!!! Choi!!! Inside this hot prayer, someone is remembering to take picture? Life for us in Nigeria has become a huge reality show. Just saying.”

Daddy Freeze

23

13 AUGUST 2016

Young Telegraph with DEBORAH OCHENI

Beach

TOPIC

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

My most exciting date

Bar

My most exciting date so far is the one I went to beach with my friends for a friend’s birthday.

Each time I hang out with my friend at the bar over bottles of beer is fun and I think all the moments are exciting.

UGBEDEOJO AKU

MAX ABIODUN

Quiet time with beautiful women

None for now

I have had several dates but it is kind of difficult for me to say which was the most exciting.

I am always excited when I have beautiful women around me during dates, it can be anywhere but my most exciting moment is the one spent with beautiful ladies.

MARGRET OCHE

AKEEM BALA

Visiting the sick

I had many

I have had a lot of exciting dates so far. May be the one I went with my friends and course mates.

My happiest and most exciting moment was the when I visited the sick ones at the hospital.

JOY AJA

EKENE BONIFACE

With my parents

With my family members

My most exciting date is the trip I made to Ghana with my parents. It was an exciting moment that I don’t think I can forget fast.

The most exciting date I have ever had was the one I made with my family members in December last year. We visited many fun spots

JOHN AGWU

At orphanage

ROSE MAKOJI

Hanging out with friends

My most exciting date was the one I had on the 15th of June at the orphanage when I marked my birthday.

I enjoy hanging out with friends and I think that is my most exciting date.

JOY SHAIBU

BLESSING CHUCKS

24

Special Features

The incessant arrests of bus drivers and Keke riders by officials of the Lagos State task force have been generating ripples. While the government insists that the exercise was not to engage in unwholesome revenue drive, the drivers and riders say, officers are milking them to the bone. TOBI AYINDE and FAITH EBUTE, who have been following the story, report

I

t appears like a continuous trend in the ‘Centre of Excellence’. The flurry of the mega city has not slowed it down. Rather, it has become an everyday phenomenon.

As usual, officials of the Lagos task force were seen on Tuesday morning violently dragging a bus driver, right in the middle of the road at Egbeda, a suburb of the city. But, the cause of their clash was not revealed.

As if in a competition, officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), around Baruwa junction, Abesan area of Lagos, were also seen to be engaged in the same despicable act about two hours later, the same day. This attitude has, somewhat, becomes the hallmark of officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KIA), other paramilitary personnel as well as police in the state.

To Lagos transporters, especially the Danfo drivers and Keke riders, these officials have, on a daily basis, made life difficult for them. “They make us suffer for no just cause because half of the money we make daily goes to them,” one driver said.

The drivers, however, are not the only ones lamenting; the Keke riders too. One of them, who craved anonymity, told Saturday Telegraph that the officials are lazy. “The officers are very lazy and cannot work; if you ask them to do what we are doing, they can’t,” he seethed in anger.

Not too long ago, a 63-year-old commercial bus driver was reportedly beaten to coma. The man, Isiaka Ishola, was said to have lost consciousness after the Police Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences, allegedly used a stun gun on him, while attempting to arrest him.

According to eyewitnesses, Ishola’s bus, which was loaded with passengers, rammed into a gutter after the gun was used on him. He was said to be driving out of a motor park along the Ojodu Berger Road, when the task force officials, accused him of causing traffic jam. In an attempt to compel him to stop and get out of the vehicle, one of the officers pursued and used the gun on him. Ishola reportedly fainted on the wheel, lost control of his bus and rammed into a nearby gutter.

The policemen did not stop at that.

They were said to have dragged his

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

BUS DRIVERS, KEKE RIDERS

Lagos task force killing our business

unconscious body out of the bus and put him inside their Black Maria. But, relief came, when a superior officer arrived the scene, rescued the man as he ordered them to release him immediately. He, however, regained consciousness after passersby helped him back to life.

In a similar incident, another Danfo driver was not that lucky. Members of the task force allegedly beaten to death for refusing to give them bribe. The sad incident occurred, according to the report, around Igando area of the mega city. The funniest part of the whole drama, the drivers told Saturday Telegraph, is that they, most times, come in mufti.

A bus driver at Egbeda, Mutairu Kareem, said: “We don’t know what we did wrong to task force officials. When they see us, they block us and believe

we must drop part of our hard earned money without explaining our offence.

In other instances, they would threaten to drag us to Alausa where we would be made to pay something higher, sometimes, up to N20, 000 while at other times we could pay up to N50, 000.”

Another driver, who did not disclose his identity, also said: “These task force officials caught me and my conductor last week. They made me to cough up N20,000 for no just cause.

The payment was not enough to deter them from arresting and taking away my conductor. We were made to pay N10, 000 to secure his release. When I asked of my offence, they only told me that I parked at the wrong place. We had to sort ourselves out to avoid being dragged to Alausa where we could pay higher amount.

“At times they come to the park to harass and collect our money. We are pleading with the state government to please stop them because they are intimidating and preventing us from doing our legitimate business. Or do they want us to turn to robbers? What they are doing to us is unfair,” he said.

To Segun Odewale, “these task force officials have a lot of problems in Ni-

geria. Some days ago I parked my vehicle and wanted to urinate; they just swooped on me and took me to Alausa, after damaging part of my vehicle. They collected N18, 000 from me. I think they should be called to order, otherwise, one day we will be forced to react. They extort the money we work for as if it’s their right to do so.”

It is the same story at Iyana-Ipaja, where a Danfo driver, Sarafat Ramon, was beaten mercilessly for, according to the officials, attempting to resist arrest. “They disturb us every time; they do not allow us to rest even after they would have collected all that we worked for. They usually come with area boys. We have no other means of livelihood; the government should help us so we would be free from this bondage,” Ramon begged.

Femi Adesonyi, who plies the Ojota route, has a similar story. He said: “Now we are scared to do our business like every other person. Even if we are at the bus stop, they would still pursue us to collect what does not belong to them. They have held me like two times and collected about N45, 000 from me.

They cannot offer us job and the ones that we are managing to take care of ourselves and our families they make

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Interview My son died for Nigeria but he has been forgotten – Okwaraji's mum p.27

Sport Splash

25 News Rio 2016: Siasia’s Eagles go for broke against Denmark p.32

Super Eagles defender Jamiu Alimi in action against Niger at the CHAN in Rwanda

Rohr and the rocky road to Russia

A

Ajibade Olusesan fter about six months since erstwhile Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh resigned, the Nigeria Football Federation finally named his permanent successor Gernot Rohr with a mandate to qualify the national team for the 2018 World Cup. Nigeria are in a tough group as the west African giants battle for a sole ticket in a section that has Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia. The composition of the group forced the federation to abandon the idea of engaging a local coach as they believe current indigenous tacticians lack the capacity to nudge the team to Russia from such a difficult pool.

The search for the new Eagles manager was characterised by controversies and the delay by the NFF chieftains in taking decision on the issue worsened the situation as many pundits raised the alarm that such a development was capable of undermining Nigeria’s chances in the World Cup qualifiers.

The process that brought Oliseh to the saddle was roundly criticised as there were allegations that the

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

The German tactician’s mandate is quite clear; he has to qualify Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup NFF President Amaju Pinnick did not carry members of his board along. Many sports enthusiasts saw Oliseh’s appointment as a big gamble that could back fire on the federation and so it turned out as the ex-international almost turned Nigeria’s football upside down with his rather poor human relations before he threw in the towel.

Samson Siasia and the current Chief Coach of the team, Salisu Yusuf, managed the side on interim basis but after a tortuouse search which included embarrassing episode that had Frenchman Paul Le Guen rejecting the NFF’s offer, Pinnick finally pulled the trigger. The federation signed a two-year deal with German Rohr.

The German tactician’s mandate is quite clear; he has to qualify Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup. He will be leading the Eagles against two teams that were with Nigeria at the last World Cup, Cameroon and Algeria.

The Indomitable are back in the groove and the Fennecs never lost theirs. The Algerians are the highest ranked in Africa while the Cameroonians are 8th on the continent and Nigerians sit in a distant 16.

The Chipolopolo of Zambia have always matched CONTINUE ON PAGE 31

Rorh

Sport

26

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous

BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

Hope La Liga visit will reflect on league

D

uring the week, 25 players from the Nigeria Professional Football League and 11 club chairmen departed the country to be part of the technical and commercial partnership signed in April 2016 between the League Management Company and Spanish La Liga.

The NPFL All-Star team on Wednesday lost 2-1 to Valencia in their first game in the Carranza World Club Tournament and will be playing another game today.

The NPFL delegation made up of Directors of the LMC, Nigeria Football Federation Board members and 11 NPFL club chairmen and managers were during the tour challenged to set clear commercial and sporting objectives for their club with a plan for achieving the vision.

Apart from IfeanyiUbah and MFM FC, all the remaining 17 clubs are dependent on the state government. The hope is that the lessons from Spain will reflect on the clubs in terms of marketing and revenue.

Valencia’s Commercial and Marketing Director, Peter Draper, conducted a marketing seminar on the club’s

marketing vision as well as touching on global marketing practices.

“While the core business of breweries is beer, that of a club is producing players (team) and a major challenge of running clubs is getting the team to understand and appreciate the administration and organisation,” he said at the seminar.

“Fans do not like to think or see football as a business but we need a good organisation to successfully run a football club.

“The administration which include the human resources, communication, commercial and other units need to have access to equipment to function well just as players are provided training facilities which include good playing grounds, balls, coaches, kits, doctors, weights etc.”

It is expected that the chairmen will not just enjoy the atmosphere and the foods, but also take advantage of the tour and lectures to develop their club so that we can have truly a professional league side in the country.

The Nigerian delegation will return on August 15.

I want to make history with Crown – Osho

C

rown FC of Ogbomosho coach, Fatai Osho, has said his target will be gaining promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League with the club.

The former Kogi United coach said he wanted his name written on the marble like those that first qualified the team to the elite division.

“The day I was unveiled as Crown coach, I saw the names of the squad that got promotion for the team to the NPFL for the first time written on marble,” Osho said.

“I want my name and those of the players to be written on marble at Crown FC. I want to be part of the club’s history.

“Playing in the top division is the dream of everyone and mine will not be an exception, and hopefully with hardwork and God on our side, we will get the ticket.”

The team currently is campaigning in the Nigeria National League and is in the quest for promotion to the NPFL this season.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Sports, Abayomi Oke, has set two targets for Crown as he expects the club to gain promotion while also winning the Federation Cup. Oke informed League Rendezvous that the state would be putting everything in place for the club to excel.

He said: “They have shown they are ready to compete for promotion and we are going to support them to achieve that.

“They lost their game at the weekend but the gap between them and the top team is not really much, so with a few games to go, I believe they can do it.

“The tie against IfeanyiUbah in the Federation Cup is also another target for the team; we are expecting them to make it double joy at the end of the season by winning the Federation Cup and also gaining promotion.”

South-West derby turning to war

L

ong gone are the days of intense rivalry between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Stationery Stores of Lagos. No longer the battle between Abiola Babes of Abeokuta and ACB of Lagos or Leventis of Ibadan against Julius Berger of Lagos.

With only Shooting Stars and Sunshine Stars of Akure holding sway, and in recent time the emergence of MFM FC and Ikorodu United, both of Lagos, it seems the battle has returned.

Hell was let loose last weekend when Shooting Stars of Ibadan forced Ikorodu United to 1-1 draw with some of the visitors’ fans given the beating of their lives.

It was a free-for-all fight and the home fans were too much for the visitors with some of them forced to removed their Shooting replica jersey to escape.

For some years, the rivalry was between Sunshine Stars and the Oluyole Warriors, and a matchday will not pass without a case of violence involving their fans.

The players sometimes were not left out in the crisis, and it took the intervention of the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajumobi, to avert a full scale war in Ibadan recently.

But the last two visits of Shooting to Lagos have ended in crisis and the talk now is are we going to start witnessing another SouthWest derby war?

Shooting handed MFM their first home defeat of the season and the fans turned against the match officials, the same scenario that played out against Ikorodu United after the visitor equalised with two minutes to the end of the encounter.

Hopefully, the League Management Company will quickly nip the crisis in the bud before it turns into full scale war.

MATCHDAY 31 Nasarawa vs Kano Pillars Sunshine vs Ikorodu Utd Shooting vs El-Kanemi Rivers Utd vs Heartland IfeanyiUbah vs Rangers MFM vs Warri Wolves Enyimba vs Wikki Lobi Stars vs Abia Warriors Tornadoes vs Akwa Utd

NPFL LEAGUE TABLE

League action between Ikorodu United and MFM FC

Ikorodu Utd will fight to the end –Ayoola

M

edia Manager of bottom of the table Ikorodu United has said the club will continue to fight till when they are mathematically relegated.

While talking to League Rendezvous, Ayoola said they have a very decent team but that they have not been getting the results.

"So many people have ruled us out but we believe we can still do it," he said.

"We all agreed that the team is in a difficult situation but with some good results everything will work for us.

"It's going to be the biggest escape ever and we are very hopeful."

On the crowd trouble that ended their home game against Shooting Stars of Ibadan last weekend, Ayoola said it should not be attributed to just Ikorodu United fans.

According to him, with no other match in Lagos at the weekend, all the fans of other clubs including MFM, COD were at Onikan to watch the derby game.

He however called on the League Management Company, the state FA to partner with the clubs in training private security men who will be responsible for the league alone as the police have not been able to provide the maximum security needed.

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1 Rangers

28

13

9

6

39

31

8

48

2 Tourists

28

13

8

7

37

20

17

47

3 Rivers Utd

27

14

2

11

28

21

7

44

4 Sunshine

28

11

10

7

34

26

8

43

5 Kano Pillars

28

12

6

10

41

29

12

42

6 Lobi Stars

28

12

6

10

31

25

6

42

7 Enyimba

27

12

6

9

27

24

3

42

8 Akwa Utd

29

11

7

11

37

34

3

40

9 Nasarawa Utd

28

13

1

14

34

34

0

40

10 IfeanyiUbah

28

11

7

10

28

29

-1

40

11 Plateau Utd

29

10

9

10

29

30

-1

39

12 El-Kanemi

28

12

1

15

29

34

-5

37

13 MFM FC

27

10

6

11

28

29

-1

36

14 Tornadoes

28

11

3

14

30

35

-5

36

15 Abia Warriors

29

9

9

11

25

32

-7

36

16 Shooting

27

11

3

13

32

41

-9

36

17 Warri Wolves

28

9

7

12

24

32

-8

34

18 Heartland

28

8

9

11

19

25

-6

33

19 Ikorodu Utd

25

3

9

13

20

41

-21

18

20 Giwa FC

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

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My son died for Nigeria but he has been forgotten – Okwaraji's mum Mrs Jane Okwaraji is the mother of the late Eagles star Sam Okwaraji. In this exclusive interview with CHARLES ONYEKWERE at her Abakpa Nike residence in Enugu state, the76-year-old retired primary school headmistress gives some insight into her ordeal since the death of her son 27 years ago.

Okwaraji

Okwaraji

How has it been without Sam Okwaraji?

It has not easy without him because when he was alive he was very good to me. The boy was good, I can't forget him so easily.

handed over everything to the almighty God. One thing about death is that it not easy to forget someone who was so nice to you and the family.

What were the benefit of having such a star in the family?

There were many benefits when he was alive. The boy was everything to the family, he was very good to the entire family and outsiders as well.

Where are the wife and children?

He didn't marry before he died. He was only 24.

How has the family been coping since his absence?

We cannot kill ourselves because our son died. We have been trying to survive, and

How should he be immortalised and what can the family remember about him?

We want Nigeria to remember him for putting all his life on the line for the county.

Bolt set to sign out on high U

sain Bolt will seek to sign off his Olympic career in typically history-making fashion as the Jamaican track and field icon pursues an unprecedented hat-trick of 100m titles.

The 29-year-old has long spoken of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games being his finale at “The Greatest Show on Earth” which intensifies the sense of expectation surrounding the sport’s marquee star.

Bolt has had a difficult campaign – most notably after a grade one hamstring tear in the heart of the season disrupted his preparations. While the big Jamaican has not taken the event by storm so far this year – his season’s best of 9.88 places him fourth on the world lists – he still boasts a four from four record this season and with an unimpeachable championship record it would be a brave man who would bet against him securing the golden 100m treble.

Predictably, his main rival is Justin Gatlin of the US, who himself is seeking to create history by becoming the first man in history to regain an Olympic title having triumphed at the Athens Games 12 years earlier.

Like Bolt, Gatlin has had to overcome adversity by way of an ankle injury in the countdown to his 2016 campaign and like the Jamaican he too boasts a 100 per cent record this year with seven wins in as many races.

Gatlin missed out by a whisker on toppling Bolt at last year’s World Championships and the 34-year-old veteran will not to fazed by the task ahead.

Has there been support from government?

We never saw any.

...stretchered into an ambulance.

Dead in a few minutes

...on dreadlocks

Because if he hadn't come to the country, he wouldn't have died. He died because he came to play for his country. But for his country to forget him just like that is very painful to me. Okwaraji was a very good boy. If Nigeria fails to remember him, that means the country is not grateful for all his sacrifices.

...down and out. Unsuspecting Samson Siasia offers a helping hand

Bromell leads the new generation

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Bolt

ome 13 years Justin Gatlin’s junior Trayvon Bromell, a 2015 world bronze medallist, could be in the 100m mix. Crowned world indoor 60m champion in March he has struggled with an Achilles injury during the outdoor season but a 9.84 clocking - to equal his PB – for second at US Championships suggests he is in strong form.

The US, contingent is rounded out

by Marvin Bracy, the 2014 world indoor 60m silver medallist, who holds a season’s best of 9.94.

Usain Bolt is joined on the Jamaican team by the 2012 London Olympic silver medallist Yohan Blake, who is gradually returning to form after several injuryravaged seasons. The 26-year-old with a best of 9.69 has dipped under 10 seconds four times this season and his victory in 9.95 at the Jamaican Championship hinted at better times ahead. Blake’s compatriot Nickel Ashmeade (9.94), the 2013 World 100m fifthplacer, is also entered.

The Canadian challenge looks strong led by 2015 World bronze medallist Andre De Grasse, who boasts a season’s best 9.99 and is supported by Aaron Brown, who earlier this season blitzed to a 9.96 clocking.

The principal European threat would appear to be the mercurial

Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut. The winner at the London stop of the IAAF Diamond League has twice posted sub-9.90 times this season, although he disappointed at the European Championships when he had to settle for bronze when tipped for gold.

The two men ahead of him that day – two-time Olympic finalist Churandy Martina of the Netherlands and Jamaican-born Turk Jak Ali Harvey could also prove dangerous opposition.

Former world 100m champion Kim Collins, who earlier this year became the first 40-year-old to run a sub-ten second 100m, will make his fifth Olympic appearance some 20 years after the veteran from St Kitts and Nevis made his debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Among the other names entered include South Africa’s World University Games champion Akani Simbine, African champion Ben Youssef Meite of Ivory Coast, 2015 World Championships finalist Su Bingtian of China and 2008 Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson of Trinidad & ToBromell bago.

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here's likely to be a fair gulf in terms of final points between Middlesbrough and Stoke City when the season's over, Stoke comfortably expected to maintain their spot inside the top half of the league and Middlesbrough set to be scrapping for their lives near the foot of the table, but it could be a much tighter scenario at the Riverside on the opening day of the season.

Indeed, the newly-promoted side are favourites to start with a victory and pretty short ones at that. It was a slightly strange season for Boro in the Championship after it appeared manager Aitor Karanka was on his way out having missed a match due to a disagreement with the squad in the middle of March.

He returned to the fold and guided the side into second place and an automatic promotion place with a

Allen.

There is plenty of creativity in the team now but the fact that Marko Arnautovic is the shortest Stoke player in the first scorer betting is a clear indication that they're in desperate need of bringing in a quality striker.

Newcomers Middlesbrough host Stoke

Kane

Everton, E Tottenham battle for points

verton and Tottenham are often difficult to split when they meet, and in their opening English Premier League match of the season, it is normal to think honours could be even once more on Merseyside today.

There has been a distinct overhaul at Everton this summer with a number of names that have been associated with the club for many years moving on.

The likes of Stephen Pienaar, Tim Howard, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert have all left Merseyside with manager Roberto Martinez also departing. Ronald Koeman has arrived as the Spaniard's successor and the former Southampton boss has had to cope with a more high profile loss than the veterans mentioned above.

John Stones' big money move to Manchester City has necessitated the signing of a centre back and Wales international Ashley Williams has since joined from Swansea City.

A more robust defender than Stones, Koeman will hope that Williams will bring some steel to an Everton side that at times last season looked extremely brittle. Last term the Toffees threw away leads on a regular basis and fans will hope that the Dutchman can reverse that worrying tendency.

Leicester ready for winning start at Hull

SUNDAY Bournemouth v Man United 1: 30pm Arsenal v Liverpool 4pm

Hull City v Leicester 12:30 Burnley v Swansea 15:00 Crystal Palace v West Brom 3pm Everton v Tottenham Hotspur 3pm Middlesbrough v Stoke City 3pm Southampton v Watford 3pm Man City v Sunderland 5:30pm

EPL Saturday

FIXTURES

Kickoff: 4:00pm

t would not be an Arsenal season without an injury crisis but even Arsene Wenger must be surprised how quickly this one has come around.

The Premier League has not even kicked off yet Wenger does not have a fully-fit defender to call upon, and it seems increasingly likely that Laurent Koscielny will be rushed back into action to hold Liverpool’s formidable attack at bay.

Jurgen Klopp’s side begin the season on a high, though they face injury concerns as significant as Arsenal’s. Liverpool’s transfer business is largely complete and their pre-season form has been exceptional at times, culminating in an electrifying 4-0 demolition of Barcelona at Wembley.

Liverpool look nearly as light as Arsenal in defensive areas so should both sides formidable attacks click on Sunday then it may be a contender for game of the season inside the opening week.

Arsenal will welcome Liverpool to the Emirates for a 4pm kick-off on Sunday, August 14.

Arsenal ratcheted up an impressive record in the senior side’s five pre-season friendlies, running in 17 goals in victories over the MLS All Stars, Chivas de Guadalajara, Viking FK and Manchester City, as well as a draw with Lens. The win over English opposition in Gothenburg was particularly impressive, Theo Walcott proving himself to be quite the super-sub in a 3-2 comeback.

Injury-hit Arsenal welcome LIVERPOOL in EPL opener I

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

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Arnautovic

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Aguero

For those wondering where Pacquiao stands on certain crimes, say drug trafficking, the boxer-turned-politician takes a pretty hard line stance (via Inquirer.net).

"We need to clarify that from then until now, the Constitution never barred the imposition of the death penalty, especially in the eyes of God,” said Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao

he facts are pretty unanimous in suggesting this could be a stroll for Manchester City and it's hard to conclude that they represent anything other than rock-solid favourites.

Last season was shaping up to be a really disappointing one from a long way out and City, title heroes in 2012 and 2014, ultimately ended up 15 points off the pace set by shock winners Leicester. Despite the finishing tallies, no side won more home games than the Citizens and it's at the Etihad where they've been at their most destructive for the past four or five seasons now.

New manager Pep Guardiola already had one of the strongest squads to work with and he's bolstered the ranks with ready-made quality operators in Ilkay Gundogan and Nolito.

German Gundogan was a real linchpin in the Borussia Dortmund midfield

and looks perfectly suited to playing alongside Yaya Toure if the new manager opts to stick with the Ivoirian, while Nolito's stocks rose after the Euros if anything following some direct performances and the odd goal from a wide forward position for Spain.

Fellow summer signings John Stones and Leroy Sane are obviously more long-term projects but the amount of money spent on Stones suggests he'll be expected to become a defensive mainstay in the fullness of time.

Sergio Aguero, just denied by Harry Kane in last year's Golden Boot battle, will lead the line for the home side and, with three in his last three against the Black Cats. . Sunderland face another battle for survival but in David Moyes appear to have employed the right man for the job.

Man City begin life under Guardiola as Sunderland visit

run of 10 games unbeaten at the end of the campaign, though it was touch and go towards the end and probably should never have become quite so precarious. Stoke played some wonderful stuff last term and Mark Hughes has moved to bring another quality playmaker to the club in Joe

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ose Mourinho and his players have been training hard as they put in the final preparations ahead of the big kick-off at Bournemouth.

United have faced Bournemouth only 10 times in all competitions and Sunday's match will be just the third league clash between the two sides.

Mourinho is putting the finishing touches to his squad, with Paul Pogba completing a world-record transfer on Tuesday to become the Reds' fourth signing of the summer.

Two of the new arrivals, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly,

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Bournemouth face Mourinho machines

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Musa

outhampton manager Claude Puel is looking forward to his first Premier League game in charge at home to Watford on Saturday. Experienced Frenchman Puel was named as Ronald Koeman's successor earlier this summer following the Dutchman's decision to leave St Mary's and join rivals Everton.

The 54-year-old Puel arrived from

LEWIS Hamilton has come under fire from animal rights campaigners for posting selfies with big cats.

Videos and photographs of the Formula One world champion enjoying rough and tumble with a tiger and jaguar have angered conservationists.

Hamilton swooned over his visit to Mexico City’s Black JaguarWhite Tiger Foundation while on a break from the racing circuit.

LEWIS Hamilton

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Stegen

arcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen is set to miss the Spanish Super Cup first-leg against Sevilla on Sunday after he sprained a ligament in his left knee during Thursday morning training. The development is a blow for the La Liga giants amid reports linking the German international with a move to Manchester City.

The 24-year-old has been the number one choice in goal for Luis Enrique in the Champions League and Copa del Rey competitions during the last two campaigns, with veteran Claudio Bravo, being preferred for La Liga duty.

Ter Stegen has often been reported as being unlikely to put up with the role of a bit-part player for a third consecutive season and would be ready to leave the club if Barcelona fail to assure him of starting between the sticks in all three competitions.

The speculations have again re-surfaced after Ter Stegen was recently spotted with his agent in a meeting with Barcelona officials at the Camp Nou. Sport claimed the German had informed the club that he had received a big-money offer to move to City and wanted assurances over his goalkeeping role if he is to stay at the club. Barcelona have however told the keeper he is going nowhere, meaning that the only way City could sign him would be by meeting his €80m (£68.8m, $89.2m) release clause in full as he is still under contract.

Stegen out as Barca meet Sevilla in Spanish Super Cup

Disillusioned with modern-day cricketers for failing to complete a day’s full quota of overs in time, former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie has floated the idea of deducting runs to address the issue. Writing in a column for London Evening Standard, the 41-year old criticized the prevailing trend in Test cricket and refused to entertain any excuses from players for slow over-rates.

Jason Gillespie

Nice, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season, and Saints fans will be hoping a similar position can be achieved in the Premier League this term. Southampton have had to deal with some notable exits in the current transfer window, having lost Sadio Mane to Liverpool for over £30million and Italy striker Graziano Pelle to Shandong Luneng for £12m.

Puel excited for "special" opener

SPORT BRIEFLY

played throughout the victory over Leicester in the Community shirld at Wembley, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan making a late appearance off the bench, but it remains to be seen whether that team is a firm indication of how United will line up for the league opener.

Mourinho

eicester City begin their Premier League title defence at Hull City on Saturday knowing they will have their work cut out to upstage the big clubs again following a summer of big spending.

Claudio Ranieri, mastermind of last season's unlikely title triumph, is acutely aware of how much harder things will be this time around and will be keen to make a winning start.

He will be wary, though, of regarding the trip to Hull as a formality even if the promoted team are without a permanent manager, after Steve Bruce quit last month, and with only 13 fit senior players.

"We'll defend very strongly our trophy but I think there are big teams now who last season made mistakes," Ranieri told Sky Sports. "Now they have to win because they are used to winning and have spent a lot of money."

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Lifestyle of Sportsmen

Sport

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13 AUGUST 2016

Griezmann finds the back of the net with stunning Wag

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tletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has been pictured enjoying a well-deserved summer getaway after Euro 2016 heartbreak After reportedly rejecting a move to the Premier League – with Manchester United interested – and French giants Paris SaintGermain, the striker has had a busy summer.

He took La Liga and the Euros by storm last season and walked away from the France tournament with the Golden Boot.

And Antoine is taking a well-deserved break from football by sunning himself in the Florida hotspot.

Antoine and Erika were pictured frolicking in the sea together as if they met just yesterday.

When in fact, the couple fell for each other in 2011 – and have been besotted ever since.

Atletico are desperate to hold onto their star striker and will have been pleased by the contract extension he signed in June.

He is now tied to the club until 2021.

Suzy

Griezmann

Stories courtesy : Dailymail

Curvy Cassandre now Ronaldo’s fling

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ristiano Ronaldo‘s newest fling has been revealed as curvy fitness model Cassandre Davis.

The Real Madrid superstar has been pictured relaxing on a luxurious Miami holiday in the last few days.

And Cassandre, who has over 500,000 Instagram followers, is the latest stunner to turn Ronaldo’s head.

The couple were spotted getting cosy together on a single sun lounger, reports TMZ. Ron, 31, was previously seen kissing a mystery blond in the Florida resort, and even getting his toenails painted. It is unclear whether Cassandre is the woman in each instance.

The former Manchester United ace has been linked to a host of gorgeous women since his split with Russian supermodel Irina Shayk in January 2015.

He reportedly enjoyed saucy flings with Paris Hilton, Colombian babe Nataly Rincon and Italian reality TV star Elisa De Panicis.

Ron is laying low ahead of the new season, taking a well-deserved break after winning both the Champions League and the Euros last time out.

Davis

Dani Alves’ girlfriend reveals new Torino home

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Dutch gymnast sent home for partying too hard

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utch gymnast Yuri van Gelder, 33, learnt the hard way when he was sent home for consuming alcohol and partying too hard during an unauthorised jaunt outside the Olympic Village.

The Dutchman nicknamed "Lord of The Rings" had qualified for the rings final. But he was expelled by the Dutch Olympic Committee for violating the team's code of conduct.

razilian defender Dani Alves appears to have an incredible view in the Italian city - and the scenery is not too shabby either The Juventus star’s gorgeous Wag has revealed their luxurious pad in Torino.

Sexy model Joana Sanz uploaded a picture to Instagram, captioned: “Finally at the new home #installed #home #torino” The photograph shows off the stun-

The three-time world champion absconded from the Olympic Village on Saturday night (local time) after qualifying in eighth place for the still rings final.

He returned to the Village on Sunday and admitted he had consumed alcohol, according to the Dutch Olympic Committee.

The Dutch team's Chef de Mission Maurits Hendriks said van Gelder's actions were "unacceptable".

Van Gelder

ning view Alves gets to look at – Joana in a skimpy turquoise bikini.

She looks to have topped up her tan as the bronzed beauty steals the spotlight of Alves’ new location.

Also in the snap is Alves’ swimming pool and the picturesque view of the town.

The Brazilian, 33, joined the Serie A champions in June, ending eight years at Barcelona.

Sport

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13 AUGUST 2016

'Rohr'll deliver World Cup ticket' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

the Eagles and they will never be an easy prey in that group. The two sides have met 16 times with Nigeria winning six, losing five and drawing five.

Rohr arrived Nigeria with a reputation of understanding African football having worked in Tunisia, Niger, Gabon and Burkina Faso but his record of service in those countries were not quite impressive.

After a hugely unsuccessful spell at Etoile du Sahel which was his first job in Africa, the 63-year-old took 2012 AFCON hosts, Gabon, to the quarterfinal of the competition. He left the country shortly after and took over at Niger Republic where he spent about two years. He took the team to 2013 Nations Cup where they finished bottom of their group. He spent 10 months in Burkina Faso whom he qualified for the 2017 AFCON and took them to the group stage of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Rohr appears cool-headed, simple and unassuming but his less than stellar career has been tainted with regular fall outs with his employers.

Hardly did he leave a job without traces of acrimony with his principals. He is not such a huge figure in places like Niger, Etoile, Bordeaux and even Burkina Faso after falling out with the hierarchy in those places.

For instance, he left his position at Etiole when he accused the director of trying to impose players on him and interfering with his job but this is a disturbing proclivity that happens regularly in Nigeria.

Relationships between the NFF chiefs and many coaches that have handled the national team in the past were mostly marred by the insistence of the administrators on teleguiding the tacticians and it remains to be seen how a no-nonsense German will cope with an operational environment that is at best disorganised.

Although Rohr has had some good time in his coaching career including leading French side Boardeaux to the final of UEFA Cup, some pundits still believe he is not good enough to handle a job as big as that of the Eagles. One of such sceptics is Jonathan Akpoborire who insisted that the German did not have the clout to man-

Egypt's defender Abdallah El-Said (l) vies with Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa during the African Cup of Nations qualification match

age Nigeria national team.

"Going by his CV on some of the countries he has managed, I don't think he deserves the senior national team job. Hiring an average foreign coach for the Eagles won't change the declining level of football in the Super Eagles.

“Coaching teams like Niger, Gabon and Burkina Faso may be great but not good enough for Nigeria. It would have been better to allow some of our indigenous coaches to manage the team than offer it to Rohr." he said.

But Akpoborire former teammate, Mutiu Adepoju, disagreed. The ex-Eagles midfielder who is also a member of the NFF technical committee that recommended him said that the coach was a good development for Nigerian football.

“The Technical Committee assessed the credentials of the manager and discovered that he was experienced in handling African teams. We believe this will assist the Eagles to qualify for the World Cup. He is a coach that is versatile and has a good work ethic that can transform the Eagles,” he said.

"German people are business-like people," Friday Ekpo, another exinternational said.

"As we all know, time changes and we have different kind of people that come in and out. He might have a different mentality from Manfred Hoener former Eagles manager who is also from Germany.

"So what we need to do is to watch him, give him our support and see his good side and what he will try to do with the national team.

"We shouldn't start criticising him because doing that will discourage him. We are known for rushing things.

Two months from now, we will be playing against Zambia in the World Cup qualifier so we need to give him the time to assess players, both the foreignbased-players and home-based players.

We need to give him support in order to build a solid team for us ahead of the qualifiers.”

The German admitted this is his biggest challenge since he arrived Africa and promised to give it his best shot.

Although Rohr met Nigerian football at its lowest ebb, the country still has some of the finest talents on the continent. Handling top stars should not be a problem for the German having managed big stars including current coach of Real Madrid and three-time World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane.

His man-management skill is unquestionable as he hasn’t had issues regarding his relationship with his players. In fact, he has an attitude of going to pre and post-match conferences with rather less popular players in his sides so as to boost their confidence level.

He has to translate such confidence he exuded during the contract-signing ceremony to his team when he finally settles down to work.

“Nigeria has big players everywhere and the ability to do well internationally. I

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Rohr

have the heart of a winner,” he confidently said on Tuesday.

“I’ve confidence that with right atmosphere, support, Nigeria has capacity, not only to qualify for the World Cup, but also reach the latter stages.”

The right atmosphere is what Nigerian football does not guarantee; such an unfriendly environment has proved to be the country’s albatross many times she is gunning for tickets to big tournaments.

Nigeria has been to just one AFCON in the last three editions and this current administration has failed to take the country to two consecutive Nations Cup finals largely due to off-the pitch issues. About three coaches managed the national team in the qualification series for the 2017 AFCON and such instability should worry any employee.

Besides, coaches in NFF employ usually complain of being owed salary and bonuses, another encumbrance Rohr has to deal with But Pinnick has assured Nigerians that won’t be a problem this time as his federation has sealed a sponsorship that covers the coach’s stay.

He begins his reign with an inconsequential 2017 AFCON qualifiers between Nigeria and Tanzania next month in Port Harcourt before a trip to Lusaka for the World Cup opener against Zambia but the outcome of that Nations Cup match should give an insight into what the German has to offer.

He certainly will be fired if he does not get the job done by qualifying the team for the World Cup, and one of the players he is likely going to consider, John Ogu, is confident the German will deliver.

“I am happy the federation has finally appointed a new coach,” Ogu told our correspondent. “From what we heard about him, he is very experienced having coached in Europe and Africa. I know the NFF has worked so hard before they chose him and I know the coach will deliver. We can’t wait to start working with him. I know that by the grace of God we will make it to the World Cup. The group is tough, but we are also a big country in Africa and if we get our acts together as expected, we will triumph at the end of the day.”

The former Bayern Munich defender however can draw inspiration from late Eagles skipper and coach Stephen Keshi who took over the national team at a very critical period and piloted the side to the pinnacle of African football in just one year.

Can Rohr replicate that, can he successfully ply this rocky road to Russia? Only time will tell.

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Rio 2016: Siasia’s Eagles go for broke against Denmark

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Ajibade Olusesan amson Siasia will lead his team out against familiar foes Denmark in the quarterfinal of the football event of the Rio 2016 Olympics and the former Super Eagles striker is well accustomed to the ruthlessness of the Europeans in front of goal.

The Danes dazed Siasia’s team 6-2 at the Suwon Invitational Tournament in Korea earlier in the year and for a side that has conceded six goals in three games, caution should be the watchword when they file out against the Scandinavians.

Although Siasia has reinforced his squad since that time, the shaky defence line remains a source of worry. The Danes lost their last group game to hosts Brazil 4-0 but still progressed from the group having garnered four points.

Nigerian side will be desperate to come back from their

Ajagba begins medal chase today Charles Ogundiya

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he country's sole representative in the boxing event of the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, Efe Ajagba, will today begin his quest to winning a medal.

Ajagba who will be competing in the men’s Super-Heavy (+91kg) will take on Trinidad and Tobago’s Nigel Paul in his first bout.

The 22-year-old was the only Nigerian boxer to qualify for the Olympics after he won gold in his heavyweight category at the African Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Cameroon in March.

The country hitherto had been so good in boxing with six of the 23 medals won by Nigeria at the Olympics, coming from the sport.

A boxer, Nojim Maiyegun, won bronze medal in the men’s light middleweight at the 1964 Tokyo Games, the first by any Nigerian.

Ajagba took up boxing in 2011 after previously playing football for a club in Ughelli since 2005; he was also reported to have worked at a bakery.

He won bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, competing in the super heavyweight division.

He also won gold medal at the 2015 African Games held in Brazzaville, Congo.

2-0 defeat in the hands of Colombia in their last group game on Wednesday.

Although they had already secured the top spot in group B, but the unimpressive showing of their defenceline remain a cause for concern.

Nigerian team will watch out for Emil Larsen who netted a hat-trick in Denmark’s win in South Korea even though striker Oghene Etebo is still doubtful having limped out the loss to Colombia.

Siasia has promised to work on the lapses noticed in the 2-0 loss. “Of course when you make too many changes, it won’t work the way you expect,” he said after the game. “ Going into the knock –out stage, that’s a different ball game.

If you lose, you go home, so all those mistakes we have been making mostly in the backline have to be corrected.

We didn’t do a good job on the Colombian forwards. We really have to work harder on our defending.”

Enyimba face decisive game against Zamalek Charles Ogundiya

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t will be the biggest game in the history of Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Enyimba, as they take on Zamalek of Egypt this weekend in one of the group stage matches of the CAF Champions League.

The People’s Elephant are yet to win a game since the beginning of the group stage losing 1-0 to Zamalek in Port Harcourt before succumbing to another 2-1 defeat away to Mamelodi Sundowns of

South Africa.

Anything short of victory will end the team’s campaign in the competition they won back-to-back in 2003 and 2004.

Enyimba departed the country on Thursday with the belief that they can inflict a home defeat on their opponents who also lost to Sundowns home and away.

Sundowns are already through to the semifinal after winning all their three games and a victory for Enyimba in Cairo will put them in pole position to join the South African team.

Athletes can spring surprises – Opuana

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Enyimba Head Coach Paul Aigbogun believes that his side can win the game.

“The pitch (at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt) was waterlogged when we played against Zamalek (on June 19),” the former Warri Wolves coach said.

“We dominated the game and the goal they scored was from something you cannot even refer to as a goal scoring opportunity.

“Our objective is to win on Sunday to get our campaign back on track and I believe we can do it.”

Enyimba's Mfon Udoh scores from the spot against Sharks in a recent league match

Charles Ogundiya thletic Federation of Nigeria throw coach, Gabriel Opuana, said the country should expect surprises from athletes as athletics take centre stage in Rio. Athletics started on Friday with more athletes taking to the track today in men’s 100m, women’s 400m, and heptathlon.

While speaking with Saturday Telegraph, the US-based coach said nobody expected much from the athletes due to poor preparations prior to the Games, but believes the athletes are ready to perform beyond expectations.

“The whole country knew that we didn’t prepare, but the athletes have been working hard to achieve something great for their careers,” he said.

“The target is to make them better than they were before the games by getting personal best from their various events which is good as winning''.

Siasia

Super League loss shocks Samjason FC coach S amjason FC coach, Ahotin Joseph, has expressed shock over his team’s defeat in the final of Samjason Super League Football Competition which was held on Wednesday at Egan Grammar School, Alimosho, Lagos.

Samjason FC could not defend the title they won last year as Tao FC defeated them 4- 2 in the penalty shootout after one goal apiece at the regulation time.

Joseph said the game was keenly contested but his players were not in good frame of mind when it came to penalty shootout.

He said: “ Tao FC gave us tough time and deserved to be crowned champions. It was so painful that we could not defend the title we won last year. We really disappointed our fans but we want to use this medium to apologise to them for our poor performance.

We promise to win the tournament in the next edition,” he said.

Reacting to the victory, Tao FC Coach, Taofeek Ganiu, stated that his players showed doggedness and commitment throughout the competition which helped them to win the league. He admitted that

Samjason FC played good football but praised his players for being tactically disciplined in the encounter.

“The game was tough for us. Our opponents got their equaliser at the end of the game which extended the tie to penalty shootout. I thank God that our effort was not in vain by beating our opponents at the shootout,” he said.

Match coordinator, Uchenna Eke, expressed gratitude to God for the success of the league and promised that the next edition would be better organised.

Special Features 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

it difficult for us. My children are no longer going to private school due to these task force wahala.”

Just like the Danfo drivers, Keke riders are also complaining. Their troubles do not only come from the officers of task force, but from LASTMA officials also.

For instance, Udofia Victor, one of the riders said: “I have lost count of the number of times I have been arrested by the LASTMA and police. After each arrest, they would demand a huge sum of money. In some instances, they would first intimidate us to enable them to get what they want.

“I have never been charged to any court in all my arrest. They only demand money. It is so frustrating. Most times you will lose interest in working but we just have to do something because we need to survive and take care of our families,” Victor added.

Another tricycle rider, Bassey Abah, complained that the state government “is not making things easy for us. We face a lot of problems; from task force to LASTMA, all of them are provoking us. After ‘settling’ them, we are usually left with nothing.”

However, the government has denied allegations of highhandedness against officials of the task force and

those of the Special Offences Tribunal (Mobile Court), describing complainants of the drivers and Keke riders as laughable. A recent joint statement issued by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, explained the issues at stake.

The commissioners said: “It was within the purview of the traffic law enforcement officers to identify violators of traffic laws and have them booked and tried according to the peculiarities of their offences. The new method being adopted by the task force, particularly for illegal parking of vehicles or obstruction of traffic, involved capturing the offence on video.

“They are also empowered to remove the number-plate of the erring vehicles and putting a branded sticker on the windshield of the car to inform the owner/driver of such cars about their offence. They could be invited for trial at the Special Offences Mobile Court, which may sit at any proximate local government office or at the Special Task office at Alausa in Ikeja.”

The commissioners added that the task force is authorised under the Lagos State Road Traffic Law of 2012 as well as the Special Offences Court established by the Special Offences Court Law Cap S8 Laws of Lagos State 2015.

“The technique that has been adopted by the task force is in line with International Best Practices which prefers issuance of tickets to erring offenders over clamp downs or towing of

vehicles that do not only cost both the government and erring drivers money but also clogs public spaces where such vehicles would have been kept,” the statement said.

In addition, according to the commissioners, “once the offender honours the invitation for trial, where a magistrate presides over the proceedings, the offender is usually presented with a video evidence of the offence before he or she is charged. A fine or a community service is then imposed if the offender pleads guilty. But if the offender chooses to put up a defence and is without a defence counsel, he or she will be entitled to the services of a lawyer from the Office of the Public Defender at no cost.”

The statement stressed that “the essence of this exercise is not to engage in unwholesome revenue drive as being erroneously peddled in certain quarters. But to deter violations of the traffic laws, which is why community service is often preferred for the offenders. This approach is adopted so that they can become advocates of the laws which seek to bring sanity to Lagos State roads and instill a sense of responsibility in drivers and car owners, particularly the elite who think they are above the law.”

The statement said the state government would not relent in its vaunted method of adequately sensitising the public before embarking on enforcements. It added that ignorance is not an excuse in law and perceived inadequacies in car park provisions by frequently used establishments like banks, malls and eateries does not give car owners an excuse to park on the kerb or main roads thereby obstructing traffic.

“Parking on the kerb or walkways or outside the premises where the driv-

er has come to transact business in a manner that either obstructs traffic or constitutes illegal use of public space is a violation of the law. This could attract a fine of N20, 000 or a community service after documentary evidence has been presented to the offender.”

Section I of the Special Offences Court Law Cap S8 Laws of Lagos State 2015 stipulates that the court could sit at any convenient place close to the scene of the commission of any offence triable by the court. While Section 2 of the same law allows the court to sit on Mondays to Saturday, and Section 3(1) same law states that the court has jurisdiction over offences listed in Schedule 1 to this Law. A cursory look at the offences listed in the said Schedule 1, reveals that “Road Traffic Offences as contained in the Lagos State Road Traffic Law Cap R5, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and Environmental Offences as provided for in the Schedule to the Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency Law, Cap E5, Laws of Lagos State 2015 are under the jurisdiction of the Mobile Courts.”

The state government explained that “it should be noted that most banks make provision for parking within their premises or designated car parks outside their premises where customers are expected to make use of same and not to cause obstruction to human or vehicular movement.

“There is no way a responsible and responsive government would sit idly by and watch citizens groan under the hardship of road congestion caused by infractions of a few recalcitrant drivers. Or those who simply think that they can blackmail the government into submission while being economical with the truth whenever government wields the big stick against such infractions.

“Parking on the road while using the ATM is a clear traffic transgression that is similar to parking on the yellow lines abroad. We wish to implore our law-abiding citizens to desist from such conduct that runs foul of the law and which invariably attracts consequences and discomfort once the law is enforced.”

The statement added that the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration appreciates the exponential growth that the state is currently facing, particularly in the area of traffic which is why the government has been introducing several pro-people measures to tackle such. It assured the people that the Lagos State government would continue to show compassion and drive enforcement through technology while ensuring that the interest of the larger society is protected at all times.

Faces of alleged task force brutality. photos: Internet

Sportsplash 34 Showbiz

Don Jazzy

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Banky W

MI Abaga

Jim Iyke

Showbiz super bachelors girls are dying to marry Like everywhere else, there abound young men who are ripe for marriage and are by no means put off by the money or means to be husbands in the Nigerian entertainment arena. However, for one reason or the other, they have remained eligible bachelors through the years. Here, we present to you Nigeria’s super bachelors as put together by Adedayo Odulaja and Ogechi ndubunma Don Jazzy Arguably Nigeria’s number one producer, Michael Collins Ajereh is better known as Don Jazzy. Now more involved with singing, writing of songs and mentoring his young acts, he is the boss at the Supreme Mavin Dynasty which is the label of the likes of Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello.

Now in his late 30s, Don Jazzy is regularly taunted on social media regarding his unmarried status, not that he appears bothered though.

His last rumoured girlfriend is a lady known as Freda Francis but nothing has come out of it by way of confirmation.

Banky W Since hitting the limelight in 2008 following the release of his hit single, ‘Ebute Metta,’ a remix of Rihanna’s smash hit, ‘Umbrella,’ Banky W has gone from strength to strength.

Born in the United States of America over 3 decades ago, he is the boss of Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) and has been linked with one of his acts, Niyola more than once.

While nothing is concrete between him and Niyola, Banky W is strongly believed to have had affairs with Andrea Manuela Giaccagha as well as controversial dancehall act, Cynthia Morgan.

D'banj Also widely known as Kokomaster or Bangalee, no male Nigerian entertainer has been liked with more women than D'banj. From Nadia Buari, the Ghanaian actress D’banj is believed to have dated between 2010 and 2011 to stunningly successful Nigerian screen goddess, Genevieve

John Dumelo

Nnaji, the “Oliver Twist” singer has been mentioned along with South African model and media personality, Bonang Matheba; Adama Indimi, Jennifer Obayuwana and even Tonto Dikeh in the past.

Jim Iyke Although he has been missing from the movie screens for a while now, Jim Iyke is a notable Nigerian actor and popular ladies’ man. A powerful dresser and handsome star, Jim Iyke is widely believed to have dated Steph-Nora Okeke and Kentura Hamilton in the past.

More pronounced however, is his affair with Ghanaian beauty, Nadia Buari before the relationship hit the rocks not long before she delivered her set of twins in 2015. Other women that are said to have been a part of his life are Sandra Benedetta and Dana Kinduryte.

Joseph Benjamin One might argue that he does not belong to this list but having officially separated from his wife, he is single once more.

A darling of many female Nollywood followers, Joseph Benjamin is also an actor, model, voice-over artist and TV presenter. He has been the co-host of MTN Project Fame for at least the last 3 seasons.

The prodigiously handsome actor, who has starred in movies like Tango with Me, Mr and Mrs, Jungle Ride among others, was linked with former Project Fame co-host, Adaora Oleh at a time but he has been able to keep his matters away from the prying public.

Joseph Benjamin

MI Abaga Often one to refer to himself as “the short, black boy from the city of Jos,” MI, whose real name is Jude Abaga, remains one of the best rappers in the land.

Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City having taken over from Audu Maikori in June 2015, feelers indicate the 35year old rapper is set to walk down the aisle with 2010 Miss Nigeria Runner up, Erica Okundaye.

In terms of rumours, MI is almost free from being linked to anyone as he is widely known to have compored himself well among ladies since becoming a household name. Only to waje has he ever been linked.

Nonso Diobi An actor who has been around for a while, Nonso Diobi is especially prolific when it comes to movies produced in Asaba, Delta State. An actor many feel has not lived to the billing of his talent and versatility, Nonso was born on July 17, 1976. He has not been married before but has been linked with the likes of Ebube Nwagbo and Oge Okoye.

Alexx Ekubo Since emerging first runner-up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria contest, Alexx Ekubo has blossomed into a notable Nigerian actor and model. With regular features in movies and awards pouring his way, Alexx is rumoured to have dated Ebube Nwagbo, Yvonne Nelson and Yemi Alade.

John Dumelo Yes, he is a Ghanaian but for actors like John Dumelo, the territorial lines between Ghana and Nigeria have blurred to the point that he is almost always associated with Nollywood.

A talented and humble star, he has bagged several awards for his craft since he became a known face in the Africa motion picture arena.

He was linked with controversial Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson although both insisted they were just friends before publicly falling out sometime last year.

Uti Nwachukwu

Uti Nwachukwu Since his emergence as the w inner of Big Brother Africa 5, Uti has taken to Nollywood more than any other industry. Along with his regular gig as co-host of Jara on African Magic alongside Helen Paul, he has featured in Weekend Getaway, Finding Mercy, Breathless and a few others.

The dashing Uti, who also keeps an active profile as an event host, has been linked with former Baseline Records act, Saeon as well as fellow Big Brother Africa winner, Dillish Mathews. Others who have been connected to Uti via reports include Eku Edewor and Beverly Naya.

Bryan Okwara Another male involved with Mr Nigeria, this time the 2007 winner, Bryan reached the semi-final of Mr World that same year. Another dashing actor of apt athletic build, he has been linked with Juliet Ibrahim and Ini Edo. Praiz Praiz hit limelight after ending the maiden season of Project Fame West Africa as a runner up. Now signed to X3M Music, he has remained relevant in the industry through the years.

Widely reported to be in a relationship with Afro-soul musician, Atemi Oyungu, he remains single but with his commitment to marriage and his responsible nature, that should not last for too long.

Wizkid Currently riding a wave of outstanding international collaborations and recognition, Wizkid is still single but has a son named Boluwatife from his baby mama.

Word on the streets is that he has another baby on the way but nothing is confirmed yet.

His relationship with longtime girlfriend, Tania Omotayo widely celebrated before they called it quits around 2015, no other woman has been linked with Wizkid beyond flings and indian hemp.

Davido Like Wizkid, the self-styled Omo Baba Olowo is a baby daddy but

not even that has made him leave the gang of the unmarried. All the controversy aside, he publicly professed his love for a young lady from Guinea, Sira Kante to no end but their love story ended with the birth of Davido’s daughter, Imade.

Flavour Flavour is not just the king of contemporary highlife in the gathering of young Nigerian musicians; he leads as well among the industry’s many baby daddys.

D’banj might have called himself Mr Endowed at a time but Flavour seems the best for that title. How else does one explain the fact that he has not just dated two beauty queens before but actually impregnated both Sandra Okagbue and Anna Banner.

Despite this feat, he is not married to either and is not even committed to anyone at present but has been linked with Chidinma Ekile without pause for the past two years.

Iyanya Iyanya won the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame West Africa and went on to release the biggest song of his career so far titled "Kukere" later.

Lately, he has had to refute rumours of a misunderstanding that is leading him away from Made Men Music Group, a record label he co-founded with Ubi Franklin and which is home to artists such as Tekno, Selebobo and Baci.

He is known to have dated Freda Francis and Yvonne Nelson in the past but remains single despite those two high profile relationships Ice Prince Already boasting of a son from his relationship with then University of Lagos undergraduate, Bimbo Babatunde, Panshak Zamani, more popularly known as Ice Prince, has done well for himself. A rapper with several awards to his name, he is rated as one of the most successful rappers in Africa.

Apart from his baby mama, he is known to have dated female rapper, Eva Aloridah and once again, Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson. His current girlfriend is named Maima and many of his fans hope this will lead to the altar.

Nonso Diobi

Interview 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

93

Days T

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

The story of Ebola gets press screening

he story of the ravaging epidemic of Ebola has finally been screened to the Nigerian media. The press screening held at Filmhouse, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, Lagos last Thursday, April 11 to the admiration of men of the fourth estate of the realm most of whom had impatiently waited for that moment. Aptly dubbed 93 Days, the docu film which got a global appeal by attracting Hollywood’s multiple award-winning act, Danny Glover, will soon be premiered.

93 Days is a movie based on the story of men and women who risked their lives and made costly sacrifices to save Nigerians from the consequences of the outbreak of the widespread virus.

93 Days enchantingly demonstrates the bravery of the doctors at First Consultant Hospital and the valiant members of the federal government and the Lagos State Ministry of Health from their encounter with the late AmericanLiberian, Patrick Sawyer, who was the index case of the Ebola virus. Their bravery was dispensed in ensuring that the right medical procedures were in place to stop the spread of the virus in the country. During the course of 93 Days, not only did they prevent a national catastrophe, but also left an indelible mark on the society and solidified the legacy as courageous Nigerians amidst sufficient supports from the Ford Foundation, TY Danjuma Foundation, Nigerian Breweries and other organisations.

93 days provides the opportunity to learn from the story of the survivors through the importance of a positive state of mind, a strong will and the determination to live.

Location shot from 93 days

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

From all indication, 93 Days is a perfect mélange of both local and international cast to ensure excellence and international exposure.

This explains why Hollywood actor, Danny Glover, braved the odds to fly to Nigeria to be part of the project acting the role of Dr. Benjamin Ohiare. And the cap fits Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola, to play the heroine, Dr. Stella Adadevoh Ameyo, Keppy Ekpeyong who plays Patrick Sawyer while the role of Dr. Ada Igonoh is played by SomkeleIyamah Idhalama. Other acts starring in the film are Bimbo Manuel, Charles Okafor, Gideon Okeke among a host of other movie stars. The screenplay for 93 Days is written

by Paul S. Rowlston and directed

by Steve Gukas.

The producers of the feature film include Pemon Rami, a renowned American Theatre and Filmmaker and Director of African-American Museum in Chicago whose many credits include The Blue Brothers and Of Boys and Of Men, Bolanle Austen-Peters, the founder of Terra Kulture and the BAP Productions; makers of the award-winning, SARO- The Musical, Dotun Olakunri who coproduced A Place in the Stars and Steve Gukas, a seasoned screen director.

And impressively, it’s AustenPeters debut movie. It explains why she excitedly remarked; “I believed my passion has always been for the theatre but this scripts swayed me from crying to being courageous and all. I don’t have an idea what producing film costs in Nigeria but the story is still very fresh in our minds and saving Nigerians from the spread with one’s life is a feat worth celebrating.”

Jennifer Obayuwana and Efe Tommy

Top celebs sizzle at Uberstyle launch in Lagos

T

he classy launch of the high-end fashion online platform in Nigeria was held to an upscale crowd in a luxurious venue-Polo Avenue, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saunday. Uberstyle is Nigeria’s premier luxury retail space that houses luxury brands like Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Ferragamo, Versace, Gedebe, LPJ and more.

Upon arrival, the high octane guests were treated to cocktails from Cointreau, canapés and finger foods from Café Jade, bar-

beque from Suya Times while they mingled and networked as they received gift bags from Zen Décor, Hairven, Oasis Medspa, Emmaus cosmetics.

The event played host to top celebrities and socialites Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Mudi, Dakore Egbuson, Tomi Odunsi, Azuka Ogujiuba, Alexxx Ekubo, Uti Nwachukwu, Bobby Taylor, Karen Koshoni , Yung L, Dj Spinall, Shina Pella, Ene Maya-Lawani, Queen Ahneva Ahneva, Olisa Adibua, Bisoye Fagade, Charles Aigbe and Emeka Oparah to mention but a few of

the men and ladies of top notch style.

The exclusive event gave Nigerians a breakdown of what Uberstyle.org represents and some of its future projects.

“Uberstyle.org is the next big thing to hit the continent as regards fashion, style, celebrity style, upscale lifestyle and all things in between,” said Efemena Adabamu, Creative Head & founder of Uberstyle.org www. uberstyle.org who urged fashion buffs to follow the era-defining trend on the social media.

Toke Makinwa gushes about life after divorce

P

opular on-air-personality, Toke Makinwa, wants you all to know she’s happy beyond descriptionjust when many would think she’s got a million reasons to brood.

Her public posture suggests that she had shrugged off the gloom her failed marriage to Maje Ayida once brought on her.

Makinwa, who walked away from her marriage just in its wake after her husband allegedly cheated on her and got his mistress pregnant, just posted this; “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then w a s our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.

I haven't been this happy in years, my edges are grown, and I’m losing weight, making money, feeling great. I've got no DRAMA!!!! All is good and I owe it all to the big guy upstairs. When God takes you through the valley, rest assured that it is a preparation for that glorious mountain top.”

Toke

Okoye Brothers

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

13 AUGUST 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

This weekend ONTV

Umar Gali Na'aba

F

ocus Nigeria is a programme that discusses the country’s growth and development; it seeks to identify national problems and offer solutions to them. It is aired on Africa Independent Television (AIT) daily at 10:30am. The topic for the last edition of the programme was State of the Nation and it focused on executive, legislature relationship with Honourable Ghali Umar Na’aba, former speaker of House of Representative as the guest.

Na’aba described Peoples Democratic Party’s 16 years in power as motion without movement. He said: “Let me tell you the experience I had from 1999 to 2005 when I was in the PDP. The PDP’s constitution says no executive committee member should occupy any position for eight years.

I left PDP in 2005 when they had issues with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. I came back to the fray and in 2011, I contested for election. I asked the former chairman of my party (PDP) in my constituency to organise meetings with other chairmen because even when I was in PDP he was the person that organised meetings for us whenever I wanted to meet with them.

“When I saw them, I realised that those who were treasurers in 1999 have all become to party chairmen against PDP’s rule that anybody who spends eight years in office must leave. I was shocked and when I inquired to know how it happened, I was told that the governor asked the secretaries to transform into chairmen, chairmen to transform into treasurers and treasurers to secretaries; that was how they manipu-

Programme summary

A woman’s world

Focus Nigeria: State of the nation lated it and the same people continued for another eight years. These people are used to this kind of manipulation and there is no way democracy can function with this kind of syndrome happening in most states of the federation.”

The constitution requires that once the national assembly is proclaimed, the members shall choose their leaders and we have seen attempt by members to enforce that, we have also seen attempts by outsiders to have a role in it.

Speaking on the influence of party and outsiders in choosing leaders for the National Assembly, Na’aba admitted that there are no two situations that can be the same. “I must admit that there are no two situations that can be the same especially with regard to our political system; we have a country that is diverse in religion and is multi-cultural. These

dynamics are always there; for example in 1999 when the speaker’s position was zoned to the North West as a result of which I eventually became the speaker, it was our efforts, we demanded that we must have a say in our democracy.

We yearned and campaigned and that was how we got the party to allocate the speaker's position to us because we had an interest in that position. Meanwhile, our counterparts in the senate from the north-west were also trying to get the zoning of the senate president’s seat to the north-west. Maybe we were stronger politically than they because the party granted our wish; so it was really our own efforts and not the party’s.

The party only pronounced, they did not do anything concrete about it. We seized the moment, applied ourselves and we got it.”

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

O

Wazobia FM’s Jeta

nomewho Esther Enejeta popularly known as Jeta is an on air personality who started radio journey 2002/03, at the then Radio Nigeria 3 now Bond FM 92.9.

She left Bond FM when opportunity presented itself for her to fully go on air at Eko 89.7 FM in 2007 as

a presenter where she later anchored the programme ‘woman tory’ in pidgin language. From there she proceeded to Wazobia FM Lagos. Jeta is easy going, God fearing and focused.

She is currently with Wazobia FM Port Harcourt where she is putting her very best to affect people’s lives positively.

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.

Jeta

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

RADIO

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

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

F

Tony Okuyeme rom all indications, it’s going to be a busy year for Nigerian filmmaker and former ITPAN president, Femi Odugbemi.

Weeks after the premiere of his latest movie, Gidi Blues, which African Magic has since bought over, the movie is attracting interest from festivals across the continent, with requests for screening.

Odugbemi, who is the CEO of DVWorx Studios, and chaired the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Award (AMVCA) Jury for three consecutive terms, has “become one of the most sought after filmmakers on the continent”, having been selected as a judge for different film festivals.

He is among the curating panel of the Pan-African Representation for Golden Tree International FilmFest in Frankfurt, Germany, and is excepted to jet to Goree Island, Dakar, Senegal, on August 18 through 22, for a meeting of the jury.

“It makes for a busy month of international engagements for me this month. I feel proud as a Nigerian filmmaker because, these international recognitions say something positive about our industry, and it is a confirmation that we are on the right path and that we bring a positive value to the world of cinema both in Africa and the world,” he said.

Odugbemi will, apart from proposing documentaries from Africa and in the Diaspora, also join other panelists to select a total of 40 films representing Africa and its Diaspora, which will feature at the film fest in Germany.

From Senegal, Odugbemi, who is also the co-founder of iRep International Documentary Film Festival, will move to Accra, Ghana, where his film, ‘Gidi Blues’ has been selected as closing film for the Black Star International Film Festival Ghana. Aside from being a big honour, as the closing films of festivals are highly coveted, the platform will give Odugbemi the opportunity to speak with Ghanaian film community, as well as share his wealth of experience with festival attendees.

Also, he has been returned as the Chief Jury for this year’s Ugandan Film Festival, making it an unprecedented third time in a row.

For him, “It’s a huge honour signifying a major acknowledgement of the quality of Nigerian cinema and the respect with which we are viewed across Africa. It’s also an opportunity to represent true African culture.”

He added: “For me, it’s also about my commitment to continue to fight for a film industry across the continent that represents our culture as Africans and that seeks to tell our stories in documentary and feature films in the best international best practices and quality.”

Apart from his role as Chief Jury for the festival, which opens on August 22, in Kampala, Uganda, Odugbemi’s ‘Gidi Blues’ was also picked as the opening film for the festival organised by the Uganda Communications commission.

While requesting for Odugbemi’s approval, the Executive Director of the Commission, Godfrey Mutabazi, in a letter dated August 5, 2016, stated: “As part of the festival activities, the Commission would like to screen the movie ‘Gidi Blues’ during the festival. We believe the young film producers in the industry in Uganda will be inspired and gain a lot from the experiences and the challenges you encountered when producing the film.”

It would be recalled that the British Council, last month, selected Odugbemi as one of eight international judges for

37

The Arts

13 AUGUST 2016

Gidi Blues for Odugbemi at Ghana, Uganda film fests

Odugbemi

the Shakespeare short film competition and platform.

The organisers stated that judges and users from across Africa would vote the films, with the highest rated film making Film of the Month, and that the platform would continue for the duration of 2016 and would result in a final winner, who would get a screening opportunity at a UK film festival.

Produced and directed by Odugbemi, ‘Gidi Blues’ stars Gideon Okeke, Hauwa Allahbura, Lepacious Bose, Daniel Lloyd, Nancy Isime, Bukky

Wright, Tina Mba, Segun Obadare-Akpata, Toyin Oshinaike, William Ekpo, with cameo appearances by Banky W, Aduke and Jahman Anikulapo.

Shot in iconic places in Lagos such as Idumota and Makoko, with special focus on the popular Makoko floating school, ‘Gidi Blues' tells the story of Akin (Gideon Okeke), an indulged playboy from an affluent family, who accidentally meets an interesting beauty in an unpredictable place. Nkem is a beautiful, confident but unusual young lady who devotes herself to her work as community volunteer in the belly of

the city’s worst slum. Their encounter drags Akin into a whirlwind experience that unravels his world.

“Gidi Blues touches on a few things that I think are issues young people in Nigeria today are dealing with. One is work ethic; the idea that I can be rich without working hard, it’s a fallacy.

It’s fuelling the next generation that’s not going to be helpful in building the country. Success comes before work only in a dictionary; if you are going to be successful, if you are going to make it, you have to work hard,” Odugbemi said.

Heineken partners Terra Kulture, others on ShapeYourCity Kunle Azeez

H

eineken, leading international premium beer, has partnered three prominent Nigerians in the arts and entertainment industry to bring the third edition of its cities campaign to Nigeria.

This year’s campaign tagged “Shape your City” is aimed at transforming great cities while broadening the imagination of the new generation city dwellers, inspiring them to contribute their quota to improving their cities.

The beer company has, therefore, partnered the founder of the cultural hub, Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters; architect of the acclaimed Freedom Park and Kalakuta Museum, Theo Lawson and director of

award-winning films, ‘Confusion Na Wa’ and ‘Blood & Henna’, Kenneth Gyang as promoters of the campaign in Nigeria.

Referred to as ‘City Shapers’, Henieken, in a statement, said the three individuals are known for using their skills in creating one-of-kind experiences to make their cities more enjoyable for dwellers.

“To achieve the #ShapeYourCity campaign, Heineken Nigeria partners with City Shapers, individuals known for using their skills in creating one-of-kind experiences to make their cities more enjoyable for dwellers. They are urban visionaries who have by small actions of their own, contributed to shaping cities across Nigeria,” the company said.

Commenting on the partnership, Se-

nior Brand Manager, Heineken Nigeria, Ngozi Nkwoji, said: “Globally, Heineken is committed to making great cities even greater and we are glad to include Nigeria in this movement.”

She said, this year’s theme of shaping cities is focused on encouraging people to contribute to their city, as “Heineken believes that the smallest of gestures have the potential to bring about unexpected transformation to our Nigerian cities.”

As part of the campaign, the company has also launched series of Heineken City Edition bottles and cans, each bearing the name of renowned cities across the globe including 10 Nigerian cities namely Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, Benin, Warri, Kaduna, Aba and Onitsha.

38

FRED NWAOZOR

“D

ad,” Dabere called.

“Yes son.”

“Mum,” he reiterated, facing his mother.

“Yes Dab.” responded the mum.

“I have come to inform you about my latest plan.” He hinted, stylishly shook his car keys.

The three were seated in the family’s sitting room. Dabere Uzor, the last child of the couple – Mr. and Mrs. Uzor who could boast of three children, had left his place of residence that fateful day being Wednesday to meet with them on an appointment.

The 35-year-old bachelor was resident in the same city with the parents but he rented his personal apartment somewhere away from theirs; he only came around when necessary to check on them or whenever he had something very tangible to discuss with them just as this very one. His elder siblings – a female and a male respectively, were both happily married; needless to say that his parents were living alone, although in the company of a house-help.

The couple were seated together in the parlour cushion whilst the young man clad in red native attire was separately seated directly adjacent to them.

“What is it about?” Mr. Uzor inquired, while his wife listened attentively.

Dabere smiled. “I want to settle down.” He disclosed hesitantly.

“Are you serious?” quoth Mr. Uzor excitedly.

“Yes dad.”

Mrs. Uzor dished out a dazzling smile. “With who, my son?”

She anxiously inquired.

“Chinyere, of course.”

Chinyere who happened to be of the same age with him was the lady he introduced to them few months back. Interestingly, her birthday coincided with his, which was one of the main reasons that made him see her as his ‘missing rib’. And his parents approved of her having met her thrice.

“Oh, that’s lovely!” Mrs. Uzor exclaimed.

Mr. Uzor was elated. “You are indeed a true son of your father.”

He teased.

“You can say that again, dad.”

“This is good news,” quoth Mrs. Uzor. “Let me get something for you to eat.” She informed, stood up and walked into her kitchen.

Some minutes later, she returned to the parlour with a tray containing a delicacy – wheat and vegetable soup. “But son,” she called as she served the salivating meal.

“Yes mum.”

“I suggest you see our family pastor by the weekend,” Mrs. Uzor thought aloud. “And tell him about your intention.”

“I think your mum is right.”

Mr. Uzor concurred.

“Okay, I will do that,” Dabere assented. “Probably, on Saturday.”

“That’s my boy!” His mum applauded cheerfully.

The meeting lasted for almost three hours. He left there for his

ShortStory

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Striking revelation

apartment, which was about fifteen kilometers away, at 6:15pm. ********* “Good day, pastor.” Dabere greeted the moment he stepped into the pastor’s office.

“Oh, welcome Dab!” Pastor Nduka replied. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Pastor Nduka was the family’s cleric he was asked to see. He had earlier called to inform him of his coming.

“Thank you, pastor.” Dabere appreciated as he assumed his seat.

“Dab, why are you having an affair with your sister?” Pastor Nduka said as soon as the guest sat down, appeared like someone in the spiritual realm.

“How?” Dabere enquired.

“How do you mean, pastor?”

“I can see you dating your blood sister.”

“Dating my blood sister?”

“Yes,” responded the cleric.

“You are even engaged to her.”

He visualized.

“I don’t understand, pastor,” quoth Dabere. “You are making me so confused.”

“Calm down.” Pastor Nduka enjoined. “There’s a lady in your life, right?”

“Yes, Chinyere.” Dabere replied. “That’s the lady I want to marry.” He added, paused.

“That’s the reason I am here.”

The cleric smiled unfriendly.

“No, you won’t marry her.”

“What’s wrong, pastor?”

“That very lady is your sister,’ the cleric revealed hesitantly. “In fact, she’s your twin sister.”

“Twin sister..?”

“Yes.” Pastor Nduka insisted, nodding frantically.

“How?” “I think your parents would

tell you better,” quoth the cleric.

“I suggest you go and see them.”

The striking revelation had to do with the unknown fact that Dabere and Chinyere were twins.

Thirty-five years back when Mrs. Uzor gave birth to them, she was told by the nurses in the maternity that one of the twins couldn’t make it, unknowingly to her that the female twin was sold out by the health workers. The abductor who was a single mother later named the kid ‘Chinyere’.

On her part, Chinyere’s fake mum – Adaego never even told her that she was adopted let alone disclosing that she was an abducted child. Rather, she lied to her that she was her biological daughter, though begotten out of wedlock; all efforts made

by Chinyere to meet with whosoever that was her biological father proved abortive. When

Adaego abducted her 35 years back in the maternity, she never knew anything about her parental background neither was she told that the kid in question was a twin, thus she (Adaego) never in any way suspected where Dabere was coming from even when she learnt he was born on the same day with her acclaimed daughter.

On hearing that his parents would be in a better position to tell him more, Dabere hurriedly left the church for his parental home in his car. If not God’s intervention, he would have been involved in a fatal auto-crash while on his way.

“Dab, is everything alright?”

Mr. Uzor said the moment Dabere walked into the sitting room where he was unwinding with his wife.

“Dab, what is it?” Mrs. Uzor reiterated.

Dabere furiously sat down. “I am just coming from Pastor Nduka’s office.” He managed to utter.

“So?” Mr. Uzor said curiously, while his wife was attentive.

“He said I am engaged to my blood sister.”

“Engaged to your what?” Mr. Uzor enquired, astonished.

“My blood sister.”

“That you are engaged to your blood sister..?”

“Yes.” “How?” His mum chipped in.

“He said Chinyere is my twin sister.”

“Chinyere, your twin sister..?”

Mr. Uzor ranted.

“Yes,” responded Dabere. “He further told me that you both would be in a good position to explain.”

“Oh, my God.” Mrs. Uzor screamed. “We are finished.”

Dabere had earlier been notified by his parents that he was born a twin but his twin sister died immediately after birth, as they reportedly learnt. So the disclosure made by the cleric didn’t totally sound weird to him.

Every finding thereafter confirmed that Chinyere was indeed Dabere’s twin sister. The hospital in question was shut down indefinitely by the relevant law enforcement agency having captured the medical director, and Adaego – Chinyere’s abductor was as well arrested by the police.

Chinyere was reunited with her original family after placing her alongside her twin brother on a rigorous deliverance.

However, few days later, Dabere who couldn’t mentally withstand the memories of the incest was overtaken by dementia; he consequently took to the street.

The unannounced repercussion, which was self-inflicted, threw the entire Uzor family in a disastrous mood.

• Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

39

Travel & Tourism

GOLDEN TULIP FESTAC LAGOS

Pizza ‘n’ Pasta ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was at Golden Tulip Festac Lagos writes on its wide and rich selection of pizza and pasta offerings

O

ver the years the advent of eateries has promoted the culture of dining out across the country and with it comes the introduction of many dishes and pastries which were never part of the traditional menu list of Nigerians.

The list of foreign dishes and pastries that have made their way into Nigeria menu list are many. The good thing about a number of them is the fact that they have gained wide acceptance and are consumed with relish especially during special treats.

Besides Chinese dishes, the next most appealing dishes, which have made the menu list are Italian Pizza and Pasta. They are fast becoming popular with many Nigerians and now offered by a number of eater-

TRAVEL BEATS

RwandAir's first Airbus A330 takes to the skies RwandAir's first Airbus A330-200, due for delivery next month has recently undertaken its maiden flights following successful ground tests at the Airbus assembly facility in Toulouse, France.

The aircraft, named Ubumwe, holds the production number MSN 1741 and is presently registered as F-WWKS but will on delivery be put on the Rwandan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) registry as 9XR-WN. Additional aerial testing are expected to be carried out to ensure that all systems are good as a result of this first flight and in readiness of the September 29 date when she will commence her journey to the airline's hub in Kigali.

A second larger Airbus A330-300 is also due for delivery in late November, named Murage.

The first Airbus A330-200 will initially be deployed by RwandAir four times a week from Kigali to Dubai, then launching long haul flights to India and China, with Mumbai combined with Guangzhou.

A third Boeing B737-800NG will join RwandAir's fleet in October, thereby increasing the number of the airline’s owned fleet to 11 while a fourth Boeing B737-800NG will complete the current set of orders in May 2017.

RwandAir is one of Africa's fastest growing airlines with the youngest fleet on the continent and is considered the key to positioning the 'Land of a Thousand Hills' as one of Africa's leading tourism and MICE destinations.

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA Editor, TRAVEL&TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

CHEF'S CORNER

Guests at the hotel's pizza corner

ies and hotels.

One of such places where pizza and pasta are common meals and celebrated with delight is Golden Tulip Festac Lagos. It has now become a daily affair at the hotel with its poolside hosting an oven where you can order for freshly cooked pizza and

pasta at the pasta corner.

The wide selection of its pizza include: Classic Margherita with mozzarella cheese; Americana with mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms and onions; Vegetariano with mozzarella, bell peppers, mushrooms and artichokes; Pescatore with mozzarella, shrimps, calamari, anchovy and sprinkled with basil and oregano; Al Tonno with mozzarella, chicken, bell peppers and olives; Quattro Frommagio with

mozzarella, parmesan, blue cheese and gouda; Quattro Stagioni with mozzarella and vegetables from the four seasons; and Al Pollo with mozzarella, parmesan, blue cheese and Gouda.

While for the pasta treats, which come with exotic tastes, the selections include: Napolitano topped with tomato sauce; Marinara topped with tomato sauce, cream and seafood; Bolognese with shredded beef in tomato sauce; Al Arrabiata with spicy tomato sauce and hint of garlic; and Carbonara Tradizionale served with bacon, parmesan cheese, hint of garlic, olive oil and egg yolks.

Swiss International Palace Hotel, Bahrain launches reward programme Swiss International has introduced its reward programme, Swiss-Select, to its newest hotel, Swiss International Palace Hotel, Manama, Bahrain. The reward programme, which offers the hotel’s guests wide benefits, was launched last week following the completion of the training of its staff.

The General Manager of the hotel, Harish Bhojwani, expressed delight over the successful launch: “We are glad with the successful implementation of the Swiss-Select reward programme for the benefit of our hotel guests. Swiss-Select will enable us to recognise our frequent guests and secure their loyalty.”

The Vice President of VOILA Hotel Rewards, Samira Demeis, said: “It is great to see the addition of new

hotels under Swiss-Select, and we will continue to provide the support and systems to Swiss International hotels to enhance its membership enrollments and to strengthen the overall SwissSelect reward programme.”

Swiss-Select and Swiss International are partners of the Voilà reward programme worldwide.

The Chief Executive Officer of Swiss International, Henri (Hans) Kennedie, said: “Building long-term relationships with our guests has been of immense importance to us. Swiss-Select is a means towards developing established and new relationships with our guests. With the inclusion of our other hotels in the programme we intend to create a well-connected network of Swiss International Hotels & Resorts. With the

Le Meridien Hotel and Resort offers French inspired summer treats For patrons of Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, the hotel is offering rich and wide selection of French inspired summer soirees headlining series of activities that are focused on giving travellers the best treats this summer.

Included in the summer’s bill of the hotel, which is now part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts are such items as Côte d’Azur with styled spaces that offer refreshing effervescent apéritifs, part of the brand’s Sparkling programme; Exclusive summer playlists from French bossa nova collective Nouvelle Vague, Le Méridien’s global

Travel Personality

Henok Tefferra: ASKY has exceeded expectations, it's only the beginning

p.40

music partner; and a modern twist to the game of Pétanque.

Pétanque, the beloved French pastime, will be at the centre of the summer soirée experience. Similar to British lawn bowling or Italian bocce, Pétanque is played with metallic balls in an often outdoor social gathering spot.

Le Méridien hotels around the world will introduce signature Pétanque courts, which will be complimentary for guests.

Visit Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort and Le Meridien Ogeyi Place for the full package.

launch of Swiss-Select at Swiss International Palace Hotel – Manama, we expect an enhanced membership growth and increased guest loyalty to the Swiss International Brand.”

Swiss-Select allows the members to earn points not only on their stay in any of the Swiss International hotels but also on the stays at any participating hotels within the VOILA hotel worldwide network. A member can exchange their points to earn complimentary room nights or may redeem it with a range of VOILA partners, which includes a range of retailers, such as best buy, amazon, boots, Emaar gift cards etc.

The redemption option also extends to airline miles for airlines including France Air, KLM, Southwest Airlines, Virgin America and many more.

Gren – Business Dimensions on Toronto business tour

Gren-Business Dimensions in conjunction with Canadian Council on Africa (CCAfrica) has unveiled its second Canada-Africa Business Summit 2016, which is to be held between November 5 – 12, in Toronto, Canada.

The summit will feature among others the leading capabilities of Canadian companies and institutions, expertise, technologies, knowhow, project financing and it would afford the participants the opportunity to learn about tangible business potential in infrastructure, energy, nature resources, agri-food, education/training, information communication technology and financing.

Highlights of the tour include: Town hall meeting and welcome dinner reception (specifically for the government officials); conferences; business meetings; visits to industries and organisations of interest; tours and shopping.

Gren Business Dimensions is set to help create the needed platform for business owners, investors and entrepreneurs who are desirous of expanding their business scope to take advantage of the opportunities presented in this summit.

Hospitality Hospitality

Destination

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Accra Westown City Hotel: Hotels: A devotion Entices with to bumper excellent Ramadan treats offerings

Nigeria Tourism: Nigeria's tourismStakeholders point pathway synergies with to growth p.42 UNWTO

40 Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

HENOK TEFFERRA

ASKY has exceeded expectations, it's only the beginning Henok Tefferra is the managing director of ASKY Airlines with hub in Lome, Togo, and noted for its rapid growth, he spoke to ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA in Accra, Ghana, of the success of the airline and the state of Africa’s aviation industry

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

How inspiring is the Balafon Award for Aviation personality of the year for West Africa bestowed on you?

Like any successful endeavour, it is a collective endeavour, it is the work of everybody, those in operation, those in the back office, both management and employees working together in synergy for unity of purpose and direction to make the airline successful. It is humbling and also a privilege for us to be recognised, it is shows that we are getting somewhere and also to use it as a stepping stone to further develop the airline and achieve even greater heights.

What informed the birth of the airline?

ASKY was created because there was really air connectivity vacuum in West Africa after the demise of Air Afrique.

Air Afrique was owned by many Francophone governments in this region (west) and when that experience failed people had to literarily go through Europe or in many instances whether is London or Paris to see their next door neighbours.

So, there was really a need for tactical air connectivity. Secondly, the drive, the pan African vision of integrating Africa and also the marketing potential of that noble enterprise, as some like-minded Pan Africanists came together.

The institution was a pan African outlook, which is Ecobank, a bank but pan African institution. The ECOWAS Infrastructure Bank (EBID) and the development bank for French-speaking West African countries and together with Ethiopian Airlines, they are the strategic partners but as a shareholder with commercial and technical support, they established the airline and launched it in 2010.

The business plan basically envisaged ASKY to have a hub and spoke operation, connecting the regions; West and Central Africa regions through its hub in Lome.

How many destinations do the airline covers?

The airline operates to about 23 destinations in West and Central Africa, almost daily flights.

We currently operate a fleet of Boeing 737 and Q400 aircraft. We have introduced a new aircraft in June of this year and we

plan to introduce at least one aircraft per year, so gradually now the regional traffic is more or less being catered for and as we go forward next year, it is for us to now start long haul operations.

As you know that in July together with Ethiopian Airlines, New York flight through Lome was started, Ethiopian Airlines operating that flight in partnership with ASKY. ASKY feeding it the passengers, particularly from Lagos, Dakar, Abidjan; from all these stations, direct service with minimal ground time in Lome.

You come from Lagos, you have less than an hour in Lome and in nine hours you in New York. It is really the fastest route and the same for the Brazilian route, Sao Paulo and soon ASKY will start its own operations to Europe, namely Paris and London.

What are the factors that accounted for the uniqueness of ASKY? One is safety, the maximum international safety standard possible; ASKY is an IOSA certified airline.

Secondly, our flights are 80 per cent of the time on time. We have a very high on time performance, punctuality and three of course, is the friendliness, the courteousness and the hospitality of our staff both on the ground and on the air.

We now have a fantastic airport in Lome, a new airport terminal that was inaugurated in May this year. I would say that it is the best terminal I have seen in this region, it has fantastic services, free WiFi access, fantastic duty-free shops, really very spacious, the most modern facilities and amenities that you can imagine that you will get in Europe.

With that airport and also with our latest aircraft, we have a very modern and new crafts, so with all these factors, I think these make the customer experience as agreeable as possible and that is why they are flying with us more and more.

ASKY has within six years of its existence stamped its presence in the aviation industry, what is responsible for this instant success of the airline?

I think there are three or four things

that are key ingredients for the success of any airline. The first is the business strategy, you need to have an airline that is purely commercial driven, customer focused and market driven.

And based on that a network and a fleet plan that allows you to maximise your revenues and realise your profit objectives.

So, the business strategy is one and ASKY had a very good business strategy at the onset with a hub and Tefferra spoke operation, with sixth freedom traffic connecting West Africa through Lome, its main hub.

That is one and the second important issue is having a strong and reliable technical partner, strategic partner. ASKY made the right choice in Ethiopian Airlines, which is known for its technical abilities, for its commercial abilities and is now the biggest airline in Africa.

Therefore, a strong backing in technical and commercial areas by a strategic partner is critical for any airline at its onset. That is the second critical factor and the third critical factor that I will say is having a strong human capital management strategy, recruiting right and developing people because aviation is also a skill driven industry.

Did you envisage the kind of growth and acceptance you are witnessing now when the airline started operations in 2010?

It was something that was planned, but the growth exceeded our expectations obviously but it is something that we worked hard for, and it is only the beginning.

In Africa region, airlines are still very, very small, if you take African carriers, even the so-called big ones, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenyan Airways, South African Airlines, everybody put together, we are merely may be 20 per cent of the long haul market from Africa.

BACKGROUND Henok Tefferra, a thoroughbred aviation professional was the former vice president of Alliances and Communications at Ethiopian Airlines from where he was seconded about six years ago to head ASKY Airlines as the managing director.

The airline, which operates as a hub and spoke operator with operational base in Lome, Togo, is owned by corporate stakeholders with Ethiopian Airlines as its technical partner.

The airline is currently making waves in the aviation industry as it offers seamless connectivity within Africa, especially in the west and central regions of the continent and now ready to operate in London and Paris from its Lome hub. The airline has also become popular with the Nigeria travelling public, which is one of its major markets, as admitted by Tefferra.

For his pioneering effort and milestones at the airline in the last six years, he was named the aviation personality of the year West Africa in the Balafon Award during the recently held Accra Weizo tourism exhibition in Accra.

Really we are at infancy of aviation.

But there is a promise because Africa is growing as Africans are travelling more and more. But Africa should not just be a consumer base for the global economy. Africa should be an economic player in the global economy, playing an active role in the global economy. African airlines have to have a fair share of the travel from Africa and that is what we are aiming to tap into.

What are the factors hindering connectivity within West Africa?

West African connectivity gaps still exist and the reasons for it I will say are two-folds, one is that the aviation policy environment, to be frank is not conducive. You still have traffic rights restrictions. I for example, cannot fly as many times as I want to all the destinations that I want.

There are still restrictions which I don’t understand because over 20 years ago that the Yamasukuro decision was adopted by the leaders of Africa, liberalising Africa’s skies for African airlines, especially the fifth freedom and it is still slow in implementation.

Secondly, the cost environment in West and Central Africa is prohibitive.

It is not conducive for business growth and on top of that you have also taxation, the taxation regime, which considers aviation not as a strategic sector, which enables trade, investment, tourism, and in the end economic development and integration but merely as a luxury sector, as a cash cow, with that mindset, aviation in this part of the world will have difficulty in providing initial air connectivity.

It can be a catalyst, aviation today is responsible for eight million jobs directly or indirectly on the continent, which could be much more to, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the continent. It is a lot already but imagine what it could be if all these restrictions and obstacles are removed.

In solving this problem, what should be the key factors to address?

Remove all barriers and restrictions for African airlines to operate freely to your airports, if I am an African carrier, I should be able to operate freely anywhere I want in Africa, just like a European carrier operates freely on the European airspace or in Europe.

Two, treat aviation as a strategic asset, as an enabler of economic growth because is only through aviation that you can develop and encourage trade, investment, tourism and development in your country. You should have airport taxes and charges that are not prohibitive for the development and growth of aviation.

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

HOSPITALITY

41

HOSPITALITY BITS Rockview Hotel Festac introduces Chinese restaurant

ACCRA CITY HOTEL

A devotion to excellent treats Accra City Hotel, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA is one of Ghana’s city hotels with a luxuriating façade and heavy on sophisticated facilities and excellence service delivery; offering a piece of haven

L

ocated in the heart of the city, Barnes Road, about 15 minutes drive from the Kotoka International Airport, Accra and sandwiched between the city’s business and entertainment districts, Accra City Hotel, certainly is in a distinct class, exuding an appealing and aesthetics ambience that is nestled against Ghanaian finest culture and tradition.

A first time visitor to the hotel will certainly be impressed by its rich external features and serene environment that is tempered by a luxurious and plush feeling that easily overwhelms and soothes the nerves the moment you walk into its warm and welcoming embrace.

The hotel was one of the exhibitors at the Accra Weizo 2016 event held last month in Accra. This reporter on the occasion visited the hotel for the first time for a rendezvous and was impressed by its enchanting and pleasurable elements.

It prides itself as a business haven, which certainly the 4 - star rated hotel is but it is much more than that as it also caters for the needs of others such as leisure seekers and the family judging by its array of facilities and services.

Rooms The hotel boast 196 rooms, all tastefully

furnished and fitted with modern hospitality gadgets for the comfort and relaxation of its patrons. They are quite spacious and luxury personified in many respects judging by the different categories, which ranges from Standard to Superior room and Executive suite with the basic amenities consisting of king/queen size comfy bed, flat screen TV with satellite, tea/coffee making machine, well stocked mini bar, WiFi, and work desk.

Dining/bar It offers a rich dining options ranging from breakfast, lunch to dinner with a wide selection of African and continental dishes either buffet or ala cart styled. Its artistically styled Fihankra restaurant beckons all hours of the day for one to savour rich gastronomic offerings while Pool Terrasse located within the swimming pool area offers a different proposition as it serves a wide selection of drinks and snacks such as pizza and beef burger.

Then there is the lounge bar with its relaxing and serene setting for a rendezvous of some sorts as the peaceful mood is spiced with soothing music to keep you all calm and relaxed after a busy day.

One of the hotel’s special culinary offerings is its Sunday Barbecue buffet, which is described as mouth-watering and affordable during a relaxed lunch time on Sundays.

Vegetarians are also well catered for at the hotel as special delicacies are on offer on request.

Conference As a business hotel, expect its conference facilities to be top notch and quite exceptional, which really it is with the setting of its various meeting rooms for differ-

ent business meetings and social functions exuding fascinating pull.

All the rooms and syndicate rooms come heavily laced with modern conference facilities and a fully equipped business centre that panders to the taste and needs of the conference or meeting organisers while special packages and incentives are on offer as well.

The meeting rooms are: Ankobra 1-3, Birim, Tano, Volta and Pavilion and they each has capacity for different numbers of people depending on the setting style adopted and the nature of the event.

It also offers a Meeting Planner Scheme with rich benefits for its members.

Family offer Accra City Hotel is one of the few hotels around where you are treated to a special family package, which affords the family, regardless of the number the opportunity to bond together and savour sweet treats.

The package include a large and cozy family room for two adults and two children with extra bed on request, outdoor play area, lavished menu and balanced diet for the children, late check out, special welcome, gifts and personalised services.

Leisure/sports The hotel also boast a range of leisure and sport facilities, ranging from outdoor swimming pool with a calm and inviting environment, tennis court and a fully equipped fitness centre or gymnasium with all the basic facilities.

Other facilities/services Airport shuttle, porter/butler, car hire, private outdoor and enclosed parking, dry cleaning/laundry and travel agency among others.

Rockview Hotel Festac Lagos is one of the hospitality homes in the city where you are offered a savouring culinary treats both African and continental with its specialising in rich selection of Nigerian local delicacies as well as a devotion to various themes with Chinese dishes topping the list.

For years it has promoted the finest culture of Chinese dishes through its weekend (Friday – Sunday) offerings but following the high patronage that is has attracted and based on demand by its many patrons and residents of Festac and environs, the hotel management has now debuted with a Chinese restaurant.

The newly opened Chinese restaurant, according to the hotel’s management, is a cosy and luxuriating restaurant with rich ambience and stylishly fitted, reflecting the theme of its offerings. Patrons of the hotels and lovers of Chinese dishes can now enjoy daily lunch and dinner Chinese offerings of their choice at the restaurant based on request (Ala cart).

A wide selection and full range of Chinese delicacies, especially legion of seafoods are now being offered with a professional chef and well trained kitchen staff in charge, treating guests to well garnished and colourfully presented dishes that guests would forever cherish and lavish with relish.

Swiss International to open in Riyadh In continuation of its network expansion, Swiss International Hotels and Resorts has announced the planned opening of Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites Metropolitan, which is located at the Olaya District, near Saudi German Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by end of this year.

The property is 80 rooms hotel with 20 standard rooms and 60 suites equipped with free wifi and a Grill Room restaurant. Swiss International’s partner in the Middle-East, Hospitality Development Group (also known as Swiss International Middle-East,) from Dammam will operate the hotel.

The new hotel will bring Swiss International hotels in Saudi Arabia to three as it already has two existing hotels, namely, Swiss International Park Hotel Baljurashi and Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Turaif. It aims to grow 30 hotels in the Middle East region by the year 2020.

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42

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

DESTINATION

T

ourism is a global industry and given this, many serious minded countries not only depend on the domestic scene but more on the foreign scene because of its huge potential to earn higher yield for them.

In this wise, the importance of playing at the global level is not undermined with many of the countries signing pacts with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which is the world’s apex body for tourism development and other bodies because of the numerous benefits accruing from being a member and active one for that matter.

This fact was grasped by the Nigerian government, as the defunct Ministry of Culture and Tourism, signed on to many global platforms, with special reference to the UNWTO. Perhaps the most glorious era for Nigeria tourism at the world level could be said to be when Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu was the minister with Mrs. Esther Adeyemi in charge of international tourism.

Ogbuewu brought his rich experience to bear on the scene and ensured that Nigeria earned its place at the international level with her fully represented at most of the international forums and travel trade exhibitions such as the ITB Berlin, World Travel Market (WTM) in Berlin and FITUR in Madrid, among others.

Nigeria’s status was so big then that it was able to attract a number of global events, such as the tourism ministers’ conference that was held in Abuja and ecotourism conference by Africa Travel Association (ATA) held in Calabar while Ogbuewu was the chairman of Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty (ST - EP).

But with Ogbuewu out of the scene and Adeyemi, who was the arrow head, coordinating the country’s participation at most of these global meetings, out of the ministry, and the former Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe as well, the country lost its place of pride in world tourism.

For about six years that Runsewe was on the scene, Nigeria’s status and attendance at foreign exhibitions soar but following the exit of these officials, the country’s attendance and status at these forums began to wane and actually took a dip in the last three years with Nigeria completely abandoning attendance at the four major global exhibitions – WTM, ITB Berlin, FITUR and Arabian Travel Market (ATM) as well as UNWTO and ATA related events among others.

But determined to shore up the country’s tourism international status and bring back the country to the main stream of global tourism and therefore earn some visibility and benefits for the country, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, last month led a delegation from the ministry to hold talks with the officials of the UNWTO in Madrid, Spain, with the Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, heading UNWTO’s team.

Back with a bucket of promises and agreements reached with the global body on assisting Nigeria get back to the global fold again and also further develop and promote its tourism industry, Mohammed, who was elated with the outcome of the meeting, last week held a session with the tourism press where he briefed on the outcome of the two days meeting.

Mohammed in his presentation acknowledged the fact that Nigeria has been a member of UNWTO since 1975 but not actually taking advantage of its membership. “Nigeria has been a member of this specialised UN agency since 1975, but has mostly been punching below its weight. But that was until earlier this year, when I led the Nigerian delega-

Nigeria synergises with UNWTO After some years of hiatus, Nigeria tourism finally reaches out to the world, as ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes on the visit of Nigeria’s delegation led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and what it portends for the tourism industry tion to the April 19-21 UNWTO Commission for Africa meeting in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. That meeting turned out to be a groundbreaking one for Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the April meeting in Abijdan afforded the minister a chance meeting with Rifai and his team.

Following discussion at the session, Rifai extended a formal invitation to the minister to visit the Madrid headquarters, a meeting, which was held between July 25 and 27.

Issues on focus

During the Madrid meeting, the minister informed that he briefed the UNWTO on development in Nigeria.

“After I briefed them on the social, economic and political situation in Nigeria in general and the state of our tourism development in particular,” said Mohammed.

These, he said, opened the floodgate for discussion on various issues ranging from communications and publications; technical cooperation and services; hotel classification; data collection and utilisation, global code of ethics on tourism to UNWTO Themis Foundation.

“There was also a presentation on the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation, which is Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty. This Foundation is to be turned into an international organisation that will have its own members. Once this is done, Nigeria has been asked to quickly sign on so it can reap the benefits of being a member, especially the ST-EP Technical Assistance programme. The important role that domestic tourism plays in the economy was also highlighted by Mr., Favilla, an executive director,” the minister disclosed.

Mohammed placed on record the ex-

citement displayed by Rifai in having Nigeria back on the global scene and commended the political will displayed by the country in trying to move tourism forward again.

“There is the existence of political will and we can feel it from outside.

Anyone who is interested in Nigeria will know the positive development that has taken place in the country,” even as Rifai noted further that the story of the positive developments in Nigeria must be told to the world, which he said has been largely unaware of such.

Outline of agreements

After detailed discussion on the myriad of issues raised, especially with regard to assisting Nigeria tourism to flourish, a number of agreements, in terms of programmes and activities, to be jointly or singly implemented with a two-year span, were agreed on. These, according to the minister, include: “Technical assistance, capacity building, revision of the tourism master plan which, by the way, the UNWTO helped develop, organisation of international conferences in Nigeria, certification of tourism courses, celebration of the UNWTO World Tourism Day 2016, granting of unlimited access to designated Nigerian officials to the UNWTO's e-library, and seconding of relevant Nigerian officials to the UNWTO headquarters under their internship programme,” disclosed Mohammed.

In line with these agreements and UNWTO’s nod to host international conferences in Nigeria, Mohammed revealed that the country’s request to host the 60th meeting of the global agency's Commission for Africa (CAF) in 2018 in order to attract global attention to

tourism in the country was graciously approved by the global tourism body.

“Though there are still formalities to be undertaken to ensure that Nigeria gets the hosting rights, the truth is that the hosting is Nigeria's to reject, going by the enthusiasm with which the request was received by the Secretary-General and members of his Executive Council, said Mohammed.

Furthermore, the minister revealed that the agreements reached were classified under five different categories (Clusters), these are: Policy; Activities/Events; Governance Issues; Technical Assistance/ Capacity Building and Bilateral Relations.

The minister then went ahead to give details of some of the agreed programmes, as he explained that: “Under technical assistance, Nigeria will be assisted in the area of data collection for the elaboration of tourism statistics, rural tourism development, hotel classification and in designing programmes to create awareness for tourism.

“The UNWTO will soon deploy a needs-assessment mission to Nigeria, to be followed by the deployment of experts to train tourism officials, both at the agencies responsible for tourism and the national statistics agency, the National Bureau of Statistics. They will also organise a sensitisation workshop during the training.

“In the area of capacity building, the focus will be on the empowerment of women in tourism through the centres being planned for the six geo-political zones. This is another area that greatly delighted the global organisation. They will also help in training tour guides, festival managers, etc.

“The UNWTO has also indicated interest in helping us to review the tourism master plan, which has been sitting on

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13 AUGUST 2016

ments would be implemented and not made to gather dust.

“Secondly, it was agreed that the implementation of the agreed programmes will start immediately and last two years.

So, this is not one of those agreements that will sit on the shelf and gather dust,” he said.

Training for tourism journalists

the shelf for a number of years and may need retouching in certain areas, in addition to agreeing to even participate in the first meeting of the revived Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT).

“By the way, let me use this opportunity to announce that a memo on the resuscitation of the tourism master plan has been dispatched to the office of Mr. President. To coincide with the first meeting of the revived PCT, the UNWTO is planning an international conference, on the role of tourism as a catalyst for development, peace and reconciliation, in Maiduguri - which is the hotbed of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“This is being fashioned after a similar conference that was recently held in Sri Lanka, specifically at Passikhuda, the Eastern Province Tourism Development Zone of the country, which has been liberated from the Tamil Tigers. Realising that the PCT cannot meet as regularly as would have been desirable, the UNWTO has agreed to help us in constituting a technical body just below the level of the PCT to ensure a more robust push for tourism development.”

Besides, Mohammed further disclosed that: “As part of efforts to sensitise the citizenry on tourism, the UNWTO is also working with us to design programmes to mark the 2016 World Tourism Day, being observed annually on September 27. I

Revellers at Calabar Carnival

have been told that it was actually Nigeria that proposed that day for celebrating World Tourism Day. I believe those who have the background information will shed more light on this issue in the course of this press conference.

“With the global observance to be marked in Thailand, the programme in Nigeria may be slightly delayed till after September 27 to ensure the participation of the UNWTO, which is another boost to our efforts to develop tourism. This year's celebration is focusing on Tourism for All: Promoting Universal Accessibility.”

The return of Nigeria to the centre stage

Obviously elated by the development and agreements reached with the global tourism body, Mohammed described the meeting as highly successful and that it marks the return of Nigeria to the centre stage.

“The highly successful meeting in Madrid marked the return of Nigeria to the centre stage of the UN World Tourism Organisation, after years on the sidelines,” he said.

As if aware of the outcome of such flowery and far reaching agreements reached in the past by Nigeria with other world bodies, including UNWTO, the minister gave assurance that these agree-

On a final note, which turned out to be some good news for the Nigeria tourism press, Mohammed revealed agreement reached with UNWTO for the training of tourism journalists and the opening of floodgate for them to take advantage of the various training forums across the world to improve on their trade.

“Finally, and this will interest you (Tourism journalists). The UNWTO has agreed on a special training workshop for tourism correspondents in Nigeria.

The details of this are to be worked out to ensure that as many of you as possible benefit from this training. This is in addition to the fact that many of you can attend any of the numerous training programmes of the global body being held regularly around the world.”

The task of building Nigeria tourism

The minister concluded his presentation on a very positive note as he noted that despite the detailed pact reached with UNWTO, Nigeria tourism can only thrive if Nigeria as a country and the people agreed to play their expected roles otherwise there is little or nothing that the world tourism body can do.

“Overall, we know whatever assistance we get from international agencies, the task of developing tourism in Nigeria rests squarely on us. That's why we are kick-starting a nationwide tour of tourist sites,” the minister added.

As observed by many of the people, the minister has got a good deal from UNWTO, which is ever willing and ready to help any country to develop and promote its tourism. And as noted by him, the onus is on Nigeria and Nigerians to make the pact work. There is no doubting the fact that the minister has good intention and is in a hurry to push tourism to a lofty height but in doing so, he must carry along the various stakeholders.

But more importantly, the minister must take a second look at the various tourism parastatals and staff he inherited. To succeed, he must bring a new culture of professionalism and service

delivery to the ministry and the parastatals. The staff need to be retooled and orientated for efficient service to tourism and there must be stated goals and time line and that the era of merely pushing files should be over.

The two basic parastatals of tourism, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) must be fully integrated into the main stream of the minister’s agenda because as observed by followers and watchers of tourism, these two bodies seemed to be operating a different agenda from that of the minister as there appear to be a disconnect between the two parastatals and the ministry.

While the role of the ministry is essentially to produce policy and guidelines for the promotion of tourism, the implementation of these policies, guidelines and other action plans as envisaged by the minister lie on the two parastatals.

Report on national summit on culture and tourism

Since the national summit on culture and tourism held in April in Abuja and a subcommittee set up to further work on the summit’s communiqué, the industry players and watchers have patiently awaited the release of the final report for implementation.

However, the minister revealed that the committee has since submitted its final report and that he has commenced the implementation of the report.

According to him, part of the report is what informed the new drive for tourism and opening Nigeria to the international community and that his going to Madrid was to see how effectively to implement the report with collaboration from the world tourism body. He also disclosed that a memo has gone to the Federal Executive Council for the revival of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT).

This, and other recommendations of the committee, he said are receiving the full attention of his ministry. However, the minister did not reveal when and if the full report of the committee would be published as expected so as to enable every stakeholder in the industry to have a holistic picture of the new agenda being pushed by the ministry and their respective roles in bringing to birth this new agenda for culture and tourism.

ENDNOTE Mohammed submitted that Nigeria has a huge tourism potential and marketing, insisting that Nigeria has so many things to market to the world but that we lacked the capacity to promote and market them, which of course may have influenced some of the areas of agreement reached with UNWTO when it comes to capacity building and technical assistance.

He also noted that the focus of the ministry is developing domestic tourism as that is the only way to grow foreign tourism. Therefore, he disclosed that the ministry is at the forefront of fighting to build infrastructure that are relevant to developing tourism.

The minister also said that “the airport is very critical for tourism development,” adding that “you need efficient and effective airport with friendly and courteous staff as well as good transportation system,” even as he disclosed that “we are working to get a very friendly visa regime for the country.”

In the areas of setting standards and regulations, especially when it comes to grading and classification of hotel, he said he is aware of the Supreme Court judgement, which has made it a state and not federal affair, adding that his ministry is working at getting a political solution so as to have a unified grading and classification of hotel system for the country.

Sportsplash 44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Celebrity RÈsume

FULL NAME Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo Alternative Stage Names Kokomaster, Bangalee Date of Birth June 9, 1981 Place of Birth Zaria, Kaduna State Occupation Singer, songwriter, harmonica player, label executive and entrepreneur.

Music Genre Hip Hop, Pop, Afrobeat First Album No Long Thing Foreign Collaborators Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Akon, Idris Elba, Pusha T, 2 Chainz and others Albums No Long Thing (2005), RunDown Funk U Up (2006), The Entertainer (2008) Marital Status Single Awards Best African Act (MTV Europe Music Awards 2007), Artist of the Year (MTV Africa Music Awards 2009), Best International Act: Africa (BET Awards 2011), and Bestselling African Artist (2014 World Music Awards), Evolution Award at 2015 MTV Africa Music awards, Most Promising Male Artist at 2005 Kora Awards.

Biggest Hit Oliver Twist Active Years 2004 - Present State of Origin Ogun State First Record Label Mo’ Hits Records Achievements “Oliver Twist” topped the African charts in 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012, reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart. T.I.N Magazine ranked D'banj as the richest solo musician in Nigeria.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

13 August 2016

No difference between 1984 and now –Dokpesi

p.47

45 APC govt and plight of Bauchi workers, pensioners

p.48

10 years after, Attah yet to refund campaign investment –Ekpenyong Dr. Chris Ekpenyong was the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State during the Obong Victor Attah regime. In this interview with TONY ANICHEBE, he broke his long silence and revealed reasons behind the frosty relationship between him and his former boss while at the Government House and why his tenure ended abruptly, among other issues. Excerpts: Why did you suddenly resign when you ought have finished with your boss in 2007 I resigned because of intrigues arising from my determination to contest as governor in 2007. The intrigues led to the concocted and perceived allegations cooked up by the then state House of Assembly to impeach me from office but the Federal Government led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo sent the then PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, with the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Massari, late Chief Ojo Maduekwe and others to intervene.

Their intervention was because I was not guilty of the allegations levelled against me by Victor Attah.

That was how the planned impeachment was consumed. I joined politics because of my desire to ensure the welfare of my people. I have always lived for the people. Even today as I live in Uyo, I am here for the people.

There was a large convoy that followed you home after your resignation. How did you muster such goodwill?

I was with the people and they were with me, thousands of people in over 500 cars joined me to the village. Though there was no money in the Deputy Governor’s office, the people stood by me and had hoped to vote for me massively as their governor in 2007 for a better life for them. That was part of the reason why they plotted my exit from government before the time.

before our visiting BoT members. That parable of Philippine to him is a challenge to see if he could put a successor to the throne which he failed to do in 2007.

So, the prophesy came to pass. I was his legitimate successor to that office. He had spoken to me that I will be his successor. In 2003 when the cloud of failure beckoned on his re-election, he told me to support him because he would hand over to me and nobody else, so I went down on my knees to God in prayers to restore him and he was restored.

There were so much political intrigues that brought him back to power for a second term, that I wouldn’t want to expose here but the truth is that when he defaulted he saw the 'Philippine' I predicted, losing both his ambition to become the president and installing a successor. Today my relationship with him is cordial and we are on talking terms. I have since forgiven him but I have not forgotten the injustice he did to me.

You were a deputy governor for six years, one month and five days, how is life now outside the confines of the

Since your resignation what has been your relationship with Attah?

In politics there is no permanent friend or enemy but interest. He acted the way he perceived was his best interest, like I told him then in the executive council meeting when I was resigning, I said I will like the apparatus of government to move forward as stalling it further makes life difficult for our people.

I told him to try and cross our people through the 'Jordan' if he could, but that we will meet in 'Philippine'. I said this

OLALEKAN OSIADE Assistant Editor 08033076969 lekanosiade@gmail.com lekanosiade@yahoo.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Ekpenyong

Government House?

There is nothing special, when I was there I was still my normal self, I never allowed the office to overshadow my senses of reasoning and integrity. How much was I getting? Go and ask Obong Attah, he was paying me N300, 000 every month which I handover to my staff to give to the less privileged people in our state. Go and ask him he is still alive, he was giving me N300, 000 every month. Then I was living from the money made from my already established companies. Even the money I invested on his campaign he never paid back. That is perhaps the ingratitude he showed me. So many big men in our country are not actually big because if they are big in spirit they are supposed to be their brother’s keepers. He saw the roles I played for him to become a governor for a second term but yet he subjected me to pains. So my coming out of the Government House doesn’t make any difference to me. In fact I was poorer while in government than outside, after all I was already made before going into government. There is nothing I have

If I had succeeded Attah, he would have been a revered political leader and statesman today like Bola Tinubu and a few others

today that was not acquired before my venturing into office as deputy governor.

I am not like many politicians that used public money to build their first house and palatial mansions. My country home was built in 1993, my house and office in Lagos were built in 1990, my office and home in Ikot Ekpene were built in 1992 and 1989 respectively. My hotel was built from the loan I got from the Union Bank. I made nothing from government. If we are all going to be probed that is when the boys will be differentiated from the men.

In 2007 you give a shot at the governorship slot, what worked against your chance of clinching the PDP ticket then?

How I wish it was now that the INEC is a bit stable and independent. The PDP was not co-ordinated, which informed its present crisis. The party said for one then to win the ticket, one must score 2,400 votes to emerge and sent people to come and conduct primaries but when they arrived they started looking for the highest bidder. The people knew too well that those in government will be the highest bidder. But the former governor who initially wanted Akpabio later opted for his son-in-law, Udoma Ekriaka, and the whole thing was muddled up in favour of the former. The truth is that if I had succeeded Attah, he would have been a revered political leader and statesman today like Bola Tinubu and few others. I worked closely like a brother with Obong Attah, we learnt the ropes together and built together the foundation of the modern Akwa Ibom State. I worked out my heart to ensure he succeeds but he failed me. I won an award then as the best deputy governor of the year, that is a testimony of my steadfastness, loyalty and commitment to the success of the administration. I lost out to ill organised primaries but accepted the result in good fate because the man that emerged eventually was from the same Annang ethnic stock with me and I have desired that power shift from Ibibios to the Annang people, that was the bottom line.

But Godswill Akpabio that you gave up your ambition for, was reported not to have worked with you and neither did he cite projects in your council area?

I don’t know what came over him, but I remember telling him that the eagle is not permanent. When you become a governor, deputy or even council chairman, there is the Coat of Arms behind you, a symbol of authority and when the insignia is no more with you, then you are the same with the masses and that is when your shortcomings while in office will dawn on you.

When the baton was handed over to him, he should have turned around and ask the elders how to go about it and why we fought bravely for the power shift to Annang ethic stock in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. But he never did that, he rather chose to build a cocoon. He chose to break the ladder with which he climbed to the top. He might still need the ladder again C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 6

46 Politics C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

when he returns but may not found it. he has never asked how the ladder he used was maintained. However, in life, there is the saying that no condition is permanent except change and God. I have nothing against him and I think he has none against me too.

Do you have any regret in your years of playing politics?

I don’t have any regret at all. If the late Chief Moshood Abiola, as rich as he was, could pay the supreme price because he wanted to change the circumstances of our people, then who am I? I remember telling people of my political models like Chief Iwuanyawu and Chief Aurthur Nzeribe. Iwuanyawu in particular was there for me in 2003 when Attah toyed with the idea of dropping me in his second term. I have no regrets, if you travel through Obot Akara Road, the major road leading to my community, it was done by me during my tenure in government. That major bridge along the road was blown off during the civil war. The Federal Government later gave the contract to build it at N49 million and paid only N30 million but I ended up paying N64 million. I took part of the money from my company.

It’s only recently I finished paying the money to the bank, I borrowed money in fixing that bridge.

If I wasn’t in government, I wouldn’t have gone through the pain of reconsructing the bridge and if I, as a deputy governor, failed to do it for my people, they would not have had a bridge to pass to do their transactions across communities. Today, many other Nigerians pass through it and it’s the only entry and exit point used by Nigerians into Akwa Ibom State. My entry into politics is not for self aggrandisement and my brand of politics is people-oriented infrastructural development to enhance the wellbeing of our people. I am still in the politics of development till date. My hotel alone has over 160 employees. My farm in the village has over 50 people working there, my other businesses in Lagos have over 100 people in their fold. My brand of politics is service to the people. It is not about stashing funds and buying properties abroad to the detriment of the people. That is why today I am fully in support of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade.

Will you advise any of your children to go into politics?

I have two biological children, the first is a lady and a lawyer married to a prominent Yoruba family in Lagos and my son, depending on his choice can opt for politics. Nobody coerced me into politics, I was spiritually moved to join politics and I will say, may God’s will be done, not my own will. Outside my two biological children, I have several political children especially this one (pointing at the chairman of his native Obot Akara council area, seated by his side) and others. They are all my children and I want them to play politics of service. I am happy he was asked by the governor to continue in that capacity few days ago. He and others such as the state Commissioner of Sports and our member in the state House of Assembly are all working in tandem to attract more government presence to our council area. The governor has given us roads and we are still appealing to him to bring other projects that will make the road busy by attracting people to our area. I must say that I am impressed by the achievement of the Udom Emmanuel administration and because of him, I and my people will stay in PDP. Are you also enjoying the retirement

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

'Etiebet died without enjoying benefits of a former governor' benefits introduced by the Akpabio’s administration which raised so much dust then.

Those things are normal. In a country like Ghana, it is better than what we have here in Nigeria. In Ghana a retired premier enjoys the same privilege like a serving premier. It is the normal practice in every civilised world including America. Look at Lagos State, see how they care for their former governors and deputy governors, it's enviable. Here, we have good resources but nothing much to show, but I will not blame the incumbent governor. I always believe in law of retributive justice and on the adage that one good turn deserves another. I don’t know if ex-governor Attah did not treat former governors Donald Etiebet and Akpan Isemin well which informed why Akpabio did not care for us but for Udom, I don’t really know, we were due for vehicles since 2015, but till today we have not been given.

We are just about seven past governors and deputies and how much will it cost the government to provide these vehicles? Are they bullet proof vehicles?

Even if they are, how much is one?

Then the medical allowances, where are they? I pray that God will not allow me to be sick up to the point of death.

When last did I get the medical funds?

I think it was in 2014 under Akpabio.

The law said we are entitled to medical checkup abroad, once a year. Ask them if they have been sending us. The law said we are entitled to a vehicle and a utility vehicle every four years, ask them whether they have given to us. The law assigned some stipends every year to us, ask them if they have been giving us. I don’t know if these small benefits will hinder payment of salaries of teachers and civil servants in the state or stop them from doing projects if implemented. I think it is a matter of attitude and perception. I believe that what comes around goes round. The man in charge today will someday leave for another person and may meet the same treatment on ground.

If opportunity arises will you contest to be governor again?

If it is a top appointment in Abuja, yes, Northerners know the value of el-

ders and treat their elders well, I know some of them like Maitama Sule and others. I don’t want to be a governor but if opportunities come in many others capacities like chairman of NPA, NNPC and others, I will not reject it because I am 62-year-old. I am an electrical engineer by profession, a fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineer. A fellow of many institutes in the world. A large scale farmer and a job creator. I love to see smiles on people’s faces. I like seeing people busy doing positive things to earn their living. The Federal Government and my state government should encourage us. My state government that asked us to 'Dakaada' meaning to rise and move forward, should come forward with support because we have been waiting for the support. More so I want to appeal to my governor to come to the rescue of former governors and deputies over our entitlements. It is sad that Etiebet died without enjoying the benefits of his entitlement as a former governor. He was one of those who fought for the creation of Akwa Ibom State. It is sad and unfair for Etiebiet to die without enjoying the fruit of his labour. Our governor is a young man who will climb top position in the country but must care for the elders and have their blessings.

Are you not worried that deputy governors, no matter their loyalty, hardly succeed their bosses?

That shows you the poor leadership mentality of most of our governors because a good leader is one who talks about succession and the deputy should be the best suited person. A deputy works closely, understands his boss' body language and follow closely his strides. If there is anything I regret in politics that is I was one of the deputies that worked very hard for my boss, I represented him in most important meetings including that of Council of States meeting in Abuja. I thought he was preparing me to take over from him, it was too bad he burst it, a good leader should be one with good and definite succession.

How did you venture into politics?

I believe that every human being is

If I had succeeded Attah, he would have been a revered political leader and statesman today like Bola Tinubu and a few others

Ekpenyong

a political animal. I started manifesting my leadership trait from my days in primary school, through my days in Government Secondary School Tombia, where I was nominated as a house prefect. Going through my resume, you will discover that at various times I have been Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Students Union Government (SUG) in the Federal Polytechnic, Bida. I also became president of the students union, at that time we have only four people from the then Cross River State in the school, where the population of the students was more than a thousand.

The students found me worthy in character to elect me as their leader. From there I emerged the vice president of National Technological Students of Nigeria, my contemporaries are people like Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola whom I defeated then as vice president.

Ayodele Fayose was there too as student union activist, so I am not surprised he talks the way he is talking today. At the celestial level, I was president of the catholic community at the Polytechnic Calabar where I finished my HND as well as the National President of Annang Students Worldwide. Then I was able to reinvent the body, it was during my time that we bought a bus and had an office accommodation. Those who worked with me then are faring well in government and some in their private endeavours. Then from school to NYSC from where at the tender age of 28, I emerged as a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly on the platform of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as a Youth Corps member.

I still remember that then Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas, wanted me out of the contest for the then incumbent lawmaker to continue but I stood my ground. I would have dusted my certificate and go looking for a job but since people wanted me, I decided to contest and defeated an incumbent who has three wives, many children and houses and that was in 1983. But when General Muhammadu Buhari overthrew the Shehu Shagari administration and terminated democracy over alleged corruption by the then political class, I returned to my electrical engineering profession.

I worked assiduously with other like minds and in 1996 we were able to get our local government, Obot Akara, created with a population of over 145, 000 people with strong voting population.

Though we are pure agrarians but we are hardworking and intelligent as we share boundaries with Igbos. As political activities kick started in 1996, I joined the UNCP, New ERA and later G34 before it changed to PDP in 1998. By then, the entire Akwa Ibom people have discovered my potential. Though I wanted to go for the governorship but my mentor, Atuekong Don Etiebet, a former petroleum minister, was equally gunning for the presidency and both of us came from the same clan. We are of the same Annang stock. We thought it would be tantamount to selfishness for both of us to go for the two plum jobs at the same time and that was how Obong Victor Attah came into the picture as the governor. Then out of the 13 people jostling to become deputy governor, I became the natural choice. Attah too accepted me as his deputy and I was the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor from 1991 to July 4, 2005, when I resigned.

Politics 47

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

I

My journey have been a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since its inception in 1998. If you are very familiar with the political terrain, you will discover that right from the word go, those that became members of the PDP were mostly former members of defunct parties like, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). It was from the understanding that there was need to build one big umbrella party, an all encompassing party, in order to limit the division that the military used to bring all the time. The party had as its major goal, the indivisibility and indissolubility of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was meant to promote one united Nigeria and that means that the politicians have to sink their differences and put the interest of the people over and above individual interests. These were parts of the reasons it was possible for the North in 1998/1999 to decide that they were not going to field any candidate to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was a decision taken in line with the idea that national interest ought to take precedence over individual interest.

Therefore, I bought into that vision especially the area that has to do with the unity and stability of this country, the need to recognise the rights of every individual, irrespective of their religion, tribe, language or political leaning.

I tell people very clearly that my father was a chief clerk and my mother was a stark illiterate who sold akara (bean cakes) in Ibadan in those days. If I managed to get to where I am today, it means there is every opportunity for the average citizen to rise to the pinnacle of his or her career. I believe that our political party and the government we elect should be able to guarantee that for our citizens. These were some of the things that motivated me to join party politics.

Why I am in the race But over the years and after PDP won the 1999 election, won in 2003 and 2007, it became very glaring that the party was becoming over confident. They started disconnecting with the electorate; they started moving away from the fundamental principles and ideals that brought about the formation of the party. It became very glaring that impunity and over confidence had set in; imposition of candidates became the order of the day and internal democracy was now something that took a back seat in the affairs of the party. It became very glaring that even simple principle of zoning within the party was abandoned. The manifesto of the party, the set objectives, which is service to humanity, the improvement of the lives of the people and all other ideals were in the process thrown overboard.

We started offending each other in the party. We started stepping on each other’s toes and those that were not happy decided to move out of the party. Those that were able to stay managed to do so through lots of pains.

If you recall very clearly, in 1999, we won about 21 states; by 2003, we had 23 governors and in 2007 we had 28 governors, but in 2011, we lost a number of states when there were doubts about the zoning or no zoning principle. You can see that by 2015, we were left with only 12 states. That's how the fortunes if our party dwindled after the elections. It was an indication that something was wrong.

Party reforms After the elections in 2015, the party set up a committee to look into the remote and immediate causes of our failure. They came out with a report that is today called the ‘Ekweremadu Reprt’,

No difference between 1984 and now –Dokpesi

Media mogul and politician, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and an aspirant for the party’s chairmanship position. In this interview with ONWUKA NZESHI, he explained some of the challenges confronting the party. which also drew up a roadmap for the recovery of the party. The report emphasised what the party needed to do in order to recover from the loss, get off the ground again and return the party to the people.

In the process, there was this attitude of saying the president was the leader of the party while the governors were equally leaders of the party at the state level. We threw away the supremacy of the party.

In my days in the NPN, if the then national chairman of the party, Chief Adisa Akinloye, sat down to preside over a meeting, President Shehu Shagari did not sit down with him at the high table. There was mutual respect and the party's principles and ideals took precedence over and above the personalities. But today, the reverse is the situation; meetings are hardly held in party offices, meetings are either at the State Hose or government houses.

The emphasis on party supremacy and respect for internal democracy is moving. We came to a situation where leaders of the party; the godfathers, the Dokpesi godmothers and the moneybags were almost dictating who becomes a councilor. They want to determine who becomes the president, who becomes a governor, who becomes a member of the House of Representatives, who goes to a state House of Assembly and even who becomes a councilor at the local government level.

We have to review all these things because this was not how the founding fathers wanted it.

Since 2010, I have been actively involved in trying to get the party back to its fundamental roots. I have been involved in the efforts at taking the party back to the people. In the whole process, what happened was that some of us were expelled from the party, later it was committed to suspension and later we were recalled as part of reconciliation. But the situation did not improve because if it had improved, PDP would not be in opposition.

My mission My mission is to serve the party and return it to the vision of the founding fathers. I wish to restructure those visions in line with the developmental changes that had taken place in the political arena in the country. It is not going back wholesale to how we were in 1998/1999 but to look at the very strong values, which we need to deepen democracy, strengthen the party and give a virile opposition to the present government.

What we have had since the PDP crisis started is that there is nobody to even speak for the ordinary man in the villages across the country. I have

just gone through 34 states of the country including the FCT and I know that people are frustrated whether they are APC, PDP or they belong to any other political parties. There is a lot of hunger in the country. There is a lot of poverty in the land. There are quite a lot of challenges that needs to be addressed and you need a constructive system to be able to address them, which in this case is a political party. But the PDP has gone to sleep. I want to re-awaken it. I want to reposition it, so that we can re-brand the party; so that we can re-invent the party and bring those elements that can serve the interest of the country.

Zoning formula and anti-party activities When you say the party zoned a particular position to the South West and I am from the South-South, let me say that the power of the party rests with the National Executive Council (NEC) and the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party. The NWC, represented by Senator Makarfi and the National Caretaker Committee zoned the position of the President to the entire North and zoned the position of the National Chairman to the three geopolitical zones of the South.

When you are in government, it is possible for you to do micro zoning but if you are in opposition, you are looking for the best material to galvanise support for the party. You can't go to the North West or North East or North Central and say you want to zone the presidency to any of them. The presidency must be opened to the entire North. Who can win this

election for the PDP? Who is acceptable to the generality of the people?

In the same manner, now that we don't have a president, you must get a chairman that is acceptable across the states and the National Zoning Committee without equivocation, zoned the chairmanship position to the entire South and that means any person from any of the three zones in the South can aspire to lead the party. I think that Senator Makarfi has said it repeatedly that the position was zoned to the South.

But some leaders, the governors, came in, they met in the Government House, Port Harcourt, and invited some people to the place and there they said they were micro zoning. They said they zoned the chairmanship to the South West. But then, the caveat was that their aced vision is without prejudice to anybody who wants to run or to anybody who has acceptance across the country.

Why did they do that zoning? It was simply to enable them zone other positions. I told you that over the years, it used to be a boardroom affair. But now, the party cannot afford to do that; there must be internal democracy. One of the first steps to getting things right is by making sure that there is a level playing field and everybody has an opportunity to come into the race.

Let the electorate, the delegates, the people decide, not those of us in the boardroom or those of us who say we are the owners of the party and we have the interest of the party at heart.

In that framework, I am not involved in any anti-party activity. I am definitely and surely pursuing the lines of what the party did with zoning.

By the time they were doing that zoning, I had covered 24 or 25 states of the federation. I could have said that the idea of that micro zoning was to make sure that I was stopped, but I am not as fickle minded as that, and I have explained repeatedly that there might have been no malice intended from the side of the governors because I believe that they too have a stake in ensuring the success of this party. They have a stake in ensuring that we rebuild this party, that we reconstruct the party, that we represent the party to the Nigerian electorate. I am perfectly confident that they must have the love and passion to rebuild this party.

Possibility of manipulation I strongly believe that the time has come for the party to really determine its future. I represent reform, I represent reinvention of the party and I represent reconnection of the party to the electorate. If we do the same things that led us to where we are now and that is what the party wants, God bless them. But if we actually love the party, if we want to move the country forward, if within this period we are in opposition, we need to give the party the position to give proper opposition so that we can deepen democracy in Nigeria, definitely we have to leave those old ways that brought us failure in the past.

If it was imposition of candidates, lack of level playing ground, overbearC O N T I N U E on PA G E 4 8

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Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

APC govt and plight of Bauchi workers, pensioners Alhassan Yusuf

S Bauchi

ince the inauguration of the present administration in Bauchi State, on May 29, 2015, the plight of pensioners appeared doomed and neglected. At inception, the government of Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar declared that it inherited an accumulated debt of N125 billion from the Malam Isa Yuguda administration.

This necessitated the new government to establish various high powered committees to look into the finances of the state. This led to a discovery of a backlog of pension and gratuities of retirees worth over N20 billion.

The figure which represents the backlog pension arrears, showed that the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration failed to pay gratuities of retirees worth N14.6billion whereas the present administration has also accumulated gratuities worth N5.4billion.

The present administration which came into power with a change mantra on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had witnessed the death of about 150 pensioners owing to various illness while some died of hypertension.

One would wonder why the delay in the payment of the senior citizens despite the monthly allocation to state governments from the federation purse.

However, it was gathered that what necessitated the delay was the action of various committees, which swung into action after their inauguration by the state governor with a view to ascertaining government expenses. This had direct bearing on the government's action.

There were committees on assets verification, bank verification, petty and large contracts, as well as staff verification.

In 2011, the Yuguda regime constituted a

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 7

ing influence of the leaders and so-called moneybags that brought us to where we are, we need to leave those old ways and do things differently so that we can have a different result.

So I am not afraid because from the tour that I have undertaken, I believe that a number of party stalwarts are tired of what happened in the past and they are yearning for new ways of doing things.

I do not belong to any faction of the party because I do not also believe we have factions. I gave been very interested in reconciling all the groups.

I went round the country because I want to be chairman. I want to be Chairman because I believe I have something to offer. We veered away from the vision of our founding fathers. I believe that the party is sick because for many years, things went wrong and we were not addressing them and we need to address them. I think that if people are not allowed to contest freely, and leaders are not allowed to emerge according to the will of the people, then we are still dancing in circles; we won't get anywhere and we will get no result other than the one we got in 2015.

Court judgements I am a bloody mechanic and not a lawyer. I have not had the privilege of seeing the papers of the cases in court but what I am aware of is that the Port Harcourt judgement was a final pronouncement on the issues. I think that that supersedes any type of ambush judgement. But even the PDP Constitution does not envisage that matters that are internal to the party should be settled at the court level. There are internal conflict resolution mechanisms, which we

Many school teachers were caught with fake appointment letters, fake results and others illegalities which led to the termination of some appointments high powered committee on staff verification under the chairmanship of the present Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman. At the centre, the committee authenticated and verified 28,270 civil servants out of 29,000 as contained in the government payroll.

When recently called upon, about 1, 321 people did not appear before a committee while no fewer than 13 civil servants showed interest to serve in various schools as teachers instead of being in a ministry.

This made Abubakar to set up new committees to investigate performance, having discovered illegal employment of teachers into primary and junior secondary schools.

In this process, many school teachers were caught with fake appointment letters, fake results and others illegalities which led to the termination of some appointments in the government service. This replication of investigations in various sectors of government ministries, agencies and parastatals led to the state fallback in terms of economic meltdown giving way to the current agony and hardship being witnessed in the state.

Abubakar

This situation worsened the plight of pensioners who had served the state for more than 30 years and those that are about 60 years old.

The present government's verification exercise ordered by the governor to check and balance the actual figure and money that the government is spending is to enable it to get access to fund for implementation of various projects in order to keep its mandate and fulfill its promise to the people of the state.

Not so long after, Abubakar announced that the state was owing only one month arrears of salary, insisting that there was no

outstanding salary according to records.

Yet, pensioners continued to fall sick, claiming that their illness was as a result of the non-payment of their three to five months arrears allegedly withheld by the governor. Indeed, the situation had stagnated activities across the 20 local governments in the state, whereby the rich are also crying, linking their plight to the present hardship occassioned by the non release of salary, pensions to both workers and pensioners in the state.

The pensioners' union has however pledged to take legal action should the present administration refuse to immediately pay all pending gratuities, revealing that the non-payment has resulted in the death of many of their members.

People are no longer moving enmass to the market, and even worship centres as a result of the economic melt-down. Yet, there is no sign of any welfare package to either workers or pensioners from the government, as many households have found it difficult to have one meal a day.

Schoolchildren are being sent back from school for not paying school fess, the buying and selling activities in markets and business places are now a sorry state. Since the last call made to the state government by the state House of Assembly with regards to ensuring quick payment of salaries, pensions, the lawmakers had gone silent and no longer addressing the issue.

They had told the governor to consider the lives of public servants as so important and yet there had been no additional call or response from the government.

Tongues are now wagging and many are prepared to shun the ruling party's call for support, having observed that some of the promises made by the governor before and after winning the 2015 election have not been kept.

'PDP has gone to sleep' their mouth. My ambition should not cause them starvation. But I believe that someday, Nigerians will mature to that level that they will know that their own destiny and their own future are in their hands.

Makarfi

have abandoned. It is also part of the impunity. It shows lack of confidence in the ability of the party to resolve its own conflicts internally. We need to tell ourselves that we are all wrong. Let us come down from our high horses and work together. I believe it is achievable if people would deemphasise their personal interests.

Minimum standards The minimum standard from the convention cannot be different from those standards that are generally acceptable - that we should be transparent; that the playground should be level, that the governors should

Modu-Sheriff

allow delegates to exercise their franchise freely. But there is no doubt that as the convention draws near, the governors would certainly wield some influence over the delegates.

Even some very close friends of mine are already telling me that; ‘Oga you know, there is a lot of hunger in town. You know that it is our governor that is just putting small small water in my mouth. I cannot afford to be seen to be going against his interest’.

So I won't be surprised and I won't be offended if any person says that my governor asked me to go this way or that way because I want them to continue to have water in

Corruption allegations In 1984 when Buhari took over government as Head of State, I had the privilege of being detained at No. 15 Awolowo Road and was kept there for three months. My offence: I held political office. At that time, quite a number of persons were jailed for 150 years, some were given 100 years while others were jailed for eternity and so on.

This time around, they say ‌oh you had a transaction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, so you are detained and later bundled down to the court. Well, I do not see any difference between what happened in 1983/84 and what is happening now and the law says that you are innocent until proven guilty.

When my bail conditions were being argued, Justice Kolawole was very explicit on the issues. I cannot get into a lot of the issues because the matter is still in court and I do not want to say something that could be subjudice. But let me just assure you on the face of it that by the special grace of God, it was for showing " the leopard" during the campaigns. It was for the positive position I took for the PDP at that time that I am being persecuted and prosecuted and I believe it will not stand the test of the law of our country. I will be discharged and acquitted at the end of the day.

News Extra 49

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Road accident claims 5 on Lokoja-Ajaokuta route l FRSC records 758 auto accidents in June …convicts 67 motorists in Kaduna

Ndubuisi Ugah and Muhammed Bashir

T

LOKOJA WITH AGENCY REPORTS

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday confirmed the death of five persons in a ghastly auto accident on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta Road in Kogi State.

The confirmation, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), came as the commission announced that 758 road traffic accidents were recorded in major routes across the country in June, involving 4,720 people with 2,092 sustaining injuries.

A statement issued in Lokoja by the state Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Ogochukwu Ugboma, said the victims, three men and two women, died on the spot at Gidan Bassa Village.

He said that the accident, which occurred on Thursday, involved three vehicles, which

included a truck belonging to Dangote Cement Company with registration number Kano GWU 34 XA. The others are: a Hilux pick–up van with registration number CT 29 B02 and Audi TE model car with registration number Lagos 418 AAA. Ugboma said a total of seven people were involved in the accident, adding that two of them escaped without any injury.

He attributed the cause of the accident to wrongful overtaking, adding that investigation to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the accident is underway.

The sector commander said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

In the same vein, the FRSC in its June 2016 report, which was made available to NAN yesterday in Abuja, showed that 385 victims lost their lives in the accidents that involved 1,224 vehicles with cars recording the highest number, repre-

senting 33.9 per cent of the total vehicles involved.

The report revealed that Abuja-Lokoja route accounted for the highest number of 40 accidents involving 264 people with 32 deaths and 136 sustaining injuries during the period.

It showed that the FCT recorded the highest number of accidents with 130 cases with Abuja-Kubwa Road accounting for 24 cases Kaduna State ranked second with 59 cases involving 418 people, 35 deaths and 225 serious injuries.

The report also showed that Bauchi State recorded the highest fatalities of 37, ranking first among the high death toll states.

It was observed that two main crashes which occurred along the Jos-Bauchi and Bauchi –Kano Roads claimed seven and 12 lives respectively.

The report showed that Lagos-Abuja and Abuja-Kaduna Roads ranked second in this category with 28 cases while Lagos-Ibadan recorded 26 deaths and Abuja 18 deaths.

Kaduna, FCT, Ogun, Lagos and Kano states also recorded high fatalities of 35, 34, 29, 21 and 20 respectively.

The report showed that motorcycles ranked second in the number of vehicles with 252 representing 20.6 per cent, minibus 191, representing 15.6 per cent and trucks 121 representing 10 per cent.

It said 713 vehicles involved in the crashes were commercial, representing 58 per cent, private 487 representing 40 per cent and government and diplomatic two per cent.

The report blamed 421 cases of road traffic accidents on speed, representing 43.8 per cent, and dangerous driving representing 10.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, the FRSC also stated that it had secured the conviction of 67 motorists for various traffic offences in Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna metropolis.

The Legal Officer, Kaduna Sector Command, Mr. Ibrahim Tanko, told NAN in Kaduna that the offenders were convicted by a Mobile Court on Thursday.

The official said 16 of the offenders were convicted for tyre violation, 25 for driving licence

violation, five for overloading and 13 for vehicle licence violation.

Five others, he said, were convicted for caution sign violation, two for seat belt use violation and one for dangerous driving.

The Sector Commander, Mr. Francis Udoma, also told NAN that the mobile court was set up to enforce compliance with traffic regulations, to keep Nigerian roads safe.

Udoma said: “The corps instituted the mobile court to enforce traffic rules and ensure zero road crash, injury and death on the nation’s roads.

“Intensive special patrol and

the mobile court are aimed at addressing the spate of avoidable road crashes which are usually high. The goal is to reduce unexpected death of road users due to drivers’ carelessness.

“We will continue to arrest drivers who overload their vehicles; drivers with no licence; drivers who over speed, as well as drivers with worn out tyres.”

In a related development, FRSC Zone 1, Zonal Commander, Mr. Bulus Darwang, has reintroduced regular exercise in the zone to keep marshals physically and mentally fit to effectively discharge their duties.

GenCos seek FG’s intervention over N156bn debt

A

group, Consumer Rights Advancement Organisation (CRADO), has appealed to the Federal Government to stop electricity generation companies (GenCos) from shutting down their operations over N156 billion debts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the GenCos, in newspaper advertisements on August 8, threatened to shut down their plants over N156 billion debts owed by some government agencies.

President of CRADO, Mr. Adeolu Ogunbanjo, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday.

He condemned the devel-

opment and urged the government to urgently step in to save Nigerians from total darkness.

Ogunbanjo appealed to both the legislature and the executive to assist these companies in ensuring the recovery of debts so as not to cripple the economy.

He said the threat of the GenCos should be taken seriously since it was capable of collapsing businesses in the country.

Ogunbanjo suggested that government should initiate settlement of the debts through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Electricity Stabilisation Fund.

He said the non-availability of gas was the biggest challenge facing these GenCos. He added that if there was adequate gas supply to these companies, electricity generation would be increased from the current 2,673.4 mega watts.

Disarm Fulani herdsmen to save our people, community tells FG Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State,(2nd left) in a handshake with the MD/CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, the SSG, Enugu State, Dr. Gabriel Ajah (left); Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Mr. Victor Atuonwu (2nd right); and the Executive Director, Corporate Services NDPHCL, Mrs. Nkechi Mbah, (right) during a courtesy call by the management team of the company on the governor at Government House, Enugu…yesterday

Industrialist urges FG to partner estate developers Temitope Ogunbanke and Wale Elegbede

A

n estate developer and Chief Executive Officer of Nedcomoaks Limited, Mr. Kennedy Okonkwo, has urged government to partner with real estate developers to solve the housing deficit problem in the country.

Speaking during the inauguration of Victoria Crest Estate 1, one of the newly constructed estates by the company in La-

gos, Okonkwo, appealed to government to provide land and other incentives for real estate developers to be able to provide housing for millions of Nigerians.

He said since inception in 2008 that the company has met the housing needs of many Nigerians through provision of affordable and quality housing in different parts of the state.

“We can meet housing needs effectively when there is finance. When developers have financing, they can assist government in providing housing for many people in

Nigeria. When government gives additional incentives to developers in terms of land, it will help developers to build more housing units for people in different parts of the country.

“Government needs to rise to its responsibility to ensure that financing is made available to developers. Government needs to partner with notable and qualified developers to make sure that land is made readily available for them to build and also build infrastructure like roads. When people have more roads made available, developers can go to

DUTSE IKEJA Power generation association Don’t rely on govt for jobs, Adamawa State tells youths appoints new secretary The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) which aims at providing a platform to discuss issues of common interest relevant to the Nigerian Electricity Generation Industry, and proffer sustainable solution to sector challenges in the best interest of all stakeholders.

APGC include all the thermal, gas, renewable sources and hydro power generating companies in Nigeria.

After selection process, APGC announced the appointment of Dr. Joy Ogaji, as its pioneer executive secretary.

Ogaji is a legal practitioner with over 15 years of progressive managerial experience.

Adamawa State Government yesterday urged youths in the state not to rely solely on the government for employment.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Mr. Martins Babale, made the call while inaugurating this year’s National Industrial Skills Development Programme phase five.

Babale said the industrial skills would reduce youth restiveness by making them self-reliant.

He called on the participants to desist from relying on the government for jobs and to be self-reliant.

Babale applauded the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for choosing Adamawa to empower the youth for self-reliance.

different areas in satellite towns, and government will take the accolades.

“We have been able to create employment directly and indirectly for over 2,000 Nigerians in different areas and places we build. That constitutes the bulk of our achievements. When people have employment, security, menace and crimes will reduce because people are employed.

We have also been able to assist developing communities because we have built roads and houses in many communities,” he said.

LAFIA Maku urges indigenes to accept peace

National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Labaran Maku, has urged Nasarawa people to shun all forms of violence and accept peace for the development of the state.

NEWS I N BRIE F Maku, a former Minister of Information, made the call yesterday while briefing journalists after ST an APGA stakeholders meeting at the party’s secretariat in Lafia.

According to him, violence in any form, either by “Ombatse”, herdsmen or any other group does not augur well for development.

“You should challenge anybody deceiving you to attack or kill someone to go and do it themselves or should send their biological children for such an evil mission,” Maku said.

Musa Pam,

T JOS

he Bwatiye people of Demsa, Numan, Lamurde and Girei Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, have urged the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to disarm the Fulani herdsmen in their locality of their arms so as to safeguard the lives of the remaining members of the ethnic group.

The people said the appeal became necessary in view of the incessant attacks by heavily armed Fulani herdsmen which has led to the death of about 100 people in Demsa in the last seven months.

The Bwatiye people resident in Jos, Plateau State, who issued a statement yesterday, alleged that “armed Fulani herdsmen have attacked more than 10 villages in the locality between January and July 2016.”

The statement which was signed by the National President of Pene Da Bwatiye, Mr. Hezron Fada, said: “It is with a heavy hearts that the Bwatiye Community, represented by our umbrella organisation, PENE DA BWATIYE, wishes to draw the attention of Nigerians to the massive destruction of the rural town of Kodomun in Demsa Local Government of Adamawa State and the brutal cold

blooded murder of 25 persons, comprising our revered elders, young and middle aged men and children.

“The attacks have left a population of about 2,500 inhabitants now homeless and scattered in towns and villages as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”

The statement noted that from January to July this year, similar mass killings took place in the Bwatiye villages of Koh, Goron, Ndikajam, Tabongo, No-Ine Fawaire and Jimoh in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State where 72 deaths were recorded, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Vunoklang, a suburb of Jimeta metropolis.

“There is no doubt that the killings by the Fulani herdsmen and their hired mercenaries were perpetrated under a grand design to annihilate the Bwatiye race as a people. Up till this time, no one has been apprehended, questioned or sanctioned by the authorities over the incidents. Is this not a conspiracy of silence?

“As painful as the destruction and looting of property and the brutal killings of our defenceless people and the removal of some vital parts of their bodies for ritual purposes have been, we have managed with difficulty, to implore our communities to refrain from taking law into their own hands.

“While we continue to look up to the state government for justice and protection, unfortunately, government failed in this regard.

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News Feature

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Army, villagers’ clash: Communities •How we heard about our husbands' death –Widows

The GOC, 1st Division, Nigeria Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, addressing widows and wives of soldiers...

PHOTO: DAN ATORI

Dan Atori

T Minna

he dust and din arising from the clash between the military and villagers in Kpaidna Village in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State that led to casualties on both sides is yet to fully settle.

The bloody faceoff which claimed about 20 lives on Thursday last week continues to generate criticisms, counter criticisms from the Nigerian military, villagers, civilians and the state government.

The situation in the villages is of uncertainty and fear as many of the inhabitants are yet to return to their communities for fear of reprisal from the military. On the other hand, some of the women who lost their soldier husbands are still struggling to come to terms with the fact that their loved ones will never return home.

One of such widows who was in tears and gave her name as Bilikisu said: “I did not know that my husband will not return.

Since he was not going to war but just an ordinary search in a village, I was not afraid or disturbed that he will not return until we got the news early in the morning that they have killed many soldiers in that village.

“I tried his phone number but he did not pick. I kept calling until the phone was saying switched off. I waited for him to return and even went to check if he was among those that were injured but only to hear that he was brutally killed.”

Another widow who was also in tears all through kept saying: “We were supposed to be in church together. I do not know why they took him away from me.”

The wives of the soldiers also stated that they might be forced to take the law into their hands as civilians in the market have been referring to their husbands as ‘army thieves and hoodlums.’

Another widow, who gave her name as Maimuna said: "We went to Tunga market in Minna on Saturday and the market women there started saying ‘our husbands attacked their villages and killed their people’, whereas they (our husbands) were on patrol to save the nation."

She called on the government to wade in and stop civilians from calling the army unacceptable names or else there could be retaliation.

The situation is tense but the recent visit made by the Niger State governor, Abuba-

Widows and wives of soldiers

kar Sani Bello, to Kpaidna village and its environs in Bosso Local Government area to condole the villagers and for an on-thespot assessment, has eased the tension as he called for the transfer of the 57 villagers in army custody to the Nigerian Police.

Playing the role of the number one security officer in the state, the governor called on the villagers to return to their various communities after he found only a few men in the deserted villages, urging them to bring back their families and continue to live their normal lives.

While expressing shock over the incident he described it as unfortunate but assured the people that efforts were being made by the state government to deploy a police patrol team in the area in order to ensure security of lives and property.

At Jumbuipi village where he met with some women who were seeking refuge with their relations, the governor empathised with them and assured them of his administration’s resolve to ensure lasting peace and security in the affected communities.

It should be recalled that a combined team of Nigeria Army and Air force personnel was in the village on official operation in search of arms and ammunition which they claimed were hidden in some houses in the community following intelligence report.

The incident which occurred about 1.30am on August 4, had 19 persons killed with the military suffering more losses as 11 soldiers including a 2nd Lieutenant were

Late Babatunde Garba, a photographer with the Artillery Brigade who was brutally murdered by the villagers in Kpaidna Village in Bosso LGA, Niger State

brutally murdered with three others seriously injured. Four vehicles belonging to the army were either burnt or destroyed.

While the villagers who lost seven people as confirmed by the police claimed they mistook the soldiers for armed Fulani herdsmen and therefore attacked them, the military said they were earlier attacked by herdsmen and so were always alert in case of any future attack, until the unfortunate incident that claimed about 20 lives.

The Army, through the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, told Journalists that the operation was carried out because there was intelligence report about gun runners who have been bringing in and selling both crude and sophisticated weapons to robbery gangs that have been terrorising people.

When the GOC visited wives and widows of killed soldiers, he said: “Please calm down, I am assuring you that the killers will be brought to book. We feel your pains, your husbands did not die as cowards.

They are heroes. They fought to save millions of live. Please calm down the Army is with you”.

When contacted, the Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Major Njideka Agwu, said: "the military got intelligence that there were arms and ammunition in that village; we went for cordon and search, unfortunately the villagers opened fire on us".

The Nigeria Army condemned the killing of officers and men and the continuous negative criticism by some persons especially the comments by the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, David Umoru. It added that despite the loss of some soldiers during the operation, the army would not be deterred and distracted from getting rid of criminal elements in the state and nation.

Addressing Journalists on Sunday in Minna, the GOC added that even though, the army lost 12 men, the operation in Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw villages saved the lives of millions of Nigerians.

He said: "If the weapons recovered in the communities had found their way out of the state, a lot of lives would have been lost. Those who are busy criticising and condemning us unjustly don't even realise how we have saved millions of lives. Are they even aware of these weapons in the possession of these bandits that attacked

us?”

"They killed 11 soldiers including a 2nd Lieutenant. Our actions saved the lives of millions in Nigeria and Niger State. Imagine if those weapons had been allowed to spread across the state, many people would have been maimed.

"In the course of the engagement, seven bandits (villagers) were killed and 57 others arrested. Weapons, both crude and sophisticated, were recovered. Imagine if these had found their way to other communities, imagine the lives that would have been lost."

The GOC stated that Nigerian military and security agents stand prepared, ready and undaunted, adding that all security agencies are working together for the overall security of the nation.

However, the State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, said the force was not part of the initial military/villagers’ clash. “The police were not involved in the invasion of the Kpaidna village by the military,” he said.

Addressing journalists at the State Command Headquarters, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said: “It was a purely military operation, we were not involved in it; from the beginning the police were not involved in the operation; we only joined in after we received distress calls from the villagers that they were being attacked by some men in army uniform".

He declared that: "Niger state is not under siege or invasion by the military, we are tackling the security situation in the state. I have asked that all divisional police officers be placed on red alert. We have pushed out more policemen to streets to help in the stop and search that was introduced. Office personnel have been reduced by 50% to complement the field officers".

The Kpaidna community faulted claims by the army authorities regarding the reason given for their invasion, saying that the Army is being economical with the truth.

The community also debunked the claim that the civilians killed were bandits, adding that “the community has no record of criminality”.

The senator representing Niger East senatorial zone, Barrister David Umoru, told Saturday Telegraph that from discussions with members of the community and the police command in the state, it was clear that either the GOC was misinformed

News Feature 51

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

still deserted over fear of reprisal Soldiers gathering seized weapons from the villagers

Villagers handed over to police

on the true situation or is being economical with the truth.

“If the army claimed that the operation was a joint one with other security agencies, why is it that the casualties was only on the side of the military, why is it that other security personnel in the joint operation did not suffer casualties," Senator Umoru queried.

Umoru also wondered why the almost 60 people arrested were being detained by the army in their barracks instead of handing them over to the police which is saddled with the constitutional responsibility of investigation and prosecution.

"Everybody knows that the proper place for suspects to be detained with the police because that is the organisation charged with the responsibility of investigation and prosecution".

"The role of the Armed Forces in terms of internal security is to assist in operation being carried out by other security agencies, so there is no ambiguity as to which role the army should play in a situation like the one we have at hand now”.

A source who gave his name as Jiya said: “I was in my house when I got I call that herdsmen have invaded the village again and so, I tried to contact the police but before they arrived so much has been done. I escaped because I did not have any weapon to defend myself. If we knew they were real soldiers, ‘walahi’ nobody would have attacked them.

But, my point is, the military did not even notify us, the leaders of the communities, or even the police. If you were the one that was earlier attacked at night, if you suspect and discover that there are some strangers are in your community with arms, what will you do?

“There is no way we would have attacked the Nigeria Army or any security persons who we know are supposed to protect us.

They claim that they wanted to search and collect weapons, why can’t they collect the arms and ammunition that these Fulani herdsmen are carrying about to terrorise us?

The Saturday Telegraph gathered that the villagers fled their homes for fear that soldiers could return to avenge the attack on them even after the governor, Sani Bello, stepped in and asked them to return.

Many of the villagers have fled to Gidan Kwanu where the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna is located, some 60 kilometers from the place the incident happened in search of a safe haven.

The state government had quickly waded into the situation and appealed to all political leaders to be careful with their utterances in order not to jeopardize the normalcy currently being enjoyed in the affected areas.

Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, said:

Some of the villagers in the bus

“Government believes that issues of security should not be used for political advantage and politics should not be played with issues bordering on security especially when it involves a strategic organisation like the military.

“We are aware of our obligation to the people, to the extent that we will not allow our people to be unduly subjected to any harassment and intimidation, but situations like this call for calm, which is why we, as a government, chose to thoroughly find out details of what happened before knowing the best steps to take in order to avoid future occurrences”.

To ease the tension in the state, the State Government through the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Vatsa called on the people of the state to be calm as security agencies attempt to bring the recent crisis under control.

He said the governor places utmost premium on the security of lives and property in the state and would continue to spare nothing legitimately possible within the obligation of the government to ensure peace and security in the state.

“Please be calm and go about your legitimate businesses, as all hands are on deck to ensure that the situation does not escalate to the level of impeding the peace in the state.”

After joining the operations, the police said the army had not handed over the 57 villagers arrested to the command but that they had returned seven military rifles seen at different locations in the villages to the army.

As part efforts to ensure proper investigation, the state Governor Sani Bello directed the immediate transfer of arrested suspects from the clash that involved the military and the communities from the custody of the military to the police.

He gave the directive on Wednesday in

Minna during a state security council meeting held in his office, adding that buses be made available to convey the suspects from the military barracks to the police headquarters in Dutsen Kura area of the state capital.

Also, as a part of the operations, the Nigerian Air force has said it will deploy more personnel to its Minna Quick Response Unit to curtail any act capable of breaching the peace and security of the State.

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar made this known when he paid a courtesy visit on the Niger State governor, Bello, in his office in Minna, the state capital.

It should be recalled that the operations carried out was a joint military operation that also involved the Air force who also lost their vehicles.

Saturday Telegraph gathered that the villagers who are mainly farmers and hunters had deserted the farmlands and all of their belongings as the villages smell of decomposing bodies.

However, a lady who is from the community and pleaded anonymity said: “The military took away the corpses of their brothers and husbands. Why did they come and invade our communities without the knowledge of the village heads. We did not trust them when they arrived because we did not see any policemen among them. I was one of the persons who contacted the police that we were under attack by herdsmen. I am telling you the truth, the Army is working on a script.”

The Niger state government has said that as part of efforts to curb further attack in the state, it has set up a judicial commission of inquiry.

The Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nasara Dan-malam who announced government's plan at a news conference in Minna on Thursday neither gave the names of members of the committee nor its chairman.

Dan Malam however said the terms of reference of the commission would include "but not limited to investigating the remote and immediate causes of the disturbance and make appropriate recommendations to government. The commission will be empowered with all the necessary instruments by the state governor".

Dan-malam also said that “adequate and reasonable time will be given the commission to ensure the job is thoroughly done” adding that “I can tell you with all honesty and humility that the report of the commission will be implemented to the letter. Government is deeply concerned about the incident and government is doing what it should do as required by the law".

The decomposing remains of civilian victims of the attack on the villages were removed from the Minna General Hospital mortuary for burial on Thursday.

At least five corpses of military men who belonged to the Muslim faith were buried on Friday according to Islamic rites while the remains of two Christian soldiers had been deposited in the mortuary.

The government had earlier set up a threeman committee headed by the Secretary to the State government (SSG), Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Ladan, to look into the immediate and remote cause of the unfortunate incident.

Government has also dispatched tonnes of food relief materials to the affected villagers who have fled their homes for fear of further attack by the military.

Meanwhile, the 57 villagers who were arrested after the clash in Kpaidna village have been handed over to the Nigerian Police. This was done on Wednesday evening alongside the recovered arms and ammunition by the Army led by Officer Commanding 31 Artillery Brigade, Provost Company, Captain Ibrahim Sadiq Mangaji‎. They were conveyed in three 30-seater buses provided by the Niger State government.

Perspectives

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

All eyes on Manchester as new EPL season begins

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fter a 90-day hiatus, football buffs around the world will definitely be delighted that our weekly tonic of top English Premier League football is back.

For many, the wait has been worth the while as Premier League clubs, clearly buoyed by the biggest deal in TV sponsorship history, the £5.136 billion Sky paid to broadcast the league for three years which kicks in this season, have decided to splash the cash.

While virtually all the 20 clubs are buying, clearly the standout teams are the two rivals based in Manchester - United and City.

Between them they have so far accounted for about half (£300,750,000) of the over £600 million the clubs have spent on players, which may still likely rise since the transfer window will not close till the end of August.

Manchester United broke the world record for a player in splashing £89 million on Frenchman Paul Pogba - the first by an English club since 1996 when Newcastle paid a then world record £15million to bring Alan Shearer to St. James Park.

Their rivals from the blue half of the city also raised eyebrows when they made John Stones, the world’s second most expensive player when they gave Everton £47.5 million for the services of the 22-year-old England international.

However, the spending frenzy by the two Manchester clubs have not been universally embraced, with one of their rivals for the title, Antonio Conte of Chelsea admitting he has been blown away by the ‘crazy’ money spent on players this summer.

“These prices are incredible and crazy but this is football now. It’s important we must maintain the passion. The money is important but not everything,” said the new Blues boss, who has so far ‘only spent’

A

man walked into an executive restaurant and placed a menu order.

His order was in the high class expensive menu category. As he waited for his menu, he saw the restaurant staff, serving some other people that came to the restaurant after him.

Getting a bit upset, he called one of the staff and asked why others were getting their food before him. The young man amidst smiles, replied: “Sir, your order is a special menu and takes some time to prepare. Theirs is in the low class category.”

When the food eventually arrived, with various special components, the man confessed: “This is indeed, a special menu.

Thank God for blessing me above others.

My waiting was not in vain.”

The man received two things from this experience. First, he got a revelation; those things he has been praying for in life that are yet to come are being delayed and being packaged specially so that when they eventually come, they are going to come in form of outstanding miracles. Secondly, the purpose of delay in answers to some prayers is that God wants to give you a lesson from that experience.

My bother! My sister! I do not know your prayer point that has not been answered and has been delayed for a long time. I encourage you to review your delay experience. Perhaps, you could catch a revelation from it or receive a lesson that God wants you to learn from it, concerning God, his nature and his ways.

Are you beginning to suspect that God is no more existing? Are you beginning to feel that he has abandoned you or just does not love you? Do you feel that he just does not want to answer your prayers? All these suggestions from the devil are not true “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come

TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com £62.3million.

Liverpool FC is not far behind with Jurgen Klopp having so far coughed out £67.9million on four players while Arsene Wenger as usual has been very conservative in splashing the cash with a £40.8million outlay on just three players!

Sadly, because football is not an exact science, throwing huge sums of money on players is no guarantee of success - and last year Leicester City on a shoe-string budget (investing only £35.1 million on players) upset the big spenders and 5000-1 odds to be crowned Premier League champions for the very first time in the club history.

The question on the lips of soccer followers across the world is, will Leicester’s fairy tale extends into this season? Very unlikely with many pundits already predicting a mid-table finish in the new season – especially with the additional rigours of the Champions League. Although one must concede that the Foxes’ manager, Claudio Ranieri, pulled of a major coup by keeping the spine of the team that upset the odds so spectacularly last campaign.

Midfield stalwart, N'Golo Kante, has so far been the only major loss moving to Chelsea for £30 million. Ranieri has been able to hold on to the club’s player of the season, Riyad Mahrez, who at a point was a major target by Arsenal manager.

However, adding to the mix beyond the mega-millions being splashed on players was the arrival of some of the world’s top rated coaches with Manchester again being the stand out city in the league with Pep Guardiola at City and Jose Mourinho at United.

The cultured Catalan and provocative Portuguese contested a bitter rivalry during their time in Spain and with 44 top-level trophies between them, they are the biggest managers in the game.

Now charged with the responsibility of hauling the two Manchester clubs back to the top of the EPL, the outcome of their personal duel could determine who it's United or City. You can't look past those two managers," said former United centreback, Rio Ferdinand.

The story of the rivalry between Guardiola, 45, and Mourinho, 53, - sacked by Chelsea last December - has become one of football's most oft-repeated tales.

The duo first crossed paths at Barcelona in the mid-1990s, when Guardiola was team captain and Mourinho worked as an assistant coach to Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal.

Despite stunning successes with Porto and Chelsea, Mourinho was overlooked in favour of the inexperienced Guardiola when Barcelona appointed a new manager

in 2008, partly due to fears about his style of confrontation.

However, discussing the rivalry, Mourinho has said that there is no sense in him going after Guardiola as he did in Spain.

"In a situation like this (in Spain), individual fights make sense because they can influence things," he said.

"In the Premier League, if I focus on him and Manchester City, and he on me and Manchester United, someone else is going to win the league."

Guardiola has spoken about the rivalry in positive terms.

"They help me, the big coaches, and Jose is one of them. They help me to reach another level," he said.

"My experience against him, against (Jurgen) Klopp at Dortmund, they made me better."

The circumstances of the arrival of the two men in North-west England only serve to emphasise the differences between them.

Guardiola's move to City has been long in the offing, the club's Emirati owners enrolled his two former Barcelona allies Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain to prepare the ground for him years in advance.

Much as he did at Bayern, Guardiola is expected to give City a distinctive playing style and establish a template for success that can be followed for years to come.

Mourinho's move to Old Trafford was far more precipitous, reflecting United's desperation to recover their lustre after three dismal years under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

The pragmatist to Guardiola's idealist, Mourinho has enjoyed instant success wherever he has worked, but to repeat the tricks at United, he must outwit a very familiar foe - and for Premier League lovers this should make for one heck of a season!

Handling delays in marriage Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com to repentance” (2nd Peter 3:9).

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2).

You may be looking at time but God’s timing is not the same as man’s timing.

His timing is the best in line with his plan for your life.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8).

Before God formed you in your mother’s womb, he knew you (Jeremiah 1:5) “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those

who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Like I said earlier, the purpose of delay in your prayers could be to give you a revelation or lesson concerning himself before giving you the best of your desire.

As a single lady, whenever Cynthia (not real name) saw a married woman undergoing delay in getting pregnant, she blamed the woman, and sometimes, the couple for either ignorance or not doing what they ought to do to get a baby. When she eventually got married and waited for four years before getting pregnant, she received the lesson that “children are a heritage of the Lord” and that it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. God said: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.”

You did not create yourself. God created you (Psalm 100:3). Stop looking at life as if you created yourself.

Have you had one child and you are facing delay in getting another? I will encourage you to open your eyes to what God has done so far and continue to appreciate him, pending when he will do another.

Avoid grumbling in your heart or complaining over what God is yet to do. There

is a housewife somewhere that suddenly developed a mental illness after her first child. Tell me, does this woman’s husband and family members still have pregnancy and child birth as priority prayer point?

If you have one child, God has shown you love so much already by removing the reproach of barrenness from you. You may not understand what I am saying. Until you consider the trauma of the couple that has spent years together without a child, you may not understand the greatness of God’s work in your life.

Have you been praying to get a husband or wife and it has seemed as if your prayers have been in vain? Have you fixed dates for introduction, engagement or even weeding ceremonies only to get disappointed or have them cancelled at the end? Accept my sympathy. But apart from prayers, it is important to search for a life partner, using the relevant criteria.

For instance, tribe, race, educational qualification, plum job, and some other factors are not supposed to be priority considerations when looking for a life partner.

If you have them as priority on your criteria list, you may have to pray and wait for a longer time for your spouse. You could register for our Marriage Preparatory Programme holding in Lagos, Nigeria from November 10 to 12, 2016. It can also help you.

Whatever is your prayer point concerning your marriage, you must understand that delay is not denial. God CAN NEVER leave you or forget you or your prayer request provided it is in line with his will (John 15:7).

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

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Religion, religiosity, myth and reality

eretic clerics are not in short supply in South Africa. And they are blessed with gullible congregations who take their words and actions to be divine even when common sense would have shown that they are grossly irreverent towards what are held to be sacred. Since it is a sacrilege to query such clerics, they are often seen as sanctimonious men of God. Unlike ordinary men, to even think they are mortals and are fallible could be treated as profane act by some of their devotees.

Heretics are available every where including Nigeria. As they are found in churches, they are in mosques too.

Penuel Mnguni, 24, is the pastor of End Times Disciples, South-Africa. He has penchant for controversies. During one of his Sunday service, he fed his congregation with snakes claiming that he had commanded the reptiles to change into chocolate. Ironically congregants with squeamish expressions while some were eating the "chocolatey" snakes also took their turn to eat the reptiles. Nobody asked question and Mnguni boasted that: "people ate it and enjoyed it.

To God be the glory!" He knew that with a little guile, he can easily manipulate his congregation.

Mnguni is an understudy of another controversial pastor, Lesogo Daniel, the one who asked his congregation to eat grass and drink petrol if they wanted to get "close to God." If Daniel had asked the congregation to stoke up fire in their stomach, some of them would have in their naivety gleefully obeyed the so-called man of God. At times, people leave their sense of reasoning in pouches. I wonder why people don't ask Islamic clerics who preach hatred and violence questions. Why will l believe a cleric that the surest way to heaven is to kill and maim fellow human beings and that I will be received by virgins in heaven. How does it add up? One timid suicide bomber was caught sometime in Afghanistan. He had covered his manhood with a metal.

When asked why he did that, he sheeepishly explained that he wanted to preserve that part of his body so he could use it when he meets the virgins waiting for him in heaven.

Although, I have my reservations about the postulations of Karl Marx that religion is the opium of the masses, it is difficult to dismiss it in its entirety. His position that religion is the opium of the masses has elements of truth. Where was the reasoning of

News Extra Abubakar Abdul Birnin Kebbi

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he first batch of this year’s pilgrims from Kebbi State have been airlifted to the holy land in Saudi Arabia The airlift of the pilgrims took place at 12am yesterday from the International Airport in Birnin Kebbi with 478 pilgrims.

Briefing journalists shortly after the pilgrims departed, the Director of Operations of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abubakar Umar, said the departure of the pilgrims was witnessed by Governor Abubakar Bagudu; the Emir of Gwandu , Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar and other top government officials.

He explained that pilgrims from Ngaski, Koko Besse, Aliero and Dandi Local Governments Areas of the

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com the congregation when they were asked to eat grass as a precondition to move closer to God? Why will questions not be asked about sanctity of human lives when people are asked to commit suicide attacks? Marx may be right that religion provides people with artificial illusory happiness like opium does to a drug addict and freeing people from such unrealistic illusion is part of building a better society.

According to reports on Tuesday, thousands of Catholic parishioners and worshippers of other faiths from far and near trooped to catch a glimpse of the Christ crucifix that got enveloped with Jesus Christ apparition, at St. Augustine Catholic parish, Nenger, Markudi, Benue State.

When asked for his reaction and interpretation of the incident, Celestine Tyowua, the Reverend Father in charge of the parish, declined comment, saying he would speak at the appropriate time.

Elsewhere, similar apparitions had

Edamaruku

been seen in different countries. A few years back, a baby was reportedly born in Mushin area of Lagos holding a small Quran. A lot of people including some lslamic clerics trooped to the residence where the "miracle baby" was born. Shortly after that another baby was born in Osun State holding a small Bible right from the mother's womb. As the Lagos baby's residence was turned into a Mecca of sort for Muslims, that of the Osun baby became Jerusalem. It became a sort of competition.

These incidents provided illusory happiness for both parties as they translated the two "miracles" to mean divine endorsement of their religions.

At another time, we were told about a baby of Muslim parents born in a church clutching a small Quran. A few friends misconstrued my disinterest and ambivalence towards such discoveries since their expectation was that I should jump at the miracles that had come to validate my faith as divine. But my take was that I don't need such happenstances to consolidate my belief on the path I had chosen. A few Islamic clerics had their reservations too but some felt questions should not be asked even if that would have illuminated the nebulous aspects of the said miracles.

Some of these claims may not be different from the suggestive literary epic of how the Yoruba progenitor, Oduduwa, descended from heaven using a chain.

There are possibilities that the appearance of Oduduwa in Yorubaland was sudden and mysterious and is better explained using mythical devices since people have no clear knowledge about how he came to Yorubaland. Did people actually see him descend from heaven? Is there any documentary or empirical evidence to back this claim? Since there is no clear cut evidence, this has become part of our tradition that forms part of our history.

Some will still recall the story of the

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late Premier of the Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the sky in the '80s.

Because of the undying love for the late sage, those who said they did not actually see Awo's image especially the non-Yoruba were dismissed as anti-Awoist who chose not to see what some claimed was obvious.

Some even gave themselves that illusory happiness that they actually saw the image and wanted to force it down the throat of those who had a contrary view.

But do people actually see apparitions or just want to give themselves that momentary false happiness? Most of these claims are based on mere erroneous mental representation and may soon form a volume of literature categorised under mythical traditions that may be transferred from one generation to another.

The story of Sanal Edamarukum an Indian, is not only interesting but may be an eye opener. In 2012, hundreds of Catholic devotees and people of different faiths flocked to a shrine to watch the mysterious dripping of water from the foot of a statue of Jesus Christ. Many considered this as a miracle and they scrambled to get this 'holy water.' Some drank on the spot, some took it home. The church never claimed it was a miracle but the crowd kept surging. Out of curiosity, Edamaruku and his engineer friend decided to trace the source of the water. It was a shocking discovery! The source of the water was an overflowing drain from a bad pipe from a toilet. Without knowing people had been drinking toilet water.

Edamaruku took his discovery to a TV station as a way of reaching a wider audience and prevent what could lead to cholera epidemic. But while on set a stick-waving angry mob was already waiting for him.

Their illusory happiness had been halted by the discovery. The majority of the devotees preferred to continue drinking the toilet water.

Edamaruku took it further by accusing the church of deliberately deceiving a gullible public to make money because they were anti-science. This enraged many devotees and they began to file for blasphemy after the whistle blower said things that could make him liable under Indian blasphemy law. On July 31, 2012, he fled to Finland to avoid the possibility of indefinite jail term. When a fellow campaigner, Narendra Dabholkar, was murdered in 2013, Edamaruku felt a similar fate could befall him if he returned to India.

Kebbi airlifts 478 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia •Yobe suspends Amirul Hajj team

state left in the maiden airlift to Saudi Arabia.

In his remarks, Bagudu warned the pilgrims to desist from carrying any prohibited items to the holy land and abide by Saudi Arabian laws during the pilgrimage.

He assured the pilgrims that nobody will be left out of the exercise and that the state government had made adequate arrangements for their welfare from the transit camp to Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, Bashar who is the state Amirul Hajj,charged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and also pray for the leaders and unity of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Yobe State Muslim Pilgrims

Commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Al-Arab, yesterday said the state government had suspended the traditional “Amirul Hajj” team for this year's hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Arab, who said this

while answering questions from journalists in Damaturu, said the development was due to paucity of funds and the need to save costs.

He said1,800 intending pilgrims had paid their fares fully out of the 2,231 seats al-

located to the state.

“The commission could not exhaust its allocation like other states due to the economic crunch facing the country and indeed Yobe State,” he said.

The chairman said the first flight from the state, which was initially sched-

uled for yesterday, was delayed due to non-availability of Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for the intending pilgrims.

“We are yet to receive BTA from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which is very important and critical to the welfare of pilgrims.”

You can’t cater for Muslim pilgrims only, Osun traditionalists tell FG Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

S

ome traditionalists in Osun Staate yesterday kicked against the planned directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sell foreign exchange to Muslim pilgrims at N197 to $1.

The state chapter of Traditional Religious Worshippers

Association (TRAWSO) at a press conference in Osogbo, affirmed that Islamic religion is not the only religion in the country and charged the Buhari led administration to equally involve them in the scheme of things.

The president of the association, the Oba Akire of Ile Ife, Oba Olawuni Alao Bamijogbin, argued that

what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander and maintained that every religion has to be treated with equality.

He said: “The association deserves all benefits other religions are being given as lack of transparency, justice and equity are some of the challenges affecting the progress of the country.”

He however agitated for annual appropriation in government's budget to enable it carry out its activities.

Speaking on the battered economy of the country, the association assured that,in no distance time, things would improve saying, all deities that will revive the country economy had been appeased to.

Sport Extra

54

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 august 2016

Fresh crisis rocks U-23 team

Sport Slaming Adekunle Salami

•Siasia blows hot over unpaid allowances, bonuses

adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Historic Quadri can rule the world

•Ministry, NFF wade in

H

Adekunle Salami ead Coach of the National U-23 team, Samson Siasia, on Friday cried out to the authorities to pay the outstanding allowances of his players to boost the chances of Nigeria moving ahead in the football event of the ongoing Olympic Games.

Siasia confirmed that the players failed to train on Thursday because they were paid only 11 days camp allowances instead of over 90 days.

The team was in camp for two months in Nigeria and one month in Atlanta, USA, but only got paid for 11 days.

The former international said the situation had reached a very alarming dimension as the players are threatening not to file out against Denmark in the quarterfinal fixture on Saturday

(today).

Siasia said: “We cannot continue like this. We are not stupid. The players were in camp for over two months in Nigeria and another one month in the USA. Over 90 days in camp and only 11 days paid. This is unfair.

“I have tried my best and I don’t care what they say. My name is not Nigeria, I am only a coach, these players deserve better. We have suffered enough for the country.

“I have done enough for the country. I am also being owed salaries of five months. We have the most important match before us and there seems to be no encouragement from anywhere.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should help us to save this situation.

We have faced harsh conditions.

Football has give the country a very positive image and the administra-

T Ezekiel Imoh

tors are bringing out bad image, this is not good for the country.”

Meanwhile, the ministry of sports and the NFF have waded into the crisis of the team. Sports minister, Solomon Dalung has urged the players to be focused as they confront Denmark.

“It is important to fully concentrate.

The problem is that the team has been with eight unaccredited members.

Payments will be made on Friday (yesterday),” he said.

Flag bearer's role special, says Oshonaike Adekunle Salami

Dogara

Dogara pleads with Siasia, players

T

he Speaker of The House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has sent a passionate appeal to the national U-23 team not to boycott its quarter final encounter against Denmark on Saturday, at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympics.

Dogara, who was speaking against the backdrop of complaints of team’s Head Coach, Samson Siaisia, that the players of the team have refused to train and may boycott the tie due to unpaid allowances and wages said the U-23 team should take patriotism as a fulcrum of their campaign, as he will personally do everything within his powers to intervene in the matter.

He said the team with the likes of Mikel Obi, Yakubu Umar, Oghenekaro Etebor and William Troost-Ekong has a very bright chance of repeating the feat of the Atlanta ’96 team led by the legendary Nwankwo Kanu and the team should be encouraged by all Nigerians.

“We will do all we can to ensure that all entitlements due to the team are paid, as we are already talking to relevant government agencies”, Dogara declared.

He noted that football being the major unifying factor in the country should be maximized by all for Nigeria’s continued joy and unity. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that we get the team to excel in Brazil and for Nigeria to recreate the watershed of Atlanta ’96.”

T

eam Nigeria’s vice-captain, Funke Oshonaike, has expressed delight over her role as the country’s flag bearer at the ongoing Olympic Games.

Oshonaike who is participating in her 6th games told our correspondent that the opening ceremony was a glorious moment for her in Rio. “It was fantastic. The whole atmosphere was electrifying and I was so happy to carry the flag of Nigeria. That was a very big honour for me.

“I thank God for all I have been able to do for Nigeria with my talent. The moment I took that flag in Rio was big for me because Olympic Games is special.”

Oshonaike is not new to the Flag bearer's role. She has done so four

times at the All Africa Games for Nigeria.

“Olympic Games is bigger because the attention of the world is on you at that moment. I am so proud. I am also happy that table tennis gave Nigerians something good through Aruna Quadri here in Rio,” she added.

Oshonaike

Ayana smashes world record, wins 10,000m gold

E

thiopia's Almaz Ayana smashed the world record to win Olympic gold in the women's 10,000m in Rio. The 24-year-old, racing the distance on the track for only the second time, obliterated the field to finish in 29 minutes 17.45 seconds,

Ayana

breaking the previous record by over 14 seconds.

Kenya's Vivian Cheriot, the 2012 bronze medallist, finished second in 29:32.53.

Defending champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia only managed third but in a personal best time of 29:42.56.

Britain's Jo Pavey finished well down in her fifth Olympics at age 42 in a season's best time of 31:33.44.

"I found it tough out there. I'm so honoured to have competed at my fifth Olympics, but in reality I am getting old. It was fairly humid. I would like to have been more competitive, but I gave my best and that is all I could do" said Pavey.

he outgoing week has been so eventful within and outside the country. The world-record transfer of Paul Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United with £89m is outrageous. But just two days after, Pogba’s Number 6 shirt sold out in megastores in Asia and Europe.

The desperation of Man United to get the player could be more of business interest than his skills. I pray we get there in the country.

In a surprise manner, the Nigeria Football Federation emerged with a new Manager for the Super Eagles. Gernot Rodr is the man. I do not know much about him but I believe if given all the support, he could spring some positive surprises like Clemens Westerhof did in the early ’90s.

The Olympic Games is the ultimate in discourses for now.

American swimmer Micheal Phelps has increased his gold medal haul to 21. Simply amazing! This weekend, all eyes will be on Jamaican Usain Bolt who will attempt to win the 100m gold for the third consecutive time. However, the exploits of Africa’s number one table tennis player, Aruna Quadri, deserves huge commendation. There has been a big response to his historic feat of playing in the quarterfinal of the Olympic Games. is the first African to do so and I see in him a He Nigerians are so excited.

I recall Nduka Odizor featured very focused, in the last 16 of Wimbledon over determined three decades ago and Nigeria failed to capitalise on the talent. and Odizor did not get the support he hardworking needed to do more and compete at the highest level despite exhibiting athlete... he his potential to the world.

This time it is Quadri. Just last will get better year, he was voted the Star point winner for 2014 and the Best ping ponger in the world by the International Table Tennis Federation. That award is the table tennis version of Ballon d’Or which Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been winning in the past eight years.

I have been following Quadri more closely since he won that award. I see in him a very focused, determined and hardworking athlete. I also believe if he is encouraged to play more with the top players in the world, he will get better.

So far in the Olympics, Quadri has stolen the show in the Team Nigeria camp. He defeated number seven player in the world Chih-Yuan Chuang 4-0 and number 13 Timo Boll 4-2. His drive, footwork, forehand and rally prowess is the best in Africa today.

There are various ways of helping Quadri. The first is to get a quality coach for the national team. It is long overdue to get a good coach for the ping pongers including Quadri. If football and basketball can have foreign coaches why can’t we have a quality Chinese as national table tennis coach? If Nigeria cannot afford the money, sponsors could be approached to foot the bill to raise the game.

Two experienced players, Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike should be gradually integrated into the coaching crew of the national team. We need their experience to bring the younger talents up especially from the grassroots. These two are among the most experienced in Rio and it is good to tap their knowledge to boost the future of the game.

What Quadri showed in Brazil is a manifestation of the talents we have in Nigeria. Despite not competing in many international circuits like others, he was able to give a very good account of himself. It is obvious he can do better with more exposure.

Some athletes get grants from the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Olympic Committee. Quadri should be one of them and there should be a deliberate step to get some sponsors to endorse Quadri, foot his bills for circuits.

NTTF President Enitan Oshodi played a key role in the Quadri story. He should do more by bringing out more talents since Quadri has shown that Nigeria has potential champions around.

•This column will be on break for two weeks as I change gear in line of duty.

News 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

13 AUGUST 2016

Congratulations!

On behalf of my family and I, we join millions of admirers in celebrating His Excellency,

Chief (Dr.) John Odigie Oyegun CON on the attainment of

77years of eventful life.

As a technocrat, you exhibited the best of traditions of public service career, as a politician you have been principled and exemplary in character. All of these have earned you respect, dignity and accolades even from unusual quarters.

We celebrate and pray for God’s continuous guidance and many more fruitful years in good health.

Signed:

Dr . Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Governor, Abia State

SATURDAY, 13 august 2016

TOURISM Nigeria synergises with UNWTO

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

p.42

- Sir Winston Churchill

PERSPECTIVE Religion, religiosity, myth and reality

p.53

Mane

leads Reds’ charge •Faces tough task to break Arsenal jinx

T

Adekunle Salami

SPORTS WORD SEARCH

BARCELONA STAR PLAYERS (1)

Messi Ronaldinho Xavi Maradona Iniesta Henry Ronaldo Dos Santos Laudrup

Koeman Romario Villa Eto'o Ibrahimovic Kubala Rivaldo Alba Deco

he English Premier League returns this weekend with the Arsenal, Liverpool match as the top of the bill. No doubt, it will be a big cracker at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday especially because all teams are still battling to find early rhythm.

Liverpool are not good travellers to Arsenal. They have won only once in the past 15 years in all competitions. They have lost 11 times and drawn eight times.

This time Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp will bank on new signing, Segio Mane, to change the tide.

Mané joined Liverpool for an initial transfer fee of £34 million on a five-year contract. The transfer fee made him "the most expensive African player in history". His first goal for Liverpool came on August 6, in a 4–0 pre-season victory in the International Champions Cup against Barcelona at Wembley Last season, Mané scored twice for Southampton in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool despite missing a penalty. He scored five goals in the next five matches, including a hat-trick in a 4–2 victory against Manchester City on May 1. He finished the season as Southampton's top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions.

He is the man Arsenal must watch out for in this crucial encounter especially now that there are issues in the defence. Phillipe Countinho is another crucial name that could turn things around for Liverpool especially if he combines well with Mane.

Interestingly, this fixture has produced five hattricks which is a record in the EPL. Klopp said of the match: "Consistency is the only way to be successful. All of these big jumps in performance, up and down, don't help.

"What we've tried to do in pre-season is to be more independent to the style of play of the other team. If they defend deep, we cannot change it - we cannot say, 'come on, it's boring, give us a little bit of space to play.”

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322,

by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: WAHEED BAKARE.