Saturday, august 27, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

News

PRESIDENCY

Naming dog 'Buhari' laughable Pg. 3

Crime&City Update

SUSPECT

Insider gave us information on how to kidnap Otedola Pg. 10

SATURDAY Saturday, August 27, 2016

Sanctity of Truth

Vol. 3 No. 920

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N150

ALLEGED BAD GOVERNANCE

IRATE YOUTHS STONE KOGI GOV IN MOSQUE PAGE 3

MILITANTS TO FG

Use Clark's, Okowa's dialogue template l Kachikwu: Over $40bn spent on N'Delta in 12 years l Soludo: Let regions control their resources Pgs. 4, 5 & 7 AKEREDOLU TO TINUBU

RESTRUCTURING

You have lost your Ohanaeze, IPOB leadership position blast Gowon l Confusion trails new date

for Ondo APC guber primary

Pg. 8

l 'Emergence of splinter

groups, Buhari's concoction'

Pgs. 3,6

MERCY JOHNSON

I lost movie role for being dark-skinned Pg. 19

IT IS VE TE COMF HARA

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Comment

From oil to agriculture

ne of the things the Federal Government has consistently preached is diversifying the Nigerian economy. At many fora in Nigeria and abroad, President Muhammadu Buhari and top officials of his administration have spoken passionately about diversifying the economy. Not left out of the diversification campaign has been the private sector. The economy’s slide into recession occasioned by falling oil prices and the attendant foreign exchange supply crisis have forced Nigerians to begin to think of new ways of generating revenue. Interestingly, Buhari was recently quoted as saying that falling oil prices had made Nigeria a poor country. Buhari, who spoke while receiving the United Nations Population Fund’s Executive Director and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had said that the sharp fall of oil price from $100 to $37 and the floating between $40 and $45 had made Nigeria to suddenly become a poor country. Expectedly, his comments generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. Many wondered why the president hinged the wealth of the country on the price of oil. They were worried that the president failed to appreciate Nigeria’s diverse potential in different sectors. That the president based his outlook on the economy on the price of oil raised a strong challenge for his administration to now begin to walk its talk in its avowed quest for diversification. There are actually nations that don’t have petroleum resources but are among the leading economies of the world. In the early days of his administration, Buhari had urged Nigerians to see agriculture as a viable means of supporting the economy. Speaking while receiving the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Kanayo Nwanze, in Abuja in August 2015, Buhari was quoted as saying: “It’s time to go back to the land. We must face the reality that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice. We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many who want to go into agricultural ventures.” But one year later, it seems the president has lost enthusiasm about agriculture as a viable means of attaining economic prosperity. At the meeting with Osotimehin, he was quoted as saying that commitment to accountability and transparency by his government had made Nigerians not to

know that there was “severe shortage.” What Nigerians had expected to hear was how his administration had diversified the economy by opening up new areas of prosperity. The Buhari’s administration ought to take the recession as an opportunity to seek out innovative ways of boosting the economy. In a nation of over 150 million people, talents and workable ideas cannot be in short supply. In fact, the president’s party, the All Progressives Congress, had during electioneering, rolled out a document it titled ‘APC Manifesto: An Honest Contract With Nigeria.’ In the document’s section on agriculture, APC had listed 19 promises through which it pledged the revamping of the Nigerian economy. So far, a number of those promises have not been met. A report by Forbes recently warned that China had identified Africa as the most viable place for agriculture and was investing heavily in agribusiness on the continent. While declaring open the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) a year ago, Buhari had vowed to make agriculture a business. “Agriculture must cease from being treated as development programme; Agriculture must be treated as business. Our goal will be to pursue government supported private sector agriculture value chain to make agriculture more productive, efficient and competitive. To provide enough food for domestic supply and create jobs through agriculture value chain,” Buhari said. Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, had in July 2016 told a distinguished gathering of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association at a dinner in Abuja that government would treat agriculture as the ‘new oil.’ Akabueze, who listed agriculture and solid minerals as the most viable alternatives to oil, had lamented that less than half of Nigeria’s over 79 million hectares of Nigeria’s arable land mass was being cultivated. He gave an example of Ethiopia as an economy built on agriculture. Akabueze, who said Ethiopia’s economy was growing at an average of 11%, said the East Africa country had surpassed Nigeria in many aspects of agriculture. Nigerians await the realisation of Buhari’s pledge to drive economic growth through agriculture. It is no longer fashionable to lament the nation’s fortunes. It is time to use agriculture as a key tool of diversifying the Nigerian economy. The time to act is NOW!

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 | 27.08.16

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

Mum-daughter fashion

INSTYLE

The mother-daughter relationship can be the most rewarding and entertaining for most women. Many fashionable mothers are now in style competition with their young daughters as they are seen at many events dressing like their daughters as a way of saying “that’s my daughter” without necessarily verbalising it

}15

Mystyle

Idah’s ambition Mawedo Idah is the creative director and CEO of Maweestiches. The graduate of history and international studies turned fashion designer speaks about her fashion philosophy, the desire to clothe Michelle Obama, Aisha Buhari and other big hitters

}17

Interiors

Enliven interiors with stool

Creating contemporary and classic interior designs can be challenging, but truth is, not many people are aware that introducing side stools to décor is an effortless way to achieve looks that are classical yet contemporary. They can be paired with several interior arrangements to give rooms fabulous appearances

}18

SHOWBIZ

Mercy Johnson’s homily Having been around in the last decade and still relevant, Mercy Johnson is now a Nollywood heavyweight in her own right. Despite having to respond to those described as haters on social media and in real life, Mercy Johnson Okojie has remained undeterred and true to herself. The actress dwells on life, marriage, career and more

}19

SPORT

Oduduru Olympian aim Divine Oduduru was at the recent Olympics where he competed against his idol, Jamaican legend Usain Bolt. Although he didn’t win a medal at the Rio Games, the sprinter is not deterred as is looking forward to making his mark in the world stage just like his idol

}27

THE ARTS

On changing boundaries

The ninth edition of the National Art Competition is the brainchild of Nigerian Breweries Plc. and African Artists' Foundation (AAF). The theme for this year’s edition, “Shifting Boundaries”, is “an exploration of the porous, situational, and ever changing concept of the boundary through artworks that will discuss and embody what a boundary was, is, and will become in the 21st century.”

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27 AUGUST 2016

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News

Restructuring: Ohanaeze Ndigbo, IPOB blast Gowon Ndubuisi Ugah, Steve Uzoechi and Charles Onyekwere

ore knocks came the way of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, over his position on the call by some Nigerians to have the nation restructured. Apex-igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and pro-Biafran group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), yesterday chided the former head of state for not backing outright restructuring of the country given the challenges being faced by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. While Ohanaeze described as unfortunate the statement credited to Gowon that he would not support the restructuring of Nigeria, IPOB declared that it would continue to pursue those who committed genocide against the people of Biafra from the period of 1966 till date and they

would not go free from the face of men of integrity in the world. It would be recalled that Gowon had recently stated that he will only throw his weight behind current calls for the restructuring of the Nigeria if the process would not keep the country united. He told those agitating for restructuring of Nigeria that the move would never get his support if there is any inkling that the nation may split after or during the process. He made his view known during a chat with journalists shortly after one- day national prayer rally entitled: 'Divine Visitation,' held at the Victory International Church (Rehoboth Cathedral), Oluyole Extension, Ibadan, Oyo State. Gowon, who was he military head of state between July, 1966 and August, 1975, a period that included the 30 months civil war in Nigeria, said: “Whoever is calling for the so-called restructuring, should not try to disturb the unity of

Nigeria; if that is the aim, my answer to that is no. “During my time, there was problem of the fear of domination of one part of the country over the other. After consultation throughout the country, we told people the benefits of what we are doing to keep the nation together. “They all accepted and we were able to create more states so that no state was too big to dominate the other; no state was too small to be ignored as part of the country. It allowed them to play their part to build the country of our dream.” But speaking through its Secretary General, Dr. Joe Nworgu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated that it was com-

mitted to the restructuring of Nigeria and had been on it since after the war. He said: “Considering his status in the country, we think it is unfortunate for Gowon to hold such a view on an issue that could be the only way forward for Nigeria out of its present predicament. “Ironically, the state creation exercise Gowon embarked upon in 1967 was restructuring, unless he has a wrong and narrow notion of what restructuring is all about. Restructuring is not about secession. It is more of rearrangement in line with current realities. It could be both physical and political. “The urgency the nation faces today demands

restructuring if we must stop operating like crabs. The present structure of the country is terribly flawed. As a matter of fact, what should concern Gowon is the utter failure of his 3R policy after the war which ended up a mere slogan.” On its part, IPOB in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said what Gowon said was unimportant because IPOB would continue to ensure that those who perpetrated war crimes against humanity and Biafra were made to face the wrath of the law. He said: “Today Gowon’s people are being killed in Plateau State by the same people that he

President Muhammadu Buhari, on his departure to Kenya, to attend the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), co-organised by the Government of Japan, United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Union (AU) and the World Bank… yesterday

Naming dog‘Buhari’ laughable – Presidency Ndubuisi Ugah

he presidency yesterday described the controversy trailing the arrest and prosecution of a 41-year-old trader, Joachim Iroko, who was arrested by the police in Ogun State for naming his dog ‘Buhari,’ as “a ‘laughable incident”. The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Garba Shehu, said President Muhammadu Buhari saw the arrest and prosecution of Iroko “a ‘laughable incident”. Iroko was first arrested on August 14 by officers attached to the Sango Ota Division after receiving complaints from a neighbour, Salihu Umar, who said the name was his (Umar's) father adding that the accused wrote the name on the dog and paraded it in Hausa community. In a short reaction posted on his Twitter handle, Shehu said those criticising Buhari for failing to act on the matter were “ignorance of the type of person he is.” Shehu said: “He enjoys cartoons and likes sharing them. The ones he enjoys the most are those that caricature him. People should listen to the real story behind this dog incident and to not waste precious time seeking the hand of the President in a laughable incident! The President must be having a good laugh over this whole thing.”

The spokesman’s comment was the first time the Buhari administration would comment on the development, which has grabbed the headlines for nearly two weeks and sparked debates about free speech. It also came a few hours after Iroko was released from jail, after spending three days behind bars for not meeting his bail conditions. The three days were in addition to the eight days Iroko spent in a police cell in Sango Ota, Ogun State. Umar had filed complaints against Iroko with the police, alleging that the ‘Buhari’ name Iroko gave his dog was the same as his father’s name. Iroko was arrested by the police and detained before he was finally charged with a one-count of attempted breach of public peace on August 22. The Chief Magistrate in charge of the case, Bolaji Ojikutu, granted Iroko a N50,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty. He was transferred to prisons after failing to immediately meet his bail condition. He was released around noon on Thursday and he went straight to his residence in Sango-Otta. Iroko’s case had continued to generate debates about free speech under the current administration, with many Nigerians saying it was an embarrassment of international magnitude.

mobilised to kill Biafrans. His day will come in court because hopefully conscientious people like Donald Trump and men of integrity in the world will one day emerge to bring to justice all perpetrators of unspeakable crimes such as the one Gowon committed on the people of Biafra. “IPOB is not interested in restructuring the country only freedom from slavery and bondage which Nigeria has become. it is very unfortunate that somebody like Gowon cannot tell younger Nigerians the truth and sit in his comfort home allowing his people to killed by Boko Haram terrorist group disguised as Fulani herdsmen and cattle rearers.”

Irate youths stone Bello in Lokoja Mosque Muhammad Bashir and Zacchaeus Ozovehe Lokoja

ome irate youths and residents of Kogi State yesterday in Lokoja, pelted Governor Yahaya Bello with stones, rotten fruits and vegetables during Juma’at prayer at the central mosque. It was gathered that the attack may not be unconnected with the governor’s alleged non-performance and refusal to pay workers’ salaries which were running into months. Similarly, an official in the state said this was the second time in two weeks that the governor would be so attacked as complaints mounted about the depreciating living conditions in the state. The source said: “He recently attended an event in Ankpa, and residents there defied heavy security to stone him. We don’t understand what’s going on.” But the governor, who was attending the prayer session for the first time at the Lokoja Central Mosque was said to have gone to offer

payers on behalf of the state to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state. Although it was not immediately clear why the residents carried out the attack against Bello, but eyewitnesses said the governor had arrived the prayer ground with a long convoy including Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). Saturday Telegraph learnt that the mosque authority who could not wait for the governor, went ahead with the prayer. The governor, on arrival, had to pray outside the mosque. Having lost one raqa’at (sitting and standing positions) prayer due to lateness, Bello in an attempt to complete the remaining raqa’at was abruptly interrupted by the youth, who chanted anti-government slogans and mocked him in the process. As if that was not enough, some other youths outside the mosque in a bid to embarrass the governor, also began to pelt stones aiming at him. The situation eventually snowballed into heavy confusion following the release of gas canisters and sporad-

ic gunshot into the air by the governor’s security details. Even as the people were running away from the trouble spot, the youths began to pick the already opened canister and started throwing them back at the security. The governor, who escaped the attack, was eventually smuggled into his official car and driven off. Meanwhile, Bello has called on the people of the state to be vigilant and security conscious by checking movement of strange persons in their neighbourhood and report suspicious individuals to security agents. The governor who stated this yesterday in Lokoja, said some people who did not have the progress of the state at heart had recruited some miscreants to cause trouble, warning trouble makers to relocate from the state or meet the superior power of the law. He assured the people of the state that the law enforcement agencies are working hard to fish out miscreants out of the state. “I am conscious of the circumstance that brought me to power and will only be answerable to God and

the people of Kogi State,” he stated. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has condemned the attacked on Bello. Speaking with Saturday Telegraph in a telephone interview, the state Treasurer of the party, Yahaya Adesayo, disassociated the parry and it members from the incident. “We are really sad over the situation and we condemned it, but then a situation where the people are hungry, there bound to be situation like this. "We as a party, want to plead with people of the state, to eschew violence and allow peace to reign. let us also remember that is the governor today, people should look at the office and the person. So no amount of stoning will strip him off as a governor today. We strongly advice that the office of the governor must be respected,” he added. All effort to get the police reaction over the incident proved abortive as their spokesman in the state, Mr. William Aya, neither picked his calls nor responded to text message sent to him.

News

Dominic Adewole

A ASABA

nother militia group, the Ultimate Warriors of Niger Delta (UWND), yesterday urged the Federal Government to be wary of fraternising with the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). The group said the way and manner the Okah brothers (Henry and Charles) were seeking political relevance and dishing out commands from their prisons cells, called for caution. Instead, the militants admonished President Muhammed Buhari to explore the path of genuine peace being preached by Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. Clark and the governor had last week convened a stakeholders’ meeting that involved all ethnic nationalities in Warri to end the resumed hostility in the region. But a factional militia group in the state, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), rejected the choice of the Ijaw leader and Okowa as their negotiator, describing the stakeholders’ meeting as a charade. Warning in strong terms yesterday, however, the spokesperson for the UWND, Sibiri Taiowoh, said MEND continued to issue statements to scam the

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

Militants to Buhari: Use Clark’s, Okowa’s dialogue template

l Clark, MEND meet in Warri Federal Government. The group stated: “That MEND is issuing statements left and right is just a scam. It is diversionary and a divide and rule left and right is just a scam. It is a diversionary and vehicle tactics and if being deployed by some jobbers. If you follow them you do that to your own peril. “We would rather advice the Federal Government if they really want genuine peace to leverage on what Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, started in Warri,

Delta State and commence the dialogue process that would involve all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region.” The group advised the Federal Government to use the template of the stakeholders meeting to kick start genuine engagement in the region. “Our demands have been laid bare overtime and we don’t want to repeat ourselves. We believe once the government shows sincerity, and kick start this plan, we would do everything possible to give them the peace they want to continue the oil exploration which is

the sole interest of the Federal Government in the region,” the group added. Speaking further, the group said it was observing the ceasefire resolution “as a mark of respect for our elders, leaders and various stakeholders who have pleaded with us.” “That is why the Federal Government should hasten up its development strategy for the region. We want our people to enjoy electricity, pipe borne water, health care like Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and other IOCs are enjoying while exploring oil in our communities.

“If Henry and Charles want amnesty which they rejected because they want to continue with their gun running business, they should do that quietly without rubbing it on our face. MEND should not push us into facing them,” the statement ended. Meanwhile, Clark yesterday met with a delegation of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in Warri, Delta State and agreed to work together. He denounced Thursday’s visit by some Ijaw traditional rulers to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, as a selfish venture which had no blessing of true leaders of the Niger Delta.

Kalu extols Sultan’s virtues at 60

minent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has described the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar (III) as an impeccable statesman and a dedicated spiritual leader, who has continuously used his position to advance the nation's cause.

He acknowledged the pivotal role of Abubakar in promoting peaceful coexistence and unity among Nigerians regardless of ethnic, religious, political and economic differences. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “It is with joy that I join

Sultan Abubakar's family, well-wishers, associates and in particular, the Sultanate Council, in celebrating the Sultan as he clocks 60. “The remarkable contributions of Sultan Abubakar to the social, political and economic development of Nigeria are worthy of commendation and as such he remains

a shining light in the country. “Over the years, the Sultan has demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities in different capacities locally and internationally. “We are indeed proud of his counsel on national issues especially in the areas of good governance, security and unity."

Clark, at the parley, received the representative of MEND’s Aaron Team 2, Mr. Timipa Jenkins Okponipre, who bore a letter requesting collaboration with a regional stakeholders’ forum led by the ex- federal commissioner for Information, which was assembled at a recent gathering in Warri. Okponipre, who is also the secretary of the Aaron’s Team 2, read out the terms on which MEND wished the new alliance to run. According to him, the alliance will be led by Clark, with six other members, who would be persons of impeccable integrity. He said: “MEND hereby restates that it shall work with and recognize Chief Edwin Ckark as the leader of a pan Niger Delta team to engage in dialogue with the federal government and multi- national oil companies upon the following terms and conditions: "All the ongoing Niger Delta dialogue and peace initiatives in the region shall be carefully coordinated and warehoused under a single umbrella body to be known as the Niger Delta Peace and Development Group."

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Fulani herdsmen attacks: MASSOB blames Igbo leaders Charles Onyekwere, ENUGU

he leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has blamed Igbo leaders for not doing anything to challenge the rampaging and incessant attacks on Igbo communities by Fulani herdsmen. A statement signed by MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, accused Igbo leaders of being afraid to speak out against the perceived danger for fear of President Muhammadu Buhari. “MASSOB blames Igbo leaders for these unchallenged confrontations, unwarranted and cowardice killings of our people by uncircumcised

l Enugu: Police arrest one suspect

weaklings called Fulani herdsmen in our own land. “The known enemies have the comfort of committing this outrageous sacrilege today against Ndigbo whom they were afraid of during NigeriaBiafra war because Igbo political, traditional, religious and opinion leaders are afraid of Buhari. “Until Igbo leaders wake up from their slumber of inferiority complex and understand the efficiency, efficacy and potencies of Igbo based grassroots organisations including the Biafra agitating groups who are die hards of Ndigbo, Igboland will continue to experience more devastation and mesmerisation by Buhari’s foot soldiers. “MASSOB is not begging

Igbo leaders to notice our existence in defence of Igboland. The security of Igboland lies on the shoulders of indigenous Igbo youths. MASSOB blames Igbo leaders for their nonchallant attitude towards our collective survivals,” the statement added. Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has arrested one of the Fulani herdsmen that invaded Ndiagu Attakwu community in Nkanu Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, which left one person dead and four others critically injured. The command in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ebere Amaraizu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), gave the name of the

alleged suspect as Umaru Isah from Gusau in Zamfara State. According to Amaraizu, the 20-year-old Isah was arrested following the command’s intelligence gathering. The statement further revealed that the suspect claimed that he came in from Gusau, Zamfara State, to Enugu recently, for the purposes of rearing cattle but has none to rear till now. The community leaders of the area have blamed the Nigerian Army and the Enugu State Government forThursday’s mayhem. Speaking to Saturday Telegraph, one of the leaders, Mr. Pius Afam, said the attack would have been prevented but due to lack of internal security.

The senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani (left) and Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Saleh Fhied, during Sani’s visit to the embassy in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ASUU vows to resist move to destabilise FUNAAB Kunle Olayeni, Abeokuta

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) branch, yesterday declared that its members would vehemently resist any attempt to destabilise the institution.

The union also dissociated itself from the call for the removal of the university's Vice Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, and ProC h a n c e l l o r, S e n a t o r Adeseye Ogunlewe, as well as members of the Governing Council. Addressing a press conference in Abeokuta on the crisis rocking the varsity, the ASUU branch chairman, Dr Adebayo Oni, said the VC and the Governing

Over $40bn spent on Niger Delta in 12 years –Kachikwu Ola James, Warri

inister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday disclosed that the Federal Government had committed over $40 billion on the crisis-ridden Niger Delta region in the last 12 years. Kachikwu, who made this known in Warri, Delta State when a former Information Minister, Chief Edwin Clark, hosted him pleaded with the people of the Niger Delta to embrace peace to ensure rapid development in the area. He said: “We must work

towards the final solution in achieving peace by rejecting violence at all times.” The minister while adding that he was 100 per cent committed to the struggle for the development of the region, revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari was very interested in the development of the region. Kachikwu disclosed that he would set up a structure to ensure the actualisation of peace in the area but warned that he would not take the declaration of ceasefire for granted. Earlier, Clark had commended the efforts of President Buhari and the minister for working towards the development of the region.

Council were duly were appointed in accordance with the laws establishing the university. Oni, who was spoke shortly after a congress of the union, noted that the principals officers could not be removed from office by fiat or crookedness without due process. Aggrieved members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), led by their chairman, Comrade Rotimi Fasunwon, had on Wednesday demanded the sacking of the VC and Governing Council members following the probe launched into the

school's expenditure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The SSANU members, who faulted the indefinite suspension of three of their colleagues, had announced the suspension of Oyewole since he was under investigation by the anti-graft agency. But ASUU chairman pointed out that the university had its internal mechanisms and due process for handling complaints. He said: “The university is not a 'Banana Republic' where lawlessness is condoned and stakeholders take law into their hands."

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME

abdulganiyu

This is to notify the general public that the names GANIYU OLANREWAJU OLATUNBOSUN and ABDULGANIYU OLANREWAJU OLATUNBOSUN refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ABDULGANIYU OLANREWAJU OLATUNBOSUN . All former documents remain valid General public should please take note.

michael

Formerly ENGR. MIKE ILEKENDI, now to be known and addressed as ENGR. MICHAEL ILEKENDI. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

oyeniji

Formerly MS OLORUNKUNLE, AYODEJI ABOSEDE, now to be known and addressed as MRS. OYENIJI, AYODEJI ABOSEDE. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

isikaku

Formerly KINGSLEY CHUKWUEMEKA ISIKA now to be known and addressed as KINGSLEY CHUKWUEMEKA ISIKAKU, Former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa (UBA) and general public take note.

gift

This is to conrim that the names ALONYA CHINENYE ONYEMAECHI, ALONYA G.C. NENYE and ALONYA CHINENYE ONYEMAECHI GIFT refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ALONYA CHINENYE ONYEMAECHI GIFT. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, FCMB Plc and the general public should please take note.

Fani-Kayode, Babatope, Okorie flay Kerry

l 'US Sec met Christian, Muslim leaders'

Temitope Ogunbanke

ixed reactions have continued to trail the recent visit of United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, to Nigeria. While most Nigerians, especially the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) viewed the visit as “discriminatory, personal and divisive,” others viewed it as “another attempt at further compounding the woes of the nation.” For instance, a former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, alleged that the essence of the visitation is to perfect deals about making Nigeria an Islamic state. Writing in his latest article, titled: “John Kerry’s Unadulterated Garbage and His NewFound Friends”, obtained through www.veenaija.com, Fani-Kayode listed the surprising things that happened during the visitation, which was Kerry’s first meeting with the Sultan who is the supreme leader of the Fulani Caliphate, the spiritual leader of all the Muslims of the north and the man who said, only last week, that “Christians commit wicked acts and crimes against humanity” and that “the wearing of the hijab is the right of every Muslim”. “The second was with the 19 northern governors, 16 of whom are Muslims. “The third was the President who has refused to call his kinsmen, the Fulani herdsmen and militants, to order or to arrest and prosecute even one of them for mass murder and genocide. “On the very same day that all this was happening the Islamic Development Bank visited the President and opened their first office in Nigeria,” he said. He pointed out that Kerry through the visit had confirmed that spiritually, Nigeria was now an lslamic State. On his part, a former Minister of Transport and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said: “Kerry last visit to Nigeria was not intelligent at all. He did not focus on proper policy of America toward Nigeria and Africa. “He came here on a highly divisive visit and that must be the type of report the America Embassy here must have given to American government at home." In his remarks, Chief Ralph Obioha, who is a chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)

and former member, House of Representatives, said: “I believe that we cannot interfere in American Policy Direction. If United States dispatched their Secretary of State to Nigeria they do so based on their policy direction at home before the Secretary even leaves U.S. So, I don't see any issue in the visit. It is purely a decision by the United States on where they will dispatch their envoys. “I don't think where the Secretary of U.S visit in Nigeria is important. The element of what the Secretary of State revealed; the $500 million United States set apart for Nigeria should be a paramount thing. If there is any time that Nigeria needs such money; it is right now because Nigeria is financially bleeding. And every revenue that Nigeria could laid their hands at this difficult period will be helpful.” Similarly, the National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said: “For diplomatic reason, one would have expected him to extend a similar hand of fellowship to the Southern part of Nigeria, knowing the way Nigeria is structured and religious sentiment that exists in the country. “We know that America gives priority to their economic interest and maybe rightly or wrongly, the leader of power in Nigeria is controlled by the North. And so for U.S to be to continue to service their economic interest in Nigeria, they need to show their preference." Meanwhile, the US embassy in Nigeria has reacted to allegations made by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that Kerry fuelled ethnic and religious divisions during his recent visit to the country this week. Spokesman Larry Socha told the BBC’s Naziru Mikailu in Abuja that Kerry had stressed the importance of religious tolerance during his trip to northern Nigeria. “In Sokoto, Secretary Kerry met with both Christian and Muslim leaders to discuss religious tolerance and counter violent extremism that affects all Nigerians. “And as the secretary said in his speech there, equality and tolerance, justice and mercy, compassion and humility - these are values that transcend religions, ethnicities and all kinds of moral codes." Socha also stressed that Kerry had now visited Nigeria on three occasions altogether including trips to Lagos and Abuja.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SEAT OF AMAZING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY VOICE OF GRACE JUSTICE INITIATIVE The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. BARR. ABDULLAHI SALIU ISHOLA (CHAIRMAN) 2. BARR. BELLO LUKMAN OLAREWAJU ( SECRETARY) 3. Dr. UMAR AIMHANOSI OSENI 4. BARR. MUSLIM NASIRUDEEN ADE 5. COMRADE JAMIU SOLIHU ISHOLA 6. BARR. ASONIBARE ADELOWO STEPHEN 7. BARR. SUZAN OLUWASEUN AKANGBE 8. BARR. HALIMAT TOPE AKANGBE 9. BARR. ISA OLAWALE SOLAHUDEEN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To speak, guide and fight against injustice in all its ramifications through legal means has legal representation and resort to courts. 2. To provide free legal services to the needy. 3. To design, initiate and execute lawful human development projects either alone or partnership with any other organisation, agency, body or persons with personal fund or with grants received from any Grant Providers, Sponsors or Funders Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. SIGNED: ABDULLAHI SALIU ISHOLA

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

Oyinlola: My ouster from PDP led to its downfall Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

A L-R: Director-General, Centre for Confederation, Democracy and Good Governance In Africa (COCDAGGA), Dr. Patrick Eze; Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Managing Director, Amaecom Global Limited, Dr. Marcel Ofomata; member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Muhammed Yakubu and former Chairman, Organisation of Islamic Corporation, Mr.Mohammed Ibrahim, at the COCDAGGA conversation on national issues, in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Buhari stirs emergence of splinter Biafran groups – IPOB Charles Onyekwere

A ENUGU

pro-Biafran group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the Department of State Service (DSS) of playing what they describe as a “hunger game in Biafraland,” by creating non-existent groups to show that IPOB has been split into factions. In recent time two new pro-Biafra groups have emerged challenging the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB. A statement made available to journalists and signed by IPOB spokesmen, Mr. Emma Mmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, noted that Buhari and his agents had failed in their machinations to divide the leadership of IPOB and jeopardise the quest for Biafra autonomy. The statement stated: “President Muhammadu Buhari and agents of the Department of States Services (DSS) will make Suzanne Collins and Gary Ross go green with envy as they (Buhari and DSS) replicate “The Hunger Games“ in Biafraland by sponsoring hungry and jobless hirelings to pose as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). “The latest session in Buhari’s “Hunger Games“ is the sponsoring of nondescript individuals and even using non-existent names to come up with acronyms that have “Biafra“ in them. “Within the last 24 hours Buhari has sponsored three different groups all claiming headship or ownership of IPOB. One of the groups even boasted that they have sacked the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This is becoming comical and

ludicrous. Buhari and DSS have descended so low that they now take advantage of jobless youths and engage them in “Hunger Games. “The incompetence of Buhari and his vindictive motive culminated in the ravaging hunger in the land and economic quagmire persisting in the British created criminality called Nigeria. From the time he committed treason on December 31, 1983 till date, Buhari has never had any personal development or intellectual improvement of any sort. “Yet he wants to lead a quintessentially complex society like Nigeria especially in the 21st century where leadership and organisational agility is the key tool for comparative advantage. No wonder there is mass poverty per-

vading the land while Buhari is docile and engages in shadow-boxing and shadow-chasing. “Because there is hunger in Nigeria and there is no shortage of hungry and jobless youths to do anything, Buhari requires them to do his bidding especially in experimenting in “Hunger Games“ in Biafraland. In a country where a woman cannot cook a pot of soup without deploying a security guard, getting riffraffs to sign up to anything doesn't require much effort. “That is why we have miscreants today claiming to have sacked the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.’’ The organisation stated that they had been reliably informed that the reason for this “one new IPOB fake group per day“ is to cause distraction from the

natural public outcry and possible reprisal that will follow the Buhari/DSS planned slaughter of Biafrans in Enugu. We have confirmed that the slaughter was meant to happen on Tuesday night (August 23, 2016 and because IPOB is a huge newsmaker people will be drawn away from the slaughter to focus on IPOB," they further alleged. “When the slaughter failed to materialise on the appointed day but rather happened on August 24, Buhari and DSS cooked up another split of IPOB to keep the gullible public entertained and it actually worked because people never discussed or reacted to the massacre but rather dwelt on the topical issue everywhere which was about IPOB split."

Ambode approves N5m for slain tanker driver Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved N5 million as family support for a tanker driver, who was allegedly killed by official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). A 50-year-old tanker driver, identified as Adamu Salisu Dangwari, died around Ijesha/Sanya Expressway after he was allegedly knocked down by the LASTMA official while he was struggling with a policeman who collected his vehicle keys from him. Presenting the N5 million cheque to the state Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Mr. Tayo Abejoye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Olanrewaju Elegushi, said the money was to mitigate the effect of Dangwari’s death on the family.

He added that investigation was still ongoing, and that the governor’s magnanimity has ensured that relief comes to the family of Dangwari. Elegushi assured residents of that the continued collaboration among the ministry, its sister agencies and the PTD will go a long way in dealing with the issues that could lead to altercations. The SA commended the late Dangwari, while he also commended the leadership of PTD and NUPENG for the maturity displayed in handling the case which would have led to crisis in the state, adding that their intervention in resolving the issue was highly appreciated. He also appealed to the union leaders to continue to enlighten its members and prevail on them to always obey the laws, rules and regulations that affect transportation and their op-

erations in the state. While responding, comrade Aboyeji, lauded the state government’s gesture to the family of the deceased, adding that the union and its members would on their part continue to support the state in achieving its policies and programmes as regards the transportation sector.

former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, yesterday said his exit from the party marked its downfall. Oyinlola, who made the remark while answering questions in an Osogbobased radio station, ‘Rave FM’ programme named ‘Frank Talk,’ to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, argued that a home built with insincerity of heart will definitely collapse. The former governor said he had no cause to regret his action in moving out from the party to the All progressive Congress (APC). He stated that injustice has become the order of the day by the time he was leaving the party and added that any structure built on illegality would never stand the test of time. “It was my defection from the party that led to the movement of those PDP governors that left the party for the APC. I warned them - the PDP. I made a press statement on November 13, 2013, where I told them pointedly that if I don’t return as secretary

of the party, the PDP would stop being a ruling party. “And I said the party would tear from top to bottom. God is answering the prayer now. After I made that statement, the next thing I heard from Chief Ebenezer Babatope was that Oyinlola was playing God. I told them that I was not playing God; that they are the ones that have cheated the son of God and he will fight for me. God is doing that happily,” he said. Speaking further, Oyinlola said: “Before things started to fall apart, as a leader, I advised Iyiola Omisore to shelve the ambition of running for governor, because I believe he has an albatross on his neck that will not allow us to scale through. But Omisore ignored my advice, went ahead to contest and got the result he deserved. “When I was moving to APC, I told my followers that I was not moving because of political appointment. God has been so good to me in my life. If you look at my life from beginning, who would have thought that an orphan at nine years of age would grow up to become what the Lord has made me today?"

APC primary: Group drums support for Akeredolu

group, Ondo Concerned Professionals, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that the upcoming governorship primary in the state is free, fair and credible. It also endorsed one of the aspirants, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, as a credible hand that could restore the fortunes of the state. In a statement issued at the weekend, the group reviewed recent developments within the party and the challenge they posed to the future of the party, democracy and development of the state as it reiterated the need for justice and fair play in the

election process. The statement signed by the Secretary General, Mr. Francis Olagbuji, noted that politics was not without contending interests but that the responsibility was on the leadership to provide a level playing field where the delegates could be allowed to express themselves through the ballot without recourse to “undue influence.” According to the group, the forthcoming election should help to reaffirm “equity and tradition,” saying that the arrangement that had existed over time in the selection of candidates as regard zoning among the three senatorial districts should prevail.

Urhobo, Anioma natives endorse Obaseki

ver two thousand Urhobo and Anioma natives of Delta State resident in Edo State have thrown their weight behind the candidature of Mr. Godwin Obaseki for the September 10 governorship election. The Urhobo, mainly members of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), said as the largest non-natives in the state, they had decided to support Obaseki in all ways possible to ensure the contin-

ued growth of the state. Secretary of the union, Mr. Anthony Ovioto, who spoke on behalf of the President of the Benin branch of UPU and the Anioma natives at a rally for Obaseki in Benin City, yesterday, said: “We wish to inform the governor that the Bini and the Urhobo have had a cordial relationship that has been in existence from time immemorial. “I wish to remind the

Comrade Governor that the Urhobo is the most highly populated ethnic group of non-natives residing in Edo State. Hence we want to pledge our unflinching loyalty and support to the government and the incoming governor. We are happy to inform you that we will work diligently with you physically and spiritually to enthrone the incoming government that is to be led by Godwin Obaseki.”

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Let regions control their resources –Soludo Dominic Adewole, ASABA

n two successive outbursts on the state of the nation, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday urged the Federal Government to “unchain and unbundle” the economy by allowing for resource control, if the present downturn must become a thing of the past. He also urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop engaging in buckpassing over the state of the economy but to get down to work. Speaking at the Economic and Investment Summit to mark 25 years anniversary of the creation of Delta State, tagged “Delta State: Open for Business and Investment,” in Asaba, Soludo wondered why after a year and three months of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, the nation’s economy still remains in doldrums. He said: “Fifteen months is enough for the Federal Government to observe and complain. They should sit down to work and deliver on

l Delta at 25: Osinbajo laments state of Nigeria’s economy their electoral promises. The current economic recession is self-inflicted, it is avoidable.” Soludo, who is the president of the African Heritage Institution in Enugu, said the electorate might not be patient enough after four years to listen to “cock and bull stories” when the nation’s economy continues to “haemorrhage.” But in a tacit acknowledgement of the porous state of the economy, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who also spoke at the event as special guest, said that the country was facing its greatest economic challenge in the history of its existence. The former CBN governor, who admitted that it was now time to restructure Nigeria, maintained that the country needs revamping of its economy and politics. He said: “At this stage, Nigeria needs political and economic revamping to enjoy peace. Regions should control their resources but pay the necessary taxes to the Federal Government. You own the land, following the Land Use Act that gives you the comparative advantage to control what you have, but you pay your dues in form of tax.” Soludo explained that un-

Rivers CP declares war on criminals

l Parades suspected kidnappers Emmanuel Masha, Port Harcourt

ivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, has declared war on criminals in the state, disclosing that the state will no longer be a safe haven for them. Odesanya, who spoke when he paraded suspected kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers terrorising the state, midway into his meeting with stakeholders and eminent persons at the Police Officers Mess, Port Harcourt, said the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state. He said some of the criminals, masterminded some high level kidnappings and robberies in the state, but were eventually nabbed through intelligence gathering and intense manhunt by his men. The commissioner, who also displayed the arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects as well as two men who dressed in army camouflage who have been parading themselves as soldiers, noted that illegal arms in wrong arms remain a major challenge in the state. He said: “A major problem across the state has been an orgy of violence unleashed on the populace by non-state actors who have access to illegal firearms. These lethal weapons have been used to kill, maim and rob victims. This situation is most unfortunate. “A massive onslaught is being packaged to contain this menace. We shall be

very unrelenting in our efforts to clampdown on cult groups, organised criminal gangs and unlicensed firearm holders to recover such unlawful weapons. “To this end, more avenues aimed at seeking collaboration and working synergy with sister military and security services will be exploited to tackle this development at the strategic levels.” Odesanya said some criminals whose crimes continue to put their victims and their families in pains, have not been brought to justice, vowing to change the situation by going after them. He said: “An aggressive and sustained raid of all criminal hideouts will be undertaken across the state to further decimate the comfort zone of unscrupulous persons. “Our detectives are called upon to ensure proper investigations of complaints in line with global best practices."

less the current bottlenecks surrounding the exchange rate were removed, the problems bedeviling Nigerian economy would remain and efforts at overcoming them would end in futility. He added further: “Now exchange rate has over-shoot and this is self-inflicted. Remove the bills, the whole problems would disappear. But as long as the bureaucracies are still there, the economy will continue to haemorrhage.

It is wrong as the situation is today, it will remain wrong tomorrow and will remain wrong forever.” While he was of the opinion that the proposed second Niger Bridge should be completed for Delta State to become an alternative to Lagos State in terms of business and investment destination, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, appealed to technocrats like Prof. Jim Ovia, Mr. Tony Elumelu, the Gov-

ernor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emiefele, who hail from the state to help drive the growth and development of the state and Nigeria at large. Osinbajo suggested that for the country to move from its current economic woes, very strong institutions must be built on honesty, progress and peace to bridge the current disconnect. He said for the economy of Nigeria to grow, the quest for quota system in every employment

Some of the suspected kidnappers, cult members and armed robbers who were paraded by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, at the Police Officers Mess, Port Harcourt…yesterday PHOTO: EMMANUEL MASHA

Be security conscious, Task Force commander tells Plateau citizens Musa Pam, Jos

ommander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) whose task is to restore law and order in Plateau and Bauchi States, Major General Rogers Nicholas, has charged residents of Plateau State to remain at alert and look out for strange faces among them. Nicholas, who stated this while briefing journalists on

current security developments in the state, said the call, became necessary to stop fleeing members of Boko Haram from settling among them as the group still poses a lot of security risk to the peace of the state. He said: “I want to use the opportunity to let Plateau citizens know that they need to be on alert and be very vigilant because there are fillers that members of Boko Haram who have been displaced from the

North East might make Plateau State their safe haven to hide. “With such information, residents need to be very vigilant at all times and report to security agencies as soon as they notice strange people around them. There is also need for residents to enhance their cooperation with security agencies and learn to report promptly.” Nicholas also said crime in Jos city was on the increase, "we have arrested over 120 suspects

in the last few weeks and we have handed them over to the police for full investigation. Though we believe that the rise in crime could be attributed to mass unemployment of youths in the state, but police investigation will reveal the true identity of the criminals. All we have to let the people know is that they should be vigilant at all times to avoid these criminals hiding among them."

Harassment: Call your men to order, monarch tells IGP Adeolu Adeyemo,

L Osogbo

eadership of Ile Ido community, an acclaimed separate town that had existed long before Oduduwa arrived Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday called on the Inspector General of Police

to stop his men in the state from being used as instrument of harassment and intimidation by some powerful people in the land. Speaking through their monarch, Olojudo of Ile Ido, Oba Sikiru Adeyeba Adesoji, at a press conference held at his palace, the community alleged that these powerful people after giving out money to the

law enforcement agents ended up descending on innocent members of the community without any cause. He alleged that: “These influential people are using law enforcement agents to harass people of the town whenever they attempt to work on their land. “The unfortunate aspect of it is that whenever these

Umahi inaugurates N2.1bn water project in Ebonyi

bonyi State Government is to spend N 2.1 billion on the rehabilitation of water facilities to meet the water needs of residents of the state. The state Governor, David Umahi, stated this in Abakaliki on Thursday while inaugurating the state’s Sustainable Development Goals water projects in the three senatorial zones of the state which he dubbed “Operation Water Ebonyi State.” Addressing the people during the ceremony, the governor

and appointment must stop. Osinbajo said although the federal, state and local governments had laudable ideas to move the nation forward, the technical-know-how to execute it had been lacking. The vice-president lamented that since political leaders had made the electorate to believe that many in government always told lies; vandalism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices, had become the order of the day.

said the state was among the 10 lucky states that accessed the SDG grant of N600 million each. According to the governor, the beneficiary states were expected to match the grant with additional N600m each in order to access the funds. He explained that the state did not only do so, it injected additional N900 million into the pool, thereby getting the N2.1bn for the water projects. The sum, he added, would be used to fix the Ezillo water plant, the Sacamori water sta-

tion, the Juju hill water scheme and the Ohaozara water station. A statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Emma Anya, quoted Umahi as saying: “Let me put it properly that Federal Government gave N600m and we were expected to match it with another N600 million. “We did and we also provided another N900 million. So all together the three projects are going to cost us about N2.1bn. So, the Federal Government brought N600 million and Eb-

onyi State Government put in N1.5billion. “Let me say that the scope of this job is the rehabilitation of Ezillo water treatment plant, and Sacamori pipeline network facilities. We intend to have storage tanks in Ichichi Forest, which will supply the Federal University at Ndufu Alike, supply the local government of Ikwo, supply some areas in Izzi, supply our rice mill and that of Ugwu as we make efforts to get our rice millers to also take over the UNIDO rice mill.

wealthy people in the town storm the land of Ido community to perpetrate atrocities, they would be accompanied by policemen. “People of Ile Ife have been using their contacts within police to intimidate my subjects whenever they go to farm or engage in any economic activity in villages such as Oloro Village, Aiyeteju, Aye and so on. “There exists a clear demarcation between the town and Ile - Ife, but it is sad that Ile - Ife indigenes have been using force to take our land because the rock from which construction stones are being mined, is on the land. “We are facing a lot of crisis strangely over a property that belongs to us. Our forebears were on this land. “Anytime our people dare go to their farms or attempt to collect tariffs from the masons we licensed to work on the stones on our land, Ife people will get them arrested and imprisoned."

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Tinubu has lost National Leader's position –Akeredolu lSays ACN didn’t impose me as candidate in 2012

Babatope Okeowo, Akure with agency reports

former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday faulted the endorsement of one of the aspirants by the National Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ahead of the party primary fixed for September 3. Akeredolu, who was the

KADUNA Kaduna targets N3.5bn monthly IGR

ACN candidate during the 2012 gubernatorial election in the state spoke on a radio programme on Adaba FM in Akure, saying Tinubu has lost his position as the leader of the party. He said: "For Tinubu to have endorsed any candidate in our party he has lost the place of National Leader of the party." Meanwhile, there is confusion among the aspirants of the APC in Ondo State over the new date fixed for the primary of the party to elect a candidate for the November 26 governorship election in the state. While the leadership of the party said the new date was September 3, a faction led by the Deputy Chairman, Ade

Kaduna State Government has said it is targeting N3.5 billion monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Muhammad Abdullahi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the state generated N1.6 billion in July, which doubled the N700 million and N800 million generated in November and December in 2015. “We think Kaduna State can generate N3.5 billion a month and we are confident we would get there. This is not a theory; it is practical. “We are at N1. 6 billion now and confident that by this time next year, we will hit at least N3 billion.”

Adetimehin, said the date remained August 31. The party primary, which earlier scheduled for August 27, was shifted to August 31 with logistics cited as reason. The development, however, emerged on a day Akeredolu said he was not imposed as the candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2012. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that 23 aspirants would participate in the governorship primary on August 31. A statement signed by Omooba Abayomi Adesanya in postponing the election reads: “The Ondo APC Governorship Primary Election

IKOYI Nigeria achieves 13% broadband penetration –NCC

Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, yesterday said, broadband penetration in the country was at 13 per cent. Danbatta made this known during ‘The 2016 Nigeria ICT Impact CEO Forum and Awards’ Africa Digital Awards (ADA)’, organised by ICT Watch Network in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the theme of the forum is 'How can broadband deployment impact on Nigeria's economic recovery?' Represented by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, he said the National Broadband Committee had projected a target of 30 per cent broadband penetration by the year 2018.

postponed till August 31, 2016, due to logistics. The decision was communicated to the state chapter at the end of the emergency National Working Committee meeting of the party on August 24, 2016.” But yesterday, a secretariat staff of the party in Akure, the state capital told Saturday Telegraph that the National Secretariat of the party had further postponed the primary till September 3. The staff, who did not want his name in print said the decision to further postpone the primary election was taken after a meeting held by the leadership of the party both at the state and national level. The Director of Research and

AKURE Focus on economy, CD tells FG

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has asked the Federal Government to tackle the economic challenges facing Nigerians instead of concentrating all its efforts on fighting corruption. The President of organisation, Ifeanyi Odili, said the poverty starring the people in the face was worrisome and government must alleviate it before people die while waiting for dividends of democracy. Odili noted that the unprecedented hunger and poverty that have plagued were not what they bargained for before given him their mandate saying Nigerians needed a president who would put smiles on their faces and not a president that would further make matters worse for them. According to him “It is a sad development that under Buhari’s one year in office, people’s economy has gone from bad to worst.

NEWS IN BRIE F

PHOTO: KUNLE OLAYENI.

Ahmed Salkida: NUJ urges govt to protect journalists’ right

he Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has risen in strong defence of the three journalists that were recently declared wanted by the Nigerian Army, urging the government to respect the right of journalists to protect their sources. While two of them have been left off the hook, the third person, Ahmed Salkida is still in Dubai, waiting for a return ticket from the Nigerian Army to expedite his return home. The union in a letter sent to the Chief of Army Staff yesterday, and, signed by its president, Abdulwaheed Odusile, said, the move came to the body as a surprise, not only because of the manner of declaration but also because the army did not invite the media practitioners for questioning

before going public. While the NUJ affirmed its supports for the government to bring an end to terrorism, it also noted and commended the patriotism and dedication of the Nigerian armed forces. Odusile further explained to the army chief that the right of protection of sources is a journalistic principle, which “proves that confidentiality is

Ndubuisi Ugah ormer Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has announced his plans to go into lecturing to offer academic service pro-bono to any university or institution of higher learning in Abuja. The lawmaker, who is at the centre of the budget padding scandal, said for a start, he would like to lecture final

very important in the field of journalism”, noting that “many journalists will go to extremes in order to keep sources confidential”. “To declare Ahmed Salkida wanted in connection with the missing Chibok girls the way the Army did is to put his life on the line needlessly. “We are not aware of any effort by the Nigerian Army

to invite the said journalists for interrogation despite the fact that the Army was very much aware of how and where to get them. “The government should protect the right of journalists not to disclose their sources unless justified by an overriding requirement in the public interest in conformity with international human rights law."

Jibrin offers free lecturing services

year and post graduate students, adding that he would not mind starting immediately in case any university, institution, Non-Government Organisation (NGO) or Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is interested in his free offer. Speaking through his twitter handle @AbdulAbmJ, on Wednesday, Jibrin said: “I am offering myself for lecturing and capacity building for higher institutions.” He said it might sound off

tee (SWC) have purportedly removed the chairman and have not been relating with him. He said this could be responsible for the reason the aggrieved members of the State Executive Council were not aware of the new date. Otaloro added that the National Secretariat had communicated with Kekemeke who the aggrieved members claimed have been removed over the new date. Also, Akeredolu, who was the ACN candidate in the 2012 governorship election in the state, spoke with NAN in Akure that how he emerged as candidate was not a matter of contention in the state. “How I emerged as the governorship candidate of ACN in 2012 in Ondo State was not an issue of imposition because all aspirants of the party then submitted themselves to a process."

NDLEA arrests 51-yr-old woman with heroin at Lagos Airport

L-R: Olori Yetunde Tejuoso, wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun and Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, at the 60th birthday of the Olori in Abeokuta… yesterday

Olalekan Osiade

Publicity of APC, Steve Otaloro, confirmed the postponement of the primary to September 3, saying that the chairman, Isaacs Kekemeke, has been briefed on the new date. But Adesanya disagreed with this position while insisting that the primary polls would hold as scheduled. Adesanya in a statement wrote: “Ondo StateAPC primary election will hold on Wednesday (August 31) as rescheduled. Please, disregard rumour of another postponement”. In a swift reaction, Olaloro said Adesanya has lost touch with what is going on at the party secretariat because of their desire to remove the chairman, Hon Isaacs Kekemeke from office. According to Otaloro, Adesanya who is the official spokesperson for the party and some other aggrieved members of the State Working Commit-

beat that a lawmaker is taking time off his pressing schedule to engage in lecturing which is a task considered as drudgery. “I have missed lecturing, classroom and lecture theatre and I couldn't help but display my enthusiasm and predilection for tutorship to the public. My first love is lecturing. After all, my childhood ambition was to be a Professor in my 30s. I have probably lost that one but won others."

Wole Shadare he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 51-year-old trader with 180 grammes of heroin at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos State. According to the agency, the suspect was nabbed during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopia Airlines flight from Entebbe, Uganda. Four parcels of brownish powdery substance that tested positive for heroin were found inside her luggage. NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Ahmadu Garba, said that the drug was neatly concealed inside her luggage. “She travelled to Uganda for one week and on her return, was found with four parcels of heroin weighing 180 grammes carefully hidden

inside her luggage. The case is under investigation and will be charged to court soon” the commander stated. The suspect, Akinyemi Monsurat Olajumoke, who hails from Ogun State told investigators that she wanted money to expand her business. According to Monsurat, “I got married after I graduated from Muslim Comprehensive High School Ijebu-Ode. I am a trader. I used to buy and female clothes from India for sale. However, due to family problems and the economic situation, my capital is getting smaller and I wanted to expand my business. I was introduced to drug trafficking by a friend who invited me to Uganda. I invested my $3,000 in the deal in expectation of over one hundred (100) percent profit. I am sad that things did not go as planned. When the drug was discovered at the airport, I felt as if it was all over for me”.

We’ll rehabilitate 31 Artillery Brigade Officers’ Quarters –Bello

he Niger State Government will renovate the 31 Artillery Brigade Officers’ Quarters in Minna, Governor Sani Bello has promised. The governor made the promise yesterday during a condolence visit to the One Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello was in Kaduna to condole with the command over the loss of their colleagues in a communal clash that occurred in the state. NAN recalled that 11 soldiers and seven civilians lost their lives in the clash between the Army and Gbagyi community in Bosso Local Government Area of the state on August 4. The governor, who described the incident as `unfortunate,’ called for collaboration between the security agencies to prevent criminals from hijacking the state. “Niger State is a peaceful state and we have not experienced such incidents in the past years. The government

will continue to support the army to discharge their national duty. I know it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to renovate the quarters, but as a state, we have a responsibility of ensuring the comfort of the army because they are serving us,” he said. Bello said the state Ministry of Works would be saddled with the task of carrying out the project. In his response, the General Officer Commanding the division, Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, commended the state government for commiserating with the division over the loss of its officers. He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) had mandated the army to tackle the security challenges in the region and also ensure the return of peace to the North-East. “Without security, it is difficult for development to take place. The step to renovate our officers’ quarters will go along with the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff to rehabilitate officers’ quarters across the region."

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Biafra: Hold our leaders accountable, group tells Ndigbo Kenneth Ofoma, ENUGU

rominent Igbo sons and daughters under the aegis of Igbo Awareness for Development Initiative (IADI) have called for a purposeful and unified Igbo leadership that is conscious of the needs of not only the elites but also the plight of the poor and working class people in the zone. Rising from a two daysummit in Enugu yesterday the group in a communiqué urged political office holders from the South-East geo-political zone to recognise their responsibilities in building a social, political and economically viable society. Notable speakers at the summit included the leader of United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, who delivered a keynote address where he stressed the need for Igbo in Nigeria to adopt a proactive stance to-

wards civic action and political participation and abandon the tired stance of lamentation. The communiqué of the summit signed by Dr. Robert Dikeukwu and other members of IADI Board of Trustees, called on the people of South East to shake-off the current vestiges of political apathy and show preparedness to hold their leaders to account. The summit tagged World Igbo Summit with the theme “Igbo renaissance in the face of leadership gaps and apathy in Igbo land,” called for due vigilance, especially at the community level with respect to the current threat of herdsmen attacks in Igbo land. It observed that security is at the core of social order and that any society that is unable to protect itself eventually faces extinction. The summit further held that the South-East had all the components (manpower, capital, and entrepreneurship) to make Igbo land an enviable industrial entity.

JAMB set to upload names of successful candidates

he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will soon commence the uploading names of candidates who have been offered admission into tertiary institution on their website. The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmenon Friday in Lagos. According to him, the board will ensure that Nigerian children are not unjustly denied admission in any institution of their choice. He said that the names of candidates that had satisfactorily met the admission rules and regulations of the institutions and that of the Federal Government would be uploaded soon. “We have just concluded a five-day Technical Committee meeting on Admission that started on Aug. 22 at the Bayero University Kano. “A lot was deliberated upon and at the end everything came out successful. “We have ensured that the admissions are

done in line with the set rules and regulations as provided by the Federal Government and the various institutions. “We are aware that the function of admission of candidates is solely the job of the Senates of institutions and what we do as a board is to see the guidelines used in admitting the candidates and ensure ratification. “We are passionate about ensuring that no candidate that meets any of the admission rules and guidelines as provided by both the institution and government is denied admission for whatever reason,’’ he said. The Registrar of the board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had at the opening of the meeting said that admissions would be carried out based on guidelines approved for each institution by their respective proprietors. He also said that preference expressed for the institutions and courses by the candidates would also be followed. Oloyede assured that the admission of candidates into the respective first choice institutions would be smooth.

Consumers thumb up Hollandia Evaporated Milk for innovation

Andrew Iro Okungbowa

ollowing its recent rebranding, Hollandia Evaporated Milk, is said to top the preference of dairy products in the market as consumers have lauded the innovation introduced by the makers, which have seen as convenience and value for money forming the core essence of the product. Trending now is its 65grams 'Correct Wazo' pack. For N50, you can get 65grams of creamy nourishment which is actually 10grams more milk than other brands in the same category. It offers quantity plus quality at a consumer friendly price.

Chi Limited, makers of the product said the quality and pocket friendly nature of the milk is informed by the need to offer the consumers value for money in this hard time. The product is hygienically produced with modern technology in aseptic Tetra Pak packaging. Appraising the product, a marketing communications expert in Lagos, Adeola Idowu, said: “Hollandia Evaporated Milk is the only milk brand with convenient resealable pack that comes with a cap. I do not have to worry about storage as I can always reseal the pack unlike other milk brands. It also offers more value for money for products on the same category.”

L-R: Country Director, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Mr. Jasper Veen; former member of the House of Representatives, Emmanuel Jime; District Governor Emeritus (D9125), Dr. Mike Omotosho and President of the Rotary Club of AbujaUtako, Mr. Laz Apir, at the club’s investiture and Community Service Projects launch, in Abuja… recently

I didn’t divert Katsina N5.7bn Sure-P funds –Shema …says Masari can go ahead to sue him

Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

he war of words between a former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, and his successor, Aminu Masari, continued yesterday with the former governor denying the diversion of N5.7 billion SureP funds, which was meant for the development of the state. Shema said the claim by his former aide, Nasiru Ingawa, before a commission of inquiry that the he used the money for election and other personal needs was politically motivated. Based on this, he challenged Masari to sue him if he did anything wrong, and stop the “media trial.” Masari had inaugurated Justice Muhammad Siraj-led commission of enquiry to investigate the alleged misuse of the Sure – P funds that accrued to the state under Shema’s tenure. While denying the allegations, Shema said his accuser, who was his special adviser on SURE-P, should publish his proof within 48 hours. Ingawa had told the commission of enquiry that: “Shema used to tell me: ‘Nasiru, bring the money I approved for you in a memo to my house in the night, we are going to use it for politics.” He also said “all purchases in the department will be made directly and in cash without going through the tenders’ board”. He said the former governor once authorised 88 withdrawals of cash from two banks in a single day on the

eve of his last day in office. But Shema said his former aide was being used by the current administration to get at him. In a statement signed and issued by his spokesman, Oluwabusola Olawale, the embattled former governor said his accuser should back his claims with documented evidence or risk being sued for defamation. The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to former Special Adviser to former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema on Sure P, Nasiru Ingawa, claiming that Shema directed him to bring Sure - P money to his house for political activities. We are saying it without iota of doubt that the statement is wick lies and part of orchestrated campaign of

No religious crisis in Zamfara – Police commissioner …trouble started from students Sanusi Muhammad, Gusau

amfara State Police Command has dismissed the recent media report that religious crisis has rocked Talata-Mafara Town as a result of an alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by one of the students of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic in Mafara, describing the report as malicious and capable of causing mayhem between Christian and Muslim faithful not only in the state but in the country.

SOKOTO

Petroleum products can go through rail lines-IPMAN

NEWS IN BRIE F

calumny against the former governor. “At no time during the tenure of the previous administration that Shema gave such a directive to Nasiru Ingawa as he claimed, and we challenge him if it is true to publish his facts and supporting documents within 48 hours, failure to do so he should be ready to meet the legal team of Ibrahim Shehu Shema in court. “The information available at our disposal revealed that Nasiru role was connected to the request of his father, Alhaji Salisu Ingawa (a retired director) to assist him to secure a federal government appointment through Governor Aminu Bello Masari, the request Masari agreed to fulfill on the condition that Nasiru lies against his former boss. “A night before the testi-

mony of Nasiru at the commission he was sighted at Katsina Motel in company of Mal Rabe Nasir who is an aide to Masari and member of the commission with Masari lawyer perfecting their actions. Also, as part of the deal we learnt Nasiru has been promised to be allowed to run and hide in United States of America where he holds citizenship to evade prosecution. “We are calling the attention of the public to what is going on at the sitting of the commission of inquiry set up by Masari as a media trial with the sole aim and purpose to tarnish the reputation of Shema who served Katsina State creditably well. We are also appealing to the public to pressurise Masari to charge Shema to court if truly he abused public trust while in office as a governor instead of maligning his name at the charade called commission of inquiry.

Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Sokoto State, Alhaji Sule Magaji, yesterday advised the Federal Government to commence haulage of petroleum products through the rail lines. Magaji, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto, said the initiative would ensure optimal production by existing refineries, currently affected by vandalism of oil pipelines. He said the railway offers a viable alternative to the current system of piping crude oil to refineries and haulage of refined products by road. “Rehabilitation of rail lines will also make the haulage of products to all parts of the country faster, cheaper and more efficient."

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adaji Gabriel, made this known while addressing journalists in his office. According to him, the crisis happened between two students over bathing soap with a certain Haruna Muhammad accusing one Zion of using his soap. Muhammad thereafter threatened to teach Zion a lesson by accusing him in public that he (Zion) had blasphemed against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said with the help of a Good Samaritan, Alhaji Tajuddin Yusuf, Zion was rescued from the hands of angry students who pounced on him and taken to hospital.

ABEOKUTA

Ogun Speaker decries attitude of youths to knowledge acquisition

Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Suraj Adekunbi, has decried what he called the poor attitude of Nigerian youths to acquisition of knowledge. Adekunbi made this remark shortly after his visit to some coaching centres he established at Ayetoro, Igbogila and Imasayi, to boost learning, all in Yewa Zone of the state yesterday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that about 3,000 secondary school students are benefiting from the ongoing free holiday coaching, courtesy of the legislator. The speaker, who was represented by his Special Adviser (Political), Mr. Gafar Babalola, said the gesture was part of his efforts to ensure quality education for the students.

The angry students then went to Yusuf’s house and burnt it down completely. Gabriel equally added that during the attack eight notorious hoodlums who went into the house to loot his properties immediately after Yusuf evacuated his family were burnt alive. “Let me tell you that no innocent person lost his or her life during the mayhem which took place in Mafara Town,” Adaji noted. He also called on the general public as well as media practitioners to shun rumour mongering that could lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state, saying his command will not condone such act in any form.

IKORODU

Rotary inducts first female president

The 15th investiture ceremony of Ikorodu Metropolitan will hold today with Olufunmilayo BaleAyorinde emerging as the first female president. The event will also feature the inauguration of a N25 million fund for the club’s service projects for 2016/2017. A statement issued by the Publicity Secretary, Kolawole Lasisi, said the venue is the Baltimore Gardens, River Valley Estate, Ojodu, Lagos. A number of top dignitaries and community service personalities are expected at the event.

Voices Extra Marital Affairs: Who is guiltier? p.12

Juliana Francis

suspected kidnapper, Mr. Ikechukwu Daniel, has revealed how a crack team of policemen, attached to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris’ Special Intelligence Response Team, (IRT), frustrated their plans to kidnap Nigerian oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola. The gang members, who were behind the kidnap of 70-year-old Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, said they were already finetuning the plan of abducting Otedola when operatives of IRT surprised them. Daniel, 28, a Biochemistry student who dropped out of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 200 level, was arrested while negotiating for N4m ransom with another kidnapped victim’s family members. The suspect, who said their gang members were predominantly Fulani herdsmen, boasted that if not for him, Anisulowo would have been killed. He said: “I wasn’t carried along in the kidnap of the senator. It was spearheaded by a certain Maman. Our members were expecting to get N50million ransom from the senator’s family. But they refused to pay. After the senator’s kidnap, the police raided Maman’s family members and friends. There were also police helicopters hovering all over the place. Some of our members got angry. They called and told me that they wanted to kill the senator to serve as deterrence to other would be victims. I begged them for two days to spare her life. It was because they respected me, they spared her. She was released. That singular effort I made saved the life of the senator.” The suspect, from Imo State, said he was born and raised in Kaduna State. Narrating how police frustrated their plans to kidnap Otedola, Daniel said: “We were perfecting plans to abduct billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, before I was arrested. We narrowly missed abducting him when he attended a function in Ibadan, Oyo State. We couldn’t abduct him because of heavy security operatives. We decided to take our time and prepare properly for the second attempt.” Police alleged that Daniel and his gang of kidnappers were part of those terrorising the South Western part of the country. Daniel further said: “There was someone working with Otedola who brought the kidnapping job to us. The person told us that Otedola was going to be in Ibadan. When we went to Ibadan, we saw Otedola, but there was heavy security presence around him. I told my gang members that we should wait and re-strategize before attempting to kidnap him again. I told them that the first thing I would do to ensure the operation was successful was to carry out spiritual sacrifices to the gods. The sacrifice was to ensure I defeat Otedola spiritually. You know, a man like Otedola is powerful spiritually.” Daniel said that after carrying out the spiritual fortification, the next time was to ensure that gang members got army, DSS and police uniforms. Daniel said that he realised that without impersonation, there was no way they would be able to get close to Otedola because of his social status. They needed to wear security uniforms and blend with Otedola’s security men. Daniel stated: “The last thing on our list in order to abduct Otedola successfully, was to ensure we monitor his movements regularly. We were doing this, through our contact, who was close to him. We were supposed to strike on a day that he had a few security men with him. We were

City & crime update

Mohammed

Ganiu

SATURDAY, 27 AUGUST 2016

Daniel

'Insider gave us information on how to kidnap Otedola'

going to achieve this in November; if we succeeded, it would have been my last job. I was planning to demand N2billion. We were however hopeful that he would negotiate for nothing less than N500m.” The gang kidnapped Anisulowo on April 27, 2016. Anisulowo represented Ogun West Senatorial District, between 2003 and 2007 in the senate. She was abducted along with her security aide on the way home from her farm, located along Igbogilad Road, in Yewa Local Government Area of Ogun State. Anisulowo was released after 10 days in captivity. Following the abduction of Anisulowo, the IGP ordered operatives of the IRT to track the kidnappers and rescue the woman. It was in the process of the painstaking investigation, that one of the suspects, Mohammed Babuga, was arrested. He provided information that aided the IRT operatives in arresting Daniel at the Festac area of Lagos State. The IRT operatives, led by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr. Abba Kyari, described Daniel as a high-tech expert in coaching Fulani herdsmen on how to carry out kidnap and evade tracking by policemen. He was also alleged to train the men on how to use the ICT in evading arrest. Daniel, who said he joined the kidnap gang in 2014, was an undergraduate when he started hijacking petroleum tankers. He was later arrested, charged to court and sent to prison. He joined kidnapping after he was released from Oyo State Prison. He was arrested in 2012 for hijacking a petroleum tanker along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He said that during his sojourn in prison, he met Mohammed Babuga, a Fulani, who eventually led him into kidnapping. He said his role in the gang was to negotiate for ransom with abducted victims’ families. He described himself as an expert in ensuring that ransoms were collected successfully. He said: “I spent one year in prison. My case was struck out from court over lack of evidence. When I regained my freedom, I

couldn’t go back to school. I was born and bred in Kaduna State. I speak Hausa fluently. It was in prison I became friends with Mohammed. We were in the same cell. After a year in prison, I realised prison wasn’t a place for reformation. I discovered that inmates were planning and orchestrating jobs right from inside prison.” Mohammed left prison before Daniel. After Daniel regained his freedom, he traced and found Mohammed. Mohammed told him that he had joined a kidnapping gang and without thinking much about it, Daniel teamed up with Mohammed’s gang. Daniel said: “We kidnapped a man. I don’t know the man’s name. We kept him in a forest in Ilorin. We were paid N5m. Our second job was the kidnap of an Alhaji. I did the negotiation. We got N15m from the Alhaji’s family. I got N2m as my share. I bought a car with my share. Our operation was in Kwara State. We later kidnapped a man, who identified himself as Akintola. We received N3m as ransom from the family. The fourth operation was the kidnap of a man and we collected N5m as ransom.” He said that after the fourth operation, they swooped on Anisulowo. Daniel said that he wasn’t carried along in the abduction of the senator. He added: “I was in my house in Festac when I saw the news on television. I called Mohammed to confirm the abduction. He

We couldn’t abduct him because of heavy security operatives. We decided to take our time and prepare properly for the second attempt

told me that it was Maman and his gang that carried out the job.” Daniel, who was full of arrogance, said he was always two steps ahead of law enforcement agents. He bragged about being acquainted with strategies of the DSS and the police, in tracking and tackling kidnap cases and other violent crimes. He said: “I have a friend, who is a hacker. He assisted me to hack into DSS and police websites. It was through that process, I normally monitored their new tracking methods. Before I was arrested, I knew the police were looking for me. I however believed in my knowledge of Nigeria security apparatus, but it failed me”. Mohammed Babuga, 32, from Kebi State, married with two children, said he was first arrested in 2011 after a robbery operation. He went on that operation with Maman, along Kaduna Road, Kwara State. He said his role, while working with Maman’s robbery gang, was to take the gang to operations venues. He had taken the gang thrice and received N156, 000 in total. It was on the third operation that local vigilante men arrested him in Ilorin. They handed him over to the police. He was charged to court and remanded in prison. He said: “It was in prison I met Daniel. After I left prison, I joined a kidnap gang. It was led by Boeyi and Bubah Bube. We kidnapped a Fulani man and got N4m ransom. I was given N700, 000. We did our second job at Rejob, a boundary town between Kebbi and Niger States. We collected N2m. I got N250, 000. After that operation, I left Kebbi. I relocated to Oyo State. One day Boeyi called me. He said he wanted to join me. He got an Ak47 rifle. One Abubakar, a herdsman, also brought a Pump Action Rifle. We contributed money and bought a Honda Bullet car. Boeyi brought a job, which was to kidnap a man. Before we went for the job, Daniel joined us. We did four jobs together before I was arrested.” Also arrested for having a link with the gang, is one Ganiu Muhammadu.

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

FRSC prosecutes 31 for reckless driving, assault Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

lorry driver in Ebonyi State, Okwudili Onukwube, was yesterday sentenced to two months imprisonment by a mobile court sitting in Abakaliki for non-possession of valid driving licence and driving dangerously. Onukwube was involved in an accident at the Nkwagu end of the Abakaliki/ Enugu Federal Highway on August 4. He was sentenced with an option of N50, 000 fine by the mobile court during the trial of about 31 drivers for various traffic offences. Though no life was lost in the incident, the lorry with the registration no: EDA 212 XA which was carrying tubers of yam fell with the produce littering the road and obstructing vehicular movements. The magistrate, Joseph Nwuna, ruled that the accused was found guilty of not being in possession of valid driving licence and dangerous driving. “The accused is also found guilty of assaulting the FRSC officials on duty which was capable of inflicting harm on the personnel.” He noted the offences violated the FRSC Establishment Act of 2007 as applicable in Ebonyi and punishable under Section 10 (9) of the same Act, as the vehicle would be released after the payment. The court absolved the FRSC in the state of complicity in the accident which the accused and many people had accused the organisation of.

Vigilantes arrest cable vandals in Enugu, Umuahia Charles Onyekwere

S ENUGU

ome young men who were in the habit of vandalising electric installations have been arrested at Emene, Enugu State, as well as Umuahia in Abia State. A group of vigilantes arrested them on August 23 after they vandalised three up-riser armoured cables of a 500KVA,11/0.415

Distribution Sub-Station, at Rehab Road, Emene. One Paul Ike, who is still at large, and his alleged accomplice, Chibuike Nwosu, a dealer in electrical equipment, who is said to be the buyer of the vandalised materials were apprehended by the vigilante group as they were attempting to move the stolen materials into a Nissan Bluebird salon car with registration number NSH-160 CW, belonging to Nwosu.

Chibuike Nwosu, one of the arrested electricity vandals after he was paraded in Enugu… yesterday PHOTO: CHARLES ONYEKWERE

This is coming shortly after an earlier attack on the same substation on August 18, where the vandals made away with one armoured intermediate cable, while the 2-Phase and neutral cables were recovered. According to a statement issued by the Head of Communications, EEDC, Chukwuemeka Ezeh, the EEDC stated that it had started making arrangements to replace the stolen intermediate cable after the incident was reported, so that electricity supply could be restored to its customers. In a similar development, four vandals were recently caught in Umuahia, Abia State, while vandalising Udi Street Distribution Sub Station belonging to EEDC. The suspects had gone to conclude their attack on the sub-station, which had been vandalised earlier. It took the intervention of a private security man attached to a fast food eatery to apprehend one of the vandals and raised the alarm, which attracted a team of police officers on patrol. The police effort led to the arresting of the other three suspects, who later confessed to being re-

Akure

Part-time student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, in Owo Local Government area of Ondo State, Chuckwudi Oweniwe has confessed to killing his girl friend of one year, Nifesi Adeyeye, a student of the same institution. Oweniwe, a National Diploma student was arrested by men of the State Police Command for allegedly killing his girlfriend in a bizarre manner in a village around Akure, the State capital. The State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison who briefed reporters about the incident said Oweniwe who is 22 years old tricked his girlfriend to Ayede Ogbese in Akure North Local Government area of the state and strangled her to death. According to the Police Boss, Oweniwe who carried out the devilish act at about 9pm August 9 was arrested by Special Anti-Cultism Squad and also recovered the remains of Nifesi where she was dumped by her boyfriend. Oweniwe who did not deny the offence however said she was possessed by evil spirit and it was after the act was committed that he realized he has made the mistake of his life.

sponsible for acts of vandalism in the district. All the apprehended vandals were subsequently handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution. “We have been soliciting the support and cooperation of our customers towards ensuring that our electrical installations within their vicinity are protected against vandals; and from these incidents, it is obvious that our customers have come to realise that they can't sit and fold their hands while some few elements who do not mean well for them put them in an inconveniencing situation for a period of time. “The increasing rate of this act of economic sabotage calls for a concerted effort by members of the public and law enforcement agents. “So far, we have recorded no fewer than 78 cases of vandalism across the South East states, between January 2015 to date, and have also expended a substantial amount of money repairing and replacing vandalised equipment while achieving considerable success in prosecuting arrested vandals.''

Nigerian assaulted during childbirth in London Ndubuisi Ugah

with agency reports

I killed my girlfriend for fun – Oweniwe Babatope Okeowo

Before the attempt was made to kill her, Oweniwe said he made love to her in the bush and it was after that she strangulated her and left her dead. Recounting the incident of the day, Oweniwe said it was true that “I killed my girl friend, Adeyeye Nifesimi” However, he said “I have no reason to kill her. All I know is that I was possessed by evil spirit.” His words “ I called her that she should come and visit me in Ogbese, I met her at Community Junction, when we got to the Community Junction, I told her that I forgot something in the farm and that she should please assist me. “ On getting to the farm, I dragged her to the nearby busy and strangled her on the neck. I thought she was dead and I left her there. I have al-

Oweniwe

ready made love to her before I strangulated her in the neck. “The next morning which was on Wednesday, I went back to see if she was dead, but I saw her coming with one man. The man now said this girl needed help and I said this girl is my girl friend. I told Okada man carrying me to please turn back and carry both of us to Ogbese so that I can take the girl back to Akure. “When we got to Community Junction, I saw a coming vehicle and the Okada man said he could not carry both of us. The Okada man dropped us and we entered the bus, we dropped at Mekun Junction. After dropping at Mekun Junction, I looked around and when I did not see anybody, I strangled her. I also made use of the stone to hit her head three times. When I discovered she has died, I left. “I did not remove any part of her body; I only killed her for the fun of it. I made love with her in the busy before killing her. I am not a cultist. It was when I killed her that I realized I made a big mistake. I wept bitterly when I realized I have killed her.” Aside Oweniwe, the Police Boss said armed robbery suspects were arrested while vehicles were recovered from the suspects. She said there was also an attempted robbery and unlawful possession of military uniform.

Nigerian woman, Patience Chukwu, who was in labour was punched in the face by a robber, who stole her mobile telephone as she tried to call her family, according to the London Evening Standard Chukwu and her son, Kamsi Kishi report. 40-year-old Chukwu had ean section, after being unable to left her home in North London detect her child’s heartbeat. Her son, Kamsi Kishi, was to board a bus while going to a hospital after experiencing con- born hours later with complicatractions, but the man, who stole tions. He suffers from seizures, her Samsung Galaxy phone, re- which police today said are a result of the attack. portedly swooped her on. Chukwu was not able to visit It was gathered that the police initially treated Chukwu on the her child, now eight weeks old, street after the assault, which took until the next morning and could place about 10am on August 21 in not take him home for a week while doctors kept him under Stamford Hill. Narrating her ordeal, Chukwu observation. Following the incident, the posaid: “I took out my phone to call my sister and tell her I was on the lice was said to have released an way to the hospital when the boy e-fit of the suspect. Investigating officer, Detective came up to me. “He stood in front of me and Inspector Paul Ridley, said: “The I thought he was about to ask e-fit is our last line of enquiry. We’ve exhausted everything for directions. He was standing there staring at me and then he else. We’re appealing for information from friends, relatives and snatched the phone from me. “As he grabbed it, I grabbed even criminal associates. Given him by the hood. I was trying to the nature of the act, I’m sure a recover the phone. He just hit me. lot of criminals would have been He went to hit me in the stomach, shocked. “We have a woman on the so I bent double and the blow hit brink of giving birth subjected to me in the face.” The attacker got on his BMX an attack like that in broad dayto flee but Ms Chukwu grabbed light just for her mobile phone.” The suspect is described as him. “He was dragging me and I was screaming. Then he hit me a thin black man aged between for a third time and I went blind 18 and 21 with short dark hair. for a short time. So I let go and At the time of the attack, he was he was gone. It was horrifying. I wearing a green hooded jumper. Chukwu, who also has a foursat there afterwards shaking and year-old daughter, Kika, said: “I shivering.” Chukwu was taken to Homer- didn’t expect that a heavily pregton hospital, where the doctors nant woman in labour would be took her into theatre for a Caesar- robbed.''

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Voices

27 AUGUST 2016

Extra marital affairs: Who is guiltier? The person who made the first move

Men are more involved Men are more involved in it because they love with responsibility in mind unlike women. As a result the men can easily get out of the responsibility when they are tired and men get tired easily.

Both are equally guilty but the guiltier is the one who made the first move that lured the other into the indecent act. —Tina Emairu, economic policy adviser

—Nelson Ayogu, industrial mathematician

It is not right to apportion blame

Marriage with God is sacred, sanctified and consecrated. God abhors extra marital affairs. Anybody who engages in it, male or female, is guilty. It is not right to apportion blame because we do not have the statistics to measure who is guiltier. —Hyacinth Ndubunma, clergy man

Men are the ones that go after women Men are guilty because they are the ones that go after the women, hardly would you see a woman that woos a man and secondly men are moved by what they see so they will want to go after what entices them. Before a woman would cheat on her husband she must have been pushed to do so maybe by the husband's character. —Gideon Ikpefua, sound engineer

Some men can’t take their eyes off pretty women It is the man who is guiltier because some men can’t just avoid any beautiful woman. A responsible man needs to be disciplined. That is my own view. —Simeon Paul, civil servant

The man cannot be accused You can’t accuse a man of extra marital affairs and a man cannot be said to have committed adultery. The reason is simply that our culture recognises women only as those capable of engaging in such act and they alone can be guilty.

—Johnson Abolagba, legal practitioner

Society encourages men to indulge I do not encourage any reasonable man or woman to get involved in extra marital affairs. Anyway, it depends on the society, in Africa men are guiltier because they engage in it openly and are encouraged by the fact that the society allows for polygamy. —Casimier Onwuegbuzie, accountant

It is wickedness on the woman’s part Well, I think that it is the woman that is guiltier in as much as her spouse provides everything she needs and she still goes ahead to cheat. I see it as wickedness because marriage is for better for worse. —Benita Odum, nurse

Women are greedy As for me, some women are greedy so they engage themselves in extra marital affairs to meet up with their mates. It has been happening for long and that is the reason why there are broken marriages everywhere. —Ifedayo Olumide, banker

The woman should be held responsible Both parties should share the blame. But I strongly believe more of the blame would go to the woman. On the part of a woman, much is expected of her to keep her husband. The success or failure of a home depends on her. A wise woman would do anything to put her home in order because when there is a fault somewhere people would point accusing fingers at her.

—Comfort Adegboye , businesswoman

Men do it to spite their wives

It is more of the men than women. This is because after the woman has given birth and her body changes it is then the man will start seeing all the ugly sides and say she is not as beautiful as when he first married her and this is now when he starts to cheat on his wife. —Ebere Aboladi, trader

It is a man’s world Men are guilty and I think the society encourages them cheating on their spouses and I am saying that because when you talk about a man that cheats people take it as normal but when you talk about a woman that cheats they seem to see something wrong with it. And again you cannot find a woman that has two husbands but you will surly see men with even more than two wives.

—Marian Onianwah, journalist

Society gives men the upper hand If we look at it generally, men cheat more when it comes to extra marital affairs just because most people believe that men are entitled to marry so many wives at a time, but biblically, it is a wrong orientation that needs to be changed. —Godfrey Obioma, businessman

compiled by: NGOZI OGBOLU, OGE NDUBUNMA, ESTHER SODEKE AND OLANIYI ADERUKU

WeekendBliss

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

N O P U E S O L C UDUKWU FRANCES ICA, USA MISS AFR

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE SLIMTO BE A BEAUTY QUEEN Although, Frances Onyemaechi Udukwu has spent most of her life in America, she is proud of her root. The current Miss Africa USA speaks to SATURDAY TELEGRAPH about her upbringing, winning Miss Africa USA pageant and setting up a foundation. Where are you from? I am a Nigerian, but I reside in Washington DC. My mother is from Enugu State, while my father is from Anambra. But I can honestly say I have never felt far away from my root. In my house, it feels like I still live in Nigeria. My parents speak Igbo and we eat Nigerian food, though they live in America too. I come to Nigeria often; I visited in February. I am a good example of a Nigerian woman living in the Diaspora and I have been able to live in both territories. Can you speak your local dialect? I commend my parents for ensuring that they spoke Igbo language to us while we were growing up. I understand Igbo fluently, but I can only speak a little. And that is by choice because whenever my parents speak to me in Igbo I reply in English. They do not like it. But there are lots of Igbo lessons you could take in America if you desire to. Why did you compete at the Miss Africa USA beauty pageant? I was never interested in pageantry; I never dreamt I’d be do-

Instyle

Mum-daughter fashion © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

p.15

ing this. But I guess it is part of my destiny. When a friend was helping out to do a local event and they needed one contestant, she asked if I was interested. It started as a joke and I won the pageant. For Miss Africa USA, I loved the experience and the fact that everyone wanted the crown. I think the greatest feeling was being able to represent where I am from even though it was done in America. Those things made me contest. I know I do not really fit the bill of a typical pageant girl. I am not very tall or slim, but I feel I have a competitive advantage. I was myself and still able to rise to the top. So, I am using this opportunity to tell other women that you do not have to be like anyone or pretend to be another person to win something or speak against something. When was the beauty pageant held? The pageant took place on August 29, 2015. I competed with 28 young African women. Some stay in America and others travelled to participate in it. It was like any other beauty continued on page 14

The Arts

Hospitality

TV & Radio

p.37

p.41

p.36

Shifting Boundaries: National Art Competition calls for entries

Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City: Simply breathless!

Food preservation and challenges of agric extension service

Close Up

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 1 3

geria USA, which was how I automatically qualified for the Miss Africa USA. What has this changed about you? I think being a queen has made me more confident of who I am and where I am from. It makes professional too because you have to be punctual for appointments and you have to be smart in everything you do. You must be prudent as well because people already have the misconception that you may be full of yourself as a queen. So, you have to be able to show them that you are human just like them and you are a great person inside and out. What gave you the crown? Like I said, I think my competitive edge was that I did not look like anyone else on stage. I have heard from people that my creativity made me outstanding. All the outfits were carefully chosen. I think the way I positioned myself on stage too was instrumental. I am also talented. Disc Jockey is something I do for fun. I did that and I think it stood me out. Other competitors did spoken word, music and dance. So, when I got on stage with my equipment, everyone was thrilled. How do you combine healthcare management and being a beauty queen? I graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia in 2011, where I studied Public Health and Health Systems Management. In life everyone has what they love to do different from their professions. For me, I have always loved fashion and wanted to be part of it. I was not necessarily interested in modelling or pageantry. You are starting a foundation in Nigeria; how do plan to manage it since you stay in America? The foundation, the Lead Girl Foundation, is not only all about me. Part of the mission of my non-profit organisation is to help women of colour between the age of 18 and 35 in the Diaspora and women in Nigeria. Just like any other company or business, I think it is very possible to run it across Africa and in America. That is why I am working with people. A lot of programmes I have transcend borders. The very first programme is a vocational training. We are starting in

Udukwu

Enugu in December before moving to other places. It is all about starting something. Where do intend to get funds from? As a registered non-profit organisation in America, you raise money through donations from the public and organisations. We had the official launch on July 15 and we were able to attract organisations and individuals. That is how an NGO or non-profit organisation thrives. Eventually, if the government wants to come in to help us reach people on a larger scale, we could have a discussion. What happens if donations do not come in? Given the idea and mission of what I want to accomplish, even if I am not able to get donations, I would still continue to do what I set out to do. Before starting this, I have started doing things in my own little ways. I just want to take things a step further.

'I was bullied because I am an African living in America' Were there no challenges growing up in America? We all have our own share of obstacles. Those days, I would go to school with traditional hairstyles and my classmate would taunt me. Since my last name was strange to them too, they made fun of me. I had to face that while growing up. There was also the identity crisis. In some cases, you do not know if you want to be identified as an African or American. I think most African children who grew up in America have had that challenge. In school, I wrote essays on people bullying me because I am an African living in the United States. How did you overcome this challenge? It was difficult because you had the impression that you were one of them, but they made it clear that you were not. Even the black Americans would tell you that you do not share the same heritage with them. Most of my classmates did not know what Africa was all about. They only saw Africa on television and used all those things to mock us. Since this is a digital age, some of my friends have been able to follow things I do and they want to know more about Africa now. They were ignorant in the past. Will you like to relocate to Nigeria? In 2011, I thought about it. It is just about doing it at the right time and ensuring that I have something to do. When did you start modelling? I have never modelled up till now. I could honestly say at 25. The very first pageant was not competitive as such. The second was Miss Nigeria USA and this is the third. Do you have a favourite Nigerian meal? I like beans and garri. I do not mix it, I take it separately. I also use sugar in my garri, not salt.

...as the winner

Who are those you look up to in Nigeria? I have many of them. There is Agbani Darego, Madam Folorunsho Al-

akija, Tara Fela-Durotoye and many others. We have influential Nigerian women doing well here and in other parts of the world. How do you describe your fashion? I wear what is comfortable for me. I would not say I am trendy, but I am very classic. Growing up, I tried to be like other people. I would wear things that did not fit me. I did not like those things, but I wanted to look like someone somewhere. Will you like to venture into fashion? I have a plan to start a shoe line. It will be just high heels because that it what I like to wear. The best part is that everything about it would be made in Africa. What are the accessories you cannot do without? I cannot do without shoes. The most expensive shoes I have worn is about 750 dollar. Have you ever been embarrassed by you high heel? I have never been embarrassed in the public, but I have fallen on a few occasions. What donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you like about fashion? I dislike the fact that people believe that only slim people could be fashionable. As a beauty queen, I have met with designers and they wanted me to wear their products. They would tell me that they only have simple size, size 2. Obviously, I cannot do size 2. Has there been a time you wished you were slim? I have never aspired to be like anyone else. Before December, I was lighter than this because I just came back from the pageant. I do not try to be skinny unless I am preparing for something that requires it. What do you like about Nigerian men? I love how diligent Nigerian men are and I love the fashion sense of some. I do not mind getting married to a Nigerian provided it is the wish of God.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Mum-daughter fashion

Deborah Ocheni

he mother-daughter relationship can be the most rewarding and most entertaining for most women. The mother-daughter relationship is a blessing, and fashionable mothers have taken this fun filled relationship they have with their

adorable daughters a step further as it reflects in their style sense. Many fashionable mothers are now in style competition with their young daughters as they are sighted at many events dressing like their daughters as a way of saying “that’s my daughter” without necessarily voicing it. It is common to see young

girls dressed like their mothers when you attend parties these days; they look sleek, fashionable and steal the attention of many. Mothers may decide to sew same style with their daughters or use same fabric but different designs; whatever the choice just keep your little one in plan.

TIPS zzFashionista Donae Chramosta and her daughter, Bella, have put up tips for "Mum and daughter" fashion among which are: zzCoordinate one portion of the fabric, such as a print or texture, but avoid an exact match in the style of the dress. So, mum can wear a print in her skirt, while the daughter in her shirt. zzStart with the same palette, such as a white T-shirt and

pants. Then go for similar styles, such as tweed jackets in the same colour scheme but not exact. zzStart with a print from the daughter's closet. Then, mum can choose a solid that matches one of the colours in that print. zzInstead of looking for an exact colour, stay in a colour family. For example, variations of peach in different fabrics can be a very beautiful way for mum

and daughter to coordinate. z zStick with a classic colour palette that's easy to mix and match. For example, daughter wears a black and white printed dress. Mom wears a tweed dress that includes black and white. z zNote that there is no wrong or right in fashion; allow your creativity to reflect in your style when dressing with your daughter.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

ACCESSORIES TO LIVE FOR

The ankara print bag Deborah Ocheni

he fact that ankara can blend with almost all materials is one of the major reason why it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go out of vogue. Ankara print is unique as it comes in different colours and patterns. An intriguing thing about this African print is the fact that it can be used to design many fashion accessories like shoes, earrings, bracelets, bags to mention a few. The ankara fabric is fabulous; some few years ago a lot of training schools went into using the ankara fabric for things other than simple clothing, and

from this creative burst came the ankara handbags and clutches. Since there is no doubt that the ankara fabric rocks in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion it is no surprise that fashion buffs are making loud statement with ankara bags. As recorded http:// tadall.com/super-chicways-to-carry-your-ankara-bag#sthash.cmSMCm8t.dpuf, one needs to be creative with ideas to rock ankara bags stylishly. Note that because the ankara fabric is filled with prints and colourful designs, styling it with your apparel may take quite a different turn but remember, never fear; you should be as creative as you can be with your ideas

TIPS zzThe ankara print can be boisterous and one of the ways to calm this down would be to pair your ankara bag with a headto-toe monochrome look. zz If you are the type that loves pop of colours, a lovely ankara print cross body handbag made from a colourful print fabric would be a perfect match for a denim shirt casual look. zzYour ankara clutch would fit perfectly with plain lace and satin fabric; it would add vibe to your entire look. zzTote ankara bags are now a huge deal, mixed with leather you can carry these bags anywhere anytime; all you need is the right outfits and you are good to go.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

MY STYLE

I don’t do indecent dressing –Idah Mawedo Idah is the creative director and CEO of Maweestiches; in this interview with Deborah Ocheni, the graduate of history and international studies turned fashion designer speaks about her fashion philosophy, the desire to clothe Michelle Obama, Aisha Buhari among others. Personally, what is your sense of fashion?

Good colour combination is chic but I don’t combine more than three colours

What is special about Maweestiches?

You don’t need to expose your It’s a fashion outfit that body to be fashionable. I believe tends to dress those that in decent dressing because even as matter in the society I design for people, I make sure I with unique and classy designs that stand our prepare them for the kingdom. I clients out whenever don’t do indecent dressing. I also don’t believe that fashion is about they step out in our wearing expensive clothes; you designs. At Mawcan be simple and classy. Who is your best designer? eestiches, we don’t Maweestiches is my best de- follow rather we set Taking you to wardrobe, what kind the pace for others to signer outfits take up most space in your follow. wardrobe?

Is there anybody you wish to

What inspires your various

Ankara is African, it is unique and it depicts the rich culture of Africa. Ankara print is my pride because I am an African and I promote my culture with it.

Who are your best clients so far?

What informed the decision of

What determines what you wear?

What do you think of colour com-

Is that to say you just wasted your time studying history and international studies?

creations? You will find more of dresses clothe in the nearest future? designed by me. Michelle Obama, Aisha BuI will say it’s God, I am inhari and other first ladies. spired by God. What do you think of ankara?

I have a lot of them but it will going into fashion designing? be difficult for me to start calling Fashion designing is somenames now. All the people I have thing I have always had a worked for are good. passion for right from my childhood; so after graduDo you consider any fashion item Is there anything you are unlikely ating from the university I indispensable? to be caught wearing? decided to fulfil my childNo, fashion items are easily I don’t wear outfits that are too hood dream which is fashdispensable. revealing. I am decent dresser. ion designing. The occasion I am going for, bination? and the weather sometimes. Good colour combination is chic but I don’t combine more How do you love your shoes? than three colours. I love shoes that are classy and How comfortable do you feel gocomfy.

I will not say going to school is a waste of time because it ing out without makeup? is an added adWhat is the most expensive fashion Very comfortable, I don’t wear vantage to what item you have ever bought? makeup always; I like subtle I am doing now. Shoes makeup once in a while. My parents are educated and so How much was it? How do you love you hairdo? they want their I don’t want to disclose the I like it simple. children to be price. educated, so I couldn’t Which jewellery holds special aphave gone straight to fulfillHow easily do you get you fashion peal for you? ing my childhood passion items in Nigeria? Earrings, stud earrings without furthering my It’s very easy. education.

Beauty

Idah

Home remedy for cream reaction

Deborah Ocheni ometimes the immune system tends to change and react to certain chemicals that are different from what the skin is used to. It is better to consult a professional beautician whenever you want to change your body cream to avoid skin irritation

As contained www.healthline. com, cream reaction can cause mild symptoms like skin irritation, watery eyes, or sneezing. It can also cause anaphylaxis, a severe reaction

that can lead to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest, however minor allergic reactions can be safely treated at home. Symptoms include flat red dots, raised red bumps, scaly areas, blisters, and a burning or itching sensation in the skin There are creams and lotions that can cure cream irritation but some over-the-counter lotions and creams further irritate the skin. If that's the case for you, these do it yourself (DIY) natural home remedies will be of help.

Clay

Clay can provide a cooling sen-

sation and thus decrease the need to scratch a rash. Use virgin, untreated clay. Mix the clay in a bowl or cup of water until it has a creamy consistency, dab it on itchy or irritated areas, let it dry, and then peel off. If peeling the clay is causing any further irritation, try re-wetting the clay and gently removing with a soft, wet towel.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar has antifungal and anti-bacterial properties that relieve itching. Dab a few drops on a cotton ball or washcloth and apply to the affected area.

Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Brace interiors with stool

Deborah Ocheni

reating contemporary and classic interior design can be challenging these days; the truth of the matter is, not many people are aware that introducing side stool to dĂŠcor is an effortless way to achieve looks that are classical yet appear contemporary. Side stools are awesome things that can be grabbed as good inspiration for your home design enhancement. It can be paired with several interior arrangements to give rooms fabulous appearances. Side stools are useful in

enhancing interior layout of the room because they have nice appearance with artistic elements to transform ordinary rooms into stunning ones. They come in different beautiful designs, shapes and colours to suit individual themes. Brace yourself up with one that suit you decor style. According to www.houzz. com/sidestool. side stools visualise beautifulness in awesome decoration style. Decorating living rooms with side stools is a good choice for those who adore feminine room accent, but in doing this, ensure you opt for stools in bright hues to bring in a pop of colours. You can also go chic and cosy by designing your

living room with minimal decorating elements. You should create open concept room design if you want to save space in your home. Decorating living rooms with stools is amazing as it allows you to create room design for enhancing your interior layout. Colourful stools provide chic nuances. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to modify these interior themes using your own style. You can personalise them with creative ideas. These examples are good reference to get new concept for your interior remodelling. No matter what kind of room theme you want to use, make sure you have proper decorating stool out there.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Why I ended beef with Reminisce –Vector Tha Viper p.20

ShowBiz

I lost movie role for being dark-skinned –Mercy Johnson Having been around for about a decade and still relevant, Mercy Johnson Okojie is now a Nollywood heavyweight in her own right. She has remained undeterred by negativity and people who are quick to analyse her life, as she puts it. In this interview with Adedayo Odulaja, the Kogi Stateborn actress talks about life, marriage, career and sundry issues. You just returned from a vacation. How was it? The vacation was awesome. It was just about taking time out with the sexiest man alive. What were some of the fun things you did during vacation? We spent a lot of time together. Having three kids in three years, everything was just fun. It is awesome but in marriage, you need to take time out to really talk, laugh and just be free. That was what the vacation was about. You have only just returned but have started working. Why is that? It is not about the money like people would think. I am a person who knows how to combine marriage, kids and my work. I’ve done that successfully for the last five years. My kids are on holidays now so this is actually the best time for me to work before they get back to school. Because whenever they resume, I seldom shoot. I only have to shoot in Lagos and it has to be with a very flexible timetable. When they were on holidays, we took a break to the US, we got back, got the house arranged and now I’m back to work. Like I’ve always said, it’s not about the money. It’s about a passion for my work. It’s about getting my timing right so I can do what I need to do now while the kids are not in school and all of that and still be on track. For instance, I initially told my husband to let me do this film before going for the vacation. But on the other hand, I chose to go for the vacation, take care of the kids and then get back to work because that works well for me. What has kept the Mercy Johnson brand going all these years? Grace and God. What has marriage changed about you? Everything good. People have accused you of not being selective when it comes to taking scripts. How true are they? That is not true. People are different. What appeals to me will not appeal to someone else. One of my very popular films is Dumebi the School Girl. I know how many artistes rejected that script before I accepted to do it but it turned out to be one of the highest selling films in Nollywood in recent time because I know even two-year-olds see me and call me that. So I think it is not fair to say I don’t select my scripts or I just jump at any

script that is thrown at me. I have turned some scripts down. That is the strength in humans; our diversity, our differences. What is trash to you might not be trash to me. I do select my scripts, it’s just that I work with all of my heart. How do you juggle home and your career and still maintain your looks keeping in mind that you had three children in quick succession? That was a hit though. I keep telling OD (husband) that it was a hit; that is why we have to take time before the fourth one. I think what has taken me this far is basing my decisions on a scale of preference. I love what I do, I adore my husband. I adore my kids. So every time I have to make a decision, I have to think about which is more important and I start from there. I understand that the home front is more important. So I manage the home front and then create time to do what I love to do. I think that has helped me get this far. The balancing has helped me so much. How soon should we expect the fourth one? Coming soon. How do you cope with the things people say about you in the media? I keep telling people that when you haven’t gone through life or when you don’t have a bearing in life, that’s when you see other people’s decisions as unreasonable. Most of the people who make these statements about me have not even decided what they want to do with their lives yet. As at eight years ago, I had decided; right from when I was growing up, I arranged my life the way I wanted it to be and that is why even when I was at the

Mercy Johnson

19 Nigerian showbiz stars who rose from grass to grace p.21 peak of my career and marriage came I grabbed it. When I was at the peak of my career, when it was time to give birth, I grabbed it because I know what age does to the womb and time waits for no one. It means that I can now have my four kids and still get back to shoot and come back to what I love to do. So I’m not going to put off having kids or getting married so I can focus on acting. Because the young shall always grow, you can never ever get to be number one forever. That’s why whenever it comes, you do it. The Yoruba always say it in their prayers that ‘when it’s time for a child to talk, by the grace of God, he will talk. When it’s time to go to school, he will go to school’. So that’s what I’m trying to do. I want to define my life the way my son or my daughter would be proud of me. Why did you take the script of the movie From Freetown? When I first read the script, I said to my very close friend of many years that I was not playing the role of a prostitute. She asked if I had read it. I said no, but that I won’t take it. However, when I started reading it I called her and I said I had changed my mind because it was making a headway. I liked the way it was going. Movies are made for two reasons, to entertain and to teach lessons. And the movie has all of these elements. It makes a whole lot of sense. I play the character of Kristine who lost her daughter and her fiancé. Out of frustration from the circumstances she found herself, she goes into prostitution and was comfortable in her shoes until she met someone who changed her orientation and made her understand that in life, the fact that everybody is doing the wrong thing doesn’t make it right. It might not be prostitution, but whatever it is, there is a better option for people. People say that dark skinned actresses are denied roles in Nollywood. Has this ever happened to you? It is very true but like I always say, it’s just about the grace. That’s how I see it, because I also faced that. Somebody once looked at me and said I was too dark for a role. But that is where grace comes in. God never fails.

20 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

if it’s not, it’s not. Like some people have taken digs at me and I have not responded because I know it’s just PR stunts. They made it known. Calls have come in. I’m talking like from the biggest rappers and the upcoming ones, they be like “Yo! Am not really dissing you o “and I kinda like let it slide. You know, beef really is what you more or less necessarily have to do. And that’s my stance. I don’t enjoy doing it for packaging. It’s just for the work, but if you come at me wrongly and I feel the need to respond, I will.

As one of the headline acts of the forthcoming Buckwyld & Breathless concert, what should fans expect from you? It is a concert that will definitely be different. I personally like the concept because you are going for a concert where nobody is too important and we let music take control irrespective of your status, and that, for me, is the biggest difference so far. You are a rapper, and acts at this event are going to present their performances with a live band, how do you intend to cope? I know a lot of people do not know that I played live band for three years even as a rap artiste, and again I’m a member of the Celestial Church of Christ and live band has always been the origin of the music there. Putting the concert aside, what new materials are you working on at the moment? Pretty soon, I will be dropping my album titled Lafiaji and a couple of my singles that you are familiar with will make the album and as I speak, we are still working on the album and some other projects. Why are you so fond of mentioning Lafiaji in your songs? Yes! Lafiaji is where I grew up and is equally the mixture of who I am. I have experienced a lot of culture in Lafiaji; mentioning Lafiaji in most of my work is just my own way of appreciating where I came from. Lafiaji breeds successful and influential personalities in the society. So how would you assess rap music in Nigeria at the moment? Rap music is really growing in Nigeria. I could remember back then people did not accept rap music as it is now because then you got to see Plantashun Boiz, Ruff Rugged & Raw. But right now you can mention top five artistes doing great in Nigeria and they are mostly rappers. It means Nigerian music is becoming more intelligent and accepting more intelligent lyrics. God Bless Nigeria, it can only get better. Having followed most of your performances, you tend to drop a kind of bombshell at the end of each of your performances? Yes and the reason is we need to think more than we dance; let’s always remember that the Chibok girls that were kidnapped are probably women now, we need to remember at all times and not be self-centred. Recently you set a record with one of your freestyle sessions. What motivated that? I just wanted to activate something for hip-hop. I got tired of all these rappers saying “yo mhen, yo mhen” and stuff like that even though many rappers can actually sing and make commercial

Why I ended beef with Reminisce – Vector Tha Viper

Olanrewaju David Ogunmefun, better known as Vector Tha Viper, is a seasoned lyricist and king of ‘freestyles’ in Nigeria. The proud Lafiaji boy touched on sundry issues in this interview with Lanre Odukoya. music; by commercial music in Naija, I mean dance music. It was just needed at that point according to my thoughts to do something to activate for Naija rap music so they’ll be like “what’s happening?” Last I heard, the whole traffic like back home that night tuned in to witness history to see if really this guy raps for hours. Even bloggers that didn’t want to carry it because they were forming, when we did like 1 hour and 30 minutes, they were like “he is about to do it”. So it was just pretty much to create awareness for hip-hop in Nigeria. How were you really able to go on for that long? I actually stopped because my back was starting to ache as I was standing in one position. I didn’t eat, I didn’t drink because I didn’t want it to break. It was more of sending what you want me to rap about via social media. The moment I see it, I rap about it there and it was fun, the adrenaline was beyond the hunger and the thirst. A few years back, you had a setback of sorts due to a dispute with your record label. What lessons did you pick from that? The ultimate lesson I’ve learnt is let go and let God take control. Nobody is perfect! You can never learn not to make the same mistake again because you are the one learning at the expense of what

lies at the other side of the fence. On the surface, I’ve learnt that when it’s business, it’s business and when it’s friendship, it’s friendship but both of them are not the same. What was going through your mind while it lasted as you were away from the music scene? It was a forcefully enforced break. If I didn’t take a break, I probably would have wandered away with the wave but I sat back and was like hmmmmm… ……”see mistake wey bros dey do o” because I couldn’t participate, I was a spectator and as I was observing, I was seeing loopholes, talent wise. I mean, seeing someone of forty trying to make music 22 year olds make. There is an imbalance in that spirit because that’s not you. Your experience should have grown. I saw all those things and was like “okay I know not to do this” which is why when I came back, the first thing you heard was “why you dey look me like cow head Chicago”. I understood more from the observation point what it was all about. Not us but about the people and that helped me grow mentally. After your beef with Reminisce, it seems you are done with beefs? The truth about it is at the point where we are right now, some of us are not mediocres. If it’s serious, it’s serious and

Sorry to take you back but what started it all? Let’s just say it was a huge misunderstanding from a track I did with Sauce Kid. It’s funny how we became better friends than we are with other people in the industry. We are actually like better apprentices now. We are really cool. We just grew because at some point, it was becoming more of my stuff versus his stuff and if we’re preaching unity or whatever we choose to preach, we might as well live what we preach. Boys on Lagos Island started being grumpy, guys in Ojota, Ogudu became grumpy, and so we needed to end it before it got out of hand. Is that why you guys featured on the same track afterwards? No! That’s not why we did a track together. We met and I’m guessing whatever forces that caused the beef reversed, so when we met, it was a situation of “Hi, but you are a real guy sha, let’s keep it 100”. Because none of us did it for hype, so we discovered that we were not the hype guys. We knew that it was a real deal and we didn’t want it to get out of hand like we are cool but a lot of people aren’t. Is marriage anywhere close to priority on your mind? Vector will settle down when he feels the right feeling to settle down but it’s not just now as we speak. Marriage is a big thing o! But you have the money and the name, women jump on you practically, what then is the delay? Yes! Girls are crazy but then again, my heart is my heart. I’m a human being. It must be beyond the success financially, fame, and I dare say I’ve seen that Nigeria has good women. Speaking of good women, how do you define a good woman? It is not our position to judge. Have a pure and clean heart and that’s all you need. A loving heart. And as Naija is right now, we should want to have a woman who is prayerful… for you. I’m just saying. It’s nice to have someone who can partner with you spiritually, sexually, mentally and everything but the spiritual part is essential because that is the only one that doesn’t need investment materially.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Nigerian showbiz stars who rose

from grass to grace Tonto Dikeh

Omotola

With every move now a reflection of their fame and fortune, these Nigerian celebrities have climbed all the way to the top. But as is often the case in life, they have not always been this rich and glamorous. Ogechi Ndubunma chronicles some Nigerian celebs whose grass to grace stories will surely inspire you. Tonto Dikeh

Mercy Johnson

Ramsey Nouah

Although she is now comfortable and quite successful, it had not always been smooth for controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh. She once found it so hard to meet even her most basic needs that she had to ask friends for assistance back in school. As is usual in such cases, this led her to being subjected to somewhat degrading chores like having to clean their rooms and help with their assignments to get their financial help. However, she got a major breakthrough when she was chosen for the 2005 edition of Next Movie Star Reality Show, eventually emerging the first runner-up. Her story since then has been one of upward trajectory so much so that there is hardly anywhere you will go in Nigeria today where Tonto, also known as Poko Lee, doesn’t have teeming fans.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

PSquare

Banky W

Brand her the queen of Nollywood today and you would not be far from the truth. The phenomenal actress, now known all over Africa, has a story that inspires in many ways but that was not the case many years ago. The death of her father made things very hard for her and her younger ones and it was so bad she once went begging with her mother in a neighbour’s house. So bad was the situation that a good meal was a luxury for her household. Given this circumstance plus her stunning looks and curvaceous physique, people thought she would end up as a prostitute. Truth be said, it might have played a part in her getting married early at 18 but she sure proved them wrong and stands tall today as an accomplished actress, wife and mother.

Mercy Johnson

Timaya

Don Jazzy

Mother of three, Mercy Johnson had a hectic time growing up as she had to serve as a housemaid to make ends meet at a point. She even claimed that her family once slept in an uncompleted building with lizards, and while people laid in the comfort of their rooms when it rained, they had to find ways to survive. Today, she is one of the most sought-after actresses in Nigeria and surely one of the most successful as well.

Ramsey Nouah

9ice

Terry G

If you think it has been rosy all the way for the handsome Ramsey Nouah, you have to think again. The story of the top Nollywood actor is rather fascinating because having come from a somewhat comfortable background, he stumbled on hard times and claims he once slept under the bridge in Lagos with no money or even a roof over his head. Today, he is one of Nigeria’s most recognised actors with a long list of awards and a comfortable life to go with it.

PSquare

Halima Abubakar

IK Ogbonna

The Okoye twins are multimillionaires today, with comfortable families, imposing buildings and latest automobiles to call their own but not even the two of them have forgotten that things were very rough up till a little over a decade ago. Things were so bad they once lived with

six siblings in a one-room apartment along with a daily budget of less than N100. At the time, Paul had to eke out a living by working as an electrician while Peter worked as a supermarket attendant. Their hit tracks, “Story Story” and “E no easy” reveal some of the struggles they had to face while working their way to the top. All that has changed and they can afford to fly around the world, performing and making money effortlessly.

Timaya

For a young man who made it known that he used to hawk plantain before he got a chance as a back-up singer for Eedris Abdulkareem, Timaya has come a long way. Like any successful person, he was cheated, harassed and taken advantage of but is finally in a good place. With a number of albums to his name, a catalogue of awards and at least two homes in the same Port Harcourt where he worked hard to make a name, Timaya is a multiple brand ambassador and established act in Nigeria’s blossoming music industry.

Banky W

He is today the boss at Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), the label Wizkid, Skales and others have called home at one time or the other, but this handsome singer had not always been on easy street. Long before he hit fame or fortune, Banky had to work in fast food outlets, clothing stores and others just to get money for a recording session. But the best part about success is you can’t know what a person has been through by merely looking at them; that is fitting for Olubankole Wellington.

Don Jazzy

He is widely regarded as one of the pillars of the music branch of Nigerian entertainment industry but long before he appeared on the scene, Don Jazzy worked as a security guard at McDonalds along with doing a few other petty jobs to make ends meet. Today, the man born Micheal Ajereh Collins remains arguably Nigeria’s most notable producer having produced songs for Wande Coal, D’prince, Tiwa Savage, D’banj, Dr Sid, Ikechukwu and many others. Aside this, he is the boss at Supreme Mavin Dynasty and a brand ambassador for MTN. He also controls discussions regarding partnership, performing deals and overall careers of the Mavin 2.0 acts made up of Korede Bello, Reekado Banks and D’ija.

9ice

Alexander Abolore Ajifolajifaola, better known as 9ice, once made it known that he diverted the money earmarked for the purchase of his JAMB form to record his first single. That tells you, perhaps more than anything else, the financial state of his family. Luck smiled on him as he got appreciable recognition for the effort and the monster hit, “Gongo Aso” took him to heights he could only have dreamt of at that point. Although he is no longer where he used to be regarding his rating, he is still a force in Nigerian music.

Terry G

Known for his steely look and unpredictable ways, Gabriel Oche Amanyi was a regular guy at the Fagba area of Lagos. Along with performing with former Plantashun Boiz member, Faze, as a backup singer, Terry G made no headway with the R ‘n’ B songs he started with before deciding to go with the flow. That changed his story as he now boasts of investments like a bakery and buildings in Fagba as well as choice automobiles. Now, he is widely known as ‘His Royal Madness’ and you can’t argue that the “madness” has not favoured him in any way.

Halima Abubakar

Born into wealth, Halima was forced into poverty when her father lost his entire savings with the liquidation of Savannah Bank, a financial institution owned by former Anambra State governor, Jim Nwobodo. She has made the most of her life, becoming a popular actress and entrepreneur although without stinging criticisms due to her raunchy ways and manners.

Joseph Benjamin

Today a notable actor, model and MTN Project Fame presenter, Joseph Benjamin once worked as a security guard, a waiter, bus conductor and shoes seller before venturing into acting. He found it hard fending for himself in school and also had to clean rooms just to get enough money to get by. Today, none of that would matter as he continues growing while smiling to the bank.

IK Ogbonna

He is the husband of a dashing woman, a father and rising actor today but IK Ogbonna was not spared from experiencing poverty directly. He decided to move to Lagos on his own to make his dreams come true and had to endure sleeping on the streets and in cars. Today, he is a successful model, actor and ladies’ man.

Yul Edochie

Even being the son of Nollywood legend, Pete Edochie, did not insulate Yul from facing poverty and hardship especially when he first moved to Lagos. Starting with insignificant roles like almost everyone, he squatted with Nonso Diobi and was almost always broke. Today, Yul is in-demand and remains very proud that he has made it thus far on his own. Added to this is, is the fact that he and Nonso are now neighbours in Lekki.

Harrysong

Also known as Mr Songz, he faced hardship, slept under the bridge and had to beg to even perform at shows in the beginning. Not one to give up, the release of his tribute song upon the death of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, changed his fortunes. Now with 5 Star Music, the label headed by Kcee, Harrison Tare Okiri’s modest means and manners continue to reflect his very humble beginnings. With these, he seems to say everyone can make it no matter where they are coming from.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Social Media Craze TravelTourism

27 august 2016

Trending

Gist

Photos Controversies

with Adedayo Odulaja

9ice and Ruggedman unite with collabo after 5-year rift

little over a decade ago, a song titled “Rugged Baba” was released and it shook the industry. Then, Ruggedman, who had caught the attention of the industry with a number of singles including “Ehen” featuring now late Nomoreloss and the followup, “Peace of War” was looking at establishing himself fully. In the process, he introduced 9ice to the world after the latter had been underground and released a couple of songs himself including one featuring rapper, 2shotz. But a few years down the line, with 9ice at the peak of his career, the two friends would part following a misunderstanding caused by a song released by 9ice titled “Once Beaten Twice Shy.” With rumours of infidelity frailing at the wife of the singer, the song added vent to it and the name of Ruggedman, who had introduced 9ice to his then wife, Toni Payne, was widely mentioned. It was such a messy affair that eventually crashed 9ice and Toni Payne’s union while both 9ice and Ruggedman released songs respectively titled “Talk I am Listening”

Chioma

and “A Word Is Enough For The 9ice,” dissing each other as time went on. It is 2016 and without warning, the former ad-

versaries have a new song together, once more initiated by Ruggedman which shows they have put the past behind them six years after the rift that no one thought would end in many years. Although this did not come without 9ice finally making it clear to everyone that Ruggedman had nothing to do with his issues with his former wife and mother of his son, Zion. In the process, the 'Gongo Aso' singer also clarified that his former wife never cheated on him. With both stars not even close to commanding the attention they used to garner with ease despite many efforts, many are open to the new song titled “Religion”.

xxx

Nollywood producer, Chioma Okoye, says her life is in danger

mong the top trending stories of this week is that regarding a Nollywood producer named Chioma Okoye. Her name might not ring a bell as such but the woman was forced to speak out after a deal about a new TV series she produced about two years ago went awry. Okoye said she was beaten, unlawfully detained and threatened over the series titled 'Lagos Men' but which is based on a true life story. The producer’s account was corroborated by her lawyer, who said an agreement was reached between the woman, on whose life the story is based and Okoye before production began on the series back in 2014. However, in the period spanning two years, the affected lady, having had a change of heart about making her story public, wants everything relating to further broadcast of the already released series to stop. Focusing on marital vows, secrets, scandals and more, 'Lagos Men' aim to help give the woman a voice and also to show what happens in the society with the hope of changing it, according to the producer. Things went further south around two weeks ago, specifically on August 12 as Chioma alleged that her home was invad-

ed by thugs allegedly acting on behalf of the woman on whom the series was based. She stated further that the woman got men of the Nigeria Police Force involved so as to force Chioma to take down the series and stop further viewing. “It must be clearly established that the film did not contravene any known law, statute, rules of motion pictures, injurious to reputation, slanderous or libelous. Rather it’s a story created to bring to life people’s rough tides, calculated at superb imagination engagement and to promote good societal values. We have taken steps to protect our client and we shall further seek redress in the court of law on her behalf. They should not conceive that the stupid chance they had on our client that fateful morning, their intimidation, coercion, and threat might deprive her of her rights and all this success, newly appreciated and newly illumined by her fans and the general public,” her lawyer said. Said to have been offered N3million for her efforts and to forget everything about the movie, Okoye is crying out for help so that more harm does not come her way. The common question on social media was: Who is Chioma Okoye? But you can be sure this is not the last you will hear of this matter.

Ruggedman and 9ice

Singer, Chuddy K, welcomes baby girl

Chuddy K

igerian singer, Chuddy K, has announced the birth of his baby two months shy of his first wedding anniversary. The singer, whose real name is Chukwudi Ken Agali, welcomed the baby girl with his wife, Rachael, this week and as expected, he is very elated. The “Go Down” singer shared the news on his Instagram account with the caption: ‘Latest dad in town. My princess is here…thank you Jesus.’ The Delta State indigene, who grew up in popular Lagos suburb, Ajegunle, got married to his then longtime girlfriend in October 2015. The wedding took place at the Ikoyi Registry in Lagos on October 9, 2015, with a few friends and family members in attendance. Chuddy K, who said he started singing when he was 12 years old and appreciating the likes of Daddy Showkey and Daddy Fresh who started their careers around him as a kid in the same ghetto, has not done badly in his music career so far.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

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27 AUGUST 2016

Young Telegraph with DEBORAH OCHENI

Not the designer

TOPIC

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Who is to blame for indecent dressing: the designer or the wearer?

I blame the designers

I am a fashion designer and from my little experience, what makes a good designer is ability to satisfy the demands of clients. If anyone chooses to dress indecently, the blame should be on the person wearing indecent outfits because designers are only working based on clients' demands.

I blame those designing such attires but then I can’t blame them only because those that are wearing them have lost their sense of decency. ISAH JOSEPHINE

MARYANN AHMODU

The designer Designers are only doing their job

I don’t blame those wearing them because fashion is all about individual concept, you wear what suits you and the designers are only doing their jobs.

I blame the designers because there is no way you will wear what you don’t know. Indecent wears are designed by them and those who like them are wearing them regardless of our society. Indecent dressing is morally wrong in Africa.

ILEIGO PAUL

KING MARIO

None

Fashion is adventurous, so whatever one chooses to wear is fashionable I don’t blame those that design them neither do I blame those that are wearing them. It’s a personal style to those wearing them and the designers are only doing their job.

I am not trying to say I am a saint but I blame those who are wearing them because one should be able to know what suits his or her style rather than wearing whatever designers offer.

JESSICA EDOGBANYA

MAWEDO SULEIMAN

Those wearing them

Designers sometimes

I blame designers because most times you will tell them this is what you want and some of them will say that is old fashion. They will assure you that they will design what is in vogue for you and most of the times they end up designing something indecent and you will be left with no choice.

The wearer

I blame those wearing them because it is not everything you see on dummy that you wear, it simply shows you are not discipline in making choices. LAWAL NASFAT

REUBEN EDOS

I blame both

I don’t blame anybody

NEFSY ABDUL

ADEPEKO KEHINDE

I blame both the designer and the person wearing them. Designers should be able to counsel clients on what they should wear.

I don’t have any reason to blame anybody for dressing indecently since they are not blaming me for dressing decently. It’s a question of choice.

Special Feature

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

isiting the sight of the dyeing pits in Kano would seem taking a voyage into the past, peeling the layers of over five centuries of history through the occupation of dyeing fabrics, which then attracted people from far and near. The dyeing pits are said to be over 500 years old, dating back to 1498. “Marina”, as they are traditionally called, is situated at Kofar Mata, which is one of the city’s ancient gates through which one ventures into the city insulated by traditional walls that surround it. The pits are about five feet deep and two feet wide, looking like condensed water wells, which are scattered around a large cemented area. Rabiu is over 80 years old. He is a veteran in the occupation of dyeing fabrics. He has been in the enterprise for about 60 years. The dyeing process, according to him, is a generational occupation. He, for instance, inherited the skills of the craft from his parents. He said, in his early days, he sat close to his father; enthusiastically observing him inserted the fabrics into the pits. Usually, the clothes are soaked in the pits for about six hours, after which they are removed and spread out to dry. The dried fabrics are then taken to men who pound them with a smooth wooden baton. This process is which gives the fabrics their peculiar vibrant shine. The ingredients that are used are “traditional”. They include toka ash (Katsi), that is, potassium and baba, which is a foamy substance that emits from indigo leaves when they are boiled. The process of dyeing is systematic. First, water is poured into the pit, and then ash follows, accompanied by indigo, which is extracted from leaves of a healthy grown plant. The venture till this day has not changed radically. And the dye men have, somehow, been able to successfully preserve a civilisation that is as old as the ancient city itself. The fabrics dyed come in various design- from kaftans to the elaborate babanriga which is a three-piece garment worn by men across the Southern Sudan. Also, there are the turbans worn by the emirs and their horsemen as well as those worn by the tribes called the Tuareg. It was gathered that the Barebaris from Borno constantly patronised the pits in those periods, especially their women who have a penchant for dark colours like brown, blue and maroon. According to Adamu, also known as ‘Sarkin Kofa’, the pits used to have a kind of impression that made people from most parts of northern Nigeria and the Southern Sudan congregate. Then, the Kofar Mata dyeing pit was a market place of school and aesthetics. In terms of economic benefits, he recalled that about 40 years ago, he would take about a thousand fabrics of various designs to Borno and within about a month, would have sold all of them. At present, it takes months before he and others in the business can sell half of that because of the aggressive competitions posed by modern textile industries. Adamu said that most of them are on the margins of existence, simply loafing at the periphery of life. He also revealed that the conditions of the dyers defy cause for serious concern because most of them are in their 70s. No precautions are necessarily taken apart from rubber gloves the men wear. The enterprise, however, is a predominantly male venture though. “Sarkin Kofa”, the head of the dye pits, is over 80 years old. He said he was introduced to the craft when he was very young. At that time, he said, he was allowed only to dye hats, not complicated fabrics. He has now had 75 years’ experience in the venture. And though his energy dissipates by the day, he still continues to dye fabrics, because dyeing to him is a life experience.

Dyeing pitters displaying their wares

500 YEARS OF KANO DYE PITS

GRADUAL DEATH OF A HERITAGE Time was, when the ancient city of Kano known for its dyeing fabrics, used to be the hub of creative craftsmanship. But, not anymore! The over 500 years of dye pits, according to MUHAMMAD KABIR, in this report has been left to rot

Mallam Mamudu Abubakar is among the great-grandchildren of the inventors of Kofar Mata dye pits. He is 60-year-old, and has spent over 50 years in the business of dyeing. Abubakar was born in Kofar Mata quarters, so also his father and grandfather. He described the business of dyeing as quite lucrative in the heydays unlike now when modernisation has taken over almost everything, including the dyeing business. He confirmed that Kofar Mata dye pits were tourists attraction site and that students, researchers, tourists and journalists from across the world visited the site in time past. “Foreign tourists used to come to buy their materials here and learn how the dyeing is done in those days,” he told Saturday Telegraph.

The pits used to have a kind of impression that made people congregate

Others who visited the dye pits were businessmen and women from Mali, Niger and Maiduguri in Nigeria, who brought their fabrics, such as babanriga and rawani. Abubakar explained that they do not just dye fabrics and keep them, but rather they make it for those in the business of selling traditional attires. He explained how they put in efforts and materials into the dye pit and all other needed items for them to do a good job. He said they made sure that each pit contained between 2,000 and 2,500 litres of water and mixed with ashes made from firewood of about 50 kilogrammes. This is followed by what they termed baba (pieces of wood), which they normal sourced from villages, to produce the required deep blue colour.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Interview Oduduru: I want to rule the world like Bolt p.27

Sport Splash

25 Global Football Liverpool look to Mane man at Tottenham p.28

Pinnick on the cross •Many sins of NFF as stakeholders knock board

Ajibade Olusesan

t is safe to infer that all indices of growth are virtually absent since Amaju Pinnick took over as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation. Aside from the fact that Nigeria claimed a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics Games and success at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, it has been gloomy for football in the country in the last two years. The board came into power in a controversial election held in 2014 and it is believed to have courted more troubles than most administrations before it. Some pundits have claimed that maladministration, incompetence, divisive comments, myopic decisions and irritating arrogance have marked the activities of the Pinnick’s reign which has seen Nigerian football taken a dip into abyss. The NFF under Pinnick has had issues with virtually all strata of Nigerian football; players, coaches, sports politicians, ministry of sports; even corporate Nigeria has had to deal with the federation’s incompetence at different times. “There simply hasn’t been anything well thoughtout from the NFF and every decision has been a mishit for Nigerian football. From appointing three managers to selecting three different match venues for one qualifying engagement, each decision has set Nigeria on a path of fall,” ex-international and social commentator, Emeka Ezeugo said.

where agreements were reached on how the new board would accommodate ‘other people’ including Giwa’s group. But Pinnick allegedly never implemented the agreement which forced Giwa to return from the trenches and Nigerian football has not known peace since then.

Stephen Keshi’s sacking

Pinnick’s board inherited strained relations between the then Super Eagles coach, late Stephen Keshi, and the previous board but instead of the

new administration to mend fences with the manager in the interest of the national team, it aggravated the situation. In a show of power, Pinnick’s board announced the sacking of Keshi shortly after an AFCON 2015 qualifying match and named late Amodu Shaibu in interim capacity. Athough Keshi activated his influence in the corridors of power to force the federation to reverse the decision, the soccer house never backed down on its campaign to get rid of the coach at all cost. The opportunity eventually came when Keshi naively fell into a trap CONTINUE ON PAGE 31

Poor handling of Chris Giwa’s tussle

The process of electing successor to Aminu Maigari’s board was fraught with crisis and controversies and Pinnick’s eventual emergence further deepened the polarisation in the Nigerian football fraternity. However, rather than reaching out to the opposition with a view to resolving all crisis, Pinnick decided to play politics of winner takes all. His bitter rival has been club proprietor Chris Giwa who was ‘the winner’ of August 27, 2014 NFF election at Chida Hotel in Abuja. The purported polls where Giwa claimed to have defeated the then NFF Vice President Mike Umeh were declared nulled and void because only 29 of 44 members of the Congress cast their votes. Pinnick won the subsequent election held in Warri, Delta State, and stakeholders had expected the new NFF boss to reach out to aggrieved parties including Giwa but reverse was the case. Giwa was ready for a showdown after the Warri elections but the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, was able to mastermind a peace parley

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

Pinnick Moses Simon

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

IfeanyiUbah, Wikki in title battle

n-form IfeanyiUbah will this weekend welcome leaders Wikki Tourists to Nnewi, as the race for the Nigeria Professional Football League title reaches fever pitch. IfeanyiUbah have been the team to beat in the league recently and won away from home in their last game against Warri Wolves.

Wikki, currently topping the table, will however strive to get the victory to maintain their position at the top of the table. Rangers of Enugu’s quest to win a league trophy after 32 years will take them to Lafia where they will take on Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes are two points behind Wikki Tourists and a loss in that game

and a victory for Rivers United, who will be hosting Plateau United in Port Harcourt on same day, will push them to third position. Rivers United have not lost at home this season and will hope for another three points this weekend. Victory is not negotiable for Shooting Stars as they welcome Kano Pillars to Ibadan in continuation of the battleto move

away from relegation zone. Other matches for the weekend will see Sunshine Stars playing at home against Heartland as Abia Warriors take on MFM in Lagos. Enyimba and Akwa United will slug it out in Port Harcourt as Tornadoes play host to Lobi Stars while Ikorodu United battle El-Kanemi Warriors.

MATCHDAY 33 Ikorodu Utd vs El-Kanemi Sunshine vs Heartland Shooting vs Kano Pillars Rivers Utd vs Plateau Utd Nasarawa Utd vs Rangers IfeanyiUbah vs Wikki MFM vs Abia Warriors Enyimba vs Akwa Utd Tornadoes vs Lobi

Wikki Tourists Nura Mohammed (right) vying for the ball with Heartland’s Ogbugh in a recent league game

NPFL LEAGUE TABLE Team

PTS

1 Rangers

2 Rangers

3 Rivers Utd

4 IfeanyiUbah

5 Lobi Stars

6 Sunshine

7 Akwa Utd

8 Nasarawa Utd

9 Kano Pillars

10 Enyimba

11 Plateau Utd

12 El-Kanemi

-4

13 Shooting

-9

14 Tornadoes

-3

15 Heartland

-4

16 Abia Warriors

-7

17 Warri Wolves

-7

18 MFM FC

-2

19 Ikorodu Utd

-26

20 Giwa FC

-18

Enyimba job beyond Aigbogun L eague Rendezvous can authoritatively reveal that the coach of Nigeria Professional Football League’s defending champions, Enyimba, Paul Aigbogun, has not really been in charge of the team. The team has been finding it difficult to achieve results in recent time and

was eliminated from the CAF Champions League after gaining three points from possible 12. A source in Abia State, the home state of the People’s Elephant, revealed to our correspondent that some top officials in the state had been dictating to the coach on who to start and those to

Management not sincere with us, say Wolves’players

ith few days to the end of the season, players of Warri Wolves have decided to go on strike to press for the payment of their backlog of salaries. The players during the week told the management that they would not play again until their five months’ salaries and five match bonuses were paid. “We are not ready to play any match again until they pay us,” one of the players who spoke on condition of anonymity said. “Although we are not having any game this weekend, but for the rescheduled game against Enyimba on Wednesday, we are not ready to play. “They have to settle all the outstanding debts before we can play again because if we agree to play now, what will happen to us especially with a few matches to the end of the season. We cannot continue to play when we are hungry.” Another player added that there was rumour that the government had release funds but nothing had been reveal to the players. He said: “We heard on good authority that

the Delta State government and Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission on different occasions released funds to the management but we are not getting anything. “All what we have been hearing is that the money released was used to prosecute matches while the players are suffering. “Some of us played for Warri Wolves last season and were able to take the club to the Champions League after finishing second, we are yet to get all the money promised us, so we cannot afford to tow the same line this season.” However, the General Manager of the club, Moses Etu, said everything was under control as they continue to appeal to the government to release funds to the team. Etu debunked insinuations that the players had not been training while adding that the management is trying its best to find a lasting solution to the situation. The club currently 17th on the league table and in the relegation zone last weekend lost at home to IfeanyiUbah and will have their work cut out as they fight to escape relegation.

Stanley Dimgba

be on the bench for each game. “Why is it that some of the top coaches cannot stay long at Enyimba?” our source asked. “The truth is there are some people in government dictating what happens in Enyimba and it will be difficult for a coach to succeed in that situation. “It is a difficult job for the coach and even the chairman Felix Anyansi, and that was why he wanted to call it quits with the club after winning the league last season. “Imagine the coach benching a fully fit Mfon Udoh for Ifeanyi Onuigbo, people should read the handwriting on the wall. I just hope the coach can call their bluff and take the club back to the continent for next year.” Udoh, who accounted for much of the goals scored by the club during the preliminary rounds of the Champions League was used sparingly in their group stage matches before starting the inconsequential game against Mamelodi Sundowns in Port Harcourt during the week where he bagged a brace as Enyimba won their first match in a 3-1 victory against Sundowns. The NPFL record goalscorer with 23 goals in a season remains the top scorer of the champions’ league with nine goals. League Rendezvous also scooped that the coach might be leaving the club at the end of the season due to his inability to have a free hand in handling the club.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Adekunle Salami eople have aspirations in all spheres of life for different reasons. Some are aspirations that could sound strange to many while many others are the usual expectations to get ahead in life. For national athlete, Divine Oduduru, his ambition is to be like the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt. The sprinter picked Bolt as his role model since his days as a junior athlete, and after joining the senior cadre, he still nurses the dream of racing against the Jamaican. He said: “I can watch Usain Bolt’s races from morning till night. It looks like magic. He starts slowly and finishes strong. Not many have such quality especially in the 100m. The usual notion is that if you are beaten from the blocs, forget it. Bolt has defied that logic because he is usually not the first from the start. “He is an amazing talent who should be an inspiration to every serious athlete. I wonder how people feel when Bolt races past them. I so must love the way he finishes but more importantly, his personality is also wonderful.” The ambition of Oduduru became real at the just concluded Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. He was pitched against Bolt in the 200m event. It was more than realisation of a dream for him and he entered the race to make it count. At the end of the quarterfinal race, Oduduru came second behind Bolt. The young and promising athlete was elated that he beat other experienced athletes to emerge second behind Bolt. He was also glad to have raced against his sports idol. Interestingly, he was fast enough to set a personal best of 21.32secs in the 200m event. “I look up to Bolt on the tracks. When the race was about to start, I made up my mind to run as fast as possible without looking at him or anybody. “My determination worked well for me because I recorded my PB in the 200m. I did not set out to achieve that but I am fulfilled I did well in my first race against him. If that is the only time we will run together, I am okay because I have been praying to run against him and I know he might retire anytime soon. I am still growing and I will develop from there,” he said. Oduduru is so passionate about Bolt so much so that he listens to his quotes shortly before crucial races to inspire himself. He does this in the same way some athletes listen to their favourite music tracks before an event. “When you see me with my audio device before a race, I am not listening to music in most cases; I listen to inspirational quotes from great athletics legend. It has worked for me many times,” he said. The athlete is not however disappointed that he was unable to qualify for final in the 100m and 200m events in Rio; rather, he takes positives from the big spectacle. He believes many Olympics Games still lie ahead of him and the responsibility is on him to be determined to achieve greatness in athletics. The former African champion said: “Focus is very key. I am focused and

Oduduru(left) competing alongside Bolt in Rio 2016 INSET: with the Jamaican after a race

Oduduru: I want to rule the world like Bolt as I speak, I also have a mental picture of what I want to achieve. To achieve my dreams could be difficult; I am determined to go all the way though. “I am not looking at continental exploits but global. I want to rule the world just as my idol is doing right now. This is not impossible because some years back nobody knew Bolt and Jamaica. They were just ordinary but now, Bolt is the best sprinter in Olympics history and Jamaica is the same as a country. “Nigeria has the potential to raise top six fastest sprinters in the world but there is need for government to deliberately help us or help us through sponsors. There are raw talents in the country who can be superstars in the nearest future. “My dream is to rule the world one day and I am optimistic it will happen. If Jamaica can take over from the USA to become the super power in sprints, I honestly believe Nigeria can do the same especially if there are conscious efforts to expose those of us still coming up.” After the race with

Oduduru

I am not looking at national and continental records. I am aiming for the sky. I want to have PB that could be good enough for any global event anytime

Bolt in Rio, Oduduru went on to embrace the Jamaican and this went viral on the Internet but the Nigerian athlete is not bothered. “I saw a lot of things posted on social media about the way I went to embrace him, I am not bothered. If we race together again, no matter my position, I will do the same because this is somebody I appreciate his talent and I am trying in my own way to develop like him. “There is no regret over it because I was the next to him and I am not the first to do so. I simply can’t understand why people made issues out of that. It’s simply spirit of sportsmanship,” he noted. On his immediate target, the athlete said he wanted a better timing as his personal best in both the 100 and 200m events. He noted that the PB of somebody with his kind of dream should be of global standard. He vowed to work so hard to develop himself also in line with global standards. “I am not looking at national and continental records. I am aiming for the sky. I want to have PB that could be good enough for any global event anytime. I don’t want to be an athlete struggling to qualify for an event by meeting the standard in the 11th hour. “In athletics, it is work in progress all the time. On and off the season, we are working. There is no holiday for any athlete that is serious because even when you are not running, there are other things you have to be doing to keep fit,” the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games medallist said. Oduduru argued that as a first timer at the Olympic Games, he did well at Rio 2016 even though he did not win a medal. “At the Olympics, medal winning in sprints is a tough call. This time, I gained so much by participating. As I said earlier, I want to develop myself and be among the best in the world. Rio was an eye opener, I will certainly get better,” he stressed.

Bale

uch is the impact Sadio Mane has made on Liverpool that the 24-year-old is an automatic pick to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday while experienced international team mates scrap it out to play alongside him. With the 24-year-old Senegalese on the right flank, Liverpool look a potent attacking force but without him they offer a much paler threat and were uninspiring in his absence in last week's 2-0 defeat at promoted Burnley. That result doused the optimism flowing from their opening 4-3 win at Arsenal in which the 30 million-pound signing from Southampton produced an early contender for goal of the season. Juergen Klopp's side return to north London on Saturday after the fit-again Mane inspired their 5-0 League Cup win over Burton Albion on Tuesday. One particular moment of sorcery, when he jinked past a bewildered full back to set up Divock Origi's opener, showed why he is inked into the teamsheet. The last Liverpool signing to make anything like that immediate impact was Luis Suarez, who hit the ground running, and scoring,

man at Tottenham S

Mane

SERIE A No Clubs 1 Roma 2 Genoa 3 Chievo 4 Lazio 5 AC Milan 6 Juventus 7 Bologna 7 Sampdoria 7 Sassuolo 10 Pescara 10 SSC Napoli 12 Atalanta 13 Torino 14 Fiorentina 15 Crotone 15 Empoli 15 Palermo 18 Cagliari 19 Inter

P 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

P 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Pts 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pts 6 6 6 6 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

Premier league No Clubs 1 Man City 2 ManUnited 3 Hull City 4 Chelsea 5 Everton 5 M’brough 7 Tottenham 8 Burnley 9 WBA 9 West Ham 11 Liverpool 12 Swansea 13 Arsenal 14 Watford 15 Leicester 16 S’hampton 17 Stoke City 18 Sunderland 19 C’ Palace 20 B’mouth

TABLES

nents. The 27-year-old Welshman opened the scoring right at the second minute of the game with a close range header from a brilliant cross by defender Dani Carvajal. Loan returnee Marco Asensio then doubled the lead five minutes before the halftime break to ensure Real's control in the match. Bale scored his second goal of the night right at the stroke of full time to complete the hosts' three-goal haul in their season-opener. Meanwhile, Europa League qualifiers Celta Vigo was surprised by newly-promoted side CD Leganes, 0-1, at their own home turf of Estadio Municipal de Balaídos on Monday to drop their first game this season, via Super Sport.

Liverpool look to

erennial powerhouse squad Real Madrid will look for their second win in as many games to open their 2016-2017 La Liga season campaign as they face struggling squad Celta de Vigo at their home ground of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Saturday. Real Madrid, last season's runner-up team to FC Barcelona but winners of the 2015-2016 UEFA Champions League tournament, crushed Real Sociedad, 3-0, in their seasonopener at the Anoeta Stadium last Sunday. Head coach Zinedine Zidane's squad is still without superstar forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema during the match as both are still recovering from their respective injuries, but the great play of Gareth Bale was enough for Los Blancos to dominate against their oppo-

Real trouble for Celta Vigo

SUNDAY Inter v Palermo 6:00pm Cagliari v Roma 8:45pm Crotonev Genoa 8:45pm Fiorentina v Chievo 8:45pm Sampford v Atalanta 8:45pm Sassoon v Pescara 8:45pm Torino v Bologna 8:45pm

Lazio v Juventus 6:15pm Napoli v Milan 8:45pm

SIRIE A Saturday

FIXTURES

SUNDAY Las Palmar v Granada 6:15pm Alaves v Gijón 6:15pm Bilbao v Barcelona 8:15pm Villarreal v Sevilla 10:15pm

Osasuna v Sociedad 6:15pm Eibar v Valencia 6:15pm Real v Celta de Vigo 8:15pm Atlético v Leganese 10:15pm

LA LIGA Saturday

FIXTURES

SUNDAY West Brom v Mid'brough1:30pm Man City v West Ham 4:00pm

Tottenham v Liverpool 12:30 pm Chelsea v Burnley 3:00pm C/Palace v Bournemouth 3:00pm Everton v Stoke 3:00pm Leicester v Swansea 3:00pm Southampton v Sunderland 3:00pm Watford v Arsenal 3:00pm Hull v Man Utd 5:30pm

EPL Saturday

FIXTURES

Sport

Ibrahimovic

Vardy

amie Vardy’s not having a party… yet. Last season’s English Premier League top scorer is yet to find the back of the net. There was always going to be a target on the backs of the Champions, but Claudio Ranieri has to be a little concerned about the lack of goals, even at this early stage. An opening 2-1 loss to newly-promoted Hull City was followed by a goalless draw at home to Arsenal. The sale of N’Golo Kante, who provided the service to the front strikers, seems a missing piece and an injury to Kante's replacement, Nampalys Mendy, has also curtailed their attack. This week, the Foxes face Swansea City at King Power Stadium. They haven’t lost to the Welsh side since 2014 and that trend should continue against the stuttering Swans, whose new-look defensive line is taking time to gel. Vardy and new signing Ahmed Musa should kick into gear and bag a goal or two.

Vardy takes luck to Swansea J

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 SATURDAY

27 AUGU

Ibrahimovic

Kickoff: 12:30pm

Chelsea A seek to protect perfect run

It's been a "painful" year for Roger Federer, but one he is determined to put behind him as he targets a return to the tennis court in time for January's Australian Open. Federer was last in action in July at Wimbledon because of a knee injury that also ruled him out of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Lewis Hamilton

SPORT BRIEFLY

good run of form when Burnley come to west London on Saturday. Sean Dyche's side stunned Liverpool by beating Jurgen Klopp's side 2-0 at home last weekend despite having just 19 per cent of possession - the lowest total by a winning team in the English topflight since the 2003/04 season. Despite their famous win, however, Burnley were knocked out of the League Cup by Accrington Stanley following an extra-time goal in midweek, which means Dyche's side are still without a win on the road this season. batshuiyi

and Jose Mourinho in the offseason while midfielder Ikay Gundogan moved to United's cross-city rivals, Manchester City, with former Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola at the helm. Defender Matt Hummels is also gone in a move to Bayern while Jakub Blaszczykowski transferred to VfL Wolfsburg as well. Coach Tuchel acquired World Cup-winning scorer Mario Götze, though, from the Bavarians as well as Barça defender Marc Bartra to reinforce his squad this season. Wolfsburg winger Andre Schürrle is also in, which would compensate for the Mkhitaryan's departure. Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to be the squad's focal point on offense, though, with Marco Reus and Shinji Kagawa in his sides.

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will take a grid penalty for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix after his Mercedes team replaced engine parts. “As far as I am aware we will be taking the penalty this weekend,” Hamilton said. “Naturally, we already discussed engine penalties before, that will come into play but I will do everything I can to minimise the impact they have.

ntonio Conte's Chelsea side are one of just four Premier League teams to still boast of a 100 per cent record in the top-flight this term, with the Italian having overseen late wins against West Ham and Watford within the last week. To add, the Blues secured their place in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday with a 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers and, after seeing a side featuring several changes come up trumps against the League One outfit, Conte will expect Chelsea to continue their

German top flight runners-up Borussia Dortmund is set to begin their 2016-2017 Bundesliga season campaign with a match against Europa League qualifiers 1. FSV Mainz 05 at their home stadium of Signal Iduna Park on Saturday, Aug. 27. Dortmund came 10 points short of four straight Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich last term as they settled for the second place position once again in Germany's first division domestic competitions. Head coach Thomas Tuchel, who is in his second season with Der BVB, will continue to lead the Borussians this term, although the club has lost several key players during the summer transfer window. Key playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan followed his dreams and joined English Premier League giants Manchester United

Dortmund open campaign with Mainz tie

Kagawa

Mane

Roger Federer

latan Ibrahimovic can match Jimmy Hanson's record of scoring in his first four competitive games if he nets for Manchester United against Hull City. The free transfer from Paris Saint-German scored against Leicester City in the Community Shield, followed by Bournemouth and Southampton in the Premier League in his first three games for his new club. Ibrahimovic is the ninth player to net in his first three games for United, and the first since Ian Storey-Moore in 1971-72, and now has a better feat in his sight. If Ibrahimovic scores against managerless Hull City on Saturday he will become the first United player since Hanson 91 years ago to score in four consecutive games. With United in the old Division Two, Hanson scored on his debut, against Hull City in November 1924, before following up with goals against Blackpool and Derby. A fourth appearance was delayed until the following season, with United having been promoted, with Hanson not deemed strong enough to deal with the physical nature of the game despite his exploits and he finally scored against Aston Villa in September, 1925.

aims to break 91-year-old Man United record Z in 2011. The Uruguayan formed a deadly partnership with Daniel Sturridge, but the English striker is no longer a guaranteed starter and Klopp must probably select one from Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Origi - all of whom scored against Burton - as Mane's partner at White Hart Lane. "Origi and Sturridge both performed, yes...and Roberto eh?," Klopp said after the Burton game. "It's my job to find the right solution the job the players have to do is be in the best shape they can be." With Philippe Coutinho certain to return, Klopp is juggling formations as well as personnel in search of the line-up to bury Liverpool's reputation as the league's most inconsistent performers, brilliant one week and maddening the next. Aguero

Argentine hasn’t looked steady at the back, and is causing headaches for fans. There's more trouble looming for Hart, as Barcelona's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo signed for City. West Ham may struggle to contain City’s attack and have already been dealt a setback to record signing Andre Ayew. The former Swansea man suffered a thigh injury in the side’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea and is expected to miss two and half months, or even up to four. Thankfully for the Londoners, they still have Euro star Dimitri Payet, and they’ll need all his nouse to break down City’s attack.

Ethiopian silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa, who did not return home after staging a protest against his government at the Rio Olympics, said on Thursday he feared for his life if he went back and vowed to keep up his fight for land rights. Lilesa attracted global attention as he crossed the finish line in the marathon on Sunday and raised his arms above his head in an "X", a sign of protest against the Ethiopian government's treatment of his people, the ethnic Oromo.

Feyisa Lilesa

anchester City are already hitting their strides and are looking to avoid an early stumble against West Ham. The Hammers caused many an upset on their way to a seventh place finish last season, that included a 2-1 victory at the Etihad. This time however, Pep Guardiola has the Citizens firing. Sergio Aguero is running rampant and Nolito looks an inspired buy. One area of concern though is arguably the most important: goalkeeper. Pep has favoured Willy Caballero ahead of England keeper Joe Hart. But the

1 0

Man City fear Hammers’ blow

20 Udinese Y TELEGRAPH

UST 2016

Lifestyle of Sportsmen

Sport

Lindegaard and wife

in Brazil which is played with a hand shuttlecock. The stark-naked games on the dedicated naturist Abrico beach in Grumari are a throwback to the ancient Greek athletes who also played in the nude to honour the gods. According to organisers of the Praia do Abrico (Abrico Beach) Olympic Games, people of all ages and all shapes and sizes are welcome.

Lindegaard splits from reality TV star wife

Olympic champion parties with busty women in London

nders Lindegaard will divorce his gorgeous reality TV wife after two years of marriage. The Preston North End goalkeeper cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ with half-Swedish, half-Albanian babe Misse Beqiri, who stars on The Real Housewives of Cheshire. The Preston goalkeeper cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ The former Manchester United keeper, 32, and Misse have a three-year-old son Julian. In as statement, the pair wrote: “Because of irreconcilable differences we have taken the difficult decision to live separate lives. “The care for our son remains the main priority to both of us. “We would kindly ask that our privacy gets respected in what is a difficult and upsetting time for all of us. “We will make no further comment on this matter.”

lympic party animal Usain Bolt is at it again as he is pictured with glamorous women at another London nightclub. And the Jamaican sprint king once more continued his celebrations with stunning girls back at his plush hotel. Bolt, 30, spent the night getting loose at the luxurious Tape Club and did not leave the swanky Mayfair hotspot until 4.30am. The deja vu snaps come just 24 hours after his night of boozing in the capital, leading to

Savannah

eBron James has gifted his stunning wife, Savannah Brinson, with an early birthday present in form of a white Fer-

rari. Savannah who turned 30 on August 27 (today) could barely contain her excitement as the car was shown to her. Photos LeBron shared via his social media show the rare white Ferrari Testarossa with a gift ribbon on top of it. "Took me a long time to find your masterpiece but I wouldn't stop until I did and now I can't wait to watch u cruise off into the sunset on the PCH. Happy Bday Queen !! #V30Noir." The Cleveland Cavaliers player also shared videos of his surprise for Savannah via his Facebook page writing, "The King's early birthday gift for his Queen"

27 AUGUST 2016

Sporty naturists take to beach in Rio to compete at Naked Olympics

hileTeam Nigeria were storming it at the Olympic Games, there had also been a rather different type of Olympics going on in Rio. A group of brave nudists were competing in Rio’s Naked Olympics every weekend, in a stripped back version of the Games. There were also extra nonOlympic sports such as the tug of war, surfing, which is due to debut at the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo, and Peteca, a traditional game

Lebron James surprises wife with Ferrari as 30th birthday gift

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

an after-party at his hotel suite with two women from South London. Bolt can be seen in good spirits entering the nightclub, wearing ripped jeans, a T-shirt, gold chains and a cap of his own clothing range, UB. As he and his party leave, the nine-time gold medal winner walks alongside a busty brunette wearing an eye-popping black dress. Bolt left alone in the early hours of Wednesday morning but two cars of about 10 girls were waiting back at his hotel when he arrived.

BOLT’S GIRLFRIEND BLASTS BRAZILIAN FLING WHO SAYS JAMAICAN’S ‘THING’ TOO SMALL

sain Bolt’s girlfriend has reacted angrily after it was revealed the sprint star cheated on her by having an all-night romp with a Brazilian make-up artist. Model Kasi Bennett, 26, compared the Olympic champ’s marathon night with Rio local Jady Duarte as being like “shopping at Primark” while she is upmarket Selfridges. The dig is the first time Kasi, who Bolt calls his “first lady”, has spoken out since mum-of-two Jady, 20, revealed details of her night of passion with the gold-medallist. Leggy Jady described how she was seduced by the world-record

runner in SECONDS when he bared his “champion” abs in a Rio nightclub following his “triple triple” Olympic victory. She even revealed that the world’s fastest man has the body of a champion although his male parts do not match. But long-term squeeze Kasi hit back by ‘liking’ a picture on Instagram that said: “When your girl is Selfridges, and you cheat on her with Primark.” She then liked a tweet directed at boyfriend Bolt which said: “You traded your life with a goddess for a one night fling with someone who will never even come close.” Stories courtesy : Dailymail

Bolt (right)

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

'Welfare of players not taken seriously' CONTINUEd from PAGE 25

set by the federation when he applied for a vacant Cote d’Ivoire national team job while still in charge of the Super Eagles. They wasted no time in dismissing him and the coach never recovered from the shock until he succumbed to an untimely death. That action set the tone for Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2017 AFCON.

Appointment of Sunday Oliseh

The NFF hurriedly appointed former Super Eagles captain Oliseh as Keshi’s successor, an expensive gamble that almost consumed the board. Obviously, Pinnick was overwhelmed by the intelligent analysis of Oliseh on TV as most Nigerians but some pundits believe as the FA president, he should know better than laymen. He handed ‘the most difficult coaching job in Africa’ to a man who had managed just a third division side in Belgium with less than a year experience under his belt. With Oliseh’s antecedents especially as regards his temperament, one would have expected the board to tread cautiously but Pinnick unilaterally took the decision to engage the coach which eventually landed Nigeria in a bigger trouble. In less than eight months in charge, Oliseh had fought with key players in his squad, the media, his colleagues and even his employers. The coach resigned in February, just a few weeks to a critical AFCON 2017 qualifying match with qualification for the Nations Cup hanging in the balance. “We have no regrets employing him because he came highly recommended like any other Nigerian and we gave him a four-year plan hoping that he will return our football to glory days,” Pinnick said about Oliseh’s shock exit.

Paul Le Guen’s gaffe

Appointing a coach is certainly not rocket science. But the NFF made mess of a rather less difficult job of engaging a manager when they exposed the country to international embarrassment with the announcement of Paul Le Guen as the substantive successor to Oliseh when it had not reached agreement with the Frenchman. The federation issued a press statement that it had contracted the Frenchman but Nigerians were shocked to hear a day later that the coach had denied that. “It was an embarrassment to our nation,” ex-international Friday Ekpo, said. “I think the NFF should have finalised negotiation with him before they came to the public, but thank God they were able to correct themselves and it is good they have finally appointed a coach.”

Back-to-back AFCON miss, Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets and CHAN debacle

Success of national teams is usually the measurement for football administrators’ achievement and the last two years are obviously some of the worst in the history of Nigerian football. For the first time, Nigeria failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations for second consecutive time. Apart from 1996 and 1998 AFCONs in which the country Oliseh did not feature due

to political reasons, the national team had never failed to make it to the tournament on two consecutive occasions but it happened under Pinnick as the Super Eagles did not go to 2015 Nations Cup and won’t be at the 2017 party. As if that was not enough, national U-20 team will not defend the title they won last year as they shockingly lost the ticket to the 2017 tournament in Zambia to Sudan. The Emmanuel Amuneke’s side had beaten the Sudanese away but they surprisingly went down to a 4-3 loss in Lagos to exit the competition. Also, Nigeria is the most successful country in the FIFA U-17 World Cup having claimed the title five times, but as defending champions, the Golden Eaglets failed to even make it to the qualifying tournament in Africa. The team lost the ticket to Niger. Keshi qualified the home-based Eagles for the 2016 CHAN tournament in Rwanda and the team under Oliseh’s charge was expected to go far having picked bronze in the previous edition but could not even make it beyond the first round. Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club Secretary-General Rev. Sam lkpea, said Pinnick’s board should have resigned in the wake of those poor results. “lf Nigerians don’t want to lament for missing out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, they must ask now for Amaju Pinnick to resign. The board has failed Nigeria. “ln any saner climes, any reasonable and sensible leader will resign. Ibrahim Galadima was not as bad as this before Pinnick and his group pushed him out, “Ikpea said.

Poor welfare of players and coaches

It is instructive to note that the failures of these national teams were not down to lack of talents but poor administrative decisions, and lack of focus on welfare of players were largely responsible. The NFF, over the years, is notorious for its poor handling of players and coaches’ welfare but Pinnick’s administration seems to have taken it to another level. Flying Eagles’ build-up to the CAF U-20 qualifier against Sudan was marred by protest by the players over unpaid allowances and match bonuses. For three days, the team did not train and even threatened to boycott the match until the NFF settled some of the debts. The team lost 4-3 in a match they were capable of recording a high-margin win. "Regardless of the mistakes from the players which made the Sudanese side to overturn the table against Nigeria at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the NFF must also share in the team's failure considering the fact that they failed to

world’s number 37 to 70th in just two years calls from sober reflection. There was a time the Super Eagles were ranked fifth in the world and the impression Pinnick and his men gave was that they could return the country to that good old days but rather we have been confronted with something worse. The Eagles were fifth in Africa when they came on board but are now outside top 10.

Marketing drive

Adepoju

keep to their financial obligation,” former Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju said. There was also outrage from the populace when news came out that the triumphant Golden Eaglets were dispatched to their various homes with just N20,000 each after claiming the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Even senior national team players many times have complained about how the federation handled their bonuses and allowances. There was a time they threatened not to come for AFCON games after they were owed two match bonuses. It is needless to even mention how badly the soccer house treats the women teams. The coaches, Keshi, Oliseh, his assistant Francoise Luscuito and even Samson Siasia have all cried out at some point before they got their salary arrears cleared by the NFF. National U-23 team won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics but their achievement gladdens the heart of Nigerians more with the way they survived adversity to reach that level. The NFF took them to Atlanta, United States, for pre-tournament preparations but the players and officials were left to suffer in their training ground with no money and equipment to train with. Just like during the qualifying tournament, the team was left with just a set of jersey for each player as they resorted to ‘wash and wear’.

Slump in FIFA’s rankings

Although FIFA’s rankings is not an adequate mechanism to gauge national team’s growth, slumping from

Keshi

One of the promises Pinnick made when he was gunning for the NFF’s seat was financial autonomy for the federation. He had boasted about how he was going to attract massive corporate investment into Nigerian football but he has largely not delivered on those promises as his organisation bleeds under acute financial shortages. The reality on ground shows that it is always easy to criticise when on the other side as the federation stills relies massively on the financial patronage of the ministry of sports despite pre-election boasting by Pinnick The way the board handled the kits deal still leaves much to be desired. The contract it signed with kits manufacturing firm Nike after the expiration of Adidas deal is one of the cheapest in the history of the federation. The company will only supply kits worth $2.7m over three years without retainer fees. Apart from how the country was shortchanged in the Nike deal, kits for the national teams have been acutely inadequate. What happened to U-23 team 2015 All Africa Games, U-17 at the World Cup in Chile and even CHAN Eagles in Rwanda where players were washing and wearing same jersey throughout those competitions were well documented. “It’s embarrassing; we don’t have training kits up till now. We wash and wear. People see the finished product but they don’t see what we go through,” U-23 team coach Siasia said during the AAG in Congo. Ezeugo said those in the NFF do not have the interest of the country at heart. “Has Pinnick and his board demonstrated any genuine interest to develop Football? He lacks the necessary prerequisites to lead Nigerian football. What do you think is the reason that he's been incapable of providing the needed leadership? Can a little boy do a grown man's job? The answer is, no. “All this board has been doing is to legitimise illegality. All we see is gloom. To name a coach is a problem and the welfare of players is not being taken care of. How do we record good results? Another ex-international Etim Esin reached Ezeugo's sentiment when he described Pinnick’s tenure as a nightmare. “Pinnick has failed and the honourable thing for him to do is to resign,” Esin told our correspondent. “I don’t think we have ever had it this bad in our football. How can we not qualify for Nations Cup two times and our U-17 and U-20 will not also play next year. What kind of tenure is this? And I think some sycophants have been deceiving him.” But former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, jumped into defence of the board. He said it was wrong to entirely blame the federation for the recent misfortune in football. He said the Pinnick’s board had not enjoyed the right support from the ministry which inevitably hindered its operation. “I think this present board is trying its best to move football forward. They usually do their best to give the various teams good preparation and I think it would have been a lot better if the government supports them too. We just have to keep supporting and pray for them because if they fail, the whole country has failed too,” he said.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 August 2016

FG can control crime with sports –Onigbinde

Ifeanyi Anyaka ormer Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has said that the Federal Government can control crime in the nation through sports. He advised that sports should be taken to all the corners of the country so as to take youths off the streets and make them useful to themselves. “Crime in this country is juvenile-oriented and if the government can get these boys off the street by organising teams and competitions, crime will be reduced,’’ he told Saturday Telegraph. “The International Sports Committee approves about 40 sports, let the sports ministry select at least 20 out of the 40, and make sure each state has a team in each of

Onigbinde

these sports. ‘’You can imagine how many children will be taken off the street; there will be fewer jobs for the police.” While reacting to the scrapping of the National Sports Commission, the FIFA instructor said nothing had changed but just the name as there was no difference between the sports commission and sports ministry. According to him, people were just trying to get personal glory; he however advised that there must be serious development of grassroots sports. Onigbinde added: “The sports ministry should be able to include youth development in its scheme because it goes a long way in developing them. ''It is unfortunate that Nigeria is a country where personal interest supersedes national interest.”

Nwobodo reveals Rangers' secret

I want to do better at Al Ahly, says Ajayi Charles Ogundiya

lympics football event bronze medalist at the recently concluded Rio Games, Junior Ajayi, has declared his readiness to be a better player for his new club, Al Ahly. The Egyptian side announced the signing of the forward on a four-year-deal worth a reported fee of $2million [about N500 million] from Tunisian side CS Sfaxien, during the Olympics. While speaking with Saturday Telegraph on arrival from Brazil, Ajayi expressed delight at making the move and promised to work harder to become a better player for his new club. “I will have to continue to do what I have been doing that made them come for me,” he said. “So unfortunate that the club is out of the Champions League, the target is to help in repositioning the club and take them back to where they were in the past. “Al Ahly is a big club, probably the biggest in Africa, so for me to be seen as fit to join the club, then I have to give my best in helping them back to the top. “I want to build on my performance for Sfaxien, and hopefully move to a better league outside the continent.” According to the player, every good footballer will love to play in Europe and his target too would be to play in Europe very soon. He lamented the injury that prevented him from having more play time in Brazil during the Olympics but was happy that the team came back with a medal.

Ikenna Amadi

Rangers' Razaq Adegbite challenges Gabros' Chibuzor Okonkwo

Emenike launches E29 Records music outfit

…signs N25m deal with Quincy

igerian striker Emmanuel Emenike, is the president/ CEO of E29 Records, a music promotion outfit based in Lagos, Nigeria. The Fenerbahce striker who has scored six goals in UEFA qualifiers and preseason matches has fulfilled one of his childhood dreams after his recent launch of E29 Records specialising in promoting up-and-coming and established artistes in Nigeria and across the globe. E29 has signed its first artiste Eneh Godwin Ugochukwu Raph AKA - Quincy, who was formally with Phyno's Penthause Music. E29 Records signed the Enugu

-born artiste in a mouth-watering deal of N25million. The deal is said to be very juicy, as the artiste was giving an official car and a well-furnished house on Lagos Island! The label has fully kicked off the artiste project and will be dropping his first single under the label which features 5star Music act Kcee. With all things being equal, Emenike is gradually planning life after football following a series of business investments in and outside the country. He’s also the owner of E29 real estate investment that built eight terrain estates in Owerri, Imo State.

Mazzarri to unleash Success on Arsenal

Emenike

nugu Rangers’ Obinna Nwobodo has attributed the reason for his team’s presence at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League to huge competition for shirts. Speaking in a live interview monitored in Lagos on Thursday, Nwobodo expressed optimism on his team’s chances of winning the title. “Competition in the squad has been the secret of our success this season,” he said. “We started working hard from preseason which continued into the season. We planned for it and worked so hard and everything is now coming into reality. We will remain focused, and by the grace of God,we will be successful.’’ The former Flying Eagles player was also quick to affirm the unpredictability of the league while reminding the fans that anything could still happen. He added: “Every team wants to win the league for the fans and government and Rangers is not an exception. We are doing our best to make sure this trophy comes to Enugu. “Every team is pushing hard as anything can still happen but with our hard work and focus we know where we are going to get there.”

igerian international Isaac Success is back in contention for selection as Watford face Arsenal today in the English Premier League at the Vicarage Road. Success has been out injured with a hamstring problem he picked up in the final pre-season friendly against Lorient. The head coach Walter Mazzarri revealed he trained with the group for the first time on Thursday after being discharged by Richard Collinge and his medical team. “He’s an important player,”

said the head coach. “He trained today, and we will decide if he is ready to play.” The head coach is excited about the prospect of unleashing Success who can be used to get Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo out of their comfort zone but also in an attacking triumvirate. “Success is a player with a lot of potential and this can help Deeney and Ighalo to work harder, knowing that there is one other player in their position,” he said. “There is the possibility for all three of them to play together, if the team allows.”

Special Feature 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

Neglected dyeing pit wells

The site of the dyeing pits in Kano is today a sorry spectacle

Having this mixture for seven days, the next thing is to go back to what they termed as Katsi; that is the excess of the previous mixture that was removed out of the particular dye pit and kept to dry. This excess Katsi will be made in blocks and put on fire made of huge pieces of firewood for about seven days before it burnt to ashes. This residue Katsi will then be mixed with the 2,000 litres of water, 50 kilogrammes of firewood ashes and would continue to be diluted on a daily basis for another two weeks. According to him, each of the mixture has a specific function to give required colour or colour quality, and also, a well-mixed dye pit can have a lifespan of a year before it lost its value. It takes Abubakar and his colleagues in the dyeing business three days of soaking fabrics in and out of the pits before it finalised. He also explained the health benefit of the concoction, insisting that pregnant women could drink it for the cure of pile, among other ailments. He equally alleged that medical doctors have recommended the concoction for their pregnant patients. “It cures rashes, diarrhea, and starvation in children,” he further claimed. However, the overwhelming numbers of people that still remain in this craft are octogenarians or people well into their 70s. Their offsprings have refused to participate in the craft as a process of generational transfer of the skill because the venture to them does not promise economic prosperity. Consequently, the transmission of this ancient craft is becoming tortuously difficult. As a result of this reality, an important criterion of acquiring the skills of their craft has to be compromised.

T h e y now allow outsiders to join them in the enterprise through some kind of apprenticeship. The factor is paradoxically transforming the face of the craft because of the sudden introduction of new techniques that appear comparatively modern. For instance, some sort of synthetic indigo has been introduced into the process of dyeing, abandoning the traditional indigo extracted from baba leaves because the procedure is cumbersome. For the new indigo, however, it takes the entire dyeing procedure less tedious through the colours produced by it. It is not quite as enduring as those produced through the traditional procedure. As such, the older generations of men who have been engaged in the enterprise for more than half a century are beginning to feel a sense of occupational alienation. Kofa has known no other form of livelihood for over 75 years. As the head of the dyeing pits, he feels a profound sense of historical possibility to pressure their proud heritage from being distorted or eroded by alien skills being injected into it. He, however, claimed that other craftsmen like him now find themselves in a kind of occupational cul-de-sac. They cannot prevent young men from joining them because they are a representation of the future of the heritage. On the other hand, they have, according to him, the creativity of changing the entire face of their ancient craft. The Kofar Mata dye pits were established in 1498 and had played a significant role in the collective economy of the then Trans-Saharan Ancient City of Kano. History also has it that the originators of Kofar Mata dye pits were the

earliest wise business people. They had cleverly set up the industry in a time when even the western world was yet to be industrialised and was struggling in making a living out of what to wear as clothing. The dye pits are located very close to the old Kofar Mata historical gate and walls that has been in existence for nearly 500 years since the wars of the famed Kanem Bornu Empire. This was before the coming of the Uthman Danfodio's jihad. The walls were known as Ganuwa. They were created to give protections to the old city, according to oral vestige. Incidentally, the site of the dyeing pits in Kano is today a sorry spectacle. It has become a tale of the gradual death of a heritage. The dyers cannot compete effectively with the infinite variety of fabrics that are displayed

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

in the market place today. And the young generations that ought to ensure the continuity of this ancient inheritance seem to be unattracted to it because the enterprise, according to them, has lost the economic appeal. Unfortunately, some aura of hope seems to line the dark clouds, because as Sami, the head of the young generation of dyers remarked, the dyeing process should maintain its “traditional purity; it is our collective responsibility to preserve our tradition for prosperity.”

Tourists studying pit wells. PHOTOS: MUHAMMAD KABIR

Sportsplash 34 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Timaya releases new song titled “Bang Bang”

ayelsa State-born dancehall star, Timaya, has a new song for his teeming fans. The young man who likes to call himself the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa has never stopped short of entertaining his fans and with the new song, that tradition is sure to continue. His new song is titled “Bang Bang” and is said to have been recorded at the Michael Montano Studio in Trinidad and Tobago. The song is being released ahead of Timaya’s upcoming project tentatively titled SOUNDBWOY. The song premiered on August 25, during the Midday Show with Tolu Oniru (Toolz) but has since found its way online where it is now available for fans of the “Bow Down” singer to download. Boasting of five albums already in his career which kicked off in 2005 with the release of the tearjacking hit single, “Dem Mama” based on the invasion and destruction of his native Odi by Nigerian military, Timaya released his last studio album, Epiphany in 2014 and might be gearing for the release of another one next year. Although bearing the same title with the song by Afrobeat legend, Femi Kuti, many years ago which fetched the four-time Grammy nominee both awards and a ban by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, it remains to be seen how fans will receive Timaya’s version.

TV Series by ESTHER SODEKE

By popular demand, Saturday Telegraph would be capturing some of the most engaging episodes of Telemundo- the various romance series which are fast becoming daily devotional for teeming viewers. A dedicated page to the conflicts of the weeks, informed recommendations and reactions from our readers on how to disentangle the antagonists and more would be served here every Saturday hot and steamy.

Timaya

TURNING P INT

Basketmouth

really was just that boy down the road with nothing more than a big dream and a bigger God .God raised men to favour me, gave me talent that is making way for me and bringing me before kings. When I look back, I can’t tell how I got here but one thing I want to say

is that every single person that has bought a CD with my face on the cover, attended my concert, cheered me up, laughed at my jokes, and taken a selfie with me, you all live in my heart. I wish I knew every name or could remember every face. You made me, and I’m sincerely grateful.”

Series Title:

A Passion for Revenge

Channel:

116 on Dstv

Station:

Telemundo

Showing Days: Monday to Friday

Introduction:

Arturo and his two brothers are on a mission to take their pound of flesh after they gather a man has killed their sister. They soon discover the man is dead and turn their attention to Cayetana, the late man’s wife now married to Del Junco. Conflict: Arturo goes missing while on a vengeful mission along with his brothers but a twist is established as Arturo falls in love with Sofia, the daughter of the woman they intend to harm. Sofia’s nightmare that Arturo is dead seems about to come true as Andrea informs her he is missing even as her mother placates to no avail. Sofia knows something isn’t right so she goes to the Alcazar ranch to confirm the story. There, Flavio is joking about Samuel’s relationship with the Little Witch, stating that the Little Witch has bewitched Samuel but Veronica thinks otherwise, saying it’s okay as long as Samuel is happy. Prodded by the captain on if she’s aware of anyone Arturo has a problem with, she her sister, Isadora, saying her strong feelings for Arturo might be responsible for his disappearance. On coming back

to the ranch, she confronts Isadora who denies knowledge of anything by saying she has only come to talk about business with Cayetana. Meanwhile, Rodger, an assassin, forces Patricia at gunpoint to an unknown destination with his plan being to finish off the job Ulyses offers him. At the Alcazar ranch, Veronica has a very creepy dream in which she is out in the woods and sees Alma who hands a hat belonging to Arturo over to her. Upon looking at it, she looks down to behold a grave with Arturo Gallardo written on it. She wakes up screaming that Arturo is dead, but the dream doesn’t seem far from reality as Leo, with the help of a tracking device mounted on Isadora’s car, gets the location where Arturo is being held. Blindfolded, Arturo is heard screaming but when the henchmen Isadora employed arrive at the scene, they are furious with Leo for shooting Arturo, knowing Isadora wouldn’t like the outcome. In the study, Cayetana, who seems sure Isadora is involved with Arturo's disappearance, challenges her and the younger woman confirms it. Upon trying to call the cops, Isadora tells Catayena she would be implicated if she dares it. The next to challenge the callous Isadora is Sofia. Still worried about Arturo’s disappearance, Sofia is told by her sisters to have faith that Arturo will be okay. Upon arriving at the hideout, Isadora finds Arturo fighting for his life and immediately gets a doctor to revive him. Cops looking into the matter get to interrogate Emilio, the father of the girls who also knows what she is capable. He covers her in front of the cops but makes Isadora know cops came looking for her and she seems shocked but the search for Arturo goes on.

Recommendation:

Emilio covering his daughter from the cops is not right, knowing what she is capable of doing to Arturo. Involving the cops would have stopped her from getting into more trouble and Arturo would have been found with the help of the cops.

Reactions:

Elizabeth, a student in Ogun State says Isadora is such a vicious character who can kill anyone that gets in her way, so doing such a thing to her sister is not so surprising. Seun Tailor, a teacher based in Lagos also said what Isadora did is bad, saying Isadora only does things that will favour her even if it will cause pain to others including her family members.

Interview 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

SHOWBIZ TODAY

LANRE ODUKOYA 08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

WIZKID, TIWA SAVAGE, FLAVOUR OTHERS LOCK HORNS FOR AFRIMA 3.0

Anu

Anu, The Lady Ekwe, on world stage

nu, The Lady Ekwe, is set to explode on the world stage as she prepares for major performances in high profile events holding across Africa and Europe. Anu is noted as Nigeria’s only female percussionist who blends perfectly her velvety voice with energetic performance and deftness on the traditional instrument to deliver excitement to her growing audience. The lady musical act whose profile has been rising in recent times following her unique delivery and promotion of the African musical sound and instrument as her renditions her perfect blend of lyrics spiced with African tunes and rhythm, have been enjoying rave reviews on the musical scene and is taking her trade a notch higher as one of the star performers expected to thrill the international audience in a number of world events. Anu is also listed to ply her sensational and scintillating act on the Paris stage as one of the guest artistes in October for a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) fashion show event in partnership with the legendary Gold for African Fashion. Anu otherwise known as The Lady Ekwe has shown artistic perfection and pure dexterity with the Ekwe percussion, which in the Eastern Nigeria is also a male dominated instrument but she has broken the jinx to make the ekwe are forte and delivers on it perfectly with her velvety voice and energetic performance.

t’s the season of the year again when Africa’s finest singers would lock horns to clinch their coveted awards as they’ve done in the two previous editions of All Africa Music Awards. The list of the contenders is already released and the countdown begins in earnest. Most cheery part of it is the frontline row Nigerian artistes occupy in the nomination. Seyi Shay, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Flavour N’abania, Wizkid among others are gearing up for the day of reckoning as they made the prestigious list. Public voting for the nominees in the different categories of the awards will open on August 30. In partnership with the AUC and the Official Host City, Lagos State, the AFRIMA 3.0. calendar of events for November 4 to 6, 2016, will include the Africa Music Summit on Friday, November 4, and the AFRIMA Music Village, an open concertstyle festival featuring nominees and other top billed music stars. The grand awards ceremony holds on, November 6, with over 2,500 guests expected in Lagos, Nigeria, for the various events.

Tiwa Savage

Phyno, Patoranking, The Voice Nigeria finalists thrill at Airtel Smart Trybe launch

alented rapper, Phyno, and dancehall Star, Patoranking, both brand ambassadors for leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, complemented the spectacular launch of Airtel Smart Trybe, an offering of the telecom company targeted at youths in Nigeria. Their animating performances thrilled all the guests hosted at Vapors Lounge in Ikoyi, Lagos where the repackaged Smart Trybe product was colourfully unveiled recently. Shortly before Phyno and Patoranking got on stage to perform, One Mic Star, Acetune including Nonso Bassey, Chike and Brenda, who are among the finalists from the widely watched music talent hunt show, The Voice Nigeria, added colour to occasion with their acts. According to the company, customers on the network who subscribe for the Smart Trybe by dialling *312# get special rate of 11k/sec to all networks in Nigeria. The product comes in three variants: Trybe Special Data, Trybe Night Browsing and Trybe Weekend variants.With only N500, the ‘Trybe Special Data’ offers 1GB data valid for 7 days. N25 on the ‘Trybe Night Browsing’ gives 500MB forbrowsing between 12am – 5am, while N50 on same package gives 1.5GB for browsing between 12am – 5am. With N200, the Trybe weekend offers 250MB as well as 30 minutes free call to Airtel numbers. The guest comprised mainly of youths had a wonderful time as they engaged in karaoke competition and enjoyed the refreshments made available to everyone. In the Karaoke contest, a guest won airtime N10, 000.00, while others won exciting gifts. Through the re-launch of the youth-centric product, Airtel has restated its strong commitment to offer pocket-friendly call and data rates to Nigerian youths.

Wizkid

Flavour

AFRIMA 2016 NOMINEES LIST –REGIONAL CATEGORIES Best Male Artiste, Central Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY C4 Pedro Angola Ferre Gola DRC Franko Cameroon Jovi Cameroon Nelson Freitas Angola Wax Dey Cameroon Werasson DRC

TRACK TITLE Spetxa One Tucheze Collar La Petite Zele Miuda Linda SakaMakossa YoTe

Best Female Artiste, Central Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY Bruna Tatiana Angola Daphne Ndolo Cameroon Mani Bella Cameroon Naomi Achu Cameroon Reniss Cameroon Syssi Mananga DRC

TRACK TITLE PometoMudar Ndolo Qui Cherche Tronve Busy Body La Sauce Juste Un Peu

Best Female Artiste, Northern Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY Amal Maher Egypt Angham Egypt Latifa Tunisia Samira Said Morocco Sarah Ayoub Morocco

TRACK TITLE EzayFatetny WahdaKamLa YaHayati Mahassalsh Ahwak

Best Male Artiste, Northern Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY Ahmed Soultan Morocco Ahmed Chawki Morocco Amir Diab Egypt AymanAlatar Libya DJ Van FT Tyrane Morocco HatimAmmor Morocco H-Name Morocco

TRACK TITLE Afrobian Tsunami Al Qahira Cairo Fi GalbiKalam #Woman Alawal WachRakNachet

Best Female Artiste, Southern Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY Lira South Africa Lizha James Mozambique Palu Chihera Zimbabwe Sally Boss Namibia Zahara South Africa Zonke South Africa

TRACK TITLE Let there be Light Chocolate Nemoyo Natural Imali Reach It

Best Male Artiste, Southern Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY AKA South Africa Anati & Cassper Nyovest South Africa Black Coffee South Africa Dizu Plaaties South Africa DJ Maphorisa South Africa Jay Prayzah Zimbawe

TRACK TITLE Composure Jump Come with me Inkomo Soweto Baby Hello

Best Female Artiste, Western Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY Adiouza Senegal Aramide Nigeria Niniola Nigeria Seyi Shay Nigeria Temi Doll Face Nigeria Tiwa Savage Nigeria Yemi Alade Nigeria

TRACK TITLE Daddy I don’t care J’ete Right Now School Your Face If I Start to Talk Na Go De

Best Male Artiste, Western Africa ARTISTE COUNTRY Brymo Nigeria Flavour Nigeria Okyeame Kwame Ghana Sarkodie Ghana Sidikiba Diabate Mali Tekno Nigeria Wizkid Nigeria

TRACK TITLE In The City Dance Small Small Hand to Mouth Confiance Fais Moi Duro Final Baba Nla

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

27 AUGUST 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

This weekend ONTV

TELEVISION

WAP TV

Saturday 7:30 Crocadoo 8:00 The Indomitables 8:30 Pocahontas

Spice TV (192)

Faith Matter Vox Africa

Saturday 06:00 Wap-Alaffs Report 06:30 Popular Songs 07:00 Kookoorokoo 09:30 Indomitable 10:00 Sport Arena 11:00 Awokogbon 12:30 Nnena and Friends 01:00 D Beat Zone 02:00 Destiny River Report 02:30 Reel Naija Spare my Life O4:30 Teju Baby Face Show 4:00 World News 9:05 Arambara 4:30 Turning Point 9:30 Village Square 5:00 Personalities Places 11:05 Snakes and Lizards and Events 12:00 Souncity Top Choice Videos 5:30 Our Ladies Our Pride 1:00 Hitz 6:00 Hitlist & Cruzing 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 6:30 Making of a Chef 2:35 Village Square 7:00 The Valley Between 4:10 Movie 8:00 AIT News Hour 5:35 Los Rey 9:00 Tales of Eve 6:20 Spice Most 10:00 Taste of Love 7:00 News Headline 12:00 Sunday Homily 7:10 Footprints Sunday 8:00 Pulse 234 06:00 Wap-Alaffs Report 8:30 Spider 06:30 Turning Point 9:00 Spice Specials 07:00 The Relevant Church 9:30 Soundcity Party Mix 07:30 Kookoorokoo 10:30 Omnisport 09:30 700 Club Sunday 10:00 Awokogbon Kogbodeye 8:00 Hutos 11:30 X2D 9:05 Arambara 12:00 Indian Series Omnibus 9:35 Village Square 01:30 The Benjamins 11:05 Snakes and Lizards O2:00 Video Fashion 12:00 Soundcity’s Global Countdown 02:30 Thousand Laugh Xtra 1:00 Hitz 04:30 Reel Naija Spare My Life 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 6:00 Igbo Series 2:40 Village Square 6:30 Clinic Matters 4:10 Movie 7:00 I Love Nigeria 5:35 Los Rey 8:00 Knorr Taste Quest 6:30 Glam Mamas 9:00 Tales of Eve 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

It is a programme that looks at men’s fashion, it sheds more light on men’s favourite accessories, bling, gadgets cars and women.

A religion programme that explores what people build their faith on, their source of support and the values they uphold.

CITY FM 105.1

Onwuemeka

Food preservation and challenges of agric extension service

igerian farmers are known to produce large tonnes of agricultural produce on annual basis and end up losing a substantial amount of that before the season runs out due to lack of preservation. The need to educate farmers on food preservation and challenges of agric extension formed the basis for the last edition of Weekend File. It is aired on NTA every Saturday at 9am and had Alphonsus Onwuemeka, Director, Extension Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture as the guest speaker. Onwuemeka noted that there was the need to educate farmers, adding that farmers lack the equipment to harvest. He said: “What is necessary to do is to educate the farmers. Oil palm for instance, if you harvest oil palm, you must process it within 24 hours to be able to get special palm oil. After that, you get technical palm oil which is what we are consuming; in the special palm oil we have free fatal acid of not more than 3% then you can export but most of our processors don’t have that. We have about 5% high fatal acid and that is what we consume, it has high cholesterol, when you take it you only grow fat. The cholesterol is a result of not actually producing the palm oil following the due process. The problem is that the farmers lack the equipment to harvest, even immediate evacuation from the farm is a serious challenge and this is one of the things we must address. That is why we are talking of grouping these farmers into clusters, they have to come as cooperatives so as to be able to afford some of these things”. The farmers are relatively poor and reside in local areas, however Onwuemeka said the facilities for preservation are been provided for the farmers. “At the ministry, we have projects that are donor-funded, these things are been provided for farmers; we are also assisting them to access finance because when you make agriculture look like business, it will become profitable because many people will go into it. Some

youths are already exporting farm produce to the United States; the farmers require regular education to be able to adopt and effectively use preservative equipment available to them,” he stated. Onwuemeka identified lack of funding and dysfunctional institutions as the problem of agric extension. “We are having challenges now in sourcing extension because when Federal Government plays its role other institutions may not play the same role. Private sector has a role to play in extension and in trying to promote floristic extension. What we have now is public sector dominated extension,” he added.

Speaking on the role of state governments regarding agric extension, Onwuemeka said: “Primarily extension is the sole responsibility of states; all the Federal Government does is to facilitate. The truth is that, some states are doing very well. Kaduna State for instance is doing well; recently they employed over 700 extension agents. Some other states like Bauchi, Anambra and Plateau are doing very well too and you can see the level of productivity in those states. In fact, extension is key and the farmer is at the centre of it all but if you don’t give them the required knowledge, they won’t be able to perform”.

Programme summary

Video Fashion Men Friday @7am

Fridays @8am

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Beat FM’s Osi

Osi

si Suave is funny, witty and is knowledgeable about music. Born and raised in Lagos, Osi has been on Radio professionally for two years before joining the Beat 99.9FM. His radio career started with Rhythm 93.7FM Benin in 2008 whilst still in the university. Upon graduation he spent three months with Rhythm 93.7FM Lagos before finally joining the Beat 99.9FM. A graduate of Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Benin, Osi loves to travel, meet people, write and have a hearty laugh. He had done some gigs for clients like Pepsi; he hosted the 2011 Pepsi Corpers Parade. In 2006, he was the first host of the Biggest Youth Awards in Nigeria Dynamix Awards. Osi’s humour is infectious, he would have you in stitches every time.

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

The Arts

27 AUGUST 2016

Tony Okuyeme

he ninth edition of the National Art Competition will explore the porous, situational, and ever changing concept of the boundary through artworks. Nigerian Breweries Plc. and African Artists' Foundation (AAF) said this on Thursday at a press conference held in Lagos to announce call for entries for the competition. The Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Kufre Ekanem, said the theme for this year’s edition of the Art competition “Shifting Boundaries”, which, according to him, is “an exploration of the porous, situational, and ever changing concept of the boundary through artworks that will discuss and embody what a boundary was, is, and will become in the 21st century.” He said: “While we most often associate boundaries with geographical bodies and land masses, the term is applicable to many other areas as we begin to think about personal boundaries, symbolic boundaries, boundaries of time and space. The Internet has also redefined and further democratised our ideas of what constitutes a boundary. Just as well as a boundary keeps things, people, and lands separated it also keeps these bodies together - creating unity and community in some situations and havoc and chaos in others. “Shifting Boundaries”, he said, is a discussion on all of these aspects, and encourages artists and makers of the country to especially question and manifest through their work what a boundary means to them with an emphasis on the shifts, changes, and transformations, that influence the boundaries of our modern world. “While a shift or change in boundaries can be as minuscule as a shift in attitude or as devastating as a shift in geographical borders, the inherent root of the issue deals with change and a compliance or resistance that goes along with it. Often neglected within this discourse is the shifting bound-

Shifting Boundaries: National Art Competition calls for entries

The 2015 NAC Grand Prize went to Sabastine Ugwuoke (4th from left) for his project 'No Rest, No Comfort, Confusion Everywhere'.

aries within locales. It has been suggested that we are coming upon the end of Western Civilisation, a debate that is suggestive of both the relativeness of what the ‘West’ is and also the conglomeration of a unified, boundaryless, dominant society as opposed to our antiquated and exoticised models of the East and West. "Globalisation, the Internet, and increasingly powerful communication technology, become key instigators as boundaries change and transform. They play a pivotal role in this cultural phenomenon, as we see distances separated by hundreds of miles converted into media and communicated in just a matter of seconds essentially making a boundary nonexistent.

“As boundaries rapidly shift and in some instances cease to exist, we also ask the artist to explore the concept in ways that we’ve yet to fathom particularly when exploring the dichotomy of boundaries we can physically realise and see as opposed to those that are conceptual. The sea in itself, being one of the most arduous geographical boundaries to cross but also historically speaking one of the most invaluable vehicles of cultural transmission. We find a similar comparison in the boundaries and limitations imposed by gender, race, and sexuality.” He said Nigerian Breweries Plc. had partnered with the African Artists’ Foundation to organise the National Art Competition for six consecutive

years. “This is part of an effort to encourage and promote the development of creativity, arts and artists in Nigeria. Nigerian Breweries recognises that arts play an important role in strengthening cultural values in any society. This sponsorship remains only part of a broad initiative to support arts development in Nigeria, as well as the development of talents in various fields of endeavour,” Ekanem said. He also said that artists were expected to create works that reconcile, deconstruct, and develop the works around the theme "Shifting Boundaries" that addressed contemporary world especially as it relates to the nation, state, and society. “Are we truly entering a ‘boundaryless’ moment, or are boundaries becoming more closed than ever?” Interested participants are to propose in writing accompanied with a sketch, a short plan of their interpretation and creative approach to the theme. This year's competition is open to all mediums. “Applicants will be selected based on their written proposals (50 percent) and the submitted sketch (50 percent),” he said, stressing that only proposals would be accepted. “Completed or existing art works will not be accepted and will disqualify you from the selection process. "Based on the submitted proposals, 12 finalists will be shortlisted and invited to partake in a retreat at an exclusive location which will result in the creation of works to be exhibited at the NAC Grande finale and exhibition.” According to Ekanem, celebrated artist, Professor El Anatsui, will head the artistic selection committee that will determine this year's winners.

The Dented Anthill for National Troupe’s Creative Station

Members of National Troupe during the workshop. Inset: Participanting children

he National Troupe of Nigeria will round off the 2016 edition of its annual Children’s Creative Station Workshop (CCSW) with a command performance of the ‘Dented Anthill’ on September 4 at the Cinema Hall II of the National Theatre. Directed by foremost dramatist and choreographer, Peter Badejo, the play was created by the participants of the creative workshop after the six weeks long workshop which kicked off on July 26 with about 120 children who were engaged creatively in the areas of acting, improvisation, miming, dancing, writing, voice training and singing. Coordinator of the workshop and Head of the Drama Department of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Ms. Josephine Igberaese, said the workshop aims at developing children’s interest in creative activities. Also Artistic Director of the troupe, Mr. Akin Adejuwon, stated that the workshop had since its inception in 2010 been targeted at children whose imagination and talents are reawakened, developed and appreciated. The workshop is supported by Access Bank, Wapic Insurance, Promasidor, Mimee noodles, Sona foods and Aqua Dana.

FRED NWAOZOR

“H

ello dad!” Dapo exclaimed the moment he picked the phone call as he walked towards the major road. “How are you, Dapo?” the 53-year-old Mr. Kunle enquired elatedly. Dapo, a 200 Level student of Creative Arts in the famous Lagos State University (LASU), Iyana-Oba, Lagos State, Nigeria was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Kunle Ojo. Since 20 years back he was begotten by the lovely couple barely eleven months after their marriage, another baby had refused to form in his mother’s womb. Rather than remain in perpetual agony, the said couple had chosen to be contented with what they were blessed with; and as God would have it, Dapo was exemplarily brilliant, thus they felt complete. As an undergraduate, the chap could boast of anything he needed right from the first day he found himself on the campus. Among all, no day that passed that his dad, Kunle didn’t call him on phone to ascertain how he was faring. This time, he received one of his numerous calls while he was leaving his school lodge for the expressway situated very close to the lodge in question in the company of two of his neighbours, Wale and Kosara who were as well students of the university. They were headed for a viewing centre to watch an incoming match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona for an ongoing European Championship tournament. “I am fine, sir.” responded Dapo amid his friends. “I am sure you are not lacking anything?” Mr. Ojo said. “No sir.” “Okay.” He said, paused. “When are your semester exams coming up?” “In three weeks time.” “I am sure you are reading your books as usual?” “Trust me, dad.” He replied, transferred the cell phone to his left hand. “That’s my boy!” “So dad, how’s mum?” He enquired as they got at the expressway, which they were meant to cross before they could get to their destination. This time, he was slightly walking ahead of his companions, Kosara and Wale. “Your mum is fine,” Mr. Kunle replied. “She is doing greatly.” “Oh, so glad to hear that,” Dapo responded, couldn’t notice a Busscar bus that just overtook another, thereby exceeding its track and was headed toward where he stood ahead of his friends. “My regards to her.” He told his father. “Dapoooo…!” Wale and Kosara shouted at the top of their voices as they observed the anomaly. The exclamation came concurrently with his last statement on phone ‘my regards to her’.

ShortStory

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Despair not

Before Dapo could realise his fate, the bus that was obviously moving with a very high speed hit him roughly and kept moving. Dapo rolled severally on the outskirt of the expressway and gave up the ghost instantly. “Dapo! Dapo!!” Mr. Kunle called having sensed the anomaly to no avail. Dapo’s handset was lying helplessly on the ground. Kosara and Wale rushed to the spot where his body was lying lifelessly. On observing that he was no more, they cried and cried profoundly amidst a crowd, but there was absolutely nothing anyone could do. Kosara hurriedly walked to the phone, grabbed it while covered with tears and managed to place it on his left ear. “Dapo is dea…d.” He notified Mr. Kunle who had shouted his son’s name for the umpteenth time in a jittery mood. “Dapo is what?” He verified apprehensively. “He is dead…!” “What…?” Mr. Ojo who was also a Lagos state resident shouted loudly, dropped the call and quickly headed for LASU to confirm the genuineness of the information. Dapo was therein rushed to a nearby hospital where he was actually confirmed dead. According to the physician, he died as a result of haemorrhage.

The big question was: where were they to start from? The only child they had been jealously nurturing for twenty years had left them unannounced without even an indirect notice

When Mr. Ojo arrived at the hospital, he couldn’t believe his eyes. It was like a mere dream. In a nutshell, at that point, a madman was far better than him mentally. When the news got to his wife, she fainted and remained in the mood for 72-hours before she came back to life; the 52-year-old Mrs. Timi Ojo felt like one in hell. It was obvious that if given the chance, she could commit suicide because

therein she saw life as meaningless. To her, death wasn’t just heartless but evil. The sobs were unquantifiable, to say the least; the shock, immeasurable; and the pains, so extreme. Whom were they to run to, for succour? Who could unravel the mystery? The endless condolences they were receiving were causing more harm than good. Conspicuously, what they needed was mainly remedy instead of ‘please take heart’ which was pouring in like rainfall. The ordeal was so unbearable that even a fly that came to sympathise with them was seen as an enemy. Apparently, the poor couple preferred to be left alone. The pain was indeed unbearable. A couple that was trying to be contented with only one child was abruptly told that it didn’t even deserve one. The experience was rather imaginable. Even if it was a mere dream, such nightmare would remain indelible in their minds. Though the mourning period seemed unending, six months after, they thought it wise to console themselves having taken solace in their creator. Thus, life continued although the injury incurred failed to heal. Their greatest motivator was the undiluted love they shared as a couple ever since they tied the connubial knots.

As the Holy book would always conscientise us to despair not, seven months down the line, the 52-year-old Mrs. Timi conceived again after almost twenty-one years of her last pregnancy. She alongside her loving and faithful husband couldn’t believe what the family was witnessing, likewise their respective parents who got the news in a jiffy. The rare miracle, which was like the case of Sarah in the Bible, wasn’t in any way seen coming. When the pregnancy became obvious, people around were mistaking it for a mere big tummy owing to scepticism. To them, she couldn’t in any way conceive at that point after countless years of wait, unknowingly to them that God has His own way of doing things in such a manner that it couldn’t be comprehended by anyone. As weeks unfold, she became heavily pregnant to the utmost amazement of the teeming skeptics. Nine months after, she successfully gave birth to triplets – two boys and a girl. The glorious moment threw everyone into a celebration mood. • Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

Travel & Tourism Mocha cake

CHEF'S CORNER

he Managing Director of Ezperanze Cake, Mrs. Chika Ani, delights your weekend with one of her special pastry's recipes, Mocha Cake. Esperanza Cake is based in Surulere, Lagos, Mrs. Ani, a finance person and trained confectioner, is also involved in training in cake-making and empowerment of women and setting up of small scale business as her outfit organises regular training sessions around the country and recently made inroad to Ghana. Ingredients: • Two cups of flour • Two cups of sugar • Two-third cup unsweetened cocoa powder • Half cup of vegetable oil • Two eggs • One cup of buttermilk • Two teaspoons baking soda • Half teaspoon salt • One teaspoon baking powder

Mocha cake

TRAVEL BEATS

Team Africa commends AU launch of diplomatic passport

South of Africa have all implemented free movement protocol for regional citizens with no negative fallout. Some regions have even implemented joint visa for the regions like the EAC tourism visa for three countries in East Africa. TTA was formed in Kigali Rwanda last year and has since grown to include practitioners from over 15 countries. Its landmark project is the expected Launch of the search for the 21 wonders of Africa.

The launch of a new African diplomat passport launched by the African Union (AU) at its recently held General Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, has been commended by The Team Africa (TTA), a dedicated pan African travel association that is promoting travels in Africa. According to TTA, this new move will no doubt foster seamless travel within the continent, describing it as a noteworthy document but largely symbolic as it has no real

value as at now. It pointed out the difficulty of implementing the Yamoussoukro Decision to open African skies for aviation which has not been implemented since 1999. However, TTA is pushing for the instant implementation of Visa on Arrival (VOA) for all Africans, which it said is easier to implement and adopt. Ghana recently joined Rwanda and Seychelles in implementing VOA for all Africans and it has taken off successfully. Recently, regional blocs in the East and

One of the finest romances in Nigeria’s hospitality is to come to an abrupt end soon as Sun International who are both manager and equity holder in Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Lagos, has signalled its withdrawal from the hotel, which is the property of Eko Tourist Company (TCN) The South Africa-based hospitality outfit has cited among others the probe of TCN by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), slow economic growth, low oil prices, the threat from terrorist group Boko Haram and a weakening naira, as well as squabbles within the Ibru’s family, who are the major shareholders in the hotel, as reasons for its decision. “The board has decided to exit Nigeria and steps will be taken to achieve this in a manner that does not erode further value," the Sun International said, adding that “continued setbacks in Nigeria as well as the ongoing shareholder dispute have frustrated all attempts to develop and improve the property.” Sun International bought a 49 per cent stake of the Nigerian Stock Exchange-listed TCN in 2006, becoming the largest single shareholder.

Sun International ends romance with Federal Hotel and Casino

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA Editor, TRAVEL&TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

In recent years, Sun has been drawn into a dispute within its fellow shareholder, the Ibru family. This development, observers say, portend bad omen for the Ibru’s family who are generally regarded as the czars of Nigeria’s hospitality following their huge investment in the sector, which extends to Abuja Sheraton and Lagos Sheraton hotels with Ikeja

Hotel Plc as one of its investment vehicles in the sector. The chairman of TCN, Goodie Ibru, who is also the chairman of Ikeja Hotel Plc, is yet to react to this news as he and his legal and management teams are said to be in talks with Sun International to resolve the lingering issues and is expected to issue a public statement once that has been achieved.

• •

One tablespoon instant coffee powder One cup hot water

Preparation: • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C); grease two nine inch round cake, pans. Measure the flour, sugar, cocoa, oil, eggs, buttermilk, baking powder, soda and salt into a mixing bowl. • Dissolve instant coffee in hot water and add to mixing bowl. Beat a medium speed for two minutes until smooth; batter will be thin. • Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes and then turn out to racks to cool completely. • Frost cooled cake with coffee icing. After frosting, melt some semisweet chocolate baking squares or chips in a double boiler. • Drizzle chocolate around top outside edges letting it run down sides, or over top of cake.

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah entices with Secret Garden Brunch Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is set to launch a new offering, Secret Garden Brunch, on September 2. The new brunch concept will create a secret garden experience, allowing guests to escape the Dubai heat and enjoy seasonal ingredients with live entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere. Inspired by the hotel's bold approach on sustainability and the recent launch of the property's organic garden, the brunch will feature live cooking stations with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Upon arrival, guests can enjoy a specially curated summer menu in a family-style garden setting. Culinary delicacies include a colourful pickled vegetable bar and a freshly prepared organic, green salad made from herbs and flowers from the hotel's own garden. Brunch classics such as seafood, grills, and Waldorf salad will also be on offer, complemented by a grand selection of French raw milk cheeses and freshly baked pies such as rhubarb, peach, and cherry.

Guests can sip fresh summer drinks such as the Waldorf Summer Cup - a classic medley of fragrant spirits and fruits - and home-made lemonade, and experience the water bar with creative combinations such as rosemary and peach, cinnamon and apple, and strawberry with basil from the organic garden - all while listening to the live acoustic sounds of the resident guitarist. To raise awareness about organic produce among the younger guests, Executive Chef Jens Muenchenbach and his team will help children discover the Waldorf Astoria Secret Garden, giving them the opportunity to touch, taste, and learn the names of all that grow there. Each guest will also receive a complimentary basil plant to look after and remember the Waldorf Astoria Brunch. The Waldorf Astoria Secret Garden Brunch is available every Friday at Mezzerie, located on the lower ground floor, from 1- 4pm. During the cooler months, guests are invited to enjoy the brunch on the elegant outdoor terrace.

Kenya set to complete major highway in March 2017

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ayo Adesugba (Both middle), with members of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) during a courtesy visit to the minister

Travel Personality John Elliot: We want to be a good four star hotel

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Tourism is to receive boost in Kenya as a major highway that runs between the country and Tanzania is 80 per cent completed and set for launch March next year. The stretch of road between Voi and Taveta at the Tanzanian border must have been one of the worst in the country and hampered access of tourists to key conservation areas like Lake Jipe, Grogan’s Castle but also to Lake Chala and the more remote parts of Tsavo West.

The new highway will open up the entire area as the state of the former road put off many from travelling on it for fear of wrecking their cars. Once crossing from Taveta to Holili will the new highway then also gives easy access to two major national parks, the better known Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park and the lesser known Mkomanzi National Park, besides opening up travel to the Usambara and Pare Mountains.

Hospitality Hospitality

Destination

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Kempinski WestownHotel Hotels: Gold Coast Entices City:with Simply bumper breathless Ramadan offerings

Nigeria Tourism: Stakeholders Destination South Africa: point pathway to growth SAT’s Road Show makes p.42 inroad to Nigeria, Ghana

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

JOHN ELLIOT

TRAVEL PERSONALITY What are the attractions that La Palm holds for the market? There are a number of attractions here and I am confidence that in the future Ghana is going to do very well with its economy. Tourism wise, it is literally the centre of Africa, is a good hub for Africa, is a speedy and steady country, the future looks good. Obviously, we have Labadi and La Palm, two hotels of different standard, but there is a lot of synergies between the hotels which make the operations even more attractive. What are the plans by Legacy Hotels to elevate its prospect? I have been here for just three months, but we have been reviewing the operations, looking at the offerings we have. The initial plan will be to look at the food and beverage offerings. We will be looking at upgrading of the Ghana Village restaurant on the beach side, it is a very popular destination, it has not had much investment lately. But that will be an easy fix to renovate and improve the offering there. We have a very large conference centre, one main conference room which host 600 people and nine other meeting rooms of various sizes. So, we have been looking at that area too because that is one of our core areas for Meeting, Incentive, Events, Conferences (MICE) and residential. La Palm at a time was very popular with Nigerians visiting Accra but that patronage has waned, how do you intend to lure them back? We have been looking at the market and talking to people where we can improve on. We quite understand historically that La Palm used to be very popular with Nigerian visitors, particularly tourists. But for whatever reason, that market has been neglected a bit in terms of promotion and awareness of the Nigerian market. We are currently talking with an airline and looking at bringing flying packages from Nigeria, free four night packages and linking additional offering to the package. Hopefully that will be finalised in the next couple of weeks and when that has been finalised we will be looking forward to coming to Nigeria to promote it to the Nigerian market. There are enough incentives here for tourists at the city centre, you have the beach, you have nice gardens, fairly accessible to the central town, shopping area, and casino next door is part of the property and part of the attraction too. We feel we are one of the leisure venues within Accra. We want to re-introduce night beach life hotel in the Nigerian market, for whatever reason, we felt has been neglected, it will entail publicity, promotion, visiting Nigeria, promoting the hotel and linking up to the Nigerian tour operators and travel agencies and being able to offer attractive packages, particularly the flying packages. We are looking at attractive packages which will include accommodation and air fares, all-inclusive packages for like three and four nights package as we move on looking at the mainly Busua Beach Resort which is towards Ivory Coast. It got pristine beach, probably one of the best beaches in West Africa, we will be looking at adding that as one of the additional packages, so you spend a couple of nights in Accra and enjoy Accra and go up to Busua, which is up to 40 minutes flight. Are you looking at introducing Nigerian menus as part of this move? At the Ghanaian Village Restaurant

We want to be a good four star hotel La Palm Royal Beach Hotel is one of the top rated hotels in Accra, Ghana favoured by many Nigerian travellers to Accra. The general manager of the hotel, John Elliot, speaks to ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on the allure of the hotel for Nigerians, hospitality in Ghana and his career path among others every Sunday we do Ghanaian dishes from around the regions. The Nigerian menus are something we can look at. We have a number of offerings at the Ghanaian village focusing on Africans and West Africans, we have the Chinese restaurant, which is slightly different, we have the continental restaurant which is a bit more international. So there are more choices available, we are keen to respond to demand. When we see a demand from a particular area we respond to such and endeavour to satisfy such demand. What is your view of the hospitality industry in Ghana? I think is very vibrant as Ghanaians are well known for their friendliness, welcoming disposition, good standard of education and has a very good choice within the hospitality sector. Look at Accra for instance and see how many big brands you have here compared to about 10 years ago, it has been a very big increase. What is your target market? Primarily, our main market is the residential and non-residential conference market which tends to be mainly regional, that is West Africans, after that Africans and then Europeans. That is the market we are looking at to increase on, but we do not want to ignore other markets such as the leisure market, the individual and corporate travellers and others. But our core market is the residential and conference market, primarily regional, we have very good regional connections into Accra, flights from all over West Africa, is very accessible by air.

What are some of the strategies put in place in respect of achieving this target? We are looking at reviewing the operations, we have only been here for three months, we have been reviewing the operations. We have identified areas that we need to invest in, is not a large investment, but just upgrading facilities. We have a very good infrastructure here, we just want to improve the standard slightly, we will like to go back to increase the leisure market. I think that has suffered a lot in the last couple of years and there are plenty opportunities to drive that market and improve turn

BACKGROUND John Elliot career in the hospitality sector spans over 25 years working in different hotels in Africa as he recently assumed the position of the general manager of La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, which is one of the high flying hotels in Accra, Ghana, attracting huge patronage from the travelling public including Nigerians as many of the Nigerian travellers on business and leisure favour the hotel. He was part of the team that opened Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra in 1991 and was there for five years before he moved over to Maputo, Mozambique, where he worked for 19 years. He described his time there as a mixed one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a very good time there though it was quite a hard time, but got to where we wanted to be eventually,â&#x20AC;? he said. Thereafter, he took a year break and went back to the United Kingdom and early this year was approached by Legacy Hotels to come back to Ghana to manage La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. Legacy Hotels is one of the South Africa-based hotel brands. The group presently operates about 29 lodges, hotels and resorts in six African countries. Founded in the early 1990s, it formerly known as Stocks and Stocks. It maintains presence in six African countries, namely: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Nigeria and Ghana. Some of its foremost properties are the Michelangelo and Da Vinci both in South Africa.

over in that area. I think one area we will be looking at is destination rather as an individual hotel. We may have to look at it together as a destination market like the AfroAmerican market, as a cultural heritage within West Africa, particularly in Ghana that was quite seriously affected by Ebola. We believe we can spend a little bit money marketing that area. How would you describe your experience in the hotel since assuming office? Very good, when I left here in 1995, the hotel has not been opened, but when I came back and saw that it has been opened, just probably under 20 years now, it needs some attention, some loving and care. The infrastructure is good, the staffing is good, it just need time, love and care and then investment to bring it up to the next level. We are really happy with its fourstar level, we do not want to compete with five-star hotels, we will rather be a good four-star hotel. Has the takeover of the hotel by Legacy Hotels affected its fortune? Not at all, Legacy is purely a management company and not the owner of the hotel. Legacy is only here to manage. In all our products, we look at the local customs, local traditions and local markets as well as introducing the legacy standards. We make sure we introduce local needs and requirements. We have employed 310 Ghanaian staff, it is much a Ghanaian property, as a management company, we are here to help, advice and move the product forward.

In all our products, we look at the local customs, local traditions and local markets as well as introducing the legacy standards. We make sure we introduce local needs and requirements Elliot

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

One of the rooms

HOSPITALITY

Simply breathless! With Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, royalty and high earn spenders now have reasons to indulge in Accra, Ghana, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was at the upscale hotel

ne’s first experience of the Kempinski Hote's plush and luxuriating offerings was in Dubai when few years back one was lodged at the Mall of Emirates (MOE) Kempinski. The property with a large mall and other leisure facilities attached to it is a haven of some sort and bevy of activities as it has become a hunting nest for families and individuals. The hotel itself is a class act, with what one may call not just exciting and

luxuriating opulence but some kind of intimidating ambience that takes one’s breathe away. It is simply awesome and amazing. It appears that no expense was speared at making the hotel a delightsome affair for its high earn spenders who obviously are the target market. A royal and princely treats are what you are offered at the hotel with its sophisticated and awesome setting and furnishing that are luscious and heavily styled to reflect its classic appeal.

Hotel's facade

One recalled that the same year of visiting the hotel, Abuja was announced to host the first ever Kempinski Hotel in Africa and one had enthusiastically looked forward to it but for whatever reason that promising project was put in the cooler only for one to hear years later that Accra, Ghana has beaten Abuja, Nigeria to that piece of enduring historic, eclectic and electrifying property that would make any first visitor star gazing as you are simply overwhelmed by its enchanting setting. One’s feeling this night of stepping into Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City located on Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue, Accra, was not any different. Its European styled nature and devotion to the finest five-star luxury hotel as well as a tint of African purity, is not lost on you as well as the peculiarity and uniqueness of it as every Kempinski comes with its unique attraction. First, you are overpowered by its spell bounding aura, fascinating and picturesque as well as serene setting and attractive pull. Then you step into the symmetrically and expansive opulence lobby where you are welcomed by some kind of exotic and nerve soothing mood. The first thing was to quickly settle into one of the soft settee nearby to catch one’s breath and look around furtively as if in a wonderland before gradually letting oneself wide in the bowels of the hotel and consumed by its luxury personified facilities and services. TIt was an experience to live for and forever cherish. Here are sample of the amazing facilities of the hotel: Rooms Its boast 269 well-apportioned rooms (Deluxe and Executive) 22 Luxury suites and two Presidential suites, all fittingly furnished, fitted and styled to reflect the unique nature of the different categories. Besides the unique style

of the different categories, each guest room features complimentary Wi-Fi, interactive TV, In-room safe, private bar and climate control among others. Dining Dine in the comfort of the serene and luxurious food outlets of the hotel with its two outstanding restaurants offering a blend of continental and African delicacies. There is the Papillon Brasserie featuring an open kitchen and sophisticated buffet settings with an à la carte menu to the bargain. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other features here include the Papillon Pool Lounge and the Gallery Bar, which opens in the evening as well as the Gallery Lounge, an ideal meeting place for coffee, light snacks and afternoon tea, pre-dinner and late-night drinks. Cedar Garden offers outdoor dining experience for the hotel guests as it features both courtyard patio and lush grassed area. Its offerings include shisha, mezzeh and Lebanese coffee. Business conference As a business hotel, its business service offerings are top notch and of varied nature. These include a conference centre with the state-of-the-art audio-visual Equipment controlled seamlessly with touch panel technology. Six meeting rooms for business meetings, presentations, banquets or receptions. Then a ballroom spanning 970 square metres, divided between three areas and a foyer with 50 square metres built-in stage. Wellness/leisure It offers some of the finest amenities and services in this regard, which include: Resense Spa, a European styled Spa for male and female guests; 10 treatment rooms with ample relaxation areas; hair and beauty salon; health club; yoga studios; organic food bar; outdoor swimming pool; two racquetball courts; and two tennis courts.

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS B E N E F I TS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195, e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com

FESTAC, LAGOS

LAGOS

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Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

DESTINATION SOUTH AFRICA

SAT’s Road Show makes inroad to Nigeria, Ghana ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was at the South African Tourism Road Show held in some cities across Ghana and Nigeria writes on the event

ast year South African Tourism (SAT) debuted with a travel road show in the West Africa region with Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria, where it has its regional office as host cities while the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), both trade partners to SAT and their counterparts in Ghana were fully represented with operators from South Africa in attendance as well. The road show afforded SAT and its officials to network and exposed its products to the two markets through the anvil of its two major trade partners, tour operators and travel agents, which are part of its basic channels for marketing and promoting its destination. To entrench the relationship, SAT brought in some of its partners from South Africa to interact and network with its trade partners in Nigeria and Ghana. Following the success of the debutant event last year, South African Tourism not only made a repeat visit this year but also extended the scope of the programme and broadened its content by taking on additional cities besides the two cities that were visited. Last week the road show berthed first in Ghana with Accra and Kumasi hosting the event, while it later moved on to Nigeria with Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja as the host cities. The Lagos event started with a city tour of Lagos as the delegation from South Africa was treated to a mix of cultural and musical products of Nigeria with a visit to the palace of the Oba of Lagos (Iga Iduganran), former Kalakuta Republic building in Mushin and the New

Afrika Shrine where they were hosted by some of the siblings of the late Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and treated to the rich and enduring history and exploits of the musical icon. Then the second day was all about South Africa as a destination as NANTA, NATOP, SAT, the media and others gathered at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino managed by Sun International, which is one of South Africa’s hotel management brands. The days’ event started with the screening of a short video clip on the destination and this was followed by Pitson Hloni, the regional manager (West Africa) for SAT, who in his brief welcome remark explained the reason for the gathering and that he would take the back seat and allow the various experts and trade partners from South Africa to talk about the destination. This position was further reiterated by SAT’s Regional Director, Africa, Evelyn Mahlaba, who also had the Manager, Marketing Communication, Africa, Fathima Adam, among her team member from Johannesburg. She spoke about the destination and the effort at marketing and promoting it throughout the Africa continent. Mahlaba later yielded the podium for the Regional Manager, North/Central Africa, South Africa Airways (SAA), Ohis Ehimiaghe, who is also in charge of the Nigeria operations, to make a pitch for the airline and South Africa. Ehimiaghe said that SAA “would continue to sell South Africa because of the beauties the land has to offer and how you can make business out of the beauties that it offers.” He acknowledged the fact that the momentum is up but that there is still a lot to be done and achieved despite the increasing arrivals and spends that the country is notching yearly. Ehimiaghe also said that South Africa is one of the best destinations in the world and that “SAA is proud to be the carrier that takes you to South Africa.” The presidents of the trade partners,

One of the travel operators from South Africa with some Nigerian operators at the event

DESTINATION NANTA and NATOP, also took turn to speak with the President of NATOP, Nkereuwem Onung in his remark commended SAT for the event and the partnership, which he said is growing. He also lauded South African Tourism for its consistency and aggressive marketing of the destination. Therefore, he pleaded with Nigerian travel agents and tour operators to embrace the destination and continue to support the pitching effort of SAT. “I will like to encourage the tour operators and travel agents to embrace the market and the package,” he said. Onung also emphasised on a twoway relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, saying that Nigeria and South Africa need to work together. “It is possible to make it easier for us to visit each other,” he added. He also insisted that Africans need

to visit African destinations in order to develop and enrich the continent. But to achieve this feat, Onung spoke on the need for the liberalisation of visa regime by the various Africa countries to make it easier for this to happen. On his part, NANTA President, Bankole Bernard, spoke in praise of SAT and SAA, commending then for the giant strides that they have both made in the promotion of South Africa destination and also the leadership that they have shown on the continent while calling on Nigeria to learn from the roadmap that SAT has shown. Then turning to the travel agents and tour operators present in the hall, Bernard said: “Let us learn from them and in learning from them we should develop our tourism. We need to wake up and understand that our aviation industry needs to be developed before we can get a return on our tourism. “We have not learnt in the area of tourism development from them, we have to

Why we are on road The Regional Director, Africa, for South African Tourism (SAT), Evelyn Mahlaba, speaks on what gave birth to the road show and what it is intended to achieve for the destination. Excerpts:

hat we did that was good this time around considering that the world is changing, people have different experiences was that we started with research to actually understand the consumers’ mindset. What is it that they are looking for in travel? What is it that they want in a destination? So, we did research in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt using different focus groups to try and understand what is it that the consumer wants and we did that specifically to understand how the mindset has shifted and how South African Tourism can position itself to what the consumer wants. The result of that was the television advert that you saw because people said that they actually want to experience culture in the different countries they go to. They want to know how people live and so it was imperative

for us to showcase South Africans. To actually show that we are welcoming, we are fun and friendly and the experiences that come with those. With my own experience, I understood the importance of travel agencies and tour operators. They are the individuals that sell the destinations and they are paramount to the destination success and for us, the question was how to reach them to tell them more and give them more information about South Africa. Because the consumers in this advent of social media, they do their own research before going to the tour operators or travel agents so it is important that the tour operators and the travel agents are knowledgeable. Hence, we are doing this. The next time we would be doing research and that is why my colleagues from

Travel&Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

ENDNOTE

Whither Nigeria Tourism?

A cross section of South Africans, members of NATOP and NANTA with some media persons at the original location where Fela's Kalakuta republic once stood

and when we do we will have things working for us. SAT has shown us the way and the onus is on us to imbibe all these lessons.” The talk session was later followed by the trade session with the various trade partners from South Africa, such as hotels, tour operators and travel agents and other suppliers as well as officials from the tourism grading council of South Africa and the consular office among others. Each taking turn to interface with the trade partners from Nigeria in a roundtable session introducing them to their products and services, linkages and various ways they can conduct businesses and promote the destination better in Nigeria as well as improve on their business yields. The day also witnessed the presentation of certificates to about 21 graduates of this year’s SA Specialist programme with five of the gradu-

ates winning a round trip to South Africa to experience the destination while the two best adjudged (male and female) dressers in full traditional attire were also rewarded with a trip to South Africa. List of trade partners from South Africa • Tourism Grading Council of South Africa • Gauteng Tourism • Legend Tours • Hilton Hotels • South African Airways • Savaya Tours • City of Tshwane • Tsogo Sun • Sun International • Sharks Board • Saxon Hotel • Robben Island • South African Tourism Research

show – SAT the research department are around and engaging with the different associations because we want to refresh our offerings to the trade. This we are doing globally to understand what it is that the trade wants. What type of information? What type of assistance do they need to sell the destination better? So, we are hoping that the next time we come through because we will be done by the end of this fiscal year, which is March. So, come April next year we would have incorporated our findings into the offerings. This year, it was basically the information that came out in the last two years on how different cities have grown. This year we actually thought that we need to extend this to other cities. For us in the last two years, we started with the two cities, which are Lagos and Accra.

But we have always had the intention to actually see how other cities respond in terms of selling South Africa. So, for the first time this year, we have extended to other cities. We started in Ghana with Kumasi and Accra while in Nigeria we are doing Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

Mahlaba

t is amazing to note the phenomenon growth and successes that South Africa destination has recorded since it came to the Nigerian market in the early 2000s first with South African Airways with Five Star Travel as its General Sales Agent (GSA) then South African Tourism (SAT) followed suit years later to consolidate on the gains and inroads made by the airline. To further entrench its presence in the market, SAT about four years ago opened its first ever regional office (West Africa) in Africa outside of its Johannesburg base in Lagos. Today, SAT celebrates Nigeria as one of its core markets as the destination reaps heavy arrivals and spends figures from it annually. But on the slip side it can’t be said that Nigeria tourism has reaped corresponding results from South Africa or even from its tourism generally as the destination has remained beggarly as a result of poor management. At best what we have as tourism and unashamedly promoted by the leadership of the ministry of tourism and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), is what many people refer to as ‘Adire Tourism.’ This point was underscored by the NANTA president, Bernard, a number of travel operators during the road show when they lamented the fact that even though South Africa has showed us the way and the roadmap to develop our tourism that we have so far woefully refused to learn from them to make our tourism succeed. Yet, we claim we are number one in Africa while our people suffer in the midst of abundance. The fact remains that Nigeria as a destination has a rich and vast attractions ranging from natural, cultural, artificial to countless activities and events all year round as well as icons, landmarks and personalities that make for a rich and suffusing destination. But the irony is that we have failed over the years to leverage on this vast wealth to transform to a truly tourist destination as countries like South Africa or even our next door neighbour, Ghana, has done because aside of South Africa, Ghana has become Nigerians’ playground when it comes to leisure travels. NTDC, which is Nigeria’s equivalent of SAT that is charged with the promotion and marketing of Nigeria tourism, has obviously displayed the lack of capacity to do so and the fact that its lacks understanding of its mandate. Sadly, the defunct ministry of culture and tour-

Mohammed

ism that has been subsumed under the ministry of information and culture has also not acted differently from its parastatal except recently. What we have been treated to over the years by successive leadership of NTDC, including the present director general, Sally Mbanefo, are more of banalities, perfidies and a meddlesomeness to other areas that has no bearing on their function and most disappointingly self-promotion and personal aggrandisement at the expense of the marketing and promotion of our national patrimony while the supervising ministry looks the other way because the ministry too is guilty of the same sin. Today, the singsong of NTDC is that it is promoting domestic tourism, which is a good one because no serious minded tourism country succeeds without first building on its domestic scene as it is the success of the domestic scene that gives birth to a thriving in-bound. But the question is how has this song played out three years on since Mbanefo waxed poetic with the domestic tourism lyrics? What channels of marketing either within or outside the shores of the country has been engaged? Where are the trade partners in terms of travel agents, tour operators and other suppliers and distributors of travels either within or outside the country that have been engaged? What are the chains of network, value chains, products and services that have either been created or indirectly created by it as a result of its engagement with the domestic scene? More importantly, what aspect of the domestic scene, in terms of product development that has engaged the attention of NTDC over the years? In this respect, Nigeria is blessed with abundant cultural tourism products. One of the most engaging is the plurality of festivals across the country.

Mbanefo

Just last week, Osun Osogbo Cultural Festival, one of the most enduring religiouscultural festivals on the domestic scene was held and there is no record of any sort of the presence or inputs of NTDC in the promotion and marketing of the festival, its organisation and driving of traffic to Osogbo and yet we are told that NTDC is devoted to domestic tourism while the ministry is focused on festivals. Tourism is not done in abstract but in practical and concrete terms. The realities of our follies as a people are with us as a nation with the economy in dire need of a saviour while tourism, which naturally would have been the next honey pot of the nation, is in a prostrate state. It is never too late in the day to realise our mistakes and make amendments. NTDC’s DG and her henchmen at the Tourism Village in Abuja and those at the ministry in Bullet House must wake up and stop playing roulette with our tourism. They must admit their failures and the fact that they lack the capacity and ability to transform Nigeria to a tourist destination and move out of their shells to seek help and solutions to the problem confronting our tourism. At least Bernard has pointed all of us to one direction even though our national pride may want to reject that offer. But the truth is to succeed, you must learn from the success story of others, which is the point that the NANTA president has made because you can’t reinvent the wheel. After all, in the early days of SAT coming into this market, NTDC with the then DG, Omotayo Omotosho, made a pact with SAT as to help Nigeria tourism develop but because of misplaced priority neither Omotosho nor those that came after her saw the need to actualise this pact while SAT quietly moved on with its own agenda and the result is there for us all to see.

Sportsplash 44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Celebrity RĂ&#x2C6;sume FULL NAME Elohor Eva Alordiah Alternative Stage Name Eva Date of Birth August 13, 1989 Place of Birth Lagos State State of Origin Delta State Occupation Rapper, singer, songwriter, make-up artist, fashion designer and writer. Music Genre Rap, Hip Hop, Dancehall First Album 1960 Albums GIGO (EP) and 1960 (Mixtapes). Marital Status Single Awards Most Promising Act To Watch (NEA 2012), Female Rap Artiste of the Year (Eloy Awards 2011), Best Rap. Best Rap Single Female for "I Don Did It" (YEM Awards 2012) Biggest Hits "Shuga" and "Deaf" Active Years 2008 -Present First Record Label Trybe Records 2.0 Achievements Eva was announced as an ambassador of Guinness Nigeria's Made of Black on August. 13, 2014. The campaign also has Olamide and Phyno as ambassadors. Eva performed at the campaign's launch and was featured in the campaign's television commercial.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

27 August 2016

Nigeria must diversify strategically to move out of recession –Parker

p.46

Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa is the Chief Press Secretary to the Taraba State Governor. In this interview with SABIU MUSTAPHA, he speaks on plans to boost the state IGR through tourism, among other issues. Excerpts... Taraba State is 25 years, how would you describe the journey so far? The journey is a very interesting one, the journey has not been entirely smooth or rough but has a mix of both. We have moments that were remarkably great and we also experienced some down times. We thank God that we have been able to withstand so much as a state. You know that besides the military interregnums, we have enjoyed the transitions from Reverend Jolly Nyame to Danbaba Suntai and now Architect Darius Ishaku. I think its been a worthwhile experience. Will you say the state is where it should be in terms of development? When you look at the indices, you will agree that we have done our best as a state, though we believe that we could have done better and gone farther than where we are now if not for some of the challenges we had to contend with. These made it difficult to get to the needs of our people as we should but honestly, we must congratulate ourselves that we have been able to sustain our common existence this far and this well. You know we have had to contend with civil strife, political turbulence, and other challenges but in the end ,we have done well. What are some of these challenges that you're talking about? Well, we have been bedevilled by communal clashes, political instability and other socio-political and religious crises in some parts of the state. The good thing is that as a people, we have not allowed these differences to prevail over us. What is this government doing differently from previous administration? Well you know that this administration inherited quite a lot of crisis in the state including paucity of funds and a very bad economy and so this administration is fundamentally trying to utilise the available resources to boost our Internally Generated Revenue through the control of logging and other ways. And we are carrying out comprehensive sensitisation on the need for peaceful coexistence as championed by the governor. It is this peace we have achieved so far that has enabled us to build on the foundation of our founding fathers. You will appreciate that Taraba is far from

45 We are not killing Niger Delta varsity for new school –Akpe

p.47

Suntai's plane crash, genesis of Taraba's problem –Mijiyawa what it used to be. We now have a Government House, we have good roads network. This administration can also beat its chest and say that it has revived the Highland Tea and it is now, not just a self-sustaining venture but actually a profit-making venture with an enviable future. The administration is also paying attention to power generation, specifically hydro power generation. One of these is the Tunga Hydro power plant that powers the Kakara Tea and communities around Kakara. The administration's attention in the area of education as reflected in the level of development at the school of Nursing and Midwifery in Jalingo and other schools in the state is unprecedented. The ability of the governor to fully digitalise the state-owned media establishments ahead of the given deadline shows the policy thrust of this administration with regards to information dissemination. You also know that we have built a state of the art studio in Mallum and all these we did within a year. This government also believes that governance is a continuous process and so is not abandoning worthwhile projects that previous administrations started. For instance, the Nyame administration initiated the airport and a stadium. While the Danbaba administration completed the stadium, it is this administrat i o n

OLALEKAN OSIADE Assistant Editor 08033076969 lekanosiade@gmail.com lekanosiade@yahoo.com

that has brought the airport in Jalingo to reality. A lot was put in there. New navigational facilities were installed and the runway extended and we now have flights schedule three times in a week and we hope to extend to daily flights before the end of the year. We are also planning on bringing helicopter shuttle to some of the key tourist sites in the state especially on the Mambila Plateau where a helipad will be put in place very soon to encourage tourists.

How did the unfortunate Suntai's plane crash affect the state? That crash was the genesis of all the crisis that we had. The accident affected the state both economically and politically. We became so divided as a result of the accident and that was when the issues of cabal and other ugly issues reared their ugly heads and held sway in the state. It took the grace of God for us to realise the folly in all these division. We are now coming back together as one and in saying that, we must acknowledge the tremendous efforts of Governor Darius Ishaku who championed the cause and we threw our weight behind him. The crisis that ensued after the crash crippled economic activities in most areas and we are just trying to recover now. Most farmers abandoned their farms and ran for dear lives while most farms were destroyed. Then you have the leadership tussle that also followed where some people were not comfortable with the way things were done. So yes, the unfortunate accident has affected us as a state terribly but it has also shown how much we can endure. Taraba is going bankrupt because of the reliance on federal allocation. What is this government doing to shore up the state's IGR? We are trying to see how we can expand and diversify as much as we can. You know that until recently, government had no hand in the logging activities that were going on in the state. Now we have put in place enabling laws and structures to ensure that government gets revenue from logging. Again, you know about the tourist potential of the

Mambila Plateau and other destinations in the state. The building of the airport and soon to be introduced flight shuttle services is part of efforts to boost the tourism potential in the state to open it up to the world and of course, that would be huge revenue. We are also encouraging private investors where we hope to fastrack development of some of the needed facilities such as hotels, parks and gardens and other key areas. We have gone far with that arrangement. The state is also blessed with enormous mineral resources. The Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development was here some time ago and discussed with the governor on ways to control mining activities in the state. The state government has now registered a company so that it can go into mining proper so that at the end of the day, every mining activity in any community will bring revenue to the federal, state and local governments respectively. These are all measures put in place with the primary aim of boosting the state's IGR and I am optimistic that we would get there really soon. The target is to ensure that in the nearest future, Taraba is able to fund most of our budget from IGR. How has the PDP crisis at the national level affected Taraba, being a PDP controlled state? Well PDP is a very big party comprising individuals and in any arrangement where you have different people from different backgrounds, you should also expect divergent views. The PDP is facing some crises now but I believe the party will overcome them and move forward. It's just a matter of time. The crises in a way also affect the state to the extent that we have had to attend two aborted national conventions already and this puts financial strain on the state chapter but basically, it does not affect the structure of the party. The governor is accused of dividing the state along religious and tribal lines. Isn't that a fact? Well this is politics and you must expect criticisms especially from the opposition. That is what makes the polity vibrant and interesting. All actions of the governor would certainly receive different interpretations and criticisms. The most important thing is to forward your grievances to the appropriate authorities for actions. We are all stakeholders in this project called Taraba and we must be seen playing roles that would bring about development of the state and not to enshrine divisive tendencies. If the opposition feels that the governor is discriminatory in his dealings, there is a procedure for tabling your objections, giving specific reasons. How would you assess the APC ad-

Mijiyawa CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

46 Politics Dr. Samson Parker was the Commissioner for Health in Rivers State during the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. In this interview with OLALEKAN OSIADE, he speaks on steps that could be taken to control the spread of such emergencies, among other issues. Excerpts:

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Nigeria must diversify strategically to move out of recession –Parker

Now that Polio and Lassa Fever have resurfaced in the country, can you proffer solutions using your experience during the Ebola crisis? Governance is mainly practices and traditions for guiding decision-making towards reaching corporate goals. Hence the first measure for increasing capabilities generally is to improve the quality of decision-making at all levels. You have to make rational decisions, when you know all the angles, where information is available or can be made available through the mobilisation of resources. And where you have time, which is a very important resource and must always be respected, because it is the only resource you cannot replace if you lose it. Where you don’t know all the angles, where you cannot get all the required information, you must then rely on what is called, bounded decision-making, that is, you are limited in what you can know about the problem or issue. Do you think all states have capacities to fight the scourge? The first thing is to empower our leaders and managers with decisionmaking and problem solving techniques, then we institutionalise clear directional guides through well formulated policies so that we can reduce subjectivity in issues where we need uniformity. By taking the basic steps we can approach any problem and take advantage of opportunities. The economic challenges in the country appears to be intensifying with Nigeria said to be technically in recession. Couldn't this be a factor? Let us be factual if a family is faced

with a funeral, it will affect different members more than others economically, so also does a recession, those with less means will suffer more, therefore government must concentrate a lot of supportive efforts to help those who are most vulnerable, especially the dis-empowered youths without jobs and women. If you don’t help these people immediately, whatever explanations and plans you offer will fall on deaf ears. Give them jobs or support them with short to medium term grants while fixing the fundamentals of the problem. Recession is a performance measure in a timeframe, it is not fixed, it is a measure that says to us, at this point in time, you are not doing enough, given the facts, we can’t fight the facts or brood over it, we should get on with it. How about the balme games in government circles? We are a country that fought a civil war and came out strong and rich, we have battled economic downturns such as structural adjustments and many others, we did not overcome those things by blaming one other, and we did so because we accepted our conditions and rolled our sleeves. In the main, it means our productive capacities are down, governments at all levels must therefore have credible and feasible plans to revive and energise productive areas of our economy. They cannot do this by going all over the map, they must choose priorities, champions and elect areas of the economy for quick wins and long term sustainability. I just told you

qualified because it must be SMARTSpecific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-bound. It cannot happen overnight, it takes time, but as decisionmakers we have control over what we intend to do, hence we should be able to have plans with moving targets. Don't you think this period is too harsh for these realities? Yes we have a difficult time, but we must keep our the hopes of our people alive, we must propel them to action by showing them what we can do to find a solution. Doing nothing, offering nothing or raising fears and despair must be off the table. The job of leadership is to inspire hope and courage, no matter how daunting the task or situation is.

Parker

Doing nothing, offering nothing or raising fears and despair must be off the table. The job of leadership is to inspire hope and courage, no matter how daunting the task or situation is

about how decisions are made under uncertainties. Nigeria is facing a lot of uncertainties, we cannot tell what the price of oil will be in six months or one year, yet that is our main resource. What must we do is to spread our risk, we move more towards the revenue we can predict and limit our exposure to risky revenue, we don’t just diversify, we must diversify strategically. So the notion of diversification must be

How do you feel being honoured by the African Institute of Public Health Practitioners, AIPHP? In containing the spread and preventing further spread, the health and other teams including the media and other stakeholders saved the country from a disaster of uncertain dimensions. I helped to lead in mobilising and coordinating the required resources to ensure that everything that needed to be done was done, but we must always remember the frontline technical and administrative people who were very professional in ensuring that the goals we set were attained and that we ensured that ultimately, Rivers State remained a safe and exciting place to reside or visit and not a ghost town as would have been the case, if the virulent disease had not been stopped. So in reacting to the honour, I am filled with a profound sense of accomplishment for myself and on behalf of all those who played their roles effectively to ensure that collective success. The award by the African Institute of Public Health Practitioners (AIPHP) was for my humble role in leading the health sector under the previous government in Rivers State to an effective control of the potential spread of the Ebola virus throughout the state and possibly to nearby states.

'No plan to probe past administrations in Taraba' CONTINUED from PAGE 45

ministration after one year? The Federal Government is doing very well, most especially in the fight against corruption. I believe that other states should also emulate the president in this regards to ensure that whatever is meant for the people is actually used for the people and not that a few persons will just pack everything and go with it leaving the generality of the people in abject poverty. The president has so far been able to instill discipline and to ensure that monies are only released for projects that have direct bearing on the people and that is most commendable. He has proven that he has what it takes to take Nigeria to the promised land. Just a few days ago, former President Obasanjo was in the state and he had extensive interaction with the governor and agreed that the state has enormous potential that need to be harnessed to move the entire country forward. The interest of the president and this admin-

istration in the area of hydro power also shows his commitment to ensure that the dream of stable power supply is finally a reality in the country. Mambila hydro power plant alone is capable of generating over three thousand Megawatts, so when completed as the president is showing such interest, our power supply would have increased by almost a hundred per cent. But there is hardship in the country with families going without a good meal for days. Is that governance? You should know that putting in place corrective measures is not always easy. It comes with a price. We all have to make sacrifices. And like you rightly observed, the hardship is unprecedented. We just have to come to terms with the reality that the era of extravagance is gone and now is time to identify our priorities and give them due attention. I think we need to give the government our unwavering support, to ensure that he is able to salvage the coun-

try because we cannot continue with the massive looting that was going on and had become our trademark right from the military era. People are now encouraged to think out of the box to earn a living. You have to be creative, to improvise and to contribute to the development of the country rather than waiting for the country to hand over everything you need on a plater of gold. It is the best thing that has happened to this country because this is the only way to ensure a secured future for our children. We were supposed to have done this long ago but we failed and lived in illusion for too long. Now it is time to face reality and you know that the truth is always bitter. Are there plans to probe previous administrations as seen in other states? Well, government is a system and we cannot just say that we want to probe previous administrations. We are not on a vengeance mission. I don't think the Buhari administration came with the

mission to probe previous administrations. Something led to it. In Taraba, we believe that the most important thing is to ensure that we bring everyone together, to harness the resources of the state for development and to carter for the needs of our people. That is why you see us going this far so soon. Taraba was receiving two megawatts of electricity previously but today we receive 18 megawatts. There was no water supply in Jalingo for almost a year. Within one month in office, the governor was able to restore water supply to the state capital and 29 other towns in the state and efforts are still ongoing. So these are the priorities of this administration. Efforts are also in place to block leakages in government and to curb looting to the barest minimum. This, however, does not mean that this administration will look the other way when there are clear cases of mismanagement of state funds by previous administrations. Far from it.

Politics 47

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

People are worried that an important bill of this magnitude did not go for public hearing and was passed within 24 hours. Why should such an issue of public importance be discussed secretly? Let me first tell you why it was passed within 24 hours. The House is not under compulsion to make all bills go for public hearing. If a bill has come to the House, there are standing orders. There are rules, regulations, procedures and practices of the House. Now once those procedures are followed, a bill can be passed. This is not the first time that a bill is passed in such a manner in less than two hours. It is not news. I think that the issue of passing the bill under 24 hours is to underscore the importance of the bill as highlighted by the Assembly. All the 24 divisions of the state are in the House and you have given us that responsibility to take decisions for you. So, there is nothing wrong in taking the bill the way it went. Some bills can be given express hearing and can be passed even the day it is introduced but the House still needs to take it to the committee. Let me also talk about the issues of timing and why the House passed it. It is not the first time you have been to the House. So you know that some bills, even those that directly deal with money, sometimes are passed like that. The University of Africa is said to be in partnership with the state government. Who are the owners? It is a concept. This stage is a formative stage. Tertiary education is supposed to have some standard and quality, which can boost the provisions within the development of any economy and any society. Now there are several ways you can run an institution. You can run it through direct or through private inclusion and you see that government is going into this public partnership arrangement. For example the state is preparing to commercialise even Bayelsa Palm because of the issues of management. Now, if you look at the scenario that we find ourselves, the partners will be determined by conditions. Already, people that want to partner are showing interest because it is going to be an institution that will run through a collegial system where a particular institution will be ran from any other country. It is not only one country or one institution that will run the whole university. There is going to be a central management where the Vice Chancellor will manage the colleges. The colleges are quasiautonomous because you don’t expect a German University that may be running the College of Medicine to go and take instructions from a University from Malaysia or the USA. They are autonomous and they are going to issue their own degrees. Who is responsible for the financial obligation in terms of infrastructural development and paying of lecturers? Yes, the government to some extent, would be responsible for infrastructures. For example we already have infrastructures available for the take-off of some colleges. The teaching hospital will be at the 500-bed state hospital. There are also some infrastruc-

We are not killing Niger Delta varsity for new school –Akpe Honourable Peter Peretubo Akpe, representing Sagbama Constituency 1, is the Majority Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. He recently sponsored a bill on the running of a new university on Public Private Partnership, which has been raising dusts in the state. In this interview with PAULINE ONYIBE, he explained the rationale behind the speedy passage of the bill, among other issues. Excerpts. tures that can be used for take-off and that is just the area the state may be involved. The issue of running the school management is the business of the school. Though there is going to be a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), it is going to be signed by the government and any other interested institution. As they come with their packages, we have to align and that is going to form the basis of discussion. The Niger Delta University (NDU) is still shut and we are talking University of Africa. Should this new school take precedence over the NDU? One thing I want to pass across to my brothers and sisters in NDU and Bayelsa is that this law is to solve a particular challenge. It is different from the NDU matter. It is going to complement the educational needs of the state. For example, we have several universities in Nigeria which are private and public. Over 150 of them. But in the midst of this, people still travel abroad to go and obtain degrees from other countries. You see, whether they are available or not, the interest is there. In the midst of this, the state government also sends its own students abroad in the name of scholarship. The Central Bank of Nigeria report shows that in 2014 alone, more than 75,000 Nigerians were studying in Ghana, they spent an average of $1 billion for tuitions and upkeep and the budget for federal universities put together that year was $721 million. You see that what Nigeria spends in Ghana is more than what the country desires to spend on the whole of our universities. Can you see the capital flight? If it goes that way and you have an avenue where people are saying let us do this, we want to do this and we are interested. Showing interest does not mean we will quickly accept but showing interest means that we have to sample the condition to make sure that the interest materialises in the general interest of the state. The executive brought the bills and we scrutinised it and said that it is something that we should give a passage so that we can support it. Do you think that the African University would be superior in terms of academic performance? I did not say that, I didn't say it is superior but I will put it to you that when NDU was there, people were going abroad. There are many reasons why people go to study abroad, so those reasons are what we are bringing back. The same people who were going abroad saw NDU before they went. Some people who want to

Akpe

see their children that way will send them to universities abroad for obvious reasons. Any university system has to do with upkeep, tuition. It has to do with travel expenses.

In 2014 alone, more than 75,000 Nigerians were studying in Ghana, they spent an average of $1 billion on tuitions and upkeep and the budget for federal universities put together that year was $721 million

How many campuses are we expecting to start this university? For now, we may not determine the number of campuses. When I was talking about the issue of partnership, we say these are the things we have. Already, you know that we cannot run away from this kind of facility; the Asuama School is there. If the state looks at it and say this place can run a particular faculty, it will runs, and so for others.

ment of the NDU, which is already going down? I don’t know what you mean by hamper. For instance, we as legislators, we have been pressuring and we will continue to pressure and mediate between the institution and government and also talk to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), so that they can come together. There are things government needs to do in the university which are obvious, whether you like it or not in NDU. There are also things in this circumstance that the university lecturers need to understand so that the school can move forward. And we the legislators have engaged ASUU once or twice. We have been discussing both officially and unofficially and we have also discussed with people in some necessary quarters in government to see that they can sit and come to a point where Bayelsa will move forward. The Assembly will be the last body to say that NDU should go down the drains because the common man can easily get it. These two audiences for every education consumer, there is a relative education producer. This producer in this instance deals with specific consumer audience. This consumer audience is that audience that we all know. Whether there are 20 million NDUs, they will still go and get this content. Could we get the names of the partners? It will be out of place to begin to mention names for now. They are still at the level of putting their houses together. But there are standards in this case. Because the House is in a hurry to pass this bill, investors are also in a hurry to invest to meet up the deadline. It is in the interest of Bayelsans not the legislators.

Why are they taking it to ToruOrua when there are other underdeveloped areas in the state? It goes there because West Senatorial district has not gotten a university.

What is the assurance that investors are going to come after passing the bill into the law? If they did not come now, sooner or later, they will come. Whether the university is coming now or not is immaterial. The Assembly must do its job and the executive too. We did our best because we were able to assess the intention, the trajectory that is being put in place and the mindset of the University of Africa. Let ASUU have a re-think. Let us not be subjective in this judgment. Probably we may transfer aggression to some specific issues. Please, let us not do that. Attend to these issues the way they are.

Don’t you think the relevance given to this new university may hamper the growth and develop-

When is the university taking off? The university may not takeoff immediately.

Where is the main campus going to be located? The main campus is to be located at Toru-Orua, according to the law.

Interview

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Pastor Bassey James, a criminologist and security consultant, is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BASCON Nigeria Limited. He spoke with ISIOMA MADIKE on his desire to positively engage the youth as a means to address security challenges confronting Nigeria. Excerpts: You are planning a national youth conference. What do you hope to achieve with it? This is one conference that will genuinely address the many problems confronting the very fabric of the Nigerian nation. It will also address the very situation that prompted the recurring unrest and militancy, which have significantly eroded the economic fortune of the nation and put the country in a very tight corner. Using persuasion, dialogue and superior argument, the national conference will take youths through tour of positive reasoning and patriotism while at the same time realistically propose genuine empowerment programme that will help enhance their general welfare and wellbeing. It’s a known fact that youths are the future leaders and that can only come to fruition if they don’t destroy the future which belongs to them. It will equally tackle youth restiveness and empowerment among others.

In South Korea and China, every home is a factory. India is doing well in ICT while here it is all politics.

alarming unemployment among Nigeria’s teaming youth. For instance, look at the tragedy we witnessed during last immigration recruitment exercise. Our problem here is that we politicise everything. The president can use a physical approach like putting N100 billion in 10 banks while a proper screening will be done and funds released to beneficiaries for various businesses, but that the money must be recovered too. It will not be anybody’s share of the national cake. If you have a good proposal to set up a farm settlement, as a youth, you access the loan after you are certified by relevant authorities. They can spread the funds to cover those in agriculture, ICT, commerce and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and ensure it’s done in the six geo-political zones. If you go to some big markets in Lagos today, for instance, most of the successful traders there don’t have up to N1 million at the inception of their businesses. Some of these people never received anything from government.

James

'Govt must create deliberate employment policies to help Nigerian youths'

Niger Delta is in turmoil over the activities of militants. As a criminologist, how do you think these issues can be resolved? To address the crisis plaguing the Niger Delta, everybody must be a peace ambassador, ever willing to chat the course of peace and nonviolent approach to total resolution of the raging issues. You cannot compromise peace and its absence means anarchy, confusion and destruction. Peace means so much; it means development equity, fair play and justice. Peace is the language the world is discussing presently even at the point of the United Nations. The resources being wasted presently in Nigeria is so much and if it is well harnessed and utilised everybody on this part of the world will be very rich and comfortable and that is why our generation must never fail Nigeria. How would you rate the approach so far used by the Federal Government to resolve the crisis? I think President Muhammadu Buharis is so desirous of keeping Nigeria as one and has shown sincere courage to stop anything that will divide the country. He needs prayers and encouragement to handle the issues at stake. I recently recommended that there should be a national youth conference involving the young ones from the six geo-political zones of the country. Such conference must be devoid of any political inclinations. The conference must not discuss political or religious matters but strictly empowerment, strategy, development and welfare of the youth. As a nation desirous of a better future, the youths are the future and ignoring them will spell doom for the nation. We should not allow trivial or mate-

rial things to divide us. A country that exacts much of her energy on politics than governance will not go far. In western world, once a government is formed, everybody falls in line and thoughts will centre on development and progress of the country no matter the political party one belongs. But unfortunately, here in our country, when a party takes over power, all thoughts and discussions centre on party affiliations, even in the sharing of sensitive offices. There is every need for Nigerians to play less politics in governance. Recently you constructed a police station and handed it over to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. Why this rare gesture? My decision to build, equip and donates the structure to police was in appreciation of the wonderful job they are doing. These are individuals who have elected to put down their lives and comfort to enable us stay in peace. Policemen stay awake while we are sleeping, so policing is a very tedious work and policemen must be appreciated and praised. Imagine a society without police and there is no law and order. The first primary assignment of any government is protection of lives and property. As a criminologist and security consultant I know the importance of security. So, my decision to donate a gigantic office building with residential quarters coupled with communication gadgets, like computers is to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in the discharge of their sacred duties. I want to thank the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police and his

men for a job well done. I pray God to give me the resources to do more for these uniform men. Are you satisfied with the level of training Nigerian policemen are currently exposed to? I think our officers and men are well trained and for a sensitive and dynamic job like policing, one gets training or capacity building all through the life of his or her career. But, due to the ever changing world with new dimensions in crime, it is advisable that our policemen get not just the latest equipment but up to date training to handle situations as they emerge. I will gladly assist in any form of capacity building for officers of the force because my community and state have benefited immensely from the force. We have had former IG’s and DIG’s and many commissioners of the police from Akwa Ibom State. So I believe that nothing will be too much to do for the force. Today I am glad to be perhaps the first person from this part of the world to donate a digital police station to the state police command. I encourage other Nigerians to come up and support the police. Youth unemployment appears to be a disturbing phenomenon contributing to the crisis. How do you think the government can tackle this? Government must deliberately formulate policies and programmes that will help create employment for youths. The Bank of Industry can serve as a pivot, to help empower creative youths. It will be terrible to ignore the

Why are you recommending that? There is every need now to have deliberate policies to curb unemployment. Top Nigerian businessmen like Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Mike Adenuga, to mention but a few must be encouraged by the government to mentor the youth through seminars and workshops to reveal some deep secrets of their successes. They will work on the psyche of the young Nigerians and you could only imagine the multiplier effect of such gesture. I know that Tinubu is a successful entrepreneur. Dangote is Africa’s richest man; he never worked in government. Such men can turn around the lives of many Nigerians through seminars. In South Korea and China, every home is a factory. India is doing well in ICT while here it is all politics. These men I mentioned have content, especially Tinubu, who has touched many lives. He is a great Nigerian. When we go looking for him, it is not for the material gift but the content of his wealth of knowledge and experience, which will be a big plus for the upliftment of the youth. Soonest, we will put together a national youth conference that will turn around their fortunes. The conference will hold at every region of the country and will address the various problems confronting youths in Nigeria. The decision arising from this conference is all the federal government needs as a blueprint to quell years of youth restiveness across the country. The conference needs the support and prayers of every Nigerian to succeed and I am giving my all to see that Nigeria remains one united and indivisible country.

Feature 49

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Kenneth Ofoma

ENUGU

bagwa Nike community is in the north-eastern fringe of Enugu capital city. It is a gateway to Enugu capital territory when coming from Nsukka. At the royal throne of the community is a young, tall, ebullient and soft spoken gentleman, who speaks and oozes royalty. Enenwudala, the founding father of Ibagwa, is a father of five sons; Oshimene Anekeode, Ogavene, Ezeneke, Aguode, who make up the five villages of the kingdom. His Royal Highness (HRH) Igwe Emmanuel Oluchukwu Ugwu, born into the family of Chief and Lolo Christopher Ugwumnamchi, on May 1, 1970, is the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike community in Enugu East Local Government area of the state. It is a community that has managed to retain its culture and tradition despite daily influence of modernity, being one of the communities that constitute Enugu capital development area. Although a community with rich historical and cultural heritage, being the ancestral home and eldest community in Nkanu clan, presently made up of six council areas, Ibagwa only became an autonomous community in 2002. The establishment of Ibagwa Nike as an autonomous community in 2002 and the emergence of Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu as the first traditional ruler were therefore like a kingdom that was lost but found. Giving the historical account of what transpired Igwe Ugwu said: “The white men came to recognise somebody from our place (as Warrant Chief), but the community didn’t like the person, they disputed and the white men insisted that if they don’t bring a Warrant Chief, then, Nike community will no longer have a Warrant Chief. "So, one of my uncles from the same family and a councillor at that particular time known as Chief Louis Okoye; was the one who stood out and appointed late Igwe Edward Nnaji. He appointed him as his friend and because he appointed him, there was ovation because of the character of the man. That was how we lost the throne. We lost the throne from that angle”, he said. The incident took place around 1945 to 1959 according to him. The dogged role HRH Ugwu played contributed in the reestablishment of the kingdom that was lost many decades ago through internal discord. But like a man with extra-sensory perception, Igwe Ugwu at the age of 13 saw himself on a throne that was not in existence then. But he nurtured the dream as he grew up and by providence became the first traditional ruler of the community. Ever since his emergence as one of the youngest royal fathers in the country, Igwe Ugwu has carved a niche for himself and the community having brought Ibagwa Nike to national and international limelight. The traditional ruler built the biggest royal secretariat in the South East in an effort to establish a legacy and monarchy that will be symbol of the royal kingdom. The building is located little distance away from his palace and is a multi-purpose complex that provides office for the traditional ruler, banquet hall, royal court, meeting rooms, police post, military post, office of the local vigilante, business centre and other ancillary offices like that of the chairman of land attorney. He also constructed a big building housing the micro finance bank, Umuchinemerem Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank, that provides credit to young ones who want to start businesses or for

Ibagwa kingdom: Epitome of royalty, culture and modernity

Ibagwa royal secretariat

educational purposes. The building housing the bank was named after Prince (Engr) Arthur Eze, a mentor to the traditional ruler. Igwe Ugwu is a detribalised Nigerian who has demonstrated it in words and manner. Little wonder that the royal kingdom has played host to many prominent Nigerians, who have bagged chieftaincy titles of the community in honour of their distinguished service to humanity and accomplishments in their area of human endeavour. Such honorees were given a seat in the royal court and a piece of land as members of the ruling council, who are free to make their contributions to the development of the community. Some of the prominent Nigerians honoured by the community during the Igwe’s many Ofalla festivals include; His Excellency, Ambassador Maitama Sule; His Royal Highness Justice Maman Nasir (rtd), the traditional ruler of Malunfase in Katsina State; a younger brother to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Jafaru Bello Dambazua; former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema; former governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangi-

Igwe Ugwu

da Aliyu; the chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Mike Okiro; and a former Foreign Affairs Minister and Ambassador of China, Bashir Wale. There were others from the South South and the South East who have seats in the palace too. The community did not allow urbanisation and modernity to swallow it up as the people still retained some of their valued traditions, cultures and festivals. In fact the community recently celebrated her 2016 New Yam festival. In Igwe Ugwu’s words; “Of course most of our ceremonies now, we try to shrink them, bring them into one purpose because before now we have a festival; Umuoro festival, Aju festival, Onwa Esa festival. But what we are trying to do now is to combine them. During the New Yam festival we have between Saturday and Sunday to be able to put those things together, combine the festivals together and call it New Yam festival. We know that in the seventh month you call your family to celebrate month of sanctity, the seventh month is the month of sanctity. So what I do is that within that seventh month in July I gather my ruling council together, we pray together, we eat together, drink together and thank God that we have even overcome the half of the year. All we ask Him to do is to enable us to see the end of the year. “So, that is the Onwe Esa; and naturally the New Yam festival is a moment where my own people bring what they have in the farm, their farm produce and bring to the king as a gift. That is what we do and the other one is the ceremony that is strictly for the king that is the Ofalla festival. Ofalla festival is where all our sons and daughters come home, where we invite different friends of the community, the in-laws of the community; the moment that we eat together with them, but that one lasts for seven days. We recognise some notable people in the nation, notable people in the community and so on. That is the two major festivals we celebrate annually.” A member of the royal court, Hon Emeka J. Ngwu, who also serves as the palace principal adviser on Diaspora Matters, said this about Igwe Ugwu: “I can actually say that only Igwe Emman-

uel Ugwu can really put back together the combustive town called Ibagwa Nike. He is somebody that really believes in allowing a lot of things to go by just to maintain peace. He is not quick to anger; he is not quick to judge. He tries to be judicious in his decisions. And I think he will be successful. “Look around you, Ibagwa Nike is oldest community in Nkanuland and for years we have been down in the doldrums but as they say the dead bones shall rise again. And this young man is on his way to bringing us back to glory from where we used to be. “So I believe he is really prepared, he was prepared from the job he was doing, it was a very, very intensive situation working with Prince Arthur Eze, he survived that job and that job really prepared him in dealing with different individuals and different groupings in the community.” Similarly, Sir Arthur Williams Mba, a palace councillor and Igwe’s head of protocol said, “Igwe as a child or as he was growing, at the age of 13, started as a philanthropist in this community. He was with the billionaire by name Arthur Eze, so while he was there, he sent so many of our guys to school, he pays their fees, he brought electricity to this community, that was around 1999 to the year 2000. He was the person who erected electric poles from Nike Lake down to this community; high tension poles and the low tension. “He brought even the primary school. We don’t have primary school here before. Around 1999 to 2000 he brought in primary school in this community by name Ibagwa Nike Primary School. “He is a peace master. Let me use that word, he is a peace master. He has been doing everything, we have different committees in this community that if you have any grievance you lay your complain to. There was a time he made the police not to come in here for any arrest. That time if there is any problem you report to the judicial council. They will handle your matter. Where you are not satisfied you can appeal to the council of elders. So and he has been following that even as Igwe. He has the council of chiefs where you lay your complaints to.” The 2016 New Yam festival of the community was as resplendent as ever wit prayers for peace, love and development offered by the traditional ruler and elders of the community.

Perspective

Simeon Nwakaudu he 56th NBA National Conference offered the people of Rivers State another privilege to prove to the world that the state is the safest place for investments with the highest potentials for benefits. The people seized the opportunity. For a week, August 19 to 26, 2016, the people of Rivers State played host to over 10,000 lawyers from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. The NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt tagged Garden City 2016 was a resounding success. The security network before, during and after the conference was second to none. Conferees moved round the different conference venues with no untoward experience. The transportation system was near perfect while the hotels provided quality accommodation. The conference helped to further stimulate the growing Rivers economy as thousands of business concerns benefitted directly and indirectly from the presence of the lawyers in the state. One of the most outstanding benefits of the conference in terms of infrastructure is the remodelled Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre. Governor Wike revived infrastructure at the facility and made it world class to serve as the main venue of the 56th NBA Annual General Conference. At the end of the conference, the Civic Centre would be used as an indoor sports facility for different games. Several other associate conference venues were upgraded by the Rivers State Government to ensure that the conference was hosted in a befitting environment. These facilities will continue to serve the people of the state. The theme of the NBA Annual General Conference: "Democracy and Economic Development " was exhaustively treated at the different sessions of the conference. Highpoint of the 56th NBAAnnual General Conference was the successful transition from the immediate past President Augustine Alegeh to the new President, Abubakar Mahmoud. Without doubt, the conference afforded the Nigerian Lawyers the direct opportunity to assess one of their own, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike . The lawyers were able to observe that Governor Wike has touched the lives of the Rivers people through projects that have enhanced the economic well being of the people of the state. They further observed that Rivers State is one of the few states that is up to date in terms of the payment of salaries and pension in addition to the sustained funding of development projects. Governor Wike on Thursday, August 25, 2016 led over three hundred lawyers from all the branches of the Nigerian Bar Association on a detailed project tour across three local government areas. These selected

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

56th NBA Annual General Conference:

Celebration of a performer

Ikpeazu Mahmoud

Wike

lawyers who cut across all ages were able to assess the governor's development philosophy and its practical implementation on the field. Projects inspected include : NBA Law Centre, Federal High Court, Dr Nabo Graham Douglas Faculty of Law, RSUST, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park , Second Nkpogu Bridge, Elelenwo-Akpajo road and the Second WOJI-AKPAJO Bridge. Among the lawyers were the Immediate Past NBA President Augustine Alegeh ( SAN) and the President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN). President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud ( SAN) said that the lawyers were impressed with the performance of Governor Wike. He commended the governor for executing projects that promote legal practice such as the Law Centre, Law Faculty at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and the Federal High Court. The NBA President urged Governor Wike to ensure that he drives ongoing projects to completion to the benefit of the people Immediate Past President of NBA, Augustine Alegeh ( SAN) was particularly impressed with the Law faculty which he said would help in grooming fresh lawyers with modern facilities and enhanced human resources. Alegeh urged the students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology to show appreciation to the governor by becoming worthy ambassadors to the school.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa also lauded the governor for living up to the expectations of the people of the state. A nun, Rivers Sister (Barrister) Darlingtina Ifeanyichukwu said the governor is an example of good governance and the judicious application of resources. She said that he was impressed by Governor Wike's popularity and humility as he moved round the streets of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Eleme Local Government Areas. He charged the governor to continue to respect the rule of law as he serves the people of the state. The Immediate Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) commissioned the Dr Peter Odili road constructed by the Governor Wike administration. This was on Saturday, 21st August, 2016. He said that Governor Wike has lived up the expectations of the people of Rivers State by implementing quality projects . He said: "We are proud that Governor Wike has delivered what he promised his people. This road is necessary for the economic development of the state " Nigerian Women Lawyers on Wednesday, 24th August, 2016 recognised the efforts of Governor Wike geared towards the promotion of the welfare of women and children. This award was presented to the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Presenting the award of recognition to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on behalf

of FIDA, Former FIDA Nigeria President and Judge of the African Court of Human aand Peoples Rights, Justice Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson urged the governor to sustain his commitment to the welfare of women and children. Justice Thompson was backed during the presentation by the National Executive Officers of FIDA Nigeria led by the National President, Mrs Inime Aguma . FIDA National President, Mrs Inime Aguma said that Governor Wike's contributions to the improvement of the living standard of women and children should be encouraged in the. Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu, Regional Vice President for Africa of FIDA in her remarks lauded Governor Wike for standing up for women and children, saying that he deserves the award of recognition. Representative of Association of Women Judges, Justice Patricia Mahmoud commended the government and people of Rivers State for their kindness, warmth and friendship all through the NBA Annual General Conference. The praises that have been showered on Governor Wike stem from the verified projects and programmes executed by the governor for the people of the state. It is not by coincidence that everyone that comes to Rivers State recognises the performance of the governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. This is because these persons come to the state with a prejudiced mindset as a result of the ugly false propaganda by the Rivers APC. On getting to the state, they are confronted with the reality of performance and security. Thereafter, they are lavish with their commendations. Having come from states where their governors give excuses for failing to perform, the visitors are usually happy that Rivers State is working because of a visionary governor. It is obvious that that the 56th NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt will not be the last time that the governor will be celebrated. The emotions exhibited by hundreds of lawyers after accompanying Governor Wike on projects inspection is indicative of the fact that Rivers State is on the right track. Governor Wike has at different fora declared that his commitment to the development of Rivers State remains strong. He believes in the effective and judicious application of resources for the good of the state. •Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

News Extra

Dangote Rice hits market soon; commences first harvests

he much expected Dangote Rice is billed to hit the market very soon as the Management has commenced the harvest of its first tranche. Sources within the organisation said Aliko Dangote has been very happy with the news of the harvest, especially as it will be launched in the right time to ease the pains of Nigerians, who currently buy rice at N20, 000 per bag. “We are really excited

about the progress so far recorded in this our rice projects. Once we commence the sales of our rice, I can authoritatively tell you that the price of rice will crash in the country as we should have enough, in the next few years to make importation of rice non-attractive again into the country,” the source said. Earlier in the year, Dangote inaugurated its 8,000-hectare Rice Outgrowers’ Scheme in Hadejia, Jigawa State, with the distri-

bution of rice seedlings to farmers. According to a statement by the group, the scheme, which is part of its partnership with government at all levels to reduce Nigeria’s food imports, has the potential to provide 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. It said the rice project being executed by the Dangote Rice Limited would be replicated in six other states of the federation. It said the project was the

fallout of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Dangote and the Federal Government, on the one hand, and the Jigawa State Government on the other. Dangote lamented that the Nigerian agricultural commodities and food imports’ bill had averaged over N1tn in the past two years, with items such as sugar, wheat, rice and fish accounting for 93 per cent of the amount. He described the situa-

tion as unacceptable, adding that this informed his decision to go into agriculture According to him, under the Dangote Rice Out-growers Scheme, farmers will be given training and other necessary inputs with guaranteed buy-back at agreed prices. The Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, was quoted as saying that the Federal Government was ready to support the scheme and make

it a success. It would be recalled that Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to invest $1 billion (N165 million) for the establishment of fully integrated rice production and processing operations across Nigeria. Former President Goodluck Jonathan presided over the signing of the MOU then.

News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

6 AUGUST 2016

Ndubuisi Ugah

he Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday ordered a crackdown on criminals responsible for car hijacking and stealing nationwide. The crackdown followed concerns about reports of car hijacking and removal of vehicles from where they are packed by unknown person(s). A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Don Awunah, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP), in Abuja, said the IGP’s Special Tactical Squad swung into action and arrested 29 suspects from different states of the federation and also recovered 12 exotic cars. The statement stated that the operation would be sustained to cover the entire country. It urged members of the

Police arrest 29 alleged car thieves in seven states

public “to check through the list of recovered vehicles for possible identification and provide proof of ownership to enable them reclaim same. The recovered vehicles are currently in safe keeping at the IGP Special Tactical Squad on Heinous Crime facility on SARS premises old Abattoir Guzape District, Abuja.” Meanwhile, the IGP’s Special Tactical Squad working on intelligence sources in Kogi and Edo States, arrested eight suspects in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling in the two states. Three AK 47 riffles and

147 rounds of ammunition were recovered from them. All the suspects confessed to the crime and have admitted to the various roles they

played in the commission of the offence. They will be arraigned in court at the close of investigation. While commending the

Bayo Akomolafe and Ebere Ameh

NPA, NIMASA get governing boards

resident Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the governing boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). A statement signed by the Director (Press), Office of the Secretary

to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, yesterday noted that the board of the NPA, which had Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye as its chairman had Supo Shasore, Suleiman Ibrahim Halilu, Constance Harry Masha, Umar Shu’aibu and Charles Efe Emukowhate Sylvester as members.

officers and men of the Special Tactical Squad for the high level of professionalism displayed in the course of the operation, the IGP assured

Other members of the board are Hadiza Bala Usman, Mohammed Bello Koko, Dr. Sekonte Davis, Prof. Idris Abubakar and Mrs. I. J. Uche-Okoro. On the other hand, the nine member governing board for Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has Major General Jonathan India

L-R: Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi and Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade (111), during the CP’s visit to the monarch at his palace…recently

Ekiti dam tragedy victims not World Bank officials –Fayose

But a statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayo Fayose, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, noted that though the Third Urban Water Sector Reform Project was sponsored by the World Bank, the contract for the bathymetry surveying of the dam was awarded to Enviplan Nigeria Limited, whose staff were involved in the unfortunate incident. The statement noted

that the company was to work on Ureje, Egbe, Itapaji and Ero dams. “The sad incident happened because some safety measures were not adhered to by the deceased who refused to wear life jackets while those who survived wore life jackets provided by the company. The victims are staff of Enviplan Nigeria Limited which is a consulting firm to the World Bank. “The victims are

Alaran Tirimisiyu, Abdulwaheed Alayande, David Malu and Albert, while the survivors are Charles Ehinlaye, Bukky Ajet and Yahaya. It should be noted that no World Bank official or Ekiti State Water Corporation staff was involved. “The Third Urban Water Project commiserate with the families of the departed and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement read in part.

Naira crashes against dollar, pound on parallel market l Exchanges at N412/$, N530/pound

Tony Chukwunyem he naira continued to tumble against major international currencies on the parallel market yesterday as the suspension of some banks from forex trading worsened dollar shortage in the system. Traders quoted the local currency at N412 and N530 to the dollar and the British pound respectively on the parallel market in some parts of Lagos yesterday. On Thursday, the naira

closed at N410 per dollar on the parallel market. On the interbank market it traded at N315 compared with 305 the previous day. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) suspended nine De-

posit Money Banks (DMBs) from forex transactions on Tuesday for failing to pay money owed to the government in line with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy. One of the lenders, UBA, was readmitted on Wednes-

day after making a payment. Traders said the local currency has fallen in recent days due to the impact of the suspensions, compounding the dollar shortages that the country has been suffering due to the slump in the price of oil exports.

Isoko House bombed in Delta

massive explosion yesterday rocked the Secretariat of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) in Oleh, a university town in Delta State, witnesses have told PREMIUM TIMES.

members of the public that the force was being repositioned with modern crime fighting techniques to tackle crime and criminality in the country.

Garba as its chairman, with Asekomhe Oaakhia Kenneth, Mohammed Gidado Muazu, Ebele Obi and S. U. Galadanchi and Ms Nene Betty Dike as members. Others are Dakuku Peterside, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, Joseph Oluwarotimi Fashakin and Gambo Ahmed.

FG committed to good road network –Fashola Sola Adeyemo, Ibadan

kiti State Government has said that the four persons who died during the week at Egbe Dam in Gbonyin Local Government Area of the state, were not World Bank officials. Initial report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had quoted the head of the local area council as saying the victims were World Bank officials.

The huge blast ripped through the facility, popularly known as Isoko House, hours after the union began its annual conference there. Witnesses said the incident appeared to be a coordinated attack, but added that no group has claimed responsibility as at 5p.m. yesterday.

The Niger Delta, where Delta State is situated in Nigeria’s oil-rich south, has witnessed an escalation of hostilities in recent months, as militants targeted oil installations in a sustained effort to force the hands of the Nigerian government to up the region’s share of oil revenues.

inister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday declared that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would not rest until Nigerians were made happy about the state of their roads comparable to the best infrastructural facilities available anywhere in the world. The former Lagos State governor, said this during an unscheduled inspection of the ongoing construction of section two of Oyo-Ogbomoso road in Oyo State. He was accompanied on the tour by the state federal works controller, Mr. Anya Omorekpe and other top

government officials. While expressing President Buhari's commitment to easing people's sufferings through the government's unwavering commitment to the construction of quality roads that can stand the test of time, Fashola said: “The Federal Government is committed to the welfare of Nigerians. Road is very important in the socio-economic advancement of our economy. “Lives of citizens are equally sacred and we shall do all within our power to ensure we make life more meaningful. We want our roads to compare with others anywhere in the world through standard construction.” The minister, therefore, expressed happiness that work had commenced on the road after three years of abandonment due to lack of funding to Reynolds Construction Company, the contractor handling the project.

Edo guber: Ize-Iyamu predicts victory for PDP Cajetan Mmuta,

T BENIN

he Peoples Democrtic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the governorship election of September 10 in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday predicted the defeat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the polls because it is a party of empty promises and deceit. He said Nigerians in the state were fed up and would turn out en masse on September 10 to vote for the PDP which he described as the only party in Nigeria that had the record of keeping faith with the electorate. Ize-Iyamu stated this during a campaign rally at Ward 7 Ukpenu community in Esan West Local Government Area, the birthplace of

the former defunct Bendel State governor and founder of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Ambrose Alli. He said: “Let me assure you that APC cannot win this election. In Edo South, PDP will win all the seven local governments. In Edo North, PDP will win all of six local governments and all the five local governments in Esan.” Ize-Iyamu said it was on record that apart from the neglect of the once motorable road leading to the community, the state government with Governor Adams Oshiomhole had almost killed the state-owned university. “This is a local government that produced Alli who developed all parts of Bendel State and did not say that because he hailed from Esan West he will not develop Benin City or Etsako,“ he said.

Perspectives

27 AUGUST 2016

A tale of two 'punishments'

he reaction to two recent incidents in various parts of the globe has once again brought to the fore our warped attitude to punishment meted out to those found guilty of committing offences. Ryan Lochte is an American competitive swimmer and a 12-time Olympic medallist, which ranks him second in swimming behind Michael Phelps. His seven individual Olympic medals rank near the top in men's swimming. The 32-year-old New Yorker was part of the US team, which did very well at the just concluded Rio Olympics and he won one gold medal in the Men's 4x200m freestyle relay. However, on the morning of August 14, little did the native of Rochester, who competes in the backstroke, butterfly, freestyle and medley events, know what he thought was an innocuous prank would snowball into a major international incident when he claimed that he had been robbed in Rio by thieves dressed in the uniforms of the Brazil police force. Not true! Was the immediate response of the Brazilian Police authorities, who were able to back up their position with CCTV footage showing that no such incident had taken place but instead Lochte, along with three other members of the US swimming team Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, had actually vandalised a petrol station. According to the Brazilian police what had actually happened was that the Americans had vandalised and publically urinated at the fuel station after finding the conveniences locked. It was the angry owner who summoned help that prompted a local security guard to pull a gun on the swimmers, who consequently stormed off and then concocted

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com the robbery story. From being on the end of a groundswell of sympathy from the Olympic community and a majority of Americans, who it must be said in the run up to the Games had been fed on a heavy dosage of the high crime rate and Zika virus epidemic in Brazil by their media, Lochte instantly became a pariah. Ninety-six hours after the American first made the allegation; police recommended Lochte face charges for falsely reporting a crime. And on August 19, Lochte posted an apology on Instagram for his behaviour and then followed up by publically apologising on one of the national television networks to millions of his fellow Americans, pleading for forgiveness and promising to pay for the damage he caused. However, despite his public show of contrition, response from the corporate world was swift - Speedo and Ralph Lauren ended their endorsement deals with Lochte. Speedo also announced that the company would donate $50,000 from Lochte's endorsement fee to Save the Children in Brazil. Soon other sponsors of Lochte, the Airweave and Syneron Candela also terminate their contracts. According to a commentator and sports business analyst for ESPN, Darren Rovell, the American

swimmer will miss out on about $1 million for his actions. Reacting, the US Olympic Committee (USOC) labelled the actions of four swimmers ‘unacceptable’ and apologised to the Rio 2016 Organisers and Brazil as a whole. The USOC's Scott Blackmun said: "We apologise to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence "The behaviour of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members.” But the USOC did not just stop at an apology; it also said it would be taking action against the swimmers after reviewing the incident. "We will further review the matter and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States,” Blackmun added. See how quickly and decisively the matter was tackled! And knowing the American system, Lochte might never be called up to the US swimming team in future; while his ability to generate money from sponsors will also be severely curtailed as sponsors will not want to touch him with a 10-foot pole. Contrast the Lochte incident with another ‘offender’, Izuchukwu Ezimoha a

Nigerian who was caught for drug offences in Indonesia. Everyone knows how very strict the Asian country is when it comes to the issue of drugs. It is also universally known that if convicted the sentence was death! Consequently, the 35-year-old Nigerian, along with eight others, was executed for drug trafficking in Indonesia a few weeks ago. However, rather than quietly burying the young man, instead he was laid to rest in the massive home he built in his village in Ezigbo, Ihiala, Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State with full pomp and pageantry as if what he did was nothing to be ashamed off! His burial was an instant hit on social media across the globe, more because people could not just fathom how his ‘people’ could do such a thing. Even comments from many Nigerians expressed total disgust and outrage at the whole episode, especially the fact that a man of God was also physically present to minister at the burial ceremony. Incidentally, the ‘invitation card’ which cordially invited people to the ‘funeral ceremony of our beloved son, brother, husband, father and uncle’ was conveniently silent on the cause of death. Instead it just said: “Late Felix Izuchukwu Ezimoha a.k.a Izu-Ugali, who died in oversea, in Indonesia” (sic). Sadly what impression are we trying to convey to our youngsters – that it is okay to run afoul of the law so long as one makes money? Apart from posts on various social media sites I’m yet to hear or read that a prominent indigene from that side of the country has openly condemned the burial! Despondently this has become the lot of the modern day Nigeria. This is why we have been constantly treated to headlines of how much has been looted by different people to the detriment of the nation’s development. Stealing or making money by any means has become a way of life in Nigeria.

Are you a couple or room mates?

our room mate is someone with whom you share room or apartment. The person could be your school mate, course mate, friend, nuclear family relative, Christian brother or sister, colleague or any other person. There have been roommates though, who ended up as a couple but did not originally think of marriage at the beginning of cohabitation. In most cases, your cohabitation or residence with your room mate is temporal and both of you are aware. So, there may not be a joint future in view for both of you. Actually, communication and interaction with each other could be determined by mood. You guys wake up in the morning and pray separately (probably because you have different denominational beliefs or even religious faiths). After prayers, you go your separate ways for the day’s business. You might return in the evening so stressed up and tired, not in the mood for any form of chart hour. This is common with roommates that came together by some sort of coercion such as office compulsion or policy, school policy, nuclear family obligation and sometimes, national youth service. In most cases, background knowledge of each other is very remote. You may not necessarily trust your room mate as regards tendency to commit certain crimes. You may not be able to vouch for him or her if the situation arises that law enforcement agents come calling for investigation of a crime suspected to have been committed by the person. Infact, you may not know too many things about your room mate if you were brought together by some authorities, rather than by choice. Values and perceptions about life and

Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com life issues may vary for you both. The level of love and care for each other is most times, determined by certain factors. Your sharing of things could also be subject to factors. For instance, some roommates each have cooking facilities and eat separately. They may not share addresses. There are personal issues you may not share with your course mate, co-corps member or office colleague who happens to be your room mate. Your plans for your present and your future might not be a subject of discussion with your room mate. Each of you is living his or her own life, though you share an apartment. Individual challenges may not be shared in search of a joint solution either. If you are married and the above picture describes your relationship with your spouse, then, what you have is a roommate. You don’t have a spouse. People refer to your room mate as your friend for the simple reason that you share room. You may not actually be friends. Besides, there are different kinds of friends. Some friends are seasonal friends. They are meant for a certain season of your life. There is also a permanent friend, who you are supposed to marry and live with, for the rest of your life. If for instance, you have a big project

such as building a personal house somewhere, without the knowledge of your spouse; or you are facing a particular life challenge or burden and you refuse to share with the person you call your spouse in order to seek collaborative solution, what you have is just a room mate. No matter how much the wind blows and shakes the palm tree, it cannot fall because the palm tree is properly rooted. If you show love to and get friendly with the person you call your spouse, only when the going is good, but change your character when the going is rough, then, you might have married a roommate instead of a spouse. Does your room mate stick to his or her opinion and refuse to budge on issues that affect how to make your cohabitation better? If in your relationship with your spouse, your opinion always stands and the opinion of your spouse never counts, you are mere roommates and not husband and wife. If you are that spouse, who never asks after the children you had together or their welfare, you are not just a mere roommate. You are a very bad one. I can go on and on, differentiating roommates from a couple. If you have married

a mere roommate instead of a spouse, you need a counsellor. However, the first step towards help is that you need to approach the supreme counsellor, the Holy Spirit. This is only possible after you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal friend, Lord and saviour. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13) Jesus Christ is a dependable friend. Make him your personal friend first. Then, your personal problem is half solved because “no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1st Corinthians 3:11). The solution to any challenge in the marital institution is resident in the founder of the institution. You can also prayerfully seek knowledge and godly counsel. It is funny that people attend a university for four years to study a course towards a career practice that they could drop after a few years. If you study law for instance, after some years of practice, you could decide to forget about wigs and become a musical artiste. It is not so with Christian marriage. Yet, only a few people bother to seek information and knowledge on what the marital institution entails. Meanwhile, a marital relationship is expected to last for the rest of one’s life. Read godly books and attend marriage seminars. If you are still single, you could register for our Marriage Preparatory Programme, holding on November 10 to 12, 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria. It will help you. You could also order a copy of the book, MAKING YOUR MARRIAGE WORK by Albinus Chiedu. Your marriage shall be a blessing and a testimony in Jesus name. Amen.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 AUGUST 2016

'Dog Buhari ', 'goat Jonathan' and 'agbari Ojukwu'

once had a book called: '1,000 impossible quizzes and their answers.' It was given to me as a valedictory gift by my club in secondary school, Commercial Club, where I was the organising secretary. The book is quite interesting and most of the questions are quite difficult if not impossible to answer as the title suggests. I planned to keep the book for as long as I could but I lost it to a naughty boy in the neighbourhood who broke my cupboard and stole most of my books while I was in Delta State for my youth service programme. Of the 1,000 questions, I still remember two with nostalgia. The first is the one that asks: Which fruit speaks? Interestingly, the book does not provide options that one can pick as possible answers so, there is no privilege of guess work. But the answers are provided at the back pages.The answer to that is 'Tangerine.' The explanation is that the fruit was named after some natives called 'Tangiers' somewhere in one of the countries in Asia. I can't remember the exact country. The second quiz that still sticks to my memory in over 30 years when I was given the book is the one that asks: In which country is it possible to name a child, dog, bottle, stick or car? The answer is China. According to the explanation given, the tradition in that particular remote area of China allows the father of the baby to name his child after any first objet he sees after he gets the news that his wife had been delivered of a baby. The axiom that: 'one man's meat is another man's poison sums it that there are traditions and there are traditions. Christening of a baby is an expedient part of our culture and traditions and they vary from culture to culture. But giving human names to pets is not part of our culture except it is done with ulterior motives. Also, it will be strange to give our children names of objects. But in Nigeria, there have been cases whereby names of objects serve as prefixes to human names either for good or bad. For instance after the assassination of Murtala Mohammed, former head of state, in 1976, we had 'abo'(bowl) Murtala, 'bata' (slippers) Murtala. Producers of these items and many others named after Mohammed laughed all the way to the bank following high patronage they received from Nigerians. Even before the former head of state was killed, we had 'eran' (beef) Murtala and 'adie' (chicken) Murtala as a way of Nigerians' acknowledgement of Mohammed's welfarist programme that made beef and chicken cheap at that time. We also have a brocade that is called 'Atiku'. The brocade is even foreign but Nigerians named it 'Atiku', because the former vice

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com president popularised it by making it the attire that occupied most space in his wardrobe when he was in power. 'Abo' Murtala and 'Atiku ' (brocade) never generated any hullabaloo because they connote positivity. Again, after the civil war, there was a cooking bowl called 'agbari Ojukwu', which was about, perhaps, the misconception of the role played by the late Chief Chukwueneka Odumegwu-Ojukwu in the war by non Igbo. 'Agbari' means head in Yoruba language. The bowl was quite popular in the South-West and a lot of women from the geo-political zone had it at homes. Knowingly or inadvertently, some of the women told their daughters to put 'agbari Ojukwu' on the fire with relish. The bowl became a symbolic reference to the head of the man who is still reverred in Igboland even in death. It will be foolhardy to expect the average Igbo person to have 'agbari Ojukwu' at home since their perception of the bowl would be a denigration of their hero. At a point, 'agbari Ojukwu' became abusive words in the South-West. I also recall how the Ohanaeze Ndigbo some years back, took a swipe and rightly so, on the National Drug Law Enforcement

Agency (NDLEA) for picking an Igbo name 'Chike', as a drug courier, in its TV drama meant to discourage the youth from engaging in drug trafficking. Their argument was why 'Chike' and not 'Adamu' or 'Adebayo' if the NDLEA is not suggesting that the Igbo are more involved in drug trafficking than all other tribes in Nigeria? That protest by the apex Igbo socio-cultural group signalled the end of that infamous TV drama. The Yoruba or the Hausa would have registered same resentment if the NDLEA had picked a name from any of the ethnic group as a drug courier in its drama. If you say it was a mere coincidence that NDLEA picked an Igbo name, it was a bad one and a thing like this matters in any heterogeneous society like ours. Except we want to pretend about it, the name given to us at birth matters and we all cherish them. How many Lawrences will like to be called 'Anini' or 'Lawrence Anini' when we know that the name was synonymous with a notorious armed robber in the past? But I doubt if any Nelson will frown at being called Nelson Mandela or simply Mandela. If there is nothing special in human names, how come people change their names when they become adults to reflect their faiths or simply because they don't like the names given to them by their parents? The action of Joachim Iroko, the man who named his dog 'Buhari' is provocative and is deeply rooted in animosity. It is a carryover of the unprecedented hate campaign that was spearheaded by our politicians in 2015 and shamelessly being continued by some of their supporters who are yet to come to terms with the fact that politicians are not worth dying for. Some politicians who are enemies in the day still have nocturnal meetings. It was bad enough that Iroko named his dog 'Buhari', it was worse that he wrote the name on the dog and even worst that he allegedly paraded the dog in an

Hausa community. I have read funny comments that in the US people name their pets Obama, Trump, Hillary and what have you and if heaven did not fall in the US why should ours be different? Proponents of such narcissist narratives can as well begin a campaign for same sex marriage since the almighty US allows it. Apart from China, there are instances where people bear names like 'Stone' and we even have 'Drinkwater' as a name in the English Premier League, such names will be strange here since ours mostly reflect our socio-cultural and religious beliefs. I can't even comprehend the argument that since nothing happened when a man hung a tag on a goat with the inscription: 'My name is Jonathan', we should not talk about the immorality and the likely attendant consequences of Iroko's provocative action. There is a fundamental difference between 'goat Jonathan' and 'dog Buhari' and this can be seen in the alleged parading of 'dog Buhari' in a community largely populated by the Hausa. To blame President Muhammadu Buhari for the arrest of Iroko without proof of the president’s involvement is taking cynicism to another level. People don't have to be cynical about anything Buhari just because they are still largely pained by Jonathan's loss at the poll over a year ago. However, I think the police should have handled it better by quietly admonishing the accused and this can be done without necessarily generating so much noise thereby creating the impression that the police were just overzealous or acting on orders from 'above'. My position is based on the domino effect the issue has generated with a lot of people giving their pets human names. Iroko and the man who brought the report that 'dog Buhari' was a reference to his father who bears 'Buhari' should have been reconciled. The case one of 'Sergeant Adeojo Lanrewaju Manlarry' should also interest the police because report has it that he is a policeman. He 'photoshopped' the photograph of ex-president Jonathan 'hanged' on a tree and a weeping 'Patience Jonathan' besides her dangling husband's corpse. This has also gone viral on the Internet. This is the level we have sunk as people who have lowered their societal moral values into the abyss because of politics. 'Dog Buhari', 'goat Jonathan' and 'agbari Ojukwu' are rooted in hate and animosity. It will do us a lot of good if we find time to reflect on what hate caused Rwanda in 1994.

News Extra

Speed limiter devices: Offenders risk N50,000 fine, jail term

Olaniyi Aduruku and Ogechi Ndubunma with agency reports

ny drivers caught to have tampered illegally with the speed limiter devices installed on their vehicles would be fined N50, 000 or face a jail term, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Speaking at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on implementation of the device in Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday, a director at the Richfield Technologies Limited, Mr. Jokthan Suleiman, said

the fine was irreversible. He said: “The speed limiter device is meant to stop vehicles from speeding; it works with the speed sensor of the vehicle, not the engine. “It does not only alert

when the driver speeds but prevents the car from speeding beyond the set speed limit. “No one is allowed to tamper with the device, any mechanical fault in the device should be referred to

the vendor and any illegal tampering will attract a fine of N50, 000 or a jail term. “There are fake devices around being sold by fake vendors; the only authorised vendor in Kwara is NONA Concepts Nigeria

Limited in Ilorin.” Also, the Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Sunday Maku, said controlling human habits on speeding was crucial to Road Traffic Crashes (RTC). He said speed was a hu-

man factor which contributed to RTC fatalities and had become a global concern. “All over the world, speed, a human factor, has contributed to RTC fatalities. This has called for global concern.''

Group launches website for safe motherhood Lanre Odukoya

parenting website, www.fabmumng. com targeted at Nigerian mums has been launched in Lagos. An initiative of FabmumNigeriaNetwork, the site seeks to

provide a platform where mothers can interact, network, learn and share tested and trusted tips to simplify their roles as parents. Shedding more light on the inspiration behind the name and concept of the website, a spokesman

of the site, Ama KoffiKitson, says, “www.fabmumng.com is inspired by the challenges that most Nigerian mums face during and after marriage or childbirth which takes a toll on their appearance and outlook towards life.

At fabmumng.com, we believe that it is possible for a mum to look, feel, and remain fabulous even after childbirth. “For us at fabmumng. com, being fabulous isn’t limited to the outward appearance of a mother but

her total wellbeing and this includes her career, marriage and business. At www.fabmumng.com, we also consult for and promote small businesses owned by women or cater to women, children and family.”

World News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Mugabe: Protesters paralyse Harare

rotesters yesterday brought the centre of Zimbabwe’s capital to a standstill and fought running battles with police during one of the biggest demon-

strations ever held against President Robert Mugabe. The chaotic scenes came after 18 opposition groups and parties called their supporters to march for reform of the country’s widely dis-

Italy quake: Hopes of finding survivors fade

opes are fading that more survivors would be found in the powerful aftershocks that damaged key access roads in Italy, even as the government declared Saturday a national day of mourning. A state funeral would be held for some of the victims, attended by the president, Sergio Mattarella. The Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, who declared a state of emergency, also authorised an initial €50m (£43m) in aid and cancelled residents’ taxes. But the head of the civil protection agency, Immacolata Postiglione, said the search for survivors would continue. “I confirm once again, as we have from the start, that the units doing the

credited electoral system before national elections in 2018. The authorities in Harare tried to block the protest, but it was given the go-ahead by the High Court. Even so, police used tear gas and water cannons against marchers in Freedom Square within 20 minutes of the court order. Morgan Tsvangirai, the

searches and rescues, including with dogs, are absolutely fully active,” she said. Some 215 people have been pulled alive from the rubble, but no survivors have been found since Wednesday night and rescue workers on the ground conceded there was very little chance of any more. The mayor of Amatrice, Sergio Pirozzi, said finding someone alive three days after the quake “would take a miracle”. 15 people were still missing, Pirozzi said, and workers would continue digging until all the bodies had been recovered. “I want to thank all the volunteers,” he said. “I am eternally grateful, they have saved hundreds of lives.”

Illanes’s body was found early on Friday morning, wrapped in a blanket by the side of a highway connecting La Paz to the city of Oruro. He had died of repeated blows to the head. Bolivian interior minister Carlos Romero said “all indications” were that he had died as the result of a “cowardly and brutal murder”. Tensions between the government of President Evo Morales and the country’s miners spilled into violence this week when negotiations broke down following a week-long strike.

Brazil's Senate moves closer to Rousseff's impeachment

razil's Senate is moving closer to impeach suspended President Dilma Rousseff, whose trial began on Thursday after a lengthy impeachment process that has paralyzed the politics of Latin America's largest nation and is expected to culminate in her removal from office next week. Thursday's session, presided over by Supreme Court Chief Justice Ricardo Lewandowski, heard witnesses for and against Rousseff, Brazil's first female president, who is charged with breaking budget laws. The leftist leader, whose popularity has been hammered by a deep recession and immense corruption scandal since she won re-

election in 2014, will appear before the 81 senators on Monday to defend herself. Her opponents are confident they have more than the 54 votes needed to convict her. Authorities prepared barriers to contain demonstrations outside Brazil's modernistic Congress building, but virtually no Rousseff supporters turned out, underscoring the isolation of the impeached president. If the final vote, which is expected late Tuesday or in the early hours of Wednesday, goes against Rousseff it would confirm her vice president, Michel Temer, as Brazil's new leader for the rest of her four-year term through 2018, ending 13 years of left-wing Workers Party rule.

march actually turned up. Instead a dedicated band of 200 or 300 protesters took on riot police and soldiers. They barricaded roads with rocks, tore up paving slabs and set fire to cardboard boxes. Shops closed early and drew down their shutters while a bus stop and a popular market were burned to the ground.

Riot police pursued the demonstrators and threatened journalists covering the rally while a military helicopter hovered low overhead. Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC secretary general, said the regime should expect no peace in the coming weeks. “This is not a wedding, it is a fight,” he said.

Police officers armed with AK-47 assault rifles, confronted the demonstrators.

Richard Branson escapes death

Bolivian minister beaten to death

he Bolivian Deputy Interior Minister, who was kidnapped on Thursday had been beaten to death by striking miners, government officials said on Friday. Rodolfo Illanes, 56, had been dispatched to negotiate with the miners outside the country’s capital, La Paz, but was seized on Thursday. While being held, he spoke to a Bolivian radio station, telling them the miners were demanding the government negotiate new legislation with them to secure his release. According to Reuters

leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, fled the rally in a car while protesters ran for cover. Joice Mujuru, a former vice-president turned opposition leader, also made a hasty departure. The repeated use of tear gas meant that far fewer than the 150,000 people who had been projected to attend the

Branson

ir Richard Branson said he thought he was ‘going to die’ when he was involved in a horror bike crash on Friday. The 66-year-old was left with a cracked cheek, torn ligaments and big cuts to his face after falling from his bike in the British Virgin Islands. He said his life was saved because he was wearing a helmet. The accident came on the

fifth anniversary of the blaze at his home on his luxury Caribbean Neckar Island, which caught fire after being struck by lightning. Branson was rushed to hospital in Miami after the bike accident, which happened when he was training with his children Holly and Sam for a fundraising challenge next month. ''I really thought I was going to die. I went flying head-first towards the con-

crete road,'' said Branson. ''But fortunately my shoulder and cheek took the brunt of the impact, and I was wearing a helmet that saved my life. ''My bike went flying off the cliff and disappeared. We’ve since recovered the crumpled bicycle, completely destroyed.“ ''My cheek has been badly damaged and my knee, chin, shoulder and body severely cut.”

Tribute: Nigerians, Chinese mourn Chibundu

he remains of late Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Victor N. Chibundu, had been laid to rest, but tributes have continued to pour in, showing how much he was loved. The global reactions trailing his demise are not surprisingly positive because of his easy disposition to issues, eagerness to put smiles on people’s faces, his committed energy to community development and his strong will to strengthen the bilateral relationships between Nigeria and China. Immediately after his demise on June 8, the Chinese community in Nigeria who felt his impact not just in the areas of strengthening the bilateral relations alone, but for his establishment of Nigeria China friendship association, NICAF and publications of four books that mirror diplomatic ties between China and Nige-

ria put up a memorable funeral event in his honour tagged, ‘Celebration of Life And Times’. The occasion which drew up all Chinese communities in Nigeria, well wishers, diplomatic communities, the Chibundu family and friends together respectively will for a long time be remembered. The Chinese Community in Nigeria alluded to the fact what they have come to do was in recognition of his contributions to the strengthening of closer ties with Nigeria- China bilateral relations and his initiatives for founding the NICAF. In a beautiful but emotionally laden atmosphere, the Chinese community in Nigeria led by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Deputy Consul General, Mr. Lin Yong, trooped in large numbers to pay tributes. “On behalf of the Chinese community in Nige-

ria, we feel the pain and vacuum, but we want to openly commend his selfless efforts. We will never forget him as a link to the good friendship between China and Nigeria which both countries are enjoying today”. Mr. Lin Yong said. Some other Chinese nationals and organisations that attended the event include, the President of the Chinese Aids Center, Mr. Sun Guoping; the Chairman of China Industrial & Commercial Enterprises association; Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos; Chinese Associations in Nigeria; Wood Association; Wig Association; Women’s Federation’ China Fujian Association; the Secretary of West Africa –Chinese and Chinese Overseas Federation, Mr. Xue Xiaoming, Mr. Liu Chang; Head of the Chinese community in Nigeria, Mr. Sun Ping Jackson, and a host of other

Chinese nationals across Nigeria. A wake keep in Lagos where both serving and retired diplomats and others who have being touched by the late ambassador was put in place at NEPA events center in Surulere, to allow those that could not go to his village have the opportunity of saying good bye. This was followed by the funeral rites at the sleepy town of OvuOjima, Umuojima, Isiala Ngwa in Abia State, which became a beehive of activities for the three-day carnival-like events. His remains were later buried after a Christian service at St. Mary Catholic Church, Umuojima, Isala Ngwa. There was a book launch in his memory and the Council of Traditional Chiefs to the Eze paid homage and tributes to Chibundu at the palace of Eze Iheukwunmere.

Sport Extra 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

27 august 2016

Henry named Belgium assistant manager

Guardiola clears Iheanacho for West Ham tie

Iheanacho

anchester City coach Pep Guardiola has suggested that Kelechi Iheanacho is not in danger of missing the English Premier League clash against West Ham on Sunday. He made this known at a press conference on Friday. The Nigeria international earlier played down reports that he was set for a spell on the sideline, and the Spanish manager has re- echoed his words, stating that he is in good condition. “Kelechi’s injury was almost nothing so it was a scare but he’s fine. Everybody’s fit and ready - we trained with 30 players today,” said Guardiola to reporters. Iheanacho, 19, was handed his first start of the season in Wednesday’s Champions League play-off tie with Steaua Bucharest but could not complete the game due to a muscle strain. Based on the pronouncement of the Spanish manager, the attacker will have to report to Uyo for international duty with the Nigeria squad, as from Monday.

United boss Jose Mourinho said he knew little about Ukrainian opponents Zorya but welcomed being drawn with Fenerbahce and Feyenoord. "We all know the competition is not the same as the Champions League but to have Manchester United playing against clubs with tradition like Fenerbahce and Feyenoord is good for us," he said. "We know that it will be a difficult group, but I think that is a good thing. It is good for the fans and for the players because it will help motivation."

Henry

ewis Hamilton says he will try to limit the damage to his title hopes in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix. The defending champion made engine changes to his Mercedes in both practice sessions at Spa on Friday and has been given a 30-place grid penalty, which will only apply this weekend. Hamilton has to use more than the permitted number of engine parts after problems early in the season. "In terms of winning, that's the goal. It will be very hard," said Hamilton. "The gap has closed with the cars. Red Bull have been very quick in some races, and Ferrari, so it will be harder than last year to climb through the field but I will do everything I can. "It is about minimising the damage of taking the penalty. "It is a team sport. It is a growing experience for us and we have learnt a lot from the issues we had and hopefully we won't have them again."

such as prize money increasing as well. “We will now push forward to ensure events can grow both in terms of popularity and commercially so that over time we can showcase international table tennis more regularly throughout the year." The 2017 World Tour will be split into two tiers, six ITTF World Tour Platinum events, which is the new top tier of the World Tour, and six regular ITTF World Tour events. There was an unprecedented amount of bids to be a part of the new ITTF World Tour, with the result being a higher prize money pool for all players. The six ITTF World Tour Platinum events will have higher prize money, and be of a higher level organisation, which will ensure the attendance of the world's best players, resulting in more international exposure for the hosts.

Hamilton

Man Utd face reunion with van Persie

anchester United will face Fenerbahce, Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk in the group stage of the Europa League. It pits United against their former striker Robin van Persie, who is now with Fenerbahce. Southampton, the other Premier League side still in the competition, will play Inter Milan, Sparta Prague and Hapoel Beer Sheva. Ireland side Dundalk have been drawn with Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

ahead of their friendly against Spain on September 1. The Spaniard took over from Wilmots, who was sacked after Belgium were beaten 3-1 by Wales in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Hamilton gets 30-place grid penalty

he International Table Tennis Federation has announced the 12 cities that will host the new and improved 2017 ITTF World Tour events. According to a press statement, the revamped ITTF World Tour will have a new logo, new branding and a new structure to better promote table tennis globally. On the announcement, ITTF Marketing Director Steve Dainton stated: "In 2016, we have worked hard to look at ways to push the World Tour product forward, with new partners and new conditions, the desire to host events has dramatically increased and we are so pleased to see conditions

ITTF nces annou ties host ci17 for 20 Tour World

ormer Arsenal, Barcelona and France striker Thierry Henry has been named as an assistant manager of Belgium. He joins the coaching team of Roberto Martinez, who replaced Marc Wilmots at the start of August. "Thierry is an important figure," said former Everton boss Martinez. "He will bring something different. He agreed right away to join us." Henry, 39, tweeted: "Honoured to be assistant coach, very excited, can't wait." Henry will work alongside Graeme Jones, who served with Martinez at Swansea, Wigan and Everton. Martinez also named his first senior squad on Friday,

Nigerians get call-up to England national teams

N Van Persie

ine Nigerians have been selected to play in the English junior national teams. The list includes Dominic Iorfa, son of former member of the Nigeria Football Association,Dominic Iorfa. Iorfa junior currently plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers and has been included in the English U-21 team list. Others players selected are Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke, Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea),

Joshua Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur), Tammy Abraham (Bristol City, loan from Chelsea) and Ademola Lookman (Charlton Athletic), who helped the country to qualify for the 2017 U-20 World Cup in South Korea. These players will also be part of the team to play a friendly match against Brazil on September 1, in Kidderminster, England, as they received call-up from the U-20 team manager,Aidy Boothroyd.

SATURDAY, 27 august 2016

SATURDAY

TOURISM

Destination S/Africa:

SAT's Road Show makes inroad to Nigeria, Ghana

p.42

Sanctity of Truth

- QUOTE OF THE DAY A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on - Sir Winston Churchill

N150

PERSPECTIVE 'Dog Buhari ', 'goat Jonathan' and 'agbari Ojukwu'

p.53

Tottenham’s Kane banks on Alli to wreck Liverpool H

Ajibade Olusesan arry Kane hasn’t scored an English Premier League goal this season and it is obvious that he is suffering after the Euro 2016 failure with England but the 23-year-old can bank on his partnership with Dele Alli to wreak havoc on Liverpool this weekend. Although Kane has been struggling, there is no doubting his ability and it is important that Coach Mauricio Pochettino continues to show faith in him. The striker is a confident player and needs to be right mentally to perform at his best. Pochettino recognises that he needs to stay loyal to Kane and that it could take just one goal to get him firing. Kane actually needs one man to also help him get back to his imperial best and that is Alli. Just like the striker, Alli is still struggling from the hang over of that turbulent summer where he failed to sparkle at the Euros despite high pre-tournament rating following stellar debut season at White Hart Lane. Out of Kane’s 23 goals last term, Alli who did not start the season as a regular, provided seven for the striker. Interestingly, out of Alli's season tally of nine assists, seven of them went to Kane, such is the chemistry that exists between the two players. Their partnership was even more evident in the team’s results: Tottenham only lost one match — December’s 2-1 home loss to Newcastle — where both Alli and Kane played through the centre of the attack. It’s hardly a surprise that Roy Hodgson preferred to mimic the duo’s quality in his England team this summer. That experiment’s failure was unfortunate, but it was hardly an indication of Alli and Kane’s usefulness. Which is why Pochettino naturally turned to Alli and Kane to kick the season off against Everton but an injury knocked Alli to the bench last term as Pochettino used Vincent Janssen upfront and deployed Kane in number 10 role in the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace last weekend and it remains to be seen how the coach will tinker his team this weekend as Alli is fully fit. However, Pochettino has not ruled out playing the trio together and is clearly relishing the added options he has at his disposal at White Hart Lane, having had to use Kane even when the striker was not firing on all cylinders last term. "They can play all together. We have a lot of games ahead - we need to be patient. "The difficult thing is only 11 can play together. It's about performance and who deserves. "I'm the man in charge and will decide who plays on Saturday.''

SPORTS WORD SEARCH MANCHESTER UNITED CLUB PLAYERS (1)

De Gea Jones Rojo Memphis Mata Martial Rooney Keane Smalling Carrick Blind

Young Wilson Romero Goss Powell Shaw Valencia Fellaini Weir McNair

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