Saturday, july 23, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

News

HIJAB

Appeal Court ruling not in favour of Islam Pg. 5 –Sultan

ABDUCTION

Lagos monarch's kidnappers demand N500m

Pg. 6

SATURDAY Saturday, July 23, 2016

Vol. 3 No. 885

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

FG/MILITANTS' TALK

BUHARI LIED

–avengers, iyc

l Tompolo: My 84-yr-old father brutalised, amputated l Police: We're not aware of Biafra-Avengers video PAGE 3 l Orogun community disowns militants PAGE 3

NATIONWIDE SHARIA COURTS

Hassan Kukah, Bishop Ogedengbe, others speak Pg. 4

RESTRUCTURING

Iyabo Ojo

I was 10 before I knew who my mum was

Pg. 21

Beware of Yorubas' instigation, Yakassi warns Igbos Pg. 7

Shema needs to account for N73bn —Masari Pg. 6

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Comment

Contents | 23.07.16

Confusing admission process

hat all is presently well with admission process into the nation’s higher institutions of learning is to say the least misleading. The whole scenario, if not addressed through genuine efforts, will not only throw the system into confusion, but also unleash further crisis on higher education sub-sector. The fresh concern being raised by the controversies trailing the new admission process as thrown up by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the examination body saddled with the responsibility of conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the qualifying examination into these institutions, is a blight on the system, if the current attendant brouhaha that is already playing itself out is anything to go by. With the scenario, which has left much to be worried about, the nation should wonder why tertiary institution system, the anchor of development, is allowed to be enmeshed in this terrible experience, due to lack of a harmonised structure that will give vent to quality admission process. Perhaps, the question to be asked is why should admission into schools, even secondary schools, be a matter of life and death and national calamity? The late Prof. Babs Fafunwa, the doyen of education and former Education Minister, once lamented how he was turned to a mere admission officer into Unity Schools as a minister. This is apparently disgusting if this retrogressive structure, which has refused to align with the international standard and practices should be encouraged to blossom. Over time, and most recently, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been in public eye, following the barrage of criticisms trailing the conduct of the UTME examinations, which was marred with various degree of irregularities. Meanwhile, the cries and hues that greeted this year’s qualifying examination, on one hand and the question about whether or not the post-UTME should be retained between the universities and JAMB on the other, have remained the unresolved burning issues. But ironically, as the controversies raged on, the Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu had precisely on June 2 at the opening of the 2016 combined policy meeting on admissions to universities, polytechnics and other higher institutions, announced the scrapping of the post-UTME. This Federal Government position on the issue, as presented by the Minister added another twist to the entire brouhaha and to an extent put petrol on the fire. As this wind of uncertainty was still blowing across the institution, JAMB threw another bombshell with the introduction of another

admission guideline to be adopted by the institutions for the 2016/2017 academic session. Tagged: “Point Option System’ of admission,” the guideline, JAMB explained that its provisional admission no longer makes much sense this year; as the candidates’ points tally will decide their faith. The points are evenly spread out between the candidates’ Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) O’Level and UTME results to provide a level playing field for all. In the first case, any candidate who submits only one result, which contains his or her relevant subjects, has 10 points in such examination as NECO, WAEC and GCE, while candidate with two sittings only gets two points. The next point grades, under the guideline fall into the O’Level grades, where each grade has its equivalent point; A (6 marks), B (4 marks), C (3 marks), while the third point is the UTME scores, where each score range has its equivalent point that is summarised as 180-200 (or 20–23 marks); 200–250 (or 24–33 points); 251–300 (or 34–43); 300–400 (or 44–60 points). Consequently, the new guideline has since put stakeholders, including the admission seekers, parents, lecturers, management of academic institutions and admission officials in a dilemma. Though, JAMB has claimed that the guideline was scooped on its website. But, the truth of the matter is that there is lack of proper synergy between the Board and the institutions in terms of harmonising the process and save the system and country from this opprobrium. However, with about 142 universities (federal, state and private), the country deserves and should as a matter of urgency put in place a workable admission system, and not the current system where JAMB and the institutions are working at cross-purposes as if they are in competition in which one wants to outshine the other. Rather than see each other as arch-enemies and individual game player, JAMB and the institutions should seamlessly realise the need to work together harmoniously as team players in the country’s tertiary institution project for improved quality system. In fact, the current admission palaver the country has found itself will further becloud its developmental goals and shut the doors to the provision of qualitative tertiary education needed to energise the economic and technological growth of the nation. In this instance, the Federal Government has to act fast by playing its leadership role in order to rescue the system from imminent collapse, because the discordant tunes in the system between the admission umpire and institutions is a negative signal that should be checked immediately.

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

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

Colourful pencil skirts

INSTYLE

If you think colourful skirt is too girly for you to make chic statement with and are one of those limiting their choice of skirt to black and grey, then you are missing out. You have a chance in this edition to have creative tips for styling colourful pencil skirtswhat to pair them with and more

}15

Sexy Steel’s appeal

Mystyle

Abbey Chile Abuede popularly known as Sexy Steel runs an exclusive celebrity fashion label (Needles and Stitches). The multi-talented entrepreneur talks about his fashion philosophy and why he designs exclusively for a select few

}17

Interiors

Walking on the wild side There is no better time to unleash your inner animal and take your home design to wild level than now. Animal prints are not only fashion favourites; they can also be boldly incorporated into home décor for exotic ambience

}18

Iyabo Ojo’s story

SHOWBIZ

Vivacious actress and tycoon, Iyabo Ojo, is an interviewer’s delight any day. In this chat, she talks about her movies, the industry and the technological advancement, marriage, production outfit and sundry issues

}19

SPORT

Toyin Augustus' goals Hurdler Toyin Augustus who is also a teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy in the USA advises athletics chiefs in Nigeria not to focus on just results alone at major meets but how to develop talents. She also talks about the early years, Rio Olympics, love for amala and gbegiri and other matters

}27

THE ARTS

Benin Kingdom and its triumphs The Benin throne was established in 475AD. For 713 years, the Ogisos ruled over the kingdom and created 100 Enigies (Dukes). And then the Oba dynasty emerged after an interregnum. The focus here is on the challenges faced by the 38 kings that have ruled over the kingdom since

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News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Avengers, IYC: Buhari lied over peace talks Ndubuisi Ugah, Dominic Adewole and Ola James

n a rebuttal of President Muhammadu Buhari's statement that his government has opened discussions with militants in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday described the statement as “a blatant lie”. The group also called on Buhari to desist from “disturbing the genuine agitation” of the group through his alleged pseudo-peace talks, wondering when, where and who was facilitating the reported “peace talks with the group.” In the same vein, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), yesterday urged the Federal Government to stop deceiving Nigerians and the international community that it was holding peace talks with militants. The spokesperson for the group, Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, in a post lambasted the Federal Government for being hypocritical about the parley, saying the only way such peace talk could succeed was for the president to be ready to hold talks with its “mercenaries”. The group also flayed media reports that the president was in touch with Niger Delta agitators, including the NDA: “If there is any such peace Dominic Adewole ASABA

ndigenes of Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, a boundary town to Ethiope East and Ukwuani Local Government Areas of the state have disowned a self-acclaimed militant leader, Ogone Ogochuckwu, who claimed to have hailed from the locality. The militant leader, in a video clip released two weeks ago handed down a death threat to President Muhammadu Buhari and his entire household, having sympathised with proBiafra agitators and the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). Ogochuckwu also advised security operatives not to spread their dragnet in search for him because he had no relation at Orogun through whom he could be nabbed, asserting that he had nothing to lose if he died in the course of the Biafran agitation. He said: “If he fails to release our director, Nnamdi Kanu in the coming days, we warn, we will do what we want to do, and we will carry out our mission. After Buhari, we will go after all the governors in Igboland. “Buhari should tell his

l FG not holding any parley with militants …says president should stop distracting genuine agitations talk, it means the president is talking to mercenaries, who are set to disturb the genuine struggle of the agitators. The Buhari-led government is not sincere with the Nigeria people and foreign allies. “If we are to engage him in any peace talk, we made it clear earlier that the international community must be part of it. The president knows our demands. So, they should stop deceiving the international oil companies, the general public and the international community.” Prior to this, Agbinibo had warned oil expatriates, members of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, to leave all oil fields and terminals in the Niger Delta before the war against Federal Government gets messier, threatening fire and brimstone in few days to come. Meanwhile, the IYC in a statement made available to journalists yesterday and signed by its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, said Buhari and the Federal Government should stop playing pranks with Nigerians and the international community about the socalled talks with the Niger Delta militants on how to stop attacks on oil facilities

in the Niger Delta region. “It is highly ridiculous and laughable for President Buhari to say that his government is negotiating with Niger Delta militants through oil companies and law enforcement agencies during the farewell audience he held with Mr. Michael Zinner, the outgoing Ambassador to Germany on Thursday.

“It is even embarrassing for the president of an independent nation such as Nigeria to say that it is oil companies that are negotiating for peace with Niger Delta agitators which in effect amounts to surrounding the sovereignty of Nigeria to international oil companies. “The IYC wonders if Nigeria is back to the pre-

colonial and independence Royal Niger Company days where international companies govern Nigeria. The point must be made that the issues at stake are completely beyond the capacity of oil companies to resolve,” the statement added. The group urged Buhari to adopt a proactive principle on how to solve the cur-

rent hostilities in the Niger Delta region and equally display a determination to resolve the problem as his predecessors did. “Only a sincere and holistic dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta region which is aimed at addressing the remote causes of recurrent militancy can bring permanent peace to the Niger Delta region. This can only happen when President Buhari as the political leader of Nigeria come down to the negotiation table,” the IYC stated.

L-R: Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar; Press Secretary to the minister, Mr. Patrick Iwhiwhu and Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Morteza Zarc hi, during envoy’s visit to the minister’s office in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Biafra-Avengers: Delta community disowns militant leader military or Boko Haram members to release Biafraland now, before the end of this month, otherwise what will become of you people, you will never forget it. “We hereby warn all fake Igbos not to speak for us, we know those that are speaking for us, we will do anything to restore Biafra, more groups are coming, Buhari, you have not seen anything yet. The worst is coming if you fail to release our director. “We have a link with Niger Delta Avengers. Nigeria will burn to ashes. Today is the 7th of July, I just want to give you serious warning, there should be no flying in Biafra-land. Biafra-land is hereby declared no fly zone’, if you try it, we will bring you down, get the warning now.” But the people of Orogun yesterday said the fact has already spoken for itself in the video clip where the militant leader referred to the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for treason, as his “Director” and reading from a prepared speech with a Biafran flag hanging behind him. Besides, the locals won-

dered why the group - the Biafra-Avengers, which he claimed to be leading, would go after all the governors of the states that make up Igboland and declare the area as a ‘no fly zone’, leaving the governors of the South-South geo-political zone where he claimed to hail from. A community leader in the area, who was reluctant to speak on Biaframilitant issues for fear of the unknown, but simply identified himself as Oloroun Ovie recalled that the governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had last year during his media chat disassociated the entire state from Biafra agitation, and stated categorically that “Delta State is not part of Biafra.” Ovie said: “He didn’t say he is a member of the Avengers. The whole world knows that Avengers are predominantly SouthSouth youths. He said he has a link with them. “He placed emphasis on Igboland where I suspect he came from in his video clip and wants the area to be released at all cost. So, he can’t claim to have come from here (Orogun). If truly

he is from here, probably he is one of the bastards around here. I am sure he is not our indigene. “The poor boy may have used the name of our area to disguise, the same way the young man clad himself in dark glasses and camouflaged in a bulletproof vest in the video clip. This issue has since been resolved by the governor of the state. Neither the Delta North axis, which is an Ibo speaking area, nor the Urhobo axis, which the militant claimed, is part of Biafra agitation. So, where the boy is coming from is what I can't understand.” Efforts to meet with the paramount ruler of the town failed as he was said to be indisposed by a chief, who refused to mention his name and title, having discovered the purpose of the visit. Another indigene of the town, who referred Saturday Telegraph to a particular family for the role they played during the amnesty proclamation of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, but failed to disclose his names, “for security reasons”, said the names Ogone Ogochukwu

is strange to him. The indigene said: “I am 45 years old now. I have lived my entire life in the town here but I can tell you that the name is strange to me. May be you should look elsewhere for the search. I will refer you to a family but be careful when you get there.” On getting to the family compound, a 68-year woman, Mrs. Onome, lamented that the person who would have attended to Saturday Telegraph had travelled out of the area and may not return until next week Friday. She said although the names sounded strange, it was possible that the person (militant leader) has affinity with the town, owing to the boundary connection between Ughelli North, Ethiope East and Ukwuani, an Ibo axis of Delta North Senatorial District, maintaining that "the names sound more of Igbo than Urhobo.” Speaking also, one Ogene-Ejiro, wondered why somebody who claims to be a leader of a Biafra militant group would trace his origin to a non-Igboland and town. She said: “The guy is

simply camouflaging. He doesn't want to be traced to his place, hence he mentioned a town that came to his mind in Delta State. It is also possible that he had lived or schooled in the area. “Abraka is a University town and it is very close to us. He might have come to school there and followed a friend to Orogun during his school days, hence the town's name was quick to his mouth.”

Police: We're not aware of BiafraAvengers video

About two weeks after the leader of a new Biafran group appeared in a video that went viral on the Internet, the Force Headquarters finally made an official pronouncement to the effect that they are not aware of any video. After several efforts by Saturday Telegraph via text messages and telephone calls, to get the Nigeria Police’s official reaction to the video, Force Spokesman, Mr. Don Awunah, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), sent a text message, saying: "I am not aware or seen any video".

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Kukah, other clerics speak on Sharia Courts

Isioma Madike he Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged Nigerians to thread with caution before drawing conclusions on the introduction of Sharia Courts in the country. He said his argument hinged on the fact that the issue in focus is sensitive and therefore demanded extra caution from whoever that is examining it without recourse to the content of the said bill in the House of Representatives. Kukah was reacting to the alleged increase of the powers and jurisdiction of Sharia Law in Nigeria, which is said to have passed second reading in the lower chamber legislature without debate. The cleric stated that the reality should reflect the responsibility of the members who are both Christians and Muslims that are sufficiently sensitive to issues of this nature. He also advised that instead of dissipating energies on constituency projects, the lawmakers should focus on their traditional function of law making so as to draw people’s atten-

tion to issues of national concern. “Sponsoring any bill is not bad in itself. But it depends on the bent of such bills which will go a long way to convincing people that it’s a worthy bill. That will determine its approval based on the robust debate on it. “Unfortunately, I have not read the bill and I don’t know what to say now because it is not the type of thing you just jump into. “But, I think the first technical thing to say is that every member of that House is free to sponsor any kind of bill; it will now be the prerogative of the members to decide and make quality and relevant contributions. “Again, we should be careful not to make it a Christian, Muslim thing because what you discover even with the Sharia law is that quite a good number of Muslims may not necessarily be in support of those things. If you make it a Christian, Muslim thing you defeat the purpose. “So, the media should first try, in my opinion, to publish the draft of the bill which can then give people enough confidence to at least understand and address the issues in clear terms, otherwise it will end in a shouting match.

“I think the most outstanding contribution I have ever read was that of Prof. Ben Nwabueze who has always argued and I think his argument is very convincing. “Nwabueze said Islamic law can’t be a source of law in Nigeria. In the same way that Igbo law, Yoruba law and cultural laws are norms that should be drawn from our culture but those norms can’t be a source of law for the country. “But I think the first thing is for the people to read and understand the draft and from there we can have much more robust contributions to it. “How does the law infringe on the secularity of Nigerian state for instance?. And two, is it in conflict with the spirit and letter of the federal constitution. “This is because the constitution itself states very clearly that anything that is in conflict with the letter and spirit of this constitution is null and void.” Also speaking on the issue, the General Overseer of Wisdom Chapel, Akowonjo, Lagos, Bishop Steven Ogedengbe, said he would prefer to look at the issue from the Fulani Herdsmen’s angle. According to him, the

grazing bill smuggled into the legislature is already an attempt to Islamise the country. “All the grazing areas will be occupied by them and their children; they will build their homes and in such local governments they will establish their own particular community like Sabo and build their schools. “That to me shows that the Fulani man, a Muslim, would have spread his tentacle to all the nook and cranny of the federation. “So, when you have that

all over the country, it conforms to the plan to force Islamic agenda on the federation. Unfortunately, the president and the governors are backing them on this. “But, I’m disappointed that Yakubu Dogara as the speaker of the House Reps, a Christian and pastor will allow himself to be used to preside over a Sharia bill in the House. “That to me is a total misnomer. So, he should be very careful.” To Rt. Rev. Jwan Zhumbes, Bishop of An-

glican Diocese of Bukuru (Church of Nigeria), Plateau State said: “the legislators are playing with fire. “Why would they want to tinker with the constitution in the first place? What is wrong with it? Has anything gone wrong with it? In whose interest is that? Who needs it? “As far as I’m concerned we don’t have need for it. Do they want to burn down the country or what? If they know that what they are doing is right thing, then they should make it public and see if they won’t be stoned publicly.”

Ex-EFCC boss, Ribadu, rejoins APC A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, has rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ribadu, who left the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014, announced his return to the APC yesterday through a statement he posted on Facebook. According to the former chairman of EFCC, he is returning to the APC based on his belief that all politics are local. “Today I heeded the calls on me to return to the

All Progressives Congress (APC), a party of which I was a founding member. I re-registered as a member of the APC last night through the party’s online portal. After that, the leadership of the party in my Bako ward of Yola South Local Government Area visited me in my Yola residence to welcome me back to their fold. This afternoon, I visited the Yola South secretariat of the party to present myself and submit to the leadership as a loyal party man. “My decision to return to the APC was triggered by my belief that all poli-

tics are local. Almost everyone around me, and with whom we started my political journey believed the time had come for us to make sacrifices and make concessions. That is in addition to the unbelievable love that my friends in the APC have showered on me in the past months. “They demonstrated in words and action that they wanted me back home. The intractable crises in the PDP also made it impossible for one to contribute to the necessary task of building a viable opposition platform for our country."

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

Abduction: Lagos monarch’s kidnappers demand N500m ransom

l Lagos CP: Its not advisable to make ransom public

he family of the abducted monarch of Iba town, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, Yushau Oseni, yesterday said the kidnappers have contacted them, demanding N500 million as ransom for his release. One of the king’s daughters and former Chairperson, Iba Local Government Council, Mrs. Ramota Oseni, said the abductors had contacted the family since July 20. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the74-year -old traditional ruler, who celebrated his 40 years on the throne on November 22, 2015, was abducted in his palace at Iba on July 16 about 8pm. Ramota said the family decided not to make the ransom public since then for security reasons, as they thought they could resolve it internally.

She said the family had negotiated with the abductors to pay N40 million, which was not available but had contacted the state government to augment so that he would be released. According to her, it was to the family dismay that the state government, through the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy matters had not responded since then. “I immediately called the commissioner to inform him of the development and to get across to the state government. But subsequent calls to his phone since then were unanswered and he did not get back to us either,” she said. Ramota said the family also called on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, but to no avail. But speaking on the ransom, Owoseni in a telephone interview with journalists, said it was not advisable to

make the ransom public. Owoseni said such issues when discussed in the public domain would encourage the kidnappers. He said investigation was ongoing to rescue the monarch and disclosing the strategy of the police toward this would jeopardise their effort. In the same vein, the Iba Youth Forum (IYF) had planned to stage a protest to demand the release of their community’s ruler. They barricaded the Iba expressway early in the morning on Friday until one of the monarch’s sons appealed to them to maintain the peace. The youth resorted to accusing the state government of neglecting the matter and being unresponsive to the ransome for his release. “After all, the state government had paid about N200 million for the release of a

Chinese expatriate kidnapped in Epe sometime ago. So, why that of a first class king, who is aged 74, so different?’’ They also accused the police of withdrawing its personnel from the palace and town, three days after the incident. A former Supervisory Counsellor, Iba Local Government, Mr. Owolabi Ashade, said the abduction of the king was a bad omen. “We urge the government to beef up security in the town, as the police had withdrawn its men,” he said. Meanwhile, joint prayers were held by Muslim and Christian groups for the safe release of the local king. The Chief Imam of Iba, said the Jumat service was dedicated to his safe return, adding that as his presence was needed for the continuous piloting of the kingdom and quick recovery of his wife, Ganiyat.

L-R: Lagos State, Chief of Staff, Mr. Olukunle Ojo; Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, during the State Executive Council (SEC) and Body of Permanent Secretaries retreat held at the V.I.P Chalet, Badagry… yesterday PHOTO: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Rivers rerun: INEC denies alleged Yakubu, APC secret meeting

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied allegations by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, that it National Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, had met secretly with All Progressives Congress (APC) officials in the state. Wike had alleged that Yakubu met with APC Chairman in the state, Mr. Davies Ikanya and Senator Magnus Abe, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He had alleged that the action of the commission was inimical to credible legislative rerun elections scheduled for July 30 in Rivers. Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity in INEC, Mr. Nick Dazang, admitted to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the meeting held but that it was a routine. He said it was INEC’s policy to meet with leadership of political parties involved in elections. “The INEC chairman

with three national commissioners and two directors met with a delegation of the APC led by its deputy national chairman. The meeting was routine and was earlier requested by the leadership of that party. “Similar routine meetings between INEC and other parties had taken place at the INEC headquarters. It is INEC’s policy and this is being strictly adhered to under Prof. Yakubu's watch to avoid any suspicion or allegation of bias.

“The chairman meets leaders of political parties in the presence of the national commissioners. It is therefore not true that the meeting was secret as alleged by Gov. Wike or intended to favour the APC,” Dazang said. He, therefore, expressed the commission’s commitment to credible elections. “The commission is determined to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in Rivers by providing a level field and carrying all stakeholders along,” he said.

Hijab: Appeal Court ruling not in favour of Islam – Sultan Biodun Oyeleye,

S Ilorin

ultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muahammad Saad Abubakar 111, yesterday said the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which granted freedom for female Muslims in primary and secondary schools to wear the hijab, was not in “favour” to adherents of the religion. The traditional ruler, who

spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State, while opening a national conference of Islamic preachers under the umbrella of Da’wah Co-ordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN), said the judgment only affirmed what is in the constitution. The monarch, who is the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), urged Muslims across the country to remain steadfast concerning the forthcoming

legal issue. The Sultan said Muslims were not forcing any one to use the hijab, saying the only condition he would advocate action by Muslims against anyone or nation was if such individual or nation attempts to stop adherents from practising their faith. The monarch said: “We are not forcing anybody to use hijab but whoever wants to use hijab must be allowed to use hijab. You are not doing a favour to us by allowing

the constitution or maintaining the constitution of this country. “I think it is important to commend the tenacity and process of the MSS because that shows that we Muslims are very patient, and we are very law abiding. We await outcomes of cases in court and whatever. That is what we expect to happen. We must never take laws into our hand. We must be law officers. We do not do that in Islam.

Gunfire rocks Ohanaeze secretariat over leadership tussle Charles Onyekwere,

P ENUGU

resident General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Enwo Gary Igariwey and other leaders of the organisation narrowly escaped death yesterday when a trigger happy policeman allegedly opened fire at the Park Avenue secretariat of the organisation in Enugu. Igariwey and other Ohanaeze leaders, including the National Secretary, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, had gathered at the secretariat for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the body. The meeting was almost marred by a leadership scuffle between two factions of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing (OYC). Trouble started when the National Publicity Secretary of the youth wing, Obinna Adibe, who belonged to the Arthur Okafor-led faction came with some policemen from the Enugu Area Command to arrest one of the youth leaders, Alex Okemiri. Adibe had in a petition to the Enugu Area Command of the Nigeria Police accused Okemiri, who belonged to the faction of the National President, Ikechukwu Isiguzoro, of impersonating him in text messages he allegedly circulated, thereby summoning a meeting. While the policemen from the police area command who were on plain clothes were trying to drag Okemiri into a waiting vehicle, the Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ogochukwu Onyema, ordered a policeman attached to him to use every means at his disposal, to stop Okemiri’s arrest.

The policeman immediately swung into action, shut the gates of the secretariat, raised his rifle and fired into the air, sending Igariwey, Nwoargu and other Ohaaneze leaders at the premises of the secretariat scampering for safety. On recovering from the shock of the gunfire, Igariwey, who was ruffled by the gunfire, started appealing for calm between the warring factions of the youth wing. Igariwey pleaded with Adibe to tell the plain clothes policemen with him to leave Okemiri and allow him to use internal mechanisms of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to resolve the matter and his pleadings were heeded. The policemen from the area command, who reprimanded the mobile policeman for obstructing arrest, later left the Ohanaeze secretariat while the NEC meeting resumed. The meeting, which was still ongoing as at press time yesterday was expected to deliberate on the report of a panel set up by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to resolve the crisis in the youth wing of the organisation. Before the meeting started, members of the Arthur Okafor faction attempted to stop the National President, Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, from entering the conference hall at the National Secretariat, venue of the meeting. When our correspondent contacted Isiguzoro on phone, he said he was inside the NEC meeting.

Ambush: 19 soldiers, 3 civilian JTF wounded –Army ...says troops killed B'Haram suspects

Emmanuel Onani,

T Abuja

he Nigerian Army has said19 soldiers were wounded in an ambush by Boko Haram suspects, at Guro Gongon village, on Thursday morning. It, however, said the troops, who were returning from a clearance operation, killed “many of the insurgents.” A statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, on Thursday night, noted that some of the missing soldiers, had returned to their defensive locations, even as he added that three Civilian JTF also sustained varying degrees of injuries. “Today (Thursday) morning, troops on clearance patrol at Guro Gongon village and environs to rout out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hibernating therein, destroyed the terrorists’ makeshift camps and recovered quite a number of weapons, equipment and foodstuff in the process. “The recovered items include one gun truck mounted

with an anti-Aircraft Gun, a MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, one Light Machine Gun, three AK-47 rifles and motorcycles. “However, the gallant soldiers basking in the recorded success, returning to their defensive locations, ran into an ambush by a group of Boko Haram terrorists, who came to reinforce their fleeing comrades. The troops fought back gallantly killing many of the insurgents,” the Army said. It added that: “Sadly, however, 19 soldiers and three Civilian JTF members were wounded in action while a few others were missing in action. “The wounded have been evacuated and are responding to treatment, while a search and rescue party comprising of Special Forces personnel has since being dispatched to establish contact with the missing in action troops, some of whom, as at the time of filing this report, have started returning to their defensive location.” The Army, nonetheless, vowed to ensure that every missing soldier and JTF member missing, will be accounted for.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

L-R: Enugu State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Augustine Nnamani; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the newly inaugurated chairman of PDP executives in Udenu Local Government Area, Chief Emma Chima, during the inauguration of party’s executives at the council’s secretariat… yesterday PHOTO: Enugu State GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Masari alleges predecessor ‘misappropriated’ N73bn Onwuka Nzeshi,

G ABUJA

overnor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, yesterday accused his predecessor in office, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema and some officials of the previous administration of massive fraud, alleging that about N73 billion of the state funds were misappropriated while they were in office. Masari who addressed journalists in Abuja, on the activities of his administration, said his government had already instituted a panel of inquiry to look into allegations of missing funds during Shema’s tenure but might take legal action against him if the panel was able to establish a case of corruption against the ac-

cused persons. He said preliminary investigations have shown t that huge sums of monies were paid out to officials of the last government and their cronies without the recipients executing any contracts for the state. Masari alleged that a special arrangement was created by the last government to divert about thirty per cent of funds earmarked for capital expenditure by the local government in the state to accounts kept by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Katsina State. He further alleged that about N16 billion was paid into the secret accounts but the monies were later diverted to other accounts suspected to belong to some government officials instead being deployed to the projects.

FG considers tax on fuel, diesel, kerosene, gas

he Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has said taxation of petroleum products like fuel, diesel, kerosene and gas holds a huge revenue potential for Nigeria. This was contained in a report PPRA made available to the Ministry of Finance and obtained by newsmen at the conclusion of the two-day National Revenue Retreat in Kano. According to the report, PPPRA said the introduction of taxes on petroleum products would supplement the revenue lost due to the fall of oil prices at the international market. It said the revenue potential from taxation of petroleum products was enormous, given the average national daily consumption of the products. The report from PPPRA showed that the average national daily consumption of fuel was 45 million barrel, diesel nine million barrel and aviation fuel, 1.5 million barrel. The report, according to

the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that there were three different taxes that could be charged which the PPPRA’s pricing template did not currently accommodate. These are highway maintenance, government tax, import tax and fuel tax. “Fall in government’s revenue from oil sale receipts and budget deficits in the face of compelling demand has made it imperative that the nation begins to examine the next step in the petroleum downstream business in Nigeria. “Deregulation remains the key to achieving a self-sustaining downstream sector as well as the stimulation of the economic growth and social wellbeing of the populace. “Environmental tax, consumption tax, fuel tax, VAT, import and excise tax, when included in the final pricing of petroleum products provides opportunities for petroleum products to provide direct funds for other sectors,” it said. Also, PPPRA made available to the government, the option of privatisation of refineries as another way for revenue generation.

He said the aim of setting up the panel of inquiry was to give Shema and other past government officials an opportunity for fair hearing to avoid being accused of witch-hunting his predecessor. “The fact of matter is that we are not probing, what we are asking for is that we have seen money that came in and went out, now what did you do with the money. If there are projects that were done, let us see. “We have made an allegation, we have empanelled a commission of enquiry to ascertain the N73 billion we are alleging, where and who are responsible, it is only after we do that, we will go to court. “We decided as a government on our own to establish this and there is an allegation and an opportunity is given to those who are indicted to come and defend it, we cannot be any fairer than that but the outcome will definitely end up in court,” Masari said. The governor who gave further details on the alleged corrupt activities of the previous government in the state said whereas ALGON was not a government parastatal or agency of the state government, there were evidences to

show that the body received huge sums of money for doing nothing. According to him, monies allocated to SURE-P, were also withdrawn by government officials and diverted to private pockets rather than being used to execute projects for the people. “Throughout the life of SURE-P in Katsina State, they never issued any cheque neither did they undertake any contract, all the monies of SURE-P where withdrawn cash. “Is it not right to ask for the money? We are asking that this is the money that came into government coffers and these are the officials that took the money, I think it is legitimate to ask where the money is,” he said. Masari disclosed that about N1.99 billion was approved by the Gederal Government through the Ecological Fund for the state to construct drainages in Katsina town but the contractor made away with parts of the money without completing the job. He said the only way out would be for the contractor to return to site and complete the project or return the funds already disbursed to the company.

Tompolo: My 84-yearold father brutalised

Ola James,

E Warri

x-militant leader, Government Ekpemukpolo (Tompolo) yesterday wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari, alleging harassment and intimidation of his family members and close associates by security agencies. Tompolo, who said the Nigerian Army, Navy, Department of State Security (DSS), and the police were involved in the act, noted that they do so in connivance with some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to him, the latest victims of this unwarranted, misdirected and wicked act include, a member of the Delta State Waterway and Land Security Committee, Simeon Bebenimibo, his driver and one of his aides, Mr. Ebipade Kari, who were on an errand with a little baby. Alleging that the baby was thrown out of the vehicle, and the driver beaten to pulp by law enforcement agents, Tompolo narrated in graphic details how the dastardly act was committed. “He was asked about the whereabouts of his boss. That was not all; the military men stormed the house of one of his younger brother, and harassed his pregnant wife with guns pointed at her. This has led to

God is our pillar of success – Ugwuanyi

nugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has said the development strides in the state are divinely inspired, adding that his administration could not have achieve much without God’s intervention. Ugwuanyi, who spoke yesterday at the grand finale of the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Executives in Udenu Local Government Area, stressed that trust in God was the safest way to achieve one’s goal. He noted that his trust in God is the reason his administration is able to deploy the meager resources at its

CBN directs banks to sell remittances via money transfer firms to BDCs

Tony Chukwunyem he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed commercial banks that are agents of approved international money transfer firms including Western Union and Moneygram to henceforth sell all foreign currencies obtained via inward money remittances to licensed Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators. In a circular posted on its website yesterday, entitled, “Sales of foreign currency proceeds of International

money transfers to Bureaux De Change Operators” signed by the Acting Director, Trade and Exchange Department, W.D Gotring, the apex bank said the move was to ensure stability of the exchange rate and to encourage participation of all critical stakeholders in the forex market. The CBN stressed that all international money transfer operators are required to remit foreign currency to the agent bank for disbursement in naira to beneficiaries while the foreign currency proceeds will be sold to the BDCs. According to the regulator, “The foreign currency proceeds of international

complications because of the nearness to her delivery date. “The duo were arrested are presently in the custody of the Nigerian Army, Effurun. Before this incident, the Navy went to the apartment of another aide, and picked up his heavily pregnant wife as he was out of town, and kept her for 24 hours in the Navy base before releasing her,” said Tompolo in his letter to Buhari. “The whereabouts of those arrested is unknown. That same day, the military went to Kurutie town in search of my 84-year-old father and brutalised him. We managed to rescue him to Warri and hospitalised him. Sadly, one of his lower limbs was amputated two weeks ago. From the doctors’ report, it would be a miracle if he survives this incident. “Is this 84-year-old-man also a member of the Niger Delta Avengers, that was brutalised to the point of death? Will your Excellency accept this in good faith if this was done to your father or someone of this age in your family? I have not heard of anyone that was treated like this even in the volatile North Eastern part of the country. I have said it on many occasions that the issue I am having with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will not lead to violence or resort to destruction of pipelines and other oil facilities, because I have a good case."

money transfers sold to BDC operators shall be retailed to end users in compliance with the provisions of Antimoney Laundering Laws and observance of appropriate Know-Your-Customer (KYC) principles, including the use of BVNs.” It further directed banks and BDC operators to render returns on their operations daily and monthly in accordance with the relevant regulations, warning that, “failure by any Authorised Dealer and/or BDC to render returns as and when due shall attract appropriate sanction, including withdrawal of dealership license.”

disposal to impact positively on the lives of the people. The governor commended the leadership of the party in the state for its steadfastness and wisdom in repositioning the party in the state. He equally commended and the state’s federal legislators members of the State House Assembly and other stakeholders of the party for their support and cooperation. Ugwuanyi called for continued prayers for his administration, adding that it is only through this that the government would achieve its target. Earlier in his address, the state Chairman of the PDP, Augustine Nnamani, thanked the governor for his grassroots development initiatives and other achievements recorded so far in the state. Nnamani said the governor has adhered strictly to the manifesto of the PDP, adding that the overwhelming support, goodwill and solidarity the party received during the inauguration in the various local government areas were an indication of the governor’s good works and acceptability in the state. “The good news about the outing is that the PDP in Enugu State has come out stronger and more focused to support and promote the good governance already being entrenched in the state by our visionary governor and the state leader of our party, His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,” he said.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Igbos, beware of Yoruba ‘restructuring clamour’–Yakassai

Ndubuisi Ugah

lder statesman and chairman of the Northern Elders Council (NEC), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, has warned Igbos against becoming victims of Yoruba instigation, following calls to restructure the nation. He recalled that the ongoing calls for restructuring across the country was similar to what the Yoruba people instigated that caused the civil war. Speaking in an interview with a newspaper, Nigerian Pilot, Yakassai alleged that Igbos were instigated to go into secession for Biafra

by the Yorubas who later turned around and occupied positions left vacant due to the war. He said in case the Igbos were unaware, he had to inform them as a man who was a star witness to all that took place at the time of secession declaration. “Even if they are not in true position of all these things, people like me happened to know a whole lot. When the constitutional crises took place in 1963, I was already a journalist and Hausa editor of Daily Comment, dedicated to Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU), my party. “I was an assistant

publicity secretary of the party, so I know all the happenings – the action of Tony Enahoro, the boycott by northern members of House Reps, the riot that followed the plan to turn Nigeria to confederation, and those who protested,” Yakassai said. Speaking further, he said: “Only two people are everywhere in Nigeria – Igbos and Hausas. This is because Igbos are hardworking, and Hausas are everywhere because they are the only ones that can do menial jobs. “Before the civil war started, the Yorubas said if Igbos were allowed to go,

they too would go on the secession declaration. “It was Chief Awolowo who said it openly and publicly; it was published in newspapers. He was the one that was sent by Yakubu Gowon to talk to Odumegwu Ojukwu in the eve of the secession declaration not to secede. “They met at the Niger Bridge. When he (Chief Obafemi Awolowo) came back, even though we did not know what they discussed personally, he said if the eastern people were allowed to go by any act of omission or commission the west would follow. “If they secede the YorL-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs. Hadiza Bala-Usman; Customs Zone A Co-Coordinator, Mr. Eporwei Edike; Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi and General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Ports Authority, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, at the inauguration of NPA Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence System, in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

LASU releases 47,583 satellite campus students’ results Mojeed Alabi

he management of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has announced the release of the results of a total number of 47, 583 students of the external system. The release of the results, according to the institution, is aimed at addressing the many contradictions confronting the institution and its external system (satellite campuses), particularly the backlog of results of many students. Announcing the release yesterday on the campus, the Chairman of the task force on the university’s external system, Prof. Cordelia Nwabuko, said the results, which have since been uploaded on the institution’s website, involve all the students that have passed through the system since its inception, including those who have already graduated. While urging all concerned individuals to visit the website to check the status of their results, she added that efforts were still on to address all the cases

concerning students’ results and graduation, as the campuses would be formally closed as instructed by government at the end of the current 500-level students’ programmes. She said; “As at today, July 22, over 254,391 visits to the newly designed website dedicated to addressing

the external system issues have been recorded, and their complaints and responses are currently being analysed. More than 5,509,863 scores of each student sorted so far have been extracted and uploaded. “Apart from the 2,500 results cleared and presented for convocation in April,

another 1,071 students’ results have been cleared and will be presented to the Senate for approval in the next few days, while another 2,000 results will be ready for Senate consideration in August. So we appeal to all concerned students to check for updates and send responses.”

ubas will follow. That was what he said. By the time he said that he was already mounting pressure on the northern soldiers stationed in the west to be removed, and Biafrans overran Midwest. “A Yoruba man, name forgotten, captured Ore. So if you look at agitation for restructuring that is coming, by and large, it is from the Yorubas. “Now the Biafra agitation is in the South-East. My fear now is that I don’t

ASABA

elta State Government yesterday heaped the blames of the failed portion of Asaba-Onitsha Expressway on the Federal Government, urging motorists and other road users to ask the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to explain. The state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who said his administration had given priority to state and federal roads, wondered why the minister had failed in his promise. The governor, while

decrying the nightmare caused by the portion of bad road on travellers in the past three weeks, said he shared in the pains of passengers plying the road. Speaking through his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, the governor, who debunked insinuations that the state government was unperturbed about the welfare of its residents, said the minister hijacked the process when he came through Asaba to inspect ongoing work on the second River Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State. He said: “On noticing the condition of the

spot, Okowa immediately ordered the state Direct Labour Agency (DLA) to mobilise to the site and do the needful. But when the minister came through Asaba to inspect ongoing work on the second River Niger Bridge in Onitsha, he got in touch with engineers from Julius Berger to move to the site and remedy the situation since it is a federal road. “Following this directive that Julius Berger’s engineers should take over the process of rehabilitating the spot, engineers from DLA (Direct Labour Agency) who had already commenced work as directed by the governor, stopped.”

want a situation where the Igbos will be instigated by Yorubas to commit another suicide. “Because by the time the Igbos went on Biafran secession they were the ones occupying the position of influence and power, economically and in the civil service. “They were made to leave and Yorubas took over, and look at Yoruba now; I’m not anti-Yoruba. The places Igbos left were occupied by Yoruba, particularly the civil service. “Till today the Yoruba are the dominant elements in the bureaucracy of Nigeria. The Igbos lost that position almost forever."

Three-storey building, church collapse in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

three-storey building under construction at No. 26 Nibo Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday collapsed at 1pm, while a Deeper Life Bible Church along Mgbom road, Afikpo in Afikpo North Local Government area of the state, also collapsed as a result of a big tree that fell on it. Reports said the Deeper Life church building collapse occurred on Thursday night after a downpour. Though no life was lost, the Co-ordinator of Afikpo North Development Centre, Mrs. Ugo Oko, described the incident as a monumental loss, while stating that it destroyed properties worth millions of naira. In the three-storey building collapse, the second and third floor of the seven-year building collapsed, leaving the down floor. A resident of the area and eyewitness, Daniel Okoro, who confirmed no

life was lost, said: “I witnessed the building collapse, it happened at exactly 1pm. We are happy that no life was lost. We are appealing to the government to pull down the downstairs which did not collapse. “It is a threat to us that live around the area. You can see how the building is surrounded by houses, and if not God’s work, it would have collapsed on top of some of the residential buildings around here. Government should remove the remaining floor before it collapses on residential houses. “The last floor was decked and the block work completed last year. The house is almost completed, it is awaiting roofing.” While inspecting the building, the Chairman Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board, Chief Fred Udeogu, said the building did not get the approval of the board and attributed the cause of its collapse to substandard materials.

Amaechi inaugurates device to monitor vessel traffic in six ports Bayo Akomolafe

of TransportaFG delaying work on Asaba-Onitsha Expressway —Okowa Minister tion, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday inaugurated

Dominic Adewole

News

an ultra-modern device, Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence System (CCCIS), which will monitor vessel traffic in six ports. The device was installed at the Nigerian Ports Authority’s headquarters in Lagos to cover maritime activities in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Onne and Warri ports and four pilotage districts and to support required information and data needed by the industry. Amaechi said the project was one of the positive responses to the dynamics of port modernisation as well as a device for stem-

ming the safety, security and operational challenges facing the port system and maritime industry. He noted that the infrastructure comprises long and short range video surveillance monitoring system as well as other software applications as stipulated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)’s Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and International Ships and Port Security (ISPS) code. He said: “Let me state that the seaports in Nigeria provide one of the major platforms for trade facilitation with about 90 per cent of our imports and exports, being done through the seaports. This would not have been possible without the support of Mr. President.”

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

Budget padding allegations against Reps leadership untrue –Ogor Philip Nyam,

M Abuja

inority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, has described the allegations of budget padding leveled against him and other

principal officers, including Speaker Yakubu Dogara as outright lies. Ogor, who reacted to the allegations in Abuja yesterday, said Abdulmumin Jibrin only fabricated stories against them because he is aggrieved and upset over his removal as committee chairman. He said: “Those are fab-

Comptroller: To impregnate inmates inside prisons impossible Uchenna Inya,

ABAKALIKI

he new Comptroller of Federal Prisons, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Mrs. Emelia Oputa, yesterday said prison officials and male inmates are not responsible for female inmates’ pregnancies in prisons. Oputa, who said any female inmate that is pregnant got impregnated before coming to the prisons, added that because of the way prisons are structured, it is impossible for a staff or male inmate to impregnate female inmate. Oputa disclosed this in her office in Abakaliki while speaking with reporters. “An inmate comes in today and she has intercourse a day or two days before the time she comes in and she is pregnant and doesn’t know she is pregnant. And if we ask her are you pregnant, she will say no and you wouldn’t know she is pregnant. “All of a sudden, the tummy starts coming out and that is why we have devised a new method of checking this. When an inmate comes in, we run a test, pregnancy test. “But in this pregnancy test most of the time we don’t have the equipment used in detecting pregnancies. “There is nothing like a female inmate impregnated in the prison. Even the way the prison is structured, a female inmate cannot be impregnated by a staff; it is impossible, quote me. “It is not possible because female inmates have their own enclave apart from that of their male counter-

parts, the male staff are not allowed to go in there and at no time a female inmate goes to court without two or three people following her. So, when will a staff or male inmate have chance to impregnate a female inmate?” she asked. Oputa also debunked the claim in many quarters that prison officials usually divert food meant for the inmates which usually caused protest and attempted jail break. She said: “No fund meant for inmates come to us directly. Rations for the inmates are given as contracts at the federal level and as I am here, I cannot give contracts for food. It is usually advertised and people will go and tender and those who win the tender on monthly basis will come and feed the inmates and that is how it is done. As a comptroller, I cannot give contract for food.”

ricated stories and the facts are in the budget. I think this is coming from somebody who is a little bit upset, who doesn’t know his left from his right. It is unfortunate but I don't want to go into altercation with him. “At the appropriate time, when we resume on the floor we will speak, but I can assure you that they are all bunch of lies and there is nothing in it. “I am not going to waste my time responding to an issue I consider inconsequential. You can read between the lines, he has actually lost his committee.” Querying the timing of the allegations, Ogor said: “Why didn't he make avail-

ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has courage and virtues that make him to be consistent, especially in politics, since his school days at the University of Maiduguri. The lesson from this aspect of Kalu is that it is good for a person to have character, courage, determination, ethos, fortitude, goodness, inspiration, life-lessons, resolve, self-reliance, strength, without which no person

and this kind of blackmail doesn't work with the likes of Leo Ogor,” he said. It would be recalled that Jibrin had on Thursday called on Dogara; his deputy, Yusuf Lasun; Ogor and chief whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, to resign for alleged budget padding. Jibrin accused Dogara and the trio of illegally inserting and allocating projects worth over N20 billion to their constituencies in 2016, explaining that his refusal to inject another N30 billion into the budget for the speaker earned him the sack. He had submitted that “I strongly believe with every conviction that in cleaning

up the budget system and considering what transpired during 2016 budget, which I have all the facts documented, Speaker Dogara, Deputy Speaker Lasun, Whip Doguwa and minority Leader Leo Ogor should resign. “These members of the body of principal officers were not comfortable with my independent disposition and my refusal to cover up their unilateral decision to allocate to themselves 40billion naira out of the 100billion allocated to the entire National Assembly. The four of them met and took that decision. In addition to billions of wasteful projects,” he alleged.

Delta community appeals to Okowa, BEDC over power outage Ola James

he people of Ekwuoma Community in Abavo Kingdom, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to the state government, authorities of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and public spirited individuals in the state to assist the community in raising N6, 550,000.00 needed to restore electricity supply to the community. President of the Community, Mr. Friday Osagiede, who

made the appeal in an exclusive interview with our correspondent while supervising the replacement of damaged high tension electricity poles in the community, disclosed that residents in the area have been without electricity supply for the past six months. Osagiede who was joined by the Vice Chairman of the community, Mr. Andrew Acha, said the heavy rain in the area on July 6 brought down 30 high tension electricity poles in the community. They added that the community was embarking on self help electricity project by replacing the fallen high tension poles with concrete ones,

pointing out that the project was capital intensive, hence the appeal. “We need N6, 550,000.00 to replace the 30 high tension poles along Ekwuoma/ Azuowa/Udomi Road which were brought down by rainstorm and to, also, replace all the bad electricity poles in the community with concrete ones,” the duo of Osagiede and Acha said. While appreciating the sons and daughters of the community for their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the community, they reiterated their appeal to management of BEDC to reciprocate the community's efforts

by restoring power supply to the area as quickly as possible. It would be recalled that power supply in the country has reduced drastically due to renewed attacks on oil facilities in Niger Delta region. The Niger Delta Avengers who have claimed responsibility for oil attacks since January this year, have been blamed for the sharp fall in electricity supply as their activities have reduced gas production needed to power the turbines. With the recent spate of attacks on oil facilities by the militants in the Niger Delta region, it is not clear if power supply in the country will improve anytime soon.

Obaseki advocates technology driven development

s campaigns intensify ahead of the September 10 gubernatorial election in Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki campaign organisation, has insisted that its approach would continue to be more of technology than the old norm of pasting posters. Prince Greg Ogiogwa, Deputy Director in the directorate of communications, media and publicity of the campaign organisation, made this known in Benin City while leading a road show with a motorised giant screen displaying the programmes of the candidate. Ogiogwa said this ap-

proach was to showcase what a Godwin Obaseki led administration in Edo State would do on assumption of office if elected governor at the polls on September 10. He said the era of defacing the city with all manner of posters on every available space in the name of electioneering campaign was gone and that now is when to reach out to the electorate via technology. Ogiogwa said the Obaseki administration would be driven by technology that the people of the state can benefit from directly or indirectly as dividends of good governance. The Deputy Director stated that information

Kalu’s simplified consistency

Rubby Obinna

able these allegations all along? Those are the questions he need to answer.” He said that Jibrin as chairman of the committee on appropriation “was the one that addressed the issue of this budget on channels and he accused the Presidency and the executive in respect of issues that bothers on the budget. “Today, he is singing a different tune, and I think he is good at singing different tunes anyway. So, like I said I am not going to go into any altercation with somebody I consider not a serious person. “I am not going to waste my time over that issue and what he has said are all lies

will head anywhere. From the above, it becomes imperative to state that consistency has become Kalu’s hallmark; he is virtually everywhere at the same time without missing any of his appointments. If he has a meeting scheduled for a particular time, he is there before the time. How he does this, is something that still baffles many people. While he is positively consistent, many who met him on the road of politics are foolishly consistent, towing the line of blackmail, brickbat and backbiting against Kalu. However, we see such be-

haviours of those in this line of negativity as hobgoblin of little minds. Kalu is a great soul that does not have any room for charlatanic behaviours; he speaks what he feels in hard words without contradicting himself anytime. Today he is a successful person even though we can see that, that does not make him to forget the good principles his parents inculcated in him. Lesson from him is that with consistency, success is inevitable. He might not be perfect (and who is?), but he works to progress, not only for himself, but also for oth-

and communication technology (ICT) training and empowerment targeting the youth as part of job creation mechanism would be accorded top priority by the government. At the King Square in the heart of Benin City where the motorised large screen berthed for hours, residents commended the initiative as they passed by watching and listening to the campaign messages from the device. Ogiogwa said that apart from the state capital, where the campaign initiative is already running, same would be replicated in other major towns in the state after the completion

of the campaign flag off in all three senatorial zones. He said in smaller towns and villages where the motorised big screens could not be deployed, other

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AMOBICHUKWU

This is to confirm that the names EZUGWORIE HILLARY AMOBICHUKWU and FIDELIS HILLARY refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as EZUGWORIE HILLARY AMOBICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, Diamond bank Plc and the general public please take note.

FAMOROTI

I, formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN JAMIU ABAYOMI, now wish to be known and addressed as FAMOROTI ABAYOMI ISRAEL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

OLUWAMUYIWA

I, formerly known and addressed as MR. AKINGBOJU SIMEON now wish to be known and addressed as MR. AKINGBOJU SIMEON OLUWAMUYIWA All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ALIATU

ers. He shows goal-setting, peace-of-mind, perfection, winning in his conducts. He might have made some mistakes in consequence of trusting a particular fellow in Abia State, but that does not make him to be two bulbs at a time. He remains the loving and trusting Kalu. He is a man who does not believe in shortcuts and does not preach it to people. His achievements grew slowly and bloomed, showing the faith in consistency, effort, journey, joy, perseverance, persistence, satisfaction, integrity, leadership and maturation.

means of movement and communication would be employed to convey the same message of hope to the people ahead of the election.

I, formerly known and addressed as ABDULRASHEED ADEBAYO ALIYAT now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULRASHEED ALHAJA ALIATU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EFEFIONG

I formerly known and addressed as SMITH EFEFIONG PETER now wish to be known and addressed as EFEFIONG PETER EKAN. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, Authorities concerned and the general public please take note.

AMABEBE

I, formerly known and addressed as EBIBO IKOLI, now wish to be known and addressed as YEBEI AMABEBE OPREYE. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

BELLO

This is to confirm that the names BELLO ADEWALE LATEEF and OLAWALE BAKARE LATEEF refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as BELLO ADEWALE LATEEF. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBIAOWEI

I, formerly known and addressed as GIFT OYOR, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBIAOWEI DOUBARA JULY. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

OLADIMEJI

I, formerly known and addressed as TAIWO OMOLARA OMENE now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO OLUWASOLA OLADIMEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ANDERSON

I formerly known and addressed as UDU ONU EZE now wish to be known and addressed as JAMES ANDERSON ONU. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public please take note.

EFOSA

I formerly known and addressed

as OBOT CHRISTIANA UKEME, now wish to be known and addressed as EFOSA IGBINEDION CHRISTIANA UKEME. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

Unlawful imprisonment: UK govt awards £20,000 to Ibori’s lawyer Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

solicitor, Bhadresh Gohil, who was linked to the highprofile prosecution of the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, has received £20,000 from the United Kingdom Crown Prosecution Service, after claims he was wrongly deprived of his liberty. The payment is the latest twist in a legal case that has led to investigations into allegations of police corruption and a cover-up of key evidence, according to an online news portal, Elombah.com. Gohil was jailed for 10 years in 2010 for helping Ibori launder millions in money that had been cor-

ruptly obtained. Ibori was also jailed for 13 years in 2012 having pleaded guilty to laundering millions in the UK through the purchase of property and expensive cars. However, the report claimed that Gohil, who was convicted of money laundering, was expecting to be released from prison on bail in November 2015, having served half his sentence for fraud and money laundering. However, a new twist emerged less than a week before his release date, as prosecution barrister, Sasha Wass QC, applied for bail to be revoked. Gohil’s defence team argued in a bail hearing that the prosecution had “manipulated” the process by repeatedly telling the court that unconditional bail was

unopposed. At the same hearing, Wass told the judge that she had made it plain that the Crown “would be seeking to review bail when the halfway point of Gohil’s sentence arose.” “The defence was on notice that the question of bail would be revisited,” the CPS prosecutor told the court. Both Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service deny any wrongdoing, but the Crown Prosecution Service has now agreed to pay Gohil £20,000 “in full and final settlement” of claims that he was unlawfully detained for 33 days between November 20 and December 22, 2015, while the bail was finally granted just before Christmas. However, the CPS states that it “makes no admission of liability or of any wrong-

doing” by its staff or counsel instructed by the service. A payment of £20,000 in a case where an individual is deprived of his liberty for 33 days as a result of claims of misconduct by the Crown is significantly higher than might be expected for “basic damages.” While in prison, Gohil anonymously sent documents to the authorities which purported to show police officers investigating Ibori had accepted bribes from private detectives hired by the man they were pursuing. Following a £1million investigation by Scotland Yard's Department of Professional Standards, Gohil was accused of forging the documents and subsequently charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Kwara gets N3.1bn from federation account Biodun Oyeleye, Ilorin

wara State Government expressed confidence yesterday that the 16 local government areas of the state would be able to meet more of their contractual obligations following a sharp increase in federal allocation to the state for the month of July. Local government areas in the state owe workers salaries between five and six months in arrears. Currently local government workers in the state are on strike over the issue. But according to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, the state government received a total sum of N3.1 billion from the federation account as allocation for July, much higher than what has been

s the build up to the celebration of Lagos State at 50 gets underway, the stage is now set for the formal rebranding of the state with the launch of the One Lagos brand campaign billed for July 29 with two days packed activities to herald the launch, which has been tagged as one of the most profound celebrations ever that would grace the stage of the Centre of Excellence. Scenes of the burnt independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Bori, Rivers State…yesterday The plans to this effect PHOTO: Emmanuel Masha were disclosed by the state Commissioner for Tourism,

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it is under pressure to wield the big stick and sanction the factional chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and members of his group. This came as the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi charged the 89-member zoning committee not to limit

We’re under pressure to sanction Sheriff -PDP the search for the next national chairman of the PDP to one particular zone in the south to avoid the mistake made by the previous committee that led to the present crisis rocking the party. Makarfi, however, assured PDP members that the committee will print as many nomination forms as possible for all positions and allow the delegates to the forthcoming convention to choose the next National Working Committee

BENIN Obaseki sympathises with gas explosion victims

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sympathised with victims of a recent domestic gas explosion that claimed some lives in Benin City. He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, July 17 in a residential building located at 32, Osazuwa Street, off the Benin-Agbor on the outskirts of the city. Obaseki wished the survivors, currently receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, speedy recovery and return to their daily activities with the assurance of helping them to get back on their feet and stand strong again.

(NWC) members. PDP has fixed August 17 for the national convention, which is again scheduled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. “Makarfi who inaugurated the committee on Friday, which has Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State as co-chairmen, also urged members of the committee to open the democratic space so that the best person could emerge as PDP national chairman.

IKEJA

S/East unions to Igbo traders: Invest 30% at home

A pan Igbo socio-political group, Association of South-East Town Unions, (ASETU), has called on Igbo businessmen to invest at least 30 per cent of their businesses at home to help create jobs and develop the zone. In an interview with journalists, Chairman of ASETU, Chief Emeka Diwe, said his group is worried at the manner in which investors of Igbo origin prefer to establish businesses in Abuja, Lagos and foreign lands, than in Igbo land. While calling on other Nigerians to invest in Igbo land, Diwe lamented that over 60 per cent of major industries in the country are owned or managed by Igbo entrepreneurs and urged them to repatriate part of their businesses to the South-East. “The Association of South-East Town Unions is worried over this situation where our sons establish industries in other lands without considering their home,” he said.

“Open the political landscape so that all the materials that we have from the south will come out, so that we get the best from the pack. “I assure you, we are not going to print a single form for any position. We will print forms for all aspirants for any office. It is not an anointment but an election," he promised. He explained that the previous zoning arrangement was jettisoned because it does not make sense for the chairman-

ENUGU

We haven’t blacklisted any transport operator –FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday said it had not indicted or blacklisted any major transport operator in the country for accident related issue. The corps’s Head, Media and Strategy, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, who gave the clarification while reacting to reports that the corps had blacklisted Peace Mass Transit operator for involvement in NEWS I N accidents. Kazeem, however, clarified that the company BRIEF was involved in 10 accidents in the last six months which claimed 22 lives and not 37 ST people. “The essence of this clarification is just to make Nigerians know that contrary to the way it was reported, FRSC never indicted PMT and FRSC never blacklisted PMT. It is a routine interface when we noticed upsurge in road traffic accidents involving PMT and which is not limited to them,” he said.

allocated to the state in the last few months. Banu in his breakdown of the allocation disclosed that the state government got a statutory revenue allocation (SRA) of N1, 964, 362, 872.63; VAT of N621, 720, 038.40; Exchange Difference of N473, 821. 529.00; and proceeds from solid minerals, N57, 729, 715.55, totaling N3, 117, 634, 155.58. While giving details of the federal allocation received by the 16 local government councils in the state, the Finance Commissioner said that the 16 local governments got a total of N2, 233, 730, 999.61 as July allocation. Figures released by him shows that the LGs received a statutory allocation of N1, 532, 966, 930.89; VAT of N352, 531, 877.20; exchange difference of N312, 517, 416.19; and proceeds from solid minerals, N35, 714, 775.33, making a total of N2, 233, 730, 999.61.

‘One Lagos’ brand for launch July 29 Andrew Iro Okungbowa

Onyekachi Eze, ABUJA

ship of the party and the presidential candidate to come from a particular region. “In party politics all section should have a fair representation. That was why the entire zoning arrangement was jettisoned,” he said. Spokesman of the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who spoke to journalists after the inauguration, admitted that the committee was under pressure to sanction Sheriff and members of his group. “We have been pressurised to wield the big stick but we continued to extend the olive branch. Sheriff cannot be bigger than the party. The decision of the convention is greater than Sheriff and others," he said. Adeyeye, however, said the factional chairman will still be received with open hands if he changes his mind and return to the main fold, disclosing that nominees of Senator Buruji Kashamu, who was with Sheriff, were accommodated in the list of committee members. “Nigerians have seen that what Sheriff and his group are doing is a greatest act of sabotage. If Sheriff comes today we will select from his list because he is still a stakeholder in the party,” he said.

Arts and Culture, Folorunsho Folarin – Coker. According to the commissioner, ‘‘Lagos is set for the launch of the One Lagos brand. This is in furtherance of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode’s determination to drive the state’s economy using tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sports for excellence.’’ Folarin-Coker, whose ministry is spearheading the programme, said: “The One Lagos brand will showcase the true spirit of Lagos through different creative expressions while leveraging on the city’s abundant soft power in an attempt to reverse the negative conservations while celebrating our people, places and the unique heritage of Lagos.” Furthermore, he said the rebrand campaign is envisioned to impact economic activities across every spectrum of the state, including communities and localities, with tourism brought to the front burner, adding: “We take advantage of our population, its density, its wealth and its culture by focusing attention on community consumption to grow and deepen Lagos tourism assets.”

8 killed in Munich

shooting at a shopping mall in Munich has left at least eight people dead and multiple people injured, the Munich police say. Police said that based on witness testimony, they were acting on the assumption that there were at least three attackers. The suspected shooters were still at large, and police are searching the entire city, NPR's Esme Nicholson reports. It's not clear what motivated the attack. A spokesman for the police says officers are investigating a body near the shopping centre.

Voices How would you handle disrespect of your parents by your spouse? p.12

City & crime update

SATURDAY, 23 JULY 2016

Juliana Francis he son of a Celestial Church of Christ pastor, Daniel Coker Osaz, was one of the suspected cultists, arrested for cutting off the head, manhood and hands of Managing Director of Today’s Print Company, Mr. Olalekan Ogunranti, after stabbing him to death. Osaz, 28, said he was hired by a popular and rich herbalist, Alhaji Asimiyu Agboola, to ‘silence’ Ogunranti because he was threatening to report him to the police for defrauding him of millions of naira under the guise that he was preparing money ritual for him. Osaz was arrested by operatives of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris’s Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT). He was arrested along with Adesina Muyideen 27, Alhaji Asimiyu Agboola 37, a.k.a Ijaya, Akorede Akeem 32, a.k.a Jaruf and Afolabi Ramoni 37. Incidentally, Ramoni, part of the syndicate that killed Ogunranti, introduced himself as an Islamic cleric (Alfa) and a traditional medicine practitioner. Exactly six weeks after Ogunranti appeared to have disappeared into thin air, the IGP ordered the IRT operatives to take over investigation of the case. The intervention of the IRT operatives, led to the discovery of the MD’s corpse at the bank of Ibokun River, in Osun State. According to Osaz, he and another cult member, Biggie, sneaked behind Ogunranti 45, while he was taking a spiritual bath, which he believed would catapult him into wealth and stabbed him to death. As Ogunranti collapsed into the water, the men dragged him out, watched him die, then cut off his head, manhood, hands and put them in a bag. Revealing why they had to cut off the deceased’s head, Osaz said: “Ogunranti was bathing when we sneaked up on him. Earlier, Agboola had warned him not to ever glance back while taking the spiritual bath. I was with a locally made pistol. I tried to shoot him from behind, but the gun suddenly refused to work. While I was still trying to fix the gun, Biggie brought out a knife and stabbed him on the neck. He fell. Biggie brought out a machete and beheaded him. “He put the head inside a bag and took it to Agboola, just to assure him that Ogunranti was truly dead. He instructed that the head should be disposed off, which Biggie did.” The police however insisted that Osaz was being economical with the truth. The police said: “The fact is that Osaz stabbed the deceased to death, while Biggie cut off the man’s head, manhood and hands. Agboola sold the head and other parts to other herbalists. Agboola is the overall leader. The hand of the deceased was recovered from one of the suspects. The body parts were sold to two herbalists. The MD had been killed six weeks before the IRT took over the case. It was Osaz who took the operatives to Ibokun River, in Osun State, to recover the corpse. The headless corpse was tied to a tree trunk.” On May 16, 2016, Ogunranti told his family he was travelling to Osogbo, Osun State, for a business. Around 6pm. His family tried calling him, but his phones were no longer going through. A few hours later, the phone went through, but it was a stranger that picked. The police source said: “When the family asked to speak with the owner of the phone, the person who picked claimed to

Suspects

Why we beheaded, cut off manhood of Today’s Print's MD –Pastor’s son

•Body parts cut off, sold have picked the SIM card on the ground at Iragbiji, Osun State. The family immediately alerted Osun State Police Command and Special Investigations Bureau (SIB), Lagos. After six weeks of fruitless search for Ogunranti, the Acting IGP, Idris, ordered the IRT Unit to assist in further investigation.” The police source said that the suspects were arrested through advanced intelligence gathering. He said that five suspects, who participated in the kidnap and killing of Ogunranti, were picked up in various hideouts. The source further said: “They led the police to Ibokun River, where his headless body was recovered. It was also discovered that his manhood and hands had been cut off. Investigation is still ongoing to fish out other suspects who are still at large.” The suspect, who orchestrated the whole macabre murder drama, is Agboola. He described himself as an herbalist. He said he started practicing since 2006, stressing that he inherited his trade from his father. He said he was well known in Osogbo, especially for the cure of diabetes and fibroid. His office is located at No 8 Oloti, Irabegji, Osun State. Recollecting how he got involved and planned the murder of Ogunranti, Agboola said: “In March 2016, Afolabi and Akorede came to my office. They said that they had a customer, who needed my help. Five days later, they came with Ogunranti. After listening to him, I asked for a fee of N90, 000, gave him some drugs and he left. I asked for that amount because those that brought him said he was rich. “I removed N20, 000 from the money, which was the real cost of the drugs, and shared the N70, 000 balance into two. After 20 days, Ogunranti called back; he sounded excited. He said that the drugs I gave him, worked. He said he had improved. He further requested to see me. I said no problem.” When Ogunranti came, he told Agboola that he wanted ‘something’ that would make him rich.

Agboola said: “I told the people who brought him and they said that Ogunranti would be a good victim to extort. I had to play along. I told him that I could do it; I explained to him that there were two categories of money ritual. The first was to get money and put it inside a bag, and after some important rituals had been carried out, the money would multiply. The second was to construct a big box and keep it in a room. After several days of prayer, he would start picking money from the box forever.” Agboola said that Ogunranti accepted number one money ritual plan. Two weeks later, Ogunranti called Agboola, explaining that he had gathered N2.5million, which would be put inside the bag for the money ritual. Agboola took the money, put ordinary papers and other stuffs into a bag and tied it. He warned Ogunranti not to open the bag until he instructed him to do so. He then told Ogunranti to return in four day with the bag. “I told him that he was to bath in a river which would be very close to where he was living. I gave him options and he chose Ijebu area. I also told him to come with N500, 000 to buy more ingredients for the rituals,” recounted Agboola. The herbalist continued: “Ogunranti brought the money and told me that he couldn’t afford to give me more money because he had run out of cash. I told him not to worry, that he would soon be rich. I told him what remained wasn’t much. I told him to go back to Lagos, and that as soon as I got signal from the gods, I would call him to open the bag. After 10 days, he called back, threatening to arrest us. I knew it was time to shut him up, so I called the others, Akorede and Afolabi. We all agreed to shut him up.” Agboola apparently calmed the frayed nerves of Ogunranti and convinced him to come with N150, 000 and a goat for the final money making ritual. He assured Ogunranti that the final ritual meant untold riches and instant use of the money. While Agboola was trying to lure Ogunranti to Osun State, he was also making plans with hired killers, Osaz and

Biggie, to eliminate the man. Agboola recounted: “I alerted some cultists, Osaz and Biggie. I knew them when they were in school because I had done some charms for them to be powerful. I contracted them to eliminate Ogunranti. They suggested that he should be lured to a remote place where they would ambush and kill him. I gave them N120, 000 to do the job.” Agboola said that he knew the fastest way to get the dreadful business over with was to lure Ogunranti to Ibokun River for a purported spiritual bath. He said: “We selected a river in Obokun, Osun State. I asked Ogunranti to go to the river and bath as part of the final ritual. We got a motorbike rider to take him to river. We hid in the bush and watched as he arrived. I had earlier told him not to glance back while bathing. The instruction was that if he did, the charm wouldn’t work. He removed his clothes and started bathing. Biggie and Osaz crept up behind and attacked him. They later came to tell me that they killed and cut off his head. When I asked them where the head was, they said they had thrown it away.” He said that after the incident, he heard that police were looking for him. He went underground. He abandoned his office and started living in a hotel. It was in that same hotel, that operatives of IRT cornered him. Agboola narrated: “I’m very popular. I have a lot of informants; so it was easy for me to know that police were hunting for me. Initially, I thought they had stopped looking for me because my police source told me that those hunting for me had given up. I was shocked when the operatives stormed the hotel at Iwo, Osun State and arrested my driver Adesina and me. I’m a legitimate herbal doctor; it’s just that the situation of the country is bad. People no longer have money to buy drugs; that was why I decided to take advantage of the situation to make money. It was when he requested for money ritual that I knew he would be an easy prey for extortion.” Speaking further on his connection with Agboola, Osaz said he was a graduate of Biology Education, Ondo State University. He graduated in 2010. He was an C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 1

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Professor, another Nigerian among UK’s 10 most wanted fraud suspects

London-based Nigerian professor and a middle-aged Lagosian are among the 10 most wanted fraud suspects being hunted by the United Kingdom Police. They feature prominently in a rogues’ gallery of the UK’s 10 most wanted alleged con-artists released by police ahead of new crime figures that are expected to reveal the huge scale of fraud in the country, a report in London Evening Standard said. It named one of the most wanted suspects as Alexia Thomas, 43, who parades herself as a professor and is widely addressed as such in local and international publications. The smooth-talking Alexia Thomas is “wanted for selling fake immigration documents that cost around £300 each, but were issued by organisations that did not exist,” the report said. It added: “The Nigerian described herself as “Her Knowledgeable” on company literature, and used a string of aliases including Elizabeth or Lizzy with a variety of surnames. Her last known address was in Camden, but she has lived in various parts of the capital.” Another Nigerian on the list is Bayo Lawrence Anoworin, 41, from Lagos, who is “wanted over an alleged

LASU graduate emerges Oxford best prize student in Corporate Finance Law …beats 44 First Class graduates from 33 countries Ndubuisi Ugah

Alexia

scam that stole more than £12 million from NHS Trusts in the UK and Guernsey between January 2011 and July 2012.” Anoworin uses a string of fake identities, and is accused of fraud offences and money laundering linked to a gang that targeted the trusts, the report said. “Anoworin, who has connections to Thamesmead, and Chatham in Kent, was arrested in Abbey Wood, in November 2012, but fled when he was released on bail,” the report added. The report was based on details of alleged criminals, published by City of London Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA). “The alleged fraudsters’ details have been released ahead of annual crime figures due to be made public by the Office for National Statistics, which will include a full year of fraud and cybercrime for the first time,” the report said.

hen a Nigerian, Mr. Chinedu Ihenetu-Geoffrey, enrolled to study Law at the Lagos State University Laws (LASULAWS), little did he realise that “academic fortune” was about smiling on him. This is because IhenetuGeoffrey, unlike other students who had graduated from the same discipline, never envisaged that his chosen career would elevate him and Nigeria in the comity of nations in the world. However, IhenetuGeoffrey like the proverbial prophet “not recognised in his home town” has, however, written his name in the sands of time by emerging as the winner of this year’s Oxford University Allen and Overy best prize in Corporate Finance Law. The award, according to a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday by LASU’s spokesman, Mr Adekoya Martin Ademola, is usually given to the overall best student from amongst the Master in Law and Finance (MLF)

and other courses. Elated by this historic feat, Ihenetu-Geoffrey, who is a graduate of Law, wrote an e-mail to the ViceChancellor of his alma-mater, Prof. ‘Lanre Fagbohun, where he broke the news. In an excerpt obtained by an online news portal, Starconnect, Ihenetu-Geoffrey said: “Success is no guess work, it’s the product of practical engagement of tested principles. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. I firmly believe in a relentless pursuit of excellence. “This has led me to con-

Geoffrey

sistently defy my young age and challenge myself academically and intellectually to achieve recordbreaking feats. To me, excellence belongs to those who strive to attain it and who are not afraid to compete at the highest levels against the very best in the world.” Reports stated that the award is the prestigious Oxford University Allen & Overy Best Student Prize in Corporate Finance Law for year 2016, an award given to the overall best student (from amongst the Master in Law and Finance (MLF), Bachelors of Common Law (BCL) and Magister Juris (MJur) candidates), with the most outstanding performance in the Corporate Finance Law Examination at the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford. Ihenetu-Geoffrey’s award is by no means an easy feat as it was earned at one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom, where

academic standard is at its peak, Oxford University, it was achieved after a testy intellectual competition among 44 First Class brains from 33 countries of the world. The achievement has once again accentuated the world-class quality of teaching and research of the LASU, and cemented the place of her graduates as some of the best in the world, an assertion which Ihenetu-Geoffrey justified. Speaking on the feat, he said: “I am very proud of my alma mater, Lagos State University especially LASULAWS, for equipping me with the requisite tools I needed for this global achievement. I strongly believe that the academic rigours in LASU adequately laid the foundation for the demanding intellectual program at the University of Oxford, culminating in this great success.” It would be recalled that another Alumnus of the University, Romola Adeola, at the age of 26 years recently became the youngest Ph.D holder in the 107-year history of Centre of Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

'Murdered MD was seeking money ritual' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 0

undergraduate when he became a cultist and was part of those that unleashed hell in different campuses in various states. He said: “I graduated in 2010 and proceeded for NYSC in 2011. After my NYSC, I couldn’t get a job, so I became a tout. In 2012, I was arrested by SARS, Lagos, for kidnapping an expatriate. We abducted the foreigner at Ijebu-Ode. Unfortunately, we were yet to collect ransom before policemen stormed our place. We were forced to run away. We released the white man. Weeks later, police traced and arrested us. My father, who is a pastor with Celestial Church of Christ, secured my bail.” Recounting what led to his present arrest for murder, Osaz said: “I travelled with a friend, Biggie, to Osun State, for a festival. It was during that period that Agboola called us. He said that he wanted us to silence a man, whom he had defrauded; he said that the man was threatening to report him to the police. I know Agboola as a successful herbalist. My members and I used to consult him for prayers. We discussed the best way to silence him. “Agboola told us that the man was already in a hotel in the state. We agreed that he should tell the man to take a bath at Ibokun River as the final money ritual process. We drove to the river and made sure that it was safe enough to kill without anyone sighting us.” He said that Agboola called Ogunranti and gave him directions on how to locate the river. Meanwhile, Osaz and Biggie laid ambush; while Agboola and his driver,

Muyideen, waited in the car. Osaz said: “In less than 30 minutes, the man came on a motorbike. He removed his clothes and with the sponge and soap given to him, walked to the river. Biggie and I sneaked up behind him.” After killing Ogunranti, he and Biggie went home to continue in their usual daily routine. He said he had almost forgotten the incident, when operatives of IRT tracked him down and arrested him in Ikorodu, Lagos State. Revealing the role he played in the deceit and eventual murder of Ogunranti, Akeem, a musician and also traditional medine practitioner said he used to sell herbal products in Ikorodu, using public address system. It was in that process, he met Ogunranti early this year. Akeem said Ogunranti bought N500 worth of medicine from him. A week later, Ogunranti called him, explaining that the medicine worked. He then asked him for diabetes drugs.

Ogunranti

Akeem said: “I told him that I didn’t have such drugs. But I knew people who were specialists in that area. I called Afolabi, who also sells herbal drugs, especially for sexually transmitted diseases. He was the one who referred us to Agboola in Osogbo. On an agreed date in March, we all travelled to Osogbo to see Agboola. Agboola gave Ogunranti the diabetes drugs and he paid N90, 000. I got N10, 000 as my share. Later, Ogunranti called me. He told me that the drugs Agboola gave him were good. He requested to see Agboola again; this time, he wanted to see him in private. It was when I finally took him there that I found out the reason he wanted to see Agboola. He told Agboola that he was interested in money ritual. I knew that my interest would be protected, so I told Agboola to pretend he could do it.” Akeem confessed to have received N700, 000 from the first money the deceased paid. He used his share to buy a car. He said that he became worried after Agboola called some weeks later, to say that Ogunranti was threatening to report them to the police for fraud. Akeem said: “We all met at Iragbeji Festival, in a beer palour and agreed that the best way out was to kill Ogunranti. After his death, we agreed to disappear until police stopped looking for Ogunranti. I was in my village when police men came and arrested me.” Alfa Ramoni said that he knew Akorede in Osogbo, where he used to buy drugs. He said he was also a powerful herbalist, specialised in drugs for

women searching for husband. He bragged: “With N10, 000, I can produce a substance a woman can use to trap any man.” He said that Agboola is well known in Osogbo and had several cars. He said he was the person who took Ogunranti to Agboola. He also admitted to knowing about the plan to kill Ogunranti. Agboola’s driver, Muyideen said: “I’m just a driver, but I was aware of all the dealings of my boss, Agboola. I’m aware they defrauded Ogunranti, because I had driven them to many places. I was there when Ogunranti was killed. I’m not Agboola’s permanent driver, but because I’m trustworthy, he always likes to use me for most of his dealings. He gave me N150, 000 as my share.” The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Don Awunah, who confirmed the incident, said: “The late Ogunranti was kidnapped on May 16, 2016, by unknown gunmen in Osun State. The Acting IGP, on assumption of office, ordered the IRT operatives of the IGP’s Monitoring Unit to take over the matter and ensure the arrest of the culprits in record time. The IRT swung into action, using all the technical resources of the force available to them for the arrest of the five prime suspects. Osaz’s confessions, led IRT operatives to Ibukun River, in Ibukun Local Government Area of Osun State, where the mutilated body of Ogunranti was recovered. The suspects confessed to having killed Ogunranti in order to stop him from reporting them to the police for defrauding him.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Voices

23 JULY 2016

How would you handle disrespect of your parents by your spouse? It requires wisdom Of course it is a normal happening most especially between mother in-law and daughter in-law, but it takes wisdom from a wise man to handle the issue so you don’t hurt one and please the other since both are important to you.

—Richard Omoghene, self-employed

I will be a dutiful wife to my husband Usually men don’t like it when their mother in-laws interfere in their daughters’ homes because they believe once the girl child is married out that she no longer belongs to her biological parents. But for me, I will ensure I play the role of a good wife to my spouse so as not to make him feel displeased by my parents’ attitude. —Babatunde Olanshile, businesswoman

I will seek the intervention of a third party It is a difficult issue to handle because the man wouldn’t want to listen to what the woman has to say to him and the parents of the girl on the other hand wouldn’t want to be shut down by their daughter. So I will talk to a third party from both sides that can call each of them to order to help. —Dessy Morgan, businesswoman

I will advise my parents to stay away If I see my parents being disrespected by my spouse I wouldn’t feel comfortable with it especially when I cannot look at him in the eye to question his action. I will rather advise my parents to remain in their home, then after some time if my spouse ask why my parents have stopped visiting or calling then I will open up to him maybe he will have a change of mind. —Adegoroye Bunmi, civil servant

I will call her attention to any suspicious move

I will call the guilty party to order My reaction will depend on the attitude of either of the party involved because one among them will definitely be the cause of the matter and that person is the one I will call to order while I plead with the other to learn to tolerate.

Before such a thing can happen something or an action would have prompted it. So in such a situation I will find out the cause of the matter and then call both parties to other. I will also make it clear to both the limit to which they can go in the union since I am the head and decision maker in the marriage. —Patrick Okeke, civil servant

I will apply wisdom in handling it I don’t think any good parents would have the intention of destroying their daughter's marriage except maybe they are suspecting danger. But it will take wisdom and patient to talk to them so they can come to agreement. —Blessing Benjamin, civil servant

I will have to prevail on my spouse to be submissive

Such a thing do come to play since they are two different people from different backgrounds coming together to accept each other so at first it wouldn’t be very easy. But I will call my spouse to order and make her see reason why she should be the one to be submissive more not only to me but also to my parents.

I will not take it kindly I will not take it likely with my spouse if she disrespects my parents knowing that without their approval of her we couldn’t be together as husband and wife. But I will also plead with my parents to let my home be without their interference except their opinion is needed. —Bakare Abiodun, entrepreneur

—Francis Uzoka, self–employed

I will plead with my spouse

It is advisable that they live apart It’s usually a problem having nagging parents or spouse because they both cannot stay and agree on any issue. So I will just tell each of them to remain in their respective homes for me to be at peace. —Akinwumi Olukayode, civil servant

—Danjuma Daniel, civil servant

My reaction will depend on the level of the disrespect, if my spouse is not doing it right I will plead with him to have a change of heart towards my parents and the reason for his action so that I will know how to approach my parents to calm them down too.

—Blessing Mutzok, civil servant

I wouldn’t tolerate such act from my spouse I wouldn’t tolerate such disrespectful attitude from any woman towards my parents because I see no reason why she shouldn’t tolerate mine if she has tolerated hers before we got married. And she should know she is not just married to me alone but also to my relatives either by blood or bond. —Krane Damien, self-employed

I wouldn’t allow my parents interfere with my marriage I wouldn’t allow my parent to interfere in my marriage that will even warrant disrespect to them from my spouse. But it doesn’t mean I will not call on them for help when I need to but not to come and find fault in my matrimonial home or do anything that will cause issues. —Olubusola Olorunnowo, civil servant

compiled by: JOHN EDU

WeekendBliss

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

N O P U E S O CL TTAI ELISHA A

MY VISION IS OF A CONTINENT THAT GIVES WOMEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Elisha Attai is well known when it comes to women empowerment in Africa. He is the founder of African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO), one of the biggest umbrella organisations for women on the continent. With AWLOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3rd global conference due to take place from August 17 to 21, in Washington DC, he told EBERE AMEH how it all started and where he hopes to see AWLO by 2020 and much more. Excerpts...

AWLO is a big organisation by all standards. What informed its formation? Having worked with a lot of African women across the continent, I discovered that if women could come together to enhance, support and exchange ideas, they would do much better as leaders. I saw the untapped potential among them and the need to create a structure for mentorship. I felt that the more experienced ones should pass across their experience to the younger generations and also exchange ideas among themselves. The organisation is unique in that it filled an existing void. There was no other cross-continent platform that brought women leaders from across all sectors together. As a man, an African man at that, many would think you would start an organisation to better the lot of your fellow men, not women. Why such interest in the advancement of women? I have been asked this question many times and my answer is always why not? For me, I believe it is a combination of destiny and a sense of purpose. I strongly believe I am doing what God wants me to do. I am so passionate about the ability of women and being a good organiser, I leverage my strength and passion. I see women as better managers, and given the influence of some great women around me for years now especially my own mother, I know that if we leverage their potential, we can do better across board. Women have great influence and can change lives beginning from the home. Take for example, the issues of corruption and insecurity, if women are better equipped and emcontinued on page 14

ÂŠ Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Instyle

The Arts

Hospitality

TV & Radio

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p.37

p.41

p.36

Style tips for colourful pencil skirts

The Benin throne: Challenges, triumphs

The Ambassadors Hotel: The stately offer

Journalists' Hangout: Alleged threat to Mrs. Tinubu

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

powered, they can address these issues beginning at home. One of the objectives of AWLO is to harness the leadership potential of women in leadership and channelling them towards the unity and development of the region. How far have you gone in achieving that? If you have followed us closely you will agree with me that AWLO has done much in this regard. The objective is to enhance leadership qualities among our women across board. And how do we do that? It’s by bringing people that have knowledge, that are advanced in what they do; bringing everybody together and exchanging views and seeing how we can educate and empower one another. We have made steady progress. Every year since 2009 when we started, through our annual conferences, we have created a platform for women leaders across Africa. Our conferences highlight their issues and help them to structure and function well as leaders whether in politics, business, or other spheres of influence. Other organisations have also emerged as a result of our initiatives. We have consistently created opportunities for them to network, receive training and get access to business opportunities both at home and abroad. Last two years, in collaboration with the Black Caucus in the State of Georgia with the help of Senator Donzella James and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, we brought them together with US lawmakers and women leaders in Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas. From August 17 to 21 in Washington DC there will be another gathering of African women of note at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City, Virginia, for another powerful session of raising the next generation of African female leaders globally. You are about to have your Global Conference. Why in the United States? We started the global conference two years ago after loads of calls, emails, and enquiries from African women in diaspora especially in the US on the need to carry them along each time we finish our conferences across African continent. So we finally agreed in 2014 after a progressive meeting with Senator Donzella James and members of the black caucus in the state of Georgia senate to collaborate and establish chapters across the US to enable Africans, African Americans and African descents like the Carribeans, Jamaicans etc. who see themselves as Africans to be part of this great vision. So, in 2014 it was held in Atlanta and last year in Houston, Texas. It is taking place

...at a press briefing

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

‘We say no to violence, abuse against women, girls’ in Washington DC this year. We do two conferences every year- one in Africa and one in the US.

zero tolerance for gender discrimination and inequality. We say NO to violence and abuse against women and girls!

What is the rationale for selecting a venue, and where and when would the next one take place? A venue must be conducive enough with a proper conference setting; with easy logistics access and enough rooms for our delegates. The next one will be from August 17 to 21 at the Ritz Carlton in Washington DC.

Could you tell us about the One Mother, One Child and the iLead initiatives of AWLO? It is estimated that 30 million children remain out of school in Africa and in many areas; the girl-child is still denied access to education. Since it is self-evident that education is the passport out of poverty and many other vices that plague women and children in Africa, AWLO’s flagship #1mother1child programme is positioned to integrate the instinct, culture, and passion of motherhood into meeting the needs of these children who are left out. Under this programme, women leaders AWLO are guided and supported to adopt and nurture a mother/child relationship with 1girl or boy child per time outside their immediate families. Through mentorship, coaching, and material support, each mother shall be responsible to ensure that her child completes their education successfully. AWLO also recently launched its iLEAD project towards raising the next generation of leaders. The inaugural event launched in the Akwa Ibom Chapter of AWLO was tagged “Raising The Next Generation Of Female Leaders”. It brought together 336 school prefects from the six senatorial districts including the param i l i t a r y, cadet and private schools. Also in attendance were key decision-makers ranging from leadership to media and people

What are we expecting from this year’s conference? At this year's global conference, among other things, we would be having for the first time in our conferences a special youth summit tagged "Raising the next generation of female leaders'' which would be chaired by our youth matron Dr. Violet Arene and it promises to be very, very educating Recently, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill suffered a setback when it was presented at the Senate. How is AWLO addressing gender inequality in Africa and Nigeria in particular? Please permit me to state here that gender parity is not an agitation for women to stand head to head with men. It is a cry to give women and girls equal opportunities and access to education, jobs, wages, health and in other areas. According to the World Economic Forum prediction in 2015, parity will not be attained before 2133 mainly because the world is moving at a very slow pace in closing the yawning gender gap. AWLO acknowledges the efforts made so far by the United Nations, countries/states, international organisations and NGOs in attaining gender equality. However, evidence exists to show that we are yet to reach Uhuru. AWLO therefore commits to continuing its advocacy, sensitisation and campaigns. We pledge to put pressure on governments at all levels to involve women in governance and in key policy making institutions. This is because parity cannot be achieved except women are engaged and made part of nation building. We commit to empowering women by providing a platform where they can access first class resources and mentors, who will help them achieve their potential. AWLO firmly states, that we have

at the forefront of education, economy and technology to discuss education and leadership, with a particular focus on Africa, its generation of female leaders and the youth. The mission of iLEAD is to “Equip Africa’s Next Generation of leaders with knowledge and skills in education and leadership, making them more competent and confident while at the same time increasing their opportunities for leading healthy and productive lifestyles in harmony with nature and with concern for social values, gender equity and cultural diversity potential to drive transformative change on the continent. How successful has the One Mother One Child Initiative been? It’s been very successful by the grace of God; 65 indigent children have been incorporated into the programme for the purpose of completing their education. Some of these children are in primary school while others are in Junior Secondary School, Dutse Sagwari, Abuja. Also the first lady of Akwa Ibom State flagged off this project by adopting 165 children under 1mother1child. This project is directly headed by AWLO Africa Regional President, Mrs. Alayingi Sylva and she has done a great job with her team, The AWLO ICT Training centre at the IDP Camp Abuja, is one of the milestones of the #1MotherChild Project also. So far, we have reached over 250 children. By the year 2020, four years from now, where do you hope to see AWLO? I want to see AWLO bringing out the true meaning of An African woman: being that an African woman is a special creature of God with sound moral values that define the true meaning of a woman being a helper, a home builder and a nation builder. And also my vision is to see a continent that gives women equal opportunities.

Attai

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

Style tips for colourful pencil skirts

Instyle Go mini with oversized blouse for playful and girly vibes

Deborah Ocheni

ou think colourful skirts are too girly for you to make a chic statement with? If you are one of those limiting their choice of skirt to black and grey, then you are actually missing out. Here are creative tips for styling colourful pencil skirts for those that are still in doubt of what to pair them with and where to wear them to. Which better way to dress for church, office or evening outings than in classy, colourful pencil skirts? The fascinating thing about this fashion piece is that it can be styled to suit any event, be it formal or casual. Tired of dressing in the usual ‘aso ebi’ and dinner gowns for this weekend’s event? Why not go sleek and trendy in a colourful pencil skirt for that wedding, birthday party, church service you are preparing to attend. You’d be sure of not only stealing attention but also making unique fashion statement. Remain relevant in your style game by opting for the size that accentuates your silhouette, and slay the entire look with either pointy stiletto or ankle strap sandals.

Depending on the event and the style statement you want to make. Floral skirt and solid top vice-visa is timelessly cool, you can wear solid pencil skirt with floral sleeveless peplum top that is not too revealing for Sunday church service and weddings.

Tuck in solid dress shirt with colourful skirt for simple but corporate appeal.

air copearance, p For sexy ap skirt with plungcil lourful pen e top. This looks ing necklin e for birthday at is appropri premiere and vie parties, mo g with friends. tin evening ou

Throw on jacket to transform colourful skirt to work appropriate wear.

For a look that is regal and sophisticated, match colourful ankara print skirt and blouse.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

ACCESSORIES TO LIVE FOR

Smart in sneakers Deborah Ocheni

neakers are meant for more than just the gym. Though they were purpose-built footwear designed for athletes they have become a staple in fashionistas’ wardrobe. Fashionistas are not sparing anything to get a good sneakers but when buying them, ensure you choose the one that suits your current wardrobe because it is needless buying the latest style that doesn’t suit your personal style. Don’t hop on the trend train just because it’s passing through, rather choose sneakers that complement what you already have although they work well with almost everything. Although lovers of style now pair sneakers with almost any outfits, try wearing them to the right occasions. Sneakers are incredibly versatile, but they are no substitute for dress shoes. You can get away with sneakers with some casual and unstructured suits but they are not meant for every occasion. Err on the side of overdressed rather than underdressed except there is a statement you want to make

TIPS

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Instyle

MY STYLE

23 july 2016

I can’t be caught wearing a loose pant

Do you consider any fashion item indispensable? Not really Your most expensive fashion item would be … That would be shoes, it is worth 2200 dollars.

– Sexy Steel

Who is your best designer? My best designer is Needles and Stitches.

Abbey Chile Abuede popularly known as Sexy Steel is a sexy musician and footballer that runs an exclusive celebrity fashion label (Needles and Stitches). In this interview with Deborah Ocheni, the multi-talented entrepreneur speaks about his fashion philosophy, why he designs exclusively for a select few and more. What is your definition of style? It is the way you put your things together with charisma. When it comes to fashion, I am very selective because I don’t just wear anything, I wear my style, I don’t look at what people do rather I think of what I do for others to follow. Why did you venture into fashion designing? I have being a lover of fashion right from childhood; my dad actually inspired that while growing up. My dad never shopped for us in this country and that fuelled my fashion sense because I am the kind of person that likes dressing in outfits that no other people have. I started by making things for myself. Then I would cut trousers to shorts and do a lot creative of things with the part that I cut off with shirts and they turned out fine. I did all these things with needles and stitches which is where my clothing line’s name (Needles and Stitches) came from. When it comes to fashion, would you say your physique works to your

One has to break the bank to get your service, does that encourage patronage? When I was coming up with my clothing line, I tried as much as possible not to make myself very affordable for everybody. I am not going to say my designs are for some selected people but the concept of Needles and Stitches is catering for diplomats, dignitaries and celebrities. We don’t have to do the same thing; I don’t have to make clothes for the masses but just for a selected few because I don’t want a situation where celebrities would wear the same outfits as their fans. That is why I clothe a selected few; I try to make it exclusive for them. I don’t believe in mass production.

advantage? Obviously, there are some times clients will insist I make the same thing that I am wearing because whatever I put on suits me well but at the end of the day their physique may not pull it off as well as mine. They would not understand that physique plays an important role in fashion. Some clients want their design fitted because it fits me, not minding the size and physique difference.

As a celebrity designer, do you also design for politicians? I design for diplomats, dignitaries and celebrities.

What is your ready to go outfits? My ready to go outfits will be casual; there are some kinds of native I make but they don’t really look like native.

Any challenge in clothing celebrities? I am proud to say I am a designer that gets my clients’ job ready under three hours; I have enough staff who work for me but that is not to say I am encouraging people to bring clothes at late hours. I am always there when they are stranded but they have to pay exorbitant fee because that is not ‘express’ job anymore but ‘highway’ job.

What determines what you wear? The occasion and the calibre of people that will be at the event. I think there should be unique outfits for every event; you don’t just wear a shirt and jeans for a corporate event where you will meet dignitaries and diplomats. Which outfits take up most space in your wardrobe? My jackets; I love suits.

Sexy Steel

Who would you rate as

your best client? I think so far it will be Dagogo because I have never had any problem working with him. Whenever I am making outfits for him, it comes in 10s and it is a continuous thing. He is my best client so far. If you are to choose between fashion designing and music, which will you drop? It is very hard, it is a test I will not like to face. Fashion and music actually go together; I see music as an avenue for me to show my designs, and celebrities also model for me. I was a model for many years, so if I am not wearing my clothing line that means someone else paid me to do it. How is the experience so far in fashion designing? It has been so fantastic Is there anything you are unlikely to be caught wearing? I can’t be caught wearing a loose pant, it doesn’t fit. I like crop and very smart pants. While shopping, which item catches your fancy quickest? Accessories like brooches, because they give outfits different looks. When you pair them with outfits, they look standard. Can you give some idea about outfits that is likely to trend in 2017? That will be an ‘expo’. If I let it out now someone will come up with the concept before me. Which designer do you look up to? I like everybody in the fashion line; I encourage them a lot but I don’t have a role model because I don’t follow. How do you love your shoes? I like them properly fitted, I don’t like big shoes.

NEWS

BZ Designs unveils clothing line

Deborah Ocheni Abuja

n a bid to reduce the problem of unemployment and heed to the call made by President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to diversify the economy, BZ Designs in collaboration with the office of SSA to the president on Youth and Student Affairs is set to unveil made in Nigeria

clothing internationally next week. Speaking at the media chat organised by Bashir Zuntu, principal consultant, BZ Design recently, Zuntu said “the BZ Designs clothing is the materialization of our desire to promote the made in Nigeria brand internationally leveraging on our rich cultural attires which are now becoming the vogue for fashion statement in various fashion shows within our shores and internationally

“you will agree with me that Nigeria has beautiful and classy fashion styles and designs already making excellent fashion statements internationally. When we look at how trendy Nigerians appear when clothed in our national outfits I realised that we have shown our style to the world, and what readily comes to my mind is, if it fits so well on us, why not others?” Zuntu noted that there was a huge market out there wait-

ing for the Nigerian brand of fashion “we are determined to sew to international standards and market same offshore. We have a variety of designs and we believe there is a huge market out there waiting for Nigerian brand in fashion and we have set everything in motion to ensure our space out there". Touched by the fate of Nigerian youth who are faced with precarious state of our economy and the widening employment market and contributing

to the socio economic development of the country, there will be flag off of youth training and empowerment programme on July 31 at Lagos/Osun Hall, Transcorp Hilton. The Senior Special Assistant to the president on Youth and Student Affairs speaking through Khalifa Usman Mustapha said they decided to support the initiative that the office was always open to this kind of initiative and that they found out that it was a sustainable project after analysing their proposal that falls in line with the primary mandate of the office.

Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Animal print dĂŠcor:

Walking on the wild side Deborah Ocheni There is no better time to unleash your inner animal and take your home design to wild level. Animal prints are not only fashion favorite; they can also be boldly incorporated into home dĂŠcor for exotic ambience. They come in wide range of warm, neutral colours; animal prints are easy to incorporate into almost any decor scheme. The beauty of animal print is that the direc-

tional lines of the print force the eye toward any direction this unique print is without distracting other interiors. Animal print is an unexpected touch that adds a bit of fun to a traditionally formal space. Even a rustic bedroom feels fresh with a pop of animal print. You don't need wildly modern decor to go wild with animal prints. Leopard print makes a splash in traditional space while maintaining a timeless aesthetic.

TIPS zz Try pairing multiple prints in the same hue palette for a fun and cohesive look. zz Tiger rug and zebra pillow works well with a of mix contrasting colour to add interest. zz Use animal prints in unusual colour to claim attention in a sitting room. Allow a guest to feel like royalty in a seat upholstered with zebra print fabric. zz Don't be afraid to go bold and make a statement with your favourite hide. zz Stripes and spots are great, but there are plenty of other animals to add to your interiors. zz Small accent furniture pieces are a fun way to add animal print without a long-term commitment. zz Just because you want to include animal prints in your home doesn't mean you have to make your space feel like a safari. Go subtle and relaxed when dealing with animal prints.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

ShowBiz

I was 10 before I knew who my mum was –Iyabo Ojo p.21

in showbiz is Jephta aka Akpororostep many top o ot w Bo of e ris e a Th the comedian took exciting. Last year, es are afraid to take. He tied the knot showbiz personalitioma Onuabughuchi, who is regarded with Josephine Ije . In this encounter with Saturday an by many as an orpheaks about being in marriage, his show n. Telegraph, he sp ro) and why marriages fail in Nigeria ro (Akpororo vs Akpo

Akpororo: My wife is not an orphan

You just had your show at Eko Hotel; are you satisfied with the turnout? For a Friday, yes I give thanks to God. For a day that is not a public holiday, yes I am happy with the turnout. Why did you settle for Friday, a workday, for your show? I chose that day because of the Ramadan period. When we went online to check the holidays in 2016, we saw that June 7 and 8 were for Eid -Fitr celebration. But the government change the holiday to Tuesday and Wednesday a week to it. They later added Thursday to it when the moon was not sighted on time. So, Friday was still like a workday. But we didn’t just fix the date for Friday, we didn’t know it would be a workday. Did you recoup your money? Yes, I did. It is funny, but we made our money. What were the challenges you en-

countered? This is the third year, I am used to it. One of the basic challenges I had was selling my tables, but I did it myself. I thank God for connecting quality people to me; I don’t need to call names. Also, I was anxious and uncertain of what could happen when the government changed the holiday to Tuesday and Wednesday. Did you deliberately make the show a gospel affair? 'Apkororo vs Apkororo' is like a clean show and it has been the plan right from the beginning. It is a way of showing appreciation for all God has done in my life. We have many shows, but this is my own pattern. I didn’t put myself in the level I am today. Did you know you would be famous with comedy when you started out? I knew I was funny and would do well someday, but I didn’t know it would be this fast. The speed has been amazing. If I plan to do a particular programme in the next four years, it comes to pass even before the period I have in mind. God started fast-tracking everything. This is why I am using my show to appreciate God. Going by divorce cases in showbiz, were you not confused going into marriage? I wasn’t confused. The Bible says “he who finds a wife finds a good thing.’ You must be sure you want to take the step, this is what I always tell people. You must know what you want in a woman. I saw what I wanted and everything fell into place with the help of prayers. I have spiritual fathers, my pastors, who I explained things to and we prayed together. I knew what I wanted and I took the step. How well did you know your wife before marriage? I have known her for years. I am a friend to the family, in fact most entertainers are friends to the family. We were just friends all those years, I started dating her last year and we got married last year. Though I started showing interest three years ago, a colleague of mine claimed that he was going out with her. I didn’t really know what was between them at a time. But last year, I knew I wanted to get married. Also, she was thinking of settling down and she was praying about it. When I engaged her in discussion, I then told her I was interested in marriage, not relationship.

Akpororo and wife, Ijeoma

Alex Ekubo to future wife: Be beauty with brains p.22

What family are you talking? I thought she was an orphan? I mean the Xplicit (a dance group) family headed by Mr. David Abraham. We’ve been friends to the group because we meet at shows a lot. The family is well-behaved, you could ask about them anywhere. You will see them together always, they don’t move around or go to clubs. My advice to other entertainers is that if they are getting married, they should consider women that could stay at home. Though some people could survive getting married in the same industry, I feel they still need to pray about it. If God says she is the right person, then nothing will come disrupt the relationship. No one is perfect, we need the help of God.

Is your wife truly an orphan? She is not an orphan. She still has her father, but her mother handed her and the brother over to Mr. David when they were very young because of certain things. May her soul rest in perfect peace. It was more of a family issue that I am not in the position to talk about. She wanted them to have a future and she knew that Mr. David could take care of them. They were four children she put in care of people. Don’t you feel bad when people call her an orphan? I don’t feel bad because when we first met them we also thought they were all orphans. It wasn’t until we got closer that we knew the true story. Has marriage changed anything about you? I knew what I wanted so I prepared for it. I was just a man, but now I am happy that I have a home. All you need is to cross that bridge. When you cross it with the right person, you will remain happy forever. What is responsible for the alarming divorce cases in showbiz? Before you even enter into a marriage, you should be sure you are ready. In marriage, you just don’t pick offence in everything. No doubt, you are the head of the family as a man, but you still need to hear from your wife and carry her along in doing things. I think where the problem comes from is that no one wants to bend for the other, and two wrongs don’t make a right. When the wife is a boss and the husband is a boss too, there would be problems. You featured in ‘Headgone,’ do you still have plans for movies? I have my own story that I plan to turn into a movie. I would do that in the nearest future, but now we are focused on Akpororo vs Akpororo. We just did it in Lagos and we are preparing for Abuja. We are still going to Benin, Warri, London, Manchester and America. What are the qualities a good comedian must possess? You define real comedians by their personalities; what they have to offer and the content of their jokes. In the industry, what they look out for is your second line of jokes. If you come out with five new jokes and people like them, they will wait for your second line, which is the next five jokes. That’s when they will know your quality. Same thing happens with some musicians too. They will drop singles and an album, but after that, you might not hear from them again. So, as a real comedian you are known by what you have to offer, the content of your jokes, how you create and deliver them.

I knew I was funny and would do well someday, but I didn’t know it would be this fast

20 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

dearest to your heart and why? That will definitely be ‘Mirage’ and the reason is that first, it’s like the oldest song in the album. It should have been on Tabula Rasa since 2014 but for some reasons I did not use it. I couldn’t throw it away since it was staring at me. When I recorded it again, I discovered that I began to like it more. More importantly, it is most philosophical song on the album.

You recently released a musical video and decided not to appear in visuals at all, what explains that novelty? It’s the concept, I believe it did justice to the story in the video more than if I performed in it. So, sometimes the concept is what sets the video apart and I thought it was more important for people to see other people smiling, other people in good mood even though things are difficult and the politicians are still lying and robbing us blind. But people can still be happy, you can still aspire, you can still dream. So, I thought that the theme for the video was, for once, I wanted to ignore all the things that are not working in the country and to pay attention to the things that are working and everyday people who go about their businesses. I encourage them to smile while they do that. I thought it was more necessary for people to see all of that.

Trance was more of an album for the international market and Klitoris seems to be for both domestic and international markets; do you see any agreement with the distribution company changing your style as an artiste in terms of what you put into the market? That was part of the reasons I became a solo act in the first place, to be able to just do things the way I want to. With Tate Music Group (TMG), they do not decide how the music is made, all they do is just take the album and distribute from ringtones to CDs and every other thing that has to do with distribution. Whichever deal I’m signing does not interfere with my creativity, and that’s what most musicians should fight for because that is better than the expensive Bentley and cruising around town.

So being absent outright in the video was deliberate? Yes, it was deliberate for two reasons. One, I was too lazy to start performing in the video. I’ve not done that in a while so I just felt like it; but more importantly, I felt the concept was better without me being there. Your album entitled ‘Klitoris’ got people talking, why did you choose a title with such a weird sound? Because first it’s a word, I’m allowed to use it and more importantly it’s very sensitive, I have quite a lot of explanation for this but I’m going to stick to the part where I said I wanted to name my album “the key” at one point in time but while I was doing my research, I now also found out something else that became sort of related to that title. The ancient Greek people believe that the clitoris is the key to a woman’s sexuality; so for me it was an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. To first of all be able to call my album what I want to call it, of course being creative with it and more importantly I know it was going to be controversial; people will ask why will you do that? Some people think that I’m some kind of prophet but the difference is you have to constantly balance as you live life. Most of the things that we do to have fun in life they are considered sinful or illegal, it’s either the government places a ban on it or religion says no to it, but that’s where the fun comes in. For me, the title of the album is between creativity and artistry and equally an opportunity for me do something different.

How have you been able to maintain the quality of your voice? I think mostly from singing. I keep singing. No vocal exercises? No, I don’t do vocal exercises. Vocal exercises are a fraud; if you want to sing, just keep singing, it just gets better. There was a time when I was 16, I couldn’t sing a full verse without going off key or without losing my breath, so I just kept trying. After a while, I started singing a verse. Now I can sing a whole album on stage and give you a good performance, so it’s just practice. There are times I don’t like the sound of my voice but I still sing. What has fatherhood changed about you? Everything, it’s changed everything from the start. I used to think maybe I was really way more focused on myself. First of all, I was focused on myself and that was going quite well and now I am learning to understand that I have to take care of not just one person but two people, three people. Of course, I’ve always looked out for my parents, my family members but now the number has become much more. I have my woman and son and there are lots of people surrounding me. The change is quite amazing and I am enjoying every moment of it.

What has changed since the release of the album? Since the release of the album, I think that I have got the attention of the Nigerian music listeners. I’ve got the attention of the industry elites and the attention of everybody who is into Nigerian music. They are now turning around to say ‘I think we should listen to Brymo’ and that’s beautiful knowing that for three years ago we’ve been trying this system, we’ve been working but anytime we get results, we get to intensify our effort. So, it feels like a success story. With five studio albums, will you say ‘Klitoris’ has made more impact than all your previous works? Yes, I will say that in terms of relativity. When you listen to MD & S, it is very selective of its audience, it’s for people who don’t stand on the fence, who are on this side of the track, who are insisting that something is wrong, no business with joke, with satire and sarcasm. It’s really serious and then with Tabula Rasa, it became more satirical. I was using figure of speech but I don’t know if it’s satire but basically a playful attitude to convey your message as really serious. With the new album, ‘Klitoris,’ the approach was to make a pop album. The story in the song is clear. When you listen to Alajo Somolu, it’s actually talking about being smart, being awake and knowing what to do for yourself to survive. It is obviously, same thing with Something Good is Happening. A lot of songs are quite direct. It’s like a proper pop album being made in Nigeria. So pop can be meaningful, it can be anything. It is pop because of how it is produced, and the choice of the lyrics. To an extent, ‘Klitoris’ has a much commercial appeal than my previous albums. Which track from the Kliotoris album is

Social media is the new thing now; will you bring your family matters into that space? I wouldn’t even bring anything to the social media except what concerns my work normally, interviews, when I’m having a show, some kind of events. But whatever concerns me personally, I will never take to the social media because if you are talking about your problems online, everybody has problems anyway, so why don’t you focus on fixing them?

My last album made the most commercial impact –Brymo For singer, songwriter and producer, Olawale Ashimi, better known as Brymo, the beat never stops. With five studio albums namely Brymstone, The son of a Kapenta, Merchants, Dealers & Slaves (MD&S), Tabula Rasa and Klitoris, he’s never the one to rest on his last laurels. The suave singer, who is signed to Tate Music group, an international distribution company, speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA about his works and values.

There’s this simplicity about you, it’s kind of inspiring; is it a natural thing or a deliberate thing? It is deliberate. I’m the most agitated person. If you are close to me, you will advise me to ‘farabale’ (take it easy) because something new pops into my head every day. So, I’m always restless. Over time, you just learn to control your emotions and control how you do things. So, if you don’t stand still, you won’t see what’s going on. With where you are now in the industry, will you say you have got to the peak of your career? It’s like asking the CEO of Coca Cola: ‘do you think you guys have reached your peak?’ No, they just want to sell more bottles tomorrow. So, as a musician, I don’t have a thriller yet, I’ve not sold fifty million album copies yet, so why will I be talking about peak. What would you have done if you were not in music? I would have been a porn star (laughs). If I were not in music, I think I would have been a footballer, so I feel bad that I didn’t do that.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

O u t &A b o u t

I was 10 before I knew who my mum was –Iyabo Ojo

Taruwa: Aramide set to headline August edition Aramide, who was crowned the Best Female Vocal Performer at the last Headies awards ceremony, will headline the August edition of Taruwa on July 26 at the Bogobiri House, Ikoyi, Lagos. The ‘Iwo Nikan’ singer is one who has never hidden her love for live performances. She will be playing her known and new songs. Also, there will be other performances in spoken word, music Aramide and more.

Vivacious actress and tycoon, Iyabo Ojo, is an interviewer's delight any day. In this interview with our LANRE ODUKOYA, she talks about her movies, the industry and marriage.

Ikeja City Mall fashion show

One of the major criticisms against Nigerian producers is that they don’t raise their game, what is your take on this? Nigerian movie producers don’t do stunts. We are not stunt people, we are culture people, we tell our story and we are trying to do it right. We also put a lot of glamour into it because you will be left out if you don’t follow the trend. A lot of technical advancement has come into the industry and you need to use these things to actualise what you are trying to say. Doesn’t thinking out of the box come into play? It does and that is one of the reasons why you will give someone like Kunle Afolayan kudos. There are a lot of producers that are doing it right out there, but not everyone has the opportunity of brands supporting what they are doing like Kunle. The few people who have been able to do it well definitely have been thinking out of the box. It takes that for you to put out a good movie. What is your impression of Kunle Afolayan’s latest movie CEO? I love the title because it gives the opportunity to say that “I am a CEO.” It is for the accomplished minds though. I am yearning to see it. I was there at the premiere and definitely I wasn’t disappointed. Kunle keeps going higher and higher. He is doing well representing Nigeria. Emeka Ike has been quoted as saying that a dunce can make a good movie if given the kind of money Kunle Afolayan has access to, do you agree? I don’t. Why don’t you? Because it takes an intellectual, brilliant and creative mind to make a movie, you can spend a lot of money on a movie and not understand it from start to finish because all you will see is glamour and nothing else. If you give a dunce money you shouldn’t expect anything from him because you have already called him a dunce. What more do you expect from him? He won’t even spend half of the money on the movie. He would probably spend it on other irrelevant things. He would just waste the money, give people money to shoot nonsense, but Kunle knows his job. He knows what camera to use; he knows the kind of lighting, the cast and crew he wants on his set and all these things don’t come cheap. All these things come with the package and a dunce won’t know this. He won’t even know where to start. If you give money to a dunce, I am sure that Emeka will bring his camera and the guy will say I am shooting and he will reply continue. What plans do you have for your production outfit? Beyond Disability just came out on DVD. I have been trying to release Black Vow, but the market is really not that good right now. I just marketed and distributed my own movie Beyond Disability myself, so I can tell you categorically that the market is not really doing fine. But I am trying to see if I can release Black Vow because the show must go on. I have another movie Ishino (Astray) it’s a Yoruba movie, where I featured musician Sean Tizzle and Odunlade Adekola. That is going to be coming out soon because we are working on it currently. When are you going to produce a movie based on your true life story? I have said to myself that I am going to tell my story; I am going to write a book about myself,

The Ikeja City Mall (ICM) has announced its 4th annual fashion show tagged “Catwalk in ICM,” which will take place at the Marquee tent, ICM car park, on August 4. The evening of style will showcase diverse designs from an array of indigenous and international fashion brands.

Rip The Runway

my story and about my fame. I initially said 40, but I will be that very soon. So, I am not going to say when I am 40 right now because you have to be mentally ready to tell the truth. You are not going to take side with yourself; you have to be honest if you want people to really learn from it. You had it rough with marriage earlier in life, but you have made the best of it; will you pass this road if a possible again? I might want to live this same life, but take my time before getting married. Is the story dirty? Not dirty. I won’t say it’s dirty, but it’s something I have to sit and talk about with my children and see if they agree with it, if they allow it because my kids are also going to be involved in it. I need to know if they are ready to accept it. They have to know if I am going 100 percent or 80 percent. So, it is something that we have to talk about. My story is a lesson for so many mothers out there, so many women who are in marriage, for those who are depressed, who are not getting it right, so many single mothers who don’t even know how to start because I know and I have always been a very strong person. Ever since I was young. I do not accept defeat, I do not accept failure, I fear nobody, but I respect people who I have to respect. That has kept me going. I can tell you the story of how I had my son. It was so emotional, but not as emotional as when I had my daughter. These are stories that when I tell people they will ask really, how did you survive? So, it’s going to take a whole lot for me to tell the story. I will have to sit down with my family and have a proper discussion with them. Then, maybe when I am about 45 or 50 I will be able to write the story and tell it, but I pray that I do it before I die. I really need to do it. Have you ever had to pitch your kids against their father due to experiences from your marriage? When I was growing up I didn’t know my mother because she had left. I don’t think I have ever told anyone this. I was about nine or 10 years before I knew who my mum was. I didn’t even understand the meaning of mum, even after knowing my mum I still couldn’t relate. I was so much into my dad. When it happened to me I told myself that I don’t want my children to grow up that way. I want them to grow up having a balanced life. Even though I am going to play the role of a father and a mother to them I still want them to have a dad in their lives. So that when they sit down and their peers are talking about both parents they can feel good. I don’t want my kids growing up feeling intimidated, not having courage. I said to myself I made the decision to have the first child, I made the de-

Iyabo Ojo

cision to have the second even though I didn’t want to. It was my decision and it is mine to deal with. I don’t like when parents especially single mums bring in the hatred or whatever situation they have with their ex-husband or Baby Papa to the kids. It is not their issue, whatever issue you have with the man deal with it. I have had my Baby Papa calling me to say “I am calling Priscilla, but she is not picking my call” and I ask her why and she says I am fighting with my Daddy. I love it when I see my kids relate with their father. It gives them that sense of belonging that their dad is there. That way their life is balanced and they don’t feel I don’t have a dad. He has been part of their lives since when they were young. A lot of people would say that you ought to have remarried since your first marriage ended. Why the delay or have you done it secretly? I am not going to marry secretly. If I am going to get married the whole world will know. I might not do a big and elaborate wedding, but even if I get married secretly I will still come out in the open and say I am married. I am happy the way I am. The man I am with now is a man who respects me. He also understands what I do. I am not someone who is against marriage and at the same time I am not into marriage. If I never get married I am an accomplished woman, I am a fulfilled woman. I am happy because I have a man. It is not as if I don’t have a man in my life. If eventually I get married to somebody else or to him fine. I am a very slow and steady person. In my young age when I got married I rushed into everything and it took me a lot to understand that you don’t rush into life. If marriage comes along tomorrow fine, if it doesn’t come fine, as long as I am happy, good, as long as my kids are doing well, my business is doing well and I am sexy, because a lot of marriages that happened after mine have packed up. I am not desperate at all. In fact, I am not even searching. I have a man that I love and I am contented with.

Rip the Runway NG is a fashion, music and youth empowerment initiative to provide a platform for young creative designers to showcase their works. For its 4th edition, which takes place today at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Tudors Group partners with Red Star PR and Party Poopers so as to support and celebrate fashion stars. According to the founder of Rip the Runway NG, Biyi Ogunbiyi, the show is a dedicated platform for young fashion designers to showcase their works and position their brands while celebrating young established designers like Kola Kuddus. “There would also be a strong lineup of music stars headlined by Falz The Bahd Guy. Over the years, the show has evolved and I’m proud and excited about this 2016 edition.”

YCEE is in Ghana Young musician, YCEE, will be performing for the first time in Accra, Ghana, today at Nyaniba Estate in Osu. Other artistes expected to perform at the event, include MAY7VEN and Okuntakinte. DJ Abrantee, from the United Kingdom, will be on the wheels of steel.

Meets Media

The monthly hangout and networking circle for Nigerian media professionals creates an enabling environment to interact with leading media organisations. Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri, and onair media personality, Tosyn Bucknor, will take centre stage tomorrow. Activities to feature on the three-hours ‘Meets Media’ dinner include the reading out of media personality profiles, premiere of the movie ‘Memory Lane’ with Ruth Kadiri and the celebration of Tosyn Bucknor under the ‘Media Personality Achievement’ section. Other planned activities are celebrity live chats, buffet and cocktails and brand exhibitions. Corporate organisations, entrepreneurs, brand strategists, artistes, actors, record labels, filmmakers, publicists, producers and indiRuth viduals are all invited.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Social Media Craze TravelTourism Trending

Gist

23 july 2016

Photos Controversies

Regina Askia comes for Buhari

ne-time Nollywood actress, Regina Askia, has questioned the silence of President Muhammadu Buhari over the religious killings in Nigeria. On Facebook, the nurse wrote, “Dear Mr. President, yet another open letter on murders. Why are you so silent, Mr. President Sir? Your deafening silence is looking like tacit ap-

proval. “We are very worried Mr. President Sir.” Recently too, Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, attacked Buhari. She shared on social media, “Buhari please, make things happen for us so that other people can eat. As for me, I can eat. But then, will I say I won’t give another person food? Let’s be realistic about it. Buhari should stop saying he understands how

we feel. He doesn’t understand how we feel at all. No one can understand how you feel more than yourself. There’re so many people who go home hungry, and they don’t know what they will eat the following day. But he keeps flying up and down and keeps saying he understands how we feel. The change we voted for, where is it? We need Nigeria stabilised.”

Regina

Alex Ekubo to future wife: Be beauty with brains

ollywood actor and model, Alex Ekubo, has given a hint of the kind of woman he would love to marry in an open letter on Instagram. `To Whom It May Concern; Dear Future Wife, I’m writing you this letter, from the deepest part of my heart, the part that is reserved for Joh-loff Rice & goat meat, so pls feel special. Consider this a pointer or heads-up & act accordingly. 1. You MUST love our Lord Jesus Christ, with all sincerity, in deeds & in purpose.#JesusIsBae 2. I’m filled with Simple Complexities & Complex Simplicities… #DealOrNoDeal? 3. I’m NOT here to pay for your Ex’s mistake, I was not there when you both were “doing” so pls don’t punish me.#InnocentMe 4. I’m a huge kisser, key word HUGE. 5. Pls forgive me for all I’ll say when I’m hungry, I Love FOOD, I really do.

6. I love play, I don’t take myself too serious. You shouldn’t too (nobody cares), there are more important things going on in the World. 7. Hope you love to travel, because I am Ajala the Traveler. 8. Pls be beauty with brains, I take God beg you because beauty fades but an intelligent wife is forever. 9. Pls pls pls pls come with factory fitted sense of humour. (Nothing is that serious) 10. Lastly, you must acknowledge the AlexxEkubo Wives Association Worldwide (A.W .A). They’v been my support structure holding me down all the while you were forming “Baddest girl ever liveth.” They were here voting & encouraging my ministry, don’t come & put sand-sand in their garri. Hope with these few points of mine I’ve been able to convince you & not confuse you. See you at the Altar Sincerely yours, Best Husband Ever Liveth.

Ben-Bruce against Kano mass marriage

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

report came out recently that the government sponsored a mass marriage in Kano. But, Nigerian Senator, Ben MurrayBruce, thinks Nigerians need more jobs not marriages. The Nigerian businessman and founder of Silverbird group, took to Facebook to express his disappointment in the mass marriage in Kano. He shared: “Really sad that in this period of economic downtown some states are more engaged with mass wedding registries rather than with mass job registries! 18, 000 babies are born in Nigeria every day. States are seeking bailouts from the FG, businesses are closing up shop and the Naira is sliding everyday with high inflation and our priority is mass marriage! Really!!! Our priority shouldn’t be facilitating mass marriages. It should be how to make our people productive enough to marry for themselves and to feed their families.”

Fight to the finish

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Investigations

ILUDUN

OGUN COMMUNITY SACKED BY LAGOS WASTEWATER Iludun, which literally means sweet community, is today experiencing the bitter taste of life. It is situated in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State and host to the popular Lagos State waterworks, Adiyan. The inhabitants of this sleepy neighbourhood are presently ravaged by the waste discharged from the water station, rendering hundreds of them homeless with snakes, crocodiles and other dangerous reptiles now as co-tenants. ISIOMA MADIKE who was at the village recently, reports

Isioma madike

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

ludun is situated in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State and host to Lagos State waterworks, Adiyan. This is supposed to be good news. Unfortunately, that is not to be. It is a disaster waiting to happen. At present, many houses have been buried under the belly of surging water. More are threatening to disintegrate any moment soon as their foundation is on delicate balance. The people have been forced to learn to swim as that remains the only way to access their homes, while snakes, crocodiles and other dangerous reptiles have taken over as co-tenants. “This is the way we live now. We are

being forced to live like the mediaeval creatures. Life has really become cruel and not worth living in this community. They made us look like fools surrounded by water but have none to drink. We also seemed to be caught in the web of politics; dirty politics of two states that promised us change. This, definitely, is the most unlikely change that we deserved,” said Evangelist Olade Odulana. Odulana is a landlord in Iludun village. He doubles as the chairman of the committee set up by the Landlord Association to speak on their behalf over their predicament. The community is presently ravaged by flood from wastewater discharged from

the water station. The landlord who claimed to have lost all his properties to the flood also told Saturday Telegraph that his wife and five children had moved to another community for safety. “They can no longer stay here with me because we are daily threatened by dangerous animals, especially snakes, crocodiles and other daring reptiles. But l cannot abandon my house and relocate because this is the only possession l have left,” he further narrated. Pitiable as the situation of Odulana may continued on page 24

Investigations

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

seem, his is not an isolated case. Many other inhabitants of this sleepy community are in the same quagmire. There are those who have been displaced as their houses and other belongings have been buried in the belly of the water. According to information, no fewer than 15 houses had been submerged, with over 90 residents, including landlords, had been forced to relocate from the vicinity. It was learnt that the flood was caused by the failure of the Lagos State government to dredge a river in the area, which collects the water. Residents, who spoke with Saturday Telegraph, said the river was last dredged about eight years ago. This often makes it to overflow its bank and wreak havoc on the community. Odulana explained all the steps taken by sending letters to appropriate quarters, which has yielded no result. He said that his committee petitioned the Lagos State Water Corporation on February 2, 2015. “When there was no response, we had to send a similar letter to the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun. The governor also did not respond in spite of the urgency our petition demanded. And the situation has become worse since then. As I speak to you, over 15 houses have been lost to the flood and their occupants rendered homeless. “We sent two more reminders to Amosun after some officials from Ogun State Ministry for the Environment visited the community. One of the reminders dated February 16, read in part: “This is to remind you sir concerning the petition and a reminder we addressed to your office about the menace in our community, which is caused by the wastewater from (Lagos State Water Corporation) Adiyan Waterworks. “The worst is still happening to us despite the fact that we are in dry season. The river where the wastewater is channelled to is overflowing and needs dredging. Come to our aid.” Odulana thereafter made available the copies of the petitions, six in all, to Saturday Telegraph. The petitions were addressed to the governors in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Group Managing Director, Lagos Water Corporation, Ijora. However, a reply from the Ogun State Ministry for the Environment to the community dated April 19, signed by Tunji Adenuga, and made available to Saturday Telegraph, stated that the Lagos State Government had started working to stem the flood. Part of the letter reads: “This ministry has taken action on the matter by writing the Lagos State Water Corporation and the corporation has forwarded to the ministry a reply to our letter,

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

‘Snakes, crocodiles, other

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun

apologising for its action and informing us of the steps taken to minimise the effect of wastewater discharge from Adiyan Waterworks.” Incidentally, no work has commenced as at the time of the visit of this reporter as the community is still suffering and in a share of abandonment. The people seemed not to know where else to seek solace with both the Ogun and Lagos state governments apparently deciding to ignore their cries. Expressing the frustration of the community to Saturday Telegraph, a 70-year-old landlord, Segun Daniel, said that when he came to buy land at the place, it was a solid ground in which nobody could have thought the situation will degenerate to this level. Daniel had been in the vicinity for 10 years now. According to him, the community has been passing through this agony in the last four years when the wastewater from the water corporation is released without proper channelisation. “We usually experience double tragedy if it is during the rainy season. You can see it yourself what we are passing through now. Today, we had woken up around 2am when the first batch of the water was released. You are now witnessing the second batch; this is how we have been traumatised in the last four years with both Lagos and Ogun governments pretending not to know our predicaments.” Daniel, however, regretted that the community does not even have a clean potable water to drink in spite of hosting the water station in their neigh-

bourhood. “This is happening in the same country and same environment where potable water is being pumped to ikoyi, Victoria Island, Ikeja and other areas of Lagos State. Is it because Iludun belongs to Ogun State and has no influential people? “The waste from the water station continuously creates nightmare for us. We are helpless. Is the government waiting until such a time that the whole neighbourhood will be submerged or swept away before they could do something? “You people should please help us beg the two governments to come to our aid. If it is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) versus the All Progressives Congress (APC), the story would have been different. But now that they are all from the same party, their ‘paddy paddy’ would not let us see any meaningful action. They should pity us because we also voted for change. This should not remain our lot.” Another landlord, Pastor Lawrence Ajayi, pointed to a nearby house that has been submerged by water, and said: “This ‘wahala’ has forced the man and his household to relocate to some of their relatives. They lost all that they

worked for to this flood.” Ajayi, 56, has also been in the village for 12 years. Expressing similar frustration, Alhaji Sauban Ajasa, said that he relocated to the vicinity about a year ago to join his grandmother who is a landlady in the community. “When the water was disturbing her and she is getting old, l moved my family to join her thinking that we can, together, find a way out of this mess. Unfortunately, that has not been possible. You can see us all outside; this house you are looking at, may collapse any moment from now. At least you can see the deep cracks all over. They are putting pressure on the structure.” Ajasa reiterated the fact that all emissaries sent to both Lagos and Ogun states are yet to yield any fruitful results. “That is why you see everybody outside. The water has been released since morning. We need urgent government attention before the situation gets out of hand. Or do they wants us all to perish here,” he asked. Pastor Toluwalase Adedeji of Fountain Power Reign Prayer Ministry could not also hide his feeling about what the community is passing through whenever the water from

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Rio countdown Athletes to watch p.28

Sport Splash

25 News F’Eagles set to clinch Nations Cup ticket p.32

Embattled NFF turns to Sredojevic •Technical Committee never

interviewed Le Guen – Lawal

•Members yet to meet as Pinnick imposes coach on ad-hoc body

Ajibade Olusesan

Sredojevic

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

aturday Telegraph can authoritatively report that two Serbian coaches Milutin Sredojevic and Goran Stepanovic have stormed back to reckoning as pressure pile on Nigeria Football Federation over the appointment of a substantive coach for the Super Eagles. The two coaches were the front runners in the race for the plum job before Frenchman Paul Le Guen came into the picture. Sources in the federation told our correspondent that the NFF President Amaju Pinnick had spoken with the two coaches shortly after erstwhile handler of the team Sunday Oliseh resigned. The source said Pinnick was particularly interested in Sredojevic who is the current

coach of the Ugandan national team but Le Guen’s rich resume and knowledge of African football swept the NFF boss off his feet when the Frenchman showed interest. The federation on Monday announced the appointment of Le Guen as the Eagles coach but less than 24 hours later the Frenchman denied it, saying he had turned down Nigeria’s offer. Our correspondent reliably gathered that Pinnick had already contacted a few foreign coaches including Sredojevic . “I cannot say who the next coach will be but I know Mr Pinnick has spoken to some coaches already and one of them is Sredojevic,” our source said. “I also know that Stepanovic has also been contacted. I think the president is going to submit a list of coaches

Ogenyi Onazi (l) attempting to close down Bafana's Dean Furman in a match

to the technical committee, I am not sure they are going to go back to those who submitted their resume the last time, it is an entirely fresh exercise.” The NFF board on Wednesday gave the technical committee seven days to come up with another recommendation but the source said that it was not the ad-hoc organ that is shopping for a coach but the president himself. “ I have to be sincere, with you, it is the president doing the search personally,” the source said. A member of the committee, Garba Lawal, when contacted confessed that they did not Skype-interview Le Guen as being reported in the media. “We did not interview Le Guen or anyone; we just met on Monday and recommended Le Guen to the federation. We did not speak with him on Skype,” he said. The former Super Eagles midfielder said that he was yet to get an invitation for a meeting despite the committee been given sevenday ultimatum. “I cannot assure you that we are going to get a new coach in seven days because as at today (Thursday), I am yet to be officially informed about it. Maybe when I get the invitation, and we meet to discuss and take decision then everyone will know,” he said.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

Four-way battle at the top W ith 10 matches till the end of the current Nigeria Professional Football League season, the battle for the trophy remains intense with four clubs neck-to-neck at the top of the table. Rangers of Enugu are eyeing their first title in 32 years and they are currently two points ahead of Wikki Tourists in second position. The Tourists started the season without fanfare but they have remained the most consistent team in the league this term. Rivers United are third on the table with the same points as Wikki but with inferior goal difference, although with an outstanding game, while defending champions, Enyimba, are six points behind Rangers in fourth position but with two outstanding matches. Wikki’s away form has been impressive and with the same set of players in the last three seasons, they are targetting their first title after missing out of playing on the

continent last year. Enyimba have been distracted this season due to their continental assignment, and also starting the season with so many new players including a new coach, but with their break from CAF Champions League till August, this may be the best time for them to close the gap between with teams at the top. This weekend, Rangers have the opportunity of extending their lead as they take on Lobi Stars in Enugu. Wikki, will be hosting Abia Warriors in Bauchi. Rivers United have a tricky tie away to Sunshine Stars while Enyimba travel to Jos to take on Plateau United. At the bottom of the table, Ikorodu United, Heartland and Shooting Stars will be playing at home against Nasarawa United, IfeanyiUbah and Niger Tornadoes respectively. In other matches at the weekend, MFM will be away to Kano Pillars as Warri Wolves play host to Akwa United.

Gains of NPFL All-Stars La Liga trip

NPFL LEAGUE TABLE Team

PTS

1 Rangers

2 Wikki

3 Rivers Utd

4 Enyimba

5 Kano Pillars

6 Lobi Stars

7 Sunshine

8 Akwa Utd

9 MFM FC

10 IfeanyiUbah

11 Nasarawa

-2

12 Abia Warriors

-4

13 El-Kanemi

-3

14 Tornadoes

-2

15 Warri Wolves

-7

16 Plateau Utd

-6

17 Shooting

-12

18 Heartland

-7

19 Ikorodu Utd

-21

20 Giwa FC

t is no longer news that top Nigeria Professional Football League stars will be traveling to Spain to engage in friendly matches, but the pertinent questions is what will be the gains to the players, the league and the country’s football. The NPFL All-Star team of 37 players based on current form and potential shown as youth development players began camping in Abuja from July 11 with a final list of 22 to be released before their departure on August 8, by the coaching crew led by Salisu Yusuf. “The players will be exposed to new pattern of play, new culture and also there may be opportunities for them to get deals before the end of the transfer window in August,” Amobi Ezeaku, the Team Manager of the NPFL All-Stars, said. “Definitely some clubs will be affected when the team travels to Spain, but the positives outweigh the negatives, and some people are already discussing with LMC to give a two-week break during the period. “Personally I see it as a good opportunity for the NPFL, the players and hopefully they will be good ambassadors for the country and open doors of opportunity for other players.”

MATCHDAY 28 Sunshine vs Rivers Utd Ikorodu Utd vs Nasarawa Utd Heartland vs IfeanyiUbah Kano Pillars vs MFM Plateau Utd vs Enyimba Rangers vs Lobi Warri Wolves vs Akwa Utd Wikki vs Abia Warriors Shooting vs Tornadoes

It's Wikki’s time to win title – Matori

Rangers' Godwin Aguda (on the ground) vying for the ball with Akwa United's Cyril Olisema during a league match

Kano Pillars can still win league, says chairman

abiru Baita, chairman of Kano Pillars, has said the title is still within the reach of the former champions, assuring the fans that the team will continue to battle till the final day. According to him, the team started the season badly which contributed to their current position on the league table, but believe with little fortune, they can still finish top. “Actually we had a terrible start to the season due to the fact that we had so many new players joining the team,” he said. “But since the start of the second stanza, there has been a big improvement which

has put us where we are today on the table. “Kano Pillars are currently fifth on the table, and we are still fighting very hard to move up on the table, I can boldly say I am satisfied with the performance of the team this season.” Speaking further, the chairman said the addition of more players at the beginning of the second stanza of the league had helped the team to gel. On the possibility of his team being part of the recent partnership between the League Management Company and NASD Securities, Baita said the team would be

among the first set of clubs to take advantage of the opportunity. Baita said: ‘We are going to be part of it, the partnership is going to assist all the clubs if they decide to key in to the scheme, I am part of it and will make sure Kano Pillars are part of it. “This is an opportunity to take some burden off the state government because they have been the one investing on the clubs; so if an opportunity arises whereby the government will receive assistance from somewhere else, why won’t I accept it?”

he chairman of Wikki Tourists, Isa Matori, has said the time is right for his team to be crowned the Nigeria Professional Football League champions. He informed League Rendezvous that the target at the beginning of the season was for the team to win the title and not just to qualify to play on the continent. “We are not just after qualifying to play on the continent, our target this season is to win the league and that’s what we are working on,” he said. “I am determined as the chairman, the technical crew is determined, the players are also ready to give it their all to win this league. It is our time and we have to achieve that. “This is the closest a team from the North East will be to winning the league since the inception of premier title in Nigeria and we want to be the first to win it.” When asked about the secret of the team, the chairman said they had been consistent in the last three years making sure they didn’t lose any of their players while also adding one or two players to complement the team. He however refused to disclose the plans to sustain their recent performance especially in away games. He added: “We made the players to understand that staying together for long will be of advantage to the team and to them as individuals. “The management makes sure we are to date as far as their (players) salaries and allowances are concerned, and they don’t have any problem with the management. “We also try as much as possible to maintain the same technical crew for the last two seasons in order to build a strong team. That is why we have been excelling.”

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Augustus

There was no doubt about representing Nigeria

– Augustus

Toyin Augustus is a Nigerian hurdler who competes in the 100 metres hurdles. She began her career with a win at the African Championships in Athletics in 2006, easily beating the opposition to the 100 m hurdles title. In this interview with CHARLES OGUNDIYA in Durban, South Africa, the mother of one and a teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy, USA, said Nigeria should notfocus on results alone at major championships, but how to develop more talents. Excerpts… How did you get into athletics? When my elder sister began to do athletics, I usually followed her to training with my father where we were living in Tennessee, in the USA, I usually tried to run with her, there was one time she was preparing for a competition and my father said I should try and run the hurdles alongside her, and I did better than her that day. Before then, she was better than me in everything but for me to beat her in hurdles, I concluded that this event must be good for me I realised that I could achieve something great in the hurdles. That was how it all started. How has it been since then? It has been amazing. When I was young, I ran in so many competitions, I achieved a lot of success, and you know as a young person, when you are good in something and are able to achieve a lot, you will be happy. I later began to compete when I was in the college and after college, it became part of my life. I would say it was another way for me to be closer to God, the trials, the victories, the breakthroughs, the let downs, and so on. I believe God is watching out for me at every point in time. Even when things are hard, I always look at the next opportunity available for me in my career. While some Nigerianborn athletes are trying so hard to compete for other countries, did it take a lot of persuasion to get you to compete for

Nigeria? I was not persuaded at all, for me it was Nigeria and nowhere else. Even before I knew how things worked in Nigeria, my heart had always been to compete for Nigeria. My parents taught us to be very patriotic and also to love our country from when we were growing up as kids. My elder sister and I were both born in Nigeria but we left for the US at very tender ages; my younger sister was the only one born in the States. The major language of conversation for us at home was Yoruba with our parents making sure we respect our culture all the time. Competing for Nigeria was like going to school for me; I don’t think I needed to be persuaded to go to college, same way as representing my country. I am Nigerian and nothing else for me. Could you describe the setting since joining Team Nigeria? I have definitely had my challenges; I had found myself in situation where I spent money to travel home to represent the country and got no refund, I had been put in accommodations and situations that were sometimes not ideal, but I never regret representing the country. I really wish and hope we can make the athletes more comfortable than they are now. Sometimes we were treated like kings and queens, we need to be consistent at all times. There must be a standard, but I understand the situation, lack of funds has been the major setback, I just feel we need to respect each other as a nation.

If you have not been an athlete, what would you have done in life? I am an educator, I have always wanted to work with the young people and I enjoy doing that. I studied Business Management and Developmental Psychology which is helping me with the way I deal with young people. Maybe later if I want to do

Augustus

something physical, I will go for gymnastics. Why gymnastics? I am very flexible, and when I was in high school, I tried gymnastics as well. But there was no easy avenue for me to continue, so I decided to drop it. During my middle school, the opportunity came for me again to involve myself in sports, track and field was one of the events before me, so I just decided to stick with track. Apart from hurdles, which other events can you do? As a hurdler, you have to be a good sprinter, so I can run the 100m very well. Hurdles is very special and requires a lot of techniques. When I was growing up, I tried my hands in so many events, the long jump, high jump. I also excelled in triple jump, but it was very hard on my body. When I was in college, I was combining the 100m hurdles with the triple jump, but I was unable to stay healthy for long, so I had to dump triple jump and concentrate on the hurdles. I had also done relays and 4x400m in high school. What is your take on the emergence of Tobi Amusan and other young talents in the country? It’s awesome. There is so much talents in Nigeria, and when we are able to tap into it, able to develop the talents, when people who are hungry and have talents are given the opportunity to compete, then we will become great again. I wish the country can give the athletes, especially the younger ones, the opportunity to be nurtured and allowed to become stars. I am not out of the race yet, I want to stay around to be able to support the CONTINUE ON PAGE 32

Nadal confident of competing at Rio Olympics

chippers is a Dutch heptathlete and sprinter who is single-handedly breaking up the AmericanCaribbean monopoly of the women's 100m and 200m. As a heptathlete she won the junior world title in 2010 and then bronze at the senior World Championships in 2013, but over the past couple of years she has concentrated on sprinting and her performance have consequently soared. Having won golds in the 100m and 200m at the European Championships in 2014, she then won gold in the 200m and silver in the 100m at last year's World Championships and appears certain to be challenging for more medals in Rio.

Dafne Schippers (athletics)

Ledecky

he 19-year-old American is well on her way to becoming the Michael Phelps of women's swimming. After winning gold in the 800m freestyle at the London 2012 Olympics, aged just 15, she has gone on to establish herself as the best freestyle swimmer in the world over 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m, winning four golds at the 2013 World Championships and five golds at the 2015 World Championships. She also holds world records in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m and it seems almost certain that she will add more records and gold medals to her collection in Rio.

Katie Ledecky (swimming)

omen's athletics has been crying out for a global superstar to match Usain Bolt for much of the 21st century, and in Ethiopia's Dibaba, it finally may have one. The 25-year-old has established herself as one of the greatest indoor middle-distance runners of all time over the past two years by setting four world records ranging from 1,500m to 5,000m, all of them by huge margins. Last season she also began turning her hand to outdoor racing and duly added a fifth world record to her collection (the previous 1,500m best had stood for 22 years), as well as a world title in the same event in Beijing. Dibaba, who is the younger sister of three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba, is now targeting gold in the 1,500m and 5,000m in Rio. Don't be surprised to see her win both in world-record time.

Genzebe Dibaba (athletics)

Neymar

he men's omnium may not be a marquee event in the track cycling programme, but in Gaviria it has a truly special athlete as it clear favourite for gold in Rio. The 21-year-old Colombian was a virtual unknown less than 18 months ago, but he then beat Mark Cavendish twice in a road race in Argentina and followed those wins up by claiming the 2015 world omnium title on the track a month later. He has since joined one of the biggest road teams in professional cycling and romped to a second successive omnium world title in London this March. Youthful, raw, aggressive and frighteningly talented, the sight of Gaviria tearing round a track is one to behold and the men's omnium should therefore not be missed.

Fernando Gaviria (track cycling)

Gaviria

he marathon world record is one of the toughest and most mythical challenges in sport, and thanks to Kipchoge, it could be put under serious threat in Rio. The 31-year-old Kenyan fell just eight seconds short of the current record of 2hr

Eliud Kipchoge (marathon)

he men's 400m has the potential to be one of the most enthralling events of the athletics programme in Rio and Van Niekerk looks set to be its chief protagonist. This time last year, the 23-yearold South African was wasn't seen as a potential Olympic gold medallist - an also-ran behind Kirani James and LaShawn Merritt - but he then clocked the fourth fastest time in history on the way to winning gold at the World Championships in Beijing last August and he is now very much the man to beat. Merritt ran a personal best to finish second that day and James ran a season's best to finish third, but neither could get anywhere near the rampant Van Niekerk, who shaved half a second off of his PB with a time of 43.48 seconds. Such was the toll of the effort, he promptly collapsed on the track and had to be taken to hospital for checks. Van Niekerk's time was faster than Michael Johnson's gold medal-winning run at the Atlanta 1996 Games and only 0.3 seconds behind the American great's 17-yearold world record. It will be interesting to see if he can get even closer in Rio.

Wayde van Niekerk (athletics)

Sport

Stephen Curry (basketball)

he 2016 Olympics is a very big time for the Brazilian team because not only are the games going to be held in their back yard, but they are going to be seeking redemption after the World Cup fiasco. Therefore, the Brazilians are going to bring out the big guns. Big guns like Neymar. According to rio2016. com Neymar has already been released by his team, Barcelona. Neymar is hoping to take home the gold and he might very well do so. Neymar is an extremely talented player who plays not only for Barcelona but the Brazilian National team as well as a forward. Better be ready because when he gets the ball heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be taking the hopes and dreams of the entire hosting country.

Neymar (football)

The world will once again be transfixed by the exploits ofstars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Jessica Ennis-Hill and many others at this summer's Olympic Games. But Rio 2016 is also a perfect stage for up-and-coming talents to shine and transform themselves into household names. Here, we highlight athletes who could become superstars in Rioâ&#x20AC;Ś

Athletes to watch

DAYS TO GO

28 SATURDAY

23 JU

RIPLE Olympic gold medal winner Kenenisa Bekele said he was bitterly disappointed to be left out of Ethiopia’s team for the Rio Olympics and blamed members of the country’s athletics federation he said knew nothing about the sport. “I’m deeply disappointed and sad. I have long overcome my Achilles tendon injury and I was ready for the challenge,” the 34-year-old told French sports daily L’Equipe. The 5,000 and 10,000 meters world record holder was left out of the marathon team having not run enough big races over the past year. “The federation set a criteria they knew very well would rule me out,” he added.

Phelps

Wednesday August 10 Group D – Argentina v Honduras (Brasilia, 17:00) Group D – Portugal v Algeria (Belo Horizonte, 17:00) Group C – Germany v Fiji (Belo Horizonte, 20:00) Group C – Mexico v South Korea (Brasilia, 20:00) Group B – Colombia v Nigeria (Sao Paulo, 23:00) Group B – Sweden v Japan (Salvador, 23:00) Group A – Brazil v Denmark (Salvador, 02:00 Thu) Group A – South Africa v Iraq (Sao Paulo, 02:00 Thu)

Germany, who have not competed in Olympic men’s football since 1988, and reigning champions Mexico are the Group C favourites ahead of South Korea and Fiji. And in Group D, 2004 and 2008 winners Argentina will be expected to advance along with Portugal by eliminating Honduras and Algeria. The final has been scheduled for Saturday August 20 at the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with the playoff for the bronze medal taking place earlier the same day in Belo Horizonte.

2min 57sec when running the second fastest time ever at April's London Marathon - and it looked like he had more in the tank. Given that London is not regarded as a particularly fast course, Kipchoge's performance not only established him as the clear favourite for Rio, but it also suggested he could take both Olympic gold and the world record in one swoop, a feat achieved only four other times in history.

Saturday August 20 Bronze medal match – SF1 loser v SF2 loser (Belo Horizonte, 17:00) Gold medal match – SF1 winner v SF2 winner (Rio de Janeiro, 21:30)

Wednesday August 17 Semi-final 1 – QF1 winner v QF2 winner (Rio de Janeiro, 17:00) Semi-final 2 – QF3 winner v QF4 winner (Sao Paulo, 20:00)

Sunday August 7 Group C – Fiji v Mexico (Salvador, 17:00) Group D – Portugal v Honduras (Rio de Janeiro, 19:00) Group C – Germany v South Korea (Salvador, 20:00) Group D – Argentina v Algeria (Rio de Janeiro, 22:00) Group A – Denmark v South Africa (Brasilia, 23:00) Group B – Nigeria v Sweden (Manaus, 23:00) Group A – Brazil v Iraq (Brasilia, 02:00 Mon) Group B – Colombia v Japan (Manaus, 02:00 Mon)

Saturday August 13 Quarter-final 4 – Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C (Brasilia, 17:00) Quarter-final 3 – Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A (Salvador, 20:00) Quarter-final 2 – Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D (Belo Horizonte, 23:00) Quarter-final 1 – Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B (Sao Paulo, 02:00 Sun)

KNOCKOUT STAGE

Taylor

matches on the same day – August 4, 7 and 10. Brazil are the favourites to capture the men’s Olympic football gold medal for the first time and they have been joined in Group A by Denmark, South Africa and Iraq, with European-based stars such as Neymar, Douglas Costa and Marquinhos spearheading the home challenge. Group B looks perhaps the weakest of the four pools and European Under-21 champions Sweden along with Colombia will be favourites to qualify at the expense of Japan and Nigeria.

H aving stood virtually unchallenged for 20 years, Jonathan Edwards' triple jump world record of 18.29m finally came under threat at last year's World Championships when Taylor leapt to within 8cm on the way to winning the world title. It was the only time the American has jumped over 18m and was his personal best by 25cm, so it remains to be seen if it was a one-off or sign of things to come in Rio. Either way, the triple jump should this year be more intriguing than ever and if Taylor manages to eclipse Edwards' iconic record, it could be one of the greatest feats of the whole Games.

Christian Taylor (athletics)

Football fixtures and schedule

Curry (middle)

teams with the exception that three players in each squad can be over-age. From Europe, the four qualifiers were the semifinalists at the 2015 European Under-21 Championship won by Sweden. Although the Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Olympic Games takes place on Friday August 5, the men’s football competition begins the previous day and indeed the women’s tournament on Wednesday August 3. Four groups of four will vie for the eight quarter-final places, with all 16 teams playing their three round-robin

Thursday August 4 Group A – Denmark v Iraq (Brasilia, 17:00) Group D – Algeria v Honduras (Rio de Janeiro, 19:00) Group A – Brazil v South Africa (Brasilia, 20:00) Group C – Germany v Mexico (Salvador, 21:00) Group D – Argentina v Portugal (Rio de Janeiro, 22:00) Group B – Colombia v Sweden (Manaus, 23:00) Group C – Fiji v South Korea (Salvador, Midnight Thu/Fri) Group B – Japan v Nigeria (Manaus, 02:00 Fri)

total of 16 teams will battle it out for glory at the 2016 Olympic Games men’s football competition in Brazil from Thursday August 4 to Saturday August 20. Although Rio de Janeiro is the host city of the 2016 Olympic Games, five of the other venues that were used for the 2014 World Cup will also stage matches in the tournament as Mexico defend the title they captured in London four years ago with a 2-1 win in the final against Brazil. Only the hosts gained automatic entry to this competition, which is for Under-23

N BA fans will know all about Curry already, and anyone who keeps even half an eye on the sporting corners of social media will probably have seen videos of his outrageous exploits. But for those who have never heard of him, get ready for Curry-mania, because one of the greatest point-shooters in basketball history is poised to go global at the Olympics. No corner of the court is off limits to the 28-year-old American, whose astonishing accuracy means he can find the basket from almost anywhere. He holds the record for the most three-pointers in a single NBA season and has topped the league's three-point scoring charts in each of the past three seasons. Uly 2016

Bekele

Bekele blasts federation after Rio snub

t's been lonely at the top for Michael Phelps. At least, until now, as he's been elected along with five of his veteran teammates to captain the U.S. swim team for the Rio Olympics. Despite competing in his fifth Olympics next month, and already the most decorated Olympian in history, Phelps, 31, has never been named captain. It was hard to imagine him as a role model after years of hard partying that led to a second drunk-driving arrest in 2014. But Phelps has made a remarkable personal U-turn since entering rehab for substance abuse in 2014.

Phelps leads US team to games

Nadal

afael Nadal is confident of being fit enough to compete at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The 14-time grand slam winner has not played since pulling out of the French Open in May because of a wrist injury. Nadal has also withdrawn from next week's Toronto Masters, joining Roger Federer and Andy Murray in missing the event, but is confident of winning his fitness battle for the singles and mixed doubles in the Olympics. The Spaniard, who won the gold medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, began training last week. He said: "I hope I can move a little further forward each day and reach Rio well prepared. "The timing is good, there are two and a half weeks before the tournament." The world No 4 is set to compete in the mixed doubles alongside women's French Open champion Garbine Muguruza. Roger Federer and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will also miss the event in Toronto to have more rest ahead of next month's Olympic tournament and the US Open. Murray is defending his Olympic title after beating Federer to the gold medal in London four years ago.

Y TELEGRAPH

Lifestyle of Sportsmen Vonn: I still love Tiger Woods

Sport

Ex-EPL star jailed for robbery

former England footballer who turned to armed robbery after racking up gambling debts from a habit he picked up in the top flight has been jailed for 15 years. Nathan Ashton, 29, who played Premiership football on the wing for Fulham before moving to Crystal Palace and Charlton targeted betting shops across London and the South East. Ashton made 20 appearances for England teams from under-16 to under-19 level Along with former Scottish Premier League player Ohmar

Ashton

Pike, the pair netted nearly £15,000 from eight raids. In one raid, a cashier “fell to his knees and had a panic attack and begged for his life”, a court heard.

hen it comes to Lindsey Vonn's past relationships, this athlete appears to have no regrets. In a new interview with CNN's Alpine Edge show, the Olympic skier and all around stud opened up about her love for the game and her hopes at becoming another World Champion. But while speaking freely at one of her favorite hometown pizza parlors, the conversation

23 JUly 2016

quickly turned to her high-profile relationship with ex-boyfriend Tiger Woods. "I mean, I loved him and I still love him. I had an amazing three years with him," she shared almost six months after breaking up with the golf champion. "Sometimes things just don't work out and unfortunately it didn't work out for us. But I don't have any regrets and I think we're both in a pretty good place."

RONALDO,

Vonn and Tiger Woods

ristiano Ronaldo could have a new girlfriend in the form of stunning Mexican actress Eiza Gonzales. The duo were spotted sharing a quiet moment together in Ibiza, and a grainy photo has surfaced online amid reports that she was in Paris to watch Ronaldo in the Euro 2016 final earlier this month. Gonzalez is rumoured to be the Real Madrid star’s new girlfriend after a blurry picture of them standing side by side on the Balearic Island surfaced online Although they were not doing anything saucy in the photo, rumours have flown around that Gonzalez, 26, is Ronaldo’s new flame. The Real Madrid superstar, also the world’s highest paid athlete, broke up with Russian model, Irina Shayk, who has since shacked up with US actor Bradley Cooper. And while Ronaldo has been snapped with many female companions since, it is not the first time him and brunette Eiza have been linked. As well as the rumours of her attendance at Portugal’s win over France, she herself recently published an image at the Stade de France in Paris, where the final was held.

GONZALEZ' DATING RUMOUR PERSISTS

ee Sagna spotted with heavily strapped kn as he relaxes on holiday with busty wife

Eiza

Juventus midfielder dates Dencia

aul Pogba was pictured leaving a Los Angeles nightclub with Dencia which has sparked romance rumours between both of them. Pogba was part of France’s squad for the Euro 2016 which they hosted and was in the team that lost the final to Portugal. After the tournament, the Juventus midfielder jetted to the United States of America where he was seen partying with Dencia. Pogba was joined in Los Angles by his good friend and Belgium international Romelu Lukaku as they partied at 1Oak Nightclub. The two football stars were pictured leaving the popular night club and Pogba was seen with Dencia. Pogba, Lukaku and Dencia all left in a car together after partying at the night club. As he parties and vacations in the United States, the midfielder has also been linked with a return to Manchester United.

Stories courtesy : Dailymail

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Dencia and Pogba

acary Sagna has been spotted on holiday with his left knee heavily strapped as he relaxes on holiday with busty wife, Ludivine. Nearly two weeks after hosts France lost in agonising fashion to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final, the right-back has been resting in Miami with his sizzling Wag Ludivine and family. Sagna, 33 , played all 120 minutes in the final at the Stade de France as former Swansea man Eder’s longrange effort in the 108th minute saw the Portuguese win their firstever international honour. And unlike Sagna and his teammates in last week’s final, lovely Ludivine, 27, was showing top form at the beach. Manchester City’s Sagna will be hoping the rest will just be the tonic he needs as the new season approaches. He’ll have a new manager to impress when he reports back from holiday, with former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola taking charge at City after replacing Manuel Pellegrini.

Sagna with wife

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Global Football Special

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH www.newtelegraphonline.com

TRANSFERS Atletico set sights on Lukaku

ith the 18 goals he scored in the Premier League last season proving his credentials, Romelu Lukaku has emerged as a key target for Atletico Madrid, who are actively pursuing a new striker. The Belgian leads the second-tier of Atletico’s wish list, and will become a priority should Los Rojiblancos not manage to obtain Diego Costa, Gonzalo Higuain or Pierre-Emerick Au-

bameyang this summer. Atletico have offered up to €60 million to the current clubs of the aforementioned forwards, but the chances of convincing any of Chelsea, Napoli or Borussia Dortmund at that price are slim.

Clash of champions:

Lukaku

Ochoa prepares for Granada move

alaga Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who has been with the club for the

Ochoa

past two seasons, is close to moving to Granada next football season. The player did not train on Thursday morning with Malaga, reports Efe. In the next few hours his move to Granada could be made official in a deal he made freely after agreeing to terminate his contract with Malaga, which still had a year left to run.

Musacchio to wait for Milan

n paper it should not be long until Mateo Musacchio completes his move from Villarreal to AC Milan, although the defender is ready to rely on patience in a bid to secure his desired switch. The Argentine defender is especially keen on a move to the Rossoneri, who in turn have agreed on a fee of €25 million with the La Liga outfit. Although the transfer should now be a

formality, Musacchio has made sure to listen to offers from other clubs – including that of Roma – with his agent having previously set a passed deadline of July 20 for the two parties to come to an agreement.

Muscchio

Foxes reject Schlupp deal

remier League champions Leicester City have rejected a £9million bid for Ghanaian Jeffrey Schlupp by

Sclupp

West Bromwich Albion, according to the Birmingham Mail. The 23-year-old is a product of Leicester’s youth system and has been a member of the senior team since 2010 – though he did have a spell on loan at Brentford in 2011. The versatile Schlupp can fill in at fullback, wing, midfield or forward, making him a dream ‘utility player’ for a manager.

LEICESTER, CELTIC FACE OFF IN FRIENDLY

eicester City begin their International Champions Cup campaign with a trip to Celtic Park to take on Celtic on Saturday. The Foxes kicked-off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory at Oxford United on Tuesday evening, as Claudio Ranieri fielded a total of 22 players at the Kassam Stadium. City had to come from behind against Michael Appleton’s men after Chris Maguire put the US in front on 14 minutes, but strikes from Demarai Gray and Jeffrey Schlupp meant the Foxes began pre season with a victory. Summer signings Ron-Robert Zieler, Luis Hernandez and Ahmed Musa all featured in the win over Oxford and will again be looking to impress during City’s International Champions Cup

campaign. Saturday’s hosts Celtic have already got their competitive season underway, having faced Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps in two UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Celtic emerged as 3-0 winners at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening thanks to three goals in six first-half minutes. Strikes from Mikael Lustig, Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts booked Brendan Rodgers’ men a third qualifying round clash with Kazakhstan outfit Astana. First facing the Foxes, Celtic then take on Barcelona and Internazionale in the International Champions Cup either side of a Scottish Premiership opener against Hearts.

Carroll heaps praise on West Ham's squad

ndy Carroll has talked up the ability of West Ham’s squad after being impressed by the new arrivals, in an interview with whufc.com. Slaven Bilic has added the likes of Gokhan Tore, Sofi-

FA rejects Gary Neville

G Caroll

ane Feghouli and Havard Nordtveit to an already impressive bunch, and Carroll has tipped the Hammers to build on the achievements of last season. “We’ve got a fantastic team,” said the 27-year old.

Neville

ary Neville will not return to England set-up under new manager Sam Allardyce The Football Association’s three-man panel of technical director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Martin Glenn and vicechairman David Gill told a board meeting on Thursday that Allardyce is their preferred candidate, and are now working on a compensation deal

with Sunderland ahead of a formal appointment. Allardyce will sign an initial twoyear contract with the option of an extension if targets are met at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The FA is keen to team Allardyce with at least one former England player or a young coach who may be groomed to eventually succeed the 61-year-old.

Dybala relishes Tottenham challenge

Dybala

ottenham’s next match is a friendly in Australia against Serie A champions Juventus and the club’s star forward Paulo Dybala is especially looking forward to the tie. The Argentinian international posted a video message on his personal Twitter page to Spurs’ attacking midfielder and fellow countryman Erik Lamela saying, ‘Hi Erik, we’ll be seeing each other very soon… I can’t wait

to play against Tottenham.’ Dybala and Lamela have featured together in the Argentina national squad and this won’t be the first time the two South Americans have played against each other after they both featured in two matches between Palermo and Roma in the 2012-13 season. The Juventus forward is two years younger than Lamela and he enjoyed a successful season in Serie A, helping the Italian giants win their 32nd league title, scoring 23 goals and providing nine assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

must be spelt out. Some currently get funds from the Nigeria Olympic Committee, some for the International Olympic Committee, these information must be clear to everybody. The administrators should also follow up on payments and proper usage of the funds by the athletes.

'My parents taught us to love Nigeria' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

younger ones and help to promote athletics in Nigeria. For Tobi (Amusan), who is in the same event as I am, I am very happy for her. I love competition; if she really wants it, she just has to come and take it. My target anytime is the gold, whenever she is ready; I will be ready for her. Everything will be serious at the beginning, but whatever the outcome, I will be proud of the result. I am so excited for her especially looking at what she was able to achieve in a very short period. I wish to meet her and also compete alongside her. What are the chances of Team Nigeria in Rio? Personally, anytime I step on the tracks, my goals have always been to run faster than the last time, which is what I expect from all the athletes. I will also advice that we should not look at results alone but how to develop more talents. Although medals won would be used as yardstick to judge performance against other top nations, but I believe strong athletes can develop into a strong team. No matter what, Nigeria will be represented well in Rio; though some of the athletes will be competing for other countries, but I believe we have the talents to excel in Brazil. How do we improve athletics and other sports in Nigeria? I wish I have that answer, it is somehow complicated. When I think of one thing that we can do, I look at the challenges that will make it impossible, lack of funds will always be an issue. Funding has to be available and the people must also be able to make a lot of sacrifices on behalf of the athletes. I can only have the dream about what I want Nigeria to become, but I

Augustus at Berlin 2009 World Championships

don’t have the resources to make happen. If I was within the system, maybe I would have a better idea. But one thing I know for sure in Nigeria, funding has been the major problem affecting development of sports in the country. No funds for the developmental programmes for the young athletes and no funds also to turn them into stars. Since I have been running for Nigeria, I have not really had consistent training grants; I got some at different times, but nothing consistent. Right now I am working and still have to take time out for training so as to be in top shape for the country. Doing that I have not been able to make as much money as I would have made for myself. The country has to make it clear what is due to which athlete, what are the criteria to qualify an athlete for grants, all these

F’Eagles set to clinch Nations Cup ticket

•Face Sudan today

Ajibade Olusesan lying Eagles of Nigeria are set to clinch a ticket for the CAF U-20 Nations Cup as they face their Sudanese counterparts in the second leg of the final round of qualifying series at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos today. The defending champions take a one goal cushOsimhen ion into this tie after the first leg in Khartoum ended 2-1 in their favour. FIFA U-17 World Cup goal scoring re- expect a tough tie. “I'm not good at predicting results of cord holder, Victor Osimhen, hits target in matches but we are confident we are gothe dying minutes of the game to secure a victory for the Nigerian side, and the coach ing to win. In this team, we have a lot of Emmanuel Amuneke will rely on his form players who can score and it is not down to only me. We should expect goals from the to get the job done. The bulk of the players that won the team and if I get the opportunity, I would U-17 World Cup in Chile are in this team, utilise it and if possible create opportuniand Osimhen said their opponents should ties for others to score too,” he said.

Personally, anytime I step on the tracks, my goals have always been to run faster than the last time, which is what I expect from all the athletes

What can you say is your greatest achievements in athletics and also the negative side of your career so far? I would have to start with the dark sides of my career, although none of them has to do with performance. Even if I would love to forget those period, I would say they made me stronger. The sacrifices that I had to make, I was at a stage when I thought I had lost everything, when I looked at myself, I was on the verge of giving up and when I look at how I was able to pull through, I became better and stronger. I believe God has a plan for me. Even when I looked at the situation I faced recently in Durban, South Africa, when I failed to qualify for the finals of the African Championships despite all the efforts I put in, I felt like I let a lot of people down, I let myself down, but I had to console myself with the future. When I look at my past experience, I believe the future is bright. The journey so far has been great for me, I have been able to represents my country in many competitions; the world championships, the world indoors, able to win medals at big events, able to achieve a lot for myself and my country Nigeria, it has been a fulfilling career for me. I would have wished for more because I am yet to win an Olympic gold medal, but the truth is if I get the Olympics gold medal, I would be still be looking forward to the world record. The moral is, there is always more to wish for; we just have to be contented in all we do. You are from Fiditi in Oyo State, the local food from that side is amala and gbegiri, how often do you take it if you even know the food? I love it so much; even though I grew up in the States, I was born in Nigeria and we have been eating it from childhood. I don’t take it often like before anymore because it is very difficult to get it where I am living now. When I was in Los Angeles, I always went to a restaurant, Veronica’s Kitchen, where they sell a lot of Nigerian dishes. When the opportunity arises, I still eat my amala because I love it so much.

Taiwo vows to shine for Baroka Charles Ogundiya

ormer Remo Stars midfielder, Jide Taiwo, has promised to excel with his new club, Baroka FC, after joining the newly-promoted team ahead of the new South Africa Premier League season. Taiwo last played for South African second division side, Young Stars, and was one of the best players of the team before his move to Baroka. “I am happy with my move to Baroka. Although we are yet to finalise the last part of the deal, I am sure of playing for them in the new season,” he said.

“Everything with the transfer is settled between the club and my manager, that’s why I have been training with them in preparation for the new season. “It is going to be an interesting season for us because we have what it takes to remain in the elite division.” The former Gateway Feeders star said the club would be striving hard to maintain their top flight status and also to excel in the league. Baroka finished first during the last National First Division league campaign and will be campaigning in the ABSA Premiership in the 2016/2017 season.

Future bright for Nigerian basketball – NBA coach Sekinat Olaiya

anager of Portland Trail Blazers forward, Al-Faruq Aminu, Tabrez Yousuf, has said the country has the potential to excel in basketball. While sharing his experience during the visit of Aminu's camp to the country, Yousuf said it was an amazing experience for him witnessing kids playing basketball with the NBA star. "It was an amazing experience for me, this is my first time in Ibadan and can’t be-

lieve the potentials in some of these kids,” he said. “We discovered that Nigeria has the experience to compete with counterparts all over the world, and that is our main target in Nigeria, to discover and nurture the kids to become world stars. “Definitely not everybody in the camp will make it to the NBA, but we are going to find the next young kids who are going to make it to the NBA like Aminu. We have a lot of Nigerian players that are playing in the NBA.''

Investigations 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

dangerous reptiles now co-tenants’

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State

the corporation is released. The cleric claimed to have been in the community since four years ago and lamented that members of his church have reduced drastically. He noted that on many occasions when the church was taken over by the flood, they worshipped outside. “When this water was released last week, the flood brought a big snake inside our room; we are so lucky that we kept a vigil since there is no place to sleep anyway. I have to muster courage to kill the snake at that wee hour of the night. That is the situation we face anytime the water is released. It is critical now because of the rainy season.” An aged woman and landlady in the community, Mrs. Rekiatu Saliu, was equally forced to relocate to the parlour of her four bedroom apartment while his children who live in those submerged rooms have sought solace with their friends and relatives. Her soaked bed was at the corner of the room when Saturday Telegraph visited. “I have spent over 20 years in this community. It has never been this bad. The situation has gone out of control in the last four years when the water from the corporation flooded everywhere.

As you can see, my children have all vacated their rooms. I’ve turned a squatter in my own house. This should not be happening to me at my age,” she lamented. Efforts by Saturday Telegraph to reach the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Babatunde Adejare and Engr. Muminu Adekunle Badmus, respectively were not successful as they neither picked their calls nor return same. But, the Public Relations Officer of the Waterworks, Anifowoshe Rasaq, who responded to a separate call to him, simply said that the corporation has issued a statement which explained the information the paper was looking for concerning the issue of Iludun community. He latter forwarded the said press release which he signed on behalf of the Controller, Public Affairs Division. The release with the title: The state is committed to safety and wellbeing of inhabitants of host communities of its facilities, reads: “Lagos State Government, through Lagos Water Corporation has responded to the Publication in Nation Newspaper of Sunday 12th June 2016, titled ‘Iludun, host to Lagos

Waterworks, yet suffering lack and devastation.’ “In his response to the publication, the Lagos Water Corporation, Group Managing Director/CEO, Badmus, said the State is committed to safety of lives and properties of inhabitants of host communities of its facilities. He said that in line with international best practices the corporation has carried out an Environment Impact Assessment prior to the execution of the project. “The GMD/CEO further explained that the channel for backwash water was originally designed as a drainage, which gradually became bigger overtime. Badmus stated that it is the practice of the corporation to discharge wastewater into the approved channel. “He however re-assured that effort at remedying the situation has commenced with a comprehensive study of the environment towards proffering a lasting solution. Meanwhile, the Consultant has completed the study and submitted the report to the State Government, which is currently being reviewed with a view to possible remediation by the State Government, he concluded.” Also, the Ogun State Commissioner for the Environment and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bolaji Oyeleye and Engineer Tunji Adenuga, referred this reporter to the letter sent to the Chairman, Iludun Community Development Association, dated April 19. The letter titled: RE: Petition regarding the pools of water/flood that is ravaging Iludun community as a result of

the wastewater from Adiyan water works, Oke-Aro, reads: “I am directed to invite your kind attention to the above subject and to inform you that this ministry has taken action on the matter by writing Lagos Water Corporation. It is pertinent to state that the ministry includes in the letter our findings and recommendations. “However, the corporation has forwarded to the ministry the reply to our letter wherein they appologised for their action and informed us of the steps taken to minimise the effect of waste water discharge from Adiyan Water Treatment Works, In addition, we were informed that their consultant is already working on the assessment, design studies and preparation of cost implication of the proposed remediation to alleviate the sufferings of residents of your community. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.” The letter which was received by Odulana on April 21, was also made available to Saturday Telegraph. However, an environmentalist and Director of Corporate Accountability at Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Akinbode Oluwafemi, has commented on the plight of the community. He lamented what he called the double tragedy bedeviling the people of Iludun who has a giant Waterworks in their corridor and cannot access drinkable water in the last 20 years that the project had been cited in the community. Oluwafemi regretted that the Lagos State government is lacking in the provision of social amenities, particularly potable water to the people considering the volume of international funds accessed yearly on same project. “More pathetic is the fact that the water waste is now ravaging the community in the last four years, yet Lagos State pretended as if nothing was going on in the community. “We want the government to conduct an audit report on water supply generally in Lagos State. Everywhere you turned to there is no water supply that commensurate with what is claimed to have been spent on water in the last few years. The state should wake up to its responsibility and protect the Iludun community from the current agony they are passing through,” he said.

Scenes from a community ravaged by wastewater photos: ISioma Madike

Sportsplash 34 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

Charles Okocha

How I survived six bullets That Charles Okocha, popularly known as Igwe 2pac, is alive today is only by the grace of God. Six months after surviving from an auto accident, the Nollywood actor was shot six times by a mobile policeman on December 27, 2015. In this encounter with Saturday Telegraph, the Delta State indigene who recently held a survival party speaks about moving on after staring death in the face.

Okocha

How have you been able to achieve near perfect recovery after the gunshot incident? I would say it is the Grace of God upon my life. I was shot by a mobile policeman who wanted to greet me, but the gun fell from his hand. He was stupidly drunk. I was shot six times but the other guy who got just one bullet died. I had to hold my intestines with my hand, it was a very horrifying experience. I did not get to the hospital till after an hour and I was bleeding seriously. I thank God that the bullet removed from my leg did not hit my bone because I could have been crippled. Three major surgeries were performed on me. After the stitches were removed and I was due for discharge, my stomach suddenly burst out again, exposing all my intestines. People always say surviving gunshot wound is not easy, but mine healed rapidly. Though the doctors did their best too, God perfected everything. I held a party two weeks ago at Light House in Surulere, Lagos, because there are reasons to celebrate. I was shot in December 27, 2015, at a wedding ceremony in Nnewi, Anambra State.

condition. Though I was so courageous even at the time my intestines opened up, I was calling on God to take control. Something just told me I would come out of the horrifying situation. Quite a lot of money went into it, but I have moved on. Could you tell us more about the song you released to celebrate your survival? I did that song after I had the gunshot. The song is entitled ‘Amo Shine’. The message I tried to pass with the song is that “I am going to shine when God destines me to regardless of the devil’s pans.”

Sometime last week, I started the shooting of a cinema movie in Lekki, Lagos. I am the type who don’t accept all scripts. I examine a script to know if it is something I want to be part of because it is not always about the money. When the script is good, I go for it. I don’t want to be associated with a movie that, when it comes out, people will question my role there. That is why I am unique in the industry. My new film, ‘Akunatakasii,’ will come out soon. I shot it in America and Nigeria. I was supposed to release it in January, but the gunshot incident didn’t allow me. I will release it next month, it is a great project.

Your roles in movies seem to be limited. Don’t you think the younger ones have taken your place? No one can take my place, don’t forget that the industry is big enough for everyone.

When did you venture into acting? I did my first movie, ‘Wasted Years, produced by Teco Benson in 2001, but I was still unstable. It was when I did ‘Igwe

TURNING P INT

Before the gunshot, you had an accident. Were you not worried for your life? Nobody in that situation wouldn’t have such fear. The accident was like six months before the gunshot incident. If you see the car, you will not believe there was a survior. The gunshot experience was so horrifying too, I went through hell. I was hospitalised for two months and this is something people don’t always survive. You can see yourself that I don’t limp and I am in good

Chris Ajilo

y turning point in life was when I left Birmingham Technical College for the School of Music in 1959. I was working at the Birmingham Small Arms Factory where they manufactured bicycles and I was also a member of a youth club. At the weekend, we love going for excursions. About 20 members of the youth club would ride to the nearest town and their youth club. During one of the excursions, I saw

for the first time, youths who were performing music on the stage. That made me recall my earlier music classes at the CMS Grammar School, Lagos. There and then, I decided to change from an engineering student to a music student. I had lost my father long ago, before I was nine. When I wrote to my mother, she wrote back, asking: ‘Do I want to become a ‘beggar.’ I refused to reply her for a year because I didn’t want her to discourage me.

2pac’ in 2011 that people started to know me. Afterwards, I did ‘Nneka My Princess.’ I try to make people happy in my movies. Why do certain people think you are not real in movies? Most scripts I get have to do with playing a role of an American. And if they give you a role, you are meant to interpret it well. If you get a role of a Chinese man and you can speak it, try and make it real. So, it is not my fault that American roles come to me and I do them well. If I am not good at it, they will not continue to look for me to play the roles. But at some point, I started rejecting playing American roles in movies because I realised I was being stereotyped. If I get an American role, do you expect me to speak normal English? We are in Nigeria and I expect people to talk. My philosophy in life is just continue to do what you know how to do best. I do what I do and I interpret my characters very well. What other businesses do you do? I am aware that people say different things about me. People can say whatever they like. You don’t stay with me, you don’t know where I live or what I do. I have other things I do, but showbiz is all about looking good. I am also a producer, I just told you about my new movie. How do you recoup money from movie productions? I do launchings and I get money from them. I know all types of people in the society, so I invite them for my movie launch. Afterwards, I can think of other strategies. Marketers have a way of frustrating producers. Are you married? Truth be told, I am not married. I only have my lady and she has a son for me. We were staying together until she went back to school. We are not married legitimately. But it was in the news that you married a white lady at a time… I didn’t marry any white lady. I might have dated a white woman, but we never got married. That was just a story. Marriage has never been in my profile.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Hilda Dokubo still going strong

Iyanya reacts to fresh engagement tale

amous Nigerian singer, Iyanya, is alleged to have engaged his Liberian lover, Georgianna Weah. Popular news site Nigerian Films.com had earlier on shared photo of the lady he’d allegedly engaged. While Instabog9ja, claimed it spoke with a close ally of Iyanya, Instablog9ja wrote: “This time around we are exclusively reporting to you after getting relevant information from a close source that the

singer got engaged to a Liberian woman July 15. "His bride to be is a 34 year old lady with the name Georgianna Weah, who is said to be based in the US, VA precisely. The romance between the duo allegedly began in April this year and an engagement followed in July.” But the singer who is recently in the news over his leaving Made Men Music Group record label to start his own has laughed it off. In an Instagram post

on Wednesday, July 20, Iyanya wrote: “Apparently I’m engaged and I didn’t even know lol.” Iyanya was until the later part of 2015 involved with girlfriend, Freda Francis. By August 2015, both were rumoured to have parted ways with Iyanya deleting all their photos off his Instagram page and un-followed Francis on the social media. After his relationship with Francis ended, Iyanya has been more discreet about his relationships.

Don Jazzy hosts fans

or eight lucky fans, it was a moment to remember and cherish when award-winning producer and MTN Ambassador, Don Jazzy, personally hosted them on July 15 inside his famous Mavin Records studio. The lucky ones were each brought to the fans-meet-idol session by a VIP chauffeur service provided by Metro Taxi. Once there, they were treated to hours of fun inside the same studio where some of Nigeria's biggest hits have been crafted. Besides chatting with the record label owner, Don Jazzy, and Mavin artiste, Dr. Sid, the fans were also treated to exclusive listens of yet-to-be released tracks by Reekado Banks, a highly impressive new video by D’Prince

and other new productions. Mavin Records and their newly signed management, Temple Management Company, selected the fans randomly via twitter and Instagram out out of the thousands of entries that flooded the #ILoveMTN social media challenge. One of the fans, Mary Odere, described her experience thus, “If I was asked to trade this once-in-a-life-time experience for cash, I won’t think twice before rejecting it. I have been a big fan of Don Jazzy and I have never been to a recording studio before. I am so excited to be at the famous Mavin Records mansion with Don Jazzy and this moment will remain with me forever.”

ollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo, was interviewed recently by City People Magazine where she made startling revelations about herself. Dokubo is an actress popular for her roles in numerous classic movies. In the said interview, the "Stigma" actress revealed that she started her acting career at the age of seven. "I have been in it from age seven till date. That will be more than 35 years in the same business. But if it is in home video, it will be more than 24 because I came along from youth service. That was from 1992. At age seven, I was into radio. At 11, it was TV. From 11 till 15, it was purely stage. From 15 again, I was back in television," the actress said. On being one of the pioneers of Nollywood, the veteran said: "Thank God it grew. It has built a lot of people. Today it is ranked third best in the world, creating a whole lot of job for people who otherwise would be doing something else or nothing." Stigma stars Jacky Appiah, Emeka Ike, Francis Duru, Hilda Dokubo, Soibifa Dokubo and Clem Ohameze. The film directed and produced by Dagogo Diminas is about people Dokubo living with HIV/AIDS.

Tankolowiska thrills with new single, Bolaji

Tankolowiska

fro –pop sensation, Tankolowiska, has dropped a new hit 'Bolaji'. The party jam is the third single from his stables since his debut in 2011. Tankolowiska samples rhyming lyrics with sweet melodies that are instantly memorable in this track. As the name suggests, Bolaji is Tankolowiska's way of preaching humility. "Bolaji in Yoruba means to 'Wake with wealth' and trust me, everybody wants to wake up with wealth. The song basically passes a message about treating people with respect without knowing their status," he said. The song is produced by Gospel on De Beatz. Tankolowiska is a talented artiste from the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State. Born Ishola Olayinka, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, in 1985, he spent his primary and secondary school years in Ibadan and attended Lead City University before he finally moved abroad to study Business Administration. He forayed into the world of music in 2011 with his hit track Ibadie Nsoro. Undaunted by the competitive nature of the music industry, Tankolowiska continued to pursue his passion. Prior to his latest single 'Bolaji', Tankolowiska released 'Titilailai' and collaborated with Olamide in his hit track "Bass line". For the songster, the sky is just the springboard. He is optimistic that his passion for music will take him beyond the sky.

E A FAN DID TO M

– Gbemiro Tokunbo aka GT Guitarman

hile I was in the traffic on a particular day, a woman hawking bread ran to me from nowhere and offered me a bread without demanding money. She had been hawking all day and looked tired. I insisted to pay her, but

she declined. She told me that my music gave her hope. I have been collecting gifts, but hers was priceless because of the circumstances that led to it. She said she was a big fan of my music. I felt fulfilled and happy all through that day. Also, there was a particular day that my car broke down on the road. While I was trying to fix it, some school students who knew me started singing my song to taunt me. It was really embarrassing, but such is life.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

23 JUly 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

Journalists Hangout: Alleged threat to Mrs. Tinubu

Otitoju

enator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West senatorial district had allegedly threatened to beat up a colleague Senator Remi Tinubu representing Lagos Central during an altercation at the Senate. Tinubu is the wife of All Progressives Congress national leader Bola Tinubu. This and more formed the basis for the last edition of Journalist Hangout. Journalist Hangout is a TVC programme that examines various topical political issues, it is aired on Tuesdays at 5 pm. Babajide Kolade Otitoju, TVC’s news editor described Dino as a man that has many traditional titles but non from his village, adding that taking on Tinubu’s wife is setting the stage for his political downfall. “His community said they were not going to vote for him because they know him too well; Lokoja and Kotokarfi were the communities where he got his votes that enabled him to win the election and that is not even his traditional base. Dino has many traditional tittles but he has non from his village. Does that not tell you something? Today, it is Tinubu’s wife that he is harassing. You must know the kind of battles to take on. If he has chosen to take on someone like Tinubu’s wife then Dino has already set the stage for his political downfall, it is as simple as that,” Otitoju said. Kingsley, a viewer that phoned in noted that senators from Lagos State were the only ones supporting Tinubu’s wife. “If you look at those supporting Tinubu’s wife, they are senators from Lagos, what happened to senators from other states of the federation? Dino may not have good antecedents here but let us agree that he is representing a larger interest of the senate whether wrongly or rightly”. In response to Kingsley’s accusation, Otitoju said: “How many

senators has Kingsley spoken with, we know even PDP senators who have come out openly to say this guy was out of order, that his conduct was irresponsible; so how then do you limit the condemnation to only people from the South West? This is a guy who has a track record of this kind of behaviour and so we cannot encourage such. When our representatives misbehave, we should tell them the truth and it is clear the lawmaker misbehaved. Anybody

who believed what he said later must be unserious because he did not say the whole truth and he was uncoordinated. Right there at the senate, he was comparing Tinubu’s wife to Stella Oduah. Did he admit that he said that? Other senators are saying this guy misbehaved.” Otitoju stated that Dino would never get to the highest office in the land. “He will never be the president of Nigeria, he will not even get to the point of being able to aspire.”

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Radio Continental’s Helen

elen Paul is a comedian, singer and actress. She is best known as a stand-up comedian popularly known as Tatafo.

Helen

Her style is quirky and spontaneous, and her petite stature and voice range make it possible for her to mimic a child when performing. She has worked as both a freelance and full-time presenter at several media houses, both in Nigeria and elsewhere. These include Lagos Television (LTV 8), Continental Broadcasting Service (CBS), MNet (as a copresenter on Africa Magic Channel 114's "JARA"), amongst others. Helen broke out as a naughty comic character on a critically acclaimed radio program known as “Wetin Dey” on Radio Continental, 102.3FM, Lagos. She is known on the programme as “Tatafo”, a witty kid, who addresses and rails against societal issues in a satirical manner. In 2014, she was appointed as an ambassador by Telecommunications outfit, Globacom.

Programme summary

Nollywood premiere

AIT (253) Daily @7:30 pm It is a showbiz programme that exclusively screens the latest Nollywood blockbusters on AIT.

Latest bulletin EuroN TV (414) Daily @ 7:00 am It is a current affairs programme that presents international and world news from European perspectives.

This weekend TELEVISION

AIT

TVc

2:30 Best of Sports 3:30 Activating Success 4:00 World News 5:00 Fashion Video 5:30 School Hunters 6:00 Trends 6:30 True Nigerian 8:00 News Hour 9:30 Secrets and Scandals 10:00 Taste of Love 10:30 Beautiful Liars Sunday 7:00 Hour of Salvation 8:00 Catholic Mass 10:00 At thy Word 10 30 Gospel Rhyme 11:00 700 Club 12:00 Week in Review 12:30 Bold Faces 1:00 Impact 360 1:30 The Gender Agenda 3:00 Mini Jojo 4:00 World News 4:30 Turning Point 5:00 Documentary 6:00 Hitlist and Cruising 6:30 Personality, Places and Event 7:00 The Lovely Clair Show 7:30 Jenifer’s Diary 8:00 News Hour 9:00 Tales of Eve 9:30 Nectar

7:30 Hour of Salvation 8:00 Local Movies

Saturday 7:30 Business Africa 8:30 Destiny Encounter 9:00 Cartoon 10:00 Super Book 10:30 Sports File 11:30 700 Club International 12:00 AIT Reports 12:30 Security Watch

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Eno Louis Enobakhare he Benin throne was established in 475AD. For 713 years, the Ogisos ruled over the kingdom and created 100 Enigies (Dukes). The focus here is more on the challenges faced by the 38 kings that have ruled over the kingdom after the collapse of the Ogiso dynasty. One major challenge Oba Erediauwa faced was his suspension by the former military administrator of Edo State, late Commodore Anthony Onyearegbulum. I was invited to play at the Oba’s anniversary during the period of his suspension. As my band played ‘congratulations’ tune to usher him into the arena, the Oba, revered and respected by all because of his strict adherence to the traditions of his ancestors apparently, broke one of the tenets by busting into a dance half waltz (he was Cambridge trained) and half Esakpade - a Benin traditional dance. The audience went into a frenzy, bursting with excitement and celebration. A suspended king who all expected to look sad and pensive, dancing to the music of a commoner? The press men sighed and waited impatiently for the question and answer session. "Your majesty," one of the pressmen quipped, "you should not be dancing to the music of Eno Louis." The royal father said "I did not dance to the music of Eno Louis. I danced to the music of an Ogbelaka man." Dead silence engulfed the scene. My father from Ogbelaka was the head of the royal musicians and thus extended that right to me. The continuous misunderstanding between the palace and some chiefs reminds one of Ovio, a wealthy man who lived during the time of Owodo, the last Ogiso. The peaceful nature of Oba Erediauwa made him deal with such matters in a fatherly and civilised way that stunned all other subjects. Ovio was banished and he eventually founded Obior in Delta State where the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Benjamin Elue, hails from. I was there too to play for his home coming at the time. Erediauwa’s father, Oba Akenzua the second, faced a major challenge when Benin was overran by Biafran soldiers. Was he to remain loyal to the Federal Government or cooperate with the Biafrans to become a major catalyst in the Benin Republic being suggested? The Oba’s ancestors quickly intervened and Benin was liberated, averting bloodletting that many thought was inevitable. Oba Akenzua was a founding father of the Mid-West region with all the intrigues that followed. The Mid-West region was part of the Western region. Eweka the second became the Oba of Benin in 1914. The fact that he ascended the throne of Ovonramwen made him a hero in the preservation of Benin kingdom’s aristocracy. Second only to that of Japan in longevity, his challenges and those of his father were one and the same. He could have been banished alongside his father but was much favoured by posterity and destiny. Adolo mounted the Benin throne in 1848. ‘Dolo’ in Edo language means ‘repair’ Adolo, his father, Osemwende and grandfather, Obanosa, were together “the bridge between the rapidly fading past and rapidly threatening future” (Prof. Iro Eweka).

The Arts THE BENIN THRONE

Challenges, triumphs

Paying homage to Oba Erediauwa

Akengbuda reigned for 55 years. The Obi of Obuluku had asked for Adesuwa’s hand in marriage. (Adesuwa was Chief Ezomo’s daughter and was already betrothed to the Oba). Adesuwa’s refusal and her subsequent murder by the Obi led to a battle that ended with the Obi’s head been brought to Oba Akengbuda. Eresoyen, Akengbuda’s father built a house of money. The walls and floors were paved with cowries. He subdued the Agbor rebellion. Akenzua the first was Ewuakpe’s first son. His first challenge was the usurping of his throne by his younger brother for one year. Oba Akenzua was the richest king to ever ascend the throne of his ancestors. He was named “Isonoro” meaning “endless wealth from heaven.” During the reign of Ewuakpe, his wife, Iden, sacrificed herself to fulfil the oracle’s divination for a human sacrifice. Ewuakpe was treated unkindly by his mother’s people and he cursed them. In 1692, Pope Innocent the 12th sent a personal letter to Oba Oreoghene who was crowned three years earlier. Christianity had come into the kingdom already and the Pope encouraged him to remain a Catholic faithful. This departure from the norm must have led to conflict. Oba Ahenkpaye’s high-handedness led to his dethronement in 1684, the year Akengbedo ascended the throne. Ahenzae, Akenzua and Akengboi, all had peaceful reigns, even when an oracle predicted the predicament of Ovonramwen about 200 years later. About 1606 A.D, Ohuan became Oba. Handsome and feminine in appearance,

he had to walk naked across the kingdom when he was young to dispel rumours about his real gender. He quelled a rebellion of an unfriendly Iyase (senior chief). Between the last Ogiso and Ohuan, 17 kings reigned, prominent amongst these were Esigie, Ozolua, Ezoti, Ewuare, Oguola and Eweka the first. Duarte Pires wrote about Esigie: “I am a true friend of the king. He ordered his son to build a church and learnt to read and write.” Oba Esigie introduced the use of guns and initiated the first king mother (Iyoba) after his mother Idia who assisted in Ida war.

Oba Akenzua II

Ozolua was a great warrior. Enemies fled into the bush at the sound of his coming. He took the title “Uku-Akpolokpolo (emperor of the big kingdom). Obulu Uku, Iseluku, Ugwashu Uku, etc, all fell to his sword. Ozolua was eventually poisoned by his warriors. Ewuare captured 201 towns and villages. He made walls and ditches around the city. Patrick Darling wrote about: ‘‘What is arguably the largest single archaeological feature on this planet – the Benin moat.’’ Ewuare’s challenges were different from all others. He lost his two sons on the same day. The tough laws made to mourn his sons made citizens of the kingdom to flee. To stem the tide of migration tribal marks were introduced (Iwu). Neighbouring kingdoms were warned not to harbour Benin people on the run. Oguola, Ewuare’s son, introduced bronze casting. He also dug trenches around the city to prevent attacks from enemies. Eweka the first was dumb during his early years. Some charmed seeds sent to him by his father helped him to make his first utterance, “Owomika,” meaning “I have succeeded in winning my game of pebbles.” The fact that he was a young king, controlled by his father, led to great jealousy. The trick to kill his father by asking the king to advice his father to tie egbela (suicide robe) succeeded and the elders finally got rid of his adviser. Oba gha to kpere Ise. Eno Louis wrote in from Benin

FRED NWAOZOR

he entire arena alongside its vicinity was thoroughly calm and cool till the hidden dog in the house, which seemed like a watchdog, eventually thought it wise to initiate an unannounced bark having woken from its slumber that could be best described as a nap. The pet was actually taken unawares that it couldn’t sense the apparently noisy footsteps of the ‘august visitor’ as he approached the edifice not until he got very close to where it was observing the abrupt afternoon nap. Oh, the poor pet named Vigor was without further ado shot dead with a silent bullet by the brutally looking invader, unknowingly to the gateman, Metu who was about twelve metres apart from its (the pet’s) location just as he couldn’t notice the invasion of the ‘august visitor’ alongside his accomplices via the fence. There and behold, a gang of three able-bodied men surrounded Adaobi in her matrimonial room as she was as well observing a siesta. The 49-year-old Mrs. Adaobi Uchechukwu who put on lingerie was the target. Her hubby had left the country for Italy, Europe the previous week for business talks and all their four children were schooling abroad. So, having sent her maid to the nearby supermarket a few hours back, she happened to be the only one at home aside Metu whose duty-post only existed at the gates. She suddenly woke up to see herself surrounded by three totally armed strangers who weren’t looking only unfriendly but untouchable. Fear gripped her, but she was assured by the gang leader that she wouldn’t be harmed provided she cooperated with them. Therein, she was urged to change her wears to something more reasonable and she hurriedly complied, though in an apprehensive mood. Quickly, they handcuffed her and left the room in her company for the house’s premises, entered into one of the cars parked at the garage with the effort of a ‘magic’ key, and headed for the gates; to them, asking the woman to get the car keys was a waste of time. When they approached the gates, Metu was inside his humble abode; hence, one of them stepped out from the car and kept the gates open. On hearing the gates’ sound, Metu dashed out only to naively observe a very weird drama; before he could comprehend what was happening, they were off. Oh, the helpless Adaobi had been kidnapped! Metu who was yet to fathom the scenario, hastily went into the main building only to ascertain that his boss’s spouse was nowhere to be found. “Oh my God,” he exclaimed at the top of his voice. “They don kidnap Madam!” His eyes turned red within a twinkle of an eye. “I am finished.” He added, fell on the floor. The gates were still left widely open. Metu confusedly grabbed his cell phone to alert his boss Chief

ShortStory

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Unspeakable period

Onyeka Unchechukwu. “What are you talking about?” the call recipient reacted loudly at the arrival room of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos State. “My wife, kidnapped?” He coincidentally arrived Nigeria the moment his wife was kidnapped. The distress call, which yielded the rhetorical questions, came in when he was boarding a flight that would translocate him to his final destination, Port-Harcourt. On her part, Mrs. Adaobi who found herself amidst a 5-man gang in an uncompleted building situated at the suburb of the city of Port-Harcourt where she was kidnapped, some minutes after they left her home, couldn’t believe herself. She had been hearing of kidnapping, abduction, and other forms of criminality not knowing that she would be patronized someday. A few seconds stay at the den of the lions, which seemed not unlike a jungle, was indeed hell; the room was completely covered with the thick smokes generated by the Indian helms they were respectively devouring, making her gasp for air. She was forced to seat on a folded dead black snake that was kept on the bare ground. Some minutes later, she was relieved of the handcuffs. Within fifty minutes, the 50-year-old Chief Uchechukwu arrived at Port-Harcourt. The moment he got to his residence, he ignored Metu as well as the housemaid Abigail who returned from

the supermarket few minutes after the incident, and walked straight to his matrimonial room only to see his wife’s phone lying helplessly on the bed bearing several missed calls; that was when the reality dawned on him. Within a twinkle of an eye, he was out from the room. “What happened?” He asked Metu who was pitiably seated on the tiled floor of the sitting room alongside Abigail. “Oga, I no understand ooh,” Metu cried in Pidgin English, gesticulating. “Oga, I no understand ooh…” he reiterated. Abigail, who was also yet to get the gist, was looking like a soured yellowish pap that was packed in an ancient plate. “Calm down, calm down,” he urged Metu, stood still. “Tell me, what really happened?” As the confused 37-year-old Metu, who had managed to gather himself, was about narrating the astonishing story, Chief Uchechukwu’s phone rang in his pocket. “Who’s this?” He enquired as soon as he picked the call. “I am sure this is Chief Uchechukwu?” an unfamiliar and unfriendly masculine voice responded with a bass. “Yes, this is Chief Onyeka Uchechukwu,” he said. “How may I help you?” “I am afraid, your wife is in trouble.” The caller hinted. “My wife?” He inquired. “Please, don’t hurt her.” He hurriedly added having sensed the

identity of the caller. “Well, provided you cooperate with us.” “What do you want?” said Chief Uchechukwu calmly. “Please, name your price.” “Fifty million naira, only.” “What…!” He subconsciously exclaimed in a high tone. “I can see, you are not ready.” “I am very sorry about that,” pleaded the victim. “Please, let me give you five million naira.” The caller sighed deeply on hearing the proposed amount. “Do you think we are selling crayfish here?” He said bitterly, cut the call. Two seconds later, the same number called back. “Hello.” answered Chief Uchechukwu as he picked the call. “Darling, please give them anything they asked.” His wife enjoined in a depressed tone. “My dear, are you alright?” “I am sure you have heard her voice?” responded one of the gangsters having quickly collected the phone from her. “I’m afraid, she is dying in silence.” He added frankly, cut the call. Chief Uchechukwu hurriedly dialed the number. “Yes?” another strange voice answered as he picked the call. “What can we do for you?” “Please, I can’t afford that amount.” “Make ten million naira available for us before this time tomorrow,” the voice urged. “And, make sure you don’t involve the “Okay,

I will.” replied the frustrated-looking victim. “Where do I drop the money?” “Make the money available,” the voice said. “Then we will tell you how to locate us.” “Okay.” “I repeat,” the voice hinted. “Do not involve the police.” “I won’t.” He responded after a brief silence. “Good luck.” The stranger added, cut the call in haste. Thereafter, without the knowledge of Chief Uchechukwu, his younger brother who had learnt of the incident contacted the state’s Police Commissioner. Without wasting time, the Police went in search of the culprits; this was taking place that very fateful day the incident transpired. First thing the following day, having captured the kidnappers at their hideout, Mrs. Adaobi Uchechukwu who appeared pale was unexpectedly reunited with her husband by the police, though the overall period, particularly a night, spent in the hands of the vandals was a moment she would definitely live to remember; the period was indeed unspeakable. It was undoubtedly an emotional homecoming. • Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Travel & Tourism

CHEF'S CORNER

Ingredients for Warm Salad:

Warm salad and couscous

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ingredients for Couscous: • • • • • • •

Julienned carrots Julienned red Yellow and green bell peppers Sliced unripe plantain Toasted pine nuts Mushrooms Yogurt Salad dressing Rice Noodles Salt to taste Vegetable oil Seasoning of choice Mix(KSM) Meat Balls(Seasoned with salt and KSM).

Preparation:

• • • • • •

As preparations for this year’s celebration of Iri Ji Ndi Igbo National New Yam Festival gets underway, traditional rulers from the eastern part of the country, has extended its hand of partnership to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in order to have a successful event. Speaking during a visit to the director general, Mrs. Sally Uwechue –Mbanefo, in her Abuja office to intimate her with the plans for the yearly festival, the head of the delegation, Chief C. N. Nwajagu, said Mbanefo had performed creditably well since assuming office over two years. Nwajagu also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for believing in Mbanefo’s sterling performance. “We sincerely appreciate President Muhammad Buhari for keeping our daughter, Sally UwechueMbanefo, whose contributions to the development and promotion of tourism in Nigeria are immense. Sally has been dutiful in her respon-

Iri Ji Ndi Igbo: Traditional rulers seek NTDC’s support, commend strides sibility to promote and showcase all the tourism and cultural potential in the country, which made us proud as a great nation, because our strength lies mainly and squarely in our cultural diversity. The unity of this great country cannot be achieved if this parastatal fails,” Nwajagu said. He also urged for adequate funding of the corporation, declaring that the salvation of the country lies in it: “Therefore, like the prophet from the South and as the custodian of the cultures of the Igbo people of Nigeria, we hereby make a declaration that the only remedy for the ills of the country lies mainly in this parastatal. Not funding it well means joking with the growth and unity of the country for this parastatal holds our peace, stability and base as a nation.’’ While in her response, Mbanefo, reiterated her commitment to domestic tourism as a “viable

tool to unify Nigerians, create jobs in the local communities and reduce criminality in the country.” She also commended the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari-led administration. In response to the call by the traditional rulers, the NTDC boss declared the support of the corporation towards the successful hosting of this year’s festival in Igbo Ukwu, Anambra State even as she revealed that NTDC has over years endorsed and supported a number of festivals across the country and would continue in that direction because of its socio – economic and cultural values. Mbanefo, therefore, called on Ndigbo to unite with the traditional rulers in ensuring that the festival is successfully stage as planned given its attendants benefits to the Igbo nation.

SAHCOL to bid for management of two airports Following the plans by the Federal Government to concession four of its major airports, the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), has disclosed interest in bidding for the two of the airports. Vice-Chairman of SAHCOL, Mr. Chike Ogeah, said this in Accra, Ghana during the Accra Weizo 2016 event. SAHCOL, according to Ogeah, who was one of the guest speakers at the event, has had a successful story and has the needed expertise and experience to run an airport given its performance over the years in ground handling operations, which is its core business.

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

Therefore, he said, SAHCOL is better placed to manage an airport hence it has decided to bid for the running of two of the airports once the concession process gets underway. He stated that the company would seek for financial support from financial institutions in the country for the airports because it is a highly capital intensive venture. “I can tell you that at the heart of the whole thing is access to capital. Like I said I know that one of the next thing that the government wants to do in aviation is to concession four viable airports in Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos and Kano. I think

Travel Personality

Paulinus Etim Okon: A commitment to uplifting Nigerian chefs

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we will go for two of those airports in terms of the concession. Because we have enough experience in SAHCOL to run airports now,” Ogeah said. The SAHCOL vice-chairman also disclosed that the company is planning on expanding it grand handling operations in the West African sub region to Liberia and Ghana. “Well we have to start from the same West Africa we are talking about we want to start a new operation in Liberia, we are also thinking about coming to complement what we are doing in Ghana as well, so we are look at this sub sector, Liberia and Ghana is where we are working on,” he said.

Hospitality Hospitality

The Ambassadors Westown Hotels: Hotel: A stately Entices offerwith bumper p.41 Ramadan offerings

p.41

Julienned carrots Julienned red Yellow and green bell peppers Couscous Seasoning of choice Mix(KSM) Minced beef (seasoned with KSM, salt) White wine Chutney Salt Flour Water Vegetable oil

Preparation:

• Blanch rice noodles in boiling salted water for five minutes, strain and then set aside. Fry sliced peppers in two table spoons of vegetable oil for two minutes. • Then fry sliced plantains to crisps and mushrooms. Fry meatballs in vegetable oil. Season rice noodles with KSM and mix with fried vegetables and yogurt dressing. • Plate mixture, then garnish with mushrooms, fried bananas, meatballs and toasted pine nuts. Ready to be served.

TRAVEL BEATS

• Boil couscous in water for 10 minutes and season with salt and KSM. Leave to cool. • Fry minced meat pate in vegetable oil for three minutes on each side. Stir fry vegetables for two minutes and season with salt and KSM. • Pour in five table spoons of white wine, two table spoons of chutney, salt, flour and water mixture and cook for two minutes till you get a thick consistency. • Start by placing beef in a mold, then pour in couscous, vegetables and remove mold carefully and drizzle with white wine chutney sauce. Ready to be served.

RwandAir to take delivery of four new planes In pursuant of its business plan, RwandAir is set to increase its fleet with the acquisition of four new planes with three of them due for delivery before the end of the year. The first of the two Airbus A330s will join the fleet in September while another Boeing B737-800NG will follow in October, bringing the number of aircraft operated to 10. However, the second Airbus A330 is expected to arrive Kigali, the airline’s hub in December this year, allowing for the inauguration of the flights to Mumbai and Guangzhou. One exceptional feature about the aircraft is that it is a larger A330-300, while the September delivery will be an A330-200 type. By next year, precisely in May, another Boeing B737800NG will be due for delivery, bringing the fleet size to 12 overall. This will include two Bombardier Q400NG, two Bombardier CRJ900, two Boeing B737-700NG, four Boeing B737-800NG and two Airbus A330. In view of this development, the airline is said to have accelerated it training of new and existing staff, with the selected flight attendants now getting ready to be type-certified on the Airbus A330, while fresh recruitments are undergoing the basic training as cabin crew. RwandAir has also stepped up the training of maintenance personnel with the first ever Rwandan- Jimmy Sekizinduka recently qualifying as a certified engineer for the Bombardier CRJ900NG. Also, RwandAir will apply to the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) to be licensed to carry out its own maintenance work on the CRJ's in Kigali. This is aimed at reducing aircraft downtime and saving the cost of ferry flights to approved Aircraft Maintenance Organisations in other parts of Africa.

Destination

NigeriaWeizo Tourism: Stakeholders Accra 2016: Leads the point pathway to growth way to seamless travels in p.42 West Africa

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40 Travel&Tourism

A good beginning eaving his waiter’s job in 1996 to devote attention to a career as cook, Okon, had a good head start as he was employed as a cook by an Israeli expatriate, who treated him well, enjoyed his services and pad him good money. For him, that was all he wanted, a good beginning, as he recalls that he was encouraged by the kind gesture of his employer, which inspired him to greater feats in the years ahead. A desire to build a culture of excellence Given his experience, Okon’s present pre-occupation, especially as the executive director and national president of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, he had dedicated his career and resources to the promotion of the culture of excellence and professionalism among chefs. This commitment is informed by the challenges faced by chefs: “I discovered lapses in the profession, I discovered a lot of setbacks, I discovered series of problems, especially when I had to work for one construction company, Orascom, an Egyptian company.” His discovery then was that cooking was not seen as a profession requiring training, skill acquisition and certification as anybody was employed as a cook in most cases with house helps being converted as cooks. His experience was a sordid one as there was high disregard to health and hygiene related issues and lack of standard and professionalism. Following this, Okon resolved that “once I leave that job, I was going to make sure that chefs are properly trained. We had catering schools around, but even when I was in the hotel, the people who graduated from catering schools did not understand half of the things expected of them. “We had to train them on the job, I had my group and each time they come I saw huge lapses in their conduct and cooking. So, while I was with Orascom and saw these lapses, I decided that I in the future I would devote myself to the training of chefs and the pursuit of professionalism.” He was also buoyed by the fact that the few students that he took under his tutelage while still working at the hotel, performed excellently in their jobs and earned quick promotion as a result of the training he inculcated in them within the short period. The birth of Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria The birth of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, according to Okon, was not something that was planned from the outset but rather it was more a happenstance, which he took advantage of to advance his belief in the profession. “The confidence was growing, they

2016 chefs dinner night in Abuja

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23 JULY 2016

PAULINUS ETIM OKON

A commitment to uplifting Nigerian chefs Paulinus Etim Okon, a trained and practicing chef, is the executive director/national president of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, he speaks with CLEMENT JAMES on his sojourn in the culinary world

BACKGROUND Paulinus Etim Okon, who is from Bakassi in Cross River State, is a trained and practicing chef and the executive director/ national president of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria. His career in the hospitality sector spans over 25 years. He first cut his teeth as a porter with the then Metropolitan Hotel, now Transcorp Hotel, Calabar. “I have 25 years experience on the job and I started as a porter in one of the biggest hotels in Cross River State, Metropolitan Hotel (Now Transcorp Hotel), Calabar in 1993,” reveals Okon in his sojourn in the hospitality world where he worked in other departments before being caught by the bug of the culinary world where he rose through the ranks to become an executive chef.

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Okon

were telling my students please bring us somebody like you and that motivated me. So, in 2011 I said to myself look I have trained so many people and that I should start a process of creating a platform to bring them together or unify them. “The unification was aimed at training more chefs to attain professional standard.” Okon did not stop at that as he also found a way of introducing competition as a “way of trying to professionalise the culinary art and stabilise it. And I tell you what? It paid off because from about five chefs who met in 2011 we have grown and got registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (July 21, 2012).

“We had the first chefs’ workshop in Calabar and this has never happened before. The workshop witnessed a good turnout of chefs. After that we now saw the need to make the chefs’ workshop an annual event. So, in 2013, we were all in Rivers State where we had some chefs from the state coming together.” But unfortunately, the workshop could not hold in 2014 as a result of his busy schedule. Then he worked as a chef with Channel View Hotel, Calabar. Realising how cumbersome it was keeping a paid job with so tight a schedule and coordinating the activities of the group, he decided to resign his job so as to give full attention to the association. Following this, he succeeded in organising the event again early this year with the Abuja chapter as host. However, he laments the poor turnout of chefs in Abuja while chefs from the other states chapters attended in their numbers. Challenges Sustaining and forging ahead with the association, he says has not be an easy one especially when it comes to the area of training the chefs, as he reveals that many of the employers find it difficult to release their chefs for training. “Also, not many of them understand the mission of the association as they see it as a trade union. Some of these employers see us as trade unions coming to fight them. But our policy is that we cannot fight our employers. We only try to negotiate, lobby and if we fail, the employers have the final say,” he said.

Driven by passion Starting out as a porter in 1993, Okon rose to become a restaurant waiter and thereafter attained other positions in the hotel with regular attendant training and skill acquisitions through a series of in – house training organised by the hotel but anchored by the Nigerian Hotel training school. “My first working experience was being a cook for an Israeli expatriate because we had a series of in-house training which was managed by the Nigerian Hotel training school. And with the passion I had for the job, I had to quit the waiter’s job to take the catering job more seriously and here we are today still going strong in the field,” says Okon. But over time, his passion and flair for cooking got the better of him and he decided to explore that innate passion by becoming a professional cook. “But as the days grew by I was consumed by my passion and the interest was growing because it is a profession. I don’t like being a lazy man, I like working with my hands. So that is what led to developing myself the more,” he said. He obtained a diploma certificate in Catering and Hotel Management from Ideal Training Institute, Calabar. … Attracted by creative food presentation As the passion grew and his exploration in the gastronomic world gained grounds, Okon was fascinated by the colourful and creative presentation of food, which he confesses he founded irresistible and appealing. “As soon as I entered the industry, the creative display of cuisines fascinated me. I love food and I love it more when somebody else prepares it for me. So, the beautiful display, the creative design, and the artistic flair that come with cooking attracted me to the profession. So, I paid attention to my training and I was the best student during the training.”

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

HOSPITALITY

ACCRA WEIZO 2016: BALAFON AWARDEES At the just concluded Accra Weizo 2016, in Accra, Ghana Balafon awards list, which is a recognisation of individuals and organisations adjudged by the public to have contributed immensely to the development of tourism business across West Africa region, was released. Tourism man of the year (West Africa): Gov Ben Ayade, CEO of Wakanow, Obinna Ekezie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana, Elizabeth Ofosu- Adjare. Tourism man of the year (Nigeria): Gov Ben Ayade, CEO Waknow, Obinna Ekezie MD Wakanow, NATOP President, Nkereuwem Onung

ts location, Okotie Eboh Street in So uth West, Ikoyi, one of the highbrow residential areas of Lagos, is one of the unique features that easily set The Ambassadors Hotel apart from the crowd. A serene environment with a calming effect on the visitor as it is far removed from the unsettling commercial hub of the city of excellence. For anyone wishing a rendezvous with nature, you are certainly welcomed to the hotel where you are enveloped by a sanguine and soothing setting boosting a mix of sophisticated and enchanting facilities of international standard. Without mincing words, the hotel is a stately affair as the environment and facilities easily reflect the hotel’s focus on catering for both business and leisure travellers with a distinct taste and seek ing comfort delivered in a homely manner as the services offered are of classic nature and delivered with a touch of humanity as the hotel’s personnel are sold on offering exquisite and kingly treats. With a rich and enduring history, the hotel, which started in 1996, has grown from a mere six room guest house to a full service hotel, boosting 52 rooms and an annex as well. Its history is a reflection of the hotel management’s commitment to providing the best experiences for its guests, and its desire to remain on the cutting edge of hospitality in Nigeria because what makes the hotel beside the facilities and services, is the experience that it offers to guest. “It is with that belief in mind that the facilities at The Ambassadors Hotel have been designed and maintained. It is our desire to offer you the best facilities possible in order to make your stay with us as enjoyable as possible,” stated the general manager of the hotel. “Comfort and elegance mark each room at The Ambassadors Hotel. Attention to detail combined with a mixture of modern convenience and luxurious comfort give you a lasting memory of your time in Lagos.” It boosts different facilities, including: Rooms It has 52 rooms of various categories ranging from Standard, Deluxe, Executive to Suite, with each category boosting fascinating setting and fitted with luxuriating amenities such as comfy bed, flat screen TV with

One of the rooms. Inset: The swimming pool area

THE AMBASSADORS HOTEL

A stately offer cable offering, tea/coffee making machine, well –stocked mini bar, and work station including a desk, lamp and chair. While the Deluxe room in addition to the basic amenities has a quaint sitting area fitted with DVD player. The executive room boosts a plush mini office fitted with fax machine and email, telephone line and 24-hour internet access (a nominal fee is charged for this service). The suites which are the highest class of rooms are of a very rich taste with ample space fitted with every basic amenities, services and furnishings associated with a Deluxe room, plus extra space for meetings or relaxation. Complimentary newspapers are offered.

from the hotel, as the hotel has a partnership deal with it. It also offers a wide range of board games, books and magazines for your leisure time while for golf enthusiasts, access can be facilitated by the hotel to any of the nearby golf courses or Ikoyi Club.

Food/Beverage Its food and beverage deliveries are also classic in nature with its restaurant and bar offering plush and attractive sceneries for you to savour the rich delicacies of its professionally trained kitchen and bar personnel, with a wide range of African and continental dishes on the menu list as well as vegetarian meals while a wide selection of drinks as diverse wine, cocktails, champagne and other liquors are on the list. Complimentary breakfast is offered guests.

Business conference/meeting As a business hotel with eyes for business travellers and corporate guests, the hotel offers a number of business conference and meeting facilities such as two large conference rooms and three private meeting rooms, all fitted to taste and fully equipped with the latest conference gadgets. They also come with some incentives for guests.

Sport/leisure It has a series of sport and leisure facilities, including a swimming pool with a bar end and seat out area for relaxation and sunbathing; A mini fitness centre that is fully equipped with such facilities as treadmill, stair-climber and other basic exercise equipment. But just in case you require an extensive fitness treat then you can visit Stella’s Health Gate, located just few minutes away

Health/Beauty centre For your health and beauty treats, the hotel runs it services through an independent outfit known as Healthgate, which provides hairstyling, massage, skin care, pedicures and manicures, as well as other beauty and bodily treatments of local and international requirements.

Business Centre Complementing its business conference offering is a cosy business centre for secretarial services and is fully furnished and equipped. Other services/facilities Besides, it boosts a number of other allied facilities and services such as gift shop; tour packages by an in –house travel specialist; internet facilities; 24 hours security and power supply; car hire and pick – up/ drop – off; laundry/dry cleaning.

Best airlines – West Africa: Arik, Asky and Air Peace Top 10 hotels – West Africa: Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Kairaba Hotel, Gambia, Radisson Blu Hotel, Lome, Wheatbakers, Lagos, Lou Moon, Ghana, MovenPick Ambassador Hotel, Accra. Top 10 hotels – Ghana: Labadi Hotel, LaPalm Royal Beach Hotel, Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Golden Tulip Hotel Accra, Holiday Inn, African Regent, Kempinski Gold City, Tang Palace, Royal Senchi Resort, Akosombo and Lou Moon. Top five hotels – Nigeria: Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Oriental Hotel, Lagos and Intercontinental Hotel Lagos. Top rated international airlines – Ghana: Emirates, Ethiopian and Arik. Tourism man of the year – Ghana: Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Ofosu- Adjare, Kwame Ofosu Bamfo of Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel Accra and Tourism Ambassador, Abeku Santana. Aviation man of the year – Ghana: CEO of Ghana Airport Company Limited, Charles Asare, Gloria Yirenkyi of South Africa Airways Accra and Eric Antwi of Starbow Airlines. Aviation personality of the year – Wes Africa: Henok Tefferra and Allen Onyema Top rated international airline – Nigeria: Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates and Briitish Airways. Aviation personality of the year – Nigeria: Muneer Alade Bankole, MD of Medview Airlines and Allen Onyema, MD Air Peace

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

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LAGOS

29, OROLEYE CRESCENT, OFF ABEL ORENIYI, OFF SALAVATION RD, OPEBI, LAGOS

CAPITOL HOTEL, AGEGE

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Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

ACCRA WEIZO 2016

Leads the way to seamless travels in West Africa ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was at the recently held Accra Weizo 2016, a travel trade conference and exhibition designed to promote travel business in West Africa, writes on the event

uly 15 marked the second edition of the Accra Weizo, a travel and tourism trade conference and exhibition designed to boost tourism business and the economy of West Africa countries. Aside from this, the event was also aimed at making the region a single destination through inter and intra travels among the 16 countries of the region just as envisioned by the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in 1975. Organised by Africa Travel Quarterly (ATQ), organisers of the yearly Akwaaba Africa Travel Market in Lagos, it debuted last year with support from Ghana Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOGHA), La Palm Beach Royal Hotel, Accra, alongside other organisations. The event was targeted at bringing the various operators in travel and tourism as well as allied sectors from both the public and private sectors together to seek ways of making West Africa a single destination. At this year’s event, the ceremony brought together different operators from across ECOWAS to brainstorm on the theme, Seamless Travels in West Africa. The conference hall of La Palm Beach Royal Hotel, venue of the one day event was all primed and colourful to play host to the hordes of participants who

DESTINATION attended the event. The need for Accra Weizo The event started with morning tea/ coffee session, which afforded the participants the opportunity to interact and network, thereafter, the conference session commenced with the head of ATQ, Ikechi Uko, giving a welcome remark in which he focused on the reason that informed the creation of Accra Weizo in 2015. Uko said: “The stressful nature of travel within West Africa is the reason for this event.” He also lamented the fact that 40 years after, the dreams of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, which is essentially that of making the region a single destination, with easy of movement and transaction, of is yet to be realised. Whereas other regional blocs within the African continent which started few years ago are making the much desired impact while West Africa still remains largely divided and under achieving destination with less connectivity, networking, business and long haul travels. However, he said: “We need to turn West Africa economy into the biggest economy in Africa.” The only way to achieve this, he said, is for the countries to come together and sign on to a common course. “Taking a cue from East Africa, which has set up the East Africa Tourism Platform (ETAP) I decided that we need to talk to each other and work together because there are a lot of similarities among us,” he disclosed even as he wished the participants an exciting time: “I hope you will be enriched.”

With that Uko set the tone for the discussion as the Regional Coordinator of EATP, Carmen Nibigira, stepped out to speak on: West Africa as a destination – The East Africa experience. Intervention from East Africa Tourism Platform Nibigira, who was the former head of Burundi Tourism Board, spoke extensively on the workings of EATP and how the region can take a cue from its work to engage with the government and the various operators and stakeholders so as to form a synergy that will mobilse the region into one powerful force. According to her, EATP’s vision is that of putting in place a vibrant and direct single tourist destination providing exceptional experiences. With the creation of EATP in 2012, she said: “We are the private sector voice set up to bring about interactions between the government and the private sector.” She also some of its achievements as an advocacy body, which intervenes in various aspects especially that of policies, standards and code of ethics, sharing of information, promotion and providing network opportunities and establishing a strong brand for the region. Perhaps one of the most outstanding outcomes of its interface with the various governments within the region is that of making them elevate tourism to the front burner as economic activity and allocating 10 per cent of their national budgets to tourism. Also, EATP saw to the creation of a single visa regime, which allows tourists access to the countries of the region

besides the country of entry. But for now it is only embraced by three countries – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania while effort is on to get the remaining countries in the region to sign on to it. Nibigira insisted that the private sector operators have to come together to engage with their various governments as tourism is private sector driven: “If we don’t come together to solve some of our common problems we are not going to go far.” While wishing the West Africa region to rise up to the occasion, she said: “We want to see this happening in West Africa and the whole of Africa as we believe that West Africa is a big market for us just in the same way as we are a big market for you as well.” Also, she admonished thus: “When we positioned ourselves as a continent there is a lot that we can do together, the solutions are within us and information sharing is essential. As a private sector you need to position yourself as important so that the government can sit with you.” The West Africa angle Nibigira’s stimulating and enlightened presentation was followed by a panel discussion led by some of the key operators from West Africa, the list include the President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Nkereuwem Onung, Vice-President of The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Kwesi Eyison and the President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Bankole Bernard. Mrs. Nigeria United Nations and Mrs. Tourism United Nations World, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Enechukwu, moderated the occasion. The three discussants agreed in the

Carnival Calabar revellers performing during the event

Travel&Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY 2016

Ile-Ife Tourism Zone: Motherland Beckons facilitates $1.4bn tech city

I L-R: Uko, Nibigira, MD of Asky, Henok Teffera and Ogeah

light of Nibigira’s presentation that West Africa’s travel industry is yet to get off the ground, insisting that there is need to forge a common ground by the various governments and operators in the region. Bankole committed himself to playing a role in pushing for common ground in the region. ‘‘I am going to be committed to this integration,” he said, however, “it is a huge challenge for me and for us in West Africa. We are going to have to harness what we have and we have everything and the opportunity but we are not making the best use of it. “I want to come back next year and see it bigger than this and when we continue to talk about it more people will take notice and get involved.” While on his part, Onung said Accra Weizo was a defining factor for the region and it should be seen as the catalyst for the integration of the region but he insisted that the starting point is to elicit first a commitment from the people of the region that they want integration and are ready for it. For Eyison, “we should be able to build a strong intra and inter tourism traffic in West Africa,” even as he stressed on the need to have a hosted buyers exposition as done by other countries, insisting that “these are things that we can do easily without much effort.” The South Africa Tourism angle Next to take to the podium was the South Africa Tourism Trade Relations Manager, West Africa, Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa, who took the participants through the whole gamut of the operations of South Africa Tourism, which has responsibility for the development, marketing and promotion of the country’s tourism industry across the world. According to him, the West Africa office by SAT is the first outside of South Africa in Africa and this, he said shows the measure of premium that SAT places on the West African market particularly Nigeria, which he said is the biggest market in the region. He disclosed that SAT operates 11 offices across the globe but recognised West Africa as one of the fastest growing markets hence it has made it a focal point by showing its presence in the region and embarking on various activities, which are geared at stimulating the market and generating traffic for South Africa. Kwajaffa said SAT had well defined mode of operations with its focusing on three broad areas, which are trade partners, consumers and stakeholders; revealing further that “we ensure that there is a good network opportunity to engage with these various interest groups.” Kwajaffa parting shot was: “As much as we market South Africa we also want to see West Africa grow and we believe that the opportunities are here as well. The sooner we look at Africans travelling within Africa, the better for us all.” Governor Ayade and Carnival Calabar step in It was time out of some sort with revel-

lers from Carnival Calabar stepping on stage to entertain with a commanding performance that caught the imagination of the audience through their scintillating moves and gyrations. They got the audience all excited and asking for more. A request that was appropriately responded to by the governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Carnival Calabar Commission, Austin Cobham. Ayade by this ovation, extended a formal invitation to all the participants to this year’s edition of the carnival, which since its debut in 2004, has grown to become the biggest street party in Africa. The governor who clinched the tourism man of the year - West Africa and Nigeria awards, expressed delight over the event and declared that the state is proud to be associated with Accra Weizo, adding that: “It has become one of the most important tourism platforms in the world. “We were here last year and made huge impact and impression on the people and we are here again this year, which shows how successful and important this platform is because we see it as a necessary platform for Africans to achieve unity in the globe.” Airport operations in West Africa The last presentation for the day was that by the Vice-Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SACHOL), Chike Ogeah, on integrating airport operations in West Africa. In a well researched and delivered paper, Ogeah drew attention to the fact that aviation is a global business with acceptable global standards and norms when it comes to operations. Therefore, West Africa, he said should strive to operate within the globally recognised standards even as he focused on the various segments of airport operations, stakeholders, facilities and activities while drawing examples from Nigeria. He concluded by admonishing that for “passengers to have a seamless experience the entire airport operations must be interlink.”

le-Ife, which was declared a Tourism Zone early in the year by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), is set to welcome a mega project soon. The project, according to the facilitator, Motherland Beckons, is in pursuant of its building project and rallying of The Diaspora to heed the call of motherland, by raising the bar of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria through the facilitation of a $1.4 billion technology city project that is to outpace the Silicon Valley. Motherland Beckons, which has the Ooni as its grand patron, is dedicated to the development and building of African continent through the promotion of business, tourism, arts and culture as well as entertainment, among others with focus on having The Diaspora, people of Africa descent, and lovers of Africa across the world, visits, promote, live and invest in Africa (Motherland). To this end, it has broken new grounds by facilitating and bringing huge globally recognised organisations and institutions to Africa, alongside such great individuals as past and present United States’ Mayors, Marlon Jackson of Jacksons’ Five and Shaggy. In this instance it has brought renowned U.S – based business groups, SprintPort Technological Group and Image Consulting to partner with the House of Oduduwa, the Ooni of Ife, on the building of a technology, media and agriculture city in Ile-Ife with the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed and the land for the project released. Following this development, the representative of SprintPort Technological Group, Victory Yemi Oluwasegun, disclosed that the technology city, is designed to make Nigeria a leader in ICT, create millions of jobs, promote tourism, thereby boosting the country’s economy and fast tracking its technological development. “The Technology City is going to be everything technology integrated into the system, whereby the project is building itself. It is going to be an open and transparent environment so that people can feel safe, people can feel encouraged and it is going to be an affordable living environment and it is not for the elite,” said Oluwasegun, a Nigerian-born American with over 20 years history in ICT. He explained further that: “This is for everyone and we want a situation where we have 24/7 electricity, where

we have 24/7 internet access, where we have various productions and people have the opportunity to live their lives like we live in overseas.” According to him, the city is going to be an all inclusive city serving as a hub for all the sectors of the economy and all forms of human activities but driven by the most modern technology. He explained that the city would be built by Nigerians and Nigerians in Diaspora who would be wooed and encouraged to invest in it and also transport their expertise. “So Nigerians are going to be the core people here, those who are in elementary school, secondary school and now moving on to the universities, we are looking for those who have new experiences,” Oluwasegun said. While stating that “We are going to build a Silicon Valley that has never been seen before”, Oluwasegun said: “We want to be able to take technology to the next level, we want people to come out here and see that they can have technology in their homes.” The Chief Executive Officer of Image Consulting, Mrs. Remi Duyile, who is the former Vice- President of Bank of America and one of the facilitators of the project, expressed great delight and appreciation to Motherland Beckons. Duyile said her invitation alongside other professionals, including the president of All Black Lawyers in London and Wales, Mr. Peter Herbert, chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDOA) America, Mr. Gbenga Adewusi, to witness the declaration ceremony of Ile – Ife as a Tourism Zone was a welcome development. Disclosing that she was opportune to meet with the Ooni for the first time on the day and that she was charged by Motherland Beckons to use her good office and network, alongside other professionals to attract developmental projects that would create wealth and prosperity for Ile-Ife, Nigeria and Africa, to the Tourism Zone. It was her heeding the call of Motherland Beckons that has metamorphosed into the project. On the funding, she said: “The funding is $1.4 billion, and it will be coming from America, Asia and a lot of other places,” Duyile said, explaining that “these are funds that we don’t have to go look for but these funds are already established the only requirement is for the MoU and the identification of the land and we have got all that.”

Lunch hour The afternoon session came to an end with a sumptuous lunch at the Ghana Village restaurant of the hotel. It was a lavish buffet with the people treated to a wide selection of local Ghanaian delicacies. This savoury moment was spiced with another colourful performance by the Carnival Calabar revellers. Evening session The evening session was more of a night out affair, which turned out to be quite entertaining. Held at the garden foyer of Ghana village restaurant, it was a cocktail session blended with music and then the final performance by the carnival revellers closing out the night.

Ooni of Ife with some of the project's facilitators and palace chiefs during the signing of the MoU in his palace

Sportsplash 44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

Celebrity RÈsume

Name: Adenrele Oluwafemi Edun Background: I was born in Hamburg, Germany, to a Yoruba father and an IndianMauritius mother. I am the only son and has two sisters. State of origin: Ogun State Relationship status: Single Education: I went to Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos and later proceeded to St. Gregory's College in Lagos also. For my university education, I attended the University of Lagos. Professional debut: I started my professional showbiz at the age of 11 when I featured in 'Kidivision 101’ on NTA Childhood dream: I always wanted to be an artiste because I loved music a lot. I loved singing to myself. Behind camera: I’m just a regular guy. I don’t take myself seriously. I’m fun, I’m lively, I’m vivacious, and I’m all over the place. I wake up every morning and the first thing I do is to scream. Sincerely, I’ve always been like this and I live each moment as it is. With me, what you see is what you get. Reaction of parents to career: They are coping well; they don't have a choice. Though my mum is not around, my dad understands. He doesn't complain about anything because I don't drink or smoke. Even my grandma has accepted her fate. Saddest moment: I am always happy when I wake

up every day, so it is very rare for me to look sad. Even if there is something bothering me, I take it off my mind immediately. Embarrassing moment: For me, there are no embarrassments on the job. But I can never forget May 27, 1999. It was during a Children's Day celebration and we were having a special recording of 'Kidivision 101' at TBS because I was to give a speech. I was pressed and really needed to use the toilet, but there was no toilet in TBS and there was no bush. When I was complaining, they all thought I was playing pranks. Before I knew it, I messed up my trousers with faeces. Lifestyle: At a point, people thought I was a girl hiding under a guy’s clothing. But when I started modeling, I came in contact with clothes people wear on the runway and I was fascinated. I went back and I started the trend of the mono-sleeve. Ideal Woman: I love heels on a woman; this is why I like models. I’ve dated lots of models. I love women who can initiate a very good conversation. I like someone I can go to the salon with, we wash our hair together and she is not freaking out or saying what her friends are thinking of me. I love a woman who has a good sense of style and somebody who is not trying to change me. Secret to success: I don't like to blow my trumpet, but I know I am nice to a fault. It is terrible but God has blessed me with that gift. I don't see myself as a celebrity, but people always think I am trying to be modest.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

23 JUly 2016

'Fear of Buhari, beginning of wisdom'

p.46

45 Endorsement of candidate tears Ondo PDP apart

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Oil has become a problem, Nigerians must go back to farming – Adeoye Senator Bukola Saraki has raised the alarm that a cabal has hijacked the presidency from Buhari. What is your view? What is a cabal? We are Nigerians and not Italians; we are not mafia in this country. So, I see that as a wrong terminology in a wrong place. Currently, Nigeria is passing through hard times, what is your impression of where the country is now? It a pity that we have been very lazy in this country; we like free money. Someone recently came to me and said 'Oga, there’s no money' and I asked where he was working and he said he doesn’t have a job. His excuse was that his brother had been carrying certificate everywhere looking for job and he felt there was no need to look for a job since his brother had not got any. I laughed and asked him; 'can I give you some cassava to go and cultivate?' He said no, that he had a degree and could not go to farm. We are blessed in this country with good soil and weather. You can plant corn now, and in three to four months, you'll start to harvest. But everybody is looking for work in the oil industry; my advice is that young people need to go back to farm, there’s job for everybody. The land is everywhere for everybody to plant, we have what we call commodity exchange at NEVACO, if your local government is planting tomatoes, and mine is planting okra, we simply exchange the two commodities between the two local government and if there’s excess, we sell and return the money. So, we encourage everybody to go to the farm and stop complaining there are no jobs. What do you make of the recent agitation by IPOB, MASSOB and NDA? You know as a government, we are talking to everybody; some parts of the country feel cheated and feel they need to have their own share. But, most of the problems are even in the communities themselves; they vandalise the oil pipelines and they spill over and destroy their farms. Some of them have different ships on the sea to hijack vessels, and this is not helping the Federal Government. Resource control is what they are fighting for, they want to be in control, but this is one Nigeria they should know that there is no negotiation. Power belongs to

Dr. Emmanuel Adeoye, is the Director General, National Ethics and Values Compliance Office (NEVACO). In this interview with EDWIN USOBOH, he sheds more light on the duties and objective of the commission among other issues. the people and not one section of the country. They claim they are fighting for the communities but the communities are rejecting them, as we read in the papers every day. The recent ‘Brexit’ vote in UK has generated controversies, do you think this could affect Nigeria? No doubt, it will have a great effect on our economy, because we are a consuming nation and not a manufacturing one. We virtually depend on everything. Until we learn to look inward we will continue to suffer as a nation. We must accept the Made-in-Nigeria campaign as soon as possible. We have Ofada rice in Nigeria while do we have to buy Uncle Ben's rice from the US. Every time you patronise a foreign goods, you are boosting their economy and decreasing yours, this will have effect on everything we do. We have ofada rice in this country to go round everybody and it is very healthy. The white people came here, took our product, developed it and came back to sell to us as finished product. What does this tells us. We have to look inward and appreciate our own. Our problem is arrogance and la-

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

Adeoye

ziness; everybody is looking for white collar jobs. Since we discovered oil, Nigerians have become a problem to themselves. Everybody now wants to work in the oil industry, looking for billions, nobody wants millions; again. We have to go back to the basics, which is farming. What are the aims and objectives of NEVACO National Ethics and Values Compliance Office (NEVACO) is established to correct the wrong, the evil vices in our society today. It is to make sure we do things the right way which we have not been doing in the country. Even the little child in Nigeria today wants to make money through wrong means. So, the aim of the commission is to educate people to be upright and sincere in whatever they are doing. For instance, you want to go to the ministry for something, you must have to bribe somebody to facilitate it, this act is wrong and we want to correct it. So, we are out to let everybody know, whatever you are doing in the country, let it be ethical, let it be done in the right way. We are out to correct the anomalies in the society, to correct the wrong impression by the outside

Since we discovered oil, Nigerians have become a problem to themselves; Everybody now wants to work in the oil industry, looking for billions; nobody wants millions anymore

world. Are there structures on ground to kickstart this programme, bearing in mind it is a national agenda? We are just forming the structures; as we go to the states, we form structures. We are looking for credible people to take over not just anybody that would destroy the whole process. Like I always tell people, Nigerians are fond of two things: they like the uniform and titles. You can see someone who will tell you I am a chairman, I am a director, and you ask director of what? So, structures have to be on ground. Everybody must know their functions; not for a watch repairer to stand up and tell the whole world he is a managing director. In other words, we need to get the message of government to the grassroots; there must be orderliness and a structure for everybody to carry out their respective functions. How come the FG appointed a DirectorGeneral without a structure? We have structures. If you would remember vividly how Ethics and Value was being run; the former administration appointed Sarah Jubril as Special Adviser on Ethics and Values and later, my office was created, I am the first Director-General. So, based on this, what was in existence before was Foundation for Ethics and Value (FEAV). At the time, she was not given any funds, so she had to use her NGO to carry the message which to me was a good idea. She started it as a cooporative society to help the people in their communities. For instance, if there is cassava in a particular village, anybody can borrow money from the cooporative and process the cassava, refund the money after selling and the loan giving to other people. That was how the structures were established based on NGOs. What the government is doing now is that they are interested and decided to make it a proper structure. But, again, there is no money; what we told the government is that we would create something to be generating funds, so that the burden would not be on the government alone. That is what the government is looking for; that is what everybody needs now, because the government can’t do everything; there’s no money anywhere at the moment. We intend to create employment by training people on different vocations. For instance, in Ekiti State right now, the yam flour mill is down; it has not been working for a long time. We are looking at NEVACO taking over the mill. We can talk to the people, they will bring the yam to our warehouse, we can buy from them, process and repackage for final C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 6

46 Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

'Fear of Buhari, beginning of wisdom' As the national chairman of agro dealers, how are you coping with current realities? We have achieved a lot since the association was formed in the last one and half years, we are service providers, we also take care of the interest of all our members; we are serving as the brigde between farmers and the various organisations within the Ministry of Agriculture; farmers get their input through us. Whether there is government intervention or not, our members are serving the farmers, by providing fertilizers and chemicals on behalf of seed companies. Also the association is representing all the six geo-political zones, we have been able to physically meet our members, we have gone round and enlightened companies. Our Board of Trustees consists of Yoruba, Igbos, Hausa and other minorities. How would you assess the Muhammadu Buhari administration so far? Buhari is a man of God. Let me tell you the truth, the fear of Buhari, because of his character, honesty, fearlessness, integrity, boldness seems to be the beginning of wisdom for people in public office. There are improvements in NNPC, power supply, agriculture, and the improvement is so glaring for people to see. The people of this country have suffered for so long and Buhari has such a reputation for uprightness and the rest of it. He should be given time and support for him to succeed. As a national chairman we appreciate all the government efforts, its policies and programmes par-

Alhaji Kabiru Umar Bara, is the National Chairman of Agro Dealers Association of Nigeria and Growth Enhancement Scheme Association of Nigeria. In this interview with HASSAN JIRGI, he speaks on various issues affecting farming. be available, one to the problems that, I just mentioned, and the exchange rate is higher, considering this, it is incomparable with last year's prices when the rate of exchanges was normal. But this year, the story is different, that is largely because the former Minister of Agriculture performed very well. This one is always talking about revolution in agriculture but a revolution that is planned and executed on a piece of paper is not good enough, the sector must be appealing and gratifying enough to make people accept agriculture, especially large scale farming.

Bara

ticularly in agriculture and security. Government has banned the importation of fertilizer into the country, because of the security reports that it is being used for crime by Boko Haram. But the domestics companies cannot provide enough to the famers. What effort are you making to get fertilizers at affordable prices? Well, for now fertilizers would not

There was an allegation of about N2bn embezzlement flying round. Could you give details? No, there is nothing like that, the story was nothing but mischief, and handiwork of blackmailers. The Minister knows nothing, any payment that is going to be made to any supplier is directly from the Central Bank, through the Ministry of Finance, and not agriculture ministry. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and his Minister of State, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, cannot be accused of receiving bribe from the money they don't handle. Whoever has issues to raise about the payment of contractors should direct their inquiries to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

'BREXIT will have great effect on Nigeria' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

consumption. We have to invest; we have to also look at bringing in investors to partner with us. We must find a way to create employment; we don’t need to wait for the government for everything. NEVACO is still seen as a cooperative society, how do you intend to correct this notion? It is a wrong notion; they were talking about Ethics and Values. This is National Ethics and Values Compliance Office. Compliance means we have to comply with the ethics of the land. I don’t want to say we are policemen but to correct the ills in the society. We came to correct that notion, we are compliance officers. For instance when you are running a cooperative unit, we need to check if you are following the decree that established cooperative societies in the country, who are the members, etc. we need to make sure people follow the rules and regulations. To put it straight, we are here to correct the wrong in the society. NEVACO cannot shy away from the fact that a good number of people have committed a whole lot of efforts to the projects of FAEV but I must say it emphatically here that NEVACO is miles apart in ways of conducting its

Do you truly believe that the government is improving the economy? Really the present administration is trying to boost Nigerian economy, by the improving the agricultural sector which is the main priority of the present government. They are trying to diversify the economy from oil to substitute it with agriculture, in order to be self reliant and feed ourselves with abundant food. If the government could invest the money into boosting local agricultural production, the outcome would be beneficial to agricultural production. We will development our export economy, and there will be massive employment opportunities for the army of jobless youths.

ues. Just take a look at the developed world, its duties include to correct, train and enlighten the citizens. In Nigeria we are developing and as developing nation, we need things like this to stay together as one. Other organisations will come up in the nearest future. Even in the National Assembly at the moment we have the Committee on Ethics and Values.

business vis-à-vis FAEV but this is not to say that the previous endeavours are wasted, rather, they will form the stones on which we will step up for easy performance of the task ahead. So, the process of staffing in NEVACO is directly guided and coordinated by Federal Civil Service Scheme. The relevant parts of the scheme would be made available to each state for the perusal of every member. As compliance officers, don’t you think your duties would conflict with that of already existing agencies, like Police and Civil Defence? The police were established to act after the offence, the police arrest criminals, the DSS arrests criminals, but NEVACO is a compliance office, we are there to correct everybody and to preach the change. We are compliance officers and make people adhere to the ethics and values of the land. We let people know their right from wrong. We are there to correct people, even the policeman can be corrected by a compliance officer. We were with the Inspector General of Police recently and we told him we want to partner with the police; we told them they also need to establish ethnics and values in the police force to deal with officers that go above the law. Every facet of our lives, every ministry, parastatals must have an officer to correct

What adviCe do you have for farmers in the midst of the present situation? Nigerian farmers should remain patient, they should keep praying for this administration. Efforts are on to get them satisfied, I know by next year, Nigerian farmers would laugh best. Only a few people want to engage in farming because many youths were brought up with the impression that agriculture is an occupation for people with low level skills and people with low intelligence. Everyone wants white-collar jobs that are fast disappearing in the public and private sectors.

Adeoye

ills in the country. It is a must; we must have ethics and values to correct wrong things in the society. We don’t arrest, we make sure you don’t commit the crime. The police is there to arrest when one commits a crime, but we prevent the crime from being committed. We are going to partner with the police and already existing armed forces; we are here to enlighten people. Don’t you think NEVACO would be viewed as a Buhari/APC agenda? Any serious government all over the world must have ethics and val-

How optimistic are you that National Ethics and Value Compliance Bill will see the light of the day? It will scale through. That is what the public is looking for. Everybody wants to correct the vices in the country right now and it is only ethics and values that can raise the moral standard; it is the antidote to corruption. So, everybody is looking forward to having the bill because Sarah Jubril started it and I will push it while I am in the office. It has to go through; it has to be a national thing to correct the wrong in our society. Why do you think it is difficult for Nigerians to obey ethics and values? Because we have been lawless for so long, impunity has eaten deep into our morals. There is this syndrome of 'do you know who I am?' Nigerians are the best, but we are so proud, we are everywhere in the world doing great. But the problem of arrogance is in us. That is why we need to go back to the farm. What is the difference between ethics and compliance? Ethics is your behaviour, your culture, while compliance is for you to obey the rules and regulations of the country.

Politics 47

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

ecently, there was exchange of diatribes between the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye and the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu. The crux of the matter actually was a rally organised by a section of the APC loyal to Okechuku at Awgu Local Government Area of the state about three weeks ago against Deputy Senate President (DSP) Ike Ekweremadu. The rally allegedly organised by Okechukwu and Juliet Ibekaku, former governorship running mate to Okey Ezea, the APC’s guber candidate in the state in 2015 general elections. Mrs. Ibekaku is currently a Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Judicial Reforms and she is seconded to the Ministry of Justice. There were speculations that she is eying the senatorial slot being occupied by Ekweremadu in the event that the governing party, the APC succeeds in removing him through the on-going alleged forgery trial. Similarly, the VON DG is also rumoured to be eyeing the seat in 2019 during the next general elections. Both Okechukwu and Ibekaku hail from Udi local government area of the state, one of the five Councils that make up Enugu West senatorial district where Ekweremadu currently represents. Other local governments within the senatorial zone include; Awgu (the senatorial headquarters), Aninri, Ezeagu and Oji-River. The APC rally at Awgu took place on a day the supporters of Ekweremadu held a similar rally at the local government headquarters during which a prominent traditional ruler from Okpanku in Aninri local government area and former Director General of Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), HRH (Prof) Sam Ukpabi, among other things said that the people of the senatorial zone would hold President Buhari responsible should anything happen to Ekweremadu insisting that the forgery trial was political persecution. Incidentally, during their own simultaneous rally at Native Authority (NA) Quarters Awgu, a faction of APC loyal to Okechukwu, with Okechukwu himself in attendance, spoke in support of the trial of Ekweremadu while condemning the Deputy Senate President for inviting the international community into the internal affairs of Nigeria. What made the APC gathering very controversial was that the earlier suspended vice chairman of APC in Enugu East senatorial district of the state, Chief Anike Nwoga was the one who spear-headed the onslaught against Ekweremadu. The Vice Chairman of APC in Enugu West senatorial zone, Rev IK Omenkukwu and the state chairman of the party, Dr. Nwoye among others were conspicuously absent at the rally. Some people saw the 'importation' of a vice chairman from another senatorial zone to condemn Ekweremadu in Enugu West senatorial zone as a wrong political calculation, hence Chief Anike Nwoga was reportedly interrupted by a section of the crowd when he launched an attack on Ekweremadu and he had to switch over to another subject during his speech. After the rallies at Awgu, the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC met last Sunday to appraise and articulate appropriate response to the

Ekweremadu’s succession bid:

Whither Enugu APC

Ekweremadu

Nwoye

Our dear chairman barrister Ben Nwoye should better clear his name from serial anti-party activities imbroglio he found himself; instead of chasing shadows

Okechukwu

comments credited to Prof. Ukpabi during the pro-Ekweremadu’s rally at Awgu, where he allegedly said his people would hold President Buhari responsible if anything happens to Sen Ekweremadu. During the SEC meeting, Chief Anike Nwoga earlier suspended by the leadership of Enugu East senatorial zonal executives attended the meeting to submit an appeal against his suspension. However, the next day, being Monday July 18, some national papers carried reports that Chief Anike Nwoga was suspended as zonal Vice Chairman of the party by the state Chairman of the Party, Dr. Nwoye for attacking Ekweremadu at Awgu rally. The report was attributed to one Emeka Anike, the Organising Secretary in Enugu East senatorial zone of the party. Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat of APC in Enugu the same day, Monday July 18, Nwoye complained bitterly about the publications in some newspapers, accusing the VON DG of masterminding the publication, alleging that he com-

posed and circulated the “falsehood” to the press late Sunday evening using his personal e-mail address and merely added “the name of a surrogate, one Mr. Emeka Anike as the author.” He said that the VON DG, whom he described as “gossip terrorist” had done similar thing in the past where he allegedly issued a statement using the name of Chief Anike Nwoga to attack Senator Jim Nwobodo for joining the APC. The APC chairman said, he had personally called Emeka Anike, whose name was used to issue the statement and that he (Emeka) denied ever speaking to any journalist or issuing any statement. Nwoye explained that Nwoga was suspended long ago by Enugu East zonal leadership of the party in the state for other offences, even before the charge of forgery was brought against Ekweremadu. He said that even though he, as the state chairman of the party lacks the power and authority to suspend Chief Anike Nwoga, but he couldn’t have suspended him for criticizing Ekweremadu, stressing that he (chairman) had already addressed a press conference condemning Senator Ekweremadu for involving the international community in his alleged forgery trial. “Osita Okechukwu was hiding behind the microphone of VON; he failed to tackle those issues, to explain to the outside world that we are a sovereign nation… The same man had never said anything; he has said nothing about the forgery case,” he complained. “Director General of VON is not a member of our executive but he takes

delight in carrying lies and misinforming people. Osita has made himself and has lived up as gossip terrorist, he puts up these things to damage my person,” he charged. Nwoye explained that Anike Nwoga was suspended in May after a committee set up by the zonal leadership of the party in Enugu East senatorial district found him wanting of other infractions. He said that the allegations preferred against Nwoga include; going to the press to castigate the state chapter of APC and the office of the state chairman. And that he also went to the press to denigrate and embarrass former governor of old Anambra State, Sen Jim Nwobodo when he joined the party. And that he failed or refused to call a meeting of the Senatorial Zone as mandated by Article 25 (D) (I) of the party constitution. “He was removed by the people of Enugu East senatorial district, and he appealed his removal. Vote of no confidence was passed by 16 out of 21 members. The constitution required only two third to pass a vote of no confidence. It was not at our SEC, meeting. I chairman, Ben Nwoye has no authority or power to sack anybody,” he noted. He said that the VON DG is afraid of prominent people joining the party in the state. “He has some financiers who provide money for him, and he attacks my person because he thinks that by calling my person he will be rising; he thinks that by calling the name of Senator Jim Nwobodo, because he repeats it in the papers he wrote and broadcast; he thinks that by placing himself in parity with Jim Nwobodo he will become a very popular human being. When contacted, Okechukwu said that the state chairman of his party should allow him have peace and look elsewhere for the source of his problem. “Our dear chairman, Barrister Ben Nwoye should better clear his name from serial anti-party activities imbroglio he found himself; instead of chasing shadows. He should give me a break. Otherwise, am I the one who diverted the seed registration money given to him? Instead of accounting for the money, he suspended our Deputy Chairman, Comrade Adolphus Ude and our Women Leader, Lolo Queen Nwankwo who had the guts to query the misappropriation. "Secondly, instead of defending our great party, he upbraided Mrs Kate Ofor our Publicity Secretary, when she issued statements condemning the setting up of Caretaker Committee by the Governor of Enugu State to run local government councils. Am I the one who told Nwoye to subvert our great party and support the subversion of our constitution? "To be candid, am at a loss where the innocent statement Chief Anike Nwoga made at Awgu rally, by telling Senator Ike Ekweremadu to retract his statement offend the tenets or constitution of our great party? "Is attacking officers of the party, and Mr Osita Okechukwu, the effective leadership which the APC constitution expects of our dear chairman", he queried.

Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Endorsement of candidate tears Ondo PDP apart

...AG resigns, joins guber race There is rumbling in Ondo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) over the allegation that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has endorsed his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), as the candidate of the party for the November 26 election. BABATOPE OKEOWO reports the disquiet in the party.

udging by feelers from party members, the incumbent Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) may clinch the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to run for the November 26 governorship election in the state. The incumbent governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, it was learnt called critical stakeholders meeting including the party aspirants, elected chairmen and councilors in the 18 local governments, party executive both at the state and local government levels and political office holders and informed them of his plan to support Jegede as the candidate of the party. The rumoured governor’s endorsement could be termed as critical to the fate of aspirants as the governor controls the party leadership, political office holders and other delegates that would determine the fate of the aspirants. Those who could challenge the governor are either in exile or in other political parties. Some of the reasons adduced for the governor’s action were the network of friends Jegede has as a senior lawyer practicing in Adamawa State and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, his credibility as a professional who has no political baggage and the intellectual ability to continue to programme of the outgoing government. Many have argued that many of the initiatives of the government that have won awards were done by Jegede who did not always want to take credit for his actions. Since the governor met with stakeholders, the official residence of Jegede has become Mecca of sort as politicians, union, religious leaders and political office holders trooped there day in day out to pledge their loyalty and support for the aspiration of the Akure born legal practitioner. Despite the support given to him by spectrum of the society including party leaders, other aspirants and zones are up in arm against Mimiko on one hand and Jegede on the other. Their major grouse is that both Jegede and Mimiko are from the same Ondo Central senatorial district. The candidates from North and South senatorial district said should Jegede win the election; the two other zones would have been excluded from the Alagbaka government house for 16 and 22 years respectively. The North left office since 2003 while the South left in 2009. Shortly after the news filtered in that Mimiko has thrown his weight behind the Jegede, some party leaders from the South Senatorial district led by the Senator representing zone, Yele Omogunwa met in Ore and insisted that their district must produce the governor. Few days after, aspirants from Ondo North met in Owo and insisted that power must shift to their zone. They threatened to vote against the candidate

of the party should the governor impose a candidate on them. The aspirants included Senator Remi Okunrinboye, Rt. Hon. Dr. Bakkita Bello, Bamiduro Dada, Prince Nekan Olateru-Olagbegi, Hon Dare Emiola, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Mr Dayo Mimiko Fadahunsi, Alhaji Yekini Olanipekun. leaders of our party in 2012 which was Interestingly, Dada is the Commissioner signed, by the leadership of the state for Local Government and Chieftaincy PDP that Ondo north should produce Affairs; Olateru-Olagbegi is the Coordithe governor for 2017-2021. And the nator of Private Public Partnership (PPP) time is now! That the national and state of the government while Fadahunsi is the leadership of the PDP should not forget Special Adviser to the Governor on Union in a hurry the consequences of imposiMatters. tion of candidates on the poor perforIn a communiqué issued at the end of mance of the party in the 2015 Presidenthe meeting held in Owo, in Owo Local tial, National and State elections." Government Area of the state, the aspiAs if that was not enough, some rants insisted that the governor should youths under the auspice of North/ jettison the choice of Jegede as the candiSouth Senatorial Youth Campaigners date as the choice may spell doom for the (NSSYC) accused the leadership of the party. They noted that the agreement is to party in the state of allegedly working rotate the picking of the party’s candidate for a faction of the All Progressive Conamong the North, Central senatorial disgress (APC) in order to deliver the state trict, adding that it is the turn of the North to the opposition. to produce the party candidate since the The youths insisted that the PDP last governorship election in 2012. must conduct party primaries to pick The communiqué of the aspirants and a candidate instead of imposition beparty leaders from the North read "coning planned by the leadership of the sequent upon the recent development in state chapter of the party. The leader our great party, in Ondo State, where the of the youth group, Mr Dele Ayeni in Governor Mimiko at a meeting with the a statement made available to reportstate and local government official and ers alleged that the governor, Dr delegates of the party across the Olusegun Mimiko was planning state, declared his endorsement of The question to present a weakling to the elecan aspirant from the central senatotorate so that the PDP would be rial district as the PDP gubernatoagitating the easily defeated in the forthcoming rial candidate for the November 26, minds of the election. 2016 election. Ayeni said both Senate Presi"This position of Mr. Governor people is whether dent, Dr Bukola Saraki and foris considered a miscalculation that mer Vice President, Alhaji Atiku will further put Ondo North Senathe PDP would Abubarkar are interested in the torial District at a serious political be able to go into candidacy of Jegede in order to disadvantage, putting the state help them have an inroad into PDP at a loss and laying bad prethe election as the state ahead of 2019 presidential cedence in the state. Based on first an indivisible election in the country. resolution above, the leadership of Ayeni who accused the leadthe north senatorial district should entity even as ership of setting aside chunk of immediately enter into workable money to entice some leaders said agreement and alignment with the Jegede resigned “this is a clarion call to party memsouthern and central senatorial dishis appointment bers of conscience particularly the tricts to ensure the goal of rotation leader, political office holders and is achieved for equity, fairness and yesterday delegates to put the survival of the justice in furtherance of peace and party above personal interest by political stability of our state. doing what is right.” "It is further agreed that an apHis words “this is to make sure that peal be made to the national and state power shifts either to the North or South leadership of our great party to concede senatorial districts of the state as the case the governorship slot of 2017-2021 to maybe. Most of our leaders once they Ondo north senatorial district as demonget to power get disconnected away stration of fairness, equity and justice that from grassroots making them take dethe state is known for and keeping to the cisions that produce total failure at the MOU. Unless our position in three above polls. An intelligence network of the is acceptable to the leadership of the party North/South Youth Campaigners has in the state, we in Ondo north will neither it that if Jegede is forced on the party go into, nor participate in any primary as its candidate, members should be election conducted that will involve any preparing for the final burial rite of the aspirant from the central senatorial district party in Ondo State.” because it is not their turn now when their But the PDP denied the allegation son is just rounding up and eight years of that Mimiko has anointed Jegede as two tenure. the candidate of the party for the No"We stand by the MOU reached by the

23 JUly 2016

vember 26 governorship election. The Youth Leader, Mr. Abayomi Adebayo and all the youth leaders across the 18 local government area of the state rose in defence of Mimiko and said the party has no anointed candidate for the forthcoming election. The PDP youth leaders claimed that they have checked the registers of the party across the 18 LGAs and there was no such person as Dele Ayeni and also affirmed that NSSYC was not part of their sister organisations. His words "we want to set the record straight that Mr. Governor has not in any manner imposed any candidate on the party and that the party shall pick her candidate through legitimate primary election at a date to be announced by the National Secretariat of our great party soon. We also state further that the statement credited to the said Ayeni that Mr. Governor is working for the opposition party to deliver the state through a weakling to the opposition is not only mischievous, an outright falsehood, but also a figment of his imagination." According to him "we state most emphatically that the said Dele Ayeni is not known to the party in any capacity at all and as such lack the locus standi to speak on behalf of the youths of the PDP. The general public is hereby enjoined to disregard the unfortunate statement." The party youth wing declared their support and confidence on Governor Mimiko as the leader of the party, dispelling all rumours of imposition of candidate on the party for the governorship poll. With allegations, counter allegations and denial, the question agitating the minds of the people is whether the PDP would be able to go into the election as an indivisible entity even as Jegede resigned his appointment yesterday to pursue his governorship ambition. Four additional top government officials including commissioners and Special Advisers are expected to resign before next week in order to contest the forthcoming election. Already, the commissioner for Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseeni has resigned to join the governorship race under the platform of People's Democratic Party(PDP). Jegede said his exit from the cabinet is to enable him focus more on his desire to seek higher office in service of his people which will obviously demand a lot of energy, time and sacrifice. He thanked Mimiko and the people of Ondo state for the unique opportunity to serve, noting that his stint in office enabled him to work in various sub-committees of the State Executive Council. Jegede said among the notable achievements of his stay in office include supervision of the review and publication of Laws of Ondo State, the first since the inception of the sunshine state, signing into law the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015 by Governor Olusegun Mimiko as prepared by the Ministry of Justice in addition to other novel measures that have helped revolutionalised administration of justice. Amidst dancing and singing, the legal luminary thanked the people of Akure for supporting the governor in his effort to develop the land and people of the state. He also thanked the traditional institution for accommodating non-indigenes in the town. The Deji-in-Council including the kingmakers, palace and quarter and honorary chiefs congratulated the senior advocate and promised to support him in order to realise his ambition. They prayed for the peace of the town and state and advised all the contestants to play the game according to the rule.

News Extra 49

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 july 2016

Chibok girls: U.S gov’s comment ‘embarrassment to Nigeria’ –BBOG

…group demands apology

Ndubuisi Ugah he #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group has written an open letter to the governor of the state of New Jersey in United States, Mr. Chris Christie, over his “dismissive comments” during his speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. While criticising the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the governor dismissed the BBOG campaign which had been advocating for the rescue of the over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State in

April 2014. In a letter signed by two of the group’s conveners, Aisha Yesufu and Obiageli Ezekwesili, the group described his comments as “highly disappointing and unfortunate,” and demanded a “public apology, accompanied by a heartfelt global call to action for the rescue of our #ChibokGirls and all other citizens of the world who are being held against their will.” The letter reads: “Dear Governor Christie, we write this letter as a statement of utmost displeasure with a part of your speech at the Republican National Convention. While you did not refer to us by name, in providing an assessment of the Democratic Candidate, Hillary Clinton,

you made a passing comment – in an utterly dismissive tone – about a hashtag campaign in the fallout of the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria. “This hashtag, (#BringBackOurGirls), and the movement that drives it, remain the only consistent voice for 218 abducted young girls who have today been in the custody of their captors for 829 days. As a father of two girls, the thought of having yours in these conditions must surely be a source of horror. “In those circumstances, we are certain your opinion of such a movement and utterances towards the campaign would be more measured. It is therefore highly disappointing and unfortunate that a twotime governor and candidate

of the recently concluded Republican Presidential Primary of the United States of America would choose to play politics with the plight of innocent girls. “We take this opportunity to remind you, and other political leaders who may entertain such thoughts that our ChibokGirls are global citizens with equal rights as other citizens of the world, with families that grieve daily, and are from a part of the world that is currently experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises ever. “The least you should be doing is drawing attention to the urgent need for ensuring their rescue and driving actions that will lead to better outcomes for the victims of the insurgency. We,

Scene of an accident where a container fell on the bridge, at Ojuelegba, in Lagos …yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

therefore, demand a public apology, accompanied by a heartfelt Global Call to Action for the rescue of our #ChibokGirls and all other citizens of the world who are being held

Benue South rerun: Appeal Court re-affirms Mark’s election Cephas Iorhemen, MAKURDI

he Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi, yesterday dismissed the petition of All Progressives Party (APC) senatorial candidate for the Benue South senatorial rerun election, Mr. Daniel Onjeh and reaffirmed the election of Senator David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, while delivering ruling, described the petition as incompetent, lacking in merit and, thereafter, struck it out on the grounds that it was filed out of time. “The appellant’s petition was filed on the 22nd day of the declaration of result and, therefore, filed out of time by law. It therefore rendered the election petition incompetent,” she said. Counsel to Mark, Mr. Ken Ikonne, while reacting to the judgement, expressed happi-

BAUCHI

NLC advocates occupational safety health law

‘Don’t import kola nuts to S’Arabia’

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the National Assembly to initiate a new Occupational Safety Health Bill to ensure the safety and health of the Nigerian workforce. The Head of Occupational Health and Safety (OSH), Mrs. Maureen OnyiaEkwuazi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday. She said the enactment had become imperative to protect workers in case of injury or sickness that might arise in the course of their employment. Onyia-Ekwuazi said: “The previous National Occupational Safety Health bill suffered a lot of setbacks in the Sixth Assembly. “In fact, the House of Representatives had passed the bill from the first to the third reading, including holding a public hearing on it.”

18%

The percentage of the population of Gibraltar under 15 years in 2001. Source: un.org

Emmanuel Onani, Abuja

he Acting InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has approved the deployment of personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), as well as

The Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abdullahi Hardawa, yesterday warned intending pilgrims from the state against importing kola nuts to Saudi Arabia for business. Hardaw, who gave the warning while briefing journalists on the preparation for this year’s hajj exercise, said the Saudi Arabia authorities had banned the importation of kola nuts into the Holy Land. He said: “If they want to have a successful Hajj exercise, they should not take kola nuts to the Holy Land. Any intending pilgrims found with Kola nuts will be deported back to Nigeria right from the airport. “Nigerians must accept to obey the Saudi Arabia laws on the ban of the importation or taking kola nuts to Saudi.”

49%

The estimated percentage of the antiretroviral therapy coverage (range) of Sub-Sahara Africa in December 2010. Source: Who.int

ENUGU FG: Nigeria won’t fail in Digital TV Switch Over deadline

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians that the government will do everything possible in its quest to achieve a successful Digital TV Switch Over (DSO) that will yield technological dividends far beyond imagination. NEWS IN The minister gave the assurance in BRIEF London on Thursday, at the end of his two-day interactions with key ST players in the United Kingdom (UK) Digital TV programme, including the country’s Communication Regulator Ofcom, which created the regulatory structures that enabled the Digital TV Switch Over.

147m

The estimated deployment of electricity (TWh/year) in the total hydro market area of Africa in 2010 Source: Unesco.org

nternational tourism has continued to post impressive records with international tourists arrivals for the first four months (January to April) this year up by five per cent. This meant that 348 million overnight visitors were recorded, with prospects for May to August, said to be positive as 500 million tourists are expected to travel abroad in the Northern Hemisphere summer holiday peak season. According to the latest reports released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometre, the five per cent growth figure represents 18 million more than the figure recorded for the same period last year (+5.3%). This follows an increase of 4.6 per cent in 2015, and could make 2016 the seventh consecutive year of above-average growth, with international ar-

Police to deploy PMF, CTU, others for Imo, Kogi rerun poll

conventional policemen, to ensure adequate security during today's re-run Senatorial elections in Imo North and Kogi East Districts, respectively. It was gathered that the personnel are to be

deployed from neighbouring states while the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the two states are to coordinate security operations, with a view to guaranteeing violence-free exercises. The disclosure was made in a statement by the Force

Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Don Awunah, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). The statement stated: “The IGP has directed the Commissioners of Police in Imo and Kogi states to ensure proper coordination of

ness with the decision of the appellate court which gave victory to his client as the counsel to PDP, Christ Alechenu, also hailed the judgment and implored Mark to settle down and concentrate on the business of lawmaking in the senate. But counsel to Onjeh in his comment, expressed sadness over the outcome of the case, stressing that: “We are not happy with the decision of the court but there is nothing we can do.” It would be recalled that on June 30, this year, the rerun election petition tribunal sitting in Makurdi struck out Onjeh's petition against Mark on the grounds that the petition was filed out of the stipulated 21 days as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the ruling, Justice Chinyere Anulube, had declared that the petition was “defective and incurably bad," explaining that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.”

Int’l tourists arrivals up by 5%, summer travel figures at 500m Andrew Iro Okungbowa

FCT

against their will. “This will be the only indicator that you truly believe in the American values of freedom of life, love and the pursuit of happiness.”

security operations and adequate deployment of Police personnel for the conduct of the Re-Run Senatorial elections in Imo North Senatorial District and Kogi East Senatorial District of Imo and Kogi states coming up on July 23, 2016."

rivals increasing by four per cent or more every year following the crisis in 2009. Results were said to be robust almost across all sub regions while many destinations reported double-digit growth, with the UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, describing the performance as showing a strong desire for travel globally despite the challenges. “Results show a strong desire to travel and this continues to drive tourism growth. Destinations keep benefitting from solid demand across all world regions despite ongoing challenges, showing that tourism is a dynamic and resilient economic sector.’’ Rifai expressed sadness over tragedies that have being visited on some of the destinations, insisting that safety and security remain a challenge for the industry. “Yet, despite these good results, the tragic events of recent months remind us that safety and security remain a major challenge for all. We must continue to work closely together to address this global threat and ensure tourism is an integral part of emergency planning and response at global, regional and national level,” he said. By region, Asia and the Pacific (+9%) recorded the highest increase in international arrivals, with all Asian sub regions enjoying growth of seven per cent or above while sub-Saharan Africa (+13%) led growth, strongly rebounding from previous years’ modest results.

Tribute

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

amily members and friends, we are here gathered today to pay tribute to a great man who lies dead before us. He left our offices for home in the late hours of Monday 4/7/2016 deeply hurt at not seeing my name on the list of lawyers newly elevated to the Rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The next day, Tuesday 5/7/16, a public holiday, I received from him at about 9.40am the following SMS text message from him: “Good morning my brother, we will achieve our goal no matter the odds. I just know it in my bones that it will happen someday. All I wish for is for me to witness it. But for you, I ask that you do not let this current situation depress you or believe that there is an element working against you. It is an unfortunate situation, but I plead with you not to give-up or lessen your efforts towards achieving the goal. You inspire me to continue to strive to live despite my debilitating health challenges. I ask that whatever happens to me, you will not give up in striving to achieve this honour you richly deserve. We will overcome!” It was the penultimate sentence that got the better of my attention. What did he mean by “whatever happens to me”? It had been more than ten years since what he referred to as “my debilitating health challenges” (a degenerative heart condition) was first diagnosed. But he had, with the support and care of family, close associates, and reputable experts (local and foreign) in the field, lived with and battled it with the same singleminded tenacity for which he was reputed. So successful he was in this that until his very last day at work (Friday, 8/7/16) he remained the workaholic that he had always been, laughing-off my worries and pleas to slow down. The very suggestion which I deciphered from his SMS text message that morning that there would ever be a time that I would have to soldier-on without him by my side (for the first time after about thirtytwo years of our acquaintanceship and close relationship), was beyond my realm of con-

News Extra

Kayode Olanrewaju he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) political machinery which ensured its triumph in the last governorship election in Ondo State is being threatened going by the decision of the leadership of the party in Ondo North Senatorial District should the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, carry out his planned endorsement of an aspirant from Ondo Central Senatorial District for the November 26, governorship election in the state. This was as they insisted that unless their position is acceptable, Ondo North PDP will neither go into, nor participate in any primary election conducted involving aspirants from the Ondo Central, which has just filled its slot for eight years of two terms under Mimiko. The position of the Senatorial District was contained in a two-page communiqué issued at an emergency meeting of all the Local Government Chairmen, state exco and all governorship aspirants from Ondo North, held at Owo and signed by their Coordinator, Senator Remi Okunrinboye and 15 other party leaders in the district. Restating their position, they noted that the governor’s endorsement of any

FAREWELL, GREAT ONE, FARE THEE WELL! templation. My response to him, therefore, was: “Good Morning, Niyi, and thanks for your kind and encouraging words. You should know me better than many than to worry I’ll be down by worries about disappointed expectation. I’ve moved on from what is past. Today is another day. Let us grasp, and joyfully make the best we can of it. We all only live in hope and expectation of the dawn of tomorrow, which as at today is unknown. If tomorrow comes, then we’ll strive to make the best of it”. To this he replied: “I agree. Have a super duper holiday”. Shortly after these exchange of texts, I received from him another text at about 11.45am on the same day a text calling my

Niyi

attention to the fact that Thursday 7/7/16 had been added to the holidays, and complaining that the criminal trial he had so thoroughly prepared for, for that day, had become truncated. He got an unsympathetic response from me by phone call telling him that that was one decision of government that I would not tolerated to be criticized since it would force him to take some more needed rest from his intolerable addiction to work despite what he himself just about an hour before described as his “debilitating health condition”. I share these exchange of texts and telephone conversations with those of us here gathered to typify the noble and ennobling character of the one whose dead body lies before us. I never met, and I doubt I would ever meet a more hardworking person. He regarded no work to be beneath his position, and he left nothing that should be done today for tomorrow. He gave, and tolerated no excuse for avoiding any honest work. He was at his desk, working, from early morning on Friday 8/7/16 until about 4pm when he told me he was a bit tired and would be retiring home early. It was for precaution that we persuaded him to head instead (accompanied by a couple of us) for a quick check-up with his expert medical consultant not knowing that that was going to be his last departure from our office premises. He, my Niyi, was first my ideological opponent during our student days at the University. He was completely against the socialist ideology which he believed was represented by the USSR. Despite

his vociferous campaign against anything Marxist or socialist at the time, I noticed his genuine concern for the downtrodden in society, and in his humanity in general. Indeed, most of his alternative solutions to the problems of humanity, whenever challenged during his polemical wars against us, was oft times even more to our left. He eventually came over to our side when after many of such encounters, he came to realise that Socialist humanism was beyond the evil that was then represented by the then USSR. From that time, about thirty-two years ago, he had been my friend, and my faithful collaborator in all things. He it was, who at the foundation of our law firm, insisted not only that it must be built as a fighting tool in defence of the oppressed, but also that it must be governed by what we preached: From each, according to his abilities, and to each, according to his needs. From this mantra, he never wavered throughout his life time. He wanted nothing outside what he required to meet his basic needs. He never ceased to be amazed whenever he read in the newspapers that one public official or the other had helped himself or herself to some billions of public funds because he could not fathom what in the world the person needed the money for. I loved him with all the love that was possible for a mortal to muster. And he loved me no less, if not more. His Methodist faith tells of a time when the World will generally come to an end; the Apocalypse. In truth, there is a sense in which the World comes to an end everyday, with every death. The World came to an end, that moment on Thursday 14/7/16, when he breathed his last. In the privacy of my heart, I will sorrow and mourn this loss, my loss, until the World comes to an end for me, as it will, inevitably, for all of us, one at a time.

PDP leadership in Ondo North threatens to pull out of primaries candidate outside the district is working against the interest of the Ondo North Senatorial District, comprising Owo and Akoko divisions of the state. But, to the members of the PDP in the Senatorial District, the position of the governor is considered as a miscalculation that will put Ondo North Senatorial District at a serious political disadvantage, put the state PDP at a disadvantages and laying bad precedence in the state. According to them, the Ondo North Senatorial District will not accept anything short of the governorship slot as agreed by the leaders of the party in a well-attended meeting where the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by all major stakeholders in 2012. “This position is consequent upon recent development in the party in Ondo State, where the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko at a meeting with state and local government officials and delegates across the state, declared his endorsement of a candidate from Ondo Cen-

tral Senatorial District as PDP governorship aspirant in the November 26, election,” the communiqué reads. In their six-point resolutions, the senatorial district, however, said that all the undersigned leaders aligned their position with the rotational and zoning principle of the party. “This is in accordance with the MoU reached by

the state leadership of the party towards the October 20, 2012 election, that the governorship of Ondo State be rotated among the three senatorial districts of the state,” they stressed. This was as they said that the election was won by Mimiko for the second term from the Central senatorial district, following the sixyear governorship tenure of

the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu from the Ondo South senatorial district. Based on the above resolution, the communiqué said the leadership of the party in Ondo North, should enter into a workable agreement and alignment with Ondo South and Central senatorial districts in order to ensure the goal of rotation is achieved for equity, fairness and justice in furtherance of peace and political stability. However, it called on the national and state leader-

ship of PDP to intervene in the matter by conceding the governorship slot for 2017 to 2021 to Ondo North as a demonstration of fairness, equity and justice. They added: “It is our position that Ondo north senatorial district should produce the next governor of Ondo State as it will accept nothing short of the governorship slot as agreed by the leadership of the party in a well-attended meeting where the MoU was signed by all the major stakeholders.”

Saraki: Northern students threaten mass protest against FG

he Northern Students Association (NSA), has urged the Federal Government to drop all charges against the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, noting that it is wrong to use institutional authorities for the pursuit of sectional interest, stating that it will not hesitate to mobilise a peaceful protest across the northern states. Briefing journalists in Sokoto, the President of NSA and Vice-President, National Affairs of the National Association of Nigerian Student (NANS),

Basheer Gurau, said the action became necessary given the roles played by Saraki in the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the last Presidential election. It also stated that while it was not averse to attempts at ridding the country of corruption, state institutions should not be used as instruments of vindictiveness. He said: “We wish to first acknowledge the leadership and new direction that has been given to our country, since the emergence of

the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari particularly in the areas of anti-corruption and the image of our country that has been strengthened in the comity of nations. “We are constrained to make this appeal, based on our assessment of the roles played by actors, who ensured the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress, during the last Presidential elections, with Saraki playing a crucial role. “As politically conscious Nigerians, we are not un-

mindful of the fact that the entire scenario of the trial of the Senate President is politically motivated judging by the fact that despite being governor of Kwara State for eight years and Senator from the same state, the Code of Conduct Tribunal, never deemed it necessary to invite nor investigate facts surrounding the asset declarations by Saraki until he eventually became the President of the Nigerian Senate and most recently, the trumped up charges of forgery, which he is being tried for.”

News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JULY2016

Enugu NLC not speaking for us–Neuropsychiatric workers

lCMD working against our members, says union leader Charles Onyekwere and Kenneth Ofoma, ENUGU

orkers at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, yesterday accused the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Enugu State, of instigating crisis in the hospital. The workers, who spoke under the aegis of the Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria, flayed the state’s NLC Chairman, Nwobodo

Virginus, for allegedly working to destabilise the hospital. The workers in a statement signed by all the executive members, including their chairman and the secretary, Maduka Chibuzo and Iroegbulem Emeka, respectively, wondered where the NLC chairman, who is a non-staff of the hospital, derived such mandate. The workers stated: “How could there just be one signatory to the statement by the Nigerian Labour Congress,

Enugu State Chapter? This shows that the statement is dubious. “We want to state categorically that we are at peace with our medical director and that we do not have any problem with him.” While stating that no congress was held in the hospital where any issue affecting their welfare was discussed, the aggrieved workers called on Nwobodo to immediately resign from his position until he cleared himself of allegations of "bribery, corruption,

unjust enrichment and incompetence.” “We do hereby state categorically that there is no human rights abuse in our hospital by our medical director and that we are enjoying our medical director as our chief executive and that Nwobodo has no right to call for his removal and he does not speak for us. “Besides, he has called for strike actions numerous times but the workers rebuffed him because he does not speak for the workers, rather for his self-

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Mr. Sam Onuigbo (left) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Country Director, Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai, when the Beyai paid a courtesy visit to the House… Thursday

Ex-govs' wives, experts seek women participation in politics

Temitope Ogunbanke

ives of former governors of Ekiti State, Mrs. Angelina Adebayo and Bisi Fayemi; former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Concord Group of Newspaper, Dr. Doyin Abiola, politicians and leaders of Civil Society Organisations, have charged Nigerian women to take active parts in 2019 general elections to increase women participation in politics and governance. They made this call at a roundtable discussion on the role of professional women in supporting women participation in leadership, politics and governance organised by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in conjunction with Cosmopolitan Women’s Club in Lagos. Adebayo said government must influence implementation of gender equity by putting in place laws in favour of more women participation in politics and governance, adding that political parties should also allocate some slots for women during general elections. Fayemi charged women to go into mainstream politics and invest in political machineries by aspiring to hold key party positions that will enable them fight for other women at party levels to in-

crease slots being allocated to women at party levels for general elections. Dr. Abiola, who attributed Nigerian women’s problem to lack of love and adequate care for one another, urged women to be kind to one another and be supportive so as to ensure that they vote for

fellow women during electioneering period. The Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said professional women can serve as catalyst for change. She, therefore, urged professional women to work assiduously for greater inclusion of women

in leadership, politics and governance. The Vice-President of Cosmopolitan Women’s Club, Mrs. Aderinola Disu, said increasing number of women in politics and governance will provide opportunity for credible people to serve in public offices.

ish interest,” they added. Nwobodo in a statement he personally signed had, called for the removal of the hospital’s CMD, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe, accusing him of working against the interest of the workers. Nwobodo also accused the CMD of unilaterally suspending trade union activities in the hospital and imposed sanctions on the union leaders, including interdiction, suspension and half payment of salaries in violation of civil and public service rule. The statement read: “He (Onwukwe) runs the hospital like a personal enterprise and even hired thugs to harass and beat up labour leaders in the

‘Bore-hole water not good for human consumption’ Mariam Abdullahi

he Managing Director, Lahrivet Animal Clinic, Lanre Ajegbomogun, has said borehole water contains toxic that is unhealthy for the human body. While commending the effort of the new boss of Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Mr. Miminu Adekunle Badmus, Ajegbomogun told Saturday Telegraph that some things people consumed were responsible for the diseases they have at the later age of their lives. He applauded Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for appointing Miminu to spearhead the operations of the LWC, adding that the man had proven that his appointment was not a mistake. He said: “So far, I think he has done well with the little resources he is working with. Borehole water contains toxic and iron, but most people don’t know. Some of these things are

‘Legislative framework on Climate Change underway’

he National Assembly has begun moves to put in place a legislative framework to address the multifarious issues relating to climate change in the country. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Mr. Sam Onuigbo, made this disclosure in Abuja at a meeting with a team from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) led by its Country Director, Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai. Onuigbo, who commended the UNDP for its support to Nigeria on the issue of climate change, said the proposed legislative framework is top on the agenda of the national assembly and that no effort is being spared to achieve the aim. According to him, the leadership of the federal legislature, especially the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, were fully commit-

ted in their support to ensuring that the framework is achieved in the life of the current 8th Assembly. In a similar development, the House Committee has concluded arrangements to host a roundtable session on Climate Change with critical stakeholders in both governmental and nongovernmental sectors billed to participate.

A statement from the Committee said the Roundtable being held with support from the UNDP is expected to x-ray various perspectives, challenges and possible solutions to the raging onslaught of climate change as it relates to Nigeria and will be declared open by Speaker Dogara. Ministers and Heads of Departments and Agencies

PORT HARCOURT

NUJ chairman urges FG to check high fees in varsities

NEWS IN BRIEF

Chairman of Rivers State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Omoni AyoTamuno, has urged the Federal Government to check high tuition fees charged by universities in the country. Ayo-Tamuno made the call at the graduation ceremony/launching of Stella Maris College magazine in Port Harcourt yesterday. “This call has become imperative in view of the fact that universities had never made it a condition that only candidates with exam result should sit for JAMB. “Relevant government agencies should direct universities to allow candidates awaiting results to enroll into tertiary institutions. “If this is not done, a lot of prospective candidates that wrote JAMB will miss their admission while funds paid would be losses to parents and guardians,” he said.

hospital. He has rebuffed all entreaties by the organised labour in the state to resolve the matter through dialogue and negotiation but instead took the option of cheap blackmail and writing a spurious petition to the security agencies in the state.” “He is highly vindictive, callous, adamant, intransigent, highhanded and averse to peace and rule of law. His continued stay in the hospital is inimical to the progress and meaningful development and counter-productive. We strongly condemn his anti labour activities and call for his removal to restore law and order in the hospital,” he said.

whose organisations are impacted by climate change are expected to be at the roundtable conference, including Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, Solid Minerals Development, Budget and National Planning, Environment, Water Resources, FCT, the Nigeria Ports Authority, NIMASA, and a host of others.

FCT

‘Workersstrikeaimedatremoving FilmCorporationboss’

The New Initiative for Credible Leadership has alleged that some staff of the National Film Corporation (NFC), Jos, Plateau State, are being sponsored to destabilise activities at the corporation so as to remove the Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Danjuma Wuri. Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, Executive Director of the group, Rev. Steven Onwu, said the public outcry by members of staff was the handiwork of some staff who has been finding it difficult to align with the era of change in the company. He said: “The latest manifestation of this worrisome habit has cropped up at the National Film Corporation (NFC), Jos where the members of staff have staged a so called protest only that it is not a protest that was driven by national interest. “They instead levelled series of accusations against the Managing Director of NFC, Mr. Danjuma Wuri. Those behind the call even conscripted students of the National Film Institute (NFI) to join their cause.”

responsible for the diseases some people have at the later age of their lives. “LWC is experiencing a rebirth at present. People should connect to it and pay their bills. When you know the value and ingredient it contains after going through the processes, you will know it is the best water for people to consume in Nigeria. Water is life and it takes more than 70 per cent in the composition of the body system. It moves from the brain to every part of the body.” According to him, Miminu came on board about six months ago and he has done a lot. When he came in, Ajegbomogun stated that one of the first things he did was to replace people who were not adding value to the system. “Water management is not new to him as he has handled similar things in America. He has visited the Iju Waterworks where our water is being processed and has started putting things in order. People want is result and he has never failed before,” he said. He, however, urged the governor of Lagos State to give LCW all the necessary supports to flourish. “The governor should understand the attitude of Nigerian towards paying of bills. Money is the bicycle of evangelism, LCW needs money to function effectively. When people don’t pay bills, how do they pay staff? How do they buy all the necessary things? How do they fix some their machines?” he said.

JALINGO Taraba moves to boost rice farming through irrigation

In its efforts to boost rice production, the Taraba State Government has purchased over 500 units of water pumps to distribute to dry season farmers in the state. The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Isaac A. Mela, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Jalingo, said the state government had done that to ensure that farmers were busy all the seasons in order to enhance rice production in the state. Mela said more water pumps would be procured for distribution to farmers across the state. The permanent secretary also announced that the state government has given a speedy approval of a memo from the ministry of about N19 million for the purchase of 50 thrashers for rice thrashing as well as five millers, allocated to the state by the Federal Government.

Perspectives

23 JUly 2016

NFF and its Eagles' coach cauldron

nce again the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has shown how naive they are when it comes to doing the very ‘simple’ thing as employing a coach. Incidentally about a month ago, in a piece titled: ‘Much ado about new Eagles coach,’ I tried to point out my fears surrounding the attempts to secure a coach to replace Sunday Oliseh who left seven months ago pointing out that with the Glass House what should be an easy task will become rocket science! I started by indicating how a number of other FAs have gone about signing on their coaches without any sweat or rancour. “In March, Antonio Conte announced that he would be stepping down as Italy’s coach after the on-going Euro 2016 Championships in France in order to join English Premier League side, Chelsea FC in a three-year deal. ''Immediately, the Italian Football Federation President, Carlo Tavecchio, announced that they were not in any hurry to name a replacement for the former Juventus coach, instead they would rather concentrate on preparations for Euro 2016. “Early this month (about three months after Conte’s announcement) the Azzurri named 68-year-old former Torino FC manager, Giampiero Ventura, as the man to replace him. ''Ventura was the fifth coach Italy had employed since winning the World Cup under Marcelo Lippi in 2006. “The announcement was made two months ahead of when Italy would kickoff their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to Israel on September 5. On June 13, Brazil shockingly crashed out of Copa America at the group stage (albeit controversially to Peru) and 24 hours later Dunga was sacked for the second time as

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

oday, we live in a society inundated with marriages that are characterized by numerous problems ranging from domestic violence, rape and separation to divorce. Yet, most marriage aspirants; young men and ladies deliberately ignore life lessons and godly warnings and deliberately walk into marriages that have obvious possibilities of crashing. All marriage aspirants must note that “there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). If the purpose of a thing is not known, there is every tendency for abuse. There is a tendency to experience problems that are terminal. Why do you want to get married? Now, enough money has entered your bank account. You feel that you now have the capacity to host a lavish wedding ceremony and paint the town red. Is this your only reason for wanting to get married? Sorry. You may just be preparing for a failed marriage. Marriage is beyond the wedding ceremony. What happens thereafter should be your primary concern. All your mates are getting married and you feel you need to get married too just to prove a point. This is not enough reason for marriage. Are you planning to marry an organisation rather than an individual? I tell you the truth. You are preparing for a failed marriage. What do I mean? You intend to marry this person not because of the person’s character, but because the person works in a blue chip company. You want to marry a bank, an oil company, or some other organisation. You are on the wrong path.

TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com Seleção manager. “Seven days later, the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) named 55-year-old former Corinthians FC coach, Tite, to take over from the man who was captain when the South American side won the World Cup at USA’94. “In placing their faith in Tite, the CBF did not go for a ‘nobody.’ The veteran coach left a third spell at Brazilian domestic league giants, Corinthians, to take charge of the national team after guiding the Sao Paulo club to a second Campeonato Brasileiro title in 2015.” This was what I wrote then. A few weeks after I wrote that piece, the England FA also began to search for a coach after Roy Hodgson threw in the towel following the Three Lions’ shocking Round of 16 Euro’2016 exit to Iceland and within three weeks the FA had zeroed in on ‘Big Sam’ Allardyce, the Sunderland manger. The latest developments concerning the issue of Frenchman Paul Le Guen and the bumbling manner the Glass House went about his employment only further highlights the failings of the Nigeria Football Federation. Firstly, despite the spin they tried to put on the embarrassment, the Amaju Pinnick-led Federation forgot the popu-

lar saying: “Never count your chickens before they hatch!” In other words they should have made sure that they had properly wrapped up whatever discussions they had with the Frenchman before announcing that they had settled for him as the next Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles. This singular omission has rightly or wrongly left the Glass House to whatever ridicule that comes their way following this latest faux pass. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly; the mode of the NFF’s approach was wrong from the start. Agreed in this day and age of advanced technology, which means with such communication tolls like Skype one can hold video conferences with whomever one likes, I still believe that for such a sensitive job as this, nothing beats personal face-to-face contact. That way one can observe the body language and decide the appropriate followup questions to ask and from the interaction it will be immediately clear if the person in question is keen on taking on the job or not. Thirdly, I also feel the Glass House got it wrong by asking people to apply for the job! I honestly think the NFF should have first brainstormed and decide on the type of coach they feel is best suited to take charge of the Eagles and immediately go after the

person - just like the Italian, Brazilian and English FAs have done; which has ensured that all three FAs have people in place well before the World Cup qualifiers kick off. One recalls with nostalgia how the late Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Chairman, Justice Ikpeazu, quietly went about sounding out a then unknown Dutchman, Clemens Westerhof about taking up the Eagles job during the U-17 World Cup in Scotland in 1989. Late Chief SB Williams, who was a onetime Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), helped out by offering his home in London as the setting for the talks. Years later, Westerhof told me in his house at Ikeja GRA, Lagos, how he went to Gabon incognito to watch the Eagles stumble to a 1-0 defeat during the Italia’90 qualification campaign; and then wrote a detailed match analysis which he submitted to the Glass House and Sports Ministry. This ensured he finally clinched the job. The rest as they say is now history. However, what is more galling in the present scenario is that rather than apologising to Nigerians over the embarrassment they have caused the nation, the Glass House is still forging ahead telling the nation that a new manager will be in place next week - a truly remarkable feat if it indeed it does happen since they have so far been unable to provide one in over seven months! Conversely, with the World Cup qualifiers looming, one does hope for our sake that the NFF is able to put its house in order on time and give us a coach (or technical adviser as they want to call him) that would give us a fighting chance to qualify from a group which is a very difficult one and already tagged “Group of Death.” But if they do not; I only hope they will do the honourable thing and resign (wishful thinking I know)!

Do not aspire for a failed marriage Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com You have been dating someone and on several occasions, the person has given you reasons not to trust him or her. You know you do not trust the person. Yet, you have gone ahead to introduce the person to your parents as fiancée or fiancé. My dear, you are preparing for a failed marriage. You are engaged to someone and all your discussions since the relationship started have been centred around the wedding ceremony. There have never been thoughts or discussions about marriage vitals such as joint business investment plans, post-wedding housing accommodation, career plans, anticipated family core values, protection from third party influence management, etc. Look! You are not preparing for a successful marriage. I hope that after wedding, there will not be issues like “I don’t know why my husband does not want me to work or further my education” or “I don’t know why my wife obeys her brothers more than me.” If you are preparing to marry someone just to appease your parents so that they stop pressurizing you about getting a life partner, you are preparing for a marriage

that is very likely to fail. Do you have a feeling that you have arrived financially with a lot of property ownership and you need to add a woman to the numerous properties you own? Then, you have a wrong perception of what wife means. Wife is different from woman. Your wife is your partner and part of your life. Your wife is not your furniture or your sleepers and therefore should not be perceived or treated that way. Your wife is not just a certain woman. She is your wife. She is going to be the mother of your children; and your children are your future. If you do not have this correct understanding, you are preparing for a failed marriage. Is sexual pleasure and satisfaction your only reason for planning to marry someone? Sorry! You are preparing for a failed marriage. No wonder you are sleeping around and living in sin of fornication. If you make your private part your tool for searching for a life partner, you are VERY likely to end up as either a single prostitute or a heartbroken person or a married adulterer. A sex-driven relationship is a failure going somewhere to happen. Sex is a very

powerful force but is not strong enough to make a relationship work if other critical factors are missing from it. Good sexual performance is not equal to good spouse material. The character of a person cannot be accurately measured or judged by how good or bad he or she is in bed. This relationship is driven by lust. Here, sex becomes a narcotic that deadens you to the real world. Doors on all other areas of your life are closed just to satisfy your lust. When this happens, you are blind and deaf to reason. You bluntly refuse to see the weaknesses and character flaws of your sin partner because the pleasure of sex has taken over your faculty of judgement. This relationship is self-centred and selfish. The moment sexual pleasure ceases, the relationship crumbles. If your partner sees another person who could possibly perform better than you in bed, he or she will dump you. All he or she knows about you is how good you are in bed. That is the criteria by which he measures your person. Your worth as a human being should be measured by the universal values of honesty, integrity, love, vision, diligence, among others. Judging you by your sexual ability reduces you to the level of a prostitute. What am I saying here? If at all you want to marry, marry correctly. Marry the right person, following a godly procedure. Do not jump or rush into a marriage that will definitely fail. You could also register for our Marriage Preparatory School programme in Lagos. It will help you. Your marriage shall be a testimony in Jesus name. Amen.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Arase, Idris, 24 vehicles and the I.G.G

he average Nigerian is ingenious and witty. This was the thought in my mind the first time I heard the acronym I.G.G. It was during a sport programme on television. There was a debate as to whether Arsenal FC was in a pole position to win the English Premier League of that year having had stellar performances that put them on top of table for many weeks. But the anchor of the programme said the scintillating performances of the Gunners which incidentally is the team I support were not convincing enough to show that they would be the EPL champions He went on to dismiss Arsenal's top position as the club's I.G.G, which had become a yearly routine since the last time they won the EPL in 2003/04 season. I wondered what I.G.G meant. But before I knew it, he said I.G.G meant 'Intial Gra Gra.' I am not sure of the etymology of the world 'Gra Gra' since virtually all the ethnic groups in Nigeria mix it with either their languages or English Language. The word 'Gra Gra' is onomatopoeic. It could mean a way of announcing one's arrival at an event so as to be noticed by those present. 'Gra Gra' could also lead to overzealousness. The danger in it is that it often fizzles out like a mirage within a short period of time since 'Gra Gra' is usually anchored on what Baba Fryo, the Ajegunlebased 'Dem go dey pose' crooner, refers to as 'Notice me' in one of his songs instead of sincerity of purpose. It has become the tradition for every newly appointed Inspector General of Police to impress Nigerians and by extension the president who hires them and who could as well fire them if he so pleases. I have observed over the years that the first thing new IGs usually do is to ask policemen all over the country to dismantle checkpoints, which are the cesspool of corruption, harassment and sadly, extrajudicial killings. One can also predict that the new number one policeman will also promise to tackle corruption headlong. After these, all other I.G.G will follow as a way of assuring us that under the new helmsman, things will be done differently. The Acting Inspector General of Police,

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com Mr. Ibrahim Idris, followed the routine when he said all senior officers from the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) should declare their assets as enshrined in Section 318 of the constitution and Paragraph 9 under Part Il of the 5th Schedule to the constitution and Section 13 Cap 15 of the Code of Conduct Act. This is expected from a wise officer who understands the body language of Mr. President and his disposition to corruption, more so, when the president had led by example by declaring his assets. But whether the majority of Nigerians are still impressed by declaration of assets in a country where public servants know how to do anticipatory declaration is another matter entirely. So, the IG's I.G.G may not achieve the desired result because of the unfaithfulness of most public servants. It was also a good thing that Idris in his first official outing after his appointment,

IGP, Ibrahim

withdrew mobile policemen attached to individuals, particularly moneybags. What the IG said at the Police Mobile Force Training School in Ila Orangun, Osun State, was the home truth. Our mobile policemen, the striking arm of the Nigeria Police Force, have been turned into glorified errand boys of our big ogas, their madams and expatriates. What the expatriates even used some mobile policemen for is beyond the issue of security. One cannot but wonder when we are going to purge ourselves from these vestiges of colonialism. Mobile policemen are not the only ones being subjected to this abuse. Their female counterparts are good at opening and closing car doors for madams and sheepishly carrying their bags. Some mobile policewomen even use hand fans to ensure that their madams do not feel the heat once they alight from their vehicles. But how convincing is the determination of the IG to ensure that mobile policemen are used mainly for what they were meant is a matter of time. If I count this as part of Idris' I.G.G, I have my reasons because we have travelled that road before. Politicians know how to manipulate police officers. It's a matter of time before mobile policemen return as bodyguards to moneybags and top politicians. There are moneybags and there are moneybags and as we say in our local parlance: 'rich men get level.' When Idris was appointed as the IG, the consensus was that a thoroughlybred police officer who knows the importance of a painstaking investigation and the inherent danger in making hasty conclusion is now in the saddle. But the theatrics and slur Idris threw at his immediate prede-

cessor, Mr. Solomon Arase, concerning the 'missing 24 vehicles ' cast aspersions on the Acting IGP and is a negative commentary on his sterling quality as a fine, gentle and thoroughlybred police officer. A mere 'window' view from the office of the IG is not enough to conclude that the 24 vehicles, which were hitherto at the parking lot, have suddenly grown wings and have flown to Arase's garage. Such grievous allegation ought to have been thoroughly investigated before Arase was subjected to media trial. If Arase did include in his handover notes the number of vehicles and their state, could it then mean that Idris did not read the notes and asked that his predecessor's claim be investigated before going to the press? Has there been any report from the Special Investigative Unit set up by the IG to investigate all vehicles purchased and donated to the police in the last three years before Arase was accused of taking away 24 vehicles, some of which have been traced to an auto workshop in Abuja? If it was difficult for the police authorities to get Arase on the phone and a letter was delivered to his home, what effort did the police make to find out from the receiver of the letter if he or she actually got the message across to the former IG? Without making excuses for Arase or branding him as a saint, would he have taken away 24 vehicles under the Buhariled administration even if he is the dumbest IG we have ever had? Maybe Arase would have taken the risk if we were still under the administration that said 'stealing is not corruption' but not under this dispensation. What we need is effective policing not only on land but also on waterways as criminals now find our waterways as safe haven for crimes. How well the new IG is able to curb the incessant killings by herdsmen, kidnappings, cultism and inter-tribal wars as well as his disposition to the welfare of the rank and file are what he will be rated by and not his I.G.G whenever he leaves office. This is not to say Arase or any other senior officer should not be subjected to trial if there are genuine reasons to do so.

Reinventing our country through a formidable agricultural policy

Yemi Fabiyi o doubt that Nigeria has found itself in this calamity (oil doom). It is an obvious fact on everybody’s lips that the dependence on oil and relegation of our agricultural sector to the background in the last 50 years has led us to where we are today. A deep thinking Nigerian will agree that the oil had created 80 per cent of our national problems including lack of planning, wastages both the private and public sectors, social vices, criminality in its various sectors and stages of our lives, kidnappings, terrorism, (Boko Haram) sectional agitations from different groups in the country. The ‘Avengers’, Fulani herdsmen and all other social vices are there to contend with. To say the least, Nigeria in my view in the past fifty years had been unimaginably unproductive; calling to question what our past leaders and rulers had been doing with our so called Ministry of Economic Planning (if there had been efficient one, we would not have found ourselves in this situation.) All that Nigerian has been doing is stand at the gate through the NNPC and collect royalty on oil without adding any value to it – not even at the local consumption of the products. Now with the realisation of our situa-

tion, it is not too late if we can redirect and bring back to the forefront that which we have neglected. After all, the ‘prodigal son’ repented. To bring the economy back to its feet via agriculture we need a concrete approach that will depend mostly on our governments at various levels and youths. There has been a total disconnection between our youths and agriculture. It is unbelievable that so many of our young ones today cannot identify cocoa trees – let alone of the pod or seeds. So many do not know the usefullness of palm oil trees in its various uses! How we get cashew is a question that a large percentage of our graduates will fail. If there is a point at which to get the connection back, I am of the opinion that

Let all corps members be engaged in our government farm projects at different levels; specific agric projects on which they have advantage

it would be at the gate of a national programme like the National Youth Service Corps. This form an entry point where they should know better what brings good to their national economy and make them a partaker in building their economy. A larger percentage of the youth corps members have been depended upon in the classrooms by our various governments and now that our governments at the federal level is targeting the employment of 500,000 for classrooms, let our youth corpers be more usefully engaged in agriculture. Let all corps members be engaged in our government farm projects at different levels; federal, state and local governments should identity specific agric projects on which they have advantage in its production, ranging from cocoa, groundnut oil palm, cashew (cash crops) to grains (wheat, maize, sorghum, rice, poultry production, fish farming, plantain, cocoyam, etc. The government will have to be ready to provide the enabling environment to make this exercise pleasurable in all ramifications; modern equipment, importation of technical experts in various fields, processing, storage facilities. The remuneration of the corps members will have to be made more meaningful and attractive – increase in the allowances, accommodation and acknowledgement

of those that may have excelled in performance during the service years. This brings to the fore issue of the length of service. It would be better if there could be an extension of the service year to two years – reason for this is that members would have garnered more experience within the period. However the remuneration in the second year has to be better than the first year. What we stand to gain from this kind of programme cannot be over emphasised: - The school feeding programme on locally-produced food would have a good source. - Our graduates would have a better knowledge of our agricultural produce and its importance and this could encourage them to go into agriculture after the service programme. - Make our Ministry of Agriculture office and officers more productive on the field not the ‘Office Agric Officers’. - The number of jobs to be created in this process cannot be over emphasised. - The diversification of our economy as we all are clamouring for will be put on track. - Most importantly Nigeria will depend less if at all on importation of her FOOD.

•Fabiyi writes from Lagos

World News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

Trump promises 'safer' America

onald Trump has vowed to tackle multiple threats facing the US, in his speech in Cleveland, Ohio accepting the Republican presidential nomination. "The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon come to an end," he told the party convention. The businessman promised his presidency would usher in a new era putting America and ordinary people first. Trump's nomination has been clouded by the refusal of major party figures like Senator Ted Cruz

to endorse him. Cruz, who was his bitter rival during the primary contests, was booed off the stage by Trump supporters. Other Trump opponents such as members of the Bush family stayed away from the convention altogether. Trump, a New York businessman who was written

off when he launched his campaign a year ago, said he hoped his speech would ease tensions and unite the party. Despite all the darkness of the opening and the rawness of Trump's tone, his speech made a determined effort to expand his appeal beyond the angry white,

working-class voters who make up the core of his support. He reached out to black people - talking about their high levels of unemployment and poverty. He said the Obama administration had failed the inner cities on education, jobs and crime.

Tanzanian workers may forfeit July salary

anzanian public servants risk not being paid their July salaries if they fail to submit their original academic and employment documents. It is part of an effort to find ghost workers - names

on the payroll who don't exist in real life. It's unclear when this order was officially issued. But already several ministries, government agencies and institutions have notified their workers about the

exercise. Public Service Minister Angellah Kairuki has been quoted in local papers saying that already 3,600 officers in the coastal region will not receive their pay for failing to comply with the order.

IMF boss to face trial over payout

Indian plane vanishes midair

n Indian Air Force plane carrying 29 people went missing Friday morning during what was supposed to be a flight to an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, India's military said. A search was underway for the Antonov AN-32 transport plane, which took off from Chennai at 8:30 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land three hours later at Port Blair, in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said Cmdr. Anupam Banerjee, spokesman for the Indian Air Force. Air force, navy and coast guard crews were searching for the plane. Details on who was aboard the plane weren't immediately available. Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an Indian territory consisting of more than 500 islands – only three dozen of which are inhabited – in the Indian Ocean, hundreds of kilometers east of the Indian subcontinent.

n Italian court has jailed three members of a Nigerian crime gang in Palermo, Sicily, sentencing them to at least 10 yeras in prison each for crimes including attempted murder. Prosecutors said the trio brought to Palermo the practices of the "Black Axe" cult, which Nigerian police said carried out ritual murders, mutilation and rape in the early 1990s. In Sicily, they used mafia techniques in carrying out attempted murder, armed robbery, bodily harm, extortion and drug-dealing, and answered to Italy's most storied mafia organisation, the Cosa Nostra, as if they were its subjects, prosecutors said. The court's verdict,

reached on Wednesday and made available on Friday, handed down sentences of 12 years and four months to the gang's boss and just over 10 years each to two others. The group is believed to have attacked two people with bottles and axes late one night in January 2014 in Palermo's Ballaro street market, where police later found the victims with gashed foreheads. The Black Axe was among several secret societies that took hold in Nigerian universities in the 1990s, allegedly attacking people on campus with guns and knives, raping women who refused to pay protection money and engaging in blood-drinking rituals.

Nigerian migrants die in boat mishap

he head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, will stand trial over a state payout to the French tycoon Bernard Tapie, an appeals court has ruled. She is charged with negligence over the award to Mr Tapie of €404m ($445m; £339m) in 2008 when she was France's economy minister. Lagarde had appealed against a lower court ruling from December. She is now expected to appear before a special court for government ministers. The case stems from Mr Tapie's sale of his majority stake in the sports equipment company, Adidas, which was handled by the state-owned bank, Credit Lyonnais.

Italy jails 3 Nigerians for cultism

Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence, stand with their families after the acceptance speech.

France attack: City refuses call to delete CCTV images

he local authorities in Nice have refused a request by French anti-terror police to destroy CCTV images of last week's lorry attack. The Paris prosecutor's office said the request had been made to avoid the "uncontrolled dissemination" of images. But officials in Nice have responded by filing a legal document, arguing the footage could constitute evidence. It is the latest evidence of a growing dispute between the local and national authorities

in the wake of the attack. 84 people died when a Tunisian man, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, ploughed a lorry into crowds out celebrating Bastille Day on 14 July. The attack, which targeted crowds celebrating Bastille Day, has been claimed by socalled Islamic State (IS). President Francois Hollande announced on Friday that France would send artillery to Iraq next month for the fight against IS. France has been conducting air strikes against IS and providing military training

but is not committing ground troops. In the aftermath of the attack in Nice, disagreements have emerged over the scale of police and security force protection around the Promenade des Anglais at the time the attack took place. "This is the first time we are asked to destroy evidence. The CCTV department and the city of Nice could be prosecuted for thiAs, and also the officers in charge do not have jurisdiction to engage in such operations to delete material", a source said.

Front-runners emerge in race for UN scribe

wo clear front-runners have emerged from the pack of 12 candidates for the next U.N. Secretary-General, according to diplomats with knowledge of the secret proceedings. Former Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres, and Slovenia's former president, Danilo Turk, both garnered strong support from the U.N. Security Council's 15 members on their first informal ballots to select a new U.N. chief. The council, which recommends a finalist to the General Assembly for approval, is likely to hold several rounds of votes be-

fore making a final decision. The winner will take over from Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 1, 2017. Both front-runners have extensive U.N. experience, in addition to their political backgrounds. Guterres, 67, was his country's prime minister from 1995-2002 and went on to become the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees for a decade, leaving the post last December. Under his leadership, the agency managed the largest refugee and migrant crisis since World War II. Turk, 64, of Slovenia, is a human rights lawyer who

was his country's head of state from 2007 to 2012. Before that, he served as Slovenia's first U.N. ambassador and was the U.N. deputy political chief under Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Eastern Europe has never held the top U.N. post and has entered eight candidates in hopes of winning it. They had mixed results. Aside from Slovenia's Turk, who is in second place in the vote count, diplomats said Bulgaria's Irina Bokova, the head of UNESCO, came in third, followed closely by Vuk Jeremic of Serbia and Srgjan Kerim of Macedonia.

n unspecified number of Nigerian migrants have been found dead on a rubber dinghy floating in the central Mediterranean, effectively ending their quest for a better life in Europe. A humanitarian group, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said the bodies of 21 women and one man were found after a rescue effort was conducted in the area. An MSF ship patrolling the Mediterranean came across two vessels in distress and rescued 209 people, including 50 children, while 22 bodies were retrieved from one of the dinghies, a report in The Sun of London has said. It quoted MSF Head of Mission for Search and

Rescue Operations, Jens Pagotto, as saying in a statement: “When our team approached the first dinghy, they saw dead bodies lying at the bottom of the boat in a pool of fuel. “The survivors had been on the boat with the bodies of these women for hours on end. Many are too traumatised from what they have endured to be able to talk about what had happened. It’s still unclear exactly how these women died.” He added: “It is still not entirely clear what happened, but they died a horrible death. It is tragic. It seems that water and fuel mixed together and the fumes from this might have been enough for them to lose consciousness.”

Ghana's elections fixed for Dec. 7

hana’s parliament has refused to endorse a constitutional amendment which would have allowed the electoral commission to bring forward this year's elections by a month. This means that the presidential election will

be held on 7 December. The electoral commission told the BBC it was satisfied with parliament’s decision, and said in a statement that it would be ready to "deliver a free, fair, transparent and credible elections this year".

Veterans withdraw support for Mugabe

imbabwe's war veterans' association, which has played a key role in supporting President Robert Mugabe, has released a statement withdrawing its backing for him as the country’s nonagenarian leader pushes for another term in office. The veterans accused Mugabe of dictatorial ten-

dencies, egocentrism and misrule, but reports say not all of the war veterans agreed with the press statement. Pressure on Mugabe, 92, is growing, with factions in the governing Zanu-PF party openly fighting to succeed him and protests about the failing economy. But he has said he plans to run for president again in 2018 and rule until he dies.

Kenyan ivory kingpin sentenced

court in the Kenyan city of Mombasa has sentenced Feisal Mohammed, who authorities have named as a poach-

ing gang leader, to 20 years in prison. Mohammed was found guilty of ivory trafficking after he was found with 413 pieces of ivory.

Sport Extra 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

23 JUly 2016

NFF: U-23 team not Olympics underdogs Sport

Adekunle Salami he Nigeria Football Federation has stated that the country’s U-23 team under Head Coach Samson Siasia will excel at the forthcoming Olympic Games despite the rather slow build-up of the team. Before travelling to Atlanta, USA for the ongoing pre-tournament tour, the team recorded unimpressive results in friendly encounters and continued same on tour. NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said it was wrong to consider the team as underdogs since Nigeria was a past winner of the competition. Sanusi said: “Two teams cannot be the same but the NFF is confident that the U-23 team will do well at the

Slaming

Olympics especially because we have provided them all the support to help the preparation of the players. “Nigeria won gold at the Atlanta’96 event and also a silver at the Beijing 2008 games. I rather believe team will accord us that respect and I am confident the team will be fully ready before the first match against Japan on August 4.” The team is currently camped in Atlanta, Georgia , the city that hosted the Olympic Games in 1996 where Nigeria won footballgold. Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, is expected to join the team this weekend in preparation for the tournament. Mikel is top on the list of 18 players in the final list released on Thursday by coach Siasia.

Adekunle Salami adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

NFF’s blunder, arrogance over Le Guen saga

Awoniyi (right)

NNPC Junior Tennis: Top seeds stumble in semis

Mourinho

Mourinho suffers first defeat with Man United

ose Mourinho suffered an embarrassing first defeat as Manchester United manager as his new team melted in the heat of Shanghai. An unfamiliar and errorprone United side were three goals down inside an hour before Henrikh Mkhitaryan pulled one back against the club he left for Old Trafford in a £26.3million deal earlier this summer, and then conceded a fourth towards the end of this International Champions Cup encounter. It’s hard to know what Mourinho learned from a match played in 102 degree temperatures on a dry pitch and, surprisingly, in front of less than capacity crowd at the 57,000-seater Shanghai Stadium, other than his fringe players need to raise their game. Certainly Memphis Depay showed once again that he is not a central striker judging by another poor performance from the Dutchman. Phil Jones and Sam Johnstone were others to be replaced after a dismal first half showing. The result may not worry Mourinho too much as his new club got their tour of China off to a disappointing start, but he won’t need reminding that Chelsea had a disastrous pre-season a year ago which preceded their tame surrender of the Premier League title and his departure from Stamford Bridge in December. Dortmund scorers were Gonzalo Casto (two goals), Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele.

he depth and competiveness of the ITA Junior Tennis Circuit was confirmed at the on-going NNPC Junior Tennis Championship where the two top seeds in the Boys 18 failed to qualify for the finals. Chris Bulus who is the No. 1 ranked player in the age group failed to make it out of the round robin stage while Chris Itodo from Kaduna, the No. 2, was beaten by Michael Ayoola from Lagos 9-7 in the semifinals. Ayoola will meet Stephen Augustine who eliminated Michael Osewa 9-7 in an all Lagos boys' semifinals. New names also emerged from the semifinals of the Boys 16. Emmanuel Jebutu defeated Mathew Adeleye from

Ekiti 9-2 while Mathew Abamu beat Benjamin Ayuba from Kaduna 9-2 to qualify for the Boys 16 finals. Both Jebutu and Abamu are from the Mainland Tennis Club based at the National Stadium - venue of the event. However, the two leading junior girls, Angel Mcleod and Marylove Edwards, had no problems qualifying for the Girls 16 finals. Mcleod beat Fortune Aniso from the Port Harcourt based Kodian Tennis Foundation 9-1 while Edwards eliminated a highly improved Toyin Asogba from Lagos 9-4. The grand finale will take place at the National Stadium Tennis Courts on Saturday from 12 noon.

Enyimba recall players from NPFL All-Stars

Enyimba's Chinonso Okonkwo (left) in against Bayelsa United's Dengo Ebinipere

igeria League champions, Enyimba want a full team for a must-win CAF Champions League group game against Zamalek on August 14 in Cairo and have reportedly asked Salisu Yusuf to exempt their players from the Carranza La Liga World Club Tourney. There are five Enyimba players in the NPFL All-Stars – skipper Chinedu Udoji, goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai, Joseph Osadiaye, Dare Ojo and Ezekiel Bassey. “Enyimba want their players to be excused from the La Liga friendlies because they believe with a full-strength team they could win in Zamalek and improve their chances of qualifying for the semifinals of the Champions League. We just have to wait and see how things play out now,” Samm Audu of AfricanFootball quoted an official of the All-Stars. Enyimba are bottom of Champions League Group B after they lost their first two matches at home to Zamalek and then away at Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. However, they believe they can get their campaign back on track with a win in Egypt on August 14 especially after Sundowns won there last week.

Doping: 45 fail tests from London, Beijing Games

further 45 athletes have tested positive for banned substances after a second set of samples were re-analysed from the London and Beijing Olympics. Of these, 23 were medallists from the 2008 Games, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOC president Thomas Bach added that his organisation was committed to the "fight

against doping". All athletes found to have infringed antidoping rules will be banned from competing at the Rio Olympics. Those Games begin on 5 August. The latest results bring the total number of athletes who have tested positive from 2008 and 2012 to 98. Two more sets of retesting are due to take place as the crackdown continues.

n Nigerian sports administration, many things that should be done with ease is made to look like rocket science. That simple word of courtesy ‘sorry’ is also not in the dictionary of many people or they could be too arrogant to acknowledge errors. That the past one week has been pathetic for the Nigeria Football Federation is an understatement. The Amaju Pinnickled board failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations backto-back (2015 and 2017) yet Nigerians are patiently waiting for the board to get it right. When ex-international, Sunday Oliseh, threw in the towel on February 25, he cited many reasons ranging from maladministration to breach of contract. But somehow, many Nigerians including yours sincerely said Oliseh’s exit was simply good radiance to bad rubbish. It was expected that within two weeks to one month a substantive coach would be named but five months after which is over 22 weeks, the NFF has remained in one spot, 'blowing grammar', making promises and yet no results. England on Friday confirmed Sam Allardyce as new coach just two weeks after Roy Hodgson resigned due to the disappoint…after over ment at the European Championship. Togo changed its coach within 22 weeks, two weeks. There are many other the NFF has examples. It is amazing why getting a coach is a difficult job for the remained federation. A FIFA instructor, Chief Adon one spot, egboye Onigbinge, argued that the 'blowing problem of football in the country was not technical but administragrammar,' tive. “We like to create problems for making ourselves and bring up confusion where there is none. Where did the promises NFF get the Technical Adviser tag from? Who is the boss? Is it the chief coach or technical adviser? Where in the world do we have a technical adviser? Maybe this confusion is what made Le Guen reject the job,” Onigbinde noted. When NFF named Le Guen on Monday through an official press release, it was believed the waiting game was over. It was also expected that the federation must have ironed out all issues with the coach before sending a message to the world. It was a big shame that next day after the Frenchman revealed he was yet to agree on terms, the NFF denied ever naming Le Guen and argued it was only a recommendation. Why come out with the name when personal terms were yet to be sorted out? I recall that many coaches were in the race for the Eagles job shortly before the South Africa 2010 World Cup. After the interview, NFF took its time for two days or so before coming out with the name of Lars Lagerback. Le Guen was said to have rejected the World Cup target clause and he also declined to reside in Nigeria. He took this position due to what has happened in the past. Oliseh and late Stephen Keshi handled the team as Nigerians yet they did not reside in Nigeria. I feel sad that rather than apologise to the Nigerian public for the big embarrassment, the NFF denied ever naming Le Guen even when there was a document to the contrary. As I write this piece, the body has given the technical committee a seven-day ultimatum to come up with another recommendation. Nigerians deserves an apology for the poor run of the current NFF and rather than modestly doing so, the officials of the body are simply grandstanding. This is very bad because pride goes before a fall. It is bad enough that Nigeria did not qualify for the 2015 and 2017 editions of the Nations Cup; it will be terrible if the country again fails to get a ticket to appear at the Russia 2018 World Cup. Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia are the countries in same group with Nigeria and so winning the sole ticket cannot be a tea party. This board cannot be arrogantly defiant to the people’s wish and still fail to produce results. Nigerians love this game and despite the abundant talents all over the world, the country is struggling to get it right. Chief Onigbinde was spot on. The problem of the country’s football is not dearth of talents or technical expertise, rather it is purely administrative. Too bad!

SATURDAY, 23 JUly 2016

SATURDAY

Sanctity of Truth

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Arase, Idris, 24 vehicles and the I.G.G

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Leads the way to seamless travels in p.42 West Africa

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FA names Allardyce England Manager

am Allardyce has signed an initial two-year deal to manage England after compensation was agreed with Sunderland, whom he steered to Premier League safety last season. He succeeds Roy Hodgson, who quit after England were knocked out of Euro 2016 in the last 16 by Iceland. Allardyce, whose first game in charge will be a friendly at Wembley on September 1 against as yet unnamed opponents, said he was "honoured". He added: "It is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted. For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football. "I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve. Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud." Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said: "His excellent managerial credentials, including his ability to realise the poten-

tial of players and teams, develop a strong team ethos and embrace modern methods that enhance performance, made him the outstanding choice. "We could not help but be energised by his personal perspective on England's future. Allardyce's first competitive match will be in Slovakia on September 4 as England begin their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup. He leaves Sunderland after nine months and the Black Cats are now looking for their ninth manager in eight years. A statement from the club read: "The focus of everyone at Sunderland AFC is on moving forward quickly and decisively, with the appointment of the club's new manager to be confirmed at the earliest opportunity." Allardyce, a former Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham boss, becomes the 14th permanent England manager. He has never won a major trophy but did win promotion to the Premier League with Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham.

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