Saturday, june 11, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

News

Crime

BIAFRA DAY TRAGEDY

Sports

BRIDGET AGBAHIME

Amnesty accuses Army of killing 'defenceless' agitators

Pg.45 l Allegation unfounded, says Army

Pg. 50

Court remands 5 for culpable homicide Pg. 9

How Keshi used 'Muda Lawal's strategy' to get a son

What we'll miss about him —Friends, neighbours Pgs. 25,32

SATURDAY Saturday, June 11, 2016

Vol. 3 No. 843

/newtelegraph

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

tompolo still hiding in delta creeks

l 'Libya travel report diversionary' lAgip's facility bombed Pg. 5 l How US intelligence aborted Buhari’s Ogoni trip

W EEKEND O F GRIE F !

1 3

2 4

Pictures 1 and 2: Funeral of drowned University of Lagos students, Olufunmilayo Odusina and Adesola Ogunmefun respectively at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTOS: TONY EGUAYE AND IKUDAISI QUADRI

l Tears as drowned UNILAG students are interred Pgs. 8, l Henrietta Kosoko to be buried in Delta today 11, 54 l World leaders, celebrities, ex-champs bid Ali farewell

Picture 3: A casket bearing the remains of Nollywood actor, Mrs. Henrietta Kosoko. Picture 4: Children holding photographs of Muhammad Ali during his funeral... yesterday

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Comment

Contents | 11.06.16

Protecting indigenous languages

enturies of slavery when they were constantly made to feel less than human, left Africans with a monumental crisis of identity and self-worth. Colonialism which followed the scramble for and partitioning of the continent only further exacerbated this confusion. Very many positive aspects of our culture have been repudiated by natives because they have been schooled to believe that those things are backward and barbaric. While admitting that there were facets of the cultures that needed to be consigned to the dustbin of history, there are many positive others that have been equally rejected because of this serious lack of a sense of self-worth. Of everything in a people’s culture that can be lost or thrown away due to ignorance, language is the most significant. A people who undermine their language will soon enough lose all sense of identity. Gradually but inexorably, Nigerians are losing their received language because many people erroneously believe that the only way their children can speak English very well, is if such kids are stopped from learning their native languages. What this means, is that the age-old process of generational transmission of this vital aspect of culture is being truncated. So you find a situation where a Bini man for instance is married to a Bini woman and they both live in Benin City and yet their children can’t speak their language. Can there be a worse form of alienation? All this in an effort to belong to the Joneses and be seen to be more English than Queen Elizabeth. But the irony is that those Nigerians who speak English pure as glass are also the ones who speak their native languages in their most pristine form, but the irony is lost on these wannabes. They gleefully tell friends and relatives not to speak native languages to their children as that would impede their ability to pick up English early or learn it proficiently. If this strange reasoning were correct, what explains the phenomenon of polyglot? Language is the pride of any people. That’s why in international diplomacy, leaders refuse to speak any other language

other than their own. Even when they understand and speak the other languages perfectly, they still depend on interpreters. This engenders negotiation from a position of strength, a sense of history and a refusal to denigrate that history. In no way was this most strongly underscored as during the cold war years when leaders and diplomats from the United States and the defunct Soviet Union would expressionlessly wait for the interpreters to do their job before responding in their native languages. The late Ghanaian poet Kofi Awoonor when asked why he always spoke to his son in his native language responded in a way that many Nigerian parents would do well to emulate: “My son will learn English in school as I did. My parents were illiterates and couldn’t have spoken to me in English, but here I am… your language is your security.” It bears recalling that indigenous languages were introduced into school curricular some time ago by government as a way of arresting the slide in their use. The success of this effort or better still lack of it, is something that should be a cause of concern to all. It also underlines the fact that such government ‘decrees’ are rarely the solution to such problems. We insist therefore that the bulk of the work rests squarely with parents at home. They are the first socializers children are exposed to and they should not abdicate their responsibility. It is in an attempt to stem the battering indigenous languages were receiving that famous Kenyan writer, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, once advocated that Africans should write in their own languages. He took his own advice and began writing in his mother tongue. Another equally great African writer, Ayi Kwei Armah, however shot the idea down, describing it as akin to a man wanting to move forward yet have his eyes permanently fixed on the rear view mirror and the gear in reverse. These divergent views will always exist, but they are neither here nor there. The point that needs to be stressed is that efforts be must be made at all levels - from the family to the government- to reverse this dangerous trend of undermining the indigenous languages.

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

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

Briefcase business

INSTYLE

Your briefcase is as important as your traditional suit and tie but make sure you pair the right briefcase to the proper suit. They are workappropriate bags and every career professional needs a reliable work bag for carrying papers, electronics, wallet, gadgets and more

}15

Jeremiah’s style

Mystyle

Kingsley Jeremiah is a professional cinematographer/ event consultant and CEO Zeemage Studios, he talks about his love for ankara prints, appearing in mature, unique and comfortable outfits

}17

White couch is in

Interiors

The latest trends in interiors is pairing neutral colours such as white, black, grays and browns with classic metal colour combinations. White can be the most refreshing colour of the spectrum, so buzz up the living room with a white couch

}18

Simi’s versatility

SHOWBIZ

Simisola Ogunleye popularly known as Simi, has shown what she is capable of in a short space of time. The mass communication graduate talks about writing lyrics for herself, others and being a singer, songwriter, mixing and mastering most of her songs herself

}34

Ali floats home

SPORT

Boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, who floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee in the ring has finally flown into eternity. The Greatest died on June 3, aged 74, after a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s and was buried yesterday

}28

THE ARTS

CORA’s continuing culture advocacy It was a gathering of like minds and a reunion of sorts for stakeholders in the arts and culture sector penultimate Sunday for the quarterly Art Stampede. The Stampede explored the theme “25 Years of Culture Advocacy: What gains? What prospects?” And way forward

}37

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

News

Ndubuisi Ugah ollowing President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to the United Kingdom for an ear, nose and throat (ENT) treatment, Saturday Telegraph can exclusively report that over $3 billion has expended by Nigerians on medical tourism in the last three years. A competent source said between 2013 and 2015, political and public office holders (and their accompanying aides), allegedly spent over $3 billion, while government failed to address the brain drain by improving the working conditions and health centres in the country. The source said: “The President has the right to seek medical attention but if we look at it from the standpoint of leadership, to me, it’s unpatriotic. Apart from being an indictment on the country’s medical system, huge amount of money is spent when such trips are made, and the irony is that it is the tax payers’ sweat. “Looking at it constructively, over $3 billion is spent by Nigerians embarking on these ‘medical voyages’. This is outrageous and a serious issue that government should look into if it must address the nation’s health challenges.” Saturday Telegraph further gathered that in 2015,

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Nigerians spend over $3bn on medical tourism

l Nigeria has 250 ENT specialists —Enabulele l Over 8,000 Nigerian-trained doctors in U.S, UK l Mixed reactions trail president’s trip over 637 medical doctors emigrated due to poor working conditions and health facilities while 250 ENT specialists (and professors) were practising in the country with a National Ear Centre located in Kaduna State. It would be recalled that the Senior Special Adviser to President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had on June 4 announced that Buhari would be travelling to the UK for medical attention for his ear infection. The trip, he said, would take 10 days before the president would come back while his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would act as president. A source close to the presidency had told a national newspaper that the cost of the trip which includes aviation fuel, accommodation, allowances of aides and medical treatment might likely cost £6 million.

Enabulele’s criticism of the trip…

Commenting on Buhari’s trip, the Vice-President of the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said it was a national shame that the President went to the UK for treatment when Nigeria had over 250 ENT specialists, as well as a National Ear Centre. Specifically, he said Nigerians were spending over $1 billion (£690 million) on medical tourism overseas, a development which he lamented was rather outrageous. He said: “I am very constrained to state that this foreign medical trip flies in the face of the Federal Government’s earlier declaration of its resolve to halt the embarrassing phenomenon of outward medical tourism, which as at the end of the year 2013 had led to a humongous capital flight of about $1billion, particularly from expenses

incurred by political and public office holders (and their accompanying aides), whose foreign medical trips (most of which are unnecessary) were financed with tax payers’ resources.”

Nigerians react…

Reacting to the president’s trip during the week, the Secretary of the Organising Committee of the Nigerian Centenary Charity Ball (NCCB), Dr. Kingsley Esegbue, said Nigerians were spending an estimated N250 billion on medical tourism in a year. Esegbue, who spoke on behalf of the committee, said: “It is estimated that Nigeria spends N250billion annually on foreign medical care. This is not good for our country.” He said the capital flight was unnecessary for a developing country like Nigeria and asked Nigerians to reconsider their preference for foreign hospitals to

the detriment of Nigerian health institutions.

Don faults Buhari trip…

A senior lecturer at the department of Political Science, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Dr. Lukman Saka, said the money used for the medical trip could have been used to develop the nation’s health infrastructure. Saka said: “This is the government that had been canvassing for the blockage of wastages in governance and now the president is using public funds to finance his foreign medical trip.” Corroborating Saka’s position, an ear specialist, Mr. Roberts Tamuno, said: “Nigerians will keep spending money on health/medical tourism, until our leaders and politicians have enough confidence in the clinics they call hospitals and start making it mandatory for members of the political class to receive treatments,

medical check-ups, and surgeries among others from these facilities. Politicians have no confidence in these facilities.” Reacting, a medical practitioner, Dr. Israel Oyewole, lamented the enormous funds spent by Nigerians in seeking greener pastures overseas in the name of medical tourism. He said: “Why won’t we? Our doctors don't carry out any research once they are certified as doctors. They don't even know when a drug is out of use because of new findings. “This is when we expected our ‘so called’ government to increase the tariff of flying out for medical check-up so as to encourage our own doctors and foreign investors willing to improve the sector. Instead, they focused on tokunbo cars.” Another medical practitioner, Mr. Victor Okoroji, who is based in Enugu, said: “All our governors as well as the minister of health should bow their heads in shame. Some few weeks ago, one of the southwest leaders returned from one of their funny health trips. “When he was the governor, he wasn’t able to build a single hospital in his state but yet can afford to buy a jet. Nigerian leaders are very local! I can't imagine American or British politicians coming to Nigeria to receive treatments.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Tompolo still hiding in Delta creeks Ndubuisi Ugah and Olalekan Osiade

trong indications emerged last night that the embattled former commander of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo),“ is still hiding” in Oporoza community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. Saturday Telegraph checks revealed that Tompolo, who was alleged to have fled Oporoza, which is the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, to Libya by the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF), contrary to reports, is believed to be within the Niger Delta creeks. The latest development came on a day it emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari’s aborted trip to Ogoniland, Rivers State was allegedly aborted by the United States owing to security concerns. Investigations last night revealed that Tompolo, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged fraud, may have resorted to “hiding” in the creeks rather than surrender himself to the anti-graft agency. A dependable source told Saturday Telegraph that reports making round that Tompolo may have fled the country were untrue as the former MEND leader was “still much around in the creeks.” The source said: “It is absolutely laughable and untrue to say that Tompolo has fled this country. Where do you expect him to run to? The Tompolo I know is in the creeks and for those who know him very well, Tompolo cannot leave his people. Of course such can be scripted but not with the kind of person called Tompolo. “The Libya story to me is diversionary. He has no where to go. He is in the creeks. Yes, security intelligence may have made it impossible for him to speak or be seen, but I can tell you he is still in town.” The source, who further explained that Tompolo loves his country, said: “Occasionally, people may sell some funny dummies just to divert people’s attention and thinking. This does not mean that he (Tompolo) is a bad person as people may want to think or claim.” It would be recalled that the JNDLF had alleged that: “The Military can’t locate Tompolo but we have identified where he is now.” The group’s claim which came on the heels of its threat that it would test six

l How U.S intelligence aborted Buhari’s Ogoni trip

L-R: Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, filing into the Senate Chambers for the first Anniversary of the 8th Senate, in Abuja...on Thursday

missiles in the Niger Delta states, said: “Presently, Tompolo is in Libya and we’ll get him dead or alive for betraying us in supporting the Federal Government against us.” It said: “Nigerian military has weak intelligence gathering mechanism hence they could not identify our modus oparandi. Nigerian military is only good in carrying AK47 to harass innocent people and raping young girls and women.” Though a close source to Tompolo laughed when contacted, he nonetheless said: “I do not know what you want to say, they should leave Tompolo alone.” In the wake of the bombing of oil facilities, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Tompolo to withdraw his comments on the bombed 48-inch pipeline in Forcados or face severe punitive actions. Tompolo had said in a statement signed by his media adviser and consultant, Paul Bebenimibo, that he had no link with the Niger Delta Avengers, which has claimed responsibility for the bombing of the pipeline.

Avengers blow up Agip’s Obi Brass oil installation

In the same vein, the bombing of oil installations by the NDA continued yesterday when the militants announced that it had destroyed the Obi Brass Trunk line belonging to Agip ENI in Bayelsa State. Saturday Telegraph gathered that the bombed pipeline is Agip’s major crude oil line in Bayelsa State. A tweet released by the militant group’s official handle yesterday said: “At 3:am of Friday (yesterday) @NDAvengers blew up

the Obi Brass Trunk line belonging to Agip ENI. It is Agip’s Major Crude oil Line in Bayelsa State.” The attack came just hours after Niger Delta militants on Thursday night blew up another pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The pipeline is located at Chanomi Creeks in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. It was gathered that the militants had stormed the facility in two fast boats about 7:45 p.m. and used dynamite to blow up the crude oil pipeline at Kurutie which supplies crude oil to Warri and Kaduna refineries. Though no group had claimed responsibility for the attack as at the time of writing this report, it was, however, gathered that the attacks have continued despite the two weeks unilateral ceasefire declared early this week by the Federal Government in a bid to get the militants to submit to dialogue.

‘Why Buhari didn’t go to Ogoniland’

On President Buhari’s aborted trip to Ogoniland, it was gathered from a top-placed security source in the presidency, who confided in the Saturday Telegraph, that if it was not for the intervention of the US government, the story would have been a different one. Though the militants had threatened to carry out their “threat to assassinate the president, if he had embarked on the trip,” Saturday Telegraph gathered that the reports from the U.S, which advised him against the proposed visit to Ogo-

niland, actually aborted the trip. The NDA had threatened to attack Buhari, who was to flag off the cleaning of Ogoniland but changed his plans at the last minute by sending his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to represent him at the event. When queried on the supposed superiority of the militants’ weapons to that of the president’s security apparatus, the source said, though Buhari might have escaped unhurt, there would still have been many casualties due to the exchange of firepower. “It was actually the US government that said we should not go there and we later realised that it was a good advice. They made us to understand that from their intelligence report, those guys were going to act as planned. Even the DSS agreed with them that we should not go. When the matter was tabled, and we were confronted with evidences, we all realised that those guys were not joking at all. “It is not that they will over power the presidential guard, no, far from it, the security of any president is not a child’s play. It is just that those militants would have wanted to make a point and there would have been serious casualties. When our correspondent probed further on the veracity of the claim, and sought to know how the intelligence report was relayed to Buhari, he simply said there were normal channels of communication between both countries. “There are ways the two countries share intelligence reports. The security people frequently exchange such reports and there is a way they go about it. On our side, we know when they

are telling the truth, this is one of such times. “You know there are times we don’t take them serious but when you see facts that are incontrovertible, it is better to heed than regret later,” he said.

Avengers give condition for ceasefire

Giving the Federal Government a condition to cease hostilities, the militants wrote: “we are calling on the international community, to come and support the restoration of our right to peaceful selfdetermination from this tragedy of 1914 that has expired since 2014. “We want our resources back to restore the essence of human life in our region for generations to come because Nigeria has failed to do that. The world should not wait until we go the Sudan ways. Enough is enough.”

UK pledges job creation, economic growth in N’Delta

The United Kingdom has indicated its preparedness to enhance security in the Niger Delta through job creation and tackling environmental pollution. The country also pledged to seek ways of boosting the economy of the Niger Delta region. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, gave the indication during a courtesy call on the Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson in Government House, Yenagoa. He was accompanied by Mr. Edward Dunn, Political Secretary, Niger Delta and Mr. Osaro Odemwingie, Senior Political Adviser of the High Commission. A statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press

Secretary to the governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, quoted the envoy as saying his visit to Bayelsa State was part of efforts to explore the Niger Delta, with a view to understanding the challenges facing the people. Arkwright said: “Part of my job is to try to encourage British companies to come and invest in Nigeria, the Niger Delta region and indeed in Bayelsa State and help create jobs and employment opportunities to see what we can do on the security front in broad terms.

Ijaw communities beg Niger Delta Avengers for ceasefire

Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday appealed to the NDA to accept the Federal Government’s ceasefire and stop the attacks on oil facilities. The appeal is coming on the heels of renewed hostilities by the militants despite the Federal Government’s readiness to hold talks with the people of the region. The spokesperson for the communities and Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Mr. Sheriff Mulade, said the communities were the ones bearing the brunt of the incessant attacks as they were already making lives unbearable for the people. He said: “Our position is that the continued bombings of the region in view of the ceasefire arrangement are highly condemnable. They are technically crippling the economy to enable them to get what they want. So, they should not personalise their Niger Delta demands.

Militants ask FG to reclaim Bakassi

Over 600 militants yesterday asked the Federal Government to reclaim the ceded Bakassi Peninsular from Cameroon. The armed group, referred to as Bakassi Strike Force, said apart from not being carried along before, during and after the ceding process, the indigenes of Bakassi have been neglected by the Federal Government and other local and international stakeholders. The militants, also known as Esighi group, had a onehour boat display with heavy weapons around Esighi axis of Bakassi, before proceeding to Esuk-Mba. In a display to show its combat readiness, the group brandished weapons such as sophisticated gun boats, Browning machine gun, rocket launchers, among others.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Two Chinese arrested over attempt to smuggle elephant tusks, Pangolin Wole Shadare

T L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola; Governor Ayo Fayose; wife of the Governor, Feyisetan; wife of Osun Governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola and her Oyo State Counterpart, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, during a programme on Women Genital Mutilation, in Ado-Ekiti…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

IBB returns home after medical trip to Germany Dan Atori

l We still need him around —Gov. Bello

ormer military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday returned to Nigeria after a three week medical trip to Germany. He was received on arrival by his children, relatives and family friends at the Minna International airport. Babangida who had been rumoured dead in some quarters arrived at 3:30pm from Germany in a chartered aircraft N550 DR and was spotted in a black kaftan and black cap to match The former leader was in company of his son, Aminu

and daughter, Halima and was welcomed at the airport by his first son, Mohammed and former governor of the state, Mr. Abdulkadir Kure, his daughter, Aisha Babangida, Umar Ndanusa and former federal permanent secretary, Idris Adamu Kuta. Upon arrival, he was immediately driven straight to his Hilltop mansion, where one of his personal assistants said Babangida would brief the press soon. It would be recalled that IBB was speculated to have died in Germany after he was alleged to be in critical condition and in coma. However, IBB broke the

F MINNA

Benue SSG in coma Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), Mr. Targema Takema, on Thursday slumped and immediately went into coma over an alleged case of Cardiovascular Accident (CVA) commonly known as stroke in the brain. Saturday Telegraph gathered that Takema collapsed in his Makurdi residence after a hectic official engagements and was immediately rushed to the state University Teaching Hospital where he was receiving treatment. The SSG's case came barely seven days after Governor Samuel Ortom's Senior Special Assistant on Special Security, Mr. Denen Igbana, who was assassinated by gunmen was buried. Ortom’s Adviser on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, confirmed to journalists at the time of filing the report that the SSG was “at the Benue

State University Teaching Hospital” where he was receiving treatment. Reliable sources from the SSG’s office who pleaded anonymity revealed that Takema slumped in his Makurdi residence after he closed from office that night and had been complaining of stroke. The sources hinted Saturday Telegraph that Ortom who was one of the first callers at the hospital yesterday, prayed for the quick recovery of his appointee and immediately directed that he should be transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja for continuation of treatment. Our correspondent has gathered that the SSG is expected to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), in Abuja on Monday where he would be quizzed over allegations bothering on the diversion of N28 billion bailout by the state government.

silence on a live programme on Television Continental, TVC, saying “I am alive.” Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello yesterday said the country still needed Babangida around for his wise counsel at this critical period. Bello who welcomed the former military leader back from his medical trip to Germany, said wise counsel of leaders who have weathered the storm and distinguished themselves are needed to bail the country out from the woods. The governor, who spoke in Minna, yesterday was full of praises to Allah (SWT) for preserving the life of the former military leader. He said: “Despite unfounded rumour about the life of our national icon, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, we are grateful that it pleases Allah (SWT) to preserve his life and bring him back safely and healthier to continue in the good work of nation building.

“Babangida remains one of the few leaders in this country that we still need around to tap from their wealth of experience and knowledge and we are grateful he is back and kicking like the old soldier he is. “Your safe return has finally put a lie to the rumour and the evil machinations of those who are playing God. We are grateful to Allah (SWT) that He has silence them.” The governor then advised the media, especially the new media to be cautious in spreading death rumour, stressing that such practice was not only unethical, it was un-cultured and immoral. He said: “It is high time media practitioners, especially those in the social media refrained from broadcasting or publishing falsehood. Aside from questioning the integrity of the media, it portend danger for the society that the media cannot be trusted.

he Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Ikeja, Lagos yesterday arrested two Chinese over attempt to smuggle out prohibited items on the export list consisting 678 pieces of Elephant tusks and eight sacks of Pangolin weighing over 381 kilogrammes. The arrest is coming barely one week after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) raised the alarm that illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) from Nigeria and other African nations, including Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Ethiopia and Angola, is worth $19 billion annually.

Alleged wife-killer dies in custody Ndubuisi Ugah

n alleged wife-killer, Jafaru Sougie, who purportedly murdered his wife, Rose, at the Oshodi area of Lagos, has died of the poison he ingested on the day his wife died. The 48-year-old man died yesterday morning at the Police Hospital, Ikeja, where he had been on admission since May 26. After he allegedly slit his wife’s throat, he was said to have drunk some poisonous substance in an attempt to commit suicide. After his suicide attempt, the police questioned his mental state, as he never recovered from the substance he ingested. On the day he allegedly killed his wife, he was found vomiting in the bathroom of their room and parlour apartment at about 4am by

Metuh admitted in LUTH, after leaving Abuja hospital

ormer Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh, is now on admission at the Lagos University Hospital (LUTH), Lagos two weeks after he left the National Hospital, Abuja where he was once on bed rest. His lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), disclosed this yesterday at the resumption of proceedings in Metuh’s trial before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Etiaba, who tendered a letter dated June 8 to support his position, said Metuh opted for LUTH after following his failure to secure the court’s nod to

seek medical care abroad as was recommended by the National Hospital. The letter from LUTH, signed for Consultant Neurosurgeon by Dr. Olufemi Bankole, said Metuh was under observation and management by the hospital and would need to be confined to bed rest for some time. The letter was silent on the duration of Metuh’s admission. Metuh last attended proceedings on May 23 when his 4th witness, Anthony Okeke commenced giving evidence. He was to continue the following day, only for Etiaba to inform the court that his client was on

The attempt by the Chinese contravenes Schedule 6 of the Nigerian Exports Prohibition List, which prescribes as illegal any attempt to export wild animals and endangered species. The Chinese nationals, according to the Customs Area Comptroller of the command, Mr. Frank Nduka Allannah, have been detained pending further investigation. The impounded items consist of scales of Pangolin, the most trafficked endangered animal that eats it own flesh was meant for export where it would have been used for Chinese medicine. Allannah said the impounded items will be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

admission at the National Hospital and was on bed rest. Although Justice Abang noted that the duration of his treatment was not indicated in a medical report issued by one Dr. O. O. Oyeleye, a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the National Hospital, Abuja, which Metuh submitted to support his request for adjournment, the judge adjourned to May 30. Yesterday, Metuh was expected to resume his defence, but his lawyer told the court he was absent and was on admission in another hospital – LUTH.

their son, Richmond. It was the same son who ran into his parent’s room to inform his mother of her husband’s condition, but found her corpse and then raised the alarm. President, Women Arise Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who had been on the case, was one of the first to announce the death of Sougie. In a Facebook post on her wall where she showed the body of the deceased, she wrote: “Jafaru Sougie, the man suspected of murder of his wife in Oshodi is dead. This is terrible! #StopDomesticViolence. “Just in case this may help discourage the next wouldbe victim(s) to decide not staying put until…am sorry to share this kind of photo, but we have hidden same for too long that people aren’t getting the meaning of #StopDomesticViolence. “Late Jafaru Sougie thinned out dramatically till death. He had reportedly ingested dangerous substance immediately after the death of his wife. “I’m sorry to share this, we sometimes have to let everyone see realities of why we say #StopDomesticViolence.” Meanwhile, four persons were yesterday killed in a lone road accident that occurred along the Benin byepass at the Sapele road axis. Three died on the spot while the other died before doctors at the Benin Central hospital could attend to him. It was gathered that the Toyota Hiace bus they were travelling in somersaulted severally after one of the tyres bursted.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

N676m fraud: Ex-Immigration boss admits no budget for 2014 recruitment Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Paradang, yesterday told the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja that there was no budget for the 2014 Immigration recruitment exercise that led to death of about 15 job seekers. Parradang stated this while testifying in the trial of the former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who is undergoing trial over alleged N676 million recruitment fraud. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Aliyu Ysuf, the former Comptroller-General told the court that they were not ready for the exercise financially. However, a day to the recruitment, the witness

£792m

The estimated brand value of Manchester United in 2015. Source: Goal.com

lDariye fails to open trial informed the court that he received a letter from the board of the immigration service informing him that the exercise would be carried out. The ex-CGS told the court that upon the receipt of the letter, he inquired from the board on the level of preparation and was told that a paltry sum of N300, 000 had been sent to the zonal commands for the exercise. Parradang further said the amount was not even enough to hire a venue for the exercise let alone get ambulances and other logistics. “The N300, 000 was inadequate as it could not even rent ambulances and pay stipend for the officers,” he added. Paradang further told the court that he was away in Jos, Plateau State, with the Minister of Interior when he

started receiving calls and text messages informing him of the stampede at the various venues of the exercise. “He said, on the day of the exercise, most states were calling me that they were overwhelmed with the number of persons that turned up for the exercise. I advised them to seek help from sister security agencies and keep me informed. "I immediately sought permission from the minister to return to Abuja in order to coordinate the exercise. Paradang said former President Goodluck Jonathan ordered that the families who lost loved ones should be compensated by offering three persons from each of the family’s jobs, which was complied with. He informed the court that the president also set

55%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Morocco in 2012. Source: Itu.int

up a presidential committee to conduct a fresh recruitment exercise which was conducted and letter of employment issued to successful applicants. The witness, however, said the Ministry of Interior later withdrew these letters on the grounds that the appointments were illegal. When the judge sought to know whether the minister overruled the president on this matter, Paradang said: “It appears so." Meanwhile, a former governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, yesterday failed to open his case at an FCT High Court, Jabi. Dariye is standing on alleged 23-count charge of diversion of state funds and money laundering. Dariye’s counsel, Garba Pwul (SAN), had told the court that the matter was for opening of the defence case.

£17.3m

The amount of money spent by Sunderland in the January 2016 transfer window. Source: 101greatgoals.com

9 Brigade Commander, Nigeria Army, Ikeja, Brigadier General Bulama Biu, presents Sport Vest to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen, Tukur Buratai

News 7 Dogara holds special Ramadan prayer session for Nigeria Philip Nyam Abuja

peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday organised a special Ramadan prayers for the restoration of peace, stability and economic prosperity of Nigeria. A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the speaker, Mr. Turaki Hassan, said the prayers were held at the National Assembly complex during Iftar with members from the North West and South-East geopolitical zones. Speaking during the prayers, Dogara said the Ramadan prayers were necessitated by the fact that it is a holy period, one of abstinence, selfdenial and sacrifice with holiness which the month calls for. “For us to assemble here in this Holy month

and miss the opportunity to call on God to help us with the challenges that we are facing in this nation, I think it would not be right. That was why we deemed it necessary to utilise this opportunity of self-denial to call on God to intervene in the affairs of our nation. “For everyone who is a man or woman of faith, prayer is central. The reason why prayer is necessary is because although we all call on Him via different religions; God is all seeing, God is all powerful, but He will not intervene in spite of His many powers in our affairs, until we give Him permission to do so,” “If God can just on His own decide to intervene; there'll be no need for prayers, why would you pray if you can go directly and get it?” he said. Dogara maintained that without prayers, things could have been worse in Nigeria.

Army’s 9 Brigade graduates 62 Custom officers Flora Onwudiwe

he 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Lagos State, which trained 62 officers of the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), specifically in the handling of AK 47, the G3 Rifles and the Browning pistol, yesterday presented them with certificates and awards at the parade ground. The four-week training cadre comprising 58 men and four women of the Lighter Terminal Command, Apapa, commenced on May 10. Speaking at the ceremony, the Commander of the brigade, Brigadier General Bulama Biu, said the trainees demonstrated the zeal and urged them to be more professional. He said the security challenges in the country did not limit only one service, stressing that there must be synergy and cooperation.

Biu said: “In line with the Comptroller General’s drive to re-pofessionalise the Nigerian Custom Service for optimal service delivery and in accordance with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision to assist and cooperate with sister security agencies. “The training you embarked upon is intended to better prepare you as a proud enforcement officers of the NCS. You are aware that the country and the world at large are currently undergoing numerous dimensions of security and economic challenges.” The special guest of honour, the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Abraham Adaji, said: “As a government agency charged with the responsibility of revenue generation and anti-smuggling, it is expedient that you sharpen your skills at all times in order to be better prepared for likely enforcement law."

Protest rocks Enugu community over fresh herdsmen invasion Uchenna Inya

ABAKALIKI

embers of staff of the defunct Nigeria Cement Factory (NIGERCEM) at Nkalagu, Ebonyi State, under the aegis of junior and senior workers of NIGERCEM yesterday lamented the death of over 500 of their colleagues. Speaking at a press conference in Abakaliki, the workers alleged that since the problem of the company started, many of their colleagues had died out of hunger and frustration and called on the state government to help them before

Over 500 ex-NIGERCEM staff died of hunger, starvation –Unions they all perish. Chairmen of senior and junior staff associations, Oliver Ekejiuba and Magnus Ebe, respectively described the condition of the workers of the defunct cement factory as pitiable. They painted a gory picture of how over 500 direct staff of the company had died out of hunger and frustration as a result of the inability of the core investors and state government to revive the factory and pay them their salaries since 2002

till date. They said: “We discussed issues of grave concern which include the plight of the workers occasioned by the non-settlement of their outstanding salaries and terminal benefits in full and final discharge. Whereas the NIGERCEM workers’ salaries/terminal benefits have remained unpaid to date resulting in grave suffering and death of over 500 workers, constituting 40 per cent of the workforce.” The duo further lament-

ed that their condition became worse when the Federal Government Technical Committee on Privatisation (TCOP) as set up by the then South-East Governors conceded both assets and liabilities of the cement factory to Eastern Bulkcem Limited, Port Harcourt. They, however, called on the new core-investor, Ibeto Group to facilitate the revival of the cement factory with a view to revamping the factory and pay teh ex-workers their salary arrears.

Charles Onyekwere Enugu

ver 6,000 women of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, yesterday staged a protest, following fresh tension and fear that enveloped residents of Nze community, who converged on the market square to express sadness over persistent harassment and attacks on the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen. During the protest, which coincided with the donation of relief materials to the community by a group based in Japan, thou-

sands of women spoke in one voice said they had had enough of rape and destruction of their farm lands by the Fulanis. They disclosed that the herdsmen invaded their farm lands three times within the week, chased farmers away and fed their cows on the crops. One of the victims, Mrs. Caroline Eze, told journalists that: “I was in the farm working with my daughter on Wednesday when they came, I pleaded with them not to enter my farm; they warned me to leave or I would lose my life; at that point, I ran away with my daughter.''

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

JOS

ASABA Henrietta Kosoko for burial today

APC Bauchi guber aspirant gets bail

The remains of late actress, Henrietta Kosoko, who died last Monday will be buried today in her hometown in Delta State. A Service of Songs was held in her honour on Thursday in Lagos, with her husband, Prince Jide Kosoko, her children and colleagues in attendance Her remains left the morgue yesterday morning for her home in Lagos where the lying in state took place after which her body was moved to Delta State for internment. Henrietta who was 53 died after a short battle with diabetes. Her younger brother, Krisyosa, had earlier debunked media reports that she slumped and was rushed to the hospital. Krisyosa said her sister's illness started two weeks ago.

N EWS I N BRIEF

A Jos High Court yesterday granted bail to a former Bauchi State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu (aka Dan China). Saturday Telegraph gather that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had on Thursday, arraigned Adamu before Justice Yakubu Dakwak of State High Court II on charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence from his client. Also charged with Adamu was his company, Solid Unit Nigeria Limited for allegedly collecting the sum of N23, 431 from one Olajide Olaleye, for the supply of iron ore and zinc but failed to do so. But when the case came up for hearing, Adamu pleaded not guilty of the charges. The prosecution counsel, Mr. Banjamin Manji, had told the court that action of the accused contravened section 8 (a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Law of 2006.

OSOGBO Osun declares Monday as public holiday

Osun State Government yesterday declared June 13 as public holiday across the state in recognition of Democracy Day. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, made this known in a statement in Osogbo. He said: “June 13, 2016 has been declared public holiday for the June 12 Democracy Day commemoration. The June 12 Democracy Day is in recognition of the June 12 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola in 1993.”

MTN agrees to pay Nigeria N330bn

Kunle Azeez fter nearly six months of negotiation and renegotiation over the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the fine was yesterday reduced to N330 billion. Saturday Telegraph gathered that this amount, including the “goodwill” payment of N50billion earlier made by MTN to the government, represents about 31.7 per cent of the initial N1.04 trillion sanctions imposed on the telecoms company for delay in disconnecting 5.1 million improperly-registered lines within the prescribed deadline. The balance of N280 billion will be made in six tranches in the following order, as the two parties have agreed on a staggered payment approach to lessen the effect of the settlement

l Gets 69% pardon of total fine l Agrees to list on NSE on the company. By the terms of agreement, MTN will pay N30 billion into NCC’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 30 days from the date of the agreement dated June 10 (yesterday). Other dates of payments include March 31, 2017 (N30 billion); March 31, 2018 (N55 billion); December 31, 2018 (N55 billion); March 31, 2019 (N55 billion) while the balance of N55 billion would be paid on and the balance will be on May 31, 2019. The agreement and resolutions were signed by Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; NCC Commission Secretary, Mr. Felix Adeoye; Chief Executive of MTN, Fredinand Moolman and MTN’s Company Sec-

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AKAA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CYNTHIA ODINMA UJAA AKAA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CYNTHIA ODINMA AKAA. All documents bearing my former remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

JOHNSON

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKPOYO GRACE ETIM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GRACE ISEMIN JOHNSON. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwanna Afikpo, Banks and general public should please take note.

SODEKE

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEMOWO ADEDOYIN ABIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as SODEKE ADEDOYIN ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EMMANUEL I, formerly known and addressed as UDEOZOR OGECHI KELVIN, now wish to be known and addressed as UDEOZOR EMMANUEL KELVIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SANUSI I, formerly known and addressed as ISHOLA OMOWUNMI OMOTAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as SANUSI OMOWUNMI OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MICHEAL

I, formerly known and addressed as MIKE ODIANOSEN ENAHORO, now wish to be known and addressed as MICHEAL ODIANOSEN ENAHORO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NDUKWE

I formally known as UZODINMA ESTHER CHIOMA N., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NDUKWE ESTHER CHIOMA N. All other documents bearing my former name remain valid. NSCDC and the general public should please take note.

CHIEJINA

I, formerly known and addressed as IDJEREH MATILDA UCHECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIEJINA MATILDA UCHECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OBINNA This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as EGWU KENNETH OTU instead of EGWU KENNETH OBINNA. That henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Egwu Kenneth Obinna. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

retary, Mrs. Uto Ukpanah and witnessed by the NCC Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo; Chief of Staff to the EVC of NCC, Mr. Usman Malah; Assistant Director, Legal, NCC, Ms Helen Obi and Corporate Executive, MTN, Ms. Amina Oyagbola. In addition to the monetary settlement, MTN Nigeria has undertaken to take immediate steps to ensure listing of its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) “as soon as is commercially and legally possible.” It was also agreed that MTN shall subscribe to the voluntary observance of the Code of Corporate Governance for the Telecommunications Industry as well as always ensuring full compliance of its license terms and conditions as issued by the NCC. MTN shares have declined 32 per cent since the penalty was made public on Oct. 26, valuing the company at 239 billion rand ($16.2 billion) as at few weeks ago. Before this amicable resolution was reached, the crisis has caused ripples

within MTN claiming the jobs of MTN Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sifiso Dabengwa, CEO of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Mike Ikpoki and the Head, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck. According to a statement signed by NCC’ Director of Public Affiars, Mr. Tony Ojobi, both parties also “agreed that these terms of settlement cannot be altered, varied, annulled or modified in any respect, except by writing duly executed by both parties; and the terms of settlement constitute all the terms and conditions of the settlement and supersede and replace any previous offers, representations and terms.” It will be recalled that the NCC on October 20, 2015, imposed a fine of N1.04Trillion on MTN for infraction of the provisions of the Nigerian Communication Commission (Registration of the telephone subscribers) Regulations, 2011; for failure to disconnect 5.1million improperly registered lines within the prescribed deadline.

Delta CP denies stealing 5000KVA plant Dominic Adewole ASABA

elta State Police Commissioner, Alkali Baba Usman, yesterday denied stealing any 5000KVA (Mikano) generator belonging to the command headquarters in Asaba. The CP also faulted the allegation that he has been pocketing the monthly N10 million security vote from the state government. He decried the additional accusation that being a Northern he has been giving protection to criminal elements camouflaging as herdsmen. While he described the online publication of June 7 by the Sahara Reporters, New York, as “false, malicious and a calculated attempt to tarnish his good image”, he said the command never at any time had 5000KVA generator. The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Celestina Kalu, in a signed

PTI: Tension mounts over appointment of principal

ension is mounting in the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, over the appointment of a substantive principal for the oil training school. Already, stakeholders are worried that the vacuum created by the exit of the acting principal of the school, Mr. A. J. Orukele, in April, has not been filled by the authorities in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which supervises the institute. Instead, it was gathered that the authorities in the ministry appointed a viceprincipal, Mrs. E. Arhagha, to oversee the running of the institution. This was considered as an aberration in the history of the 46 year-old institute. However, the lecturers

Embrace agric policy or risk sack, Umahi tells teachers

bonyi State Government yesterday said any teacher who fails to embrace the agricultural policy of the state government will be shown the way out. The state Governor, Mr. David Umahi, said this on Thursday while swearing-in four newly appointed special assistants at the Government House in Abakaliki. The new aides include Mr. Ali Odefa, a former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Security, who now becomes the SSA on Infrastructural Maintenance. Ali had resigned his appointment as SSA on Security following his mis-

understanding with the governor over the state's candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice-Chairman (South-East) position. His insistence to contest the post during the May 2016 PDP zonal congress in Enugu State was considered as an open confrontation with Umahi. Many in government and political circles in the state were surprised that the governor could allow Odefa to return to his cabinet so soon. The other aides are Dr. Ugballa Kenneth Igwe, Senior Special Assistant on se-

statement in Asaba said since the command moved to its present site in 2001, only a Perking 250KVA donated former Governor James Ibori has been serving the headquarters. “All efforts made by immediate past Commissioner of Police (Ayo Ikechukwu Aduba) to fix the generator was to no avail as it finally packed up in 2014. Equally, there is no N10 million monthly security vote meant for maintenance, being collected or made available by Delta State government to the office Commissioner of Police “The Commissioner of Police, Delta State command, CP. Alkali Baba Usman did not benefit from the public auction either directly or by proxy. Thus, the suggestion by Sahara Reporters that the generator was looted or stolen by CP. Alkali Baba Usman is mischievous and must be discountenanced by the members of the public.

curity; Mrs. Nwali Helen Chinyere, Special Assistant on Primary Education and Nnabife Abara, SA on Special Projects. “Every child in primary and secondary school should have a farm. I am told that the teachers are shunning agriculture. Let me warn that I will sack any teacher that is not embracing agriculture,” said the governor. Umahi, who lamented the deteriorating state of the nation’s economy, emphasised his administration’s resolve to diversify the state's economy through agriculture and Internally Revenue Generation (IGR).

and students were furious that Arhagha's appointment negated extant rules and regulations guiding the running of the pioneer oil training school. The appointment, it was learnt, was not in conformity with the established tradition of appointing an acting principal to succeed a departing helmsman. “They were usually picked among the pool of senior directors of the institute, especially the most senior academic officer in the school. “But, they were eliminated in the consideration for the appointment of the vice-principal and in the on-going scheme to appoint a substantive head for the institute,” the stakeholders alleged. In the meantime, they are worried that the ongoing interview to pick a substantive principal sought to ban certain categories of officers of the institute from applying for the top job. “The latest interview held in Abuja, in which 16 applicants applied for job, was designed to clear the way for a candidate of northern origin, to emerge. “They should be picked from those who truly understand the day-to-day running of the institute and the nitty-gritty of the successful management of the institute. "But, we found out that the new drive for a principal seeks to ban certain category of officers from applying for the job."

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

News 9

Tension as LUTH, UNIUYO begin indefinite strike Ndubuisi Ugah and Chris Ejim Yenagoa

ope of ending the industrial action embarked upon by health workers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, University of Uyo Teaching hospital branch of the Association of Resident Doctors and health workers at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa, Bayelsa State dimmed yesterday as the unions vowed to continue with the strike. At LUTH, the nurses and midwives under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) yesterday said the indefinite strike was to press home their demands. They also said the protest was against what they called stagnation, non-payment of salary and inadequate facilities. The state Chairman of NANNM, Mr. Olurotimi

• FMC Yenagoa, labour talks end in stalemate Awojide, told journalists in Lagos that the association had given the management a seven-day ultimatum which expired on June 9. Other demands are the outstanding 2015 promotion results of 71 nurses, non-payment of nurses employed in 2015, lack of consumables, inadequate manpower and irregular water and power supply. He said: “We have been having series of problems with LUTH management for a while now which we have made effort to resolve but all to no avail. We have written series of letters to them on pressing issues, they are not responding and that is why we are taking this action. “For quite some time now nurses work at night without light, leaving them with no choice of using torchlight and phones to attend to patients. “This is a teaching hospital and infection control should be our priority and when there are no consumables, water, people impro-

Police arraign five for alleged murder of woman in Kano

ano State Police Command yesterday arraigned five suspects in connection with the alleged murder of a female trader, Mrs. Bridget Agbahime, at Kofar Wambai Market, Kano, over alleged blasphemy. The five suspects, including seven others now at large, are facing a fourcount charge of: inciting public disturbance, joint act, culpable homicide and mischief. The suspects docked are: Dauda Ahmed, Abdulmumin Mustafa, Zubairu Abubakar, Abdullahi Abubakar and Musa Abdullahi. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) who covered the session reported that the ages of the accused persons were not disclosed. Reading the charges before the accused persons, the police prosecutor, Usman Jibrin, said they committed the offences on June 2, at about 4:30p.m. He said one of the suspects, Dauda Ahmed, while having a misunderstanding with Mrs. Bridget Agbahime, held her hand and slapped her after accusing her of blasphemy. Jibrin said in the process, Ahmed allegedly connived with others and beat the deceased with sticks and other dangerous weapons and inflicted injuries on her body that led to her death.

vise to attend to patients.” The Chairman of NANNM, LUTH chapter, Mrs. Oluyemisi Adelaja, said inadequate equipment had affected the nurses’ care for patients in the hospital. Adelaja said the strike was meant to call on the management and the Federal Ministry of Health to apply the same measures in LUTH as being done in other 52 federal health institutions. ``We want them to do the needful by giving our members their promotion as and when due and applying the same measures being applied to other health institutions to us.” Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of LUTH, Mr. Kelechi Otuneme, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the management had not reacted yet on the development. NAN also reports that few nurses were seen attending to some patients, while others joined the protest. At UNIUYO, the doctors said they were embarking on the strike to protest against “incomplete salaries.” President of the association, Dr. Christian Adeneye, said in an interview with NAN in Uyo yesterday, that the doctors in the hospital had been receiving incom-

plete salaries since 2014, saying all efforts to make government see reason on the mater had failed. “We are embarking on an indefinite strike from today. The problem is about the incomplete salaries that we have been receiving for two years now. “We have been mandated nationally that all centres that are yet to comply with the implementation of the payment of our full salaries should embark on an indefinite strike.” He said that the strike had not been postponed as was speculated by a section of the media. The unionist confirmed, however, that there was a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, where it was agreed that medical centres that were already enjoying full salaries should not join the strike. The president said the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was not in the list of teaching hospitals enjoying full salaries, so doctors there had to embark on strike. Meanwhile, moves to resolve the ongoing strike by health workers at the FMC Yenagoa dimmed yesterday as a meeting between labour leaders and the hospital’s

management ended in a stalemate. The National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) FMC Yenagoa chapter had on May 11commenced an indefinite strike over pay cuts in the salaries of staff at the hospital since January. The strike had paralysed the out-patients and laboratory services as well as the physiotherapy, radiotherapy and records departments of the hospital since May 11. It was gathered that a meeting with the management team led by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Dennis Allagoa, ended in a stalemate as the workers representatives staged a walk out. Chairman of NUAHP, Mr. Oginike Lante, said the labour leaders walked out of the meeting in disappointment following the hard stance posture of management which did not meeting the minimum expectation of workers. “There was nothing new that management offered apart from the promises we have been hearing since January, and the threat that we should accept the promise ‘now or never’ and that was unacceptable to workers,” Lante said.

He said they were compelled to commence the indefinite strike after giving the mandatory 28 notice following many unfulfilled promises and vowed that workers will not to return to work until they get full salaries and arrears. However, Allagoa in a reaction explained that the problem was as a result of budgetary shortfall in the hospital, noting that the health workers were being paid 53.7 percent of their salaries with available funds. Sources at the hospital had disclosed that out of about N 240 million wage bill of the hospital, it received less than N180 million. Allagoa said the hospital management had informed the Federal Ministry of Health of the development and remained hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon. “From January this year, we saw that our budget was N173 million and that amount was insufficient to pay both for new employment and the old ones. We reached out to the government and they asked us to pay whatever we have. “They promised that they will give us a supplementary budget, and the striking workers can verify this. Therefore, the money came to 53.7 per cent,” he said.

Obi of Onisha, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe (left) and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, when the monarch visited the Olubadan in his palace in Ibadan…yesterday Photo: Palace Media Crew

Suswam to Ortom: You borrowed so much but can’t pay salaries Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

former governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, has accused Governor Samuel Ortom of inflicting sufferings on the people of the state through the nonpayment of salaries after he (Ortom) had allegedly borrowed so much money from financial institutions and received bailout funds from the federal government. Besides, Suswam also criticised the amnesty programme initiated by the present administration in the state, which he said, is a ploy to hoodwink the people while arms are been stockpiled to cause confusion during future elections.

The Chief Press Secretary to Ortom, Mr. Terver Akase, could not react to the former governor’s comments when Saturday Telegraph sought his comment through a text message. Suswam made those remarks while addressing supporters of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) at its secretariat in Makurdi. He lamented why the Ortom-led administration has borrowed so much money in less than one year but could not pay workers salaries including members of the state House of Assembly was saddled with the responsibility of checking the executive arm of government but are currently owed over three months and neglected in such a manner.

KADUNA NBA branch to offer free legal services to public

NEWS IN BRIE F

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Barnawa branch in Kaduna State yesterday said it would designate a legal aid desk to offer free legal services to the public who could not afford legal representation. The newly elected Chairman of the branch, Mr. Napoleon Idenana, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna shortly after his election to pilot the affairs of the Association for the next two years. He said: “We intend to open a legal aid desk for members of the public, particularly those who need legal representation but cannot afford it. We shall make lawyers available to provide legal services for them at no cost.”

OSOGBO PTA faults policy on lesson fees

Osun State chapter of the Parents/ Teachers Association of Nigeria (PTA) yesterday dissociated itself from introducing fees into the state public schools in the name of afternoon lessons, coaching and extra mural classes. The association also claimed that it had never had a disagreement with the state government on the matter as being insinuated in some quarters. The group in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Bisi Olaniyan and its administrative secretary, Mr. Akinlolu Fadare, in Osogbo, warned those behind causing problem between it and the governor to desist from such. “The leadership of the PTA in the state did not and will not head for any showdown over alleged introduction of fees, extension of Work/office hours or over any policy/ operational modus operandi,” he said.

ENUGU Enugu Assembly confirms new revenue board chair Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Anthony Chukwuemeka Odo as the new chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue. Following the confirmation, Odo is expected to take over from Mr. Felix Chime as the board chairman. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had written the assembly through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Gabriel Ajah, to screen and confirm the chairman designate. Leader of the assembly, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, while speaking on the yesterday, urged his colleagues to approve the confirmation of Odo for the position.

At Elegushi, the ocean roars with waves. It is so fearsome that many would think twice about their thrill seeking outings. CAMILLUS NNAJI, who was at the beach after the tragic death of two young post-graduate students recently, reports seeing the spectacle of waves that rush towards the shore as though to dare one to come any further

t was supposed to be a beach birthday bash with friends. It was such times when lots of finger foods, doughnuts glazed cake, tempt in a box. Last week Sunday, no fewer than 15 students of the University of Lagos were at the Elegushi Beach to celebrate the birthday of one of them. Not many were wary of the waves. So it was this expedition that turned out tragic and left many in grief. At the beach, there were men on horseback urging one to pay for a ride on this day. There were also hustlers trying to sell flip flops at ridiculously high prices. And hastily built huts as well as booming of music from the makeshift clubs, dot the shoreline. But, no single life guard in sight. Neither were there any safety signs or warnings about the strength of the waves. None of the people who romped with the waves had a life jacket on. Never mind that this mass of water leads to the Atlantic Ocean. After paying the standard fare of N1, 000 to access the beach, everyone was pretty much on their own. This should not be so. In civilised societies, the presence of some kind of guard services, life jackets to people (who can't swim) and who want to go into the water, can make all the difference in fatal accidents. In such climes, people are handed safety leaflets or given other types of warning about how to stay safe on the beach. At the end of these girls’ escapade, the water chuckled and the party broke up with great haste. Funmi (24) and Shola (27) were swept away by a high tide. The survivors left in tears. It was a horrible experience that no one would be in hast to repeat. They were said to be about 15 in number, comprising boys and girls. They sat at the Atlantic White Bar located on the beach when the two deceased girls opted out to take selfie at the shores of the beach. They backed the volatile ocean tide and maintained a considerable distance from the danger area where red flag was hoisted. Unexpectedly, the tide came up, and swept them away while still clutching themselves and smiling. A witness, who swam to rescue them, said they believed nothing had happened until another dangerous tide rose simultaneously and hurled the girls inside the sea. Tunde, a waiter in one of the bars, added: “I was the first to notice that the girls were distressed. I made to the sea with a horse rider identified as Segun and another person Davido to bring out the girls. It was unfortunate. No life guard was stationed; no life jackets and floaters too. “It has been very risky seeing thousands of people trooping here on weekends without providing adequate rescue measures. There was even no ambulance. When we brought them out, Shola had died but Funmi‘s pulse was still alive. We tried to press out water in her and offer mouth to mouth oxygen, the time wasted in getting ambulance to take her to hospital ensured she died on the way. It was, indeed, sad,” he sobbed. Another attendant, who refused his

City & crime update

SATURDAY, 11 JUNE 2016

Shocking! No life jackets, floaters, guards at Elegushi Beach name in print, said the girl’s death looked mysterious considering the distance they stood before they were swept away. “I want to tell you, I have been working here for a long time. I have never seen water tide ever reached that point. It was mysterious as if their death was already concluded spiritually. “We normally warn visitors to beware of this beach on weekends. The currents are always dangerous. But, we found out that the girls were not really used to this beach. Immediately the girls swaggered, the water calmed down.” The DJ at the bar where the party was held claimed that Funmi just finished breaking the ice and storing some drinks before she left with Shola. He continued: “They had brought out drinks and smoked fish to eat before the two left for the pictures. They didn’t eat anything before the horrible incident. Whenever any person gets drowned, he or she will be buried at the beach site to appease the sea because of the future. Unfortunately, the families of the deceased defied this and took the corpses away.” However, the Deputy Dean 1, Students Affairs, University of Lagos, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka, has urged beach operators across the country to put safety measures in place around their facilities. Ogbinaka said that this would forestall a recurrence of the June 5 tragic incident at the Elegushi Beach during a birthday party. Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmi Odu-

sina were drowned at the beach recently. The deceased were running their Masters Degree programme in International Law and Diplomacy (MILD) at UNILAG’s Faculty of Law. Ogbinaka said that there was the need to equip beaches with relevant gadgets such as life guards to guarantee safety of lives as obtained in other climes. “Because, we feel there are little or no safety devices in place in those beaches, that is why we usually don’t give approval to our students to do anything there. There is, therefore, the need to prevail on beach operators to put facilities like alert warning system in place,’’ he advised. The Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies at the university, Prof. Solomon Akinboye, also advised students to always be cautious of places they go to for celebration. “Agreed, the beach is a relaxation spot, but at the same time, there is the need for us to be careful and cautious when we visit such places to partying and make merry. He urged students to learn from the sad experiences of their deceased colleagues and seek alternative fun spots for their parties and relaxation. He said that the danger of hosting parties at the beaches was that it was hard for anyone to predetermine when the surge or storm would come. “I want to seize this opportunity to plead with students to be careful as they go out to beaches to catch fun. It is usually dangerous and worse when someone does not know how to swim,’’ Akinboye said.

The location at the beach where they were standing

10 Safety tips for every Nigerian beach goer 1. Other countries of the world have different coloured flags and assigned meanings with lifeguards who know them. On beaches patrolled by lifeguards, different flags tell you where it’s safest to swim and which areas are designated for watersports. In those countries, Lifeguards will move the flags to adjust for changing conditions during the course of the day, as rip currents and other dangers can come and go with the tide and varying weather conditions. Nigeria should adopt such. 2. Only swim at a beach patrolled by lifeguards. This is the single most important rule to having an accident-free day at the beach. This is because you are far less likely to drown on a lifeguarded beach. 3. Never swim alone. 4. If you get into trouble in the sea, stick your hand in the air and shout for help. 5. If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. 6. Rip currents are strong currents that can quickly take swimmers from shallow water to water beyond their depth. Signs of a rip include: discoloured, brown water (caused by sand being stirred up from the seabed), foam on the water’s surface and debris floating out to sea. 7. Check the weather as lightning and large bodies of water. Check the weather report before heading to the beach. 8. Know how to swim. This makes a big difference. 9. Don’t drink alcohol before swimming in the beach because it doesn’t only affect judgment; it can also dehydrate you, increasing the likelihood of heat-related sicknesses.

Odusina

Ogunmefun

10. Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for a lifeguard to arrive, your CPR skill might save someone’s life. Curled from: INFORMATION NIGERIA

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Tears, sorrows for drowned UNILAG post-graduate students

Taiwo Jimoh motions ran high at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos, yesterday as the remains of the two University of Lagos post-graduate students were buried. The corpse of the late, Miss Adesola Ogunmefun, was brought into the cemetery by Ola Sulaimon Undertakers at 11:30am in company with her family members and colleagues. Burial proceedings commenced almost immediately. The officiating minister, Pastor Biodun Alimi, who read from the book of Theseus, chapter 4 verse 13 to 18, emphasised the coming of the Lord. He quoted: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declared to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.” Alimi told the family and friends of the late Ogunmefun not to see her death as wickedness from God, but as the appointed time from God to take her. “Because, there is time to born and there is also time for man to die.” He added: “The late Adesola I knew did not just die in vain but died as a heroine savimg the life of her friend and also as a born again Christian and imparting the lives of people who came across her when she was alive.” The late Adesola and Funmi Odusina were later committed to mother earth simultaneously about 12:20pm close to each other with the dust to dust rites performed by family members. As the departed friend’s bodies were being lowered into their respective graves,

Igbo, Yoruba relationship cordial – Olubadan

T Ibadan

he Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, yesterday paid a glowing picture of the relationship that exists between the Yoruba and their Igbo brothers, describing it as very cordial and encouraging. The monarch made the assertion while welcoming the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe and his entourage to the Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace. Oba Adetunji said the relationship between the Yoruba and Igbo has dated back to several years, adding that while the Igbos deserve com-

PHOTOS FROM ODUSINA AND OGUNMEFUN'S FUNERAL

friends and family members wept uncontrollably while others present sang songs of praise to God. Adesola was the personal Assistant to the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State. Sunmibola Ogunmefun, the late Adesola’s younger sister, in her tribute tagged: “Adesola in 60 Seconds” said, “Once upon a time, there was a tiny individual that wouldn’t stay put in her little cocoon of love; she just needed to burst into the world and make her mark quick. “She was christened Adesola Olubola Arike ‘Obaomo’. Indeed, she was the ‘king of kids’, everyone wanted to be associated with her as she always came top of her class in English Language, Government, Literature in English and Health Science that earned her the prize for excellent grades and proceeded to Covenant University and University of Lagos for her post-graduate studies in International law which was just about to round off when death took her away.” Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Castello also said of the deceased: “Adesola, I had the pleasure of meeting you once and it was enough to known what a lovely, bright light you were. Rest in peace.” While Jibike Owoturu, who sobbed intermittently, said: “Sola my dear cousin, I’m really going to miss you I’m really short of words. But I’m happy you knew Jesus. Keep resting in the bosom of our lord Jesus Christ.” Dorcas Ekanem was not left out as she recounted, “I woke up Monday morning, preparing for work, David came into my room and said ‘Sola is dead’. I asked which Sola? My world paused; nothing made sense to me again. How, why? I screamed. I will miss you Adesola; my smiling Sola. This is too much for us to bear. But God Knows Best. Sleep tight with the lord.”

News

Sola Adeyemo

mendation for their industry and ingenuity, Ibadan has provided educational and residential opportunities for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion and ideological persuation to be whatever they want to be. The Olubadan stated further that the doors of Ibadan would continue to be open to all Nigerians particularly the Igbos to set up their business ventures anywhere in the land and be fairly treated. Accompanying the Olubadan to welcome the Obi were the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun; Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin; Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Femi Olaifa, and Asipa Olubadan,

High Chief Eddy Oyewole. Earlier, Achebe had congratulated the Olubadan on his ascension of the exalted throne of his forefathers in a peaceful manner. He said his mission and that of his entourage was to deliver a lecture, using Ibadan as a case study of peaceful process in transition. He described Ibadan as “a great nation with great people”, noting that: “Ibadan city is not strange at all to the people of Onitsha who have come here to school, marry and live.” He described the Olubadan as one of the foremost traditional rulers whose wealth of experience could be tapped from time to time.

ECOWAS: Single currency on course by 2020

he ECOWAS yesterday said notable progress has been made in its plan to establish a single currency by 2020 and the adoption of a single biometric identity card for member states. The Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof. AlHassan Conteh, stated this in Abuja, while speaking on behalf of the Permanent

Representatives of Member States to ECOWAS at the 41st Anniversary of the Commission. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that ECOWAS had fixed January 2015 for the implementation of the common currency project in West Africa but was later shifted to 2020 because member states were not able to satisfy criteria for

it.

Conteh, who was not categorical on the progress, expressed satisfaction on the the level of achievement made so far by the Commission on the common currency for the region. He, however, said the Commission had also achieved notable feats in other areas of strategic planning and cooperation.

Telecoms: FG moves to halt multiple taxation, vandalism Clem Khena-Ogbena Abuja

he Federal Government has indicated its readiness to halt the incidents of multiple taxation, vandalism of facilities and the likes currently bedevilling the nation's telecommunications

sector, through setting up a stakeholders' committee to look into the matters urgently and find lasting solutions to the problems. Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, gave the assurance yesterday when officials of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of

Nigeria (ALTON), led by its Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, met him in his office in Abuja, with their complaints. He said: “We shall have a small committee made up of members of my ministry and your association to take to the Federal Executive Council; i will propose we have a small committee.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112

H K PRINTING AND PACKAGING LTD BASCO NIG LTD ZARTECH LIMITED BUA SUGAR NIGERIA MACHINE TOOLS LTD JOF NIGERIA TADECO INDUSTRIES LTD POWER HOUSE KENNEL PREMIUM ALUMINIUM LIMITED QEW GARDENS ENTERPRISES NIG LTD HOLBORN (NIGERIA) LTD. JOF NIGERIA STAINLESS INDUSTRIES LIMITED RENUKANA NIGERIA LTD MIDDLE POINT NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC MDV INDUSTRIES LIMITED PRIMA CORP LTD PROMASIDOR NIGERIA LIMITED FRIESLANDCAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC ANIMAL CARE SERVICES KONSULT J.UDEAGBALA AND SONS NATURAL PRIME RESOURCES NIGERIA LIMITED DELIFROST CATERERS NIGERIA LTD DEE-LITE IMPORT AND EXPORT DISTRIBUTIONS WANDEL INTERNATIONAL NIGERIA LTD TOYOTA NIG LTD NYCIL LIMITED OK FOODS LIMITED EDO CEMENT COMPANY LTD MONTANA IND NIG LTD ONTARIO OIL AND GAS DANIUM ENERGY LTD TOTAL/ ONTARIO STALLIONAIRE NIG LTD PETROCAM ADVANCED CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL TOTAL/HARPS BLUEFIN ENERGY LIMITED ABDULLAHI DALHATU AUWAL ADEDAYO T ADEFIOYE AGORO OLUWAYEMISI ANYADIMAJU CATHERINE C ANYANWU FINIAN AZBONKONKON PHILIP ENOYOGIRE BIDDY NGUHILEN MEEME EBIMOGHAN ESTHER EBIMOGHAN ESTHER EHONDOR HENRY U EZEKIEL BENJAMIN BWADI HAFIZ ASIYA ILYASU HAUWAU YUSUF KOMAI NA ALLAH ENTERPRISES LAWANSON BASIRAT MOFFAT ENO E NWANKWO MADUMERE OFILI MARTINS OBAYUWANA JADE OSAGIODUWA OBIAKOR ONYII PETER OFI LAWRENCE OKELUE CECILIA NGOZIKA OTOJARERI KOHWO ANTHONY OWOLABI MURTALA OYAWOYE BABATUNDE SALIFU JOSEPH MUSA UBAZUONU HENRY CHINONSO WAHAB ADEBOWALE ADESINA WUYAHKU COMFORT ENGR. JOACHIM OLOWU DAUDA ADESINA S. MELISSA ADESINA ADEDAPO JOHN VICTOR ADENIYI JOHN ADEYELA A.A ESEOGHENE JUSTICIA ABUKU CHUKA ONWUKA CHIDINMA ONWUKA ODERINDE IME FOLUKE NWEGBE KENENNA ELOKA ALO VICTORIA O ALO ABRAHAM A FAGBURE PATRICIA.O SHOBOWALE ADENIRAN ADEYEMI OMOREBOKHAE EFEIMOKEMI KHURANA NIPUN/BEST CORPORATE MERCHANT LTD ADELEKE KASSIM ALIM MOJISOLA ADESINA MR PATRICK NWAKOGO/DCT NIGERIA MRS ROSEMARY NWAKOGO/DCT NIGERIA OLUWATOYIN OLUSANYA ONADELE TOLUWAFE SAMEDE IRENE E IDRIS ABDULMAJEED OJERINOLA ADEYEMI O Grace NTIASHAGWU LAWAL HARRY O AWONUSI OLAJUMOKE J MEBUDE AYODEJI MEBUDE OLUBUSOLA OLABISI AKINSOLA MR AKANNI AKINSOLA ADEWALE ODUGBESAN/AKOD AGENCIES LTD ODUMAH ANTHONY ODUMAH JANA C TAIWO ESTHER T IHEDIMBU CHUKWUKA SOLOMON SOYOYE ESTHER AKPORUNO OMEREONYE OLAOCHA O OLUWATOYIN TEMITAYO ABIKOYE OLUWASHEWA SIMILOLUWA S HARUNA ZAKARIYYA A. SEGUN OMOWUMI SEGUN OREOFEOLUWA O

Mf20160018605 MF20160028665 MF20160053988 MF20150090118 MF20160067376 MF20160010792 MF20150092619 MF20160023115 MF20160055507 MF20160059290 MF20160057673 MF20150126430 MF20150118836 MF20160045662 MF20160009402 MF20160046458 MF20150123168 MF20150091511 MF20160042315 MF20160026411 MF20150075336 MF20150114569 MF20160013873 MF20160008556 MF20160021844 MF20160007130 MF20160039768 MF20160029166 MF20150105540 MF20160024619 MF20150096421 MF20150054541 MF20150094127 MF20150072714 MF20150100689 MF20150068422 MF20150011705 MF20150126662 MF20150124369 AA2727015 AA2727618 AA2813996 AA2813906 AA2815342 AA2833009 AA1735238 AA1394744 AA1394746 AA2800537 AA2434007 AA2833978 AA2501136 AA2434525 AA2813113 AA2786988 AA1936037 AA2833006 AA2434949 AA2773931 AA2825229 AA2441206 AA1861096 AA2833804 AA2501861 AA2833377 AA2813545 AA2815206 AA2815213 AA2825402 AA2825403 AA2813029 AA2813030 AA2815399 AA2727559 AA2727553 AA2833937 AA2833805 AA2833930 AA2833931 AA2825079 AA2834000 AA2833120 AA2833918 AA1873326 AA2885905 AA2833947 AA2833946 AA2833910 AA2833911 AA1233658 AA2823504 AA2833719 AA2885907 AA1233789 AA1233791 AA2833372 AA2833942 AA2823793 AA2823794 AA2833933 AA2885902 AA2885903 AA2885904 AA2833647 AA2833845 AA2815347 AA2885912 AA2885916 AA2833705 AA2621430 AA2813987 AA2833704

LC LC LC LC LC LC LC BC LC LC LC LC LC BC LC LC LC LC LC LC BC LC LC BC BC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC LC INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES INVISIBLE TRADES

METALLOCENE - EXCEED - GRADE 1018KB NEW BAZUKI MOTORCYCLE IN CKD CONDITION,150CC,4-STROKE,ALUMINIUM WHEEL,ELECTRIC&KICK START,DIHAO TIRE VARIOUS ANTIBIOTICS RAW SUGAR IN BULK VARIOUS ITEMS AS PER PFI MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE PLANE PAPER BOARD IN SHEET PET FOOD PLAIN ALUMINIUM COILS RAW MATERIAL FOR OF EXERCISE BOOK PRODUCTION HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE RESIN H100P MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE 52,500CS ELITE LIGHTWEIGHT BODYFILLER (4/CS) W/SPREADERS MOTOR VEHICLE BATERIES MOTOR VEHICLE BATERIES MALT 6 ROW WINTER C SPECIFICATIONS IN BULK POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER HLR102 INJECTION HOLDING MACHINE 23 LASER CODING MACHINE MODEL D620! MILK POWDER WHOLE INST CHOLINE CHLORIDE INEDIBLE TALLOW TINOPAL CBS-X AND SODIUM CARBONATE ( DENS) GOLDEN PHOENIX FROZEN FRENCH FRIES TIARA INSTANT FLAVOR DRINK MOTORIZED TRICYCLES IN CKD - TVS BRAND. ENGINE TYPE: 4 STROKE PETROL VERSION, ENGINE CAPACITY: 200CC 30 UNITS OF HILUX MOTOR VEHICLES HYDROXYL ETHER CELLULOSE (HECELLOSE B-100K) HYDROGENATED VEG FAT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FOR EDO CEMENT OBU PLANT HDPE GASOLINE GASOIL UNLEADED GASOLINE GAS OIL GAS OIL BASE OIL (FOR MANUFACTURE OF LUBRICANTS) - SN 100; SN 400/500 AND SN 900 GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA

08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16 08-Jun-16

197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.2 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.2 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5 197.5

77,715.88 50,000.00 150,000.00 22,439.39 100,019.13 65,400.00 84,500.00 83,026.17 50,000.00 51,800.00 73,080.00 50,000.00 122,939.87 8,035.00 125,088.78 140,855.33 86,846.69 125,000.00 133,360.57 122,467.06 16,500.00 72,200.00 48,540.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 14,400.00 47,000.00 250,000.00 82,425.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 1,000,000.00 116,968.70 6,000.00 1,001.41 1,000.00 8,164.00 6,677.32 6,800.00 4,000.00 700.00 800.00 6,257.00 1,964.53 1,426.00 2,000.00 3,700.00 3,747.00 2,507.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 6,235.00 8,481.00 3,180.00 808.00 8,059.00 4,700.00 1,503.07 8,509.98 4,708.00 4,970.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00

WeekendBliss

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

VVF IS NOT PECULIAR TO NORTHERN GIRLS N O P U E S CLO IE OKEREKE-LINUS STEPHAN

What was the feeling like when you were announced the over-all winner of the just concluded Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA)? Well, it felt great. I feel very happy about it, but most importantly I’m happy that people are getting to know more about the thrust of the film which is the child birth issue and the Vesico Vaginal Fistula and maternal problems we have in Nigeria. So, I’m happy that with this platform people are getting to be aware of the film and we pray that more things will be done concerning the situation that we find ourselves in this country. There are so many issues to be dealt with, why were you keen on childbirth and maternal health? There is no particular reason. There are so many other issues and we all need to talk about them. It just happened that this is something that was like a calling for me. The first time I heard about it was in my second year at the university when a friend of mine came back from UNIJOS and she was telling me stories and I thought it was strange that we are all living in the same country and I am having a different experience and somebody else is having a different experience too. I thought it was weird. I was lucky with the fact that I had access to education; I was able to decide what happened to my body, I was able

Instyle

Stephanie Okereke-Linus is a fascinating actress and film director with numerous laurels in her kitty. Her film, ‘Dry’, unarguably remains one of the best feature-movies since its release in cinemas last year. With the movie, she won Overall Best Movie of the Year in Best of Nollywood Awards and later added Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards 2016 to the achievement. She speaks about her family, career and sundry issues in this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA. to go ahead and marry someone that I love and certain things like that. So, other people should be able to have access to those kinds of rights- education, health and others. And there was also the fact that I was a victim of an accident. I had an accident and knew my experiences and they were horrible and that is something that just propels you about things that need to be done properly. With ‘Dry’ winning several awards both within and outside the country, what is next for you as a filmmaker? We have not finished with the film; someone just saw it recently and she was crying and said everyone needs to see it. I hope that in the next three years, it’s still going to be relevant even in five years. Because we still have this issue the film is still relevant and I need more people to see it; so I’m not in a hurry to go into any project for now because there is still a whole lot to be done with this film. The fact that it won this award is not a reason to relax, I still need other people to see it and I still want that change, because the film is more like a catalyst. So, I hope for many good things ahead. Are there plans to take the movie to other film festivals? Yes, it should be, because most of these festivals I got invited to, they are the ones who heard about the film and invited me. I am an open person and aside that, I want people to see the film too.

Street Style Fashion: Dramatic display of personality

p.15

The Arts

CORA: 25 years of culture advocacy

p.37

So what has been the feedback especially from people in the north? They love it! The film was screened in Kano and they did not ask me to delete anything from the movie. Like I said, it is not a northern issue, yes, we have a majority of people suffering from the condition coming from there, but we have young girls, teenage girls, who are going through abuse. You have people who are being married out and VVF is here with us in Lagos. I have treated women in Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom States, in Ibadan and I have people coming from Lagos. So, it something that can happen to anybody regardless of the age; actually it is just that when you are younger you are more prone to it. So, it is a Nigerian problem, it is not a northern problem and I balanced the film. It is a question that we need to ask ourselves and in the film everybody sees the role they need to play- you, parents of the girls, we in the community, the government, people in the health care sector. Everybody has her own role to play and if we play our roles very well, we will all have a healthy environment to inhabit. Partnership is another way to go, have you been invited by any government agency to partner with you to create awareness since you agree it’s a national issue? I know when I was away I got an email from the Mincontinued on page 14

Hospitality

TV & Radio

p.41

p.36

La Palm Royal Beach Hotel braces up for Accra Weizo 2016

The Nigeria economy; what happened?

Close Up

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

'Nigerian leaders don't realise the potential of Nollywood'

Stephanie on the set of 'Dry'

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

istry of Health, and they also want to see how they can use this movie to create more awareness. I have partnership with Ford Foundation, partnership with the MDGs because one of the millennium goals is to eradicate this condition. So, we are still pushing to see how we can get this whole thing done and I have had other people who have come on board to partner with me. When I showed the thriller (summary of the movie) to SPENCO, they were like, ‘oh my God! What can we do? And I said let’s raise funds and help the actual women who are suffering from this condition and Diamond Bank too. Now we have been able to treat over 100 women who have VVF; we donated medical equipment to some of the hospitals around, we are doing our little part, but there is still a whole lot to be done. After you have exhausted the funds, what are the plans to get this down to families you know? We recall that you recently signed a distribution deal with a company abroad, are you replicating that here? Yes, I am going to release it on DVD and I am also going to put it on different channels hopefully, so that many people can get to see it. Like I said, it is not only a Nigerian issue; it’s African and world issue, so I am also going to do some African tours. African countries are calling me that they also want to see the film so I am going to move the film around and release it for people to see. It’s just like a guy who walked up to me and said he did not understand it, some thought VVF was a sexually transmitted disease, so the movie opened their eyes and they became aware and they now understand it because they were seeing it through the eyes of the victim. How were you able to get the girl who played the lead role to deliver with that level of proficiency? I hired some people to help to get a girl because I told them that I needed someone from the north because I needed her accent to be authentic. She recommended a lot of people to me and they all came for audition and I saw people who were seasoned actors, but they were slightly bigger and when she stepped in, I said to myself, ‘this

one is just the right size’ but she was shy. As an actress and director, I knew I was going to be able to work on her, I knew the things to say to her and how to handle her. It is more like you being able to handle a child; so that is your ability as a director to be able to bring out what they don’t even know they have inside. At last, I was able to work her through it. Let’s discuss the industry, piracy is a big problem, how has it affected you? It is ridiculous, you know that is one of things in my speech that I actually forgot to say at the AMVCA gala and on my way home I realised it. I wondered ‘how did I forget this?’ It still boils down to the fact that we live in a country where I don’t know what is wrong with our leaders, you know sometimes you see an industry or a sector that is employing millions of people, a sector that is striving very well, a sector that is the only export that you have; forget this oil that they are talking about, it is the only authentic export that you have and an export that has been able to grow on its own and has a massive followership. And it has

...with husband. Inset: Son

this huge potential for you to tell your story, for you not to allow other people tell your stories for you. It can be used as a propaganda tool, so many things you can do with this platform and you are not doing anything to protect the rights of these people so that there will be sustainability. So it is really sad; we need to strengthen the laws because it is not even about distribution, if you don’t fix piracy, distribution can’t stand. Make it a financial crime, criminalise it even if we have to go back and revisit the law. If the law says if someone pirates your firm, you are going to pay ‘XYZ’ amount of money, let’s fit it in and tighten it and let people understand that you can’t be doing things with other peoples’ creativity. You have to figure out a way to encourage these people. It saddens me when we have leaders who don’t understand what they have in their place. I can go into a country confidently that is why I said most of us will probably move out and if I move into a country, I can start an industry because of the amount of experience and what I can do. Different African countries are calling us to come in and help their people. And then you look at the rate at which we were able to move into Ghana and you saw what happened- the industry sprung up. So, you have this huge potential of millions of young people who want to be in this industry and you are not doing anything about it. It is like carrying a cup of water and pouring it into the ocean, if we don’t lock up the tap where there is leakage it will continue to flow. It really saddens me and I think that the government doesn’t even need us to form a pressure group and people saying we are divided. That is not the problem. Piracy is you and me, even if you are my enemy, piracy is our enemy, it is a common enemy. They are supposed to ask what we want which is like the normal standard or practices elsewhere in the world and see what you can put in place to protect the work of your people. If it is a government that is proactive they don’t even need anybody to tell them and on our part if they don’t give it to us, we should demand it, that is the problem we are having in Nigeria. We don’t demand for things, we just allow things to happen to us; that is why we like comedy so much. So those are the kinds of challenges we have and it’s really sad. Hence, the National Assembly needs to sit down and

come up with whatever bills they need to pass so as to help this industry; they owe it to us to do that. What plans do you have to train aspiring actors and directors? You know we have been doing that. My husband is the CEO of DelYork International and over the years, he has been doing great. He partnered with the New York film academy and brought in a lot of lecturers and we have trained over a thousand students and we see all our students doing well, even with the one month training they had. They have been able to shoot their own movies, get jobs and so many other things, so we are really happy about that and hopefully it is something we want to continue to do because we need a lot of people to enhance their talents and rediscover themselves. But at least, we have been able to do different things in Nigeria. We heard your biography is underway. If it’s to be published, what will the title be and why? The thing is not finished, we have just started please. Okay what will the title be? Maybe when I get there I can title it. I can title it “I have seen”, but right now I can’t think of anything. Do you see Nigerian movies especially yours winning the Oscars anytime soon? We should, it’s just because I heard there is a planning committee on Oscars and we should if people are not biased. I heard there is a planning committee on Oscars, I don’t know. Even with this film, it should and it can. It’s time we showed to the world that we make good films in this country. How is motherhood? Motherhood is the best thing that can ever happen to anybody. I am very much excited and enjoying every moment of it. My baby is doing very fine and my husband has always been there for me from day one. How will you rate the organisation of this year’s AMVCA awards? For me, a lot of work was put into it and that is the more reason it came out the way it did. But like we say: there is still room for improvement and I’m equally sure that next year will be bigger and better.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

STREET STYLE FASHION

Dramatic display of personality A

Deborah Ocheni t times the mood calls for relaxed and casual, in others bold and adventurous; whatever the calling mixing, matching and layering on your favourite styles is fundamental in street style decorum. Street fashion is a type that is personal; it is something that displays ones personality. It is highly trendy and cool. It can just be your own clothes that you have either customised or demolished (if you so wish). They are worn to display personality. The key to rocking this street inspired apparel is to always be you by

keeping aside all style etiquette you can think of and introduce your personal style such as rocking oversized apparel and mixing colours in different hues. So many pretentious street style wannabes that throw on the most outrageous frocks just to attract attention. If you are dressing up as a way of attracting attention rather than an expression of your style, then you really aren’t the standard street style goddess you think you are. Street style is certainly an inspiring aspect of fashion; not only for the women who do it best straight-up amazingly stylish, but they also have a thing or two to teach about the process of putting together a killer look.

TIPS zz Do you consider your style glamorous, preppy or eccentric? Street style fashion gives you the opportunity to creatively bring in each of these features. zz Take a good look at your closet and mix match depending on your mood. It’s always a good idea to mix up options when you are feeling in the moment. zz Wear what you most feel comfortable in. Just because everyone is wearing it doesn’t mean you have to. It’s important to choose your style accordingly, you can’t be confident if you are feeling uncomfortable. Know your body and stick to what makes you comfortable. zz Be yourself. This is perhaps the most important of all street style tips and the grand rule for life in general. zz Leaving oversized jacket unbuttoned is the most common street style; you can add an unexpected clash of accessories and incorporate floral and snakeskin, but keep your outfit base classic.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

ACCESSORIES TO LIVE FOR

Complementing professional image with

BRIEFCASE Y

Deborah Ocheni

our briefcase is as important as your traditional suit and tie but make sure you pair the right briefcase to properly fit the suit. Briefcases are work-appropriate bags, it is important to know that every career professional needs a reliable work bag for carrying papers, electronics, wallet, gadgets and more. The briefcases under reference are not mean the nylon laptop bag you have had since college or the bulky black briefcase your dad lugged to work but stylish, professional and practical work bags. With its multifunction and for the reason that many Nigerians now prefer going to their places of work in public transport due increase in pump, these handy accessories donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look likely to be going anywhere anytime soon. Using briefcase is professional and mature. The clean lines of the briefcase will complement your professional image. A leather briefcase is simple in design and will not be distracting as a backpack would be. Remember that a briefcase is like any other leather accessory; your briefcase should coordinate with your outfit. It is worth investing in a high-quality briefcase early in your career because that one briefcase can last your entire career or longer

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

MY STYLE

Incomplete till the looks is good Kingsley Jeremiah is the CEO of Zeemage Studio, in this interview with DEBORAH OCHENI, the Abia State-born and Dubai trained professional cinematographer/event consultant, speaks about his love for ankara print and more. What is your personal style? I like appearing in mature and unique outfits, I don’t really believe in trends. I wear whatever is unique and I feel comfortable in. Looking good makes me a complete real man, so I try to look good. When it comes to fashion, would you say your physique works to your advantage? Yes, I think my physique goes a long way in that regard, because whatever I wear flatters me and I get compliments from fans whenever I am out for events. So it is safe to say my physique works to my advantage. Do you consider any fashion item indispensable? Not really, I am just moderate and conscious of what I wear. What is the most expensive item you have ever bought? The most expensive item I have ever bought is my camera. How do you love your shoes? I am not really a fan of shoes but I admire good ones. If it’s good then

Beauty

I could rock it. Which jewellery appeals to you most? I like necklaces How much can you spend on jewellery? I can spend good money to get some nice necklace for myself. Who is your best designer? I don't have a signature designer; any good designer is enough for me once my taste is satisfied. Are you label freak? No Do you have any signature perfume? Signature perfume? No While shopping which fashion item catches your fancy? The fashion piece that catches my fancy is designer shirts. What do you look out for in outfit? The quality How easily do you get your fashion

items in Nigeria? It’s very easy, I shop abroad too. What do you think of ankara prints? Ankara is good and it’s African; I like it and also recommend it to my clients who are planning a traditional marriage. A nice combination of ankara and a plain patterned cloth is very beautiful. If you were to be a fashion item, what will that be? That will like be pants. Would you say government has done enough for creative people in our society? Government has not been fair to creative people in our society; we are only praying for better days. What is your advice to those who want to attain the height you had? My advice to young aspiring cinematographers or event consultants is that they should not lose focus, be determine and keep their head straight. The sky is the starting point. We also help to train students who are interested in this field.

Homemade remedy for razor bump Deborah Ocheni

any men who shave regularly know the frustrations that come with getting razor bump; hairs that remain inside the hair follicle and begin growing into the skin. These ingrown hairs often appear as angry red bumps which can spoil the smart look of a freshly shaven face. There are many home remedies that claim to get rid of ingrown hairs, but some are more effective than others. Here

are some things you can use to remedy the condition from your kitche Coconut oil is great for a number of skin ailments. You can make a lotion from it and use it to clear up razor burn. You just have to rub it onto the skin and let it soak in. It smells absolutely heavenly and does a great job at helping to clear up dry skin and a number of other skin conditions. There are loads of other things in your kitchen that you can use for razor bumps and other skin problems. Olive oil has great moisturising properties. Apple cider vinegar is a great razor burn treatment when mixed with a little water and you can apply plain yogurt to any bumps or keratosis issues. Just rub yogurt into the area about 20 minutes before you bathe and then wash it away in the bath.

Jeremiah

Facts

Levi’s once made the singer Bing Crosby an all-denim tuxedo after he was turned away from a hotel for wearing jeans.

In the 1670s, Louis XIV decreed that only members of the royal court were allowed to wear red heels. It was an easy way to distinguish someone of the upper classes from a commoner.

The Russian military only started wearing socks in 2007. (Before that they’d just wrap pieces of cloth around their feet.)

In 1909, the U.S. Navy banned naked lady tattoos on service members’ arms. In order to join the Navy, men had to have clothes tattooed on their nude bodies.

Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Deborah Ocheni ave you noticed the latest trends in interiors pairing neutral colours such as white, black, grays and browns with classic metal colour combinations? White can be the most refreshing colour of the spectrum. It can evoke purity, cleanliness, but also confidence and sophistication. A white couch is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can own. No matter what your style or colour scheme, white couch is sure to serve as an ideal choice for your favourite decor. Whether you are into traditional looks or a more eclectic design scheme, there are lots of interesting looks you can achieve by spicing your living room with refreshing white couch but in doing this, you have to put your creativity to work. A white couch is not practically for young children, so it's best suited for a living space used primarily by adults. Incorporate soft, muted wall colours and contemporary accessories into the room so that your white couch stands out as a focal point in the overall design. White is a neutral, clean colour so you can choose warm or cool accent colours to complement your living space. To complement the modern appeal of your white couch, paint the walls a shade that doesn't compete with your white furniture. Since a white couch is a neutral furnishing, you can decorate the space with warm wood tones or accessorise the space with contemporary metallic or synthetic accent pieces. Accessories provide soft accent colours and incorporate texture into a room design, without detracting from the elegance of a white couch.

WHITE COUCH

Adding buzz to living rooms

TIPS zz Bright, airy windows and simplistic flooring make a white couch stand out in a living room. Opt for hardwood floors or light-coloured neutral carpeting to blend with your couch and other decorative furnishings. zz Simple room-darkening shades and modern blinds provide privacy without compromising the contemporary appeal of the white couch as heavy fabrics and busy patterns can make your walls and flooring too dramatic for the modern simplicity of your white couch. zz A white couch reveals a mature, modern elegance that should not be overly complicated with too many colours, patterns or design, warm brown accent pillows in simple patterns to adorn your couch will make it more elegant. zz Vivid primary colours, bright pastels and overly dark hues can turn the focus away from your furniture, making your walls the dominant feature in the room. zz If you prefer stark contrast, opt for a deep red or hang wall art with white-infused flowers to blend with your white couch. zz Painting your walls a shade of blue or green will give your room a cool and refreshing appeal. zz Incorporating other solid white furniture into the living space gives your room an ultra-modern, antiseptic appeal and always remember that, white couch is not the best option when decorating kids room.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Wale Ojo: How I drowned a colleague in ‘The CEO’

p.21

Showbiz

Simi: I'm always reluctant to take my bath

p.34

MISS NIGERIA

IT’S AN HONOUR TO SPEAK AT OGONI CLEAN-UP FORUM Pamela Peter-Vigboro Leesi, 23, from Ogoni, Rivers State, is the reigning Miss Nigeria. She is a graduate of computer science from the University of Port Harcourt. She says in this interview with ISIOMA MADIKE that it takes confidence to win Miss Nigeria contest. Excerpts...

How does feel being Miss Nigeria? It feels good to be crowned Miss Nigeria out of over 170 million Nigerians. I would say that I am really privileged to be so crowned. However, it’s been very challenging, but at the same time it’s equally been the best time of my life thus far. I really had to give my very best during the competition. It was a time I really pushed myself and I am proud of what I did. Did it ever cross your mind that you would win? It did, out of the fact that if I was ever going to win, I had to believe in myself. So, I was keeping that in mind, that I stand a chance. It has been great experience since I won the crown. It has been fun, though, it’s still challenging. In as much as I get to go to many events, dress up and look pretty, there are other responsibilities that I have to carry out. It is challenging but it is fun as well. What are the things expected of a Miss Nigeria? I have to act as a cultural ambassador first as a Nigerian lady wherever I find myself, especially in the international community. I must make sure that things that matter to Nigeria are being shown through me. I am also a leader, particularly to the young women in Nigeria; I have to be like a role model. It is also required that I create some sort of positive impact in the community. So, that means that I have to run a developmental project. These are the major things I have to do as Miss Nigeria. How would you compare Miss Nigeria with other beauty pageants? Miss Nigeria is the pageant that I have the most experience in. I have only watched every other pageant from the outside. But being in here I can say that it is a pageant that just not focused on how a young lady looks. It looks at the content, what you could deliver that could create impact. This is something I really like and all these attracted me to the pageant. I found out that the people who passed through it act as role models and source of inspiration in a way. It’s beyond facial beauty really. What were the major qualities the

organisers looked out for? I feel that the major thing is one who could hold the position. You need to be confident; you need to have a sense of responsibility and you need to be able to represent Nigeria in any forum you find yourself. You need to have core values as a woman because most young girls look up to you. It is a sensitive position. The organisers look for people with good values and people who could act as role models. How do you handle the pressure that comes with the crown? I have been facing pressure since I was crowned six months ago. Though, now there is so much attention; so much opinion and all of that. In all I try to do a lot of refection and I talk to other people who are older than me. It is God really and I pray a lot to ensure that I don’t get carried away by all the frills of the crown. What have you been doing since you emerged winner? I go to secondary schools to speak to young girls. Recently, I was at the launch of cleanup in Ogoniland, because I am from there. I was a guest speaker at the forum and that to me was a rare privilege. It has been an interesting experience, I must say. How was it like speaking in such a sensitive matter? Going back to my homeland is always a pleasant experience because when I won the crown they received and welcomed me well. They always receive me when I come home; it is a big deal for me. I felt honoured to be given the opportunity to speak on that issue. The cleanup is a very intense issue in Ogoniland and I am excited that it has begun. Are you convinced that the forum will eventually address the issues on ground? From what I have seen, the Ministry of Environment has been working really hard to ensure that things fall in place,

Leesi

and are carried out in the right manner. I know it would take a very long time; we ...the queen still have a long way to go. While I was there I noticed that everyone was eager to make things happen. People were happy about what was going on. It is a collective thing. So, I feel that everyone would put in their efforts with the rate of enthusiasm I saw there. What advice for young girls who would want to emulate you? I would say that if you want to be a beauty queen in Nigeria, you should go for it. Many times I feel it is fear that holds us back and I believe that the only time you fail is when you don’t try at all. I urge them to go for whatever they want to be in life. Whatever purpose you are supposed to fulfill, whether as Miss Nigeria or not, you will eventually fulfill it. Go for what you want and

believe in yourself. What has the crown changed about you? It has changed a lot of things actually. I am usually an introvert, but because of this role I had to come out more and relate with people. So, I am always out there, to mingle with people. But the change is a positive one if you ask me and I enjoy every bit of it. Though, I don’t have much time for my family and friends anymore, and some of my friends take it the wrong way. But I also have friends who understand. How much support did you get from your immediate family? I received immense support. They’ve been very supportive. I cannot quantify it. At present, they are like my pillars, and they give me emotional support too to go all the way. When it gets really stressful and challenging, I consult them. They were there at the beginning and still very much there for me. They pray and support me to succeed and I am grateful to them.

20 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

OMOBABA

I’ve contributed to the success of many comedians Fagade Olufemi Ademola aka Omobaba is not a stranger in the Nigerian comedy industry. In this encounter with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, he speaks about why he doesn’t hold yearly shows like most of his colleagues, his acting, music and much more. friend, Nomoreloss, is no more? It is sad that such a great talent is no more. He was a great writer, a great producer, a great song writer, a wonderful actor and a great vocalist. He was a good marketer too. It is just sad that he had to leave at the time he left, but for me he is still very much around. We were more than colleagues, we were like brothers. But the show must go on and I know this is his wish wherever he is right now.

It seems you’ve ventured into other things? Comedy is still the major thing. Other things I do such as acting, music and interior designs are just on the side and occasionally. I have been doing my weekly shows at Rodizzio Restaurant and Bar in Ikeja, Lagos, for three years and it is something I am grateful for. People come to relax in a warm and jolly atmosphere. Comedians are like footballers, we are trendy. Some jokes are spontaneous while some are prepared. You would agree with me that even monthly shows are hard to sustain; how do you sustain your weekly gigs

since they are free? It is very stressful but then we have brands that come in one way or the other to support us. At times, it could be a quarterly or yearly deal. But I feel you should be able to run a particular event for some time without a support system. If you can do it successfully alone, people will begin to get involved in it. Though having an event weekly is tedious, we give glory be to God. All my colleagues have been supportive, and the emerging ones also see it as a platform where they can display their skills. It must be hard to accept that your

ship, I am good. With the situation of things at the moment, it is just okay to know where you stand and how you wish to run your life. If I don’t talk about it, it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate my partner. If I don’t celebrate her on social media, it doesn’t mean I don’t love the person I am seeing. I have just decided not to talk about it. I am doing well or have you heard any scandal about me? I have spent almost a decade in the industry and I am still around.

Could you share the last moment Do you agree that your appearance in you had with him? shows has reduced drastically? He told he wanted to see me I disagree with you. Comedians are many times before he died, but we not near the population of Nigeria as couldn’t see. Whenever he asked a county. If a show is going on at Eko me to meet him in a place, he would Hotel and I am not there, it doesn’t have left before I got there because mean I am at home sleeping. I might of one reason or the other. The be somewhere in Kaduna doing what I truth is that it is heavy for me to know how to do best and earning more start talking about my last moments than what I would get at Eko Hotel. with him. We had a great time and The fact that (Lionel) Messi and (Crisshared a lot of things. tiano) Ronaldo are footballers don’t His death had a negative effect mean (Ogenyi) Onazi is a less footon some things, but like I said you baller because they play on the same just have to move on. There were field. There are shows I personally many things we planned to do don’t want to take or feature in again. together and there were projects When you keep appearing on shows, he was unable to what happens to complete; people the new ones? and money were When you ask one There are shows involved. Everyor two comedians, one is just trying they would tell I personally don’t to come to a round you I have conwant to take or table now and I see tributed to their how to move on. success story. feature in again. He left good muOther comedians When you keep sic for generations like Ali Baba, Basand his children to ket Mouth and appearing on shows, be proud of. Gbenga Adeyinka were part of what happens to the Did his death my own success new ones? change anything story too. The list about you? is endless and I People have have impacted on been dying from others as well. I time immemorial. While you are am not about numbers or grades. We still alive you should make it worthhave people who are way richer than while in a way that people could say the ones we know. What matters is good things about you when you that I am fulfilled. When I walk on the are gone. He left a good legacy. The streets, people call me different names. positive vibe around his death was They call me Fine boy, Omobaba, Sexy more than the negativity people dude and many others. Omobaba made up. People hardly say good Entertainment is about what you things about you or pay attention want for yourself. If I want you to hear to you until you are gone. about me on all the radio stations, I know what to do. If I want to be read What are those things you still hope to about in four major newspapers, I achieve for yourself? know what to do. If I decide to reI am fulfilled. Fulfilment for me is main this way, I know what I am doknowing that this is what you actually ing. We help one another with most of wanted to achieve and you did it. What these shows, but we need to pay bills I wish to see now is a much more organat the same time. There is still need to ised industry, an industry where our support one another, though. Since I works are documented. I want origidon’t do shows, you cannot see me nality to speak and I want the talented on billboards or see my commercials. ones to be seen, not the mediocre. It is a dream I want to see, though I think we Why don’t you hold a yearly show like are getting there gradually. your colleagues? I just don’t want that. I am one of When do you plan to start a family? the few comedians that would stand If it is about marriage or relationfor two hours doing my original jokes.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

How I drowned a colleague in ‘The CEO’–Wale Ojo What was the experience like working on the set of CEO, still with Kunle Afolayan after the success of ‘Phone Swap’? It was very good; I always have fun with Kunle. So, it was great fun. He is a nice character and there were fantastic cast to work with- Angelique Kidjo, Peter King, Aurelie Fatym, Nico, Lala with this line-up you would know we had a great time.

Nigerian-born UK-based actor, Wale Ojo, has been in the makebelieve industry for four decades. The awarding winning actor, who warmed his way into the hearts of Nigerian movie buffs following his role in Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Phone Swap,’ actually started acting as child prodigy with NTA Ibadan and ever since has featured in numerous movies. Ojo speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA on his age-long career

What was your most challenging scene in the movie? I think there is a scene in which I tried to drown one of the actors, so we actually went into the sea. I’m a good swimmer, the other actor wasn’t, so I had to pretend to drown the actor and at the same time protect him and I found that very challenging.

What were the challenges? To be honest with you, I liked the script on set and I accepted the challenges that were there and I won’t say that they were huge challenges as such, but it was just hardwork and you had to be on the character all the time, so it was intense. It wasn’t comedy, it wasn’t very easy, it was intense. It started comically, but it got more and more intense, more and more tragedy happening.

Who killed Peter King in the movie? If I give you that information (momentary silence), I had to kill him. As a thespian of note, what really makes a good script? Good stories, you know you have to follow the rules of screen writing, attention, action and so on. I like a lot of action and it just has to connect with your audience. You have to know your audience. Having to work with other international actors, what was the experience like? It was great; it is always good working with actors from different parts of the world but I enjoy it because everybody has a different quality. The French actors had a different quality, Peter King from Kenya had a different quality and Nico Panagio from South Africa had a different quality. You know if you work with that it is always interesting, it is always challenging so it is good. What would you say you have learnt from them? I would say the need to always be a part of an ensemble. I don’t need a solo adventure; you must be good as the actor next to you. So, when you all work together, it creates something that is very beautiful. So, what I learnt is the importance of acting as an ensemble.

Most time you infuse a bit of comedy into most characters you get to play; are they usually part of the script or your style of improvising? No, I think I always infuse comedy but comedy tells me that the guy is a very funny guy and if you watch ‘Phone swap’, he is not a funny guy, he is a serious guy from the beginning to the end. It is only in the end he mellows a bit but this guy acts joking around and I like that because naturally I’m a funny person in real life, so I try to infuse that. What prompted the title of your new project Kalakuta Express? What prompted it is my love for Fela’s music, my love for Afro beat. What is your take on the supposed disparity between the old and new Nollywood; some people are of the opinion that the old Nollywood deserves more respect? How can you say there is disparity because there wouldn’t be any cinema unless Nollywood started? Nolly-

As an actor with enviable impact on the industry both home and abroad; what will you say makes a good actor? I think to be a great actor, you have to be a great listener, and you really have to be sensitive to what is happening around you, to what people are saying. Listening, I think is one of the best qualities an actor can have. Acting is reacting, you have to be able to really tune in to what somebody is saying to you and react accordingly.

Do you have phobia for anything? No, I don’t have a phobia for flights. I love planes, I’m always travelling.

Pencil Unbroken

The 2009 winner of AY's Open Mic competition, Pencil, is set to hold his maiden comedy show on June 26 at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Top entertainers like Phyno, Kcee, Iceprince, Harrysong, Iyanya, Kiss Daniel, Phyno, Yemi Alade, Tjan, YCEE, Solid Star Humblesmith, Vector, Orezi to mention a few are expected to thrill the audience on that night. Comedians billed for the show are Ali Baba, AY, Ushbebe, Ajebo, Gordons, Wofai Fada, Seyi Law, Senator, Buchi, Dan da Humourous and two surprise guest performances. The host for the show is Nollywood Actress Carol Hutchins while the DJ Jimmy Jatt will be behind the turn-table.

IGOS Live After four successful editions of IGOS Live Comedy Concerts, comedian Igos has put everything in place for another fun and entertaining night. It will be held at the Muson Centre, Lagos, on June 19. With this year’s edition tagged ‘Good Live 2016 – The 5th Amendment,’ the Wazobia FM’s radio personality has lined up comedians like Gordons, Seyi law, Buchi, Helen paul, McAbbey, Funnybone, De don, Chigurl, Gandoki, Senator and a host of others. Musicians who have confirmed their availability include Dbanj, Kcee, Harrysong, Humblesmith, Ycee, Reminisce, Reekado banks, Tekno and Adekunle Gold.

Africa Fashion Week Rikaoto by Me and Rois & Reine have been unveiled as designers showing at the 2016 Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN2016) set to hold from July 1 to 3 at the Eko Hotel & Suites. This year’s show is rolling out an impressive lineup including five (5) Catwalk Shows, fifty (50) Designers, Fashion Gala & Awards Night as well panel discussions aimed at promoting Nigeria as a production hub. Fashion brands within and outside the shores of Nigeria/Africa will present their latest works at the AFWN 2016.

Sax Appeal by Mike Aremu Mike Aremu will hold the 5th edition of his annual jazz concert tagged Sax Appeal on June 26 at the Eko Hotel, Lagos. This edition will feature award-winning American singer and songwriter, Indie Arie, alongside Timi Dakolo and Praiz. The previous editions have featured the likes of Kenny G, Yolanda Brown, Judith Sephuma, Kunle Ayo, Jessy Jay Agboola Shadare, Yinka Davis, Tosin Martins, Bez, Cobhams, Waje and a host of others.

When do we get to see Wale Ojo produce his own movie? I have a movie that I’m working on now, it is called Kalakuta Express, it is a homage to Fela Anikulapo Kuti and I start ed back to front promotion for it on May 26, and I am doing an Afro beat, live Afro beat concert. I’ll make sure I reveal to my fans that I am also a musician as well as an actor. I’m playing with a 10-piece Afro band so, it would be at the Hard Rock Café. So is the movie, ‘THE CEO’ the most challenging for you? No, I have done much more challenging movies but it was challenging. I just won’t say it was the most challenging.

wood started their work in the 1990s and they didn’t have any support from government and they only had one video camera. I think that was low but they were able to make an industry that makes about $300,000,000 a year, so you know that is not an easy feat, I always say. For example, I even have a movement that is called New Nigeria Cinema and I said to everybody: New Nigeria Cinema is not competing against Nigeria but it is a child of Nollywood. It is Nollywood that is giving birth to New Nigerian Cinema and we would take it further like we are doing with ‘THE CEO’, 35,000 feet up to the sky and beyond.

O u t &A b o u t

Men of Africa

Ojo

A New York City-based organisation promoting African culture, Men of African (MOA), is putting together an event tagged Sexy Rooftop Affair on June 25 at the Hotel Indigo Newark. Men of Africa was started by Kwabena Jumah and Ben Saso (Dj Nayah) with the goal to bridge the gap between Africa and United States through music, art and film. They also plan to hold other series of events.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Social Media Craze

Trending

Gist

Photos Controversies

With Olushola Ricketts

Sophia shows Davido what he misses

avido’s baby mama, Sophia Momodu, loaded her Instagram page with sexy pictures on Thursday in celebration of her birthday. This could be her way of telling Davido that he shouldn’t have treated her badly. The mother of one shared three pictures at different times; the first attracted over 150 likes, the second attracted over 180 likes and the third attracted 900 likes. Remember that in January, Sophia and the pop star had a huge disagreement due to the custody of baby Imade. The ‘Skelewu’ singer took things further by calling out Dele Momodu who stepped into the situation to defend his cousin, Sophia. Also, the singer made several revelations, including Sophia’s alleged diabolical influence over him and why he can’t settle down with her. While things appeared to be calm, the singer continued to ridicule Momodu both on social media and through his music.

The photos were also well appreciated by 12,000 followers, as they passed sweet words to her one after the other. poshtrendy_jewelry said: “At first I thought it was Nicki Minaj, happy birthday darling. debbiecookss added: “Happy birthday to my momsy Imade, God bless and continue to make you great. U will never be put to shame. Make sure you send me my own cake. Have fun dear.” prosperous_queen stated: “Happy birthday Sohpia aka Imade Mummy. I admire you let’s say from a fan.” grubbyhead said : “Happy birthday beautiful. I wish you all the best on your big day and may you live to enjoy many more years.” niggydipp reacted: “Omo the back no b here at all. Dunno why David is scared to carry on.” mzmoyen insisted: Happy birthday my bornday mate. Love u sister, my wish for u is for all ur desires to come true.”

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Sophia

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage ride with Jay Z

on Jazzy’s reputation as the biggest producer in Nigeria may not be under threat for a long time. He is not just making good music, he is making good friends too. He seemed to have added Jay Z to his list of international friends. When he shared a picture of himself and Tiwa Savage with the American rapper, Jayz only a few people would be surprised. The image got approximately 34,000 likes. He wrote: “My face like baba hurry up and show me where RiRi dey.” A fan and follower, sylviaedom, reacted: “Dreams do come true u know.” Johniebrasco said: “Loz, dats how u look wen u are working hard non-stop without sleeping a week straight.” Iam_harryberry noted: “You for wear suit na you look like bodyguard.” gozieamazu said: “Nwa nna @donjazzy making Nigerians more blessing follow you broad. You always take our music to another level. More blessing to you and your team.”

Jay Z, Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy

Seyilaw versus fan

ew hours after posting his heartfelt message over the passing on of Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi, comedian Seyi Law engaged in a war of words with a fan The comedian had gone for an event wearing a wristwatch on each of his hands and later re-posted the picture on his Instagram page. The picture had some of his fans commenting on his ‘fashion sense’. A particular fan with Instagram handle cyrusarigo thought it was wise to ‘teach’ Seyi Law the art of wearing wristwatches, but the comedian did not find it funny. The fan reacted: “Wisdom is knowing that a wrist watch is to check time while knowledge is knowing you don’t have to wear two cus just one can do it… Bro you dun pass this level” Seyi Law did not hesitate to give him a piece of his mind. He reacted: “Since you, @cyrusarigo lack the wisdom to know that respect is reciprocal and that there is what we call statement making for entertainers and branding, you may as well come for tutorial. Idiot. Because I get you opportunity to comment on my page. Your father”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Investigations

Tractorisation programme to farmers

Controversy trails Delta's SMART project

r. Ifeanyi Okowa came on board as the governor of Delta State with a clearly articulated agenda encapsulated with the acronym S. M. A. R. T. This was spelt out as strategic wealth creation and provision of job, peace building platform aimed at political and social harmony, agricultural reforms and accelerated industrialisation, relevant health and education policies and transformed environment through urban renewal. However, the financial capacity to implement the programmes was fragile. Okowa had to take some decisive steps to address the situation and navigate the state out of economic gloom into a path of progress. As a result, the first step he took was to restructure the finances of the state, plug all leakages, reinvigorate

Isioma madike

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

In his determination to keep faith with his people whom he promised a new lease of life through the “prosperity for all Deltans”, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, developed an agenda with an acronym S. M. A. R. T. DOMINIC ADEWOLE in this report outlined how the governor has thus far braved the odds of the nation-wide financial crunch to execute many people-oriented programmes and what his critics have interpreted this blueprint to mean the internally-generated revenue drive, maintain strict fiscal discipline and prioritise government’s projects and programmes. Presenting his first budget, tagged: “Budget of renewed hope and inclusive development,” the governor set an internally-generated revenue target of N75 billion while capital expenditure, which was N114 billion were aimed at driving all inclusive economic growth. He then set out to address unemployment, the most arguably nagging problem of the state. In August 2015, the Delta State job and wealth creation scheme was launched. It included the Youth and Entrepreneurship Programme and the Product and Processing Support Programme (PPSP). Through the creation of the office of the Chief Job Creation Officer, about 17,175 private sector jobs

were created. Okowa also restructured and repositioned the award-winning Delta State Micro and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agencies (MMSEDA). As of April, the agency had disbursed N546 million as loans to 3, 100 clients in cottage trading, agriculture and agro-processing services. The state also distributed tractors to 64 cooperative societies. Others got Mellon Shellers, Outboard Engines, and Fishing Gear; improved variety of cassava stems, fertiliser, cash, fingerlings, feeds, day-old chicks and feeds. There are also those who got layers, feeds and cash, growers, feeds while 40 tomatoes farmers were supported with seedlings, agro-chemicals and cash. In the area of infrastructural development, his administration awarded

contracts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 54 roads across the three senatorial district of the state. Many of the completed roads have been commissioned. The administration did not stop there, but, has taken steps to diversify the state’s economy through production and processing support programme. This move was applauded even from outside his party. For instance, former commissioner in the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dr. Henry Ofa, said: “The government has done much, within a meagre resource available to the governor.” In agriculture, the government set up CONTINUed on PAGE 24

Investigation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

'Okowa’s achievements can be C O N T I N U E D F r o m PA G E 2 3

a marketing committee while farmers in cooperative societies across the state have received tractors, outboard engines, dayold chicks and fertilisers to boost food production. Focus has equally been on technical and vocational education, leading the governor to enact the Delta State Vocational and Technical Education (DSVTE) sector Law in June 2015. This has led the government to restructure, rehabilitate and equipped the three technical colleges in Sapele, Agbor and Okiagbe to provide vocational training for Deltans. Six technical schools are presently being restructured, with three of them fully rehabilitated, while curriculum review and retraining of the academic staff is in progress. Infrastructural development is ongoing on the three campuses of the Delta State University, Abraka, as well. Health was not left out as that section has also received a robust attention through the inauguration of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (CHC) on May 4. This made Delta the first state in Nigeria with a mandatory health insurance scheme for the purpose of universal healthcare coverage. A law establishing the state commission on HIV/AIDS bill was brought on stream while Azowawa Cottage Hospital at Abavo in Ika South was also built. Many other hospital projects are currently ongoing. Aside these, Okowa’s government has thus far created about 17,173 jobs, which include 6,800 direct jobs and 10,373 indirect jobs of both skilled and unskilled workers. As a special purpose vehicle, the office of the Chief Job Creation Officer accounted for 7,522 of these jobs while the remaining 9,651 were created through projects, programmes and initiatives implemented through the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with 66 per cent of the beneficiaries being females. Within the period, road construction and rehabilitation, received favourable attention as well with over 34 roads awarded across the three senatorial zones. But, there are sore points. The challenges of renewed militancy, pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering and illegal refineries in the state, inter communal clashes such as those between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja, Ewhen and Igbiden are some of them. The continued surge in crime rate, particularly

Faces of SMART projects PHOTOS: DOMINIC ADEWOLE

kidnapping, is another area many are expecting Okowa to increase efforts in finding lasting solutions. To address these, the Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, with his security advocacy team has been going round the coastal areas of the state in a bid to check the resurgence of militancy. The government had also inaugurated a 41-member Delta State Peace Building and Advisory Council (DSPBAC) in August 2015 to tackle inter communal clashes. However, the decision by the state government to establish a new Independent Power Plant (IPP) project had elicited a gale of criticisms. This is against the backdrop of the apparently abandoned N23 billion IPP located in Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state and awarded to Davnotch Nigeria Limited in 2009. For Chief Great Ogboru and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, the 2015 governorship candidates of the Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) respectively in Delta State, a set of white teeth is not an assurance of a pure heart. To them, Okowa will not do better than his predecessors, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, in the governance of the state. Ogboru, popularly known as ‘the peoples general’, did not mince words at lambasting the gov-

ernment. He categorically stated that the tendency of many politicians under the PDP platform is still on how to share the meagre resources of the state under their grip to the detriment of the preponderant poor citizens of the state. He believes that Okowa’s S.M.A.R.T. agenda, and the promise of prosperity for all Deltans, was another corruption pipehole, designed by Ibori, who the governor was holding the state in hegemony for to improverish the people of the state. Ogboru also called to mind the abracadabra that played out on how Okowa, who succeeded Uduaghan as Ibori’s Commissioner for Health, before emerging as his Secretary to the State Government (SSG). “Since nothing good came out from Ibori and Uduaghan’s administrations, nothing better will come out of Okowa’s S.M.A.R.T. agenda of prosperity,” he said. Ogboru has consistently argued that what successive administrations in the state has been parading as giant strides is figment of their imagination, compared to the billions of naira that accrued to

SMART promise of prosperity, another corruption pipehole

the state. He, nonetheless, lampooned Okowa for celebrating another year of the PDP failure in the state. According to him, after Ibori’s “True Face Delta” mantra hit the rock, Uduaghan followed with his “Eye On Delta” refrain. “Okowa, who inherited high debt profile from his predecessors, who squandered the collective destiny of the people of the state, has again come up with S.M.A.R.T. agenda of prosperity for all Deltans. He has been crying that there is paucity of funds but compensating his cabals with political appointments and white-washing projects for commissioning.” Emerhor, on his part, recalled during his governorship campaign in Agbor, the home-base of Okowa, last year, how Ibori milked the oil-rich state to its bone marrow before he single-handedly anointed Uduaghan. He was Ibori’s Commissioner for Health and later SSG. Many also believed that Ibori handed over the governance of the state to him in a controversial circumstance. But the governor who believes that “trouble either makes one to be bitter or better” has described Ogboru and Emerhor, as “troublemakers”. He called on them to tender unreserved apology to the people of the state who trooped out enmasse to vote for him. Okowa boasted to high-heavens that he has not only delivered on his campaign promises but

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Tribute What we will miss about Keshi – Eguavoen, neighbours p.27

Sport Splash

Global England, Russia clash at Velodrome p.31

Things you didn’t know about Keshi

Tributes have continued to pour in for the late former Nigerian coach and captain Stephen Keshi. Many of his teammates, football administrators, politicians and associates have said so much about the greatest Nigerian football icon but AJIBADE OLUSESAN in this piece reveals some of the things about the coach that are not in the public space.

Family background

eshi’s father was Mr Ogbuechi Aniemeka Fredrick who was in Azare, Bauchi state with his wife Grace as at the time of the football icon’s birth. They moved to Lagos shortly after where the legendary player grew up. Ogbuechi whose name means ‘elephant killer’ in English allowed his three sons to engage in sport; Keshi’s other two siblings, George and Sylvester were also footballers, although they were not as successful as their brother. Ogbuechi died in 2005 and at that time Keshi was working in Togo as the coach of that country’s national team. Grace, his mum, is still alive.

How he met his wife

Arguably, Keshi’s most precious asset was his late wife Kate who died last year after a protracted battle with cancer. Many close relations believed the former Mali national team coach never recovered from the demise of his wife which culminated in his own death on Wednesday. But how did he meet Kate? Keshi had formed a good relationship with another ex-international Franklin Howard whom he met in the camp of Nigeria’s first U-21 team who were preparing for the inaugural FIFA World Youth Championship in 1977. Howard had a girlfriend called Elizabeth who usually visited with a fair-skinned friend. Keshi noticed that beauty and wasted no time to informing his friend about his interest in the new girl. Howard’s girlfriend did the matchmaking as Keshi and Kate got married in 1981. The two lovebirds had four children together.

Muda Lawal strategy

Keshi

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

Keshi settled down to marital life with his wife and God blessed their union quickly with a bouncing baby girl who was named Jennifer. A few years later they had another girl christened Stephanie but as an African man Keshi understandably became apprehensive when the third child came as a girl. After the naming ceremony of Sophie, Keshi’s third baby girl, his confidant told our correspondent that there was a joke the coach and his friend were cracking and one of them suggested to him to use ‘Muda Lawal’ strategy when on bed with his wife that his next baby would be a boy. (Lawal who is also late was a former national team captain who played alongside Keshi). Keshi seemed to have adopted the strategy because his next child was a boy.

Stripped of captaincy at

Strasbourg

One thing you can never take away from Keshi was his love for his country. His achievements say a lot about the passion he had for Nigeria. He suffered humiliation just to serve his fatherland. One of the most trying moments of his life was when he was stripped of the captaincy at Strasbourg, a team he singlehandedly led to the top division in France just because he honoured a national call against his coach’s advice. Keshi held Gilbert Gress, the then coach of Strasbourg in high esteem, he called the coach his father but the Frenchman was angry with his ‘son’s action such that he did not only depose him as his skipper, he banished the Nigerian to the bench. He never forgave Keshi which prompted the defender’s transfer to RND Molenbeek in 1994. If Keshi thought the story would be different in Belgium, he made a mistake as his new side insisted he should not go on international assignments, Keshi was not ready to take that and the two parties went their separate ways.

Best friends

The former Flying Eagles coach made many friends in his lifetime but Saturday Telegraph learnt that Keshi was close to socialite Ademola Adekogbe, Howard, Ghanaian legend, Abedi Pele, Edema Benson and many others.

Worked as insurance executive

Keshi was known for football but many are not aware he had a brief stint outside the game. He worked briefly as an insurance executive in his base in the United States.

Stints with media

Just like many retired footballers Keshi had a brief stint in the media. Even when he was actively playing football he maintained a column in a weekly sport paper, Sports Stars, where he bared his mind on topical sport issues, which was in 1993. Keshi also worked as a pundit for BBC in the coverage of 2004 African Nations Cup.

Nii Odartey Lamptey connection

He was also reputed to have a large heart. He helped many African players to develop their careers and one of those that would be eternally grateful to the Nigerian was Lamptey, a Ghanain football prodigy. The youngster had just shocked the world with his scintillating showing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, he wanted to take his football to Europe but his passport was confiscated by the Ghana FA who wanted him to remain in the country so that they could build a new team around him. He fled to Nigeria and met Keshi’s agent who arranged his travelling to Belgian where he signed for Anderlecht. He stayed in the Nigerian’s house for three years.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

Wikki target Heartland scalp in title race B auchi-based side, Wikki Tourists, are targeting a victory against Heartland in Owerri this weekend as they try to cement their position at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League table. Nobody gave Wikki any chance but they have been consistent since the beginning of the season and are currently top of the table. They have recorded the highest number of points, scored more goals and conceded the least number of goals this season. Apart from that, they have in their rank the league hot-shot, Godwin Obaje, who has scored 13 goals so far from 20 matches. On the other hand, Heartland have been inconsistent this season with their defence a big suspect. The Naze Millionaires conceded two late goals in their last match against Warri Wolves after leading for a long period of the game with two goals. Defending champions, Enyimba, will be away to relegation threatened Shooting Stars of Ibadan as they continue their gradual stride back to the top of the log. Enugu Rangers will be looking forward to repeating the same result recorded when they visited Jos in the first stanza of the league as they take on Plateau United this weekend. Rangers defeated expelled Giwa FC 1-0 in their last visit to the capital city of Plateau State and another victory on Sunday will

definitely help them in their quest to win a first league title in 32 years. Nasarawa United welcome IfeanyiUbah to Lafia while Lobi Stars will be the guests of Sunshine Stars in Akure. Other matches are Kano Pillars at home to Warri Wolves, Akwa United away to Ikorodu United who recorded their first away point against Abia Warriors and are trying to get every available point to take them away from the bottom of the table.

Clubs lament effects of night games O

MFM fans singing during a night match involving MFM and Kano Pillars

Udoh mourns Keshi

Enyimba's Chinedu Udoji (left) vying for the ball with Rivers United's Felix Benjamin

nyimba striker, Mfon Udoh, has described the late Stephen Keshi as the messiah of players in the domestic league. Speaking with our correspondent, Udoh, who made his debut during the reign of the Big Boss said if not for him that opened the way for some of them, it would have been difficult to be part of the national team set-up. Five players from the Premier League played pivotal roles in Nigeria winning her third Africa Cup of Nations trophy in South Africa in 2013. Sunday Mba, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Chigozie Agbim and Solomon Kwambe commanded attention in the team ahead of foreign-based Nigerian professionals. “I made my debut under Keshi and since he left the team, I have been waiting for another opportunity to be part of the national team again,” he said. “He gave the home-based players same sense of belonging like the foreign-based and as long as you were good, then you would be considered to be part of national assignment. “I called him a few days before his death and we spoke at length, he wished me all the successes that life could offer but he never told me he would leave so soon.” He added that most of them looked up to him as their mentor and that he was short of words.

NPFL LEAGUE TABLE Team

PTS

1 Wikki

2 Rangers

3 Rivers Utd

4 Kano Pillars

5 Lobi Stars

6 Enyimba

7 MFM FC

8 Sunshine

9 Abia Warriors

10 Akwa Utd

11 Tornadoes

-2

12 IfeanyiUbah

-1

13 Warri Wolves

-4

14 El-Kanemi

-3

15 Nasarawa Utd

-8

16 Heartland

-5

17 Plateau Utd

-9

18 Shooting

-13

19 Ikorodu Utd

-19

20 Giwa FC

ne of the innovations of the League Management Company is the introduction of the night games across some centres hosting Nigeria Professional Football League matches. Clubs like MFM FC of Lagos, Rangers of Enugu, Akwa United of Uyo, have been privileged to host night matches with more fans beginning to appreciate the atmosphere which allowed family and friends to mingle together. According to the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, night football has become the culture in the NPFL. “We are trying to create an avenue where more fans will have the opportunity of enjoying the league,” Abubakar said. “It has been accepted by everyone, people are looking forward to night matches with their friends and family, which was the main motive behind it.” But some of these clubs have been groaning under the cost of hosting a night game with one of the three saying they don’t want to host night football for now. Apart from the money for fuel to

power the generator at the stadium, there is the issue of extra security. An official of one of the clubs who spoke on condition of anonymity said the cost had been affecting them and with current situation in the country, they might not host night football soon. He said: “We spend between N80,000 and N120,000 to fuel the generator anytime we host a night game, not to talk of security. “I don’t think we are ready to host a night match now because, we are short of money and we need every cash we can get hold of.” But the COO however said the LMC was ready to support any of the clubs who are ready to host night football and are short of cash. “The truth is, most of the facilities are already available at some of these stadiums. The LMC has been working with the clubs and anywhere they have issues, we try to help out. “If it is money for fuel why not, we try to do that sometimes, and hopefully we can be able to take the game round all the centres in the country.”

MFM can end Rivers Utd's unbeaten home run – Quadri

FM FC are looking forward to their second away victory when they take on Rivers United in Port Harcourt this weekend. The Media Manager of the Lagosbased side, Olawale Quadri, said the players are in high spirit after their 2-0

MATCHDAY 22

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

victory against Nasarawa United. “We are aware of the fact that Rivers United are yet to lose a game at home this season,” Quadri said. “But with the performance of the boys against Nasarawa United and the motivation by the management, I believe we can get something from that game in Port Harcourt. “We respect Rivers, but we are not scared of them. It is going to be a difficult game but one we can achieve something from.” MFM defeated Rivers United 2-1 in the first leg when both sides met in Lagos, and a victory on Sunday will be the second away victory for MFM after their 2-1 victory against Nasarawa United in Lafia at the beginning of the season.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Sun sets on fifth member of golden Generation

Sport

Keshi

Nigerians were thrown into a deep shock Wednesday as the news of Stephen Keshi’s death went viral. One of the striking elements of the demise of the former national team coach and captain was that he became the fifth member of the ‘Golden Generation’ of Super Eagles that have passed on. He lifted the African Nations Cup trophy in Tunisia in 1994 and skippered the team to their maiden World Cup in the United States same year but the sun has already set for five members of that illustrious squad. AJIBADE OLUSESAN in this piece chronicles the death of these stars and the circumstances around their departure.

Uche Okafor

kafor was the first man from that glorious squad to die. The former ACB Lagos player who partnered Uche Okechukwu in the heart of Eagles defence on their way to triumph in Tunisia died exactly 17 years after that success. He was found hanging in his Dallas, Texas home in the United States. Preliminary reports claimed the easy-going ex-player committed suicide but his family suspected foul play which prompted the FBI to investigate the death. The security agency reported that the former Iwanyanwu player was actually murdered. The FBI report however, did not state who killed Okafor or why his life was terminated. Okafor played 34 times for Nigeria including regular action at the 1994 Nations Cup. Although he did not play a single match at the World Cup same year, he bounced back to taste action in the 1998 edition before he retired from international football same year.

Rashidi Yekini

Less than a year after Okafor’s demise, African football fans were shocked to receive the news of the death of one of the continent’s best strikers. Yekini died on May 4, 2012 at the age of 48. The cause of his death is still unknown but he was believed to have suffered from bipolar disorder, depression and some other undisclosed psychiatric condition. For about five years before his death Yekini led a reclusive life in Ibadan, he was not relating with friends and teammates and was seen doing some strange things around his house. The late player, popularly called ‘Yeking’ scored 36 goals for Nigeria which is still a national record. He also had the honour of scoring the country’s first goal at the World Cup and featured in five AFCON tournaments.

about three years before he was confirmed dead on January 27, 2015, in Spain. More tragic was the fact that he lost his wife just a few years before then due to the same ailment.

Stephen Keshi

The whole Africa was left stunned on Wednesday morning when the news filtered in that the most iconic football player in Nigeria died. Keshi was preparing to take over at a South African club and when many Nigerians were looking forward to seeing their legend return to the dugout after leaving the national duty post sometime ago, but they were left devastated with the news of his death. Just like Agbonavbare, Keshi lost his wife to the cold hands of death less than a year ago and never recovered from that until he passed on June 8. The former ACB of Lagos star is suspected to have died from cardiac arrest in his house in Benin City. He was arguably Nigeria’s greatest football icon having led the country to Nations Cup triumph both as player and coach.

Oliha

Thompson Oliha

Oliha’s wife Iris had no premonition of his death before the former Super Eagles midfielder gave up the ghost on June 30, 2013, about one year and a month after Yekini passed on. Iris said his late husband who was a coach with Kwara Football Academy was not suffering from a life-threatening ailment but died from malaria complications. He was aged 44. Oliha was in the beleaguered Chile 1987 Flying Eagles squad that crashed out in the first round of the tournament but he emerged from that disappointment to play more than 30 international matches for the senior national team. He became a key part of that Golden Generation that won AFCON 1994 and qualified Nigeria for the World Cup. Oliha was a big tackler with great vision and awareness, he was known for his powerful shots and aerial ability. He played for Bendel Insurance (1985-1987), Iwuanyanwu Nationale (1988-1991), Africa Sports (1992-1993), Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C. (1993-1994) and Antalyaspor (1994-1995).

Rashidi Yekini

Uche Okafor

Wilfred Agbonavbare

Agbonavbare played just 15 times for Nigeria in a career spanning one decade but he would be remembered for his role in the Super Eagles qualification for the World Cup. He was in goal when Nigeria confirmed the ticket to US 1994 in the match against Algeria in Algiers. The former New Nigeria Bank goalie battled with cancer for

Wilfred Rayo

Keshi: Nigeria’s greatest ever football legend

Adekunle Salami

n 1994 in Tunisia, the Super Eagles stunned Africa by emerging champions in the Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Zambia in the final. Nigeria was never a pretournament favourite. About 19 years after, Nigeria again went to South Africa in 2013 and against all odds, the Super Eagles emerged Champions. One Nigerian was able to win the gold medal on the two occasions and that person was late Stephen Keshi. The former Super Eagles skipper and Head Coach was the only Nigerian (living or dead) with two Nations Cup gold medals. He was only one of the two Africans along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa cup of Nations as both a player and a coach. Keshi it was who lead Eagles to win in Tunisia’94 as captain. Same year he led Nigeria to her first World Cup appearance at the United States of America. As a coach, he won the Nations Cup for the country and also led the Eagles to a second round appearance at the World in Brazil in 2014. Till date no Nigerian has achieved a bigger feat especially because Keshi also qualified Togo for their first ever World Cup appearance at Germany in 2006. Though he was fired before the Mundial, he won the World Cup ticket for the West African country. Keshi was the player that pioneered football professionalism as he left Nigeria to play for Stade d' Abidjan of Cote d Ivoire shortly before he moved to Belgium to join Anderlecht FC. And so it was not a surprise that there was a global response to the news of Keshi’s death in the early hours of Wednesday. Keshi was no longer a Nigerian legend but a global legend. Global news media like the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Cable News Network made the death of the great Nigerian their cover story. It was a hectic day for sports journalists on Wednesday as they struggled to cope with the pressure that came with

the death of this great man. Governors, organisations, National Assembly top shots, presidency and sports community outside Nigeria rose to salute the life and times of Keshi. “Keshi was a big football personality. He was captain of the Eagles for over a decade and achieved so much both as a coach and player. His death was a big shock. We have received condolence from FIFA, CAF and from various parts of the world,” President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick said. A member of the technical committee of the federation, James Peters, also spoke about the Keshi he knew as a player and coach. Peters said:”Keshi became a national team captain in 1984. I was an assistant coach with Chief Adegboye Onigbinde that time and it was great working with him because he helped the technical crew by taking charge of situations on the pitch. “He was taking initiatives as a good leader to make his colleagues give their best to the country. This is a big loss to Nigeria and Africa.” Kalusha Bwalya is not a Nigerian but the Zambian shared the grief in the land. He said Keshi was an inspiration to many generations. “He was a great football legend. Many youths looked up to him on the continent and even as a coach he did so well not only for Nigeria but also for Togo and Mali,” Bwalya said. A Ghanaian, Nii Odartey Lamptey, was in tears while speaking about Keshi’s death even 24 hours after the demise of the iconic figure. “Keshi made me what I am today. He took me to Belgium. I stayed with him for three years before our club, Anderlecht gave me an apartment. My parents are late but Keshi stood by me as a father, mother and all. He put food on my table. His death is a blow,” Lamptey lamented. It was also of note that top English Premier League outfits, Chelsea and Arsenal paid tribute to Keshi. Never has the death of any Nigerian sports personality shook the world like that of Keshi fondly called the Big Boss.

Eight weeks after his victory in Rome, Clay won his first professional bout. All the trademarks of his unorthodox style were on display. Clay had immense confidence in his speed and agility, often leaving his guard down and leaning back to avoid punches. Clay's showmanship was also evident in early bouts, as he dazzled media and fans with his bravado and predicted the round in which his fights would end. He faced tough opponents, including popular Englishman Henry Cooper, who knocked him down with a powerful left hook. But Clay maintained an unblemished

October 29, 1960: Turning professional

At 18, Clay qualified for the Olympics in Rome. He charmed the world media and proved popular among his fellow athletes. He proved himself in the ring too, winning gold as a light-heavyweight. Clay was famously proud of his medal, wearing it constantly during his stay in Italy and on his return to the United States. He was honoured with a victory parade in his home town of Louisville but was later refused service in a whites-only diner and other public facilities. The segregation laws still applied to him – Olympic champion or not.

September 5, 1960: Clay wins gold

When Clay was 12 years old, his parents bought him a bike for his birthday. It was stolen while he was at a local fair. Furious, Clay went to report the theft to a local policeman named Joe Martin. Martin was a boxing instructor as well as an officer. As Clay threatened to find and beat up the thief, Martin suggested he learnt how to fight before dishing out threats. Martin became Clay’s first trainer. Clay soon won an array of titles on the amateur boxing circuit under Martin's guidance.

January 17, 1954: A stolen gift

uhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay Jr in Louisville, Kentucky. His father was a sign painter and his mother a part-time cook and cleaner for wealthy families. Although they lived in a middle-class black neighbourhood, Kentucky law enforced a code of racial segregation that precluded black people from using many of the same public facilities as their white neighbours. The indignities forced on Clay and his family, as well as national outrages such as the racially-motivated murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955, deeply troubled Clay from an early age.

January 17: 1942: A star is born

Ali

In the early 1980s, Ali developed noticeable tremors and slurs in his speech. In 1984, he was diagnosed with

1984: A new fight

Ali was not a diplomat but he was enlisted into diplomatic causes by the US government due to his popularity at home and abroad. In 1980, President Carter sent Ali to Africa to gather support for a US-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics. But the mission offended many African leaders and was widely considered to be a diplomatic failure. In 1990, Ali went to Iraq on his own accord to help negotiate the release of American hostages captured after Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. Fifteen hostages were released, aided by Ali's profile.

February 5, 1980: On the world stage

championship six times before his loss to Leon Spinks, a largely untested fighter with seven pro fights to his credit. Seven months later, in September 1978, he defeated Spinks in a rematch to claim the heavyweight crown for an unprecedented third time. After a brief retirement, Ali made an ill-advised comeback against Larry Holmes. Ali failed to go the distance and was pulled out of the fight by his trainer after the tenth round. He retired permanently at age 40 with a ring record of 56 wins and five losses.

Ali failed to go the distance and was pulled out of the fight by his trainer after the tenth round. He retired permanently at age 40 with a ring record of 56 wins and five losses

Over 50 years after his first attendance at the Olympic

July 27, 2012: A legend in his lifetime

Ali has been the recipient of a myriad of honours, in appreciation of his lifelong fight for civil rights and religious freedoms. In 2005, Ali was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honour that can be bestowed on a civilian in America. Although he did not speak, Ali's sense of humour was still on full display. When President Bush threw a mock punch at the former champion, Ali twirled a finger round his head to indicate he would be crazy to take him on in a fight. That same year saw the opening of the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, a non-profit museum celebrating Ali's life and achievements

Nov 14, 2005 : Champion honoured

the Olympic flame in Atlanta. His appearance generated a worldwide outpouring of love, reaffirming his status as an iconic symbol of tolerance, understanding and courage. In 1999, in acknowledgement of his humanitarian work in impoverished countries, Ali was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. A Hollywood movie starring Will Smith dramatising his life and career was released in 2001. Ali made a number of public appearances to promote the film.

George W Bush decorating Ali with an honour

Sport

After Manila, Ali

September 15, 1978: The later years

It had been 21 months since Ali won a low-key rematch against Joe Frazier in New York. Their rivalry stood at one win each. Ali's womanizing became a sub-plot to the bout after he brought his mistress to a reception at the presidential palace in Manila. Meanwhile, tensions between Ali and Frazier were running higher than ever, as Ali continued to goad his opponent in public. He branded Frazier ‘a gorilla’. The fight lasted a punishing 14 rounds. Ali prevailed when Frazier’s corner halted the brutal back-and-forth carnage. Ali later described the fight as “the closest thing to death” he’d ever experienced.

October 1: 1975: Thrilla in Manilla

Ali’s victory over Foreman reinforced his position as the most recognisable person on the planet. His famous fans included Elvis, Bertrand Russell and Nelson Mandela. In an effort to heal rifts caused by the war in Vietnam and racial divisions within the United States, President Gerald Ford invited him to the White House in December 1974. Then, in 1975, Ali abandoned Nation of Islam teachings in favour of orthodox Islam. He has since declared, “Colour doesn’t make a man a devil. It’s the heart and soul and mind that count."

December 10, 1974: A global superstar

Ali had a chance to reclaim his title in Zaire against a new world champion: the hard-hitting heavyweight George Foreman. Again, Ali entered the ring as a 3-to-1 underdog. But in front of 80,000 fans, he unveiled a new tactic – the ‘ropea-dope’. Leaning back against the ropes, Ali avoided most punches to the head and absorbed punishing body blows before counter-attacking with straight right hands. In the middle rounds, Foreman tired. In round eight, Ali launched a powerful combination that knocked the champion to the canvas. "Oh my God," said BBC commentator Harry Carpenter, "he's won the world title back at 32.”

October 30: 1974: 'The Rumble in the Jungle'

Muhammad Ali was a fighter all his life, both in and out of the ring. He initially found fame as a champion boxer, celebrated for his ring style and witty talk before, during, and after fights. But Ali’s charisma and commitment to social and political causes saw him transcend boxing to become one of the most famous people on the planet. The BBC takes a close look at Ali’s life between 1942 and 2016.

Muhammad Ali The ultimate fighter 28 SATURDAY

11 JU

In 1970, Ali returned to boxing, knocking out Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena. Next up was Joe Frazier, who had become the heavyweight champion. Frazier and Ali clashed over more than just the title. To Frazier’s dismay, the two men became symbols and proxy warriors for opposing social, political, and religious beliefs. Ali, an outspoken advocate of black selfrealisation, dismissed Fraizer in pre-fight interviews as an 'Uncle Tom'. Their fight at Madison Square Garden was watched by millions of people in America and around the world. Frazier won a unanimous 15-round decision – it was Ali’s first professional loss.

March 8, 1971: 'The Fight of the Century'

As war unfolded in Vietnam, Ali received a notice drafting him into the US Army. His next fight would be in a courtroom, rather than a boxing ring. Ali objected to serving in the military because of his religious beliefs. He also referenced the mistreatment of black Americans, saying he refused to co-operate with the US government in oppressing another race of people. He was stripped of his championship, indicted for draft evasion, fined $10,000 and sentenced to five years in prison. Three years later, his conviction was overturned. Away from the ring, Ali toured colleges and spoke out on a variety of social and political issues

April 28, 1967: Ali vs US Govt

Speculation about Clay's religious beliefs had been fuelled by his relationship with black civil rights leader and Nation of Islam member Malcolm X. After defeating Liston, Clay publicly acknowledged he was a member of the religious movement. In March, he was given the name Muhammad Ali by his spiritual mentor, Elijah Muhammad. Ali accepted the group's controversial doctrine, including a call for apartheid between the races. It made him a pariah in some circles but, for many, he was a symbol of black pride, refusing to play the role of the 'compliant negro' in order to gain acceptance from the white establishment.

March 6, 1964: Muhammad Ali is born

ring record. He would soon prove himself against his toughest opponent yet.

defended his

ormer national boxing coach Obisia Nwankpa has hailed Muhammad Ali as the greatest boxer of all time. He said his generation idolised the American growing up as boxers and his success influenced their decision to take boxing as a career. “Ali was my hero, to some of us, he was an idol. No one came close to him; it was like he was the only boxer during his time. He was one of the reasons why I became a boxer. I learnt so much from his fights, I tried to do some of the things he did but they

Ajibade Olusesan

were just too much, I could not handle them, they came from Ali and he alone could do all those things. “He made boxing what it is today, he brought glamour into the game it’s a great loss for the world. He was a tough personality not only in the ring but also off it. I was young when he came to Nigeria but I still caught a glimpse of him, it was a memorable moment f o r me,” he said.

UNE 2016

Ali shouting at Sonny Liston to stand up and fight during their rematch in 1965

Obisia

Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer and one of the greats of sporting history. His impact was felt far beyond the confines of the boxing ring. He lost some of the best years of his sporting career after refusing, on principle, to fight for America in the Vietnam War. Beyond the ring, he will be remembered for his belief in social justice and support for Black civil rights. Truly a cultural icon, Ali’s passion, skill, intelligence and wit gave him a global appeal unmatched by few, if any, other sporting figures and inspired millions.

June 4, 2016: Muhammad Ali dies

Games in Rome, Ali made a poignant return to the world stage. At the 2012 Olympics in London, Ali was designated as an honorary flag bearer. Although his frail physical condition prevented him from carrying the flag, he stood for part of the ceremony with the support of his wife, Lonnie. Ali's appearance was rapturously received by fans in the packed stadium and around the world. It was a fitting tribute to one of the greats of sporting history whose remarkable life transcended the ropes of the boxing ring.

Ali was my idol – Obisia

In the summer of 1996, a trembling Muhammad Ali lit

July 19, 1996: Emotional return

Throughout his retirement, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian work and charitable causes. Many of Ali's most high profile fights were staged in developing countries, partly in a bid to shine a global spotlight on them. He continued to make trips as a goodwill ambassador to troubled nations, such as North Korea and Afghanistan, and delivered $1m of medical supplies to Cuba. In 1990, Ali met Nelson Mandela in Los Angeles, paying his respects to a fellow advocate of civil rights and political freedom.

June 29, 1990: Fighter turned philanthropist

Parkinson's. Ali's physicians linked his condition to the repeated blows to the head sustained during his boxing career. Ali, however, has stated that he does not believe his condition is caused by boxing. In the ensuing years, Ali became a visible symbol of courage in the face of physical disability and helped raise millions of dollars for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson's Center.

Y TELEGRAPH

Sport 29

Sport

Ronaldo’s mystery girl unveiled

Lifestyle of Sportsmen

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Emenike sparks dating rumours with beauty queen

HE stunning brunette Cristiano Ronaldo gyrated in front of on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean has been named as Colombian model Paula Suarez, who is a Real Madrid fan! The pair are said to have partied together after meeting at Ibiza nightclub, Amnesia. Suarez is thought to be the latest love interest of Ronaldo A source told Portuguese daily Correio da Manha: “Ronaldo invited her to a party on the boat. It was just a one-night thing.” The gorgeous south American actress, who has nearly 350,000 followers on Instagram, was asked by fans about Ronaldo on her social media sites but did not immediately respond. One commented alongside a picture Paula posted of herself in a white dressing gown by her bed: “That my friend is C R ’ s Lingard and n e w girlfriend gal.”

Paula

igerian striker Emmanuel Emenike has sparked rumours of romance between him and former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN 2014), Iheoma Nnadi. Emenike some days ago shared a photo of himself and Nnadi on his Instagram. The photo which was taken at the striker’s Chevy Estate mansion in Lekki showed the beauty queen hugging the football star. The photo raised questions from his followers before it was deleted. Iheoma The beauty queen also shared a photo of the striker on his birthday further fueling the rumour. Iheoma also posted a photo of Emenike on her Instagram (Instagram ) Sources close to the Fenerbahce striker told Pulse that he and the beauty queen are just friends. “Emenike and Iheoma are just friends. They got to hang out a lot when he came back and that’s it,” a close pal of the striker told Pulse. Sources close to Emenike says he's just friends with the beauty queen (Instagram/ Iheoma Nnadi) The 29-year-old striker was once linked with Nollywood actress Ebube Nwagbo.

Man United star parties with hot models after dumping girlfriend

esse Lingard did not make Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016 squad, but most England players would strongly consider swaping places with the Manchester United star mer. this sumThe 23-yearold looks to be living it large on holiday in Miami, partying with a

The woman behind Dele Alli’s success

ele Alli will need to have his full focus on his England duties at Euro 2016 this summer despite leaving a mystery new flame at home. The 20-year-old Tottenham midfielder, who will be a prominent part of the Three Lions' campaign in France, was snapped with the stunning brunette on a recent London walk. The youngster had been previously romantically linked with reality TV star Ferne McCann. Alli and the as-yet-unnamed woman were pictured smiling as they strolled hand in hand around central London, with the footballer wearing a knee-length coat and trendy sunglasses earlier this

bunch of smoking hot models weeks after dumping his girlfriend of five years ‘completely out of the blue.’ According to the Daily Mail, Lingard suddenly kicked long-term beau Emma Hyde out of their £500,000 luxury flat in April. Well, he’s found a pretty good way of moving on quickly… Lingard, United’s FA Cup-final hero, was boozing and talking to a bunch of smoking hot bikini-clad models after moving onto Florida after post-season breaks in Dubai and Las Vegas. A friend of Miss Hyde told the Daily Star about her pal’s sudden split with the Red Devils winger: “She’s floored. She’s moved into another flat with her son and is looking for a job.

Emenike and Iheoma

Enyeama celebrates E 10-year wedding anniversary Alli and girlfriend

year. During the April 26 walk near King's College, the PFA Young Player of the Year stopped at an ATM, where he withdrew a wad of cash, before the pair retired to a hotel. Alli and his beau were reportedly spotted clubbing three weeks later, a matter of hours after Tottenham's final game of the season in Newcastle, as their apparent romance continued to blossom. The Bogota-born beauty defines herself on her Twitter site as “a model since the age of 15, an activist for the dignity and respect of women in the modelling world, and an animal welfare campaigner”.

Enyeama and wife

Stories courtesy : Dailymail

x-Captain of the Super Eagles Vincent Enyeama is celebrating the 10th wedding anniversary to his wife, Promise. Enyeama took to his Instagram account to countdown to Friday, June 10 which was the 10th anniversary of the day he wedded his wife. Although he has been with his wife for over 15 years, Enyeama got married to Promise in June 2006. “#So gorgeous#10years ago #countdownto10thofJune #Godhasbeenfaithful,” Enyeama wrote on Instagram along with a photo of him and his wife on their wedding day. Ahead of the anniversary, the 33-year-old and his wife have flown to a holiday location to celebrate. ‘Destination next,” he captioned a photo of him and his wife on the first class section of a plane. The former Enyimba goalkeeper and his wife have three beautiful children-a son and two daughters.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Global Football Special

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH www.newtelegraphonline.com

Dark horses trade tackles

G Euro Fixtures Saturday Albania v Switzerland 3pm Wales v Slovakia 6pm England v Russia 9pm Sunday Turkey v Croatia 3pm Poland v N/Ireland 6pm Germany v Ukraine 9pm

Euro 2016

England, Russia clash at Velodrome

ngland kick-off their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia on Saturday night at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, seeking revenge against the side which pipped them to a spot at Euro 2008. Roy Hodgson’s side qualified for the Championships in style, winning all 10 of the matches, scoring 31 goals and conceding just 3 in the process. Captain Wayne Rooney is expected to be given a deeper role in midfield, paving the way for Harry Kane to lead the line, meaning Jamie Vardy may have to settle for a wide role in an attacking trio. Daniel Sturridge and teenage sensation Marcus Rashford will be adding to Hodgson’s selection headaches. While there are a number of uncertainties in midfield, Tottenham’s Eric

Dier is expected to shield the back four. The Three Lions defeated Portugal 1-0 in their final warm-up match, following 2-1 wins over Australia and Turkey. England defeated World Champions Germany 3-2 earlier this year, although they suffered defeat at home to the Netherlands a few days later. The results of Russia’s warm-up matches were less convincing, drawing 1-1 with Serbia after losing 2-1 to Czech Republic. Russia qualified for Euro 2016 as runners-up of Group G, behind Austria. Highly-rated Zenit St. Petersburg striker Artyom Dzyuba top-scored for the side, bagging 8 goals in qualifying. He’s expected to be flanked by Aleksandr Kokorin and Fyodor Smolov in a front 3.

Wales’s Bale under spotlight against Slovaks

ales play their first tournament match in 48 years on Saturday and they will need a swift start if their participation at Euro 2016 is to extend beyond three games.

Bale

Chris Coleman’s side face Slovakia knowing that victory in their first match would leave them exceptionally well-placed to reach a knockout stage that includes 16 of the tournament’s 24 teams and would offer perfect preparation for their meeting with England. Arguably the only world class player in Britain Bale has enjoyed a rather impressive third season at Real Madrid, banishing concerns from his sophomore slump, becoming the highest scoring Brit in the Spanish league and playing a key role in his side’s Champions League triumph. For Wales he is perhaps more than even a talisman – the entire side will be geared around Bale, who scored seven of their 11 qualifying goals and assisted in two of the others.

US seek consolidation in Copa America

he United States bounced back from a shutout loss to Colombia in their Copa America opener by blanking Costa Rica 4-0 on Tuesday and will now try to defeat a winless Paraguay team Saturday in Philadelphia. The Americans are +105 betting favorites (bet $100 to win $105) against Paraguay at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark, and they will be looking to stay among the top two teams in Group A with a draw or victory that

would advance them to the quarterfinals next week. Paraguay has scored only one goal combined in its first two games, and that is still one more than Costa Rica has totaled so far. However, both of those teams still find themselves with one point each after a draw last Saturday. This is a must-win match for Paraguay’s hopes of making it to the quarters, while the United States needs only one point to move on after routing Costa Rica.

roup D dark horses Turkey and Croatia are set to battle one another in the opening match of their respective 2016 UEFA European Championship campaigns to be held at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Sunday, June 12. Turkey returns to the Euros since their last participation in 2008 and the team is hoping that they can replicate their semifinal finish during the said year. The Crescent Stars will still be managed by head coach Fatih Terim this summer and expectations run high for the fans and supporters of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup third placers. The team is deep at the midfield with some of the best free kick shooters in the world, Bayer Leverkusen's Hakan Calhanog-

Turan

lu, Barcelona's Arda Turan, and Galatasaray's Selcik Inan. They also have a reliable frontline with Beijing Guoan striker Burak Yılmaz in the middle and two Borussia Dortmund stalwarts in his left and right sides with Nuri Sahin and 18-year-old Emre Mor. Ay-Yıldızlılar edged out Turkey, 1-0, in their Euro send-off on Monday at the Stadion Stožice in Ljubljana, as per USA Today, with Yilmaz scoring the winning goal right inside the five-minute mark off an assist by Calhanoglu. Meanwhile, Croatia is also a competitive team in the group with an even stronger midfield than that of Turkey on paper. Head coach Ante Cacic has in his disposal the likes of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic, and Fiorentina's Milan Badelj in a star-studded midfield cast. His only problem would be how to balance the playing time of these club superstars. The frontline is also as deep as the midfield with Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic leading the charge. The team also has Fiorentina's Nikola Kalinic, Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric, and Malaga's Duje Cop, all top scorers with their respective clubs. Vatreni demolished San Marino in their Euro warmup last Sunday, 10-0, at the Nogometno igralište Rujevica in Rijeka, Croatia as Mandzukic and Kalinic both scored hat tricks during the match, via Goal.

Favourites Germany face Ukraine challenge

roup C favorites Germany is anticipated to receive a tough challenge from a hard-fighting Ukraine eleven in their 2016 UEFA European Championship opening game on June 12, Sunday at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. The Germans, currently ranked fourth in the world by FIFA, are one of the most star-studded squads in the tournament. They are actually also one of the favorites to win this summer's Euros as the team is led by Bundesliga champions Thomas Müller, Mario Götze, and Manuel Neuer. Aside from the Bavarian trio, head coach Joachim Löw also has Arsenal's Mesut Özil, Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, Wolfsburg's Julian Draxler and Andre Schurrle, Juventus' Sam Khedira, Borussia Dort-

mund's Mats Hummels and Julian Weigl, plus Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen as Neuer's backup on goal. Not to mention that the team is also captained by Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger and Löw is surely in an unenviable position of having a team that is expected to win all their games in this tournament. They do, at least in Group C where they are sorted with Ukraine, Poland, and Northern Ireland, evidently weaker teams in terms of roster quality. Die Mannschaft eased off past Hungary, 2-0, in their Euro send-off on Sunday at the Veltins Arena as Müller added a goal to a Hungarian own goal late in the match, via Goal.

Ozil

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

How Nigeria can immortalise Keshi – Football fans AZEEZ IBRAHIM spoke with football fans who gave their opinions on how Nigerian government could immortalise late Stephen Keshi.

Name stadium after him

was shocked when I heard the news. It’s a great loss to the nation and I wouldn’t want the government to forget him just like that. So, maybe they should name one of our stadiums after him, and his family most importantly his children should be taken care of, because I heard he’s got about four children. They should not be neglected. Mr Joshua Akinboro, Student

FG must assist his children

ell, I’m not a football lover but to me Stephen Keshi is supposed to be immortalised because he did a great deal of good deeds for the nation a n d Africa at large. His death is a very painful one and at this period of time. So, the government should do something about it and remember his family because I’m aware that he lost his wife a few months ago. They must have some assistance for his children. Mr Bruno David, businessman

Give him a state burial

e ought to be given a state burial, a befitting funeral. He had done a lot for his country; let’s forget about tribe, politics or what have you. To me, he was an icon and he should be given befitting burial because he deserves it. And the issue of either naming a stadium after him or erecting a statue of him is a decision for the government but what I feel is that he must be given a good burial and his family be taken care of. Mr Okey Chukwu, trader

Erect a statue for him

he most important thing I feel they can do to immortalise him is to erect a statue of him at the Abuja or Calabar stadiums, because he was a hero. And also they should take proper care of his family because he brought glory to the nation. Igwe Chinonso, trader

Build a sport centre in his name

hey should do something tangible that would keep his name, like building a sport centre and naming it after him or rather rechristen an existing stadium in his honour. It would be very nice to make sure his name is not forgotten. Keshi contributed immensely to the glory of this country and he deserves the best. Most importantly his family members must be cared for. Solomon Justice

What we will miss about Keshi – Eguavoen, neighbours

qualities. He was very assertive, when he believed in a cause he went all the way unless you convinced BENIN him beyond reasonable doubt. That is when he would soft pedal. On the speculation that he led s the late Super Eagles coach begins the a mafia while he was captain of the Super Eagle, journey to the great beyond, top personEguavoen stated that: “there was nothing like mafia. alities, groups, fans, friends and associates He was leading the team players and management have continued to shower praises and as captain but he was the leader amongst us and it show of love on Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, for his was about negotiation. If he told us something we legendary status in the country’s sports circles. But would agree with him but sometimes we disagreed. as often the case accolades and praises are poured If he said no, we said no too; if said yes he had to on the dead in these parts. prove to us, it was like having a group of persons. We Keshi’s role in promoting Nigeria’s football, no had set goals and if we don’t stand or sit together the doubt, cannot be quantified, a feat that he actively group would break. Then if we were together it was nursed, groomed, laboured and saw to an appredifficult to break. If one person he could be punished ciable level. It is on record that mention cannot be but the team stood solid and you cannot punish five made with good reference to the shine the late Keshi or six persons at the same time and we never went gave to the growth of sports. wrong. That was why we ruled Africa for that long. Such laudable contributions reflected in comEdo State commissioner for Information and Oriments of some mourners and friends who are still entation, Prince Kassim Afegbua said: “Keshi was in shock following the death of the former Eagles a good man, very friendly, very playful, any time captain and coach in the early hours of Wednesday. he came to Benin we went to his house, Mr. Philip Achibong, Keshi’s closest we played, laughed. He was a man of neighbour at his house on 5 Ohenhen Street, the people, very easy going. I will also I have never Off Edegbe Street, Upper Adesuwa/Elema pray that the federal government gives Palace, said “Keshi was a nice man, he loved seen a man like him a fantastic burial, state burial and everybody both young and old. He was a also immortalise him because here was that before. I simply man; I have never seen a man like a man out of his 54 years of his existence, that before. I always stayed with him in his always stayed he spent about 34 years of it representhouse. We did things together. He was just ing Nigeria and contributing his all, no like a father to me. I am not lying to you. with him in his holding back. You would see passion, When they told me about his death I doubtyou would see his dedication and comhouse. We did ed it. On the evening of that day, we talked mitment at various times. I had followed so when somebody told me that Keshi was things together. him right from his days at New Nigerian dead I shouted in total shock and surprise. I Bank. Of course he started from ACB and He was just like told the person that we were together yeslater he left the country for Cote d’ Ivoire terday (Wednesday). I said ‘let me verify, let a father to me to play and from there to Anderlecht - I me find out but that uncle was healthy and have been following him. I have been one sound there was nothing wrong with him. of his very strong fans.” What happened, I don’’t understand this kind of On his part, a sports promoter and President of thing. I will miss him greatly because he advised me the PAMODZI, Mr. Mike Itemuagbon, noted that a lot as a young man. I told you he was like a father Keshi was being shown so much love now that to me. He advised me on how to live my life, that he had passed on. He described the late ex-Super no matter what I should control my life. He talked Eagles coach as one who symbolised so many things, to me as his son. He had lived with us here (in the someone who came to the world with a mission. He neighbourhood) for more than 25 years now. I grew added that if he had received as much outpouring up with him here.” of love while alive, he would have performed more Also, former coach of the Super Eagles, Austin for the growth of the game in the country. Eguavoen, said he would miss Keshi’s “leadership Cajetan Mmuta

Nigeria must not forget Keshi like Yekini we

ctually, I’m not a football fan, but one thing I know about Nigerians is that we don’t know how to differentiate heroes from common men. All usually do is praise politicians who steal public funds and neglect men who render selfless service to the nation. But, to me the most important thing they must do is not to abandon his family as they have done Rashidi Yekini’s, and Keshi’s memory must be kept on, he must not fade away just like that. Mr Caleb John, trader

His family must not be neglected

stadium must be named after him either in his hometown or anywhere else in the country, that’s the best I can think of that is good to honour him. And his family must not be neglected as well. Seun Abiodun

... conducting a training session as coach of Super Eagles

Investigation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

gleaned from people’s reactions'

Ibori

has made a well out of the valley amidst the country’s economic woes. The previous administrations, according to Okowa, left behind a huge debt profile. “Monthly allocations from the federal government declined steadily, just as the crude oil price nosedived at the international market,” he said. Unperturbed by negative criticisms, the governor has vowed to straightforwardly ensure projects delivery that would stand the test of time. He, however, warned officials of the Ministry of Works and contractors han-

Uduaghan

dling various projects in the state to forget the practice of business as usual or incur his wrath. Within his first one year in office, he approved so many projects, which include construction and dualisation of roads, maintainance / reconstruction and rehabilitation of technical colleges, schools and market places across the state. Many are still wondering how he would continue to fund the projects, going by the current economic downturn in the country, high debt profile of the state and huge salary payroll of the state’s workforce.

Ogboru

But he has always had his plans. Four days after he assumed office on June 1, 2015, Okowa, in a letter to the state’s Head of Service, Patrick Origho, placed the recruitment exercise conducted by Uduaghan on suspension. The governor, it was gathered, discovered that the process of the employment was riddle with fraud and hence cannot be said to be morally upright. He further said it would be foolhardy for a state that is grappling to meet its payroll obligation to start employing more hands. He lamented the dilemma he found himself when the monthly federal allocation to the state, which initially stood at N8 billion dropped to N7 billion and could not pay about 70,000 workers in the state as at May 29, 2015. This was the situation before the state income drastically dropped to N3 billion in May. Although, he said the low allocation was as a result of the resumed hostility by

Emerhor

militants in the state and was categorical that “this will also affect our allocation up to the month of August. “I just learnt from the Accountant-General of the state that this May allocation is about N3 billion. This cannot even pay the wage bill of workers put at over N7 billion,” the governor added. In spite of that, Okowa has been able to commission 24 projects. These are: The construction of Ejinyere/Orodje Street, Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area; Orodje Street, Onomigbo Street in Okpe; Access Road to Christ Embassy Church in Asaba; Esenwa Street, linking Direct Labour Agency (DLA) to Benin-Asaba Expressway; expansion of Access Road to the Orthopeadic Surgery Wards and Doctor’s Quarters of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba; Sapele Technical College; rehabilitation of Jeddo/Ughoton Road and Access Road to Eagles Height University (Phase 1), Orikese Street in Agbor, Ika South council area. Others are Agbor Technical College; Ogbemudein mixed Secondary School at Boji-Boji in Agbor; Dr. Whyte/Upper-Imudia Street, Agbor; Oteri Township Road in Ughelli North; Ejiyere/Dederu/Akemu Streets by Church of God Mission, Warri; Okere-Urhobo Community Road in Warri South council area; Abavo General Hospital; Completion of the Palace Road, Owa-Oyibu; Ikokogbe/Idumuizomor Road, Owa-Oyibu; Owa Model School, Boji-Boji; Ofagbe Technical College, Isoko South; Ibrahim Kefas Road, Uzere, Oleh axis of Isoko South; faculty of Law Complex, Delta State University, Oleh as well as the Pediatric Ward/Water Scheme, Patani General Hospital. There are those that were reviewed and recommended for rehabilitation. They are: The Agripreneur in ADP, Ibusa, Oshimili North; Okpare/Olomu/Kiagbodo Road; Uduoohori Road, Patani; Youth Agricultural Entrepreneur Programme (YAGEP) Cluster in Bomadi; Ughelli-Afiesere Road; Oza-Nogogo/ Alisimie Road; Ubeji Road, YAGEP Morebe Clusters in Okpe; Okwitolor (Warri/Sapele Road); Benin-Warri Federal Road Maintenance Work; Dualisation of Warri-Sapele Road from Amukpe Roundabout; Okpanam Road Dualisation project; Cable-Point Road Dualisation project and construction of Roundabout in Asaba; Ekpan-Ovu YAGEP Clusters and Orerokpe Modern Market. Despite all these, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri Clan Chapter, has called the governor’s peace and security agenda to question. They went on to pass a vote of no confidence on him. This happened barely 48 hours after members of the state’s House of Assembly passed a vote of confidence on the governor, following the land dispute that has claimed many lives and properties worth millions in Ogbe-Ijoh / Aladja. However, the Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, in a swift reaction to the IYC vote of no confidence on the governor, said: “the group forgot in a hurry that Okowa had since constituted an eight-man panel of inquiry, headed by a former don, Professor Abednego Ekoko, to look into the renewed crisis. The peace and security agenda of the governor remained intact.” Ukah also said that Okowa’s achievements for the past one year can be gleaned from people’s reactions to his style of governance. “From Asaba where the seat of power is to Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, the creeks and villages of the state, there is a unanimous statement that the governor has done well. “Governor Okowa did not run away when he came and met challenges; he did not travel to other places looking for solution to problems bedeviling the state but, rather, he faced the challenge with equanimity,” Ukah said.

34 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Simi: I'm always reluctant to take my bath Within a short time in showbiz, Simisola Ogunleye popularly known as Simi, has shown what she is capable of. The mass communication graduate who has a distinct voice speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, Have you ever hired someone to write a song for you? I write my lyrics myself and for other people. I am not just a singer; I am a songwriter, I mix and master most of my songs myself. How do you develop lyrics? It depends on how deep I want to go with a particular song I am putting together. ‘Jamb Question’ is not really a deep song, but people got the message I was communicating. That is the most important thing. I write my lyrics based on happenings around me and things people shared with me. Do you decide the songs you make or the label does? I don’t know about other record labels, but I am at liberty to write my song at any time and do whatever I like with it. My label has always been supportive, although there have been cases they didn’t do things my way. Before we released ‘Jamb Question,’ I was going to drop ‘Open and Close,’ but my management team disagreed on that. I felt bad, but it turned out to be a great decision. What has been the secret of your success? I have an amazing team; there is really little I can do myself. Though I write my

songs, mix and master, my management makes things to work well for me. They make sure at all times that I stand on the right path. I have always been favoured; God loves me so much. Why do you always infuse humour into your music? It is something people now notice in my music, but there are also songs that have no touch of humour. And most of my songs that have humour are normally realistic. Who is Simi away from the glitz and glamour? I am very straightforward and I like to say things the way I see them. One thing I dislike is pretence and I don’t like people who pretend. When I see something and I feel there is much to say about it, I say it in a polite way. What has changed about you since joining Xtreme Music? A lot has changed. Before I got signed, I was doing music myself. Now, the management takes care of me and my music. I am more focused and now understand that entertainment is an industry that comes with plenty work if you want to stay relevant. Has fame changed certain things about you? I am still the real me. I could still stop and buy roasted plantain on the streets. I am not blown away by fame because I don’t get excited about it. I am simply happy about my celebrity status because more people know my music and want to relate with it. Do you plan to drop your debut album anytime soon? I am dropping it this year; all hands

A FAN DID TO ME –DR. SID

emale fans have done many unprintable things to me. I have seen a case where a female fan was begging me seriously to kiss her or a situation where a fan wanted me to sign an autograph on her breast. All these things are normal for celebrities, but if you know me well I like to stay away from scandals or things that would damage my image. I see myself as brand and I try as much as possible to protect it. But I don't play with my fans as well because they are the reasons I am still relevant.

are on deck towards a successful debut album. I won’t give details for now because we are still deliberating on some things. What has kept you going? The passion. I pay less attention to things, but one thing that keeps me more focused is music. I really want to learn more about music; it pushes me on. Do you intend to work with your mass communication certificate? I have a blog, though I have not been consistent with it. I love writing; if I wasn’t doing music, I would probably be a writer or a radio personality. Writing is still part of me; you can’t do music without media. How was growing up like I was a tomboy growing up and it was because I grew up with my three elder brothers. I used to like snickers and jeans, and our father really spoilt us. We watched movies a lot too; growing up was fun. Since my brothers preferred horror movies, I had no choice than to watch with them. But when I was nine years old, my parents got separated and it was a really tough time for the children because we had to grow up fast. I thank God things went well in the long run. Are you not threatened by other female artistes? I don’t feel threatened because there is enough room for everyone to be successful. So I am not competing with anyone and anytime I see someone who is impressive, I wish him or her well. It even feels good that we have more female artistes who are doing well in the industry because it is not easy. Are you a lover of designers? I am indifferent. If you give me a good design, I would rock it well but I am not that hooked on designers. I even prefer local fabrics and designs. But you cannot see me wearing ‘Iro’ and ‘Buba’. I might not be able to say no when I want to get married, but it is something I don’t feel comfortable in. I can still remember the last time my mum made one for me, I really looked ridiculous in it. Do you have a daily routine you don’t like? I am always reluctant to take my bath. It doesn’t mean I don’t go to the bathroom, but it stops me from doing other things. I love to multi-task; I could be brushing my teeth and operating my system or reading as well. But once you get into the bathroom, you must stop everything. Do you prefer a tall or short man? He must be tall to complement me. Are you seeing anyone at the moment? Yes, I am. He is my number one fan. He encourages me at all time Do you have a favourite fun spot? I like it when I go to New York Who are the Yoruba musicians you wish to work with? For Fuji, it would definitely be Pasuma while for Juju I would love to do a song with Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade. I actually fantasise on doing something with them because they are living legends.

Simi

Showbiz 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Airtel Trace Music Star 2 Africa finale holds in Lagos today

he grand finale of Airtel Trace Music Star Season 2 takes place today at the Ultima Studios, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and will be recorded for TV broadcast. Participants who emerged winners in their respective countries are all set to showcase their talents to renowned American vocalist and songwriter, Keri Hilson, Fally Ipupa, singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, and Mr. Shawn “Pecas” Costner of ROC Nation. All judges are expected to arrive Nigeria within the week. The finale, which promises to be captivating will be attended by top executives from Airtel alongside senior directors from TRACE Africa. According to the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmad Mokhles, the telecom company is passionate about creating platforms that delight, excite, entertain, engage and empower talented youths as well as telecoms consumers across the country. “The sponsorship of Airtel Trace Music Stars is yet another eloquent testimony of Airtel’s commitment to empowering young, talented Nigerians. As Nigeria’s smartphone network

of choice, we are always excited to enter partnerships that connect the Nigerian youths to their dreams and we are very excited about the opportunities that Trace presents.” A total of 10 contestants representing Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia will compete in the grand finale of the biggest pan-African talent search contest. Nigeria’s representative, Ehieduonye Ezehike, a.k.a. Edu, who emerged winner of N5 million courtesy of Airtel at the national finale held recently at Hard Rock Café in Lagos said he is ready to make the country proud. “I thank God, my parents and friends for supporting me this far. I look forward to making Nigeria proud at the Africa Finale,” Edu, who hails from Delta State, said. The grand prize comprises a mentorship programme with multi-award winning American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson in Atlanta. The winner also gets an opportunity to record a duet with Keri as well as receive a signed contract with a major music label and worldwide media exposure through various Trace’s platforms.

Mixta Africa storms London with WAKAA

ixta Africa, Europe’s first-mover and active player in the fast growing African real estate sector, is sponsoring Wakaa, the musical in London’s west end. This was made known by the Head, Business Development of its Nigerian subsidiary, Mixta Nigeria, Mr. Tunji Osinulu, at a joint press conference held by Bolanle Austen Peters Productions (BAP) and Mixta Africa. Wakaa! The Musical, is a play about the trials, successes and experiences of young graduates with various backgrounds. A wager

TURNING P INT I

Taiwo Ajai-Lycett

think it was 1965 when I was in my 30s. I never thought I was an actor; I didn’t start with the mind-set that I wanted to be famous, though I liked the theatre. I went to the cinemas and concerts all the time. I loved music and anything that had to do with the arts. I thought it was all about that; I had no idea I was a performer until I went to see a friend who was rehearsing and the director asked me to join the production. After that day, everybody was after me. The next weekend, I was at the BBC working. For years, I was a presenter for the BBC’s magazine programme, Calling Nigeria. So, nothing prepared me for this. I did photo journalism too and I covered different things. From acting, people kept pushing to do one thing or the other. If I die now, I would have lived a wonderful life. I am very grateful for the journey so far and I am just beginning. I know of people who are still doing great in their '80s. I still improve myself every day. Life is a bit d i ff e re n t now; you could t a k e courses online.

between them after graduation has a twist when the realities of life and the folly of their choices hit them. The story reveals the struggle and challenge young people face in present day Africa and abroad. WAKAA! The Musical takes you on an emotional roller coaster and is a strong satire of Nigeria’s politics. According to Osinulu, Mixta Africa is sponsoring Wakaa the musical because it is an original African export. The plot typifies the current reality of the typical African youth who is looking for a way out of Africa and failing to see the opportunities that exist at home. When BAP Productions expressed their intention to take Wakaa the musical to the global stage, it wasn’t difficult for us to connect with: firstly, because of the need to support the arts but, most

Fathia Balogun goes bald again in new movie N

ollywood diva, Fathia Balogun, has done away with her dashing long hair in a new flick entitled, 'Shola Arikusa'. She’d be doing this for the second time 15 years after she went bald for her own production dubbed, 'Makomi' which was a hit movie. The light skinned actress and proud mother of two is reinventing herself and setting a fresh record with this gasp-inducing adventure. When asked what informed her decision to go bald again after a long while, she said: “When I was approached by the director that my role will require me to shave off my hair totally, I did not think about it twice before I succumbed to playing the role since it's what I have done before. I’m a trained actor who can interprete roles and that I am doing that on this project too.” She added: “Whether you have grown hair or not, the way you rock it matters a lot, going bald now does not mean I would not be fashionable; after this movie check me out on red carpet events.” 'Shola Arikusa' is directed by Okiki Afolayan and has cast including Yinka Quadri, Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Toyosi Adesanya, among others.

importantly, because Mixta Africa is about harnessing opportunities by building communities across Africa. He said: “Our support of Wakaa on the London project is well aligned with our strategy for the Diaspora market. As you know, the African real estate sector currently offers huge opportunities for investment: right from affordable homes to luxury homes. There is a very strong African presence in London and we want to use this medium to reach out to them about the opportunities back home.” Founded in April 2005, Mixta Africa is an active player in the fast growing African Real Estate sector with offices in Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Mauritania and projects in Algeria and Egypt.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

11 JUNE 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

This weekend ONTV

TELEVISION

WAP TV

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

Host (left) and guest speaker Ojowu

The Nigeria economy; what happened?

agnus Kpakol global view Africa (gvA) is a current affairs programme that takes in-depth look at topical issues in and around Africa by giving them professional analysis with a view to proffering meaningful solutions. It is aired on AIT (253) every Thursday at 11pm. The fall in global oil prices has hit Nigeria terribly and the chances of growing the economy are bleak for the first time in many years. Policies must now be made to get it right as the prolonged economic decline can impose devastating human cost on the society. What happened and what should be done? This formed the basis for last week’s edition of Magnus Kpakol’s gvA and had Professor Ode Ojowu, Pro-chancellor, Benue State University, Makurdi as the guest analyst. The Nigerian economy was one of the fastest growing economies in the world but in recent time the Nigeria

Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has recorded a decline for the first in a long time, what is happening? In providing answers to the above question, Ojowu said he was not surprised that we are having such decline. He said: “We have already experienced decline in our economy before it was reported by the NBS; this is a report covering January to March 2016. What happened is that we are unable to withstand the shock brought about by the decline in the prices of crude oil. The dramatic decline has led to revenue shortage, and at the same time we paid so much attention to the campaign processes and

Programme summary

Bold Faces African Independent

Question time Channels (254)

Television (AIT) Sunday @ 12:30pm

Sunday @10am

Bold Faces is a showbiz programme that profiles local and international personalities who have distinguished themselves in various professional endeavours and in their communities.

It is a political programme that outlines the basic activities and accountability portfolio of officeholders in Nigeria.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Beat FM’s DJ Caise

ntroducing one of UK's most exciting and innovative young Nigerian entertainers to ever grace the turntables, Caise, who is a multi-award winning DJ who has not only performed in the UK's and Nigeria's most prestigious nightclubs but has also entertained a variety of audiences from around the world. Dj Caise has a unique and inventive style that enabled him to perform alongside several of music industry's leading artistes. Trained at the world renowned Point Blank London Music College, his style is very versatile and eclectic. You are unlikely to hear the same mix or repeat of a song during a gig. Mixing style varies from cutting to blending with a hint of scratching. DJ Caise has been selected amongst many other DJs for great shows such as (MTV Africa Music Awards; MAMA

2010), (Soundcity Music Video Awards; SMVA 2010) Big Brother Africa’s Nigeria guest DJ, (BBA All Star 2010 and BBA Amplified 2011) Big Brother Africa All Stars Winners Party, Glo Naija Sings Winners Party, Lagos State Governor’s Independence Day Ball, The Christian Audigier Wine and Champagne Launch (Lagos).

DJ Caise

when the new government came in, it took quite some time to put together a cabinet and even after the cabinet it took some time to put the budget together. The process of implementing the budget did not commence until May 6. So, in addition to structural problems in the system I am not surprised that we have such a decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” Ojowu added that the inability to withstand the shock from the decline in oil prices contributed to the fall in GDP. “We are supposed to have domestic capacity to respond to crises and we are not able to that.” Speaking on the effects of recession on average Nigerians and investors looking at Nigeria at this time, Ojowu said: “There was a report that we are in stagnation and stagnation is worse than recession. If there’s stagnation there will be high inflation and higher unemployment. We already understand the impact this has had on the lives of the people; salaries are not paid, health facilities have literally broken down, electricity supply is not there and yet tariff has gone up. What it means for the people is more suffering, but hopefully there should be a turn around. I don’t think the second quarter of 2016 is going to be any better than the first one because we have just one month left to the end of second quarter. The only positive thing is the signing and approval of the budget and I think it may take up to the end of June for it to take full effect. If the budget is effectively implemented in terms of reaching the target as at when due then we would hopefully experience the change from negative to zero growth by the end of the year”. He added: In our time we had NEEDS, it was changed to 7-point agenda and then to transformation agenda and now change. The frequency of these changes is part of the problem, and devaluation will not give us the solution because what devaluation has been doing is simply making us accept our dependent status rather than going through the pain of change.

Saturday 06:00 Wap-Alaffs Report 06:30 Popular Songs 07:00 Kookoorokoo 09:30 Indomitable 10:00 Sport Arena 11:00 Awokogbon 12:30 Nnena and Friends 01:00 D Beat Zone 02:00 Destiny River Report 02:30 Reel Naija Spare my Life O4:30 Teju Baby Face Show 4:00 World News 9:05 Arambara 4:30 Turning Point 9:30 Village Square 5:00 Personalities Places 11:05 Snakes and Lizards and Events 12:00 Souncity Top Choice Videos 5:30 Our Ladies Our Pride 1:00 Hitz 6:00 Hitlist & Cruzing 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 6:30 Making of a Chef 2:35 Village Square 7:00 The Valley Between 4:10 Movie 8:00 AIT News Hour 5:35 Los Rey 9:00 Tales of Eve 6:20 Spice Most 10:00 Taste of Love 7:00 News Headline 12:00 Sunday Homily 7:10 Footprints Sunday 8:00 Pulse 234 06:00 Wap-Alaffs Report 8:30 Spider 06:30 Turning Point 9:00 Spice Specials 07:00 The Relevant Church 9:30 Soundcity Party Mix 07:30 Kookoorokoo 10:30 Omnisport 09:30 700 Club Sunday 10:00 Awokogbon Kogbodeye 8:00 Hutos 11:30 X2D 9:05 Arambara 12:00 Indian Series Omnibus 9:35 Village Square 01:30 The Benjamins 11:05 Snakes and Lizards O2:00 Video Fashion 12:00 Soundcity’s Global Countdown 02:30 Thousand Laugh Xtra 1:00 Hitz 04:30 Reel Naija Spare My Life 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 6:00 Igbo Series 2:40 Village Square 6:30 Clinic Matters 4:10 Movie 7:00 I Love Nigeria 5:35 Los Rey 8:00 Knorr Taste Quest 6:30 Glam Mamas 9:00 Tales of Eve 7:05 Before 30 7:30 Saints 8:00 Sunday Paparazzi Show 8:30 Spider 9:00 On the Couch 10:25 Omnisports 10:50 Movies

CITY FM 105.1

RADIO

Saturday 6:00 Saturday Breakfast Show 8:00 Weekend Update 8:30 Growing Up Matters 9:00 City Talks 10:30 Don-Digy’s Corner 12:15 The City Kids Show 2:00 Fan Zone 3:30 Soccer Wrap 7: 00 Encounter with Grace 8:00 Round Table 11:00 Elisha Baza Show

Sunday 5:00 Praise in the City 5:30 Christ Embassy 6:00 Sunday Praise Show 3:00 Music Culture 6:00 Singspiration 8:00 Only the Hits 9:00 Once Upon a Time 10: Refresh

RADIO LAGOS Saturday 75:10 Audra Aro 5:20 Iwure Aaro 5:25 Waasi Idaji 6:15 Nigba Ti Wa 7:15 Asayan Iroyin 9:10 Idan Orita 10:15 Ara Ewe 12:00 World News 1:00 Mooko Mooka 1:30 Lere 2:00 Oyin Momo 2:30 Ogegele 3:00 Odo Iwoyi

Sunday 6:15 Oro Igbala 6:30 Oro Iyin 7:00 Personal Paid Announce- ments 7:15 Asayan Iroyin 7:30 Ase Ibi Mimo 10:15 Eba mi Dupe 11:10 Mukulumuke 5:30 Rotimi Akinwole on FM 9:00 Obirin Ologo

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

The Arts

Tony Okuyeme t was a gathering of like minds and a reunion of sorts for stakeholders in the arts and culture sector, notably writers, artists, critics, culture activists, dramatists, art patrons, poets, art aficionados among others, last Sunday for the quarterly Art Stampede, a parliamentary event in which artists, art critics, art journalists and art connoisseurs gather to discuss issues organised by the Committee for Relevant Art held at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. The Stampede themed “25 Years of Culture Advocacy: What gains? What prospects?”, was particularly special as it was coincided with the 25th anniversary of CORA. However, this 25th anniversary edition called for reflections on the achievements of CORA in the last 25 years. And one that resonated loud and clear was that CORA has indeed made giant strides and deserves commendation. This was particularly brought to the fore as writers, dramatists, artists, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, among others, critics, one after the other, paid glowing tributes to the vision of the founders of CORA, which was to help create an enabling environment for the flourish of the contemporary arts of Nigeria, in the forms of literature, theatre, music, fine art, movie making, as well as TV programme design and production, and especially, to make Culture the prime investment destination for the country and the continent. A panel, comprising Molara Wood as moderator, special adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, poet and essayist, Anthony Kan Onwordi, popularly known as Toni Kan, Dr. Tunji Azeez, actor and filmmaker, Francis Onwochei and Victor Nwokocha, set the stage with remarks from the panelists. Abati, in his contribution, commended CORA, noting that it encouraged and provided a platform for Nigerian artists to showcase their talents. He urged the younger generation to emulate the example set by Toyin Akinosho and Jahman Anikulapo, and that Nigerians and members of the culture community could not do without the benefits of culture advocacy. Abati expressed concern for the poor reading culture in the society, adding that, “If in 1991 we complained about the poor reading culture, I am afraid that it is worse now. The danger is that we are not encouraged to think.” Also, in his contribution to the discussion, Kan, dismissed the idea that Nigeria lacked a healthy reading culture because the people hardly read. He said: “I don’t believe that Nigerians do not read. I think it is the biggest fallacy in Nigeria. People read, but we have to ask ourselves: are we writing what they want to read? Those of us who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s had this assumption that to be a writer, you have to write like Wole Soyinka. I think that is not what people want to read. “Every morning when I am going to work, I move into a BRT and I see almost half of the people in the bus reading. They are reading Franklin Rogers, Jeffrey Archer and other bestsellers.” Kan argued that, “Nigerian writers haven’t got the stuff that people want to read. They have been too intellectual, too Marxist and whatever. Peo-

L-R: Dr. Tunji Azeez, Tony Kan, Molara Wood, Dr. Reuben Abati and Victor Nwokocha, at the event held on Sunday at Freedom Park, Lagos

CORA: 25 years of culture advocacy

ple want to read, but they are hungry for some kind of text. As writers, we should adapt our writing to meet that need.” Other speakers in their contributions commended Toyin Akinosho, Jahman Anikulapo and others behind CORA for sustaining the vision of the organisation. Earlier in his contribution titled “CORA is us and we are CORA; A People’s Legacy’, foremost arts journalist, respected culture activist, film critic, playwright, theatre director, Mr. Ben Tomoloju commended, what he described as “the noble efforts” of this initiative, especially the founding Secretary-General, Toyin Akinsho and Programmes Chair, Jahman Anikulapo. “This duo has, rain or shine, sustained the activities of CORA with personal funds and enriched its outputs with their vibrant intellectual resourcefulness. They are still as fresh in vigour as in their commitment to the cause of the Committee.” According to him, “That the vision leading to the establishment of CORA 25 years ago has been vigorously pursued is a source of great pride to me as a witness. I suppose, also, that it is the same for other colleagues both in Nigeria and in the diaspora. “Instructively, since its inception on June 2, 1991, CORA has not been abandoned at the threshold of vision for the

Anikulapo

Akinosho

sake of vision. That vision has been matched with practical and trail-blazing actions in cultural programmes conceptualisation and implementation, both of which are far reaching and all inclusive. And it is in tandem with all interpretations of the key word, relevant.” In her contribution, the Director of Drama, National Troupe of Nigeria, Josephine Igberease, described reading and writing in Nigeria as two different things. She noted that from her experience as an assessor of drama scripts, there were more “terrible” writers than eager readers in the society at present. She blamed the situation on the declining standard of education and the lack of quality writing. “People are not reading good and well-written books. Instead, they pay too much attention to social media. That is why there is a dearth of good writing in Nigeria. When people begin to read quality books, they will begin to learn to write well,” Igberease said. The stampede also had in attendance notable writers, scholars, dramatists and culture activists, artists, such as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni, Dr. Tolu Ajayi, Olu Amoda, Kayode Aderinokun, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Tam Fiofori, Muyiwa Majekodunmi, Wole Oguntokun, Tade Adekunle, among others.

FRED NWAOZOR

“K

areem, my brother,” Bello called while seated opposite the supposed recipient of the call in his blue caftan. Kareem looked at him attentively. “I have in several occasions pleaded with you to kindly step down for me.” said Bello. Alhaji Bello Ahmed, the immediate elder and only brother to Hon Kareem, was aspiring for a Federal House of Representatives seat of his constituency in Kano State, North-West zone of Nigeria, and incidentally and coincidentally the latter happened to be his closest rival for the said ambition. Hon. Kareem Ahmed who was vying under a different political party had vowed never to step down for his elder brother despite the countless importunities coming from him (Bello), and he (Kareem) ostensibly had greater chances of winning the awaited election, which was fast approaching. Having emerged victoriously as the flag-bearers of their respective parties, Alhaji Bello was relentlessly making a frantic effort toward ensuring that his younger brother’s name wouldn’t appear on the same ballot paper with his, and he was employing every amicable means to actualise his genuine motive. For the umpteenth time, he had thought it wise to pay him a visit at his place of residence, and therein they were seated in Kareem’s parlour; he had earlier sought an audience with him prior to the meeting. “Bro,” the 46-year-old Kareem responded. “If you have been sleeping, I think it’s high time you woke up.” Bello got struck by the gravity of the words, astonished. “Yes,” Kareem who sensed how shocked his sibling was, rode on. “Because I have made it clear to you that I can never step down for anybody.” “Why are you doing this to me?” the 50-year-old Bello lamented. “Come to think of it,” said Kareem. “Why not consider stepping down for me?” Bello cast an abrupt glance at him, depressed. “Of course,” Kareem continued. “Since it’s obvious I have greater chances than you.” He asserted. The debate lasted for over an hour to no avail. The depressed guest left Kareem’s home at 7:45pm disappointedly. The brouhaha between the two related politicians lingered unabated that it triggered the optimum concern of all and sundry that thought good of their family name (Ahmed), not until their entire relatives including their aged parents intervened into the matter which almost became bloody; thus Kareem finally agreed to step down for the sake of brotherhood. The unanimous agreement between the family members, which was duly signed by the lawyers

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

ShortStory

11 JUNE 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Paradigm shift

of the tussling brothers, was that having stepped down for him as requested, Alhaji Bello would go for only 4-year term if he eventually won the election after which he would amicably relinquish the position for his younger brother. Thereafter, everyone who heard of the story, which was only imaginable considering how Hon. Kareem was making waves towards the awaited polls, sincerely commended him for the unbelievable step he had taken to save his family’s name. Luckily for Alhaji Bello, he emerged victoriously at the polls, which took place in two months time. His victory, which was anticipated, ushered in merriment not just to his immediate family but to his overall extended family. Few weeks later, he was successfully sworn in. Truly, power intoxicates. The moment the legislator assumes duty, everything about him, including his personal and public life, automatically changed as if his entire person was transformed into something else. He hardly paid attention to the concern of his only brother, Hon. Kareem who obviously sacrificed a lot to ensure he got to that position. According to him, his sibling gave him an unbearable tough time before he accepted to step down which was even occasioned by the unanimous efforts of his relatives in spite of his initial innumerable pleas in that regard;

Four years on toward the end of his tenure, like Oliver Twist, he nurtured interest to vie for a second term in office

this was one of the unreasonable reasons that made him turned his back on him. It would fascinate you to note that Hon. Kareem Ahmed was the immediate past Executive Chairman of their Local Government Council, and while in office he performed marvelously well. In view of this, virtually the entire concerned electorate had him as their only choice for that Federal House of Reps seat. So, anyone who was in his shoes would rather ask his elder brother to step down for him. To say the least, Alhaji Bello got that very political post as a result of his

(Kareem’s) fame. Though Bello who was a successful industrialist was wealthier than him, but most times good name is far better and intimidating than affluence. Aside the aforementioned change of lifestyle, among others, that was directly affecting the family members, his (Bello’s) attitude in the public sphere was nothing to write home about. He hardly attended organised events he was duly invited to, totally unlike what it used to be prior to his victory at the just concluded polls. Funnily enough, before he won the election, he was attending occasions in which his presence wasn’t even needed, just like a street beggar. The abrupt and uncalled lifestyle persisted endlessly. Four years on toward the end of his tenure, like Oliver Twist, he nurtured interest to vie for a second term in office as if he had forgotten so soon the peaceful agreement jointly reached between him and his sibling. When confronted by his brother for such irrational step, he snubbed him. He further let him realised that the agreement was duly signed by their respective solicitors; rather than seeing reason with him, he asked him to go to court if he so wished. To this end, his brother, Hon Kareem decided to ignore his highfalutin behaviour and face his dream squarely. Subsequently, both of them emerged as the flag bearers of

their various parties. Anyone who won the primaries of the both political parties had greater chances of emerging victoriously during the election proper owing to the prominence of the parties in question. Alhaji Bello was able to scale through the primary election having influenced the leaders of his party with his wealth. Three months after, the awaited election came on board. Consequently, Alhaji Bello the incumbent legislator got lost at the polls; he was overwhelmingly knocked out by his kid brother, the indomitable Hon. Kareem. The defeat which was foreseen by every dick and harry due to the glaring popularity of the victor, kept the victim unconscious for a whole calendar month. In fact, the outcome of the election dawned the awful reality on him that power had finally been shifted to the electorate, contrary to the previous mentality or tradition that with one’s money or power of incumbency as the case might be, he/she could gain power at ease. Indeed, it was a paradigm shift. Or, what do you think? Think about it!

• Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Travel & Tourism

CHEF'S CORNER

resh fish is one of the sea foods that are increasingly in demand around the country and in most homes with restaurants and variety of eateries making it a special delicacy, preparing it in different forms to entice guests. Fresh fish comes in different types – croaker, catfish and tilapia and any of these can perfectly be used for a delicious stew accompanied with ofada rice, which is not common and required certain skill to cook to taste.

Fresh fish stew with ofada

Ingredients: zz Two tomato puree zz Fresh tomatoes (scarce and costly to come by now) zz Fresh pepper zz Two wraps of locust beans (iru optional) zz Fresh tatashe zz Half bottle of vegetable oil zz Spices (curry, thyme, white pepper ) zz Seasoning and salt to taste Preparation Wash the fish, season and steam, blend the tomatoes, pepper, tatashe and onion then heat the oil, add salt then add the blended mixture and allow to cook for some minutes. Add two spoon of tomato puree with water, seasoning salt and other spices, stir and add the fish and allow to cook for about 15 minutes and ready to be served with the ofada rice.

Ofade rice. Inset: Fresh fish stew

TRAVEL BEATS

Zimbabwe’s world tourism expo holds June 16 Zimbabwe otherwise known as a world of wonders is set to host the world to a feel of its tourism offerings as its annual travel exhibition, Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, gets underway on June 16 at Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) in Bulawayo, which is called the city of kings and offers different proposition for tourists. Organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), it is a three-day event, which spans June 18 and expected to be attended by countries of southern African region, all the source markets of ZTA and other countries across the world. Also billed to attend are different suppliers and buyers of travel products and services as well national tourism boards and parastatals, hoteliers, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, financial institutions and allied service providers as well as the travelling public. The expo, according to the Chief Executive of ZTA, Karikoga Kaseke, is geared at exposing the country’s tourism offerings, a world of wonders, to the world, forging synergy and alliances among the various

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

markets and operators and offering destinations across the world opportunity to expose their tourism markets to the attendees. Two days, June 16 and 17 are devoted to trade visitors and exhibitors while the last day of the expo, June 18, is public day with the travelling public expected to visit and be treated to the various tourism services and products on display. Besides general exhibition, the expo would feature a number of cultural events, musical entertainment, seminars and workshops on different topics while a formal opening ceremony will be held with the country’s ministry of tourism and hospitality leading a host of government officials to the event. Kaseke said this year’s expo promises to be quite different from previous ones in terms of its scope and content and that attendees stand to benefit from the mix blend of products and services expected to be on showpiece. Nigeria is also expected to be at the three days events as a number of tour operators have also signed up for the expo.

Travel Personality

Togo witnesses infrastructure growth, gears for AHIF’s conference June 21

Jovago partners SiteMinder on seamless online distribution for hotels

As Togo braces up to host for the first time the debuting additional Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) conference in Lome, which is slated for June 21 – 22, at the newly opened Radisson Blu Hotel du 2 Février, the country in the wake of the event has witnessed growth in both infrastructure development and businesses. The list of newly created infrastructure include the iconic Radisson Blu Hotel du 2 Fevrier, which is host venue of the two days event, newly opened terminal at Lome International Airport and its sea port, which also has been renovated and expanded for improved services. The Managing Director of Bench Events, Matthew Weihs, organisers of the event, described this development as positive: “We’re very pleased to be hosting an additional AHIF in Togo at this decisive time, as the country embraces a number of important projects that will enhance its standing as a significant investment destination.” Meanwhile, the conference is expected to attract a number of high profile personalities and organisations including govern-

Jovago, Africa’s leading online hotel booking platform, has stepped up its operations as it has partnered SiteMinder to mark its first time enabling seamless online distribution for hotels. The agreement enlists Jovago.com among the more than 300 channels integrated with SiteMinder’s channel manager and means mutual hotel clients can now seamlessly update their inventory and room rates to the booking portal. “As the leading channel management provider for hotels globally, partnering with SiteMinder was an obvious decision,” says Eduard Posthumus Meyjes, global head of revenue management at Jovago, adding that: “We aim to bring top-notch technology to our hotel partners across all our markets in Africa and SiteMinder offers the right technology to grow our supply of real-time bookable inventory for our customers.” While SiteMinder General Manager, South Africa, Lisa Horne, expressed delight over the new partnership: “We are very happy to partner with Jovago, providing our hotel’s customers yet another channel to market their inventory and availability through. We are particularly proud to provide the first channel management solution that integrates with this ondemand hotel booking platform in Africa. Each of Jovago’s hotel clients benefits from their local presence and commitment to developing both the continental and global travel market.”

Patty Etete Inemeh: Nigeria has abundance of untapped cultural heritage for tourism promotion

p.40

ment with the president and prime minister of Togo listed among the officials expected. The event, according to the organisers, Bench Events, offers ample opportunities for investors, hoteliers and travel operators to discuss issues related to the growth of tourism and hospitality in Africa and the opportunities for investment. Weihs added: “We are looking forward to an exciting AHIF in Lomé. Togo has dynamic plans to develop and expand trade and tourism and AHIF will provide an excellent platform for delegates to discuss the way ahead. Our conference programme is packed with influential speakers who will share their insights on highly topical issues and we’re looking forward to some lively and enlightening discussions.” Togo attracts a variety of visitors keen to explore its beautiful scenery and enjoy its tropical climate. Figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council show that travel and tourism directly accounted for 3.1 per cent of total GDP in 2014 and was forecast to rise by six per cent in 2015, and by a further 2.2 per cent each year from 2015 to 2025.

Hospitality

La Palm Royal Beach Hotel braces up for Accra Weizo 2016

p.41

Destination

Scaling Africa’s highest peak

p.42

40 Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

PATTY ETETE INEMEH

Nigeria has abundance of untapped cultural heritage Patty Etete Inemeh, a former member of the House of Representatives, Senior Special Adviser on culture to House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and Founder of TNY Gallery and African Cultural Heritage Centre, Abuja, speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on his various engagements and promotion of tourism through cultural heritage Beside your cultural activism what are the other areas of your engagement with the Nigerian arts and crafts? I don't produce works of arts because I am not directly an artist but I collect works of arts, I visualise works of arts in my mind and sometimes If I am lucky to meet an artist who can express my thoughts and vision in concrete art form then that is my lucky day. This is done mostly with contemporary art forms in the production of paintings on canvas and wood carvings and sculptures. I also collect ancient Nigerian and African antiquities both for preservation, research and educational purposes too. Some of the works were donated freely to the Annang Museum because of the historical myth surrounding them. One of such is the "Iso Ekpo Nkubia" which predates the history of Ikot Ekpene dynasty as it was created by the same artisan that carved the now famous Ibini Ukpabi oracle the modern name given to the "Ibom" sculpture that is over a century old still in modern day Arochukwu and the Nkubia mask now resting at Annang Museum in Ikot Ekpene.

Inemeh

How can we explore the interwoven nature of our arts and culture for the benefit of tourism? We have great abundance of untapped potential in the expression of our rich and diverse cultural heritage for an inflow of needed foreign exchange and increased tourism activities. But there have been disconnect between the respective policy formulators to get the right mix for a sustainable and financially lucrative tourism sector while offering a varied range of employment opportunities. This much we had realised since 2012 when we invited relevant stakeholders both in the private sector and government policy formulators to our maiden seminar titled “Treasure's within.” The lead paper on the topic “Culture and Tourism as an Alternative Foreign Exchange Earner,” was by the current director general of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) during the seminar while the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, each providing legislative insight into how proper legislation can be made to strengthen existing laws of the federation on culture and tourism to accommodate new ideas and resolutions presented by various speakers at the seminar. We also held another seminar in September 2014 with the intention of lending our voices to the call for government intervention and input to encourage the growth of local arts and craft as tourist attractions by identifying, exposing and bringing to the fore the respective salient but important dominant and rich cultural heritage that dot the length and breathe of the country to package them for tourism purposes. Our intentions was to encourage a public-private sector partnership where the best brains and experts in the field will be directly involved in the profession so as to dispel with the usual lackluster attitude of

TRAVEL PERSONALITY government officials in executing projects this time around it should be run as a business. It was this same concern coupled with years of research on how best to create a synergy between the relevant stakeholders as to the reality of the moment where diversification is a must. What would you say in your worldview defines wealth in a society? A person of substance is not just someone who has made money or wealth. It is not what you have but how you had it. It is the content and quality of your personality. People soon lose faith in relationships, organisations and leaderships because of lack of substance. Some indicators of substance are: hard work, intelligence, skills, accountability, respect, discipline, integrity, caring ability, doggedness, mentoring ability, openness to learn, team-spirit, maturity, sensitivity to God and similar virtues. We must go for real substance no matter the distance. I devoted a whole chapter to that topic in my book co-authored with Dr. Udo Ndatah and other distinguished prominent contributors “A Compendium of Annang Culture” (The book was first published in September 25, 2014) where we tried to trace and propagate the Annang cultural philosophy of who should be considered a wealthy man. “Imodeagwo” is an Annang verb that states that what constitutes wealth is that which involves the people in a community or society. The people must not only be involved in that wealth creation but must know how you came about

BACKGROUND Patty Etete Inemeh is of Annang extraction, Akwa Ibom State and a man of many parts, who is deeply rooted in his Annang culture and devoted to its promotion in an altruistic manner. He has researched and written extensively on it, devoting more time to the propagation of its cultural and moral values. He is also a connoisseur of the art and a consummate promoter of Nigerian and African arts and cultural heritage. He has elevated this interest through engagement with the public following the creation of TNY Gallery and African Culture Heritage Centre, which he founded over fours ago. Based in Abuja, the centre has played host to high profile personalities from both the public and private sector who have at different times been part of the many art exhibitions and cultural events organsied by it. The centre also enjoys patronage and visit from the public and residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FTC) as well as the few tourists who found their way to the city. Besides, Inemeh is the brain behind the establishment of Annang Museum and Raffia Arts and Crafts Skill Acquisition Centre in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. He is also a politician as he was once a member of the House of Representatives (He served between 2007 – 2011) and was at the time House committee member of Culture, Defence and Army, Environment, Marine Security and Federal Character, as well as chairman, Sub committee on Works for South-South. He is presently Senior Special Adviser on culture to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. Married and has four children, Inemeh is from Nto Nnem royal family and a prince from the royal linage of the progenitors of Ikot Ekpene dynasty and of the Annang royal ancestry as well. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Uyo and Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Calabar. Inemeh is the author of Ikot Ekpene Dynasty and Memories of Africa’s Past with a third publication, The Spirits of Ikot Ekpene Kingdom, in the works while he co-authored with Dr. Udo Ndatah, A Compendium of Annang Culture.

that wealth otherwise even if you have so much money no matter how plentiful the money is, it cannot qualify you to be called wealthy. How do you see the current moral values playing out in our society? For a long time our children, women and elders have imbibed strange values and it is very difficult to drop acquired habits. For me, I know about certain ways of the Annang, which ensured its prosperity and longevity in a wellbalanced community, which I intend to bring to the fore even outside this platform, you may know yours but it is our duty to manage these diversities so that we can use them to encourage our people towards the right ways of peaceful and prosperous life in our polity. Nowadays due to the introduction of strange values, our women no longer place value on their bodies in so many ways. Many have allowed economic consideration and greed lead them to the unnecessary and disrespectful usage of their bodies, some out of fun and adventure but the Bible tells us that the body is the temple of God, which was also made in God's image yet people do not respect marriage vows any longer. A certain demonic grave by the society have made more married women and men disregard all traditional boundaries. All these and more are issues that society today must grapple with even as we imbibe the change mantra in our daily lives and these disconnections and more are all interwoven to ensure a better society. What are the challenges of crusading for the right moral values in our society? It is very difficult and challenging to change the mindset of a people from the only thing or ways and means they were hitherto used to achieving their livelihood. This is also a function of the prevailing moral tendencies and attitude at a particular point. Is it a wonder that the other day in faraway London we were adjudged as ‘fantastically corrupt’ country in the world and we were here shouting that we need an apology from David Cameron. What apology are you talking? That we should yet again deny the truth, which is that we are not just financially but morally very corrupt if you like you can agree that we are also the most morally corrupt country in the world too with obvious reason. Not talking about it is like postponing the evil day and encouraging such acts to continue unabated. After all not all or most Nigerians are corrupt but the activities of a few who worship money and have made money their god have made so many people in the world believe that all Nigerians are corrupt including me whereas I know that I am not and you too are not. How interrelated is politics with moral values? I had made the point on how the introduction of twisted and strange values into our value system is majorly responsible for all the travails we as a nation are currently witnessing and that politics and values are interwoven. If politics is played on a wrong value system then that is bad politics but if played on the foundation of good moral principles then that would be called good politics.

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

HOSPITALITY

Facade of the hotel

As preparation for this year’s edition of Accra Weizo 2016, a travel trade exhibition steps up, ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA opens a window to the offerings of La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, host of the event

One of the rooms

ith African travel industry looking forward to this year’s edition of the Accra Weizo billed for July 15, the host hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, is bracing up to treat expected guests at the event to its best ever hospitality offerings. Accra Weizo, a travel exhibition, first debuted last year under the auspices of African Travel Quarters (ATQ), organisers of Akwaaba with collaboration by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana. One of the country’s city beach hotels that is nestled against a luxuriating beach front, the hotel, sprawling a 30 acres of wellkept lush and fascinating greens, property of Golden Beach Hotel, is an enchanting property to behold with captivating architectural masterpiece that is laced with a blend of sophisticated facilities of top notch. The hotel’s atmosphere and mood is always rich and great with day time and night time offering different propositions for the hotel’s guests with a wide selection of offerings by the different sections of the hotel, which also entice guests with its casino and delightsome entertainment packages. Rooms The hotel offers 159 rooms, creatively styled in chalet fashion with unique and classic Ghanaian traditional setting blended with international flavours to reflect the hotel’s philosophy. The rooms, which are fittingly furnished and embellished with different facilities, are of diverse categories; ranging from Standard Room, Executive Club Room, Junior, Presidential and Royal Suites. What is most enthralling about the rooms is the fact that each category of room comes with a different setting and feels as well as featuring outstanding amenities exuding a rich blend of comfort and luxury. Restaurants/bars Just like its rooms’ categories, so also are its restaurants and bar settings which come in different selections and make, offering guests a wide range of culinary treats from savoury local delicacies to continental dishes. Some of the spots for rich menu and drinks include: Continental Restaurant, which is dedicated to continental dishes and opens daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Ghanaian Village, which is one

One of the exquisite rooms

Swimming pool

La Palm Royal Beach Hotel braces up for Accra Weizo 2016 of the most popular spots and noted for its glitz traditional setting. It is an African themed restaurant and opens for lunch and dinner daily; Royal Dragon is a Chinese themed eatery with lots of traditional Chinese delicacies, ranging from seafood to noodles and opens for dinner only. Others are: Gelataria Piazza, which is a full service ice cream and parlour spot, offers a rich Italian piazza, ice cream, tea/coffee, beverages. Pastries, smoothie, fresh fruits and many more and opens daily; Next is Equator Bar, offering rich live entertainment all evenings. Nigerians and other guests with party flair will find this indoor bar an exciting spot to explore at night. Lounge and Cocktail Bar, is also popular for its morning coffee and evening cocktails with a very relaxing atmosphere for people to lounge and unwind. Fuller Pool Terrace is a poolside bar featuring beverages and light snacks. Recreation/leisure The hotel also boasts ample facilities when it comes to recreation and leisure. What with its larger than life setting swimming pool setting, which takes on a different life of its own, wooing guests with serenading mood and offerings of natural verves that many lovers of water related activities would find very irresistible. There is also a fitness centre that is well-equipped with different trending health care facilities and spa as well as a theme park for children to get lost in

their world of fun and excitement. The casino section of the hotel is another of its unique offerings, enticing guests with different gaming machines with rich entertaining atmosphere to savour the spirit of the moment by lovers of the gaming machine. Business/conference facilities La Palm Royal Beach Hotel is well noted for its good offerings and setting when it comes to business conferences and social events hence it is playing host to the star rated Accra Weizo event. The

HOTEL factfile

list of its conference amenities include The Homowo conference centre, which is the most prized facilities by the hotel. Other meeting rooms are: Bugum, Adae Kesie, Damba, Damba Upper, Kundum, Odwira, Kwafie, and Afahye. Special offerings/tours The hotel also offers a number of special packages and tours for its numerous guests. These include: Sunshine package, Weekend Getaway, Royals Platinum honeymoon, Weekend tour and Weekend golf.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE HOTEL

Located in Ikeja, the business district of Lagos, Knightsbridge Hotel targets both business and leisure travellers, offering a wide range of hospitality services for travellers and residents in the city. It enjoys a rich ambience with a blend of aesthetics pull spicing it serene scenery, which comes in fascinating appeal while its facilities are top range and devoted to the comfort and satisfaction of guests. Facilities In terms of facilities, the hotel has two wings, A and B, with each featuring a blend of sophisticated facilities of diverse class and are prized differently depending on the wing you cherish. But the bottom line is as a medium range hotel, there is always something exciting for the guest despite the status and taste of the guest: zz Rooms: These comprise different categories, rang-

ing from Standard, Classic, Superior suite, Executive suite to Business suite, all tastefully furnished. zz Business lounge: A plush setting, which allows for relaxation by guests and also harbours a classic and well – fitted restaurant offering a variety of local and continental dishes. zz Bar: Offers appealing scenery for relaxation and a wide selection of drinks. It has a VIP section, which offers exclusive treats for guests. zz Business conference: Offers a large – sized event halls and a number of meeting rooms for various business conferences and social meetings. zz Boutique: For varieties of clothing and personal items. zz Internet services. zz 24 hours power supply. zz Parking lot. Knightsbridge Hotel is on 9 Elmina Crescent, off Toyin Street, Ikeja.

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

FESTAC, LAGOS

ABA

LAGOS

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

REE DANIELS HOTEL AND SUITES

Panda Hotel Suites & Lounge

CAPITOL HOTEL, AGEGE

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

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Scaling Africa’s highest peak NDIDI NKAGBU, a freelance journalist based in London, who has written for numerous publications, including the Evening Standard, Time Out and Maxim, shares experience of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro

“P

ole, pole, dada,” goes my new Swahili mantra. Not that my oxygen-starved body is capable of moving any way other than “slowly, slowly.” The “sister” reference at the end is a nice touch, though, strangely comforting coming from the guides and porters who leap up and down Mount Kilimanjaro like mountain goats. It’s September 2015 — peak season. And with the added promise of a lunar eclipse on summit day, my fellow climbers are almost as numerous as the mountain crew, although considerably less nimble. According to figures from the Tanzania National Park, back in the mid-1960s, barely a thousand travellers attempted to scale the volcanic peak each year. Though that annual figure has soared to approximately 35,000; that doesn’t detract from the extreme mental and physical effort it takes to reach the summit. The Senecio Forest lies along the Machame route, just below where it combines with the Lemosho. K – Boonnitrod/Shutterstock Back home in Britain, I’ve already conquered Scotland’s Ben Nevis and Mount Snowdon in Wales - both of which seem like molehills compared to this majestic rock. As the highest mountain in Africa and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro always loomed before me as the ultimate physical challenge - top 10 on my personal bucket list. It was an itch I needed to scratch, somewhere between running the London Marathon (check) and cycling from London to Brighton (still to do). And yet, even though I didn’t come here expecting a walk in the park, nothing could have prepared me for what would turn out to be the most physically and mentally grueling experience of my life. Climbing like clockwork The distance from the starting point at Londorossi Gate to the summit is a deceptively manageable 49 kilometers on the Lemosho route. This eight-day climb is slightly longer than other routes, due to the fact that it includes some time spent ascending and descending along the way in order to assist with acclimatisation. Kilimanjaro is not an overly technical climb - making it a draw for enthusiastic amateurs like myself. And as the number of adventure tourists continues to escalate, so too has the number of tour operators to meet the rising demand — including the African

Walking Company (AWC), with whom I climbed. Founded in 1999, the company has emerged as one of most well respected outfits, noted for its emphasis on social responsibility for its workers and sustainability for the environment, all while ensuring the safe movement of thousands of visitors each year. The porters and guides are not only paid above the recommended minimum wage, but they are also offered training courses, including first aid, guiding skills and English-language lessons. For me, though, the real secret of the AWC’s success is the confidence they instill in even the most tremulous climber faced with the mammoth task ahead. The support team of 56 porters, guides and cooks assigned to our group of 14 is organised with military precision. Nothing could have prepared me for what would turn out to be the most physically and mentally grueling experience of my life. The route up Kilimanjaro is winding and diverse, passing through jungle and scree fields before rising above the tree line, where the mountain features only snow and rock. Steve Lagreca/Shutterstock Each morning, we’re woken at 6am with a hot beverage - much needed, as temperatures average six degrees Celsius at daybreak, as well as an inquiry as to how we’re feeling. Any signs of altitude sickness need to be reported early on, the guides explain, so they can be managed before turning critical. A bowl of water arrives for “washy, washy” at 6.30, and a hearty breakfast, usually of porridge with bacon, eggs and toast, follows till setting off for the day’s hike at 8.30. With between 10 and 20 groups out on the mountain at any one time during peak season, there are lots of people to manage making the schedule and total cooperation

DESTINATION crucial. “We want everyone to work as a family,” explains Makeke, our lead guide. The relationship between the guides and clients may seem more akin to that between sheepdog and sheep, at times, but it’s understandable, considering the logistics. It was obvious from the start that I’m in safe hands. My only doubt as the climb progresses is whether or not I have the grit to make it all the way. The importance of undulation Lemosho approaches from the west and is widely considered the most

scenic route, crossing through several climatic zones. It’s also the longest and least - travelled path, although seclusion on Kili is a relative term, I discover, after a gentle three-hour preamble through the dense rainforest on our first day, we arrive at the sprawling tent city known as Wti Mkubwa - alongside at least a couple hundred clients and crew. Fortunately, the numbers thin out as we continue into the moorland. The beautifully bleak terrain of this region is rocky and unforgiving, with the trail cut through shoulder-height shrubs. Our pace is steady, and breaks air infrequent. The sense is more of dogged determination to reach our destination rather than

When cultural tourism crusade of Ooni of Ife, Motherland Beckons landed at OAU Andrew Iro Okungbowa

ince the declaration of Ile Ife as a tourism zone by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, the ancient town has continued to host different cultural tourism related activities, tourists and dignitaries from different parts of the world with the Ooni playing host to many of the events and visitors. The latest was a youth forum organised by the Ooni in conjunction with Motherland Beckons, of which he is the grand patron and Enuwa Palace. The event, tagged Democracy Day Musical Fiesta, which held on Democracy Day, was in celebration of Nigeria’s fledgling democracy and was staged at the Amphitheatre of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife.

It was some sort of ‘town meeting gown’ event with a large number of youths from across the country interacting with the students and the university community under a convivial environment as the Amphitheatre, venue of the event, was all glitz and fun filled with the youths thoroughly entertained till the next morning by the impressive line-up of Nigerian musical acts headlined by artistes from Atunda Entertainment, Tenstrings Music Institute and Olamide, who was the star entertainer for the night. Before the musical performances, pep talk by different personalities were delivered on the occasion to draw the attention of the youths to their role in the society and the need for them to embrace useful schemes and empower themselves for the

task of nation building as the future of the country rest on their shoulders. The Founder of Motherland Beckons, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who is also the President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and consultant to the Ooni, admonished the youths to adopt positive outlook and shun all forms of criminalities but rather devote themselves to acquiring skills and education that would make them better persons and contributors to the national wealth. Also called on them to imbibe the right moral values and embrace the cultural heritage of the country, drawing attention to the crusade by the Ooni to revive the culture of his people, insisting that with culture, the youths stand to gain through the promotion of cultural tourism, which

Travel&Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

acclimatise, spending the night at the Barafu campsite before ascending to the summit. Our four-hour trek there takes us through an extra-terrestrial wasteland - the apparent lack of all vegetation emphasising how inhospitable the high altitude is for most life forms. Above, the snow - capped peak of Uhuru in all its glacial splendor gazes down indifferently as we trudge ever upward. Although the extra time helps to minimise the effects of high altitude, the impact of decreased oxygen at these heights is random in terms of symptoms, severity and susceptibility. Fitness and good health offer no immunity. For me, I first experience insomnia followed by shortness of breath. When a walk of a few metres to the porta loo leaves me gasping for several minutes, I know I am in trouble. The author reaches the penultimate Stella Point, on the rim of Mount Kilimanjaro, before continuing on toward the final peak of Uhuru.

wonder at the rugged volcanic vista we’re passing through to get there. Tamil Selvam/Shutterstock Our bracing six-hour climb takes us up to the edge of the Shira Plateau, from which we descend to the Shira One campsite in the plateau’s center. The route continues to undulate - from the summit of Shira Cathedral, a large crag of rock with a sheer drop on the southern edge of the rim, up to our third campsite at Shira Hut. The following day we pause at Lava Tower Junction for lunch, a much - needed, carb - heavy offering packed for longer hikes. This also

photo: uncorneredmarket.com

gives our bodies’ additional time to recalibrate before heading down to the Great Barranco Valley. The infamous Barranco Wall looms halfway through the climb. I’m anticipating a perilous scramble over the steep path winding over 300 metres up a sheer rock face. For nearly two hours, I pick my way over the exposed trail, stepping aside every so often to let the porters and their heavy loads glide by. It’s fascinating to watch the seemingly endless procession of climbers moving slowly up above and below me, with bottlenecks forming in particularly narrow sections. We take an additional day to

he is said is money spinning as it is one elements that captivates the interest of foreign tourists. Akinboboye promised the teeming youths that his organisation in conjunction with the Oonirisa and the Enuwa Palace would leave no stone unturned in their bid to positively engage the youths of Ile Ife and the entire Yoruba land in the area of musical, cultural and sports tourism with the sole objective of turning Ile Ife (the land of expansion and the cradle of mankind and civilisation) into the foremost tourist destination in Nigeria and in Africa. Some of the musical acts that enthralled the audience included Adigun Olohon Iyo, the rising star from the stable of Atunda Entertainment. His velvetvoice and stage craft got the audience singing and dancing as he rendered a soulful blend of contemporary juju rhythm, laced with rap composed in rich Yoruba idioms, proverbs and innuendos. Another starlet from Atunda Entertainment that electrified the night with

Summit blues By summit day, my flesh and bone have become lead- I am a disoriented, altitude - addled lump. There are no calls to “pole, pole” at this stage - I find I’m incapable of doing anything else. Not too exhausted, however, to notice that the promised lunar eclipse has failed to materialise. Though in reality, celestial bodies are less of a concern than my actual physical body, which continues to break down as the air grows thinner. I finally reach Stella Point after climbing for 11 hours. I do the calculations: The round trip to Uhuru, the mountain’s highest point, would take an additional three hours, plus the descent to Mweka Camp, our final campsite, a further five or so hours away. I’d be climbing in total for the best part of 20 hours, and I am already practically on my knees. Even Makeke’s encouraging words fail to have their usual galvanising effect. Exhausted and dehydrated, with Uhuru less than 150 metres vertically up, I reluctantly and tearfully admit defeat. In retrospect, I know I’ll always wonder whether I could have dug a little deeper and found the strength to push on, despite the fact that I was running on fumes. Although this was the experience of a lifetime and I’m glad I had the opportunity to have a crack at it, I can’t quite cross it off my bucket list. My summit hunger remains. I have unfinished business with Kili. *Culled from Selamta, Ethiopian Airlines in – flight magazine

her spectacular and breathtaking performance was Olo Omidan Bata, the first Nigerian female bata drummer, who got a standing ovation from the crowd, as she entertained them with her mastery of baba drumming, singing ability, embellished with her well-choreographed dancing skills and acrobatic displays. And then of course, Anu Lady Ekwe, who is also the first acclaimed Nigerian female Ekwe maestro, who whipped the joyous crowd into a frenzy with a stunning performance, backed by her 15 man dance ensemble and complemented by a symphony of Iya Ilu (big drum), Gangan (talking drums) and heavy percussions. The night’s offerings climaxed with a box office performance by Olamide, who was virtually swooped on by the youths. He gave them a lot to celebrate, as he took them through most of his hit songs, stoking their singing and gyrating ferment. He closed out the awesome fiesta, which ended at about 12.4am the next day.

Olamide

SEE THE

WORLD Top 10 travel tips for women (1) Sophie Harwood Plan a location-appropriate wardrobe Are there restrictions on what you can or cannot wear? Many locations, especially in parts of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, have requirements about covering your hair, shoulders, arms, or legs in public. Even some places in Europe (such as churches and cathedrals) have a dress code. I’ve been caught out before at a place where I’ve needed a scarf or a long-sleeved top, and then been charged a massive amount to buy it locally (from street vendors who know how to spot ill-prepared first-timers!). If the location you’re visiting doesn’t have specific legislation, you may just feel more comfortable dressing slightly more conservatively than usual to avoid any unwanted or extra attention, or just plain curiosity. Official guidelines don’t always reflect the reality on the ground, so sometimes I do a Google search for recent images taken in the places I’m visiting and take my cue from local fashion. Carry a spare pair of shoes If you wear heels during the day (even kitten heels) you might find yourself in a situation where flat comfortable shoes such as trainers or tennis shoes would be more desirable. I’ve had days where I thought I would be sitting in an air-conditioned office all day, but have then ended up on unexpected ‘field trips’ as well-meaning hosts and colleagues have taken me to visit the local areas. Similarly the opposite has happened where I’ve been in comfy trainers just for work, and then been taken out to an upscale restaurant in the evening where I was grateful of some smarter court shoes to replace my Asics! Carry a hat and sunglasses This may seem obvious (and is essential) in a hot country, but it’s just as useful in all climates and locations if you’re using them to deflect unwanted attention or eye-contact. I have been grateful on more than one occasion for the ability to pull the brim of my hat down or put my sunglasses on when I can feel people looking a little too intensely at me, and it’s a good non-aggressive move that can neutralise a potentially uncomfortable situation from escalating. Think about wearing (or not wearing) a wedding ring In certain locations (often in Europe, North America or South America) I will wear a simple wedding ring to try and discourage strangers looking for a date from approaching me – though of course that’s not always going to work! Conversely, in other locations (often those that are less economically developed and where levels of personal poverty are high) I make sure I’m not wearing any jewellery at all, let alone something prominent like a wedding ring. If you’re returning home or to the office alone, make some phone calls to say you’re on your way

*Culled from www.atqnews.com

Olo Omidan Bata

to be continued

44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Celebrity RÈsume Real name: Cynthia Ikponmwenosa Morgan Stage name: Cynthia Morgan Age: 24 Experience Growing up: I had a beautiful childhood where my mum was firm yet loving; she played the role of a father to my siblings and I.F First single: I released my debut single with General Pype titled ‘Dotty Stepping’ at the age of 17 Record Company: Jude Okoye’s Northside Music INC Style of music: A fusion of pop, hip hop, dancehall and rap reaction of parents to career: My mum is a gospel artiste, so she obviously understands my craft. Many expected me to become a gospel artiste like my mum but that isn’t possible because that is not my calling. She appreciates my style of music and is my greatest fan. Albums: No album yet Awards: Best New Artiste, 2014 South South Music Awards; Music Artist of The Year, 2014 ELOY Awards, Best Reggae/Dancehall and Best Reggae Single, 2015 South South Music Awards and Best Reggae Single, The Headies 2015. There are many nominations too. First collaboration: ‘Ejo Le Fe Ro,’ Jybo featuring Cynthia Morgan in 2009 Qualities in man: He has to be rich. There just has to be a connection between the both of us .He has to be fond of me, we have to be compactible. He has to have a good sense of humour and must be presentable. Sexiest assets: My height, boobs and my nose. Celebrity crush: Davido Favourite Fashion accessories: I am crazy about colognes and wrist watches. The most expensive item in my wardrobe is a wristwatch and it costs me N12m. State of Origin: Edo

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

FRSC officials will soon bear arms –Gora

p.46

Politics

45 Corruption is worse than apartheid – Don

p.47

PDP will reclaim power in 2019 – Useni Lt. Gen. Jeremiah T. Useni (rtd) needs little or no introduction. As Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, during the late General Sani Abacha era, he became so controversial that he was feared more than the dark-goggled general. Now a senator representing Plateau South in National Assembly on the platform of the PDP, he spoke with MUSA PAM on sundry issues. Excerpts: What is your view on President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war? Anybody who says that the president is not doing well does not know what he is saying. I am not in the APC but I support this fight against corruption. Some people were behaving as if they were gods and a lot was going wrong. We thank God for this change because if this change hasn’t taken place, I don’t know what Nigeria would have become. But from what we are seeing now, he is trying to put things back on track and it takes a man like Buhari for such to happen. I support the anti – corruption war 100 per cent and I believe in Buhari. But some people are saying that the 'war' is selective and one sided. I have had cause to tell even some of my colleagues in the senate not to speak in such manner. The fact still remains that, people, whether in APC or in the PDP have ruined this country. I quoted what Chief Obafemi Awolowo said when he was Minister of Finance under Gen. Yakubu Gowon. Gowon had set up a panel to investigate wrong doings and issues of corruption and the task had to touch even people who served in public before. But Awolowo said wait; to get to the old ones, you have to do away with the new ones first. So, to get to the old ones, which are, Obasanjo, Yar'Adua and the rest, you have first deal with the most recent which is the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. How best can the PDP be restructured so that it can come back to power in 2019? The PDP is coming back to power in 2019, restructuring or no restructuring but it's best if we restructure. A few weeks ago, a committee to review the constitution of the PDP was inaugurated and Senator Jonah Jang happens to be a member, but this committee is purely for the PDP. It has been inaugurated and they are set to start work. They are to look at the loopholes in constitution so that it can be amended. For example, ac-

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

cording to the PDP Constitution, for every state, the governor is automatically the leader of the party but it did not say what happens where the PDP does not have a governor like in the case of Plateau State. Maybe the party then was thinking that the PDP will continue to rule for donkey years but you can see some of the things that have to be amended. What is your advice to the APC led government in Plateau State? Governor Lalong, though elected on the platform of the APC, is now the Governor of Plateau State and not the governor of APC or PDP. Since he is governor of everybody on the Plateau, appointments should not be restricted to only the APC. Those in PDP can also get appointments, after all, they are Plateau people and the state belongs to all of us. And where such happens, the PDP should not look at such a person who has been appointed from the PDP to serve in an APC government as a sell-out. It is his right as long as he is qualified to hold such a position. He is now our governor and as such, we should give him the necessary cooperation. Will the PDP adopt Option A4 in all its elections, following the 2015 experience? All options are good if carefully and duly followed. In all these, it is the human factor that brings about the problem. It was the method used before people began to complain and now we are using a different system and people are saying that a lot of money is being spent on elections at the primaries than even the actual election. Some of these problems surfaced here in Plateau State and made APC to win. APC never had supporters; it was the PDP supporters and members that voted APC. So, we will look at it and see the best measure. If we are to continue with the way we have been conducting our primaries, we will look at it and see the measures to put in place to remove some of the challenges we are having. So basically, anyone we adopt, there will be some adjustments. You have a private university. When are they commencing academic activities? The Tim Tali University is still a proposal because I am yet to get approval. People see sign boards, the building and the name and assume the school has started, no, it is just at the proposal stage and even when writing a proposal, you must give a name but that doesn’t mean that the university has started. Take for example, the University of Jos, it took

Useni

To get to the old ones, which are, Obasanjo, Yar'Adua and the rest, you have first deal with the most recent which is the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration

a while before approval was given, the school had to start as a campus of the University of Ibadan before it finally got its own approval for takeoff. There are certain things that must be on ground before one can be given approval for a university and considering that this is a private university, I have to use my money for everything and that involves collecting loans from banks. I could not even get proper loans, banks wont loan out money unless the see an approval. So I am doing just the little within my power. If you go there now, you’ll see the gate, senate building and hostel accommodation for about 300 students completed; lecture halls, auditorium and the rest. Apart from that, Langtang, where I hail from requires a federal polytechnic, because a polytechnic is different from a university because it deals more with the technical aspects. Thank God the government of the day is very serious about technical education in the country, that is why Buhari announced that students going for technical education and vocations will school free, up to the tertiary level. Has Gen. Domkat Bali resigned as the traditional ruler, Ponzhi Tarok? He has resigned. It is some useless people, due to their own interests that are going about and saying that he hasn’t resigned and that the resignation letter he was purported to have written was concocted by his wife. These are all nonsense geared towards demeaning the wife and Gen. Bali himself. What are your achievements as a senator of the 8th Assembly? The 8th Assembly is just one year old, all I can say is that I have been an active participant in the assembly. As a senator, you are not just a representative of your Senatorial District or

state but the whole country as whatever legislation you participate in, is binding on every one. One thing to consider is the fact that we are still using the old budget passed into law in 2015 by the former administration of which the financial year is supposed to last up to March 31st, 2016 because of the supplementary budget passed with over N500billion to be used. And as long as a new budget is not passed into law, you cannot talk about constituency funds and other things. But I have been doing the little within my power and making sure that it goes round. Right now, there is no local government in my district that I don’t have a single project going on there, be it renovation of primary and secondary schools, provision of water, rural electrification, building of places of worship and others. Generally, I help people from the state as a whole and not just my constituents. The last batch of students going to Law School from Plateau State, I contributed N10,000.00 to each student and I helped some students from Pankshin who were travel to one of these French speaking African country very recently. So, I don’t just look as my Senatorial District alone; I was a governor in the old Bendel State, now Edo and Delta States, I was Minister of Transport and Aviation, I was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and so, I get requests for assistance from all over the country not just Plateau State alone, I’m in six committees. I am the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Petitions, so all petitions sent to the senate comes to our committee, including the complaint about the missing budget. Missing was a wrong usage of word there. I am also a member of Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Education (Basic and Secondary), Defence, Inter-parliamentary Affairs and one other.

46 Interview

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

FRSC officials will soon bear arms –Gora You are new in Bayelsa State, how do you intend to improve the activities you met on ground? This is my third month. Virtually all the activities I met on ground are things we do any where we find ourselves and of course we look at them critically and see how we can improve on them, like the patrol activities which we are really doing. The rate at which we are apprehending offenders, we have decided to change our strategy and before now, we used to have mobile court and this mobile court, to some extent before the advent of the last election, the state government put a ban on them but the ban has been lifted. Very soon we will resume mobile court again and see how we can track down some of them who are recalcitrant. We have slots in some media houses especially the electronic media in the area of sensitisation and public education. We intend to keep that going and we look forward to other media houses that will give us such slots because it is only through education that the public will get to understand what they are expected to do on the highway. Most of the tricycle operators are not educated, how are you coping with them? When I came in, the first thing I did was to invite most of the union leaders. We had meetings with them and I told them some of the things I will not tolerate which I believe my predecessor did not tolerate and some of the things they will do that will make me happy with them. They all promised to adhere strictly to some of these traffic rules and regulations. It will interest you to know that the tricycle operators also have different unions. I have been able to meet with the executives of the different groups, we had meeting with them and I have told them the dos and don’ts on the road. Any time I’m also doing public education either in the print or electronic media, I try as much as possible to use Hausa because majority of them speak Hausa very well and I thank God that I hear and I can also speak Hausa. But I talk mostly in pidgin english like the one I do on NTA, because pidgin is a common language that everybody understands in this geographical location. At times I chip in Hausa for the Hausa listeners to get the message. I won’t say overloading is 100 per cent eradicated, but I can assure you that 99 per cent of tricycles in this town don’t overload again.

Mr. Wobin Ayuba Gora is the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Bayelsa State. In this interview with PAULINE ONYIBE, he spoke on the issuance of driving licence among other pertinent issues. Excerpts... vein that this can also be viewed. We need heavy-duty toe trucks in this state. We have a small toe truck that can only toe small vehicles. They can’t toe one tipper talk less of a trailer. We need a 70 tons toe truck in this state. When you look at these roads, they are not wide enough and you can imagine one of these vehicles breaking down. Already, traders have taken over one length of the major roads, which is a challenge. These are some of the obstruction we are experiencing here. Measures are being taken to see how we can go about it. In fact, the controller in the Federal Ministry of Works is having a meeting with stakeholders on things like that especially as it has to do with federal roads. We are working together to make sure that our roads are free of traffic and crashes. Even the market we are talking about is a challenge which we expect the government to see how they can relocate markets along the roads. If a vehicle loses control, we don’t know how many people it will affect. On the issuance of drivers' licence, why the marriage between FRSC and the Board of Internal Revenue? The issue of licence is a tripartite arrangement. Tripartite in the sense that the Board of Internal Revenue, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and the FRSC are all involved the process. Before a license could be produced for any applicant, there are processes involved. Let me take a fresh applicant for example. If you want to obtain a fresh license, it is expected that you should go to a driving school that is accredited by the FRSC and this driving school is monitored centrally at the headquarters Abuja. So when somebody registers with you, you are expected as the proprietor of the driving school to teach that person the rudiments of traffic rules and regulations. When he gets all those ones, he is able to

know the road signs, and having known the road signs, he is also taken to the vehicle maintenance section, apart from the practical driving instruction that he will take. Before, driving school proprietors were allowed to print certificates and keep so that when a person graduates, they will just write the name and give him the certificate. He will then proceed to the FRSC office to fill a form, but if he is computer literate, he can fill the form online and print it out, then go to the bank and pay the prescribed fee. How long does it take to complete the process? As a fresh applicant you have to pass through a driving school and in that driving school, you spend 26 hours learning how to drive. In these 26 hours, you are not supposed to spend more than an hour a day. That onehour means you are spending about 26 days in a driving school, after which you can be on the road if the proprietor is satisfied that you are done. That certificate automatically drops in the portal of the proprietor from the FRSC headquarters because it is centrally monitored.

If somebody asks you for your passport photograph, he is going to produce a fake licence for you. If you are not captured, if FRSC officials with uniform did not capture you and if immediately you are captured they did not print out a temporary one, it is a fake license

Tell us some of the challenges you are facing? They are enormous. Some of the challenges would be overcome with time. First and foremost, the patrol vehicles that we have are not too good, we need sound patrol vehicles. Fueling of these patrol vehicles is not easy. Road Safety is not just one person's business and there is nobody in Nigeria that will hit his chest and say I have never lost somebody in a road crash. So, those that God has blessed with financial resources can assist by making available some of these things we are talking about. Are patrol vehicles not supposed to come from the Federal Government? Federal Government buy patrol vehicles but you know Federal Government alone cannot stand the test of all those things at the same time and that is why we are calling on individuals, philanthropists and state governments to help. Some states used to get these things because it is their own state and it is their own people that we are trying to safe, not to be involved in road crashes. I have seen governors constructing federal roads because it is for the use of their people. So it is in the same

Gora

He can then print it out and hand it over to the trainee, it is that certificate that that enables the trainee to start processing the driving licence. By the time he or she gets to our office and demands to get a license, they will now fill the form for him as a fresh applicant, print it out, give him to go to the bank and pay the proscribed fee of N6, 350. When he pays that, he collects the teller with the form and meet the VIO attached to our office where these licences are printed. The VIO will put him to test either for practical or ask him about road signs. When you fail one, it is as good as you can cause a crash. If the VIO is satisfied with all that you have done, he will approve the form that they can give you the driving licence. You will enter the licencing centre where you will be captured physically. Immediately they finish capturing, the temporary licence will be printed. That one is as good as having a valid driving licence. Within 60 days, the permanent one would have come from Abuja because it is printed centrally too. But today it does not even take more than 30 days for the permanent one to come. But we still give the benefit of doubt of 60 days. How about renewal? Renewal does not go the trend of the fresh. For renewal, all you need to do is fill the form, go to the bank and pay N6, 350 and you come back to the VIO who might ask you some questions, if you are okay, since you had a licence before, he will approve your form. They will print the temporary one and give you. Within 60 days, you will be given the permanent one. We will collect the temporary one and issue the permanent one. When it is lost you have to do the needy, like the police report and affidavit, etc. Is it because the process is rigorous that makes people bypass the system by bribing officials? That is the problem we have with most Nigerians today. You arrest a person and he sits in his car and say, ‘come I want you to go and do driving licence for me. How much will it cost?’ Some people will quickly jump for it, and say ‘when do you want it’ and he will say ‘tomorrow’. They will collect huge amount like N30, 000 and issue him a fake licence, which looks exactly like the original. At the end of the day when we get them arrested, they start complaining and threatening. Because people don’t want to follow due process they get into the hands of the bad ones where their money will go. I’m not exonerating some staff of FRSC from that, because in every 12 there might be a Judas. If 90 per cent of our staff is good perhaps 10 per cent is not good. Don’t also forget there are people that are not our staff that will come within the environment and hang around, these people are those that go into fake driving licence deal. And you hardly see them wearing uniform. They would have made one or two friends by coming around, and the person whose licence is to be collected will not tell you. They would have told him; ‘when you come to so so place, call me, I will come out from my office and give you’. That is where I blame some people; you must know their offices. But ask these people; they will tell you ‘we met in a place’. Let me also alert the public that any body that collects your passport photograph is going to give you a fake driving licence. Visit FRSC office, sit down, follow the due process, they will snap you and then print. We have a digital system that will take your thumbprint and you sign, and the temporary one will be produced. CONTINUed ON PAGE 47

Politic 47

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Corruption is worse than apartheid – Don

Dr. Madu Muhammad is the Provost, Federal College of Education, Technical in Potiskum, Yobe State. In this interview with HASSAN JIRGI, he speaks on sundry matters. Excerpts: President Muhammadu Buhari has just left for London on vacation but Nigerians are worried about his frequent foreign trips. What is your take on this? I am not a politician, I want to express my personal opinion. I don’t think the trips are too much for a leader. Buhari is a president, he has every right to travel outside the country. We have too many contending problems in this country, sometimes I wonder how the man even sleeps, I always think that if I were to be the leader of this country, how would I wake up tomorrow? Even as an academic, I always ask myself, 'what am I going to tell Nigerians'? Every issue in this country is contending with the other. It is not an easy thing to fight corruption, and then our money is stocked outside this country by those who stole them. And you must extend hand of fellowship to all the countries or to some Heads of State or leaders of the countries who can help you retrieve the money. Are you saying this because of your new appointment? I don’t have any vested interest, I am just telling the truth, our oil price is going down, and it is the only product that we have, we are a member of OPEC, so, I think that by the time you extend a hand of fellowship to many countries, you will have a better way of running the economy. I don’t know how much you can remember, many years back when Nigeria fought to bring down apartheid in South Africa, Nigeria played a major role. Now, between apartheid and corruption, which one is worse? Certainly, you will agree with me that corruption is worse than apartheid, so we need the international community’s attention in how we fight corruption in this country. We really thank God that blessed us with Buhari at

this critical time. If Buhari continues to globetrot, when will he be able to address local issues? It is not going to be too long before he settles down. It is better for the president to go outside the country to have a grasp of how the international community will assist us in the fight against corruption and insecurity. So, his trips are not too many. This man is coming at a time when Nigeria is having all these challenges, and then he has to renew his relationship with other heads of government of various countries. I am sure that very soon he will settle down and then we can move ahead with the running of government. Tell us some of your achievements as the provost of the college? There are a few achievements that we recorded in the college and I will note the development in human resources, we appreciate the government. We also thank TETFUND that made money available to us particularly for academic staff training and development and we have wisely utilised the huge amounts that we got from them. When I came on board I met a lot of money on ground because the money was not fully utilised by the previous administration, but when I came we have sent some of our staff on training, both for their master’s degree and PhD, locally and in-

Muhammad

When I came on board I met a lot of money on ground because the money was not fully utilised by the previous administration

ternationally. There are many of them on training, some have obviously graduated and resumed but in the college and we are re-opening benefits. It is in this area that I honestly feel excited because we are developing human beings, also in the area of workshops, we benefited from TETFUND and we have used that effectively, almost all members of staff have attended workshops within Nigeria or abroad. There are so many beneficiaries, academic and non-academic, and the middle cadre staff. Before now there wasn’t a single person that went on any international training, it was when I came in that we started, I met a lot of files and it makes no sense to keep the money meant for training, we opened up the files and many people benefited, and now, we are reaping the benefits. Since you have money, do you hope to embark on visible capital projects? In the area of capital development, we

Assault FRSC officials, go to jail, Gora warns CONTINUed FROM PAGE 46

But unfortunately you get them from the same office. Our driving licence center is located in the ministry. As we speak now, we have our staff on surveillance monitoring every activity. If any of our staff goes there with any thing at all, we get the person arrested. As we arrest you, we are sending you to Abuja straight, the way people are interpreting the process is not as difficult as people think. How can a layman differentiate between an original and fake driving licence? It is very simple, if somebody asks you for your passport photograph, he is going to produce a fake licence for you. If you are not captured, if FRSC officials with uniform did not capture you and if immediately you are captured they did not print out a temporary one it is a fake licence. What level of offences can make a person face your mobile court or go to jail? Normally when we are embarking on a mobile court, it is a patrol to fish out people who are offenders who don’t obey traffic rules and regulations. In a mobile court, we don’t bother ourselves whether you have a license or not, it is like a stop and search patrol to make sure that those things that you need to have in your vehicle are there. If one of those things is not there, we will arraign you

before the magistrate after booking you for the offence you have committed. We have a magistrate in the mobile court and we do it along the road. We have lawyers given to us by the state that prosecute those people. Once you are booked for a fake license, we arraign you before the magistrate because we will hold your vehicle until the magistrate frees you. The fine for fake driving licence is N20, 000. They pay the fine to the magistrate not to us. The money goes to the state government while a certain percentage comes to the FRSC, which takes care of the logistics. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. The fact that you did not meet a road safety official one on one does not mean you should not follow due process to get what you want. Don’t cut corners. It is trying to cut corners that is making people to fall prey to these fraudsters. When on patrol, if we have a recalcitrant driver that drives dangerously and we are not comfortable, may be during the course of arresting him he assaulted our staff, we will arraign such a person straight before the magistrate court. If he pleads not guilty, the magistrate orders he be put in prison remand for two weeks. If he comes and out plead guilty they will then convict. You can pay an option of fine, which is N50, 000; assault is N10, 000 and use of phone while driving is N4, 000. All will be added together and you pay to the court.

How many people have you jailed in Bayelsa? Since I came I have not jailed anybody and I am not praying for that because I have not gotten recalcitrant drivers that will make me to take such action. If it happens, I will have no choice. Do you check the mental alertness of the officers you send on patrol? There is officer that was not trained. Every employee is also briefed before they go on patrol. Don’t also forget that every human being has five per cent madness. Those ones that cannot contain any nonsense on the road can over react. How do you contend with those that take kickbacks on the road? Right from the inception of FRSC, there is no body that will join during the course of training that will not be told of the consequences. If you are caught collecting bribes, it is outright dismissal. After being tried you will be investigated and summarily dismissed from the job. We have put surveillance activities to checkmate that. Why is FRSC not armed like the NSCDC and other para-military outfits? Our new Corp Marshal is working on that and I am very sure that in no distant time, FRSC officials will bear arms.

rely only on TETFUND, we have capital requests on government but the funding is normally poor, I think for the past few years we have never passed 50 per cent but even that, we have used it wisely, even some of the money we get internally we have done a lot with it. For instance, at the moment, we are constructing a block of eight classrooms, we have rehabilitated the Fine and Applied Arts Department, we have made provisions for furniture, facilities and computers, we have done a lot in that area. Previously we had 750 capacity lecture theater built and furnished in 2011/2012, we have done the construction of the School of Education complex, we were also able to build three blocks of three classrooms in the School of Science Education. From some internally generated funds, we have rehabilitated the administrative block, furnished and rehabilitated the Office of the Provost and the council chamber, we have done a lot of water projects, because we sank so many boreholes in the School of Science. We have two multipurpose structure. We completed a long standing capital project, 1,500 capacity hall in the School of Science, these are some of the things we did. Moreover, we are trying to bring up some programmes, such as the School of Every Child Education, we are proposing that from this present pre-NCE. We will start a new department in the School of Science, and in Health Education, we are starting a School of Languages, all these have been approved by the academic board, and we are starting this session. Is your admission process cumbersome or stress-free? Apart from these, we have brought in new combination; all our sciences will have their combinations. For degree programmes, we have improved our admission process, we have about 770 degrees, we have changed affiliation, we used to be affiliated with the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna), but because of the distance and some other issues and logistics problem, we have now moved our affiliation from FUT Minna to ATBU Bauchi, we shall soon admit new Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) intakes and they will start with ATBU. How would you describe the recent matriculation in the college. While the Federal College of Education Technical (FCE), Potiskum has matriculated 1,633 students, the matriculated students are from five schools, that includes 213 from School of Business Education, 620 from Science Education, 255 from Education, 206 from Technical Education and 339 from Vocational Education. My advise to the students is to desist from immoral acts like cultism, drug abuse, absenteeism, exams cheating, indecent dressing and other nefarious activities, the 27th matriculation ceremony of the college was delayed by five years due to the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the town. What are your social responsibilities to the host community? I thank God and thank the good people of Zone B, that is, Potiskum, Fika, Nangere and Fune, but most especially Potiskum communities, we have had a very cordial relationship with the people. We have college community representatives of various interest groups; the ethnic groups, royal fathers, Yoruba communities, Igbo communities, the emir, religious leaders, as well as elders from the community. I would like to use this opportunity to call on the people of Potiskum and Yobe in general to continue support our programmes and join hands with the college authority in order to move the institution forward.

Feature

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Three years after, policeman who planned kidnap of neighbour's son arrested •Accomplices also in police net

Juliana Francis hree men who carried out the kidnap of a fouryear-old boy in 2013, were shocked when operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase’s Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, swooped on them recently. According to the suspects, they had forgotten the crime and had even finished spending the money. While they were spending the ransom and going about with their lives, they didn’t know that IRT men were still doggedly trailing them. The three-year investigation finally paid off this year. The leader of the gang, is Paul Ibara, 36, a dismissed police corporal. He was alleged to have been discharged over his involvement in unethical practices. Rather than learn from his dismissal, Ibara later planned the kidnap of his neighbour’s son at Ishaga, Agege, Lagos State. He carried out the kidnap with four men he handpicked for the operation. The men are Ifeanyi Obi, 32, Otunba Tunde Edu, Victor and Yellow. While others have been arrested, Victor and Yellow are still at large. The police said that the IRT operatives trailed the suspects to their hideouts in the Ishaga, Agege and Egbeda areas of Lagos State and grabbed them. The police recovered a locally-made gun from the suspects. Ibara, also called ‘Mopol’ by members of his gang, said: “I went into crime because my father had prostate cancer. It was very bad and doctors needed to carry out surgery. The hospital at Uyo, demanded N450,000, but they couldn’t do it. The hospital referred him to a hospital in Ghana, where they demanded N800,000. I had no money. I started thinking of how to raise the money. I thought of a rich man in my area. He has a very big school. I started planning how to kidnap his four-year-old son.” In January 2013, Alonge Oluwa Tunmishe, the four-year-old victim, was abducted on his way to school at Ishaga. The five-man-gang of kidnappers, took Tunmishe to Abeokuta, Ogun State and held him captive. He was later released after his distraught parents paid N5m. Singing like a bird in police custody, Ibara said he decided to kidnap Tunmishe because his parents owned a popular school within Ishaga. The community was thrown into confusion following the kidnap of the little boy. People expressed dismay, including Ibara. Trying to exonerate themselves from the dastardly act, Obi and Edu claimed that Ibara lured them into the crime. Ibara said he went into the crime because he needed to save his father’s life. He said the man was di-

agnosed with prostate cancer and needed quick surgery. Ibara, who is married and has children, recounted: “I live with my wife and children at Ishaga. Tunde Edu, also known as Otunba, is a very popular person in our area. He used to visit my wife’s shop and there was a time he told me that he was broke and needed money to pay his children’s school fees. When I briefed him about my plan, he told me that he was interested. I also invited two of my friends, Victor and Yellow from Abia State. I got to know them during political rallies. “I asked Victor to come with two registered SIM cards which we would use to communicate with the victim’s relatives. I also contacted another friend of mine, Ifeanyi Obi, who sells spare parts at Ladipo Market. He would provide the vehicle for the operation. Victor brought a gun, while Edu also brought a gun he said belonged to his father.” Ibara confessed that a day before they abducted Tunmishe, they met at his wife’s shop and concluded the plan. Ibara’s brief was to monitor Tunmishe’s movement, until he would be abducted. The next day, while Tunmishe was on his way to school, Ibara sent out the agreed signal to others. The boy was kidnapped at the entrance of Ibara’s Street. He was whisked off to Abeokuta and kept at Edu's father’s house. When Ibara was sure the boy was secured, he called his father with the new SIM

The suspects

I went into crime because my father had prostate cancer

card. The gang demanded N10m ransom. Ibara explained: “The man said he didn’t have such an amount of money. He paid N5m after four days. We picked the money along Abeokuta Road. We asked the man to put on his rear lights, and when we saw the vehicle, we asked him to drop the money by the side of the road. We released the boy that night and shared the money. We all got N1m each. I sent N700,000 to my father and the surgery was done successfully. Last month, Ifeanyi called me; I didn’t know he was with policemen. When I went to meet him, police arrested me.” Edu, a father of two, accused Ibara of dragging him into stormy waters. Edu, a National Diploma Holder in Estate Management, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, said Ibara tricked him into committing the crime. He explained that he told Ibara sometime ago that he was searching for a job. He said two weeks after his discussion with Ibara, the former policeman called him. Edu said: “He said someone owed him money. He said I should assist him get the man’s child and that when the man pays, he would give me a percentage. He told me that we needed a gun for the operation. I told him my father has a gun. I went to our village and took my father’s gun. On the day of the operation, I was inside the car with Ifeanyi and the two guys Ibara invited. We stopped the car taking the boy to school with my gun and kidnapped him. We took him to my father’s house. After the ransom was paid, I rented an apartment and I paid my children’s school fees. After that

operation, I didn’t see Ibara and Ifeanyi again. I was arrested some days ago at a filling station. I didn’t know what I did back then was kidnapping. I thought I was only trying to assist a friend.” The third suspect, Obi, blamed the former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, for his woes. He said Fashola pushed him into crime. Obi said that after his shop at Ladipo Spare Parts Market was demolished by the Fashola-led administration in 2012, he became frustrated. He said that his frustration led him to Ibara who talked him into kidnapping. He said that after serving his master for seven years, the man ‘settled’ him with a shop and some money. He started making little money and soon bought a fairly used Montero SUV, 1986 model. He paid N110, 000 for it. On December, 28 2012, he was in his village, when he got the news that Task Force officials demolished his shop. He rushed back to Lagos to find everything had been levelled to the ground. He said it was more saddening because he had just bought goods and stocked the shop before travelling. His world, according to him, crumbled. He said: “A few days later, one of my customers called me to bring a spare part to Abattoir, Agege. He later took me to Ibara's wife’s shop. He introduced Ibara to me and we became friends. I told Ibara that I wanted to sell my SUV. I told him that I needed money for a fresh start. He told me there was a job that would fetch good money. He told me that the victim’s father was very rich. He said if we could kidnap the man’s son, the man would pay us well to get his boy back. After the ransom was paid, I was given N700,000.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Young Telegraph

TOPIC

11 JUNE 2016

with DEBORAH OCHENI

Inquisitiveness

Nothing

I think right now my parents are eager for me to bring or introduce someone to them. Whenever they see me with any friend they become inquisitive.

I believe whatever they do is for my good, so I love everything about my parents, they are both wonderful AKIN ADEOLA

SULEIMAN MAWEDO

Over pampering

Over generosity

My mum is too generous and I m not too comfortable with that. She doesn’t know how to save because she believed that other people are in need.

She pampers me a lot, she doesn’t want to believe that I am now an adult. She still treats me like the little child of those days but I think is it because of the love she has for me.

AMAH AKON

ANN EDIBO

They too good

Nothing

My parents are lovely, they are too good to me. Although my dad nags at times, but I think it's for my good.

They are just angels sent to me from God, if given the opportunity to choose my parents in my next world I will still go for them.

JOY OMADA

JUDE IGWE

Over protective

Deciding for me

It is good for parents to be protective but mine are over protective and I am tempted to hide some things from them because of that.

My parents are conservative in a way, I like social life a lot but they are always reminding me of my background and they want me to behave the way they do.

NAT ADEMOLA

Always telling me about their childhood experience

My parents always remind me of their experience as a child and I don’t like that. SAM ONOGWU

What I hate my parents doing

RUTH MOSES

Not giving me freedom

They don’t allow me to go out, I can’t check on my friends because you must give details of the address and what you are going there for. SYLVIA DEMONYE

News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, (left) and the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Sodipo, after a courtesy call on the governor at the Government House, Yenagoa… yesterday PHOTO: BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Amnesty Int’l indicts military over killing of 17 IPOB members •Allegation is unfounded – Army

Charles Onyekwere

G ENUGU

lobal human right organisation, Amnesty International (AI), yesterday said the army should be held culpable in the killings of at least 17 unarmed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In view of this, the group called on the Federal Government to investigate the human rights abuses and killings which occurred during the 49th anniversary of Biafra Day in Onitsha, Anambra State and Asaba, Delta State, on May 30. But the army in its reaction dismissed the allegations as unfounded, stressing that Amnesty’s accusations revealed “a lot of bias that undermined its credibility.” The Amnesty’s report, which it said was based on details from eyewitnesses, obtained from morgues and hospitals, says soldiers opened fire on members of IPOB and their supporters in Onitsha, Anambra State, during the build-up to a march. The statement issued by the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria,

.K. Ibrahim, said the killings took place during a security operation in the early hours of the morning, shortly before the march when the military raided homes and a church where IPOB members slept. “An on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International has confirmed that the Nigerian Army gunned down unarmed people ahead of last month’s planned pro-Biafran commemoration events in Onitsha, Anambra State. “Evidence gathered from eyewitnesses, morgues and hospitals confirm that between May 29 and 30, the Nigerian military opened fire on members of the IPOB, supporters and bystanders at three locations in the town. “Opening fire on peaceful IPOB supporters and bystanders who clearly posed no threat to anyone is an outrageous use of unnecessary and excessive force and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. In one incident one person was shot dead after the authorities burst in on them while they slept,” he said. Amnesty said its investigation showed that at least 17 people were killed and

IGBOSERE Businessman in the dock for alleged N69.1m fraud

N EWS I N BRIEF

A 42-year-old businessman, Mr. Olatunbosun Ololade, who allegedly obtained N69.1 million from Stanbic IBTC Bank under the guise of supplying diesel to 7Up Bottling Company, was on Friday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. Ololade, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, fraud and forgery. The prosecutor, Inspector Steven Molo, told the court that the accused and others at large, committed the offences sometime in February 2014, at Stanbic IBTC Bank, No. 8, Apapa Oshodi Expressway, Coconut Bus Stop, Apapa, Lagos.

nearly 50 injured, adding that: “The real number is likely to be higher.” “Amnesty International has received reports from various sources on the ground alleging that at least 40 people were killed and more than 50 injured. After visits to hospitals and morgues, the organisation has confirmed - based on this initial investigation - that at least 17 people were killed and nearly 50 injured. The real number is likely to be higher,” Ibrahim said. While urging the government to investigate the actions, the rights group said: “Information gathered by Amnesty International indicates that the deaths of supporters and members of IPOB was the consequence of excessive and unnecessary use of force.” However, army spokesman, Sani Usman, rejected the content of the report, insisting that: “The allegations are unfounded.” Similarly, a statement signed by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu, Col. Hamza Gambo, said the IPOB/ MASSOB protesters turned violent thereby necessitating army’s retaliation.

PORT HARCOURT SPDC donates N14m post-accident equipment to FRSC, Rivers govt Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) yesterday donated post-crash equipment worth N14 million to Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Rivers State Government. Handing over the equipment in Port Harcourt, SPDC’s Coordinator, Road Safety Unit, Mr. Kiri Obomanu, said the equipment would be used to save lives of accident victims.

The statement said: “The attention of 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to insinuations of misdeed being levelled by Amnesty International against security forces during the MASSOB/IPOB violent protests in Onitsha and environs on May 31, 2016.'' It would be recalled that the Army issued a statement in which it said troops had to “resort to self defence” after IPOB members attacked security agencies with “firearms” and various weapons including dynamite. In a related development, the leadership of the IPOB worldwide under Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and director radio Biafra has applauded all IPOB family members and Biafrans worldwide for their courage and support during the remembrance of our fallen heroes and heroines who died during the 1967 and 1970 Civil War. A statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Mr. Emma Powerful, said: “We want to thank our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is undergoing concocted charges with the Nigeria court in Abuja who initiated this event in Enugu 2014 and Aba 2015.”

FCT Insurance chief allays retrenchment fears

The Director-General of the Nigeria Insurance Association, Mr. Sunday Thomas, yesterday told workers in the insurance sector not to panic over the gale of retrenchments in companies. Thomas gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos against the backdrop of increasing job losses in key sectors of the economy, including banking and telecommunications.

FG set to decongest Abuja Airport Wole Shadare

he Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika said it would soon put in place security equipment at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, that would enable some airlines operate from there, without hampering on-going airport remodelling. He said the exercise is aimed at reducing traffic at the international wing of the airport, with the intention to make surveillance easier. Sirika made the disclosure when he received a delegation from the British High Commission, led by the Head of Aviation Security, Jankies Milies in his office. He stated that his ministry was trying hard to establish aviation security system that is world class, with the ability to work with arms,

sniffer dogs, modern surveillance equipment and intelligence gathering. He disclosed that the ministry was also working towards improving the physical security of the nation’s aerodromes, just as he commended the efforts of the British government, through the High Commission in Abuja, in conducting and assessing the security situation in the nation’s airports with the aim of determining areas of possible cooperation. He told the delegation that the ministry had recently set up a committee for a similar purpose and currently studying its report and recommendations for implementation. He called for greater cooperation between the two countries especially in the area of capacity enhancement in modern aviation security trends.

Lagos PDP crisis deepens as Salvador, Adewale lay claim to party chair Wale Elegbede

risis seems to be brewing again in the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a chieftain of the party, Mr. Segun Adewale, has insisted that he remains the authentic chairman of the party. Adewale, a senatorial candidate of the party at the last election, also described the Moshood Salvador-led executive, which currently occupies the PDP secretariat, as a fictitious, illegal creation that has no recognition from any organ of the National PDP.” Speaking at a press conference alongside some other party chieftains in the state, including Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, Abdulkamal Olorunoje, Babajide Ladeinde, among others, the factional chairman said he was poised to reposition the party ahead

of the 2019 elections. “By posing as officers of the party, these people are creating confusion among PDP members, causing disaffection for PDP in the community and undermining our efforts to perform our role as a credible opposition party,” Adewale said. In a swift response, however, Salvador said he was duly elected as chairman, declaring that those who were not part of the state congress that produced his leadership at the PDP secretariat could not lay claim to leadership at all. While recalling that the congress exercise that was held at the party secretariat last May produced the executive he is heading, Salvador said the Adewale group was a ploy by former Governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff to stay in power as PDP national chairman.

Group commends Bello for fight against graft Isioma Madike

group, Front for Ebira Solidarity, has commended Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his dogged fight against corruption since he assumed office a year ago. In a letter of commendation to the governor signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, the organisation noted with satisfaction the courage displayed in confronting the endemic corruption which has almost crippled the state in its desired march to progress. Anivasa particularly

took notice of the fraudulent ghost workers syndrome, a ploy by some crooks in many offices in the ministries, departments, agencies and local government authorities to siphon the money meant for development, to their private accounts. “This wicked atrocity has contributed immensely to the failure of several authorities to pay salaries adequately,” Anivasa noted. The group also salutes the willpower of the young governor in introducing the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for all government transactions to block the leakages.

News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

S’Court affirms GodsGift’s death sentence for killing teenager

he Supreme Court yesterday affirmed the death sentence passed on Ayiere GodsGift by the Court of Appeal in Calabar, Cross River State, for the murder of a teenager, Okon Edem. Delivering the judgment, Justice Suleiman Galadima, held that the decisions of both trial and appellate courts were given in line with the provision of the law that criminalised such an act. Galadima said the convict’s action was con-

trary to Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code C.16 Vol.111, laws of the Cross River State 2004. “In view of the forgoing, I find that the court below rightly affirmed the decision of the trial court. This was, however, done after all exhibits were properly admitted in evidence and acted upon. In sum, I hold that this appeal is lacking in merit and it is accordingly dismissed,” Galadima held. He further said: “The judgment of the court below which endorsed the

ASABA NSCDC arrests two suspected oil pipeline vandals N EWS I N BRIEF

The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two suspected oil pipeline vandals in Delta. Chairman of the state’s command, Mrs. Beatrice Irabor, disclosed this at a press conference yesterday in Asaba. Beatrice said the two suspects, Mr. Azubuike Ozegbe and Mr. Alfred Ekwo, were arrested in Agwe-Ekiti in kwale by the NSCDC officers on patrol.

judgment of the trial court is hereby affirmed.” The convict’s appeal was against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, delivered on July 4, 2014. The appellate court in Calabar had gone ahead to affirm the judgment of the Cross River State High Court delivered on March 10, 2010. The appellant therein was convicted of the offence of murder of a teenager, Okon Edem of Grace and Gold Nursery/Prima-

FCT FG,Songhai Farms sign MoU on river basin resources

The Federal Government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Songhai Farms, Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, to harness resources of River Basin Development Authorities in the country. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, said the agreement would also help in boosting employment opportunities for the youths.

ry School, Calabar. GodsGift was accused to have, on October 8, 2007, between 12noon and 1pm, gone to his victim’s school to kidnap him. It was alleged that the convict deceived both the school security personnel and late Edem’s teacher as an uncle to the pupil. The charge had it that while the search for Okon was on, the victim’s father received a telephone call from someone who identified himself as “Johnson.” It was, therefore, alleged

JOS Ex-ALGON chair lauds Berom, Fulani peace deal

A former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Plateau State, Mr. Emmanuel Loman, has applauded the peaceful co-existence between the Berom natives and Fulani in Barkin Ladi Local Government of the state. Loman stated this yesterday in Barkin Ladi Government Area during the inauguration of 11 Federal Wards executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Barkin Ladi, Heipang, Foron, Fan and Gashish Districts of the council.

L-R: Founder, Wilson Badejo Foundation, Rev. Wilson Badejo; representative of the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Anike Adekanye; Mrs. Yinka Badejo and Senator Domingo Obende, at the Foundation’s 9th annual lecture entitled: “Nigeria and Rising Tide of Poverty” in Lagos… recently PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Plateau Assembly urges FG to rehabilitate IDPs Musa Pam Jos

he Plateau State House of Assembly has urged the Federal Government to include the state in the rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country. The assembly gave the advice under matter of urgent public importance presented by Mr. Peter Ibrahim, who is the member representing Barkin Ladi Constituency in the state. According to him, a lot of the displaced persons in the state are going through serious hardships, adding that they need government support. “Last year by this time,

I presented a motion in this chamber where I spoke passionately about the incessant killings in my constituency and other local governments of this state. “Today, we can all be happy to say that through the conscious effort of this House and the Executive, we are enjoying relative peace on the Plateau. “However, Mr. Speaker, a lot of the victims of those conflicts are displaced and as I talk, their condition is very pathetic. “As a representative, these people usually troop in large numbers to my house on daily basis just to get food to eat,” he said. Contributing, the member representing Mikkang Constituency, Mr. Na’anlong Daniel, said the

safety and concern of the citizens should be first priority of every responsible government. He advised that government should evolve better strategy to ameliorate the suffering of the displaced persons. “They are also Nigerian citizens, so they have equal rights,” he added. Also, the member representing Pengana Constituency, Mr. Ezekiel Afon, called on the Federal Government to support the IDPs. “Since the emergence of ethno-religious crisis in the state, we never enjoyed any palliative from the Federal Government; we have been doing things by ourselves. So, I call on the Federal Government

to include Plateau in the rehabilitation measures taken for the North-East, especially that most of the IDPs here are from that region,” he said. Also, member representing Jos-East, Mr. Joshua Madaki, called for a periodic review of state of the camps by government to ensure that the IDPs were given relatively better living condition. After much deliberation, the assembly resolved to draw the attention of the Federal Government through the state government to the plight of IDPs in the state. It also directed the various local governments to meet the immediate needs of the IDPs as to give them a sense of belonging.

that the “faceless Johnson” demanded a ransom of N3 million for Okon to regain his freedom. The apex court was also told that on October11, 2007, “faceless Johnson’’ directed Okon’s father to take the ransom money to an operator of commercial centre at B52, Border Road, Ikom. Galadima said: “Johnson had at the point sent a commercial motorcyclist, Samuel Ezaka, to pick up the money from the above address in Ikom.''

The judge further held that testimonies from the prosecution witnesses noted that it was when Ezaka arrived to pick the money that he was arrested by the police. The court said as soon as Ezaka was picked by the police, the appellant who kept a distance took to his heels and disappeared. “Later on that day the appellant was also arrested by the police. He, however, denied any involvement in the kidnap and eventual murder of the victim.

Enugu raises the alarm over vandalism of traffic lights Charles Onyekwere Enugu

nugu State Government has raised the alarm over the activities of some yet-to-be-identified hoodlums who have vandalised the equipment that controls traffic lights system at Ani Street junction, Enugu by WTC, resulting in temporary shutdown of the traffic lights system along UNEC Road. A statement yesterday signed by the state Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vitus Okechi, said the alarm became necessary in view of the need to explain to the public, especially road users the cause of the temporary shutdown of the traffic control light system on the said road. Okechi added that the explanation would also cause the motorists to appreciate the predicament of the government in maintaining the operation of traffic control

light system in the state, despite the current economic challenges in the country. The commissioner said the accident that occurred around 1am on June 4 at Uwani by Robinson Street junction was not caused by faulty traffic control light system, insisting that the traffic light system was in good state at the time the crash occurred. He noted that the ugly activities of vandals, which include carting away the control system batteries, cables and other sensitive equipment during night hours, had been consistent, even when adequate security measures were provided to secure the equipment in different locations. Okechi said the vandalised equipment had been costing the state government a huge amount of money to restore. He expressed regret that such criminal acts were being encountered when the nation’s economy is in a bad state.

Cowpea farmers petition EU over Genetically Modified crops Caleb Onwe Abuja

group of Nigerian cowpea farmers have written an open letter to the European Union (EU) Parliament, alleging that moves by G8 countries to withhold support from Genetically Modified (GM) crops programme in Africa, are not only a disservice to the farmers but an attempt to deny African farmers the benefits of agricultural biotechnology. The letter made available to journalists in Abuja by a member of Cowpea Association of Nigeria, Mr. Abdallah Yaya, said such a move by people who are only out to protect their vested interest in African agricultural resources at the detriments of the farmers, should not be considered by the parliament. It also alleged that those

behind such a move were obviously playing out the script written by their paymasters to make African countries, especially Nigeria, remain dependent on importation of foods. The letter further expressed the concern that should the programme of GM be banned in Nigeria, the hope of the country achieving food sufficiency might remain a mirage. Yaya also said agriculture biotechnology was required to achieve sustainable development of Nigeria’s massive agrarian potential. The letter, reads in part: “As Africans and Nigerians, we appreciate the efforts of the EU to make a decision on our food system but then, we can do this for ourselves. We need the opportunity to make our own choices; also we need to have variety of options to choose from.''

Perspectives

11 JUNE 2016

Does Nigeria need to go to Rio?

n 54 days, Nigeria is scheduled to join their counterparts from over 200 countries to take part in the largest and most prestigious multi-sports in the world, the Olympics taking part in Brazil. Unfortunately while many other nations are at the peak of their preparations to give it their best in South America over the summer the same cannot be said of Team Nigeria! Although one expects the sports authorities to vehemently deny this as is their usual position, but from all indications Nigeria is heading to Brazil for ‘sightseeing’ and not seriously test their athletic prowess against their fellow track and field stars. Yes one must acknowledge that President Muhammadu Buhari last year showed government’s gratification to the sportsmen and women who have done the nation proud at major international competitions by showing naira on them; but the fact remains that once again the nation is failing to adequately prepare for a sporting event. Sadly just like a broken record this has been the norm for many of the competitions we have taken part in. Although once in a while ‘mother luck’ does smile our way and one of our athletes sneaks a medal of whatever colour. But on the whole we only give lip service to long term planning to achieve success. Experts will tell you that one needs at least four years to groom a potential Olympic medallist and even then the person in question must have abundant potential and natural talent. But in Nigeria it appears the authorities in charge of sports don’t believe in this principle and instead love the fire brigade approach whereby we leave the athletes to their own devices and only invite them to camp a few months to a major event like the Commonwealth or All Africa Games and

“F

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

or which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30) Marriage is a destiny-related lifetime journey that requires a prayerful research, greater than the one described above by the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Unfortunately, many of today’s singles have developed a very wrong perception of the marital institution with many ideas that are full of errors. No thanks to globalization and the social media, which is a warehouse, of the good, the bad and the ugly. Now, if you are searching for a wife or husband, I presume you are searching for a good thing. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22). To get any good thing in life, you must search for that thing with the appropriate instrument or criteria. If you need very good furniture, you do not go to a tailor or fashion designer’s shop to look for it. You will get the wrong feedback. A furniture shop or furniture maker is the right person or place to approach. An African proverb says that a bent tree cannot give you a straight shadow. This piece focuses on the wrong criteria for searching for a spouse, which many have adopted as the right criteria, only to move into troubled marriages. One very wrong criterion is premarital sexual performance. Please note that your spouse searchengine is not your private part. 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

TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com expect them to perform magic. After our last humiliating outing at the London 2012 Olympics where Nigeria performed woefully, our sports officials mumbled the usual words to assuage the feelings of the angry public promising to ensure that such an outing will not be repeated at the next Olympics (Rio 2016) because they had learnt their lessons and would ensure early preparations. Alas, as many of us have become used to from our officials – it was all talk and nothing but talk! The said games are virtually on us and there is nothing in place to indicate that this outing will be different from the last one. And one suspects that once we fumble in Brazil we will hear the usual talk about it ‘will not happen again.’ In fact, former Olympic gold medallist, Daniel Igali, who is also the chairman, Technical Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, (NOC), has voiced his unhappiness that Team Nigeria is behind schedule ahead of the Rio Olympics. “Team Nigeria is far behind schedule in the preparations for the Rio Olympics. In terms of preparation, the months of May and June are supposed to be heavily competitive months to put the athletes in the various sports who have qualified for the Olympics competing in camps around

the world to get in great shape,” he told Sunday Telegraph last week. Speaking further he said: “And July is supposed to be the month when you come back together to assess what you have done and where mistakes have been made, to make corrections so as to compete for medals in the Rio Olympics in August. We all know there has been delay due to the fact that the country’s budget was just released a few months ago. As we are talking, I don’t know if any individual sport has been given money to travel abroad for training ahead of the Rio Olympics. “You know the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the Sports Ministry work hand-in-hand, with the Ministry having the upper hand, but as the Chairman of the Technical Commission of the NOC, I am not happy with the level of preparation of the Team Nigeria. I do understand that some sports have been called to camp in Abuja and they have been training for the past two weeks. But overall, all things being equal, in terms of preparations for the Rio Games, we are not where we are supposed to be.” Secretary General of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Popoola was even blunter in sounding the alarm over the nation’s poor preparations for the Rio Games, warning that if

the athletes cannot kick start their training now, then there was no need for Nigeria to even go to Brazil. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos Popoola said: “Training for athletes can no longer wait. We can’t wait any longer than we have waited. “If we wait any further, then it is pointless going for the Games.” Sadly, this has been a recurring theme as far back as Seoul’88 when our contingent came back from South Korea empty handed and full of scandals have we been hearing that things will change. ‘Unfortunately’ at the next two Olympic Games Barcelona’92 and Atlanta’96 Nigeria punched above her weight and rather than using the triumphs to build and put proper structures in place to ensure preparations for major competition will go on smoothly; we once again fell back to our old ways of not preparing. Thus by the time of the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games our star had begun to wane and our outings were not as impressive (although we did win a gold medal at Sydney after our men’s relay team was upgraded following the disqualification to Team USA). However, our trip to China in 2008 for the Beijing Games once again brought some succour when we won four medals – one silver and three bronze. And once again rather than build on this we went to sleep and this manifested in the woeful outing at London 2012 where Team Nigeria merely went to admire London Bridge! As things stand, it appears Team Nigeria is again on a sightseeing trip to another foreign country with the same expectant feeble excuses and promises from our officials.

Spouse search engine Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com 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. Money is important to marriage but money-driven relationship is not safe. There are so many marital problems that money may not solve. This is why we have records of billionaire couples that divorce. When the size of wallet becomes the ONLY REASON that a marital relationship exists, money determines how you feel and respond to each other. When he gives you money and expensive gifts, you love and cherish him. But when he doesn’t, it is trouble. No money, no love. This also applies to a guy who marries a lady because she has money. It is slavery. The person’s money buys your conscience and your feelings. Even if you see the person flirting with other people, you tend to overlook it because you are enslaved by his or her money. It is the wallet you love and not the person. Your feelings don’t matter. It is almost impossible to deny the person

sex because when you do, he or she zips up the big wallet. If for any reason, the person loses the financial status, your love immediately dies. You become irritated, impatient and angry around him or her. All you wanted was his or her money. Now, no more money! Another wrong criterion for choosing your husband or wife is tribe or race. Individuals vary in character. Each tribe, race, community and family in this world have people who are very bad, some who are very good, some who are fairly good and others who are not so good. Therefore, branding an entire tribe or race as a bad tribe or race is a display of ignorance. Tribalism or racism can blindfold you and prevent you from seeing the good thing you are searching for in life. God in heaven is God of all flesh and not for some. Jesus Christ loves and died for everyone and not for some people (John 3:16). Anyone that exhibits tribal discrimination on any issue is not a Christian and does not know God. Finally, do not marry someone simply because the person goes to some church or is a fellow church member. A church goer who has not accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and saviour; a church member who does not exhibit the fruits of the holy spirit (Ephesians 5:22-23); a church member whose character goes contrary to the nature and character of Jesus Christ might not be the good thing you are looking for as a life partner. Read the book, MAKING YOUR MARRIAGE WORK by Albinus Chiedu for more. God bless you.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

And the beasts go on and on…

n one of the various reports describing the words, actions, or habits of the Islamic prophet, Mohammed (S.A.W), there was a woman who was fond of putting thorns on the pathway leading to the mosque where the noble prophet observed his prayers. Her target was the prophet. Again, report has it that the woman would also wait in the wings to abuse the prophet and rain curses on him. The prophet became accustomed to this woman’s idiosyncrasy and quickly noticed on a particular day that there was neither thorns on the pathway nor the woman in the corner where she usually stayed. The prophet of Islam reportedly inquired from the people around why the woman was not on the street and he was told she was sick. After the prayer, the prophet found out her residence and went to visit her. The woman was petrified to see the prophet in her house. But the prophet allayed her fears when he told her his mission was to inquire about her health and pray for her quick recovery. This noble act was what encouraged the woman to accept Islam. This account remains one of the most popular anthology when talking about the habits of Mohammed (S.A.W). The didactic tone in this report is to teach the Muslims the importance of forbearance even in the face of provocation. The noble prophet also emphasised that the real man is he who exercises patience when provoked. But the essence of the cited report seems lost on some supposed Muslim youths particularly in the north. Some vampires were at it again last week Friday in Kano. Their target was Mrs. Bridget Agbahime, a 73-yearold woman from the South-East, accused of blasphemy against Islam. She was stoned to death by some religious fanatics at Kofar Wambai Market. The beasts who killed Bridget are not fit to live in a normal society. They are animals in human skin. Shame unto parents who gave birth to all those who took part in that bestial monstrosity. Shame unto the clerics who taught them that the surest way to heaven is to kill innocent souls even when the glorious Quran is explicit on the sanctity of human life.

Isioma Madike

omehow, children born on June 12, 1993, are now old enough at least to demand the meaning of “June 12”. And in a few years’ time, they will read about the can of worm and true story of the aborted aspirations of millions of Nigerians that voted during the epoch-making election widely acknowledged the world over, as the fairest and freest Nigeria ever conducted. They will also understand why it remained an open wound that would take a very long time to heal, and why the truth about it must be told. To those who participated in the annulled elections, it was more than just a dream. It was a hope. Little wonder Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola titled it – Hope ’93. This dream and hope, many believe, would have become a reality but for the stroke of the pen of those who scripted the annulment for the “evil genius” to implement. The presidential election and the euphoria of democracy were thus terminated by the then regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd). This left in its wake, pangs and lingering political quagmire that have continued to trail Nigeria till this day, despite the senseless killing of the holder of the election’s mandate on July 7, 1998. The circumstances of MKO’s death also have provided fertile ground for conspiracy theories to thrive. For now, democracy, in whatever guise

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com It seems something is just not right the dust of the killing of Bridget to settle beabout the north and some of its youths fore engaging in another madness. Another who seem to have an unfinished business Christian, Mr. Francis Emmanuel Francis, with Southerners and are eager to finish was almost killed in Kakuri, Kaduna, under the business using religious zealotry and the pretext that he was not fasting. When bigotry. They are never tired has Ramadan become a religious compulsion that of savagery and are ever ready must be observed by the to foist their brand of religious fundamentalism and heretical Christians? That she was a philosophy on others. They Mere condemnations woman made of these bestiality are just have studied their society well and have been emboldened by her killing bizarre political rhetoric that will signify nothing and will lack of consequences for their and that she was not prevent a recurrence. It's past evil actions. What were the consequenca matter of time before a septuagenarian just es for the killing of Gideon another set of mad men perAkaluka, the Igbo trader that form a similar act. Erratic showed how was beheaded in Kano in 1995? men who clothe their devpsychopathic His offence was that his wife alilish act in religious garb are legedly desecrated the Quran. never in short supply in the and callous her north. Their leaders should After Akaluka was imprisoned attackers are tell us something new that perhaps to assuage the feelings of those ‘aggrieved’, a group of will assuage our feelings people broke into the jail, killed that the recurring madness him, and paraded the city with on the streets of north do not have their tacit approval. Enough is his severed head. How many people were arrested for the murder? If any, what hapenough. pened to them? It will be an undeserved luxury to allow This behavioural pattern of resorting those who killed by the sword to die a natuto violence to settle religious disputes in ral death. I challenge the governor of Kano State to prove me wrong that nothing will the north started in the ‘80s when some come out of the killing of Bridget beyond a strange and in some cases insignificant mere slap on the wrist. Let's for once teach religious ideologies were imported from these vampires that the sanctity of human some Islamic countries to the north. One of life is for real. such was the killings that accompanied the argument over whether it was necessary It's even a bigger shame that the infaor not to place the two hands on the chest mous acts that put Islam on the defensive during prayers. in Nigeria mostly if not in all cases come The northern youths will not even allow from that part of the country. Does it mean

that southern Nigerian Muslims don't have any chance of making it to heaven? The killing of that woman was premeditated. She was a victim of hate and animosity and the animals who devoured her were only waiting in the wings to cease any slightest opportunity to strike. How can a mere argument over where to perform ablution result in killing? That she was a woman made her killing bizarre and that she was a septuagenarian showed how psychopathic and callous her attackers are. Jungle justice is anti-Islam. If she had said something blasphemous what evidence do they have and which court was she taken to? These irate youths take delight in creating climate of fear and tension and it is time to show them that law is no respecter of anybody. They are paranoid and have created imaginary enemies for themselves. They cite anomalous narrations and jettison context and circumstances in which certain actions were taken at the threshold of Islam based on their ignorance about their faith. They acted as the prosecutor, jury and executioner in Bridget’s killing, a position that lacks a modicum of common sense and cannot survive if examined under Islamic jurisprudence. There is no euphemism for what they did other than murder and whoever tries to justify it is also an accomplice in this conspiratory. Their deeds continuously harm the image of Islam and put many peace-loving Muslims on the defensive at all times. Killing of Bridget and Tuesday’s attack of a Christian who was accused of having his lunch during Ramadan in Kaduna is a challenge to Islamic scholars in the north who do not approve these bizarre behaviours that something urgent must be done about these ignoramus who know nothing about their religion. These are the people the late great Islamic scholar, Sheik Ahmed Deedat, had in mind when he said: “The biggest enemy of Islam is the ignorant Muslim, whose ignorance leads him to intolerance, whose actions destroy the true image of Islam. And when the people look at him, they think that Islam is what he is.”

June 12, 1993: Always and forever has returned to Nigeria after a period of protracted struggle, predominantly championed by pro-democracy forces in the country. But the cost occasioned by the tragedy of June 12 elections before the exit of the military remains innumerable. From economic to political, Nigeria lost a lot due to the turmoil imposed by the annulment. Tomorrow, as we remember the June 12 elections saga, much of the pains and sense of loss we feel arises from the curiosity as to what Abiola’s presidency would have been. There are those who still feel that if he had been sworn-in as the president, he would have been a disaster, because of his past romance with the military. They argue that he probably would have toppled by the same military he helped in the game a number of times. While one is not contesting that view, it will be fair to say that Abiola may have succeeded as a president. Abiola, no doubt, was a very talented man; humble, charismatic and had the uncommon touch. And considering the political and business empire he built, he must have known something that could have served him well in the presidency. Unfortunately, while the June 12 never produced Abiola as president, others inherited his effort at changing the political landscape. The wind that blew former president Olusegun Obasanjo into Aso Rock,

for instance, had its roots in the legitimate yearning of the people executed on June 12, 1993, which was the catalyst for freedom and democracy in Nigeria. In its wake, the symbol of that yearning lost his life and was cheated out of his mandate. June 12 saga was significant, not just because of the pursuit of truth, but for the lesson for the future. As it stands now, the federal government needs to unravel the mystery surrounding that event because we have paid dearly for the criminality of that period. As a nation in search of its soul, we cannot afford to ignore this menacing shadow. Since the macabre dance, so many things have happened, but a few things have changed. Today, we are faced with a situation where army generals are bent on deciding our future instead of begging for forgiveness for their past deeds. They have made more pronounced the issue of “god fathers” in our democratic lexicon. Had Abiola been installed as president in August 1993, probably he would not have lost his life in such a cruel circumstance, and there is possibility that he would be among the living today. Also, Pa Alfred Rewane, a major financier of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola would not have been assassinated. Besides the conspicuous ones, they were others, who were allegedly shot dead while

protesting the annulment in 1993. We had also the extra-judicial killings traceable to that momentous election and those whose professions cut across segment of the economic sector, who would have been here today contributing their quota to the development of their fatherland. What a calamity! On the eve of democracy, Nigerians were under the fear of terrorism, from both within and outside the country. Had Abiola been installed as the president, he would have doused the belief that the Northerners are bent on holding onto power at all cost and reinforced the hope that all Nigerians are entitled to the rulership of Nigeria. Perhaps, the Niger Delta issue would have long been resolved, and we would have probably been saved the agony of the Iraqi’s style of hostage taking we now witness in that region. There is, no doubt, that Abiola’s annulled mandate and consequent death paved the way for democracy in Nigeria. As a symbol of democratic freedom, it will only be fair to properly immortalise June 12, as the true Democracy Day in the country. As we celebrate yet another June 12, there are still the cry for the truth and the call for restitution. To ignore this call is to endanger the future of the Nigerian commonwealth. June 12 may have been 23 years now, but we will be dammed if we fail to ask why it happened in the first place.

Tribute

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

World leaders, celebrities, fans bid Ali farewell

orld leaders, celebrities, boxing fans and people who admired Muhammad Ali as a man gathered in his Kentucky hometown yesterday for one last goodbye to a towering global figure who died on June 3, at the age of 74. Luminaries and ordinary people also gathered for a memorial and funeral procession through the hometown of the man celebrated around the world for his boxing skills and strong beliefs. The procession took the corpse of Ali past landmarks such as his boyhood home on the West End, traditionally an African-American section of the town, and the Muhammad Ali Centre, a museum in the centre of the Louisville, and ended at Cave Hill National Cemetery with a private burial. Thousands of people filled the KFC Yum Centre for a memorial featuring eulogies by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and comedian Billy Crystal. Some of Ali’s fans such as Cathy Oost, 61, a retired public school teacher who lives in Louisville, who was one of several hundreds of people who gathered at the cemetery gates to pay their respects held a sign that read, ‘our champ, our hero’. Oost said she was struck by Ali's speaking out for equality and his stance against the Vietnam War, plus his defence of Islam.

•Clinton, Tyson, Will Smith among mourners "He stood up for his beliefs when it was unpopular and difficult to do so. We all need to do that more," Oost said. Bridget McKay, 45, also at the cemetery gates, said she felt drawn to witness history. "I remember when I was a little girl, all the hype around him," she said. "He was so boastful and confident about who he was. He made me feel that it was okay to be myself, that I didn't have to be anyone else." Jordan's King Abdullah had been announced as one of the dignitaries due to attend the sports arena for the service, but Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who attended a Muslim funeral for Ali on Thursday, cut short his visit to Louisville and did not take part in Friday's event. Turkish officials did not say why Erdogan returned home. The CNN reported he had wanted to lay a piece of cloth on Ali's coffin and wanted the head of Turkey's religious affairs directorate to recite part of the Quran but had been refused. Mourners lined the streets of Louisville early in the morning for a funeral procession that took Ali's body to Cave Hill National Cemetery for a private burial. Thousands of people then filled the KFC Yum Centre for a memorial featuring eulogies by Clinton and Crystal. Crystal could reprise

parts of his routine called "15 Rounds," a tribute to the three-time heavyweightboxing champion that the comedian first delivered in 1979. In it, Crystal told Ali's story through a masterful impersonation of the champ and the late sportscaster Howard Cosell, who was an important early defender of Ali during his most controversial days. Pallbearers include actor Will Smith, who earned an Oscar nomination for playing the title role in the 2001 film "Ali," and former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis. "Now as the world continues to flow into our city,

it's time for us to send him off with great class and dignity and respect," Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said at a news conference. "The world will literally be watching as Muhammad's processional and memorial service are broadcast to a global audience." The mayor encouraged people to throw flowers and bring "smiles and maybe a tear or two as well." The procession passed by Ali's boyhood home on the West End, traditionally an African-American section of town, and the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum in the centre of the mid-sized city, which is also home to the

Kentucky Derby. On Thursday, the Muslim funeral for Ali drew thousands of mourners who prayed over the body of a man who battled in the ring and sought peace outside it. Speakers referred to him as "the people's champ" who was praised for advancing the cause of black Americans during and after the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Others admired him for making Islam more acceptable and giving U.S. Muslims a hero they could share with mainstream America. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was added to the list of pallbear-

ers for Muhammad Ali's funeral, joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians that mourned the boxing legend. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell told reporters that Tyson had originally said he could not attend the funeral, but "he changed his plans and called Lani and said 'I'm taking a red-eye and I'll be there'," said Gunnell, who also cleared up any questions as to whether Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would be attending. "He was welcome - when he was invited as anyone else was. He would have been able to sit in a place of distinction but he is not attending the service," said Gunnell.

The hearse (L) carrying the remains of Muhammad Ali leaving the funeral home

Muhammad Ali’s fourth wife, Lonnie, stands with Ali’s daughter, Laila and a grandchild during the service. Ali's corpse being wheeled to the mosque for prayers

Black civil rights activist, Rev. Jesse Jackson, at the event

A cross section of muslim faithful paying last respect

PHOTO: Reuters and NAIJA.COM

Sport Extra 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

11 JUNE 2016

U-20 qualifiers:

Amuneke fires Burundi warning Ajibade Olusesan

oach Emmanuel Amuneke has said his Flying Eagles will not underrate Burundi despite carrying a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of the CAF U-20 Nations Cup qualifiers slated for Calabar today (Saturday). The African champions defeated the Young Sparrows 1-0 in Bujumbura two weeks ago but Amuneke said they would not take the return leg lightly. He said their opponents were a strong side who could punish any team if treated with levity. “Though we won the first leg, the team we met in Bujumbura is tactically sound and we must be at our best when we play against them on Saturday. We are not going to lose focus and we must be able to take our chances unlike what happened in the first leg. “It is a great feeling for us going back to Calabar and this would be a good opportunity for us to thank the government and people of Cross River State for their support to us over the years. What we need again on Saturday is their total support against Burundi and I think we will do everything possible to get a good result for them to celebrate,” said Amuneke.

Osimhen

Amokachi: Keshi’s mafia, Sport boost to football Slaming

former international and an assistant coach to the Super Eagles, Daniel Amokachi, on Wednesday declared that the late Stephen Keshi's mafia in the then national team was real but for good. Amokachi said that it was the same Mafia that won Nigeria one Nations Cup trophy, a ticket to the first ever World Cup, placed Nigeria as fifth best football country in the world and years of happiness through quality results. He said:“People described our team as the golden generation and they also talk about the mafia. Truth is Keshi tried to bond us together and the unity was the strength of the squad. “We were all friends on and off the pitch. Whatever you call it, we should appreciate our generation because under the leadership of Keshi and coach Westerhof (Clemens), we made Nigerians happy.”

igerian athletes are waiting on the Athletic Federation of Nigeria for the final list of the country’s representatives to the African Senior Athletics Championship in Durban, South Africa. The AFN has said athletes that excelled at the four legs of the Golden League would be joining the foreignbased athletes to represent the country while the list would be strictly on merit as the country is keen to get the best representation in the Rainbow Nation. The Secretary of the AFN, Olumide Bamiduro, informed Saturday Telegraph that the list would be released soon after the meeting of the technical committee of the federation. Meanwhile, staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps dominated the medals table at the final leg of the Golden League in Akure during the week. Newly recruited Divine Oduduru won the double in the men’s 100m and 200m, likewise Orukpe Erayokan in the men’s 400m. Arinze Obiora, Samuel Olatunji, also staff of the pa-

Keshi

Reps recognise Pinnick's board Charles Ogundiya

ouse of Representatives on Friday threw its weight behind the Amaju Pinnickled Nigeria Football Federation. After meetings with both parties in the last few weeks, the reps delivered their verdict on the protracted crisis as they recognised Pinnick board as the legitimate group. It was concluded that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, and the Federal Government of Nigeria shall continue to recognise, work and support the NFF under Pinnick's presidency. The reps also directed as follows, “The Inspector General of Police and other security agencies

African Championships: Athletes wait on AFN Charles Ogundiya

The coach of Oulu FC of Finland also stressed that late Keshi should not be mourned but celebrated all over the world. “Keshi was a big personality. His death has been generating so much reactions all over the world just like that of Muhammed Ali. Nigerians should be proud of him and we should be celeberating him for the wonderful 54 years he spent. We call him the big boss because he was a true team leader,” Amokachi noted.

Adekunle Salami

shall give full security protection to the NFF under the presidency of Mr Pinnick.” Meanwhile, the legislators have warned the Chris Giwa-led group from parading themselves as the board of the NFF as they directed security agencies to call them to order. “Both the Federal Government and security operatives shall call Giwa and his group to order to ensure that Nigerian football does not continue to suffer and or incur the wrath of FIFA. “IG and other security agencies shall ensure that whoever creates problems in the NFF or Nigeria's football shall be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly,” the statement said.

De Gea named in sexual assault case

anchester United and Spain ra-military won the high jump and goalkeeper David De Gea and discus for men respectively. Athletic Bilbao winger Iker MuOgho-Oghene Egwero won the silniain were named by a witness in a Spanver in the men’s 100m, Oluwole Walish sexual abuse investigation of a Spanish ter (high jump), Okon Samuel (110m pornographer. hurdles) and Ibrahim Baba (discus) Spanish pornographer “Torbe” is beall won silver. ing investigated for “human trafficking The women were not left out as the for purposes of sexual exploitation, sexual likes of Kelechi Nwanaga (javelin), assault, child pornography, prostitution, Anigbata Grace (high jump), Kemi extortion, and money laundering.” Francis (100m hurdles), Agnes OsazuA key witness in the case alleges De wa (100m), Rita Ossai (400m hurdles) Gea arranged a sexual encounter for two and Agber Shimenenge (800m) were other players through Torbe at a Madrid winners in their respective events. hotel in 2012 and that the women were Chime Leticia (shot put), Ayemoba forced to have sex with the players under Grace (100m hurdles) and Peace Uko physical threat. (100m) were all silver medal winners Torbe was alleged to have promin their events. ised her a lot of money to go The Director of the hotel suite, where one Sports NSCDC, other woman and two Ayodele Olufemi, footballers would be. said he was “Both the other happy with the girl, as well as TP3 performance [the codename givof most of the en to the protected athletes repwitness] were sexuresenting the ally assaulted by the force as they men, as they were continue to physically assaulted build champiby both if they refused,” ons for the counDe Gea the police report said. try in sports.

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

Muhammad Ali… then Keshi, oh why?

n June 3, it was Muhammad Ali’s death that threw shock waves round the world. Ali died at the age of 74. The late boxer battled with Parkinson’s disease. Ali was an embodiment of wit and courage. He brought so much glamour to the sport of boxing. He had a different style entirely. He talked to opponents in the ring, danced round and was a fantastic athlete, very good at his profession. His story was interesting because he lost his bicycle as a 12-year-old and was eager to get it back only to meet people training as boxers and that was how he joined the game. He was famous with his self-belief quotes like: "It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am." "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, his hands can't hit what his eyes can't see." "I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most superior, most scientific, most skilfullest fighter in the ring today." "If you even dream of beating me, you better wake up and apologise." "Will they ever have another fighter who writes poems, predicts rounds, beats everybody, makes people laugh, makes people cry and is as tall and extra pretty as me?" He recorded many famous victories in the ring. His fight with Joe Fraizer tagged Thriller in Malina is perhaps the biggest of them all. Ali was bold enough to fight the US authorities and to fight for all he believed in even when this affected him and his career. While still trying to come to terms with the demise of Ali, a huge name in African football, Stephen Keshi, passed on at the relatively young age of 54. Just like the late boxer, Keshi’s death is also generating global reaction. President and officials of FIFA and CAF sent messages to Nigeria as well as about 40 football federation presidents on the continent. Keshi was just one of the two Africans to have won the Africa Cup of nations as a player and coach. He qualified Nigeria for the World Cup as an assistant coach with Amodu Shaibu in 2002 but they were fired. He also qualified the country for the Mundial as head coach for the Brazil 2014 tournament where Nigeria got to the second round stage. Keshi will always be remembered for his leadership qualities and like Ali, he was also a bold sports personality, confident in himself and full of wits. When South Africa came to Lagos for a qualifier sometime in the ’90s, Keshi went to one of their best players, Phil Masinga, and said: “Hello, young man, are you one of the ball boys?” Masinga was not himself all through the match. As a coach he had issues with the NFF and some of his quotes were hilarious: “They can only take my job but not my head,” “Why is there so much noise about Keshi? Nigeria should concentrate on players and officials to win games because I want to enjoy with my family.” People say Keshi was controversial because of his leadership role and fighting for his team. While he was in and out of the national team, Keshi was positive about Nigerian football. I met him in South Africa and he said: “I know Nigeria is so blessed and one day, the Eagles will rule the world. The talents are there and because we won Olympic gold, we can also win the World Cup.” Sadly, Keshi did not wait to see if this could happen. Keshi was an influential and charismatic. He was accused of creating a mafia in the team but in his defence, another ex-international and coach, Daniel Amokachi, noted that it was a way of creating bond in the team. He said: “If the mafia was winning and this is also the golden generation then the mafia style worked.” Only yesterday, former US President, Bill Clinton, was at the burial of Ali and so I expect the highest level of representation at Keshi’s burial with leaders from African countries. Keshi deserves a state burial and it won’t be out of place to name the National Stadium in Abuja after the great soccer legend. We should always appreciate our heroes especially when they are still alive. Imagine the role Keshi played in the life of Nii Ordatey Lamptey. He took the Ghanaian player up and raised him to be a good professional. Every Nigerian should be proud of how the world is celebrating Keshi. Goodnight Ali, goodnight Keshi!

SATURDAY, 11 JUNE 2016

SATURDAY

DESTINATION

Sanctity of Truth

N150

PERSPECTIVE And the beasts go on and on…

Mount Kilimanjaro: Scaling Africa's highest peak

p.42

p.53

Kane o t y d a re

h s i n u p a i s s u R s Dzyuba poses

…a s n o i L e e r h T threat for

Ajibade Olusesan arry Kane is England’s top marksman and the Tottenham striker can prove he belongs to Europe’s elite class as the Three Lions begin their Euro Championship campaign against Russia today(Saturday). Kane edged out the likes of Sergio Aguero and fellow countryman, Jamie Vardy, as the English Premier League’s top scorer this past season with 25 goals, four more than he racked up previous term. Kane’s knack for goal has carried over to the international level having scored five times in just 12 appearances and will look to lead the way for England; he would love to hit the ground running in France. England parade arguably the most fearsome frontline in France this summer with Vardy, Marcos Rashford, captain Wayne Rooney, Liverpool’s Adam Lallana and Kane all competing for spaces in the starting 11 but the Tottenham’s player should get the nod ahead of other players. A mixture of a goal-poacher and a link forward, Kane's greatest asset is that immeasurable, intangible ability to pop up in the right place at the right time. His finishing is cool, calm and confident, and his first touch is outstanding, often giving him the opportunity to finish smartly with

a second touch in a tight, congested situations. It remains to be seen precisely how England will seek to supply him with service, but with Hodgson set to deploy multiple attacking weapons, Kane might find extra space, and punish opponents. Kane is up against a defence that is suspect after Russia conceded 10 goals in their last five matches but he will fight for headlines with a certain Artem Dzyuba who scored eight goals for the former Soviet Union country in the qualifying series. England should not have problem in this tie being the only side in the qualifiers with 100 percent run and they have not lost in their last 12 games with Kane playing a key role in all these. England legend Teddy Sheringham has tipped Kane to not only take England far in the tournament but contend for the Golden Boot a challenge the 22-year-old has taken. "It's amazing to hear things like that, Teddy was an idol of mine growing up through the way he played and the goals he scored," Kane told The Mirror. "To hear him complimenting me like that only gives me more confidence. Going into the Euros, I need to believe that I can score goals. If I win the Golden Boot, then it would be a huge honour.''

SPORTS WORD SEARCH

Nigerian Foreign-Based Football Players (part 3) Ameobi Kalu Aiyenugba Anichebe Obinna Ezekiel Oshaniwa Afolabi Johnson Aliyu

Aluko Michel Alimi Ogunbiyi Chia Alao Egbdi Mohammed Deniran

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: WAHEED BAKARE.