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Aisha Augie-kuta:

Why I chose } 18 photography as career

the $20bn OIL MESS lDiezani in the eye of the storm lHow Emir of Kano convinced Buhari to probe ‘missing’ funds

Onwuka Nzeshi

T Abuja

he figure seemed quite incredulous, yet too huge to ignore. The claim that the sum of $20 billion was missing from the nation’s coffers would naturally raise questions such as these: How much does Nigeria

earn from crude oil sales in one year? How can such whooping amount be missing and the nation’s economy has yet to crumble, literally? Who took away the money? Why would a high level official in the government make such an allegation if he were not sure of his facts? Of course, the outrage and the controversy have not

Abike Dabiri-Erewa:

abated since then governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi made the allegation via a letter which he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan but which was later leaked to the media. Sanusi’s letter dated September 25, 2013, alleged that “between January 2012

and July 2013, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) lifted 594,024,107 barrels of crude oil valued at $65,332,350,514.57. Out of this amount, Sanusi claimed, NNPC repatriated only $15,528,410,098.77, representing 24 percent of the value. CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

Protests over unpaid Senate leadership: salary arrears mar Lawan not our Executions of Nigerian Workers’ Day celebration candidate, say }8 drug convicts could across states } 5 North-East Senators have been avoided } 50

PAUL OBAZELE

Don’t come to auditions dressed seductively }20

SATURDAY

INVESTIGATIONS

Sad tale of infant breadwinners 11-year-old Emmanuel Victor

‘I now have responsibility of an adult... I have been the breadwinner of my family for five years now’ }23

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Contents | 02.05.15 INSTYLE

Ankara’s New Rave

SATURDAY

Comment

The devastating earthquake in Nepal

hen an earthquake weighing 7.8 on the The recent trend in ankara Richter magnitude print style is the timeless and scale hit Nepal, the fun high-waist pleated skirt. mountainous South With the pleated ankara skirt, Asian country on Saturday, April 25, you could create a casual or the number of deaths was expectedly sophisticated look. high and degree of devastation severe. By Thursday, five days after, no }15 fewer than 5,500 people have been confirmed dead, while hundreds of thouA Starlet Comes of Age sands were rendered homeless, and aid agencies struggling to cope with a huge Kehinde Bankole’s rise in humanitarian crisis. Nollywood began after starring Some 59 out of 75 districts in Nepal in Wale Adenuga’s Super Story in were said to be affected by the quake, 2007. It now seems like a long time 11 of them severely. ago as she talks about her career According to the country’s Home affairs ministry, 11,538 people were }18 injured in the quake, while the United Nations estimated that 2.8 million The Big Fight people have been displaced as a result. Two retired Nigerian boxers, Some survivors have had to sleep Obisia Nwankpa and Jerry rough in poly tunnels used for growOkorodudu, give their verdicts on ing tomatoes in a south-west suburb this night’s “fight of the century” of Kathmandu. bout between Floyd Mayweather The tremor not only shattered lives, and Manny Pacquiao but also landmarks and the landscape of a country considered one of those with }25 the most beautiful sceneries in the world. Under Scrutiny The mountainous north of Nepal has eight of the world’s ten tallest mounAn art critic examines the works of Nigerian artist, Johnson Uwadinma, tains, including the highest point on a recipient of awards such as the Earth, Mount Everest, while more than NNPC/EPNL World Environment 240 peaks over 20,000 ft above sea level Day Art Competition are located in the country. The earthquake on Saturday was }34 followed by multiple aftershocks, estiNasarawa’s Pain mated at more than 70 by some experts. Despite being just a few Some of these reportedly triggered avalanches on Mount Everest that buried 18 kilometres away from Abuja, mountain climbers in their base camps. Nasarawa State hasn’t quite Four of Nepal’s seven UNESCO developed its tourism potential World Heritage sites, such as the 100to a level where it can attract foot Dharahara Tower in the capital, tourists from the FCT were also severely damaged. The popu}42 lar hiking hamlet of Langtang has also reportedly been wiped out. When Women Talk The country’s tourism sector, which Alero Dediare has earned a is said to account for around 10 perreputation as a compelling cent of the GDP and a similar percentTV host with her programme, age of all jobs, looks gutted, at least in Woman 2 Woman, that airs on the short-term. Galaxy Television According to reports, this highly devastating earthquake has been foretold }44 by some experts who wrote articles in Nepalese newspapers in the early 1990s. Plus: Investigations 23 | Perspectives 51

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The experts based their claim of imminence of a major earthquake the movement of tectonic plates in the Himalayas, the very process that created those mountain peaks of stunning beauty in Nepal in the first place. The experts also raised concerns about lack of the country’s preparedness, especially with an ‘alarming growth’ of shoddily constructed buildings. But much of the populace dismissed their warning, even though Nepal had experienced an earthquake of over 9.0 magnitude in which more than 10,000 were killed some decades back in 1934. Being one of Asia’s poorest nations with unemployment over 40 percent and per capita GDP of just $1,000, experts are warning that the economic aftershocks of the April 25 earthquake will be felt for years ‘after the last victims have been buried and rubble cleared.’ According to the U.S. Geological Survey, reconstruction costs could exceed $10 billion, or half of Nepal’s national GDP. A government minister, Minendra Rijal said on Wednesday that half a million tents were urgently needed for the huge number of people forced from their homes by the devastating earthquake. “Life is returning to normal, but it will be some time to be completely normal,” he said. “We have still not been able to properly manage to provide relief.” Apart from the government, several international humanitarian agencies have been running operations in Nepal since the incident. On its part, the United Nation has launched a $415m urgent appeal to help estimated eight million people affected by the earthquake over the next three months. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the government and good people of Nepal during this moment of national loss. We pray for Godspeed as they move to rebuild their lives and country. We also call on good people all over the world to support humanitarian agencies working in Nepal to cushion the devastation and help the victims back on their feet quickly.

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

Eric Osagie

Editor n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi

News Editor, Saturday n Ndubuisi Ugah

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jerimiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murrey Bruce

Peter Nwabushi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 4, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 73, representing 66 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber. Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them? These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them. For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Protests over unpaid salary arrears mar Workers' Day celebration across states l Jonathan, Tambuwal, Uduaghan shun rallies l Kalu seeks support for Buhari W

state chapter of the NLC yesterday forced Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to boycot the rally. Uduaghan, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Labour Relations, Mike Okeme, congratulated the workers, assuring them that the out-going administration was not owing workers, a statement that attracted displeasure as the crowd booed him.

Our Correspondents

idespread c o n d e m n ations and protests yesterday greeted this year’s May Day celebrations across the states of the federation. Most disturbing, however, is the fact that while key government functionaries such as President Goodluck Jonathan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, were absent at the event, civil servants who turned out in their thousands across the states lamented the huge unpaid salary arrears by state governments. The event would have been more symbolic had President Jonathan attended it as it would have been used to thank the workers for standing with him for the past six years since it was the first time he would be absent from the celebration since he was elected in 2011.

No reason for President's absence Though no reason was given for the president’s absence, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Joel Ikanya, represented him. This year’s theme centred on: “The Working Class, Democratic Consolidation and Economic Revival: Charting the Way to National Economic Rebirth”. The minister’s speech which he read and claimed to be on behalf of the president was later withdrawn by the minister’s aides and wasn’t made available to journalists. The Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and his Ministry of State counterpart, Olajumoke Akinjide, were, however, present. Workers task Buhari In his address, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, reeled out the myriad of challenges facing the country, even as he presented the workers' demands before the incoming administration of president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. Wabba who commended President Jonathan for his show of sportmanship in accepting the results of March 28 presidential election also commended Nigerians for their commitment to uplifting the nation's democracy despite pre-election apprehension. “Having spoken through the ballot on March 28 and April 11, I have the mandate of Nigerian workers to articulate their concept of change

L-R: Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide; President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama; Minister of Labour, Senator Joel Ikenya and President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, at the Workers’ Day rally in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

and what they expect in the coming months as the leadership of General Muhammadu Buhari takes over the mantle of leadership in four weeks’ time.” On his part, President of the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) Bobboi Bala Kaigama, cautioned the in-coming administration to walk the talk in tackling corruption, adding that the first step to achieving the desired result would be to make the judiciary truly independent. Tambuwal, who was scheduled to deliver goodwill message at the event, was absent and did not send any representative. Mark salutes workers However, president of the Senate, Senator David Mark, sent a message of solidarity to the workers, saying: “On this day as always, I salute the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian worker. I commend your resilience and steadfastness that have kept the nation alive.” Also applauding the role workers in nation building, eminent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, commended the labour force worldwide for their sacrifice towards national and global development. Kalu in a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, said: “I wish to congratulate the labour force on the celebration of 2015 Workers’ Day. It is a special day to celebrate and appreciate selfless efforts of the labour force towards global economic development. The

labour community remains a major determinant of the wellbeing of any country. “I urge workers to remain steadfast, committed and passionate in their various responsibilities so as to make the world a better place for everyone. Again, I salute and wish workers a fruitful celebration.” Kalu charged workers in the private and public sectors in Nigeria to support the incoming administration. But reports across the states, however, left a soar taste in mouth of many Nigerians. In Bauchi, the NLC Chairman, Hashim Gital, appealed to the state government to pay outstanding salaries and entitlements before May 29. Gital, who made the appeal in Bauchi, at a ceremony, commended workers for their patience and selfcontrol, especially in agreeing to collect instalmental payment for February salary. “Settling all outstanding salaries and entitlements will make for a smooth transition to the incoming administration,” Gital said. Sharing the same sentiment, thousands of workers who trooped to the Isaac Boro Park, venue of the May Day march past yesterday used the platform to protest the state’s government’s delay in the payment of their salaries, urging Governor Rotimi Amaechi to pay them before the May 29 handover date. One of the factional chairperson of the NLC, Beatrice Itubo, condemned the unpaid salaries of workers.

She said: “We are, therefore, compelled beyond circumstances to appeal to your Excellency to consider a holistic approach and put to rest the unending dilemma so that judicial activities would function again.” Also, chairman of TUC, Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, urged the in-coming administration of Mr. Nyesom Wike, to work with the TUC to improve workers welfare. Workers boo Suswam In Benue, the situation was rather pathetic as the civil servants and pensioners did not hide their feelings against Governor Gabriel Suswam, when they booed him over his inability to pay them their accumulated five months salaries and allowances. They accused him of grossinsensitivity to their plight. Speaking at the event, the state chairman of TUC, Ordue Tartenger, said Suswam’s non-payment of leave grants arrears of 2012 to 2014 was one of the major challenges of senior workers in the state. But Suswam who spoke through the permanent secretary in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Iwanta Adaikwu, boasted that his administration was the most-friendly to workers as regards prompt payment of workers’ salaries. Workers shun rally in Osun Also, workers in Osun State yesterday shunned the celebration with an excuse that there was nothing to celebrate when their five months salaries are

yet to be paid by the state government. They claimed that they could not be suffering with untold hardship in the state due to non-payment of their entitlements and at the same time be celebrating their starvation. Justifying while the day was not celebrated in a statement to journalists in Osogbo, the state NLC Chairman, Jacob Adekomi, which is loyal to Wabba’s faction, said: “How can we be celebrating when civil servants are being owed over five-month salaries? What are we celebrating when things are not well with the state workers.” However, a faction of the TUC in the state held a prayer session to mark the day with a plea to all workers to pray for the oneness of workers in the state. Similarly, the Oyo State chapter of NLC appealed to state government to ensure quick resolve of the three months workers’ salary arrears in the state. Its factional Chairman, Mr. Waheed Olojede, said at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, said: “We will engage government in a round-table at resolving the workers’ salary arrears because a happy worker is he or she that produces.” In his response, Governor Abiola Ajimobi promised to provide all necessary welfare packages to the workers and the citizenry. Workers boo Uduaghan's representative In Delta State, the factional crisis rocking the

Workers allege irregularities in contributory pension But the NLC said in Minna, the Niger State capital, that it had discovered irregularities in the implementation of the 7.5 per cent Contributory Pension Scheme and 2.5 per cent Housing Scheme by the state government. The state NLC Chairman, Yahaya Idris Ndako, while demanding its stoppage, said: “Not all the funds deducted from salaries are in the bank, we will not allow anybody to go away with the civil service money in any way. “We (the Congress) have resolved by calling on the state government to repeal without delay the law establishing the 7.5 per cent Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.” On his part, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, urged the worrying factions of the NLC to settle their rifts before the All Progressives Congress (NLC)led government is sworn-in, saying collective bargaining anchored on change in method would further strengthen the workers. Workers hold parallel rallies in Edo, Abia The event was held at separate locations in Benin City, the Edo State capital. One of the factions of the NLC in the state loyal to Ayaba held its rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, while the other faction loyal to Mr. Joe Ajaero, led by its sate factional chairman, Eddy Ossai, with seven affiliates held its rally at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Pavillion. The state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Pius Odubu, in his address to the workers at the Samuel Ogemudia Stadium, promised to ensure improved welfare of all the workers in the state. The same scenario played out in Umuahia, the Abia State capital as the crisis rocking the state chapter of NLC played out yesterday as the parallel congresses held their separate Workers’ Day at different venues in Umuahia.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

FCT IKEJA Union assures Nigerians of Bauchi govt owes stable power supply pensioners N13bn

N EWS I N BRIEF

The President of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEC), Aminat Ibrahim, on Friday assured Nigerians of improved power supply after the ongoing projects are completed. Ibrahim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that there were many projects initiated by the present administration that would improve the supply of power. She said the present service charge by PHCN was not high compared to what was obtainable in other parts of the world, adding that the service charge was just for 15 days. “We bill for only 15 days because we know that Nigerians do not use light for 24 hours in a day. The high rate Nigerians are complaining about is not true, if you look at our rate in billing,” she said.

Pensioners in Bauchi State have called on the state government to hasten the payment of their cumulative gratuities amounting to N13 billion. Secretary of the State Pensioners Union, Yakubu Mohammed, who said this yesterday in Bauchi, added that hundreds of pensioners had over the years been waiting for the payment of their gratuities to no avail. Mohammed, who was speaking on the occasion of May Day celebration, said: “Most of our union members receive monthly pensions not exceeding N12, 000. It is with these gratuities that some of us will be able to acquire personal accommodations but which are not forthcoming.”

3.89%

N32.8m

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Georgia in 2004. Source: Itu.int

AGATU Massacre: Agatu community petitions NSA, IG

The people of Ologba community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State have cried out to the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Inspector-General of the Police (IG), to rescue them from the ongoing massacre in the village. In a petition dated April 28, the community appealed to the federal authorities to save their clan from being wiped out by Egba, a neighbouring clan, which they claimed had carried out a series of attacks against the community since 2008. The petition was signed by Messrs James Oloje and Ojepa Stephen, chairman and secretary of the Ologba Community Development Association, respectively.

The IGR realized from road taxes in Adamawa State in 2011. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

40,500

The total population of men in Andorra in 2011. Source: Un.org

Okonjo-Iweala: How I survived cancer 15 years ago

oordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has revealed how she survived cancer 15 years ago, stressing that the scare is not the end of life. The minister who shocked her audience on Thursday night with a revelation that she was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, made this disclosure when she paid tribute to former presidential adviser, Mr. Oronto Douglas, who died from cancer-related complications on April 9. An online news portal, TheCable, reported that Okonjo-Iweala said: “Oronto and I had something in common: we both had cancer.” Silence and shock enveloped THISDAY Dome, Abuja, the venue of the night of tributes organised

by Douglas’ friends and associates, as she narrated her story. “I underwent treatment for three years. I had surgery, did chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I had the last surgery 15 years ago and I was declared cancer-free. I am a cancer survivor,” she said. She did not disclose the nature of the cancer but said she encouraged Douglas to be strong as he battled till the very end. “I told Oronto to fight for his life. Despite the cancer, he continued to work hard. That is the part of him I want to remember, not the weight loss,” she said. Douglas was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2008 and initially given six months to live, but a new specialist gave him treatments that prolonged his life for seven years.

Alleged missing $20bn: ‘I didn’t disown PriceWaterHouseCoopers’ Ndubuisi Ugah

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mr. Etim Ukpong; Deputy Governor-elect, Mr. Moses Ekpo; Governorelect, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Governor Godswill Akpabio, at this year’s Workers’ Day celebration at Uyo Township Stadium…yesterday

PHOTO: GOVERNMENT HOUSE, UYO

Fuel importers issue ultimatum on payment of N200bn subsidy balance

Adeola Yusuf and Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin with agency reports

mporters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) yesterday issued a twoweek ultimatum to the Federal Government to pay the remaining balance of about N200 billion on subsidy. Rising under the aegis of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), the importers confirmed that the Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN) with which the government paid N165 billion to them matured on Thursday. Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Mr. Thomas Olawore, at a press briefing yesterday said even though the part-payment would restore part of operations of the marketers, he wanted the government to pay up the balance

l Product lifting begins in Apapa as tankers’ drivers suspend strike on or before two weeks. Olawore reiterated that the debts had put the business of MOMAN members under serious threat based on backlogs of debts they are also owing banks, contractors and workers including the tanker drivers. On the current debt status, Olawore said out of N354 billion owed the marketers by government, only N154 billion had been redeemed, leaving a whooping balance of N200billion. He said the marketers were in dilemma as to whether the action should be suspended until the entire money was paid. The secretary said with the understanding of the NARTO and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) that a grace of two weeks is allowed to

enable government to effect balance of the money, the action had been suspended. He, however, said the transporters had threatened to withdraw their services, if nothing concrete comes out of a scheduled meeting with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on May 4. “We have scheduled to meet with Okonjo-Iweala on Monday, but if the meeting fails to address the issue we have tabled, then we continue with the action,” he warned. Okonjo-Iweala had earlier disclosed that the government had paid N165 billion to marketers. The fuel lifting is expected to begin in Apapa today as Petroleum Tanker Driv-

ers (PTD) announced that it has suspended its strike. However, in what appears to be the same scenario playing out in some major cities throughout the federation, the fuel scarcity continued in Kwara and Oyo states with long queues of vehicles and motorcycles at the few filling stations where fuel is available. Checks by a new agency, News Express, at different filling stations in Ibadan yesterday showed that many were closed. The few stations which opened, offered a litre of petrol for between N140/N150. This, the news agency noted, has caused a twofold increase in the cost of public transportation, adding to the suffering and discomfort of the already impoverished populace.

oordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday said she did not disown PriceWaterHouseCoopers, the international audit firm, which carried out the recent audit of the alleged missing $20 billion, contrary to media reports. Okonjo-Iweala in a statement issued by her special adviser, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, said the report by Premium Times, an online news portal and some other media was untrue. The statement read: “This is because the forensic audit was actually proposed by Dr Okonjo-Iweala as the best way to get to the truth following the disagreement (and widely conflicting figures) between former CBN governor (and current Emir of Kano) Malam

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the NNPC over Sanusi’s allegation that the money was unaccounted for. “Her proposal was accepted by President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the Senate, and the President subsequently directed the Auditor General of the Federation to lead the work. The Auditor-General later appointed PwC to carry out the audit. Okonjo-Iweala therefore respects the process which produced the audit. “But requesting the audit is of course not the same thing as hiring the auditor. This was why we made it clear in our last press release that the suit filed against Okonjo-Iweala before a Lagos High Court by SIAO Partners alleging that she appointed PwC to carry out the audit is frivolous and uninformed. We urge the relevant media to update their information based on this clarification.”

Ebonyi Patriots in UK congratulates Umahi E bonyi Patriots United Kingdom (EPUK) has congratulated Mr. Dave Umahi, the governor-elect of Ebonyi State, urging him to address the developmental challenges facing the state. EPUK is a group of Ebonyians living in the UK. A medical specialist in neuro-anaesthesia, Dr. Otu Enwo, after an emergency meeting held at Central London, said Umahi should ensure that he tackled headlong the developmental issues that had been bedeviling the state when sworn in as the governor.

Umahi is the incumbent deputy governor who contested the position of governor in April 11 general elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While applauding Umahi’s success, the group said he deserved a pat on the back, but advised him to maintain equity and fairness during his administration. “Ebonyi State has suffered a lot of setbacks due to the failure of public officials to utilise the abundant human and mineral resources to develop the people and the state," it stated.

2 MAY 2015

Fire kills three-year-old girl in Badagry

Muritala Ayinla ragedy struck in Badagry area of Lagos State yesterday when fire gutted a house and killed a three-year-old girl, Abiodun Alabi. Saturday Telegraph gathered that about 16 children had been consumed by fire in the state in the last 14 months, while over 550 people have been lost to fire and other disasters in the last four years. In the 6,541 incidences of fire disasters recorded in the state between 2011 and 2015, properties worth N200.59 billion were lost to fire incidences that occurred between 2011 and this year, while properties estimated at N645.87 billion were saved by the state fire service. But Saturday Telegraph’s investigations revealed that some of the children whose lives were lost in the fire incidences died of explosion from cooking gas or kerosene stove while the majority of them died from candle fire. Speaking on the incident, the Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, lamented the growing rate of infants who died in fire incidences, while also appealing to the residents to be safety conscious always. He said there were other six incidences of fire across the state yesterday, confirming that the girl died as a result of fire caused by candle light. Fadipe said: “The tragedy occurred at Wazobia junction in Badagry. The house was a self – contain room. We were told that her mother went out for a vigil and left the girl for an-

other 10 -year- old boy. The 10-year-old boy went to another neighbour's house to watch TV and slept off. “Also at Mayegun Street. LASU Road, Ojo, a 57-year-old man, known simply as Nwosu suffered burnt while trying to fuel a generator. He didn't switch off the generator before fueling it and it exploded. Fire also destroyed eight rooms and three shops as well as affected a school building at 7 and 9 Ajayi Street, Onike, Yaba.” Speaking on the need for residents to be safety conscious, the Executive Director, Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (SAEF), Mr. Jamiu Badmus, called on the residents to pay extra attention to the infants. Badmus said: “Children are the most vulnerable in the ugly recurrence of fire disasters in Lagos. Some mothers could leave their babies unattended to. It is time for everyone to pay serious attention to safety and the value we place on human lives. It is sad that Lagos has continued to experience these ugly incidences in spite of the safety campaigns.” The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Oyinlomo Danmole, while lamenting the loss of lives to fire, especially infants recently, blamed parents for lack of safety measures and poor attitude to human lives. He said: “Most of the fire incidences are as a result of carelessness on the part of the residents. There was a case of a woman who left a burning candle at home and went to the church before, she came back the fire had consumed all the children.”

I’m still MPPP national chairman —Falade Mojeed Alabi

he crisis rocking one of the political parties in this year’s elections, the Mega Progressives Peoples Party (MPPP), has taken another dimension as its National Chairman, Mr. Dare Falade, on Friday denied his purported impeachment, saying those behind the report are only seeking cheap popularity. Falade in an interview with Saturday Telegraph said he had submitted a petition to the office of the Inspector General of Police in Abuja through the office of his counsel, Mr. Tunji Abayomi. He said: “Ordinarily I wouldn’t have responded to their ranting because such would have afforded them the popularity they are seek-

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

ing. But for clarification purpose, how would you claim a NEC meeting held without the party chairman and the secretary? They are aware within the last few months we have repositioned the party to achieve national relevance and they want to reap from where they did not sow. It cannot work. “Through my lawyer, in a petition entitled; ‘Threat to Life and Extortion,’ I have demanded security because they recently burgled our Abuja office vandalising properties and are hoping to do same in our Lagos office. What we are witnessing is the case of too ambitious young men willing to hijack a structure we are trying to position to provide the needed opposition to the new government.”

UGHELLI

APAPA

New NPA boss resumes 'Buhari’s victory best thing for Urhobo youths' Wednesday

NEWS IN BRIEF

The new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Alhaji Sanusi Bayero, is expected to resume office on May 6. It was gathered that the former Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, whose removal from office was announced during the week will hand over to Bayero on Wednesday at a brief ceremony. Bayero is expected to arrive Lagos on Monday or Tuesday to prepare for the handover ceremony on Wednesday. His appointment was made public on Wednesday by the Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abuja.

Urhobo youths under the umbrella of Urhobo Youth Democrat for Change (UYDC) yesterday said the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the president-elect, is the best thing that has ever happened to the people of Urhobo nation and Nigeria in general. In a communiqué signed by Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), among others, the Urhobo youths appealed to Buhari not to neglect Urhobos in the scheme of things, noting that they worked for his emergence. The statement read: “We are congratulating our president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and his vice-president-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, our great leaders of APC, Bola Tinubu, Akiku Abubakar, Governor Rotimi Amaechi and others who worked so hard to ensure that Buhari/Osibanjo victory came to pass.

11.3m

The total number of connected mobile (CDMA) lines of Nigeria in September 2013. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

FCT APC chieftain commends Abubakar

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Sani Ogun, has commended the role played by a former governor of Kogi State, Prince Audu Abubakar, in the last elections. Ogun, in a statement issued in Abuja, commended Abubakar for leading the party from point zero to the path of victory in the state. He said: “It was the political sagacity of Audu that saw our great party swept the poll across the state.” According to him, in the presidential election, Kogi State gave over 70 per cent votes to the APC, while the party cleared the three senatorial seats and six out of the nine House of Representatives.

The life expectancy of men at birth of Argentina in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

50%

The prevalence rate of malaria in children age 6-59 months in the North West region of Nigeria. Source: Nigeria.usembassy.gov

I’m on vacation for now —Okupe UNREPENTANT

Presidential aide to keep out of public glare but unrepentant on stance over president-elect. Anule Emmanuel

F Abuja

ollowing the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has said he is already on vacation which will last for the next three months. Okupe in an interview with Saturday Telegraph at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said he would take time within this period to rest and stay away completely from public glare, especially in the media. The presidential aide explained that during the vacation, he would remain

silence in both the electronic and print media as well as the social media, including Facebook, Twitter and other media networks. According to him, apart from resting, the vacation will enable him to reinvent himself to prepare for the next task ahead in both political and social life. Okupe had been a vocal voice in the re-election bid of President Jonathan, engaging the All Progressives Congress (APC) in combative campaigns in an attempt to sell the candidature and programmes of his principal to the Nigerian public. In the build-up to the 2015 presidential election, Okupe and other stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, had condemned the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, as not being eligible to contest. Only recently, Okupe in-

sisted that he would stand by his words that Buhari, who he said, had no West African Senior School Certificate, was not eligible to contest for the presidency. He stated on his official Facebook page that, “These are very interesting times in our nation. An election has come and gone. A victor has emerged and the loser has conceded. “Yet some of our folks are behaving as if we have just gone through a war between two hostile nations. The APC agents all over the place are unrelenting in their tirade of abuses, insults and lies against President Goodluck Jonathan, his aides and supporters. “It is shameful that we are still saddled with denying falsehood and fabrications in the social media and even by hitherto highly respected newspapers.” He added: “Buhari polled 15 million (56 per cent) while

Jonathan scored 12 million (46 per cent). Those who talk to us disparagingly should respect the sentiments of the 12 million Nigerians who voted for Jonathan. “Of course, we have our reservations about the results but we will pass on that for now. We have lost this election but this is not and can never be a crime. We are all Nigerians and having lost does not make us less. We should be allowed to bow out peacefully and constitutionally on May 29. “Yes, I said Buhari was not electable. I also said his victory will not happen. I said and I still insist that Buhari has no WASC certificate. I said a lot of things to promote my candidate and many things to put his opponent down. “I have no regrets for any of the statements I made. Lai Mohammed said worse. This is the nature of politics. For anyone who cares to listen. We will be back, period.”

L-R: Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. John Ushie; his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Mr. Clarkson Otu; Governor Liyel Imoke and his deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham, at this year’s Workers’ Day celebration in Calabar....yesterday

PHOTO: Government House, Calabar

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2 MAY 2015

IBADAN Adedoja appointed Dutse varsity Pro-Chancellor

N EWS I N BRIEF

President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed a former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, as the chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Federal University, Dutse in Jigawa State. Adedoja was a former Dean of the Faculty of Education at the Bayero University, Kano and Provost, Federal College of Education, Oyo. The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the just concluded election had served as consultant to several international agencies including the World Bank, British Council and UNICEF. Adedoja was a former Commissioner for Education and Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYSUBEB) and also former member, Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State.

The life expectancy of women at age 60 years of Angola in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

IKEJA Fashola’s wife tasks parents on children’s careers

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has urged parents to be supportive of their children in their chosen careers. She gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 70th anniversary of the Holy Child College on Thursday in Lagos. Fashola said parents should not force their children against their chosen careers to enable them to live the life they wished. “Our children need to be encouraged when they make any choice of career as they grow. So, please let us, the parents, allow them to be the best they can and walk tall and succeed,” she said. She said children of today should be encouraged as they know how to comport themselves.

MKPAT ENIM ‘Nigeria’s woes stem from lack of committed leadership’

A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Reuben Udo, has said the lack of selfless and committed leaders to manage the country is Nigeria's major problem. Udo said this yesterday at the maiden Convocation Lecture of the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. In the lecture entitled “The past as a Guide to Our Future”, the don said the lack of honest and effective leadership was responsible for poverty in the nation today. “All these satanic traits have contributed to the intolerable high level of corruption which has become institutionalised in the public service at all levels of government in Nigeria,” he said.

$31.5m

The total amount of salary/ winnings of Matthew Stafford (NFL) for 2014. Source: Forbes.com

1.34m

The number of fixedtelephone subscriptions of Morocco in 2005. Source: Itu.int

‘How NDLEA saved 20 drug suspects from execution’

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said 20 suspected drug traffickers were prevented from exporting drugs to countries with capital punishment for drugs since January 2014. The agency’s Head, Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, who said this in a statement issued in Lagos, said out of the number, 19 were Nigerians and a Ghanaian. The statement said 16 of the suspects were apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while four others including a Ghanaian were caught at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu. It quoted the NDLEA

boss, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, as saying: “Their final destinations are Malaysia, China and Thailand where drug trafficking is punishable by death. “NDLEA boss while commiserating with the families of the executed drug convicts urged stakeholders to intensify anti-drug abuse campaign efforts. I sincerely sympathise with the families of the executed drug convicts. “This is a moment of sober reflection on the illicit activities of drug trafficking syndicates. This brings to the fore the bigger picture of those in foreign prisons, those arrested here and others preparing to smuggle drugs. It is a wake up call for stakeholders to step up their counter-narcotics efforts.

REC: Lagos surmounted pre-election forecast Wale Elegbede

L-R: Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa; Speaker, state House of Assembly, Mr. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi; Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Consultant to the governor on Labour Matters, Mr. Julius Ogundipe and Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, at the Workers’ Day celebration in Abeokuta...yesterday

Senate presidency: North-East senators disown Lawan POWER SHARING

Signs of discord as senators-elect from the North-East battle for senate president. Chukwu David

A Abuja

new twist emerged yesterday in the ongoing jostle for the office of the President of the Senate, as 10 out of the 13 North-East Senators disowned the endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC-Yobe North) as the candidate for the office in the eighth Assembly. The 20 North-West Senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC), had on Thursday, endorsed Lawan as their choice candidate. But addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the North-East Senators said no candidate had been endorsed, stressing that no

other zone in the country had the right to impose a candidate on them. The leader of the caucus and former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, who briefed journalists on behalf of the caucus, said the caucus formally met at the Kaduna room of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Thursday and set up the North-East Caucus for the eighth Senate, in which he was elected the chairman and Isa Ahmed Gusau (Bauchi Central) was elected the secretary. Goje said consequent upon the constitution of the caucus, the North-East Senators resolved to appeal to the leadership of the APC to zone the office of the President of the Senate to the region. He also said the caucus resolved to call Nigerians to disregard any purported endorsement of any member of the group as the candidate. Goje stated that it was

after the position had been formally zoned to them that they could sit down to choose a consensus candidate, who would eventually emerge as the next President of the Senate. He explained that the request of the caucus to be allotted the exalted office was informed by the special need of the zone, pointing out that the North-East region had been under the pangs of abject poverty over the years, and needed a platform to galvanise rapid development of the area. “We, the members of the North-East Caucus, in our meeting held in Kaduna room of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja yesterday (Thursday) resolved to appeal to the leadership of our party to zone the office of the Senate President to the North East, in view of the peculiar circumstance of the zone. “We also appeal that the caucus, in consultation with party leadership,

should be allowed to nominate whoever we want. Therefore, in the light of the above resolutions, we call on Nigerians to completely disregard any purported endorsement of any candidate from the caucus. “We don't know anything about any endorsement of anybody from the North-East being touted on the pages of newspapers. We disassociate ourselves from any endorsement from other zones because the party has not zoned any position to us yet and we don't want to jump the gun,” he said. But further revealing what transpired at the Transcorp Hilton meeting, one of the APC senators - elect from the zone, specifically from Adamawa State, said the anger of the senators against Lawan’s purported endorsement by North-West and South-West caucuses, was fuelled by the way Lawan himself tried to outsmart them at the meeting.

he Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, has adjudged the just concluded general elections in the state as rancour free. Speaking while presenting certificates of return to elected members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Orebiyi said the state surmounted pre-election forecast as a flash point state. The elected 40 members of the in-coming eighth Assembly comprise 32 All Progressives Congress (APC) members and eight Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, who were elected to represent their constituencies at the April 11 election. Addressing the gath-

ering, the INEC boss in the state commended the conduct of politicians and electorate in the state at the recently concluded general elections, noting that the introduction of card readers in the voting process was a remarkable feat for Nigeria’s democracy. He said: “We are glad at the maturity of politicians in the state, before, during and after the just concluded elections. Lagos was tagged as one of the battlegrounds in the election but we are happy that it turned out to be one of the peaceful states after the polls. “We urged the winners to be magnanimous in victory and losers gallant in defeat. It is important for members of the state assembly to cater for all regardless of whether they vote for them or not. Service to all must be the priority.”

‘NAMA working on new modalities for debt recovery’

anaging Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, yesterday said the agency was working on new modalities to recover debts owed by local airlines. Fielding questions from aviation correspondents in Lagos, Abdulsalam said international carriers operating in Nigeria had been up to date in paying their charges to the agency. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the NAMA managing director said if the debt owed by the local carriers was not properly addressed it would lead to the grounding of services offered by NAMA and other agencies in the aviation industry. “We should work out

modalities for payment of debts owed by the airlines. That is why we are not releasing the figure they owe us. It is our local airlines that have been defaulting in payment; they are part of our system and we have to be moderate with them. “Nobody goes to fly on credit; you have to pay for the ticket. If we ground the airlines, people will be affected,” he said. Abdulsalam said the agency had been discussing with a consultant of Arik Air on the debt owed by the carrier. He also said NAMA would work with other agencies in the aviation industry to prepare for the International Civil Aviation Organisation Security Audit (ICAOSA) that would take place in June.

2 MAY 2015

Akwa Ibom governor-elect assures residents of good governance Tony Anichebe Uyo

kwa Ibom State governor-elec, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has inaugurated a 21-member transition committee with a charge to ensure a hitch- free transition to the next administration come May 29. The committee which was inaugurated at the state banquet hall in Uyo, is chaired by Chief Sunny Akpadiaha a former head of service in the state, while Mr. Udeme Ufot, serves as the vice-chairman and Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem as the secretary. Emmanuel while inaugurating the committee thanked all political stakeholders and noted that the committee composition cuts across the academia, political class, the business class and assured the people that his government

would build a state that give opportunities for all. The governor-elect charged the committee that “with this singular act of reading out these names, I hereby inaugurate this 2015 transition committee to offer the realisation of the Divine Mandate for the people of the state within a time frame of two weeks”. He also unveiled his 10-point agenda to the committee which includes to “gather information on the existing structure of the outgoing government and recommend appropriate reforms for overall improvement and better efficiency of government, ascertain the financial position of the outgoing government, assets and liabilities, revenue base and recommend improvements thereof, as well as “take inventory of vulnerable and invulnerable physical assets of government.”

Mervyn King to speak at AR-CSR parley A former Supreme Court judge and Chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance in South Africa, Prof. Mervyn King, has been confirmed as a key note speaker at this year’s Africa CEO roundtable and Conference on Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (AR-CSR™). This year’s event is particularly significant not just because it is taking place in Lagos but because it marks the fifth anniversary of the AR-CSR™, which has become the biggest platform for discussing issues of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, as well as the enhancement of a publicprivate synergy for the at-

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tainment of a credible business environment in Africa. This year’s AR-CSR conference will proceed under the theme: "From Corporate Governance to Sustainable Governance.” During the conference speakers, panellists and participants will seek to interrogate some of the following issues: “What is the role of corporate governance in relation to sustainability? “What is the link between the individual pillars of sustainable development and corporate governance? “Is there a nexus between the economic, environmental performance, social performance and corporate governance of an organisation?” amongst others.

AKIPELAI

JALINGO

Taraba approves 26-member Jonathan’s mother applauds donation of borehole by JTF transition committee

NEWS IN BRIEF

The acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Abubakar Danladi, yesterday approved a 26-member transition committee to prepare the ground for the incoming government of Mr. Darius Ishaku. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa in Jalingo, said the 26-member committee has Mr. Idris Waziri as the chairman and Mr. Ayuba Dampar, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) as the secretary. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that other members of the committee include: Mr. Victor Bala, Mr. Emmanuel Njiwa, Sen. Dahiru Bako, Justice Emmanuel Dodo, Mr. Gebon Kataps and Mr Augustine Bazing.

The life expectancy of men at age 60 years of Albania in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

Mrs. Eunice Jonathan, the mother of President Goodluck Jonathan, has commended the Joint Task Force (JTF) for donating a borehole to Akipelai community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The borehole, which is sited on the premises of the Community Secondary School, Akipelai, was commissioned by President Jonathan’s mother, a native of the community. She thanked the JTF Commander for his efforts towards eradicating illegalities in the Niger Delta region. Earlier in his opening remarks, the JTF Commander, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, commended the Akipelai community for toeing the line of his Zero Tolerance Campaign against illegalities in the community.

KANO Policeman arrested for allegedly raping a minor

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a serving policeman, Corporal Sani Salisu, for allegedly raping a minor. A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Magaji Majiya,an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), in Kano yesterday, said: “The command wishes to inform the public that, in its effort to flush out the bad eggs from the force, it has arrested a serving member of the force, Corporal Sani Salisu. “He was arrested for luring and taking advantage of a seven-year-old girl inside a kiosk located at Mangoron Mahauta Brigade Quarters, Kano.”

2,380

The current deployment of electricity (TWh/year) in total hydro market area of the world in 1995. Source: Unesco.org

278,973

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Albania in 2005. Source: Itu.int

Mark bemoans epileptic power supply POWER FAILURE

Senate president expresses sadness over short supply of power despite huge investment. Cephas Iorhemen

Makurdi

enate President David Mark has decried the epileptic power supply in the country despite promises made in the wake of the privatisation of the sector. Speaking yesterday when the management of Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL)-led by its Managing Director, Mr. Peter Ewesor, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, Mark said: “In spite of the high expectations and promises on account of the privatisation of the power sector, Nigerians are yet to feel the positive impact of the sector.” The EMSL is one of the players in the electric-

ity supply industry established in accordance with the provisions of part 1 Section 8 of the Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and the supplementary regulations number 46/47 (B499-452 ) of the Federal Government official Gazette No 374 of 2010. Mark, while charging operators of the industry to give meaning to the privatisation by making the sector work in order for Nigerians to enjoy uninterrupted power supply, said the snail speed rate of development in the power sector did not give credence to the privatisation exercise and the expectations of Nigerians. He also challenged industry operators to get rid of quacks in the profession in order to give consumers quality services. The Senate President urged them to take the bull by the horn by embarking on manufacturing of electrical tools instead of relying totally on importation, saying that importation

Benue State governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom (left) and Governor Gabriel Suswam, at a function in Makurdi… recently

should only compliment. This, he said, would save cost and curtail capital flight besides creating jobs for the populace. Earlier, Ewesor had explained that the mandate of the agency includes but not limited to ensuring that electrical equipment used in the energy supply

industry are of the right quality, standards and specifications. A statement issued by Mark’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Paul Mumeh, quoted Ewesor as assuring Nigerians of the safety of lives and property within the grid and off grid networks.

Osun NMA writes Aregbesola over unpaid six months salaries l The body got it wrong —governor Adeolu Adeyemo osogbo

sun State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday wrote an open letter to the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, over unpaid six months salaries and other welfare packages of its members. In the letter signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of NMA’s Action Committee, Dr. R.A Adebayo and Dr. Adeola Ajibare respectively, the body stated that medical doctors and other workers in the state had been in agony over the failure of the state government to pay them their salaries. According to the body, two previous letters dated April 2 and 24 addressed to the governor had not yielded any positive result, a situation which forced the body to issue an open letter over the matter. The state branch of the NMA expressed regret that despite effort made by the association to broker peace, the state governor, “was unexplainably unavailable for mediation and dialogue with all negotiating teams,” both at the state and nation-

al levels. The group explained further that a meeting called at the instance of the state Head of Service with the National President of NMA, Dr. Kayode Obembe and the Chairman of NMA, Oyo State branch, Dr. M.B Olatunji, in respect of its ultimatum issued to the state government. The NMA frowned that “despite the non-payment of six months salaries to doctors and other civil servants in Osun, contractors and political office holders have been the beneficiaries of the available revenue accrued to our state from the federation account”. Meanwhile, Aregbesola has said the state chapter of NMA got all its facts wrong. A statement Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said while the NMA has lamented the unfortunate delay in the salaries of its members which is understandable, it has, however, gone ahead to make claims which cannot be substantiated and which must be corrected lest members of the public get false impression about the salary situation in the state.

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2 MAY 2015

An evolving and innovative mobile-based communication is being championed by United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) to empower young people to offer their views on issue in their immediate communities. The idea is to discuss everything from economic empowerment to diseases and proffer solutions that could help authorities take informed decisions concerning such debilitating matters, writes ISIOMA MADIKE

Banky W performing at the launch of U-Report

The berth of innovative community journalism in Lagos T he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners on Wednesday, launched the U-Report in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre. It is an innovative SMS-based platform that empowers Nigerians by enabling them to participate and engage in policy-making and governance and access real time information on key social issues. U-Report allows those who voluntarily register – known as Ureporters - to speak-out on what is happening in their communities. It provides a forum to amplify their voices through local and national media, sends alerts to key stakeholders about the issues their constituents are facing and feedback useful information to the U-Reporters. This way, people are empowered to work for positive change and improvement in their localities. The platform also provides decision makers a forum to listen to millions of voices through simple messaging. In the last one year with support from Airtel, MTN, GLO and Etisalat, the number of U-reporters has rapidly grown with thousands joining every month from all parts of the country. It is expected to top a million by the end of 2015. This has attracted strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, United Nations (UN) agencies and government ministries, which contribute by selecting poll questions and promoting the platform to Nigerian citizens, as a tool for civic engagement and community empowerment. “Today, more than ever before, community journalism through communication technology can help engender good governance, account-

ability, social change and improve health standards. U-Report platform provides a thrilling opportunity to contribute to positive social change in Nigeria,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. About 15 million text messages were sent out through the U-Report platform while the country battled Ebola. The awareness messages and real time responses via SMS and on the U-report social media platforms sent out during the Ebola outbreak were able to address mythical cures like bathing with hot water and salt as well as taking bitter kola to cure the disease. U-Reporters were informed on how to identify the disease, and how to keep safe. U-Report Nigeria has equally sent out more than 50 polls and 26 million messages over the past one year on Prevention of Human Immuno Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Unemployment, maternal and child health, safety and security in schools, child protection and security in general, electricity, water and sanitation hygiene, among others have also been positively affected. UNICEF Nigeria is working closely with its partners; the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), National Orientation Agency (NOA) the Scouts Association of Nigeria, Boys Brigade and Girl Guides, religious and traditional leaders, the media and telecommunication service providers to scale up registration and increase impact. The organisation strongly believes that through U-Report, communities can constructively contribute to the betterment of their standard of living and significantly contribute to transparency and accountability in the

We want to see many communities being involved in the project so as to make the people have a voice

management of public funds, which is key to development. UNICEF Communication Specialist (Media and External Relations) in Nigeria, Geoffrey Njoku, said that his organisation’s aspiration is to see as many young Nigerians being part of U-Report in order to be part of decision-making process, particularly on issues that affect them. “We want to see many communities being involved in the project so as to make the people have a voice, especially mothers and children, who are often left out; there is the need for them to be heard,” he added. Membership is simple: In Nigeria, for example, a simple text of the word "JOIN" to the toll-free 24453 short code makes one become a U-Reporter after answering a few prompted questions. This mode of communication has grown fast in the country since its debut, with over 200, 000 young people currently registered and active on the network. Through U-Report, weekly SMS messages and polls are sent out to and

from the ever-growing community of U-Reporters, who respond to the polls and exchange views on a wide range of subjects, including unsolicited ones. The platform has also expanded to include regular radio programmes broadcasting U-Report stories, as well as published print articles relaying news and features from the U-Report community. When UNICEF launched it in Uganda in May 2011, it was meant to be used to harness both the high level of connectivity and the proliferation of mobile phones in the country to give young people a voice. It had recorgnised the fact that young people formed more than 55 per cent of world populations, from age zero -18 years. Access to mobile phones by this group of people was also estimated at 48 per cent, which meant that creating a mobile-based application to amplify youth voices and empower them to speak out on issues affecting them was realistic. As U-Report expands within Uganda and extends to other countries like Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Mexico and recently, Nigeria, views are made worthwhile to consider amplifying the voices of young people in every sector of the economy. The questions that arose were: What is important to the youth? Where do they wish to be supported? Where do they see their economic future? It was hoped that the answers that young people give to these and other related questions may inspire new thinking and innovation where they are least expected, for voice does matter.

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2 MAY 2015

SaturdayLetters You have a right to be heard. Send your letters and photographs to saturdayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com. Letters should not be more than 150 words and must have the name and address of the sender.

Q uotes of the week “When you consider the depreciating value of our local currency against the dollar and the high inflation level in the land, it is obvious that the prevailing minimum wage is far from being adequate for our workers. They deserve a better deal.” - Most Rev. Dr Alfred Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos. “We will make sure that laws are made to enhance good governance and the living standard of the generality of Nigerians.” - Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto State Governor.

Acute fuel shortage across the country led to sale of the product via illegal channels like this one in Lagos

On the federal government’s rebuke of Buhari’s transition committee Dear Editor, Recently, President Jonathan called the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to mind against utterances and actions that seem to indicate he is running a parallel government. In their response, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, accused the Jonathan administration of plotting to hinder a smooth transition on May 29, and published the contentious terms of reference for Mr. Buhari’s transition committee on its website, for the records. Some of the Terms Of Reference for the Buhari Transition Committee, which elicited the warning from the Jonathan administration include: a. To develop a clear framework for liaison with the out-going Administration for purposes of a smooth hand-over/take-over. b. To receive hand-over documents from Ministries, Departments

and Agencies and itemise the most important or most urgent issues confronting the in-coming government. c. To review and make preliminary assessment of the balance sheet of government with particular emphasis on (1). The status of assets and liabilities of government. (2). Cash flow position of the government. (3). Quantum of public domestic and external debt of government and their deployment. (4). Government’s out-standing contractual obligations and its ability to meet such obligations. (5). Status of implementation of capital projects; etc. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with the Terms Of Reference and I expect President Goodluck Jonathan and his team to cooperate with the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari instead of trying to cause unnecessary disagreement capable of damaging the transition process. Pat Anyabi, Lagos.

New fashion vogue among ladies in Nigeria

Dear Editor, It is interesting to see how Nigerian ladies dress these days. That’s because there is a new fashion fad that is now reigning among Nigerian women. Previously, Nigerian ladies preferred figure-hugging dresses or tight-fitting jeans trousers. Later, the style of bum shorts took over the market. Nowadays, Nigerian ladies have moved from the so-called bum shorts to what people call the high waist trousers. These are trousers with an extended or higher waist section that extend to cover part of the stomach. The so-called high-waist trousers help hide the bulging bellies of women with big stomachs. The trousers also help to bring out a woman’s shape. These may be two major reasons why Nigerian ladies love the highwaist trousers so much. Tunde Johnsons, Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Another look at oil subsidy Dear Editor, It is now no longer news that that leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to stop the so-called fuel subsidy payments. Indeed, many analysts will agree that the money we are spending on subsidy will build up to 10 refineries in the country. But today, less than 25 companies share N159b in the name of subsidy. And the truth is that there is NO subsidy. The whole subsidy thing is a scam. If the federal government of Nigeria can’t build new refineries or rehabilitate the existing ones, then they should open up the market so that any businessman interested in importing petroleum products can get into the business. The federal government should stop promoting the establishment and development of oil cabals and cartels to the detriment of Nigerians. Solomon Phillip, Abuja.

Bring back merit to the public and private sectors Dear Editor, I rejoiced over Buhari’s victory in the presidential election because I know that Buhari is one man who values merit and due process. I stand to be corrected when I say that merit is usually the first casualty of corruption, simply because a corrupt system does not value merit. Therefore, appointments and promotions under a corrupt system of government and government are never done according to individual merit, but according to political, ethnic and religious considerations and biases. However, I therefore expect the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari to address the issue of merit and due process as a priority. Toni Harry, Port Harcourt.

“We have a problem in a situation where a country has no national transport policy, this is a challenge. We urge the incoming administration to ensure that first and foremost, Nigeria has a robust national transport policy.” - Major General Umar Usman (rtd), National President, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) “By its dillydallying on the date for the readiness of the handover notes from the MDAs, the administration’s posturing that it is ready to hand over has been exposed as nothing but a smokescreen.” - Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC National Publicity Secretary. “NWC was never asked to resign by the forum of governors or any other organ of the party for that matter. For the avoidance of doubt therefore, the NWC states that at no time was the National Chairman of our great party, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, walked out of the meeting of the governors, neither was he in any way ill-treated at that meeting contrary to reports in some sections of the media.” - Olisa Metuh, PDP National Publicity Secretary. “I encourage our members to remain loyal to the party, not to be so disillusioned because we lost presidential election and decide to go where they think they will fill their stomachs or something. - President Goodluck Jonathan. “Illegal oil bunkering and oil theft degrade the ecological system, thereby creating a health hazard to the inhabitants of the community. It is an act capable of causing health problems.” - Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, JTF Commander. “The President of Indonesia rides bicycle to work while the President of Uruguay uses a 30-year old Beatles. I am not saying that our President or leaders should ride bicycles or use Beatles. What I am saying is that there should be equitable distribution of wealth.” - Prof. Pat Utomi.

SATURDAY

Voices SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015

Would you tell your friend if his/ her spouse is having an affair? It's a difficult task

I'll stay out of it

It is a very difficult thing to do. It will be difficult for him to believe that his spouse is having an affair.

No, I won't. If I tell him or her, it would cause issues between them. So, I'll just let him or her find out; it is better you stay out of it.

– Fred Ariko, actor

– Faith Ejang, banker

I'll raise the alarm I would definitely tell her, I would not be able to keep such a thing to myself when I know it might ruin her home. It would be better I raise the alarm now so the case can be easily settled than later when the lady outside must have been pregnant. – Jackson Ibukun

I'll talk to the person involved I will try and make the spouse involved in the affair, who is my friend to see reasons why he or she must stop the act because I believe telling my friend might only make matters worse. For me, the best way will be to find out why he or she started the affair in the first place and see how to indirectly advice my friend on how to put his or her home together. – Queen Blessing Ebigieson, artist

I'll keep mute I will not say a thing no matter how annoying I see the act. I will just keep mute and wait till my friend discovers by herself. Because telling her what I know about it is like delving into somebody else’s affair and that is dangerous and bad. – Joseph Abosede

I won’t be the one to

It depends on the bond between us I'm not sure I will tell my friend. However, it depends on the extent of friendship I have with my friend. If it's a friend that we share personal matters and also understand each other, I will tell him but I must ensure that I have genuine evidence that she is having an affair. – Olaiya Saheed Alabi, businessman

crash their relationship

My answer will be no because I will not like to see their relationship crash because of me. I will only wish the spouse can stop the act as quickly as possible before it will be too late. – Abidemi Sandra

No, I won’t I won't. Married couples cheat for a reason and the partner might be suspicious already. So you are not telling the person anything new. The signs are internal to the relationship. It is only couples that are estranged or self-involved and have lost the magic in the relationship that may notice. Although it is easier for the man to feign love while cheating, it is not so for most women. In essence, it is easier for men to cheat than women. – Adeola Adejokun, communication advisor

I'll advice my friend to keep tab on her husband I won't because it can lead to a broken home. What I will rather do is to just advice my friend to be on the watch over her husband’s movement and to also ensure she satisfies him on all side because when a man doesn't get what he wants at home then he seeks for it outside his home. – Adejoke Adenuga, businesswoman

Life is a delicate one

I cannot tell him because it is a very dangerous thing to do. This life we all live in is so delicate. –Lanre Ajegbomogun, veterinary

compiled by

ANGELA DAVIES, RICKETTS OLUSHOLA, JOHN EDU AND AYILARA DAYO

I'll be less involved I won't, just that I will restrain my movement and communication from the couple as I wouldn't want to see my friend’s marriage destroy and my eyes wouldn't want to behold such evil, then I just have to move back and pretend not to see or hear anything. – Babatunde Bakare, civil servant

I'll let the cat out of the bag if... Yes I will. But that is after several warnings to the woman in question and yet she refuses to comply then I will have no option than let the cat out of the bag. – Are Daudu, security personnel

I'll seek to resolve the problem of infidelity I won't. I will only inquire from my friend if she has any issue at home from there I will know how to go about the matter. Because when a situation as such arises in a home where the husband is cheating on his wife it means either of the couple is not doing what he/she ought to be doing rightly. – Olaide Bisiriyu, civil servant

I won’t poke my nose into someone else’s affair I won't because I don't discuss my family issues with my friends and I wouldn't poke my nose into another person’s family affair. What I will do if I notice such is to just talk to my friend in proverb though and if she is wise enough she will know how to handle the issue. – Feyikemi Tunji, businesswoman

I'll ensure that my friend keeps an eye on his wife I will, though it's not my business if such happens but because I know my friend wouldn't cheat on her and he is doing everything he can to ensure that her needs are met, especially if they are still courting and not yet married. But if they are married I will just ensure that my friend keeps an eye on his wife’s movement. – Efe Adegor, civil servant

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015

SATURDAY

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle Go places with gold plate belt p.16

TV & Radio When women talk p.44

Love & Living ‘My husband’s bed was not for me’ p.35

Hospitality De Xambdra Hotel: Rekindling the groove in Ekiti p.41

AISHA

Augie-Kuta

DOING JUSTICE WITH PICTURES

The daughter of an Appeal Court judge, Aisha Augie-Kuta’s job as a photographer tears down long held stereotypes about upper class families’ preferences. Aisha, the 2011 The Future Awards Africa Creative Artist of the Year winner tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS about her love for photography and how her mother, Justice Amina Adamu Augie, took her career choice. WHAT WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU? Aisha is happy, curious and adventurous. I like to plan, but I also take each day as it comes. CHILDHOOD PASSION I have always had a passion for photography. I liked keeping memories alive and if I wanted to remember a particular thing I took a picture of it. It didn’t even matter what it was and that started since I was around seven years old. There are no photographers in my family. I got inspired by a black and white picture made by Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole, a veteran Nigerian photographer when I was really young. It was on the wall at my aunt’s home. I was curious to know how he made it and that brought me into the world of photography.

growth in the different types of photography from advertising to corporate, art to documentary. The market is expanding and creating more opportunities for budding photographers. ROLE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS Word of mouth, family and friends have really helped my

THE BOLD DECISION Many years of work experience and raising a family brought me to the realisation that I needed some sort of balance. I had a great job as the head of the human resource unit at a pensions firm. It was a great job with good allowances. I had it all but it was more about having time for me. Photography was a strong hobby that took my time after work and also on the weekends. At that point I had two children, so the main reason for quitting my job to become a full-time photographer was to be able to balance my worklife relationship. At that point everyone thought I was crazy, but I had done a lot of research and I had thought about it deeply. I had my business plans and I was certain it wouldn’t fail.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

GETTING HER FIRST PAID JOB Like I said earlier I worked for free for a while, but my first

paid job was a cousin’s wedding in Abuja in 2006. Though it wasn’t until 2008 that I became a full-time photographer, I got paid a way or the other while it was still a hobby. The first job was two times my monthly salary, which really influenced the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. CONVINCING HER MOTHER My mother is a career woman in the legal industry and most of the women in my family had strong careers in different fields. The main worry was that the industry was not big enough to build a career in it. Everyone felt it should be at the side and I actually didn’t stick to that alone. I really didn’t feel it was far away from what I studied too. Photography is an integral part of mass communications. At a time too the creative industry in Nigeria was not as large as it is today. With time they have all come to accept my choices and they are the first to hire me. BEING A WOMAN STANDS ME OUT I do not see myself competing with men in the trade. In the north, for instance, there are a lot of places that do not

A CAREER IN PHOTOGRAPHY I started photography professionally in 2008. What I missed about my regular job was knowing that on a certain date I would have my salary. It was better for planning. As an entrepreneur, you work twice as hard and your income depends on the season, but the good thing for me was being able to choose my own hours. Photography is picking up in Nigeria. Now, more people understand the value of what a photograph can do or say. Nigerians have always loved pictures and we often visit the studios occasionally, but the taste for it has increased. I have a client who makes portraits of his family members every Sunday after church. There is a © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

business. I paid my dues in the beginning by making images for free. It was a form of advertising for my product. It paid off because I strategised. And I gained more and more support from them as time went on.

Augie-Kuta

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

‘I don’t need to share my beauty with the world’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

accommodate men due to the conservative culture. Being a female has been more of a strength to me than a weakness. I can go to places where men cannot and people are less intimidated by women with cameras. When I go to certain places too I am not thrown out with all the men because they feel I am a lady and deserves to be treated with respect. I work hard, but I do not get as stressed out as the men do sometimes. In retrospect, I have realised that there is extra interest in my work mainly because I am a northerner and that propelled my name further. The camera does not choose a gender to work; all you need is a good eye and fingers. We have more women in the industry who are creating amazing works. GROWING UP IN THE NORTH It was a lot of fun; we were very communal and open. I lived and travelled to so many places as a child and learnt about different people and cultures. But I am not only just a northerner; I have a mixed background. I have Igbo blood in my veins and I have Idoma and Yoruba cousins too. Life as a child was very interesting. MEETING DEMANDS I have been able to build a brand that has created a demand for services and it could be quite hectic. I did not specifically stick to a type of photography in the beginning, but I have had to cut down on weddings and event photography. I

now have people that I work with and clients have come to accept they can get great work from them too even when I am not around. I work on more long term projects and documentaries. FINDING INSPIRATION It is the little things like sunsets God’s own art. I also get inspired by learning new things, as it activates something that makes me want to create and live. The world is an amazing place, so full of inspiration. IMPACT OF AWARDS Awards mean people recognise what you do. There are times one wants to give up, but realise you are a source of inspiration to others. Winning the award is not the real thing; it is knowing that people could actually see the amount of passion you put into your work, the impact it creates and recognise you for it. I have had several awards, but the biggest for me was being recognised among 50 Nigerian women during Nigeria’s 50th independence celebration. A book was created and titled ‘50 Nigerian Women, The Journey So Far’. It had people who I read about while I was growing up. These were women named after schools and hostels and I shared the list with them. There are many lists obviously by different entities, but it was just inspiring to be named among the first pharmacist and the first teacher, Queen Amina and Lady Ibiam, among others.

Someone said to me recently that she feels I am being oppressed because I go out with my hair covered all the time. I told her that it is a choice and it is also fashionable

WHY I AM DOING FILMS I have a couple of short films. Some are yet to be released, while some are online already. We are creating a backroom to support others to tell their stories. We have writers, we have producers, etc. I have a non-governmental organisation called the Centre for Arts and Creative Talent and it supports all that. It was established in 2012. But the main thing for me is that I like to make documentaries and I realised pictures alone do not give justice to certain stories. So, I do short films that can tell these stories and most of them are for projects. Though my major focus is photography, I had my background in the media and communications. Back in the days, I did broadcasting, acting, painting and sketching. I was a National Television Authority baby. I did Kiddie Vision 101, Speak Out, Tales by Moonlight, etc. My father was also working with NTA at a time. What my parents did was that they told me certain grades I must have before I could be allowed to get on the screen. OUR WORKS ARE NOT PROTECTED My number one issue in the industry is copyright. People do not care about how they use images and that will soon change because a lot of us are either going to court or pushing the bills and policies to make sure that our images are not pirated or used without our permission. People should know that a photographer owns the right to any picture that he or she makes. We are working even with the government to make sure that the bills become a reality. It is not just about people in photography; it has to do with music, films and other creative sectors. In Nigeria, you could pick up a newspapers and get to see a work of yours published without your knowledge or without credit. But in other parts of the world people don’t just pick pictures online and use it as they please. We are losing money to that.

A LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS I do not look back and think I should have done things differently. I would do it exactly the way I had done it. I would get married when I did and to the same man; I would have my kids when I did and I would leave my job when I did. I am happy with the way my life has turned out and I thank God for that. STAYING HAPPY IN MARRIAGE For me, I felt my career was taking too much of my time because I could be at the office until 1.00am. There was no time to balance my marriage and my work, so that was why I settled for photography. Now, I choose my own work hours. I can comfortably go back to the classroom or improve myself. This worked for me because I thought it through and my spouse and I were happy about it. I had realised that communication is key regardless of what you do. If a woman cannot communicate with her husband she will have problems. Unfortunately too, a lot of Nigerian men cannot handle strong women. There is a way you could work it out with your husband and he would understand you without feeling threatened. So, I think the thing with lots of women is that their men get threatened by their success. But that didn’t happen to me. This is my eleventh year in marriage. I had never experienced heartbreak; I have been with the same man all my life. I have been with my husband since 1997. KEEPING SHAPE Having three boys is enough to keep me in shape. Running after your kids is a good exercise. When you do that every day you might not need any other form of exercise. But the main thing is making sure you put the right thing in your body and sleep right. THE BIG DREAM I want to be a media mogul. I am looking at everything in the media, including the print, television and social media. I am doing things in bits; I have a long life ahead by God’s grace. If I take every five years to work on something new I would achieve my dream one day. FASHION ACCORDING TO AISHA Fashion is a way of expressing oneself. The more creative you are the more it shows what you have within. But people prefer to focus on other things, forgetting that what they wear says a lot about who they are. My sense of fashion is very modest. I love modesty and class. WHY I COVER MY HAIR I cover my hair because there is no need to share my beauty with the world; that was the way we were brought up. We were taught that your beauty should remain in your family and the closest person to you. It is just like a sense of pride. Someone said to me recently that she feels I am being oppressed because I go out with my hair covered all the time. I told her that it is a choice and it is also fashionable. We have people who decide that they cannot leave their house without a hat or glasses and it has become part of them. So, it is just part of what I am. It was something I grew up with.

Sagoe and her family

MY LOVELY DAD I miss my father, Senator Adamu Augie, everyday. We lost him in 2001 to a car accident, but he is still very much a part of my life. I remember his emphasis on speaking properly and always reminding me that whether we like it or not there are people who would look up to us. My father was charismatic and had the most amazing voice. He was known as the golden voice in his younger days. He was extremely hardworking and always made sure he had time for the family. He helped to mould me into the woman I am today and I wish he was here for me to make him proud. I know he looks me with a smile on his face.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

fashion etiquette Leggings are not pants

High-waist pleated skirts:

Ankara's new rave Angela Davies

he ankara print has and is still making global impact. ankara print is trendy, beautiful and comfortable to wear. Due to its elegance, ankara print today is been rocked by celebrities across the globe in different eye-catching styles. However, the recent trend in ankara print style is the timeless and fun high-waist pleated skirt which aficionados wear adorable with plain tops. This skirt is rocked in midi, mini and

maxi lengths depending on individual preference and style. This pleated ankara high-waist skirt sits perfectly on the waist and the ruched details of the skirt make it flattering for all body types and give a streamlined look. If you want, you could add two side pockets for a more interesting look. You could also opt for small or big pleats, depending on how full or scanty you want the pleats to be. With high-waist ankara print pleated skirt, you could create a casual or sophisticated look, depending on the occasion and the kind of top you decide to pair with it. This skirt

style could be worn to occasions like outing with friends, fashion show and other informal events. High-waist ankara print pleated skirt looks great with fitted denim shirts, plain and sequined tops in different styles for a chic look. For the plain tops, ensure to choose a colour from the skirt. Better still, opt for the universal colour, black. Also, ladies who can pull it off may pair their skirts with stripe tops. For that complete look, stylishly accessorise and opt for foot wears like pumps, flats or peep-toe high heel sandals for a dashing look.

lthough, the fashion industry is always changing, classic styles do not and some fashion rules just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change no matter the fashion evolution. For instance, leggings are a versatile piece of any womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wardrobe, but not every woman understands how to wear them properly. Some women commit the fashion faux pas of wearing leggings with tops and shirts that do not go down their hips. That is because they wear it as a pair of pants, instead of as a pair of tights under clothing. Wearing leggings with tops and shirts that do not cover your back side is a big no-no. To properly wear leggings, you should wear them with a longer top or shirt that gets to at least your mid-thigh. Some women forget that leggings are transparent, hence, wearing tops that are short will be revealing way too much no matter how good you think you look. Leggings are comfortable and body friendly, but it is appropriate to think of leggings as tights rather than pants so you could wear them properly.

Proper way to wear leggings with a long top

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Accessories to live for

Go places with a gold plate belt Gold metal plate belts are the in-thing when it comes to accessories. Cinch your waist with this striking and statement-making belt and stand out, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

re you thinking of adding a touch of glam to your simple or drab outfit? Then, you should opt for the trending gold metal plated belt also known as metallic belt. These chic belt styles have managed to find their way around the waists of some of fashion's most stylish ladies in recent times on and off the red carpets. Gold metal plated belt has a completely modern and glamorous look, red carpet appeal and figure flattering capabilities. That is why metal belts are not merely a statement piece, but a must have in the wardrobe of every trendy woman. However, this trending gold belt is not limited to the red carpet look; they can also be worn to transform your simple daily outfits from dull to glam in a matter of seconds. So, you can wear them on a simple dress, jumpsuit, evening

gown, casual maxi dress, pants and top, playsuit and any kind of outfit for that classy look as they easily draw attention because of their shine. The gold metal plate belt comes in two basic styles. There is the shiny, malleable metal plate belt which features chain ends for an adjustable fit. And stretchy band attached to malleable metal plate finished with chain links, hook clasps or double snap button closures also for an adjustable fit. Metallic belts come in different elegant designs and sizes. However, to rock this belt style, choose one that clearly suits your body shape for a graceful silhouette. Gold metal plated belt is a trending fashion accessory that should be in every womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closet. So, cinch your waist with this statement belt and be the cynosure of all eyes.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

MY STYLE

Elegance in simplicity For television presenter and producer, Funke Rachael-Lasisi, there's wisdom in the saying that simplicity is a subtler shade of elegance, writes ANGELA DAVIES. How would you define your style? My sense of style from my hair to shoes is simplicity. I like it simple, comfortable and classy. What determines the kind of outfits you wear? Most times, the event I am attending determines what I wear. I like my outfits simple and comfortable. But on a normal day, I am good in my jeans and tops. Is there a particular fashion rule you live by? Comfort is style to me. Which outfits take up the most space in your wardrobe? It is casuals like jeans and tops. You will also see fitted gowns with fishtails for special events.

simple but sophisticated. How do you love your makeup? I like it simple. But if I have a photoshoot, the makeup artiste can do anything with my face. How do you love your hair? It has to be long, I don’t like short hair. Most times, you will catch me on long weaves. I hardly do braids and I do short hair once in a year. What kind of jewellery appeals to you? I love accessories ranging from neckpiece, chunky bangles, big face wristwatch, hand chains, charm bracelets to long earrings. If you were a fashion item what would you like to be? Any accessory as long as it has stones.

Is there any outfit you will never be caught wearing? I did a bit of modelling, so I don’t think there is anything I can’t wear. It depends on where I am wearing that particular outfit to or the purpose for which I am wearing it. But maybe I will not be caught wearing an agbada.

Signature perfume I don’t have a signature perfume but I like Limelight by Dolce and Gabbana because it makes you smell fresh.

Fashion item you cannot do without I can’t do without my sunglasses because no matter how horrible your face looks, once you have your shade on it covers all the ugly sides.

What kinds of shoes hold a special appeal to you? I love peep toes, I don’t like covered shoes. So, you can never catch me wearing covered shoes.

Best designer I love Versace; their designs are quite

Best colour I love pink, red, white and blue.

Beauty T

aking care of your feet should be as important as taking care of your fingernails. With your busy schedule, going to the salon every time you need a pedicure is always not possible. So, why not pamper your feet and do your pedicure yourself at home especially at weekend? The steps are simple and will not take up much of your time. • To begin, take off any old polish that you might have on your toe nails. • Then soak feet for about five minutes in a basin or tub with warm water and add scented liquid

Can you recall the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought? A pair of shoes

Facts Ololade Majekodunmi chief executive officer of House of Dorcas better known as HOD started with bead-making when she moved back to Nigeria from England in 2004. She launched House of Dorcas in 2008. Her brand portrays fresh, trendy yet classy collections.

The earliest known brooches are from the Bronze Age.

During the 18th century, milliners took the hat-making art out of the home and established the millinery profession.

The first Versace boutique was opened in Milan's Via Della Spiga in 1978. In 1994, the brand gained widespread international coverage due to the “Black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley”, referred to at the time as “that dress.”

Do-it-yourself pedicure

soap of your choice. • Use a pumice stone or a foot scrub to exfoliate your feet gently in a circular motion while paying attention to your heels and bottom. • After exfoliating, take out feet from warm water and remove loose or dead cuticles with a cuticle remover. • Put feet back into the water to remove the dead cells and then rinse with clean water. • Apply moisturising lotion to your feet. This will help keep your feet soft and fresh. • It is time to use your nail kits and get your nails into shape. So, cut your nails to your de-

sired shape with a nail cutter and then file properly. • Dust your legs to remove any residue from the nail filing. Then apply a clear coat to your nails and allow to dry. After this, apply your favourite nail polish on your nails and allow to dry before applying another coat of clear nail polish on your nails. This will make your polish last longer as well as minimize and prevent chipping. So pamper your feet with these easy do-it-yourself pedicure in the comfort of your home.

SATURDAY

Paul Obazele ‘It's not true that nudity in movies sells fast'

p.20

ShowBiz

Reekado Banks Being Don Jazzy’s artiste doesn’t put pressure on me

p.22

SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015

KEHINDE BANKOLE

Men’s advances don’t flatter me

Kehinde Bankole’s phenomenal rise in Nollywood is attributed to an opportunity thrown her way by Wale Adenuga Productions’ Super Story in 2007. And since she debuted in that drama series, it’s been a roller coaster ride for the sassy actress. She would further pride on the fresh achievement as the Best Actress in Drama at AMVCA 2015. She shares a moment with LANRE ODUKOYA where she reveals all that colours her world. It wasn’t a script, it was real.

From 2007, that little seed of hard work, faith and tenacity is blossoming into fame and fortune. How do you find this? It was a lot of hard work and it’s also been very stressful. There were auditions every time. It was my own way of assessing my performance. If I don’t get a job, I want to know why. When I get back home I reflect on it. I look at who was picked and try to see what I can learn from the way the person looked or sounded, and then I apply what I learnt in my next audition. I also applied these steps in any small role I got, and that was how I kept getting better as I came along.

So, he was really wooing you on stage? (Chuckles) He was playing. We were just trying to get people excited, I guess. Is there really anything romantic between both of you? No, there’s nothing. Honestly, there’s really nothing between us. Though we did work together on one project, it’s not out yet. The working title of the movie is “The Apostates”. He did a fantastic job on the project and I’m looking forward to having it out soon. Apart from that, there’s really nothing between us.

It must be getting increasingly difficult to deal with men’s untiring patronage now… I try not to cope; I just ignore it. I don’t let anything fester. There’s no pressure, because it’s what you give in to that stays. It is not a do-or-die affair. Naturally, even people who are not actors get hit on regularly. It’s normal. If you don’t let anything fester and you attend to it swiftly and move on, you’ll be okay. I don’t have pressures from men. I handle them quite well, and I don’t see it as anything out of the ordinary. It’s something every other female out there is experiencing as well. Once you handle it well, there’s no pressure. You’ve had to pick many scripts these past years, which would you describe as the most challenging? It’s always hard to choose, because all of them have their different challenges. Some of them have longer scenes and periods of work than the others, so it’s hard for me to pick one. When I was shooting The Meeting with Mildred Okwo, I was meant to play Femi Jacob’s 19-year-old daughter. I looked at the producer when I was given that role and she looked back at me and told me I could do it, and I did. The role brought with it the challenge of sounding and walking in a certain way; I was just growing up then. For that phase, that seemed like my biggest challenge at that time, but I moved on. When I shot “Imala,” I was a pregnant secondary school teenager. I had to deliver emotions but couldn’t fake anything. Andy Amenechi, who directed the movie, put me through and helped me get through that challenge. October

Which Nigerian actors do you regard as your mentors? Well, because my craft is creative; I can have role models for my life and personal things, but for my work, I don’t have anybody I’m trying to fashion my work after. I’m learning from the structure and people, and I’m taking a lot from different people around me. It’s dangerous to take after one person because you’ll become stereotyped, so I’m learning from a lot of people. For lifestyle, I have local and international mentors. But, my work is open to life; it’s open to anybody and everybody to teach me. I have mentors in life and people I look up to generally like Wale Adenuga, Oprah Winfrey. Everybody disses Kim Kardashian but I love her so much because she’s my fashion icon. I love Tyler Perry and Kunle Afolayan too. Mildred Okwo too has been an inspiration. 1 as well presented its own challenges; I had to look African, with dark complexion. I also had to read and have natural afro hair. When I saw the calibre of people I was to be on set with, I was initially overwhelmed. But when we started reading, I realised I had something too and I brought it to the table. There was no room for holding back because the project was a team effort where everybody put in what they had, and the results are obvious now. What do you expect winning the Best Actress award at the AMVCA 2015 would attract to you? It will tell people that I’m a good material, and they can think about working with me. People can now think about the direction

I’m taking my work to, and if it appeals enough to them they can work with me. The AMVCAs was like a validation that I’ve been doing the right thing and going in the right direction. You know, it’s not good when you’ve been working for a while and there’s nothing to show for it. Sometimes you know you’re good, but the question lingers: ‘when will I be noticed?’ For me, the AMVCA was my validation and notice ground. Now, that I have been noticed, I hope I’ll get more opportunities. I want to explore; I’m the excited type that wants to work and take the entertainment industry forward. I want to get opportunities, give them my best shot, and see where it takes me. So for me, I believe the award

will make people take notice of me, and then we’ll see what we can do together. How did beating an A-list star as Rita Dominic to that honour feel? I felt like I was in space. I would have heard if a needle dropped because everywhere suddenly went so quiet and there was this echo inside my ears; I was hearing all the claps from a distance. It was like I went back into myself and I embraced myself. It was such an exciting feeling and a happiness that was so genuine. There were a bit of theatrics and it later stirred the speculation that, Tope Tedela's attempt to woo you on stage was no joke. Did you feel he really meant it?

What three movies would you rather be stuck with on a deserted island and why? I’d pick Why Did I Get Married Too, October 1 and Sometimes in April. I’d pick Sometimes in April because it teaches the sober reflections of life. It’s not every time one can be happy and the movie will endear one to the world in such a situation and place like that. I picked October 1 because in such a place, I need to remind myself how fantastic life and the arts are, and I need to be able to see myself and see what my colleagues have done. It would also be a good motivation for me because I’m in it, and I’m in such a bad position at that time. Then, I picked Why Did I Get Married Too because it’s entertaining and Tyler Perry is there; he’s one of my key people.

2 MAY 2015

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

OJB Jezreel back on dialysis, begs family to shun public fundraiser

L-R: Linda Osifo as Rhetta Moore; Michelle Dede as Tari Gambadia; Omotu Bissong as Funke Lawal; Marcy Dolapo Oni as Rume Bello; Kehinde Bankole as Kiki Ob and Nini Wacera as Ese De Souza

Desperate Housewives comes to Nigeria

esperate Housewives, the ABC television drama series has finally got its African adaptation. The premiere of the adapted soap opera held at Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos last Tuesday. The hit drama series was localised and produced to excite enthusiastic viewers by Africa first global Black Entertainment and Lifestyle network, EbonyLife TV. It was an enchanting evening of stunning appearances and altogether a laugh-out-loud moment, bespoke décor, colourful branding, red carpet interviews, cameras, lights, music, cocktail, light refreshments and cut-to-the-chase addresses and remarks. The enthralling drama which parades a stellar cast of amazing ‘wives’, Michelle Dede (Tari Gambadia), Nini Wacera (Ese De Souza), Kehinde Bankole (Kiki Obi), Omotu Bissong (Funke Lawal), Mercy Dolapo Oni (Rume Bello) and Linda Osifo (Rhetta Moore) remains one work of art to beat.

And after the ecstatic evening had passed with all and and sundry seeking an encore, addresses were made by the Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu; Managing Director of Airtel; Marketing Directors of Diageo, Procter and Gamble and Airtel. The remarks were followed by the showing of behind-the-scenes of the drama series, which itself was trailed by an address from EbonyLife TV’s Director of Scripted Programming, Ms. Quinty Pillay. The night ended with the introduction of cast and crew, followed by closing remarks and photo call. Airtel Nigeria is the headline sponsor of the series. Other sponsors include Snapp, Diageo’s apple-flavored alcohol drink for independent female consumers; Oral-B, worldwide leader in the brushing market; and Ariel, the marketing line of flagship laundry detergents made by Procter & Gamble. Since 2006, five different versions of Desperate Housewives have been produced for EMEA

and Latin American audiences. These are “UmutsuzEvKadinlari” a Turkish production launched in 2011; Amas de Casa Desesperadas," the Argentinean version (in Spanish, for broadcast in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay); the Colombian/Ecuadorian version (in Spanish, broadcast in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, and also sold to Japan); the U.S. Hispanic version (for broadcast in U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic); "Donas de Casa Desesperadas," the Brazilian version (in Portuguese, for broadcast in Brazil). The original Desperate Housewives won both the 2005 and 2006 Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy, created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios. The series is broadcast in more than 200 territories around the world, where it has been one of the most popular U.S. TV shows in recent history with its eighth and final series concluding in 2012.

inger, OJB Jezreel, who sought public support to remain alive after suffering renal failure in 2013 is sadly back to the brink. Last year, we reported that he was partnering with the Bow Tie club to establish a support foundation to cater for people living with or susceptible to any form of kidney disease. Shortly after that report, a source claimed that the songwriter, producer and singer’s health was relapsing, hence the hint that his involvement in the foundation was hinged on his fears after all. So, in subsequent interview with our correspondent, when asked if there was truly a relapse, he responded: “ I was coming back from Abeokuta with a friend after my birthday last year and we had an accident. The car somersaulted. The windshield of the car cut part of my body and it took a long time to heal, almost two months. And during the healing process, I had to start using a walking stick to move around because I needed to keep working. So people started making assumptions because they saw me with stick and the way I was in pain… What happened was still related to the kidney ailment in a

way because the healing process was slower than normal and I needed to be careful. I even heard people saying that they had flown me out of the country again for surgery.” At present, we gathered that he’s under intensive care at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, as at last Thursday, he was still on dialysis. He’s required to undergo dialysis five times a week and as at last Thursday, he’d completed two, remaining three more to go. His doctor was said to have maintained that at the end of the dialysis, it would be known if he needs to be flown abroad for another transplant or not. The source wasn’t certain about the cost of each dialysis, but it ranges from N25, 000 upwards. Meanwhile, the problem is that there are a few centres for dialysis in Lagos and the queues increases the waiting period. It’s said that no one gets preferential treatments and OJB is not expected to be an exception. The source added that ailing musician had warned his family three wives and eight children -never to beg for fund. Though, the family is willing to accept financial support from Samaritans, they’re not soliciting funds publicly to save the man who will be 52 on July 4.

OJB

Tantalizers hosts Nigerian Idol Season 5 final 12 contestants

antalizers Plc, a quick service restaurant chain, hosted the Nigerian Idol season 5 final 12 contestants at its Victoria Island, Lagos, outlet last Sunday. Tantalizers Plc, the official food partner of the Nigerian Idol project for the second year running, packaged the event to delight the contestants after the stressful and keenly contested initial rounds which saw the emergence of the 12 contestants. In doing this, the company provided a conducive environment for the contestants to relax before going into the next round of the project. According to the Deputy Managing Director of Tantalizers Plc, Mr. Gbolahan Labinjo, “Tantalizers decided to partner with Nigerian Idol for the second year running because of its belief in Nigerian youths as the leaders of tomorrow and the brand’s desire to assist them in realizing their dreams”. The DMD also explained

Tantalizers' staff with Nigerian Idol 2015 final 12 contestants

that the organizers, contestants, crew, and other people involved in the Nigerian Idol project needed to be continuously revitalized and nourished during the exercise,

hence Tantalizers continuous involvement to take up that challenge. In the course of the event, the Contestants were treated to exciting and fun

time which included meeting with fans, photographic session, signing of autographs and musical entertainment. The contestants also demonstrated the use of the Tantalizers Gift Certificates, which is a gift package given to friends, lovers, family members, workers, colleagues, etc to appreciate their worth. The Gift certificates can be purchased at any Tantalizers outlet or online via Konga and they are redeemable in only Tantalizers outlets. The day was activity packed with much to eat and drink as Tantalizers fed the passion of the contestants and their fans. At the end of the event it was definite that Tantalizers lived up to it’s pay-off “every bite….a promise kept”. Tantalizers has over 52 outlets spread across Nigeria and the DMD mentioned that Franchise opportunities are available to interested investors.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

‘It's not true that nudity Paul Obazele's early roles in series like Checkmate, Ripples and Third Eye sealed his place in Nigeria's movie industry. In this interview with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, the CEO of Royal Pictures speaks about his worries for Nollywood and the need to banish stereotypes.

values. But today we are trying to copy the white man and we are doing it badly. I call this cultural dislocation; we are neither here nor there. I hear the complaints of people, families and couples. So, I cannot at the stage in my life do some things; I should be able to impact some correction. Look at the likes of Mind Bending, Things Fall Apart, After the Storm, Behind the Clouds, among others. People rushed home to see these movies. It is not as if we are not telling stories again, but how do I sit down with my family and the next thing I see is people kissing or smoking out of control. So, do you expect me to tell a nine-year-old kid that smoking is bad? These are misplaced storytelling and this is as a result of the big influence of foreign forces on our movies. We built a society that gave birth to Nigeria of today, but unfortunately the people who we are supposed to hand over to do not believe in their abilities. All these issues have been outlined several times; what are the senior practitioners doing to intervene? That’s the reason you’ve not been seeing the likes of Zack Orji, Kanayo O Kanayo and some other veterans in movies lately. The older ones select the things they do because we cannot explain it. What we are seeing now is not us. The average Nigerian girl is not insane or goes around sleeping with men. It is a borrowed culture and it has become fashionable in our society. Is it that you don’t believe in the new artistes? What I am saying is that I still query our writers who experiment with our culture. I query our producers who decide to push their money into what will sell fast. They will tell you that in entertainment, nudity and sex sell more. It is a far cry from the truth. It is just like people saying you will make more money if you let people smoke in your bar. You will be surprised that some people get irritated watching sex on screen. Fuji House of Commotion and The Johnsons are family movies and they have a lot of followers. I can endlessly mention soaps and films that had nothing to do with nudity or sex and they did well.

When was the last time you went on set? I was on set about two months ago. At least I have about four movies that are out in cinemas. Invasion 1897 by Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun is there; Iyore is to be premièred on May 3 and St Mary by Matthias Obahiagbon is out there. Upper Creek directed by Tharila Thompson is not out; we just finished the grading process. So, we are still doing movies. It is not as if I stopped acting; I am just selective when it comes to the movies I feature in. If it doesn’t make sense or add value I won’t

do it. It is not as if I cannot do secular movies, but can I sit and I watch it with my children? I would consider the content and what the movie preaches. Those are the things I look out for. But your face used to be almost in all movies; does that mean you were open to all kinds of movies in the past? Nollywood yesterday made more sense than now. We did a more thorough job. If you look at all the television movies and soap operas we did then, they had

Have there been cases where you had issues with directors with regard to interpreting roles? I am an actor and director. The beginning and the end of a movie is in the hands of the director. So, I must for every reason respect my director. Once I am on set and we have agreed to shoot, it would be total submission to him. If I have any reservation I would discuss with you rather than challenging the director. I would whisper to him and if he decides not to take in my idea I would overlook it. It is his shot; that is why they call it the director’s picture. He has the mindset of what his pictures are or would be. How did you handle fame as a younger artiste? I was born into a broadcasting home so it wasn’t a big deal. I saw

myself as ordinary, privileged and one given opportunity by God. I didn’t see myself as more important than anyone. I ate anywhere and I took the compliment when they came in. Though some people took my openness for granted, it was not for me to complain. What was the most awkward thing you’ve heard about you? I hear a lot of things in the media which I didn’t do. For instance, they’ve accused me of carrying thugs to somewhere and I never did that. Somebody once wrote a story based on falsehood about Stella Oduah and I too. I took the person to court, now they are begging. I feel terrible when I hear false news about me. I don’t know why people feel that the only way they can sell is to run others down. My father built a name and passed it on to me. What are your fond memories of childhood? I used to carry catapult all about while I was growing up in Delta. I hunted for birds. I had been beaten by snake twice. I fought a lot too. I could still recall how I would chase my senior sister’s boyfriend away with stones. I was about 11 years old then, though they ended up getting married. I remember a time I fought my senior brother. I was as tall as him, so I thought I could beat him. The fight was actually between my sister and I, but he took her side and beat me. I would never forget that day. Sometimes when I am alone and I remember all these memories I laugh. I am from a large family; we are 18 children. My father got married to five wives, including an Indian woman. My mother was the first. So, when my children demonstrate some of the characteristics I demonstrated, I just laugh. Whenever I shout at them I say to myself silently that I did this before too. History has a way of repeating itself. When you see your kid it gives you an opportunity to know how you were at their age because there are certain things you won’t remember again. What was the major factor that influenced your decision to do films? I just told you I was born into a broadcasting home; my father didn’t design it and I didn’t. I would just call it an easy flow. But my father had an issue with me going into films. It's surprising given that he was a broadcaster? My father had the notion that broadcasters never had homes. He believed they were not always there for their loved ones and kids. But I had a different notion. He did everything to pull me out from television and I lied to him many times. I told my late boss, Pastor Segun Adeoye of SA Productions, that I didn’t go to school. Our office used to be at Surulere, Lagos. He saw that it was very easy for me and was wondering how I got my writing skills if I didn’t go to school because I was writing scripts at a time. It was until the day we went to the ministry of information that he knew I lied

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

in movies sells fast' about my identity. At the office, the minister asked me what I was doing there and even called me by my native name. I ignored him. My boss then asked if he knew me and he replied that I was Patrick’s son. My boss said we were just namesake and that it was not possible. The minister asked my boss to come back and by the time we visited again as requested by the minister I met my father in that office. I nearly caused confusion that day because my father demanded to know what I was doing at the office and my boss said he had no right to be harassing his worker. My father told him to shut up; he was that authoritative. My father was shocked to hear that I didn’t go to school and my boss was disappointed I lied to him. I told my boss I was sorry I lied. He later pulled me from where I was and made me a producer. I went home with the letter and showed my dad. He then said he would run the man out of business. He was determined to do that and at that time I had gone so deep into what I was doing. He made sure I was frustrated out of TV, he made sure I could not get the radio drama I was doing and voiceover too. I now moved into scripts. What did you later do differently that made him to let you be? As God would have it they used to do a National Productivity Day. So, I performed in the presence of then President Ibrahim Babangida on stage alongside Uncle Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva and Wale Macaulay. So, at the gala night, the president asked me a question, though I didn’t quickly know he was talking to me. He said he heard I was Patrick’s son and I said yes. Just around the president was my father who was smiling. So, Babangida walked away and the next thing my dad said was I should see him. I went to meet him and he started scolding me that I didn’t pronounce certain things well and I did some things badly. Amazingly, from that day, he became my biggest critic and he decided to give me some tips. According to him, if I decide to do this I should do it well. There is some perceived displeasure between Yoruba and Igbo artistes in the industry relating to roles, piracy, among others. How would you react to that? It is a misunderstanding and misgiving for anyone to believe that he is superior to the other. I don’t believe that any English artiste has more right than a Yoruba artist and vice versa. Also, I don’t understand why we are allowing outsider to fuel disagreement. The truth is that the Yoruba theatre has been there before Nollywood came in. And the fact that somebody applied for something and got it doesn’t mean he is superior. It is possible that most of the people who are complaining didn’t apply. As I speak to you I didn’t get any grant, yet I applied. We have two sets: we have the loan and grant. Some people didn’t apply for the loan because it is a loan and you must pay back. So, it becomes totally wrong for a filmmaker to go take loan from a bank to do films. What is your gestation period? You are not supposed to pay for the grant, but there must be a convincing evidence of what you want to do. But some of us are naturally shy or don’t like stress. Our big brothers and aunties in the Yoruba industry could tell you that they don’t have time to go through the stress. We even have some theatre

If you go for auditioning and you dress seductively, the first thing that comes to the man’s mind is to sleep with you. It is what you have suggested to him

houses that got the grant. So, there is no superiority thing here. Jide Kosoko, Femi Ogedegbe, Otunba Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello) and some others do English and Yoruba films. But some people find more comfort speaking in their dialect, which is not a problem. The truth is that an average Yoruba filmmaker has excelled exceptionally well. The fact that one speaks in his native tongue doesn’t mean that he plays a second fiddle. Did you ever contemplate giving up acting? It has never crossed my mind. What I do is my life, this is my calling, a gift God gave to me. Royal Pictures, my company, has come to stay. What you are seeing now is a well thought out plan and I executed it with time. We are still progressing; I know that God would perfect it for us. What exactly do you do at Royal Pictures? It is a television house. We do movies, we do talk shows, we do commercials and we brand. Royal Pictures owns Legends of Nollywood and 12 Ambassadors, a reality show that gives out cars to winners every year. We have a lot of films and soap operas to our credit. We have artistes registered under it and we have artistes we gave birth to. We also do shows, workshops and trainings. For instance, we did a training workshop in nine states in Niger Delta in 2010. We trained and did capacity building in scriptwriting, acting, cinematography, photography, among others. There were about six courses and we gave out cash prizes to winners. How has it been with Legends of Nollywood? There are two Legends of Nollywood. The major arm is a talk show which has given birth to Legend of Nollywood Awards. The talk show

has been on for the past nine years. We bring you to the show to share your story if you are over 10 years in the industry. It is aired on Sliverbird Television and NTA. I don’t think there is any artiste who knows his or her onus that we have not featured. My playground is Nigeria while my game plan is to make Nigeria better. My dream is for us to give birth to a better society. We are getting old and we have a group of people who will take after us and the onus is on us to prepare them. We have promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep. What do you normally tell emerging artists? In the first place you must have a role model and you should strive to keep a tab. Also, you cannot be another person and the only way you can be you is to polish you constantly. I laugh when ladies say they weren't featured because they refused to sleep with producers. We shouldn’t blame our failure on things that do not exist. The way you are dressed goes a long way to determine how people address you. If you go for auditioning and you dress seductively, the first thing that comes to the man’s mind is to sleep with you. It is what you have suggested to him that makes the producer see you like that. If you didn’t sell your talent well and feel you have other means to get there, they would treat you like that. So, package yourself, not your body.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Reekado Banks: Being Don Jazzy’s artiste doesn’t put pressure on me Ayoleyi Solomon, known as Reekado Banks in showbiz, is one of the artistes Don Jazzy signed after he parted ways with D’Banj. Within a year he joined the label, he has shown glimpse of his potential. He spoke with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS after his convocation ceremony at the University of Lagos. Who is Reekado Banks? I am a musical artist signed to Mavin Records. There is a different between Reekado Banks and Ayoleyi Solomon. Reekado is funny and playful. He is always in the studio and at shows. My hobbies are playing games when I am less busy. I played FIFA (soccer TV game) precisely and I am very good at it. My growing up was quite fun and interesting, though I was born into a Christian home and my father is a pastor. We were restricted from going out, but the little chances I had I used them well. We are six children; I am the last born. I was born in Ejigbo, Lagos State and I spent 11 years of my life there before I moved to Meiran. I later moved to Ketu and then to Ikorodu in Lagos. But when I got admission into UNILAG to study History and Strategy Studies, I moved to Akoka. I am a graduate now; I had my convocation ceremony today (Tuesday). How has the journey been as a young musician? We thank God for where he has brought us. I am looking at it from where we started in 2008; it wasn’t so smooth. I knew I wanted to do music since 2008 and I recorded my first song in 2010. Then, it was all about getting a label and getting my music to be heard. What were you doing before 2008? I was not doing anything music, though I could sing since when I was a kid. In 2008, I graduated from the secondary school, Barnfield College in Meiran, Ogun State. In my school I don’t think anyone knew me as anything. I was really calm and I was the youngest in my class; I graduated at the age of 14. I didn’t really mix up with people; I preferred to be left alone. But in my house they would tell you different thing about me. At home they would say I am so funny, but the moment I step out of the house I am a different person.

that I heard it from the brand manager, Tega Oghenejobo. He was talking about how stressful it was for him to pick and it dawned on me that I was not grateful enough. How did you get the news of the deal? I didn’t know about it all the while until we got to the studio on that fateful day. They didn’t know it was my brother because he kept acting like me. They asked him to come do a test run in the studio and he told me we were going out. It was on August 26, 2013, around 2pm. I reluctantly followed him. I just noticed that he brought me a particular sweet I like to take to clear my throat. When we got to the gate of the estate in Lekki, Don Jazzy’s house, I just felt there was something abnormal. There were much security protocols; we had to start making calls. We finally gained entrance and waited in the studio. At that time nobody was there, but I saw awards and I checked the name. I was astonished to see

Was there no objection from your pastor father? Luckily for me, there was no objection because he had told my elder ones to do one thing or the other that didn’t work out well as he had anticipated. So, when it got to my turn, he just said I should do what I love to do but I should remember God. How has it been as a Mavin? It has been really amazing. The Supreme Mavin Dynasty is not just a record company; it is a family. Everyone accepted me like they knew me. D' Prince at the first meeting talked with me as if he knew me from somewhere. I was holding back my normal self, but the way he attended to me I couldn’t ignore him. I wondered why he was so nice to a random guy. When I met Dr. Sid, Don Jazzy and Tiwa it was the same story too. How many songs have you released under Mavin? We have recorded over 80 songs, but we have dropped just three singles. “Turning up” featuring Tiwa Savage was my debut. It

was then followed by “Chop Am” while “Katapot” is the most recent. The video for “Katapot” has been shot by Unlimited L.A and it drops in the first week of May. How did you come about “Katapot?” It is actually a love song; it is not anything serious. Before I recorded that song the previous 10 songs I had recorded were not love songs. I just felt that I was being too much of a bad boy. So, when Jazzy made the beat, I just felt it was the right time for me to do a love song because the beat sounded so much spiritual and emotional. Don Jazzy also liked the fact that I wanted to do a love song again. I had done love songs before, but there was none in the last 10. I amazingly did freestyle for the whole first verse. Don Jazzy and others in the studio then fell in love with it. How do we describe your music? Basically, I don’t like to name my music because it is like putting me in a box. I am a kind of person who loves to please people and cuts across different people. So, you cannot find me doing one style of music all the time. My first song featuring Tiwa was dancehall, the second was afro beat and “Katapot” is a very slow and cultural RnB. Are you saying you are willing to displease yourself to satisfy people? I don’t think that is called displease; I think it is called versatility. I don’t see myself liking a particular genre of music, probably because of the kinds of music I listened to while growing up. I listened to the likes of Ebenzer Obey, Sunny Ade, Fela, Shina Peters, Don Moen and Tuface. So, I have different kinds of music in my head. But in the last six years my favourite genre has been reggae. Which song do you think push you into limelight? I would say “Adaobi.” It was the song that made people to know who I am and the fact that I could sing. Don’t you feel a sort of pressure to deliver as a Don Jazy’s artiste? There is actually a pressure to do well, but I don’t let what people say to affect me. I am the one putting pressure on myself; it is not like I am really bordered about what people say. I am expecting so much not because I am a Mavin, but because I want to be successful.

Is Mavin your first record deal? The first record label is Mavin, but I used to be under a management company called TOT. My brother, Temi Solomon, was running it. He was the one that did all the running around for me. He acted as my producer and manager at a time. He also got me into Mavin.

How do you view love? “Katapot” is almost a reflection of who I am, but people for some reasons think I am so hard. I like the idea of love and I feel it is a great thing. Is dreadlocks your identity or what? This is me actually. There is definitely going to be plans to remove it sometimes. Timaya took out his dread, but for now this is my identity.

How did you get to know Don Jazzy? It was a miracle; it wasn’t that I planned anything because there was no way I could have known Don Jazzy. He put it out on the internet that people should send in their singles to a particular email. I didn’t actually see it but my brother did and applied without my knowledge. To cut the long story short I was picked out of 5,000 people. Are you sure they were able to listen to all the 5,000 songs? I was told they listened to them all. At the initial stage, I didn’t know we were about 5,000 people because no one told me the number of people who sent in mails. It was like three months when I was already a part of the Mavin

Don Jazzy’s name on them. But I didn’t see Don Jazzy that day; it was another producer who attended to us. In about two hours, we recorded like seven songs. He just kept playing beats and I kept recording. I resolved that there is no way I would leave Ikorodu for Lekki and go back home without achieving anything; it was like a do-or-die. So, we left the studio. When we got to the gate of my house at Ikorodu, we got a call from Tega that Jazzy just heard everything and he liked it. He said they would keep us posted; that was how it all started.

Reekado Banks

How do you describe Don Jazzy? He is super talented. I have been in the studio with him many times and I know what it means to work with him. His hard work is next to none. It is surprising that with all his achievement he still puts in so much work. Most times he sleeps around 9am. He would be in the studio trying to get that next sound and he does this every day. I feel that he is a legend already, so why the stress? He is the one who motivates those of us that are coming up. He doesn’t joke with God too.

Investigations SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 2 MAY, 2015

A quick glance could not reveal that Victor had packed such a considerable but dreaded experience into his life

This child bricklayer is one of several other minors at this building site in a Lagos suburb

‘Adult' kids: Story of infant breadwinners

agos, the city noted for its commercial hum, brims with infants who scrape life from the loath populace. The flyovers, under it, on the streets and the highways welcome the entire guest with pleasure. Often, some tiny fingers of unkempt children suddenly lock the skirt hem. The kids need not do much; just latch on the person, cup your right hand and slowly bring it to their mouth. It speaks volume and sometimes melts a few hearts. The markets vicinities are not left out as they also provide a sanctuary for the kids, many of whom are of school age whose parents are either no more or alive but cannot afford to feed them let alone pay their school fees. They hawk food items,

Isioma madike

Editor, INVESTIGATIONS isioma.madike@newtelegraphonline.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

In Nigeria, there are several legislations aimed at curbing child labour in the country. In spite of these laws however, the streets brim with many infants of different age still engaged in activities considered inimical to their health. While some take to begging, others do menial jobs to keep their families alive. Muritala Ayinla, narrates the tales of these ‘adult’ kids

work as carriers of purchased goods and engage in other activities that could fetch them something to take home. To many, this is an indication that hunger is growing across the nation, in which putting food on the table has become a problem in most homes. Kids, in this circumstance, have thus, assumed the responsibilities of adults, growing up before they could enjoy their youth and working "hard" as breadwinners in most homes. Decked in white attire with beads on their heads like adherents of Osun Oshogbo worshipers in Osun State, Awolere Osungbemi, six, and his sister, Omoshalewa, rush after every Tom, Dick and Harry that passes through the Oshodi Pedestrian Bridge in Lagos to beg for arms. Their parents are traditional worshipers, who prefer sending their children on the streets

to beg for alms so as enable them enroll the kids back to school. Begging, according to them, is what the gods prescribed as their destiny if they must be successful. But, the Osungbemis are not the only kids whose lives have been blighted by poverty. Tega Obada, 11, was arrested by the officials of the Lagos State Task force on Environment and Special Offence Unit on April 21, while begging for alms at the Ikeja Shopping Mall, Alausa in Lagos. The little boy, who claimed that his parent went their separate ways when he was four, said begging for alms remains the only means of survival for him and his mother to pay their bills as there are no other means of achieving this. Every morning, Obada, who lives with his mother at 10, Ajiboro Street, Igando, a Lagos suburb goes several kilometers

away from their residence to beg for alms and return home around 10pm. "I was arrested while begging a man to give me money at Shoprite in Ikeja. I live with my mother at Ajiboro Street in Igando; the money I make from begging is what we use to pay house rent and electricity bill. I stopped going to school when my mother could no longer pay my school fees. I was attending Domion Ways International School in Isheri area before my School Proprietor advised my mother to withdraw me that the school management could no longer cope with pupils who couldn't pay school fees for two terms,” Obada recounted. He said he began begging for alms immediately he dropped out of school, and makes N1, 800 daily on the average. "My mum stopped begging when people started to challenge her to look for work rather than begging. That was why I became the only person to source for what we will use to meet our needs," he added amidst tears. In order not to incur the wrath of his uncle, Johnson Akinkungbe, 13, has to follow David Joseph, who is a bricklayer to site as labourer on daily basis. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Investigations

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

‘Fate had entrusted upon me

A child labourer hauling more goods than he can bear

C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 2 3

13-year-old boy, who lives with his uncle in Omu-Lusogbe, a developing community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government in Ogun State, has never seen the four walls of a class room all his life. He works as a labourer- a task, he said, he must never fail to do if he must continue to be housed and fed by his uncle. Today, while his mates are going to school, Akinkungbe is at work carrying blocks or measuring and mixing sand for his uncle and his apprentices to work at construction site in some of the developing communities in the area. Whenever his uncle is not working, he would be forced to work with other bricklayers, who often pay him a meager amount, as low as N500. However, he must not spend a dime out of it otherwise his uncle would skin him alive. For 13-year-old Damilare AbdulRasheed, who hails from Ilorin, Kwara State, the sudden death of his father, made him to assume the responsibility of a breadwinner in a home that includes his mother and two younger sisters. According to him, the death of his father, who was a bricklayer made him to go through the hurdles of hawking several bags of sachet water also known as "Pure water" at the popular Berger Bus Stop at his tender age. AbdulRasheed said he was hurriedly withdrawn from school in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital when his late father's relatives deserted them as nobody was ready to carry the burden of the family. “This was how we relocated to Lagos to continue with the struggle for survival,” he told this reporter. Besides hawking sachet water on the Berger Bridge along Lagos Ibadan Expressway, the 13-year-old boy also engages in other menial jobs such as helping people to carry loads and off-loading them. “I sell up to four bags of pure water in a day. In the rainy season when there is low sales of pure water, I also help some store owners to offload their goods. I don't have any hope of going back to school except by a miracle, because we manage to feed ourselves with the profit I make from the sales of pure water. “I used to attend school in Ibadan before the death of my father which made us to relocate to Lagos. The income from pure

water is becoming increasingly inadequate for us and my mum is contemplating joining me to sell drinks. She will take the soft drinks from store and pay back after,” AbdulRasheed said. Sheyi Alabi's tales is similar to that of AbdulRasheed's case. Alabi is 12-year-old and hawks plantain chips at Agidingbi Road, Ikeja. According to him, “my mother abandoned me when my father got married to another woman and stopped coming home. My mother also remarried and left me with my father’s relative, who was too poor to enroll me in school. So, I was left with the selling of chips as that became the only means to survive.” In Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos, hundreds of other children within the age of 11 and 14 saunter around the market helplessly in search of someone they can help to carry loads. These infant porters known in Yoruba parlance as Alabaru are, however, quick to blame their activities on economic downturn affecting most homes around

Kids have assumed the responsibilities of adults and working ‘hard’ as breadwinners in most homes

the country. They beg, plead and solicit for money in the event of not seeing anyone whose luggage they could carry for a fee. The future of these boys is bleak and appears to be hanging in the balance. Emanuel Victor is one of these many lads whose lives have been indentured by poverty. For him, everything appeared to have gone wrong from the onset. He is 11 years old and lives within the Ikotun neighbourhood. He had earlier dropped out of school when his father died some years back. A quick glance could not reveal that Victor had packed such a considerable but dreaded experience into his life. He is a popular face at the Ikotun Market where he earns his living as an Alabaru (goods carrier for customers). “Fate had entrusted upon me the responsibility of an adult as I have been the breadwinner of my family for about five years now,” he quipped in his little English. Victor has two other siblings, Tony and Mary, apart from his mother, to fend for. He resumes for duty at the market by 6.30 am and closes at 6.30 pm. “I do this to meet up because we are many here. If you come late, others will take your customer. We are used to it as it has now become routine for us,” the little “father” said. On a good Saturday, he said, “we can make up to N3, 500 but it does not happen like that every time.” He saved a little from this and was able to open a petty shop for his mother in front of their house in Ikotun. On some week days, Victor and his siblings

would hawk Koko, local pap to augment what is coming from the Alabaru work. This way, the little boy has been able to reregister himself, younger brother and sister back to school and hoping to make it despite the vicissitudes of life. He is currently in primary four in one of the government schools in that neighbourhood. Incidentally, Victor’s situation is not an isolated case. Joshua Adamu, 14, from Adamawa has also been going to the Sunday Market at Ogba, also in Lagos for two years now. Like Victor, Adamu had been left with a blind mother and two younger brothers after he lost his father seven years ago. “I came to Lagos to beg until a friend introduced me to this market. Later, I was approached by a physically-challenged woman, who thereafter employed me to be pushing her around soliciting for help. “I make up to N2, 300 every Sunday from this market and the woman I work with on week days, pays me N3, 000 every week from Monday through Friday. She does not beg on Sundays, so, I use the opportunity to ‘hustle’ at the market,” Adamu said. He sends bulk of the money he is making back home to take care of his mother and younger brothers. Biliki, from Ogbomoso in Osun State is, certainly, a pretty girl at 13; dark complexioned with radiant skin and the right figure. The smile on her face runs contrary to the life she had led. Yet, the glows on her rosy cheeks confirm the fact that she is still very young.

SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015

SATURDAY

FREE

Sport Splash

Glo League

Kwara United to ambush Kano Pillars in Ilorin p.26

Interview

We can dethrone Ethiopia, Kenya in long distance races – Olumudi p.27

THE BIG FIGHT

EPL

London boils as Spurs, Man City clash p.28

Lifestyle

Yobo silent on mother-in-law divorce drama p.32

Verdict of ex-Nigerian boxers:

It’s Mayweather's day T

Vincent Eboigbe

The Team Vincent Eboigbe l Assistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

wo retired Nigerian boxers, Obisia Nwankpa and Jerry Okorodudu, have tipped American Floyd Mayweather to defeat Manny Pacquiao in their “Fight of the Century” bout in Las Vegas today (Sunday morning Nigerian time). Mayweather, 38, will put on the line his WBC and WBA welterweight titles while Fillipino, Pacquiao, will stake his WBO title in a duel that has generated a frenzy reminiscent of the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier battle in the fabled “Thriller in Manila” in 1975. The Las Vegas bout which pitches the classic orthodox stance of the American against the Fillipino southpaw’s is also the most expensively put together in boxing history with $300m purse for both camps to share. Nwankpa, a former African Boxing Union light welterweight champion, Commonwealth lightweight titleholder and challenger for World Boxing Council light welterweight

title, based his decision to back Mayweather on what he termed the difficulty in dethroning a great champion. “A champion is always a champion and it is not easy to defeat an outstanding one like Floyd Mayweather. This is not to say that Manny Pacquiao is not a champion, but in this case Mayweather is seen as undisputed welter weight king,” Obisia told our correspondent on the telephone. “I think it will take someone with extraordinary strength and technical ability to dethrone Mayweather and I have not seen these qualities in Pacquiao. It will take something special and so I’m putting my money on Mayweather.” Interestingly, the American pugilist who is trained by his father, Floyd Mayweather Snr., who is best remembered for his 1978 clash against Sugar Ray Leonard, is nicknamed “Moneyman” for the colossal sums he had made from the fistic business. Okorodudu was also unequivocal in giving the fight to Mayweather. The national box-

ing coach who won two bronze medals at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games in 1982 and was a quarterfinalist at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles two years later, argued that the American’s all-round ring ability and home advantage would be swinging factors in the encounter at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. “Mayweather will win it. He is at home and the crowd will be rooting for him, so that psychological advantage will count in some way; clearly it will give him an edge,” said Okorodudu. “Again, Mayweather is a boxer who knows how to use the ring; this is not to say that Pacquiao is not an equally good fighter, but Mayweather knows how to really use the ring in the same way that Muhammad Ali used to. I believe these factors will be crucial on Saturday.” Pacquiao widely known as the “Pacman” has 64 bouts behind him with 57 wins five losses, two draws and 38 knockouts as against Mayweather who has won all his 47 fights with 26 of them within the distance.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Nigerian League Rendezvous

Kwara United to ambush Kano Pillars in Ilorin Stories Charles Ogundiya

fter getting back to winning ways at the weekend, in a 1-0 defeat of Nasarawa United in Ilorin, Kwara United will be looking forward to another victory in front of their

home fans against league defending champions, Kano Pillars, this weekend. The Afonja Warriors started the league in an impressive fashion before faltering. They lost two games on the trot against Heartland of Owerri at home and away to shooting Stars of Ibadan. Speaking to our correspon-

dent on the telephone, the media officer of Kwara United, Yinka Owolewa, said the players are keen to start another unbeaten run. “We were happy to secure the win against Nasarawa United the last time after two straight losses,” Owolewa said. “The players are not scared of Kano Pillars because to be

the best you have to beat the best. The players are in high spirit as we don’t have any injury issues in the team.” The Ilorin side will be relying on the scoring prowess of striker Segun Alebiosu to defeat the champions, although they will have to watch the Pillars’ striker, Ubong Ekpai, for the entire duration of the game.

Matchday Six Sharks FC vs Taraba FC Gabros Utd vs Enyimba Giwa vs Bayelsa Utd Dolphins vs Lobi El-Kanemi vs Akwa Utd Wikki vs Rangers Heartland vs Sunshine Shooting vs Warri Wolves Nasarawa Utd vs Abia Warriors Kwara Utd vs Kano Pillars Top Scorers 4 GOALS Mfon Udoh (Enyimba) Bright Ejike (Heartland) 3 GOALS Victor Yakubu (Wikki Tourists) Esosa Igbinoba (Nasarawa Utd) Shuaibu Ibrahim (Giwa FC) Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors) Segun Alebiosu (Kwara Utd) Ubong Ekpai (Kano Pillars)

El-Kanemi players set for showdown with management

here might be a boycott of this weekend game by the players of El-Kanemi Warriors as the players have refused to train. The players are asking for the payment of last season's salaries which the management promised to pay before Week Four of the new term. Some of the players who spoke with League Rendezvous on condition of anonymity said they were tired of empty promises while blaming the club chairman, Zanna Kakaje, of holding unto their money. "We are yet to be paid 70 percent of our salaries from last season. They promised to pay us this season before Week Four and now we are approaching Week Seven and they are not even saying anything,” the player said.

Shooting Stars' Rashid Olabiyi (right) in action against Kwara United

Prime target promotion to Premier League

rime of Oshogbo are targeting promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League after seven years in the Nigeria National League. Speaking to league Rendezvous, the media officer of the team, Tunde Shamsudeen, said the team was battle-ready for their opponents this season. "We're going to face different kinds of opponents,” the former Anambra United spokesman said. “Everyone is desperate for the sole promotion ticket. We woud have to capitalise on our opponents’ weaknesses and try to limit their strengths. “Each game is a different test and a different challenge, but by the grace of God we will stage a return to the Premier League at the end of the season." The Osun State government financed-side is in Group B2

alongside Crown FC, Abia Comets, Remo Stars, Ikorodu United, Ekiti United, Go Round FC and Bussdor FC. Shamsudeen however debunked reports in sections of the media claiming that the players intend to boycott the league. He said: “It is true that we owe the players and it is not our tradition to owe, but it was due to the drop in the monthly federal allocation to the state that has really affected so many things." "The management has been working assiduously to ensure the players get their money and I can state categorically that the players will get their dues very soon." Prime will lock horns with Ekiti United in the Week 1 fixtures of the 2014/2015 NNL season at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Sports Complex.

No.

Team

PTS

Heartland

Giwa FC

Enyimba

Gabros Utd

Wikki

Sunshine

Abia Warriors

Kano Pillars

El-Kanemi

Kwara Utd

-2

Taraba FC

-1

Nasarawa

-2

Akwa Utd

-3

Warri Wolves

Rangers

Sharks FC

-1

Bayelsa Utd

-2

Lobi Stars

-2

Shooting

-2

Dolphins FC

-3

NNL: Players lament latest postponement

lubs and players competing in the Nigeria National League have lamented the latest postponement of the 2015 league season by the NNL body. The management board of the (NNL) on Thursday decided to extend by two weeks the kickoff date of the 2014/15 league season. NNL chairman, Emeka Inyama, said his board is ready to start the season on the scheduled date of May 2 but has to accede to the passionate pleads by some clubs to have the kickoff date shifted. Reacting to the postponement, some of

the players who spoke with our correspondent said, they are already losing form something which might come back to haunt them in the league. “This will be the third postponement and we are tired,” a player who craves anonymity said. “The players are not in top shape now and this might affect our impact when the season finally kick off.” Another player featuring for a club based in the northern parts of the country said the abridged league introduced by the NNL gives no room for any slip up.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Sport

We can dethrone Ethiopia, Kenya in long distance races – Olumudi Long distance races are rarities among Nigerian athletes. But Kogi Stateborn Aderonke Olumudi has been making waves in that area. In this interview with CHARLES OGUNDIYA, Olumudi talks about the importance of education, family, immediate and long-term ambitions among others. Excerpts…

I believe all things happen for a reason and for good if you're always positive minded

What informed your decision to become an athlete? Running is an inborn talent for me and it’s what I enjoy doing naturally. Even when I was young, I loved running around when the opportunity presented itself. It is just like following my God's given talent and taking it as my job, and since I started I have not look back.

pened in a different or better way. However I try not to regret anything that happens to me because I believe all things happen for a reason and for good if you're always positive minded.

Why long distance race? Seriously, I can’t specifically point to any reasons for taking to long distance races. What I can say is that I love what tests my endurance, and I had to go for an event that will test my level of endurance and strength. I can say my passion lies in long distance races.

What are greatest moments of your career? I will forever remember my first international meet. It was a big opportunity for me to run in China against Kenyans and Ethiopians in what was my first real international competition. I finished 10th in half marathon and first in 10km Race.

You sold all your properties to embark on your tour of the United States. Was that a good decision? The trust I have in myself gave me the confidence to take such a big risk. There is no gain without pain and the only way I could achieve my dream of making it big was to sponsor myself and that was what I did. I can tell you it was not an easy decision, but I had to take the risk and I am happy it paid off. I know I can make it if I put all my effort into it. Olumudi (right) with an unidentified athlete What was your family’s reaction to this seemingly erratic decision? They gave me full support because they understand that I am following my dream. Did they support your decision to become an athlete in the first place? They have been there for me, even when I felt like quitting it was my parents that kept me going and I will be forever grateful to them because without them, I don’t know if I will be where I am today. How difficult is it combining education with athletics? Education is very important in the life of an athlete, because while athletics sustains you at the moment, you will have to fall back on your education after retirement. I am grateful to God that I have been able to combine both so far. Although I have to say that it has not been easy as both have their peculiarities, but I have been coping.

Who is your role model? Tirunesh Dibaba, an Ethiopian long distance runner and the outdoors 5,000 metres world record holder. She is also the current World and Olympics 10,000 metres champion. You started the US tour winning a bronze medal before a silver medal and finally gold medal; how did you achieve such feats? When I got to the United States the cold was too much for me. But gradually I started acclimatising, and before my last event at the 10 kilometers women’s category of the third GE Irving Marathon race, I was already used to the weather and everything else flowed from there. What is your next target now? I am back in Nigeria to prepare for the Okpekpe 10km Road Race coming up in May. Hopefully I can win it to become first Nigerian athlete to do

so. After that, maybe I will be going to the United Kingdom for some meets. I already have an invitation for a competition in Wales in July. Are you saying you are ready for the Okpekpe Race? I am fully fit and in the right frame of mind for the race. I didn’t perform well during the first edition, but with what I have been able to achieve in the past one month in the US, I am ready to go. Have you got any support from the Athletic Federation of Nigeria or the National Sports Commission? I have not got any support from anybody, not the AFN nor the NSC; it has been a lonely journey for me since I started my career as an athlete. What is your biggest regret? I have lots of memories of situations, circumstances that I would have preferred didn’t happen or to have hap-

What is your advice for other young athletes like you? To get to the top, you have to be ready to sacrifice a lot. I will advise young athletes to be more disciplined, to be more focused with perseverance and to be prayerful. If they can do that, the sky will be the starting point. If the opportunity comes will you dump Nigeria for another country? I love my country and I will continue to represent it despite not having the right encouragement from people at the top. I cannot dump my country and I am looking forward to the day I will win an Olympics Games gold medal for Nigeria. What do you want from Nigeria and your state, Kogi in particular? My appeal to Nigeria and the Kogi State government is to give a little attention and assistance to long distance runners as well. If they can do that, I am sure we can compete favourably with the Kenyans and Ethiopians. With the right environment and opportunity, Nigeria can get to the top in long distance races. We have the talents, the potential and with just little push we can become the best on the continent.

light at the end of the tunnel, if they can beat Wolfsburg in the May 30 final. It could also provide outgoing coach Jurgen Klopp with the perfect swansong to his excellent stint in charge at the German giants, which has brought about two Bundesliga titles and a run

purs host Manchester City on Super Sunday with Champions League dreams long since dashed but they have stuck to the task admirably under Maurico Pochettino and should have nothing to fear from their lackluster visitors. The White Hart Lane club picked up an excellent point in the 2-2 draw at St Mary's last time out and will have been buoyed by Liverpool's subsequent defeat to Hull City on Tuesday night. A win for Spurs against the 2014 champions could well see them end the weekend in fifth spot and, with the Reds totally out of form, that should still be rated an achievement were they to remain there. Harry Kane, of course, has stolen the headlines in this part of North London this season but Spurs are not overly reliant on the England man for goals and it was Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli that found the net at Southampton. The same can be said for their upcoming opponents but Spurs have lost

eal Madrid's title bid comes to a crucial juncture on Saturday when they travel to fourthplaced Sevilla. The European champions sit second in the table, two points behind leaders Barcelona with four matches to play. Real have won six straight Liga fixtures since losing 2-1 to Barcelona, scoring 24 goals in the process. But they are relying on a slip-up from Barcelona if they are to win the league and a trip to Sevilla provides

Crucial Sevilla test for Real

Bartra

just once at home in the top flight since November, on their final outing versus Aston Villa. City themselves bounced back from five consecutive away defeats in all competitions with a brace of victories on home soil against West Ham and the FA Cup final underdogs but they were not convincing in either and can't ignore their soft underbelly on their travels. That run of losses dates back to the first day of March and remarkably City have won just once away from the Etihad in 2015. The 4-1 triumph at Stoke came as City were threatening to keep pace with Chelsea at the summit but they have fallen a long way behind the champions elect since and now have very little motivation to perform to their best until the end of term. Manager Manuel Pellegrini seemingly has little time left in the hot-seat either and Sunday's clear favourites in the Match Odds market might just fold under the Chilean in the capital.

Kick-off: 4pm

to the UEFA Champions League final in 2013. Bayern missed all four penalties in a shootout to end Tuesday's semi-final, leaving Dortmund elated, but CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has urged the team to move on quickly ahead of a crucial Bundesliga clash on Saturday. Kloop

London boils as Spurs, City clash S

orussia Dortmund head to Hoffenheim in a buoyant mood after edging rivals Bayern Munich to reach the DFB-Pokal final on Tuesday. Dortmund made a miserable start to the season and sat bottom of the table on more than one occasion, but the cup may provide

B eports emerged from Spain that Newcastle United were considering Paco Jemez as their next potential manager, according to Marca. The Spaniard has worked wonders at Rayo Vallecano in recent times and Newcastle United are in need of a new

Aurier

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Bayern 30 76 2 Wolfsburg 30 61 3 M’gladbach 30 57 4 Leverkusen 30 55 5 Schalke 30 42 6 Augsburg 30 42 7 Hoffenheim 30 40 8 Dortmund 30 39 9 Bremen 30 39 10 Mainz 05 30 37 11 Frankfurt 30 36 12 Köln 30 35 13 Hertha 30 34 14 Freiburg 30 30 15 Hannover 30 29

TABLES

Bundesliga

manager. Now, Jemez has opened up about a potential switch to the Premier League. The Rayo boss was speaking to Vavel when he stated: "Players, coaches and presidents come and go, what remains is the club and the fans."

Spanish coach opens to Newcastle move

Global Football Special

Dortmund hit the road in high spirits

www.newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH

Sunday. Jose Mourinho’s team will be crowned champions with three games to spare if they beat Palace but Julian Speroni insists the visitors will do everything they can to delay Chelsea’s celebrations. “You do not want someone lifting a trophy in your face and we are not going to sit back and wait to be beaten,” said the Palace No1. “We beat Manchester City at home and that shows that anything can happen. We have got to go there on Sunday with the same mentality to try and get something out of the game. “We know how tough it is going to be against Chelsea but that is why you are in the Premier League, to play in games like this.” Arsenal fans mocked Chelsea for being “boring” during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at the Emirates but Speroni believes they will be worthy champions. He added: “They have managed to get more points than anyone else so they deserve to be where they are.”

Palace to spoil Chelsea's party, says Speroni rystal Palace are determined to C spoil Chelsea’s Premier League title party at Stamford Bridge on

28 Sport SATURDAY N 2 MA

Lewis Hamilton needs to win a third world championship this year before he can be regarded as one of the greats of Formula One, according to Sir Stirling Moss. Moss, one of the greatest British drivers ever, if not the greatest, in sports cars as well as Formula One, believes it is too early to regard Hamilton alongside figures such as Jim Clark, the two-time champion who died in an accident in 1968.

Tiger Woods has revealed his "partial" summer schedule. Woods didn't qualify for this week's WGCCadillac Match Play at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. The event features the world's top-64 players and Woods' is now ranked 116th. Woods has played just three times this year; in his last start he finished a respectable 17th at the Masters, which he's won four times.

Tiger Woods

Oxlade-Chamberlin is out with a hamstring injury and Mikel Arteta is still lacking match fitness. A win for the Gunners will see them get closer to a top-three finish and thus avoid the qualifying round for next season’s Champions League, while victory for the Tigers will all but secure their top flight status for another year.

focus on the next game. "That's what the coach [Luis Enrique] preaches and it's the best thing we can do. We've been that way all season and it has brought us here - alive in all three competitions."

sea last weekend – will not be taking three points for granted now. In early team news, Hull are without Curtis Davies with a thigh injury, Nikica Jelavic with a knee problem and the suspended David Meyler. Manager Steve Bruce also has doubts over Andy Robertson (ankle) and Mohamed Diame (knee). As for Arsenal, Alex

Jessica Ennis-Hill says she is learning to cope with the expectations on her to be the athlete she was when winning gold in London 2012. The Olympic heptathlon champion, 29, has not competed since July 2013 after giving birth to her son. "Probably a lot of people are expecting me to step on the track and be exactly the same as I was in 2012," she says.

SPORT BRIEFLY

rsenal will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they take on Hull City on Monday, but the Tigers caused shockwaves when they defeated Liverpool 1-0 and will have their eyes on a lucrative and unexpected double. Hull’s win against the Reds lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone and Arsenal – who drew 0-0 with Chel-

Arsenal aim to bounce back at Hull

Lewis Hamilton

Lahm

Barcelona preparations. Robert Lewandowski (broken jaw and broken nose) and Arjen Robben (calf) suffered serious injuries against Dortmund and will miss out but further rotation is likely from Guardiola. Bayern's mindset was summed up with the postmatch comments of captain Philipp Lahm and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

competition - at home on Wednesday. But before that comes a Liga clash at Cordoba where defeat could deal a hammer blow to their title hopes. Table-toppers Barcelona lead arch-rivals Real Madrid by

Bundesliga Saturday Augsburg v Köln Schalke v Stuttgart Freiburg v Paderborn Bremen v Frankfurt Hoffenheim v Dortmund Wolfsburg v Hannover Levkn v Bayern Mainz v Hamburger Hertha v M’gladbach

14:30 14:30 14:30 14:30 14:30 14:30 17:30 14:30 16:30

continue their push for the Ligue 1 title as Lyon look to keep the pressure on. Hubert Fournier's Lyon will get a chance to go top - if only briefly - when they host Evian TG on Saturday. Lyon are three points adrift of leaders PSG with four matches remaining, needing a slip up from Laurent Blanc's men if they are to win the title. Evian TG are in the relegation fight, sitting a point adrift of safety ahead of their trip to the Stade de Gerland. If Lyon win, the pressure will be on PSG for their visit to 10th-placed Nantes on Sunday. Blanc's side has won five straight league matches, scoring 18 goals in that period. Aurier, who signed a permanent deal with PSG on Wednesday, is eager to see his team add to their Coupe de la Ligue and Trophee des Champions crowns this season. "We're on the right track and I'm sure that if we put everything into it, like we've done since the start of the season, even if we had some tough times, we never threw in the towel, we were heavily criticised, but today we're still here fighting for the treble, so if we can win the league and the cup it will be historic," he told the club's website.

Barca set to relegate Cordoba PSG arcelona defender Marc Bar- just two points with four matches B tra knows his team cannot remaining. And rock-bottom Cor- look to afford to take their eye off the doba have everything to play for ball ahead of Saturday's trip to also, knowing failure to win will maintain doomed Cordoba. see them relegated. The Catalan giants begin a masSo despite the distraction of the lead sive UEFA Champions League Bayern clash, Bartra has called for semi-final against Bayern Munich focus. efender Serge Au- the side who thrashed them 7-0 He told the club's official web- Drier wants to see at the same stage of the 2012-13 site: "The best thing for us is to Paris Saint-Germain

Jessica Ennis-Hill

ewly crowned Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich are sure to have one eye on their UEFA Champions League semi-final despite a tough trip to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's men - who won the league last week - will have to pick themselves up after a disappointing semi-final exit on penalties to rivals Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday's DFB Pokal semi-final. Bayern, who reached the last four after defeating Leverkusen in their own penalty shootout, missed all four spot-kicks they had against Dortmund. So despite Bayern's total dominance of German football this season, they may end up with 'just' one trophy if Barcelona bundle them out of Europe's premier club competition in a tie that begins at Camp Nou on Wednesday. For that reason alone, Bayern's trip to the BayArena is likely to take a backseat in their

Bayern shift attention to Barca N

a tricky task. Sevilla have won their last two home matches against Real, but defender Pepe insists his side are up for the challenge. "We have to keep working and fighting to win La Liga," Pepe told Real's official website. "That's the obligation that comes with wearing the Real Madrid jersey - working hard and showing determination. "Now we have an important game coming up on Saturday against Sevilla and we need to prepare for it well. "We are going to fight for the Liga James title right until the end."

La Liga

TEAM Chelsea Man City Arsenal Man Utd Liverpool Tottenham Souton Swansea Stoke Everton West Ham C'Palace West Brom Newcastle Hull Aston Villa Leicester Sunderland QPR Burnley

EPL

TEAM Juventus Lazio Roma Napoli Sampdoria Genoa Fiorentina Torino Inter Milan Milan Palermo Chievo Verona Udinese Sassuolo Empoli Atalanta Cagliari Cesena Parma P PTS 34 80 34 67 33 67 34 65 34 58 34 58 34 57 34 50 34 47 34 44 34 44 34 42 34 37 34 35 34 34 34 32 34 31 33 30 34 27 34 26

P PTS 33 76 33 62 33 61 32 56 33 51 33 50 33 49 33 48 33 48 33 43 33 42 33 40 33 40 33 38 33 36 32 35 33 32 33 24 33 24 33 16

SERIA A Saturday Sampdoria v Juventus Sassuolo v Palermo Sunday Roma v Genoa Atalanta v Lazio Fiorentina v Cesena Inter Milan v Chievo Verona v Udinese Napoli v Milan

La Liga Saturday

Sport

11:00 16:00 18:00 20:00

15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00

EPL Saturday Leicester v Newcastle 12:45pm Aston Villa v Everton 3pm Liverpool v QPR 3pm Sunderland v Souton 3pm Swansea v Stoke 3pm West Ham v Burnley 3pm Man Utd v West Brom 5:30pm Sunday Chelsea v Palace 1:30pm Tottenham v Man City 4pm

Turkish Super Lig. The Senegalese international missed training Thursday due to a hamstring problem which has hampered the 29-year-old in recent weeks. A decision regarding Ba’s fitness will be made close to kick-off. Ba has the highest number of league goals out of African players in Europe. The Sengalese international has hit the back of the net 16 times. The powerful striker is second highest goalscorer in the Süper Lig, Bursaspor forward Fernandao leads with 17 goals. Ba joined the Black Eagles on a €6 million move from Chelsea this summer and wears the number nine shirt for Beşiktaş.

Demba Ba doubtful for Trabzonspor emba Ba is an injury doubt for D this weekends clash with Trabzonspor in the 29th round of the

Speroni

17:00 Córdoba v Barcelona 19:45 Atletico v Bilbao Sevilla v Real Madrid 11:30 Deportivo v Villarreal Sunday 14:00 14:00 Espanyol v Vallecano 14:00 Getafe v Granada 14:00 Valencia v Eibar 19:45 Málaga v Elche

FIXTURES

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Barcelona 34 84 2 R'Madrid 34 82 3 Atl Madrid 34 75 4 Sevilla 34 69 5 Valencia 33 68 6 Villarreal 34 53 7 Málaga 34 47 8 Bilbao 34 47 9 Celta Vigo 34 45 10 Espanyol 33 42 11 Vallecano 33 41 12 Sociedad 34 40 13 Elche 34 37 14 Getafe 34 36 15 Levante 34 35 16 Eibar 34 31 17 Almería 34 31 18 Deportivo 34 29 19 Granada 33 25 20 Córdoba 34 20

NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 17 18 19 20

NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Serie A

16 Hamburger 30 28 17 Paderborn 30 28 18 Stuttgart 30 27

NEW TELEGRAPH AY 2015

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

For Mayweather

2 MAY 2015

it’s time to match words with action

Vincent Eboigbe

t took five years or better still it is coming five years late, but the much-anticipated Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao bout is finally set to come off. Mayweather couldn’t run forever: promoters, fans and the media saw to that. They wanted the fight so much that it had to happen at some point and they are ready to take it even though there are those who argue that the glamour and general appeal would have been more if the fight had taken place when both fighters were in their peak. It seemed Mayweather placed stumbling blocks on the path of the bout at various points, the most celebrated and controversial being his insistence on a blood test just before the fight Boxing great Oscar De La Hoya should know. The “Golden Boy” who lost to both Mayweather and Pacquiao in his sterling career, believes that the American didn’t really want the fight, arguing that that may be decisive on fight night. “He had no other choice but to face Pacquiao. He was cornered, and had to agree, but he didn't want this fight, and he still doesn't. That might be the difference,” De La Hoya said. Mayweather also courted controversy when he said that he was better than Muhammad Ali, because the latter fought in only one category. This is a strange argument. If boxing is the loneliest of all sports, then the heavyweight division is the loneliest of them all. As a welterweight, Mayweather could navigate within the weight divisions near his natural category and win titles in five different weight divisions, but where would a heavyweight move to for instance except downwards? And the consequences of a natural 215 -220 pounder tangling with a 150-160 pounder can be better imagined. Mayweather was also scornful of Ali’s “rope a dope” strategy in the epic

Pacquiao

Mayweather

“Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman. His argument goes something like this: "how could a fighter allow another to pound him in such devastating manner in the hope that the fighter would exhaust himself." Coming from a defensive pugilist himself, this is almost inexcusable. The rope-a-dope was a masterful strategy deployed by a master to stop a monster. Could Ali have stood toe to toe with Foreman and survived 15 rounds? The answer is not blowing in the wind like Bob Dylan would say. Truth is Ali would have been blown away and he knew it; so he perfected that tactic on fight night on October 30, 1974. Ali said he adopted that style because he had to move six steps to Foreman’s two and would not be able to sustain that over 45 long minutes. So it was the perfect tactic to wear down the champion who had never been taken to the distance before. Rather than make these claims, Mayweather could actually look within his weight category to make comparisons. Even at that he is not likely to come out covered in garlands. Could Mayweather have stood in the same ring with Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns or the great Argentine former middleweight champion of the world, Carlos Monzon? If Mayweather stops Pacquiao tonight he would further cement his place among the greats, but he would do well not to overreach. Had the fight taken place in 2010, as should have been the case, its place in the pantheon of boxing folklore would have been more guaranteed. As it is now, it is really more about the money and Mayweather himself corroborated that view when he said: “Everything I do is calculated. Even keeping the world waiting for this fight, which would have been worth about $60m if we’d done it five years ago.” Howbeit, boxing buffs and fans are ready to take the fight with its defects in an era where great fights are a rarity.

Who wins the Big Fight, Mayweather or Pacquiao?

TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 3, 3AM (NIGERIAN TIME)

Boxing greats, current fighters, and a boxing-loving US senator, make their predictions.

Tyson

Foreman

Hatton

Mike Tyson (Pacquiao) "Floyd doesn't throw anywhere near 100 punches a round. He is more of a scientific fighter, he really plots a lot, he poses whereas Pacquiao is feinting and moving around. That's just my opinion, Pacquiao has perpetual motion, he's all over the god damn place." George Foreman (Pacquiao) "If we’ve got good judges this time, it's go Pacquiao. Mayweather starts off early kind of looking for his timing and ... Pacquiao will pot shot him and get ahead on points and he’ll stay ahead. He’ll slow down later on and Mayweather will take on the more aggression but he doesn’t have a right hand. He’ll hurt his right hand. He can't get a knockout. So he’ll just have to cruise on in and win or lose the fight just by a couple of points."

Oscar De La Hoya (Pacquiao) "If he can start well in the first two rounds, then the fight can go in his direction."

Amir Khan (Mayweather) "Mayweather will be smart and keep moving, so I think he will get a good unanimous win."

Ricky Hatton (Mayweather) "Manny has been in some real wars and that gives Floyd the slight advantage."

Shane Mosley (Mayweather) "I think Mayweather’s going to outpoint Pacquiao by moving, evading punches, and being able to do combinations and stuff like that."

Nigel Benn (Mayweather) "This fight is going to make Mayweather who he is. I believe that he has not got the recognition." Kell Brook (Mayweather) "I'm leaning towards Floyd Mayweather. He's never lost before, he knows how to win and it's in Vegas. I think Mayweather is going to control the pace and I think he's too clever for Manny Pacquiao."

Miguel Cotto (Pacquiao) "I'm rooting for Manny Pacquiao. I think the quickness of Manny is going to have a big impact on Floyd's performance." John McCain (Pacquiao) “If history is any judge, it’s very rare that a fight of this nature lives up to the hype. But we hope so! I like Pacquiao as a boxer and admire his modesty, strong religious faith and service in the Filipino legislature.”

Oscar De La Hoya

Benn

McCain

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

All the world's a ‘skate'

Michael Ayilara

kating is a delight to watch and although it is not a recognised sport in Nigeria many young people embrace it and even go as far organising tournaments in their various localities. According to the majority of skaters in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State they took to the pastime because of the pleasure they derive from it, but an unintended outcome of the hobby is the health benefits even though many of the skaters are not aware of this. One of the skaters in the area who is known as Osi Ikemefuna said he just loves skating and that for him is the driving force not necessarily the other benefits. “I started skating when I saw a friend doing it, I fell in love with the sport and I started to learn. In time I became proficient, but as for the health benefits, I must confess I do not really know, I only view it as a normal way of exercising, that’s all I think,” Osi said. Abeeb Aribidesi, another young skater, is one of the very best in his area and many people have learnt skating under his guidance. He recalls when he started and what he enjoys about it. “I have been involved in skating for five years now, I got to learn about it when I was in school (Kwara Polytechnic). I saw people do it and felt like giving it a trial. Gradually I fell in love with it. Many people feel it is easy but it is not, I had countless bruises then and even broke a leg at a time but now I think am perfect and I can skate with my eyes closed,” he said. Howbeit, many people see skaters as unserious and jobless set of people as they often hang on buses and distribute fliers sometimes, a reckless activity which makes people wonder if they are paid. “There is no doubt that people see us as jobless, some even say it to my face. They believe it is a waste of time. But nothing can make me stop skating because I enjoy it. Concerning the distribution of fliers we get paid for it some times, although it is a

token and at other times we do it for free, but aside from skating, I have other things I do to make money,” Abeeb said. How easy is it to learn skating, giving the clearly intricate and delicate balance that is displayed by the practitioners? Are there competitions for the skaters to strut their stuff to a large audience? Another young man, Chinedu Osita provides some insight. “Skating is very interesting, tricky and technical. It is not easy to learn it and it is not difficult either. It depends on enthusiasm and determination of the person involved. For me, it should not take more than two or three months to learn as it takes everyday to pick up new things,” Chinedu noted. “There are really no organised tournaments, we just engage ourselves in competitions every once in a while. It’s not a do or die affair, we just do it for bragging rights and we enjoy what we do.” Peter Joseph, a well-known skater in the Oko-afo area, along Badagry Road said he began skating while he was still in secondary school and he has not regretted it. He said: “Skating is a sport I like a lot, I can remember back in secondary school I used to watch a lot. What I did basically was dancing, that’s where I got money." On the issues of the health benefits and competitions, Peter said: “I think it’s part of exercise, it relieves and reduces stress. It kills boredom also, because sometimes when I am bored at home or sad I jump into my boot and skate with friends; at least whenever I am skating I have no worries, I don’t think about anything, I am just happy. “And as for skating competitions, there are a lot of them in my neighbourhood which I engage in, it’s very challenging and it’s also interesting, because everyone wants to be the best. And you just have to be fully prepared because you would not want to be the butt of jokes at the end of the day. There was a competition I took part in last December, it was very tough but I ended up winning the second position. That has been my only award as a skater. I was very happy and up till now I am still respected in my area.''

Skaters on a street in Lagos

Sport

PHOTO: kennyrhoda.blogspot.com

NEWS

Entries open for Ford Ranger Odyssey Challenge

Okpekpe Race: Okaeben named events director Charles Ogundiya

ormer Edo State Sports Commissioner, Chris Okaeben has been named the events director of the third edition of the IAAF certified Okpekpe Road Race. In a similar vein, Stella Nwala will serve as the secretary to the Secretariat. Okaeben who was recently elected into the Edo State House of Assembly would also coordinate all the activities of the race in the state as well as interface between the state government and the organisers of the race. Speaking with our correspondent, the direc-

tor of organisation, Zack Amodu, stated that the organising committee intends to take the third edition to a higher level. Meanwhile, the organisers have also decided to move the secretariat of the race from Benin to Auchi after a press conference on May 12. Amodu, however, advised all the coordinators of various departments of the race to intensify efforts to ensure that Edo State delivers a world class event. Athletes who have not registered for the race have also been advised to pick free entry forms at various designated centres in Benin, Auchi and Okpekpe from May 5.

AFN president, Solomon Ogba

he Ford Motor Company, in association with its accredited dealer in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, has today announced call for entries into the 2015 edition of its action-packed Ranger Odyssey Africa Challenge, themed “Brain Vs Brawn”. The third edition of the annual Ranger Odyssey will see a total of 20 contestants navigating through the extremely challenging northwestern region of Namibia on a 12day expedition that will push each person to the limit. The adventure starts off at Spitzkoppe and travels through Palmwag, Khuwarib and the barren and unforgiving Desolation Trail that follows the Huab River to Desolation Valley. “The Ranger Odyssey is a unique event that gives dynamic individuals with a spirit for adventure the chance to see some of the most spectacular parts of Africa,” says

Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. While the life-changing experience is an exceptional prize in itself, there’s also the allure of the grand prize which includes the use of an Odyssey-spec Ranger for a year, along with R5 000 or its naira equivalent (in case a Nigerian emerges winner) worth of fuel per month. Speaking on the 2015 edition, General Manager Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Abiona Babarinde said Ford was offering Nigerians with an adventurous spirit, the opportunity to experience the adventure of a lifetime through the Ranger Odyssey. “The Ranger is built for the tough, and through this competition, Ford aims to bring together a group of people across the continent who have adventurous spirits to experience the best Africa has to offer.”

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Lifestyle

We learn something from everyone who passes through our lives.. Some lessons are painful, some are painless.. but, all are priceless.

Pennant’s wife poses for selfie

- Unknown

ermaine Pennant’s wife continues to indulge in posting revealing images on her Instagram account. Alice Goodwin has a legion of followers on Instagram, numbering over 160,000, and she duly posts a host of images where she is wearing little or no clothing.

Alice

Haye accused of fraud in Dubai

Yobo and wife, Adaeze

Yobo silent on mother-in-law divorce drama

x-Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has been in the news all week as his motherin-law's divorce drama has come to light. Abigail Igwe who is the mother of Yobo's wife has been accused by his husband of four years, John Fashanu, of trying to kill him after she claimed to see him having a threesome. Yobo has been referenced in the news of the divorce drama but the former Nigerian international has been silent since then. Yobo's wife who is the daughter of Abigail on Sunday, April 26, posted a photo of herself and her mum along with her kids. "With my mama and the J's ," she wrote alongside the photo.

avid Haye was arrested at Dubai airport and held in a police cell over a £341,000 bounced cheque, it has been reported. Former two-weight world champion Haye, 34, was stopped by officials on his arrival at Dubai International Airport and accused of fraud by writing a cheque as payment for a new property which bounced. The boxer, who has not fought since he defeated Dereck Chisora in July 2012, also handed over his passport to authorities, and has been unable to leave the United Arab Emirates - forcing him to miss a mixed martial arts event in Birmingham at the weekend. Former heavyweight boxing champion David Haye was stopped at Dubai International Airport and questioned over allegations that he wrote a £341,000 cheque which bounced. The cheque, worth 1.8 million Emirati Dirham, was intended as a final payment on a newly-built property, as part of a deal with developers Emaar, which is part-owned by the Dubai government. Haye

Fellaini brothers confuse Mourinho

arouane Fellaini did not have the best of days at Goodison Park on Sunday, but that did not stop the Manchester United midfielder sharing a glass of bubbly with his twin brother Mansour on Tuesday. The brothers were recently the subject of a mixup involving Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho prior to the Blues' crunch clash with Man United at Stamford Bridge on April 18. Following his side's 1-0 victory over Louis van Gaal's side, Mourinho revealed he prepared his Chelsea players to deal with the threat of Fellaini all week – only to be told by a hotel doorman that the Belgian was not playing.

Fellaini was substituted at half-time against the Toffees as Louis van Gaal's side struggled at Goodison Park Mourinho planned for Kurt Zouma to man-mark Fellaini - with teenager Ruben Loftus-Cheek playing the 6ft 4in midfielder in training. But he feared his tactical master plan was set to be for nothing when he was told that the United powerhouse was not playing by the doorman at the club's hotel. Mourinho, relaying his conversation with the doorman, said: 'Fellaini doesn't play because he was here to get tickets for the game from Eden Hazard. He was dressed in jeans, this and that'.

TV presenter strips whilst reporting on Ronaldo

Venezuelan TV presenter has been snapped in a bizarre report on Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, taking off all her clothes during a story about the footballer ’s possible relationship with a Playboy model. Yuvi Pallares was speculating on the rumours that Ronaldo could be involved with Daniella Chavez, who herself has supposedly stated that she would love the chance to get with him, and ended up completely naked during the report. This clearly must have been planned to some extent as editors blurred out the crucial areas, though it certainly still makes for an interesting and amusing Pallares picture!

Stories courtesy Dailymail

Fellaini twin brothers, Mansour and Marouane

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Investigations

the responsibility of an adult’

Everywhere in the country, the pitiable state of children in Nigeria is evident

She was “imported” sometimes in February this year through a middle-man to Madam Kemi Balogun, a restaurant owner at Olusosun, Ojota. Her salary of N6, 000 per month is paid directly to her parents back home. She had never seen the four walls of a formal school and may never see one as she seems to have accepted her fate of carrying the burden of her entire family. Coming from an underprivileged background, she is also used as domestic servant and as street trader. Harrowing as Biliki’s tale is, she is lucky. Many of her type have been forced into early marriage, prostitution and drug trafficking. Through an interpreter, she said, “I do this because my parents are poor. If I don’t do this job, my other brothers and sister may not be able to go to school. My salary may be small but it goes a long way to put food on the table of my family back home. And since my madam is nice to me, I will do it for as long as it lasts,” Biliki said with an innocent smile. For Segun Adeniyi, 16, bus conductor and family breadwinner, life in the streets has become normal for him. He works with a middle-aged man, who identified himself simply as Alhaji Wasiu. He plies the OjotaYaba route. Adeniyi has been with him for the past two years. For him, going back to school is simply unnecessary. “What is the use of school when I am already making money?” he asked. Faced with poverty and lack of parental care, the kids readily take to menial jobs in

most Nigerian cities in order to make a living and cater for their younger ones. Street hawking has turned a lot of them into hopeless youths with a bleak future. It is not uncommon to see children walking the streets looking desperate, wretched and hungerstricken while hawking. Some of them grow up to become touts, thugs, drug addicts or armed robbers. For many of them, activities at school and even at home have become a serious problem as the demand of everyday life does not seem to permit it. Everywhere in the country, the pitiable state of children in Nigeria is evident. Dr Kemi Akintayo of the Department of Psychology, University of Lagos said the major causes of child labour are widespread poverty, rapid urbanisation and divorce; breakdown in extended family affiliations, high school dropout rates and lack of enforcement of legal instruments meant to protect children. "Traditionally, children are to be taken

Clockwise from top (middle): Different faces of a malaise

care of by their parents but the situation has gone so bad that today children are forced to work for their own and their family’s survival. Why should a couple give birth to a number of children they can't cope with? This is a country where you find a couple who can’t boast of three square meals given birth to six children. What about other needs, what about the social and psychological needs of the children? These are things most people fail to put into consideration. It so bad that before you move from one place to the other, you will see a girl or boy of 12 and 13 years hawking or begging," he said. The university don also blamed the government for not taking proper action and regulation of child labour, which he said is rampart in the country. “When you can't cater for them, don't bring to the world to suffer,” he said. The psychologist added that the future of the nation looks bleak with the growing numbers of the children, who he said may be faced with problem of skill mismatch for early exposure to hazardous and harrowing experience of money-making ventures. According to the US Department of Labour 2010 reports, Nigeria is witnessing the worst forms of child labour, particularly in agriculture and domestic service. In rural areas, most children work in agriculture of products such as cassava, cocoa and tobacco. These children typically work long hours and for little pay, with their families. The report claims some children are exposed to pesticides and chemical fertilizers in cocoa and tobacco fields because of archaic farming practices or because they are deployed as forced labour without protective gear. In Lagos State for instance, in spite of several laws put in place to check the menace of children of school age engaging on street trading and begging, the pupils found on the street keep increasing. The trend is so alarming in Lagos that it was even taking a new dimension in the crime rate as more cases of under aged boys and girls engaging in social vices were recorded lately. Also, the chairman of the Lagos State Task force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Bayo Sulaiman, said that the agency is bewildered by the increasing rate of the ‘infant’ criminals. According to him, out of the over 1,000 hoodlums arrested between

January and June, 2013, over 200 of them are children of ages between ages 12-17. “These are new set of hoodlums; they are different from over 80 of them we arrested before. We constantly make arrangement with ministry of youth and sports to take them to correctional homes, where sometime contact is made with their relatives,” the taskforce boss said while reeling out statistic of under aged miscreants found in Oshodi. The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development also confirmed that it attended to 397 juvenile cases from June 2014 to March 215. It added that no fewer than 388 cases of such children were taken to correctional homes within the period. Though, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and many other NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) in the country have been pushing to ensure that the rights of the Nigerian child is protected, not much has been achieved in that regard. Just like their counterparts in other parts of Africa, the Nigerian child has so far remained entangled in vicious circle and tramped upon by ignorance, lack of shelter, hunger, disease and malnutrition. These are happening despite the various local and international laws and conventions aimed at protecting the rights of children in the world. In Nigeria, laws have recognised the welfare of the child since 1943, when the Children and Young Person’s Ordinance was first enacted. In the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, the rights of the child were also clearly stated. But, not much was achieved with these laws. To Dr. Oluwayemi Ogun, Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, “the solution to this problem should not be left in the hands of the government alone. There are a lot of fundamental problems in the country. “The poverty level in the nation is appalling. It is a multi-facetted issue. It is not just enough to legislate, for instance, ‘no child hawking in the streets’ or having the Child Rights Act. Lagos State has passed its own law and some other states too; that is a good development. But, the solution is not just making it a criminal offence. “We need to think of a better alternative for the child of the poor parent. When the law enforcement agency see these children on the streets and forcefully take them away until their parents come to pay a fine, where do they take these children to? The child that you are taking away does not really know that this is a criminal offence,” she said.

SATURDAY

The Arts SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015

Uwadinma: Painting in search of truth

Reflection with

Tim Akinleye 08098668480

timwriteswell@gmail.com

A Day in His Presence The day of the Lord it was, In transit in joyous hope Eager to hear His words. Led by the Spirit I to elope, DCC, Lagos I headed By the old was I to the new guided. Quietly, ushered us into a waiting bus A smooth and a comfy ride; Into a chair I sank without a fuss Conditioned air smiling its way to me Gently massaging my sweaty body. My eyelids kiss without a burden.

Same Old News

Johnpaul Nnamdi decent existence of morality and truth, and a sense of history shape the viability of society. This philosophy forms the crux of Johnson Uwadinma’s artistry. From one body of work to another, the Port Harcourt based artist seeks to re-echo the weight of virtue over vices. His works also instigate credence to the problem of memory and the prevarication of truth as the profound problem of humanity. He gets in touch with the depth of Mohandas k. Gandhi’s maxim: “Morality is the basis of things… Truth is the substance of all morality” by creating art pieces which are a reflection of ideals based on morality and truth. Uwadinma has featured in several group exhibitions, but has held two solo exhibitions that are classified by their themes. In November, 2013 he worked on the theme, Aphorism which basically illustrates and gives visual representation to statements of truth some of which “assume political dimension while others reflect on social, economic, religious, proverbial and spiritual didacticism”. The exhibition held at Mydrim Gallery, Lagos, with 80 pieces of art in the corpus. His second solo exhibition at the Boys Quarters Project Space in 2014/2015 was titled “Erasure”. This body of work dealt on memory and our problem with keeping knowledge of history. Some of the clichéd dictums that become the titles of paintings in Aphorism are truthful sayings that are common or can easily be traced to quotations of writers or from the bible. Uwadinma analyses

Which War

that there is a need to re-echo the relevance of truth which is gradually giving way to vices that are threats to humanity, and argues that giving them a visual image will sell and interpret the message. “Aphorism” has, for instance, works entitled: Crossroads are Opportunity, Silence is Consent, Life is a Skill of Balance, To err is Human, the World is a Village, Wisdom is better than Silver and Gold, etc. these are very familiar truisms Uwadinma transposed by titling his paintings. The central motif of Aphorism is a reflection of an ideal based on truth and morality. It significantly features an exhilarating tessellation of acrylics, oil and water colours to fashion metaphors, symbols and signs on canvas. In Erasure, Uwadinma’s concern was about memory, the role it plays in human narration and other arch-perspective. He looked at the setback of not paying critical attention to knowledge, especially that of experience or history. He argues that “we have not learnt from history and we keep repeating the same avoidable mistakes”. This he relates to the prevailing mores from his social standing. Uwadinma’s obsession with memory pushes him to also work with newspapers which in his view are not bringing forth new revelation; rather they linger along clichés and over worn description. He warns that neglecting history and feigning knowledge of past events is tantamount to erasing truth. His desire, through Erasure provides a premise of emphasizing that the ability of society to learn from history and be true to its own morals creates space for encouraging advancement.

citizens are blame worthy for choosing the kind of leaders they have.

Uwadinma

The ability of society to learn from history and be true to its own morals creates space for encouraging advancement Same Old News There is reasoning for guiltiness in the work entitled “Same Old News”; a figurative reader in a habitual seated posture, face buried in what we understand to be a journal. Uwadinma explains: “in Nigeria context, when you compare the stories that make the headlines in today’s tabloids with that of years back, you find out that they are reoccurrence of the political affair: corruption, stagnant power, and other vices. And we have not gotten off that situation.” He believes

Which War In the work “Which War”, Uwadinma relates the fallout of war as we have them, “whether it’s the one taking place in Gaza or the one which took place in Nigeria during the civil war; the outcome is usually the same.” He brings to mind that after the destructions and cruelty; we all become casualties and yet pay negligence to the real bite of war. Inspired by environment and concern for the interest of humanity, Uwadinma also give preference to works of distinction and perfection. Perhaps one of Africa’s illustrious contemporary artists, sculptor who lives and works from Enugu, El Anatsui makes the list as one of Uwadinma’s gurus. El Anatsui, despite having a different artistic genre, has shaped Uwadinma’s view when it comes to “drive for excellence”. His work engages us on a sphere of didactic issues, putting us on a scale of principles to weigh the influence of our actions, and his themes and metaphors come with caveats that are perilous to disregard. Uwadinma was born in Kaduna in 1982 and received a Masters in painting from the University of Port Harcourt in 2013. He is a recipient of a number of awards including the First Prize, NNPC/EPNL World Environment Day Art Competition, Chief Jubilee Owei Art Prize for Excellence. He has held two solo exhibitions and has featured in several group exhibitions. He belongs to Society of Nigerian Artists and is a member of Mangrove Artists.

From every direction, Blaring praises of Christ, Harmonious dialogue commanding attention, Drums, string instruments, sax and pipes Sending elated worshippers into pulsating tempo And superlative celestial crescendo. Inside the Sanctuary, A befitting place of worship, Becoming of the Lord of Glory Where unto God people are called, His sheep Offer praises and thanks to their Maker; Without let on the beautiful altar. The welcome - truly homely! Perks Altar recognition, warm brotherly greetings, Disarming smiles, loaded packs All for us, first-timers - greening. And when the Word came to heal, Everyone had his fill. Imperial blessedness, Divine altar call, Met with massive harvest of souls. Virtue of sound family foundation, all The Lord took us back home First and perfect stage for Role modeling paradigm shift. Family. Foundation for the nation Founded on wisdom Praying together. Staying together Raising virtuous children Spirit-filled leaders of morrow. Choir ministration was classy, Exquisite music: powerful vocals Sweet melody, flawless harmony The majesty of God and wonders Gliding upon every note and chord. Songs of praise, sung in one accord. And down came the glory of God; Bringing heaven closer to our hearts Revealing the beauty of our God. What a discovery! What a leading! A leading to an Eden! Original place of fellowship. Place of glory, place of praise. Where to worship God without let. Become a role model Becoming the best I can be. All Rights Reserved. © Copyright Timothy May 2015

SATURDAY

Dear Love Doctor, 'My husband abuses me!'

p.37

Life Experience

'I terminated a planned pregnancy'

p.36

L ve&Lv ng SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My husband's bed was not for me' Confession

During the preparations for our wedding, Lawrence became tense and stressed. He began to drink more beer as the time for our wedding neared

In this story, a man suddenly stops having sexual intercourse with his wife, and this leads the poor woman to discover strange things about her partner.

As narrated to Michael Uchebuaku

'm straight, attractive and never thought it would happen to me. My new husband was gay. I should have known by his first kiss. After six years of living as a single woman, I finally felt I was healed of my last heartbreak and ready to date again. I carefully went through the best dating sites, finally landing on one that seemed classy and befitting of my working class status. After looking through several photos, I decided to leave the selection to chance, allowing the men to come to me. I weeded out the ones that seemed too weird after a few emails and found a nice man named Lawrence. His photo told me he was hiding something. His face was hidden by his hat and the photo was taken way too far away. Lawrence lived in the North, hours away from where I was. I was concerned that we would not get to see each other enough if we hit it off. He assured me that distance would not be an issue. He would rather see me in person than talk on the phone. I was flattered that he drove down to see me. He seemed mesmerized by me. I liked him, he seemed polite and respectful. We arranged for a second meeting. My daughter met him briefly after our second date and instantly disliked him. But he had a good job and before long was talking about moving to Lagos so we could spend more time together. I felt it was way too early. I felt rushed. I told him I was not ready to have sex. He was a gentleman and said he would wait until I was ready. When we made out he told me he felt so close to me already, it felt like being home. I knew he had become vulnerable with me. His words seemed sincere. It just seemed too soon. He had been married for 25 years to the same woman who had cheated on him. He told me she had numerous affairs. He talked about catching her in bed with a guy. I felt for him. But I knew that a woman does not have an affair without a reason. He explained it away by saying she drank. Alcholism and affairs often accompany one

another. It all made perfect sense. I began to allow myself to be vulnerable also. I became totally invested in a relationship for the first time in my life. I was very attracted to him and he was to me. I felt like the first time in my life I had a partner that had my back. He was not afraid of my ex and he loved me. Three months later after being swept off my feet he asked me to marry him. It felt too soon, so I postponed a decision till we visited my big aunt. He and my big aunt instantly liked each other and my aunt told me not to let this one get away. I knew it was fast, but it felt so right. So I told him I was ready to marry him. During the preparations for our wedding, Lawrence became tense and stressed. He began to drink more beer as the time for our wedding neared.

His best friend asked him, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Our wedding was lovely. My mother even loved Lawrence. She remarked she had never seen such a perfectly matched pair. We had a really beautiful and intimate wedding. We did not take a honeymoon because we could not afford one. Immediately after our wedding everything changed. Lawrence became aloof. He started spending less and less time at home with me. Whenever I brought up any relationship issues he got angry immediately. I knew this was a passive aggressive way to avoid dealing with problems. Six months after our wedding, something happened that changed the course of our marriage. Lawrence stopped having sex with me. He said it was because my daughter's room was so close to ours.

I was crushed. I began to put on weight because of his rejection of me. I blamed myself. I felt in my gut something was not right. Later, he said he was going to travel the following week. He would not hug or make love to me before he left. When he returned he felt limp, not even putting his arms around me in bed anymore. I knew he had had an affair. Our relationship went from bad to worse. He denied having an affair outside, but continued to avoid me, going to bed alone every night. I was devastated. He wanted nothing to do with romance or intimacy. No amount of broaching the subject would get him to budge. He simply refused to talk about it. By May I demanded that something change. Although he would not make a decision, he continued to refuse sex unless it was me giving oral sex to him. With that he would never open his eyes and look at me. I began to put it all together. The trips, the weekends, the movement with the guys I had seen with him before and after our wedding and throughout our marriage. His wife's affairs. He was attempting to desperately cling to a heterosexual lifestyle for the image only. He was gay. He had not come out yet and did not want to. My anger surfaced one day while we were having supper. I cried and told him that I knew he was gay. Lawrence's father and uncle later confessed to me that it was true that my husband was gay. I needed no further evidence and we divorced after being married for only 14 months. There was nothing left after my husband made his own personal confession. The rejection and betrayal I felt was profound. I could not compete in my husband's bed with another man. It was clear that my husband's bed was not for me. It took me months of crying to overcome my sadness.

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

African husband, 45, threatens hunger strike over 88-year-old British wife Love News

n African husband who took his elderly British wife to a care home for respite while he went to Gambia is threatening to go on hunger strike after she was not allowed to return to him. Ousman Jatta, 45, married wife Beryl, 88, in Gambia 13 years ago and moved back to the UK with her when she became ill with dementia in 2006. Mr Jatta, who is his wife's carer, had taken her to a care home in February while he returned to Africa for three weeks. But when he went to pick her up he was told social services had intervened and ruled she could not go home with him. Mr Jatta had threatened to go on hunger strike unless Bristol City Council hand over his wife, who he says has pleaded to return home to her husband. 'They have used their power against me to keep my wife in a nursing home against her and my wishes,' said the supermarket security worker. 'I care for her better than anyone and I feel very sad. 'Every time I go to the Gambia I contact social services for respite, but they never told me they were going to keep my wife.

'To me Beryl is not old, she is a human being and no matter if she is old or young she is my wife. 'I would never neglect Beryl. I love Beryl. I'm feeling bad to see her in a nurs-

ing home whilst I am ready to look after my own wife. 'As soon as I came to this country I'm looking after her and nothing has happened to her. 'I don't say that the nursing home is bad but to me the belief I have is that you take a person to a home if that person has no-one to look after her but as far as Beryl is concerned, I am ready to look after her until God finalises.' Retired shop worker Mrs Jatta moved to the Gambia more than 17 years ago and met Mr Jatta when he helped translate for her in a local shop. The pair became firm friends and dated for four years before they got married in 2002. But they were forced to come back to the UK when Mrs Jatta fell ill and doctors advised the mother-of-two that she would get better treatment at her home in Bristol. Mr Jatta became her primary carer along with local authority carers who visit during the day while he is at work. He booked her in for respite care at Avon Lodge Care Centre in Bristol while he went on a break to the Gambia on February 5, telling her he would be back in three weeks. Courtesy: Daily Mail.

'I terminated a planned pregnancy' I "Butâ&#x20AC;Ś" The room started spinning as she told me the news. The baby had a serious chromosomal issue. On top of that, my doctor didn't know much about the condition, had never seen it in her practice before, and told me I would have to speak with a geneticist for more information. "Aren't you an OB/GYN? Why am I here if you know nothing?" I finished the rest of the appointment in silence. The doctor checked the heartbeat. "He sounds perfect," she said. I looked at her blankly. When the appointment was over, I ran across the street to my maternal fetal medicine practice. "We can talk to you once your

husband is here," they said. "Please call him." I called my husband and he headed home from the city. As I waited for him, I spent the next two hours googling this chromosomal abnormality on my phone and wondering "What did we do? How did this happen? Was there something we could have done?" When my husband arrived, we met with the geneticist. She told us that the blood test I had taken had indicated that the chances were 99 percent that our child was affected by this condition and that we needed an amniocenteses to confirm. She then described in detail the obstacles that we, our son and, potentially, our daughter could face with the arrival of this baby. She explained that it was totally random and there was nothing we could have done and no way to cure it. I scheduled the amnio for the next day. In the morning, we went back to maternal fetal medicine. I didn't even feel the needle in my stomach and couldn't look at the sonogram screen. On Friday the preliminary results were confirmed. Over the next few days, we spoke to expert after expert and it became clear that we would have no choice. Arrangements needed to be made. "You could go to Englewood," said the geneticist. "There might be protestors there, but medical abortions are given special treatment." That didn't seem like an option since I was convinced I'd end up arrested if I encountered a protestor. Ultimately, we decided on Mt. Sinai hospital. The procedure would be done the following week -- I wanted this over. Nov. 19 was a cold, windy and continued on page 38

Eminem

"Love The Way You Lie" (feat. Rihanna)

Intro - Rihanna:] Just gonna stand there and watch me burn But that's alright because I like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there and hear me cry But that's alright because I love the way you lie I love the way you lie [Verse - Eminem:] I can't tell you what it really is I can only tell you what it feels like And right now there's a steel knife in my windpipe I can't breathe but I still fight while I can fight As long as the wrong feels right it's like I'm in flight High off her love, drunk from her hate, It's like I'm huffing paint and I love her the more I suffer, I suffocate And right before I'm about to drown, she resuscitates me She fucking hates me and I love it. "Wait! Where you going?" "I'm leaving you!" "No you ain't. Come back." We're running right back. Here we go again It's so insane cause when it's going good, it's going great I'm Superman with the wind at his back, she's Lois Lane But when it's bad it's awful, I feel so ashamed I snapped Who's that dude? "I don't even know his name." I laid hands on her, I'll never stoop so low again I guess I don't know my own strength

Love Poem

Life Experience

always wanted to be a mom. But after my (now five-year-old) daughter was born, I began to realize all that was involved. The sleepless nights and never-ending crying were the least of it. As someone with severe OCD (and not the hand washing kind you see on TV), I began to have endless anxiety over every move my daughter made. Every rash was meningitis, every cough was pneumonia and, later on, every repetitive movement was a tic. My husband and I always said we'd have two and he really wanted a boy. I believe it had something to do with the fact that his own father had died shortly before he was born. As time went on,I kept putting it off. The truth was, I didn't think I could handle another one. I only had so much worry to go around. I finally relented and became pregnant with number two in the summer of 2014. I had mixed feelings, of course. Because of this, I kept the news pretty quiet -- I've never been one to post my every waking thought on Facebook anyway. As the pregnancy progressed, things seemed quite normal. Like last time, I was miserable, sick, tired and moody, but that's to be expected I guess. At 36 years old (and now considered high-risk), the amount of testing that needed to be done had increased tremendously. Still, you never expect anything to be wrong. On Nov. 11 I went into my regularly scheduled 15-week checkup unusually calm. The test for Trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) had come back negative and, as far as I was concerned, at age 36, that was my biggest hurdle. In the office, the doctor looked at me strangely. "It's a boy," she said.

Love Songs

Beauty

Zlata S. Steere Your lips, your eyes, your soul Are like a work of art, The most creative thing of all Is your beautiful heart. If you were a painting, No colours could express The beauty deep inside you, A rainbow, nothing less. If you were a sculpture The clay could hardly make Your figure of an angel Without one mistake. If you were a euphony No choir could really sing All the beautiful music Your eyes could possibly bring. So here I am, an artist, With inspiration beyond belief But to capture such rare beauty, I'd have to be a thief.

*Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Joke

Honeymoon couple

A young couple were on their honeymoon. The husband was sitting in the bathroom on the edge of the bathtub saying to himself, "Now how can I tell my wife that I've got really smelly feet and that my socks absolutely stink? I've managed to keep it from her while we were dating, but she's bound to find out sooner or later that my feet stink. Now how do I tell her?" Meanwhile, the wife was sitting in the bed saying to herself, "Now how do I tell my husband that I've got really bad breath? I've been very lucky to keep it from him while we were courting, but as soon as he's lived with me for a week, he's bound to find out. Now how do I tell him gently?" The husband finally plucks up enough courage to tell his wife and so he walks into the bedroom. He walks over to the bed, climbs over to his wife, puts his arm around her neck, moves his face very close to hers and says, "Darling, I've a confession to make." And she says, "So have I, love." To which he replies, "Don't tell me, you've eaten my socks."

2 MAY 2015

Relationships & Love Advice Dear Love Doctor, My husband abuses me and for that reason, I started an affair with another man. With my new lover, I know I’ve met my soul mate, but he’s giving up on me because I’m finding it so hard to leave my husband and marry him. I’m 37 and married, with a 14-yearold son. I met my lover at work. At first we were just friends but then we started texting and emailing. The texts and emails became very flirty and we started a relationship. He’s 39 and single. I love him deeply and he says he loves me. Everything was great, including sex. He begged me to leave my marriage before my husband kills me, and for months I’ve been trying to work out how to. But my lover has just broken with me, because he’s fed up with waiting and worried that I’ll never really do it. If I left my husband even now, I’m sure that my lover would have me back. I really miss him and I’m so unhappy not seeing him, but I don’t know if I have the guts to leave my marriage. My husband is verbally abusive to me and our son and has been violent towards me. I’m sick of his bullying and think there’s a chance of real happiness with this other man, but I love my son to bits and don’t want to put him through the trauma of a separation or divorce. My parents separated when I was 15, so I know how it hurts. I don’t want to be with my husband but I’m afraid that if I leave him, he’ll either kill me or himself. But I don’t

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Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

'My husband abuses me!'

Odd News

Killer who ate man’s heart is jailed in South Africa

know if I can bear to stay. I feel like I’m losing the love of my life and if I leave it much longer, I would have missed my chance. Love Doctor’s Advice: Your lover is right not just to hang around while you stay in an abusive marriage. Your staying with an abusive and violent husband is not even good for your son. Staying with a husband who is abusing to you and verbally abusing your son is giving the boy a terrible message which will undermine his self-esteem and set him a horrible example of relationships and how it’s OKAY to treat women. Do you think there is any real chance your husband would

change enough to make you happy? If so, insist he gets expert help by seeking counseling from a marriage counselor, psychologist or any other qualified expert. An abusive partnersimply can’t be tolerated? If you know he’s not going to make the radical changes needed, find the courage to leave regardless of whether your lover is waiting for you or not. But first, report to both your family and his, and see if there’s a way they can make him change. You can also seek help concerning domestic violence from your spiritual director, local council or NGO. Tell your lover your plans and ask him to give you time to sort it out. I hope your story has a happy ending. Please let me know.

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murderer who ate his victim's heart with a knife and fork in a bizarre bid 'to prove he wasn't gay' has been jailed for 18 years in South Africa. Zimbabwean Andrew Chimboza pleaded guilty to stabbing 62-year-old Mbuyiselo Manona to death at the home of Manona's lover in Cape Town's Gugulethu township in June last year. When officers arrived at the scene they found the 35-yearold 'busy eating' Mr Manona's heart Mr Manona had reportedly accused Chimboza of having sex with his partner , News24 said, and had attacked the younger man in a fit of rage. But Chimboza apparently overpowered him - allowing him to commit the horrendous crime. 'I then took a knife and slit his throat and continued to stab him,' Chimboza told Cape Town High Court in February. 'I was so angry that I did not remember how many times I stabbed him or where.' In a statement read out at an earlier hearing, Chimboza shed more light on the shocking killing. 'I sit upon him and stabbed him on the chest, tore out his heart and took a knife and then sliced his heart and then I ate his heart,' he said.

'The reason for me to eat the unknown guy's heart was to show him that I am not a moffie [gay] and after I finished eating the heart, I realised he was dead.' Police were called to the gruesome scene by frantic neighbours, spokesman Frederick van Wyk said at the time of Chimboza's arrest. 'On the scene they found a suspect, a Zimbabwean national, busy eating the heart of a human with a knife and fork,' he said. Chimboza, who runs a window tinting business, was sent to a psychiatric hospital in the wake of the crime. But psychiatrists said it was not possible to tell if he was a danger to other people, the Cape Argus reported. However, he did tell a psychiatrist the woman had coerced him to commit the murder'. 'His memory of the period of the offence was good but he declined to explain why he had sliced up the heart and was found eating it,' Tuviah Zabow said. Judge Ashley Binns-Ward said that despite Chimboza's relatively clean record, the brutality of the assault and the absence of remorse called for a sentence of 18 years in jail. Courtesy: Daily Mail

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I rigged the Easter raffle' True Story

year ago I worked for an advertising company. It was very much a boys' club. There were only three women in an office of 20 and as the receptionist I copped the brunt of their bad behaviour. There were a lot of jokes that in most companies would have been seen as sexual harassment but where I worked it was the norm. To dare challenge any of them would have been an instant firing and I knew I'd never have the money to go up against these men in a legal case. I was unhappy there but I was constantly on the lookout for new jobs and had to put up with it until I found something new. Every year the office did a huge Easter charity raffle in conjunction with a client function. The prize was always something very grand. The year before it had been a trip to the Maldives and this year it was a new car. I had been driving around in my old heap of junk for the previous six years and was desperate for an upgrade but my wage wouldn't allow it. I was put in charge of distributing the tickets to all the clients and collecting the money so I hatched a plan. One night I stayed back late and scanned all the tickets and sent them out to the clients. When they were returned to the office I kept them aside in my desk drawer.

After a month of collecting the tickets, I waited until a few people were around and made it obvious that this year I would be purchasing a ticket. With fingers crossed, I exaggeratedly proclaimed my excitement as I put $100 into the tin where the money was being kept. The day before the draw I stayed back late. As the last of the men left the office, they yelled out an inappropriate comment and it was then I knew I was going ahead with my plan. I shredded all the scanned tickets and put them in the bin for the clean-

'I terminated a planned pregnancy' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 6

dark day. Who wants a sunny and bright day anyway when you are on your way to terminate a pregnancy? In classic OCD fashion, I had obsessed over this decision from the moment I found out until we parked the car at Mt. Sinai. However, I knew we didn't really have a choice. When we arrived at the hospital, I was on auto-pilot. Sign this, initial that. This was a business and there were six other terminations to be done that day. I cried all the way to the operating table and fell on. The IV started and I was out. When I woke up in recovery, that was it. It was over and he was gone. Like he had never even existed. And so the grieving process began. In the age of Facebook and Instagram, it's impossible to escape baby/pregnancy news from those close to you and those you barely know. Everyone knows everyone else's personal story, and are privy to details about so and so's glucose test and baby monitor purchases. It's unavoidable, depressing and, in hind sight, I probably should've suspended my account. Do I really need to know that some acquaintance from high school in Great Neck was traveling from La

Guardia to San Francisco anyway? Probably not. In the months since, I've joined a support group called "Heartbreaking Choice." As I sit in there listening to all of the things that can go wrong -- Anencephaly, Spina bifida, Triploidy and on and on -- I wonder how I got here. How did any of these women get here? Was it something they did? Why them and not someone else? The answer, of course, is there is no answer -- although I continue to search desperately for one. Friends and family have been minimally helpful. Five months later, no one mentions it and neither do I, except to my parents, sister or husband. Once in a while someone will say, "I had a miscarriage, I know what you are going through." That sort of comment makes me cringe. With all due respect to that type of loss, it's a completely different beast, as far as I'm concerned, and I hate the comparison. These days, I try to look to my daughter and know that we did the right thing for her, even as she asks me repeatedly, "Can I have a baby brother or sister?" One day we will tell her about the one she almost hadâ&#x20AC;Ś. Dedicated to our son. We love and miss you every day. Courtesy: xo.com

ers that night. On all the original tickets, I painstakingly filled out all my details. The next night at the function I could barely contain my nerves. My hands were sweating and I was filled with regret at my decision but it was too late to back out. Finally the time arrived for the managing director to draw the winner. He beckoned for me to bring over the box with the tickets in it and microphone in hand he yelled out to one of our biggest clients to come and draw it out. The next minute or two was a blur but my name was called out and as I was already nervous, I'm sure my shock and disbelief at winning looked real. There was a moment of sheer terror when the usual jeers that it was "rigged" and should be redrawn were yelled out. That's when I thought the client may dip his hands in again and it would be all over for me. However, people clapped and patted me on the back and congratulated me. I quickly removed the box and gave it to one of the caterers to put in the skip to destroy any evidence of my deception. After the evidence had been destroyed I beamed, I finally had something to show for the two years of mistreatment. It was only a couple of months later that I finally found a new job that I loved and where I was appreciated. To this day I still feel guilty about rigging the draw but not so guilty that I don't enjoy driving around in my lovely new car. Courtesy: nine.com

Wedding Traditions

The Bridal Shower Tradition: Holland

he bridal shower tradition actually originated in Holland where if a Dutch bride's father disapproves of her choice of a husband he would not offer her a dowry. When this occurs, the bride's friends would "shower" her with gifts of household items typically included in her dowry. If the family approves, the bride would

receive a trousseau (dowry) from her parents and her future father-in-law would give her a "chatelaine," which consists of a chain or rope made of silver or leather that contained various items such as a pair of scissors, a pincushion, a needle case, a small knife, and a mirror. Courtesy: Irish Central.

Love Education

What Is Erotic Massage? E

rotic massage or sensuous massage is the use of massagetechniques to achieve or enhance sexual arousal. Massages have been used for medical purposes for a very long time. Their use for erotic purposes also has a long history. Today it is used by some couples on occasions as part of lovemaking, either as foreplay or as the final sex act. Erotic massages typically feature massages in erogenous zones of the body to increase sexual arousal. Use in Medicine In the Western medical tradition genital massage of a woman to orgasm by a physician or midwife was a standard treatment for female hysteria, an ailment considered common and chronic in women. In 1653, Pieter van Foreest advised the technique of genital massage for a disease called "womb disease" to bring the woman into "hysterical paroxysm". Such cases were quite profitable for physicians, since the patients were at no risk of death, but needed constant treatment. However, the vaginal massage procedure (generally referred to as 'pelvic massage') was tedious and time consuming for physicians. The technique was difficult for a physician to master and could take hours to achieve "hysterical paroxysm". Referral to midwives, which had been common practice, meant a loss of business for the physician, and at times husbands were asked to assist. Development of vibrator A solution was the invention of massage devices, which shortened treatment from hours to minutes, removing the need for midwives and increasing a physician's treatment capacity. Already at the turn of the century, hydrotherapy devices were available at Bath, and by the mid-19th century, they were popular at many high-profile bathing resorts across Europe and in America. By 1870, a clockwork-driven vibratorwas available for physicians. In 1873, the first electromechanical vibrator was used at an asylum in France for the treatment of hysteria. While physicians of the period acknowledged that the disorder stemmed from sexual dissatisfaction, they seemed unaware of or unwilling to admit the sexual purposes of the devices used to treat it. In fact, the introduction of the speculum was far more controversial than that of the vibrator. By the turn of the century, the spread of home electricity brought the vibrator to the consumer market. The appeal of cheaper treatment in the privacy of one's own home understandably made the vibrator a popular early home appliance. In fact, the electric home vibrator was on the market before many other home appliance 'essentials': nine years before the electric vacuum cleaner and 10 years before the electric iron. A page from a Sears catalog of home electrical appliances from 1918 includes a portable vibrator with attachments, billed as "very useful and satisfactory for home service".. Focal area Erotic massages are typically performed in a person's erogenous zones to achieve or enhance sexual arousal. In the case of women, the two focal areas are the breasts and pubis. In case of men, the focal area is the genitals. Source: nhs.uk; en.wikipedia.org.

SATURDAY

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015

Travel Personality Brian Efa: Tourism in Nigeria is largely untapped p.40

Hospitality

In De Xambdra International Hotel, Ekiti finds its groove p.41

Destination

Nasarawa: Solid in minerals, low in tourism p.42

CHEF'S CORNER

A Profile

lex Mwaura is a Kenyan-trained chef from the popular Utali College in Kenya, renowned for the training of operators in the East African region and others from across the continent. With about 27 years in the hospitality sector as a chef, Mwaura has worked as executive chef in countries such as Rwanda, Kenya and Dubai before his sojourn in Nigeria in 2009 where he holds sway as the pioneer executive chef of Southern Sun Ikoyi. Mwaura joined the Southern Sun Hotels and Resorts nine years ago and has since made his mark as a passionate chef earning in the process different recognitions and awards for himself and the various hotels where he has worked.

The vision Decked in his official outfit this morning, Mwaura was an epitome of professionalism as he quietly made his way to the head of the table, a signal for the chat to begin. ‘‘When we started Southern Sun Ikoyi we had a very straight focus of what we wanted to do in Lagos. We have seen what is on offer and we had decided that we were going to offer the best that we are capable of because we had already evaluated what other people were offering. We went with that goal and that is what we are offering till date. ‘‘We have one of the best culinary offers in Lagos, in fact, I should actually say the best and we have had a consistent Sunday brunch and I think that our strongest point is that we are very consistent with our meals and we are very consistent with what we do.’’ But it was a culture shock for Mwaura when he arrived in Nigeria in 2009. He recalls finding everything including the food rather new. To surmount the challenge he set out to first understand the country’s cuisine. ‘‘The best way we thought was to do a proper research on Nigerian food. It is a very rich food and we ended up looking for elderly people who understand the meals from a different perspective. We discovered that the younger generation of people that we have were so much into buying ready- made food than doing the actual cooking. ‘‘So we decided to go to people who understand the real cooking and that was how we ended up having real and original recipes. Those recipes have helped us to be consistent. We have been developing them and adding new trends to them since then.’’ Besides, he noted that the hotel decided on presenting its food in a colourful and attractive manner, such as serving pounded yam and the likes in smaller quantity and cutting the meat in smaller pieces as well instead of making it chunky. ‘‘The way we operate is that you can have as much food as

'We offer the best culinary experience in Lagos' Chef Alex Mwaura, executive chef of Southern Sun Ikoyi speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on how the Ikoyi–based hotel worked its way to the top of the hospitality sector's pecking order. looking at almost 50% loyal guests who are coming back every other day and the main reason for coming back that most of them would tell you is because of the food.’’ On signature dishes Trade secret is what many chefs would not willingly disclose. Not so for Mwaura. ‘‘One of our main signature dishes here is Chicken Atete. We look at how we can have it uniquely Nigerian and at the same time it can appeal to the international community. So we blended the two as it has got pepper and we marinate it for almost 48 hours. ‘‘We choose a lot what we put in it because we normally use the yellow pepper – Cameroun pepper - and we choose the young ones (chickens), because they have got flavours than the grown ones. It is something that is very special to us. It is unique to Southern Sun Ikoyi because the recipe belongs to us.’’

On the job...Mwaura puts the finishing touch to a dish

you want. We went down on the cut of meat and we have seen people appreciating it because you don’t have to really struggle with your chunk." Appealing buffets Mwaura is unapologetic with regards to claims about the hotel’s offerings. ‘‘The buffets are the most appealing and we put a lot of efforts to produce as good a buffet as we can. This has also given us the space to explore with different foods from the different parts of the country. It has attracted as well different clientele because they know that when they come here they will definitely find something very unique that they would not find in other hotels.’’ He revealed that this is what has made the hotel's Sunday brunch a huge hit among clients. According to him, Nigerians are widely travelled and appreciate international dishes hence the hotel's decision to devote sufficient space to international cuisine in the same manner it does with its Nigerian dishes.

Experimenting with Sunday brunch ‘‘Our Sunday brunch is very experimental and we do experiment on different dishes from all over Nigeria. What we look out for is to give them something that they are not going to find at home. What we have been doing is that we have been looking at unique dishes that you will not easily come across. That is what makes people think about the next Sunday on what they are going to get.’’ A consistent record ‘‘One special thing that we have going well for us at Southern Sun Ikoyi is the consistency. We have been doing things very, very consistently for a long period of time. This is because we invest a lot on our training and getting people to do what is supposed to be done. ‘‘That consistency of good food is what has been very special with this hotel and it has helped us built a loyalty with clientele. If we look back and see our restaurant visit or hotel visit, we are currently

Changing food culture ‘‘I have now seen people starting to try new things, a behaviour which was not there before. When we came in we did not think that traditional Nigerian food is a big deal in a hotel. We had a very small section for it and later we realised that it is supposed to be the bigger section and continental the smaller section. ‘‘We have also realised that the way we present our food is what makes people decide to try new things. We have built a very good mix of Nigerian and continental meals that we present daily.’’ Making money for the hotel Mwaura admonished chef to focus on making money for their employers because it is the bottom line in the hotel business. ‘‘Away from giving good food, you must also be a very good businessman by making money for the hotel. We operate in such a way that you have to make money while you are also making sure that your guests are happy. ‘‘The two go together but you can’t be making guests very happy and not making money. You have also a responsibility of making money because what you buy you must know that you are going to make money out of it. It is what executive chefs are supposed to be. You are not only supposed t concentrate on the good part of the food you are also supposed to concentrate on the business and making money, making the partners or the shareholders also happy.’’

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Brian Efa: Tourism in Nigeria is largely untapped bagged a B. Sc in Accounting from the University of Calabar and later on earned a second degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Liverpool. He also rose through the ranks in his hospitality career to the highest level as a finance controller Efa described the industry as very dynamic and added that the country’s potential is very huge, noting that if the industry was well harnessed it would be one of the highest employers of labour and revenue earners for the country. “We need to put a search light on it. In Nigeria here, the per cent is very low and it has the capacity to contribute as high as the telecoms. The government in her effort to diversify the economy should look into it,” he said.

Brian Efa, managing partner of Jonel Consulting, a hospitality and tourism investment company, speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS on the state of tourism in the country and the benefits of the forthcoming hospitality conference by his outfit.

Journey into the world of tourism rian Efa’s sojourn in the tourism world began years ago, shortly after he concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He started out as the finance manager of Thelpim Hotels and Suite in Calabar, Cross River State, from where he moved over to Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo as a senior accountant and later to Southern Sun Ikoyi, Lagos, as the assistant financial controller. He left in 2011 to establish his tourism outfit. He described his involvement with the Tinapa project and the Calabar Carnival, which he was part of at their early stages as very instructive because his knowledge of tourism was greatly enriched as he was exposed to different sceneries. “My boss then, Thelma Bello, happened to be the member of the tourism board. I was like her personal assistant and I worked closely with her in the development of tourism under Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River,” he said. Setting up Jonel Consulting Having attended Hotel School, The Hague, Netherland in 2007 where he obtained a certificate in financial management and ran a project management programme in South Africa, Efa was exposed to happenings around the world and international best practices. Bubbling with energy and a burning passion to contribute his quotas to tourism in Nigeria, he got involved in various projects and issues, including the hotel consumption tax. In the course of his work, he realised that he needed to expand his horizon beyond working in hotels. Hence, years later he partnered with some of his colleagues to set up his present consulting outfit. “We then came up with Jonel Consulting as an integrated hospitality and tourism investment firm in 2011,” he stated. At the beginning, he admitted that things were not easy. Being a consulting firm, they needed a lot of contacts. “We used our own few contacts then. Though the business wasn’t coming in, we were expectant we would be able to break even in the future. We were also able to do few jobs like the opening of a hotel in Calabar and engaging in training programmes among others. So, from there, we were able to find our feet and became a contact of sort for some foreign companies.” Creating a Nigeria brand for the

international market The long term objective of his firm, he said, is to create a Nigerian hotel management brand for the international market. With South Africa creating the protea brand, which has now been bought over by Marriot International and Zimbabwe’s African Sun, he said there was no reason a Nigerian brand should not hit the international scene. “We should have our own too. For us as a company, we are in steady progress. We will be organising the Nigerian Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference and one of our targets is to see how we could come up with a formidable brand for Nigeria,” revealed Efa. Living my dream In a way, the financial and project management expert is living his childhood dream as way back in Senior Secondary School (SSS 1) at the Hope Waddell Training Institute in Cross River State, his dream was to be an accountant. A feat he went on to achieved when he Akingbogun

Staging hotel and tourism investment conference Given the poor state of the industry and the fact that many Nigerians and foreigners don’t have a basic knowledge of the extend of the vast wealth of the country’s tourist attractions, he said, had given his company the impetus to set out to organise hospitality and tourism investment forum, where various stakeholders would be brought together to have a brainstorming session on the matter. “All these gave us the im-

petus to now bring in stakeholders, including international agencies, hotel brands, designers of hotels, funds and equity managers, lenders and others. We are bringing all these people together in a three-day event in November so that we can discuss the way forward. We will look at various problems that are affecting the sector and see how we can channel attention to this sector,” Efa said. Expectations According to Efa, with the yearly conference, he expressed the hope that in five years Nigeria would be able to generate about 20 billion dollars investment in the sector. “We are also hoping that we should be able to increase tourism contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and that the sector alone should be able to create close to one million jobs.” Efa is convinced that any serious chief executive of a state or company will love to buy into the conference. “As a company, we have the conviction that we have a good product, objective and vision for the sector. ” Making a difference “We would critically examine the problems that are inherent in the sector within the country. We are looking at the manpower development, architectural, source of financing, options available, regulatory framework, etc. It is a yearly event and we are going to continue to review the outcome. “So, this is different from all other conferences or summits that have been held. We have been to various investment conferences all over the world and we are bringing that to this country. After this conference I believe that we are going to have new face of tourism development in Nigeria.” He also stated: “If I am satisfied with the industry there won’t be any need for this conference. The industry is still over 90 per cent untapped. In the whole of Middle East and Africa, Nigeria has the highest average room rate. What that tells us is that there is potential here.”

We are also hoping that we should be able to increase tourism contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and that the sector alone should be able to create close to one million jobs Efa

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

HOSPITALITY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, reports that the opening of De Xambdra International Hotel with its serene environment, plush facilities and excellent service in Ado Ekiti, has raised the bar of hospitality in Ekiti, State, Fountain of Knowledge.

In De Xambdra International Hotel, Ekiti finds its groove

ith the coming of De Xambdra International Hotel, which is located at 12, Main Street, behind NTA, Ire-Akari Estate, GRA, Ado-Ekiti, the hospitality sector in Ekiti State is not just witnessing an upswing but a transformation and renewal of some sort. This is because in every respect, the hotel, which opened in February, is a notch higher than many of the existing hotels in the state. For many people, the hotel is a pace setter and is one leisure and event home that everyone in the city wants to visit to experience the new culture of hospitality and service that is making wave. This, some observers say, is a good development for the state tourism industry. And one man that is obviously pleased by these encomiums is certainly the chairman of the hotel, Mr. Bankole Olugbenga. Though it maybe for him, mission accomplished, observers say it is just the beginning of the mission because now he and his team need to get to the brass business of properly administering the facilities and maintaining the pace and culture that everyone is talking about. The serene environment The first attraction of the hotel is it serene and inviting environment as the fact of its location within the government reservation precinct has clearly set it apart from any other, thus enhancing its natural ambience and appeal to the senses. When one walks through the gate, one will be greeted by architecturally fascinating structures, the setting here gives a homely feel because one may not easily know that one is in a hotel setting as it is not the usual hotel’s façade that one sees here. The buildings are compartmentalised into discernible blocks with private balconies while the grounds are fitted with interlocking blocks – wall to wall and flowers planted around and water fountain to accentuate the aesthetics of the environment. It is quite an inviting and pleasing one. Rooms The hotel boasts 68 rooms while plan is afoot for additional 36 rooms. The rooms are classed into different categories, with each category fitted and furnished with sophisticated guest’s facilities, all reflecting the categories of room. One thing common to all the rooms is the classic nature and the obvious effort made to create a homely setting with the ease of comfort and leisure that one

can possibly have. The categories include Classic, Standard, Executive and Royal Double rooms as well as Business suite while the Presidential suite is the star attraction as it is well apportioned and furnished for a princely treat. It is a palatial setting of sort with six rooms and five adjoining rooms reserved for the guests and aides of the main guest. It is heavily flavoured and opulent at its best. Wining/dining It offers outside bar, which is out of the hotel’s premises while within the premises are both general and executive bars for the public and VIP guests respectively, both enjoy inviting artistic and colourful setting as well as a guaranteed level of privacy and relaxation. One can savour rich blend of wine, champagne and cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beverages. The restaurant serves enticing meals – buffets and ala carte – of African and continental flavours.

The hotel's environment Inset: One of the bedrooms

the hotel are often well-tempered and suited to meet the need of in-house guests and sometimes also based on their request. The tradition here is to abhor loud and lavish entertainment but instead offers guests a luxuriating environment to enjoy good music to sooth their nerves and relax. If there are guests on group booking, the hotel’s panders to their entertainment needs as requested. Other facilities/services Laundry, dry cleaning, car hire, airport pick up and city shuttle, ample car park space, 24 hours security and power supply and uninterrupted internet service.

Conference Business conferences and events are also heavy on the bill of the house and the patronage is growing due to its modern and sophisticated facility outlay, which include a well fitted and equipped hall that sits over 120 people and a seminar hall, which accommodates between 200 and 280 people depending on the setting.

A service dedicated to the people For Olugbenga who regards himself as a successful businessman, setting up the hotel in his homestead, Ado Ekiti, is a show of his commitment to the development of his state economically and offering a dedicated service to his people. His hope is that the people and visitors to the city would find the hotel a home where they can feel secured to relax and conduct their businesses while also savouring the goodness of life, which is the forte of the hotel. The chairman outlined some of the

Leisure An outdoor swimming pool in a serene environment within the Presidential Suite area is well preserved and offers guided service. The entertainment and leisure packages of

uniqueness of the hotel to include its serene and secured environment, its professionally offered services by a crop of well trained and dedicated staff. He explained that the hotel’s customer service is second to none as it is dedicated to providing excellent services and also its blend of appealing and sophisticated facilities, which according to him, are the best ever anywhere in the state. While looking also to provide employment for his people, he also wants to raise the bar of hospitality in the state hence he has invested heavily in bringing the hotel to the standard it is. He said it is of international standard and for high end guests and others who desire the good taste of life in a somewhat exclusive setting. One of the high points of the hotel is its maintenance culture. According to Olugbenga, maintenance is at the core of the hotel’s operation with basically all the artisans, engineers and maintenance personnel on duty 24 hours while the hotel’s structures are re-coated on a daily basis. The mantra here, he said, is ensuring that guests get value for their money and patronage. He revealed that the patronage since February when it opened for business has increasingly witnessed an encouraging growth, especially at weekends while the numbers of repeat visitors are gladdening. Olugbenga also crowed about the fact that the product and services on offer are uncommon as nowhere else in the state can one find a hotel of the magnitude and appeal as his. And the fact that the people seem to appreciate this and are wowed by it is something that he is eternally grateful for, as he expressed confidence in the bright future of the hotel even as he looks to the ongoing expansion work.

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 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only) e-mail angela_ curtis-2@live.com

FESTAC, LAGOS

ABA

Panda Hotel Suites & Lounge

ABA

LAGOS

42 Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

DESTINATION

NASARAWA Solid in minerals, low in tourism Despite being just a few kilometres away from Abuja, Nasarawa State hasn't quite developed its tourism potential to a level where it can attract tourists from the Federal Capital Territory, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA.

N Prologue

asarawa State is known as the "Home of Solid Minerals," a reference to its vast minerals wealth, is one of the NorthCentral states with rich and enduring political and socio-cultural history. With Lafia as its state capital, it is one of the youngest states in Nigeria, as it was carved out of Plateau State in 1996. It shares border with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to the west; to the north is Kaduna State, to the south are Kogi and Benue States while to the east are Plateau and Taraba States. The state has a landmass of 27,137.8 square kilometres with 13 local government areas. Some of the popular and develope cities and towns of the state include Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi, Doma, Nasarawa Eggon, Wamba and Obi. The people are generally agrarian in nature while the state is noted for its vast mineral resources, producing the largest quantity of salt consumed in the country. It is home to people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. These include Afo, Agatu, Akye, Alago, Baribari, Bassa, Egbira, Eggon, Fulani, Gade, Gbagyi, Gwandara, Hausa, Jukun, Kanuri, Mada, Ninzom, Arum, Rindei, Yeskwa and Tiv. Tourism Besides its solid minerals wealth, Nasarawa State boasts a rich array of tourism resources which are products of the culture of its people and natural environment as it possesses aesthetically-pleasing and inviting landscape, signposted by amazing and fascinating waterfalls, rivers, lake, springs, wildlife and undulating plains and rocky ranges of different dimensions. However, its rich tourism potential is yet to be tapped and promoted as the state government and the people have over the years failed to give serious thought and

Road in Lafia with street and traffic lights

attention to developing its tourism into a money-spinning industry. The administration of the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu (1999 – 2007) had envisaged a tourism industry for the state based on his realisation of its huge tourism potential and the economic import. To this end, the governor created a ministry of tourism and culture charged with administrating the state's tourism industry. Some efforts were made by the ministry to highlight the tourism economy of the state to the point that its name featured in many of the tourism forums across the country as one of those eager to give tourism a shot in the arm. This effort was acknowledged in 2003 when the state was given the hosting right of the national celebration of World Tourism Day (WTD), a yearly event held globally on September 27 to draw attention to the economic importance of tourism. The event was celebrated at the Farin Ruwa Waterfalls, one of the most enticing and naturally enchanting attractions of the state, located in Marhai forest in Massange Village in Wamba Local Government Area. The celebration was widely attended with the minister of tourism then Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu and the governor of Nasarawa State, Adamu in attendance along with other dignitaries. It is instructive to recall that Governor Adamu used the occasion to draw the attention of the people to the tourism industry of the state and the government's determination to develop it into a thriving one. "I hope you enjoyed the thrill of the tortuous journey to Farin Ruwa Falls, the most fascinating falls in Nigeria, comparable only to Victoria Falls in East Africa," said the governor in his welcome remark. While actually eulogising the beauty and attractive nature of the waterfalls, he

Farin Ruwa Waterfalls

stated the obvious about the poor state of the enclave with particular reference to the road leading to the waterfalls, which he described as "tortuous journey". Interestingly almost 12 years after, there is still no respite in sight for either the road, which is still as tortuous as ever or the waterfalls, which has remained in a largely undeveloped state. "Here in Nasarawa State, tourism has been accorded prime recognition since the inception of the PDP elected democratic administration in May, 1999. In barely three months of our being in office as the first democratic administration in Nasarawa State, we saw the need to develop tourism as a matter of priority in cognisance of the enormous potential, which the state can exploit to its economic advantage," proclaimed Adamu. He then went ahead to enumerate some of the actions engaged by the state government to bring this to reality: "Accordingly, we established a separate ministry for culture and tourism, after which a survey was conducted to identify and document tourist potential throughout the state. I am pleased to note that among the findings of the survey group are the magnificent Farin Ruwa Falls, Peperuwa Lake, Keana Salt Village, Eggon Hills and Caves, Hunki Oxbow Lake, Lafia Dyeing Pits, Doma Dam, Akiri Warm Spring and so many others." Furthermore, he also spoke glowingly of the effort to attract foreign partners and investors to Farin Ruwa with the aim of developing it into a world class tourist attraction. "Soon after the access road was constructed, the state sought the services of foreign tourism experts from the United States to prepare a master plan for the development of this falls in February 2001." Adamu concluded his pitch for the state thus: "The state government intends to develop Farin Ruwa Falls into an international holiday resort where Nigerians and foreigners will spend their vacations. This, indeed, is our ultimate goal and we intend

to pursue it with all the zeal and available resources." Unfortunately, 12 years down the line, that tourism dream of turning Farin Ruwa into a world beater and the entire state into a thriving tourism destination failed to rise beyond rhetorics as former governor Adamu’s eight years in the saddle could not perform the expected magic. Sad too is the fact the subsequent administrations, comprising that of ex-governor Akwe Doma, a tourism stakeholder and former board member of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and the present governor, Alhaji Tanko al–Makura, failed to activate the tourism dream of Adamu. It is still in the realm of conjecture or perhaps too early in the day to say whether Gov Al–Makura would give attention to tourism in his second term in office which begins next month given the sharp fall in oil price, resulting in dismal monthly take from the federation purse. Some tourist attractions Farin Ruwa Falls: Located in Marhai forest in Massange Village of Wamba local government area of the state, it is about 120 kilometres away from Lafia, the state capital. It is a fascinating and magnificent waterfalls with water cascading in a ferocious manner from its 150-metre height and gathering to form a wide natural pool of 50 metres width at the base. Part of the attractions of this waterfalls is its naturally inviting scenery with rich vegetation, the rising mist (white smoke) which covers the surrounding most times and often assumed as a rising smoke and ferocious sound from the water. It is the most popular of the state's tourist attractions and also what is regarded as the face of tourism in the state. It is perhaps the only attraction in the state that has received much attention and promises from the state government and the people in terms of de-

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Travel & Tourism 43

One of Lafia's imposing structures. Inset: Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura

veloping it into a real tourist attraction. But on the flipside, the lavished attention and promises over the years have been observed only in the breach as the waterfall has remained in its rustic state. Besides the failed promises of former governor Adamu even the federal government and private organisations never lived to their expectations as well. To show the importance attached to the waterfall, it was the only attraction from the north-central part of the country that was laid out in the country’s tourism master plan for development and a fulcrum on which the tourism cluster of the region was based. To drive home this point, AIMS Consultants latched onto this to enunciate an ambitious plan in 2007 to develop the falls into what was to be known as Farin Ruwa Ecotourism Resort. A budget of N3.5 billion was put together for the project planned to be executed in conjunction with the state government and other private concerns. The managing director of AIMS Consultants then, Amin Moussalli, during the heavily celebrated media presentation of the project, outlined the facilities of the resort thus: "Facilities to be provided include restaurants, wave pools, open air theatre, a lake, mini zoo, recreational areas, a golf course and a helipad." Furthermore, he revealed that the plan was ‘‘to make it a place for total relaxation. N3.5 billion has been earmarked for the first phase of the project." On his part, Dr. Franklin Adejuwon, who headed the effort at crafting the country’s tourism master plan and also spearheading the Farin Ruwa project, said, "this is a master plan whose time has come. For too long our tourist potential have been under-utilised. Farin Ruwa will re-invent Nasarawa State and by extension, Nigeria as a major tourist destination when completed." The falls are a beauty to behold and breathtaking. "It is a mega project that ideally cannot be the sole responsibility of the state but that of the federal government as well which will benefit immensely through image

making for the nation and other invisible income. We expect the project to enjoy the assistance of international bodies too." On the part of the state government, the commissioner for tourism then, Mrs. Lantana Ahmed, also spoke glowingly of the project, as she said that ‘‘the State government’s dream is to transform the falls into an international eco-tourism resort. It would be the biggest tourist attraction destination in Nigeria when completed." Hunki Ox – bowl Lake: Is one of the naturally attractive lakes that dot the landscape of the state and offers appealing relaxation point with many activities to boot such as wildlife as hippopotamus, manatees and fish endemic to it. But, unfortunately, it is still in its fallow state like most other attractions.

During a Durbar festival,

It is located in Hunki, which is about 30 kilometres away from Awe town and 130 kilometres from Lafia. Peperuwa Lake: Located in Assaikio town, about 50 kilometres drive from Lafia, this natural lake with a peculiar elongated shape holds a lot of attractions for people with its array of rich natural fauna and flora. It teems with manatees, fish, hippopotamus, water ducks and geese while one can also enjoy local canoeing, sport fishing, swimming, game viewing as there is a game reserve adjoining the lake environment with camping and picnicking possible. Akira Salt Village: Salt is one of the most pervasive solid minerals of the state. Akira village in Awe is one of the settlements in the state where salt is an industry for the people and it is always a delight to watch the local folks when they are engaged in the production of the product. Keana Salt Village: It's also another salt producing community where one can catch a glimpse of the thriving salt making activities by the locals. Keana is the headquarters of Keana Local Government Area, and it is about 67 kilometres from Lafia. Akira Warm Spring: Besides its salt attraction, Akira community also plays host to a warm spring of great attraction as the warm spring is warmer during the rainy season. Springing from gushes, the water is believed to have some therapeutic values, which is why the people are attracted to it in their numbers. Oku-Akpa Rock: This is a beautiful and enchanting rock formation in Nasarawa village. It holds attraction for picnickers and mountaineers while you can also savour sport fishing, swimming and bird-watching because of its

rich flora and fauna resources. Ara Rocks: Also found in Ara town of Nasarawa Local Government Area is Ara Rocks, which are aesthetically and creatively laid out rock outcrops of awesome nature. It is a tower attracting people to the town. Numan Rocks/Hills: These rocky formations also present awesome and spectacular scenery for people to savour. Karofi Dyeing Centre: Cloth dying is a major cultural pastime of the people and one of the places to witness the people at work is in the Karofi dying pit in Lafia. It is located near the emir's palace in Kofar Fada. Doma Dam: This is a man-made dam created for agricultural purpose in Doma town, about 20 kilometres away from Lafia. This is quite a fascinating dam structured into three arms with each measuring over two kilometres in length and about three kilometres wide. Good for sport-fishing, boat cruise, swimming and picnicking. It is also a delight to watch the locals in the market near the dam if one visit on a day the market is in full bloom. Eggon Hills/Caves: Rocky and hilly ranges of huge height, which is made of kopjes and inselbbergns ranging to over 300 peaks. It has plain regions atop and has caves and inlets leading to the local settlement inhabited by the people of Eggon over the years. A resort has been developed at the foot of the hills. Cultural festivals The state with its diverse cultural pluralities has a number of cultural festivals which are celebrated yearly at the various localities. The list of the popular ones include Odu, Amiri, Sharo (Fulani), Omadegye annual festival, Awuma dance, Oguh dance, Gbagyi Gbogum and Oyarere.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

When women talk

TELEVISION

GALAXY TV LAGOS Saturday 8:30 Movie 10:00 Sport Edge 11:00 Lab Rats 12:00 Empowerment Zone 1:00 Galaxy Party Time 1:30 Editors Forum 2:30 Campus 360 3:00 Ile Alayo 4:00 Nollywood English 5:00 Destiny River 6.00 Rhythms and Blues 6:30 Tropical Paradise 7.00 News 7.30 Squatterz

Host Alero Dediare (left) and a guest on the show

who you are. She advised women who want to go into politics to be themselves and not be intimated, as politics is not meant for the men alone. She encouraged women to come out and embrace politics with prayers and focus. Talking about hiccups in marriage, she advised women to marry their friends since they are both coming from different backgrounds. Also, women should not start whatever they know they cannot sustain in their marriage. She cited the instance of women washing their husband’s clothes. According to Akinsola, there may be occasions when the wife will not have the time to do it anymore especially when she starts bearing children. At that point, what she started doing with love will turn into a problem and if not well managed, it will escalate. So, it is advisable not to start at all. She strongly advised women not to go through their husband’s phones, cook his meals even if there is a maid and also spend time with each other to nurture their love. In conclusion, Akinsola stressed that women are sensitive, sensible and caring. She encouraged women to be themselves, have focus, pursue their dreams and stay away from bad advice. And as far as politics is concerned, she encouraged more women to come on board. In the final segment, which was the food segment, guest cook, Chef Juliet of the Golden Tulip Festac, Lagos, Hotel & Conference Centre, prepared “egusi ibile” known as native egusi. She showed viewers step-by-step process as well as ingredients to prepare the soup. “Egusi ibile” is egusi soup eaten by the Ijebu from Ogun State and can be served with pounded yam, eba, semovita or wheat.

Programme summary

Metro File (Channels) Saturday @ 12:00 pm

It showcases the glitz, glamour, fashion trends and lifestyle of personalities on the social scene and different social events.

This weekend

oman 2 Woman is an interesting and enlightening family and lifestyle programme which comprises different segments that are beneficial not only to women, but to men as well. In the last edition, as usual, the programme kicked off with the aerobics segment where the gym instructor took women through different body stretching exercises in a fun and exciting manner. In the health tips segment, Levi Ozezuwa, a medical practitioner, talked about the symptoms, types and treatment of arthritis. He defined arthritis as the inflammation of the joints which could take place on the hand or knees. According to him, signs and symptoms of arthritis include persistent pains in the joint despite taking analgesic, stiffness in the joint especially in the mornings and reduced movement or function of the joint. He added that there could also be swelling and redness around the joint, which will make walking difficult. Most importantly, Ozezuwa stated that arthritis could lead to deformity as the affected individual could actually see their knees deformed. He advised that individuals with persistent pains around the knees should see their doctors for immediate diagnosis. Ozezuwa stated that arthritis could be diagnosed via physical examination by checking for mobility, pains, swelling as well as redness in the joint. Other methods include laboratory investigation, imaging, Computerised Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). When it comes to treatment, Ozezuwa stated that generally, drugs are given to patients to alleviate the excruciating pains. However, sometimes depending on the severity of the pain, drugs are injected into the joints. But if the pains still persist and there is a total damage of the cartilage, then, surgery may be imperative. The guest in the woman of substance segment was Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Akinsola defined being a real woman as being yourself and knowing

SATURDAY,2 MAY, 2015

Safe Wheels Driving Tips (Inspiration 92.3 fm) Mon – Fri @ 6:30 pm

It is a phone-in programme where listeners call in to give traffic reports. It’s done with lots of humour.

It is appreciated that during the aerobics segment, the routines were done in the gym and not highlighted using illustrations. Also, to make viewers have a grasp of the health topic –arthritis- different illustrations were used. The 30-minute programme hosted by Alero Dediare airs on Galaxy Television on Sunday at 11:30 am. So, if you want to meet women who have distinguished themselves in various fields, keep fit, get health tips and even learn how to cook some delicacies, then, don’t miss this programme.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Aderonke Adebanjo

deronke Adebanjo was on her way to medical school when she had a change of heart and began a journey through a few career paths that finally led her to radio and television broadcasting. Fondly called the ‘Love doctor’, she presents ‘The smooth drive and breakfast in Bed’ on Smooth FM. Born in Hamburg, Germany, she spent most of her childhood travelling and developed a keen passion for cultures and languages. She enjoys many creative hobbies such as writing, acting and planning social networking events, but her first love is singing. She has featured in various music albums including Acoustic Gospel Volume 2, released in the United Kingdom in 2008 and hopes to release her debut album soon. She loves great conversation, a good laugh and ice cream. Adebanjo has a strong desire to use her voice and talent to inspire and create the change she wishes to see in the world.

8:00 House 22 8:30 Nollywood English 10:00 News 11.00 Primetime Africa Sunday 8.30 Movie 10.00 Naija Rave 10.30 Celebrity Zone 11.00 Echoes 11.30 Woman 2 Woman 12.00 Galaxy Party Time 1:00 NTFS 1:30 Solid Entertainment 2.00 Hour of salvation 2:30 Dawn in the Creeks 3:00 Democracy and the rule of law 4:00 Ogun Standard 5:00 Tropical Paradise 6:00 Destiny River 7.00 News 7.30 Beyond Doubt 8.00 Inspire Dot All 8:30 Nollywood English 10.00 News 11:10 Movie

LTV

Saturday 7:00 AM Saturday Live 9:00 Voice of Restoration 11:00 School Buggie 11:30 Silent Noise 12:00 Red Hot 12:30 Afin Alayeluwa 1:00 Mariana and Scarlett 2:00 Living Spring Half Hour 2:30 Mide Mase 3:00 Laughter Foundation 4:00 News 4:10 Documentary 4:35 The White House 5:00 Power in the Word 5:30 Health Wise 6:00 Iroyin 6:30 Hour of Empowerment 7:00 Music 7:30 Oracles of God 8:00 News 9:00 Music 9:30 Red Hot 10:00 You will get there Sunday 9:00 Sunday Express Live 9:30 Zakat and Sadaqat 10:00 Naaginn

1:00 2:00 2:30 3:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:30 9:30

Mo gbejomide Nnkan Nbe Hour of Salvavtion Gbarada Grace Point Great Hope Iroyin Inside Out with Agatha News LAMATA ½ Hour Crime Fighters Ibudo Labe Orun

Magic Fm 102.9 Aba Saturday 7:00 Afro Naija Flava 8:00 Hang Over 9:00 At Your Request 10:00 Talk Sports 11:00 Rep Your Club (Soccer) 12:00 Kick Off/Predictor Game 1:00 Those Were the Days 2:00 At Your Request 3:00 It’s Our City 4:00 Old School Highlife 5:00 Music/Talk 6:00 Extra Time 7:00 The Big Saturday

City FM

Saturday 6:00 Saturday Breakfast Show 8:00 Weekend Update 8:30 Growing Up Matters 9:00 City Talks 10:30 Don-Diggy’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 7:00 A Day with the Lord 10:00 Sunday Free Way 12:00 Kick Off/Predictor Game 1:00 100% Naija 2:00 Focus on Family 3:00 Tear Rubber 4:00 Campus Line 5:00 Magic FM Music Survey 7:00 Magic Request Line 10:00 Soft Side 11:00 Who’s on Your Mind

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 10:00 Refresh

SATURDAY, 2 MAY, 2015

SATURDAY

Politics COVER 45

Cover

Alison-Madueke In the eye of the storm p.48

Cover Xtra

Outrage over execution of Nigerian drug pushers in Indonesia p.49

Perspectives

As Buhari steps in… p.52

NNPC: Unending Tales of 'Missing' Funds Onwuka Nzeshi The controversy begins It is difficult to believe, yet too huge to ignore. The sum of $20 billion missing from the nation's coffers? How much does Nigeria earn from crude oil sales in one year? How can a whooping $20 billion be missing and the nation's economy still did not witness a major earthquake? Who took the money? Where on earth could such funds be laundered without creating a crisis in that economy? Why would a high level official in the government make such an allegation if he were not sure of his facts? These were some of the questions that occupied the minds of Nigerians when the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria( CBN), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi first lit the fire via a letter which he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan but which was later leaked to the media. Sanusi's letter dated September 25, 2013 alleged that “between January 2012 and July 2013, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC) lifted 594,024,107 barrels of crude oil valued at $65,332,350,514.57. Out of this amount, Sanusi claimed, NNPC repatriated only $15,528,410,098.77, representing 24 percent of the value. According to his calculations, the NNPC was yet to remit to the Federation Account, an amount in excess of $49.8 billion or 76 percent of the value of oil lifted in the same period. The letter was received at the Presidency the following day, September 26, 2013 and was minuted to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke to respond to the allegations against NNPC. It was further referred to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC who now provided detailed explanations that no funds were missing and that the allegations were largely untrue. The explanation was also transmitted through the same route it came back to the Presidency. Then there was a long period of silence and the top bureaucrats in charge of the oil sector thought the Presidency and the CBN were satisfied with the explanations and had laid the tater to rest. The Fire Spreads Barely two months later, Sanusi's letter to the Presidency which was considered top secret found its way to some online publications and hell was let lose. It soon became a matter of urgent national importance and the Senate directed its Committee on Finance to investigate the allegations contained in the said letter. Since the the lid had been blown open, NNPC also went public with its explanations, debunking the claims of the then CBN boss and alleging that he had misrepresented the facts. The CBN and NNPC were to

Sanusi

Alison-Madueke

It was this saga that eventually consumed Sanusi

latter at the National Assembly where the parliamentarians took time to scrutinize the accounts if the oil conglomerate. The Ministry of Finance was on hand to mediate in the reconciliation of the figures to bring harmony between crude oil liftings and the proceeds that were remitted into the Federation Account. Unfortunately, the figures could not be fully reconciled. Al the parties appeared satisfied that the amount which the NNPC was said to be owing had reduced significantly from $49.8 billion to about $10. 8 billion but the CBN was not impressed with the outcome of the reconciliation. Sanusi was of the opinion that the left over or missing funds was in the region of$12 billion. Subsequently, the CBN increased the tally of the alleged missing funds at least twice before pegging it at $ 20 billion .

Sanusi Consumed At this stage, it became a source of serious embarrassment to the government and Sanusi became a suspected mole out to rock the boat of the government in which he was serving. On the other hand, he was hailed as a star whistle blower by the opposition party, All Progressives Congress( APC) who saw Sanusi as an ally in the task of exposing the perceived high level corruption in high places. It was this saga that eventually consumed Sanusi as he was sacked from office following his apparent insistence on embarrassing the government that he was serving. Even after his exit and his ascension to the throne of the Emir of Kano, the allegations of missing finds at the NNPC refused to go. With the general elections around the corner, it became a sour point in the campaigns. In spite of all the explanations from the NNPC, the opposition would just not let sleigh dogs lie. Perhaps, to prove its innocence, the federal government commissioned the PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a reputable international audit firm to scrutinize the accounts of the NNPC. The audit firm conducted due diligence on the accounts of the NNPC and returned a verdict of no missing funds. It however unveiled a number of irregularities and recommended that the NNPC should refund about $1.48 billion to the federal government. As expected, the report was forwarded CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

46 Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Timelines of a Saga

September 25, 2013 BN Governor writes Mr. President alleging that “between January 2012 and July 2013, NNPC lifted 594,024,107 barrels of crude oil valued at $65,332,350,514.57. Out of this amount NNPC repatriated only $15,528,410,098.77 representing 24% of the value. This means the NNPC is yet to account for, and repatriate to the Federation Account, an amount in excess of $49.8 billion or 76% of the value of oil lifted in the same period.” September 26, 2013: Presidency receives CBN Governor’s letter. September 27, 2013: President minutes letter to Hon Minister of Petroleum Resources to explain the allegations against NNPC. September 30, 2013: HMPR forwards letter to GMD NNPC asking for explanations: October 2, 2013 GMD NNPC offers explanations to the HMPR. October 4, 2013: HMPR writes to Mr. President with detailed explanations. October 4, 2013 to November 6, 2013. Nothing was heard about the allegation and NNPC presumed the Presidency and CBN were satisfied with the explanations given. December 8, 2013 Contents of CBN’s letter leaked to some online publications causing national furore. Senate Plenary directs its Committee on Finance to investigate the alleged unremitted $49.8 billion. December 10, 2013 NNPC, in a press release, goes public with its explanations on the allegation, saying that the CBN Governor did not understand the workings of the oil industry and how revenues from oil lifting are remitted to the Federation Account. It added that the CBN actually understated the figures of lifting by NNPC by 4.13 percent. December 13, 2013 NNPC GMD, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, addresses a World Press Conference debunking the allegations made by the CBN Governor. Engr Yakubu stated NNPC crude oil liftings are made up of the following: 1. Equity crude, 2. Royalty oil, 3. Tax oil, 4. Volume for Third Party financing and 5. NPDC equity volume. He stated that remittances of proceeds from each of the 5 streams are made according to statutory and production arrangements. He explained that all remittances due to the Federation Account had been made into that account.

Okonjo-Iweala

December 13, 2013 Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance directs Inter-Agency Committee, comprising Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, NNPC, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to work to reconcile the different figures given by the two agencies of Government, namely CBN and NNPC. December 18, 2013 Joint Press Conference held at the Federal Ministry of Finance Headquarters to report the findings of the Inter-Agency Committee. In attendance were the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA. CME announced that the Inter-Agency Reconciliation Committee had established that $39 billion of the alleged $49.8 had actually been remitted to the Federation Account. CME announced that the

The Inter-Agency Reconciliation Committee had established that $39 billion of the alleged $49.8 had actually been remitted to the Federation Account

Committee was still working to reconcile the balance of $10.8 bn. December 18, 2013 At the first sitting of the Ahmed Makarfi led Senate Committee on Finance, suspended Gov. of CBN informs the Committee that $12 bn was balance of unremitted revenue to Federation Account. CME interjected and told the Committee that $10.8bn was balance to be verified by the InterAgency Committee. December 18, 2013 Senator Ahmed Makarfi asks the CME and the parties to go and complete reconciliation process and to return to the Committee with their findings.

January 10, 2014: Following incessant misleading media reports that the unreconciled $10.8bn was missing and unaccounted for, a press conference was organized where the Group Executive Director of Finance and Accounts, in charge of the Corporation, Mr. Benard O. N. Otti gave a breakdown of the $10.8 being reconciled as follows: Unpaid subsidy $8.49 billion, Maintenance of National Strategic Reserve$0.37 billion, Product and crude oil loses $0.72 billion and cost of pipeline vandalism and repairs $1.22 billion. February 13, 2014 At resumed hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance, CME informed members and the public that the Inter-Agency Committee had completed its assignment and had certified and signed off on the claims of NNPC to the tune of $8.7 billion for petroleum products subsidy. She said that the Committee had no technical competence to verify the other claims of $2.1 billion for pipeline repairs and maintenance, strategic reserves etc., and suggested that a forensic audit of the claims including what PPPRA (the statutory agency responsible for verifying products importation and subsidy claims) had certified and signed off be undertaken. In making the suggestion, CME had noted that even though the claims of

NNPC had been certified, given the extraordinary times, it may be necessary to invite forensic auditors to do a forensic examination. CME equally called for a legal opinion on the status of NPDC and Third party financing alliances by NPDC The CBN Governor was asked if he agreed with the finding of the Inter-Agency Committee to which he answered in the affirmative, adding that since the agencies responsible for certification of products importation and subsidy claims have certified the claims of NNPC, CBN was satisfied. But in a prepared address the CBN Governor said that the amount unremitted to the Federation Account was now $20 billion not the $12 billion that he had earlier said or the $10.8 given by the CME and the Inter-Agency Committee CBN Governor gave a breakdown of the $20 billion to include the outstanding $12 billion (contrary to the $10.8 billion given by the CME and InterAgency Committee), $6 billion being gross revenue earned by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited NPDC, a subsidiary of the NNPC and $2 billion being payments to Third parties. CBN Governor posited that NPDC being a subsidiary of the NNPC must remit all its revenue to the Federation Account in line with the constitutional require-

Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

ment in Section 162 (10) c. He also questioned the legality of NNPC floating subsidiaries to do business and keep their funds. Finally he questioned the propriety of the process of incorporating NPDC and the strategic Agreements it entered into. CBN Governor informed the Committee that he had sought legal opinion from Senior Advocates of Nigeria before making his presentation. Senator Makarfi ruled that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice be invited to come and give legal opinion on the issue of whether NPDC could defray costs of operations before remitting net to the Federation Account; whether NNPC could float a company to do business and whether the process of floating NPDC was proper and if the strategic alliance entered into with Third parties followed due process. February 14, 2014 HMPR speaks to Makarfi-led Committee on the reasons why kerosene subsidy still subsists. HMPR informed the Committee that going by the Act establishing the Corporation, for any change of products price to be effected the Honourable Minister of Petroleum must have the new price gazette. She noted that the then Honourable Minister of Petroleum did not gazette the decision to remove subsidy on kerosene. She also recalled the reactions of Nigerians to the attempt by the Jonathan administration in 2012 to remove subsidy on PMS, as a prelude to removing subsidy on kerosene, noting that if Nigerians would not accept PMS subsidy removal, how could they accept kerosene subsidy removal considering that it is the fuel used by the majority of the poor people of the country. NNPC accounts for unremitted $10.8bn to Federation Account with submission of documents to Senate Committee on Finance. NNPC stated that the relevant agencies had signed off on the subsidy claims of the Corporation in the sum of $8.7 billion and that documents supporting losses from crude oil and products theft, pipelines vandalism and maintenance, security and maintenance of strategic reserves etc are being submitted to the Senate Committee for verification. Even though the CBN Governor had admitted that not all gross revenue earned by NPDC is to be remitted to the Federation Account, he did not determine how much of the $6 billion is to be remitted. Yet, his allegation of unremitted $20 billion was made up of all the gross revenue of $6 billion from NPDC. The Committee asked NNPC to explain the rationale behind strategic alliances between NPDC and its partners.

February 20, 2014 In response to the Senate Committee’s enquiry Attorney General of the Federation informs Senate Committee that NNPC is legally empowered to defray cost of operations from its revenue. Secondly he confirms that NNPC was empowered to float companies to do business. On the third issue, namely whether due process was followed in signing the strategic partnership agreements, he informed the Senate that he was yet to study the documents he received on that as he got them on his way to the Senate. February 24, 2014 Commenting on a question about subsidy on kerosene during a Media chat, President Jonathan confirmed NNPC’s position that subsidy on kerosene had not been removed by the Government. February 25, 2014 Following media reports that NPDC denied receiving $6bn from NNPC, being NPDC’s revenue during the period under review, the Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Victor Briggs, issued a press statement confirming that NNPC remitted the said amount into the NNPC/ NPDC account which warehouses all of NPDC’s earnings from its operations. March 13, 2014 At the resumed hearing of the Senate Committee, a Director from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Salawu Zubairu, told the Committee that from their records NNPC had remitted all the funds meant for remittance into the Federation Account within the period under review. At the same hearing, a representative of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Mr Alfred Ohiani, also confirmed to the Committee that NNPC paid all royalties on crude oil liftings during the period under review into the DPR account with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Committee also took evidence from Third Party Operators (JV partners from Total E & P and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited) who were represented by Mr Chidi Momah and Mr Olusegun Banwo. The two representatives confirmed that their companies received the amounts stated by NNPC as having been paid to Third Parties during the period under review. The Committee adjourned sine die to enable members go into a technical session to review all the presentations in order to be able to come up with their conclusion. May 28, 2014 The Committee submitted its report CONTINUED ON PAGE 53

NNPC GMD, Dr. Joseph Dawha

NNPC: Unending Tales of ‘Missing' Funds C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

to the federal government which appointed the audit firm and snippets of it released to the public, re- asserting the position of the NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources that no funds were missing. The PWC Audit For many Nigerians, the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan had the courage to order an audit of the NNPC accounts after previous governments had avoided it, was an indication that he wanted to display his administration's commitment to transparency and accountability. However, there are also some Nigerians who are not prepared to entertain any thought of the NNPC being innocent of the allegations leveled against it. This latter group believes te NNPC is a tower of corruption and must be guilty as charged. It does seem that Sanusi, the former CBN boss belongs to this second group. In and out of government, Sanusi appears defiant and unprepared to allow the NNPC have a clean bill of health. He demonstrated this recently when he paid a courtesy visit on the President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and used the opportunity to express done misgivings on the handling of the $20 billion saga. His comments during the visit further stoked the fire and as Buhari vowed to revisit the audit report of the $20 billion purportedly missing from government coffers. Like a chain reaction, President Jonathan last week, ordered the official release of the full report of the audit conducted by PriceWaterhouseCooper to the public. In doing this, the outgoing administration was once again taking up the challenge to prove its innocence and that of the NNPC in the missing money saga. But as good as the release of the audit report might look, it appears that this controversy is far from being over. Many critics of the Jonathan administration have dissected the report and have thrown open fresh concerns. They have highlighted the shortcomings in the report to include that the audit firm lacked the appropriate data to do a thorough job and was forced to rely on reports earlier investigations on the subject. In the report, PricewaterhouseCoopers also said that it could not offer any Independent legal opinion on the books of the NNPC and relied essentially on the legal advice of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on certain issues that cropped up in the course of its assignment. That claim necessitated a statement from the office of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala. The statement initially suggested that she played no part in the decision to hire PWC. But she would later clarify that in another statement (see page 6). In the face of these lapses, many Nigerians who had expected a truly independent and dispassionate scrutiny of the accounts of the NNPC have again been disappointed in the outcome of the exercise. Previous Mysteries But what is happening now is not new in Nigeria. In 1977, the NNPC faced

a similar allegation of missing funds. The amount said to missing was N2.8 billion and it was during the days of former Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Muhammadu Buhari who served as Minister of Petroleum Resources in that regime. In the wake of the controversy, Obasanjo set up a Crude Oil Sales Tribunal to investigate the operations of the Nigerian National Oil Company (NNOC) which later became NNPC. The tribunal found out that in three years, NNOC had failed to collect its equity share of oil produced by Shell, Mobil and Gulf. As a joint venture partner, NNOC was entitled to 182.95 million barrels of oil production. But NNOC did not find buyers for its own share, thereby losing a potential income of $2.8 billion. It was this scenario that was misconstrued as N2.8 billion missing funds in the oil corporation. Ironically, Buhari who has been a victim of a phantom allegation of missing oil money in the past, is one of those at the forefront of the current campaign to nail the NNPC and it's officials. Also, there was the fuel subsidy scam which occurred in 2012 following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration and the instantaneous increase in the price of petroleum products across the country. The policy change sparked a nationwide protest and subsequently the House of Representatives constituted an Adhoc Committee to investigate the administration of the subsidy scheme in Nigeria. The probe was directed at the NNPC and it's subsidiaries and was another attempt to prove the widely held belief that there was corruption on the corporation. Although the committee led by by Hon. Farouk Lawan exposed monumental corruption in the subsidy scheme, it failed to live above board in the course of its assignment. Lawan, was soon implicated in a bribery scandal that eventually rubbished the report of the investigation. The federal government had to constitute another panel to rescue the investigation and arraign those found culpable for benefitting dubiously from the scheme. The Way Out In all these years, it has become obvious that the NNPC is the cash cow of the federal government. The corporation has enormous resources and enormous powers as well being the organization in charge of petroleum, the main stay of the Nigerian economy. The NNPC Act confers on it the power to undertake a lot of responsibilities on behalf of the federal government and to defray the cost. This is why it is often difficult to know whether it is the NNPC that is owing the government or it is the other way round. In order to rescue the nation from the hands of the oil behemoth, the federal government has in the last eight years been pushing for sweeping reforms through the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) but the National National Assembly has been foot dragging on the piece of legislation. If passed, the bill will ensure the needed transparency and accountability on the oil sector as it will extricate the NNPC from the stranglehold of the government bureaucracy and patronage and transform it into a quasi-private enterprise that will be run on international best practices for transparency and profitability.

48 Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Alison-Madueke

In the eye of the storm O

Dominik Umosen

nly Nigerians can say if controversy, which has steadily and torrentially trailed this elegant stallion (apologies to Onyeka Owenu), like a stubborn fly, was part of the bargain for enlisting the services of Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke as Petroleum Resources minister. Although the rollover of controversies intensified since she was reassigned to this portfolio in 2010, her trade mark of confronting challenges head-on, instead of the trending prevarication, guaranteed a steady supply of controversy. From when she was the Minister of Transport (aviation, road and rail), in 2007 till when she was eventually re-assigned to the petroleum ministry after President Goodluck Jonathan became the substantive president in 2011, controversy has always followed her, trailing behind like a stubborn shadow. For example, as Minister of Transport in 2007, Alison-Madueke was subject in a Senate probe after it was alleged that she paid over N30billion ($263Million), to contractors between December 6 and 31. Though, she was never officially charged for misconduct in the allegations, which she stoutly denied. She was also alleged to have spent billions of dollars inappropriately on private jets while many Nigerians languished in suffering and poverty. In addition to being accused of responsibility for spending about $20billon, which her traducers are yet to provide evidence, she was also alleged to have spent government money recklessly. In October 2009, the Senate indicted her and recommended her prosecution for alleged theft of N1.2billion and paying same into the accounts of a company without due process, authorisation and in breach of concession agreement. She vigorously maintained her innocence; hence it was hardly surprising that the case was never pursued to its logical conclusion. In spite of all the accusations, however, the minister appears to have impressed not just a few since her stewardship in the many appointment portfolios she had handled thus far. For instance, since her appointment as minister overseeing the crucial petroleum ministry, Alison-Madueke, who is married to a former chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke, had launched enthusiastically into her avowed push to transform the oil and gas industry for the benefit of all Nigerians. She also championed the passage of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill into law in April 2010. As a result, a broad spectrum of the sector created over 250,000 jobs with over 300 indigenous companies formed as at the end of 2014. As part of her commitment to transparency and accountability in the industry, she personally supervised the re-draft of the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is awaiting passage into law by the House of Representatives. The gas master plan also attests to her efforts to ensure that the country’s vast resources are tapped sustainably to transform the country into a gas super power, providing gas for industrialisation, export and power. A global activist, who advocates ending, or at least, drastic reduction of poverty in developing countries, Allison-Madueke works tirelessly to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea, thereby contributing to world economic stability. She is a committed gender advocate who mentors young

Alison-Madueke

women to pursue careers that will provide the foundation for economic and personal fulfillment. Her re-appointment in 2011 after the inauguration of President Jonathan marked a turning point of sorts for this Rivers State-born manager. Many saw this as a reaffirmation of confidence in her capacity as minister. In December 2014, the minister capped her role as first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with her election as President, Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). That is in addition to being chair person, Committee of West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAPGA) and the first and only woman to be honoured with an Honourary doctorate degree by the Nigeria Defence Academy. Judging from her background, it is hardly surprising that a forceful and trail-blazing personality like her should be gravitating from one controversy to another. It is to her credit that President Jonathan signed the Nigerian Content Act, which aims to increase the percentage of petroleum industry contracts that are awarded to Nigerian businesses. It was seen by many as a reaction to domination of the sector by foreign operators. Perhaps, one of the most controversial policies canvassed under her was the plan by government to remove subsidy on the prices of petroleum products; a highly emotive issue among Nigerians. Alison-Madueke’s defence of the action was robust. She argued for discontinuation of the subsidy on the grounds that doing so “poses a huge financial burden on the government, disproportionately benefits the wealthy (and) encourage inefficiency, corruption and diversion of scarce public resources away from investment in critical sectors”. In the ministries (Transport, Mines and Steel Development) she has served, only that of petroleum resources has the full force of her personality been most obvious. Not one to shy away from controversy, especially if she feels justified, Alison-Madueke once dragged the House of Representatives

to court to stop it from investigating certain of her activities, including the N10billion allegedly spent in hiring a stand-by jet by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Part of her defence is that the plane was used not only by her but also other government officials, including members of the House of Representatives. But, the most defining controversy the petroleum minister has been embroiled in seems to be the row over alleged unremitted oil receipts by the NNPC. Though, the amount alleged to be missing was initially put at over $25billion by two former governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who is now the Emir of Kano, this figure was later brought down to something less. In fact, Alison-Madueke, disclosed that the NNPC has started refunding the $1.48billion unremitted fund into the Federation Account as recommended by an audit firm, PriceWaterHouseCoopers. Although, she did not disclose how much has so far been refunded. The minister also denied reports that she sought the assistance of some highlyplaced persons, including former headof-state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, to escape prosecution for alleged corruption from the incoming administration of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari. She said after the weekly meeting of Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that the Federation Account Allocation Committee had constituted a committee to establish reasons for the delay in the refund. In their forensic audit report of the account of the corporation, PriceWaterHouseCoopers, according to her, recommended that the NNPC should make refunds to the Federation Account. Justifying the refund, Alison-Madueke, who has attributed her travails to the powerful cabal in the sector whose toes she admitted stepping on in the course of her job, explained that the fund was necessitated by a debt owed by the NPDC for a block that was earlier assigned to the NDPC

from the NNPC. “The PriceWaterHouseCoopers forensic audit that was done few weeks ago in his recommendation mentioned that $1.48bn was owed by the NPDC for a block that had hitherto been assigned from the NNPC to the NPDC which is its subsidiary. They felt that the right process would be that the NPDC will refund that money to the Federation Account. The NPDC has apparently started those refunds and it is also in discussion with the NNPC and the DPR on same. So, the refund has actually begun,” she said. While admitting that the payment was being done via her directive, she insisted that contrary to the erroneous impression created in the foreplay of propaganda, the sum was never missing but merely transferred by the NNPC to the NPDC, which is a subsidiary of the corporation. She equally dismissed the feverish speculations of her supposed “flight into exile to escape probe” and alleged reaching out to power brokers to make a case for her. She insisted that she never did anything wrong during her stay in the ministry. According to her, the cabal that she claimed to have dislodged was merely fighting back to rubbish her daring and patriotic efforts to transform the petroleum industry. Alison-Madueke disclosed that in the course of her job as minister, she has had cause to meet with various elder statesmen across the country and wondered why her meeting with Abubakar was singled out. She wondered how she could be seeking a soft landing for a crime that she did not commit. “I have not sought such assistance because I am not aware that I have been indicted of any crime that requires a soft landing. Over the last four years, I have many times been unfortunately accused and libeled in so many malicious and vindictive ways. I have explained these things and pushed back robustly on these accusations and I have even gone to court on many of them. Yet, they keep being regurgitated,” she said.

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2 MAY 2015

Outrage over execution of Nigerian drug pushers in Indonesia

With the execution of eight drug convicts by firing squad by Indonesia on Tuesday, it means that 14 convicts have now been put to death this year alone, which is about 50 per cent of those executed since 1999, writes Ndubuisi Ugah

he execution of eight foreign nationals, four from Nigeria on Tuesday by the Indonesian Government for drugrelated offences swept the global circle like a wild fire. This is because the execution of the drug convicts by firing squad meant that 14 convicts have been put to death in Indonesia this year alone. But given Iraq’s antecedent of executing at least 169 people in 2013, compared to the 40 people who were given the death penalty in 2011 and 101 in 2010, the executions of the eight foreign nationals was regarded as the highest in one year since 1999. Almost 50 per cent of those executed since 1999 were said to be foreigners, which explains why there were global condemnations and protests across the world, including Australia, Brazil, the Netherland and Nigeria. Reports said the executions were carried out after midnight (17:30 GMT) at Besi Prison on Nusakambangan Island on Tuesday, after the inmates were given 72-hour notice. Those executed were Australians Andrew Chan (31) and Myuran Sukumaran (33); Nigerians Martin Anderson, Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Raheem Agbaje Salami, Okwudily Oyantze, Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte and Indonesian Zaenal Abidin. Chan and Sukumaran were the Australian ringleaders of the so-called “Bali Nine” heroin trafficking group who were arrested at the main airport on the holiday island in April 2005 for trying to smuggle 8.3kilogramme of heroin to Australia. The seven other members of the "Bali Nine", all Australians, were jailed in Indonesia but did not face the death penalty, while Gularte was diagnosed by Indonesian medics with schizophrenia. The convicts were reportedly taken to the Nusakambangan Island where they were executed by firing squad on Tuesday evening, after they were all asked for their last wishes. Interestingly, a Filipino woman, Mary Jane Veloso, was postponed at the last minute after someone suspected of recruiting her surrendered to police in the Philippines, the attorney-general’s spokesman told the Reuters news agency late on Tuesday. “The execution of Mary Jane Veloso has been postponed because

Under Indonesian law, death row convicts are shot by a firing squad of 12 police officers aiming at the heart

Nwolise

Oyatanze

Owolabi

Martin

there was a request from the Philippine president related to a perpetrator suspected of human trafficking who surrendered herself in the Philippines. Mary Jane has been asked to testify,” Tony Spontana, spokesman for the attorney general said. Under Indonesian law, death row convicts are shot by a firing squad of 12 police officers aiming at the heart, who are given the signal to fire by a commander dropping a sword. However, only three of the squad would fire live rounds, so as not to identify the executioners. If the first round of bullets fail to kill them, they would be shot in the head. However, the execution of the convicts did not go without an unusual atmosphere of anguish and sombreness as the convicts were said to have gone to their deaths singing hymns and praying. Security was said to have been tight at the prison on the island off the Central Java coast where the executions took place. The men refused to wear blindfolds as they were put to death in a jungle clearing near the prison on the island of Nusakambangan in Central Java despite given the choice to stand, kneel or sit before the firing squad. Family members were also said to have held a vigil nearby and heard the shots as the drug convicts were killed. A lawyer for the Brazilian convict and a witness to the execution, Christina Widiantarti, said: “The good thing is all prisoners were executed together while praying and singing. Before that they hugged each other, saying goodbye.” The hymns, among them Amazing Grace, were sung as the convicts were being tied to posts four metres apart. “When they were being put on the cross for execution they were singing on the crosses and we were in a tent not too far away from the execution place trying to support them,” Father Charlie Burrows told News Corp Australia. The husband of Pastor Christie Buckingham, who gave spiritual guidance to one of the Australians, said his wife told him the men con-

ducted themselves with “dignity and strength until the end.” Aside from the plea of clemency from the home governments of the nationals executed, the execution also raised the argument of the rule of law and right to life. Following the outrage that greeted the execution, the Federal Government has demanded for the repatriation of the corpse of the executed Nigerians for proper burial. A statement issued by the Public Communications Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with deep disappointment, news of the execution of four Nigerians-Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe by the government of Indonesia for drug-related offences. “These executions have taken place despite spirited pleas for clemency made at the highest level by President Goodluck Jonathan and more recently by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali. “The Federal Government wishes to express its condolences to the families of the deceased. It has asked the Indonesian government for the repatriation of the remains of the executed persons so that they can be accorded decent burials by their various communities. “Furthermore, government is committed to engage the government of Indonesia and other friendly countries regarding the conclusion of Prisoner Transfer Agreements and other bilateral means of safeguarding the interest and welfare of Nigerians.” Australia and Brazil both condemned the refusal to heed lastditch pleas to save their nationals, but Indonesia's attorney-general insisted it was part of the “war” on drugs. Beyond its protest, Australia is said to be considering her deep commercial and political ties with its neighbouring country, but said the executions would not affect trade relations, while Brazil said it was wary of risking valuable defence contracts. Though Indonesia staunchly defended its execution of all the convicts, it was gathered that the execution came to pass despite pleas by the United Nations, the European Union, Amnesty International and the Federal Government. In Nigeria, the reactions were rather spontaneous. The executive director of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Mr. Ibuchukwu Ezike, said the executions came at a time when societal ills in the country needed to be addressed in order for those engaging in illicit drug deals to have a rethink. According to him, this is a reflection of the character of the government we have. This is why the incoming government should as a matter of urgency begin to look at policies that would give the man in the street some sense of responsibilCONTINUED ON PAGE 51

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Dabiri-Erewa: Executions could have been avoided

What is your reaction to the recent execution of four Nigerians in Indonesia for drug related offences? It's sad and unfortunate. I visited Indonesia some years ago when we learnt that about 16 Nigerians were on death row in that country. We made that visit around 2009 with the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe, who led a delegation of about eight people including the directorgeneral of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency( NDLEA) and others. We met these 16 young Nigerians in prison and everyone of us was in an incredibly emotional moment at the sight of these young people who were about to be executed. Some of them were graduates. They made excuses such as they had no jobs; they had difficulties coping with life and they had to go into the drug trade to make ends meet and so on and so forth. So we prayed for them and wished they could get a second chance to live. We proceeded to meet with government officials in that country to see how we could intervene on the matter. We met the Attorney-General, the Deputy President and even officials of a nongovernmental organisation that was pleading on behalf of these Nigerians. They had previously executed 21 persons who were convicted of similar offences. But the message we got from the Indonesian government was that these people ran foul of the laws. They said: "This is our law and our law is sacrosanct. There is really nothing we can do about it." If you have ever been to the Indonesia, you will see it written all over their airports: Penalty for drug trafficking is death. However, they didn't execute them that year. This was 2009. We learnt they later executed some in 2010. Now this is 2015 and you can see what has just happened to four of them. Really, my worry is that I'm not too sure they got a thorough and fair trial. If you commit a crime, you pay for it depending on whatever the law says is the penalty. But it is also important that you exercise your right to freely defend yourself in a court of law. What lessons can we draw from these episodes when our compatriots are executed in foreign lands for crimes? There are two issues here. One, we should appeal to Nigerians to be law abiding and stay away from these crimes. Nigeria cannot be begging for you while you and some other persons are still being caught in the same illicit drug trade. However, we can't stop pleading for clemency from Indonesia because we believe that with a lot of pressures from the world, Indonesia may spare the remain-

A few days ago, the government of Indonesia executed some Nigerians who were convicted on drug trafficking. The executions were carried out in spite of all entreaties from the Nigerian government and the international community. In this interview, the Chair of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa tells Onwuka Nzeshi that Nigeria should have done a lot more to save the nation from this agony. Excerpts.

Dabiri-Erewa

ing Nigerians on death row in their country. They might be lucky like the Filipino woman who ended up not being killed. Why do you think the Indonesian government has been so adamant even with the intervention of the United Nations? Well, they say that about 73 people die every day in Indonesia as a result of drug use. So it is a serious issue in that country. But their new President, Mr Joko Widodo was elected last year through popular votes of the people. He does not have a military background so you cannot say that perhaps the country is under a dictatorship and that is why people are being executed for drug trafficking. The people of Indonesia are hailing their government; they believe that

This is our law and our law is sacrosanct. There is really nothing we can do about it

they have done what is right. It is a problem they say they want to stop. In Malaysia, it is also there. In some other countries, it might not be death penalty. When you look at the Indonesian case, you find out that the attitude is that the government is doing the

wishes of the people. But we can't stop putting pressure on Indonesia as long as death remains the penalty for drug trafficking in that country. I think that the government of Indonesia has been insisting on death penalty because they believe it is a deterrent to others who might want to take to the illicit trade. Maybe what we should do is to appeal to the Indonesian government to tamper justice with mercy. If they can spare those that are still on death row, any one that commits the offence thereafter would have to face the penalty. Apart from intervening and pleading for clemency for our citizens who have been convicted, what else should Nigeria do to put an end to this problem? On our own part, maybe

we should also inscribe on the walls of our airports that if you are travelling to Indonesia and you carry drugs, they are going to kill you. Over there, they have it boldly written at their airports that if you are caught with drugs, you will be killed and there would be no appeals. It is the law of their land, so all we can do is hoping that maybe with more international pressure they will not execute the others that are on death row. I don't even think Nigeria has put in enough pressures considering the fact that we have the highest number of persons on death row in Indonesia. This discussion should be at the highest levels of government of both countries. It should be at the President to President level but I don't think that is happening right now. When the former Prime Minister of Indonesia came to Nigeria, this matter was just discussed in passing. I don't think we are doing enough. Although it is wrong to indulge in crimes, although it is wrong to smuggle drugs into another man's country when they say it is killing their people, we need to do more to prevent these things from happening. Do you think Nigeria has done enough in terms of public enlightenment to discourage our young men and women from drug trafficking? That is it. I don't think so. We need to keep talking to our people about the dangers of drug trafficking. Our young people and even some old people carry drugs now. Let us keep appealing to Nigerians that they should stop because it is not worth it. We should take the message to the point of buying your flight ticket or obtaining your visa . Just the way they do with cigarettes when they write on it - Smokers are liable to die young. So at the point of booking your flight to a place like Indonesia, Nigerians should also be warned that they are liable to death if they go there with drugs. Some of these people who are sponsored by the drug barons don't even know the consequences until it had become too late. Some of these people convicted have never been to Indonesia before. They were sent there on an errand for which they hope to earn some good money. The drug barons wouldn't tell them the dangers in it. Have you at any time come across the parents or family members of these persons? No. The reason they don't show up is that family members don't want to identify with them. Some of them have fake names. In some cases, the family might not even know unless they see the pictures. So generally, family people don't like

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identifying with the convicts. Even, most of the persons convicted abroad wouldn't tell you exactly where they come from in Nigeria. When we met this 72-year-old woman in a Brazilian prison, we could not find any of her relatives. Even her son, the only son she said, she had, was not ready to show up and identify with his mother. So, it is something families are usually ashamed of and would always want to distance themselves from whenever it occurs. What message do you give for parents in Nigeria? Well, I think that everything starts from the family. Parents need to be very careful the way they bring up their children. We should ensure that our children imbibe the right morals from home. It is a holistic thing. We have to educate our children on the dangers of looking for quick money. We have to let them know that if they take to drug business and they find themselves in Indonesia, the penalty is death. There are some countries where they will just execute them quietly and you won't even know what has happened. I know that some Nigerians are on death row in other countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. As a nation, we should even know the number of our people who are in prison and those on death row across the world. The statistics is important because it could help us in our interventions. There are some who shouldn't really be there. Some were thrown into prison in some questionable circumstances. Some of those accused for drugs may have been implicated by some other persons and it is only by listening to these peope that you will know some of these things. Just how easy or difficult is this your job of intervention in cases of Nigerians in trouble outside the country? It is very difficult and sometimes very embarrassing. Even getting into the prisons to see these people is not easy. As a woman, it can also be very emotional. When you visit these prisons and listen to the stories of those in there, you cannot help but sympathise with them. We need to fix our country and get our people meaningfully engaged and save them from embarking on some of these ventures. We need to fix our country. Nigeria can do a lot more for its citizens than it is presently doing. Are you trying to link the issue of people indulging in the drug trade to

We need to fix our country and get our people meaningfully engaged and save them from embarking on some of these ventures

the state of our economy? One cannot justify the trade in illicit drugs. It is unacceptable. If you commit the crime you will die. The issue of drug is about greed. Even if you are unemployed for the rest of your life, you shouldn't take to drugs. Now, I want to move the discussion away from drugs. You find a lot of Nigerians migrating to Chad, Libya and Morocco in order to cross to Europe. I am now looking at massive migration of Nigerians to other lands. A lot of them have died in the process. Yes, those dealing on drugs have died because of the crime, but what about the numerous people who have died along the desert routes on their way to Europe? If you go on that route, you see many bodies littered on the way and most of them are Nigerians. In the days of Muammar Gadaffi, when you are caught for illegal migration, you would be executed. In one of our interventions, we brought back some Nigerians who would have been killed. But even as we speak a lot of Nigerians are still on the desert route on their way to Europe. Many of them will die along the way. If they are not killed, a lot of them will either die of thirst or they get drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to cross over in small boats. So to avoid these ugly deaths, youths migrating in droves and endangering their lives, we need to fix our country. With a new government coming on board soon in Nigeria, is there any hope that things would change for the better? Nigerians voted for change and indeed positive change under the leadership of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari. I believe that that change will come and Nigerians will see the difference.

Outrage as Indonesia executes Nigerians C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 9

ity.

For him, “It is imperative for the UN, African Union (AU) and other international rights bodies to begin to see this issues arising from the execution as a collective responsibility. Indonesia too should also begin to educate her citizens on the need to stop the demand for drugs because of the ready market in Indonesia and by extension, Asia.” Speaking also, national coordinator of Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, Mr. Declan Ihekaire, said: “Did those who were convicted go to equity with clean hands? If yes, then it’s a cause of concern but if not, then its unfortunate. Investigation reveals that 30 to 40 per cent of nationals die on daily basis due to drug-related cases. This is rather disturbing.” But the Human Rights Wiriters Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), sees the execution in another perspective, where it argued that the Federal Government should be blamed for the execution of the Nigerians. According to the group’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is to be blamed for doing very little to enlighten prospective Nigerian travellers on the mortal consequences of engaging in drugs trafficking. The group also lambasted the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Nigeria for failing to ensure that consular legal assistance were provided for Nigerians allegedly in conflict with the law in foreign jurisdictions. Consequently, the group proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s foreign policy to ensure that the fundamental human rights of Nigerian citizens abroad which are universally guaranteed including right to legal representations for those allegedly in conflict with the laws of their host and usually hostile nations especially in Asia are promoted, protected and further enhanced. “Information filtering in from Indonesia and Malaysia is to the effect that many young Nigerians caught for alleged drug related offences were usually denied proper legal representations just as there are groundswells of allegations that the Nigerian Embassies are not actively involved in ensuring that the fundamental human rights of Nigerians are protected especially when they face prosecution in those foreign jurisdictions. “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial of which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.” Citing Article 10 of the universal Declaration of human rights that “Ev-

eryone is entitled in full to a fair and public hearing by an Independent and impartial tribunal in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.” In the wake of the executions, Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott, said the relationship with Jakarta (Indonesia) “has suffered as a result of what's been done over the last few hours.” Abbott told reporters in Canberra that: “These executions are both cruel and unnecessary. Cruel because both Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran spent some decade in jail before being executed, and unnecessary because both of these young Australians were fully rehabilitated while in prison. We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty but we do deplore what's been done and this cannot be simply business as usual.” Reacting to the execution, Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, said the executions were a vital front of its “war” on drugs. Apparently reacting to Australia’s recall of its ambassador in protest of the executions, Widodo said he was merely applying “the rule of law” against narcotics traffickers. On its part, the United Nations described the executions as “extremely regrettable, extremely sad” and reiterated its appeal for Indonesia to reinstate its moratorium on the death penalty. Also, Amnesty International said in its annual report on death sentences and executions worldwide that the number of known executions worldwide rose to at least 778 in 2013, which was a 15 per cent rise from the year before, following a surge in Iraq and Iran. The London-based human rights organisation said in its report released on Thursday that China remains the world’s biggest state executioner by far. With the executions over, analysts argued that the rise in the known judicial uses of death penalty revealed that Iran had executed 369 people in 2013, compared to the 314 that were executed in 2012. Amnesty International’s secretarygeneral, Salil Shetty, said: “The virtual killing sprees we saw in countries like Iran and Iraq were shameful. But those states, who cling to the death penalty are on the wrong side of history and are, in fact, growing more and more isolated.” More interesting is the fact that China defended its use of the death penalty as traditional deterrent. Its Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, said: “The relevant organisation always has biased opinions against China.” At least, 79 people were put to death in Saudi Arabia, including at least three people suspected to be minors. The United States is the only country in the Americas that carried out executions in 2013, with 39 people killed.

Drug convicts executed in Indonesia • Martin Anderson, 50, Nigeria, arrested in Jakarta in 2003 with 50 grammes of heroin. • Jamiu Owolabi Abashin, 50, Nigeria, arrested in 1998 at Surabaya airport with about 5 kilogrammes of heroin. He was originally sentenced to life in prison, which was reduced to 20 years by the High Court, then changed to death by the Supreme Court on appeal by prosecutors. • Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, 49, Nigeria, arrested in 2003 on arrival at Jakarta airport from Pakistan with 1.2 kilogrammes of heroin. • Okwudili Oyatanze, 45, Nigeria, arrested in Dabiri-Erewa

2001 on arrival at Jakarta airport from Pakistan with about 2.5 kilogrammes of heroin. Zainal Abidin bin Mahmud Badarudin, 50, Indonesia, arrested at his home in 2000 with about 59 kilogrammes of marijuana. • Rodrigo Gularte, 42, Brazil, arrested in 2004 on arrival at Jakarta airport with about six kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in several surfboards. • Myuran Sukumaran, 34, and Andrew Chan, 31, Australia, arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle more than eight kilogrammes of heroin to Australia as part of a group dubbed the "Bali Nine".

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Lai Mohammed’s new song and the AIT matter

apoleon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821), eminent French military General, former ruler and emperor rose to prominence during the French Revolution and its associated wars. He spread his tentacles beyond the shores of France and dictated the pace in Europe for almost two decades after seizing most parts of the continent. History has it that Bonaparte won most of the 60 wars he waged in Europe before he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815. Regarded as one of the greatest commanders in history, it is not surprising that his military warfare is studied in military schools around the world even up till today. Despite his unrivalled ascendancy in military and politics, Bonaparte once said he preferred facing more soldiers to fewer journalists. Also, the metonymy “The pen is mightier than the sword” which was first written by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839, in his historical play, “Cardinal Richelieu”, has become an age-long adage that is associated with the power of the press. But neither Bonaparte’s statement, nor Bulwer-Lytton’s wonderfully made metonymic adage was inspiring enough to caution Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has suddenly realised how lazy Nigerian journalists have become after they have over indulged him for years. Here is what Mohammed said: “You Nigerian journalists have suddenly become lazy. Is this Senate President’s story the only thing you can think of? All what you people have been writing is nonsense and if you don’t know, people are laughing at you guys because you are no more credible." He continued: “The media cannot stampede us to make any further statement on this matter apart from what we issued last. We won’t talk to you on this again, please. Good day,” he told a reporter on the telephone.

n May 29, 2015, Nigeria will mark the 16th anniversary of democracy and simultaneously inaugurate a new presidency. There are probably good reasons to celebrate. There are also just as many good reasons to deliberate on the turn of events so far. If the longest stretch of civil rule in the nation’s history calls for jubilation, the failure of leadership at all levels, particularly at the centre, resulting in numerous missed opportunities, crashed hopes and unfulfilled aspirations, demands only one thing: sober reflection. It’s worth recalling that the first military intervention in 1966 derived its impetus from the perception of the young, idealistic military majors that the social contract between the ruled and rulers had being brazenly rubbished. Unfortunately, subsequent interventionist coups provided pretty little contrast from impunities of civilian regimes. It cannot be denied that some bright spots were registered during this period. But in sharp contrast, there have been moments - too many moments - of infamy. These traverse the political, socio-economic and religious spheres. In this connection, Nigerians were robbed of their dreams, that peculiar transcendental dimension of humanity that cocoons the seedlings of reality. Hence in marking Nigeria's 16th anniversary of civil rule the most urgent imperative is the cobbling of a new road map by her new leadership, to guide a more meaningful national journey. A key focus area here would be the restoration of the legitimate dream of Nigerians and re-invention of a social contract in tatters. I recall here that former French President, Giscard D'Estaing once proclaimed

Waheed Bakare on Saturday 08124877036 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com

That the banning and unbanning of the African Independent Television (AIT) from covering the activities of the presidentelect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, came a few days after Alhaji Mohammed’s denunciation of the Nigerian journalists is negativity for the APC. If the two incidents are coincidence, it is a bad one for the incoming government. Things that are redolent of the military era should not be encouraged by Buhari who has assured us that he is now a repentant democrat. Buhari’s deeds and actions should not be seen to be travesty of repentance. Nigerians will be more interested to see the military background of Buhari, which places high premium on discipline and zero tolerance on corruption, replicated in the life of his administration. There are better ways of dealing with the issues of the AIT and I think Buhari and his team realised this early enough except that the recantation, which came after the hasty decision on the television station, shows lack of prudency on the part of the president-elect's team. Alhaji Mohammed’s uncharitable and unsavoury statement is disappointing, especially from a man who enjoyed immense support from the Nigerian journalists to the extent that some of them are now dubbed as “Buharists.” But the APC’s spokesman's uncanny remark confirms the penchant for status symbol among the average Nigerians. Mohammed's status has changed. He is no longer the opposition’s spokesman,

Mohammed's status has changed. He is no longer the opposition’s spokesman but the mouthpiece of the party that will take over governance from May 29 but the mouthpiece of the party that will take over governance from May 29. And if he is lucky, he is in a pole position to be the next Minister of Information or, at least, get a “big man” position in Buhari’s government. This is what the reporter who called him on the phone failed to realise. If a reporter had, a few months back, asked Mohammed a stupid question that a moron would not have contemplated, he would have looked for a subtle way of pointing out the reporter’s naivety. But his new status requires a new song and he expects Nigerian journalists to dance to his discordant tune that we are a bunch of lazy people. Alhaji Mohammed’s remark is a reminiscent of the reference to journalists as “press boys” by the military, a derogatory remark suggesting that media men were a bunch of hungry people who were immature in content and character. Unfortunately, some journalists may not

As Buhari steps in… The Nation-State With Louis Achi

achilouis35@gmail.com that history is tragic. Born in the First World War, he fought in the second global conflagration. Perhaps, from an insight shaped by being a participant and witness to the triumph of the human spirit over unimaginable odds, he counseled statesmen and world leaders. "There can be no response to history without effort." Outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan made considerable effort within his capacity to respond to this peculiar history. It is left for history to judge him. The incoming presidency of General Muhammadu Buhari must go beyond that and deliver a performance that should genuinely seek to resolve Nigeria’s subsisting human development and infrastructure quandary. Former US President Bill Clinton captured this enduring truth at the Leon H. Sullivan Summit, held in Abuja, a few years ago. His words: "There is no single tragedy in Africa more than robbing people of their dreams. The new challenge in Africa today is building a systematic capacity which will enable the people to live to make their own progress and save their own future. If you look at the miracle

economies of Asia, it's not only hard work but the opportunity to be part of a system that will reward your intelligence and hard work." Quality, democratic governance is epitomized by predictable, open and enlightened policy-making, a bureaucracy imbued with professional ethos acting in furtherance of the public good, the rule of law, transparent processes, and a strong civil society participating in public affairs. Poor governance (on the other hand) is characterized by arbitrary policy making, unaccountable bureaucracies, unenforced or unjust legal systems, the abuse of executive power, a civil society unengaged in public life, and widespread corruption. Little wonder the Obasanjo-Yar’AduaJonathan years are largely seen by many as transitional administrations, not democracy. Rightly or wrongly, these years are perceived by many to have hobbled development in the most fundamental sense. An appraisal of sixteen years of uninterrupted civil rule in Nigeria is necessarily an evaluation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Following its birth in 1998,

even see anything wrong in what Alhaji Mohammed said since they may be ill at ease to step on the toes of one of the men envisaged to be a “big man” in the next government. But for me, since courage cannot be counterfeited and it remains a virtue that is devoid of hypocrisy, I won’t touch such journalists with a long pole. By the time Mohammed becomes a “big man” in the incoming government, I can presume that journalists who knew the inner room of his residence may become unwanted visitors at his gate, now that his status has changed and may even change for the better in a matter of days. He may not even hesitate to hang the phone on any “lazy” reporter who wants to disturb his peace. It may not matter again if he had had cause to send press statements to the email addresses of such journalists at odd hours in the past and still expected that they were published in their newspapers the next day. Such is life! But if I were Alhaji Mohammed, I will never assume that the person I am dealing with is weaker or less important than I am. Even if the reporter had asked a stupid question, he should have turned him down respectfully and politely instead of the collective insult he passed on the generality of the Nigerian journalists. It is extremely bad to reject people with insult. These lines from Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power may interest Mohammed: “Some men are slow to take offence, which may make you misjudge the thickness of their skin, and fail to worry about insulting them. But should you offend their honour and their pride, they will overwhelm you with a violence that seems sudden and extreme given the slowness of their anger.” Journalists are not known to be violent. But the devastating effect of their pens could be more vicious than the violence of guns. And if Bonaparte who won close to 60 battles realised this, the import of that should not be lost on Alhaji Lai Mohammed whose party has just won one battle and still have many more ahead. the PDP held a lot of promises. It could of course be recalled that the party metamorphosed from the G-34, a formidable political platform founded by some of Nigeria's most respected politicians who fearlessly drove the battle for democratic restoration. The vision of its founding fathers was essentially to win political power through democratic means in order to institute a democratic government as well as deepen the democratic culture. Unfortunately, as it were, after 16 years of democracy, with the PDP at its vanguard, considerable hope has been again betrayed. The exertions of President Jonathan as it turned were not enough to provide the transformative change he promised. Instead of strengthening democracy and promoting good governance, the party has been bedeviled by indiscipline and a compelling failure to exercise power to the benefit of Nigerians. Whereas the PDP was expected to mirror the ideals of the progressives who were its founding mentors, the party rather strangely chose a pathway at odds with strengthening democracy. Its historic mission is to build a modern democratic state founded on justice, equity and fair play has clearly come to naught. Against this background, it paid the ultimate price through being unhorsed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), an orchestra of strange bedfellows with a common purpose of seizing power. The APC is essentially a being which shares the same DNA with PDP. The only genetic difference is the Buhari (Mai Gaskiya). To change Nigeria for the better is no longer merely a pious wish but an imperative that must be achieved. This is the challenge before aging General Muhammadu Buhari.

Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Tracking a troubled industry C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 7

to the Senate. Some of the observations and recommendations of the Committee include: a.) That no oil revenue amounting to $49.8bn, $20bn, $12bn, or $10.8bn as alleged by the former CBN governor is missing b.) That the total expenditure on kerosene subsidy for the period (January 2012 – July 2013) which was unbudgeted was $4.43 billion. It is not anywhere near $8.7bn that the APC lying machine is bandying about. c.) That a Supplementary Appropriation Bill covering the amount be sent to the National Assembly for approval considering the ambiguity in government policy on kerosene subsidy and the fact that the PPPRA has verified the importation of the products. d.) That NNPC should remit the sum of $262 to the Federation Account being “expenses it could not satisfactorily defend in respect of Holding Strategic Stock Reserve; Pipeline Maintenance and Management Cost; and Capital Expenditure. July 10, 2014 The report of the Committee was debated on the floor of the Senate at plenary and it adopted most of the recommendations of the Committee. It particularly resolved, based on the recommendation of the Committee that the allegation of the former Central Bank Governor that some money was missing was to all intents and purposes false and that no money (be it $49.8bn, $20bn, $12bn, or $10.8bn) was missing. The senate also advised President Goodluck Jonathan to prepare and present to the National Assembly a supplementary budget “to cover the expenditure in the sum of N90.6bn for PMS (premium motor spirit) subsidy 2012 and N685.9bn for kerosene subsidy expended without appropriation by the National Assembly” based on the Committee’s finding that the expenditure was not based on a flagrant disobedience to the laws of the land in the light of the ambiguity surrounding the issue of kerosene subsidy removal. Other Salient Issues – On the recommendation by the Senate that NNPC should refund, the sum of $262bn which it expended on holding strategic stock reserves and maintenance and management of pipelines, it must be understood that NNPC by the law establishing it (the NNPC Act) is meant to act the supplier of last resort of petroleum products in the country. This role entails that it must ensure the availability of petroleum products to the Nigerian public at all times irrespective of circumstances. – The operation and holding of strategic stock reserve to guard against supply shocks is essential to the fulfilment of NNPC’s role as a supplier of last resort. – The maintenance and management of a network of pipelines is also strategic to the effective performance of the function the supplier of last resort. – Unfortunately, there is no budgetary provision for these activities that are essential to the efficient performance of the statutory role of supplier of last resort. – The PPPRA template does not make provision for the recovery of pipeline maintenance and management cost. – If NNPC does not hold strategic reserves and maintain the pipelines whenever they are broken it cannot guarantee efficient supply of petroleum products across the country in keeping with its statutory role as a supplier of last resort.

Ex-NNPC boss, Andy Yakubu

– The same National Assembly that wants NNPC to refund the $262bn expended on these two strategic activities is usually the first to summon the Management of the Corporation whenever there is a hitch in products supply and distribution resulting in fuel scarcity. – By this recommendation, NNPC is being put in a very difficult position to perform its statutory role as the supplier of last resort. – On the issue of kerosene subsidy, the committee observed that there was some ambiguity regarding government policy on the issue which made the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum to toe different lines on the matter. – Whereas the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly acted on the Presidential memo directing the Minister of Petroleum and NNPC to remove kerosene subsidy by stopping appropriation for kerosene subsidy, the Ministry of Petroleum could not act on effect the Presidential directive because of impracticability of the directive which instructed the Minister of Petroleum to remove subsidy on kerosene without making it public. The Petroleum Act stipulates that prices of petroleum products should be increased by the Minister of Petroleum Resources after announcing such increment in public media and the Federal Government Gazette. The Minister of Petroleum Resources at that time could not straighten out this contradiction in the directive with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua before his illness got worse and he eventually died. – The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, explained in the course of the Senate Committee hearing that she did not see any logic in withdrawing subsidy from kerosene which is the fuel relied upon by the very poor for cooking and lighting while retaining subsidy on petrol which is fuel powering cars by the rich. – President Goodluck Jonathan also threw light on the issue in one of his media chats when he explained that kerosene subsidy was not removed and that it was not published in the Gazette as stipulated by law. – In the light of the above, that funds were expended for kerosene subsidy without a valid appropriation by the National Assembly as required by law

MD NPDC, Victor Briggs

was not exactly an illegality as the lying machine of the APC tried to portray it. – Indeed, the Committee recommended that the President could send in a Supplementary Appropriation to cover for the amount spent on kerosene subsidy so as to straighten out the whole issue. February 2, 2015 – The report of the Forensic Audit conducted by the internationally accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), on NNPC over the alleged unremitted $49.8bn was submitted by the firm to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja. – The President immediately handed over the report to the Auditor-General of the Federation with a directive to study it and make the key findings of the report public. February 5, 2015 – The Auditor-General, in a press conference, made the highlights of the Forensic Audit Report known to the public. The highpoint of his disclosure was that the report recommends that NNPC and its Exploration & Production subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) are to remit the sum of $1.48bn being “signature bonus due for divested assets and taxes/royalties”. – What the Auditor-General failed to explain to the public is that the signature bonuses, royalties and taxes on the oil wells divested by Shell and assigned to NPDC were not part of the oil lifting revenues ($49.8) which the former CBN Governor (now Emir of Kano) alleged was unremitted by NNPC and which was the reason for the Forensic Audit. – The recommendation to pay the signature bonus for the divested oil wells was not an indictment in any way over the alleged unremitted $49.8 or any of the later versions of the amount that the former CBN Governor came up with. February 11, 2015 – Following the barrage of media reports claiming that NNPC was indicted in the PwC Forensic Audit Report because of its recommendation that NNPC should pay the sum of $1.48bn to the Federation Account, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Joseph T. Dawha, addressed a press conference to

explain the recommendation and why it does not amount to an indictment. – The GMD explained that the $1.48bn represents the balance of the book value of the assets assigned to NPDC upon divestment by Shell as computed by the DPR. – He further explained that the full book value of the assets as computed by DPR was $1.847bn out of which NNPC had paid over $300m as a token to indicate its interest in acquiring the assets pending when NNPC and DPR come to terms on a mutually acceptable estimate of the book value of the assets as NNPC had raised concerns over some of the parameters that DPR used in arriving at its figures. – On deductions and kerosene subsidy, the GMD explained that the PwC’s report was unequivocal that the NNPC Act empowers NNPC to defray its costs from crude oil sales proceeds and so NNPC could not be blamed for doing what the law prescribes, adding however that NNPC was ready for the legal reform proposed in the PIB. Conclusion: – The Forensic Audit Report, like the Senate Committee on Finance’s Probe Report before it, clearly stated that all the revenue generated from FGN crude lifting for the period of 1 January 2012 to 31 July 2013 amounting to $69.34bn was fully accounted for – Nowhere in the report was it stated that NNPC was indicted over the allegation of unremitted or missing oil revenue. – The alleged issue of missing oil revenue to the tune of whatever amount ($49.8bn, $20bn, $12bn, $10.8bn?) has been laid to rest by the Senate of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an independent audit firm, PwC. – In the light of the above, anyone or organization still circulating information about any unremitted or missing oil revenue or that NNPC was indicted in any report over the allegation is only either being mischievous or displaying his or its disdain for truth and only needs to be pitied. • Culled from NNPC's position paper on the matter.

Sport Extra

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

Melodramatic return of Keshi

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

Flying Eagles off to Germany

Adekunle Salami he Flying Eagles are due to leave Nigeria on Saturday (today) to intensify preparation for the FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled to hold between May 30 and June 20 in New Zealand. The Nigerian team would have travelled earlier but logistic problems in the travelling arrangements held coach Manu Garba and his boys till now. The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Muhammed Sa-

nusi, told our correspondent that the national U-20 team would spend 25 days in Germany. Sanusi said: “We had issues with their visas but now we have sorted everything out. All those travelling have their visas. The NFF will give the team maximum support to excel in the competition. “They will play friendly matches out there and we also believe there will be better concentration for them to focus on the challenges ahead.” Assistant coach of the team, Nduka Ugbade, said the players were battle

ready for the FIFA World Cup Ugbade said: “The invited professionals will join us in Germany and we continue with the preparation. We are optimistic of a good outing because this team has been together for long. “There is good understanding and we are going to use the science of the game to deal with every situation we find ourselves as the competition progresses.” The Flying Eagles are drawn in the same group with Brazil, North Korea and Hungary.

am one of those against the return of Stephen Keshi as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The Nigeria Football Federation demonstrated through its body language that Keshi was not wanted. The two parties were forced into the ‘marriage’ and that is not good for football. The question is why did it take the NFF 282 days to engage a coach? The intrigues gave rise to speculations, suspense and there was outrage generally over the delay. Keshi ordinarily was supposed to get the sack after he failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2015 AFCON. His predecessor, Samson Siasia, was asked to go for not qualifying Nigeria for the 2012 AFCON. The Big Boss used his influence in the corridors of power to hold on tight to the job. It is ridiculous that while the NFF was in search of a coach there were no options. They gave an impression that the job was only meant for Keshi. Despite NFF’s reluctance to engage the former international, he got the job apparently because his powers reigned supreme and today, he is back as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. So much time has been lost by the Super Eagles. The World Cup ended last July and since then the Nigerian senior team has been without direction and concrete plans for progress. The last four friendly matches were played with a stand-in coach, Daniel Amokachi, who is not going to be part of the new crew. The scenario we have now is such that it is an advantage for Keshi who understands the terrain to take over the team. The NFF, with the delay threw away its options of engaging a new coach. The 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers start in June and so the task before the returnee Big Boss is enormous. The Eagles are currently in tatters. Vincent Enyeama is on the way out after 100 caps for Nigeria. The backline is horrible. The two current halfbacks, Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile, are below average. In the midfield, Mikel Obi is still the commander but he is not enjoying regular playing time at Chelsea. Ogenyi Onazi is reliable enough to play in the defensive midfield role but he is also not featuring regularly for his club and he switches off and on in Nigerian colours. Creativity is lacking in the midfield generally and this has reduced the goal scoring chances of the team. Ahmed Musa is the only shining light in the attack. All other strikers are not doing well at club level and have been poor for the national team. The ‘shape’ of the team for now is a herculean task for Keshi. During the week, I was glad Keshi admitted he had no team. However, he should be ready to make the best out of the situation by getting results for a job he desperately fought to cling on to. Flying Eagles captain, Musa Muhammed, could be given a chance to compete for the right back position while Taiwo Awoniyi in my view is also good enough for the striking role. Awoniyi will be 18 in August and one can count many players that shot into limelight at 16 or 17 years. Nigeria has Egypt, Tanzania and Chad to contend with in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers. Only one team will pick the group's automatic ticket and seven-time African champions, the Pharaohs of Egypt, cannot be underrated. If the house is not in order, Tanzania and Chad could also upset Nigeria. Sudan surprisingly did at the last qualifiers. NFF and Keshi must forget the past grievances. Both parties must work with sincerity such that Nigerians will see the results in the Super Eagles. There is also a need for a quality psychologist for the team. Reality is that Keshi is in charge again and he needs the support of all Nigerians. In my capacity, I will give massive support to Keshi because in the end, the glory goes to Nigeria. I urge followers of the game to do the same for the Eagles. Of course I am also aware of Keshi’s arrogance and stubbornness but it is important to play one’s part. Former internationals should also rally round the coach to excel this time because we cannot afford to miss another AFCON ticket. Keshi’s return came to many as a surprise but it is better to accept the situation as it is especially because Super Eagles belong to us all, not to Keshi.

‘Pacquiao not same since knockout’

Iheanacho (left) dribbling past an opponent in the last U-17 World Cup

Rangers, Kaduna Utd clash in Fed Cup

he match between five-time champions Enugu Rangers and former winners Kaduna United headlines the Round of 64 battles as the Nigeria Football Federation conducted the draws for this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions in Abuja on Thursday. The colourful ceremony at the Conference Room of the FIFA Technical Centre was witnessed by members of NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Ahmad Kawu, High Chief Emeka Inyama, Mrs Dili Onyedinma and Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and other members of management, senior

staff members, officials of State Football Associations and participating clubs, media representatives and other stakeholders. Cup holders Enyimba FC clash with Nasarawa Feeders, and excellent football is guaranteed with Shooting Stars of Ibadan, eight-time champions, locking horns with Plateau United and BJ Foundation testing Kano’s Kurmi Market. In the women’s draw, 14 of the 18 teams drew bye into the next round, but Moje Babes of Kwara State and Golden Babes of Ebonyi State will tackle themselves as Oginni Queens of Osun State also face Rising Queens of Ondo State.

Okereke Maduabuchi of Gabros International being challenged by Pape Sane and Razaq Adegbite of Rangers

Wenger

Wenger says Jose Mourinho lacks respect

helsea's Jose Mourinho lacks respect for his fellow managers, says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Gunners fans chanted "boring boring Chelsea" during last weekend's 0-0 draw, and Mourinho said the Gunners' 11year wait for a title was "boring". Wenger was asked about those comments in his prematch news conference for Monday's game with Hull. "The biggest thing for a manager is to respect other managers. Some people have to improve on that," he said. In February 2014 the Chelsea boss called his opposite number a "specialist in failure", and then in October the Gunners boss shoved his rival during a heated touchline quarrel. Wenger said: "You can have incidents with other managers sometimes. "It gets a bit heated when you fight directly with them, but in the end I believe time heals and the important thing is to respect each other as much as you can."

anny Pacquiao has never recovered from being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2013, says Floyd Mayweather's father and trainer. And Mayweather Sr believes his son will knock Pacquiao out again when they meet for the richest fight in history in Las Vegas on Saturday (3am Sunday Nigeria time) . "Once you get hit like Pacquiao got hit by Marquez, it won't take too many more punches until it happens again," said Mayweather Sr. "This fight is already won. Trust me." Asked what he thought Pacquiao's best performance was, Mayweather Sr replied: "When he got stretched by Marquez." Mexican legend Marquez had lost to Pacquiao twice and drawn with him once before knocking him cold in the sixth round of their fourth encounter. Philippine legend Pacquiao, a six-weight world champion, has won his three fights since, although some suggest he is not the fighter that he was. However, Pacquiao's trainer of 15 years, Freddie Roach, said his charge was as good as ever ahead of his fight with Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 47 professional fights. "Manny knows that knockouts are a part of boxing," said Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year. "If you don't want to get knocked out, go do something else. "It was a bad knockout against Marquez, he was down for a long time. I was worried but when we got back in the gym there was no change, he wasn't gun shy. "But Floyd has put on extra muscle and can punch when he wants to. So I hope he chooses to come out in the early rounds and tries to knock us out. "Floyd will be looking to land that big overhand right, which was kind of a sucker shot, a shot fighters like Manny shouldn't be hit with." Roach did admit he might have trouble keeping control in Pacquiao's corner during the fight - especially of assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

2 MAY 2015

DESTINATION

SATURDAY

Perspectives

Sanctity of Truth

Lai Mohammed’s new song and the AIT matter

Nasarawa: Solid in minerals, low in tourism

P.42

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015

N150

p.52

Champions

Chelsea!

Mourinho set to claim 3rd EPL title with Blues

Ajibade Olusesan xcept a miracle happens, which is unlikely, Chelsea are the champions of the 2014/15 English Premier League season. The championselect will likely have their hands wrapped around the trophy tomorrow (Sunday) when they host Crystal Palace at the Stamford Bridge. The Blues moved within three points of the title when they came back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win at Leicester City last Wednesday and opened a 13-point gap over their nearest rivals, Manchester City and Arsenal. Chelsea have been dominant right from the blast, they have been atop the EPL table since the first week. They have racked up 24 wins, eight draws and they lost just two games to amass 80 points. Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have been the key men but the real star man of the campaign is their manager, Jose Mourinho. The Special One has knitted together a side that is strong in all dimensions of the game. They have scored 68 goals - only Manchester City have scored more - and they have conceded just 27 goals, which means that they have the meanest defence in the division. Their plus 41 goals difference shows their superiority to all competitors. Mourinho made a bold prediction when he arrived the Stamford Bridge about two years ago for his second stint at the club that his team would reclaim the EPL tittle, not in his first season but in his second and today Chelsea faithful will witness the manifestation of that declaration. The EPL is tough and only a tough manager like Mourinho can survive in that tough atmosphere. He is a winner whereever he goes, he has won titles in four

different countries - Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, and he has 21 different titles under his belt already which makes him one of the most successful coaches of all time. He is a man for the big jobs and big occasions. Mourinho always does it his own way, not afraid of upsetting big names. He has come under criticism with many of his rivals labelling his team boring. He got a full dose of that disparagement at the Emirates last weekend when Arsenal fans booed his side, chanting "boring, boring Chelsea". The Blues have been manifestly the best side in the league all season. Perhaps it’s only natural that others should look for sticks with which to beat them but the Special One is not the one to be cow-towed as he answered his critics in a honourable way. He also offered explanation on why his team has not been scoring a lot of goals in the second part of the season. "The boring team is the second-highest scorers in the Premier League, the team with the best goal difference. Only City have scored more goals than us. So, I think we scored a lot of goals and, in a period when we don’t have Diego Costa or Loic Remy and have only one striker, we need to work in a way where he can help us with all the matches we are having.,” the coach said. Chelsea can pull the champagne off the ice tomorrow but the coach has warned his side they have to delay the big party till after they dispatch Palace. “I cannot touch the trophy; we still need two or three more points. We need three points to be completely safe,” he said. But Palace is not a side that can slow them down again. Mourinho knows just what to do to land Chelsea their fifth EPL title, their first in the last five seasons and his own third EPL gong.

Mourinho

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