Saturday, may 7, 2016 new binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

News

Showbiz

How N10m ransom gave away Anisulowo’s kidnappers

Pg.9

Anisulowo

News

Open up on TeeBillz’s N45m scam, EFCC tells Pg.20 Tiwa Savage

Finally, Buhari signs N6.06trn 2016 budget

Tiwa

Pg.3

lSaraki pledges full implementation

Buhari

SATURDAY Saturday, May 7, 2016

Vol. 3 No. 808

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N150

N’DELTA MILITANTS ATTACK 4 OIL FACILITIES Pg.7

...plunge output to 20-year low ● Chevron loses 90,000 b/d ● Oil firm denies attackers’ claim

Fulani herdsmen:

Bakassi Boys begin recruitment, training

●’Excesses require drastic measure’ Pg.20 ●We’re not cowards –Ohakim

Anti-graft agency raids Access Bank, arrests MD Pg.5

Fear of arrest: PDP officials desert secretariat Pg.5

lI’ll appear before EFCC Monday –Fani-Kayode

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

SATURDAY

Comment

Beyond the conference on tyres T raffic accidents account for a great percentage of deaths recorded in Nigeria. Statistics show that at least eleven compatriots lose their lives daily on our roads.This alarming development should worry those charged with maintaining sanity on the Highways. It is in this regard that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) should be commended for organising a National Conference on Tyres. There are many components of a vehicle each playing a vital role in movement. A car without brakes is as deadly as a truck without functional headlamps at night. However, recent happenings tend to give negative prominence to tyres. A member of the Federal cabinet ,James Ocholi, perished in a car crash on the Kaduna Abuja Highway with his wife and son. His Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) reportedly swerved off the road when it lost a tyre. The minister’s death was blamed on his driver who according to the FRSC had no valid drivers licence.Possibly, he could have stepped on the brakes following the problem with the tyre which caused the vehicle to somersault. That was in March. In April, six medical doctors from Ekiti state died in a ghastly crash on the same Kaduna - Abuja road. Twelve of them embarked on the journey to Sokoto to attend the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) conference. There were six survivors. The driver also lost his life. Cause of the accident was another tyre lost. The FRSC was quick in blaming the driver for over speeding. However, one of the survivors faulted the FRSC for blaming the driver who unfortunately was not alive to offer any defence. According to the doctor the driver was not on top speed when the bus lost one of its tyres. He said he was so sure because the vehicle had a speed limiter and any time the speedometer moved higher than 100 kilometres per hour, the warning signal came to life. Earlier this week, another bus crash claimed the lives of five Kano college students who were travelling back to their state from Lagos after taking part in a debate. The driver also died and cause of accident was identified as a lost tyre. In the last couple of weeks therefore more attention has been paid on tyres as potential cause of many fatal traffic accidents. Attention is now on so many things about

the tyre. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is saddled with the responsibility of quality control. There are instances were sub standard tyres are imported from the Far East. These products cannot survive the rigours of travelling on Nigerian roads. Many of them have contributed to deaths on our highways. A good tyre has a four-year life span after production and this is written on it. However, many drivers and road users hardly take time to find out before they buy from dealers. It is possible that a tyre manufactured in 2013 will not be sold until 2016. A buyer could go and purchase it tomorrow believing that it should be road worthy until 2020 while in actual fact the expiry date is 2017. The FRSC has a lot to do in the area of enlightenment. We commend the commission for making out time to organise this conference. It must not just be for drivers and commuters. Other stakeholders like the Police, Customs and top government functionaries should not be left out. The Customs have a role to play because fairly used tyres flood the country from our porous borders. If smugglers are given an upper hand in the fight against fairly used tyres, some people have to be held responsible. Some of these waste from overseas come in handy because they are affordable. That is food for thought for the government. The economy has to work so that big time manufacturers like Dunlop and Michelin, forced out of the country by harsh environment, could find their way back to the country. That is one move that will create thousands of job opportunities. Beyond the conference therefore, there is need to work towards making life easier for Nigerians. New tyres are beyond the reach of many vehicle owners and users. In trying to keep their cars and trucks on the roads they settle for less. No sane Nigerian who has the means and knows where to buy good tyres would patronise inferior tyres sold in Ladipo or Owode. While we discourage the use of killer tyres, we believe this conference by the FRSC will further draw attention to the danger inherent in ignoring the manufacturer’s warning.This meeting is a subtle way of bringing sanity to our roads without enforcing penalties and if it achieves more than that we say kudos to those who initiated it.

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

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Contents | 07.05.16 Fanciful fascinator

INSTYLE

Fascinators don’t just add elegance to your look, they are also a bold statement about your personality especially. And they are trending items of focus in ladies fashion right now, the more reason to try it

}15

The African way

Mystyle

For Quincy Ayodele the rule is simplicity and elegance. Every fashion accessory must be worn and used in moderation, making the view pleasant to the eyes

}17

Living it up

Interiors

Living room is the common room, which should be equipped and arranged, guided by the preferences and needs of all family members. If a family has a common passion, it would be easier to reflect them in the living room

}18

Dakolo’s world

SHOWBIZ

Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo’s love for his wife is a major feature of his music. He speaks on marriage, inspiration for some of his songs, keeping it together in a demanding industry and more

}19

An Olympian’s recall

SPORT

Kingsley Obiekwu is one of the very few Nigerian footballers who achieved legendary status by winning the football event of the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games. He goes down memory lane, recalling some of the most exhilarating moments of his career

}27

THE ARTS

Iwuoha’s gender sensitivity Bruno Obinna Iwuoha believes that Nigeria will be a better if women are given the opportunity to lead. The award winning Nollywood actor and Director at Saint Bruno Media Ltd. adds that gender parity by the year 2030 is achievable in Nigeria

}37

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Pictures that tell stories

OF ROYALTY AND LONGEVITY

lizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926) is, and has been since her accession in 1952, Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and Head of the Commonwealth. She is also Queen of 12 countries. She is the world's oldest reigning monarch as well as Britain's longestlived. In 2015, she surpassed the reign of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, to become the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-reigning queen regnant in world history.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on 10 June 1921) is the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. He is the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and the oldest-ever male member of the British royal family. Elizabeth and Philip are second cousins once removed (by descent from Christian IX of Denmark and Louise of Hesse-Kassel) and third cousins. More than anything else there is, longevity and royalty is what the couple has in common.

News

Finally, Buhari signs N6.06trn as 2016 budget Anule Emmanuel, Chukwu David and Johnchuks Onuanyim

lmost five months after he presented a budget estimate of N6.08trillion to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 22, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday signed the 2016 appropriation bill into law. The President signed the document during a brief ceremony held inside his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other top government functionaries. The President had withheld his assent to the document due to issues of alleged padding and none inclusion of the budget details, which were later reconciled by both the executive and the legislature. Speaking after signing of the document, Buhari said the signed budget provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06trillion, about N200 million less than N6.08 trillion which was presented to the National Assembly in December last year. The budget was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly in March this year and transmitted to the President who withheld his assent. With the budget signed, President Buhari said N350 billion would immediately be injected into the economy by way of capital projects to stimulate economic activities. According to him, over N200 billion has been allocated for the construction

l Saraki pledges full implementation l APC lauds signing of budget of various roads across the country, against the N18 billion allocated in the 2015 budget. The President explained that in designing the budget his administration made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports. President Buhari noted that this choice led to an enlarged budget deficit which is expected to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings. “All borrowings will, however, be applied towards growth-enhancing capital expenditures,” President Buhari said. He explained that despite the current difficulties the Federal Government would work extra hard to achieve its revenue projections. “Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being re-oriented. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues,”

Buhari said. He further noted that “this budget is intended to signpost a renewal of our commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people. This Administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year. “Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled "Budget of Change, the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract. The signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to rejuvenate the Nigerian economy, he added. President Buhari assured that “our determined fight against corruption is resulting in improvements in the quality of public expenditure. The work of the Efficiency Unit as well as other public financial management initiatives, are also contributing in this regard. “The continuing efforts to reduce recurrent expenditures should hopefully free up more funds for

capital expenditure in 2017 and beyond,” Buhari said. The President disclosed that he will be making a public address on May 29 to mark his one year in office during which he would explain the strategies put in place by government to ensure efficiency and full implementation of the 2016 budget. Saraki in an interview with State House Correspondents assured Nigerians that from the remarks of President Buhari, it was evident that government would strive to fully implement the budget. The Senate President said the signed document maintains the trust at ensuring that a minimum of 30 allocation percent goes into capital projects and ensure that the Federal Government’s policy on diversification which will ensure less reliance on oil revenue is achieved. He said: “Our journey here has been rather bumpy but I believe that that is not only in Nigeria. First congratulations to all of us, to the government of Nigeria and the legislative arm. Like I said in my remarks, the passing of the appropria-

tion bill is the most difficult all over the world. “Even America that we copy sometimes the government is shut down, we didn't see that in our case, is a first time, is a new government so these sorts of challenges are rare. But I'm happy we are all here to see that we have passed the budget and what we await now is implementation. “I want to assure Nigerians that from the comment from the President our commitment is to see that the budget is implemented, it's not just the assent now the implementation, that is when Nigerians will begin to see the benefits," he said. On what assurance that the 2017 budget will not witness the crisis which the current budget generated, Saraki said that “one is the fact that the process will start early. Don't forget the fact that the government only came in May of last year. “We have long time now to prepare, the government is in place, the new appointments and those in National Assembly is in place, I'm sure it will not be like this. Let us focus on what that document is and that is the benefits to Nigerians that we will begin to see in the implementation. And that is what we will do in our

President begins four-day visit to Katsina

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday arrived Daura in Katsina State to begin a four-day visit to the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President’s plane landed at the Katsina airport at about 4.25 p.m. He was received by

the state governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari and top federal and state government functionaries at the airport before leaving for Daura, his hometown. The president is expected back in Katsina on Monday, where he will be engaged in official assignments. He is scheduled to de-

clare open and participate in the Katsina State Economic and Investment Summit, aimed at diversifying the state’s ailing economy. The summit, which is scheduled to take place between Monday and Wednesday, is designed to attract investors and leaders of the corporate world,

within and outside the country. Masari had earlier told State House correspondents in Abuja that the summit was conceived as a platform to showcase the state natural economic features to the outside world as well as to attract investors to the state.

oversight function. On his part, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government intends to complete work and sent the 2017 appropriation bill to the National Assembly early October this year. Udoma said government’s target was to achieve 100 percent implementation of the 2016 budget. “We aim for 100 per cent implementation of the budget, although we started late, we aim at 100 per cent. The reality is that we may not achieve 100 per cent implementation. There is already an implementation guideline for strict compliance with the document,” the minister added. The Minister of State for National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, in her remarks explained that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had already approved a monitoring framework that would guide implementation of the 2016 budget. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday applauded the signing of Appropriation Bill into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari. The party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement issued on behalf of the APC, said: “The APC calls on Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure effective and speedy implementation of the 2016 Appropriation Act so that the objectives of the unprecedented N6.06 trillion 2016 National 'Budget of Change' will be realised. Commendably, 30 per cent of the 2016 budgetary provision has been committed to capital projects.”

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Bakassi Boys begin recruitment, training Ndubuisi Ugah, Steve Uzoechi and Igbeaku Orji

he dreaded Bakassi Boys, which reigned supreme in the South-East, particularly in Onitsha, Anambra State, in the late 90s, has added its voice to the call by Igbo groups that Fulani herdsmen should leave the South-East. This followed the recent killings of about 46 Nimbo villagers in Enugu State by suspected herdsmen. Strong indications had emerged during the week that the people of the SouthEast may have resorted to reviving the feared ‘Bakassi Boys’ as a standby militia to avert such attacks in Igboland in future. The indications emerged on a day a former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, called on Ndigbo to be vigilant, tactful and careful in handling the myriad of challenges currently confronting them as a people, especially in the face of wanton attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Also, Abia State Government yesterday said it had resuscitated the Bakassi Boys to complement the effort of security operatives

with particular interest for the rural communities. But rising from its meeting in Enugu, the Concerned Imeobi meeting of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, had observed, after a review of the whole situation, that the security situation in Igboland was generally porous, hence the need to “resurrect” the Bakassi Boys. Saturday Telegraph gathered that the Bakassi Boys, who were ruthless in visiting jungle justice on persons believed to have been involved in perpetrating vices and societal ills, was believed to be a force that “could match words with action”. The members who, according to the myth, could survive live ammunition, purportedly wielded a special kind of machete they used in confirming the guilt of suspected evil doers. Speaking to Saturday Telegraph on condition of anonymity, a former member of the group, who lamented that the activities of the herdsmen had assumed a “worrisome dimension” warned that the “atrocities against Igbos must end.” He said: “It is important that the violence attributed to herdsmen is addressed and curbed to ensure the safety, well-being and unity

...set to confront herdsmen l We’re not cowards —Ohakim of the people and the country. It is better something drastic is put in place to checkmate the activities of some of these herdsmen before they set this country on fire. The source added: “If the herdsmen should continue like this, then they are invariably calling for our (Bakassi Boys) resurrection because we had gone to sleep. This is more than what a government should keep mute over. The corporate existence of this country is at stake.” Prior to this, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigerian (MACBAN), had explained that the Fulani herdsmen, who were allegedly involved in serial killings in various communities in the country, murdered their hosts in self-defence. However, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who announced revival of Bakassi Boys yesterday in a statement he personally issued in reaction to the murder of a butcher at the Aba Waterside Abattoir by a soldier, said the training, which will

last for two weeks, is to ward off any attack from any of the precincts of the state. He said each community should send the list of 10 young men to the Abia State Vigilance Service (aka Bakassi Boys) to be trained in the strong force that would mount 24-hour surveillance and vigilance across the state. He mandated traditional rulers in the state to submit names of “10 youths from their community to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from May 10 to 11.” The governor added: “I have directed that the men of the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS), popularly known as Bakassi, to commence, with immediate effect, a two week intensive training, for onward deployment to our communities to assist in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police.” Ikpeazu also adopted the resolution of the state House of Assembly man-

dating security agencies in the state to search all Abia bound vehicles and trucks conveying livestock, food items and persons from any part of the country. The statement reads: “The law enforcement agencies will also search and screen markets and settlements where livestock and dealers are, to ensure security. “The government of Abia State has constituted a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee. The Commissioner of Police will head the committee. Other members of the committee are: The Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State Commandant of the NSCDC, the Naval Commander, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Myati Allah and Saraki Hausa. The governor, therefore, directed the people of the state to report suspicious movement of strange per-

sons in their area to the appropriate quarters. Meanwhile, Ohakim, who is the principal convener of the Igbo Conversational Group (ICG), hinted that he and other stakeholders have commenced extensive consultations with other interest groups across the country to ensure that a lasting and equitable solution is achieved in the shortest possible time. He said: “We are talking, we are negotiating, not out of fear, but out of love for our people. We must think of what is best for our people, before any other thing. Our people, especially the youths must be careful not to be provoked into taking up arms, because that is the target of our enemies. “We do not fear war, because we are not cowards, but we know that every war ends with a peace talk, after blood have been spilled and innocent lives lost. That is why we want to start with a peace initiative.” The former governor expressed disappointment over the killing Thursday of two butchers by soldiers in Aba, Abia State, as well as the killings in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani in Enugu State.

APC yet to resolve Ganduje, Kwakwanso feud Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to resolve the feud between the governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso. The national leadership of the party met with them at the National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Deputy National Chairman of APC, North, Senator Lawal Shuiabu, who chaired the reconciliatory meeting, said: “You must be aware for the past two hours, we have been holding a meeting, dealing with the crisis we have in our party in Kano State and this is not the first meeting we are holding. “We have just been holding series of meetings only that this is the first one holding at the National Secretariat that is why probably you are coming to know about it. But, we have made tremendous progress. You can see the notable elders of our party from Kano State, those we call our national leaders, Malam Musa Gwadabe, Malam Sule Hamman and

Alhaji Yusuf Ali is also here. “You can also see in attendance, the former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso as well as Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. We discussed the issue of the crisis we have in Kano and so far, I can say we have made tremendous progress. From the conclusion of today's interaction with both Ganduje and Kwankwaso. “They both agreed to work together in the interest of the people and the party and put behind whatever differences that might have opened the window for discord and I can assure that for the party in Kano, we have better days now that the two leaders have agreed to peace and that is all we have to tell you now. “The meeting has always been going on, it is ongoing until we ensure that all the bit and pieces of problems we have here are resolved. But been the first time we are holding the meeting in the National Headquarters here, I think, it is only reasonable we let you know what happened, at least to give you an idea of what transpired taking cognizance of how long, you have been waiting to be briefed.”

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Special Adviser on National Assembly (Reps), Hon. Sumaila Kawu and Special Adviser to President on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ettah Enang, at the signing of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into Law by the President, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

I’m not raising funds for birthday, IDPs –Kukah

atholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, yesterday raised the alarm over the activities of some fraudulent persons, who have approached some prominent Nigerians to rise funds ahead of his 58th birthday celebration. In a disclaimer notice which he personally signed, Kukah said there was never time he mde public statements that he was rising funds for his birthday celebration s well s rising funds for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno State. The statement reads: “In

the last few months, some criminals have been approaching prominent citizens in Nigeria on my behalf, claiming that as part of my 58th birthday celebration, I am raising funds for IDPs in Maiduguri, Borno State and so on. “When this came to my notice, I instructed the Chancellor of our Diocese to issue a disclaimer to this effect in January. However, these criminals have continued with their evil acts and in the processes have succeeded in defrauding many innocent citizens by requesting them to honour this request through desig-

nated Bank Accounts. “Some of those approached, largely prominent and respected Nigerians that I am not even in communication with, have sought me out to confirm if this was the case. In all cases, these individuals thought that this did not fit their perception of me and so they called me to cross check. They were the lucky ones. Two months ago, I alerted the Commissioner of Police in Abuja of this development but still, these criminals have remained on the prowl and sometimes have succeeded. “I apologise to those who

may have fallen prey to these criminals and have parted with huge sums of money as I have learnt from those who called to ask if I had received their contributions. Others were not so lucky. “By this notice, I am appealing to Nigerians to note that first, my birthday does not occur in May and that I have no IDP project. Therefore, I request the public to please disregard any request purported to be from me and treat these criminals as part of the ugly tapestry of fraud in our society. They have my prayers and forgiveness and I hope they choose a better path in life.”

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Fear of arrest: PDP officials desert national secretariat Our Correspondent

he National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not its usual activities yesterday. The usual human and vehicular movements witnessed at the secretariat was absent. This might not be unconnected with gale of arrests of some members of the party by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misappropriation of funds. Following the discovery of $115 million alleged lodged in Fidelity Bank by former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, which the EFCC said was meant for disbursement to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 36 states of the federation to influence the 2015 general elections, the some chieftains of the party have been gripped by fear. A source at the PDP secretariat had confirmed to Saturday Telegraph that party officials withdrew N200 million from the account. It was reported yesterday of the arrest of two former ministers who served in the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. The former ministers, Ambassador Aminu Wali

and Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs respectively, were linked with the sum of N950 million and N500 million, which they allegedly collected from $115 million lodged in Fidelity Bank. PDP Chairman in Cross River State, Ntufam Okon, was reportedly arrested by the EFCC in connection with N500 million collected from the same account. A source at the PDP National Secretariat who pleaded anonymity said some officials of the party were stricken by fear with the latest discovery. “Everybody thought the harassment has ended after the ($2.1 billion) arms deal but this (Diezani) money is causing panic. There is panic everywhere,” he said. A former minister was said to have collected N5 million from the controversial account. He was one of the directors in the presidential campaign organisation. The source, however, attributed the lull in the national secretariat to the ongoing congresses. “We are doing congress. The NWC members travelled to their wards to participate in the congress. But you know that so far the person is in this country the EFCC will get him. It is not true that their absence was fear of arrest,” he defended.

Global Fund accuses Nigerian officials of stealing $3.8m HIV/AIDS grants Isioma Madike

ome workers and consultants of Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) have been accused of stealing about $3.8m aid meant to assist the country in battling the scourge of HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria in the country. The revelation followed audit report from the Fund which indicted some officials and consultants of NACA. The stolen money was part of donations to Nigeria by Global Fund. It was said to have been stolen between 2010 and 2014. Although, Nigeria is said to have agreed to refund the money, that, according to reports, may not be enough to prevent Global Fund from applying sanctions on the country. The sanction, sources said, may include suspending aid to Nigeria’s AIDS agency. The Fund said it has evidence that the money was stolen by workers and consultants of NACA. Spokesman for the Fund, Seth Faison, was

quoted as saying that Nigeria’s government has promised to repay the money to the Geneva-based agency and to prosecute suspects. A report by the Fund’s inspector general said seven government workers and three consultants stole the money over five years between 2010 and 2014. The fraud, according to the report, continued because the NACA did not have proper audits. The missing money accounts for about 95 per cent of the amount budgeted to implement, administer and train users of a web-based reporting platform.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye; Manager, Hansel Jewelry, Mrs. Hannah Adeyemi; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Consultant/Designer, Top Royal Creations, Mr. Temitope Ojo, during the First Lagos Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Exclusive Fair, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja... on Thursday PHOTO: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

EFCC to grill Fani-Kayode on Monday Emmanuel Onani

T Abuja

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has invited a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, for an “interview” on Monday. Fani-Kayode may answer questions bordering on the N840 million he was said to have received as director, media and publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation. The Director of Finance of the PDP campaign organisation and former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman, and former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, both had had their own sessions with the EFCC interrogators. In the letter of invitation signed by Mr. Mohammed Umar Abba on behalf of the Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, EFCC said: “This commission is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Fraud and Money Laundering involving Joint Trust Dimension Limited in which you featured prominently.” The anti-graft agency added that: “This request is made pursuant to section 38 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and section 21 of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.” Consequently, the for-

l I’ll honour the invitation, says ex-minister mer Aviation minister is expected at the Commission's headquarters, Abuja, on Monday, at 10am prompt. While confirming receipt of the letter, the Special Adviser to Fani-Kayode on Media, Mr. Jude Ndukwe, said the former minister will honour the invitation. He said: “The EFCC wrote a letter of invitation to my principal...this morning (Friday) asking that he report to their Abuja office on the morning of May 9 for a discussion. “The letter of invitation was delivered to his Abuja home and he has responded promptly through his lawyers by assuring the EFCC that he would make

here is fear in Rumuche community in Emohua clan, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, as suspected assassins kill one person in the area. The unidentified gunmen who laid siege to the community, Thursday, with heavy gunfire murdered a resident of the area identified as Mr. Mini Ibuchim. It was gathered that the kill-

ers had stormed Rumuche community at about 6p.m and shot Ibuchim dead in front of his house. A cousin of the victim, who related the incident, said the murder had led to panic in the area. The relation of Ibuchim who pleaded anonymity said the actual cause of the killing was still unknown, adding that people of the community know the victim as a lover

himself available on Monday morning to assist in their investigations.” But commenting on the letter, Fani-Kayode took to his twitter handle @olufemiolukayode and said: “Today, the EFCC invited me to come to their office on Monday. I have their letter. I agreed to be there. Now they have surrounded my house. “The letter of invitation was served this morning and it was dated May 6. They said I should report on the May 9. “Can someone please tell me why they are at my gate? They can’t even wait because they want to detain me so badly and keep me

away for the weekend. I never refused their invitation. Why all this? I leave them to God. "Over 50 to 100 policemen were around my house for eight hours and the letter was served at 8a.m and acknowledged it at 9a.m". Meanwhile, it was gathered that the operatives who earlier stormed the No 5, Zuma Close, off Aso Drive, Abuja home of FaniKayode have left the place. An eye-witness who visited the scene of the siege but pleaded anonymity, said, the operatives of the anti-graft agency decided to leave when hordes of pressmen began to storm his residence.

Lending industry threatened as EFCC raids Access Bank

peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday raided the head office of Access Bank on Victoria Island, Lagos, creating another round of panic in the industry, which is one of the thriving sectors in the country. The intrusion of Access Bank head office comes on the heels of similar action by the EFCC on the head quarters of Fidelity Bank and Sterling Bank in recent weeks, may trigger and The anti-graft agency, which has been carrying out investigations on al-

One killed as gunmen invade Rivers community T

of peace. “Some gunmen just came into the community and killed Ibuchim whom everybody knows as somebody who does not have problem with anybody. We are shocked that these hoodlums now operate even in broad day light. The killing has caused panic in Rumuche because we now go to bed earlier than before,” the victim said.

leged abuse of funds under the last administration, extended its dragnet to the banking sector recently. The Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, was said to taken away by the EFCC operatives. When contacted, a spokesman for the bank said he could not immediately confirm the report. Last week, the commission arrested the Managing Director (MD) of Fidelity Bank Mr. Nnamdi Okonkowo, Plc, over an alleged $115 million received from Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources. The bank was accused of not reporting the transactions to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), as required by the law, an allegation Fidelity Bank denied. Fidelity subsequently named Balarabe Musa, one of its executive directors, as acting MD. And just three days ago, EFCC officials were at the headquarters of Sterling Bank where they quizzed the MD, Yemi Adeola.

Commenting on these developments, one of the leading financial analysts in the country, who elected that his identity be veiled, said the EFCC would destroy the banking industry with its approach to investigating financial transactions. “Honestly, there should be some element of decorum in the way the EFFCC is going about its investigations – especially when it concerns banks. There should be some discretion. “The banking industry is built on trust and when your depositors feel threatened and no longer trusts you as a bank, then you are finished,” he said. The expert said the MDs of these institutions would have been invited and it is only when they do not honour such invitations that the operatives can now move in. “We are not in a military regime, the EFCC is operating as if we are in military regime. They should just take it easy because the banking industry is very fragile. And the moment your depositors feel threatened and no longer trusts you, that is the end," he added.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Olubadan promotes traditional chiefs

N EWS I N BRIEF

KANO

MAKURDI

IBADAN

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has promoted and installed some traditional chiefs from both the Balogun and Otun Olubadan chieftaincy title lines. The spokesman of the monarch, Mr Adeola Oloko, said this in a statement issued yesterday in Ibadan. The statement said the promotion was as a result of the vacancies that existed in the Balogun and Otun Olubadan lines. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the vacancies were due to the coronation of Adetunji as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland. Those who benefitted were High Chief Owolabi Olakunlehin, who moved from Otun Balogun to Balogun of Ibadanland and High Chief Olufemi Olaifa, who moved from Osi Balogun to Otun Balogun.

Fire guts Benue APC image maker’s residence

The residence of the Director of Publicity of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Benue State, Mr. John Ikwulono has been gutted by fire. Ikwulono while narrating the his ordeal to Saturday Telegraph said, the disaster occurred as a result of electrical fault. The APC image maker said, he was at work when his wife called at about 4pm to inform him about the disaster, noting that all his belongings including credentials of his wife and father were consumed in the inferno. “I had gone to work and my wife too went to the market when the fire incidence occurred,” he stated, adding that his neighbours told him that the fire started when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, brought full current which sparked off and gutted the whole apartment.

NAPTIP to train 300 human trafficking victims

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP) is to train 300 victims of human trafficking in various skills. The NAPTIP Kano Zonal Commander, Alhaji Shehu Umar, disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Rurum, on Friday in Kano. Umar said the training would be conducted in collaboration with an NGO, the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), with the support of Royal Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria. He said all the 300 selected rescued victims would also receive life planning and entrepreneurship development training from five endemic states. He said the programme was part of the effort to ensure that victims of human trafficking were reintegrated into the society.

Dickson sets up panel to probe salary fraud Pauline Onyibe

Yenagoa

he Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has set up a nine-member judicial commission of inquiry to investigate fraudulent falsification of the government payroll and other accounts. The measure was part of his efforts to sanitise the civil service and entrench corporate governance in the state. Already, the Nigeria La-

bour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have expressed satisfaction with the governor's decision, saying apart from bringing sanity into the system and block all leakages of fraud, it would save the state from impoverishment by crooks. Justice Doris Adokeme is the chairperson of the commission, while Mr. Victor Slaboh is secretary. Other members are Chief Amos Poubinafa; Mr.

Olodiama Jebba, representing the Ministry of Justice and Mr. Anthony Ikhobo, representing the State Treasury. Raymond Angaye represents the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Akingbade; Miss Erebi Bibobra and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Assayomo Tuesday, are also members of the commission. The commission, which has 60 days to conclude its assignment is also to extend

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OSIGWE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS IGWEKA AGATHA UGOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UGOCHI NANCY OSIGWE. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

UKPONG

I, formerly known and addressed as MERCY JOSEPH PETER, now wish to be known as ANIEMA ANIEKAN UKPONG. That ANIEMA ANIEKAN UKPONG and MERCY JOSEPH PETER belong to the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLUFOWOSHE

I, formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL OLODU, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUFOWOSE IDOWU EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OYABIRIBINE

AVWOGHOKOGHENE

ISUOFAGHA

This is to clarify that my name was wrongly written in my voter's card as OYABRIBINE FRANCIS instead of OYABIRIBINE FRANCIS. My correct name is OYABIRIBINE FRANCIS. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGBOKO BLESSING now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING AVWOGHOKOGHENE BELLO All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

I formerly known as MARTIN EBIMIEGHA now wish to be known and addressed as MARTIN ISUOFAGHA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

STEPHEN I formerly known and addressed as ARAOYE OYEBANJI BUKOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ARAOYE OYEBANJI BUKOLA STEPHEN. All former documents remain valid. Members of the public and Zenith Bank take note.

AYOMIDE

I formerly known as ESTHER CHINONSO now wish to be known and addressed as AREWA ESTHER AYOMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ifeanyichukwu

I formerly known and addressed as CHRISTIANA NWANKAEGO ALOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHRISTIANA IFEANYICHUKWU. all document bearing my former names remain valid. General public please note.

bobby This is to inform the general public that JORAM JORAM ETIVIE, JORAM ETIVIE ETIVIE ,CHUKWU JORAM and JORAM ETIVIE BOBBY is the same person now wish to be known and addressed as JORAM ETIVIE BOBBY. All former documents remain valid. Uba Plc, Diamond Bank PLC and g eneral public take note.

rauf

Formerly known and addressed as SALAKO RAUFU now wish to be known and addressed as SALAKO PEKUN RAUF. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc, GTB, and general public to take note.

OYINLOLA

BENSON

Formerly known and addressed as OLUFUNKE OLAWUNMI AJAYI also in my other documents I am bearing OLUFUNKE OLAWUNMI OYINLOLA and OLUFUNKE OLAWUNMI RUTH now wish to be known and addressed as OLUFUNKE OLAWUNMI OYINLOLA RUTH All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHIMA

I formerly known as PIUS CHUKWUMA AMOS now wish to be known and addressed as PIUS CHIMA AMOS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as UCHENNA ORJI now wish to be known and addressed as BENSON ORJI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

MBAM

This is to confirm that the names IGWE CHINWE UCHENNA and IGWE CHINWE LOVE NWITE refer to one and the same person. That henceforth I wish to be known and addressed MRS. CHINWENDU LOVETH NWITE MBAM. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, First bank Plc and the general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SEAT OF AMAZING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY AFRICAN GIRLSGRACE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part "C" of the Companies and allied Matters Act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs. Blessing Michael 2. Ms. Esther Asuquo 3. Solomon Asuquo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To advocate for and champion the cause of vulnerable and marginalized girls and young women in Nigeria & Africa. 2. To empower and mentor girls against teenage pregnancy, child and early forced marriage and prevent the spread of sexual transmitted infection. 3. To help girls stay in school. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. SIGNED: MRS. BLESSING MICHAEL

its investigation into payroll fraud to the eight LG councils of the state Dickson, while inaugurating the commission at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, in Yenagoa, gave an eight-point terms of reference to its members, with a charge on them to investigate in full, the circumstances surrounding the state's payroll of the public servants from 2003 till date. While describing the task before the commission as important and sensitive to the survival of the State, he mandated its members to also uncover the person or persons, cartel or gang involved in the suspected fraudulent distortion of the payroll and nominal rolls of public servants from 2003 till date. The commission is expected, among other things, to "reveal the identities of the perpetrators of the suspected fraudulent falsification of salaries in the ministries, departments and agencies of the government as well as determine, where possible, the exact amount of government money that may have been lost through the criminal activity."

Convention: PDP allocates offices to South-West states Wale Elegbede

s the May 21st National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), draws closer, the zoning committee of the SouthWest zone has released the sharing formular for the offices zoned to the six states that made up the zone. According to the report of the committee on zoning headed by a member of the party's Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, the office of the National Secretary has been zoned to Osun State, National Auditor to Ogun, while the office of the National Publicity Secretary was zoned to Ondo State. The report of the nineman zoning committee also indicate that Ekiti State will produce the office of the National Vice

Chairman of the party. While dividing the offices on the basis of the three sharing blocks in the zone, namely, Lagos and Ogun, Oyo and Osun; and Ondo and Ekiti, the committee also alloted the ex-officio offices among the six states. The alloted National Ex-officios include, Lagos (male), Ogun, (female); Ondo, (female); Ekiti, (male); Osun, (male); Oyo (male). Other members of the zoning committee include Senator, C.K.Awoyelu, Deputy Chairman; Prince (Senator) Buruji Kashamu, member Chairman, Mobilisation and Organisation Committee South-West; Ebenezer Alabi, Segun Odebunmi, former Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Ade Dosumu; Chief Aduke Maina, Alhaja Yeye Bose Adedibu and Segun Adekoya, who served as the Secretary of the committee.

AIG moves to restructure Maritime Command

he Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Maritime Command, Mohammad Musa Katsina, has embarked on the restructuring of the command for more effectiveness. Katsina, who took over the command on April 13 has also established interagency agreement for the training of the officers under him. At a maiden meeting with the officers and men of the command on Thursday, the AIG announced the creation of two offices to ensure better effectiveness in its operations. These are the Surveillance, Intelligence and Investigation Department to be headed by a Deputy

Superintendent of Police, Salahudeen Lawan, and the Legal/Public Relations Office, headed by Mr. Omolola Odutola, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). More offices will also be created as promised by the AIG to strengthen the operations of the Maritime Command in the coming weeks. A statement issued yesterday by ASP Odutola said AIG Katsina, a holder of a BSc. in Management Science from the University of Sokoto and recipient of many awards, who is well grounded in investigation techniques and crime combating, said his mission is to restructure the Maritime Command in response to the recent needs to quell crises on the nation’s waterways.

APC exonerates Oshiomhole, others from Assembly crisis Cajetan Mmuta Benin City

he leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said the crisis which led to a change of leadership in the Edo State House of Assembly was as a result of a sponteCHANGE OF NAME

BERNARD

I formerly known as ASE AZIBABHIRAYAM, ASE AZIBABHIRAYAM .B. and ASE BLESSING now wish to be known and addressed as ASE AZIBABHIRAYAM BERNARD. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank, Skye Bank and the general public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I, PATRICIA SAMUEL CLEMENT wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as PAT SAMUEL CLEMENT instead of PATRICIA SAMUEL CLEMENT All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

anous reaction by majority of honourable members to internal affair of the assembly. The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Godwin Erhahon, said the crisis was not instigated by any individual or group outside the House. Erhahon, who made the denial in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, explained that there was “no proof that the state government had a hand in the recent attack on the deputy governor's campaign team at Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Area of the state. The APC commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, for taking over the investigation of the incident. Erhahon further stated that it was not Oshiom-

hole, who accused his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, of attempting to hire a voodooist to kill him.” He said: “Rather, the Comrade Governor only, in good spirit, disclosed to his Odubu what an informant alleged against the deputy. “All attempts to get the informant to confront Odubu with evidence of the allegation is yet to yield result.” He added that the clarification has “become necessary to diffuse the tensions being generated by the antics of those attempting to create a gulf of acrimony between the governor and his deputy.” APC supporters are assured that the party will ensure that the June governorship primary is conducted without threat to the unity, focus and cohesion of the party.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

News

N’Delta militants attack four oil facilities

Ndubuisi Ugah

with agency reports

ollowing Wednesday’s attack on a major valve at Okan in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Chevron Corporation yesterday said it had shut down about 90,000 barrels a day of its output. This came as a group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which claimed responsibility for the Okan attack, yesterday said it had sabotaged three additional platforms located in Makaraba, Otunana and

Abiteye. It was gathered that the economic implication of the attack indicated that nation’s oil production had hit its lowest ebb in 20 years occasioned by the recurring attacks on oil facilities by Niger Delta militants. Though the latest attacks were carried out on Thursday night, Chevron yesterday denied the claim. It was also gathered that security forces had initially repelled another attempt by the militants to sabotage the Dibi, Olero and Opuekeba platforms. Chevron said it shut down its Okan offshore facility after it was “breached by unknown persons” and

had sent “resources to respond to a resulting spill.” The facility, which feeds crude and gas into Escravos, which one of the country’s largest export facilities, is jointly owned by the United States’ company and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Speaking on the attack, a community source, said: “A massive blast occurred at Abiteye and Otunana axis shortly after 10pm. There is still fire in Azama gas line now. “Production cut is put at over 40,000 barrels per day from the Makaraba, Otunana and Abiteye swamp operations. Attempts to attack Dibi, Olero and Opu-

ekeba were resisted by soldiers,” the source said. Though NDA said it was the mastermind of the Thursday attacks, its spokesman, Col. Mudoch Agbinibo, said in a statement that its action was in response to the failure of wanted ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), to apologise for disowning it. "To keep to our promise, the three days ultimatum given to Chief Government Ekpemupolo, has elapsed and he failed to apologise to the NDA, at 2200hours May 5, 2016, our strike team 4 hit the NNPC crude and gas lines. “The crude line feeds

Nasarawa State Governor Tanko AlMakura (left), congratulating Miss Justina Sule, a blind girl whom he promised to provide a special scholarship for her university education, in Lafia…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

•`No plan to attack Fulani residents' Kenneth Ofoma Enugu

•Benue orders immediate rescue of kidnapped cleric

hree bodies of the naval ratings killed by suspected militants at a well head in Nembe Creek, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have been recovered. This is as the Benue State Security Council yesterday directed security agencies in the state to immediately rescue the Vicar General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr. John Adeyi, who was said to have spent two weeks in the hands of his abductors. However, Saturday Telegraph gathered that the bodies of the unidentified employee of an oil firm, ICEO, and an assistant boat driver, who were victims of the attack, were also retrieved. The decomposed bodies, which were said to have floated along the Brass waterways, were reportedly found by a search team of naval personnel. Four naval ratings at-

by saying: “It was not true. Only Okan offshore platform is breached. Not sure yet what has been shut in.” In another message, Haastrup said: “Just got information on new sabotage. I will get back to you shortly. I will revert to you when I have additional information.” It would be recalled that the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated last month that Nigeria could lose an estimated $1 billion in revenue by May, when it expects repairs on Forcados to be completed. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Kachikwu, had explained that the terminal may not restart until next month. For instance, major oil companies like Shell, Chevron, Total SA, Eni SpA and ConocoPhillips, which for five decades dominated the Nigerian oil industry, have been selling onshore and shallow water oil fields in the Niger delta to local companies, concentrating their investments in deep-water fields outside the reach of militants.

New Enugu CP resumes

Sea Piracy: Corpses of three naval ratings recovered Chris Ejim and Cephas Iorhemen

the Warri and Kaduna refineries respectively, while the gas line feeds the Lagos and Abuja electricity power supply. With this development the Warri and Kaduna refineries will be shut down and all cities that depends on the gas line for power will all be in total darkness like the creeks of the Niger Delta. “In same vein, the Niger Delta Avengers strike team 7 at same time 2200hours on May 5, 2016, blew up Well D25 in Abiteye. A major gas well belonging to Chevron and also blow up major pipe lines to effectively put the Abiteye, Alero, Dibi, Otunana and Makaraba flow stations that feed the Chevron tank farm out of operation. As at now Chevron operation in the Niger Delta is zero (sic).” Chevron had first insisted yesterday that only the Okan manifold was breached, even though its General Manager, Policies, Government and Public Affairs of CNL, Mr. Deji Haastrup, in an SMS, had said fresh information suggested some other sabotage. He responded initially

tached to the oil servicing company, were killed on Tuesday morning following an ambush by suspected militants at the Nembe Creeks. A senior employee of the firm and his wife identified simply as Mercy, were among persons reportedly gunned down by the marauding gunmen. Mercy, who accompanied her husband on inspection tour of a well head supplying crude oil to Nembe flow station, was killed on the spot in the attack described by security sources as brutal. It was gathered yesterday that a search team found three bodies out of the four naval ratings, who were initially declared missing. A security source who spoke in confidence said the gunmen after killing the woman, shot all the occupants of the boat and pushed them into the water. He said the operator of

the ill-fated boat survived the attack while his assistant and the senior employee were found dead. The source further revealed that the militants later removed the boat's outboard engine and carted away the rifles and other ammunition of the ratings. Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom who handed down the order while briefing journalists shortly after the council’s meeting in Makurdi, said security agencies have tried to secure Adeyi’s release but needed to put in more effort. He expressed worry over frequent cases of kidnapping in the state in recent times and observed that Adeyi’s case had become a challenge because he had not been released. “We are worried because the abductors have not released him; if a man of God can be kidnapped, it means nobody is safe,” the governor said.

According to him, the meeting also looked at the alleged killing of some Fulani herdsmen and 83 cows in Nasarawa State but said Agatu people in both Benue and Nasarawa states had been summoned to a stakeholders’ meeting on the matter. Ortom said any person found to have been embroiled in the killing would be handed over to the police for prosecution. The governor said the farmers/herdsmen clashes in the state and other parts of the country had taken its toll on the people and resolved that concerted efforts must be made to discourage further attacks. Alluding to the killing of some commercial motorcyclists in Makurdi, the governor said two of the persons suspected to be perpetrators of the dastardly act had been apprehended by the police and expressed the hope that the syndicate would soon be broken.

he newly-appointed Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, yesterday assumed duty at the state police headquarters, Enugu. Ojukwu, who until now was the commissioner of police in charge of Eastern Port Command, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, relieved CP Nwodibo Ekechukwu, who was redeployed to Eastern Port Command. Nwodibo’s redeployment came at the wake of attacks and killings of scores of residents of Ukpabi-Nimbo by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Ojukwu, who once served as PPRO Enugu police command, promised to partner with all relevant stakeholders as well as the people of the state, sister security agencies and the media for effective crime prevention and control in the state. A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), recalled that Ojukwu had served the force in various capacities including as Assistant commissioner of police in charge of Force Public Relations Department, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Imo State Command and DCP in charge of Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja. He became the commissioner of police in charge of

Force Public Relations Department Force Headquarters, Abuja and thereafter became the commissioner of police in charge of Kogi State. Meanwhile, the state Police Command yesterday denied reports that there were plans to attack Fulani residents in the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraisu, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), told Saturday Telegraph that there was nothing like people planning to attack Fulani residents. He said: “We do not have such information. Bakassi is in Aba, we don't have Bakassi in Enugu, what we have is Neighbourhood Watch. Besides we don't have such information.” On his part, the leader of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu, told Saturday Telegraph that his group was not planning any reprisals. He said: “If there is any group that wants to retaliate violently, I don't know, but we have no such plans. It is good to revive Bakassi and other groups and equip them. We (MASSOB) believe in nonviolence and we have respect for sanctity of human life. “But that does not mean we are cowards. If we had wanted to retaliate such unprovoked attacks by Fulani and other invaders as well as brutality of law enforcement agents, we would have done that since. But we don't have such plans.”

News

7 MAY 2016

'7m litres of PMS for evacuation at Kaduna refinery' •Jigawa receives 1m litres of PMS, says Badaru E xecutive Director, Supply and Distribution, Nigeria Products and Marketing Company (NPMC), Mr. Justin Ezeala, yesterday said seven million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol were

available for evacuation at the Kaduna refinery. Similarly, Jigawa State Governor, Muhammmad Badaru, said the state had received allocation of one million litres of petrol this month, for distribution to

Yar’Adua: I lost a friend, partner in democracy –Jonathan Ndubuisi Ugah

s the nation marks the sixth year anniversary of the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his successor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has paid glowing tribute to his former boss. Jonathan, who took to his Facebook page to extol the virtues of the late Yar’Adua, who died on May 5, 2010, said the former president was indeed a “patriotic leader, who didn’t see ethnicity as any basis.” The immediate past presi-

dent, who was Yar’Adua’s deputy prior to his death, described the former president as a servant-leader and a stickler for the rule of law. He wrote: “Six years ago, I lost a dear friend and partner in democracy, peace and progress. President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was a servant-leader and a stickler for the rule of law. “He may be gone but he is never to be forgotten. I pray for his soul and for him to rest in al Jannah firdaus.” Jonathan further stated: “I lost a dear friend and partner in democracy, peace and progress, six years ago.”

We’ll pass bills on women devt –Kano speaker Ebere Ameh

peaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Kabiru Alhassan, has assured residents that the state House of Assembly is ready to pass bills that will benefit women in the state. Speaking when the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, paid him a courtesy visit recently, the speaker said most of the successes recorded by the assembly was as a result of synergy of policies and ideas. A statement signed by Obiechina Ngozi, on behalf of the Deputy Director, Press, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said the minister was

in the state to inaugurate the advocacy/sensitisation of women in agribusiness. The speaker, who appreciated the town hall meeting and empowerment programme organised by the Ministry for Women Cooperatives in the state, said the state government would soon inaugurate two ultra-modern women centres for gender development. Earlier in her remarks, the minister who was represented by her Special Assistant, Mr. Abubakar Umar, said the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, was ready to partner any government to ensure speedy empowerment of women, especially in the area of agribusiness.

filling stations. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Ezeala said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was doing everything possible to ensure constant availability of petrol in the country. He stated that NNPC would use the volume of the product from Kaduna to build strategic reserve for the country. “The good thing now is that the three refineries are working; as at this morning, Kaduna refinery declared over seven million litres for

hairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, who represents Oyo Central Senatorial District, has advised those losing sleep over the National Grazing Reserve Bill to consider the proposed law as dead on arrival. Disclosing that no such bill was pending in the Senate, she said she had consistently received telephone calls by concerned citizens of her constituency about the bill and the massacre of Nigerians by people alleged to be Fulani herdsmen. She noted in a statement entitled, 'My thoughts on the Grazing Reserve Bill and Herdsmen', issued on Thursday, that there can-

receives what is enough for its motoring needs. “We think that the scarcity will be a thing of the past and that Nigerians should work with us. We will continue to thank all of you in the press and public who have given us useful advice that was used to basically take care of the situation. “But, the message to Nigerians is that we have more than enough cargoes going into the future, and people shouldn’t do panic-buying at any point in time,” he said . Meanwhile, Badaru while speaking with journalists in

Dutse on measures taken to address fuel scarcity in the state said the Chairman of Petroleum Distribution Task Force in the state was working to ensure that the product was distributed to filling stations across the state and also sold at the approved pump price. According to him, the PMS was allocated to the state by the Federal Government. “The task force in the state is doing a wonderful job and I can assure you the product would be fairly distributed to ensure that motorists get it,” he said.

Jovago unfolds iOS app for hospitality sector Andrew Iro Okungbowa

n furtherance of its operational base and expanding internet penetration in the hospitality sector, Jovago has unfolded its first iOS app for Apple users. The launch was on the sideline of the Business Fireside Chat hosted recently by the company, which is regarded as Africa’s leading online hotel

booking platform. “The launch of the IOS App is a great step towards our efforts in creating faster and flexible booking experience to our customers who are looking for accommodation across Africa,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Paul Midy. “There is need to tap into the vast growth of mobile devices in Africa and with the iOS App, more of our cus-

tomers can readily access our growing inventory of hotels on the go,” he added. The iOS App, which has a sturdy repute for being quick and secure, will allow customers find and book accommodation from the site’s list of 200,000 hotels around the world. Through Apple devices, travellers can get exclusive deals and offers, view profile pages for listed hotels including pictures, descriptions, locations, facilities and reviews; as

well as have access to the best price guarantee on all services anywhere in the world. Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Jovago Nigeria, Kushal Dutta, said: “At Jovago, we understand that innovation is a priority for every company who wants to lead the technology market, which is why we are excited at this new introduction for Apple device users and this is the first of many big things to come.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson (left) presenting a souvenir to the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, during a courtesy call at Government House, Yenagoa. Photo: Bayelsa State Government

Sunmonu: Why Senate can’t pass grazing reserve bill

not legally be an Act of National Assembly providing for the compulsory provision or confiscation of land, stressing that the Land Use Act unequivocally vests all land in the hands of governors to hold in trust for the people. She pointed out that the Land Use Act has been elevated beyond the realms of being a normal Act of National Assembly, because it can only be amended in the same way that the Constitution can be amended. The statement reads, “As a Nigerian, a legislator and representative of the people, I have had recourse to think long and hard about these issues and ask myself what I, as a member of the Senate can do to help solve the problem."

us to evacuate. “So, it is looking very good; we are going to use the additional volume to build strategic reserve for the country,” he said. Ezeala said the country had more than enough cargoes of petrol to meet the demands of the people, adding that NNPC had introduced strategies and innovation that would end the lingering fuel scarcity. “We segmented the country into different groups and we have identified depots for different groups to make sure that every part of the country

NEWS IN BRIEF

FCT

LAGOS

100 Nigerians for U.S. entrepreneurship training

NATA decries influx of fake auto spare parts

United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, says 100 young Nigerians have been selected for entrepreneurship and leadership training in the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship in U.S. Entwistle stated this in Abuja, during a reception organised by the U.S. Embassy for the participants who were selected from six geo-political zones in the country and the Federal Capital Territory. “The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship programme of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and a key component of President Barack Obama’s commitment to invest in the future of Africa. YALI is an integral part of President Obama’s commitment to invest in the future of Africa,” he said.

124,000

The total number of followers on Twitter of Nwankwo Kanu (retired) in 2016. Source: Goal.com

The Nigeria Automobile Technician Association (NATA) has decried the influx of fake auto spare parts in circulation and called on the Federal Government to intervene to check the development. Chairman of the Lagos State chapter, Mr. Jacob Fayeun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that majority of the spare parts in circulation were fake. He expressed concern that the development had been affecting the artisans in the auto mobile industry. “We urge the government to assist us in curbing the influx of fake auto spare parts in circulation; the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) especially should be proactive enough in tackling the menace. SON should endeavour to sanction any person importing fake auto parts into the country,” he said.

26.82

The average age of football players in Spain in the 2013-2014 season. Source: Football-observatory.com

Vatican City Pope Francis to receive Charlemagne Prize

Pope Francis was yesterday due to be handed Germany’s prestigious Charlemagne Prize, given each year to public figures, who have made exceptional contributions to the cause of promoting European unity. Francis, a vocal champion of migrant rights and other social justice causes, is being honoured for acting as Europe’s “voice of conscience,” the awarding committee said when it made the decision in November. In a break from custom, the prize is being awarded in the Vatican, rather than in the German city of Aachen. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Union (EU) leaders and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi travelled to Rome for the special occasion.

148.7m

The total number of connected lines of Nigeria in August 2015. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Kwara Assembly denies removing Buhari’s portrait Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

wara State House of Assembly yesterday denied reports that the picture of President Muhammadu Buhari is not displayed in the Assembly complex as expected by official protocol. A statement issued by the Director of Information, Kwara State House of Assembly, Sunday Adeleke, ‎said the assembly neither has anything against Mr. President, nor the Executive Governor of the state to warrant not hanging their portraits, as democracy involves harmonious working relationship among the three arms of government. Adeleke explained that each office in the House of Assembly complex and the two entry points to the complex have the portraits of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, the Speaker, Dr

Ali Ahmad and the logo of Kwara State. Part of the statement reads: “It would be recalled that the House in its motion only last Wednesday May 3 in a unanimous resolution that was widely reported commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his intervention on the Ilorin-Jebba road following agitations by the entire Houses of Assembly of Kwara and Niger states. “It now beats imagination of focused Nigerians that the House that commended the president will 24 hours later remove his portraits from offices, corridors and other places in the complex. “It is imperative to put it on record that the reporter did not take pains to conduct thorough investigation on the allegation as the report alleged; this is because all other offices in the Assembly complex have the portraits of the president and that of the governor hanged contrary to the report.

Monarch seeks devt of South-East zone Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

he traditional ruler of Alaoma Omoba Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South Council, Eze Godwin Nwankanma Nwankpa, has called on the Governors of the South East geo - political zone to unite and speak with one voice in the interest of the zone. Nwankpa, who made the call while interacting with journalists, said the South East is faced with myriad of problems including economic hardship, deplorable federal roads, threat of herdsmen and other social challenges that require team spirit from the government and people of the south east zone. He noted that unless the governors were united, they will not achieve much unity and progress of the zone. The monarch, who vowed to fight against crime and all forms of insecurity in his domain, condemned the recent attacks at Ukpabi, Nimbo in UzoUwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen and urged

ll is set for Katsina State to play host to a three-day summit, slated to hold between May 9 - 11 and it is aimed at repositioning the state to meet emerging challenges, with policy makers, investors and managers of the economy among others expected in attendance. The summit, tagged

fellow traditional rulers to ensure their communities are secured. He also called on President Muhmmadu Buhari to take decisive action in securing people's lives in all parts of the country. He decried the persistence fuel scarcity in the country and requested the President to arrest the situation as it has caused unbearable pains to Nigerians.

FCT

IKOYI

Naira remains at N321 to Muslim Cleric admonishes dollar at parallel market Muslims on justice

NEWS IN BRIE F

The Naira yesterday traded at N321 to the dollar at the parallel market. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Naira remained stable at N321 for almost a week. However, the Pound Sterling and the Euro exchanged at N467 and N365 respectively. Meanwhile, the Naira remained at N197 to the dollar at the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rate. Traders attributed the stability in the price of the Naira to activities of currency hoarders who anticipated a new policy direction with the passage of the budget.

Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi of Area 10, Garki, Juma’at Mosque, Abuja, has urged Muslim faithful to always ensure justice in their dealings with others. Al-Yolawi gave the admonition during the Juma’at prayers at the Mosque on Friday. He described justice as the opposite of oppression, cruelty and injustice, which entails giving equal treatment to others. He said: The term Justice (Al’ad) simply means placing things in their rightful places; It can also be seen as giving others equal treatment, and is the opposite of oppression, cruelty and injustice. The Holy Qur’an considers justice to be a supreme quality to the entire humanity.”

APAPA Freight forwarders’ association set to inaugurate new president

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) would on May 9, inaugurate a new president, Mr. Oluwole Adeyemi. A statement by the association’s spokesman, Mr. Stanley Ezenga, on Friday said that NAGAFF reposed much confidence in Adeyemi. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Adeyemi would succeed Mr. Eugene Nweke. It said the event which would take place at the association’s headquarters, would mark the beginning of a responsive leadership that members had been yearning for. “The electoral victory that brought in the incoming president is a sign that the members are desirous of positive change which the person of Adeyemi can only offer,” he said.

Anisulowo: How N10m ransom landed kidnappers in trouble Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

ontrary to the public posturing that no ransom was paid in the abduction of Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, a sum of N10million was offered to secure the release of the former Minister of State for Education, Saturday Telegraph has learnt. The ransom was an undercover strategy used to bait the suspected kidnappers who eventually played into the hands of security agencies. This came as the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, disclosed that four more suspects had been arrested in connection with the abduction of Anisulowo. The latest arrest in-

l Police arrest four more suspects

creased to six the number of those already in police custody over the crime. The 65-year-old former minister was kidnapped penultimate Wednesday while returning from her farm in Sawonjo, Yewa North Local Government Area of the state. But following interagency collaboration and deployment of intelligence, Anisulowo was rescued on Tuesday evening at Gbegbelawo village, near Olorunda town in Yewa North Local Government Area. Addressing the officers and men of the police who participated in the rescue operation, Ali said the kingpin of the kidnapping syndicate was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, La-

gos while trying to flee to Dubai in the United Arab Emirate (UAE). The other major suspect, the commissioner revealed, was arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. He added that the four new suspects were apprehended in Okeho town in Oyo State as well as at the farm of the abducted exminister. The commissioner said that other members of the kidnapping syndicate would be arrested as they had been terrorising the South-West for a very long time. He, however, insisted that no ransom was paid to secure freedom for Anisulowo. He urged members of the public to always have confidence in security

L-R: Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UNIZIK, Rev. Fr. Boniface Obiefuna, during this year’s annual international conference of the Faculty at UNIZIK, Awka… Thursday

Katsina economic summit holds May 9

Katsina State Economic and Investment Summit, which is to be hosted by Governor Aminu Bello Masari, in partnership with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and USAID NEXTT, is sure to be an eye-opener and a rallying point for the 19 states in

Northern Nigeria, most of them buffeted by high cost of governance. The summit is expected to provide a re-awakening of sort for state governments who have largely depended on oil revenue shared every month in Abuja while neglecting the abundant natural

resources in their backyard. President Muhammadu Buhari, who has a thriving farm in Daura, is expected as a special guest at the event where industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, will be

keynote speaker. Other resource persons are the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Godwin Emefiele; President, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Mr. Bashir Mamman; Chief of Party, USAID-NEXTT, Mr. Marc Shiman and former Presidential Economic Adviser, Dr. Tanimu Kurfi.

agencies and shun the act of paying ransom to kidnappers, stressing that such would discourage kidnapping in the country. Saturday Telegraph findings revealed that the sum of N10million was paid as ransom to the kidnappers before their ring was busted. Governor Ibikunle Amosun had on Tuesday stated that the kidnappers raised the ransom from N100 million to N200 million because of his involvement in the search. However, dependable security sources confided in our correspondent that money actually exchanged hands, leading to the arrest of the suspected kidnappers. The source, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said N10 million ransom was paid after negotiation between security agents and the suspects. The governor was said to have opposed the payment of ransom. But the family of Anisulowo contemplated paying the ransom after about four days when the ex-minister was not freed by her abductors, it was learnt. A security source said the N10 million ransom was eventually agreed upon and the money proved to be the bait which law enforcement agents used to effect the arrest and subsequent release of Anisulowo. Efforts to get the reaction of Senator Anisulowo failed as she was said to be sleeping when our correspondent visited her Ilaro residence. But when contacted yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, denied that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers. Adejobi said: "It is not true; no kobo was paid as ransom. It is true that the police negotiated. But the more we called them to negotiate, the more we were tracking them."

City & crime update

10 Voices

Who should say sorry more in a relationship p.12

SATURDAY, 7 MAY 2016

Five Nigerians jailed for £2.4m council scam in London

•Judge: 30 fraudsters convicted, 41 properties recovered

Ndubuisi Ugah

with agency reports

ive Nigerians, including Trudy AliBalogun, a housing officer, have been sentenced to various jail terms in London, United Kingdom, for alleged bribery. Investigations revealed that Ali-Balogun was jailed after it was discovered that she took a £2,000 backhander every time she processed a fake homelessness claim for illegal immigrants as part of a £2.4 million council scam. An online news portal, Daily Mail, had reported on Thursday that Ali-Balogun, 55, of Stratford, east London, abused her role as a £25,000 a year housing officer at Southwark Council to help process 24 bogus homelessness claims. She was paid a £2,000 bribe for each application she approved and used the money to treat herself to holidays around the world, Inner London Crown Court heard. Ali-Balogun approved false birth certificates for children who never existed, as well as made-up wage slips, bank statements and fake foreign passports. She was jailed for five years while fraudsters Biayo Awotiwon, 47, and Adeyemi Oyedele, 48, were given five months each. Kudiartu Falana, 60, was handed a five month jail sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. Joseph Olaiya, 53, was sentenced to six months suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. Their trial was part of the wider investigation known as Operation Bronze which has been running since 2011 and has so far yielded more than 30 convictions. Ibrahim Bundu, a former homeless housing case worker, was previously jailed at Woolwich Crown Court for processing false homeless housing applications in return for backhanders. He is currently serving a six-year sentence after failing to pay back the £100,000 ordered by the courts. Ali-Balogun, who studied criminology at university, was processing bogus applications while working alongside Bundu from November 2003 until her suspension in April 2005. Many of the applicants she helped within the Nigerian community were in the country illegally. Ali-Balogun also processed false birth certificates for children to help the fraudsters jump the housing queue. The prosecuting officer, Mr. Michael Goodwin, said the fraud cost the council about £2.4 million and left genuine homeless people without a roof above their heads. “She sought to exploit and capitalise on the weaknesses and procedures which were clearly in place at the time. Her misconduct represents an abuse of trust placed in her by the local authority,” he said. Goodwin explained that the case work-

er was paid at least £20,000 in backhanders and used the bungs to fund trips abroad. He added: “Part of her function and responsibility was to protect the public purse by ensuring only those in need of homeless housing were granted it. She acted for financial reward and that would have been paid to her directly by applicants or by third party fixers who were working in the community.” The prosecutor explained that the offences took place when there was a significant shortage of housing available, something which remains the case. Taxpayers’ money was being used to subsidise housing for fraudsters who claimed to be homeless despite owning other properties. Ali-Balogun was said to have been responsible for 24 applications which she knew contained forged signatures as part of the ‘sophisticated’ arrangement. “Only she could have known that it was not being signed as it should have been,” Goodwin said. Bogus National Insurance numbers belonging to genuine people were also used along with “fake Home Office vignettes” granting indefinite leave to remain in the UK. In some cases, the Home Office had no records of the applicants ever existing in the country. Goodwin said at least 20 properties were occupied by tenants who were not entitled to them. Some of the defendants even used ‘bogus’ birth certificates in order to pretend they had children which would speed up their applications, among other benefits. “If they had two or three children they were entitled to bigger properties which the council had to find from their waiting list,” he said. Four applicants – including Tim Falana – ended up buying the properties at a reduced price as a result of their deception using the Government’s ‘Right To Buy’ scheme. These properties are now likely to be

Ali-Balogun

subject to county court proceedings to determine whether they should be handed back. Kayode Oyedele, a former assistant to the Nigerian High Commissioner, is refusing to leave his Bermondsey flat, the court heard. Falana obtained a four bedroom property in central London after previously being rejected for homeless housing due to her children not having indefinite leave to remain in the UK. He bought it in 2007 at a £60,000 discount under the Right to Buy scheme. Segun Olaiya used three ‘bogus’ children to help further his claim along with a fake passport when he was unlawfully in the country after previously been deported. Oyedele was found to have ‘considerable funds’ in his bank account and did

not have indefinite leave to remain in the UK and no evidence was ever found that he had any real children. Awotiwon purchased a flat in Southwark, with a mortgage in 2004 for around £172,000 which she was letting out while claiming to need homeless housing. She received £226,000 of housing over a 12 year period and is refusing to leave. Goodwin said she was essentially ‘a landlord while claiming to be homeless’. The court also heard that Ali-Balogun herself had previously applied for a council home as a result of domestic violence. Operation Bronze started in 2011 and was based on the review of suspicious data matches from the Cabinet Office’s National Fraud Initiative (NFI) and the Metropolitan Police Operation Amberhill. So far, 30 fraudsters have been convicted and 41 properties have been recovered and re-let to those with a genuine need for housing. Ali-Balogun was found guilty of misconduct in public office. Awotiwon, of Southwark; Oyedele, of Bermondsey; and Falana, of Walworth, were each convicted of a single-count of obtaining services by deception. Olaiya, of Gillingham, Kent, was found guilty of attempting to obtain services by deception. Jailing Ali-Balogun for five years, Judge Mark Bishop said: “You carried out these applications in such a way to make it look like you had carried out the correct procedures. “Social housing, in particular in central London, is scarce. People wait in the queue for many years for council accommodation. “By your misconduct you reduced the housing amount of available housing stock for genuine homeless applicants.” When no housing was available the council had to place those looking for a home in B&B accommodation leaving the local taxpayer to foot the bill, said Judge Bishop. “You carried out this conduct for backhand and the jury found you were dishonest. You would not have processed any of these applications which were being made without this money. “It seems to me very likely that you were paid more than £20,000. You would not have done it without being paid for it. This was a very serious abuse of public trust that was placed in you. “You took advantage of your position as a public official. Your conduct was serious and corrupt, it was not a conduct for a public official to engage in.”

Man kills septuagenarian inside church, another clubs 28 year old to death Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

man, Chukwuka Ben, has been arrested by Ebonyi State Police command for allegedly killing a 72-yearold Fidelis Uhuo at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Umuoghara, in Ezza North Local Government area of the state. The incident occurred on May 2. Ben was said to have had a misunderstanding with the Priest incharge of the church (names withheld), some days to the incident. He stormed the church in the morning to confront the Priest but did not see him in the church. In anger, he killed Uhuo who was around the church and fled.

But the police trailed and arrested him. Confirming the incident yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP George Okafor, said: ‘’it was on the 2nd of May, 2016 that information got to the police that one Fidelis Uhuo of Ugalaba village of Umuoghara of about 72 years was murdered by one Chukwuka Ben of same address. “The corpse of the deceased was found on the premises of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. He ran away after the act and was later arrested and is currently cooperating with the police to find out what actually transpired that led to the killing of the deceased’’. He also confirmed the killing of a 28-yearold man at Umuebe in Ohaukwu local government area of the state, Chibueze Okeh, by one Ifeanyi Nweke(23).

Okafor said: ‘’on the 30th of April, 2016 about 7:30 in the morning there was a fight between one Chibueze Okeh(28) and Ifeanyi Nweke(23). Ifeanyi Nweke hit Chibueze on the head with a stick and he sustained serious injuries. ‘’The victim was rushed to Ezzamgbo General Hospital where he was being treated before he died on 1st May, 2016. It is a case of assault occasioning harm initially but when the victim gave up the ghost, it turned into a case of murder. ‘’The report was brought by the elder brother of the deceased and we are following up the matter. Two suspects have been arrested; they include Nweke Ifeanyi and one other. They are in our custody cooperating with us to find out what led to the fight’’.

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Taiwo Jimoh s Adeniyi Olaewe, 32, struggled to stand up from his bed at the Emergency and Accident Unit, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), It is noticeable he is in excruciating pains. After two failed attempts to lift himself up from his bed, one of his friends gave him a helping hand and with this support, Olaewe got up and sat on the edge of the bed. His chest was heavily bandaged. The bandage had blood stains. As he opened his mouth to speak, tears rolled down his cheeks. “I am in serious pains. I find it difficult to raise my right arms. The doctors told me that I have to bear the pains pending when they would extract bullets lodged on the right side of my chest,” Olaewe said. When asked what happened by reporters, Olaewe, who spoke in a low tone, said: “On May 2 around 10pm, we were taking food to our colleagues working at a site in Lakowe Village in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. I was in company with two

Two men escape death, want police to arrest attackers we hid to him. He and some others came to rescue us. “By the time they arrived, I was so weak because I had lost so much blood. They took us to Elemero Police Division where we lodged complaint and got police report.” He said the man who sat behind the driver of the vehicle which was used in the attack was the shooter. He urged the police to fish out the attackers with a view to bringing them to book. Although Ojo Yekini’s wound was not as deep as Olaewe’s, he was also hit by bullets in four different parts of his body. He said after they ran away from the scene, the attackers pursued them, add-

of my colleagues and I was the one who drove. “My colleagues sat on the rear seat. I had the premonition that the driver of the vehicle deliberately drove towards me and the occupants could be up to something sinister. As I tried to swerve the vehicle to another direction, the other vehicle moved closer. “Before I knew what the problem was, the next thing I heard was sporadic gunshots and I was hit by bullets. I managed to run out of the vehicle, yet the shooter persisted. All of a sudden, a Sport Utility Vehicle was driving in our direction. After they left, we called our boss on the phone and described the spot where

Yekini INSET: Olaewe

ing that what actually saved them was that it was dark and there is bush path in the area. According to him, while others pursued them, he suspected that the attackers’ driver remained seated in the vehicle. Yekini, who is also on admission at the LUTH, said: “I could hear someone shouting ‘Femi don’t pursue them again, leave them alone. We heard their conversation. I know Femi and am ready to confront him. I heard when one of them advised that they should leave the scene before people come around to identify them or their vehicle. “After we got the police report, we were taken to a private hospital and we were given referral letter to LUTH. I sustained gunshot wounds at four different places, I was shot in the chest and my two hands. Their mission was to kill us; I want police to come to our rescue because I don’t want to die; also Femi should be arrested to face prosecution. “If the police call me to testify against Femi I will do it, because I can recognise him.” According to a doctor’s report, Yekini was “shot in the upper chest and the upper limb, pellet entry wounds on the upper chest and the upper limb,” adding that the patient was given injections, antibiotics. The chest radiograph report on Olaewe dated May 3 and signed by Dr. Ijose Ikotti-Lawal stated that “no fracture line is seen. The lung fields are clear. The cardiac and…shadows are within normal limits. “Multiple irregular metallic densities are seen underlying the right axilla and majorly the right hermithorax. There is soft tissue swelling and emphysema seen on the right axilla.”

Community stands still as LP chieftain buries mum Suleiman Salawudeen

demo community in Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, was agog recently for the burial of late Madam Mary Bosede Ajayi, mother of prominent Labour Party (LP) chieftain in Ekiti state, Honourable Femi Ajayi. Late Madam Mary Abosede Ajayi, who died December 3, 2015, at 69 and buried at her residence in Ilupeju zone 2, Poly Road, Ado-Ekiti last Saturday, was the matriarch of late Chief Michael Ajayi's family, a prominent traditional chief and businessman in Ado-Ekiti. A scion of Uro family in Odo-Ado, Bosede, survived by five children, was a trader whose business interests involved bulk sales of clothing materials. She equally, also supported her husband in farming. Aside Femi, other children at the burial were Ayo Ajayi, Yemisi Ajayi, Dupe Ajayi and Ojo Ajayi. Dignataries at the event included Bunmi Aborishade of Afe Babalola University, Mathew Aborishade of Dangote Industries and Peter Olajide, Director of PETOA Group of Companies.

Others were Chief Banji Ojo, Chief Remi Oguntuase and Regent Omotunde Adelabu. Pastor Otena Ikechukwu, while speaking at Saint Paul Anglican Church, Idemo, extolled the virtues of late Abosede who he described as a devout christian. He urged the congregation to emulate Abosede for her unstinting commitment to her children who she ensured had an independent livelihood of their own, noting "Parents today no longer care what becomes of their children". He said: "We should beware not to bear children that we cannot care for within our means. Children are gifts from God which is why we must consider their life precious and golden." BJC Events centre, venue of the reception throbbed and buzzed with the Elijah band, from Lagos, dishing songs to the admiration of all in attendance. The children, finding the music of Elijah band irrestistible, also took to the dance floor and were deservedly pelted with wads of crisp notes of both local and foreign currencies.

Describing his late mother, Honourable Ajayi said: "What I have learnt is that every mother must be at peace with all her children and work hard for them to succeed. She worked very

Ajayi

hard to ensure that we become successful in life. "My late mother was alaways disatisfying herself to please us, her children. She did not like wearing expensive clothes or what you call 'Aso Ebi' to please her friends in social outings so that she could save enough for our schooling and other matters. All of us, her children, owe our success in life to her sacrifice because she lived all her life for our happiness. We are planning to immortalise her with a public library which would be dedicated to the use of humanity. To Ayo, who also resides in the U.S., mama was a kind-hearted woman who also lived her life for her children. "She loved her children and also loved everyone that came her way." "She hailed from the family of Jimoh in this town and was the firstborn of her family. As such she took care of all her younger siblings and her children. She practically shouldered the responsibilities of her younger siblings and ensured that they were okay before she got married and she even supported then after her marriage. She was indeed a great mother and elder sister.

Voices

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Who should say sorry more in a relationship? The woman should make sorry her watchword

Women are the most remorseful

Whoever is at fault

Women are the ones charged with the responsibility of making the home to stand, any woman that wants her marriage to stand will make sorry her watchword. Women say sorry more in any relationship.

Honestly it ought to be whoever is at fault but in most cases men have this ego and will never want to admit their faults expecting the woman to always be sorry at all time.

—Rose Attah, businesswoman

—Ndubuisi Odigwe, businesswoman

The offender

It is not a one way thing

No one needs to be told when he or she is wrong and what is expected to be done in order to allow peaceful reign especially in a relationship. But in most cases the ladies are always sorry for every wrong act committed just because they want to be careful not to lose their spouses or save their marriages while the men on the order hand continue to hurt the ladies just because they think they are superior s to the ladies.

In a relationship understanding is the major factor that needs to play out for a smooth relationship. So when it comes to who should feel sorry the most for a wrongful act, the offender should be but the offended should be willing to forgive and forget whatever level of offence committed to him or her.

It is actually a mutual thing, whoever commit offense should be humble enough to say sorry. Disposition matters a lot and means a lot when you say sorry and say it in a remorseful manner. The most important thing is understanding each other, sorry is a single word that is difficult to say but it means so much and inability to causes a lot of damages. It's an important word that determines where the relationship is leading to. It is important to appreciate each other in a humble manner.

My spouse should feel sorry if he offends me If my spouse should offend me, he will definitely feel sorry for it and if I do too I will say am sorry too because if it doesn’t happen that way then no one will admit his or her wrong when error occurs.

—Chike Odili, civil servant

They should display mutual love

—S.D Musa, deputy vice chancellor

There are other ways of apologising other than sorry Some people find it difficult to say sorry meanwhile they feel sorry, some presents gift as a way of saying sorry while others will simply engage you in an unending gist as a way of saying sorry.

—Glory Esekhaigbe, fashion designer

Men most times don't want to admit when they are wrong because they always want to be treated as a king and the ladies on the other hand wouldn’t want to see reasons why they should be submissive to their spouses even when it's not convenient. So for peace to reign, unless there is mutual love and understanding between them then none will admit his or her wrongful act or been sorry.

The offender should apologise Whoever wronged the other party should apologise. I can't say sorry for an offence I didn't commit and I wouldn't ask someone I offended to apologise to me. Not possible.

—EgbuodikeNohebedim Ezike, ED, CLO

—Tony Olamide , civil servant

—David Ben, civil defense

Men should apologise more

Both parties

Women say it more in most cases. Men have ego and many of them are so proud of their status as the head but I feel it is something that should be said by both parties.

—Suleiman Abu, teacher

Men should apologise more because of their egocentric nature. Women are very emotional and they should be treated with care.

—Inioluwa Ekeolere, student

—Jael Jayelis, self- employed

Men should be more caring

Most of the time women go into wrongful acts mainly because they don't get what they expect from their men, things like genuine love, care and affection so they go get it elsewhere thereby haven no remorseful feeling over any wrong did. So men should take good care of their women so as to avoid irregular issues in a relationship.

—Beatrice Rosegold, self- employed

compiled by: DEBORAH MAKOJI, JOHN EDU AND EZEKIEL ADESAWE

WeekendBliss

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

N O P U E S O L C AMDI NWAUWA DR. NN

One in every 10 persons must be emergency certified to reduce mortality rate The National Chairman of the Society of Emergency Management Practitioners of Nigeria (SEMPON), Dr. Nnamdi Nwauwa, is leading the way to a Nigerian society where casualty and death rate is reduced through rapid medical response. The former pro-chancellor, University of Ilorin, speaks to OLUSHOLA RICKETTS about ongoing developments in Nigeria’s emergency management. How best can we describe you and what you do? I am the National Chairman of the Society of Emergency Management Practitioners of Nigeria (SEMPON), a position I assumed in 2013 and it is the only internationally recognised emergency body in Africa. Also, I am the Chairman of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Advanced Life Support Providers Association in Nigeria. Recently, we became a chapter of International Trauma Life Support (ITLS). I run an emergency organisation known as Emergency Response Service. After South Africa, Nigeria is rated second in Africa in ITLS. We are second in almost all the emergency programmes. How did you find yourself in the emergency field? I started as a medical doctor and an emergency physician with a bias for prehospital emergency, but I now have various degrees in emergency. When I was in charge of a general hospital in Imo State, we were always having trauma cases. Whenever they brought in a patient, he or she would have bled to the point of just hanging onto life and I was the only doctor in the environment. Since the job was pretty much for me, I had to tell people what to do when the situation was intense. I started teaching my patients and those who came in contact with me. I even produced an improvised script and gave it to the villagers. From there, I started developing interest for victims in bad conditions. Later, some oil companies asked me to help them handle their emergency units. The interest grew stronger and I began to link up with international emergency organisations. Since I ventured into this, I haven’t done any other thing outside emergency management. But I was once the ProChancellor of the University of Ilorin, Chairman of the university’s council, Chairman of Nigerian Cement Company and one of the 36 members of the constitutional review committee. What is the specific difference between a doctor and a paramedic? Doctors are the only ones trained to operate in a formal environment under air condition, but paramedics are trained to perform

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Instyle

Modern vintage inspired clothing © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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The Arts

Hospitality

TV & Radio

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If women are given opportunity to lead, Nigeria will be better –Iwuoha

NIHOTOUR leads the way to validation of NVQF standards

The Osasu Show: Health issues arising

Close Up

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7 MAY 2016

'Nobody gave us a chance when we started emergency management' C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 1 3

under a very hostile environment and with limited resources. Paramedics rescue, resuscitate, stabilise and look at the best hospital to send victims. The good thing also is that they provide treatment while moving patients to the hospital. Between the place the incident occurs and the hospital, things might become so bad, but if you have somebody capable of regulating the situation, you won’t end up bringing a dead body to the hospital. Doctors don’t treat the dead; they only treat the living. Once the patient comes in dead, the doctor has no other choice than to say “I am sorry.” So, that is the role of the paramedics. While the job of a doctor is to sustain the life of a patient, the job of a paramedic is to make sure the doctor sees the patient alive. How would you describe the experience? I have been doing this for almost 26 years now. After training abroad, I introduced the first emergency service to Nigeria in 1990. I had trainings in Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International, American College of Surgeons, American College of Emergency Physicians, among others. I then became a member of many of the bodies. In Nigeria, I have been able the spread the gospel of emergency management and it has become a known area of medicine. The development we’ve recorded in the sector is because of my ability and that of my staff. We have also brought in lots of training programmes. We have sensitised the medical society and the general public on the importance of emergency. Today, areas like Basic Life Support and ATLS are now known in the Nigerian medical system, though nobody gave us a chance when we started. We brought in ATLS to the country in 2010 and we are working hard to get the government to key into it. Private sector and the government have been slow in embracing this. Without ATLS, we cannot even be talking about good emergency sector. The implication is that organisations, including National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are yet to be trained in the latest emergency programmes. We have been pleading with the government that all emergency departments should adopt this. The Federal Ministry of Health had directed all the emergency departments to make sure that doctors and nurses are certified in these programmes. The mandate was issued two years ago, but it has been very slow in practice like I said. The problem in Nigeria is not that the government doesn’t mean well or various programmes are bad, but the implementation process is weak. You would see things that had worked in other countries, but won’t work in Nigeria. How far have you gone with your paramedic college? The last administration approved institutions to start paramedic emergency schools in Nigeria. Of course, we are at the forefront. In September last year, we admitted the first set of students in our Institute of Emergency and Paramedics. This is the first in Nigeria and it is one of the major achievements we’ve recorded too. After 15 years of convincing government of the need, these schools are now emerging. What do you hope to achieve with the

Nwauwa with members of the Society of Emergency Management of Nigeria (SEMPON)

college? We have many situations where people die because they didn’t rescue them fast enough. Transportation is always a challenge too because an average Nigerian family has no cars. When a patient gets to the hospital too, it takes time before they are attended to and it makes the condition serious. I had a case where one of my employees was bleeding seriously and the medical practitioners on duty insisted on a card. There is no sense of urgency or emergency in our system. Paramedic system would have said: “leave that patient and go take care of the one in a terrible situation.” An emergency physician could even start treatment without hearing from you or without an identity. But a normal physician would have to take your history before he or she administers treatment. In emergency, you have to secure life first. The emergency physician would first see the patient, stabilise him and then allow the various medical practitioners to take over. That urgency is done by the pre-hospital. Since the doctor knows that his

background is not on the field, he would avoid going to that dangerous environment. He would rather tell you to rush the victim to the hospital, but the paramedics move immediately they get details. What they could do is to contact the police once they perceive danger. So, you can see the smooth advantage of having a paramedic school. It is a missing gap in our health system and this explains why we have been campaigning all these years. We thank God that it is becoming a reality. It is an HND programme and you need to see them in action. Admission into the college requires physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. How about the fear that the certificate might not be recognised by certain institutions? This is a federal government approved system and the curriculum is adopted from other countries. A team of experts was selected to go through it and the various levels of the medical profession approved it. So, it passed through

Paramedics in action

all the various stages and they also joined civil service at a good grade. But before the approval, we’ve been training people in affiliation with international schools. When you train with us, you have HND and you are also certified to work abroad. HND is Nigeria while the other certificate we give is internationally accepted. The paramedics are highly needed in the emergency departments and they close the gap between doctors and nurses. When you don’t have enough doctors and nurses, the paramedics could fill in. When the ambulance legislature is ready, it would not be impossible to have an ambulance without a trained paramedic. You must also be able to differentiate between an ambulance and emergency service. Ambulance service is more of transportation and what they do is to simply take the patient to the hospital. But emergency medical service stabilises the patient, rescues and delivers him or her to the hospital. So, what people always see often is simply ambulance service. Why do you think emergency service in Nigeria is still poor? I would answer this by making reference to a study we did recently and in that study we wanted to see the factors affecting emergency response in Nigeria. We don’t have paramedics and our emergency departments are poorly equipped. We went round hospitals and discovered that if any serious crisis happens in the country we are in trouble. If a disaster happens now, it would attract attention but die down later. For instance in the aviation sector, nobody is asking questions again since the last air mishap. How many of our airports have ambulances? So, pre-hospital is so crucial in this country and that is why paramedic school is priceless. Also, government should encourage these people because they risk their lives daily. They get in touch with a situation when it is very intense. When there was the outbreak of Ebola, it was the emergency people that had the first contact with the Liberian and they contracted it too. Once you see the emergency department of a hospital, it gives you an idea of what the hospital looks like.

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7 MAY 2016

Deborah Ocheni

he beauty of every fashion trend is that it will always borrow something from the past trend, and it is more amazing when there is a fashion revolution which brings back in entirety those outfits our mothers and glam ma (glamorous grannies) rocked in the past. Fashion buffs now appear as if they comb their mother’s box to bring out those outfits that trended from the ’50s to ’80s with great touch of class. The unique thing about this choice of fashion is that it will stand you out and make you the talk of any event you attend. Outfits such as boohoo trousers, high neckline flay dress, floral pleat skirt, vintage tops, double breasted pocket white dress, little lace dress, long jacket and a whole lot of them have found their way back in vogue with a unique touch of style. Truth be told, the possibilities to what you can do with vintage outfits are endless and wearing vintage is a way to ensure that your clothing is entirely unique; it is also a way to deepen resources for expressing your own creativity and unique spirit. Adding vintage to your wardrobe is like adding more paint colours to your life’s palette. Wearing vintage clothing has never been as popular as it is today, so head to your preferred shop and forage in your grandmother's closet to create perfect ensembles of modern and retro inspired clothing that will have all f a s h ionistas swooning.

Modern vintage inspired clothing Tips Vintage shirts from nearly any era are the easiest way to step into the world of wearing vintage. Your hair and makeup are already going to look comparatively modern. Simplicity in hair and makeup is a tried and true way of grounding a vintage outfit. Pops of vibrant colour paired with all black accessories or vice versa is also a quick way to modernise a classic vintage garment. Mixing eras can, surprisingly, have the same effect as blending new and vintage pieces. In fact, mixing eras may just be the most fun and exciting way to wear vintage. Pairing vintage clothing with decidedly modern shoes, bags and sunglasses is an easy way to dram a t i c a l l y ground an otherwise whimsical garment.

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16 Instyle

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7 MAY 2016

Acc e s s o r i e s to l i v e f o r

Fanciful fascinator Deborah Ocheni

ascinators are trending items of focus in ladies fashion right now. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just add elegance to your look; it is also a bold statement of your personality if done correctly. The right fascinator can really complement your outfit and inject a bit of elegance to your style. A fascinator is a decorative headpiece that is lightweight and fashioned in different designs and styles. It is obviously worthy to note that knowing how to pick fascinators and hats is based on your dress, hairstyle, and face shape is important before you decide on which headpiece you want to adorn yourself in. These small headpieces made with feathers, flowers, jewels, or beads attach to the head with a barrette, comb, or headband. They are usually worn off to the side or at the front of the head, and they can easily transform ordinary outfits to stunning one. If you are thinking of testing this style at an

event, follow fascinator etiquette and try on several styles ahead of time. Tips Backcomb your hair and secure it firmly in place each time want to pair fascinator with your outfits. Simple classic shapes like mini pillboxes or brimmed hats aren't too distracting; it's when the shapes get oversize that you begin to look more like a museum piece than a wedding guest. Bring down the bling, a few rhinestones are nice, but avoid lots of glitz and be wary of feathers a couple of long, looped plumes are pretty and have a vintage feel, but anything more looks like a stage costume. A fascinator should always be worn off to the side, wearing them in the front of your head makes it a bit harder to pull off. If your hair is sleek, wear a smaller fascinator, If your hair is up and loose, a medium-sized fascinator would work, and if your hair is down, the bigger the better.

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7 MAY 2016

MY STYLE Quincy Sumbo Ayodele is the brain behind Quincy Herbal Slimmers and an NGO called Self-Employed Women Association of Nigeria (SEWAN). These multi award-winning outfits have remained at the forefront of the industry as a result of the numerous convincing and overwhelming testimonies of the efficacy of their products. In this interview with Deborah Ocheni, the banker-turned health practitioner speaks about her fashion philosophy and others issues. Tell us what style means to you Anything simple is fashionable; I like to keep the looks simple yet elegant. I believe that every fashion accessory must be worn and used in moderation as this makes the view pleasant to the eyes. I don’t believe in going the extra mile to look fashionable because of the kind of business I do anyway. All I want is to create an impact on the society and I am achieving that through my product. Fashion is dressing simple and looking regal. What determines the kind of outfits you wear? The event; like today’s dress code says ‘touch of red’ and I always like to dress in African attire, that is the reason I am dressed like this. African women are elegant and they appear unique if they are dressed in African attires.

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I like dressing in African attires –Quincy What kind of outfits take up most space in your wardrobe? You will mostly find African traditional wears in my wardrobe not necessarily iro and buba, but stylish skirts and blouse, caftan and other African styles. I like covering my hair even though I have natural hair; I like tying gele, and it makes African women look regal. What will you never be caught wearing? I don’t wear anything that reveals my body; I can’t stand exposing my body. Do you consider any fashion item indispensable? African wears are easily dispensable; they don’t stand the test of time. The style changes as time goes on but I don’t think anybody can do without a few of them in their closet. Who is your best designer? My best designer is Frank Osodi, he is very good. Which jewellery appeals to you most? Statement necklaces How do you love your makeup? I like subtle makeup, my daughter makes me up. You are glowing; do you have any beauty routine? I take a lot of water, I think positively and of course I and every members of my family use my products. I started Quincy Herbal Medicine for weight loss in Nigeria 20 years ago. Initially, the level of reception was very poor but it is now all over the world; we have taken the products to the American market and we are the only made in Nigeria product that is registered with AMAZON. At Quincy, we know our job and do business the way it ought to be done.

Beauty

Natural tips for whiter teeth

hiter teeth are something that many people in today’s cosmetically driven world, with a bit of patience, can naturally restore. There are several factors that play a part to as why we get yellow or brownish teeth some of which are genetics; the kind of food and drink you consume and how well you practice oral hygiene. The enamel and dentin play the biggest role in teeth colour. Certain food and drinks will directly stain the enamel, but over time the two biggest culprits are the nasty food and drink that actually break down the enamel and weaken as we grow. Baking Soda will offer a long lasting solution to your brown/yellow teeth, it is mildly abrasive and it gently scrubs away surface stains to return teeth to a whiter shade. Strawberries are high in Vitamin C, which can help break-down plaque that is causing your teeth to look yellow. It also has an enzyme called malic acid, which may help to remove surface

stains. The salt acts as an abrasive portion of the paste, physically scrubbing away stain-causing gunk. Ingredients 1 table spoon of baking soda 1 sizeable strawberry Half table spoon of salt or less Water to form paste Procedure Blend strawberry and mix all the ingredients to form paste. Apply the paste to your teeth at night and leave it for about ten minutes, brush and rinse properly. Continue the process until you achieve the desired result. Tips Set up a routine using these remedies and stick to it at all costs to get the most out of them. It’s fairly common knowledge and difficult in today’s world, but try to avoid dark drinks, such as coke and coffee that stain your teeth.

Quincy

Facts The dress that the original blond bombshell wore while delivering JFK's birthday serenade at Madison Square Garden in 1962 fetched more than $1.26 million at a Christie's auction in 1999.

The British tradition of wearing hats to most formal occasions is often credited to Queen Elizabeth I during her rule in 1571.

When the former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos and her husband were exiled in 1986, she had to say goodbye to 2,700 pairs of pumps, stilettos and 2,700 sling backs. That's 5,400 shoes. he modern G-string is rumored to have been born in New York City in 1939.

18 Interiors

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7 MAY 2016

Eclectic décor: Broadcasting confidence in personal style Deborah Ocheni

iving room is the common room, which should be equipped and arranged, guided by the preferences and needs of all family members. If a family has a common passion, it would be easier to reflect them in the living room and eclectic style of décor is the best option if the family members have different passions because eclectic style of decor will give you the opportunity to play around different individual passions by mixing different styles within its space. It is important not to overdo, do not lose your head and do not turn the room of a family holiday into the warehouse for antiques or collection of gizmos. Eclectic style is the great equalizer. It breaks the traditional rules by mixing and matching old and new, East and West, luxurious and humble, showy and quiet. It invites you to fill a space with objects you love and uniquely find that which strikes your fancy. The liberty that makes eclectic style so appealing can also make it tricky, so be careful not to trip over the thin line between contrast and chaos. When eclectic décor is done well, it broadcasts your confidence in your own style yet adheres to the fundamentals of good design. You don't have to choose between profiles or periods; there's room for a range of favourites. Eclecticism wears its lack of pedigree proudly and draws its energy from contrast. The trick is to find enough common ground to make a space set.

Tips In eclectic décor, choose a few musthaves to anchor the space and then experiment with rugs, artwork, lighting, accents and other elements. Play light against dark, honed against glossy, rustic against elegant but always look for opportunities to create parallels and be firm about editing; you can't stuff every piece you love into a single room. In a room with so many disparate parts, paying special attention to fundamental principles helps ensure that each element feels of a piece. Before you bring a piece into an eclectic room, consider its relationship to the setting. If it overwhelms everything else then, there should be a better spot in the house for it. Texture gives an eclectic space its depth. A rich collection of textural elements makes a space appeal to our senses and resonate on a visceral level. You will rarely go wrong with pure white walls in an eclectic space, but if they look too bland for you, use an unassuming hue such as smoky gray or pale blue. You can also choose a colour that is already in the room and try it out on an accent wall or mount colourful window treatments and throw down a vibrant rug. Eclectic decorating invites cross-pollination between wildly different design periods. If you have a piece that you are wild about, but don’t seem to gel with its counterparts, simply give it pride of place. Don't try to blend it into the background.

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7 MAY 2016

Teebillz’s mum storms Tiwa Savage’s home, begs singer for 3 days

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Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo’s love for his wife is a major fixture of his music. In this interview with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, he speaks on marriage, his definition of music, among others. How do you describe your experience as a judge on the Voice reality show? First of all, it opens my eyes to see how much of talents we have in Nigeria, and we can actually help these talents to start believing in themselves. The show is still on and it feels good to be on the other side of the table. There is still pressure but not as much as the person on the stage. I call this grace because I have experienced what they feel and I know how it is. Everything I have learnt from the day I participated in Idols West African till now, I bring it to the show. I tell the contestants things that work and things that can’t work. No matter how good they are, I always tell them not to feel that they know it all. That is one of the dangers of a talent hunt programme. If people have the feeling that you think you know everything, they would go to the next person.

Showbiz Timi Dakolo:

Love not enough to sustain marriage

Your song ‘Iyawo Mi’ did very well; should we expect another hit this year? I have songs that are coming out. I just sing from within my heart and anything that happens thereafter is in the hands of God. You cannot give what you don’t have. You cannot be quarrelling with your wife and still be singing love songs. Something must inspire you. My wife is like still water. If there are things I am saying about my wife, then I would show her in the video. There are some things you cannot say to just anybody. You can only say it convincingly to the right person. Love is not enough. How did your wife feel the first time you sang ‘Iyawo Mi’ to her? I sang it on my wedding day actually; I have had the song for years before putting it out. I don’t drop songs because everyone is singing. Once it is time to release my songs, I know.

In marriages, sometimes, issues of life might break you. Sometimes I get cut off from my children. When it occurs to me that I am too far away from my children, I try to come back

Is it true that it takes more than love to sustain a marriage? Love is not enough. In marriages, sometimes, issues of life might break you. Sometimes I get cut off from my children. When it occurs to me that I am too far away from my

'I got permission from Shina Rambo to make movie about his life'

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Don’t you feel any pressure to do pop music? I have been here for a while and I am not going anytime soon. I am a very stubborn person and if I believe in a thing I go all out for it. My grandma always says no matter what anybody says, your own “ogbono soup” is the best. Human beings cannot even be satisfied, so trying to impress people means you must lower your standard. I think music is more than sound and melody. It connects; it hits the soul. My intention is not to just make music but to touch the heart of people. And I mean what I say so I say what I mean. How profitable is music for you? I am very okay with music; trust me on that. How much would you charge me for a wedding? When the time comes I would tell you. Do you go for voice training? I drink a lot of water, I rest my voice and I sleep well. Those are the only treatments I give my voice. I know when to stop too. Your voice is like muscle; the more you exercise it, the better it gets. But when it’s cracked, you should stop. Don’t let greed take over since you are tired. When you overstress a rubber band, it breaks.

children, I try to come back. The pressure of what you are doing could take over you; I mean take all your time and attention. I always try to create a balance. You think there is any family where they don’t fight? But when there is an issue between my wife and I, it is a rule that we would not argue in front of my kids. And if we fight, why should we go to social media? Marriage is for two persons; three is a crowd.

Can you be confrontational (talking about bad leadership, among others) with your music like the late Fela Kuti? Have you listened to the words of ‘Cry’? If you catch yourself there, then you are there. I don’t have to be calling out names. If I see a need to do a song that points out the difficulties and issues in the society, I will.

What inspired ‘Wish Me Well?’ I felt I needed to tell a story. I looked at my life and I said I had come a long way. I have come from the days I was struggling to get transport fare to come to Lagos from Port Harcourt and now I am a celebrated musician. I have met many people who were interested to know my plans. So I had to put all those things in a song. If you are a successful banker, people might feel you are fulfilled but you may not be happy inside of you. To me, I don’t think success is money. Success is what gives you contentment; that is my own school of thought.

How did you convince your wife to be your girlfriend? I am a Port Harcourt boy. It took time though; my wife was wicked. I told her that I would be very rich and I would give her everything. One of the first things she asked was “what is your plan?” She told me that loving her wasn’t enough. If a girl asks you such question, you just have to sit up. I told her that I wanted to do great things with music; I just don’t want to be a flash in the pan. She was one of the main reasons I went to study music.

Did you actually pack your bags? I did. I left Port Harcourt for Lekki, Lagos. It might not be location; it could actually be moving from one job to another kind. Have you seen any possibility of your daughters doing music? Yes, my children sing but there is one, my first daughter, who shows more interest in music. I am not the kind of father that would insist that his children must be professionals- lawyers or doctors. I don’t want to put them through that stress. If my children are passionate about music, I would support them fully.

How do you keep fit? I am like this; we are not big in my family. I eat any food I want.

Was there a time you had doubts in your ability? Once I decided to do music, there was no going back. I didn’t have any other thing to do and I didn’t imagine myself working in an office because I am very hyperactive. I knew if I decided to do music, I must do it well. But before idols, I wasn’t really into music. I grew up in a house where they placed so much importance on education. The only thing I knew about music then was to go to choir practice and come to church on Sundays to shout. But if I wanted to get information on something, I read about it online. One of the first articles I read was the ‘Psychology Behind Great Music. The thing about articles, write-ups and notes is that you learn so much from different people and mix them up.

20 Showbiz

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7 MAY 2016

Teebillz’s mum storms Tiwa Savage’s home, begs singer for 3 days •NDLEA: No plans to arrest Teebillz •EFCC: Savage has to give us details Lanre Odukoya

he dust over singer, Tiwa Savage and husband, Tunji Balogun .a.k.a. TeeBillz’z marital woes is settling and glimmers of hope that the embattled couple may reunite abound. But unfortunately, the showbiz scandal had raised some security concerns that have generated heated arguments in different quarters. While many people in support of Savage’s disclosure also agree that the singer revealed way too much, others insist that whatever she said was from a heart that was grieving. Two of the most sensitive of the allegations against TeeBillz with serious security implications are of sniffing cocaine and unpaid debt. Her revelation partly reads; “He keeps on putting us in debt all the time. He goes out to the clubs with women, spend money on drinks, leaves without paying and the club owner would call me and I’ll end up going to pay. The last one that happened that I think really triggered this whole thing was that he went to borrow N45 million from someone and he’s lost the money. I just found out. I was in the studio recording and got a call that EFCC is investigating that TJ is in big trouble, that people may hurt him. So in my frantic move to try and suppress the situation no one could help raise the N45m he went to borrow. Or should we talk about the fact that I walked in on him taking cocaine in my house when we were still living in 1004 then? It was

just after we got married and I didn’t even know he does cocaine, only to walk into the kitchen and saw him sniffing. I screamed TJ!!! And he quickly hid it and he started screaming at me!” In Saturday Telegraph’s fact-finding conversation with the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Michel Ofoyeju, our reporter wanted to know if the agency ever planned to arrest TeeBillz following the messy confession:

“There’s no such plan, I think those bloggers are just trying to be mischievous. It’s simply a family issue, they shouldn’t drag NDLEA into it.” The N45m debt allegation in the no-holdsbarred interview is also one the social media had feasted on with several fictitious interpretations but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said: “The only way the commission can establish such a case is if the lady can give us the name of the complainant.

Ask Tiwa what exactly the issue is.” Insiders also insist that Balogun got N2.5m from Remy Martin Nigeria to book for Savage’s performance at an event that was billed to hold sometime in the week, but the man never remitted the money to the singer. But after the interview made the rounds, the management of the cognac company reached out to the singer that it was aware she’s hurting and therefore decided to exempt her from the show. Details of how Balogun secured the deal despite being fired as the singer’s manager remain unknown. Meanwhile, words have also spread that Savage had shrugged off the mess and moved to a movie location to feature in Funke Akindele’s TV drama entitled ‘The Return of Jenifa’. Her part in the series had been shot before the fiasco. Our checks revealed that the information is untrue as the singer was already onset earlier on the same day her estranged husband posted the damning Instagram story. Fans and industry buffs wouldn’t need to worry about TeeBillz’s whereabouts anymore; we learnt reliably that after leaving Banky W’s place, he was quietly moved to a friend’s place in 1004 where a psychotherapist and other close friends would be helping him fight depression. There may also be plans by his friends to relocate him to the US immediately the storm is over. Indications are rife that TeeBillz had been barred from using phones for some time to enable him to get out of the gloom early enough. We also found out that TeeBillz’s ailing mother who was nearly shattered by the squabbles moved to Savage’s Lekki residence to plead with the singer. Our source revealed that Savage’s mother-in-law was there for three days before she left last Wednesday, May 4.

Busola Arobadi: Fashion business has taken me to places Busola Arobadi’s life is about fashion. The CEO of Bubu’s Wardrobe in Surulere, Lagos, speaks with EDWIN USOBOH on fashion, ideal man and other issues. How long have you been into fashion? I have been doing this fashion and style business for over five years now, although I was initially making only female clothes. After customers buy products from you, it becomes a problem to get your money. When I started, I didn’t have a shop, I was into mobile marketing. Why did you decide to venture into the business? I would say it is the passion I have for it. The love for fashion has been in me since I was a child. Before I ventured into fashion fully, I worked with Femi Eso’s Evergreen Music for two year as his personal assistant. There, I got convinced that fashion was my core calling. My boss was always commending my style all the time. So I had to take it seriously; I actually started while I was still working with him. What have been the challenges so far? Like I said earlier, I didn’t have a shop at some point so I had to do mobile marketing. I was moving from one place to another, running after customers. Dealing with men is better because they hardly owe for a long period. How did you raise money to start your busi-

ness? It was from my little savings from work and my mum also supported me financially at the beginning. Is fashion your first love? Though my dream was to become a broadcaster, I had always loved fashion too. I wanted to study Mass Communication but I ended up studying English at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Are you fulfilled doing this business? Yes, I am fulfilled to some extent. I have met people I never thought I would meet in my life through this business. I am living my dream; I don’t wake up in the morning and rush to work. This job has given me rest of mind. The fashion industry is competitive; what gives you the edge? Yes, you are right that it is a competitive market. I would say my strength is quality fabrics. I don’t compromise quality for quantity. I want anyone who buys from me to always come back. If you appreciate quality, you would understand what you are getting from Bubu’s Wardrobe. Who are your clients? Anybody who loves quality is my customer; anybody could buy from Bubu’s Wardrobe. I am not restricted to Lagos market, I have customers in other parts of the country and they call me to get certain products. I make sure we satisfy them and meet with their demands. All my customers are big. In my fashion house, we regard every customer as the same. We aim to satisfy everybody irrespective of their social status. So everybody that walks

into our office is considered as a big customer and we treat them as such. What time of the year do you attract more customers? Business is usually very dull at the beginning of the year, so when the festive period comes I am very excited. People want to wear something new and good during festive periods. It is the busiest time of the year for me because I want to make sure I satisfy all my customers. At the end of the day, I smile and they smile too. What is fashion to you? Fashion to me is classy. It’s what fits and makes one look good. Fashion is not only what's in vogue; it has to be an outfit that brings out the best in you and makes you look very nice. How do you unwind? I love to sleep and I love good music too. When I am free, I listen to good music. Are you married? No, but I am engaged Doesn’t your fiancé get jealous when your male clients call? No, he understands the kind of business I do and he’s been very supportive. What is your greatest fear in life? That is the fear of failure. I am always afraid not go down and I also don’t like people who are not straightforward. What's your life philosophy? My philosophy is to try and take life as it comes. We shouldn’t also look down on anybody.

Busola

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Showbiz 21

I like to act in movies I wrote Though Phoenix Ifeoma Ezendu is a new face in Nollywood, she comes in with amazing talents. The graduate of Health and Human Services from Wilberforce University, Ohio, in the United States, speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA . How was growing up like for you? I was born in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria. Growing up here was a wonderful experience. I lived by the Jabi Lake with my parents and three siblings. I have very fond memories taking walks by the lake with my sister. What informed your decision to be part of Nollywood? Nollywood has always been a secret passion of mine; it actually spurred my coming back to Nigeria. I got into Nollywood officially last year. I like role-playing, seeing and living life from a different perspective. You are a scriptwriter; could you tell us about your first piece? My professor in school, Mrs. Gloria Wingard, actually honed this talent. She first noticed it from my essays in her Eng 101 classes. She tutored and encouraged me. My first piece was ‘The Image of Beauty’, it is a Halloween poem. What are those things that inspire your writings or creative ferment? I read a lot, stories inspire me and I listen a lot. I have written scripts like ‘Dantes Fall,’ ‘Mimido 2,’ ‘Daddy’s Girls’ and ‘Edo Princess’. Which is the most outstanding of your scripts? I would say ‘Edo Princess’. It’s an epic/adventure film. How many of your scripts have been produced? Two scripts of mine have been produced. I produced ‘Dantes Fall’ in 2016 and Papel Image Tech produced ‘Mimido 2’ last year. Acting or scripting, which came first for you? Acting, and I find it more fulfilling as well, although I still see myself as a rookie in the industry. It’s more like a fresh start for me. Are you not finding it difficult to get roles in movies? It is slightly difficult for now. Though I get good feedback when I go for my auditions, producers always prefer known faces. I have featured in ‘Still I rise’ (performed on stage), ‘White Diamonds’, ‘Redline’ and ‘Dantes Fall’. But ‘Dantes Fall’ is the most outstanding; I liked the character. How did you come about ‘Dantes Fall’? ‘Dantes Fall’ tells the story of a woman who took extreme measures to keep her husband. It’s a love and a revenge story. The inspiration came from a chess game. You will understand when you watch it. The message in it is that in life you either choose to be a victim or a victor. I choose to be a victor, so I gathered all my resources, finances and network. I produced it myself. We would be having a private viewing soon. I am yet to confirm a date. Was it not difficult acting in a movie you wrote? It was interesting, I could relate with the character. It was difficult since it was my first major outing but exciting at the same time. I write great scripts so I definitely want to be part of my scripts.

Do you plan to continue to produce and direct your scripts? Honestly, no. I do not want to be a producer or director. I don’t want to produce anymore; we would get a professional for that. How do you cope with acting and script writing? It’s difficult but I have learnt how to manage my time better. How profitable is script writing? For now, not very profitable but I am hopeful it would improve as I grow in the industry. I am new in the industry. I expect that I would work my way to the top. The challenge really is meeting the right people in the industry. I hope to meet people who value script writing.

Bunmi Davies' new sitcom

Media Personality, Bunmi Davies, is set to unveil his latest comedy project, a sitcom titled “Jeka Play,” on May 31. Named after popular UNILAG restaurant and hangout spot, the sitcom is based on the interesting everyday events and happenings at Jekaplay, which is the epicenter of the UNILAG social scene. In “Jeka Play,” he reprises his role as the owner of the real life place in relationship with students, lecturers, cool kids and assorted regular patrons. Commenting on the inspiration behind the show, Bunmi Davies remarked: “My experience of running Jekaplay at Unilag has been a very interesting one due to its venue and the campus environment.”

Boat cruise party Qtaby Events presents its quarterly event “Cruise & Chillz”, a boat cruise party hosting celebrities, media icons and captains of industries. It will be held on May 22 at the Prest Jetty, Lekki, Lagos. This edition will feature the launch of Mockingbird Records by Adey Ogunlesi, son of the woman behind ‘Ruff n Tumbles” clothing line. The talented music producer who has worked with the likes of Don Jazzy, Davido, Wizkid, Lynxxx, Boj and more. Mockingbird Records will focus on creating, developing and establishing the wealth of artistic talent all over Africa.

Are you fulfilled as a scriptwriter? Writing could be very therapeutic you know. When I see my scripts printed out and bound together, it gives me a lot of joy on the inside. What is your view of Nollywood generally? Beneath all the glitz and glam, there is a lot of hard work going on. Nollywood is evolving to be better every day. What are your plans for Nollywood? I want to make great classic movies. I want to be an icon in Nollywood. I am new; I am ready and very eager for work. It would be nice if more chances were given to new faces like myself.

Yaw is here again The eighth edition of “Yaw Live On Stage”, the flagship platform of media personality, will be held on May 29 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island,

Who are those people you look forward to working with? I like to work with Kunle Afolayan, Mercy Johnson, Ramsey Noah, Walter Waltbanger Taylaur and Izu Ojukwu Who are your best actors in Nollywood? Obi Emelonye and Kunle Afolayan. I think they are visionaries and they make films I am most interested in. Is it true that actress, especially the young ones, have to sleep with producers and directors, before they get roles in movies? I haven’t encountered this situation before. What is your advice to other young aspiring actors and writers? Be dogged in your pursuit, it’s not an easy industry to break into. How do you relax? I love serenity, sitting or lying in quietude while sipping a drink.

O u t &A b o u t

Ezendu

Lagos. It would feature talented musicians and comedians including AY, Phyno, Burna Boy, Korede Bello and Solidstar. The centerpiece of the show is a humorous new stage play written and directed by Femi Branch titled “Shalanga”, which features the acting talents of Yaw and AY in a satirical take on the past and present of Nigeria in the last one year. Other performaners at the show are, Reekado Banks, Naomi Mac, Koker, Burna Boy, Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, CDQ, Splash, Immaculate, Tjan, Vintage Band, Reminisce, Ycee and a host of others. Speaking about the show, Yaw remarked: “A lot of people do not know that I come from a Theatre Arts background and as such, I have a very keen interest in the complete spectrum of entertainment. This is what I have tried to achieve over the past 7 editions of Yaw Live On stage, and I believe this year's event is set to be the best ever, incorporating a hilarious stage play, music, dance and comedy into a 360-degree entertainment experience for the audience. I want everyone to come out and have fun with me on that day.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Social Media Craze

Trending

Gist

Photos Controversies

With Olushola Ricketts

Burna Boy still owes me for producing his album –Producer

t came as a shock when Burna Boy’s producer, Orbeat, took to twitter to declare that he had not been paid fully for works on his album. The outburst began when Burna Boy dropped his new song “Acting Bad” and tweeted the link. He noted that Orbeat, who also produced “Soke” and worked on his album, produced the song. Orbeat, however, lashed out on Twitter, insisting that the song shouldn’t have been released without his knowledge, especially since he hadn’t been paid fully for his works. In series of tweet, she opened up: “this material wasn’t released illegally. I find this insulting. “I have not been fully paid for the work I put in for @burnaboy’s album. And you disrespect me by dropping that song without consulting with

me. “I don’t blame you because our judiciary in this country is a joke. U can’t just keep disrespecting people who have helped your career. “I let all the bullshit slide moved on with my life till my intellectual property that u don’t own came out and u couldn’t even reach out to me. “Sad thing @burnaboy. U really undermined me.” In his response, Burna Boy tweeted: “Talk about me, laugh behind my back but to my face u some well wishing snakes with your hands out for my money, man how much can I take? “Niggaz need to understand that social media ain’t a safe place to try violate man if we really know each other. “U ain’t my nigga. U ain’t wit me u begged me to f**k with u cuz u from PH... I paid u for ur service but u wanted more cuz u a crack head.”

Burna Boy

Fans begs Falz The Bad Guy to marry Simi

PHOTO OF THE WEEK PHOTO: FACEBOOK

hen Falz The Bad Guy shared a picture of him and Simi, his fans on Instagram quickly advised him to tie the knot with the beautiful singer before it became too late. The picture had generated almost 16,000 likes and 600 comments. Here are some of the remarks: •ratabloomi - Hmmm these people look good together. Most times when fans say something we are always right. Falz marry her. •I_am_oblack - Oh! I see. When you guys have been doing things together, I know that things like this will happen and it is just a lie. You can’t snatch another man’s wife Falz Bad Guy. •Itsmemargy - I’ve been suspecting them a long time coming. Thumbs up to the two though. Much love. •creative.hood – If these two human beings get married, walahi e no go shock me coz dey r cute 2geda. •ogbeski – Just run tinz sharply before anoda person collect am from your hand. •emperor_focus – You guys should just marry and we should just continue to have good music in the industry. •bugovidase_ Gee, - If looking good together were a criteria for a successful relationship/marriage, both of you is set for life. Beautiful! •akinrindekehinde – Congratulation in advance on ur introduction to come lol. •ameveeee – I knew u guys had a crush

Alleged smoking, drinking habit: War on twitter over Omawumi’s reaction

igerian singer, Omawumi, couldn’t control her anger as she walked out of a recent interview with HF TV. This certainly became an issue on twitter. While some people felt she needed to do what she did, others thought she went too far. Ebuke Akara @ebuka_akara said: “I don’t blame Omawumi. Different people have different reactions to different solutions.” Uche Briggs @UcheBriggs noted: “I think people saying Omawumi should have answered the question and moved on don’t really understand the damaging defect of the press.” Kay Baba @datGuyKOFO stated: “See

them attacking Omawumi. The same ones that will rain insults when someone disagrees with their tweets or asks a simple question.” Amara Nwankpa @bubusn insisted: “If Omawumi were to be a male artiste, would she be asked to respond to drinking and smoking rumours as a role model?” @zebbook noted: “She didn’t ask if Omawumi smokes/ drinks, she asked how she combines it with being a role model and mother. Rubbish.” Wole II @Kingwole shared “I don’t blame Omawumi for storming out of the interview. Another let down from Nigerian Journalist.” Demola Notjustok@demola stated:

“You did the right thing by walking away. She planned evil from d first question.” T. Rankin @AfroVII informed: “Omawunmi might be a smoker but she’s never been seen in the public smoking. So what else? Can she not have a private life?”

Falz and Simi

on one another…The way u guys keep looking at each other. Please try and stay together. Hope I get invited. Oluwa where is my own boo. •ayofirst – They look good together and Falz seems like a one lady man. You guys should come out with the truth. •genezeez - Prosperity and long live is all I wish u boss so u can continue dropping best music for us.” •Joe_aribisala – Please Falz she won’t run u bankrupt pls take her to d alter n put d ring.” •Usman_yk231 - Soldier don finally fall in luv. I guess d pic was taken during their introduction and engagement ceremony lol. But Simi no go fuck up with Soldier, dis one no b TeeBillz o! •nonyeokpegbue – Abeg tell us that you’re dating instead of hiding. All these yeyebrities na so e dey start and they can deny for Africa •omotereomolola – Love two of u like kilode…wish you take her to the altar. •edalolomoayobami – “Abeg Falz, simi will b a wife, a mother and a friend. Don’t wait until u b the best man to her hubby. U really match.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Investigations OSOLU-IREWE

Coastal community where pupils risk their lives going to school

Some passengers moving to collect their life jackets before boarding the boat at the Ebute Major.

July 1, 2015, is one which communities on the coastline would not forget in a hurry. Six out of 14 schoolchildren got drowned on that day in a boat mishap. They were said to have been coming from Imude Village on the other side of the Ojo waterway and heading for Osolu-Irewe, another community in Lagos State where their schools are located when a speeding boat collided with their paddled canoe. ISIOMA MADIKE who visited the neighbourhood on Wednesday, met with teachers, friends and Osolu- Irewe natives who are yet to come to terms with the loss they suffered in that monumental tragedy

photo: www.naij.com

A Isioma madike

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

journey to Irewe community on Wednesday was both duty call and adventure. But it was as rough as the waters that surround the neighbourhood. At the foot of the rickety jetty from the Iyana Oba end were some young men. They busied themselves with Indian hemp and sips of Ogogoro (the local gin) to wash it down. On siting this reporter who was walking towards them to ask for direction, the tall, lanky one in the middle, who should be about 23 years of age, stood to enquire in a wacked voice in deep Yoruba language, reminiscent of the dialectal of the notorious agberos (touts); Ogbeni, nibo lo nlo? Se e mope boys waa nile ni? Ejoo, efunwa ni owo tax toba fe koja (Where are you going? Don’t you know there are boys here? Give us money if you want to pass through here).

After the reporter parted with N500, which was the amount demanded, the boys of the area, as they are called, then gave a direction that actually kickstarted the long walk through the waters to Irewe. At the wooden jetty were a few passengers waiting for the next available boat. We had just missed the first which left about 8.45am. The waiting gave the reporter the opportunity to view the more modern jetty built by the state government a few years back. A boat driver, who had become the reporter’s acquaintance, explained that the jetty was supposed to replace the rickety wooden one. “But, they have left it to

Students alighting from a boat. photo: nigerianreviews.com

rot. That is the way of government; they start a good initiative and after the buzz of its opening, would abandon it to rot away,” he said, regrettably. As the discussion on the government jetty was going on, a boat arrived and we all rushed in to commence the journey. It continued on page 24

Investigations

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

The story of a grieving community

Boats waiting for passengers at Irewe jetyy. Inset: The reporter kitted in a life jacket on his way to Irewe community. photos: Isioma madike.

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

was an 18-passenger boat, not particularly fascinating, though. The voyage lasted for about 50 minutes. “It is not supposed to be so,” explained one passenger. “But, because we are running against the tide which changes every six hours,” he further explained. The Irewe end jetty was no better. It was built with woods also, as it wobbles, threatening to disintegrate. This was frightening as this reporter trembled, showing off its naivety on waters. Though, the cruise was pleasing, somehow. Irewe was not as bad as the reporter anticipated. It is every inch an urban village with modern infrastructure that adorn every of its landscape. Though, there was evidence of a community still in shock, distraught but united in grief. Indeed, enormous sorrow still hung in the air around Osolu junior and senior secondary schools and the primary in Irewe, where the departed six played with mates about a year ago. They clamoured for education like other kids in the ‘Centre of Excellence’. But, can only achieve this by travelling several kilometres on water. They risk their lives in the process. Many of them even paid with their blood in a creepy manner. Since then, mourning has refused to depart the neighbourhood. This is the story of Osolu-Irewe. Of additional concern to residents were the government’s unfulfilled implicit plans to compensate the community. Among the ‘compensation’ were upgrading the schools to boarding, dedicated boats and life vests to schoolchildren in the neighbourhood as well as giving support to parents that lost their loved ones in the boat accident. Though young at heart, pupils of the primary school still feel the loss of 12-year-old Jonathan Friday. Their teachers, who spoke on condition of anonym-

ity, said an unusual quietude had enveloped the school since the sad incident. Other victims that died were Josephine Ajigbo, 16, Nelson Feyekun, Bridget, Patience and Epeh. Ajigbo should have been sitting for her West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) that is ongoing now. Her mates decorated her seat with her photograph as a mark of respect and to honour her. “We recognised that she was part of us and should have been sitting for this examination with us presently. Apart from that she was our senior prefect and so we decided to honour her in this manner to show our love. “We missed and would continue to

miss her. She was the only one that died in this school; others were from both the junior secondary and the primary schools,” said one of the student of Osolu Senior Secondary School where Ajigbo attended. The principal of the senior school was not around as at the time this reported visited the school. But a senior teacher, who identified herself simply as Olayemi, was on hand to welcome Saturday Telegraph. She gave insight of the mood of the school since the tragedy but begged not to be quoted so as not to contravene the civil service rules. Olayemi explained that students recoiled when the accident happened. “They simply abandoned school for about three weeks. Even now, most of the students take the longer route to avoid the area that the boat capsized. You know the students come from various villages, about 15 villages to access these schools. You can’t see schools easily like in the hinterland because of the terrain. “That explains why many of them travel a long distance through the waters to this community. This even affects our resumption time here; we usually add about 45 minutes to our resumption time to accommodate those students from the far villages. The tragedy was huge and the effect would live with us for a long time to come,” she affirmed. She added that government is yet to fulfill its promise of upgrading the secondary schools to boarding to make them a bit convenient for the students. “We know that all the students may not wish or be able to live in the dormitories but we believe the majority of them would have found it welcoming. “Again, the community also requested that they provide boats dedicated

to students and hire the drivers who would be on the government’s payroll to alleviate their sufferings. There is high rate of poverty here and the little they pay for transporting themselves to this place is quite discouraging to many of them. These are people who do not want to go to school in the first place. So, we believe providing these facilities would encourage them. “The dedicated boats should serve as school buses for those who may not be able to access the boarding facility. These should not be too much for the government. After all, these villages are part of the so-called “Centre of Excellence”, Olayemi remarked. The Osolu of Irewe, His Royal Highness, Abideen Durosimi, was not in the palace when our correspondent visited the community. Though the Kabiyesi had, when the incident happened freshly, appealed to the state government to build boarding schools in the community to reduce the risk of children going to school daily through water way. He had also enjoined the government to upgrade the health centre within the community. According to him, “there are 36 villages adjoining this community and there is need to improve basic infrastructure to cater for the people of this neighbourhood and the connecting villages to make life easier for them.” One of his chiefs, who identified himself simply as Oyefolu, said not much has been done by government since the tragedy. “Well, we won’t deny that the government has not done anything since them. Succour came when the state House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, gave the community 60 life jackets and cash gifts to the families of the deceased children. “But, like the famed Oliver Twist, we

xxxxxx

Representatives of Commissioner for Transport, Adebola Matanmi, Kamson and others during the distribution of life jackets to pupils in coastal communities. photo: www.nationalhem.net

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Interview

Getting married early helped my career – Obiekwu p.27

Sport Splash

Global

Top-four race: Man City, Arsenal clash at Etihad p.28

Bring form to Eagles, Boboye tells Iheanacho, Iwobi

•Eagles coach says home-based players will get their chance after snub

Ajibade Olusesan

anchester City’s starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Arsenal’s forward, Alex Iwobi, are arguably the best African teenage footballers at the moment following their stellar form for their clubs but Super Eagles assistant coach, Kennedy Boboye, has challenged them to start reproducing such performances for their national team. The two youngsters are expected to be in of action when Arsenal visit Man City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as the two sides intensify battle for topfour finish. Iheanacho has been a revelation for the Eastlanders this term after coming through the junior team to stake a permanent place in the star-studded side. Statistics even show that the 19-year-old is the hottest striker in the world considering his scoring ratio. Iheanacho has netted 13 goals and made five assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for the Citizens in his debut first team campaign. He even banged in two goals last weekend as the former champions suffered a big blow to their Champions League qualification with a 4-2 loss to Southampton. The ease with which Iwobi has settled in Arsenal's first team still leaves many pundits surprised. Although the lad also graduated into the Gunners

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

main squad this term, his performance in the second half of the season has guaranteed him a permanent stay in the starting line-up. However, Boboye said as a coach, he was impressed by the players’ progress at the club level but it would be important for them to take it a notch up in the Super Eagles. He said the duo had showed they were the future of the Nigerian national team and they must begin to manifest those promising signs now. He said featuring in a big match like today’s would boost the players’ confidence and maturity. “We all know these two players are the future of the Super Eagles. They have showed so much promise especially with their performances for their clubs. As national team coaches, we are proud of them and I know many Nigerians are happy about what they are doing. “However, we expect them to bring such form to the national team. We hope they can replicate their clubs’ performances in the national team,” he said. The Giwa FC chief coach also gave an insight into why the coaching crew included just one home-based player in the squad for the international friendly matches with Mali and Luxembourg slated for next month. The Coach Salisu Yusuf-led technical crew has come under criticism for inviting about 25 foreignbased professionals for the ties but Boboye said they wanted to assess some of the best Europe-based stars with the games as there was another match being proposed exclusively for the homebased lads. “I think there is a match coming up which will involve just the home-based players, we will have opportunity of assessing them with this match. The technical crew took this decision as we want to give opportunity to players who are doing well for their clubs irrespective of where they play,” he said.

Iwobi celebrating a goal

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

Rangers seek Shooting’s scalp to cement top spot

t will be a great opportunity for Enugu Rangers to cement their position at the top of the table when they take on Shooting Stars of Ibadan this weekend. High riding Rangers were brought down to earth last weekend when they succumbed to a 3-1 loss to Rivers United and would have dropped to second position had Kano Pillars defeated Enyimba in a rescheduled match on Wednesday. Shooting were beaten 6-0 in their last away match against Kano Pillars and will

be hoping for a better outing against Rangers. Kano Pillars lost at home on Wednesday but will be hopeful of another heavy win when they take on the bottom of the table, Ikorodu United in Kano. The Oga Boys won their second game of the season when they defeated Heart-

land 3-1 at the weekend but will have their hands full against Pillars. Heartland paid for their p ro f l i g a c y when they lost to Ikorodu United, and only a win against El-Kanemi Warriors will assuage their fans, while in Bauchi, Wikki Tourists will welcome Nasarawa United. Other matches of the weekend are Plateau United at home to Sunshine Stars while Rivers United will be traveling to Warri to take on Warri Wolves.

MATCHDAY 15 Heartland vs El-Kanemi Kano Pillars vs Ikorodu Utd Plateau Utd vs Sunshine Rangers vs Shooting Warri Wolves vs Rivers Utd Wikki vs Nasarawa Utd Abia Warriors vs Giwa Akwa Utd vs IfeanyiUbah Lobi vs MFM Enyimba vs Tornadoes NPFL LEAGUE TABLE Team

PTS

1 Rangers

2 Kano Pillars

3 Abia Warriors

4 IfeanyiUbah

5 Wikki

6 Lobi Stars

7 Rivers Utd

8 MFM FC

9 Warri Wolves

-2

10 Akwa Utd

11 Heartland

-2

12 Nasarawa Utd14

-4

13 Plateau Utd

-5

14 Sunshine

15 Enyimba

16 Tornadoes

-1

17 El-Kanemi

-5

18 Shooting

-8

19 Giwa FC

-9

20 Ikorodu Utd

-13

Bolaji Sakin of Abia Warriors against Ngoma Luamba of F.C IfeanyiUbah

Yarma

Club owners congratulate

Yarmalight proprietor

he football Club owners Association of Nigeria has sent a congratulatory message to one of its foremost members, Farouk Yarma, on his appointment and confirmation as a commissioner by the Gombe state government and the state house of Assembly. The association in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman Barr. Isaac Danladi and the executive secretary Alloy Chukwuemeka, described Yarma as a committed and hard working sportsman who had devoted greater part of his energy and resources to the development of sports in Gombe State and Nigeria. The statement added that Mallam Farouk remained one of the finest sports administrators whose passion for sport development led to his becoming a private club owner (Yarmalight FC), having worked in several capacities in many sectors to enhance the upliftment of sports and youth development. Club owners urged him to see his new appointment as a call to greater service to humanity and prayed God to grant him the needed wisdom to excel in his new assignment.

Go Round FC want quick start

espite the postponement of the start of the Nigeria National League season, Go Round FC, have declared their readiness to start on a winning note against Akwa Starlets. Coach of the side, Ngozi Elechi, said ahead of the game that the target of the team is to gain promotion to the NPFL. "We have prepared well and we believe we can have a good start against Akwa starlets, when the league starts,”

he said. "Winning the Rivers State FA Cup was a big boost to us. Now we have crossed that hurdle, we are primed to gain promotion. And we hope to start with this game.” In the off season, Go Round FC signed some top players while also retaining bulk of their players from last season especially Captain Nyima Nwangua, goalkeepers Kelvin Salami and Iboro Akpakpan.

The club missed promotion last term by just two points, with their home draw against Ikorodu United giving the Lagosbased side the promotion ticket. General Manager of the team, Soni Uboh, also reiterates that promotion is their target this time. He said: "The boys are motivated. They know what is at stake, and at the management level, we have done our bit. We just hope the element of luck is with us.”

Way out of crowd encroachment

rom Akure to Ibadan, Jos to Kano, the Nigeria Professional Football League had experienced cases of crowd encroachment since the start of the season, which has threatened the good work of the League Management Company on rebranding the league. Some clubs were fined while it was a heavier punishment for Giwa FC who were banished to Ilorin for three of their home games and also asked to play their remaining home games behind closed doors. On Wednesday, May 4, in a rescheduled Week Seven game between Kano Pillars and Enyimba, the fans demon reared its ugly head again, as Kno Pillars fans descended on the visiting team after watching their team succumb to a 2-1 home defeat against the champions,

leaving their driver with a broken head. The name of the game is fairplay worldwide and the fans should be able to imbibe such spirit, because your enemy today might be your friend tomorrow. Just a week ago, Kano Pillars defeated Sunshine Stars 1-0 in Akure with no record of violence or attack by the host. The fans should understand that you can't always win all. The LMC should do more in the area of security within and outside the stadium so as to protect lives and property, during and after games. Despite the dark incidents, it is obvious the league has grown a lot from the days of teams winning all their home games. Fans are coming out to watch games and soon it will attain a brand accepted by the private sector.

The mammoth crowd that watched Enyimba beats Kano Pillars 2-1 in Kano on Wednesday

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Getting married early helped my career – Obiekwu Can you describe the feelings winning Olympics football gold medal in 1996? It was a good feeling because that has always been the dream and aspiration of every athlete and player, and thank God I was part of the team that won in 1996. Tell us about the spirit in the team? Before the tournament, we played a lot of big teams, Kenya, Egypt, Zimbabwe and some other top names. Going for the competition, a lot of Nigerians did not give us a chance, but the players were determined and mentally strong because we knew that we had the ability and strength to perform well there. And again, some of the players in that team had played at the World Cup in 1994, some of them were part of the Japan ‘93 squad, while some of us played at the 1995 All Africa Games, so it was an experienced side that had been privileged to attend big championships in the past. It was a mixture of Japan 93 Golden Eaglets, the AFCON 94 and USA 94 team, and those promoted from the AAG 95. We were able to give our best and conquered, bringing joy to Nigeria and Africa as a whole. And the equaliser against Brazil then finally winning the game? We believed in ourselves God. I remember we prayed all the time and there was nothing we did without putting it before God which really helped us. We were not discouraged; I remember before the game against Brazil, Bebeto granted an interview where he said they had never lost to a third world country before so they could not start with Nigeria. That statement actually propelled us to go for the victory, even when we were down 3-1, We kept going, and thank God, the coach made a mistake by removing Juninho Paulista and Ronaldo believing they had won with the scoreline still 3-1 in their favour. But we were able to come back and won with the golden goal. I actually went back to Bebeto at the end of the game and said now that you have lost to a third world country, what are you going to do. How did you become a footballer? I came

Obiekwu

Kingsley Obiekwu was part of the Dream Team that won the football event of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. In this interview with Saturday Telegraph’s CHARLES OGUNDIYA, the player called Shagari in his playing days said his goal against Enugu Rangers in a FA Cup in 1991 gave him his breakthrough in football. Excerpts… from a poor background and a polygamous home. The attention from my parents was not 100 percent, although they did their best for their children, the situation gave me the opportunity to do some things as I wanted, like playing football. I started playing the game since when I was a little child, I represented both my primary and secondary schools. I represented Enugu State with my school at the All Nigeria Secondary School Games in 1990. After leaving school, I continued playing with some lower clubs and I was also privileged to represent Enugu State at the National Sports Festival in 1991 with the likes of Kanu Nwankwo, Mobi Oparaku and others.

How did Udoji United deal came into the picture? Actually, the officials of Udoji were on hand to watch the game against Rangers and they didn’t waste time in contacting me unlike Rangers that tarried. It was from Udoji that I was invited to the national team starting with the U-20 and U-23. I was part of the team that represented Nigeria at the All Africa Games in Zimbabwe in 1995 before winning the gold with the U-23 at the football event of the Olympic Games. I later joined Go Ahead Eagles of Holland after the Olympics.

Did you pick football as a career to makes end meet or because of the passion? What was the turning point in your Naturally, most of the kids in our days career? I will say the breakthrough came were interested in football, but despite when I played for Police Club in the FA the passion, you will also want to get Cup against Enugu Rangers in 1991. I something from it. Sport generally is a scored a fantastic goal from 45metres, albig business, but you must possess the talent to become a successful footballer. though Police Club lost the game 5-1, my performance did not go unnoticed. That The passion to represent the country was there when I was playing and it same night, Udoji United approached was always a big opportunity when me and I signed for them. Enugu Rangyou are invited to the national team. ers later approached me in the morning, but it was already too late. I give God all You don’t just go and sign for any club the glory for a successful career. because of money, you will know the implication of your decision. You will want to play for clubs In our days we did that will expose you to national team selectors. You want to play not have cases of in teams that are always playing godfathers, agents, in CAF Cups and FA Cups so you managers disturbing can make name for yourself and your family. the coaches to pick

their wards, or the federation imposing players on the coaches

The difference between your generation and the current crop of players? During our time, we had four or five good players playing in the same position, and for you to be invited to the national team, you have to give something extra which differentiate our generation from the current bunch of players with godfathers. The challenge, determination, passion and zeal to excel were there. Although there we did not have a lot of money like today ‘s chaps, we still worked very hard. We were always happy to play and represent our country, not because of money, but for the love of our country. Can you say football was good to you? Of course, whatever I am today is from football. It has helped me a lot, even till now; I still enjoy football as a coach. Also the recognition the sport has given me, cannot be quantified. I recal the state governments named streets in our honour after coming back from the Olympics; it was a great feeling for me. Even when I was travelling, the people from my village came out to bid me farewell, the joy on their faces was some-

thing I will remember forever. During the motorcade parade in Lagos, when we came back from Atlanta, the way people trooped out to welcome us, you realised how appreciative the people were, you cannot compare such with any other thing. People meeting you on the road, asking for autograph, people recognised you all because you are a footballer. Let’s talk about your girlfriend? I was privileged to give my life to Christ in 1992 as a footballer. Word of God has been guiding me since. I had a girlfriend as a player, thank God we later got married and God has blessed us with five beautiful children. God also blessed us with joy and happiness. This really helped me to be focused in my career. Actually, I have been a reserved person, I am not into drinking or clubbing, it really helped me. Looking at the U-23 team preparing for Rio Olympic Games, can they achieve same success as 20 years ago? We have a lot of problems in Nigerian football, and they must not allow this to affect the team ahead of the Games. In our days we did not have cases of godfathers, agents, managers disturbing the coaches to pick their wards, or the federation imposing players on the coaches. The coach should be allowed to take decisions on players to use after watching them play for their clubs or after graduating from another age grade competition. Samson Siasia should be allowed to get the best players from the country whether home-based or foreign-based. With that, I am sure we can achieve something. I know Siasia to be a very good coach. He also enjoys the assistance of quality back room staff and this gives me hope the U-23 national team under him will do well in Brazil. He should not be sentimental by relying on a particular player even if such player is not performing. He should go for the best, and definitely we will achieve success. How did you come about the name Shagari? (…laugh) it was very funny how I got stuck with that name. It all started when I was still in primary school, our goalkeeper, anytime we were playing, usually called me Shagari, when I confronted him on the reason why he was calling me that name, he said I was tall and looked like Shehu Shagari (former Nigeria President), I actually told him in clear terms to stop calling me that name. But fortunately, we met again in secondary school and still called me by that name. Others took up it up and stuck since then. Can you talk about your current club, Delta Stars, and the expectations ahead of the new Nigeria National League season? Our major target is to gain promotion to the Premier League. We have been working in tandem with the state government to achieve our objectives. The players are well motivated ahead of the new season. We started this project since January and I know we are good for the start of the campaign. The first game is very important and hopefully we will get there.

Kickoff: 4:00pm

rsenal and Manchester City will face off at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with a nagging sense of opportunity lost. With last year's champions Chelsea a spent force by Christmas and Manchester United and Liverpool both off the pace, City and Arsenal failed to benefit, allowing Leicester to head off Tottenham Hotspur and claim their first English title. With two games left they are fighting to secure top-four spots and a Champions League ticket. Third-placed Arsenal, three points behind north London rivals Tottenham and three above Manuel Pellegrini's City side, will guarantee themselves an 18th successive Champions League campaign if they leave the north-west with a win. Defeat for City would leave them vulnerable to fifth-placed Manchester United, who travel to relegation-threatened Norwich City on Saturday four points behind their local rivals with a game in hand at West Ham United next week. The pressure will also be on City to secure a top-four finish following

Man City, Arsenal clash at Etihad

Top-four race

Totti

n e e k a n o l Barce

S Roma appear to have solved the dilemma surrounding Francesco Totti by giving the 39-year-old stalwart a cameo role. Both Totti, in his 24th season at his only professional club, and coach Luciano Spalletti are delighted with the new setup, so much so that Totti is expected to sign a new contract in the next few days. "I'll be delighted if Francesco carries on playing. If he does what he wants to do, I'm right behind him. If he wants to keep on playing, I'm with him," said Spalletti. Some critics have even suggested Italy should call up Totti and give him a similar role at Euro 2016. Totti, who has played under 16 different coaches at the club, will reach another milestone if he plays at home to Chievo Verona on Sunday when he will chalk up his 600th league appearance for Roma, who are third. Yet, when Spalletti took over for his second stint at the club in January, Totti, who was returning from injury at the time, was something of a headache.

ready for cameo role

Totti

underland play host to Chelsea in a crucial Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon. Jermain Defoe's last-gasp penalty secured a precious point for the Black Cats against Stoke City last weekend. But, with games running out for Sam Allardyce's side in the battle to beat the drop, the home side will be desperate for victory when they line up against the Blues. Chelsea battled back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night - a result that ended Spurs' hopes of claiming the Premier League title. Victory for the Blues here could go a long way towards banishing the Black Cats to the second tier of English football. If Sunderland are to stay up, they must discover their scoring touch, for Sam Allardyce's men have averaged just one goal per game on home turf, with only rock-bottom Aston Villa scoring fewer home goals in the Premier League than the Black Cats this term. Furthermore, Sunderland have failed to score in each of their last three home matches, while leading marksman Defoe has notched just three of his 14 league goals for the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light. Only Watford, though, have conceded fewer home goals than Sunderland in the bottom half of the Premier League table and Allardyce's outfit will again be hoping to keep things tight against the Blues.

Chelsea to dent another EPL dream

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport SATURDAY

No Clubs 1 Juventus 2 SSC Napoli 3 Roma 4 Inter 5 Fiorentina 6 Sassuolo 7 AC Milan 8 Lazio 9 Chievo 10 Torino 11 Empoli 12 Genoa 13 Bologna 14 Atalanta 15 Sampdoria 16 Udinese 17 Carpi 18 Palermo 19 Frosinone 20 Hellas

SERIE A

TABLE

P Pts 36 88 36 76 36 74 36 64 36 60 36 55 36 54 36 51 36 49 36 45 36 43 36 43 36 41 36 41 36 40 36 38 36 35 36 35 36 31 36 25

No Clubs P Pts 1 Leicester 36 77 2 Tottenham 36 70 3 Arsenal 36 67 4 ManCity 36 64 5 ManUnited 35 60 6 West Ham 35 59 7 Southampton 36 57 8 Liverpool 35 55 9 Chelsea 35 48 10 Stoke 36 48 11 Everton 35 44 12 Watford 35 44 13 Swansea 36 43 14 West Brom 36 41 15 Bournemouth36 41 16 Palace 36 39 17 Newcastle 36 33 18 Sunderland 35 32 19 Norwich 35 31 20 Aston Villa 36 16

Clubs

LA LIGA

P Pts

Alaba

"There is no time to waste. There, we will hopefully get that one point we need to secure the Bundesliga title. After that comes the Cup final and then we can draw our conclusions for the season," added Rummenigge. Bayern are five points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with two games left.

hen Barcelona host local rivals Espanyol on Saturday hoping to edge closer to the La Liga title, many may be haunted by Raul Tamudo's 89th minute equaliser which wrecked their title bid in 2006/07. Just as they will do on Saturday, Espanyol visited the Nou Camp in the penultimate weekend. Barcelona were on course to go into the final game of the season on top after taking a 2-1 lead. But Tamudo struck what is now infamously known as the 'Tamudazo', handing the title to Real Madrid. Barca are top of La Liga on 85 points due to their superior headto-head record with second-paced Atletico Madrid, also on 85, while Real are third with 84. Espanyol are 14th with 40 points. Luis Enrique's Barca have won their last three games after relinquishing their ninepoint lead over Atletico following three straight defeats. But another slip up against Espanyol, who held Barca to a goalless draw in back in January, could prove costly. Defender Jordi Alba said thoughts of events in 2007 are far from his mind, but admitted Espanyol would be stubborn opponents. "A 'Tamudazo' isn't on my mind, but Espanyol are a difficult team who need points and they play these games with a lot of intensity," Alba said on Wednesday at a sponsor's event. "They'll want to win, but so do we. We are at home and we're not approaching this game scared about a 'Tamudazo'. We'll have our fans behind us and we'll be really up for it, and I'm certain we'll deliver in the game.

LaShawn Merritt believes the men’s 400m world record could be under serious threat this year, as he’s backing some one to go low 43s before the campaign is over. “This year is going to be fast,” he noted ahead during an interview ahead of the opening IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha, on Friday.

LaShawn Merritt

SPORT BRIEFLY

to already-relegated Villa with a formidable record, having not lost any of the last nine league encounters between the two. Wijnaldum, however, has warned against any sort of complacency as Newcastle look to cling on to their top-flight status with just two matches left to play. "We have got ourselves back into a better situation," the midfielder told the Sunderland Echo. "Every game is important to us. Every point we can take is crucial at this stage.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY

Bundesliga

Villarreal v Deportivo 5pm

Sevilla v Granada 5pm

Sociedad v Vallecano 5pm

Real v Valencia 5pm

Levante v Atletico 5pm

Las Palmas v Bilbao 5pm

Getafe v Gijon 5pm

Eibar v Betis 5pm

Celta Vigo v Malaga 5pm

Barcelona v Espanyol 5pm

La Liga

Bernard Tomic said he was desperate for a top 10 ranking at the start of the year, but now money seems to be something that the Australian is more concerned about. The Australian’s commitment was put under the radar when he supposedly tanked a match during the final point of his first-round match against Italian Fabio Fognini.

Bernard Tomic

Sampdoria v Genoa 3pm

Frosinone v Sassuolo 3pm

Fiorentina v Palermo 3pm

Carpi v Lazio 3pm

Atalanta v Udinese 3pm

Roma v Chievo 12:30

SUNDAY

Bologna v Milan 8:45pm

Inter v Empoli 6pm

SATURDAY

Serie A

MAY 2016

Still searching for his first Grand Prix win this season, Lewis Hamilton has insisted that he has not been relaxing ever since he won his third World Championship. Already 43-points behind teammate Nico Rosberg in the Drivers' standings, the Brit said that he was still as hungry as ever to succeed in this sport and will never accept defeat.

Benitez

eorginio Wijnaldum has warned Newcastle United that their win over Crystal Palace will count for nothing if they do not get a result at Aston Villa on Saturday. Andros Townsend's brilliant free-kick and a penalty save from Karl Darlow - ensured a 1-0 victory against Alan Pardew's side which saw Newcastle climb out of the bottom three. Rafael Benitez's side have played a game more than Sunderland below them but head

FA CUP Saturday

Hazard

Norwich v Man United 12:45 M’gladbach v Leverkuse3:30pm Bournemouth v West Bro 3pm Eintracht v Dortmund 3:30pm FC Cologne v Bremen 3:30pm Aston Villa v Newcastle 3pm Hamburger v Wolfsburg 3:30pm Palace vStoke City 3pm Hannover v Hoffenhein 3:30pm Sunderland v Chelsea 3pm Hertha v Darmstadt 3:30pm West Ham v Swansea 3pm Ingolstadt v Bayern 3:30pm Leicester City v Everton 5:30pm Schalke v Augsburg 3:30pm Stuttgart v Mainz 3:30pm SATURDAY M'gladbach v Hoffenheim Liverpool v Watford 4pm Manr City v Arsenal 4pm

p u p i l s d i o v a to

Wijnaldum demands result to keep Newcastle’s survival bid alive

ayern Munich will be eager to clinch a record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday to dispel some of the gloom of their mid-week Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid, which scuppered their chances of a treble. The Bavarians, who face Ingolstadt on Saturday, suffered a third successive semifinal exit under coach Pep Guardiola. The result meant Guardiola will join Manchester City without having won the European Cup with the Germans, with the 2-2 aggregate result condemning them to defeat against Atletico on the away goals rule. But Bayern can still clinch the domestic league and Cup double to end the season on a high note with Guardiola having three matches left, including the German Cup final. Only Bayern and Borussia Moenchengladbach have managed to win the league three straight times since the Bundesliga's creation in 1963. "The team needs to be left alone after the defeat to Atletico," said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "Everyone is still bitterly disappointed. Now we need to lick our wounds and then it is off to Ingolstadt on Saturday.

Lewis Hamilton

BUNDESLIGA

No Clubs P Pts 1 Bayern 32 82 2 Dortmund 32 77 3 Leverkusen 32 57 4 M’gbach 32 49 5 Hertha Berlin 32 49 6 Schalke 32 48 7 Mainz 32 46 8 FC Cologne 32 41 9 Ingolstadt 32 40 10 Wolfsburg 32 39 11 Hamburger 32 38 12 Augsburg 32 37 13 Hoffenheim 32 37 14 Darmstadt 32 35 15 Bremen 32 34 16 Frankfurt 32 33 17 VfB Stuttgart 32 33 18 Hannover 32 22

1 Barcelona 36 85 2 Atletico 36 85 3 Real Madrid 36 84 4 Villarreal 36 64 5 Athletic Bilbao 36 58 6 Celta Vigo 36 57 7 Sevilla 36 52 8 Malaga 36 45 9 Valencia 36 44 10 Las Palmas 36 43 11 Sociedad 36 42 12 Eibar 36 42 13 Real Betis 36 41 14 Espanyol 36 40 15 Deportivo 36 39 16 Granada 36 36 17 Vallecano 36 35 18 Sporting Gijon36 35 19 Getafe 36 35 20 Levante 36 29

TABLE

Premier league

Neymar

Bayern keen to dispel Champions League gloom with league title

Wednesday's semi-final exit from the Champions League. Manuel Pellegrini's men will have just four days to recover from the 1-0 defeat by Real Madrid that ended their hopes of a maiden title in Europe's premier club competition. Arsenal's failure to chase down Leicester, and their likely finish below Tottenham for the first time since 1995 has caused a rift between loyalists of manager Arsene Wenger and those fans demanding change. A final home game against relegated Aston Villa is a useful insurance policy for Arsenal, even if they did slip at City. Y TELEGRAPH

Sport 29

Lifestyle of Sportsmen

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Model denies story about orgy with Balotelli

t happened just over two years ago. Veronica Graf one of the participants of the Great Italian brother and to put pepper to stay at home and earn the attention of viewers told a false story about an orgy with Mario Balotelli, the player Hermando and another woman. Now she posed nude for the magazine Interviu and said another version of what happened: "In the house I did not tell the whole truth about Balotelli brothers. Ours was not only a night; actually, Mario and I had a secret love story, but at that time should remain concealed because he had another girlfriend " "Mario and Enoch were always stuck in my house, an apartment she shared with a friend. One day the press saw them enter, and I talk about Mario in GH, tied ropes, and so did the false story of the night to four. It is true that I mentioned his name, but not his brother, and never used the word orgy "she explains.

Graf

Schweinsteiger

Leicester fans name babies after Ranieri

laudio Ranieri’s Leicester revolution is growing with a second baby named in his honour. Foxes’ fans Lindsay Hill and Jake Hill brought Daniel George Claudio Hill into the world on April 29 – amazingly the same day Olivia-Jane Claudia Robinson was born nearby. The newly-extended Hill family had their bed at the Leicester Royal Infirmary draped in a club flag as their bouncing boy weighed in at a healthy 5lb 7 oz at 9.20am last Friday. On that same day, just three

miles away at Leicester General Hospital, James Robinson and fiancé Sarah were celebrating the arrival of their new daughter. The incredible double is the latest in the long list of tributes that have been made to the Italian manager who has gone from Tinkerman to Superman in 12 incredible months. The ex-Chelsea boss was an unpopular pick to replace previous gaffer, Nigel Pearson, but he has won over everyone in the Midlands city, from proud parents to a butcher who named sausages after him.

Ronaldo not planning second child, says Madrid star's mum

ristiano Ronaldo’s mum has rubbished reports he has made arrangements for a second child. A Portuguese TV presenter claimed at the end of last year the Real Madrid star had spent Christmas in Miami so he could expand his family. His son Cristianinho, five, was said to have been born in a private clinic in the US with the collaboration of two Mexican surrogate mums. Proud grannie Dolores Aveiro revealed in an approved biography published in July 2014 in Portugal that she had picked the youngster up from a private hospital in Florida. Asked at the launch in Spain of the warts-and-all book if her son was going to make her a grandmother again this summer, she said: “No. Perhaps some day but not now.” In an obvious reference to the fact the forward hasn’t had a serious girlfriend since his painful split in January last year with girlfriend-of-five years Irina Shayk, she added: “It would be a miracle.”

Mum-of-four Dolores, 61, confesses in the book titled ‘Mother Courage” she tried to abort the football star before he was born. She admits to opting for a home recipe involving warm beer and mad exercise after a doctor refused to help her interrupt her pregnancy. She confessed when the book, written by Paulo Sousa Costa, was released in Portugal: “Cristiano told me when he found out, ‘Look mum, you wanted to abort and now I’m the one who’s pulling the purse-strings in the house.” Dolores, who beat breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 2007, diplomatically sidestepped questions about her son’s love life at the official presentation in Spain of the book at Madrid’s Silken Puerta de America hotel.

Schweinsteiger enjoys stroll around Madrid with Ivanovic

e's facing a race to be fit for the European Championship this summer but Bastian Schweinsteiger appeared in high spirits as he enjoyed a romantic stroll around Madrid with girlfriend Ana Ivanovic. The Manchester United midfielder suffered a partial tear of his knee ligaments while on international duty with Germany in March and is not expected to feature again for the Red Devils this season. However, he could still compete at Euro 2016 and while he continues his rehabilitation, the 31-year-old has been spending some time with his other half, sporting a brace on his right knee Schweinsteiger was in the Spanish capital as Ivanovic is competing in the Madrid Open, with the Serbian tennis star beating Katerina Siniakova in the first round 6-3 3-6 6-4 on Sunday. Ahead of the 28-year-old's match, the couple - who have been dating since 2014 enjoyed a romantic stroll around Madrid at the weekend. The former Bayern Munich midfielder and his girlfriend displayed a public show of affection as they were pictured cuddling up in Spain. Ronaldo

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 May 2016

Sportsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;greatest fairy tale stories T

Buster Douglas

The likeable Italian had identified survival in a league dominated by multibillion-dollar behemoths like Manchester United and Arsenal as his club's priority. But then they started to win games on a regular basis -- including famous victories over free-spending Manchester City and defending champions Chelsea. When Leicester climbed to the league's summit, no-one believed they would stay there. But they did. Ranieri had fashioned a team with an astonishing spirit and a buccaneering style that would not give up.

Leicester City

hen bookmakers are prepared to offer you odds of 5,0001, they're pretty certain they won't be paying out, comfortable in the knowledge your team has a snowball's chance in hell of winning that trophy or title. But sometimes fairy tales do happen -- seismic sporting events that defy logic. Enter Leicester City. Only a year ago, this team of made up of footballing journeymen and youngsters with

Boris Becker

German teenager called Boris Becker stunned the tennis world in 1985 when he became the youngest ever male winner at Wimbledon, beating Kevin Curren i n four

Becker

Greece

rguably one of the biggest shocks in international football came in 2004 when Portugal hosted the European Championships. Most commentators pointed to the hosts -- who featured Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo in their side -- and a Wayne Rooney and David Beckham-inspired England as probable winners. But the tournament belonged to unfancied Greece, ranked 40th best team in the world at the time, who defeated the starstudded Portuguese not once but twice -- 2-1 in their opening

potential were fighting relegation at the foot of England's Premier League. Once survival was assured they appointed Claudio Ranieri, a footballing nomad with a fairly checkered record of success, as their new manager. Where once he was maligned for an almost obsessive tendency to alter his team's tactics and formation, earning him the moniker "The Tinkerman," this season he has demonstrated a Zen-like calmness -- his tactics were measured and his man-management flawless.

sets. In doing so the 17-year old also became the first German and the first unseeded player to win the sport's most coveted singles title. Throughout the tournament, the young German wowed the crowd with his aggression, a huge serve, and his seemingly limitless reserves of energy -- he frequently forced his 6'3" frame across court diving for volleys. While largely unknown to the public going into the 1985 championship, Becker's win at the Queen's Club -- regarded as a Wimbledon warm-up tournament -- would have made opponents in the locker-room take notice. Becker's famous win was no fluke because he returned to defend his title at the All England Club the following year, beating Czech great Ivan Lendl in straight sets in the final. He sealed his legendary status on the grass courts of London SW19 in 1989 when he gained revenge over Stefan Edberg in the final, winning 6-0, 7-6, 6-4. The Swede had beaten Becker in the final the year before.

group game and 1-0 in the final -- and beat defending champions, France. While they lacked the individual brilliance of many of the other nations involved, their German coach Otto Rehhagel created a tough unit able to grab goals from set pieces and counterattacks, and then defend narrow leads -- they won their quarter final, semifinal and final by one goal. The Greeks, who had never previously won a match at a World Cup or European Championships finals, had eclipsed Denmark's memorable win at Euro '92.

McGovern

Nottingham Forest

ust 30 miles north of Leicester is another town with an equally remarkable footballing story. When the inimitable Brian Clough arrived at Nottingham Forest's City Ground stadium in the mid-1970s they were languishing in England's second-tier, perennial underachievers. They secured promotion to England's top league in 1977, before going on to actually win the title in 1978. Clough was universally lauded for doing a remarkable job. But this was only the beginning. Forest had qualified for the European Cup, the continent's biggest club competition now known as the Champions League. Their European adventure got off to a flying start with a win over holders Liverpool. This was followed by wins over AEK Athens, Grasshoppers Zurich and FC Cologne as they marched to the final. A solitary Trevor Francis goal was enough to defeat Malmo of Sweden in Munich and take one of football's most coveted trophies back to a town associated with Robin Hood more than the beautiful game. What makes this story truly remarkable is that this unfashionable club defended their European title the following season. They defeated European heavyweights Ajax in the semi-final, before taking on Hamburg in the final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Despite being the defending champions, Forest were rated as underdogs going into the match against the Germans, who fielded England star Kevin Keegan in their line-up. But the tactical nous of Clough allied to a strike from John Robertson -- his 19th of the season -- was enough to see Forest across the line.

he odds were 42-1 against James "Buster" Douglas causing an upset against the seemingly unbeatable Mike Tyson when the two boxers met in Tokyo in 1990. On the face of it the bookmakers had every reason to feel confident about "Iron Mike" Tyson. He was undisputed heavyweight champion of the world with 37 wins and no defeats, and had knocked out his previous opponent, Carl Williams, inside the first round. He was a feared destroyer in the ring. By contrast, Douglas was viewed as something of a boxing journeyman, a record showing 29 wins and four defeats. But going into the Japanese fight, reports in the media suggested Tyson hadn't properly prepared for what should have been a routine fight. Tyson later admitted he didn't consider Douglas "much of a challenge." The champion was also experiencing a tumultuous life outside the ring: he liked to party hard and his marriage to actress Robin Givens had disintegrated amid claims of violence and abuse. He later admitted in his 2013 autobiography that "he didn't even want to be in the ring" that night. What should have been a quick fight turned into a nightmare for Tyson. His opponent was motivated and took his best shots. When Tyson knocked Douglas to the canvas in the 8th round, the experience seemed to rally Douglas to even greater efforts. This was a turning point in the match -- the Tyson camp claimed the referee's count for Douglas had been too slow. But by the 10th round, Tyson's life collapsed around him. Some 35 seconds after the re-start, Douglas floored the champion with an uppercut and a flurry of punches. Tyson stayed down and was counted out.

Douglas

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Rio 2016: AFN boss threatens to drop stars

…reiterates commitment on eradicating doping

Charles Ogundiya resident of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, has declared that current form will be taken into consideration in selecting athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Speaking to Saturday Telegraph, Ogba said all the athletes must prove their worth from now till the national trials to be selected for the Games. “We decided to raise the standard at the AFN above that of IAAF so that we can go with the best,” Ogba said. “If you look at some of the standards set by the IAAF, it cannot take any athlete to the semifinal, but at least with the AFN standard, you are sure of getting to the final. “We are looking forward to having most of our athletes in the final and hopefully we can get medals unlike to 2012 in London.” The president added that any athletes that failed

to perform well at next month’s African Championships in South Africa and the National trials in July, might not be considered for the Olympics. Meanwhile, Ogba has reiterated the federation's commitments to stamp out doping from the country’s athletics. Ogba said all the athletes would be taking through rigorous doping test because of the recent cases of doping around the world, while also assuring that Nigeria will win athletics medals at the Games. He said: “We don’t want to be found wanting in the area of doping, so our athletes should be expecting random tests from now till the Olympics. “Apart from Blessing (Okagbare), we have athletes that are currently doing well around the world and I am sure of medals at the Games. “I am not surprised with the form of some of our junior athletes who are doing well in the US for now. Athletes like Tobi Amusan and Rilwan Fasasi, people should watch out for them.”

Benteke threatens Musa’s move to Leicester Ajibade Olusesan

uper Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa’s move to Leicester City is under threat after Premier League champions added Christian Benteke to their transfer wish-list, according to reports. Claudio Ranieri will surely bolster his squad as the Foxes prepare to make their Champions League bow next term and the Italian who is a big fan of Musa has been chasing the Nigerian striker since last winter transfer window. He even had an offer £19m rejected by the player’s club, CSKA Moscow, last January. But and according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Benteke is one of several striking options being targeted by the Italian ahead of the summer transfer window. The Belgium international has struggled to make much of an impact at Anfield since his £32.5m move from Aston Villa. He has scored just eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances this season and Jurgen Klopp seemingly remains unconvinced by the 25-year-old. Musa has scored 12 league goals for the Russian side and has not hidden his intention to seal a move to England. Manchester United and Liverpool are also reportedly interested in his services.

Toriola

Rio Olympics

Table tennis president hails men’s team

Ajibade Olusesan

Musa

resident of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Oshodi, has poured encomiums on men’s team for picking the Rio Olympic Games ticket ahead of their rivals Egypt. The Nigerian side finally secured a place among the 16 men’s teams that will compete in the table tennis event of Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil after ending the month of May as the highest ranked team from Africa. In a chat with Saturday Telegraph, Oshodi said that it was a great achievement for the country and the federation was looking forward to doing well at the Games. “It is a fantastic development that our male players finally made it to the Olympics ahead of Egypt that have also been terrific this year. I want to congratulate these players especially Segun Toriola who will be attending the

Olympics for the seventh time. They sacrificed a lot to achieve this despite all the challenges of funding,” he said. However, the Nigerian women’s team was unable to make it to the games for the second consecutive time after finishing second behind Egypt but Oshodi is not perturbed. He said the failure was not performance-related but lack of funds prevented them from featuring in qualification tournaments which ultimately cost them the ticket. “We would have been disturbed if performance was the reason they did not qualify, but we know their problem was funding as they could not make it to Malaysia for the qualifiers. The men sponsored their way to the qualifiers and this is disturbing. The Egyptians have a lot of young players and we are happy that Funke Oshonaike and Edem Offiong will also be competing in the singles,” he said.

StarTimes to broadcast Copa America Centenario exclusively Khan: I’ll defy underdog tag against Alvarez

Charles Ogundiya

igital television platform, StarTimes, has acquired new exclusive broadcast rights of the much-anticipated Copa America Special Centenario edition live all over Africa. The company disclosed the fresh deal in a statement made available to Saturday Telegraph in Lagos. The landmark edition, which commemorates 100 years existence of Copa America and slated for June 3 to 26 in United States of America, will see most of the superstars playing in European clubs thrilling the fans with 32 countries competing in games across 10 cities. Aside watching superstars such

as Lionel Messi, Luiz Suarez, Sergi Aguero, Sanchez and others in action, StarTimes said its viewers stand the chance to predict and win fantastic prizes likes cash, LED digital television with inbuilt decoders, projector television sets, telecom recharge cards and other prizes. “There will be various programmes on radio, television, online, on StarTimes App and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter through which Nigerians can participate and win,” StarTimes said in the statement. The Copa America 2016 will be enjoyed exclusively on StarTimes sports channels, including ST World Football (Channel 254) and ST Sports Focus (Channel 250), all on StarTimes

digital terrestrial and digital satellite platforms. Speaking in the statement, Marketing Director, StarTimes Nigeria, Mr. Oludare Kafar, said: “StarTimes is very excited to bring Copa America Special Centenario edition onto the platform and believes the various matches will provide sport loving subscribers with some high quality entertainment. “We are excited to feed the appetite of football lovers all across Africa and are particularly glad that our viewers can enjoy all the games in its HD glamour and be a part by participating in our prediction games and winning fantastic prizes on StarTimes App and social media platforms.”

mir Khan says he is “supposed” to lose to Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas tomorrow but is using that belief to motivate himself towards victory. He remains a significant underdog when he fights for the first time above the welterweight division to challenge WBC middleweight champion “Canelo” Alvarez at a catchweight of 155lbs. Such is Alvarez’s status it has long been hoped he will emerge as boxing’s highest-profile fighter in the post-Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao era, and the promotion at Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena so close to Mexico’s Cinco de Mayo public holiday has unquestionably been built on his appeal. There is also the matter of the hoped-for superfight between Alvarez and WBA and IBF champion Gennady Golovkin which Khan would disrupt were he to secure victory,

Investigations 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

The tragedy was huge and the effect would live with us for a long time to come

are asking for more because we are peculiar people in a peculiar terrain. For a community that produced a one-time deputy governor, Mrs. Sera Adebisi Sosan, those things we are asking for are basics and shouldn’t be seen as too much,” he said. The chairman of the boat riders association in the community, Idris Jimoh, also pleaded with the government to provide “us with adequate jackets even for the children that use the boats. The jackets given to us were good but many of them are oversize to the pupils. If they can help us with more and better ones, we will be very glad. Also, they should help us with boat engines too. This will be very helpful for those of us who want to do business but do not have money to do so,” Jimoh said. He listed some of the villages within the neighbourhood to include Itogbesa, Origale, Esofi, Isagare, Moba, Mooba, Ojota, Etegbin, Egan, Ikotun, Idoluwo, Ibunde, Orufo, Agoru, Igboja-nla, Igbojakekere and Ojogun, In a condolence visit to the community, Obasa, had assured the residents on adequate protection of lives and property within and outside their communities. The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Omotayo Oduntan, pledged that the state government would not relent in providing basic amenities to its citizenry. According to him, “we, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, condole with the residents of Irewe, especially the families, whose children were drowned in the water. We sympathise with you and pray God almighty would give the families of the deceased children fortitude to bear the lost.” Oduntan, thereafter, presented 60 life jackets for the use of residents of the community and cash to the families of the deceased on behalf of the Speaker, saying she hoped the gesture would go a long way to ameliorating the negative impact of the incident on the people of the community, particularly families of the deceased children. She, however, appealed to the traditional ruler to ensure that boat operators operate with the life jackets being provided for their passengers assuring the community that the state Waterways Management Authority will continue to live up to its statutory responsibilities of monitoring the jetties in the state. Contributing, the former Managing Director of the state Waterways Authority (LASWA), Yinka Marinho, added that boat operators caught without life jacket would be prosecuted. He confirmed that his agency had provided life jackets for children and adults to be used by passengers of boats operating in the area. However, despite the actions by the state government, many were still seen operating without life jackets. This, according to some, despite government directives, the call for boat owners and operators to kit passengers with safety jackets, has continually fallen on deaf ears due to lack of enforcement. Except for ferries and few speedboats, the compliance at Irewe community is at its low ebb. This may be why Olayemi is worried, even as she lamented that most of the life jackets given to commuters by craft operators are said to be fake. She said the

Students and other commuters being ferried to their destinations.

unsuspecting customer would feel safe in the safety jacket until an emergency situation arises before they realise how unsafe they are. Lagos waterways are busy every day because many coastline residents travel on them to work, school and markets. But as many as have found this means of transportation suitable also have to contend with increasing risk associated with it, which often result to fatalities. Such loss can, however, be easily avoided, according to many, if boat operators are more safety conscious. Lagos has been rocked with boat mishaps, which has sometimes claimed lives in their numbers. In January alone, two people died while 18 were rescued when an 18-seater passenger boat ran into another stationary dredger along the Ojo-Tin-Can Island channel in Lagos. The boat was said to have taken off from Ojo area of Lagos about midday and was heading toward Tin-Can/Coconut when it ran over the second one. In another accident at Bayeku, in Igbogbo/ Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), two persons died after the 20-passenger boat had taken off from the Okera Nla area of Ikorodu and was bound for Bayeku when the boat capsized midway. There was yet another on the Coconut Island channel area of Lagos, in which one Idris Adekunle reportedly drowned after the passenger boat he boarded alongside other passengers upturned between the Iba and Tincan Island area of the state. Recently, LASWA said it had recovered the bodies of two female victims, Temitope Bolarin-Ajayi and Princess Cynthia John, who were involved in a boat mishap at the Ojo area of the state. The motorised boat was conveying 10 passengers who were said to be returning from a social engagement when the boat upturned. Another also claimed lives at Ogogoro Village, Boulos, behind Navy Town, when it capsized after it was hit by an oncoming bigger boat. The bigger boat had collided with the smaller one, because the latter had no light to indicate its presence at sea. Three of the passengers including one Raheem Taiwo Ishola, a marine officer who plied the waterways daily from his home at Governor’s Road, Ikotun Egbe to Apapa, died. There was another at Idoluwo-Ile at the Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) that claimed 10 lives. The Hussein family lost three kids, Risikat Nojim-Hussein, Wasiu Isau-Hussein and Suleimon KabiruHussein. The kids perished after the canoe conveying them with other pas-

Ambode

Sambo

sengers from Idoluwo-Ile Village to Ikotun capsized. Another crash was witnessed at Apapa jetty when no fewer than eight persons drowned. The boat conveying passengers, the majority of whom were traders, were coming from Sagbokoji Village, when the incident struck. The boat had capsized midway after its engine developed fault. Worried by the growing boat accidents on the state's waterways, the Federal and Lagos State governments,

photo: www.ged.ng

unveiled during the week, new operation guidelines for the commercial and private boat operators in Lagos State. The authorities insisted that all the boats must have adequate safety accessories. The Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Muhazu Sambo, and the Managing Director, LASWA, Ms Abisola Kamson, said this in Lagos at a stakeholders' meeting on the presentation of the guidelines and standard for water transportation in the state. The duo said all commercial boats drivers must be certified for appropriate competence and obtain certification thereof, which must be presented during routine inspection or stop and search operation. Addressing hundreds of stakeholders in the water transportation sector, Kamson, said commercial boats must have double hull and buttom design including GPS and Echo sounder systems with appropriate and adequate cabin lighting systems. She said that in addition to provision of functional alarm systems, all commercial boats must adhere strictly to the speed limit of six knots around jetties and a maximum of 15 knots as service speed. "The boats must be fitted with adequate safety accessories including but not limited to fire extinguishers, paddle, life buoys, and shore to sea communication gadgets, pyrotechnics and hand flare, functional key starter, horn and alarm system. The manifest on board must be secured in a water tight corner,” she said. On his part, Sambo said the boat name must be boldly written and carry appropriate flags including country and company's flags. He added that the commercial boat colours must conform to the specified standard. “All commercial boat operators must take out comprehensive insurance cover from reputably recognised insurance companies and ensure that copies of such policies are submitted to regulatory bodies annually and also kept in a visible location. All commercial boats must also be subjected biannual inspection for compliance with appropriate standards. “Commercial boat must have minimum internal dimension of length 7.3m; breadth of 2.2m; distance between seats must be 0.6m and minimum capacity of 30 passengers. There must also be provision of toilet and appropriate waste treatment facilities on 70 passengers or bigger boats.” Meanwhile, both agencies, who gave the operator 60-day ultimatum to comply with the new regulations, vowed to commence joint enforcement of the safety guidelines, saying that the era of losing innocent lives to mishaps is over.

34 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

'I got permission from Shina Rambo to make movie about his life' Enigmatic Yoruba movie scriptwriter and producer, Sharafadeen Olabode’s strides had made him one of the industry’s finest and most sought-after. Evidently primed for fame and fortune, from his repertoire, ‘Aye Tuntun’ (the new world), was reviewed by veteran cinematographer and filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, who found the storyline and technical touches outstanding. He speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA about his rise to fame.

How exactly did you find your feet in scriptwriting and movie productions? In the late ‘80s when I was still in primary school in Oyo town, Oyo State, I was a kid actor and we had a group and the eldest among us would be about 10 years old. We would get torn garbs to make our costumes to play the role of herbalists as we used to see ‘Abija’ and ‘Fadeyi Oloro’ (spiritualists) act in those days. We were an itinerant troupe and we would just go anywhere people were having parties and beg to entertain them. We did that from Friday to Sunday when we had no classes and some people appreciated us with money. I was the one with the greatest flair for all the plays we did then. Along the line we met another troupe made up of older

L-R: Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola and Muyiwa Ademola onset of Ayelabowo

guys. They were professional and they saw that I was exceptional, so they asked me to join them. They engaged me to play the role of a kid in any of their shows. What was the name of the troupe? I can’t remember, but the leader was Muyideen in Baale Otun’s residence. I was with him till the early ‘90s. By 1992, I was already in secondary school and in that year, I need some cash and I asked my eldest brother for it. He lampooned me and said I was fooling around in spiritualists’ costumes in the name of acting. I had a friend whose father was a herbalist, so my brother said it was better if that friend of mine was the only one playing those

A FAN DID TO ME –Rahama Sadau

here was t h is fan in Niger that touched me and started crying. I was really shocked; I started wondering what had happened to her. Northern women have restrictions because of our norms and tradition. But once you can take care of yourself and you abide by the rules, you are free to do all you desire to do. If you have supportive parents too, everything will work out. It is not that they are afraid to let the girls get engaged i n soc ia l activities, but you need to abide by certain rules.

wicked roles because of his father’s vocation. He said that it was grossly irresponsible of a well brought-up kid like me to be seen playing those roles. I was hurt with those words and discouraged. So, I quit. But in 2003, I was already in The Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State and I needed some money. Around that time I was listening to a programme where I heard filmmakers actually buy stories. Can they buy a story for N15,000 to N20,000? I asked myself. Then I swung into action. I thought from all the novels I’ve read and my exposure, I should be able to write what these filmmakers would appreciate. After I finished writing, I was seeking for a buyer, so I called all the people I knew- Muyiwa Ademola, Latin, Kunle Afod-Muyiwa and I was directed to Wemimo Films. But the search was to no avail until one of my brothers linked me with Muyideen Fasiliu, he’s a movie director. He was the one who directed the comic Yoruba movie, ‘Jenifa’. He made me meet his wife who is also a scriptwriter but I narrated the story to him. He loved it, but he told me what I wrote was a story; writing a script has a different technique. His wife, Abibat Ayinde, was the one who showed me a script for the first time. I left there and returned home. Shortly after, I’d rewritten the same story into a script. I still have that story with me till now. If anyone requests to buy it for N150,000 today, I won’t sell it. When did you write your first major script? That was the one I wrote for Funke Akindele between 2006 and 2007, it was dubbed ‘Aje Meta’ (three witches). It featured Odunlade Adekola, Fathia Balogun, Mama Rainbow and other good actors. After I wrote that script, I became a bride the industry began to court. They loved the lines. From that point on, it has been a phenomenal rise. How do you get inspiration for the scripts you write? No one can write outside his experience and exposure. When I was writing ‘Aje Meta’ for instance, I got stuck at a point, what exactly do I even know about witches? I asked myself sincerely. I searched for books to know whether witchcraft still exists. Do they still populate the world like they used to? Do all witches perpetrate evil? I had to consult widely. That was the same thing I did with Funke Akindele’s script entitled ‘Omo Ghetto’. I wrote the script of Femi Adebayo’s movie, ‘Jelili’ too. I didn’t grow up in the ghetto and as such lacked the mastery of their language and mannerism of a core Lagos ghetto dweller. I had to go to Isale Eko (Lagos Island) and mixed with some people whom I told my mission. They

Sharafadeen

gathered the boys and told me to buy stuffs for them to teach me the language. I started learning the current slangs and I was there for five days. Another example is Oyenusi; I wrote that script and produced the movie as well. The movie is actually a true life story. After my research, I realised that whatever he did wasn’t particularly startling. It was blown out of proportion because the nation wasn’t used to those crimes on the scale he perpetrated them. Snatching of cars and the rest of them that he did are just what petty thieves do with ease these days. So, if I decided to write the story exactly as the man lived, it would never be gripping enough especially because more sophisticated crime films had been shot. But the name of Oyenusi stirs awe. His reign of terror was sometime in the ‘70s. So, I decided to borrow the name and added some fiction to it. No story will be exciting enough if you don’t spice it up with some sweet imagination. You even have the dramatic licence to improvise your work. Oyenusi didn’t do 80 percent of what he was portrayed to have done. In one of the movies you produced and scripted, ‘Ayelabowo’, a man described himself in the intro as ‘Shina Rambo’, is that the real robber turned pastor? After I finished the shoot of ‘Oyenusi’ someone hinted me that Shina Rambo is still alive and that he’s now an evangelist. I knew it would be unfair and almost impossible for me to be writing the story of someone who is still alive without meeting him. So, I ran my checks and realised that he had even once granted a press conference and confessed all his sins. So, he is real. From his narratives, I realised one could make a movie from his experience but I had to meet him. Six months after, I got his contact and I met him. I got permission from him to make a movie from his life tale. In fact, we’re already on location for the shoot of Shina Rambo. Aside finance, what are the other challenges that you face? Well, finance is number one challenge. Piracy is the next after all the labour. What’s with the prefix ‘Aye’ in most of your movies? Aye Tuntun, Ayekoto, Ayelabowo, Ayeloja, Aye Nkan’ju… are just a signature for my brand. I want to be unique in my way and I want people to identify me with something pretty unique.

Showbiz 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Why Omawumi Magbele lost her cool D’banj when she granted an interview with Zinna of HF TV. The interview had a smooth takeoff as the interviewer asked about her rising career, but anti-climaxed with a question bothering on smoking and drinking. Angry she felt the presenter was inadvertently accusing her of her smoking and drinking and she retorted, “Have you seen me smoking before?” And she thundered: “You see me as an artist, I am contributing what I can. I make music the way that I should and I come here and honour your invitation and then you sit down and talk about my smoking and drinking to people that are listening. And you’re supposed to mean well to me, when these people are supposed to be the ones that are buying my music. Now, when you say that sort of thing, do you mean well? You can’t ask me to kill a rumour that you are not sure about…as a rumour, you need to go and dig and get your facts right before you ask somebody something …and that is the end of this interview.”

terminates deal with Ciroc Nigeria

S Wives On Strike grossed N60m in three weeks O S inger, Omawumi Megbele-Yusuf hasn’t got this peeved in a while, at least, not during a live interview. Mostly reported to be dealing with an-

ger management, the singer had kept her cool long enough before a recent encounter with a TV presenter on Wednesday, May 4,

moni Oboli's ‘Wives on Strike’ has already grossed N60million surpassing ‘The Barber's Shop’, ‘Jungle Book’ and ‘The Huntsman: Winter's War’ in Nigerian Box Office. The movie premiered on April 8 and in just three days, it was said to have made a whopping N15million, N51m in one week and in 17 days, has made N60 Million Naira, surpassing "The Barber's Shop," "Jungle Book" and "The Huntsman: Winter's War" in Nigerian box office.

Speaking on the box office record, FilmOne COO, Moses Babatope said, “Wives on Strike had surprised everyone. We expected a decent run at the cinemas but no one expected this record breaking standard the movie is setting at the box-office. The records of the movie have truly amazed everyone. And to say it is beating ‘The Huntsman’ despite being in cinema for three week is so amazing. Omoni is truly Nollywood personality of the year and definitely writing her name in gold.” Speaking on the great success of the film,

TURNING P INT Reekado Banks

t was when I got signed by Don Jazzy in late 2013 and I was unveiled on February 21, 2014. We did a song, ‘Adaobi,’ and that was it for me. I started getting my recognition from that song. God brought me here and still keeps me going. Two years ago, I wanted to quit music because it was tir-

ing. At some point it wasn’t fun anymore; I felt I was just wasting my time. I can't really explain that, but there was so much frustration everywhere. I thought it was right for me to just face my book and work with my certificate in the future. It was God that gave me the strength to remain focused and few months later everything changed. My brother sent my song to Don Jazzy when he called for an entry and it was the only song picked out of 5,000.

Oboli said, "I am full of gratitude. People have shown me so much love. The record is humbling. I am grateful." Wives on Strike features Uche Jombo, Chioma Akpotha, Ufuoma Mcdermott, Kehinde Bankole, Kalu Ikeagwu, Julius Agwu, Kenneth Okonkwo among others. The movie is a hilarious comedy about a group of market women who decided to take matters into their hands against their husbands in a bid to stir them into standing up for a young girl whom they wanted to protect from the wishes of her own father. The women, who hilariously interpret their roles, set a series of events in motion to give the movie many moments of laughter without missing a beat on the reason for everyone to know why they are on strike. Oboli made her directorial debut with the romantic comedy, 'Being Mrs. Elliott.' Her second movie "The First Lady," had also opened as the highest grossing opening weekend Nigerian film in cinemas.

inger, Dapo Oyebanjo a.k.a. D'banj has announced that he’s no longer interested in renewing his ambassadorial appointment with Ciroc Nigeria. Though the reason for his action remains sketchy, the singer seems to have made the decision without any intent or rancour. He was appointed a brand ambassador to Ciroc, alongside R&B singer, Banky W, in February 2015. The artiste is doing well in other areas of life and he insists that marriage wouldn’t change anything about him. “Who says I am not married? I am not married but if I want to I would do it secretly. I am tired of people asking me that question; it is my life. Getting married won’t change my music or anything and I am not trying to get married so as to enter another phase in my life. My wife doesn’t need fame; my fame is enough for the whole family.”

Dad supplies the bleaching cream we use? –Georgina Onuoha

stensibly proud of her parents, Nollywood actress, Georgina Onuoha, has finally revealed the identity of her dad who will be joining the league of octogenarians soon. The actress disclosed that almost everything about her is got from her dad but many don’t know as she is accused of bleaching all the time. She boasted that since people feel she has been bleaching, it is better for them to know that her dad has been the one supplying her and other siblings the bleaching cream they are using. She boasts: “Yes my dad is warming up for his 80th birthday this December and still looking dope, runs three times a day. My father is a fine man, a solider, a warrior and a teacher. When your father at almost 80 beats your beauty hands down…” Someone said "Gina, how come you are bleaching? You are becoming so white. My answer… Please ask my father too" maybe he is supplying the bleaching cream we are both using", she responded jocularly.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

7 MAY 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

The Osasu Show: Health issues arising

he Osasu Show is a programme that is highly informative and innovative due to its diversity in content and character. It provides a friendly and comfortable environment that enables guests to get their messages across to viewers. Last week’s edition of show anchored by Osasu Igbinedion focused on Health Issue Arising; it is aired on AIT every Friday at 9am. This edition of the programme featured Mrs Angela Odah, Founder, Centre for Gender Education and she talked extensively on the negative effects of contraceptives in a woman’s body while referring to a study to support her claim. “Research showed that 30 percent of women with breast cancer is a result of induced abortion. These researches are not just compiled by any random organisations, they are medical research institutes with researchers who are high activists. They carry out research on things that women and the society need to know and provide us with useful information that you cannot just discard. What these researchers have done is to collate the various studies done in other countries,” she said. Odah urges viewers to use information available to them in a positive way; she said questions should be asked about the side effects of contraceptives and weigh the options available before deciding on which to go for. She counselled: “Viewers should ensure that they know the side effects of whatever form of contraceptives they should take; you don’t just take something into your body without knowing the effects. Women should ensure they know whatever they take into their system. If possible do a comparison and opt for the one that is easier for you to handle rather than taking whatever is offered to you in the hospital. Ask doctors about the side effects of whatever drugs you are giving.” She narrated her experience with contraceptives thus: “I have used contraceptives and they all failed woe-

fully, I used the IUD for about two years and I was sick throughout the period, I was in and out of the hospital, I almost lost my life. Imagine a woman in her 20s going in and out of hospital, spending so much money and the doctors did not tell me about the side effects of what I took into my body. It was when I got into all the trouble that I took control of my reproductive health by reading about all these things and I discovered that I was suffering as a result of the contraceptives I used”. She advised that woman should take control of their reproductive rights. She stated: “A lot of women don’t know the side effects of these things; they just put the poison into their body. Women need to take control of their reproductive rights and husbands need to be cooperative because, there are natural and scientific based methods that are available to women. The woman’s body is made in such a way that every month within her circle there is a period in which she is fertile and the period where she is infertile. Couple can used this natural knowledge to space their children and decide when they don’t want to have children anymore. She added: “Nigerian women and women all over the world need to wake up, we cannot allow ourselves and our body to be abused by pharmaceutical companies that don’t care about our health, companies that put profit before our health. Igbinedion rounded off the programme by encouraging viewers to do more research on their own in other to make informed decisions as individuals.

We cannot allow ourselves and our body to be abused by pharmaceutical companies that don’t care about our health

This weekend

Programme summary

Nollywood premiere

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

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

TELEVISION

AIT

TVc

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

7:30 Hour of Salvation 8:00 Local Movies

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

Saturday 8:00 Necledeon 9:00 Brights 10:00 Smallvile 11:00 Crack in the Wall 11:30 UAC Soccer Lafflines 12:00 Music Video and More 12:30 Voices 1:00 Indomitable 1:30MBGN Diary 2:00 Adams Apple 3:00 Unspoken 3:30 Boom Town 4:00 Local Movies 5:30 Two Sides of a Coin 7:00 News 7:30 Secrets and Scandal 8:00 My Wedding Story 8:30 Fans Championship 9:00 Local Movies 9:30 Events Diary 10:00 News Sunday 8:30 Brights 9:30 Gospel Rhythms 10:00 St Dominics 11:00 Gospel Symphony 12:00 Walking with God 12:30 Revival in the Land 1:00 The Advantage 1:30 Love Dating and Marriage 2:00 Mountain Top Life 2:30 Impact Today 3:30 Singles and Married 4:00 Chapel of Uncommon Grace 4:30 Elevation Church 5:00 Reel Infotainment 5:30 Gospel Rhythms 6:00 WWTBAM

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Ajebo

Naija FM’s Ajebo

he Abia-born On Air Personality (OAP) cum comedian Erem Emeka Nehimah popularly known as Ajebo is fast becoming a force to reckon with in comedy. He graduated from the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). He is third in family of six children. Ajebo is one of Nigeria's top comedians that has created for himself a unique style in the comedy genre; he is also one of the funniest On Air Personalities who struts his stuff in one of the top radio stations, Naija FM. Ajebo is an actor and singer who started his radio career in 2008. He has worked with Rhythm Awka, LionFM and NTA Enugu before joining NaijaFM, Lagos. He co-hosts the midday show "Workchop from 11 to 4pm. Ajebo is not a new name especially when it comes to 3D cartoon comedy which is now common among many TV stations in the country. He is also the CEO of House of Ajebo with his various comedy characters, and he believes that Nigerian kids need to learn cultural values through comedy.

RADIO

Rainbow FM 94.1 Saturday 7:30 You and your Marriage 8:00 Whispers 9:00 Sports Tackle 10:00 Family Life 11:00 Kids and Radio 12:00 Hot Gist and the Sport 4:00 Wazobia Flavor 6:00 Request And Shouts 11:30 Icon Saturday

Sunday 8:00 The World with Interaction 9:00 God Bless Nigeria 10:00 Rainbow Gospel Gig 11:00 Talk your Own 11:30 Story Story 12:00 Classic Music 5:00 180 Degrees 5:30 House Party Mix 9:00 Akamara 10:30 Afro Classic

Radio Continental FM 102.3

Odah and Igbinedion (Hostess)

Saturday 7:30 Papers Today 9:30 Good Living 10:00 Saturday Sports 12:45 Replay Africa 1:00 Fan Zone 4:00 Me and You 6:00 Entertainment Unscripted 7:30 Afrobeat Tonight 9:00 Single Life 10:30 Old School Groove

Sunday 7:30 Press Report 8:00 Church without Barriers 10:30 Think you Know the Bible 11:00 Country Music 1:00 Chart Busters 2:30 Palaver 5:00 World News 6:00 Youth Connects 8:00 Sunday Evening Groove 10:00 Music

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

The Arts

If women are given opportunity to lead, Nigeria will be better –Iwuoha Bruno Obinna Iwuoha is an award winning Nollywood actor and Director at Saint Bruno Media Ltd. At an event to mark the just concluded International Women’s Day, the veteran thespian told Saturday Telegraph that gender parity by the year 2030 is achievable in Nigeria. EBERE AMEH writes

runo Iwuoha is one of those loved and respected actors in Nollywood. With his signature grey hair and gentle mien, he has always acted the role of a respected Catholic Priest, a father or an uncle. Seeing him therefore, as one of the few distinguished men in the midst of equally distinguished ladies, at a Fundraiser Community event to mark the International Women’s Day was not totally a surprise to many. In his simple and courteous way, he accepted Saturday Telegraph’s invitation for an interview and bared his mind, in a very humorous way, laced with wise sayings, on the clamour for gender equity, Nollywood, among other things. “It’s nice seeing myself in the midst of women. Fortunately this day has been branded the International Women’s Day, I’m looking forward to a day that will turn out to be the International Men’s Day. That day I will possibly be around to assess their dress mode, the way they speak, the food they’d eat and their behavioural pattern. Because from what I see this evening, it’s like the women decided to be united today - they are there for each other, serving and helping each other. It will be great if it will be a continuous exercise. “Else, tell me how many times a woman has picked up a form to contest for a political position and had the support of fellow women? Tell me? So if this would be a gathering point for all the women to give that helping hand, support one another and stand up to fight for equality in the distribution of political positions, appointments and all that in Nigeria, it would be a very good development. “Because women have been known to adopt a system some call PhD (Pull her down). So I’m looking forward to a day when all women will come together and say 'please, like the men do share positions for themselves, we shall come forth united and fight for a woman to get to the top'. They can work towards ensuring that more and more women get into the Houses of Assembly, if they know they can’t get the presidency now. Because I believe that if women are in the majority in the National Assembly, I can assure you that the rubbish that is happening around the country won’t be happening. By now we could have moved two to three steps forward, instead of moving two to three steps backward where we are now,” Iwuoha observed. With the theme of this year’s IWD celebration as Planet 50-50 by 2030, step it up for gender equality, many are of the opinion that gender parity by 2030 will not be a possibility in Nigeria. But the veteran actor thinks that it is not

only possible, it can be achieved even before 2030. “2030 is very far, from my own perspective. The question is how many persons will be alive then, I want it today and tomorrow. Look, if all the women in Abuja, for example, march towards the National Assembly, carrying placards, fighting a particular cause; they will get what they want. I think the women conceived defeat the day they agreed to marry men who already have wives. That was when they signed their downfall. But they still have a chance. I advise them to wake up. If I want something, I will tell the whole world that I want that. Look at the way Nigeria is going, if women were given the opportunity to lead us, honestly speaking, because they are very good in management, Nigeria would have been better today.”

Even though the patriarchal nature of our culture has been blamed for the setback in gender parity, the gentleman advised that obnoxious cultures should be done away with. “It is what you call your dog that the dog answers. If you buy a dog today, bingo becomes its name. If you go to some communities, they give women their rightful place and their respect, bearing in mind that they are our mothers, the mothers of our children and the mothers of our leaders. In some other places, just in the name of custom and tradition, women are not given the respect due them. In such societies, men assume the position of demi gods, thereby subjecting their women to a kind of slavery. Different tales for different folks, but my belief is that what you call your dog is what it will answer. What you call your tradition is what it becomes. There is nothing wrong with doing away with unprogressive customs.” Reacting to the rising cases of rape, violence against women, domestic abuse and so on, Iwuoha says that women who have the power to stop it have not done much.

Iwuoha

“What is FIIDA doing about it? That is the International Federation of Women Lawyers. Can’t they stop whatever they are doing and say enough is enough? Until women rise up and the perpetrators brought to justice, it may not end. Very harsh punishment meted to perpetrators would serve as a deterrence to those who have such silly attitude conceived in their brain.” Iwuoha absolved Nollywood women of the PhD syndrome he mentioned and paid glowing tributes to them. “You will not understand what I am saying when I talk of PhD until you are where it is being practised. It is only somebody who is close to you that will perceive your perfume,” he said. “In Nollywood, we are one family. I have not seen any woman in Nollywood misbehaving or pulling another down. But one or two things may be happening which you may not understand. So we are doing our best and our women are the most cherished persons within the federation.” On the introduction of nudity in the name of fashion, which many Nollywood actresses are guilty of, Iwuoha said that it is not only happening in Nollywood but an ugly trend, which the family must fight. “Well, it is the trend of the day. I’m not saying I’m in support of that anyway, but if you go to some families, you see girls and boys wearing half naked trousers they call sag, bum shorts and all that. In my family, nobody puts on that kind of thing, it’s a standing law. If I meet you, even on the road, I have my scissors always with me, and since you have decided to go naked, I will help you do it. They say charity begins at home. So it’s how you make your bed that you will lie on it. If you want the society to be good, start it in your home. Families have a big role to play in stopping indecent dressing. “If our people are out to condemn that kind of dress code, they should start by rejecting movies that has nakedness to it. The moment a producer makes a film that is full of naked ladies and discovers later on that he didn’t make his money back, definitely, he won’t go back to do it again. But since the young girls, young boys and mothers in particular like that, my dear it will continue. And for the producers, whatever gives you your money back with some change, definitely, you will do it again. And when every other person sees that you are making it through your semi-porn movies, they will join you. Some girls in the industry have a funny notion now that until they show their nakedness, they will not be stars. I always tell them that if you will preserve yourself, you will make it.” Does that not mean that the Nigerian film and censors board are not doing enough to censors the movies Nigerians watch or shall we say that the family has failed? Iwuoha thinks that while the people at the Censors Board are protecting their meal ticket, there are still some good families that stand for good morals in Nigeria.

FRED NWAOZOR

hereafter, when the unthinkable news got to their respective parents, it sounded not unlike a mere dream to their hearing, particularly Ete’s. The said couple Elder and Mrs. Obong wouldn’t in their entire life imagine that their ‘lovable’ first son was a gay even if they in any way dreamt of it. They wondered where the young man had learnt such nauseous and pathetic lifestyle; ‘could it be during his university time or while in secondary school, or was he born with it’? These among other frightening questions surrounded their aging medulla oblongata. However, such way of life wasn’t peculiar to their lineage. On their part, Mr and Mrs Abang cursed the very day their daughter, Ukot came across the ‘idiot’. They felt like they had been duped or double crossed by one who disguised himself sometime ago like a suitor; no doubt, Mr Ete came to pay their daughter’s bride-price in disguise. They didn’t only cast a spell on the day Ukot met Ete, but as well cursed the latter for such manner of deceit employed by his person in the name of ‘marriage’. To say the least, they spent days without even a bolus of meal. Surely, if you were in the shoes of the aforementioned couples, you would definitely say far more than what they said as well as do more than what they did, because the unforeseen incident wasn’t just mind-boggling but highly astonishing and unbelievable. However, what else would they do than to accept their fate in good faith as well as seek for the way-forward? “I am very sorry for everything,” Ete pleaded with Ukot right in their matrimonial room, kneeling down. “I can feel all the pains I have caused you.” The melodrama was taking place in the morning the following day after the unspeakable incident. At that moment, Ukot who felt like a woman that just had a stillbirth was lying pitiably in their matrimonial bed, facing upwards. “I know I have really deceived you,” Ete rode on, still knelt down like one who had apoplexy. “In fact, I don’t even deserve you.” Ukot remained hopeless and speechless on the bed. “I don’t even deserve your presence,” he confessed, gushed out tears. “Let alone your love.” She unconditionally followed suit as regards the weep; hers was fathomless. “I am just like a monster in your life.” He frankly asserted, cried aloud. “God, why me…?” He said, looking at the ceiling. They actually wept like toddlers. Oh, they had a little weep together just like any couple in love would. The past good

ShortStory Hideous truth (II)

memories were ostensibly coming back again gradually as they sobbed endlessly. Their only solace remained the true love they once shared together. He held her passionately while still on his knees. “Please, forgive me…” He eventually asked at the top of his voice. Ukot looked at him still lying down. “You killed my emotions.” She finally broke her silence sorrowfully. “You have murdered my feelings.” Their faces were conspicuously covered with unquantifiable tears. “I know.” Ete submissively admitted. “I am not just a monster to you, I am equally a murderer.” He ironically asserted. “You pierced my heart,” she continued resentfully and emotionally. “You struck the arrow

He held her passionately while still on his knees. “Please, forgive me…” He eventually asked at the top of his voice

right in my heart.” “I am sorry…,” Ete reiterated. “I have come to resurrect you.” He informed poetically. There was a bit silence. “It won’t happen again, I promise.” He assured. The truth was that Ukot was really in love with Ete; she developed a very soft spot for him during their courtship that lasted for awhile. When they were courting, Ete showered her with explicit care and anything a woman wished to behold; that was exactly when she felt complete having someone like him in her life. But unfortunately, the euphoria automatically vanished the moment they tied the nuptial knots that was long overdue considering Ete’s age. “You promised?” Ukot verified in a jiffy.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Anyone around would say she was mad to have descended so low; any other lady would had wanted to employ some tactics or a reasonable delay before reconciling with him, but it was damn obvious that she couldn’t cope without him. Nature was really at work that she couldn’t resist his seemingly irritating presence; of course, taking into consideration what she witnessed at Avocado Hotel, she needn’t a counsellor to ask her to steer clear from him at least for that very moment. “Of course, I promise.” Ete shouted compassionately, stood up and calmly raised her plaited head from the bed. This time, she was seated on the bed alongside Ete. After all said and done, an absolute reconciliation took its place, though she accepted the reunion only on a condition that Ete would go for a thorough deliverance in the hands of a genuine cleric which was assented to by the man in question. When Ukot’s parents learnt of the reconciliation rather than divorce, they were of the view that their daughter was indeed insane. Ukot made them understand that that was when her spouse needed her presence most, claiming that God had sent her to him to make him a new creature. On their part, Ete’s parents couldn’t hold their joy on hearing that Ukot never sought for a divorce which was the most anticipated suitable reaction. Thus, they remained grateful to her for such rare courageous and humane gesture displayed by her. To them, they owed her not just a lot but the whole world. As God would have it, a week later, Ete was successfully delivered from the beast called homosexuality. Consequently, they became a better and greater union again. When the both parents learnt that Ete had genuinely turned a new leaf, they couldn’t believe their ears. It was like a fabricated tale. Who on earth would agree that the hideous truth would eventually turn to a pleasant one. Aside them, every tongue was filled with ‘God bless the god-sent Ukot’. Mr. and Mrs. Abang were left with no other choice than to revoke the spell they cast on the young man who once derailed. There and behold, few weeks later, Ukot was confirmed onemonth pregnant. Consequently, nine months on, she put to bed a bouncing baby boy. It was celebration galore. Surely, the tongue that had earlier spoken evil had finally testified that truly the Lord remained the alpha and omega. • Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

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7 MAY 2016

Travel & Tourism

Akara with pap

CHEF'S CORNER

kara is a bean delicacy that is common in most homes in Nigeria. Akara can be eaten with eko or ogi. The preparation and presentation differ depending on the consumer. But it should be noted that it is highly nutritious as it is rich in protein and fat. It is often recommended for people convalescing, those who have had operations, women who have just given birth and for those who have lost appetite among others. It a light meal and perfectly appropriate for breakfast especially on Saturdays or Sundays with members of the family. Interestingly, it has become a common feature now in a number of highly rated hotels as in a bid to popularise local Nigerian delicacies and attract patronage, star rated hotels offer it as part of their Nigerian collection and it is amazing to see a lot of Nigerians savouring it with relish.

The preparation and presentation have also been elevated by a number of these hotels in order to make it more colourful and appealing to guests. Ingredients • Three cups of beans (de-skinned) • Five fresh pepper • Two big onions • Salt and seasoning to taste • Vegetable oil for frying Preparation Grind the de-skinned beans with pepper and onions. Make it into a thick mixture, add the salt and seasoning to taste and fry over a hot fire. Fry until both sides are slightly brown. Before removing from heat, prick the middle of the akara with a fork, this will allow the oil to penetrate the mixture. Remove from heat and serve with either eko or ogi.

TRAVEL BEATS

Travel Personality

Obinna Ekezie: Wakanow, truly African brand that can compete

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Hospitality

NIHOTOUR leads the way to validation of NVQF standards

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Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, who was at the recently concluded Nigerian Drums Festival 2016, organised by the Ogun State government in Abeokuta, has described the event as a good boost for tourism in the state and Nigeria. Mbanefo commended the state government for the debutant event, adding that Yoruba has a lot to showcase in terms of cultural heritage and tourist destination, both natural and man-made. “Africa has come to stands till today because of Ogun State. The state is the centre of action with this well-packaged event. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, came with many African Ambassadors to this event. That shows the importance of Yoruba heritage and culture in Nigeria. “Most of the African Ambassadors are here today because of tourism. All the Ambassadors have closed their offices to support the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle

Destination

Destination Nigeria: National Summit on Culture and Tourism to the rescue ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA Editor, TRAVEL&TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

Right -Left: Governor, Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally UwechueMbanefo and Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, wife of Ogun state governor during the Nigerian Drums Festival 2016 held in Ogun State recently

Mbanefo commends Nigerian Drums Festival initiative Amosun, the people of Ogun State and the Egbaland in particular. We want to unify from within: the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba and also African countries at large. Furthermore, Mbanefo that has continued to preach the gospel of domestic tourism, said: “The success of the Drums Festival 2016 is a clear indication that if cultural tourism is well-developed and promoted in Nigeria, we will have labyrinth of tourists footfalls, which will greatly boost the nation's economy, create huge employment and empowerment in the communities where the tourist sites and cultural festivals are located. It will interest you that the crowdpulling carnivals in Nigeria are so much that you can’t finish writing about them.” The NTDC boss decried the adverse effects of civilisation on the culture and heritage of the

Nigeria people, saying “civilisation has made us forget our culture and heritage. We must know that a country that forgets its culture and heritage has lost its essence. Thus, we need to appreciate and be proud of our culture and heritage, and give a good attention to the promotion of our cultural heritage. “I made the traditional rulers my first point of call wherever I go because they are the rightful custodian of our culture and heritage. To practically promote our cultural heritage, we must work together with the traditional rulers.” Describing the importance of drums, she said drumming is a good form of communication and a fantastic means of entertainment. “We are happy to be here today. We are here to celebrate the unity of the Nigerian people,” Mbanefo said.

Delta Tourism Expo 2016 holds on July 12 Delta State Tourism Board (DSTB), which is charged with the development, promotion and marketing of the state tourism industry, has stepped up preparation for its tourism expo for this year, which is tagged Delta Tourism Exposition 2016 with the theme, fascinating Delta, rich tourism, great people and is billed to hold at Asaba Convention Centre, Asaba between July 12 and 14. Speaking on the event, the General Manager of DSTB, Ms Josephine Anyameluhor, said that the expo is meant to promote and market the different tourism offerings of the state to the world as it is opened to all travel and tourism trade operators, buyers and suppliers across the tourism value chain and others in allied businesses and operations across the nation’s economy. According to her, the board, is set again to reclaim it number one spot in the country and that the rejuvenated tourism expo is part of the effort at rebranding the board and the state tourism. The three days expo will among others feature unique and special events, one of such, according to her, is the Delta Food Court. It will parade massive display of local cuisine, ranging from appetizers, spices, main course, and desserts to beverages and cooking competition. Other line - up includes road show /cultural carnival, fashion show and musical concert, arts, craft and souvenir, tourism seminar and workshop, tours and award/ gala night.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

OBINNA EKEZIE

Wakanow, truly African brand that can compete Early in the year, Wakanow.com, Nigeria’s leading online travel agency (OTA) rebranded and unfolded a number of products to mark the launch of a new era for the high flying agency and pathway into the African and global marketS. The Managing Director of the company, Obinna Ezekie, a former basketball star of the NBA fame, speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on the new move, promotion of African destinations and the challenges ahead among other issues

The journey so far he journey has been very exciting because even throughout the difficult period we were able to surmount it. You must understand that as the first company, especially in the technology space, the online travel space, we were breaking grounds. When you look at our partners, airlines, hotels and banks, nobody really understood what we were doing as nobody has ever seen it before so it was always difficult trying to convince people but what we did was that we worked absolutely hard and created a platform that would focus on the customers and provide them with exciting deals. When customers started to understand the values that we are creating and decided to pick up on top of the technology platform, educating the customers on how to use the platform - web and mobile platforms - once customers started to adapt to it very quickly, all our partners realised that this was the future and that Wakanow has come to stay and we have had to do a lot of work to achieve that. Rebranding The refreshing (rebranding) was because we had this aspiration to go global. The brand, logo and everything that we have had were the story of what we had done up to this point. But we felt that moving forward with this new brand, given the simplicity of it, the richness of it and the new direction, which is, our new theme, ‘let’s go’, we needed to relaunch. We are ready to go to the world and show the world what Africa is really about. We are a truly strong African brand that can compete with anyone and that was why we thought it was important for us to rebrand, to be able to show the world that we are ready to compete and to show Africa in a different light. Newly launched products The three websites are focused on three different markets. Wakanow UK is focused on UK market, which is booking normal flights and hotels coming to Africa for people that are interested in coming to Africa whether it is The Diaspora or people that are interested in coming to do business in Africa. Then we have Wakanow USA, and Wakanow UAE. It is the same platform that we sell – flights and hotels and all travel packages. Wakanow USA will serve them the best deals in that market, right now we have people booking from the US using Wakanow Nigeria website which is not offering them the best deals but with the new platform when you log in from the US that is what you are going to be seeing. For the UK when you log in from the UK that is what you are going to be seeing and it offers you

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

better deals than what you have on Nigeria website. Destinations Africa But we have Destinations Africa and it is a global platform, meaning that anyone from any part of the world can use this platform to buy African packages and we have designed different packages from safari, beach, and religious to cultural packages. Everything that Africa has to offer in terms of destinations and product types and packages, we have been able to build and put on one platform both on web and mobile. So that anybody from anywhere in the world can log unto this website and say I want to come to Africa and will see a product that will entice them. That is why it is a global platform. Effect of slowdown in the economy on travel Obviously, with the slowdown in the economy, the travel industry itself has slowed down. It is apparent that it has to slow down because the prices of tickets are much higher now but as a company we still want to grow this economy, and we are a technology based platform and more people are now trying to embrace technology. People are becoming more price sensitive and looking for the best deals and because we offer the best deals we are still experiencing growth. It is time to reach out to the world But the industry itself is not growing and for us as a company what we are now saying is that with the oil price affecting Nigeria, the other markets have gained from cheaper oil price. Places like the UK, USA and China that have benefited from the cheaper oil price, their markets are growing and their economies are stronger and that is why it is important that we go to those markets and try to see the growth that they are experiencing so that we can sell them African products, African destinations so that we can also grow as a company and help the country to also grow and create more jobs. Selling African product (Tourism) to the world Right now we have no option but to start to produce. Efforts are being made in agriculture and many other sectors that can create quick returns. But for us as a company, I made a presentation to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and all the banks' managing directors at the last bankers’ committee meeting and I showed them what we are doing. This is a product (Tourism) and we are selling African product to the world. We are not selling rice or some other commodities like others but rather we

Ekezie

are selling Africa as a destination that is going to help us earn foreign exchange. So we are doing our own part to contribute to the diversification of the Nigerian and African economies because we can’t totally rely on commodity, which is what we are suffering today that oil price has plunged and all other commodities are also experiencing a downturn; that is why Africa’s economies are suffering. Tourism would impact Africa’s economy But when we begin to sell our destinations and export more refined or finished products, aside from just exporting raw materials, we would start to see a different impact in our economies. Discover Africa We shot this TV show call Destinations Africa to be able to discover those unique parts of Nigeria and Africa because even we, Nigerians, don’t know what we have in the country. By the time you show this video with all that are available from the hotels, flights, ground operations, all the security information, things to do at the destinations and many more, people would say wow! And would be interested in them. It is important for us to do that to set the ball rolling for people to come and explore our country and continent. African governments need to encourage people to come Africa We are going to the World Travel Mar-

ket (WTMAfrica) in Cape Town (It held last month) and we are having a session there discussing about tourism in Africa. This issue about visas, that Africans have to get visas to move around Africa is old, we have to scrap it and make it easier for people to move round within Africa because the more we open up our economies to tourism the easier it is for people to come in and go out. But we have to make sure that the security issues are being addressed and that can be done. For example, in Dubai today you can get a Dubai visa without going to the embassy. So the issue of having to go the embassy to get a visa makes it harder for people to visit your country. So if you want your country to develop then you have to allow people to come, visit your country, experience the tourism part and then look at the investment opportunities. So we should have talks with all the foreign ministries and see to use technology to enable an easier visa process that would spur a growth in tourism. That is what Dubai has done and that is why Dubai is now one of the number one tourism destinations in the world and has been able to diversify its economy from oil economy to tourism economy. That has made huge impact in terms of investment in real estate. How many Nigerians have bought properties in Dubai? How many foreigners have bought properties in Dubai? And how many people have invested in the financial city of Dubai?

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

HOSPITALITY

he move to ensure professionalism and standardisation in the workforce in the hospitality and tourism sector has been a long one, but in December 16, 2010, when the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) stepped in to introduce the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for key sectors in the country in line with international best practices. Hospitality and tourism sector formed part of this new move with the Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITP) as the awarding body while the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) was chosen as the training arm for the programme. For the immediate commencement of the National Vocation Qualification Framework (NVQF), six different levels have been approved based on what has been termed as education versus qualification, as follows: Post graduate – NVQ level 6; HND/Degree – NVQ level 5; ND/ ANTC/ANBC – NVQ level 4; NTC/ NBC/Trade Test 1 – NVQ level 3; NVC2/ Trade Test 2 – NVQ level 2; and pre. Voc/ JSS3/NVC1/Trade Test 3 – NVQ level 1. On April 14, 2013, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) finally gave a nod to the programme and thus began work on the NVQF by the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council (HSSC), which was set up for the purpose and worked under the guidance of NBTE. Last week witnessed a milestone in the entire process with NIHOTOUR organising a workshop of HSSC to validate the NOS, which had been put in place in readiness for the commencement of the training scheme across the country. The workshop, which held in Abuja, had in attendance members of HSSC and representatives of the various organisations in the hospitality and tourism sector as well as NIHOTOUR, ITP and NBTE. At the formal opening ceremony, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun, in her welcome address set the tone for the day’s business when she stated that: ‘‘Sector Skills Council is therefore charged with responsibilities of validating the Occupational Standards for effective implementation of the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF). Thus, the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council (HSSC) is a partnership organisation that brings together the stakeholders for the purpose of skills and workforce development in the hospitality and tourism sector of the Nigerian economy,’’ she said. In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, assured stakeholders of the support of the house in achieving the task ahead. ‘‘I wish to assure you that the House Committee on Culture and Tourism is fully committed to working in partnership with the ministry and its stakeholders to achieve and promote the

L-R: Mrs. Fasanya, Senator Urhoghide, Suleiman, Mrs. Balogun, Zulu, Odusanwo, Prof. Efere and Mrs. Forsuleo during the opening ceremony

NIHOTOUR leads the way to validation of NVQF standards NIHOTOUR leads the way to validation of National Occupational Standards. The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) last week held a workshop of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council (HSSC) on the validation of the National Occupation Standard (NOS) in Abuja. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA was there and writes on the event outcome of this summit in our constituencies through strategic Citizens in Partnership with Government (CPG) initiative.’’ While in her address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba, who was represented by the Director of International Tourism, Mrs. Wale Fasanya, commended NIHOTOUR for the initiative while highlighting the benefits of tourism and the commitment of the Federal Government to harnessing it for the growth of the national economy even as she wished the participants at the workshop a fruitful deliberation. The Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Dennis Zulu, looked at the international perspective of the sector skills development programme and the role of ILO in advancing the system. He promised ILO’s assistance and support for the effective take off and progress of the system in Nigeria. He also spoke on the importance of Sector Skills Council in ensuring quality assurance mechanism for effective service in the industry. He commended NBTE and NIHOTOUR for their leading roles in the Hospitality and Sector Skills Council. Declaring the workshop open, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, emphasised the importance of training and the need to put in place

the enabling laws and legislation for the hospitality and tourism sector. He, therefore, urged the practitioners to furnish the national assembly with the necessary information and operational guideline that would assist the legislature in formulating the right laws for the sector. During the technical session, a member of NBTE, Engineer Suleiman Yusufu, gave an overview of the NOS and NVQF, detailing the mission, vision, various processes that led to its adoption, what it entails, the procedures, implementation, benefits and challenges. He also enunciated the reasons that gave birth to NVQF, which among others include the weakening gap in skills, unfulfilled workforce due to lack of required skill and over 50 million Nigerian youths not employed and under employed due to lack of necessary and relevant skills. He said that no age limit exists to qualify for the programme and no special entry requirement, that it would be based on the need of the industry and that of the individual who requires the skill. Also, he disclosed that it is work related and competency based qualifications. At the end of the detailed presentation by Yusuf, the technical session was divided into two groups consisting of hospitality and tourism operators respectively with the mandate of critically examining the prepared document for

the NVQF and make further recommendations, if need be for its improvement while validating the document. At the end of the entire process, the document was validated but not without some recommendations, which both NBTE and NIHOTOUR promised would be looked into and the document amended based on the recommendations. After this, a meeting of HSSC would be called with representatives of the various hospitality and tourism groups invited to look it over and give approval to the work. NIHOTOUR’s DG commended the attendees for the work and for finding time to be part of the process while the President of ITP, Abiodun Odusanwo, who is also the chairman of HSSC, described the one-day workshop as very successful as it was well attended by the private sector even as he said that this is a new dawn for the sector. Communiqué A communiqué adopted at the end of the day, stated as follows: Efforts of the people who drafted the NOS were commendable; Language used in some cases were not appropriate; inappropriate learning outcomes, criteria and expected skills in some standards which were identified should be corrected and updated; and all these cases be referred to Curriculum Committee of the Sector Skills Council to effect all the necessary corrections.

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Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

DESTINATION NIGERIA

National Summit on Culture and Tourism to the rescue

The Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism last week held a three-day National Summit on Culture and Tourism with the aim of devising a tourism led economic agenda. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes on the highlights of the gathering

eld at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, it had as its theme: repositioning culture and tourism in a diversified economy. It was attended by a cross section of operators and stakeholders from both culture and tourism; the academia and artisans of all sorts were also not left out. Day One The first day of the summit witnessed the opening of a formal exhibition mounted by both the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) and Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) with the Directors General, Mrs. Dayo Keshi of NCAC and Mrs. Sally Mbanefo of NTDC in charge and directing affairs at the stands, which opened through the duration of the summit. On display at both ends were a fair representation of Nigeria’s cultural and tourism products. Heralding the exhibition was a gala night with the chief convener of the summit, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in attendance alongside the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba and a host of the ministry officials, members of the diplomatic corps with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige and the former minister of the defunct Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Franklin Ogbuewu, also in attendance. It was a night of celebration of some sort with the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) treating the audience to a taste of Nigeria’s plethora of cultural elements through a dance drama entitled: Nigeriana. Later, a culinary treat was offered. Both the minister and permanent secretary in their separate addresses harped on the vision for the summit and what it intended to achieve. Day Two Day two of the summit marked the commencement of the real business, which is the dialogue but first with the formal opening ceremony, which offered the minister the opportunity to lay bare the trust of the summit, as he submitted that: ‘‘we have to leverage the potential in our culture to help drive our tourism sector so as to obtain our share of the global tourism benefits that would help resuscitate and redefine our tourism industry for sustainable economic development. ‘‘The challenge before us, ladies and gentlemen, is to work out long term strategies to develop our Culture and Tourism Sectors and move them into the mainstream of the economy, while not failing to design ways and means of plucking some low-hanging ‘fruits’ along the way.’’

Then came the turn of the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to present his address and declare open the summit. Represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, the president re-iterated the commitment of his administration to diversifying the economy with tourism as one of the major platforms for such a transformation: ‘‘The road for us as a nation to achieve our set objectives of diversifying our economic base will depend partly upon the quality of design and implementation of tourism policies; we must develop appropriate policies and the right attitudes towards achieving the desired goals. "In this regard, I look forward to your recommendations on the necessary actions and measures that will assist us in the re-orientation of the mind-set of Nigerians towards national consciousness and patriotism as a means of realising positive change in the country.’’ Done with the formal opening ceremony and all the glitz that came with it, the guests then settled down for the summit proper with the first plenary session of the day chaired by Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who was represented by Professor Adewale Adeniran. In his address, entitled the killing culture of the neo-nomadic, Soyinka sought to outline the interplay between culture and tourism, the need to create a conducive environment for both to thrive and the inherent insecurity in the land, especially that posed by the terrorist group Boko Haram and lately by the nomadic Fulani herdsmen causing mayhem in the land. He posited that unless some of these infractions were nibbled in the bud achieving a state of equilibrium that makes for savouring the country’s cul-

DESTINATION tural and tourism products by the people may be a mirage. The first paper of the day was presented by the former director of culture in the then ministry of information and culture, Frank Aig-Imoukhuede. In the lead paper, culture in a diversified economy, Aig-Imoukhuede, x-rayed the culture space in the last three decades highlighting some of the policies and activities that were engaged in both at the national and international levels. He also underscored the need for a revival of the country's culture and the imperative of aligning it with the quest for a tourism led economy. The next presentation was that of the former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, namely tourism in a diversified economy. Judging by the comments of the people, his was perhaps the best presentation, the most seminal and practical as well as revealing and enlightening of all the presentations made during the three- day gathering as the people longed for more. The reason was simple and obvious. It was a practical and personal testimony of the making of Destination Cross River, which today is unarguably Nigeria’s only tourism destination, by the man who

National Troupe of Nigeria entertaining guests at the summit

conceived and gave life to the dream. According to him, the making of Destination Cross River with Calabar as the fulcrum, was a child of necessity. With no other means of generating funds as its oil blocks were taken away and given to Akwa Ibom State and the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon, his government was left with no other choice but to look inward and the result of that introspection was the birth of the tourism economy as it decided to turn its natural and traditional hospitality gift to a money making one. He said: ‘‘we had to make the state inviting, make it different from the rest of Nigeria. We did SWOT analysis and decided to work on our strength and natural gifts, notably our friendly and hospitable nature. We changed the narrative of our state and we were determined to make it work.’’ He took the audience through some of the interplays and intrigues in the course of building the state’s tourism, the development of such facilities as the Obudu Mountain Resort, Tinapa and the Calabar Fesitval with the Carnival Calabar as the prime event for the festival. On the national plane, he submitted that such feats can also be replicated but that it takes political will to tread the road. He pointed out that tourism is a long term project requiring endurance and patience. Duke also advised on the need to begin to build some destinations across the country now with emphasis on domestic tourism, and design of various tour packages. Some of the challenges that need to be addressed, according to him, include the perception of Nigeria by the international community, the image of Nigeria, security, attitude of Nigerians and others towards Nigeria. He also spoke on the need to make the visa regime more friendly, a recurring theme in most of the presentations, revival of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT), which was also alluded to by many of the people. It should be noted that one of the speakers at the event, Professor Ahmed Yerima, who was a former DG of the National Theatre and the National Troupe of Nigeria as well as the director of the Abuja Carnival, drew attention to the fact that Nigeria at this point in its history is at a crossroads just as Donald Duke and Cross River State were over a decade ago.

Travel&Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Entrance to Obudu Mountain Resort

(Left) Lai Mohammed and a cross section of participants at the summit

‘‘We are where Donald Duke started from, a point where we must decide that we have to survive, a point of necessity,’’ he said, adding, ‘‘how do we move culture and tourism forward? How do we diversify the economy of this country? ‘‘We must be able to reposition ourselves by asking how do we get ourselves together? I hope this will not be another talk shop,’’ he said and then turning his attention to the minister, Yerima, in his professorial oratory and candour said to him: ‘‘You must move this ministry and country forward. You have to look inward, look at your parastatals, the workers and the governing boards, look at your partners, then harmonization and building of synergies as well as education and the cultural aspects of our polity.’’ He ended with this poser: ‘‘Are we ready to package Nigeria into a cultural product,’’ to which there was a loud and thunderous applause and chorus of yes from the audience. Another key presentation for the day, which also resonated with majority of the people was that of the founder and chief executive officer of Terra Kulture, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, as she spoke on private sector perspective of Nigerian culture and tourism. She spoke extensively on the business aspect of the creative industry drawing from the success story of her organisation, Terra Kulture, which today has impacted greatly the creative space and tourism business through its many engagements over the years. Austen-Peters harped on creating synergy between the public and private sector, warning that the corporate body can only work in an environment that promotes profitability, insisting that that should be the focus of the government if it is serious about incorporating culture and tourism into the national economy. An official of the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS) took the audience through the importance of statistics as he spoke on developing data bank in the culture and tourism industry, thus signalling the end of the first plenary session and then the commencement of the second for the day. Some of the presentations were those by the president of the Federa-

tion of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Tomi Akinbogun, on tourism in a diversified economy, giving a private sector perspective to the discourse and Professor Sule Bello on culture in a diversified economy, in which he emphasised the need to give more attention to cultural orientation. The day ended with an interesting interactive session, with members of the audience weighing in on different issues and then a break out session where those in the culture and tourism met separately to deliberate on issues affecting their field of interest. Day Three The third and final day was equally eventful, exciting and as colourful as the two previous days, as it started with presentation of position papers by those in the culture and tourism sectors respectively and then followed by enriching, contributions from members of the audience. The summit ended on a happy note following the presentation of the communiqué and recommendations with the minister, Mohammed, capping it by disclosing that a committee has been set up with the following members, Paul Adalikwu as chairman, George Ufot as secretary, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Tomi Akingbogun, Sheriff Abdulhamid and NBS official, to distil the communiqué and recommendations under a month and then present an action plan, which

would be further considered by a smaller group consisting of representatives of the various stakeholders. The minister gave assurances that the exercise would not be a wasteful one, thereby allaying the fears expressed by many guests to the effect that the talk shop is just business as usual and a means by the ministry to give false hope to the operators while weeks later it would become impervious to anybody’s view or presence. Highpoints of the communiqué recommendations • Consistency and continuity in government policies at all levels are nonnegotiable to tourism development. To this end, Nigeria should muster the political will to accord culture and tourism preferred status to effectively develop it. • The Summit also noted the need for Nigerian Cultural Icons, both living and dead, to be celebrated so as to inspire younger generations to strive hard for excellence. • In view of difficulties encountered by prospective tourists, businessmen, conference participants, pilgrims, travellers in acquiring Nigerian visas, the Summit called for more friendly visa regime. • As the driver of culture and tourism the world over, the private sector should leverage on government incentives and take full advantage to accelerate developments in the sector. To do this, the private sector should be more involved in policy advocacy, campaign and sensitisation programmes, even at international fora. • Participants observed that the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) and the National Endowment Fund for the Arts are long overdue. Action

must therefore be taken to establish and make them functional for effective development of the sector. • The Summit noted the need for Nigeria’s core values to be reintroduced into the school curriculum. In this regard, the teaching of history and the inclusion of relevant cultural components in the curricula of education in Nigeria at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels must be enforced. In addition, teaching indigenous Nigerian languages should be given priority. Recommendations • The Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT), chaired by Mr. President with all the state governors as members, should be resuscitated. This is to ginger accelerated Culture and Tourism development in the country. • The necessary action should be taken immediately on the reviewed Cultural Policy for Nigeria and the Endowment Fund for the Arts, for effective culture administration in Nigeria. • That there is need to give the Dress Nigeria Culture campaign necessary attention in all government and private agencies to enhance the resuscitation of the textile and fashion industry. • That museums, zoos, parks and gardens should be upgraded to international standards as sites for cultural tourism. • That the Ministry should be renamed: “Federal Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism”. • The Summit recommended that concerted effort be made toward adequate data gathering on the sector for the production of credible Culture and Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA). Despite the huge potentials of culture and tourism.

VIEWS ON THE SUMMIT BY STAKEHOLDERS Rich in terms of interactions

The summit has been so rich at least in terms of interactions. But I must tell you that most of the issues discussed are what we have been harping on in all the fora organised by the ministry except if the present minister is going to act differently by implementing at least one or two things of what we have been saying. * Alhaji Aliyu Badaki, Hospitality consultant, President of HATMAN and Vice President of FTAN

I am hopeful that it will not be like Waiting for Godot

I am impressed by the new Minister of Information and Culture. He has equally shown candour that he wants the development of the ministry of

information, culture and tourism. To that extent, I am hopeful that most of the suggestions that have been made will be made to work. Most importantly, no matter what we say today and a bill does not go to the national assembly on most of the issues that we spoke about, debated and passed into law, then it will still be like ‘Waiting for Godot.’ But I am hopeful that he has shown candour even in this era of lack of funding that when the budget is passed that he would begin to do some of the things that have been said here because no matter what you say without proper funding for this sector everything is rubbish.

It will translate into tangible achievements

*Ejike Asiegbu, former president of Nigeria Guild of Actors (NGA) president and Nollywood actor

*Ini Akpabio, CEO/MD, NANET Suites and former president of HATMAN

I think this is very good for tourism and culture but the important thing is that this is a new beginning, just as the minister has said. This summit is going to transform into tangible achievements and tangible objectives. So we look forward to that and I am very hopeful because we love the way the minister is looking at culture and tourism. I think he is really giving emphasis to the aspect of the Nigerian economy and we hope that he can relate this to the Presidency so that tourism itself can be totally repositioned.

44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Celebrity RĂ&#x2C6;sume Real name: Aramide Alli Nick name: Arry Moore Biggest influence: India Arie Mentors: Omawumi and Adebantu First song: It's Over First producer: Sizzle Pro Reaction of parents to career: Supportive Ugliest moment on stage: Bad sound Most memorable moment: It was when Queen Salawa Abeni joined me on stage Most heard song: Iwo Nikan by Aramide Ring tone: Love Me by Aramide featuring Adekunle Gold Best actor: Channing Tatum Best items: Jewellery Best food: Amala and ewedu Best colour: Blue Favourite holiday spot: Dubai Turn off: Lies State of origin: Oyo Zodiac sign: Cancer

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

When election turned Bayelsa indigenes to refugees

p.47

Politics

Buhari's budget can't diversify economy – Rep

p.48

Okorocha wasting time in APC, Imo belongs to APGA –Victor Ike Oye How has it been since you took over as national chairman of APGA? The past nine months have been very eventful, very enriching. It has not been easy and I never expected it to be easy anyway because nothing good comes easy. I have a great vision for this party. I prepared myself for the great task. As I speak to you, we have APGA offices in 35 cities in the world; we have a very strong base in Europe and other African countries. Our greatest problem is funding, there was a time INEC was giving subvention to political parties, but that has stopped. So, we are managing with the little resources available to us and with that, we have been solving our problems. Our headquarters annex in Awka is going on speedily, we intend to build a permanent office in Abuja because we have grown to a level we should own property in Abuja. We have also succeeded in making APGA visible in Nigeria. We have worked very hard to build a very strong party that will outlive us. I inherited a very strong party from my successor. They did very well despite the numerous litigations they faced. So our main problem is paucity of funds, but I believe that with the strategy we have put in place, we will surmount it in the foreseeable future. We want to start fund raiser in four cities in Nigeria; Abuja, Lagos, Awka and Aba. Nobody can build a strong political party without sufficient funding. In the meantime we are raising money through membership registration and printing of vests and caps. Is the paucity of fund affecting the growth and spread of APGA nationwide? We are happy at the rate we are growing. We have established a very strong base in the North. In the last local government elections in Niger State, APGA won 13 councillorship seats. They are scared of conducting election in Suleja because they know that APGA will win it. We are working, but you know that in every organisation, there are black legs. There is nothing one can do to satisfy everybody, but what is important is for one to keep his eyes on the ball. The end justifies the means and I want people to watch out in the next six months to see what we will do. The performance of Governor Willie Obiano in Anambra State is our source of strength. Some governors even come to ask him the method

Chief Victor Ike Oye is less than one year in office as the new national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview with PAMELA EBOH, he spoke on his vision and efforts to improve the fortunes of the party, among other issues. Excerpts... he is using so they can adopt it. What is your vision for APGA as a political party? My vision for APGA is to make the party a global brand, and with measures already being put in place, APGA would be a party to beat during the 2019 general elections. But APGA still remains a one state party, how can you be thinking of 2019? APGA cannot be described as a one state party. We have won elections in many parts of the country. We control the executive and legislative arms in Anambra, we have three members from the state in the House of Representatives. In Bayelsa, we also have two members in the House of Assembly. We also have one member in Taraba State House of Assembly and one in the House of Representatives. In Abia, we have 10 out of 24 members in the House of Assembly despite the intrigues that trailed elections in that state. So generally, APGA is a strong brand. By 2017, Nigerians will see a different APGA before we go into the 2019 election. Remember that APGA is still in charge of Imo State. Forget that Governor Okorocha jumped ship. Up till today, we have not seen his resignation letter. So he is still a member of APGA. There is nowhere Rochas

Okorocha wrote a letter legitimately resigning from APGA. He only attended APC meeting and assured the leadership of the party in the APC that he would negotiate for acceptance of his party in the APC contraption. He went into APC as APGA governor and told APC that APGA was part of what he was doing. That is because in this country people do things anyhow; otherwise Rochas Okorocha should not remain in office as governor. So, Imo State remains an APGA state. Don’t you think that you are at a disadvantage with the defection of former governor Peter Obi to PDP? Former Governor Peter Obi is our beloved brother; he made his mark in the state, he laid the foundation of whatever successes the state has achieved. He set up the structures we are enjoying in Anambra State. As far as we are concerned, Peter Obi remains a member of APGA. He is only pretending he is in PDP. The people in PDP will never trust him because they know that he is synonymous with APGA. His body can be PDP, but what is important is the soul and the spirit. I want to say that Peter Obi is still a member of APGA in spirit and soul. I have not seen any document showing that he resigned from APGA. Won’t the emer-

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

Oye

gence of Governor Obiano as leader and BOT chairman of APGA and you as the national chairman put the party in bad light, considering that both of you are from the same state? That cannot be a problem for the party. There is nowhere it is written in our constitution that the governor cannot be the BOT chairman. The issue of BOT chairman and national chairman coming from the same state has not offended any law. There is also nowhere it is written that the BOT chairman and national chairman cannot come from the same state. Every national chairman comes from a state. Every political party has its peculiarities and APGA is even unique. Our style makes the party stable. The position of leader and BOT chairman is reserved for somebody of high integrity. APGA considered everything and found Obiano worthy to make him BOT chairman. If tomorrow the party finds any need to change it, why not? But for now, there is no reason whatsoever to think otherwise. Everything is working fine for us and we want to sustain it. Will APGA present a candidate for the 2019 presidential election? APGA will present a presidential candidate in 2019. That is why I am appealing to our members all over the world to continue to support us. There is nothing we can achieve without unity. 2019 is our year and we are ready. The sham that happened in Anambra State during the last national assembly election can never repeat itself. By 2019, APGA will take over the entire South East. Remember that Bola Tinubu started with AD and won election in Lagos only, but he was able to mobilize other parties to form APC that took over the federal government. We are therefore optimistic that by 2019, APGA will grow from controlling one state to controlling many states. Your predecessor, Chief Victor Umeh’s senatorial ambition is riddled with many obstacles. Do you see him surmounting them? There are forces of darkness working against him, but it is in vain. Umeh became a Senator the day he won the case at the Court of Appeal. All evidences show that he won the election of March 28, last year. However, the Court of Appeal ordered for a return and the judgment of that court was clear. We were preparing for the rerun when our opponents saw the handwriting on the wall and did what they know how to do best, which is to use the court to intimidate INEC. Surprisingly, the same judge that gave PDP the judgment was the same person that deCONTINUed on PAGE46

46 Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Brouhaha over Ondo council polls The local government polls in Ondo State might have come and gone but the controversy generated by the exercise is yet to subside. BABATOPE OKEOWO reports.

In spite of the opposition, the electoral umpire announced the results of election with the PDP winning all the 18 local government chairmanship seats and 202 out of the 203 political wards in the state

eeks after the conduct of local government elections in Ondo State, the furore generated by the polls is yet to abate as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) on one hand, and the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko against the chairman of the opposition, Hon. Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke on the other hand, are yet to agree on the legality or otherwise of the exercise. All the political gladiators in the state including the PDP, APC, Social Democratic Party (SDP) Conference of Nigeria Political Party (CNPP) and Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have expressed different opinions based on which side of the divide they belonged. Since CNPP and SDP withdrew from the race, not so much have been heard from them, but the APC and its chairman have used every opportunity available to lambast the government and the ruling party in the state over what they described as “mockery of democracy.” The electoral umpire, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), the state government and the PDP on have also used every occasion to applaud the election describing it as victory for democracy. One area of disagreement among the political gladiators was the turnout of voters for the election. While the APC applauded the people for shunning the election, the development which it said led to less than 10 percent turnout of voters; the PDP appreciated the people for coming out in large numbers to vote for candidates of their choice. According to the APC chairman, the withdrawal of the party from the poll was because of the illegality of the election. “As a party that treasures the rule of law and democracy, we of the APC advised the state governor against any act that will promote unconstitutionality, and award prodigal space to perfidy. We did all of that to demonstrate the avowed commitment of APC in the state to constitutionality, democracy and the rule of law- the foundation of participatory democracy.” Kekemeke said it was when it became clear to the party that the PDP and its government would not be dissuaded from the path of unconstitutionality and their determination to waste the meager resources of the tax payers on the said puerile council election that made the party to direct the people of the state not to turn out for the election. His words: “We made it known to the good citizens of Ondo State that the APC will not participate in the charade called council poll. Based on our conviction that the people of Ondo State will always thread the path of constitutionality, we appealed to then to stay away from wastage. Today, our party is vindicated. This is evident in the absolute concurrence of the people with our plea that they should stay away from the poll. “The people demonstrated clearly and unequivocally that no one can pull any wool over their eyes. With this boycott by the people, they have announced their rejection of the polls, the government and the party. We will not however, be surprised with phoney figures of participation by the ODIEC just to cover this shame. “We wish to therefore, first thank the good people of Ondo State for heeding the plea of the APC. They did not only stay away from their respective polling units, they left the en-

Mimiko

tire exercise to the remnants of PDP members in the state. We also thank the SDP, the CNPP, and the progressives still in the PDP who choose not to support illegality and flagrant rape on the electoral law and guidelines. “ However, in spite of the opposition, the state electoral umpire announced the result of the election with the PDP winning all the 18 local government chairmanship seats and 202 out of the 203 political wards in the state. The Chairman of ODIEC, Prof.Olugbenga Ige, who announced the results, described the poll as "free, fair and credible. According to him, the candidate of the ACPN won one seat in Akure North while the PDP cleared the rest seats. While attributing the success recorded by the commission to the cooperation and support given to them by all stakeholders in the last three months, the ODIEC boss noted that the peoples support encouraged the commission to achieve the little they have done. Ige thanked all the political parties which are 17 in all that participated in elections for playing the game by the rules, saying this

allowed the commission to conduct free, fair and credible election. According to him, In Akoko North-East, PDP’s candidate, Pastor Oluwole Arowolo, won with 32,141 votes. In Akoko North-West, PDP candidates, Mr. Aladetimehin, won with 28,890 votes, while in Akoko South-East PDP candidate, Agunloye Babalola won with 14,791 votes. In Akoko South-West, Abiodun Ogunbi won with 39,290. Also in Akure-North, Babalola Bamidele won with 10,923 votes, while Bayo Alarapon David of Akure-South won with 49, 897 votes. But the APC through its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, described the election as a charade and mockery of democracy. According to him, “the outcome of the local government election in Ondo State where the unpopular PDP in the state won all the 18 local government chairmanship seats clearly vindicated our position that this election is a mere selection process as those said to have been elected had been selected beforehand.” “The PDP is the only party that fielded candidates in the election and contested

against itself. The party also used deceptive manners to field their party members for some mushroom parties that do not exist in the state. Even when it was evident the election is no contest one, they still rigged in huge figures to create the impression of impressive turnout. All the names of the chairmen in the 18 local government councils along with their councilors had been written down and handed over to the ODIEC Chairman, before the election for eventual announcement after the polls. This local government election in Ondo State has turned out to be a charade, a mockery of our democracy where millions of taxpayers’ money was wasted.” However, Mimiko said the election was not only legal but was meant to install democracy at the grassroots in the state. Speaking during the inauguration of the chairmen, the governor said there was no legal impediment to the conduct of the election. On the legality of the election, Mimiko said that following the dissolution of the local councils in February 2009, the then chairmen of the 18 local governments instituted an action in the High Court of the state seeking reinstatement to their various offices. He said the court of trial and the Court of Appeal adjudged the action as valid and lawful. The judgment of appellate court subsists until set aside, he argued. Also, he said the present political configuration in the state in which the plaintiffs and defendants have found themselves in the same party has changed the situation and that the statutory tenures, prescribed by law for the erstwhile chairmen who were in court have since lapsed. “Our eagerness therefore to conduct the local government council election is in absolute obedience to the provisions of our laws and the removal of all the legal impediments placed on our way and that of ODIEC by those who do not want the local government council polls conducted. “It has been a burning desire of our administration not only to inject fresh and robust governance into the councils but, to also inculcate the democratic ethos and the spirit of fair political competition in that tier of government through free and fair periodic elections. The delay experienced in the conduct of the election has been due to the fall-out of the protracted legal issues between the chairmen of the past administration on one hand, and our present administration, on the other.” After four sets of caretaker committees that have been appointed to pilot the affairs of the Local Governments since 2009, Mimiko said this makes the first time that the elected chairmen and councilors are found in the council areas.

'Obi a spoiler, out to frustrate Umeh' CONTINUed From PAGE45

clined jurisdiction in Kogi and Niger on similar matters. Why did she suddenly assume jurisdiction in the case of Anambra? As a law-abiding political party, we decided to obey the law and thank God that INEC has appealed against the judgment. I am optimistic that the election will take place between May and June this year. They only succeeded in postponing the evil day. Whatever goes up must come down. I believe that any day the election takes place, Peter Obi will not contest because he never participated in the process that produced candidates for the election of last year. Peter Obi is only a spoiler, he is just expressing his hatred for Victor Umeh. He wants to frustrate

Peter Obi is only a spoiler, he is just expressing his hatred for Victor Umeh. He wants to frustrate Umeh’s ambition, but he is not God Umeh’s ambition, but he is not God. He came to Anambra and did wonderfully well. If I were him, I will go to my house and sleep and remain a statesman for life. What is he going to do in the Senate that he couldn’t do as governor? If he goes there, he will be representing one of the three zones in Anambra, the same state he was governor for eight years.

What is your take on former governors rushing to the senate after expiration of tenure? It is an aberration. I don’t know why it has become fashionable for former governors to go to senate after their tenure. If I am asked, I will stop former governors from going to the Senate. Many of them have not even given account of their stewardship as governors. Some of them are facing EFCC and they are in the senate. There should be a law banning former governors from going to the Senate immediately after leaving office. They need at least 10-year break so that their tenure as governors could be properly scrutinized. If they are cleared by security agencies, they can then aspire to other political offices.

Politics 47

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

The Bayelsa State gubernatorial election that brought Governor Henry Seriake Dickson back to power was held long ago, but the sounds of the polls is still reverberating across the length and breadth of the state, especially in Peremabiri, in Southern Ijaw Local Government where the people are still licking their wounds. PAULINE ONYIBE writes.

ll over the world, elections are meant to be a formal and organised process of changing baton from one government to the other in a non-violent manner, which distinguishes democracy from all other forms of government, as it is adjudged as a government of the people. Unfortunately, the system has been given another name in some climes, including Nigeria, with violence being associated with the process, which has made it a do-or-die affair. Southern Ijaw is the biggest local government area in Bayelsa state, as such, a major determinant as to which party governs the state between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC). As a result of the violence that occurred on the December 5, 2015, the polls were declared inconclusive and rescheduled to January 9, 2016. The idea was to put all necessary measures in place to make sure that the anticipated violence never occurred but the reverse was the case, as the people of Peremabiri, are now living at the Sampson Siasia Sports Complex as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) since January 10. For many people in the state, the election has come and gone with some still dancing to the drumbeats of victory while others are counting their losses, strategizing for the next elction, but for the over 200 now internally displaced Peremabiri men and women, including their children, the memories of the sad day will forever linger. To them, they are permanent victims of the violence, as some have gone to the great beyond, while survivors will continue to nurse their wounds having lost their properties and escaping death by the whiskers. Now, their pain is becoming unbearable according to the Chairman, Peremabiri Council of Chiefs, Noel Meshack, who said they cannot go back to their community because the man who allegedly shot their king has taken over the community and installed a new chief and even mounted an alternative security which he said they cannot go close to. The coordinator of the IDPs said they are waiting for their king to comeback from South Africa where he has gone for treatment so that they can now be assured of their safety in conjunction with the state government before they can go back to that community. He said they found their way through the bush part to Yenagoa when the violence became unbearable adding that their relations are now leaving as strangers in neighbouring communities. Meshack, who is coordinating the internally IDPs said: “We are internally displaced persons as you all know. Government has been doing so well in taking care of us. The effort that government is putting is very commendable. “Our Royal Highness was also a victim of the violence and he was flown

Bayelsa: When election turned indigenes to refugees abroad for treatment. Though he is now okay, he has to come back so that all of us will sit down and iron out certain things with the government before we can finally go back”. Adding that their properties were destroyed, Meshack said they have nowhere to stay. He lamented: “Who can speak for us? We don’t have anybody in government. As I’m talking to you now, feeding is our problem. Even the little children don’t have food. We just eat something like beans in the morning without any other thing to eat the whole day. Government officials do bring money, about N100, 000 weekly which they use to buy foodstuffs that the women cook and share to everybody”, he said. At the camp however, leftovers were seen littered all over the place, but when our correspondent tried to inquire from the coordinator why the waste of food, he asked for forgiveness saying that they are not familiar with the kind of food being served He said due to the situation they find themselves they accept whatever comes to them disclosing that said they use only iced fish to cook, and that they have no privilege of eating meat. He stated that they have been eating only iced fish in

Mono

For the over 200 now internally displaced Peremabiri men and women, including their children, the memories of the sad day will forever linger the last four months. Saturday Telegraph however gathered that, out of the money that the government has been giving to them, they bought a small generating set to power the camp, and also fuel it despite the hike in fuel price in the state. This is to ensure that the camp is illuminated for security purposes. The coordinator said the most challenging thing at the camp is lack of good water, while noting that the place has become mosquito infested. “The water we drink is from a borehole drilled by the sports council but it is not treated. But we thank God that there is no major sickness and no death recorded in the camp so far”. While noting that the state government is doing its best to cater for them, he agreed that the government cannot do everything, pleading with wellmeaning individuals and groups to come to their aid. “We are all human beings and we understand the economic meltdown in the country. Even if there is no economic meltdown, our situation is not what is so bothering to the state government” he said, begging the government to continue taking care of them as it has been doing especially in the area of feeding. Most of the IDPs spoke with lamented that they were chased out of the community with their buildings and that of the Peremabiri king demolished, adding that properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. They were saddened that their children are no longer going to school and that, pregnant women are giving birth at the camp. The coordinator showed our correspondent a woman that gave birth recently and four others that are due for delivery. Meshack said they are waiting for their traditional ruler to come back and iron things out with the government while calling on the Seriake Dickson-led government to apprehend an ex-militant, who they said, masterminded the violence that turned them to refugees in their own home. He disclosed that the ex-militant has taken over the community and has been walking freely without any fear of been apprehended by the police, while their own families are scattered all over the state. He regretted that his wife and children are living at Ekowe with their relations while others are scattered in other neighbouring communities. “Everybody is aware of that. He is not only a problem to the Perebiri community but a problem to the entire state. Government must restore peace to the community, they can even send soldiers

to restore peace, calling for the arrest of the ex-militant leader. The coordinator said without that, there will be no peace in the community stating that if they go back their safety is not guaranteed. “We are also calling on the government to help us rebuild our houses that were razed down during the political violence. The Federal Government, NDDC and the oil companies should please come to our aid, at least to restructure and reunite the community” the coordinator pleaded. Another victim who didn’t want his name mentioned said the ex militant leader should be arrested adding that he is freely moving around in the community while sending threat messages to some persons at the IDP camp. He said the government knows everything and it is best known to them why the ex militant is yet to be arrested. He said they don’t believe in violence adding that if they go back to that community without adequate plan, more violence will erupt resulting in more deaths. Another IDP, simply referred to as Madam Preye said she has nowhere to go to, it has become very hard to feed even her one-year-old daughter adding that they should settle their case so that the children can go back to school. One of those that were shot during the election, Akpoebi Mono, was seen looking into the bleak future, recalling how he was treated of his gunshots and has since been discharged with crutches without hope of a further treatment . In reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite said as a government, for them to have been at the stadium complex till now shows that government was responsible for them and is still catering for them. The commissioner said the government is trying to reintegrate them back to their community but that government has to be double sure that the security that they have there is the one that they can go home and stay without experiencing what happened before that made them flee their various homes. Government he said is relying heavily on the security agents to also do that. He said it is only when the security agents can say they can go and stay and do their normal activities that government will now take them back to that place. Obuebite said that some of them on their own voluntarily have gone with the assistance that government gave to them but basically the mothers and the children are the vulnerable so they cannot go to a place that is not too safe and conducive for now. On why the accused person has not been arrested, the commissioner maintained that it is the duty of the security agents to do that adding that the state government has formally written to the federal government calling for his arrest but alleged that he still moving freely because he is a chieftain of APC. He however called on National Emergency Management Agency to come to the aid of the displaced people adding that they really need assistance from the federal government now, because the state government cannot do it alone.

Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Buhari's budget can't diversify economy –Rep Honourable Timothy Golu is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Budget and Research. The PDP member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency of Plateau State, in this interview with MUSA PAM, spoke on the controversial 2016 budget just signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari among other issues. Excerpts…

The president has just signed the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law. Do you think the budget can improve living standard and give hope to Nigerians? The issue here is that President Muhammadu Buhari announced that the APC government would diversify the economy and make agriculture and mining the main stream of the economy. He also said that science and technology would be improved, but as you can see, only one per cent of the total budget is committed to agriculture, one per cent committed to solid minerals development, less than one per cent is committed to science and technology and definitely it is not possible to diversify using one per cent of the total budget. I think the budget will not achieve the goal it was supposed to achieve, so there should be serious emphasis if we are talking about diversification. It means that attention should be given to the priority areas. Ministry of Information gets more than the Ministry of Agriculture, what do they do in the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Information is just to talk about the government policies, to announce it, and you don’t need to announce. Once you do it, Nigerians will see it, you don’t have to waste money in announcing something. There are other departments that should not get the attention of government now if we are talking about diversification. Oil is drying up and we must not waste time to make it through the other areas such as agriculture, which is very lucrative, the potentials in agriculture and mineral sector are so huge that we can benefit from them more than we benefit from the oil sector. What are we waiting for? Though the budget has been passed but awaiting the president’s assent, still there are windows to implement some basic aspect of the budget to a certain percentage. He should go ahead and start implementing the budget in other areas that does not have crisis, other areas that are not in contention. So I believe that even with the way it is, if implemented faithfully it will definitely achieve something for Nigeria because there are provisions, even if priorities are not attended to, but other areas are attended to, it will still meet up the needs of the people. People will get jobs, and once people get jobs, poverty will reduce. Once you create conducive environment for the economy to pick up, for businesses to thrive, once you improve and fix the factories and textiles industries, things will improve, but if these areas are not given priority, it will be difficult to really achieve the goals of diversification. What actually delayed the president's assent? The National Assembly (NASS) did its own part by constitutionally scrutinising the budget proposal and we have also passed it into law. As you said, it awaited presidential assent for a long time. We don’t have any problem from our side, we did our own but the executive did not assent to it earlier because they feel one or two things should not have been tempered with. The NASS does not have

to consult, we don’t have to, and there is no budget that should not be scrutinised. If the executive feel that they way they bring the budget is the way that it should be passed, then it is an error to think like that because the NASS is made up of representatives of the people who knows the feelings of the people, who have passed through election and campaigns, who are aware of the need of demands of the people, unlike the executive who may not have gone round to campaign except the president himself. All members of the parliament at every level move round and so they are very much aware and conscious of the fact that they need to address some basic issues, which the executive may feel, that is tempering with their own proposal. As it is now, we are waiting for them to raise their own issues because the NASS have the right to use constitutional means to pass it into law after 30 days but we didn't do that, we waited for the executive. This is a government for everybody, it is not a government for executive alone and there is no budget that belongs to the executive and the other belonging to legislature, we are one government with one voice, because we want Nigeria to move forward.

Golu

always quick to respond whenever issues are raised against the NASS, everybody is politically conscious now and so politicians are always ready to pick up any issue that comes up, just to manipulate, you see the National Assembly has the least budget as it is now out of N6.07 trillion and the National Assembly budget is just N115 billion, that is an arm of government that is making democracy thick. Without NASS there is no democracy, why can’t we make the Is that why NASS is being conNASS to be of the quality that the frontational with the presination can be proud of? Why are dency? The budget will we struggling to fund the NASS? We are not confrontational with not achieve the goal Why are we complaining to fund the executive, we are not fightit was supposed the NASS? The NASS should be ing Buhari under any guise, our an arm of government that gets own is to ensure that, what we to achieve... We the respect and funding that it feel is good for Nigeria, you have the right to deserves, because without the know, we adjusted it and we use constitutional parliament, democracy will not make it workable, remember work. Look at the Central Bank it was the NASS that identified means to pass it of Nigeria (CBN) which is not an and exposed the deficiencies in into law after 30 arm of government, which is not the budget. The Budget Office days but we didn't a ministry, it is just a department was not fair to the president, so of government and it has about do that, we waited we had to scrutinise the budN300 billion as overhead cost get, It was the rigorous scrutiny for the executive when the National Assembly, that exposed the deficiencies, which is an arm of government inflations, the repetitions and that makes laws is struggling with duplications and the deliberate one N115 billion out of six trillion naira. attempt to manipulate the budget and How does it improve on the capacity of so we cannot at this level turn back to lawmakers or the capacity of those who work against the same budget that we train the lawmakers or the capacity of the corrected. This is the document that the institution itself as a parliament? We canNASS streamlined, we have sharpened not compete favourably with other parit, and we have corrected it to become liament because of funding, we should implementable. The budget could not be not be complaining because democracy implemented if we had left it the way is an expensive venture. People said the the president submitted it because of NASS is big in size and we should either the distortion. The president brought it close the Senate or House of Representain good faith but those who work out the tives so that we will operate one chamber. budget through the Budget Office didn’t It won’t work because, by the time we do a good job but the NASS did a good close one of the chambers, it will be like job by correcting the ills of that budget, a state assembly where governors pocket so we cannot at this level say we want everything and because they don’t have to manipulate the budget for any other autonomy at the state level, the NASS thing. As far as the issue of the budget is is so wide that it is an asset in itself beconcerned, it would be addressed any cause it’s difficult for any president, no moment from now because we will see matter how powerful, to cage the asif the grey areas can be accommodated, sembly made up of 109 senators and 360 then we will ask the president to bring House of Representatives members. So it through a supplementary budget, we its not possible as the NASS is made up will pass it into law, we are not against of people who have made it in other arany item. eas, people grounded with knowledge, experience and wisdom, in comparative Is it true that NASS spends more money advantages, so it is not possible for anyin buying cars? body to just break the rules. It is a misrepresentation, Nigerians are

The NASS needs more money than it has now because we are complaining about so many things. We cannot go out for comparative training abroad the way it should be, other parliamentarians come here to study, to pickup something they don’t have. Why can’t we go there and pick up what they have. If we are copying democracy from the U.S and UK and the rest of them, then we should always be there with them, and we cannot go by road, we must fly and if we fly, we must pay for tickets, we must do so many things, so the NASS should be given its full place in the life of our own democracy, that is the only way with which we can enjoy this democracy. What is the fate of PDP ahead 2019? PDP is coming back to power in 2019. PDP will put itself back in power, we have corrected all the mistakes that created all the problems for us and now everybody is concerned. Where there were problems, we have solved it and everybody had accepted their mistakes and now we are ready to forge ahead together, more so, the people in the APC are PDP people and so PDP is coming back to recover itself. Those in APC are also coming back to the PDP and before you know it, we are going to work together in PDP because they know that PDP is the largest umbrella. People went and did anti-party and voted for APC at all levels, the same people have not left PDP, they are still in PDP, which tells you that the PDP is still on ground and I want to assure you that people will vote against the APC this time around so PDP is coming back. Do you mean that PDP is taking over in Plateau State or in the country in 2019? PDP will come back both at the federal and state levels, PDP will come back and continue from where it stopped. We have learnt from our mistakes and we are ready to do things in a better way. All the problems that led to the loss of power by the PDP are going to be fixed and when PDP gets back to power, they will do things differently, we will not continue with some of the impunity that led to the loss of public confidence and apathy. Once we get back to power, you will see many people from APC coming back to PDP to team up with the PDP so that we can work together.

7 MAY 2016

Young Telegraph with DEBORAH OCHENI

Question

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

It will relegate my status as a man

It’s not something I can subscribe to

It’s no big deal, a lot of ladies do it but I don’t think it is something I can subscribe to for the fact that it is a first date; it may create a wrong impression about you.

How can I allow a lady to pay for our first date? I will not allow that to happen because it will relegate my status as man. Ladies of these days will be pointing fingers at you and call you all sorts of names if you allow that.

AMAH AKON

AKIN ADEOLA

Yes, if she offers to pay

I will rather give the money to the needy

I will prepare for the date personally but if she offers to help, why not. We both enjoyed the date, so I don't see anything wrong if a lady offers to pay for our first date, but I will not ask her to pay against her wish.

That is not possible, I cannot foot date's bill whether it's the first or the last. Instead I will send the money to the needy. RUTH MOSES

JUDE IGWE

I will if it’s a business date

It will reduce you to a desperate lady

If it is a business date I don't have any problems with that but, if it's a date that is leading to intimate relationship I will not because the guy may see the kind gesture as presenting yourself as a big lady that want to flaunt her money.

The issue is our cultural background; ordinarily nothing is wrong with it but if you do that in Nigeria people will see you as a desperate lady and an opportunist. TOPE SUWEJE

PASCALINE ADA

It is a wrong way to start a relationship

If condition permits it

If that is the only way to avoid embarrassment I will. I feel no guy will arrange a date without preparing for it but if something happened along the line and he cannot settle the payment I will pay.

No, I will not allow that. Any man that allows a lady to pay for their first date is starting the relationship on a wrong note. How can you allow a lady to feed you and probably pay your hotel fee? Personally, it is not something I will fancy.

ANN EDIBO

Such action affects men’s ego

Lady paying for first date

NAT ADEMOLA

Depending on the relationship

If the date is planned by the lady, fine but if not such actions affect men's ego and it will have a lasting effect on the relationship. The fact is, even if the date is organised by the lady, I’d rather cancel it if I am not ready than to allow a lady pay.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it but then it depends on the relationship that exists between us. Some guys can feel embarrassed but it depends on the situation and who fixed the date. I can pay on a first date if the guy permits me so long as we are having fun.

SAM ONOGWU

MAWEDO ZULIAT

s e

he hourglass figure is something that most men prefer in a woman. It represents a strong symbol of feminine beauty as well as a healthy representation of good genes. Famous celebrities like Nikki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, and even our own Omotola Jalade are among a few boasting one of these sexy curvaceous figures. And due to all of the above, more and more women around the world are trying achieve a sexier look by getting wider hips to sculpt out that hourglass figure they desire. Most women are concerned about the size and shape of their butt. It affects a lot of decision making when it comes to fashion items they purchase e.g. it affects your purchase of underwear, shorts, and jeans etc. As you and I know we have all been blessed with different body types. Some may think of their backside as a blessing, while others would rather say their rear is a curse! I say, let's work with what you have and turn your butt into your sexiest and most loved body part! Firstly, we need to understand the type of muscles in the female butt area. There are 3 major muscle type 1. Gluteus maximus : True to its name, the maximus is the biggest muscle in your body and located around the fleshy area of the butt 2. Gluteus medius : The pork chop-shaped muscle sits near the outside of your pelvis. 3. Gluteus minimus : The smallest of the glute muscles lies directly under the gluteus medius. For a perfectly shaped butt, you have to exercises that target these muscle areas. Focusing one part and neglecting the rest will not produce the desired result . Squats and lunges can assist in gluteal and thigh development, but there are other exercises I have found to be even more effective and safer for many of my clients and patients. It is important to note that glute development is not simply about the aesthetics, but also, and more importantly, about improved athletic performance. Here are some of my recommended exercises 1. Donkey Kick The basic donkey kick has two vari-

In The GYM

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

With Abiola Jewoola

biola_y2k@yahoo.com

How to build a stonger and well defined butt (for ladies)

ants. The first involves a starting point of being down on the mat on your hands and knees. I suggest using a thick mat or cushions to protect your knees during these exercises. For the first type of donkey kick, keep your leg straight and extend your hip. As you raise your leg behind you, bring it up

higher than your spine. Concentrate on lifting the leg with the hip in extension and not simply swinging the leg, which is ineffective. Relax your neck during this exercise also. The second variation has the same starting point on all fours, but it involves bending (flexing) your knee. After flexing

the knee, lift the leg and extend the hip behind you. I recommend 2 to 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions of these exercises, with or without weights. 2. Hip Extensions On a step or platform, (or on your bed if you train at home) lie facedown with hips on the edge of the step, legs straight with toes resting lightly on the floor. (If you are using a bed, your legs will be off the edge and your feet high off the floor.) Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings and straighten the legs until they are level with the hips. Lift one leg higher then the other and alternate. Move each leg as though you are doing a flutter kick in water. Try doing 3 sets of 20 repetitions on each leg. 3. Butt Lift (Bridge) Begin by lying down on a mat or comfortable area on the floor. Place your hands at your sides, preferably palms up. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the ground at about shoulder width. Press your heels into the ground and squeeze your butt as you lift up your hips. At the same time, slightly arch your back so your chest slightly reaches towards your chin. Come all the way up until your spine and hips form a straight line or even slightly higher. Hold for a few seconds while squeezing your gluteus and breathing naturally. Lower yourself back down to the floor and repeat. Have fun Trying this!!

Dad's Father’s influence in his daughter's life Corner

Deborah Ocheni

girl’s father is one of the most influential people in her life, from infant to toddler to teen. Learn why Dad has such a big impact on his little girl’s development into a strong, confident woman. A father's influence in his daughter's life shapes her self-esteem, self-image, confidence and opinions of men. First and foremost, dads should always tell their daughters how beautiful

they are and help their daughter develop a good self-image, while also reminding them that innerbeauty is more important than outward beauty. However, it’s also important that dads are careful about what they say about other women in front of their daughters. If a daughter overhears her dad talking about how a movie star needs to lose weight or isn’t pretty enough, for example, she may internalize those comments and wonder if she too is overweight or not pretty enough. When I was growing up my dad told me that I could do anything that I set my mind to do and I believed him. It empowered me to pursue my dreams. Dads can’t underestimate the influence they can have on their daughter’s life by encouraging them to dream big dreams for themselves. Yes, they may receive this encouragement from their mom, from teachers, and even from

peers, but they definitely need to hear it from their dads too. When it comes to dating, dads should set the standard for how their daughters should be treated. Dads can set the bar high by taking their daughters on dates when they are little girls and pre-teens.

When a dad opens the doors for his daughter, engages her in good conversation, and treats her with respect, then she will naturally expect that from anyone who wants to date her. One of the most important things a father can do for his daughter is just show up. Dads are notorious for wanting to fix all their daughters’ problems, but more important than fixing problems, is just being there and offering a listening ear, giving a hug, and promising to love her no matter what. Simply, showing up at big life events, whether that’s ballet or a basketball game, is important too. Whatever it is, be there, and show her that she matters. Daughters may roll their eyes when their dad acts overprotective, but she will appreciate knowing that you have her back no matter what. She’ll know that she can call you at any hour of the day, and you’ll be there when she needs you. That’s just what dads do.

News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

APAPA

JALINGO PDP conducts peaceful LG congress in Taraba

N EWS I N BRIEF

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it recorded a peaceful local government congress in Taraba State. The party said the congress was conducted peacefully in the 16 local government areas of the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that no case of violence have been reported so far. The PDP spokesman in the state, Alhaji Inuwa Bakari, said most of the local government areas adopted consensus candidates for convenience.

Philip Nyam

S Abuja

peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Area 1, Abuja, where he presented malaria prevention items and clothing for women. Speaking to the IDPs, Dogara assured them of government’s commitment to return them to their communities as soon as possible. He also commended the military for decimating Boko Haram insurgents and reclaiming territories in the last few months. The speaker maintained that it has become imperative to provide the IDPs with malaria prevention items. He expressed gratitude to Malaria Care Foundation which donated the items to IDPs in the Federal Capital Territory and called on other spirited individuals and

Maritime,soul of Nigeria's economy - NIMASA DG

The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said that the maritime sector is the soul of the Nigerian economy. Peterside said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos by the Head, Public Relations Department of NIMASA, Hajia LamiTumaka. According to the statement, the directorgeneral spoke at a workshop on 'Local Content Implementation in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: A Cost Reduction Strategy'.

KANO Kano records decline in deaths from vaccine preventable diseases

Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Getso, yesterday noted that the state had recorded a decline in the incidences of death from vaccine preventable diseases. Getso stated this in an address to mark the “African Immunisation Week” in Kano. He said the state had made a remarkable progress in all aspects of immunisation services.

Dogara presents anti-malaria drugs, clothes to Abuja IDPs

corporate bodies to emulate their gesture. He said: “We want to thank them specifically for changing the narratives, it has always been that we depend on government to provide things like this, it's either we are depending on government, and if government doesn’t do anything; nobody does nothing, or sometimes we are calling on foreign nations to help. “So, I call on other companies to come out and assist and render assistance. For us, as I said in Yola, the priority is not for us to keep you here and be donating items like these, these will never satisfy you, we know, even if we were to bring trailers and trailers of rice, your desire is to go back to your communities, and that

is what government is committed to doing. We want to thank the present administration for the war against terrorism which is the chief reason why the IDPs are here in the first place.” He urged the IDPs to be patient and hopeful as government is working to return them to their communities. “The ongoing war and the successes recorded which has resulted to some of the IDPs returning back to their communities, and in Yola we are told that about 80,000 of our refugees in Cameroun are scheduled to be back somewhere in a camp in Yola that is being prepared and hopefully they will be taken back and resettled, not resettled, but back to the communities where they were expelled on account of

this insurgency. “This government is committed to doing this and we thank God that our security forces and gallant troops are fighting and they've been able to recover and reclaim all the territories that were under the control of boko Haram, and it is hoped that in no distant time, we will be able to go back to our communities, and that, I believe, is a message of hope which we should be delivering, not even these items. “It is the failure of governance that drove you out of your communities to this place and everybody knows that even by our charter which is the constitution, the primary responsibility of government is to secure the lives and properties of its citizens.

Boat operators get 60-day ultimatum to get insurance, toilet, others

...as LASWA, NIWA insist on standards Muritala Ayinla

he National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) have issued a 60day ultimatum for boat operators in the state to comply with the operating guidelines and standard regulations, which include compulsory usage of fire extinguishers, life buoy and echo sounder systems. With the new guidelines, boats are expected to have four emergency exits with two on each side with appropriate navigational aids while bigger boats are expected to have toilets and appropriate waste facilities. Also in the new guidelines, all commercial boat drivers must be certified for appropriate competence and obtain certification, which must be presented during routine inspection or stop and search operation. Presenting guidelines and standards for water transportation, Kamson, who disclosed alongside NIWA Area Manager, Muhazu Sambo, said commercial boats must have double hull and bottom design, including GPS and echo sounder systems with appropriate and adequate

cabin lighting systems. The LASWA boss said all commercial boats must adhere strictly to the speed limit of six knots around jetties and a maximum of 15 knots as service speed in addition to provision of functional alarm systems. She added that both agencies would commence joint enforcement once the 60-day ultimatum lapses. She said: “The boats must be fitted with adequate safety accessories including but not limited to fire extinguishers, paddle, life buoys, shore to sea communication gadgets, pyrotechnics and hand flare, functional key starter, horn and alarm system. The manifest on board must be secured in a water tight corner.” On his part, Sambo said the boat name must be boldly written and carry appropriate flags including country and company's flags. He added that the commercial boat colours must conform to the specified standard. “All commercial boat operators must take out comprehensive insurance cover from reputably recognaised insurance companies and ensure that copies of such policies are submitted to regulatory bodies annually and also kept in a visible location.

Buhari's wife mourns Oba of Benin, Kano students L-R: Minister of State for Transportation (Aviation), Senator Sirika Hadi; Chairman, Committee on the Review and Amendment of Civil Aviation Acts 2016, Dr. Ibrahim Idris and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Sabiu Zakari, during the presentation of the committee’s report, in Abuja… yesterday

ife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, yesterday mourned the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Akpolokpolo Erediauwa; the Walin Sokoto, Ambassador Hazmat Ahmad; as well as the seven secondary school students and others who died in motor accident along LagosIbadan Expressway recently. Buhari’s condolence messages to the bereaved were contained in two separate statements made available to journalists in Abuja by her media assistant, Jamilu Yusuf. The President’s wife described the deaths of Eredi-

Andrew Iro Okungbowa

Tourism earns $1.4trn globally in 2015

ourism has continued to be on the ascendancy notching impressive performances over the last one decade despite challenges occasioned by global economic slowdown, climate change and others as total export from international tourism in 2015 reached $1.4 trillion. This translated to a growth of four per cent (3.6 per cent) just as international arrival saw a growth of 4.4

per cent in the same year. The performance figures for the sector released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) show that for the fourth consecutive year, international tourism grew faster than world merchandise trade, raising tourism’s share in world’s exports to 7 per cent in 2015. ‘‘Income generated by international visitors on

accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other services and goods reached an estimated US$ 1,232 billion (euro 1,110 billion) in 2015, an increase of 3.6 per cent accounting for exchange rate fluctuations and inflation. International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 4.4 per cent in 2015, reaching a total of 1,184 million,’’ stated UNWTO.

Furthermore, the report revealed that ‘‘alongside international tourism receipts (the travel item of the balance of payments), international tourism generated US$ 210 billion in exports through international nonresident passenger transport services, bringing the total value of tourism exports up to US$ 1.4 trillion, or four billion dollars a day on average.’’

International tourism represents seven per cent of total world exports and 30 per cent of services exports. The share of tourism in overall exports of goods and services increased from six per cent to seven per cent in 2015 as for the fourth consecutive year international tourism outgrew world merchandise trade, which grew 2.8 per cent in 2015.

auwa and Ahmad as monumental loss to the nation. She said the two men could not easily be forgotten in the history of the country due to their immense contributions in ensuring peace and unity. The president’s wife urged Nigerians to emulate the deceased’s commitment to national unity and other good legacies they left behind. Buhari also condoled the government and the people of Kano State over the death of seven secondary school students, co-ordinator of school competition and the driver involved in a ghastly motor accident along LagosIbadan Expressway. The statement read, “Mrs. Buhari expressed shock over the tragedy, describing the incident as sad and monumental loss to the country. “Moved by the tragic incident, she urged the Federal Road Safety Corps to commence investigation into the cause of the accident in order to forestall future occurrence. “The wife of the President also commiserates with the families of the deceased and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Perspective

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

The troubles of divorce (3)

or couples getting divorced or thinking about it, beware of choice of counselors. When human rights advisers counsel you on your marital challenges, check the personal marital life of such advisers. Nobody can offer you what the person does not have. Besides, the counsel you need at such times must be based on the expectations of the owner of your life, derived from the foundation of his words, the Holy Bible. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5). Never ignore life lessons and do not allow negative history to repeat itself in your life. If your mum or dad was a divorcee and he or she is today, advising you to do the same thing you know was responsible for his or her predicament, you would be a fool to follow such counsel. This is not in anyway, advocating that you dishonor your parents. The approach to be adopted here is a topic for another day. When contemplating divorce, listen to yourself and weigh your thoughts with scriptures before seeking other people’s opinions. Also, beware of those who encourage that you leave your spouse. They are your enemies. Break your relationship with them immediately. Whenever it comes to destiny decision, think the future. Will your children clap for you tomorrow for taking such decision? Would they rather deny you privileges of retirement age and benefits of parenting as punishment for a wrong decision that has affected their lives negatively? Because of adultery, and most times, allegations, suspicions or perceptions of adultery, many people have divorced their spouses. They think Jesus gave them

Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com license to do so. Study Jesus Christ’s position properly and you will discover that there has been a massive misunderstanding of scriptures. “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32 KJV). This verse of the scripture was an excerpt from Jesus’ message against the sin of sexual immorality. It was a deliberate condemnation of such sin. In fact, in the preceding verse 28, he said “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” If you sincerely examine your life with this verse, you will discover that you may even be guilty of the same offence for which you have, or are about to divorce your spouse. This aside, Chapter 5:32b says “and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” This implies: “Look! Do not out of your sinful intentions of leaving your spouse to marry another person, divorce your spouse; and if you divorce your spouse, you must remain unmarried. Otherwise, you commit sin.” Is this not a disapproval of divorce? “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against

her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery” (Mark 10:11-12 KJV). If as a Christian, you divorce your spouse, your relationship with God has issues until you reconcile. How do I know this? “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14 NIV). This means that you are an enemy of God if you refuse to forgive. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there, remember, that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled with your brother; then, come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24 NIV). This gift includes praise, worship, fasting and any form of prayer. You cannot kneel down to say you are praying or communicating with God when you are in enmity with him over refusal to forgive your spouse. “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, THAT YOUR PRAYERS MAY NOT BE HINDERED” (1st Peter 3: KJV). Is someone now seeing what might have been responsible for delay of an-

swers to all the fasts, night vigils and prayers as a divorcee? Please, if you are considering divorcing your wife or husband, perish that thought. If you have already done so because you refused to forgive an offence, go and reconcile or bring back your spouse. Unforgiveness is sin that can hinder answers to prayers. You even have another sin of breaking the marital vow you made before God at the altar to remain with your spouse TILL DEATH DO YOU PART. Yes, forgiving an offence could be very difficult when self is reigning. The issue is “a whole me? I must hit back, etc” But there is nothing ‘whole’ about you in the estimation of godly people when you despise the revered virtue called humility and obedience to instructions, especially when it involves God. With God, forgiveness is possible for every offence (Mark 10:27). Whoever commits adultery has sinned. Whoever divorces the person’s spouse has sinned. Both of them need one thing-REPENTANCE from sin and forsaking the sin. Stop looking for a license to divorce your spouse. Start looking for instruments to restore or strengthen your love, intimacy and bonding. If your life is truly under threat in your marriage, this is a peculiar issue and you need a godly counsel. We can also communicate via contacts above this piece. May your marriage be a blessing and a testimony in Jesus name. Amen.

For questions, prayers, personal counselling, seminars, wedding ministration, etc, CONTACT: The Coordinator, MARRIAGE CAN WORK MINISTRY Mobile: +234-8038117704 E-mail: marriagecanwork@yahoo.com; marriagethings@gmail.com P. O. Box, 13188, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

News

Lagosians groan as prices of Tomatoes skyrocket Deborah Akin-Bright, Deborah Ocheni, Ezekiel Adesawe and Inioluwa Ekeolere

imes are really hard and Nigerians are suffering. Perhaps, the prediction of a Second Republic minister that the poor Nigerian masses would soon eat from the dustbin is gradually becoming a reality. This may be true in view of the cry of both consumers and retailers of tomatoes as price of the product is gradually but steadily creeping out of the reach of the ordinary Nigerian. A survey carried out by Saturday Telegraph during the week shows that the prices of tomatoes have increased drastically in most markets in Lagos State. In the last three months, tomatoes and pepper were in abundance, prompting a basket of tomatoes to drop to N6,000 from N18,000. But, not anymore! In Mile 12, one of the biggest and most popular markets in the metropolis, a big basket of tomatoes now goes for between N35,000 and N40,000 as against N6,000 and N8,000 the product sold a few months back. Also, a small basket which sold for about N3,000 three months back now goes for between N18,000 and N23,000. For the unripe and damaged ones, big basket sales for N28, 000 while a small plate containing about 20 pieces of the product goes for N2,500. 15 to

18 pieces, depending on the sizes, of a small plate goes for N1,000 while 10 small pieces sell for N500. Saheed Muazu and Kabiru Salaha are major sellers in the Oja Oba Market, Ile-Epo in Abule-Egba area of Lagos State. According to them, the product price has been on a steady rise since late last month. The smaller basket as at last year in the market, they said, was sold for between N1,500 and N2,000 while the current market price of the same quantity is now sold as high as N12,000. The bigger basket, which ranges between N2,500 and N3,000 about the same time, now goes for between N25,000 to N35,000 depending on the freshness of the commodity. Also in the popular Abibat Mogaji Sunday Market in Ogba, Ikeja, a big basket which sold for N18,000 a few weeks back now goes for between N35,000 and N40,000 while the small basket that sold for between N8,000 and N9,000 is now between N15,000 and N17,000. In the same market, 25 small pieces of the commodity could be bought for N1,000, while 12 small pieces and four small pieces now goes for between N500 and N200 respectively. Four big pieces is N400 in the market. Victoria Igondo, who has been in the business of tomatoes selling for long now, told our reporter that the commodity increase in Abule Market, Ajao Estate, is something average people can no longer afford.

Igondo

PHOTO: Deborah Ocheni

According to her, a basket before now sold for between N2,500 and N3,500 depending on the quantity that is available in the market. “But now it so expensive; like today we bought a basket at N32,000 for small sized tomatoes and the big size ones for N35,000,” Igondo said, adding, “it is very expensive and that is why we are shading it very little. In fact, we don’t just shade it as we do before now, we now count to sell.” Meanwhile, Femi Odusanya, the spokesman for Mile 12 market traders, attributed the increase to the off-season and the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.

“Traders go through a lot of stress in transporting goods to the market. They will definitely add the cost differential to their goods,” Odusanya said. While Elizabeth Nwaka, a dealer of the commodity in Ogba Sunday Market, said: “We hear that they divert trailers now to Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s tomatoes’ factory somewhere in the middle belt instead of coming to Lagos as has been the practice.” And some have also attributed the situation to traders who now imports the product from the neighbouring Cameroon, which invariably makes the commodity costlier.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Armed Fulani herdsmen and the harmless ones

s a young boy born and brought up in Mushin area of Lagos, precisely on Agege Motor Road, the itinerary of the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle from Apapa to the slaughter slab at Agege in the '70s and '80s is quite nostalgic. There were so many myths and mysteries concerning the dexterity of the herdsmen who used mere tiny rods to control herd of cows. Part of the oral tradition passed to us by elders was the magical prowess of the rods, which made it easy for the herdsmen to control hundreds of cows without much ado. One could recall occasional commotion caused by one or two recalcitrant cows on the road and the calmness with which one or two herdsmen brought the situation under control with their rods and torches. In fact, we looked forward to such night of 'madness' when a cow went berserk and the awe inspiring traditional control mechanism of the herdsmen. I remember how the elders continuously warned us not to incur the wrath of the herdsmen because of their magical rods, which we were told, if used on humans could make them become as submissive as the cows and sheepishly follow the cattle herders. We looked forward to seeing the herdsmen and their cows as they leave a section of the road for motorists to pass. They usually moved with their cattle at night when the traffic was light and this was when the roads were good and there were fewer vehicles plying them. Another mystery about the herdsmen was their strength which enabled them to trek from Apapa to Agege, a journey that could take up to three hours on foot, yet they did it every night. I often wondered what manner of men would continue to carry out such wearisome task almost on a daily basis without breaking down. Our parents had an answer for this fascinating and mystifying curiosity: ‘the herdsmen had what the Yoruba call kanako, a mysterious charm,

Waheed Bakare on Saturday

09056089320 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com which shortened their long journey. Their stoicism beggars description. We were also told that the herdsmen mourned more when they lost their cows compared to when they lost their children, a subtle way of saying they cherish their cows more than their children. As the herdsmen went about their legitimate cattle-rearing business, their women folk brought their nutritious fura milk, cheese or traditional herbs to the neighbourhood. Like their men, they could trek for hours without being tired. I recall how the Fulani medicine women placed calabashes containing their herbs and roots some of which had been ground into powdery substances on their heads. They had penchant for big circle-like earrings and they could wear as many as five on each ear. One of the amazing things about their earrings was usually the biggest ones that dangled on the big pierced ear lobes as if they would soon fall but never did. Their trade never distracted them from breastfeeding their babies strapped at their back. Another interesting thing was their ability to breastfeed their babies even while trekking. They had a skilful way of bringing out the heads of the babies strapped at their back and still breastfed them even while trekking. It is also the belief that Fulani women do not necessarily need midwives during child labour as they could midwife themselves based on their innate midwifery skill which has been passed from

one generation to another. But some of the mystique surrounding the herdsmen has gone forever and they are being replaced with crimes and criminality. Stories now abound about the wanton destruction of lives and property by the herdsmen who are allegedly armed with sophisticated weapons under the pretext that they need to defend themselves against cattle rustlers. Human life is sacrosanct and is utterly abhorrent for an individual or group of individuals to take lives. The responses of the northern governors could have come before the Enugu killings since there were carnages allegedly perpetrated by the herdsmen in Agatu, Benue State, Oyo and Ondo states. Why wait till the Enugu killings before talking? Such silence could further fragment our already divided country. I quite agree with the governors that you cannot criminalise all the Fulani but we cannot also prevent victims from expressing their grievances particularly those who lost their properties and loved ones. Besides, the insinuation by the mother of the slain Chief Olu Falae’s guard that her son could have been killed due to the leadership crisis among Oodua People’s Congress members in the area could also be a pointer to the fact that all killings ascribed to the herdsmen should be thoroughly investigated before precipitate conclusions are made. And just on Monday, some communities in Uhunmwode Local Government

Area of Edo State raised the alarm over the presence of armed men allegedly transported to Oke-Irhue by a firm following a dispute over land in the area. At this point, soothing words and not fierce remarks are needed as they could go a long way in assuaging the feelings and pains of the victims of these attacks. Violence begets violence and nobody has monopoly of violence. The donation of N100 million to vigilance groups by Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi speaks volume and except the crisis is handled with utmost sincerity more armed militias will spring up in different parts of the country soon. It is an indictment on the part of the government and an indication that it has failed in its constitutional responsibility of securing our lives and properties if people now resort to self help. Now that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a clampdown on the marauders, security agents should be held responsible if the carnage continues and perpetrators are not arrested and brought to book. It is good that Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu had been redeployed as the Enugu State Commissioner of Police and kudos to the police for arresting the cop from hell who provided the leeway that emboldened the killers of the Enugu indigenes. But it will only be fair if the cop is not made the scapegoat that carried the sins of others except if he acted alone. If there was intelligence report that the attack was imminent, who failed in his duty to nip it in the bud? Giving indicted senior officers a mere slap on the wrists while the rank and file obviously become the sacrificial lamb will amount to disservice to the nation. Where the herdsmen get their sophisticated weapons, their sources of finance as well as their sponsors (if any) from, should also interest security agents if we are serious about stopping these senseless killings in the name of herdsmen/farmers’ clashes.

Will clubs take a cue from Leicester City?

t the start of the season, they were tipped as one of the likely teams to go down. Bookmakers gave them unbelievable odds of 5000-1 to win the ultimate price in English football – the Barclays Premier League; while their manager, Claudio Ranieri was also tipped by the same bookies as one of the first managers to be sacked. But last Monday night Leicester City defied all the doomsday soothsayers and bookies with their predictions to lift their first ever Premier League title in their 132year history. Even the famous Hollywood script writers could not have written any better fairytale for a football club, which about the same time last season was in a serious battle to keep their top-flight status alive. In fact on April 17 last year, the Foxes, as Leicester City Football Club is known, were rock bottom of the Premier League table – yes rock bottom! Yet just over a calendar year later they are at the other end of the table – the very top! It had never happened in the history of the ‘beautiful game’ in England and their performance captivated neutral audiences around the world with all major news outlets including CNN, BBC, Sky News trumpeting the story. But perhaps what is most remarkable about the performance of Ranieri and his Foxes are that they proved that a club can achieve glory without spending a fortune. Imagine the average cost of the side that the Italian used to land the ultimate prize

TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com was about £57m, the cheapest of any currently in the top half of the table; yet they were able to upstage the likes of mega spenders. A recent study showed nearest challengers Tottenham had a squad built at the cost of £159m, while Arsenal (£231m), Liverpool (£260m), Chelsea (£280m), Manchester United (£395m) and Manchester City (£415m) had invested significantly more. Incidentally, a manager, who appeared to be in the mould of Ranieri not believing in splashing big money on players, Arsene Wenger, was forced to jettison this position under intense pressure from fans who felt that his reluctance to bring marquee players to The Emirates was one of the reasons why the Gunners were missfiring. Reluctantly the French man bowed to their wishes and splashed a club-record fee of £42.5 million on Mesut Ozil in 2013 and followed up a year later with Alexis Sanchez, whose £35 million fee made him

Arsenal’s second most expensive player; but sadly despite these acquisitions Arsenal is still not any closer to ending their 12 year-wait for the Premier League crown. Instead, they only have two FA Cup trophies as rewards for the heavy investment in players. The two Manchester clubs must be wondering what they have done wrong considering the huge amounts of money they have consistently spent on trying to remain the top dogs in the Premier League. However, while the team from the blue half of the city can lay claim to having won the title only two years ago, and finally being able to join the big league in Europe with their first ever semi-final appearance in the world’s top competition for the clubs, the UEFA Champions League, the red half of the city can only look to the FA Cup final (the first for the team since 2004) to attempt to salvage their season. In two years at the helm of affairs, Luis van Gaal has spent in the region of

£300million yet he is not even guaranteed a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League talk less of even challenging for the title. But sadly rather than Leicester’s approach catching on and becoming the norm amongst the Premier League teams, it appears it will be a one off thing with teams still splashing out the cash in a desperate quest to either challenge for the tile or stave off possible relegation. Even the man of the moment Ranieri believes so. "Big money makes big teams and usually big teams win. Now we can say only 99 per cent of the time. Next season will be the same and for the next 10 or 20 years, it will be the same," said Ranieri. Of course, the new £4.5billion television deal, which comes into effect next season, means there will be an abundance of cash for the teams to spend. According to reports, even teams that are relegated stand to make a staggering £100million – an amount no team would want to lose, which is why they will do everything possible to escape the drop. All said and done, even a die-hard Man United supporter like me was delighted that the Foxes won, (of course this is easier to swallow than if it had been Man City or Arsenal!), and we can only look forward to the FA Cup final in two weeks time. Maybe at the end of the showpiece Wembley event, we will finally have something to celebrate! Congratulations Leicester City.

54 News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

N100bn: I’ll soon hand Suswam over to EFCC, says Ortom Cephas Iorhem Makurdi

enue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, on Thursday vowed to hand his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly embezzling over N100 billion belonging to the state. The governor made this known while addressing a caller on his periodic radio phone-in programme. He said he had not relented in his bid to recover the billions looted by the former governor and assured the people of the state of following legal means in achieving this aim. “I am not going to relax, I am going to recover every single kobo. Very soon, I will hand Suswam to EFCC. Nobody can intimidate me to stop what I am doing,” Or-

•Agency probes diversion of 10 rice milling machines tom vowed. The governor refuted allegations that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) had arrested some of his appointees over the management of bailout funds, insisting that the ICPC did not visit the state. He also explained that he granted EFCC permission to visit the state and investigate a N500 million fraud, including the disappearance of 10 rice milling machines donated to the state by the Korean government in 2012, as relief for the flood disaster. Ortom disclosed this at a different occassion while interacting with journalists in Makurdi, saying the 10 rice milling machines were donated to the state government by the Korean government to boost rice production

92,200

The total number of followers on Twitter of Obafemi Martins (Shangai Shenhua) in 2016. Source: Goal.com

and processing in the state. “Yesterday, the EFCC were in the state to investigate 10 rice milling machines donated by Korean government in 2012 as relief for the flood disaster, including the N500 million from the Federal Government which were all diverted. These rice milling machines were diverted during Suswam’s government,” he said. He alleged that Suswam had array of cases to answer before the EFCC following his activities that have put the state in an economic quagmire. Ortom accused his predecessor and 51 other persons of defrauding the state to the tune of N107 billion, and added that records at his disposal indicates that the embattled former governor collected over N450 million as arrears

£61.8m

The total amount spent by Watford in the whole 2015-16 season. Source: 101greatgoals.com

of overheads two days to his exit from office, wondering if overheads are paid in arrears. The governor queried how he could have collected such huge amount of money for himself when the same amount of money could have addressed the accreditation needs of the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the state. He stated that spurious allegations against his administration by those who brought the state to its knees, were meant to divert attention of the public from the ills of the immediate past administration, and challenged his predecessor to explain to the people of the state what he did with the huge state's resources when he was in control as governor rather than play to the gallery.

The life expectancy of women at birth of Guyana in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

L-R: Chairman, 2016 Annual Tax Conference, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr.Samuel Agbeluyi; President/ Chairman of council, Dr. Olateju Somorin; Deputy Vice-President, Ms. Olajumoke Simplice and Registrar/ CEO, Mr. Adefisayo Awogbade, at a press briefing on the forthcoming tax conference in Lagos…recently. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

ABAKALIKI Ebonyi task force arrests 12 students for loitering

The task force set up by Ebonyi State Government to check loitering and hawking by school children during school hours said it had arrested 12 students since coming into operation. Chairman of the task force, Mr. Boniface Nwaofia, told journalists yesterday in Abakaliki that the students were arrested in different parts of Abakaliki. Nwaofia, who declined to name schools the students attended, said they were apprehended by the task force between 10am and 11.30am. He said parents or guardians of all affected students would pay the approved N2, 000 before the children would be released. “In line with the mandate of the task force, 12 students were arrested yesterday (Friday) at different locations in the metropolis for loitering during the official school hours,” he said.

IKEJA

Harassment: SSANU warns authorities of OAU

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) has warned the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to stop maltreating its members in its staff school. The National Vice-President of the association in the western zone, Mr. Alfred Jimoh, gave the warning in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos. Jimoh said the alleged maltreatment of the staff school teachers should stop in the interest of peace. NAN reported that parents, teachers and pupils of the institution’s staff school had on May 3 staged a protest over non-payment of the staff salaries. The staff are said to be owed four month salaries while parents complained of an arbitrary increase in school fees charged by the school’s management.

BENIN CITY

Aigbe Abu for burial on May 13

The funeral rites of the late Madam Grace Iroguehi Aigbe Abu, aged 98, of Oko from Ogbelaka quarters, Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State, who died on March 24, is to commence on May 12. A statement issued by the family said a service of songs will hold at her son’s residence in Oko, Benin City by 4pm, which will then be followed by a requiem mass on Friday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, G.R.A., Benin City by 10am while interment follows at her son’s Oko residence. Social dance and entertainment will hold on Saturday at Shittu Alao Mini Barrack, Nigerian Air Force on Airport Road, Benin City, from 12noon while the family thanksgiving holds on Sunday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, G.R.A by 9am followed by entertainment at the son’s residence in Oko, Benin City.

Sack commerce commissioner now, Kano traders tell Ganduje Muhmmad Kabir Kano

undreds of protesting textile traders yesterday stormed Kano State Press Centre, demanding the sack of the state Commissioner for Commerce, Alhaji Rabiu Bako. The traders, who were led by their Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mansur Haruna Dandago, alleged that one year after Bako became a commissioner, he had not been able to produce a clear blueprint for the development of the state. They further alleged that the commissioner had succeeded in bringing a few people close to himself against large chunk of business operators in the state. Dandago explained that even when markets in the

state were engulfed by fire, the commissioner could not give a clear direction to the government on how to help the victims. The PRO hinted that on many occasions that they tried to sit with the commissioner and offer advice on how best the commerce commissioner could make an impact but to no avail because he didn't consider them as anything. In the same vein the traders urged their counterpart to reduce important prices of their goods as the fasting period is approaching. He said they had written a letter to various companies supplying marketers with goods to take cognisant of the sufferings of the people and reduce their prices. Dandago also wants traders to pay their taxes, which he said could be used for infrastructural development in the state.

APC unfair to Saraki –Group

group in Kwara State, Bukola Saraki Youth Support Group, has said rather than vilify the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over his decision not to back a Muslim-Muslim ticket during the 2015 presidential primaries in his party, he should be hailed for his principled stand, which aided the All Progressives Congress (APC) in emerging victorious. The group in a statement by its Chairman, Bade Adefila, said but for the opposition of Saraki, the party would have been seen as a Muslim party, a toga that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had pinned on it. Adefila said: “It is simply heart-rendering that rather than appreciate what Saraki has done to help the party, those who felt aggrieved are using the federal power to muzzle him via a trial which everyone knows will go nowhere.” On the trial of Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the group said the charges brought against the Senate President were charges that did not stand against other people in the past and were dismissed, but now vigorously being pursued. He said even the carriage of the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar,

had shown that there is more to the trial than meet the eye. The statement by the group added: “If not that there are other motives behind the trial, what stops Umar from disqualifying himself and handing over to someone else to continue with the trial? More so, it is now glaring that the Tribunal is not set for the trial. “Otherwise, how do you keep amending charges within the trial and then still looking for evidence to nail the alleged accused when trial had started? Does that not amount to shifting the goal post when the game had started?” The group urged the leadership of the APC to have a rethink on its stand on Saraki’s trial, adding: “It will be good to remind the party’s leaders that the coming into the fold of the APC by five PDP dissenting governors, with Saraki as a very strong voice, was what led to the solid standing of the APC. “It should also be recollected that without the G-5 governors, the APC cannot be as solid as it is today. The PDP, which came as a block into the APC, had an ally of Saraki as its chairman and successfully navigated the stormy waters to aid the victory of the APC."

LASU recalls 11 suspended students

uthorities of the Lagos State University (LASU) have lifted the suspension placed on 11 former executives of the Students Society of History and International Studies (SSOHIS) of the institution. The university’s official bulletin obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos, reported that the students were suspended for organising the association’s award night on February 11, at which a female student, Omolara Gbadeyan, took ill and later died. Gbadeyan took ill at the

Igando venue of the party and later died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. The bulletin listed the affected students as Awolola Ademola, Omoeboh Oluwatobi, Aruba Kareem, Shenjobi Tumininu and Eletu Bidemi. Others are Kudayah Esther, Yekini Oluwaseun, Omokeji Shobowale, Balogun Matthew, Odeyemi Tope and Aka Abiodun. LASU Students Union (LASUSU) President, Tayo Sekoni, had told NAN that autopsy report revealed that Gbadeyan died of natural causes.

Sport Extra 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

7 MAY 2016

Iwobi: It was easy to pick Nigeria ahead of England

Adekunle Salami uper Eagles striker, Alex Iwobi, has stated that it was not difficult for him to pick Nigeria ahead of England for his international football career. Iwobi told the British Broadcasting Corporation on Friday that he had always wanted to play for Nigeria. “Many people thought it was easy for me to play for England but I knew in my heart that my choice was Nigeria. It is an honour to play for one’s country and since I have what it takes to do so, I just had to grab the opportunity,” he

said. Iwobi has since made 20 appearances for Arsenal this season and scored twice, and is enjoying every moment of playing for his boyhood club. “I have always loved Arsenal,” he told Arsenal Player. “When I was young, I was always waiting to watch the legends of the club play. You could say I have the blood of Arsenal in me! “I have seen the picture of me [signing as child] in the yellow top. I remember signing – that moment was crazy, I remember smiling so much. My mum and dad were proud of me and they were there waiting for me.”

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

Before Giwa destroys Nigerian football…

Iwobi

NFF Crisis: Police arrest Giwa in Glass House Johnson Adeolu Abuja

lub owner, Chris Giwa, was on Friday arrested on the premises of the Nigeria Football Federation Secretariat in Abuja. Giwa was arrested by the police as he was at the secretariat with some of his group members in an attempt to take over the operations of the NFF. He had sneaked in unnoticed by the

security men and he went round some of the offices at the secretariat. On his way out however, the football administrator it was learnt told the security operatives at the Glass House that he was at the NFF to resume as the President of the federation. After some hot exchange of words, the policemen at the secretariat whisked Giwa away. It was later learnt that he was taken to the Wuse Police Station.

MFM’s Musa ready for Lobi Stars

Kingsley Eduwo of lobi challeged byWolves Defender

My target for Ondo football –Mafo Charles Ogundiya

he chairman, Ondo State Football Agency, John Mafo, has said his target was to make the state football great again. The former commissioner said despite not involving in the day-to-day activities of all the organs of the agency, he had been doing his best to support them. “We have about six teams and in addition to that we also manage Ondo League Management Committee,” he said. “We have Sunshine Stars, Sunshine Queen, Rising Stars and Rising Queens, Rising Tornadoes, Rising Sun and of

course the OLMC. “The agency is structured in such a way that the chairman does not have to interfere in the day-to-day affairs of the teams because there is an academy wings that handle the running of the agency, they only report to me as we have season youth football administrator Prince Dapo Ajibade who is the Executive Director of the Agency. “I directly supervise Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens so with that kind of division of labour we are able to forge ahead and we have been succeeding through the support of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who is a football lover.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain out of Euro 2016

ngland winger Alex OxladeChamberlain has been ruled out of this summer's European Championship after suffering his second knee injury of the season. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says the 22-year-old, capped 24 times, will be out for a further six to eight weeks. Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered his initial knee injury in the Champions

Authoritative sources informed our correspondent that the NFF had earlier in the day received the court papers of the Jos High Court which Giwa group claimed instructed the officials of the federation to vacate the place for Giwa. “He (Giwa) did not come here to fight. He has been arrested and we do not know what next,” said Jide Fashikun, one of those who followed Giwa to the Glass House. Rumson Baribote was also at the secretariat with Giwa.

League defeat by Barcelona on February, 23. "There is no chance of the Euros for him," said Wenger. "He will be back at the beginning of July." Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made his England debut against Norway in 2012, had been scheduled to feature for the Gunners' Under-21 side earlier this week.

ormer Sunshine Stars of Akure striker, Newman Musa, will be a major boost for Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos as they face Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League clash. MFM FC will be guests of the Benue side in match Day 15 of the NPFL at the Aper Aku Stadium. Newman didn’t feature for the Lagos-based team in their last league match against Akwa United which they won 3-0 at the Agege Stadium due to suspension but he’s expected to return to coach Fidelis Ilechuckwu’s squad for this encounter. Ilechuckwu and his wards will be relying on the experienced forward and other players to get the maximum points at stake in the tie. The Olukoya Boys recorded their first NPFL 2-1 win over Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia the last time they played at the same Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Benue State, in match Day 1 of the ongoing season with Musa scoring a goal and also assisted Onuwa Chukwuka for the second goal.

Madrid Open: Murray,

Nadal clash in semis

efending champion Andy Murray beat Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-2 to progress to the semifinals of the Madrid Open and set up a crunch tie against Rafael Nadal. The Scot produced arguably his best performance of the season to record a first win over the Czech on clay. Nadal also defeated Joao Sousa to qualify for the semis with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 victory.

he leadership crisis in Nigerian football is taking yet another frightening dimension. Club owner, Chris Giwa, has thrown courtesy to the winds and has opted to do things his own way. He went as far as naming a dead referee for a league match. He comes out with statements to discredit the Amaju Pinnick board that is currently recognised by FIFA and the Nigerian government. This crisis has been on for over one month and the NFF handled international games, national league and some other administrative issues without Giwa in the picture, yet this man is hanging on with his rebel group plotting more ways to drag Nigerian football into the mud finally. Rangers were leading 1-0 in a league match in Jos when the fans of Giwa FC started throwing missiles into the pitch and directing them at the assistant referee. The League Management Company ruled that the remaining 16 minutes should be completed in Abuja while the Jos team was banished to Ilorin due the bad behaviour of the fans. This is not a strange decision. Giwa FC is not the first club to be banished especially as it was clearly established that there was fracas on match day. Giwa FC acting on the instruction of the owner did not honour the match in Abuja with Rangers already present at the FCT. Of course, the match was awarded to the Flying Antelopes. Another match between Giwa and Wikki was billed for Ilorin in accordance with the ruling of the LMC but again, the Jos-based team failed to file out in Ilorin, rather the team stayed in Jos expecting Wikki. I spoke to the officials of the LMC and it was confirmed that Giwa FC were duly notified about the decision of the league body to banish the team to Ilorin. For two consecutive games, Giwa has failed to file out for matches. According to LMC rules, failure to file out for three games in a season will lead to the expulsion of such teams. LMC’s Article 13.28 states: “If a Club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the League season without an acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and un-played match shall be cancelled.” This means Giwa cannot afford to miss any game till the end of the season. Gbenga Odubote, coach of the team is not happy with the development and the players too are aggrieved that they are being used as a political tool to fight the entire system. The club is facing a ban now and if that happens, the life of workforce is affected. The players and the coaching crew will be jobless. Giwa should understand the effect of his actions. There should be decorum in any system. He is fighting to become the President of the NFF and the matter is in court, why bring in the club issue to further heat up the polity? Giwa FC is a professional outfit that should surrender to the status of the LMC. Chris Giwa is not bigger than the NFF, LMC and Nigeria; he has to comply with the rules and regulations of the game. It is really sad that someone who is aspiring to run the game is not ready to abide with the rules that govern the sport. Sport Minister, Solomon Dalung, has been accused of supporting Giwa. He has come out to deny it but Giwa is still disrupting the entire system. Somebody will have to call this Giwa man to order and if not the big hammer of the law should not only fall on him but his football team. My worry is the number of people who are currently earning their daily bread with Giwa FC. Enough is enough of sentiments in the administration of the game. Any individual or team that runs foul of the law should be decisively dealt with to serve as deterrence to others. If Wiiki can travel from Bauchi, near Jos, for a league match in Ilorin, why can’t Giwa do the same? Only yesterday, Giwa went to the NFF to ignite the crisis further and he was arrested by the police. Time is ripe to end this football drama. Giwa is not bigger than Nigeria, no matter those behind him. As I wrote in the past, I do not know where Giwa derives his powers from but Dalung should call his Jos brother to order if not, President Muhammadu Buhari should step in to save the beautiful game.

SATURDAY, 7 MAY 2016

DESTINATION Destination Nigeria: National Summit on Culture and Tourism to p.42 the rescue

SATURDAY - QUOTE OF THE DAY -

You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality - Ayn Rand

Sanctity of Truth

N150

PERSPECTIVE Armed Fulani herdsmen and the harmless ones

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d e d n u o W o r e u Ag n o s p o o sw rs e n n u G : s r a t s s le g a E e g a n e e …as t h s la c i b o Iw , o h c a n a e Ih

Adekunle Salami anchester City had their best run in the UEFA Champions League with a semifinal appearance this season. The team under Manuel Pellegrini only took a bow on Wednesday at the Bernabeu after losing 1-0 to Real Madrid. Argentine Striker Sergio Aguero has been vital to the achievement of the team this term and this weekend, he will lead the attack of the team seeking another UEFA Champions League ticket for next season. With 23 league goals so far this season, no one will doubt the potency of Aguero in front of goal. He is second on the goals chart behind Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who has recorded 25 goals. Arsenal are the visitors to the Ethiad Stadium on Sunday against a wounded Man City team. Pellegrini will bank on the Argentine forward to grab the three points and boost their chances of finishing in Top Four. Aguero will be all out for a win in this encounter because he needs more goals to battle Kane for the highest scorers’ award and to also help his team overtake Arsenal on the ladder. With 64 points and a better goal difference, City need only a win to move to the third position. Arsenal currently have 67 points. Meanwhile, two Nigerian teenagers will play against one another in this encounter. Alex Iwobi will be in Arsenal’s colours against Kelechi Iheanacho, who is having a great season with City. Last weekend, Iheanacho scored two goals in the 4-2 defeat suffered against Southampton. Pellegrini has so much fate in the Nigerian who has scored seven EPL goals and 13 in all competitions. “Iheanacho is a very talented player. He has a bright future,” Pellegrini said. If Iheanacho did not start this match, he is expected to come in at some point to boost the team’s chances of getting a win against a team that had upper hand against them in the past two seasons. The Arsene Wenger team is yet to lose to City after the 6-3 defeat at Etihad on December 14, 2013.

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