Saturday, october 8, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

Showbiz

News

BIZARRE!

Sade Adu's daughter becomes a man

ALLEGED $15.5M FRAUD

Court upholds guilty plea of firms linked to Patience Jonathan

l Singer yet to react

Pg. 22

Pg. 6

SATURDAY Saturday, October 8, 2016

Pg. 7

Sanctity of Truth

Vol. 3 No. 962

/newtelegraph

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

YORUBAS SHOULD DEFEND TINUBU â&#x20AC;&#x201C;FAYOSE PAGE 5

l Opadokun, Adebanjo, Gani Adams, Osun keep mum l Your allegations reckless, false, Odigie-Oyegun repliesTinubu lAmaechi, Fashola, Fayemi back APC national chairman ALLEGED MTN N500M BRIBE

Buhari's Chief of Staff writes EFCC, ICPC Pg. 4

El-Rufai bans Shi'ite group in Kaduna Pg. 3

Pg. 19

Coronation of new Oba of Benin begins Pg. 8

BAYRAY McNWIZU

Pg. 5

I can't hide it when in love Pg. 19

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Comment

Road as death trap

he terrible states of Nigerian roads in recent times should become a major concern to the Federal Government, not only for the fact majority of Nigerians engage in road travel for business and other purposes, but also due to the nexus between the roads and their livelihood. Granted, a number of Nigerian road are fairly mortorable, especially the OreBenin Expressway, the Benin-Asaba, and Onitsha-Owerri Road. Also the AbujaKaduna Road, the Kaduna-Kano and a handful of others in the North. But scores of the roads around the country have become practically impassable death traps because of their embarrassing state of disrepair, causing, in their wake, loss of man hours, damage to vehicles, loss of lives as well as destruction of badly needed agricultural produce in transit in the excess of billion of naira annually. If the number of truck loads of foodstuffs stuck in mired roads is anything to go by, one can imagine the magnitude of the loss suffered by peasant farmers who are in dire needs of the anticipated proceed of sale to train their children. In the same vein, for upwards three months now, the quintessential Lagos -Ibadan Expressway has been under repairs - with unprecedented daily traffic logjam. Worse still, the repairs have come with the closure of some portions of the road, especially on the Long Bridge, leading to some diversions and attendant loss of man hours, stress and damage on vehicles. Since then, it has been a daily diet of horrible vehicular traffic, running into scores of kilometers, where vehicles snake through and several potholes on the road. Whereas it has been a regular incident of traffic jam on both sections of the roadinward and outward Lagos, the gridlock comes with unprecedented violation of traffic laws as many vehicles, especially commercial ones, drive against the traffic at neck-breaking speed. Of sad particular interest is that the current repairs of the Long Bridge terminating at the Warewa end of the Lagos-Ibadan Road, has split into two, while Julius Berger Plc nimble at the repairs without any hope of early completion. Atop the bridge, dozens of cars overheat, break down and suffer terrible damage daily, besides the fact that hoodlums and robbers who emerged from nowhere to attack vehicle owners, who are forced to crawl in the traffic. Three weeks ago, it was a sorry situation as motorists and commuters spent more than 72 hours on the road to their

various destinations. That was when the monthly Friday and Saturday monthly services of some religious organisations culminated in a three-day gridlock with its attendant human and material losses. One noteworthy occurrence on the road is the millipede pace of work by the two contractors, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Reynoids Construction Company who won the contract for the expansion and repairs of the Sagamu-Ibadan end of the busy road. If the justification for the repairs of the bridge is worrisome since it shows no physical evidence of structural deficiency, the manner the contractors nimble at the contract, the observable lackluster disposition are highly contemptuous, indicative of poor commitment. Besides the fact that potholes have taken over many parts of the road, erosion, occasioned by indiscriminate building pattern, especially at the auditorium end of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, is another major issue. While the church area has no drainage system, a major chunk companies and private homes adjacent to the church are sitting on a canal area, thereby blocking water flow. After every downpour, the expressway is reduced to a single lane; with attendant grueling traffic outward Lagos, dragging as far as the old toll gate at the Ketu end in Lagos. While one sympathizes with the government over paucity of funds, it goes without saying that a major cause of the problem is lack of foresight, poor road maintenance culture and failure of relevant government agencies to monitor the roads and carry out periodic repairs. Whereas every road has a lifespan as done in many advanced economies, Nigerian government official who often travel there and are familiar with their maintenance culture, they have either failed to cultivate and sustain appropriate maintenance culture, or are constrained by government’s ineptitude. Nigerians have had enough of government’s penchant for buck-passing and frequent allusion to the past as justification for the current state of our roads and other deprivations. The earlier government commence a clearly defined blueprint for rehabilitating and expanding the roads the better for the nation. In so far as infrastructural development has multiplier effects of all sectors of the economy, the time is now for the disbursement of N350billion promised the sector. Hopefully, this will grant Nigerians and indeed all road users safe, quick and easy road travel.

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

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani (Leave of Absence)

Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor n Vincent Eboigbe

Contents | 08.10.16

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam News Editor, Saturday n Ndubuisi Ugah

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Arts & Creatives n Ugochukwu Nnakwe Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

Dazzle in peach

INSTYLE

It doesn’t have to be a little black dress before it can be classy; peach is trending these days and the colour is elegantly amazing and sight friendly. Whether it’s just for a date or an evening party, a peach dress can be a lovely statement. What’s fun about this colour is that it can be worn as a neutral or as a bold, bright colour

}15

Mystyle

Blackpearl and Acik’s style Diana Tambe Blackpearl is the founder of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam (a company helping fashion designers to showcase their creativity and talent on a global stage). The Amsterdambased fashion designer and Aydin Acik, Production Director of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam, speak on their mission in Nigeria.

}17

Interiors

Astonishing minimalist living room Do you know your living room will surely look light and calming if you use minimal furniture and accessories? Minimalism is essentially the art of being able to comfortably, conveniently and aesthetically live with less. It is not about adding intricacies, it is about taking away layers. There are lots of stunning minimalist modern living room designs that will inspire you to try it

}18

SHOWBIZ

Bayray’s rising star From the stunning young woman that won the 3rd edition of the Amstel Malta Box Office in 2007 and who went to dazzle in her first movie Cindy’s Notes, Bayray McNwizu has become a notable Nollywood actress who keeps getting better. She dwells on her career, life, love and more

}19

SPORT

Onazi’s battle cry Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, is unhappy that the national team failed to qualify for the African Nations Cup next year and he is looking to make amends with the World Cup qualifiers that get underway in Zambia tomorrow. He also speaks about the robbery attack on his father, his philanthropy, wife and the much more

}27

THE ARTS

Odugbemi’s alternative strategy In a country that is in a moment of all kinds of transitions; a country in which decadence, corruption, and acts of dehumanisation thrive and are allowed to thrive, the only possible to get rid of all these instruments of agonies and pain is the search for an alternative strategy and that is what Odugbemi seeks to provide

}37

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

NEWS FOR US?

News

Call: 08099400228, 08033617741

Biafra: DSS’ charges against Kanu frivolous –IPOB Charles Onyekwere

T ENUGU

he leadership of a pro-Biafra group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has made public the charges brought against its detained leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. In x-raying the charges preferred against Kanu, IPOB noted that the charges were not only frivolous but completely out of place. In a statement signed by its spokesmen, Emma Mmezu and Clifford Iroanya respectively, the group claimed that the charges were frivolous. The statement reads: “The third and last frivolous charge brought against the leader of the IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) bothers on the importation of equipment into Nigeria. “That you, Nnamdi Kanu, between the months of March and April, 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of

this honourable court, a radio transmitter known as TRAM 5OL concealed in a container which you described as containing household items, which you so declared and that, you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 47(2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act. “Now, we publish verbatim, the referenced section-47 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CAP C45 L.F.N. 2004). “CAP C45 L.F.N. 2004: CUSTOMS AND EXCISE MANAGEMENT ACT (Part III Section-47): 47. Penalty for improper importation of goods, etc. “(1) If any person (a) lands, or unloads in Nigeria, or removes from their place of importation or from any approved wharf, examination station, customs station or customs area (i) any goods chargeable with a duty which has not been paid; or (ii)any goods imported contrary to any prohibition; or (b)assists or is otherwise concerned in such landing, unloading or removal; or"(c) imports

Presidency denies stopping Jonathan’s allowances Ndubuisi Ugah

with agency reports

he Presidency yesterday denied allegation that allowances due to former President Goodluck Jonathan have been stopped. The Presidency’s spokesperson, Shehu Garba, said the allegation was patently untrue, according to an online news portal, Per Second News. Commercial activities were on Thursday crippled in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital as hundreds of Ijaw youths blocked the Sanni Abacha expressway, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to protest alleged constant harassment of the former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, by the EFCC. They displayed Ijaw flags and placards with inscriptions such as “Leave Patience Jonathan alone”, “LNG must be bought by Bonny people”, “If you must probe, all First Ladies must be probed”, “We need projects not soldiers”, “unfreeze Jonathan’s account”, among others. “We have confirmed with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) that the former President Goodluck Jonathan, and the other past leaders were paid their allowances up to the second quarter,” he said. He also said though

the past leaders have not been paid third quarter allowances but will get their dues when remittances are received by the SGF. Garba, also denied the story of Goodluck Jonathan's bank account closure, saying it was false. “It is not known to the investigation agencies. The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President is not aware of this bank account closure. The DG of the Department of State Services (DSS) is unaware of it, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is unaware and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is not in the know. “With all of these agencies not being involved, how then could a thing like that happen? In a dream perhaps! To put it starkly, we believe there is a clear motive for the demonstration that is different from that which was being canvassed,” he noted further.

or is concerned in importing any goods contrary to any prohibition whether or not the goods are landed or unloaded,then, if he does so with intent to evade any such duty or any prohibition,he shall be sentenced to imprisonment for five years without the option of a fine. “(2) If any person (a) imports or causes to be imported any goods concealed in a container holding goods of a different description; or (b) directly or indirectly imports or causes to be

imported or entered any goods found, whether before or after delivery, not to correspond with the entry delivered thereof, he shall be sentenced to imprisonment for five years without the option of a fine. Having cited the charges and the accompanying laws, IPOB explained that the charges “(1) That Kanu imported an item into Nigeria between the months of March and April in the year 2015. “(2) That the item imported is a radio transmitter called TRAM 5OL.

offence as described in section-47(2a). “(7) That Nnamdi Kanu should be punished for the offence which carries a prison term of five years without the option of fine. “Please note that on the charge-sheet, the prosecution will be based specifically on section-47(2a) only and the DSS agents are very sure that the item was “imported or caused to be imported”. “We shall ask questions in the concluding part of this enlightenment series on the frivolous charges,” the statement explains. L-R: Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’azzez Yari; Chief Imam of Masjid Nabawy Madinah, Sheik Abdul-Mahsin Ibn Muhammad Al-Kasimy; President Muhammadu Buhari and Sheik Majeed Bn Muhammed Algahtamy, during AlKasimy's visit to the President at the State House, Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

NLC pickets expatriate firm over workers’ sack Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

s part of measures to buttress the essence of decent work day, observed annually every October 7th,leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday mobilised over 2,000 of its members to picket an expatriate construction firm in Abuja. The firm, Artco Industries Limited, allegedly owned by a Lebanese is said to be notorious for anti-labour practices, especially laying off staff arbitrarily. The NLC in observing this year’s edition of the 'World Decent Work Day', lamented the poor working condition of some employees across the federation. The day is set aside by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to examine the plight of workers all over the

lMinimum wage no longer feasible –Wabba world with a view to canvassing issues that promote decent work environment. The theme for this year celebration is: “End Corporate Greed.” NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who led the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood (NUCECFW) workers on the picketing exercise bemoaned the situation where employers lay off staff members without regard to the principle of collective bargaining agreement. Wabba alleged that Artco flouted the Industrial Arbitration Panel which had earlier ordered it to recall the 128 sacked workers, describing the company's action as an affront on Nigeria's laws. He berated the company for muzzling the workers' rights to decent work envi-

El-Rufai bans Shi'ite group in Kaduna K aduna State Government has issued an order declaring the Shi'ite Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), as an unlawful society. The government said the action was taken to preserve peace and security in the state, and to ensure that all persons and organisations are guided by lawful

“(3) That Nnamdi Kanu kept the item (radio transmitter called TRAM 5OL) at Ubulusiuzor town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. “(4) That the item (radio transmitter called TRAM 5OL) was concealed in a container and that Nnamdi Kanu described that container as containing household items. “(5) That Nnamdi Kanu declared the container as containing household items. “(6) That by declaring the item falsely, Nnamdi Kanu has committed an

conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and its constitution. “The Kaduna state executive council approved the making of this order following deliberations at its meeting of Thursday, 06 October 2016,” Samuel Aruwan, a spokesperson for the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, said in

a statement yesterday. The announcement occurs several months after over 300 members of the Shiite group were killed by soldiers who accused them of blocking a road and plotting to kill the army chief. The IMN denied the charges and said it was mainly targeted in an extra-judicial killing.

ronment. “By the company's refusal to heed the ruling of the IAP, they have tried to undermine our laws. Under the Nigerian laws, no expatriate has the right to enslave workers. Workers are working here under harsh condition. Many have died, many are sick. “This should not be allowed to continue. Corporations in Nigeria must operate under the confines of our laws. If the Ministry of Labour has intervened and IAP, which has the statutory powers to intervene has intervened, I don't see why those laws and pronouncement are not obeyed,” he stated. He demanded that the ruling of the arbitration panel be respected and all entitlements due to the sacked workers be paid to them. According to him, NLC members would continue to occupy the company until it respects the laws of the land. Speaking on the import of the World Decent Work Day celebration, Wabba noted that the day was carved out by the ILO to draw attention of corporations across the world to issue of decent work environment. He stressed that, the working condition of the Ni-

gerian workers in particular, was pathetic. “We demand, as we match for the 2016 World Decent Work Day, that a labourer, a pensioner deserves his wages. There must be dignity in labour. Let us collectively end corporate greed, let there be enough so that there will be shared posterity. Wabba equally used the protest to restate calls for the review of the minimum wage, insisting that N18,000 minimum wage to workers was no longer visible in the face of the current economic realities. As part of the strategies to ensure redistribution of wealth, he advocated for the entrenchment of tax justice system in which corporation and individual would pay tax according to the law of the land. He said: “The N18,000 minimum wage as of today is less than $38; it can no longer take us home. Because of corporate greed, our workers have been subjected to serious dehumanisation. “Our political elite must end corporate greed, corporation around the world must end cooperate greed. There must be shared posterity. Equality between thehave and the have-not must continue to drive our process of development.”

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

MTN N500m bribe: Buhari's Chief of Staff writes EFCC, ICPC

Our Correspondent ndications have emerged that the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations that he received N500million bribe to influence reduction of the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on the South African owned Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN). The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

had imposed the N1.04 trillion fine on MTN in October 2015 after the operator failed to disconnect about 5.1million subscribers it registered improperly on its network. In a twist of events, the fine against MTN was last year reduced to N330billion allowing the operator to make staggered payment till May 31, 2019. By the terms of the agreement, MTN is expected to pay N30billion to the NCC 30 days from the date the agreement was entered into on June 10, 2016. MTN is also expected to pay N30billion to the NCC on March 31, 2017 and another N30billion on March 31, 2018.

It is also to pay additional N55billion on December 31, 2018 and a balance of N55billion is expected to be paid on March 31, 2019. Media reports, however, indicate that Abba Kyari may have allegedly played a key role in influencing the reduction of the fine and its staggered payment after receiving a bribe of N500million. A competent presidency source confirmed to one of our correspondents yesterday that Kyari who is disturbed over the bribery allegation has vowed to take every step in order to exonerate himself. President Buhari is said

to have received concrete evidence against Kyari over the bribery case. The presidency source told Saturday Telegraph that the Chief of Staff has also written to MTN detailing what he knows about the fine imposed against the telecommunication firm while raising concerns if his indictment may have come from the operator. “Chief has actually written to these organisations and the idea is to clear his name,” the source noted. But, the management of MTN has since denied it paid bribe for the reduction of the N1.04trillion fine slammed against it by the NCC.

PPA dissolves Abia EXCO

n a bid to reposition the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in Abia state, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has dissolved its executive committee in the state. The party in a letter signed by its National Secretary, Kehinde Edun, and addressed to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noted that it took the action pursuant to Article 10 (D) (iii) of the party’s constitution. “This action became compelling because of the need to reposition the party for better electoral fortunes”, the letter reads. Subsequently, the party’s NWC approved a five-man caretaker committee to take charge

pending the next state congress, when a new EXCO might be put in place. The members of the caretaker committee include, Perfect Okorie as chairman, Innocent Ekeke as Secretary, and Hon. Ukoro as the Deputy Chairman, North. Others are Onyeanula Igbokwe, who is to act as the Deputy Chairman, Central, and Hon. Prince Emeka Nwaokocha as the Deputy Chairman, South. The party’s scribe also notified the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Abia State, the state Commissioner of Police, Director of State Services and the state Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) of its action.

IMF members commit $340bn to maintain Fund’s lending capacity Tony Chukwunyem

wenty-five members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have committed a total of Special Drawing Right (SDR) 243 billion ($340 billion) in bilateral borrowed resources with maximum terms through end-2020. Commenting on the de-

velopment, IMF Managing Director, Ms. Christine Lagarde, said: “These commitments will preserve the overall lending capacity of the IMF and provide confidence that the Fund will continue to address the needs of our membership. “I am heartened that so many countries have already made a commitment,

and I would encourage others to join this important international cooperative effort.” In a statement, the IMF said access to the bilateral borrowing will be governed by a new framework approved by its Executive Board in August 2016 that will replace the framework agreed in 2012 when, in re-

sponse to the global financial crisis, the membership decided to supplement the Fund’s resources through bilateral borrowing agreements. “There are currently 35 agreements with creditors under the 2012 Borrowing Agreements for a total of SDR 282 billion or $393 billion. These agreements, set to expire starting October

12, have not been drawn but have played a critical role as a third line of defense, after quotas and the New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB), in providing assurance to members and markets that the IMF has adequate resources to meet potential needs. “The new framework retains key modalities of the existing borrowing frame-

work and includes a new multilateral voting structure that gives creditors a formal say in any future activation of the bilateral borrowing agreements. The new agreements will have a common maximum term of end-2020, with an initial term to end2019 extendable for a further year with creditors’ consents,” the statement added.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Yorubas should defend Tinubu –Fayose

Ndubuisi Ugah, Temitope Ogunbanke, Johnchuks Onuanyim and Sulaiman Salawudeen

fellow kinsman’s support yesterday came the way of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, when the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, put up a spirited defence for the former Lagos State governor over the crisis rocking the party. Specifically, Fayose said it was “totally unacceptable” for anybody to look down on Tinubu, whose contributions to the development of the country cannot be overemphasised. Fayose, who spoke on the sidelines of series of attacks and last Tuesday’s sponsored protest against the APC leader at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said: “Humiliation of Tinubu is as good as humiliation of the Yoruba race. “Yorubas should defend him instead of denying him.” Odigie-Oyegun fell out with Tinubu recently, with Tinubu demanded that the embattled national chairman should resign from his position. The APC leader had faulted Odigie-Oyegun in a statement he issued recently for overruling the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) that upheld the decision of the Appeal Committee chaired by Mrs. Helen Bendega, which recommended the cancellation of the primary. But Fayose’s spirited defence, however, came on a day the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Ofigie-Oyegun, formally responded to Tinubu’s allegations of collecting bribe for the Ondo State governorship primaries and subverting the wishes of Ondo people as false and reckless. As if the defence was shortlived, some prominent Yoruba leaders, who spoke with our reporters rather than rally round their fellow South-West kinsmen decided to “keep mum” on the issue, which many viewed as an “unholy development” for the Yorubas. In their comments, elder statesmen-ChiefAyo Opadokun; ChiefAyoAdebanjo; the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams and the spokesperson for pan-Yoruba group,Afenifere, Mr. Wale Osun, declined to speak on the issue. On his part, Adams in an SMS, said: “No comment”, a line of thought which Opadokun and Osun also re-echoed while Adebanjo clarified that what Fayose did was what he had already done years back on the need for Yorubas to respect their leaders. In the same vein, it was gathered that three cabinet members in President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration have thrown their weight behind OdigieOyegun. Fayose’s position on Yoruba leaders… Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose, said: “Even though I am not a member of APC and I will never be, I have elected to stand in defence of the Yoruba

lOpadokun, Adebanjo, Gani Adams keep mum lOdigie-Oyegun to Tinubu: Your allegations reckless, false lAmaechi, Fashola, Fayemi back APC national chair

nation once again by saying no to the continuous dishonourable treatment being meted to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, having paid his dues.” The governor said: “If Tinubu is allowed to be embarrassed and disgraced just the way our past leaders were humiliated by these same elements, the Yoruba nation would have been made to suffer for uprightness. “It is unfortunate that Tinubu is now being vilified in a party he invested heavily in and his fellow kinsmen that he brought up politically are part of this conspiracy. “In their desperation, they have even tried to set him against Vice –President Yemi Osinbajo by insinuating that tried to prevent his (Osinbajo) emergence as President Mohammadu Buhari’s running mate, this is sad!” He lamented that, “when other tribes protect own, it is becoming historically common among the Yorubas to allow themselves to be used against their leaders just for momentary political gains at the expense of the collective interests of the Yoruba nation. “It should be noted that late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was sent to jail by the conspiracy and collaboration of some Yorubas with the external aggressors.” Fayose said: “Tinubu is a prominent stakeholder, we should not sit back and watch while those he used his own sweat to make conspired with others to humiliate him. “Most importantly, it is my position that irrespective of political affiliation, no leader of the Yoruba nation must be vilified unduly, especially by the same people who humiliated our past leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Adekunle Ajasin, Bola Ige, Bisi Onabanjo, Lateef Jakande and others. “To me, Tinubu should not be seen just as an APC leader, but acknowledged as a major stakeholder in the Yoruba nation that we must all protect beyond politics. “It should be recalled that these were among the issues that I raised when I visited Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State few months ago on the need to work together beyond party affiliations. “Here in Yorubaland, it is said that if a household is at

peace, it is because the bastard child of the family is yet to attain the age of maturity and those people that Asiwaju Tinubu made, but are now being used against him should watch it. “I, therefore, condemn this conspiracy against Tinubu and I admonish those that are hoping to make political benefits from it to have a rethink.” The governor, who called for greater unity among the Yorubas, added that: “We are first Yorubas before becoming members of political parties, it is my opinion that our leaders must be defended and protected not-minding the personal gains of today.”

Odigie-Oyegun to Tinubu: Your allegations reckless, false However, Odigie-Oyegun in his response statement based on the allegations that he collected bribe for the Ondo State governorship primaries and subverting the wishes of Ondo people, said the allegations were false and reckless. The statement which he personal signed and titled: “The facts - 2016 Ondo State APC governorship election primaries”, said: “Recently, the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu falsely and recklessly accused me of corruption, rigging the outcome of the 2016 Ondo State APC governorship election primaries and overruling the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) “vote” on the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report.” He noted that: “In view of the misinformation and false reports that have been fed to the media and that have pervaded the public space, there was need to set the records straight. "The Ondo State approved delegates list was compiled in strict compliance with the Party’s constitution. Only qualified delegates were included in the list. Moreso, none of the aspirants or the Appeal Committee has submitted to NWC a list of delegates who were not qualified to be included in the delegates list but were listed as delegates or presumed qualified delegates who were not included in the delegates list used for the Primary.

“The allegation is high fiction and an insult to the intelligence and sensibility of the respected NWC members present at the meeting. We do not and have never engaged in prayer interludes/sessions outside the usual opening and closing prayers. The prayer that is being referred to must be the closing prayer for the meeting. “This reckless and baseless corruption allegation levelled against me is unfortunate and an insult to my person and my hard-earned reputation which I have strongly maintained. Nobody has the kind of money that can buy my conscience or make me do injury to an innocent man. In all the primaries conducted under my watch as National Chairman, I have strived to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible process. The 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election was not an exception. There must be internal democracy in the party and our constitution must be respected by all. “The party’s NWC decision to reject the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report was taken on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in executive session after careful and exhaustive deliberations. The minutes and rejection were confirmed by the NWC on Thursday, September 22, 2016. “The issue of fresh primaries did not arise as NWC had already rejected the Appeal Committee’s report in view of the stated flaws and upheld the election. In any case, any fresh primary was already time barred. By the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all governorship primaries and issues related ended on September 19, 2016. “Also, voting on the issue became unnecessary and never took place in view of the NWC’s rejection of the Appeal Committee’s report. “The foregoing are facts backed by the minutes approved by all NWC members that attended the meetings held in respect of 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report. “It needs to be stated categorically that the NWC is

confident that the Chairman of the Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, H.E. Abubakar Badaru, Executive Governor of Jigawa State conducted a credible and exemplary exercise. We indeed commend the governor and his team for their transparency and the free and fair manner the primaries was conducted. “The party has already commenced wide consultations with stakeholders with a view to resolving the political differences that still exist. Hurling brickbats cannot help the cause of the party in any way. “The APC national leadership remains united and solidly committed to the task of winning the Ondo state governorship election to save the people of the state from the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

Amaechi, Fashola, Fayemi back Odigie-Oyegun The simmering feud threatening the leadership of the ruling APC assumed a frightening dimension as feelers emerged that the backing followed Odigie-Oyegun’s recent ‘face-off’ with Tinubu. But sources in the know hinted this newspaper that the move by the ‘three egg-heads’ may not be unconnected with alleged subterranean manoeuvrings to frustrate Tinubu out of the party as it was also learnt that the ‘backing’ was in furtherance to the suppressed war in the party, which had split the it into four major platforms. Impeccable sources revealed that the move by the trio of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; his Power, Works and Housing counterpart, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was to shore up support for the APC national chairman. A source, who craved anonymity, told this newspaper last night that: “I can tell you that the crisis in the ruling APC is getting more and more interesting by the day. If you recall, Tinubu recently asked Odigie-Oyegun to resign his position. This action has not gone down well with the bigwigs and politicians

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, after they were discharged by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Jabi, Abuja … yesterday.

who understand the internal wrangling in the party. “As I speak to you now, three key ministers in the cabinet are backing OdigieOyegun and as you are aware, these three members are well known. One is from the SouthSouth, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one was his former ally from the South-West and the other is holding three key ministries under the current dispensation. “So, like you can see, the unfolding scenario is gradually becoming more interesting. Who knows where this may lead the party to in the days to come and in the build up to 2019 elections. Although the Tinubu camp is not relenting, stakeholders are beginning to see the hand writing on the wall.” The source, who also could not clarify if the ‘backing’ was likely to cause a major upset in the party’s calculations ahead of the 2019 elections, said: “I cannot say where this may lead us but I can tell you that this is a major setback for the party, particularly at a time when the government in power is ‘struggling’ to justify its impact in governance. “Again, this ‘cold war’ shows that Tinubu’s move to ‘resurrect’ the Alliance for Democracy (AD) is becoming a reality even though there are a couple of denials here and there but the truth still remains that all is not well within the ruling party and I can conveniently tell you this.” However, effort to get Fashola and Fayemi’s media aides, Messrs Hakeem Bello and Yinka Oyebode, respectively to react to the assertions proved abortive as at the time of filing this report. In the same vein, a media aide to Amaechi, Mr. David Iyofor, was also extended similarly courtesy but his line was switched off.

Tinubu was used, dumped, says PDP Chairman of the PDP in Lagos State, Mr. Moshood Salvador, has said that Tinubu was used and dumped in the APC. He said the current crisis in the party was an opportunity for Tinubu to prove his sagacity as a well-respected politician, adding that the development would affect the chance of the APC in Ondo State elections. “Tinubu is somebody we believe is so smart and strategic, he is a tactician. But, in APC, he didn’t know that he was used and dumped. They kept him outside the party, not within the party, and I was so surprised to see him staying outside the party and be feeling comfortable. “How can you fight inside the party when you are outside? So, he cannot remove Odigie-Oyegun because he remains outside. What is the meaning of party leader, our national leader?” Salvador said removing Odigie-Oyegun might be a hard nut to crack for Tinubu because he seemed to have lost grip of party’s structures in some states. He said: “As long as Odigie-Oyegun is still with Buhari, there is nothing he (Tinubu) can do. It is laughable to call for his (Oyegun) resignation.”

News

Akeem Nafiu ustice Babs Kuewumi of a Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed an application by Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan and one of his co-accused in an alleged $15.5 million fraud, Amajuoyi Azubuike Briggs, seeking to reverse the plea guilty entered into by four firms who were charged with them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge in a ruling yesterday on the applications noted that the same issues were being canvassed by the accused persons at the Court of Appeal. He said: “Sections 477 and 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 has been made an issue before the Court of Appeal and it is improper for me to continue to sit on the issue.” The two applications were subsequently dismissed for being an abuse of court's process while November 2 was fixed as the date for further hearing of the matter. The firms; Pluto Property and Investment Company

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Alleged $15.5m fraud: Court upholds guilty plea of firms linked to Patience Jonathan

Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company, pleaded guilty through their representatives. They were represented by Friday Davies, Agbor Baro, Dioghowori Frederick and Taiwo Ebenezer respectively. Dissatisfied, Dudafa and Briggs lodged an appeal against the propriety of the court to accept the guilty plea of the representatives without any letter from the companies authorising them to do so as specified in Section 477 of the ACJA 2015. They also filed separate applications at the lower court seeking to reverse the guilty plea of the companies’ representatives. Moving his application, Dudafa's lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, submitted that the application which was filed pursuant to Sections 274, 396,

477 and 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 is seeking for an order setting aside the guilty plea of the representatives of the four firms for being a breach of judicial process. He said the guilty plea is an abuse of the court process owing to the pendency of a suit filed by Mrs. Patience Jonathan, against the EFCC, Dudafa, the four firms and Skye bank, wherein she was laying claim to the ownership of the sum of $15.5 million, which the anti-graft agency claimed was laundered.

“The EFCC should have taken care of the issue of the person laying claim to the money before foisting a guilty plea on the court,” he said. Oyewole further posited that one of the firms' representatives, Taiwo Ebenezer, had also indicated in a statement that he has nothing to do with any firm, saying it was curious that the same person can now come to plead guilty to an offence committed by a company he knows nothing about. He maintained that he has a duty to file the applica-

tion because it is a joint trial and that the guilty plea will definitely affect other defendants negatively. He observed further that Section 274(2) of the ACJA empowers the court not to proceed with any review of facts in any case when it is satisfied that there are sufficient reasons to the contrary. In his own submissions, Briggs' lawyer, Tochukwu Onyiuke, said the guilty plea of the four firms is in violation of the rules and has robbed negatively on the case of his client. He noted further that al-

lowing the representatives to plead guilty to the offences on behalf of the firms without any letter authorising them to do so amounts to a breach of Section 477 of the ACJA. In his response, EFCC's lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the two applications are akin to a beautiful edifice without foundation. “There was no basis for the applications. The firms never raised any objection that they were never served with copies of the charge and as such there should be no issue regarding their pleas.''

Police rescue two girls from kidnappers in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

iger State Police Command has rescued two school girls kidnapped by gun men in Rijau area of the state during the week by men of the underworld. The girls, Serah Danjuma and Martha Daniels, were kidnapped from their Government Vocational School at 3.20am on Wednesday by their captors after gaining entry into the school compound through a broken fence. It was learnt that the girls were taken into the “Rijau forests” by the kidnappers but a distress call made to the anti kidnapping team of the police in the area “gave the kidnappers a hot chase.” In a gun battle that reportedly lasted for about two hours between the police and the kidnappers the gunmen were said to have been overpowered by the superior fire power of the police. Saturday Telegraph learnt that the kidnappers ran deeper into the forest with gunshot wounds abandoning the kidnapped girls in the process. Confirming the rescue of the girls, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, told our correspondent that "our men are still in the forest looking for the kidnappers.” Elkana said the girls

whose ages ranged between 15 and 16 were rescued not too far from their school and a little distance to Kebbi State, and have returned to the school to continue their academic pursuits. He advised the school authority to ensure that the part of the broken fence from where the kidnappers entered the school was repaired while also suggesting that proper fencing of all schools in the state should be constructed. “It will not be out of place if all schools install CCTV cameras to monitor movements in and out of the schools.”

The canoe passengers before and after the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) interecepted them…yesterday PHOTOS: Muritala Ayinla

LASWA intercepts 45 passengers without life jackets Muritala Ayinla

here was a mild drama yesterday at Sabokoji Jetty in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State when officials of the state Waterways Authority (LASWA), stopped about three commercial wooden canoes conveying about 45 passengers without life jackets and substandard

Plateau PDP takes Dariye to court over defection

Musa Pam Jos

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has challenged in court the defection of the Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, Senator Joshua Dariye, in the National Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Chairman of the state’s PDP, Mr. Damishi Sango, disclosed this yesterday during the inauguration of State Elders, Finance and Reconciliatory Committees of the party, at the party’s office in Jos. He said the party has also written Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to declare vacant, the seat of Dairye and urged Independent National Elec-

toral Commission (INEC) to fill the seat with PDP nominee. He insisted that it was criminal for Dariye to defect to APC with the mandate of PDP after betraying the trust and mandate of the people. “The party is not sleeping over his defection. We have written to the Senate President demanding that the Senate position of Plateau Central Senatorial District be declared vacant and INEC set a machinery to fill in the position by a PDP nominee. “If INEC and National Assembly refuse to act in accordance with section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution, we will challenge that in court for interpretation. In fact, as we are talking now, the case has been filed to compel Dariye to vacate the PDP seat.”

life vests. But for the quick intervention of the LASWA Managing Director Bisola Kamson, who insisted that no canoe must move until the passengers put on the standard safety vests, many of the passengers had boarded the canoes without life jackets. This was even as Saturday Telegraph gathered that hundreds of passengers and waterways users in the state are yet to comply with the simple rule of wearing the safety life jacket while on water. Among some of the people Saturday Telegraph yesterday observed commuting on the Lagos water body without life jackets

were senior police officer, fishermen, traders and recalcitrant operators. Kamson and the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Ferry Service, Kalejaiye Paul, with other officials of the agencies ordered the passengers at Sabokoji to disembark from the canoes and distributed new life jackets to them before embarking on the journey. Speaking before the distribution of the jackets numbering about 200 to passengers, and operators, Kamson said it was disappointing that passengers still travel on water without safety life jackets and substandard vests. According to her, wear-

ing of life jacket by passengers on water is as vital as seat belt to passengers in moving vehicles or aircraft. So, nobody must be on board without standard life jacket. Kamson, who confiscated all the substandard life jackets used by the operators and replaced with new ones said the regulatory agency would continue to ensure safety on the state waterways through periodic sensitisation and removal of substandard vests in the circulation. “Some of the operators want the passengers to enter the canoes before wearing the life jackets, but we won't accept that.''

Ugwuanyi swears in acting Chief Judge Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday swore in Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu, as acting Chief Judge of the state following the retirement of the former chief judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike. The new acting chief judge, Justice Emehelu, was sworn-in after an oath of

office administered by the state Solicitor-General, Victor Emeribe. The governor said Emehelu’s swearing-in is consistent with Section 271 (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. “If the office of the chief judge of a state is vacant, or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office... the governor of the state shall appoint the most senior judge of the high

court to perform those functions,” he said. Ugwuanyi further stated that he had received two letters recommending the former chief judge’s suspension and compulsory retirement from office. “Accordingly, Justice Ngozi Priscilla Emehelu, the most senior judge of the High Court of Enugu State, has been appointed and sworn-in as the acting chief judge of Enugu State,” Ugwuanyi noted.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

N8bn scam: Ex-banker bags 12 years

Ndubuisi Ugah former banker with Wema Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Ademola Oni, was on Thursday convicted and sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for conspiracy and money laundering by Justice Joyce Abudmalik of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State. The journey to prison started for Ademola when he was arraigned alongside six former officials of the CBN and fifteen others from different Commercial banks in an

alleged case of conspiracy and money laundering. The bankers allegedly conspired to steal and conceal mutilated and defaced local currency amounting to N8 billion from the CBN. Ademola, who was the 4th defendant in the matter, however, entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution, and pleaded guilty to an amended charge. A statement issued by the head, media and publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the court also ruled that he forfeits all his properties and cash in various banks as proceeds of crime.

Among properties forfeited by the convict are : an empty plot of land fenced with black gate located along the road beside Secam church, Providence Estate, Sango Eleyele Expressway, Ibadan; a Honda Accord Car, 2014 model, with registration number AGL 12 CX; another empty plot of land located at Alao Akala Estate, along Akubu Ojuirin, near Apostolic Church, Ikolaba, Ibadan; a storey building located at Aminu Olaniran Street, Ikolaba behind the Apostolic church, Ikolaba Assembly, Ikolaba, Ibadan; three acres of land at Okuna Village, Along Akufo Village, by Fumakson filling station, Ido Local

Government Area, Ibadan; an empty plot of land at No. 16 Awolowo Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan; a storey building located at No. 16 Awolowo Avenue, Old Badija, Ibadan and a borehole machine. He is also to forfeit several sums in bank accounts which include the sum of N43,259, 441.22 in a fixed deposit account with FCMB, N70,614.60 in the name of ‘De-City- Life enterprise with account No. 22749019 also domiciled with FCMB, another N7,189.22 in the name of Oni Iyabo Mary in the same bank and N966,788.81 in the First Bank account of Ezomal Ventures, among others.

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left) and the new acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu, after she was sworn in at Government House, Enugu…yesterday PHOTO: ENUGU GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Edo guber: Go to court, INEC tells PDP, Fayose Onyekachi Eze,

T ABUJA

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP to seek redress in court if it is not satisfied with the outcome of the September 28 governorship election in Edo State. INEC had declared Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of

the poll. He polled a total of 319, 483 votes to beat the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who got 253, 173 votes. But various organs of the PDP, including Edo State chapter, the National Caucus, the PDP National Assembly Caucus and the Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, picked hole with the conduct of the election. Fayose said the APC candidate couldn't have won the election without the assistance of INEC. "The power of the people to choose their governor

was upturned in Edo State. Unfortunately too, these elements have even murdered the rights of Nigerians to protest against the subversion of their will and it is now obvious that only the insistence of Nigerians can save democracy in the country," Fayose said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka. Ize-Iyamu also accused INEC of doctoring the result of the election to favour his opponent. But in an interview yesterday, the electoral body praised itself, and said PDP

should head to court if it thinks the election was manipulated. INEC Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Dick Dazang, said anybody who is not satisfied with the result of the poll should seek redress in court. "We did our job as we've always done. If they (PDP) are not satisfied they should go to court, that is the right thing to do. If you are not satisfied with something, the process allows you to go to court. That is what they should do. That's the advice we give people,” Dazang said.

Again, Lagos dislodges 200 shanties in Obalende Muritala Ayinla

etermined to rid Lagos off shanties and illegal structures, officials of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment have dislodged over 200 shanties and their occupants in Obalende area of the state. Saturday Telegraph learnt that the eviction of the shanties and their occupants took place across the streets and other nooks and crannies of the area. The state's Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, described the operation as part of his ministry's commitment to clean up the streets of Lagos, saying that the state's Ministry of the Environment would not relent to rid Lagos of illegal structures.

In the enforcement which started on Tuesday, over 100 shops illegally built were affected while shanties and make-shift businesses points situated illegally were alsoe cleared. The general clean-up exercise in the state tagged 'IBILE' kicked off last week in Magodo was expected to continue twice a week throughout the year. Despite yesterday's resistance from residents and shop owners at the site – St. Gregory Road and Obalende Road, the officials insisted that Obalende is a residential area and should be kept that way and will ensure all necessary measures are put in place to keep the illegal shop owners away. Adejare said: “Obalende is not a commercial area, it is a residential area and I don’t see why people should turn

underneath of Obalende Bridge into shops, building of shanties that harbour miscreants. The government of the day has given order that we should clear underneath the bridge, get rid of all the shanties which is the essence of what we did on Friday and today. The commissioner bemoaned some houses for converting their frontage into shops, saying that spaces converted to shops were initially designed as parking lots. He added: “The 'IBILE' Clean-up exercise which will continue to hold simultaneously across all five divisions of the state- Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe demonstrates that Lagos State shows zero tolerance towards non-compliance and disregard for environmental law and order.”

The commissioner, however, added that enforcement is always the last resort, saying a lot of advocacy was done before enforcement took place. “There were enlightenment programs to educate them, we also have them on radio and vehicles that go around. Enforcement is the last resort, we don’t want to do it but it is when we are forced to do it that we go out. So advocacy and enlightenment first, then enforcement the last resort” Displaced traders are advised to move to designated market places to ensure the environment is clear, clean and healthy for all. On residents flooded areas in Agiliti, the Commissioner said that serious and urgent step must be taking to forestall outbreak of epidemic in the area.

Entertainer, Jeyibo, dies in auto crash Muritala Ayinla

igerian entertainment yesterday lost one of his finest entertainment icons and Chairman Koga Entertainment, Christopher Jeyibo. Jeyibo lost his life in the early hours of yesterday after his Range Rover ran into a stationary trailer in the Mogodo axis of Lagos. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the tragic incident occurred around 1am. Saturday Telegraph gathered that until his sudden death, his firm , Koga Entertainment, which provided media and entertainment related services, is the parent company of Koga Studios, KogaXtra.TV, Koga Lounge, Koga Hall and KICL Clothing. His remains was deposited at Alausa Police Station by

the state government emergency agency while the accidented car was also towed by the LASEMA Towing Truck to Alausa Police Station for further investigation on the incident. This was even as the Lagos State recorded about 5 road crashes which injured several persons. None of them claimed a life except the Magodo crash which claimed the life of the entertainer. According to LASEMA General Manager, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, "The Agency received a distress call at about 1:00am via the toll free number regarding an accident involving a Range Rover Jeep with registration number number LND-240CG and a SCANIA container truck with registration number A24-104 at CMB road off Magodo Estate. This prompted the immediate activation of the Agency's ERT to the scene of the incident.

Foreign investors want naira at 370/$ Tony Chukwunyem

oreign investors have said that they would be more encouraged to facilitate inflows into Nigeria if the naira was officially devalued to N370 to the dollar. Speaking against the background of continued naira weakness, the investors told Bloomberg that the liberalised foreign exchange market launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on June 20 was yet to lead to exchange rate stability because the apex bank had not fully lifted its controls on the naira, a development, they said, was the main reason why they have largely stayed away from the market. The resultant lack of liquidity in the market has worsened the scarcity of

forex in the system. Most local businesses and Nigerians going abroad can’t get foreign-exchange from their banks and have to turn to the parallel market to buy dollars at around N475/$. According to investors at Aberdeen Asset Management Plc and Duet Asset Management Limited, the liberalised forex market has not been fully liberalised as the CBN has been holding the naira in a tight range around 315 per dollar since the beginning of August. The news agency quoted a money manager at Aberdeen Asset Management, which oversees about $9 billion of emerging-market debt, Kevin Daly, as saying that: “The market clearly sees that the situation with the exchange rate is getting more and more unsustainable. The central bank’s still micro-managing it. We’d have more appetite if it was at 370.”

Resignation: Arewa youths back CBN gov

Temitope Ogunbanke rewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has condemned the call for the resignation of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, by a group known as Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). AYCF in a statement issued by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, said NYCN’s threat urging Emefiele to resign within 21 days or “transform the country for good, is uncalled for because the current economic challenge is not limited to Nigeria but a global problem. He also called on “all Nigerians to ignore the ranting of misguided elements masquerading as the youth’s voice in Northern

Nigeria.” Shettima said: “Nigeria’s CBN was on record to have told the nation that the CBN has taken important steps to bring back the economy on the track of development by introducing new fiscal measures. This became public knowledge even as the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, declared that the country is already on its way out of recession. “It is, therefore, very ridiculous that the misinformed NCYN is out now to mislead the public, going so far as to issue three weeks ultimatum, as if the economy is a car that can be put in reverse gear within such an inconsiderately short time frame. This confirms that the nation still has a group of confused economic critics whose intellect is at best shallow.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Only Science, technology can boost Nigeria’s economy –Onu Charles Onyekwere, ENUGU

inister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has disclosed that adequate attention to science and technology would fasttrack and sustain the country’s economy. The minister stated this in a remark in Nsukka, while delivering the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) 56th Founders’ Day lecture titled: “Science, Technology and Innovation the way Forward”, said it was as a result of post-independence neglect of science and technology that made the country an oil mono economy which has hindered the speedy growth of the economy. “If the country has paid adequate attention and made huge investment in science and technology since independence, the country will not have remained a mono economy and a consuming nation. “It’s unfortunate that oil, is produced in the country and send abroad to be processed because we do not have the technology for processing it. “The country spends N1billion monthly on importation of rice because we do not have mechanised and technological driven agriculture that ensure mass production of food. “The country at 56 years cannot feed its citizen of about 170 million whereas China that has a population of 1.4 billion people feeds

its citizens and still have enough to export to other countries,” he said. He said countries like the United States, China, Japan North Korea, Singapore that have become industrialised and among top economies in the world were as result of adequate attention to science and technology. “Some of the top economies of the world are not oil producing nation but their economies are powered and sustained by science and technology. These countries apply science and technology in every sector of their economy. “They have used science and technology to transform their economies and make their nations a prosperous nation. It’s unfortunate that 35 years ago N1 was equivalent to one dollar but today a dollar exchanges for above N450 because the country is over-dependent on oil only which has made it consuming nation that export nothing. Onu commended the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari who had been working round the clock since assumption of office to reverse the ugly trend by its determination to make the country an exporting nation “The preset administration is doing everything within its power to see the country become a producing nation and one of the top economies in the world. Buhari has given serious attention to science and technology, serious attention so that agriculture and other sectors of the economy will be technological driven.

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME

emecheta

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEJIKE PATRICIA IFEYINWA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EMECHETA PATRICIA IFEYINWA. All former documents remain valid. IMT ENUGU, NYSC and general public take note.

kalu

uchendu

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MBA OLUCHI AGWU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KALU OLUCHI MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IBEH UCHECHUKWU IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as UCHENDU UCHECHUKWU IFEOMA. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

clinton

okudo

I, formerly known and addressed as CLINTON MUMMY AMIEMA, now wish to be known and addressed as CLINTON AMIEMA. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

ali

This is to confirm that the names ALI MPUR and ALI JOHNNY GAPANI refer to one and same person who now wish to be known and addressed as ALI JOHNNY GAPANI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Also my date of birth is 5th July 1985 not 5th October 1986.

oni

I formerly known and addressed as AWUJOOLA ABOSEDE OLUWASEUN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONI OLUWASEUN ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ejiegbu

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUCHI MIRIAM OSHIM now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EJIEGBU OLUCHI MIRIAM. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C, Zenith bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO FELICIA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKUDO FELICIA NGOZI. All document bearing my former names remain valid. First Bank and the general public please take note.

noko

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IKEGWU UCHECHI HELEN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NOKO UCHECHI HELEN. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C, Diamond bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

abraham

This is to notify the general public that these names ABRAHAM SAMUEL and ABRAHAM SAMUEL ABIODUN refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM ABIODUN SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, GTB Plc and the general public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to notify the general public that my names and date of birth were wrongly written as AKAOLISA IFUNANYA CYNTHIA and August 28, 1992 respectively instead of AKAOLISA RACHEAL IFUNANYA and August 28, 1994 which are the correct names and date of birth respectively. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

Alleged N41.1m fraud: Court convicts ex-LG chair for 70 years Willie Danjuma, Gombe and Gabriel Efeduku, Ughelli

he North-East zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Gombe State yesterday said it has succeeded in securing a 70-year jail term for a former Hong Local Government Chairman in Adamawa State, Mr. Ibrahim Buba Gayius. According to a statement made available to journalists in Gombe, the EFCC said it secured the conviction of the former local government boss on October 6 before Justice B.B. Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola on a 10-count charge of conspiracy, em-

bezzlement and diversion of public funds, fraud and abuse of office to the tune of N41.1 million. Justice Aliyu, after consideration of the weight of the offense, converted and sentenced the convict to 70 years imprisonment on each of the 10 count charge and that the sentence should run concurrently. Gayius had earlier been arraigned on March 2015 before Justice Justice Aliyu for alleged collection of N50 million agricultural loan on behalf of the members of staff of the council, but instead, gave out less than N10 million to the staff and diverted the remaining to his personal use. The prosecution council, Israel Akande, prayed the court for the convict to restitute the money back to the council which the court granted and

ordered the convict for the restitution of N38, 420, 000.00 back to Hong Local Government Council. In a related development, officers of the Nigeria Army, 19 Battalion, Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday arrested a member of a three-man kidnap gang while driving through an army check point to deliver a Lexus car. A senior military officer who spoke to our correspondent yesterday, said the suspect was caught while taking the victims to their hide outs, but that as a result of tight security checks at the army post, one of the victims, a woman, came out from the booth of the car, which he said attracted his men and the suspect was later arrested after a long chase. Speaking with the suspect

who gave his name as Mr. Daniel Egbeku, from Okwezi, Okpe local government area of Delta State, said he was invited by two of his friends to Sapele to help them deliver one Lexus car since he knows how to drive. Egbeku said: “When we got to Sapele, they said they have somebody who wanted a Lexus car and there met a woman that has a Lexus car. So, we met the woman at her home with another woman in the car. “They brought their guns which they have kept around Ugbeyi area a day before the operation, close to the woman’s house and we walked them out of the car at gun point and l was asked to take over the steering while one of them was kept in the car and the other seated at the back with them,” the suspect said.

No news yet on kidnapped students –Vice Principal

agos State Model College, Igbonla near Epe yesterday said there was no news yet on the rescue of the six persons recently abducted from the school. The vice-principal, who simply identified himself as Akinrinmade, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the school that the authorities and parents were meeting

over the sad incident. NAN reports that six persons, including the principal, Mr.A.O. Oyesola, a teacher and four students, were abducted by unknown gunmen from the school on Thursday morning. “There is no new development; efforts are in place by the government and security agencies to secure the release

of the students, teacher and principal,’’ Akinrinmade told NAN in Igbonla, Epe. The vice principal met the NAN team at the entrance following a “directive that journalists should not be allowed to enter the school.” NAN correspondents report that there were heavilyarmed policemen and Vigilante Group members at the

school entrance yesterday. There was also heavy presence of Marine Police by the lagoon within the vicinity. In view of this, the search for the kidnap victims continued as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said he had deployed large numbers of police operatives to locations regarded as flash points in the state.

Artificial fuel scarcity hits Makurdi over PTD, NSCDC clash Cephas Iorhemen, MAKURDI

akurdi, the Benue State capital has been hit by artificial fuel scarcity in the last three days, following a clash between members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD) and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC). The crux of the clash, it was learnt, was over what the former considered as the manhandling of their member by the latter. Clement James, Calabar

head of the Supreme Court judgment between Cross River State, Governor Ben Ayade and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Joe Agi, on December 9, the governor has resigned his fate to God, saying God will not disgrace him out of office. Ayade, who returned to the state yesterday after about three weeks absence, was welcomed by a crowd of supporters at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar. Speaking to his supporters, the governor swore that he was innocent of the case preferred against him, explaining that he was out to serve the people with his entire mind. “Let me recall that the people of Cross River State are a patient people, very peaceful people. We have a heritage

Saturday Telegraph while monitoring the situation in Makurdi and its environs yesterday observed that as a result of the scarcity, all the filling stations were closed, just as black marketers who cashed on the artificial scarcity were selling the product at between N250 to N300 per liter. It was observed that the situation forced many private car owners and commercial motorcyclists to park their vehicles due to the exorbitant cost of the commodity. Investigation by Saturday

Telegraph revealed that the scarcity came as a result of the confiscation of 40,000 litres of fuel worth over N8.6 million in March this year by men of the NSCDC in Makurdi from a tanker driver which the security officials said was supposed to be taken to Ankpa in neighbouring Kogi State but was diverted to KatsinaAla local government area of Benue state. The driver of the tanker carrying the diverted product, had alleged that he was tortured by the NSCDC team and was said to have de-

manded N500, 000 from the NSCDC team as compensation for the medical treatment he incurred. When contacted, the state Commandant of NSCDC, Shuayb Jubril Mahmoud, confirmed the confiscation of the product. He explained that they were however authorised by the National officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to share the diverted product to members of the public which they did with alacrity to serve as deterrent to others.

Ayade: God won’t disgrace me out of office that is akin to the people who love each other. Never in the history of Cross River State have we had a situation where brothers fight to this extreme level. Let it be God’s will that he brings peace and unity. Let God’s judgment prevail. “I want to encourage you to continue to pray for me because I know that God

will not disgrace me out of office. He is the one who put me there because I told Him that I was withdrawing from the governorship race and that was why I went and bought the form for the Senate. I wanted to go back to the Senate,” he said. He added: “God shall not forsake us at this point. We take our cry to God because

God sees the heart. When we started, we knew the situation of our people. I am a child born into poverty so I understand the circumstances of my people. I decided to go into the freshest and deepest idea to find a way that we can completely decouple the state from the dependence of federal allocation.”

Coronation of new Oba of Benin begins Cajetan Mmuta, BENIN CITY

The official coronation programme of the hire apparent to the ancient stool of Benin kingdom, Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Ediaken of Uselu, HRH Eheneden Erediauwa, commenced yesterday in Benin City, Edo State. This is as commercial activities within the City

Centre, especially, within the Eko-Ohae and UrhoOkpota areas of the Kings Square have stopped till further notice. Already, a flurry of traditional and cultural feasts have also commenced with a foot procession of inner palace chiefs and others from the Uselu to the main palace ground. Chairman, Coronation

Planning Committee and Enogie of Evbuobanosa/ Abudu, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, disclosed this during a press briefing held in Benin City. He said the coronation programme would climax with a 'thanksgiving worship' service on Sunday at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral on Akpakpava road in the City.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Atiku, Frank hail Buhari, N’Assembly over forgery suit Johnchuks Onuanyim and Philip Nyam, Abuja

ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Deputy National

Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Timi Frank, have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the withdrawal of criminal charges against the Senate

l PDP Reps Caucus commend FG President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. The duo stated that the move would pave the way for the resolution of the impasse between both arms of

government. However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has commended the withdrawal of the charges of

Chairman, Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Duerinmini Isaacs Kekemeke and the state’s APC governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolun (SAN), during a reconciliation meeting in Akure…yesterday PHOTO: Babatope Okeowo

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has ordered 51 corps members under Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 to repeat their service year in four states in the country for violating various rules of the corps. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cases of indiscipline were recorded in Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger and Enugu states. Eleven erring corps members were affected by the disciplinary action in Nasarawa and Sokoto states while Niger and Enugu states recorded 24 and five cases, respectively. The management of the NYSC explained that the offences included failure to report for service after docu-

BENIN

andidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 28 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday vowed to "pursue and recover," his mandate which he claimed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied him and his party of when it declared Godwin Obaseki of the Action Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner. He also led thousands of leaders and members of the party on protests along major roads and streets in Benin City yesterday to register his disappointment with the outcome of the polls held in the state. The protest which entered its second week yester-

Leo Ogor, who stated in a statement yesterday commended the Federal Government for summoning up the courage to correct itself and right the grievous wrong done, not only to Saraki and Ekweremadu, but also to the institution of the National Assembly and image of the nation. He said: “This decision vindicates the observation of the House of Representatives in plenary in June this year that the entire forgery saga was a deliberate and concerted attack on the National Assembly to render it useless. “Not only were the criminal charges a violation of the hallowed principle of Separation of Powers and in contempt of a pending litigation before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the said police investigation and report, also our view that the names of hitherto accused persons could not be related in any way to the Proof of Evidence adduced by the AGF has been vindicated. “With the distractions occasioned by these contrived and bogus charges over, we believe the National Assembly, especially the Senate, can now direct its total energies at the economic hardship facing the nation.

Discipline: 51 corps members to repeat service in four states

mentation, absenteeism and truancy at places of primary assignment. The state coordinator of NYSC in Nasarawa State, Mrs. Habiba Bappah, made this known to journalists in Lafia during the passing out event of the corps members. According to Bappah, 1,936 Batch B stream 1 corps members in the state successfully passed out. She said the 11 corps members were among the 13 ordered to extend their service in various degrees for various offences they committed during their service year. Bappah said two others got four months extension for absconding for some months

Edo guber: I’ll pursue my case to Supreme Court, says Ize-Iyamu Cajetan Mmuta,

conspiracy and forgery Saraki, Ekweremadu and two others. Frank, also called on the Federal Government to withdraw the case in the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) against Saraki. In a statement from Atiku Media Office, Atiku described the resolution as “a wise and timely move.” According to him, the resolution was an indication that the government values the much-needed cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislature and would take steps to ensure that it remains harmonious in the interest of the nation, and the advancement of our democracy. On his part, Frank, in the statement he also issued in Abuja, said: “It is important to note that Senator Saraki led Senate leadership has shown commitment and cooperation with the executive arm of federal government. “It is important to go back to the drawing board as a party, harmonise all the interest and use this opportunity to settle all the differences and come out again as a strong and united governing party in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.” Meanwhile, Minority Leader of the House, Hon.

day started at Ikpoba slope junction on Akpkakpava/ Second East Circular/New Lagos road through New Lagos Road, Mission Road and back to his campaign office on Akpakpava Street. Addressing the protesters and party members, IzeIyamu said after seeking the face of God that more than ever before he is committed to seeking justice over the fake results of the state governorship election declared by INEC, at the state Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal, the Court of Appeal and up to the Supreme Court, if necessary. He said: “Let me assure you that the robbery of the Edo peoples mandate will not stand. In the past few days I have been seeking the face of God. I asked Him what do I do? Do I leave them to their fate? Do I walk away? And God gave me a word. He said, ‘pursue and recover.'

without permission. “Eleven will repeat the service year because they did not serve for a single day. “Some of them came to camp, did their documentation and took off. Two are for four months extension of service because they absconded for about three months,” said the coordinator. Bappah also explained that out of the 1,936 passing out corps members, 12 were selected for awards in different categories, while 18 others would get commendation letters. “They did very well in various categories like the State’s awards, Chairman’s award and State Coordina-

tor’s award. “We appeal to the government to always identify with those that have done well and give them automatic employment.” On the Passing Out Parade (POP) in the state, the NYSC state coordinator explained that it was a national decision to celebrate in low key. She urged the passing out corps members to take advantage of the various skill acquisitions training they received during their service year and not wait for white collar jobs. “I want them to keep up with the ideals of the scheme. They should make sure they keep up with the training we

Uchenna Inya, ABAKALIKI

NSCDC arrests 4 cable vandals in Ebonyi

igerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ebonyi State Command yesterday arrested four persons for allegedly vandalising streetlights and electricity cables along Nkaliki Hatchery road, Abakalki. Parading the suspects whose names were given as Ugwu Ifeanyi, Onyebuchi Ibe, Okereke Michael and Ene Chimaobi, the Commandant of the Corp, Mrs.

Chinwe Kanu, said two of the suspects, Okereke Michael and Ene Chimaobi, were apprehended following a tip-off while moving the cables from their home to the selling point. She noted that more of such cables were further discovered in both the shop and residence of some of the suspects. She warned miscreants to keep off the state as the NSCDC would not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with anyone caught in criminal acts

gave them. “They should also be employers of labour and not wait for jobs to come to them,” Bappah said. In Sokoto State, five corps members out of 2,112 lost their lives during their service year, according to the state coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Thomas Yamma. He said that the death of the affected corps members was “divine”, adding that seven corps members would repeat their service year. He also said 11 corps members were to repeat their complete service year while seven had their service extended for between two and four months, for various offences.

and reiterated the determination of the command to continue to live up to its core mandate of safeguarding critical infrastructure at all levels. The state’s Commissioner for Power, Chief Emma Uguru, advised all dealers on such electric cables in the state, especially fairly used ones to register with his ministry in line with the directive of the state government to enable them distinguish genuine dealers and criminals.

“Happily, four corps members received state merit awards, four got chairman’s awards, while six others bagged commendation letters. “On the whole, the corps members had exhibited high sense of commitment and diligence. “I must also hasten to commend the management of the service, Sokoto State Government and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, for their sustained support to the scheme,” Yamma said. The NYSC also extended the service year of 24 corps members in Niger State for continuous absence from their places of primary assignment without permission.

The principal suspect, who hails from Enugu State, said he had been in genuine cable business since 1991 and had never been involved in any criminal act. “The cable they are looking for is 16mm and the one they found in my house was 35mm. The ones found in the Keke were also 35mm requested for by a customer. “A time came when the government even asked us to come and buy few of the ones that they had left but I rejected,” he said.

Ondo guber: Akeredolu moves to appease Kekemeke, others Babatope Okeowo, Akure

he governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolun (SAN), yesterday moved to appease aggrieved members of the

party including the state chairman, Duerinmini Isaacs Kekemeke, over the fallout of the governorship primary that produced him as the candidate. Akeredolu and Kekemeke have fallen apart before the governorship primary with the duo engaging in verbal exchanges over the continued stay in office of

the chairman and the eligibility of the candidate to vie for the office having been rejected by the electorate once. But for the first time since September 3 when the governorship primary was held, Akeredolu visited Kekemeke in his house. Since the outcome of the primary, Kekemeke has stayed out of office and

have not participated in any post primary affairs of the candidate. Worried that the crisis could cost them victory, a source said the chairmen of APC in all the 18 local government areas of the state facilitated the meeting between Akeredolu and Kekemeke in order to have a common position before the election.

10 Voices Would men taking on additional domestic chores lead to divorce? p.12

City & crime update

SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2016

21-year-old takes up fight against rapists in Kwara She might look small in stature, but Bibire Sa’adat is ready to tackle headlong, a giant of a social menace: rape. The 21-year-old Mass Communication graduate from Hal-Ikmah University, Ilorin, is bitter over the increasing rate of rape in Kwara, her home state where her father, Bibire Ajape, is the incumbent Special Assistant (Political) to Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed. BIODUN OYELEYE reports.

n January this year, she founded Saab Foundation with a few friends and their determination is to see the extermination of rape. After few months of offline activities, concentrated on getting involved at the counselling level, Sa’adat took Saab Foundation to the public with a Walk Against Rape. The walk, which took off from the frontage of the Government House banquet Hall, Ilorin, took participants through the major Ahmadu Bello Way, Unity Road up to the Kwara State Stadium Complex. It drew quite a lot of attention and provided opportunity for the ‘walkers’ to sensitise the public on the evil of rape. The walk was perhaps the first of its kind on the subject of rape in Kwara and the Director (Child) in the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajia Bilkis Sidiq, who also took part in the event, gave startling statistics that pointed to the need for such an awakening of the public. For instance, Bilkis confirmed that rape cases are indeed rising in the state with an annual reported figure of over 1,000 cases at the ministry. There is a booklet where such cases are recorded and the number keeps rising on the list, according to Bilkis, who represented the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaja Ayinke Saka at the event. She lamented that rapes cases being recorded in the ministry feature more elderly people than young adults as perpetrators despite series of efforts by the government to stem the tide. Sa’adat expressed concern that there is no effective law yet against rape while the police and society still stigmatise survivors. Since she started in January, Saadat said she had so far been involved with eight survivors, among them three young boys one of who was raped repeatedly by the maid in their house. The other two, she narrated, were raped by their uncles. She is really angry about the psychological injuries rapists inflict on their victims whom she asked us to call survivors. She said: “A rapist is a criminal. I think it is better to kill a lady than to rape her because actually once you rape her you have killed her. Some of them end up with serious psychological challenges, some end up committing suicide. We want to stop such. I have a very good friend who was raped. When she was narrating it to me, I wept bitterly. It took her a long time before she could open up to me. We talked for over three hours. “If you have noticed, you will realise that the number of rape cases keep increasing without anyone seemingly taking nay step to tackle it. I consider that if I was a victim what would happen? So I decided that I will become the voice of the voiceless on this matter. We need to start speaking up because it will help in reducing the incidence of rape in our

society. “I have talked with survivors, I have counselled them along with experts and we are now going to schools to speak to students on the subject. Most survivors still struggle with the psychological effect of rape. So far I have been in close touch with eight survivors and I want to say it is not easy to cope. “It is unfortunate that we don’t have any specific law that recommends serve punishment for rape and I think that is why it is increasing. Therefore we want to plead with our government to make a law on it beyond what presently obtains. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, the punishment for rape is death. I heard that in Nigeria the sentence is life imprisonment but have you heard of anyone who was given that punishment? And even that is not sufficient because I tell you rape is a major issue and offence. We need something that can really scare people away from it as we have in Saudi Arabia because in that country you can hardly hear of rape cases. “The police does not help matters because most often from what I have seen, they don’t believe the victims. I was at a police station recently where a survivor was being interrogated and the questions the policemen were asking were, where did you go?, what did you wear? etc. They won’t ask the rapist such questions. “I am in touch with three male survivors; one was raped repeatedly by the housemaid and the other two were raped by their uncles. They were scared and couldn’t come out to talk about it because no one would believe them. It

Some members of SAAB Foundation during the walk

Bibire

is unfortunate that society teaches ‘don’t get raped’ but not ‘don’t rape’.” Asked for specific actions by government so far, Bilkis said government remained committed to doing everything possible to stem the tide of rape in the state. Her words: “Government has done a lot especially in the area of rape. We have a lot of cases and most of such are in court and for some we have secured judgment and the rapist are in prison today. We have more than 1000

cases of rape reported in a year. We have a booklet in the office where we keep the list and numbers. We try some of the cases through the Family Court system. “I have also been asking why the sudden increase despite all the teachings and sensitisation that we have from various quarters. I don’t know what is triggering it at all. It cuts across the ages. But it is even more rampant among the elderly than youths. Right now we don enlightenment and sensitisation to young people every now and then. We use such occasion to talk on sexuality, premarital sex and its dangers etc.” Incidentally, Sa’adat is still a youth corp member, serving in Bayelsa state. Apart from running the Saab Foundation, the young lady has won laurel as Miss Nigeria International (2014) although she regretted that sitting for her final exams during her reign didn’t give her ample opportunity to pursue a pet project. She still hopes to have a fashion house later in life. “I love sport, fashion and modelling”, she said when asked to speak about her passion, then added: “I love fighting for people's right and lives. I get very emotional and feel unwell when bad practices become rampant in the society with no great levity attached to it. I feel bad when the society cheats people or mock people who deserve their love and attention due to neglect and being petty. And well I love kids a lot and when my mind tells me something I follow it.” What does she want young people like her to learn from her pursuit? She said: “My advice to young people is not to wait for the government employment. We can create employment ourselves. We are talented, we are blessed. Our hands are beautifully blessed by God. This country is endowed we just need to be ready. Lastly we need to discover our hidden talents. When asked on what would be the best advice for someone about to be raped. You could see the pain in her eye as she fought back what probably was the answer from a fighter who wants the death penalty for rapists. But she managed to adjust herself and said: “If you are about to be raped, if the person is stronger than you, scream as much as you can, struggle as much as you can. Avoid situations that can lead to rape.”

City&crime update

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

124 Nigerian students, others benefit from U.K varsity’s $27m grant Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

bout 124 students from Nigeria, 117 from South Africa and 76 from Kenya alongside other 200 African students will benefit from a $27 million chance study programme at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom (UK). The study, according to the university, is in tandem with The MasterCard Foundation, which will spread across seven years. According to an online news portal, News Express. com., this is the university’s largest cohorts for the 2015/16 session when compared to last year’s 583 students from 33 African countries. Full scholarships will be offered to 80 undergraduate and 120 postgraduate African students. The initiative will enable Edinburgh to offer opportunities to the brightest and best African scholars. The university is engaged in multi-disciplinary research relating to Africa through Edinburgh’s four Global Academies – Development, Health, Justice, Environment

and Society. Edinburgh’s Centre of African Studies is a world leader of research on Africa and the largest research hub of its kind in Europe. To date, the Scholars Programme has committed over US$700 million to support the education and leadership development of over 30,000 young people. Edinburgh is the first university in Europe to collaborate with The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme. The announcement comes as part of the University of Edinburgh’s Africa Week – a series of events from October 3 to 7, highlighting the university’s partnerships and research in Africa. A statement issued on Tuesday in Edinburgh said: “The University of Edinburgh is committed to expanding access for students from around the world.” However, a recipient student from Nairobi, Kenya, who is one of the first undergraduate, Munini Musembi, is expected to take her first steps in further education and shortly begin studying mechanical engineering at Edinburgh.

Two boat mishaps claim 13 in Niger Dan Atori

A MINNA

bout 13 people have died in two separate boat accidents, following heavy river current in Kontagora and New Bussa in Niger State. The accident involving the female occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the boat they were travelling in to a nearby community capsized in Kontagora River in Magama Local Government Area of the state. Saturday Telegraph learnt that villagers, totalling s17 were going to the farm to harvest groundnut when the accident happened. In a related development, two other people have also been confirmed

dead in a boat mishap at New Bussa, in Borgu Local Government of the state. Saturday Telegraph gathered that the victims died last week while on board the ill-fated boat when they were travelling on the waterways from one part of the council Area to another Six of the passengers involved in the Kontagora mishap were said to have been rescued by divers, while the rest perished. Among the dead were married women and underage girls. Eight bodies were recovered as at time of filling this report, while divers are still searching for the remains of 3 victims. Kontagora river, a tributary of River Niger had over floated its bank following a heavy down pour the pre-

oing by the negative attitude of overlooking malaria as a common inconsequential ailment in Nigeria, public health experts have alerted that about $3 billion U.S. dollars is lost to the disease yearly due to out-ofpocket treatment and prevention costs. The Society for Family Health (SFH), which champions malaria awareness in the country, has also reported that this huge cost could pay the annual salaries of 2.2 million Nigerians on minimum wage. In socio-economics, malaria is also “a major cause of absenteeism in schools, offices and markets, and affects the national economy,” disclosed the SFH, which operates as a non-governmental organisation, NGO. The SFH made the call on Thursday at a meeting with some health editors media outfits. The organisation urged the media to prioritise malaria and make it a matter of national concern given the effects of the ailment. In his keynote address titled: ‘Malaria Elimination in Nigeria – Where we are, where we want to be’, a Prof. of Peadiatrics and Child Health and Director, Centre for Malaria Care at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu, said the health costs of malaria are also high.

Malaria accounts for about six out of 10 out-patient visits and three of 10 admissions in healthcare facilities. He further stated that malaria accounts for 11 per cent of maternal mortality and three of 10 deaths in children less than five years. With malaria, the SFH said, ignorance is deadly. Studies by the organisation that works in several areas of public health show that a significant contributor to malaria’s deadly count in Nigeria is inadequate knowledge and information on the part of caregivers and the citizenry. SFH stated that: “Caregivers are inadequately empowered with appropriate health education to change their behaviour and use of malaria commodities” with consequences for prevention and treatment of the ailment.

he FCT High Court has revoked an earlier bail granted Solomon Ndam, an ex-staff of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) standing trial on multiple allegations of fraud. Justice Jude Okeke revoked the bail on Thursday following an application and withdrawal of his surety, Mr Tijani Haruna, from rendering the services. Okeke remanded Ndam in Kuje prison pending the time he would get a new surety. “In the light of this, all documents belonging to Haruna are to be returned to him, by this ruling, therefore, the applicant ceases to be responsible to the accuse in a manner earlier agreed,’’ he said. Ndam is standing trial on a 13-count charge of forgery, impersonation and obtaining N5.5 million by false pre-

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

vious night, resulting in the tragedy. The Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, told our correspondent that the cause of the accidents was heavy current. He said: “There was rain upstream and the travellers did not know that more water was coming, and the local current is always strong in the morning, especially when moving against the tide. So the current was too much.” Our correspondent gathered that deaths on river had risen following the works on the abandoned Kontagora dam by the Federal Government. It would be recalled that eight people perished in 2015, when their boat capsized in the middle of the river.

President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin (left) and Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Hilda Ibifuro Harrison, at the 50th anniversary conference of GOSON in Akure, Ondo State... yesterday.

SFH: Nigeria loses $3bn to malaria yearly Appolonia Adeyemi

he authorities of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State have suspended six lecturers of the institution, including a Director and Head of Department, over their alleged involvement in result manipulation and gross misconduct. The affected lecturers were also demoted and barred from any position of authority/responsibility for the next five years with effect from September 27, 2016. They include the Director of the School of Business and Manage-

Court revokes bail of alleged N5.5m fraud against ex-PHCN staff •NSCDC declares two wanted in Sokoto tence from unsuspecting victim. The counsel to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Samuel Okeleke, his fielded his fifth prosecution witness, Mr Olushola Adewumi. Adewumi, a staff of the First Bank of Nigeria Plc., said he received a subpoena to produce certain documents relating to the case in court. “One of the persons the accused allegedly cheated is a customer of the bank and he is among our custom-

MAPOLY suspends, demotes six lecturers over alleged result manipulation ment Studies, Mr. Mukaila Ademuyiwa; Mr Mutair Ajayi, Head, Department of Accountancy; and Mr Rasheed Oduwole, Lecturer at the Accountancy Department. Others are Dr Munir Adesola, Lecturer; Mr Pius Agbebi, SubDean; and Mr Kayode Ogunwede, Lecturer. The decision to sanction them followed the consideration of the report of Staff Disciplinary Committee (SDC) of the polytechnic on alleged case of result manipulation

in the School of Business and Management Studies. Copies of their letters of suspension obtained yesterday by Saturday Telegraph were signed by the Deputy Registrar (Establishment), S. A. Ashaye. It was learnt that the lecturers were found culpable of awarding unjustifiable bonus marks to students in the course they examined during the First Semester Examination of the 2015/2016 academic session.

ers captured in the bank’s database as shown in the bank’s mandate. This includes his picture, name and signature. “We also produced the certificate of identification of the customer and the name of the account is Babatunde Kolawole”, Adewumi said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the documents were admitted as exhibits. Ndam allegedly obtained the money from some unsuspecting persons, claiming that he would help them acquire plots of land being sold by PHCN. The offence is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990. The judge adjourned the matter to October 25 for continuation of trial. Meanwhile, Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has declared two men wanted for allegedly amputating the hands and legs of one Shafiu Aminu Arzika in Sokoto. The state commandant of the corps, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, made the disclosure yesterday in Sokoto in an interview with NAN. He named the two men as Abu Alayin and Hassan Dan Asano.

Voices

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Would men taking on additional domestic chores lead to divorce? A little help from each other strengthens the relationship

In our clime, it is conventional for the women to do most of the house chores. A reversal of roles would naturally bring about friction, but this is not big enough to bring about divorce. Such can be tabled and settled. I have always believed that a little help from each other will go a long way to cement a relationship, especially when both husband and wife are working.

—Vincent Onwuegbuzie, estate manager

I do it happily I don’t think this should lead to a quarrel between a reasonable husband and wife, let alone a divorce. A man who chooses to involve himself in domestic chores in the house does it with love for his family. I am an example, I even branch at the market to buy pepper and other things to take home. I also assist in cooking especially when others are out, they return home happy and full of gratitude for meeting food on the table. I love it too. —Tunde Ajala, journalist

I expect my husband to help occasionally I do most of the house chores, but I expect my husband to help out from time to time. The children take over sooner or later. Issues like this should not be allowed to escalate to the extent that divorce is contemplated. —Dr. Henrietta Udensi, educationist

Not as a matter of compulsion

My bible tells me that the man (husband) is the head of the home. He has his roles to play and house chores are not part of it. We were brought up to respect the man of the house and so shall it be. A marriage built on a solid foundation would not be shaken by trivial matters. The man can do house chores willingly and happily, but not as a compulsory role. —Augusta Osamor, school principal

Partners must help each other Not really, but in some cases it might break the home if the partner is not supportive at all. Because it is believe in this part of the world that once a man gets married to a woman she is supposed to be a help mate particularly on domestic chores while the man provides money for the family upkeep. —Fumilayo Fatogun, civil servant

Except if the man can’t provide for the home Why should a man get himself involved with so much domestic chores? It should happen only if he is an infidel who cannot provide for his home as the Bible recorded. But my view on whether it will lead to divorce or not is dependent on him because most women like and not love men of such calibre, as it will give them (the women) the domineering right in the house than the man who is supposed to. —Edache Patrick, civil servant

The woman would not respect the man I wouldn't really be in support of that except the man is disabled if not why on earth should the man be involved in more domestic chores instead of the woman? The woman will not have respect for that kind of a man because the responsibility of the man has been shifted to the woman and that of the woman to the man, so also will the respect be shifted. —James Olotun, businessman

compiled by: JOHN EDU AND OGE NDUBUNMA

It is pretence on the man’s part

Yes, but it is under probability because either of them will likely be cheating on the other and pretending to be honest. The man if he is married to a very rich woman might be doing so under pretences while saving up wealth for himself. —Queen Esther, businesswoman

There should be no problem with that I don't think it will or should if true love exists between them, because the woman might get a job that requires more of her commitment and at home, so if the man truly loves the wife and he can be of help in some of the domestic chores, then I don't think there should be any issue or problem with that. —Odafe Godson, engineer

It wouldn’t if both of them decide on it No, it wouldn't in these days when men and women prefer to go and look for money for the upkeep of the home unlike in the days of our mothers and fathers when the women were made to stay at home and take care of the children and the home or as full time house wife while the men go out to look for money. But it only introduces unfaithfulness in marriages and in some cases brings about divorce. —Adeola Ekungba, civil servant

It is against biblical injunction In the bible God said the woman is a help mate to the man which I think has to do more with the domestic chores, so if the woman now say because of busy schedule either at work or personal business she cannot perform her responsibility in her home as the wife, then whatever she gets in return she should be ready to bear the brunt. —Boky Bakery, businessman

WeekendBliss MY ROMANCE WITHTVSTARTED AS A TEENAGER

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Nancy Iloh is the presenter of The Money Show on the AIT network, a regular programme that keeps Nigerians updated about everything that relates to the financial part of life. In this interview with ADEDAYO ODULAJA, she speaks on life, career and what being on TV means to her. Between being the producer and the presenter, which one do you think is more tasking? I would say the production part of it because I'm the producer. If I were not to be, all I will do is just to come in the morning and do the talking. The production part of it is challenging because I have to look at the colouration of the programme in terms of even the graphics, the kind of guests that I want, credible guests of course, people that would talk and you have one or two things to learn. And there is also the coordination; it is not just about me and my team. It is also about me and even those in the studio, my cameramen my director, my audio person, the VCR person and all that. So, I think the production part is more challenging because there are times that I may not like what I see at the end of the show and I just have to call a meeting and I am like, 'what happened? Can we get it better? What are the challenges, can we sort them out and all of that. So the production aspect is difficult because not everybody that can be a producer can as well be the presenter.

N O P U E S O L C ILOH NANCY Instyle

The Arts

p.15

p.37

Dazzle in peach ÂŠ Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Putting performance in the art

How did broadcasting begin for you? I have been on TV for like 13 years now. My romance with TV started when I was much younger, in my teens. While I was in the university, I started with Delta State Television; I was going from my university to Asaba to present programmes. I started anchoring and producing different programmes, not

business though but ran across different kinds of programmes, breakfast show, personality programmes, youth programmes and all of that. So at the end of the day, The Money Show came in, I was part of the team ofThe Money Show after my national service. I served with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Ebonyi State. I was there for like a year and some months. They didn't want me to go but I left. I came back to Lagos where I was born and brought up,The Money Show came up and I was part of the team. The first day I spoke with my executive producer, Salome Eferemo, as it concerns the show, she explained that this is what we want to achieve, do you really want to be part of the team because it was a sharp departure from what I was used to. But I just took it as a challenge and why I took it as a challenge was that financial literacy or financial education in the country was quite low. We just needed to bridge the gap and we needed to start from somewhere. For stations like CMBC, Bloomberg and others, why can't we have such in Nigeria? So we said let's have a money show as a test reportage of a business programme, not just seeing it as headlines, hearing it as network news in the night but going beyond the headlines; going further to analyse what each policy means in terms of any policy that the government puts forward or government agencies or whosoever is putting that policy forward. So I actually took it as a challenge. I remember I just went for it and was like 'Nancy, are you ready to take up this challenge' and I think so far so good God has helped me. I was part of the team that started it in 2007 and of course some members of my team went further, they moved to probably do some other things and the baton was passed to me continued on page 14

Hospitality

TV & Radio

p.41

p.36

Eko Hotel and Suites: Beckons Akwaaba 2016

Taking a glimpse at comedian's AY background

Close Up

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

'BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for my view on economy, career highlight' C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 1 3

to anchor the show. Because we were three presenters when we started the show, the baton was handed over to me and to God be the glory I think God has actually been my source since I started anchoring the show. What are some of the things that keep your motivation level at the top? I would say constantly seeking knowledge, which is fundamental for every journalist. I use to tell my other colleagues that you can't write or talk on anything that you are not confident about. Before I even come on air, the challenge for me is I ask myself which nobody sees while I am on air. Before I go on air, while I am home or in the office, I ask myself, 'Nancy, how prepared are you to run the show? How prepared are you to come on in two parts; how prepared are you to run the show as a producer'. The producer is the person that packages the whole thing you get to see. As a money person, how do you break down the way wealth is spread amongst Nigerians? I don't really want to put a figure to it. When I see the disparities amongst the two arms of government; the executive and the legislature, I don't really want to put a figure to it. Be it 66 percent, be it is 21 percent, be ...interviewing Sanusi Lamido it 39 percent or whatever it is. I still feel that our budget performance Sanusi, then CBN governor is still below average. However you want to look at it, what is the impact of on air. Do you get harassed for your a Nigerian budget on an average Nigebluntness? rian? That is what I am interested in so Yes, I have had such experiences but you could actually put a figure to it, all when such experiences come, they come well and good. as compliments to me. I don't see them as How does the budget impact on the criticisms or attacks. Some of them are like woman selling in the market, how does I come on Nancy's show and she finished the budget impact on a contractor, how me or sometimes when I go to the Central does it impact the housing sector for Bank, some of the deputy governors are example. Where you know that there like you are the one talking to our goveris a cluster of jobs that can be created. nor or even the governor himself saying, How does it impact on the different sec'Nancy, you ask me hard questions.' Betor of the economy and at the end of the cause I see it as one of the things we need day we all come to a meeting point. For to do to move the country forward, I don't me that is what I think; the two arms see myself shy in asking any question. I of government should go beyond the tell my people when I'm sitting there, I acrimony because what they are trying am in charge; after the show, anything can to say is that the relationship is breakhappen. When I am on the show, I try as ing. But I think it is also good for demuch as possible to make it as professionmocracy, it is good for democracy in the al as possible which I think we lack in this sense that the executive is not seen as part of the country, especially journalists. not doing anything in terms of budget We get compromised easily here for one performance, so the legislature which reason or the other and try to put profesis the nearest to the people is trying to sionalism aside. I try to deviate from that. hold them accountable and say, 'you So for some of the government officials, I guys need to do more'. have had on the show, I see their criticism But at the end of the day, let's come as complimentary. And for some people back to the truth and say how do we they are like if you want to go to Nancy's make this country better, how do we show, you must be prepared. I see that as drive the economy, how should 167 mila compliment too; I don't see it like they lion people live. What are the different are attacking me. things that the government should be doing to drive the economy. What is How do you use your show to improve the government doing on electricity for businesses in Nigeria and Africa? example? And we do know that if we It is an area to explore; there is still have electricity, it will push economic room for improvement. Inasmuch as I development. Not just economy develam promoting Nigerian business, Nigeopment and not just economic growth. ria's economy, I am also aware that our I think we should begin to chase more economies are interconnected; econofundamental things. The budget of any mies around the world are interconnectcountry is the true economic growth ed. What happened in 2008 in America and development. has showed us that our economies are interconnected. But there are still room You are known for your bluntness for me to bring in expatriates or man-

Iloh

agers of other economies to come talk about our economy. I have had a few of them on the show; I have also talked with international partners from World Bank, IMF, international world agencies that work with agencies around the globe. There is always room for improvement. You will realise that it is an everyday show and you still have a lot to tap from the government so you decide which to follow. But I know there is a lot for me to do in that area which I'm still harnessing. For me there is still more to cover. In as much as the audience is wide, that still wants to watch The Money Show. I want The Money Show to be one of the programmes on the lips of Nigerians, when you talk about business programme or even when you talk about programmes generally. Because when you talk about the quality of the programmme, the penetration of The Money Show comes to your mind, the content you are given and also the quality of questions, the quality of what you are watching on air in terms of pictures, I think there is much more room for us to grow. I think it is a learning curve for me. Each day is a lesson, each day is an experience. Tell us about your life, education wise I was born in Lagos. I went to school in Yaba, Our lady of Apostles Primary School in Yaba. Of course the school is still existing, a Catholic Missionary school. From there I proceeded to Regan Memorial Baptist School also in Yaba. Then Nnamdi Azikwe University. That is part of me some people don't know. Many think she probably studied abroad. I didn't study abroad; I was trained here from nursery to university level. I was born and brought up in Lagos. I didn't go to a private university; I went to a federal university. I went to Nnamdi Azikiwe University. After my secondary school I actually thought I would be in Benin. I thought if I wanted to be adventurous, my adventure should probably stop at the University of Benin. When my admission came, my dad was of the view that 'you were born and bred here in Lagos, go out and look at what other parts of Nigeria look like'. That was actually

what influenced my schooling in the East to know their culture and for me, it was a strong departure from things that I was used to. I understand Yoruba very well but for Igbo I totally understand when they speak. I am from Delta State. Did you know you will make a career on TV while growing up? And what other career would you have chosen? While I was young and if I was asked what I wanted to be, I would say a teacher. Now of course I'm not teaching but I'm actually teaching, not in the classroom. It's just that the platform for me is on the TV. Back in school, while in the sciences I noticed that I had the artistic tendencies that I could direct a movie, I could write plays, which I did in secondary school and won accolades for. If I wasn't on TV doing presentation, I probably would be in the art world one way or the other but I don't think I would have been a medical doctor. How does it feel practicing something far different from what you studied? I studied Parasitology and Entomology. I'm a disease expert. You shouldn't be scared. Those are the kinds of people you find at the World Health Organisation. Which moments would you regard as your high and the low ones? Doing the show every day is a high moment for me and having it at the back of my mind that people are hitching to see me at 11' o'clock inspires me. It is a high moment for me whenever the show is on. I have had moments in my life too that really inspire me. Like when I started the show, it was a high moment for me. Some low moments are when you have probably set some things as targets that you want to achieve but you don't achieve them. I just try to make sure that whatever happens, I don't allow it to happen again. There are high and low moments for the show. And there was the time BBC London called me to get my view on the economy, I was like 'wow' when they said they do watch my show that was a high moment for me as well.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Dazzle in peach Deborah Ocheni

t doesn’t have to be a little black dress before it can be classy; you have to agree that peach colour is trending these days and the colour is elegantly amazing and sight friendly. Whether it’s just for a date or an evening party, a peach dress can be a lovely statement. What’s fun about this colour is that it can be worn as a neutral or as a bold, bright colour. With the right accessories, you will get a trendy look for any occasion, depending on your dress and fashion lifestyle. There are a bunch of designs of accessories you can pair with peach dress. It is very important to note that whenever you are buying your outfits don’t ever forget that whatever you are putting on is only fashionable if you are comfortable in it. Peach comes in diverse shades but the praise for nude shoes never seems to stop, especially in the last few seasons. No matter what shade of peach you choose for the dress, nudes will accompany it perfectly by letting the colour speak for itself. Nude or white strappy sandals are a great choice for either a full length gown or a fun, flirty short dress. Flats will go great with the long look, and heels with a shorter dress. Peach colour is awesome because it can look great with any type of shoes- from tiny sandals to some serious high heels that make huge statement. Little wonder event hosts are all out for peach as the colour of the day this season. The colour is already a statement, so keep makeup simple and accessories minimal.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

ACCESSORIES TO LIVE FOR

Blaze the trail with Oxford shoes Y

Deborah Ocheni

ou will definitely recognise Oxford shoes even if you have never had a pair; they are classy with tiny perforated holes. Ornaments and specific lacing have made oxford shoes really peculiar. Oxford also known as balmorals shoes used to be associated with Brits, students in uniform and grandpas, but they have had a pretty massive fashion makeover in recent years with every brand creating their own version of the menswear-style shoes. As such, we’re seeing some of fashion’s biggest influencers and trail blazer rocking it. Oxford shoes have laces (closed

lacing system) with low-heeled and exposed ankle. Mostly, Oxfords have been known to style with formal dresses as it adds elegance and class to men’s style. They have long appeared in black and brown colours .That is why you would find most men wearing Oxford with suits but, the evolution of men casual style and men street style bring about different creative ways of styling them. Traditionally, Oxfords are men's dress shoes, but they have evolved into several forms, including sneakers and even women's heels. Oxfords originated in Scotland and Ireland and were called Balmorals after Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The boot had dominated men's footwear for several centuries.

TIPS

zz The Oxford is characterized by closed lacing, a low heel and a low cut that exposes the ankle and there are a few different styles. zz The plain Oxford doesn't have any intricate piecing or perforation. Its simplicity makes it a good choice as formal evening shoes. zz The right pair of Oxfords can transition from day to night, and is appropriate for work, evenings out and dressy occasions. zz Material also adds to versatility: Oxfords can be made from leather, suede and canvas. zz Many times shoes manufacturers will make the soles of Oxfords a bright colour to add a unique touch. zz Sometimes people use the term Oxford to denote any smart lace up shoe, even those with open lacing which is wrong.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

MY STYLE

You can never see us dress down –Blackpearl, Acik Diana Tambe Blackpearl is the founder of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam (a company helping fashion designers to showcase their creativity and talent on a global stage). In this interview with Deborah Ocheni, the multi-talented Amsterdam-based fashion designer and Aydin Acik, also known as The Fashion Man and Production Director of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam, speak on their mission in Nigeria, the need to give African fashion high profile, style philosophy and sundry issues. Excerpts…

(Acik)You have being in fashion business for decades now. Are you satisfied with the height you have attained so far? It has been good so far, the fashion industry in Africa is really big and therefore we want to invest in the market. What is your mission in Nigeria? We would like to give the African fashion industry high international profile in Nigeria. We are starting with Abuja, then we will be in Bayelsa and Lagos States. During the third edition of African Fashion Week Amsterdam in 2015, you focused more on African prints, what inspired that? We were sponsored by a company that produces African print and that is why we had a lot of African prints during the runway shows. African print is becoming enormously popular. What will you say is responsible for this development? The African print is very vibrant, lively and colourful; obviously, it is produced in the Netherlands where we are based. Holland textile and some other prints are produced in our locality, so when we have events like this, they support us by giving us textiles to use. And lately, a lot of international designers and role models have begun to use prints in their design to bring out the beauty in its vibrant colour. African prints represent African culture. What informed the decision of setting up African Fashion Week Amsterdam? Well, there was no previous platform in Amsterdam that promotes African designers, a platform that could bring western and African high profile designers together. There was no previous platform that creates diversity; that was how we came up with the idea following what the African Fashion Week do. We produce a high profile platform known as African Fashion Week Amsterdam. Does your background in anyway influence

this progression? (Blackpearl) Of course; I am an African and it is a natural thing that I want to support other African designers because, I am not doing this for myself but for the entire Africans and African culture. It is more of promoting the African culture and uplifting other African designers. Are you satisfied with the progress made so far? I will say I am more than satisfied looking at the growth of the events from its maiden edition to the third edition. There’s been immense difference in the number financially. The growth of the event is very high, the guests are mostly from western nations and South America; they really love it because the feedback we are getting is that they appreciate us for establishing something like that in Amsterdam and they are looking forward to being there next year. The third edition of African Fashion Week Amsterdam was held barely two months ago. Are you saying you did better compared to the previous ones? We did a lot better than the previous editions from the evaluations we got from our designers, visitors and models and that is what we aim to do each year. We hope to use all those things to improve on our services for the next event. We did a lot better than previous years. Are you likely to host the next African Fashion Week Amsterdam in Nigeria? We are partnering with a renowned magazine in Abuja, with that we are going to produce the African Fashion Cultural Week and it is a high profile event similar to what we do in Amsterdam. We hope to invite the international press, retailers and buyers to this event. It is not only going to be for entertainment consumption, we are looking at the business aspect of it in other to make it profitable for the designers and exhibitors to create demand and supply within both markets.

Blackpearl (left) and Acik

Would you say modern designers are doing better than older ones? I will say modern designers who are mostly the youth are very vibrant, informative and creative in their designs. Their collection carries a story, modern designers are quite creative. You are also a designer and founder of Blackpearl Fashion. What inspires your various creations? My inspirations usually come from different sources; I am mainly inspired by my environment and I am also very creative. My style is high fashion, I have lingerie lines and I design for men too. What is your definition of style? Very glamorous and outstanding; if you see me in public you will quickly know that I am a fashion icon. Are you a labels freak? I am not particular about labels; I wear anything that goes with my mood and the weather What makes a woman well dressed? For a woman being well dressed is all about being comfortable in what they wear, it is about how you feel in what you are wearing. What determines what you wear? The occasion I am going to. Talking about fashion, would you say your physique works to your advantage? Very much, you can never see us dress down. We ensure that everything is on point.

L-R Onwuka Nzechi, New Telegraph's Abuja Bureau Chief, Deborah Ocheni, Fashion Reporter, presenting a copy of New Telegraph to Aydin Acik, Production Director, African Fashion Week Amsterdam, during Acik and Blackpearl's courtesy visit in Abuja... recently

Is there anything you unlikely to be caught wearing? You will rarely see us in a jeans, unless it is

a very casual thing. Which fashion item takes up most space in your wardrobe? (Blackpearl) It is mad in my wardrobe because you will find everything in there. I make sure there is everything in my wardrobe although you will find white dresses mostly; I like white because it’s clean and pure. I like vibrant colours too. How do you love your shoes? When I am at fashion events, my shoes are very high, like 15cm high and I walk very comfortably in them. I am always on heels. I have problems shopping for shoes because I can buy like seven pairs of just because I must have the colours that I need in my wardrobe. Do you conform to trend? You can say that How comfortable do you feel going out without makeup and accessories? I am very comfortable in my own skin; I am not into makeup and accessories. I just have my watch that tells me what the time is. Is that to say you are wearing natural lashes? I have lashes, but I have lash extension apart from that. I don’t do any other form of makeup. My beauty is not makeup because makeup is a mask. While shopping, which fashion item catches your fancy fast? High heel shoes, perfume and elegant dresses What is your priciest fashion item? A watch How much was it? 50,000 pounds

Interiors

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Stunning minimalistic living room Deborah Ocheni

o you know your living room will surely look light and calming if you use minimal furniture and accessories? Minimalism is essentially the art of being able to comfortably, conveniently and aesthetically live with less. It is not about adding intricacies, it is about taking away layers. You will even invite your family and friends to show them how relaxing your living room looks like and it would make the room to be a lot easier to clean. There are lots

of stunning minimalist modern living room designs that will inspire you to have one. The style was created in the middle of last century, but still very current and preferred by many because of the simple appeal it lends to the eyes. Characteristic of minimalist design are few and low furniture pieces that are constructed in regular geometric shapes such as cube, sphere and rectangular with clean lines design. Minimal dĂŠcor brings peace after everyday stress; the style is preferred by people involved in creative and philosophical professions. The style brings peace ad spacious enough for people.

TIPS zz Minimalist design in the pastel colours is a trend in modern interiors, and white is the dominant colour. Try and combine white with gray, black or brown. zz In modern minimalism, bright accents are used. Accessories with regular geometric shapes are also often used. zz In the minimalist living room, interior design objects with antiquarian value as furniture with elaborate ornaments, wooden clock or any other vintage pieces are not appropriate. Simplicity is key.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

How I introduced trumpet to K1’s band in 1982 –Kakaki Jesu p.20

ShowBiz

Nigerian entertainment duos fans can’t stop talking about p.34 t h i s

From the stunning young woman that won the 3rd edition of Amstel Malta Box Office in 2007 and who went on to dazzle in her debut movie Cindy’s Notes directed by Izu Ojukwu, Bayray McNwizu has become a notable Nollywood actress who keeps getting better. In this interview with Adedayo Odulaja, she dwells on her career, life, love and more What projects are you currently working on? I just finished producing my short film, it’s called The Messenger. It premiered exclusively on LoveWorldPlus and anyone who wants to watch can go to my Instagram page @EberechukwuBayrayMcwizu to check out the pictures I posted there and you will see the link of The Messenger. Basically, it is a short film on how we can change the mindset of Nigerians and have a better country because change starts with every one of us by speaking out. Because we Nigerians know how to celebrate but then we are suffering and it is such a shame. So can one say you subscribe to the recently launched campaign of the current government, #ChangeBeginsWithMe? Yes, change begins with me but it is also important that at the leadership level change does not exclude them, they are included and in fact change should even start with them being the head of the family. So if change starts with me, then we, as Nigerians, should expect a lot more from the Nigerian government. So as Nigerians, we want to be part of the change but it is also very important to change by leadership, change by example. For instance, in a family when there is a first child, second and third, it is just natural that whatever the first child is doing, the second and third will follow. So it is important for the government to lead by example. If they are saying change begins with me then we should see it reflecting on the economy and everything but that is totally absent for now. You are one of those known for elevated acting. Could you reflect on how you earned that status? Wow, that’s huge and honourable! Thanks for the compliment. First of all, I think you are right because at first when I became an actress, I just wanted to do what I was passionate about. I am and was passionate about acting although my mother at the time wanted me to study Law and she didn’t want me to do acting at all and I had been working for her since I was like 13 years old. So I just wanted to show her that I could do this thing, that I was called to do it and that I could actually affect my world with my talent and then it became important to me that people saw what I was doing and they were influenced and inspired by it. I realised that with every project I did, I had to be consistent with my passion, not just do it because of the money. Money is important but somebody is watching me somewhere in the world and what I’m doing is going to change her life or it’s going to inspire her to also live out her talent. So it is a huge responsibility to not take any job lightly no matter how small the script is. You have to find and give it life because people are watching. I understand your involvement in fashion but does it mean it’s a route you would have taking if acting didn’t come up? Well, I think they are somewhat interwoven because my mother used to say when I was small, I’d just take her clothes and tie it round and put on her jewellery and she used to wonder what kind of child is this. It would always have been alongside acting because I don’t think acting is something I decided would happen, I think it was already predestined before time that it would come to be and whatever skill I manage

I can't hide when in love –Bayray McNwizu to pick up along the way would just add to my talent. For me, fashion is life and fashion is everything, so it’s natural. But I definitely intend to make money from it too. Which of all the roles you have played would you describe as the most challenging yet? I would choose the role I acted in The Visit as my most challenging yet but I am currently on a set where I am playing the role of a stammerer and that as well is quite challenging. Sometimes I just feel like crying because it takes a lot of my soul but for the one that everyone has seen, it is The Visit because playing the character of Eugenia gave me backache. People don’t know the amount of work that one had to put in but for months I had backache. I am not used to sitting up proper and all but I had to do that for a long time and unconsciously I put on the character traits and it was tiring to be that stiff, that prim and proper because I’m not used to it. For me to even get into that character, there was a lot of challenges. I’m quite jovial, I can be loud, introverted but on that set, I must be consistently prim and proper and that was a lot. So beyond having to sit properly and all that, how did you manage the role? My producer referred me to a lot of materials, I did a lot of research with her. I went to finishing school online to check out how ladies that are prim and proper act. I went on the internet to check out movies, I watched Brief from Desperate Housewives but all of that was 'Caucasianish', they were all Caucasians and I wanted to see an African like that and what would make her like that. So it took me about a week and three days to master it because even on set, I would act this way but the director would say, ‘no, not

way.’ At a particular time, I had to cry because my head was hot but by the time I settled into the character, it was very hard to let go of it because I’d now become Eugenia. Even nowadays I can’t move without people saying, ‘Oh my God, I saw you on TV and you were awesome’ and I am wondering if only they know the pain I went through to deliver that character. Beyond the invasion of privacy every celeb talks about, what has fame and fortune cost you? As of yet, there is really nothing I can point to, just the loss of my privacy. But I am glad to have a few mentors in my life and whose lives I watch to shape mine. But some things that might be offensive to another person, I don’t find offensive, I just understand it’s part of the growth process and what you have to deal with when you are in the public view. So what I’d do which is naturally what everyone else would do, people would criticise but of course I know it’s because I’m out there. How do you manage stress as an entertainer to create the much-needed work-life balance? That’s a very vital question and it’s a question I keep asking myself everyday how to deal with the stress because people don’t understand how stressful it is for actors. They just think it’s just an easy job especially nowadays that everyone is an actor and they think it’s about wearing fashionable clothes and being on TV. No, watch the westerners and you would see it is one of the hardest jobs ever on planet earth, for you to pick on a character and become someone else and live that person’s life. In the realm of everything, no one wants to know that you are joking; it’s

real life so you are taking on the person’s advantages and disadvantages and it gets really tiring, exhausting. For me, taking a bottle of red wine helps me to relax. Recently when I co-produced a short film, I found the writer sipping red wine and she said that is how she relaxes and I’m like, ‘that’s true’. And I tried it and it was fantastic, so I’ve found a way to relax. Another way is to pray, I love to pray, meditate, read a very good book and just reflect on how good God’s grace has been, because when I look at the challenges I’m usually like: “Really, I’ve come this far and I’m still having these challenges.’ So for you, it doesn’t get to the point of breaking down or seeking medical help because people hardly talk about it in this part of the world? True, mental health is very important. I used to be the official advocate for a mental health awareness day and I realized that Nigerians, we are just blessed. They say what you don’t know will not kill you but it just helps to know there is somewhere you can go to seek counsel and shift from the state of depression to a state of joy but people are so secretive about such here. But what is more pronounced is people are aware you can seek other ways to relieve stress like smoking, alcohol, drugs and all of that but I think one way of having a solution is having a mentor. When you have a mentor, you can always call to say I feel this way or that. I don’t know why it seems a Nigerian culture that no one wants to talk about how they feel, they want to hide it and before you know it, it seeps into their family and spread through generations and it is just sad. More so, Nigerians have to learn to read because if you read, you’d know that your diet can affect your state of mind and you can partake in activities that will raise your joy level. Has any recent Nollywood production gripped you so much you wished you were part of it? I’ve not seen 93 Days but I would have loved to be a part of it because it is such a real life story. I am a sucker for real life events and that is why I asked you what book you are reading because I will like to be a part of an Obafemi Awolowo kind of story, a story that involves indigenous languages. I just finished a film with my friend, producer and writer, Kehinde Olorunyomi, and the film is called Tesho. It is a female version of Magun and my character is an Igbo character married to a Yoruba man. I like movies like that where you can see the realness of the characters, not just drama all the time. People are tired of drama, they want real life events and that can drive Nollywood further forward. The rumours about marriage regarding you have refused to go away, is there anything like that on the horizon? I’m not married yet, I’m not in a hurry to get married. I don’t know what you mean by the horizon but I am a very busy woman and I have many projects lined up and find time to relax as well. But I can’t help it, I am a beautiful lady and I say that with all sense of humility. I get advances here and there of course I’d like to be married someday but as of now, I’m just testing the waters, there is nothing really concrete yet because I am a very showy person and I don’t think I can hide if I am in love with somebody. So, I think the world will know at the time but for now, I am busy on my career. Like everyone, you once expressed a desire for the good and fabulous lifestyle, how close to that are you? Evidently, I think I am living the good life, regardless of whether it’s a flashy car or a flashy house. I think I am in a very good place; body, mind, soul and cash wise. Sometimes in life, you cannot have it all, it is either you have a good marriage and bad business or good business and not-so-good marriage and balance always seems to evade human beings but I think I am at a place where I am very content. I’ve been in the industry for six years now and I was away then came back but my career has been very satisfactory. I’ve always dreamt about producing my films and giving up and coming actors a platform to showcase their talents and I’m at that place now. My life is very selfless, not just about me. I do philanthropy, mentorship and all that and by the way I am coming out with my show soon. It’s a show that has been on my mind for a long time and it is going to be informal and real fun, that’s all I can say for now.

20 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

How I introduced trumpet to K1’s band in 1982 –Kakaki Jesu

How would you describe your kind of music? I would simply say it’s unique and original Are you signed to any record label? Not yet but my marketing company is currently CD babies. Why your choice of producers? Seun Oke is my producer because he is well advanced in contemporary music.

Nigerian-born but UK-based saxophonist, Olatunde Peter Adeshile (a.k.a Kakaki Jesu) is doing Nigeria proud in the Queen’s land. The enigmatic saxophonist is putting finishing touches to his second album to be released before end of the year. He speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA about his career

Why gospel and not R’N’B or soul music? I love the Lord and maybe that’s because I grew up in the Christian environment. The gospel music scene is almost saturated. How have you set yourself apart? My niche is using afro and African high life style to my music. What’s the biggest crowd you had faced and where was the performance? That would be at The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Festival of Life in London and Freedom Arena in London as well.

There is so much to a name. What’s behind your name ‘Kakaki Jesu’? I started my music career playing the trumpet. I was the best in my community, I was, therefore, popularly known as Kakaki which means ‘trumpet’. How did you start playing the trumpet? I started playing trumpet in 1978. And I know Kunle Ajayi used to play the saxophone at Jazz 38, Ikoyi, Lagos then. I used to go there with a friend who happens to be a former band leader for Femi Kuti. He was playing saxophone when I was playing the trumpet. I was in fact, the first person to play the trumpet in K1’s band in 1982. You know then, some instruments were actually alien to the Fuji music culture. K1 named that album Fuji Revolution or something similar to that because he wanted to revolutionalise the genre. I left Nigeria in 1994 but while I was here, I played for some musicians back here. I was one of the members of MIC Band owned by the late Tunji Okusanya. I was one of the pioneer band members. But when I got abroad, I realised that people were asking me if I play saxophone quite frequently. I was a member of the Boys’ Brigade. In this club, we were expected to learn how to play as many instruments as possible. I started with the drums and then moved to the trumpet due to the influence of my mentor, a senior officer of Boys’ Brigade, Mr. Debo Norma-Williams. I had seen him play exceptionally well, I approached him to teach me and he gladly did that. What attracted and influenced you to picking the saxophone? When I arrived in the U.K., I continued playing the trumpet, but as I began to go round playing at church engagements, I was always asked if I could play the saxophone as well. Then one day we were in choir practice in church and I picked up a saxophone that was in a box that the church had bought. Then one of the ladies at the choir rehearsals, Susan Odushola, said: "Brother Peter, it would be really nice for you and the church if you can learn to play the saxophone." Then I came to Lagos on holidays and asked a friend of mine (Biodun Adeoye, who was the baritone and saxophone player for Femi Kuti) to teach me how to play and here we are today. Who were the saxophonists that you were listening to at that time? Fela Kuti, Kirk Whalum, Ron Brown, Rick Braun and Charlie Parker What is the first song that you played on the Saxophone? Amazing Grace The life of a musician is filled with women.

Would you like to share some insights into your forthcoming album? It's going to be about eight tracks and the first one is "Accept Christ" in full Afro format What inspired the songs? As a Christian, I look at what is going on in the diaspora. It seems like the end times and time to accept Christ. If you were to be 18 again, what would you do differently? I would have focused more on music than academics. It seems I have gone round in a full circle and ended up a musician. What are you most afraid of? The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I fear God.

Kakaki Jesu

Which artistes would you most like to meet dead or alive? Kirk Whalum is the one. In your opinion, what’s the best song ever recorded? Amazing Grace by Kirk Whalum How do you manage them? I am very disciplined because I love my wife. The only woman I need to manage is my Yetunde. With a busy schedule, attending gigs and tours globally, how do you manage the home front? I kind of leave the home front management and organisation to Yetunde. She does a fantastic job managing the home, even with her busy schedule. All I do is to tell her where and when my engagements are and she manages the rest around my schedule. When you are not travelling, what do you do? I rehearse a lot and listen to other productions by other musicians. That's also family time. We tend to go to South end beach (when the weather is good) or to have a meal out. Are you encouraged by the current music society? Yes. The industry seems to be picking up even in the recession, people always need good music.

What would you not travel without? My Saxophone What kinds of things are you working on? I'm working on my second album at the moment which is titled "Afro according to the Gospel". I practice my music with the saxophone, trumpet and keyboard. Do you like to hear yourself play? Yes, I do. I will not sell to people what I do not like. Do you work on sound as well? I do not do sound engineering but I have a little knowledge of it. What do you recommend for sound? A good sound engineer. How would you define your musical voice? Contemporary gospel is what I play.

If you had the power to ban one thing in the world, what would that be? That would be drugs and alcohol because they had landed a lot of musicians in trouble. What does the future hold for Kaakaki? Greatness! The journey has just begun. What’s the best lesson you have learned from your life in music? You need to have a vision of where you are going and remain focused. A lot of people miss it without a combination of these two things. Is there anything that you haven't done in your years in music that you would like to do? Yes and that one thing is my own concert. What would you like to improve in the Nigerian music industry? I would like to use this platform to encourage more African musicians to focus more on African style of music. We all seem to be forgetting our rich African culture.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Male music acts to watch out for

Dremo

Ycee

Mayor Boss

Sugar Boy

Mayorkun

Pepenazi

L.A.X

Koker

Tomi Thomas

Viktor

CDQ

Aside 2Baba, Wizkid, Davido and many others, there is a steady supply of young talents in the Nigerian music terrain who are ready to push the boundaries. Ogechi Ndubunma reports Dremo Dremo is one of the new crop of music acts shaking things up in Nigeria, he is a Nigerian rapper and recording artist signed to Davido Music Worldwide recently founded by popular music star, Davido. He claimed to have been involved in music since he was 12 years old. Dremo has worked with acts like Olamide and L.A.X and his single, “Panda” drew a lot of attention to the 23-year-old Edo State indigene. The song is still popular around Nigeria. Some of his other songs include the equally popular “Fela”, “Flavor” and “Ojere”. Having signed his first professional contract three years ago, Dremo is one of the new young acts to watch out for. Ycee There is no argument about the awesome talent of self-styled Omo Alhaji, Ycee. Easily the most popular on this list, Ycee is a rapper and a songwriter. Born Oludemilade Martins Alejo, Ycee achieved a measure of fame following the release of his single, “Condo” in 2015 which went on to earn him nominations at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards that year. However, the release of the song “Jagaban” threw Ycee up as an act the industry could not ignore anymore and the remix of that highsounding hit with YBNL boss, Olamide ensured he is now rolling with the best around. With yet another hit single, “Omo Alhaji” to his name, many of his fans hope he will be among the A list acts in Nigeria in no time and his recent performance at the Road To Mama concert might be a valid testimony. Mayor Boss He is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and video producer who also boasts of his own record label, no wonder the word, ‘boss’ is even listed in his stage name. Mayor Boss is based in Europe and he is also a member of a music group called Young Paperboyz. He released his debut song called “My Diva” last year and from what we know, the music act is making an impression on some of the most loyal followers of Nigerian music. Sugar Boy Sugar Boy is signed to G-worldwide Entertainment, the same record label that Kiss Daniel calls home. He is a singer, songwriter and performer who combines and infuses elements of Reggae/ Dancehall and Afrobeat in his songs. Since he was introduced to the industry through a song titled “Raba” featuring Kiss Daniel, Sugar Boy has shown he can hold his own. The popularity of his follow-up effort, “Hola Hola” early this year proves that much and the song went on to rule the airwaves for quite a while. Ask students in tertiary institutions around Nigeria and they would tell you Suagr Boy, who has performed in many of the private universities, is one of their favourite acts. Not one to keep his fans waiting for too long, he recently released another single, “Double” and although he has no album yet, he is definitely one artiste to watch out for. Mayorkun The rise of Mayorkun as far as the Nigerian music industry is concerned contains ele-

ments of a fairytale. From a complete unknown, he is now signed to Davido’s new label along with Dremo and is fast making a name for himself. Mayorkun was signed to the record label after he did a cover of Davido’s “The Money” and was a banker before quitting to go into music fully. Signed to the label early this year, Mayorkun has been seen on many occasions with his label boss, Davido and has gone ahead to drop a hit single titled “Eleko”. The song reached number one on iTunes and was on the top 10 of various charts on radio and TV for many weeks. Pepenazi Pepenazi came into limelight after the release of his song, “Illegal” featuring acclaimed street king and YBNL boss, Olamide. Pepenazi is signed to Ecleftic Records and has featured acts like Iyanya and Sound Sultan. He took a break from the music scene in 2012 because he had to go for his NYSC programme before winning the 2013 Airtel NYSC Lagos camp freestyle competition. He marked his return to the music scene in 2014 with the release of two singles titled “Born you” and “Low”. L.A.X Damilola Afolabi, better known as L.A.X, is a Nigerian rapper who holds a Master’s degree from the University of Manchester. He collaborated with Wizkid on the song, “Caro” which brought him major recognition and an award at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Award for the “Diaspora Artiste of the Year”. Excited with the level of recognition he got the first time, he collaborated with Wizkid again on a song titled “Ginger” and he and the Starboy boss were able to create magic once again. He signed a contract with Starboy Entertainment in 2013 after the release of the song, “Caro”. Since then, he has remained active in the industry and he is one to watch out for.

Koker He studied Creative Arts at the University of Lagos but while many of his lecturers and fellow students expected him to display traits of a thespian, Koker was always more interested in music. Koker started his music career at the tender age of 11 and composed songs for the Unilag at 50th carnival and also for the Eko Sports Festival. He is currently signed to Chocolate City and is best known for the hit single, “Kolewerk” and the remix of the song which continues to rule the Nigerian airwaves. Call him a Highlife and Pop act and you won’t be wrong, especially with his unique style and delivery in Yoruba. Tomi Thomas Tomi Thomas is a Nigerian rapper widely known for his signature dreads as well as for his freestyle. A members of LOS, the group of young men who graduated from DANSOL High School, Tomi is inspired by Femi Kuti, Bob Marley and others. He released his EP in 2014 titled Patience and has singles including “Not my bae” and “The Renaissance”.

Viktor Widely known as one of Olamide’s boys, Viktor was signed to Olamide-led record label, YBNL in 2014 at the same time Lil Kesh became a member of the label. Viktor has released songs like “Mad Jam” in which he featured Ycee. Widely believed to be even more talented than Lil kesh, Viktor, who raps in Ishan and English, is being looked upon by the industry to blow big time and justify the tag of one of Olamide’s disciples. CDQ He was signed to Masterkraft’s “General Records” after he won a rap battle at an Industry Nite show back in 2012 and regards Masterkraft as his mentor. He released a song titled “Suala” shortly after he was signed to the label while he wrapped up the academic part of things by graduating from the University of Lagos not long after. He has since released tracks including “Wobi” and “Olowo” and recently collaborated with another Nigerian act, Runtown, on a song titled “Ogoni”.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Social Media Craze TravelTourism

8 October 2016

Trending

Gist

Photos Controversies

Adedayo Odulaja

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Facebook

Nigerians console Basketmouth over mum’s death a month after robbery

t is no longer news that Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has announced the death of his mother. The Abia State-born comedian announced the passing of his mother on Tuesday via Instagram by writing: “Last night my angel left me, my first love stopped breathing and it’s the deepest pain I’ve ever felt. I love you for every sacrifice you made to make me the man I am today, I’ve loved you through the tough times. I’ve loved you through happier days and all I can say at this point is that I will love you forever. I will miss you mummy.” Not long after the comedian made the death of his mother known on social media, Banky W sent his condolence message while using the hashtag #PrayForBasketMouth. #Prayforbasketmouth I don’t have all the details, but I heard @basketmouth lost his mum last night. I also heard that fairly recently, he went

through and survived an armed robbery attack in his home. Sometimes, when it rains, it really pours. I can only imagine what he’s feeling like currently. No matter how strong a person is… Life can test you with the harshest of circumstances. I just want everyone to please reach out to him and offer a word of encouragement and support to our brother… it can be a call, text, or social media comment. He’s someone that has brought a lot of joy into millions of our lives, and it’s our turn to do that for him. But most importantly, please also take a moment to #prayforbasketmouth. May god strengthen, comfort, protect and uplift him and his family in this trying time… in jesus name, amen. Much love bro.” A fellow comedian and friend of Basketmouth, Bovi, also made his feelings known. “Another mother has slept. Heaven just gained another saint. Rest in peace ma. @godwin4577 @basketmouth please stay strong for the rest of the family.”

Tongues wag over Sade Adu’s daughter's gender transition

he daughter of popular Nigerian-British singer, Sade Adu is about to change to a man. While sharing sex transition photos of herself on social media days ago, the openly lesbian 20-year-old seems to be making a transition from female to a full male identity according to photos shared via her Instagram account. Mickailia Ila Adu is the daughter the “Sweetest Taboo” singer had with Jamaican-American music producer, Bob Morgan, and she is known for flaunting her very committed relationship to her white partner. The new photos show Ila with her partner rocking male clothing items as well as spotting a male haircut and accessories. As part of preparing for the medical procedure, Ila has been dressing up in male regalia and has

also been taking male hormones inducing drugs with obvious changes noticed in her figure. In a post on Instagram, she wrote: “Today is the first day of the rest of my life. 04/10/16#shotday #firstshot#finally#selfmademan#t ransman#proud#yaas#.” She is also known to have used the tagline many times: “I came in like a lamb, but I intend to leave like a lion.” In his reaction, a commenter on @AbokiDaWarriBoy wrote: “Na wa o... Baba God dey see things sha!” while @Iphie Abraham said: “Indirectly telling God that you don't like the way He's created you.” Sade Adu, whose list of famous songs includes “Smooth Operator”, has not made her feelings about her daughter ’s sex change public yet. With over 110 million albums sold worldwide, Sade remains the most successful solo female artist in British history.

How Otedola’s daughter, DJ Cuppy, unveiled Victor Anichebe as lover

he social media went agog days ago after popular Femi Otedola’s daughter, DJ Cuppy mistakenly revealed Nigerian footballer, Victor Anichebe, as her lover. DJ Cuppy, whose real names are Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, is fond of sharing photos of her man but with his face covered. She was at it again when she shared yet another photo from a recent event on Snapchat while using an emoji to cover his face. However, the same photo was later shared by an unidentified user who is believed to have attended the same event which revealed the identity of her man as the former Everton

and West Bromwich Albion striker. Also in attendance at the event were Anichebe shared a passionate kiss with DJ Cuppy was Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; Cuppy’s dad, Femi Otedola and her sister, Temi. The event was organised in collaboration with the Dangote Foundation with the aim of selling African contemporary art to the European audience. Victor Anichebe, already capped 11 times by Nigeria, currently plays for Premier League side, Sunderland. The 28-year-old has been struggling with a niggling injury for the past three seasons and has not featured for Nigeria since 2012 after opting to concentrate on his club career.

Photo on the left shows DJ Cuppy kissing a lover whose face is hidden. Second photo reveals footballer Victor Anichebe as the lover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Investigations

HOUSING DEBACLE

LIVING IN SLUMS, SLEEPING UNDER BRIDGES Ijora-Badia slum in Lagos photo: tony eguaye

Across the country, low-income earners are still in quagmire, regarding their own houses. This may be the reason stakeholders are worried that despite government claims of formulating policies to provide shelter for appreciable percentage of the citizenry, there are no indicators to justify the claims. The mortgage institutions in the country, according to ISIOMA MADIKE, in this report are also largely inactive

adam Onyeka Nkemakonam is a widow. She lived in a mini-flat apartment at No 5, Lagos Street, off Akilo Road, Agege, Lagos, with her family for close to six years. She lost her husband, Nnamdi, in May last year. After the burial rites of her husband and the mandatory mourning period, Nkemakonam returned to Lagos with her four children, to face new challenges of life without the breadwinner. Her landlord, sensing that it could be difficult for her to continue with the payment of rent, decided to issue a quit notice to her. She pleaded for time, which she thought the landlord had consented to. But she was wrong. Unknown to Nkemakonam, her landlord had a different game plan. The

man, according to what later played out, might have decided to test the signed tenancy law in the state. He ejected her, along with other tenants with the aid of thugs, a few months after. One of the tenants, Christopher Johnson, a commercial bus driver, who raised the alarm, said he was at Obalende when someone called to inform him that thugs and fake policemen were at his residence in

an apparent move to eject all the tenants in the bungalow building. “I had to abandon what I was doing at Obalende Park and rushed home. I met other tenants outside the house, their properties and mine had already been vandalised by the thugs,” Johnson narrated to Saturday Telegraph. According to him, items lost to the hoodlums were clothes, phones, laptop, a travelling bag and N70,000 cash he had been saving to rent another apartment. Other tenants in the house also claimed they lost sums of money ranging from N50,000 to N90,000 to the invaders. Nkemakonam said the N250,000 donated to her to complete her husband’s building at Sango Ota area of Ogun State during the burial of her husband, was also stolen. The total money lost to the thugs was over N360,000, according to claims the tenants made at the police station, where the matter was reported.

Isioma madike

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

'Tenants' under the Iganmu Bridge photo: tribuneonlineng.com

Narrating her ordeal to Saturday Telegraph, Nkemakonam said she was in the room when the thugs rushed in, threatened to break her head with a hammer after which they bundled her out of the room. Like Nkemakonam, many Nigerians, especially those living in the cities, have tales of woe to tell about their ordeal in the hands of landlords. Many people have had terrible experiences in the hands of landlords whose power seems to be growing unchecked. And since shelter is one of the basic necessities of life, many are determined to acquire this essential need. It has thus become a major concern for both individual and governments in the country. In fact, the scorecard of any government in the country has, more often, been assessed on its ability to provide housing for its populace. Shelter, indeed, is very important and obligatory in human living. It is imperative for every human being to have a home. However, the individual financial capacity often hinders the purchasing power, hence, the prevalence of house rent in Nigeria. This may be the reason most landlords take advantage of this and see themselves as ‘mini gods’. They believe they have power, which can quickly change the livelihood of any person negatively. However, many of the home occupiers in Nigeria today are largely tenants, who pay for accommodation monthly or yearly. And, the uncontrollable rise in the country’s population, particularly in urban areas has resulted in an unimaginable demand for housing. The overall cases of landlord palacontinued on page 24

Investigations

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

‘Landlords exploit the shortage, c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 2 3

ver over the years are alarming and mind boggling. Most of the landlords today, who hitherto were tenants, do not care about the laws or rules guiding landlords and tenants relationship. The thinking is that, the house belongs to them and they are free to make their decisions anytime. Though, government at various levels had come up with difficult landlord/tenancy laws, they have only achieved very little in addressing the problem. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, only the well-to-do can afford to rent an apartment in the metropolis as the costs appear not to be for small salary earners. Judith Nmakwe, a civil servant said: “The rate of accommodation in this city has assumed alarming dimension; you cannot see a beginner, I mean someone who is trying to start life, settle down in Abuja. “A room apartment at the boys’ quarters is what most people can afford here,” she said. There are other views. According to another resident, Ade Adebayo, the FCT is not meant for everybody to come and settle in. “You cannot compare Abuja with other places in the country. This is the capital of Nigeria and it’s no dwelling place for every Tom, Dick and Harry. However, not all houses are expensive; it depends on the area you choose to live. Many settle on the outskirts where rent is quite reasonable,” he said. But, Lagos and Abuja are not isolated cases. In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Bidemi Babatope, narrated her ordeal in the hands of her 58-year-old landlord. She had earlier paid for two years house rent, but after a year of occupancy, the landlord demanded that she paid more. Reason: Because other landlords had increased their rent. Babatope declined such demand and referred the landlord to his tenancy agreement, which they both signed. That was not enough to dissuade the shylock landlord as he refused to acknowledge his agreement. The consequence was that Babatope was given a seven-day quit notice to evacuate the room. “He gave me the notice on a Saturday, the following Monday, he started knocking my door early in the morning, telling me that someone had paid for my room and that I should move out in two days’ time. “Though, I had been busy looking for a room before then, but I couldn’t get one. In fact, I was not financially buoyant enough to do much running around or guarantee a decent house since the man said, he won’t return my money until I move out. As I was praying the next day, I noticed a carpenter was working on my roof, I thought it was a usual change of a leak in the roof but again, I remembered that my room was not in need to repairs after all,” Babatope recounted. Residents of Port Harcourt in Rivers State are also groaning. They have called on the state government to intervene in the high cost of housing in the city. They said that unless something was done urgently by the authorities to address the astronomical cost of housing in the state, some of them might be forced to relocate to the suburbs. Currently, rent offered for a one-room “self-contain” apartment goes for between N200,000 and N250,000 per annum while a one-bed flat costs as much as N600,000 in some locations. Likewise, two-bed room is

Forced eviction leaves this woman homeless photo: www.irinnews.org

offered for rent at between N600,000 and N700,000 depending on the area. One of the residents, Kelvin Onwuka, lamented that house rent in the city was fast getting out of the reach of public servants. He said it was becoming increasingly difficult for government employees to live in good houses. Onwuka, a civil servant, said that housing was a critical social service issue and called on the Federal Government to enact laws that would regulate housing, especially rents in the country. But, Mrs. Josephine Okenwa, a landlady, attributed the high cost of housing to the rising cost of building materials. She said one way to solve the problem was for government to also regulate cost of the materials. “You cannot expect someone to sell goods below their cost prices; that is what we have been passing through and government knows about it. The first thing the government should do is to ensure that cost of materials for building is reduced and it can, therefore, address the issue of rent,” she said. Building experts see housing as an economic product over which an aver-

age investor wants profits. It is, perhaps, for this reason that the Lagos State government passed a tenancy law. It was targeted at making life comfortable for its citizenry and safeguarding the low income earners in the state. The law, however, has thrown up endless debate among major stakeholders in the real estate industry. Its provisions made it unlawful for a landlord or his agent to demand or receive rent in excess of six months from a sitting tenant. With the law, it becomes illegal for any landlord to receive more than a year rent from a new tenant otherwise he will be made to pay N100,00 or sentenced to three years imprisonment. Similarly, it will also be unlawful for a tenant to offer to pay more than a year rent, even though, it allows for the two parties involved (landlord and tenant) to sign a tenancy agreement. But, as plausible as the law may seem, most landlords, stakeholders and property developers have argued that such would never achieve its purpose. According to them, the Nigerian society has failed to provide sufficient housing facilities for the people. It is argued that the

Abuja slum photo: buzznigeria.com

problem of insufficient accommodation should be tackled first before promulgating such laws. The general case of landlords make Nigerian housing situation looks like a lawless one as they do not care about what the law says concerning their actions and inactions. An Abuja-based Estate Surveyor and Valuer, Ahmed Shehu Dogon-Daji, said that even when rent control laws are available they cannot be implemented because of the refusal of grant to fund research on local building materials through the Nigerian Building Roads Research Institute (NBRRI). He also pointed to the refusal of government to bring the price of cement down because of interest or romance with some manufacturers. Another Abuja-based property developer and MD, Urban Shelter Ltd, Musa Aliyu, admitted that though the courts are there, absence of rent control laws tend to make all landlords abuse the situation. The Lagos State Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe, also submitted: “Dubious and lazy landlords in the country have no conscience. They rely on houses they built 30 to 40 years ago to pay school fees for their children and children of their concubines in Nigeria and abroad.” As it stands today, many Nigerians still rest their heads under the bridge in the dark hour. Such people, who cannot afford a house rent, are left to sleep in the cold at night, exposing themselves not only to the vagaries of the weather but other dangers. Other less privileged tenants also live in uncompleted buildings. These kinds of people are exposed to hazards both night and day. There are others too, who often consider themselves lucky but live in the slum where all forms of inhuman activities abound. They inhabit the slum because they cannot afford the cost of a decent accommodation. The efforts of the Federal Government, particularly the National Assembly and state assem-

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

Global Confident Algeria host Cameroon p.28

Sport Splash

I take care of my community, but it's sad people still robbed my dad –Onazi

What does raising a family mean to you? Family is everything as those are the people that will never turn their backs on you because they will always be there for you. It is something you have to build and make sure that the family is always family. What has changed since you got married? A lot of things have changed. The mentality of a boy wanting to do things irrationally for one, but this time you do things with calmness and you have a companion you want to share things with and somebody with whom you want to plan your life and do a lot of things. For me, it is so beautiful. What are some of those things you went through as a young boy, that you don’t want your kids to experience? A lot! Things like being very stubborn, doing some things you never wanted parents to be mad at you about. Some things that your parents advised us to do, but we went on to do things that we felt were right, but then were wrong. So many of them we need to correct for our own children because, as a person, I try to make sure I restrict them from doing a lot of wrongs. Doing this makes them

The Team Ajibade Olusesan l Co-ordinator

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

Do you think Turkey was the best move for you? I went to Turkey just to clear my head and mind and I am still in transit, yet to get to my destination. Turkey is just like a transit for me. In football, a lot of things are involved in the transfer market because if one thing goes wrong, nothing will work out. So many people don’t understand what it is all about, but it is a little bit difficult as a lot of people are involved. I thank God, everything is going the way He planned it and I believe that I will get to my destination. What are the chances of Nigeria in the World Cup qualifying series? We are always optimistic about the World Cup. We have our first game in Zambia and we have to take our chances even though there are a lot of difficulties in the country, a lot of problems in the economy and all that. There is no excuse, because if I miss the World Cup personally, I am not going to forgive myself, not to talk about Nigerians. It is something that we have to put our minds in whether good or bad and try to get the maximum points needed to qualify.

Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi in this interview with Saturday Telegraph’s EMMANUEL TOBI said the 2018 World Cup ticket would not elude the team as he enjoined stakeholders to work together to ensure the country’s flag is hoisted in Russia.

How will you describe life as a married man? I give thanks to God. It is something that everyone needs to experience as you build on how you want your life to be. We are still in the process and we thank God for the grace.

News Eagles will stun Zambia, Omeruo assures Nigerians p.32

grow better. What has life taught you? Life has taught me a lot, the good and the bad. Life is a big experience for me and I have learnt a lot as I have tried to maintain the present situation.

What are the lessons you learnt from missing AFCON? I learnt a lot. It is only when you miss it that you will realize, so I don’t want to be in that position again as I want to always be in the positive side and take the chances now. It will look like one is not a footballer if you don’t go to the Nation’s Cup or maybe you missed out on one tournament. It is embarrassing when even little children at my club ask why one is not at a tournament and I don’t know what to tell them. These are the things I don’t want to experience again. Now that we have this chance again, I believe God is going to give us the grace to make good use of it.

How is life in Turkey as against that of Italy? Life in Turkey is beautiful just like in Italy. I will not say I miss one place or the other like that because I am a professional and you have to do your things professionally. Well, fine you might miss some of the things in Italy, some of their good dishes and all that. While in Turkey, there are similar foods while there are still some things that are missing over there. In Turkey I feel comfortable and relaxed, no problem. I am just trying to make the most of everything. How do you feel having responsibility in your new club? Well, I started having responsibility right from my youth age and I am used to. When your coach or leader gives you a title, you have to make good use of it and make sure that you lead the people very well. That is what I am doing. It doesn’t matter how old you are, it is all about responsibility. I am used to it and I am ready to take the task anywhere I go.

Do you see Algeria as a threat in that group considering their ranking as number one in Africa? For me, I don’t see any team as a threat. Every country is able to go to the World Cup, just as we are. The most important thing is the difference that we make when we play the matches. If you want to make the difference, you go to the pitch and win your matches and then you will make the difference. For me, I don’t believe in ranking or whatever, when we meet on the pitch we know who is superior. This is the most important thing for me. I am not scared of any team and I respect everyone as we are Onazi

CONTINUE ON PAGE 27

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

Nigerian League Rendezvous BY CHARLES OGUNDIYA

Amazing NPFL statistics of the just concluded season 0- Shooting Stars failed to win a match against any lower placed side after the reappointment of Gbenga Ogunbote as the club's manager this season. 3 - Rivers United and Ifeanyi Ubah FC conceded just 3 goals at home in the NPFL. 4 - Only Heartland, El-Kanemi Warriors, Nasarawa United and Niger Tornadoes failed to win away from home in the NPFL. 5 - Sunshine Stars of Akure kept 5 clean sheets away from home, the most by any NPFL side. 17- Rivers United kept 17 clean sheets (joint with Ifeanyi Ubah FC) in the NPFL this season, at least two more than any other side. 24- Chisom Egbuchulam (Rangers) had a hand in 24 goals (16 Goals, eight assists) two more than any other player this season. 100- Ismaila Gata (Ifeanyi ubah FC) scored the 100th goal of the #NPFL season. 734- The total number of goals scored in 342 games played across 225 calendar days of the league season.

Different strokes for Rangers, MFM

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right), lifting the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League trophy with Rangers International FC captain, Okey Odita, while Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (middle), looks on at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu... Sunday. PHOTO: The Citizen Ng

I want to repay Wikki with a new season –Chukwudi

ikki Tourists striker, Samuel Chukwudi, has promised to stay for another season with the club after helping the team secure a CAF Confederation Cup slot. The former FC Taraba player said the club stood by him during his trying period after leaving Mosta FC of Malta. Chukwudi expressed disappointment with the team’s inability to win the league as he promised to give his best for the team next season. “It was so disappointing that we didn’t win the league, but there is always another day,” he said. “The season started well for us but there is nothing we can do about it. I can’t wait for the new season to start because I want to repay the club for their support for me during my trying period. “We are playing on the continent which is a good one for the club and hopefully we can make a meaningful impact.” He called on the management of the club to retain bulk of the team and most importantly the technical crew. According to him, the technical crew, led by Abdu Maikaba, have done a tremendous job on the

Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the League Management Company, who handed the trophy to the eventual winner. Giwa FC was expelled from the league after contravening the rule with the case still ongoing at the Jos court. “I am happy that the league started on schedule and ended on the last day according to plans,” Dikko said. “We encountered so many challenges but I am happy that it has finally come to an end. I was given the mandate to protect the league and that is what I am going to do.” Despite the successes recorded, there is room for improvement as the players look forward to their break.

he Nigeria Professional Football League season started on February 20, and co incidentally the eventual winner, Rangers International of Enugu lost their first game 2-1 away to Kano Pillars, while newcomer, MFM shocked everyone, beating Nasarawa United 2-1 away from home. It was a perfect start to the new season with three away wins recorded on the opening days with Akwa United, Abia Warriors and Warri Wolves picking valuable points away from home. While Rangers set aside their opening day loss to march on to the title, MFM waited till the final day to secure their premier league status. So many skirmishes happened during the league, but it was a jubilant

team and keeping them together will do the team a lot of good. He also congratulated Rangers for winning the league, claiming that they deserved the victory as they were consistent all through the season.

LEAGUE TABLE Team

PTS

1 Rangers

2 Rivers Utd

3Wikki

4 IfeanyiUbah

5 Lobi Stars

6 Sunshine

7 Kano Pillars

8 El-Kanemi

-5

9 Enyimba

-1

10 Nasarawa Utd36

-2

11 Tornadoes

-2

12 Plateau Utd

-3

13 Abia Warriors

-4

14 Akwa Utd

-1

15 Shooting

-7

16 MFM FC

-4

17 Warri Wolves

-9

18 Heartland

-5

19 Ikorodu Utd

-23

20 Giwa

MFM escape was act of God

M Chukwudi

edia Officer of MFM of Lagos, Olawale Quadri, described the club’s escape from relegation as act of God while hoping for a better campaign next season. “We got more than what we bargained for but thank God we es-

caped. It was a big lesson for us and by next season, it will be a different game entirely,” he said. “The final day was like hell for us, the players gave it their all especially after the red card to Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, and they were rewarded with the victory.”

...Madu happy to be part of champions’ history

angers’ midfielder, Christian Madu, said he was happy to be part of the team that won the Nigeria Professional Football League title. The Flying Antelopes were crowned champions on the final day of the season after whitewashing El-Kanemi Warriors 4-0. The club last won the trophy in 1984, 32 years ago. Speaking to League Rendezvous, Madu who nearly got on the score sheet in the 4-0 victory after hitting the bar said it’s still like a dream to him. “All what was going through my mind before that game was lifting the trophy and nothing else,” he said. “I was a little bit skeptical going into the final game because any mistake would have put paid to all our hardwork for the whole season. “I think the early goal calmed our nerves and I am happy that we won the game and also the trophy. Looking at the

Madu

reaction of the fans after the final whistle made me happy.” The last time the team won in 1984, there was a certain Christian Madu in the team and Madu said it was just a coincidence as he was not related to him in any way. Speaking further, he said the disappointing aspect of the victory was the injury sustained by Ifeanyi Egwim, which ruled him out for more than four months. He said: “I was close to him when he landed on his leg, it was horrific and it took the shine off the victory. I hope he comes back soon to be with us.”

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

'I'm not scared of any team in W'Cup qualifiers' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

all playing football. It's 11 against 11, so let’s compete and after 90 minutes we know the winner. How about Cameroon’s physicality as they are known to be rugged? We played a friendly with them some months back, and we proved to be equal to the task. They are physical and technical like us, so the most important thing is to play like a team. We can use our individual prowess to add to the team. We want to play like a team as the most important thing is just to play well and get the three points. How will you describe the impact of the new Super Eagles coach in the team? He is a very sound technically, he is a foreign coach as this is what so many people were clamouring for. We have him now and he is very technical because he knows what we want and we are just here to make sure we achieve everything he wants us to achieve. I wish him all the best and I am ready to fight any time we are called upon. You have passion for music, how do you relax? I have a lot of hobby. If I am at home, I do a lot of things; if I do play music, I will watch comedy and even play table tennis and computer games. I play games before I go anywhere as I deal with some of my teammates in the camp and they will still collect some when I go back. Is your belief in God a big reason those who robbed your dad were caught within 24hours? When it happened, my brothers refused to let me know about the incident, but they later told me. When they told me, I was so sad and I told them I would call back as I took some minutes to calm down and I asked God to take absolutely control, to make sure my dad was okay. Then I started making calls. I had to call the Commissioner of Police in Abuja, the one in Lagos and the other in Jos. And they told me under 24 hours that they would capture the culprits. They tracked these guys on the road, and I have to commend the police, because if they want to do their job, they do it well. They tracked these guys when they were travelling from Jos to Lagos. They followed them all through to their hotel where they lodged; waiting for someone to buy my Dad’s car and then the police caught them. I really give thanks to God. I was not panicky, because I knew God had taken control of everything. This thing that happened was because of some people who were ungrateful over something, because I don’t understand the reason behind it. Information I got was that someone staying around my parents house did that. There is nothing that I have never done for the community as far as I am concerned. The government had to thank me for my efforts aimed at helping people. I try to make them happy anytime I come back.

I give them cash, bags of rice, oil, and foodstuff. It’s not like I am too rich, but it’s the principle of life. The little I have, I try to give the needy, because I was once like them and I know the pain they pass through. I hope this won’t stop you from helping your community? This is when I will do more, because they cannot even stop me. These are the principles that God has given us, and we need to actualise them, I don’t need to get the whole money in this life, my priority is to make people happy. Sometimes, if We want to play like they want to pray, they pray for you first, before they pray a team as the most for themselves. They ask God important thing is to bless their benefactor, so that they can be blessed. So, we don’t just to play well and know the prayers that is pushget the three points ing us today. Giving does not have limits and it is something I will always do till I leave this earth. What is that special bond between you and your spiritual father, Prophet T.B Joshua? He was the one who sponsored me and my friends, for the trip to Sweden. The most important thing in life, he started by giving. His hands are open and that is the most important thing in life as you make sure you make people around you happy. As a rich man, when people around you are not happy, then you are not a rich man. So this is the most important thing that I try to realize in life as you need to affect lives positively. You must not be the one to be giving them money every day, but let them get something to affect their lives. This is my objective. There are so many things that I do and I don’t involve the media. It’s not necessary, as far as God is aware, let it go like that. This is the most important thing as I

Onazi

want to make people happy. Are you romantic? We are trying to be romantic. It is something that grows. There is a saying that it is where your romance stops, that another person’s starts. It is something you build every day.

What is special about your wife? She is very intelligent; also she abides by my principles. She loves God and she knows what she wants. She doesn’t like publicity. She hides who I am to everybody, because she doesn’t care about the media or what her friends say. She often say ‘what will be will be’. She just keeps it on the low key. The majority of her friends don't know me, only those that are very close. Maybe sometimes they will see us together. All those things people in a relationship do on social media, she hides all those things and people never know what happened and they didn’t know we had stayed together for like six years before we got married. Where did you meet her? I met her in Lagos. I went to see my friend in Sogunle. Then I saw her and greeted her and she never took notice of me at first. Then we started talking, exchanged numbers. For almost two years, we were just friends and we usually communicated on the phone. Then the courtship became serious. I would go to the school to see her i n Obaf e m i Awolowo University. She accepted me for who I am. Was she sceptical about your profession, knowing that footballers are always flamboyant? She was cautious and very intelligent. I knew she was going to be a good asset to me. She nurtured my attitude, character, as she gave reasons for me to be calm and do things the right way among my friends. I will say it is a blessing. Some people they don’t need to tell you that this is what they want you

Onazi celebrates after scoring for Trabzonspor on his debut

to do, but from her attitude you just need to pick up. Before I met her, I hadn’t travelled out of the country as I was still struggling then. When things started happening I told myself that if I don’t marry this girl, then there is a problem. Although, there was pressure everywhere, with people saying I was still young and that I should enjoy life. But I felt this was the right thing as it made me to be focused. Life is all about planning. You need to plan your life. You think you have money, but the children start coming, it is a different ball game as you start taking responsibilities and all that. How do you see the prospect of Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi? I am happy for them because this is their time. When you have the opportunity, make use of it well, and they are doing just that. Thank God the world is now a global village where everyone sees what you are doing and they know what they are capable of doing. Our job is to help people who are ready to play in the team, so we can work together. Super Eagles is nobody house, people will go and come as nobody owns it. This time that I have, I always apply myself 100% when I am on the pitch, so that when I leave the game my children can know what I did. I am happy for them as it makes me want to watch their games when they are playing. When I am driving and I get an alert on Kelechi, Iwobi, Odion Ighalo or any of my teammates, it gives me joy to see them succeeding. Sometimes, when I am with my wife, I will just shout yes and my wife would ask me the reason and I will tell her that my men just scored. Your relationship with your teammates, was it instrumental in their massive presence at your wedding? Yes, the fact is when you are good, you are good. People will show you love. I am happy with the turn out, even those that couldn’t come felt sad about their absence because of some inevitable things that they needed to attend to. I was really happy about it. My colleagues did so much during my wedding and I will not stop thanking them. It is all about love. Tomorrow any of our mates that want to do something like this, we will take it seriously and push it. This is what love is all about. Who is your best Super Eagle colleague? I am close to everybody. Who is the most gentle in the Super Eagles squad? Before, it used to be Shola Ameobi. He doesn’t talk, after eating, he would go straight to his room and read his books. I wonder how his team mates cope. He is quiet. Now, its Carl Ikeme, he is gentle and he doesn’t talk. Who is the most jovial? Then it used to be Azubuike Egwueke. Now, it is Elderson Echiejiele, who doesn’t talk much, but when he does everyone laughs. He is a very jovial person. Who is the best dancer? Sunday Mbah can dance a lot. Followed by Kenneth Omeruo. Who likes to work a lot in the team? Then it was Vincent Enyeama. Now it is Brown Ideye. He always encourages us.

n Group E, Egypt are chasing an elusive place at the finals, where they last appeared in 1990. Having knocked out Nigeria in the AFCON qualifiers, optimism is high that Hector Cuper can lead the team to Russia. The former Parma, Inter Milan and Valencia coach takes his side to Congo for their opening match. The Pharaoh's main rivals for a place in Russia are likely to be Ghana's Black Stars, who are looking for a fourth consecutive appearance at the showpiece event of world football. Avram Grant's team begin their campaign at home to Uganda and anything but a victory for

Egypt, Ghana fight dirty in Group E

outh Africa’s Minister for Sports and Recreation Hon. Fikile Mbalula has pledged “full support” for “Bafana Bafana” and expressed confidence in the national team and its Coach Shakes Mashaba as they play Burkina Faso in the Russia 2018 qualifiers at Stade Du 4 Aout Ouagadougou on Saturday. Mbalula is calling on all citizens to rally behind the team calling them symbol of “perseverance and dedication.” “It is that time again to unite behind our national team. Our young boys are a symbol of perseverance and dedication. They soldier on in these qualifiers with honor gallantly fighting to see our nation in the World Cup tournament,” A statement from the Member of Parliament posted on his official twitter handle reads in part. “As a nation of patriots, we have confidence in our national team

and it’s Coach Shakes Mashaba. I pledge my full support and call on all South Africans to support our boys as they hoist our national flag with pride.” A straight shooting Mbalula two years back branded Bafana Bafana “a bunch of losers” after they prematurely exited African Nations Championship (CHAN) they hosted in 2014. Having failed to qualify for the 2017 AFCON in Gabon, Bafana Bafana will be hoping for atonement in this campaign and possibly return to the global stage for the fourth time since the 2010 showp i e c e which t h e y hosted.

‘Bafana must bury Burkina’

Salah

R Congo will fancy their chances of getting their Group A 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start when they host Libya

nt e d fi n o c C DR t r a t s g n i n of win Libya against

uper Eagles of Nigeria face the Chipolopolo of Zambia in their opening fixture of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Sunday in Ndola. This tie seem the potentially weakest for the Nigerian side in Group B but veteran Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene scoffs at media suggestions that the Chipolopolo are in the section just to make up the numbers. "When the media say you are no-hopers and certain to finish last, that motivates you," he warned Nigeria ahead of a Saturday showdown in central city Ndola. "Deep down, Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria know it is not going to be easy playing against us. Being outsiders suits us just fine." Caretaker Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda rewarded Zesco United for reaching the African Champions League semi-finals against the odds by including seven of their stars. Zambia also failed to reach the 2017 Africa Cup, coming

lgeria begin their final qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup with the belief that they can win all their matches in a group that contains Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia. The Fennecs host the Indomitable Lions in Blida on Sunday

France in 2012. He scored the Foxes’ first World Cup goal in 28 years in Brazil and expects that they will be able to stop Cameroon no matter what the visitors bring. “The training started yesterday. We have a week to work well. The coach has been working

Moukandjo

FIXTURES Saturday Europe Azerbaijan v Norway Germany v Czech Republic N.Ireland v San Marino Armenia v Romania Montenegro v Kazakhstan Poland v Denmark England v Malta Scotland v Lithuania Slovenia v Slovakia Africa DR Congo v Libya Gabon v Morocco Ivory Coast v Mali B/Faso v S/Africa Senegal v Cape Verde Sunday Europe Wales v Georgia Moldova v Ireland Serbia v Austria Israel v Liechtenstein Albania v Spain Macedonia v Italy Finland v Croatia Ukrainev Kosovo Iceland v Turkey Africa Tunisia v Guinea Zambia v Nigeria Algeria v Cameroon Congo v Egypt

Confident Algeria host Cameroon

third in a group won by minnows Guinea-Bissau, so the pressure on Nyirenda is almost as much as that on opposite number Gernot Rohr. "Do not forget that Zambia are a big team, too," stressed Germany-born Rohr, the recent successor to Sunday Oliseh in one of the hottest African coaching seats. "They were the 2012 Nations Cup winners. "The group is open, but I think the motivation of the Nigerian team is very high. Time is not on my side, but it is possible to build a very good team." Injuries have ruled out Premier League pair Isaac Success and Victor Moses, but Manchester City teenage star Kelechi Iheanacho is poised to trouble Mweene. Nigerian captain Mikel John Obi, who has not played any league games for Chelsea this season, said he is looking forward to getting the group phase started. "All the other players and myself are fit and ready and we are determined to start the World Cup race on a winning note," he said.

Eagles, Chipolopolo light up Ndola for World Cup tie S

Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers

Global Football Special www.newtelegraphonline.com

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport SATURDAY

8 OCTOB

he Dutch went from World Cup semi-finalists in 2014 to not even making Euro 2016. Their qualifying campaign was a total write-off and they go into the road to Russia in transition. Wesley Sneijder, with 123 caps, is the only outfield player who has appeared more than 40 times for his country. The French, who played some fantastic football at times at the Euros, will fancy their chances of taking three points.

Meanwhile, Wales surprised everyone with their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Can they repeat the feat and make Russia 2018? If Gareth Bale stays fit they have every chance, but there’s only one guaranteed qualifying spot from their group. Serbia, Republic of Ireland and Austria are the other contenders in Group D and each has a reasonable chance of clinching top spot. It makes matches against the likes of Georgia all the more important – three points are the only option.

THE ASSOCIATION of International Marathons and Distance Races are set to reward Ethiopian distance runner Haile Gebrselassie with the lifetime achievement award at the AIMS Best Marathon Runner (BMR) awards dinner reception next month. AIMS members represent more than 410 of the world’s leading races from 110 countries and territories, including the BMW Berlin Marathon, a race Gebrselassie won on four consecutive occasions between 2006 and 2009, setting world records in 2007 and 2008.

Haile Gebrselassie

the Bayern Munich stalwart bagged two in Norway last time out, and something in the order of that 3-0 win will be hoped for. Low’s side will have to be better at the back than they were in their last qualifying campaign if they are to shut out Karel Jarolim’s team, who bagged 12 goals in five away matches ahead of the summer festivities. Once there, Czech Republic never really got going, with a point against Croatia buffeting losses to Spain and Turkey, a side Jarolim and co knew well after qualifying from the same group.

will be the penultimate fixture in charge of Libya for coach Javier Clemente, with Anwar Al-Toshani (the Libyan Football Federation boss) declaring that they are in the process of hiring a new mentor. Clemente will leave his post after the home match against Tunisia next month. The North Africans have never qualified for the World Cup and they also recently failed to secure a return to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, finishing third in their qualifying group behind Morocco and Cape Verde.

Michael Schumacher's personal collection of racing memorabilia will go on display at the end of next year near his home town of Kerpen in Germany. The collection, including karts, sports cars, trophies, and a number of Formula One cars, will go on display at the new Motorworld Koln-Rheinland classic car centre, where fans will be able to view it for free, following and agreement with Schumacher's family.

SPORT BRIEFLY Michael Schumacher

Rooney

in Kinshasa on Saturday night, kick-off at 19h30. The Leopards beat Burundi 6-2 on aggregate in the previous round (with the return game awarded 3-0 in favour of DRC after Burundi fielded an ineligible player), while the Mediterranean Knights surged to a 4-1 aggregate win over Rwanda. The match

Dutch set to hurt France as Bale leads Wales charge

Germany target perfect start

Gyan

oachim Low’s 2014 World Cup winners suffered their first serious setback in four years when dumped out of Euro 2016 by hosts France in the final, and pundits will see them as unstoppable at on their competitive return home. Germany weren’t spectacular in qualifying for France, with points dropped against Ireland and Poland en route, but the 1-1 draw with Martin O’Neill’s men is the only time they’ve failed in front of the fans when it mattered since October 2012. After Thomas Muller’s second European Championship blank on the spin, proper order was resumed when

Pogba

the west Africans would be a huge surprise, given the quality of their European-based players like Baba Rahman, Afriyie Acquah and Christian Atsu. Grant will, however, be without Andre Ayew, who could be out for several months after picking up a thigh injury in West Ham's season opener against Chelsea.

Cup, beating Slovakia 1-0 in Trnava last month, and have an excellent chance of picking up nine points from nine against Malta, Slovenia and Scotland in the next five weeks. Overseeing three wins in those matches could be enough for Southgate to land the job on a permanent basis, even if England are beaten by Spain in a November friendly at Wembley. It is difficult to see Pietro Ghedin’s Maltese side causing the hosts too many problems at the same venue on Saturday. Only two members of the 20-man squad selected to face England ply their trade overseas – defender Zach Muscat represents Arezzo in the Italian third tier, while Andre Schembri plays for Boavista in the top flight in Portugal – with the vast majority participating in the semi-professional Maltese Premier League

London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo will fight for his first pro title when he takes on Craig Cunningham in Birmingham on 22 October. Ogogo, 27, and Cunningham, 28, will clash for the vacant WBC International Middleweight belt on the undercard of Frankie Gavin and Sam Eggington. Lowestoft's Ogogo has struggled with Achilles and shoulder injuries for the past two years.

Anthony Ogogo

areth Southgate insisted in the summer that he was not ready to become the next England manager, but he now unexpectedly finds himself in charge of the country he represented 57 times as a player following Sam Allardyce’s vacation of the post last week. Had the former Middlesbrough boss been chosen as Roy Hodgson’s successor immediately after Euro 2016, there probably would have been unrest among supporters at an underwhelming appointment. After Allardyce’s misconduct, though, Southgate’s image as a principled and dignified figure has worked to his advantage despite a relative lack of managerial experience. The fixture list has also been favourable. England have already negotiated their toughest task in qualification for the 2018 World

for weeks watching the different matches of our opponents. During the next few days the coach will give us the best information to not be surprised on the big day,” he said. After Cameroon, Algeria will face Zambia and then Nigeria over two legs but Feghouli underlined his team’s readiness for the gruelling task ahead. “There are six matches, we play every game to win,” he said. “We expect the public to come support us from the first to the last minute, because we will need it in difficult moments.”

Southgate out to prove a point as England face Malta

and attacking midfielder Sofiane Feghouli is confident his team will begin well as they hope to reach a second consecutive Mundial. “We know it will be a great game facing a Cameroon team, one of the great African nations,” Feghouli told media. “All its players play in Europe. This will certainly be a very balanced match. But we have a little experience behind us and we will try to use it. Anyway, we know what to expect.” Feghouli who moved to West Ham this summer has been one of the stars of the Algerian team since he switched allegiance from BER 2016 Y TELEGRAPH

Anichebe dating Otedola’s daughter DJ Cuppy

Lifestyle of Sportsmen

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Bale’s in-laws in gang war T

Anichebe and DJ Cuppy

errified relatives of football superstar Gareth Bale’s fiancée may change their names after going into hiding over a gang feud that left them fearing for their lives. Emma Rhys Jones, 27, was horrified when one of her cousins was targeted in a row over drugs and a missing suitcase of cash. Two cars were firebombed on the drive at the home of Emma’s aunt Annabella Williams, 55, last month. Emma’s grandparRhys ents’ home in Cardiff was

t seems Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe is currently dating DJ Cuppy, a DJ and daughter of Nigerian business magnate, Femi Otedola. Anichebe has so far managed to keep his private life out of the spotlight but all have been revealed after a social media gaffe by his new boo. DJ Cuppy whose real name is Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola shared a photo of her kissing her boyfriend who had his face covered in the Snapchat photo. Social media users, however, got into action and exposed Anichebe as the unidentified man who had his face covered in the photo. They matched his outfit in the photo to another picture of his to identify him as the boyfriend. Anichebe will, however, not be bothered about being exposed as he aims to return to form after signing for Sunderland. The 28-year-old links up with his former manager, David Moyes, at Sunderland and is aiming to impress after his horrible time at West Brom. His contract at The Baggies was not renewed after he managed just six goals in 55 appearances over three years.

also set on fire in an attack. Six members of her family are in police safe houses. The attacks came after her cousin, former topless model Epiphany Dring, 27, vanished. A criminal gang was said to be hunting a suitcase containing £1million worth of cash and drugs. A Middle Eastern drugs cartel is believed to have begun targeting the family. Epiphany has not been seen for around seven weeks. The former topless model disappeared seven weeks ago and is believed to be in Malaysia After Mrs Williams’ home in Flint, North Wales, was targeted on September 20, her son launched a revenge attack against Epiphany’s mum the same morning. Peter Williams, 22, poured petrol through her letterbox, blaming her for the trouble his parents were facing. But he said he had no intention of igniting it. He appeared at Mold magistrates’ court on Tuesday where he admitted criminal damage. He will be sentenced later this month.

Ings enjoys ‘date night’ at the theatre with girlfriend

anny Ings posted an Instagram picture with his stunning new girlfriend Georgia Gibbs as the pair enjoyed 'date night'. The couple enjoyed Book of Mormon, an award-winning production at the Prince of Wales Theatre. They also lapped up hospitality at The Shard's ShangriLa Hotel and Gibbs posted the caption: 'Date night done right' alongside their photo. Ings and his Australian girlfriend, who is a model working in London, looked happy during their evening together. Gibbs is a former contestant on Australia's Next Top Model and was also a finalist in Miss Universe Austra-

Gibbs

lia 2014. Jurgen Klopp's striker is still attempting to force his way back into the plans of his manager and has found himself playing in Liverpool's under-23s. Despite falling down the pecking order at Anfield, Ings is known to be a dedicated professional and is working tirelessly to regain first-team football. That work appears to be paying off as the forward netted a hat-trick against Ipswich Town in the Premier League Cup. He has now scored seven goals in four games having dropped down to the second team and is pushing for a recall. The 24-year-old is clearly enjoying himself off the pitch and Liverpool fans will hope the former Burnley man can continue his goalscoring exploits to challenge Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi.

boss. Malik Jabir claims Ghana Premier League players cannot resist the nation’s “beautiful young girls” – and so they miss out on vital sleep and training. The ex-Asante Kotoko striker, now the club’s technical director, told Kumasi city radio station Ultimate FM: “A lot of today’s players cannot play 90 minutes because they get so tired easily.

“And you know why? Because they don’t sleep enough and don’t train enough and they engage in too much sex. “There are beautiful young girls in Ghana and they won’t leave them alone.” Scientists have found little evidence to show that sex itself – even in the immediate hours before an event – makes athletes tired or affects them physiologically in other ways. But sex and looking for it might affect the amount of sleep or rest sports-men and women get, physically or mentally.

Usain Bolt leaves another nightclub with mystery blonde

'Sex killing Ghanaian football' G hanaian footballers are ruining their potential with too much sex, according to the country’s ex-national

Bolt

Jabir

sain Bolt leaves yet another nightclub – but this time looking less than happy with a mystery blonde in tow and his long-term girlfriend nowhere to be seen. The world’s fastest man donned an Inspector Clouseau-style coat as he departed a party hotspot at 2.30am. But Bolt, who usually loves the attention of the cameras, tried to hide his face on his way out of Embargo Club in Chelsea. The nine-time Olympics champion is back in London - site of his epic post-Rio celebrations, which included a night out with taxis being laid on for six women to join him at his hotel. Stories courtesy : Dailymail

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

e l b m u r o t y d a e r e d a b i j A R P D a e r o K against Rasheedat Ajibade has not stamped her impact on the on-going FIFA U-17 Women World Cup in Jordan but she told fifa.com that she would propel Nigeria to the quarterfinal stage of the competition despite picking just a point in two matches.

“I

has to change.” Down but not yet out, their final game sees Nigeria take on Korea DPR, who currently lead the group, and a boxer on the ropes is often the most dangerous. “Who we play in the next game isn’t important. The important thing is that we recognise we need a win. And if we do exactly what the coach tells us, then I’m convinced we’ll get a positive result.” Unsurprisingly, confidence levels in the camp have dropped somewhat after drawing those two blanks, but Ajibade for one is not about to let that affect her. “Our players don’t have that much experience, so it can happen that they doubt themselves,” said the skipper, her side’s top scorer in World Cup qualifying. “So, with my experience, I try to be by their side and give them encouragement. I always say to them: ‘You can do this! So come on, let’s get out there and win!’” In 2014 Ajibade competed at the U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica, helping Nigeria reach the quarter-finals. Now aged 16, she wants to draw on that experience and is not one for waving the white flag. “I came to the tournament with the aim of getting a better result this time around, and I think my experience from two years ago will help me,” she said confidently. “I really believe in our strengths as a team and I know we can achieve that.” In order to do so, the FC Robo attacker is ready to give everything and more than willing to cross the pain barrier. “I love training and I love pushing myself. I’m a competitive person. If someone says ‘Do 15 reps’, I do 100! As a modern player, you have to try to develop yourself every day and never stop. That’s how it has to be if your goal is to become a professional.” Talented and driven though she is, Ajibade admits there are days when she does not have a burning desire to train. On those days, however, she is reminded of the target she set for herself. “When I wake up and I don’t feel like training, I think of my life goal, which I agreed with God. That always succeeds in motivating me to never give up.” On October 8 at 4pm local time in Amman comes Nigeria’s final group game against Korea DPR, a game the Africans must win to have any hope of reaching the next round. Ajibade will be hopeful and confident that she and her team will be “ready to d an gl En t action agains in t) rumble”. gh (ri e Ajibad

t ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.” Most filmgoers will recognise this famous line from the Oscarwinning movie series Rocky, and speaking to Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade, one is reminded of Sylvester Stallone’s famous line. “Training isn’t a punishment,” she told FIFA.com in the mixed zone after her side’s goalless draw with England at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Jordan 2016. “Training makes us stronger and tougher and will help us win the next game.” At the press conference beforehand, the agile and technically gifted Ajibade proudly accepted her award as the Live Your Goals Player of the Match, although the prize could not fully mask her disappointment at the result. However, the more you speak to the right-footed forward, the more you realise that such disappointment only stokes her competitive spirit further. Bottom of a competitive Group C, Nigeria failed to score against Brazil and England and Ajibade is in no doubt as to their team’s main problem. “In the next game, we need to work on finishing our chances,” reflected the Flamingoes’ No10 on her side’s lacking the necessary attacking punch. “We’ve not managed to score in two games. Obviously that

I love training and I love pushing myself. I’m a competitive person

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

Odegha shoots course record at Lakowe Lakes

unday Odegha last weekend shot 69, three under par to set a new course record at the fourth anniversary Pro-Am of the Lakowe Lakes and Country Club in Lekki, Lagos. Speaking after his win, Odegha described the green as “faultless” and the layout as “superb” “It was my second time of playing the course and one could easily forget that there had been a first time, the course just wows you. I hit fourteen fairways, but the course

can be unforgiving if you stray, I had upper hand because my game was in good shape” he said. The former Nigeria’s number one said the win was a good assessment of the condition of his game and he looks forward to knocking up more wins when the Nigerian Tour gets back on. Odegha, shoved, Ikeja-based Chidi Tobias to the second place with three shots difference while the pair of Lateef Lasisi and Emeka Obi placed third with 76, four over

par a piece. Head of Operation of the facility, Femi Olagbenro, said the one-day fourth anniversary event was the best in the history of the club. “We were overwhelmed by the turnout of players, it all shows how much impression our facility and hospitality has made on golfers; and that is very encouraging.” He said. Meanwhile, in the Pro-Am event where the amateurs’ score were paired with pro-

Eagles will stun Zambia, Omeruo assures Nigerians S Ajibade Olusesan

uper Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has assured Nigerian football fans that the team will beat Chipolopolo of Zambia when the two sides meet in Ndola Zambia on Sunday. Omeruo was in action when the two sides met at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa but the game ended 1-1 but the Alanyaspor of Turkey player said that the Eagles would go a step farther this time by beating their hosts. He said that it was going to be a difficult tie even though they were fired up by the pain of missing out on qualification for 2017 AFCON. He said that it was important for the team to start the World Cup qualifying campaign on a good note which would help build their confidence in the series. “We are ready for the challenge. We are aware of what the Zambians are saying but we are not bothered. We are focussed on this important match, it is an away game but we are going to come back victorious. “We have to take one game at a time, we want to get this one out of the way and then focus on the next one against Algeria. Just like most Nigerians we are not happy that we will not play at the Nations Cup and it is unimaginable to miss out on the World Cup again. We know the importance of this to Nigerians and we are not going to disappoint them,” he said.

ice President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation Yeni Owoseni has said that economic downturn in the country is adversely affecting the development of sports in the country. Owoseni said the sector had been at the receiving end of the crunch, saying administrators have been forced to think outside the box to make sure the sector stays afloat. He said sponsors were deserting sports, hoping that the tide is stemmed as soon as possible. “The economic situation in the country is making it difficult for sports to thrive, we are really thanking those organisations that are still staying with us at this time, it

Nkiyu

Flamingoes in make-or-break game against Korea DPR Charles Ogundiya

he country’s representative at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Jordan 2016, Flamingoes, will have their hands full as they take on Korea DPR in a match that will determine their fate at the competition. The Nigerian girls lost their first game 1-0 to Brazil before playing a damaging goalless draw in their second game against England, putting their qualification to the quarterfinal in jeopardy. Anything less than a victory today will definitely end their continuous stay in Jordan after amassing one point from two matches. Korea DPR currently top the group with four points

Omeruo

‘Recession affecting sports sponsorship’ Ajibade Olusesan

fessionals, the team led by former Nigeria’s best player, Gboyega Oyebanji and included Idowu Babalakin, Hector Okposo and Leif Maccsson were crowned winners. Peter Eben-spiff also received an award for his third consecutive single matchplay win at the club. “Although the economy took a toll on corporate patronage of the anniversary event, we had good turnout of golfers at the event. It was a memorable outing for all the parties involved” Olagbenro added.

is not easy to part with funds to sponsor sports and we the administrators are facing a lot to make sure that we keep developing sports,” he said. He said that the NTF was not solely responsible for organising competitions, saying its role was just to create and regulate operational environment. “We have had a lot of competitions this year and more are still coming next year. The CBN, the Dala Hard Court, the NCC League are some of the tournaments we have had as we keep encouraging the young talents. But we want to encourage private sector, wealthy individuals and even the public sector to organise and sponsor tennis events, it does not have to be the NTF,” he said.

ahead of Brazil with three points and England with two points while Nigeria is rooted to the bottom of the table. Ahead of the game, the Flamingoes’ coach, Nikyu Bala, said he believes the team would go through to the next stage of the competition. “Against England, the girls were more adventurous compared to the game against Brazil that we lost,” Bala said. “The players don’t have any experience of these competitions but they’re going to fight hard to try and win it. We can still go through and I think we deserve it.” Bala will be banking on the team’s captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, to get the goals that will give Flamingoes the needed victory.

Enugu govt: Those trying to sign Amakapabo wasting their time Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

Amakapabo

nugu State Government has dismissed widespread speculations that , the coach of Rangers International Football Club, which last Sunday lifted the Nigeria Football Professional League trophy at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium after 32 years, has left the team. Amakapabo’s contract expired on the same day Rangers lifted the cup. But the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Charles Ndukwe, while briefing members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter on the upcoming sports festival tagged “042 Sports Festival,” warned those chasing the coach to stop wasting their time as talks were already on to renew the coach’s contract.

The commissioner also attributed the delay in celebrating Rangers’ victory to wounded star, Ifeanyi Egwim, who is still receiving treatment at National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, after a fractured bone during the Rangers’ final match with El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri. The Flying Antelopes won 4-0. “As far as I’m concerned, unless on his own he (Amakapabo) makes up his mind right now, not as at one hour ago, that he will no longer be with Rangers, all those people looking for him are wasting their time and I know quite well that he on his own is making arrangement to settle with his family here in Enugu.” On the upcoming “042 Sports Festival” billed to start on October 10, the commissioner stated that the festival was aimed at discovering and developing talents through grassroots sports development.

Investigations 33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

see themselves as mini gods’

A man in front of his shanty house photo: cindywockner.com

Corps member sleeping on a bridge in Kubwa, Abuja. photo: www.nairaland.com

blies to propose rent control legislation have met with unrealistic fantasy. This is as a result of the failed situation on the supply side of the real estate market and the failure of the existing and subsisting rent control legislation and home ownership schemes to address the problem of housing in Nigeria. Housing generally has not ranked high on the scale of priorities for social spending by successive administrations in the country. This may be the reason efforts at providing low-cost housing have been minimal, despite the creation of the Federal Montage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in 1977, as shanty towns and slums are common sights in urban areas leading to overcrowding. It has been estimated that about 85 per cent of the urban population live in single rooms often with eight to 12 people per room, making living conditions very dehumanising. Former MD, FMBN, Gimba Ya’u-Kumo, said that lack of a robust mortgage financing system in Nigeria had made rate of home ownership in the country one of the lowest in Africa. Ya’u-Kumo noted that mortgage credits accounted for less than five per cent of total lending portfolio of Nigerian banks and just about 13.5 per cent of mortgage lending by Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs). According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) supervision report 2008 revealed that 90 per cent of housing developments in Nigeria were selffinanced through personal savings for periods upwards of 10 years. He said that housing not only satisfied the basic human need for shelter, but a key component of economic growth and development. He pointed out that provision of housing was not only a key driver of economic development, but that it formed a substantial part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of most

Fashola

Pepple

developed countries. “The supply gap for low and medium income groups is huge, reaching a crisis level in some cities in the country. This is heightened by the rapid urbanisation of the population,” he added, noting that the World Bank had predicted that the housing problem in Nigeria would become even more acute by the year 2020 if adequate measures were not taken. In his contribution, Prof. A.O. Olotuah of the school of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, said: “The Nigerian housing is fraught with a plethora of problems, especially for low-income earners, who incidentally constitute the majority of the population. Fundamental to this is the lack of access to housing finance by this segment of the society.” In Nigeria, like in many other developing nations of the world, housing problems are multi-dimensional. The problems of population explosion, continuous influx of people from rural to the urban centres, and lack of basis infrastructure required for good standard of living have compounded housing problems over the years. Access to this basic need by the poor, who constitute the largest percentage of the world’s population, has remained a mirage, which needs to be critically addressed. Perhaps, this may be the reason President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Day Speech on October 1, hinted on what the government intends to do in the real estate sector. He said: “We have initiated the National Housing Programme. In 2014, four hundred million naira was voted for Housing. In 2015 nothing. “Our first budget this year is devot-

Eleh

Ya'u-Kumo

ing N35.6 billion. Much of the house building will be private sector-led but government is initiating a pilot housing scheme of 2,838 units uniformly spread across the 36 states and FCT. This initiative is expected to reactivate the building materials manufacturing sector, generate massive employment opportunities and develop sector capacity and expertise.” Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, unveiled the plans by the Federal Government to deliver mass housing for Nigerians. He said that 360 houses would be built in three states through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the first phase, develop “Rent to Own” housing scheme for those who cannot afford mortgage and incorporate a new housing model into the National Building Code. He, however, lamented that the N36 billion appropriated for housing sector in the 2016 budget was grossly inadequate. Then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), added his voice to the housing debacle when he noted that Nigeria with a population of well over 150 million people requires housing units per annum. According to him, this is to replenish decaying housing stock, as well as to meet rising demand and avert a further crisis in the sector. Ms Ama Pepple, former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, also pointed out that Nigeria was facing a national housing deficit of over 17 million units. She was blunt in saying that the country required additional one million housing units a year for the next eight years to reduce the national deficit with a view to averting crisis in the year 2020 and beyond. In like manner, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, believes that housing defines culture, style and provides the much needed security, even as he urged the three tiers of government to intervene in the building construction sector. He said the intervention, which should be in the form of direct construction of houses, was necessary for the sake of the low-income earners, who were in need of mass housing. One time president, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Agele Alufohai, also said there was the need for an evolution in the mortgage system with a view to strengthening the building construction sector. He stressed the importance of a viable mortgage system that could strengthen home ownership, and urged government participation in the process through the creation of an enabling environment. “If we have a mortgage system where the rent you pay will lead to owning a house, then we talk of low-income housing. Elsewhere in the world, you pay rent to mortgage institutions and between 20 and 25 years, you become a landlord and move from being a tenant. Government has to more in to provide the enabling environment by encouraging mortgage origination.” His former counterpart in the Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Emeka Eleh, equally said tenants would have a better deal if the supply of homes increases since, according to him, the nation’s housing sector is ruled by landlords. “I believe the solution to our housing problems may not even be short term. We have to deal with the problem: access to suitable and title land on which people can build. There are statistics on how badly we are doing in that area,” Eleh added.

Sportsplash 34 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Nigerian entertainment duos fans can’t stop talking about Some of them are no longer together while were not even in the same group before but this list, as compiled by Ogechi Ndubunma, is populated by some of the duos Nigerian fans cannot stop talking about many years after some of them had moved on.

PSquare

The Oshadipe Twins

KC Presh

Bovi and Basket mouth

Skuki

Phyno and Olamide

PSquare Forget about the seemingly unending drama that has dominated discussions about them, Peter and Paul Okoye are twin brothers and of course, they go way back. They have been in the music industry from as far back as 2001 and have collaborated with various artistes both in Nigeria and abroad. Apart from being music stars, the hugely talented brothers actually exploited their talent as skillful dancers to impress music lovers in Nigeria in their early days. They have come out with different songs in the course of their very successful career and it is difficult to recall any song by Psquare that is not a hit, that’s a measure of their style. In 2001, the twins won the “Grab da mic” competition along with sponsorship for their debut album and have won awards like Artiste of the Year, Best Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Album of the Year from various award shows like Headies, MTV Africa Music Award, Channel O Music Video Awards and many more. Psquare’s impact is easily measured by tracking the number of people pleading with them to settle their differences and forge ahead at the peak of their squabbles, which they seem to have finally done. The Oshadipe twins Even though one of them is now late, the Oshadipe twins have not been forgotten given how much they impress Nigerians with their singing skills and even went ahead to partake in Wale Adenuga’s Super Story. Before the unfortunate incident regarding one of them, they came out with different songs like “Dide Olorun Mi” among others with beautiful videos to go along with it. The twins have performed with different iconic artistes like King Sunny Ade, Tope Alabi, Lara George and Ebenezer Obey. Formerly known as The Angelic Voices, they later changed their stage name Oshadipe Twins but their fans can be consoled by the fact that the surviving twin, Kehinde, is ready to keep the memories, and spark alive by forging ahead. KC Presh Coined from the names of Kingsley Okonkwo and Precious John, these two young men became instant celebrities upon winning the much coveted music reality TV show, Star Quest in 2002. They were offered

a 4-year music contract with Kennis Music, then the biggest music label in the land. They went on to perform with international stars like 50 Ccent, Ja Rule, Shaggy, Kelvin Little, Usher, Koffi Olomide, Akon, Kanye West and others. Deciding to separate after years together, Kcee is still very much in the limelight while the same cannot be said of Presh who has made yet unsuccessful efforts to bounce back to reckoning. Kcee is currently signed to Five Star Music while Phresh is with Eric Manny Records but Nigerians are yet to forget them.

Skuki They are brothers who have always been keen about being involved in music. They finally sowed the seed in 1999 and years later, they caught the attention of Nigerians under the stage name, Skuki. Their debut album was titled “Fire” and it was listed on Channel O’s Top 10 Charts for not less than four months. They have collaborated with artistes like Mo’Cheddah and Phyno and have had a couple of hits to their name. Skuki’s major genre in Pop and Hip Hop and one of their latest efforts, “Gbemileke” produced by Shizzy is one of the most popular songs in music circles in recent times. Maintain Made up of Tolu and Olu, Maintain was a successful group with Big Bamo as the producer and manager that kept it all together. They have all gone their separate ways but with Olu clinging to the stage name, Maintain, fans cannot stop talking about them. Although most of their songs are imitations of foreign songs, a reason for which they were severely criticised, with rapper, Ruggedman, even lashing at them in one of his songs, they showed promise and many were looking up to them to do original songs and impress with them. Not that it never really happened but let’s just say, they couldn’t make it a culture. At the last count, only “Catch Cold” sticks as a song that is close to original but fans still remember the duo who helped the industry develop further.

Junior and Pretty Many young Nigerians do not remember Junior and Pretty but those who do point to them as the genesis of rap music in Nigeria. Upon achieving fame in the '90s with the unique style they called ‘Fufu Flavour’, the two friends whose real names are Okechukwu Azike and Pretty Okafor, ended up pioneering a new style of music even if they didn’t make much money in their days. They hit fame with a song titled “Bolanle” and followed up with “Monika”, becoming super stars at the time. Their debut album, Life was released on Premier Records but their popularity waned with the rise of new generation acts like Remedies, Plantashun Boiz, Trybesmen and others at the turn of the century. The sudden death of Junior in 2005 meant that they would never bounce back but those with a sense of history will not forget their contributions to the industry. Remedies The story of the Remedies consists of two eras – one before the departure of Tony Tetuila and another after he left the group. With only Eedris Abdulkareem and Eddy Remedy as members, the group forged ahead, of course with the rivalry of Plantashun Boiz, Tony Tetuila and others to contend with. The two young men were signed to Kennis Music and being the original composers of the songs, they didn’t miss Tony all that much and went on to drop well received songs including “Sade” and “Belinda”. They were able to retain the support of their loyal fans but it was not to last for long as Eedris soon announced his exit from the group. It’s been many years since the dissolution of the group but fans cannot forget The Remedies, the group everyone agrees made Nigerians start to believe in their own music, going on to inspire a new generation of music stars and leading to a blossoming industry. Phyno and Olamide Not members of the same group alright but the evidently good relationship between Phyno and Olamide is one

that makes fans of both stars proud. Apart from being able to rise above the ego-driven elements of the music terrain, both rappers have been able to break the ethnic barriers to form a partnership yielding fruits in an unending manner. With both Phyno and Olamide leading the East and West blocks respectively and actively representing with their verses usually delivered in Igbo and Yoruba, fans of one have come to love the other as a result. Phyno is a rapper who started his career as a producer in 2003 and his debut album was titled No Guts, No Glory while Olamide is also a rapper who owns a record label called YBNL. Both have collaborated on some songs including “Ghost Mode”, “Local Rappers” and “Fada Fada” and even have a joint album titled 2 Kings. And when it comes to ticking the boxes of being a duo, they are very well in it.

Basket mouth and Bovi Apart from being partners they are close friends. Bovi is a Nigerian comedian, director, producer and actor. He began his career in 2007 in the soap opera “Extended Family” and has since been doing exploits in the comedy world. Basketmouth on the other hand is also a Nigerian comedian and actor. He organises a stand-up comedy called Basketmouth Uncensored and has been seen with Bovi on different occasions. The two have cracked jokes about each other on stage and have organised comedic events together. They have also won awards like the culture people award for comedian of the year which was won by Bovi and the award for best stand-up comedian of the year won by Basketmouth. D’banj and Don Jazzy A partnership that began well over a decade ago, fans thought the partnership linking D’banj and Don Jazzy was made in heaven. That was until 2012 when they went their separate ways after a public spat that left many of their fans disillusioned and the entire Nigerian music industry stunned. The label was Mo’ Hits, Don Jazzy was the producer and D’banj was the main act and all-round show man. It has been four years and both have moved onto new projects, with varying degree of success but Nigerian music lovers cannot let go yet of the memories D’banj and Don Jazzy partnership gave them and it is difficult to blame them.

Interview 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Ali Baba, Joke Silva to represent entertainment industry on Govt, TEF partnership

equel to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) at the National Theatre last Tuesday, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has appointed three representatives from the entertainment industry who will join the TEF team on the best way to engage stakeholders on the actualisation of the partnership. They include notable entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Ms. Chioma Ude, foremost comedian and actor, Mr. Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, a.k.a. Ali Baba and veteran actress, Mrs. Joke Silva. The trio, who have been identified as leaders of thoughts and independent promoters of the entertainment sector, are to work closely with the Foundation towards a wider parley, and produce a blue print on the

structural support and policies needed for the growth of the creative sector. The move is one of the public/private partnership initiatives of the Federal Government which is expected to restructure the creative non-oil sector into a more formal money spinner. The Minister was optimistic that the partnership with TEF would help to reposition the creative industries in Nigeria. He said: “The MoU contained details of how we will work together to execute our partnership. More specifically, the areas of collaboration will include the creation of an enabling business environment for the creative industries with such incentives as easy access to finance; the structuring of the creative industries to enable it generate independent revenues locally and also boost exports to increase Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings; and comprehensive statistics about the creative industries, including its size and projections, to guide potential local and foreign investors.”

L-R Tony Elumelu, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Parminder Vir, D'Banj and Chioma Ude during the MoU ceremony between the Ministry and Tony Elumelu Foundation

Prince J thrills with new single, Omo Olope

B AFRIMA, Felabration representatives presenting a computer to a student

AFRIMA, AU empower students at Felabration 2016

n consonance with the social responsibility initiative of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA in partnership with the Africa Union, the continental awards project has donated computers, exercise books and other writing materials to participating schools at the recent FELABRATION 2016 Senior Secondary School debate. The Senior Secondary School debate was held at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos on Wednesday, October 5 with the topic: 'Reparation, Yes or No". This forms part of the programme of activities for FELABRATION, the annual festival organised to celebrate the legacy of late music maestro and Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Highlighting AFRIMA's objectives in partnering Felabration 2016 edition in the schools debate, Country Director, Nigeria/Co Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Kingsley James, said it created another platform for the AFRIMA Foundation to purse its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in Lagos State, the 2016 Official Host City for AFRIMA through its Educate-A-Child (Our Voice) initiative. "AFRIMA is committed to reducing illiteracy in Africa via the Educate-A-Child Campaign (our voice) initiative by driving support for invest-

ment in education, formal and informal, by African leaders", stated James. Speaking at the opening of the debate, founder of Felabration and daughter of the late music legend, Ms. Yeni Kuti, stressed the need for students to be adequately equipped with the knowledge of history for the promotion and development of African's rich culture and heritage. She said, "The topic was chosen to test the knowledge of the students on history. We needed to challenge their knowledge of Africa's history and for students to learn new things about their heritage. We want to keep Fela's love of culture and learning alive among young people. This debate isn't about relating history but by relating it to their understanding. It is not a competition but a test of knowledge and to encourage all, and no school would be exempted from receiving gifts." 10 Senior Secondary Schools in Lagos State namely: Aunty Ayo Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary; Community Senior Grammar School, Gberigbe; Epe Senior Grammar School; Cayley College; Lagos City Senior College; Vivian Fowler Memorial College; St Gregory’s College; Atunrase Senior High School; Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja; and Dowen College, were represented by their students who turned

out in numbers. After a brilliantly engaging session by the student debaters judged by Mr. Kunle Bakare (Publisher, Encomium Magazine); Ms. Princess Abumere (Entertainment Editor, Pulse NG); Mr. Kingsley James; Mrs. Morayo Afolabi-Brown (TVC broadcaster) and Miss Jumoke Alawode-James (TVC broadcaster), the first prize was clinched by Dowen College, coming second was Vivian Fowler Memorial College and in third position, Aunty Ayo Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary. After receiving their winner's prizes and other gifts handed out by Mr. Kingsley James, the excited students and schools' management officials present at the event thanked AFRIMA for the generous donation. AFRIMA's Country Director also urged the Felabration Festival Organising committee to get involved in the AFRIMA 2016 programme of events from November 4 to 6, 2016 which includes the Africa Music Business Summit on Friday, November 4 and the AFRIMA Music Village, an open concert-style festival featuring nominees and other top billed music stars, also on Friday, November 4. In partnership with the AUC and the Official Host City, Lagos State, AFRIMA 2016 grand awards ceremony holds on November 6 with thousands of guests expected in Lagos for the various events.

udding Nigerian singer, Emmanuel Joshua Oluwaseyi, otherwise known as Prince J, is taking every step of his career seriously and does not seem to be losing sleep over the success that has been greeting his music since he hit the big scene. Just as his fans are yet to get over his last single, Shout Out, which ruled the airwaves and rocked many club houses for months, Prince J has returned to the studio to build on the success of Shout Out with another single, Omo Olope. Prince J said he was happy about his last single and decided to step it up this time with a new song that would rock the airwaves for a long time. For weeks, there had been talks about his new single which was produced by Jasontickbeats as many people said they had been looking forward to the new single. Prince J, who said he would not like to be compared with Adekunle Gold released his new single Omo Olope last week Friday and the song went to top many radio chats in Lagos State and other states. For him, the music journey has started and he could not back down at this stage when the demand for his songs and presence at shows and gigs have continued unabated. "I can't complain now. The heat is on and I am ready for the big stage because that was what I had in mind when I decided to join the train". The new song according to the young singer is a feel cool song, which was borne out of his desire to keep entertaining his fans both home and abroad.

Prince J

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

TV&Radio

8 OCTOBER 2016

with Deborah Ocheni

This weekend AIT

Ay and the hostess during the programme

Taking a glimpse at comedian AY’s background

eekend Deal is a 15 minute entertainment programme that is aired on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA International) on Saturday at 11pm. This edition of the programme featured popular comedian Ayo Richard Makun popularly known as AY; he speaks about his background, why he spent nine years in the university and more. Ay stated that he understands the three major Deltan languages and that everything about him reflects Delta State. “Just like Barrack Obama, whose root can be traced to Kenya, he was born and bred in United States of America which automatically makes him an American in his capacity as a president. I was born and bred in Delta State, my pri-

mary, secondary and higher education was in Delta State. I understand Urhobo, Itshekiri, Isoko languages and what have you; everything about me reflects Delta State, the state itself embraces AY more than Ondo State; people in Ondo only take it for a fact that I am one of them. I am originally from Ondo State but everything about me reflects Delta and that makes me a full blown ‘Warri boy’. Just like in Lagos where some of the people in government are not from the state but they have their presence in Lagos, so also I can boldly say I have a presence in Delta State; it is one Nigeria and that is what I want people to embrace the more. Speaking about his educational background, Ay gave reasons he was in Delta State University (DELSU) for nine years. “I did not study theatre arts for nine years but I was in Delta State

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Nigeria Info’s IkeGwuOnu

ude Olisaemeka Ikegwuonu AKA IkeGwuOnu is an on air personality with Nigeria Info FM; he was born and raised in Lagos; he hails from Uru-Oji, Ogidi in Idemili-North L.G.A. of Anambra State. He has worked with Channels Television, Superscreen Television, Network News 24(NN24 TV) and now, Nigeria Info FM (92.3 PortHarcourt). IkeGwuOnu is passionately committed to impacting lives positively across the globe. He serves as a source of motivation and inspiration to all those with a form of disability or challenge in life because he knows that beyond that form of disability or challenge, lies a great ability to succeed in whatever sphere. “As a ‘chronic stammerer’ at the time, I remember a particular experience in school, when my teacher asked the class what each of us would want to become in future. It got to my turn and I proudly said ‘I would

love to be a broadcaster’. The whole class burst into laughter (including my teacher). I joined in the laughter, not because I was embarrassed by their laughter or that my comment was funny, but because at that point it dawned on me that only I could see the vision of my future. That was a great challenge for me and I thank God for today” IkeGwuOnu said.

University for nine years. It has to do with priority, there are some people who learn to set their priorities right and there are people who just mix them up along the line. I started with music in DELSU which was an error on the part of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) because it was meant to be mass communication but when the result came out I found out it was music; I don’t know if it was caused by that ‘M’ factor. That was how I found myself in music department and it wasn’t something I wanted to do. So, I was in that department for close to four years before I decided to take another JAMB in that same university to start afresh in the department of theatre arts. While in theatre arts, my course registration form got missing in my 200 level because I was very stubborn, a lover man and could boldly tell a lecturer that he wouldn’t have anything to do with my beautiful girlfriend without belonging to any ‘confraternity’, and the punishment was holding back my course registration form, that kept me in school for nine years. The good story now is that I came out” He added that his activities in the university led him into full time entertainment. “In DELSU, I was the organiser of campus beauty pageant and campus award night; the campus beauty pageant led me into entertainment proper. From the beauty pageant I produced four representative in the capacity of miss world and miss universe”.

Programme summary

Sunday Cool Request Cool FM 96.9 Sunays @7pm

It is a request programme where songs are requested through phone calls and the social media.

The Dzigbordi show African Magic Family (Channel 154) Tuesday @ 12:300pm IkeGwuOnu

The programme interviews entrepreneurs who are making it across Africa and the rest of the world.

TELEVISION

Saturday 06:00 Turning Point 06:30 Cartoon 07:00 Interfaith Forum 07:30 Faith in Action 08:00 Infotech Network 08:30 Destiny Encounter 09:00 Cartoon 09:30 A Chat with the Professional 10:00 Cartoon 10:30 Sports File 11:00 One Cubed 11:30 700 Club Nigeria 12:00 AIT Reports 12:30 Security Watch

01:00 Gbedu on the Move 4:00 World News 4:30 Down in the Creek 5:00 Video Fashion 5:30 School Hunters 6:00 Trends 8:00 AIT news 9:00 Oasis 9:30 Secrets and Scandals 10:00 Taste of Love Sunday 06:00 Turning Point 06:30 Spirit of Praise 07:00 Hour of Salvation 07:30 Cartoon 08:00 Catholic Mass 10:00 At thy Word 10:30 Christian Vibes 11:00 700 Club Nigeria 11:30 Flying House 12:00 The Week in Review 12:30 Bold Faces 01:00 Gender Agenda 02:00 O&M Sunday Show 4:00 World News 4:30 Turning Point

WAP TV

Saturday 06:00 Wap-Alaffs Report 06:30 Popular Songs 07:00 Kookoorokoo 09:30 Indomitable 10:00 Sport Arena 11:00 Awokogbon 12:30 Nnena and Friends 01:00 D Beat Zone 02:00 Destiny River Report 02:30 Reel Naija Spare my Life O4:30 Teju Baby Face Show 4:00 World News 4:30 Turning Point 5:00 Personalities Places and Events 5:30 Our Ladies Our Pride 6:00 Hitlist & Cruzing 6:30 Making of a Chef 7:00 The Valley Between 8:00 AIT News Hour 9:00 Tales of Eve 10:00 Taste of Love 12:00 Sunday Homily Sunday 06:00 Wap-Alaffs Report 06:30 Turning Point 07:00 The Relevant Church 07:30 Kookoorokoo 09:30 700 Club 10:00 Awokogbon Kogbodeye 11:30 X2D 12:00 Indian Series Omnibus 01:30 The Benjamins O2:00 Video Fashion 02:30 Thousand Laugh Xtra 04:30 Reel Naija Spare My Life 6:00 Igbo Series 6:30 Clinic Matters 7:00 I Love Nigeria 8:00 Knorr Taste Quest 9:00 Tales of Eve

RADIO

Radio Lagos Saturday 6:15 Oro Igbala 6:30 Oro Iyin 7:00 Personal Paid Announcements 7:15 Asayan Iroyin 7:30 Ase Ibi Mimo 10:15 Eba mi Dupe 11:10 Mukulumuke 5:30 Rotimi Akinwole on FM 9:00 Obirin Ologo

Sunday 5:10 Audra Aro 5:20 Iwure Aaro 5:25 Waasi Idaji 6:15 Nigba Ti Wa 7:15 Asayan Iroyin 9:10 Idan Orita 10:15 Ara Ewe 12:00 World News 1:00 Mooko Mooka 1:30 Lere

Eko FM Saturday 6:30 Journey Home to God 7:00 News Headlines 7:30 Waste Water Management 9:30 Talk your Own 10:10 Total Sports 12:05 Our Circuit 1:15 Family Matter 3:00 Familiar Stranger 4:02 Woman Tori 4:45 Office Palava 6:05 Youth Mag 7:30 Rhythm Africana 9:10 Groove Session

Sunday 6:30 Let the Nation Hear 7:00 News Headlines 7:15 Chambers of Revelation 7:30 Paper Review 9:30 Window on the World 10:15 Rhythm Divine 1:02 Green Melodies 2:15 Passing Glance 3:07 Rhunba Jamz 10:02 Something for the Singles

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

The Arts

Documentaries of Conscience: Femi Odugbemi’s strategy for change

n a country that is in a moment of all kinds of transitions, a country in which decadence, corruption and acts of dehumanization thrive, and are allowed to thrive, the only possible way (if possible at all) to get rid of all these instruments of agonies, and pain and false burden, is the search for an alternative strategy. The documentaries of Femi Odugbemi are exemplary works that thrust the deafness of that which lacks conscience, and what constitutes humanitarian ideals. His works do not only have the knack for, and towards change in society, but also ruptures that society to provide those ideals which are capable of instigating, and sustaining change. The word ‘change’ in the context of this piece does not refer to an overhaul of an unfavourable status quo, but we refer to a sort of change that teaches and reawakens the mind and soul, of all and sundry to things that matter most in the episteme of our everyday existence in Nigeria. A change that instigates the heart of each man to the elements of our threatened but living culture, our fragile education, a selfish system that does not pay meticulous attention to the hard and genuine work of men and women who have contributed so much to the growth and reputation of this country; a change that draws our attention to the squalor and poverty of the down trodden masses who, at best, occupy the slums and ghettoes - even in metropolitan Lagos and other cities; a change that recognises that the young lad or girl, hawking all sorts of commodities for survival in the streets of Lagos and elsewhere, also deserves an ideal education and a good life. With an oeuvre that constitutes diverse themes in works like; Ifa, Ibadan, Bariga Boy, Fatai Rolling Dollar, and D.O Fagunwa, and more recently, Makoko: Future Afloat, we are invited to journey in the subversive and radical prowess of Odugbemi’s documentary world which is steeped in the reality, of modern and postmodern Nigeria. Much like the ace filmmaker, and cultural advocate of longstanding Tunde Kelani, it is extremely hard to fix Femi Odugbemi within the Nollywood paradigm. There is a marked difference between his works and what is constantly churned out of the Nollywood arena. Even if we have to, and for the sake of the industry, it would first be clearly observed that Odugbemi’s works possess that exemplary streak of the alternative to mainstream Nollywood, and also an ‘’Alter/Native’’ oeuvre of documentaries quite rare among the most significant films, found within the annals of Nigeria’s film industry. It is very possible to say that feature films in Nigeria are likely to create that desired entertainment streak anticipated by those who regularly, watch them. But not much of that can be said about the typical and mainstream conventional-documentary genre. The documentary, when it is ordinarily or simply approached or compared with its counterpart, the feature film, it constitutes that which has a slight difference about it. It caters, not for everybody but for a select few who understand the language of real documentaries, appreciate its rhetoric (both in

Odugbemi

sound and visual measures), give credibility to its themes and subject matters, painstakingly examine and explore the reason for taking up an issue, manage to discuss such matters at various forum, symposia, conferences, workshop and seminars, or wherever such matters that documentaries explore, gain adequate and keen interest. At the same time it can be argued that the documentary also has the rare potential, to create very lasting entertainment value. But such entertainment value can only come alive, depending on the hands from which such a documentary or documentaries evolved. Odugbemi can be seen here as a fore-

runner of this rare artistic sensibility. In this regard there is an influence which his works deploy, while anxiously immersed in what can be described as “an aesthetic attitude in radicalisation”. A system of artistic rendition that shapes the formation and strictures of a documentary which lends itself to entertain. Foremost historian and scholar of African cinema Professor Manthia Diawara, argued specifically about the tenacity and enthusiasm of Odugbemi, at developing an entertainment and artistic language in his documentary oeuvre. The future of documentary in Nigeria is intriguing, and you have just mentioned

Femi Odugbemi….who….makes cinema. The way he treats his documentary genre is such that they are steeped within a form which is almost artistic…you know a research documentary, a cultural documentary, where you follow a particular subject with the aid of questions and answers or community, groups, and follow them, and literarily try to construct that tradition into a kind of film. For the future of documentary in Nigeria, and with Odugbemi at the forefront, there is really nothing to worry about. Young people who come to IREP are inspired. The works of Odugbemi are not just about the essence of reality, but about how reality is constantly questioned in the everyday Nigerian life, and this idiosyncratic nature and attitude towards a domain of visual representation has only continued to compel critics to see Odugbemi, as an important subject in the annals of the Nigerian film industry. With his documentary oeuvre he is making suggestions. Suggestions which compartmentalise various topics begging for treatment. Such suggestions are enabling; ready to steer up reactions through the visual impact of the documentary genre, which for Odugbemi begins as a proposed preference, and by all means his ultimate condition for selecting his issues for explanation. Odugbemi’s documentary oeuvre, have only come fully made, and for him documentary is art and ‘art’, is at once a subversive phenomenon, and even more “subversive in an age of impact “. Tunde Onikoyi, is a film scholar and critic. He writes from Kwara.

Putting performance in the art TONY OKUYEME writes on a collaboration aimed at bolstering performance art.

erformance art is a genre that is not popular in the Nigerian art scene. However, as critics posit, performance art is a natural part of the native African expression as installation art is to traditional religious setting of the people, contextualising it as an art form in contemporary terms, is still regarded with caution and suspicion. Recently, some artists from the Nordic countries and West Africa converged on Lagos for about one week, for an exchange programme aimed at sharing knowledge about performance art as it relates to the two cultures. The creative exploration tagged “Performance Workshop Exchange” between Nordic Countries and West Africa, and hosted by the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, had Marianne Hultman of Oslo Kunstforening, Norway and Bisi Silva of Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos, as curators, and Petter Pettersson of Lilith Performance Studio, Malmo, Stockholm, Sweden as producer. Participants were Bernard Akoi-Jackson (Ghana),

Christian Etongo (Cameroun), HennaRiikka Halonen (Finland), Tori Wrånes, Sandra Mujinga (Norway) and Taiwo Aiyedogbon, Odun Orimolade (Nigeria). The workshop offered insights into the various expressions possibilities even as it relates to other art forms. The workshop’s schedules included video presentations in the morning and out-door in the afternoon. The works of the Nordic participants viewed via

the video screens were mostly indoor, done either in studio or large scale sound stage. The final day of the workshop saw the artists presenting their works live both indoors and on the streets. Indeed, the performances turned some major streets in Yaba, Lagos, into giant stages with performances by Nigerian artistes and their counterparts from the Nordic countries, namely Orimolade, Aiyedogbon, Akoi-Jackson.

Christian Etongo (Cameroun) performance

FRED NWAOZOR

“S

o DPO,” the anguished and 5-month pregnant Mrs. Adaobi Okezie said the moment she dashed into the office of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in her area at about 1.20pm on Friday. “You people are yet to fish out the killers of my husband?” She ranted, standing. The DPO, Mr. Von Dike looked at her in distress. “Madam, calm down.” He tenderly urged. “Please, sit down.” He added, gesticulating. “I should calm down?” Mrs. Adaobi quarreled. “I am talking about my husband’s death, you are asking me to calm down.” She shouted, stood still. “Madam, I understand exactly how you feel.” “You don’t understand anything,” she responded. “This is two good days after my husband’s death, and absolutely nothing has been done.” The DPO was silent, couldn’t utter a word. “You are seated there telling me you understand how I feel.” She rode on. “I am sure you are aware my mother-in-law is late too, as a result of the incident?” she landed. “Madam, I care so much about that baby in your womb,” quoth Mr. Von. “So, why not just sit down, let me tell you what we have for you?” The last statement struck her owing to the ‘baby in the womb’ mentioned, hence she calmly assumed the seat sited directly opposite the DPO’s. “Madam,” Mr. Von Called. “I can assure you we must get the killers of your husband.” Mrs. Adaobi was quiet and calm, looked weird though. “We are on it,” he continued. “And, we won’t rest until we get to the end of it.” She remained mute and moody. “You have two persons presently lying in the morgue,” the DPO said. “So, if I say I don’t know what you are passing through, I deserve to be called a bastard.” She looked down and retraced her moony eyes to the DPO. “We even planned to be in your house this afternoon,” Mr. Von notified. “Because we have some issues to clarify with you.” There was absolute tranquility. “I am sure you are aware your late husband was strangled at the spot?” Mr. Von proceeded. “So, it requires a painstaking investigation.” He asserted, paused. “And the investigation cannot be adequately done without your assistance.” He added, looking wholly into her vague eyes. She reciprocated the sudden look. “Madam,” the DPO continued. “Your husband was in court before he died, right?” Mrs. Adaobi Okezie nodded. “Yes.” She supplemented. “With his step-brother?” She nodded as usual. “Was he threatened by anyone before he was killed?”

ShortStory

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

frednwaozor@gmail.com +2348028608056 Follow: @mediambassador

Unfinished mission (II)

“No.” She replied, shaking her head. “We have already learnt he was on the way to his shop on that fateful day,” quoth Mr. Von. “Can you tell us what time he usually left for his shop?” “5am.” She succinctly said. “Was it when he left that day?” Mrs. Adaobi replied via a nod. “About ten minutes past five.” She added. “It’s apparent your husband was strangulated because the attackers wanted to ensure he died at the spot.” Mr. Von Dike informed hesitantly. “There was no trace of gunshot.” Mrs. Adaobi gushed out tears. “Is Okay Madam,” Mr. Von consoled. “Please, can you tell us his prospect during the court proceeding?” “He had greater chances of winning the case.” She informed amidst the sobs, stood up and attempted to walk away. “Is okay,” the DPO enjoined. “You can take your leave.” He said, paused. “We will get back to you soonest.” He assured. She dashed out, and headed for her home. ****** “Mr. Mezie Okezie,” the DPO, Mr. Von Dike called. “Why did you kill your brother?” Therein, which marked the following day after meeting with Mrs. Adaobi Okezie, the 28-yearold Mr. Mezie Okezie being the prime suspect of the murder case

Ten months after, intriguingly, Mr. Mezie confessed that he was responsible for his half-brother’s demise was being quizzed by the police in the police station having been arrested. He was kept in a secluded room, and was surrounded by five armed police personnel including the DPO, who were all on their feet; he was actually the only one seated. “Me,” quoth Mr. Mezie, placing his right hand on his chest. “Killed my brother?” He rhetorically enquired, paused. “For what?” “So, you don’t want to tell us the truth?” Mr. Dike insisted. “The truth?” Mr. Mezie said. “What the hell is the truth, if I may ask…?” “Will you shot up?” Mr. Dike heckled. “You and I know that you are the one who killed Mr. Ifeanyi Okezie.” Mr. Mezie shook his head amusingly, sighed. “So, you think we are here to crack jokes, right?” the DPO continued.

“What makes you think I was the one who killed my brother?” quoth Mr. Mezie. “My blood brother?” Mr. Dike ignored the question. “Tell me,” he rather said. “Who were your accomplices?” Mr. Mezie was mute. “Or, do you want me to send my officers away?” Mr. Dike calmly inquired. “Before you could talk?” “Please, I don’t know what you are talking about,” Mr. Mezie persisted. “For crying out loud, you should be sympathizing with me over my brother’s death.” He said. “And not the other way round.” “Since you are still stubborn,” the DPO said, frowning. “I know what to do.” Therein, he ordered his men in the room to torture him till he confessed. They did as requested but all their frantic efforts proved abortive. The following week, Mr. Mezie was charged to court by the police having presumptuously gotten the needed evidence to nail him down. Before he was taken to the court, he was persuaded by the police to confide in them, assuring him that he would be freed if he complied; but the apparent hardened individual overlooked the urge. While the court proceeding was taking place, the defendant Mr. Mezie Okezie pleaded not guilty in spite of the intimidating alibi presented to the court by

the plaintiff, the police. The alibi in question wasn’t unconnected with the fact that Mr. Mezie remained the only rival to the deceased prior to his abrupt exit. In the midst of the court proceeding, which lasted for months, Mrs. Adaobi Okezie gave birth to a bouncing baby boy; the kid was named after his late father, thus he was addressed as ‘Ifeanyi Junior’. Prior to this moment, the remains of Late Mr. Ifeanyi Okezie had been led to rest due to a court injunction issued in respect to that; his Late mother’s were equally buried same day with his. Ten months after, intriguingly, Mr. Mezie confessed that he was responsible for his half-brother’s demise, and went further to inform the court that his mother, Lolo Nma Okezie was the one who instigated him to commit the evil act. He equally named two of his accomplices. Owing to the revelation, Mr. Mezie Okezie and his mum coupled with his partners in crime were sentenced to life. The conviction, though after a long wait, brought a slight relieve to Mrs. Adaobi Okezie alongside her toddler. At least, the mission left unfinished by her late hubby had seemingly been completed. • Nwaozor novelist, playwright and poet, is Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research & Career Development - Owerri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Travel & Tourism

CHEF'S CORNER

eggie frittata with green plantain mash meal is very healthy and nutritious and is accompanied with couscous with meat balls in sauce

Veggie fritata

Ingredients: • Vegetable oil • Eggs (4) • Red and yellow bell peppers (chopped) • Carrot (1 chopped) • Onion (1 chopped) • One tablespoon of grated ginger • Small tomato (1 chopped) • Quarter tablespoon of curry powder • Mushroom (sliced) • Scallions (chopped) • Salt • Season of choice Preparation: • Heat a medium-sized frying pan and add a little vegetable oil then add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. • Add the chopped bells peppers, carrots and the curry powder then allow to cook for about five minutes. • Add the mushroom and tomato, crack the eggs and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and seasoning of choice

ABTA to hold Corporate travel Executives Forum October 20 The African Business Travel Association (ABTA) is set to hold its next Corporate Travel Executives Forum in Lagos on October 20. The event, which is part of the regular programme of the travel association for professionals in the travel and tourism trade in Africa, is meant to expose its members to trends in the industry. According to the founder of the association, Monique Swart, the Lagos event will be attended by the region’s leading corporate travel buyers, travel management companies and industry suppliers and has as its theme, ‘striking the balance between reducing travel costs and increasing profitability. Billed for Protea Hotel Ikeja, some of the topics slated for discussion include four top cost savings strategies for travel buyers, making your business recession proof, travellers’ safety - from policy to practice and creating the new TMC model. Travel experts in different fields are expected to present papers and lead discussions during the one day forum. Swart also noted that the newly appointed ABTA’s regional manager for Africa, Jeanette Moloto, would be introduced to the members.

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

Veggie fritata with green plantain mash to taste then add the eggs to veggies. When ready, sprinkle some chopped scallion over the fritata.

Preparation: Heat a medium pot, add the milk and water to it; let it warm then add the ginger and couscous. Once cooked stir in the butter.

Green plantain mash

Ingredients: • Small green plantain • Medium size Irish potato (1) • Half tablespoon of chopped garlic

Sauce

Ingredients: • Vegetable oil • Tomatoes (two) • Tatashe (one) • Carrot (one) • Clove of garlic (one) • M u s h r o o m (chopped)

Meat balls

Ingredients: • One pack of minced meat • One egg yolk • Pepper • Onion (one chopped) • Vegetable oil • Season of choice

Preparation: • Boil the plantain and potato till soft then season with salt and pepper. When cooked, mash it, add half tablespoon of chopped garlic and a small cube of butter. Couscous with meat balls in sauce Ingredients: • Uncooked couscous (one cup) • Milk (one cup) • Half cup of water • One tablespoon of butter • Half tablespoon of grated ginger • Season of choice

• Salt • Seasoning of choice

Preparation: • Sauté the onion in a pan with the vegetable oil until translucent. In a bowl, put the meat, egg, pinch of salt, pepper and seasoning. Then add the sautéed onions. • Mix well and shape into two inch balls, add a little vegetable oil to the pan and fry the meat balls so that the outer part is just slightly brown.

Preparation: • Blend the tomatoes, pepper and carrot. Put some vegetable oil into a pot and heat through. Add the pepper blended and crushed garlic and cook for about 10 minutes. Add salt and seasoning to taste. • Add the meat balls and allow it to absorb some of the liquid of the sauce for about 10 minutes. • Take off the heat and sprinkle with some scallions and serve. *Culled from Quest Knorr Taste.

TRAVEL BEATS

Nigeria Association of Tour Operators calls for tourism ministry The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has called on the Federal Government to re-instate the Ministry of Culture and Tourism that was scrapped and merged with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. This call was made by its president, Nkereuwem Onung, as he noted that this was the only way tourism could play a key role in the diversification effort of the Federal Government. ‘‘All successful countries in Africa have ministries of tourism and that is why they are doing very well and Nigeria should emulate countries like Kenya, South Africa, Gambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana,’’ said Onung. The NATOP president, who made this

declaration as part of his World Tourism Day (WTD) message, noted that the absence of a fully-fledged tourism ministry had left tourism adrift. ‘‘The absence of a ministry has left stakeholders speculating on matters of tourism,’’ he said. NATOP also canvassed support for the establishment of a national carrier which could be a veritable instrument for economic growth and enhance tourism development; linkage of the six national parks to the tourism sector as national parks in South Africa earn more money per acres than agriculture; re-instating the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) to be chaired by the president; and cultural tourism which is one of the fastest growing tourism markets.

Ethiopian Airlines wins employer of choice award Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has won two coveted awards in the first East Africa Careers in Africa Choice Awards, at a top tier event, hosted by the Global Career Company at a colourful ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya. ET was nominated in three categories out of the 10 presented and was crowned in two: Reward Employer of Choice, as the leader in terms of compensation and benefits offered to employees and Local Attractiveness Employer of Choice, as the leading company in hiring the majority of locally based talent. In addition, the airline also took the runner-up award in the East African Employer of Choice. The awards methodology takes company ratings provided by prospective employers across 29 attraction drivers, asking talent to grade organisations against all drivers.

Jethro Club partners NIHOTOUR on tourism Jethro Tours International has set up a youth tourism club, known as Jethro Club and has signed a partnership deal with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to work with private schools across the country on creating tourism awareness and developing the industry. According to the president of Jethro Tours International, Prince Femi Fadina Oluwasina, the event is aimed at educating

private schools on the importance of tourism as a global tool for sustainable development, thereby exploiting commercial opportunities in domestic and global inbound tourism focusing particularly on African tourism. Besides, it is also aimed at sensitising students on tourism as one of the world’s fastest growing industries, broaden their knowledge about tourism and related careers so that they would be more

Travel Personality

Lehlohonolo Pitso: We’ve established closer ties with stakeholders

p.40

attuned to the idea of promoting Nigeria as they becoming more exposed and aware of what a career in tourism is at an early age. Furthermore, it educate students about things that are uniquely Nigerian or African such as its history, culture and the environmental landscape thus creating awareness among them as to the importance of tourism as DG of NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun with Oluwasina Nigeria’s potential number one during the MoU signing foreign exchange earner.

Hospitality Hospitality

Destination

p.41 p.41

p.42

Eko Westown Hotel and Hotels: Suites: Beckons EnticesAkwaaba with bumper 2016 Ramadan offerings

Nigeria Tourism: Stakeholders Eko Atlantic: point pathway to growth Lagos’ next destination p.42 in the making

40 Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

LEHLOHONOLO PITSO

We’ve established closer ties with stakeholders TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Lehlohonolo (Hloni) Pitso, regional manager (West Africa) of South African Tourism, based in Lagos, speaks on his mandate, promotion and marketing of South Africa tourism across the West Africa region To what extent would you say that you have succeeded with the mandate of your office since its opening over three years ago? I think we have succeeded to some extent, I think being on ground, you get to learn about the environment, you get to understand the people better as well as the operations and how things work. By being here, there are lots of information one can learn that you cannot not learn when you are operating from outside the country. I have been privileged to hold this portfolio which includes Nigeria since 2007, and I must say I have been travelling back and forth and what I have leant in the last three years being on ground has actually benefited the organisation. We have better and closer relationship with stakeholders, better relationship even with the media directly while before we didn’t own those relationships, they were owned by our suppliers. So it has made a lot of difference and this is part of the reason we have actually been able to expand even to other regions. What informed the expansion of your travel road show this year? This is the first time South African Tourism started expanding into other cities. For the first time, we are actually doing five cities in West Africa. In Ghana, we are doing Kumasi and Accra while in Nigeria, we are doing Lagos and hope to proceed to do Port Harcourt and Abuja. This is good for us, is time we expand because we have been promoting South Africa as a preferred destination in these two cities, Accra and Lagos for the past 10 years or so. So, having a foot print in West Africa

by having an office here in Lagos, we have realised that there are much potential for us to start infiltrating other markets as well. Very soon, probably in the next two or three years, we will be expanding into the Francophone West African countries, because we also see potential there. So, it has been very good for us. If you look at the turn out in Kumasi, we were expecting just a little above 50 agents, but we had a little above 100 that came, we also had over 12 media partners that came, so it showed that they are hungry for the information so that they will be able to know and sell South Africa. For me, the road shows are becoming stronger and stronger and we are beginning to see more products from South Africa and participants who are willing to participate. And then the partnership with the travel agents association and the tour operators are becoming much stronger and we see that in all the road shows. That is why we partner with the local tour operators’ association. What is your view on the Single African Travel Passport by African Union to promote seamless travel within Africa? This is something that is being discussed at the highest level, as you know at the last African Union meeting. It is something that was on the agenda. For us the more people we invite the better for the country. Obviously there maybe one or two security concerns which have to be addressed, so is not something that will be easily rolled over but is something or an initiative we support and we will also on our part make sure we do our research and understand what it takes for such a visa to be available, what are the challenges, what are the benefits and do a full research on it before we can make a final decision. But the final decision does not lie with South African Tourism, but we can be part of the process to influence, to contribute towards that and is something that we definitely support. What has been the acceptance level of South Africa tourism products in

Pitso

Port-Harcourt and Abuja markets? From the research findings we did, because we sent our research team there to find out what it is the people are looking for and we also ask the tour operators, ‘are you currently selling any tour packages anywhere in the world and not necessarily South Africa and why are you selling those packages and why not South Africa?’ From this, we get to understand and try to address all their issues so that they will be able to sell South Africa. One of the things is that our focus is always on Lagos and sometimes Abuja and nobody went into the PortHarcourt market and they (the agents) don’t know what to sell and how to sell South Africa. Everything they have done is based on their own initiative so when

BACKGROUND Lehlohonolo (Hloni) Pitso with close to two decades stint in the travel industry is the regional manager (West Africa) of South African Tourism. The West Africa office, which is based in Lagos, is historic in the sense that it is the first marketing office outside of its Johannesburg base to be set up by South African Tourism in Africa. He started his career with South African Tourism as trade relations manager (East Africa) and later had responsibilities for both East and West regions of the continent. Pitson’s journey as a travel professional dates back to his school days when as a student at Boston City Campus, he was picked for the HRG Rennie’s Travel Learnership Programme. After graduating, he opted for a career in travel and tourism industry and was,thereafter, appointed as a travel consultant to Rennie’s. He was also at a point with Air Botswana and later moved over to Protea Hotels as sales executive and promoted sales manager, Africa. Pitson has proved to be a thoroughbred travel personal and quite adept and effective on the job and has succeeded over the years in making South Africa a beloved destination by many Nigerians and other nationals in the west coast of Africa. He has also succeeded in endearing himself to many of the trade partners and travel professionals that he has dealings with in the course of his pitching for his country especially the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and National Association of Nigeria Tour Operators (NATOP), the two most powerful travel trade associations in Nigeria, with which he has a cordial and mutually benefiting relationship.

we speak to consumers to ask if they would like to travel to South Africa and then we put all that information into a package and look at it and test it out and the outcome of it is that we needed to actually be in Abuja, there are huge interest there, people are travelling out, going to Dubai and other destinations and I believe we can grow our market share in Port- Harcourt too. This is the first time that we are going into Port Harcourt, the response from our trade partners when we communicated through the channel which is the tour operators in terms of the demand for us to come in there. We are also expecting in the region of 75 to 100 agents and for us, that is good, so definitely, there is appetite for South African packages, but the people need support for them to be able to effectively sell South Africa What are your future plans? We are looking at other opportunities, how do we further expand in the region and we have already started that through the trade workshops. About a month ago, I was in Kano State as well. I was invited by the South African Airways to come and address the travel agents and tour operators there. So, we are always looking for platforms where we can engage as much travel agents as possible because one thing we have recognised is that the travel agents are the blood line, the life line of tourism. You can also get consumers these days, who think that they can coordinate their own travels, which they can because internet has made everything accessible this days. But there would be a time you may run into problem, like for example, let’s say you are travelling and you miss your flight, that process of trying to change your flight becomes a difficult exercise, you have nobody who actually got the skills to help you search for cheaper flights here and there, so there are certain things one need to consider. So, we really value travel agents and we will always give them support, is part of the reason we have an office here, so is more of a business to business support office.

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

EKO HOTEL AND SUITES

Hotel's facade. Inset: Bar section (up) and one of the rooms (down)

Beckons Akwaaba 2016 In view of its hospitality positioning, Eko Hotel and Suites, which is venue this year’s Akwaaba Festival, offers guests abundant and suffusing options, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

s preparations for this year’s Akwaaba Festival (Africa’s travel market), which is a travel and tourism trade exhibition and conference, holding at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island intensifies, the management of the hotel has disclosed that it is primed for the event with great offerings. As one of the very best hospitality homes in Lagos State, given its location on the Island, the hotel offers a blend of rich and diverse options of luxury and quality to guests attending the yearly event billed for October 30 to November 1. Known for its rich and colourful toast of international standard nestled against fascinating local flavours, especially its cultural mix, the hotel boasts of four different properties with each offering distinct facilities and services within its vast and opulent landscape. With dedication to the promotion of the finest business and leisure culture, it offers 824 rooms, spread across the four properties, which are, Eko Hotel, Eko Gardens, Eko Suites and Eko Signature, with each treating guests to amazing and inspiring life - time hospitality’s rich gourmets. Eko Hotel It is the main hotel and the spring board for the three other properties and smirks of attractive pull with warm welcome to its rich bowels. It boasts a high level of sophistication with the lobby area known for its spatial fluidity and inviting presence.

It offers about 448 rooms, well-fitted with various amenities for the pleasure of the guests. With a spacious balcony as well, each of the rooms offer view of either Eko Atlantic City or the bustling city, especially its variegated night view. The rooms’ categories include diplomatic suite – a five-star attraction of the hotel with upscale facilities including a kitchenette. The presidential suite comes with sleek and state-of-the-art facilities for leisure and entertainment, besides the VIP treatment, other features are lounge area, work and private dining area, two separate king size rooms, large TV screen, musical system, luxurious bathroom with whirlpool and shower, full complimentary bar and VIP gifts. Others are classic suite which comes with a separate sitting room and ideal setting for some privacy, classic superior and Atlantic superior room. Eko Gardens It enjoys a very rich and pleasant setting with the rooms fitted and furnished to taste with modern hospitality gadgets and amenities for the comfort and relaxation of the guests. The categories of rooms include standard and classic rooms. Eko Suites This is another classic and vintage property within the hotel featuring plush and inviting rooms made of deluxe, presidential, executive, club and studio suites. Eko Signature It is the newest addition to the hotel and the most fascinating of the four properties with iconic design and interior décor that are masterpieces and

HOSPITALITY

sheer display of opulence. Stylishly fitted and furnished with the best of world class facilities, offering princely treats to its guests. From the rooms (171), dining, to meeting facilities, they are all exceptionally set and styled to the astonishment of the guests. The categories of rooms include premium suite, which comes with a beautiful setting and all the trappings of luxury and with a separate lounge to the bargain, signature suite and presidential suite, with luxuriating and breathtaking scenery.

Conference facilities Eko Hotel and Suites offers one of the best conference facilities in the country and in the city of Lagos given its numerous facilities of different classes, all fully equipped and fitted with modern business and meeting amenities of note. The list include the grand ballroom, which sits about 350 people and great for upscale events and Eko Convention or Expo Centre, which is the largest conference facility and first of its kind in Nigeria. With fantastic ambience, it creates room for flexible and creative setting and play host to any event of class such as Akwaaba 2016. Besides, it also offers over 10 purposebuilt meeting rooms, all fully equipped as well. There is also a business centre providing support secretarial services and a bookshop just a step away. Both are located within the main hotel. Dining Dining and wining are pleasurable experiences with about eight restaurants of different settings and offerings

to explore. These are Sky Restaurant and Lounge, which is located in the penthouse of the main hotel and is noted for its Asian fusion, six course main and opens daily to diners; Calabash bar offers the best of African scenery with a lot to drink and eat; Kuramo Sports Café also offers dining and wining options with the added advantage of catching your best sports live on the big screen with great atmosphere. Lagoon Breeze Restaurant by the poolside offers varieties of grill foods among others; Casa Chianti takes you to the home of pasta, Italy, as it offers great traditional Italian delicacies; Steakhouse is a comfortable and relaxing spot to enjoy real steaks; 1415 Italian restaurant, located in Eko Signature, is a signature dining spot with the finest Italian cuisine to Wellness/sports The hotel is a sure place to rejuvenate with its wellness and sports facilities of different ranges dedicated to offering guests rare opportunity to exercise and maintain a trendy and health regime. These include well -equipped with the state of the art gymnasium, two floodlit tennis courts, volley ball pitch, basketball court, spa, a stunning swimming pool with a pool bar and vast seat out area and grounds to explore. Entertainment/leisure It is home to the finest entertainment and leisure offerings in the city with its playing host to a number of exclusive events all year round, especially at weekends and during festive periods where guests could unwind and regain their groove.

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

FESTAC, LAGOS

LAGOS

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

CAPITOL HOTEL, AGEGE

REE DANIELS HOTEL AND SUITES

Travel&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

DESTINATION

Model of Eko Boyler are with Marina District

Eko Altantic: Lagos’ next destination in the making

The first three towers under construction

Model of the One Business District

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was among the people that toured the Eko Atlantic City, a new city project springing up in Lagos State, writes on its fascinating nature and its potential as the next tourist destination

agos State with Ikeja as it capital city, which was years gone the former capital city of Nigeria and remains the commercial, socio – cultural and entertainment hub of Nigeria and even West Africa extending to Africa, has since the days of the former governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, envisioned itself as a megacity. Since then, the government and people of the state have been working assiduously towards making this a reality by engaging in massive infrastructure renewal and enlightenment of its citizenry towards this noble dream and having businesses and other organisations, including the international community, signed on to this model of the business

district project. It was in that wise that the former governor, Fashola signed on a private enterprise, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, led by the famous Ronald Chaqoury (Snr.) and his team, ambitious project of reclaiming the once foremost tourist site in the country and city, Bar Beach, extending to Kuramo Beach and part of Lekki, into a city, known as Eko Atlantic City. As an entirely private sponsored real estate development project with South Energyx Nigeria Limited as the developer, the project started in 2006 with former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurating the ground breaking ceremony. At the event, Jonathan alongside former President Bill Clinton among others attended the event, which was targeted at celebrating the project designed to lift Lagos State to the top of business and real estate world. Ever since, work at the city have been going on as planned. Last year, this reporter, for the first time, was among some Nigerian and South African travel trade operators who visited the sales office of Eko Atlantic City, where a virtual tour of the project was conducted by the sales team.

This year, another opportunity also beckoned with the state government showcasing the project as a signature project of the state during the celebration of this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) on September 27 hosted by it. The event was attended by the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, while the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was the special guest with a host of other guests and tourism stakeholders, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker and the management team of South Energyx Nigeria Limited, led by its chairman, Mr. Chagoury Snr. The event began at the sales office where the guests were treated to a virtual tour of the project with Ronald Chagoury Jnr., as the guide for the day. It was an exciting and revealing tour for many, especially for those who where hearing of it and visiting for the first time. According to him, the project is envisioned to lead the new economic drive of the state and designed as the economic hull and gateway to Africa.

While utilising the finest design in urban development, he said it was the new financial hub of Lagos with various sections ranging from residences, entertainment, businesses and offices, shopping malls, schools, hospitals, markets to telecommunications. With the slogan, ‘work and live,’ Chagoury Jnr said Eko Atlantic City, was a city within a city, an independent city, which on completion would not depend on the main city for anything as it would have a live of its own with all the basic amenities and facilities needed inbuilt. He also noted that it would promote the finest culture in the world in every sphere of life, stressing that the infrastructure would be the most sophisticated in the world as it would be of international standard. Thereafter, attention shifted to the physical complex of the city that is already in the making with a guided tour that lasted for over one hour with Chagoury Jnr still directing the affairs while the father, Chagoury Snr occasionally interjected to explain one or two points or features missed out by the son. For many of the guests, it was the first

Travel&Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

time, including this reporter, of having the privilege to tour the massive complex of the city. It was amazing and enchanting to see that the once mass body of water (Bar Beach) has be reclaimed and turned into a dry land through man’s ingenuity, employing a science that has succeeded to transform the once sprawling and dreaded lagoon into a new existence to be habited by man. We toured the first and second phases of the city where work is frenetically on top speed as well as encircling through the network of roads and canals and down to the massive great wall and part of the lagoon, extending to the Lekki end that is yet to be reclaimed. The structures presently due for completion are the first three towers and Eko Pearl, which Chagoury Jnr said would be delivered by the end of this year or early next year. There is also the Alpha One building, which is one of the office complexes ongoing and due for completion soon. Then there is Eko Boulevard, which on completion would be the most sought after long stretch of road in the city and would offer many possibilities for the people especially in the areas of leisure and entertainment. According to Chagoury Snr, it would be a magical boulevard featuring amazing elements and structures for the benefit of the people. Touring the complex and listening to both senior and junior Chagoury glowing pitch for this ambitious project, you are easily enchanted and transported to the dream world of the 21st century and beyond that they say this city would become on completion. Features of Eko Atlantic City The amazing nature of the complex city can perhaps be better understood after considering the astounding features and elements of the city reeled out by Chagoury Jnr. Consider for a start that the entire city spans 10 million square metres, 450, 00 residences, over 50, 000 planted trees, 24 hours independent power supply (70 megawatts expandable to a 1.5gw power plant, clean drinking water, advanced telecommunications (Fiber optic citywide network) and drainage and waste water systems as well as a great sea wall that will withstand the worst of storms predictable for a thousand year. Promoted as the best prime real estate in West Africa, investment in the city is said to be guaranteed and secured given that it is designed to the highest

Abeiku Santana takes on promotion of Ghana’s tourism T

Chagoury Snr explaining a point to the minister, deputy govrnor and others

standards by a seasoned team of local and international investors and consultants with the proven knowledge and expertise to transform reclaimed land, which was once lost to the ocean, into a modern world class ocean front city. Besides, it is designed to be populated by different and distinct districts such as: Business district, which spans 650, 000 square metres with two kilometres long 60 metres wide central boulevard, similar in size to New York’s Fifth Avenue and Paris’ Champs – Elysees. It will play host to the headquarters of a blue chip companies, hotels and residences. Marina district, spanning 756, 000 square metres, it will be one of the finest living and spectacular sections in the city with medium to high rise developments for the well – wheeled; Eko Atlantic mall, is planned to be the largest mall in Sub-Sahara Africa with amazing 120, 000 square metres of leasable area, including vast amenities and entertainment as well as ample parking space. Another district to savour, is the Eko International Academy, which would consist of international elementary, medium to high school grades, deployed for the use of both residences within and outside the city. … Tourism, economic potential Besides all the points made by the Chagourys in their pitch, the minister, who obviously was elated by the awesome inspiring city development project, took on the toga of a sales man as well to sound the overall importance of the city to Nigeria’s quest for global development and patronage.

“I can confidently add that Eko Atlantic City has what it takes to drive tourism in Nigeria. And this is just as well, because while the role of the government will be to provide the enabling environment, the private sector will drive the growth of tourism. This is a win-win model for the government and the private sector, and I commend Eko Atlantic for being in the forefront of actualising this model. “For those who may not know, Eko Atlantic - when completed – will be a tourist haven. The city will boast of 450,000 residents and 300,000 commuters, which is a boom for the myriad of businesses to be located in the city. In addition, it will have a registered Free Economic Zone to encourage economic activities. “As you are also aware, shopping malls attract tourists the way bees are attracted to honey. The shopping mall here in Eko Atlantic will be the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The 10 million square metres of space in the city will also boast of an impressive retail layout for shopping, vast amenities for entertainment, such as food courts, cinemas and playgrounds, an ample parking space and a canal that can be used for water transportation and water sports,” the minister. Given the stunning amenities and statistics of Eko Atlantic City, Mohammed said the city would be the next destination for Nigerians as it has all the wonders and attractions that places like Dubai and London hold for Nigerians. Therefore, he urged Nigerians to look to the city on completion for all their tourism needs.

ourism Ambassador and on air personality (OAP), Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey otherwise known as Abeiku Santana, has given a new meaning to the promotion of his country, Ghana, tourism with a renewed vigour and commitment, eliciting the participation of his people in this new found love of his. Widely travelled across the country and the continent of Africa and noted for his promotional work with Kenyan Tourism Board, South African Tourism and his Alomo tours, among others, Abeiku Santana is running an informative and educative campaign on the various attractions in Ghana through his radio programme. He is also very active on the social media circuit and has taken on the task of going on the road educating commercial drivers and street vendors on how to relate with tourists and foreigners, in general. “Ghana has so many stories and history to share with the world. The people have varied cultures; the language, food, clothing, etc. Even though we are a much diversified group of people, we are still able to function in a unified democratic style of governance. Just this is one major fact we can promote,” he said of the motivation for his new drive. “I have been working with the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, to remodel our tourism industry and make it viable to international interests. We already have all that it takes to be a number one tourism spot in West Africa. Now we need to put the work in and get the message out there,” he said. He urged all Ghanaians living abroad to continue sharing good information about the Ghanaian culture whenever they get the opportunity.

Atunda Entertainment, Cocody sign pact on talents building, promotion of tourism

tunda Entertainment, which is an activation of Motherland Beckons dedicated to the nurturing of talents in the different fields of creative arts, has signed an historical pact with Cocody, one of the 10 urban communes of Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire. According to Atunda Entertainment, pact between the management of the talent building group and the Mayor of Cocody, offers the group the opportunity to hunt for and develop talents from Cocody in different creative endeavours, ranging from music, acting, fine and applied arts, fashion and modeling. Details of the deal, which is said to be the first time in its history that the people of Cocody would be dealing with internationally recognised external

body, which was signed by the Mayor, N’ Goan Aka Kacou and the founder of Atunda Entertainment, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, with the director of cabinet of the Mayor, Ambassador Koffi Y. Charles and both the Ambassadors of Nigeria to Cote d’ Ivoire, Mrs. Ifeoma Akabogu - Chinwuba and that of Cote d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kone Maman Toure, in attendance, allow Atunda Entertainment to deploy its expertise in building a colony of talented stars for Cocody. Part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed is for Atunda Entertainment to use its expertise to develop music, movies, comedy, fashion and model stars infusing them with both Nigeria and Cote D’ Ivoire culture. The deal allows for the joint

Abeiku Santana

Director of cabinet of the Mayor, Ambassador Charles, Nigeria Ambassador to Cote D’ Ivoire, Akabogu – Chinwuba, Anu, D Lady Ekwe of Atanda Entertainment, Mayor of Cocody, N’ Goan Aka Kacou, Olo Midan Bata of Atanda Entertainment and Founder of Atanda Entertainment, Akinboboye… after the signing of MoU ceremony

production and promotion of films and other creative works in Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Besides infusing local contents in the artistes, they are also expected to be imbued with international standard and over the years build the discovered talents into international stardom. The Mayor of Cocody, who was elated by the new move expressed delight over the prospect of the joint venture and confidence in the creative ability of Atunda Entertainment to undertake the joint

venture and deliver on the aspiration of his community. Also expected to benefit from this deal is the tourism industry of the community and that of Nigeria as tour packages promoting both countries are to be designed, marketed and executed by both countries with various players, suppliers and buyers of travels engaged towards the realisation of this dreamed project. Cocody obviously presents a window of opportunity for both business travellers and leisure seek-

ers as the community is richly endowed and it is noted as a high end market as it is home to both middle class and high network individuals. One of its unique features is the abundance of mansions while it is home to many wealthy and business moguls, ambassadors, political and public figures. Besides it richly laid colonial styled architectural structures which are very attractive and inviting, the town’s landscape is a blend of appealing attractions.

Sportsplash 44 Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

Celebrity RĂ&#x2C6;sume

Stage Name Eldee Tha Don Full Name Olanrewaju Dabiri Profession Song writer, performing artiste, label executive and entrepreneur. Genres Rap, Hip Hop and Pop Place of Birth Kaduna State of Origin Lagos State Active Years 1998 - 2014 First Album Long Time Coming (2004) Biggest Song Big Boy featuring Olu Maintain and

Banky W. Albums Long Time Coming (2004), Return of the King (2006), Big Boy (also known as Evolution, 2008), Is It Your Money (2010) and Undeniable (2012). First Label Trybe Records Current Status Retired Marital Status Married Spouse Dolapo Latinwo-Belo Children 2 Biggest Achievement Founded Trybesmen along with

two friends, Kaboom and Freestyle and played a huge role in changing the face of music in Nigeria. He expanded the group to Da Trybe with the addition of Sasha, 2Shotz, Timi, Blaise and others and also founded the label, Trybe Records. One of the few Nigerian acts to attain a level of international, Eldee performed at sold-out shows in US, UK and other parts of the globe. Other Interests Founder and CEO of Play Data, a novel technological tool that helps music stars monitor and track the reach of their works and how frequently they are played on Radio and TV.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

8 OCTOBer 2016

Thank God, Akwa Ibomites are no longer househelps – Deputy Speaker

p.46

Restructuring has taken the centre stage for some time now. How do you think the country can tackle the issue? In the last 30 years, the world has witnessed some movements which Nigeria cannot be immune from. The Soviet Union broke into several parts. Czechoslovakia also broke into several countries that are thriving and are succeeding. In some places, the people have come together. The United Kingdom recently voted to exit from the European Union (EU). You know that political systems evolve, the evolution involves changing forms and characters bring new factors and removing some factors. Why should anyone say that Nigeria cannot reform itself or restructure itself? If the Biafrans want to go, let them go. We should do a referendum. Anyone that wants to go, let them go. If the Niger Delta wants to go, let them go. If the North wants to go, let them go. It is their right. We are living in the era of human rights where people decide where they want to live, where they want to associate. I assure you that the way the world is moving, people will decide how they want to live. People will decide and there is nobody that can stop it. So, the best thing and the most peaceful thing, is what they did in Czechoslovakia, where they sat and decided they were going to move apart and tomorrow they can decide to say we want to come together again, because that is how human beings are. You want to do something today, you are crazy for it, tomorrow you discover that what you are crazy for, you don’t like it, you want to come back. So, our system must be such that we should be able to associate and disassociate. I don’t think that stopping the restructuring is a good thing. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently accused the National Assembly of lacking integrity. Do you share his views? If you look at the composition of the National Assembly today, in the Senate, there is probably only one person who started off in 1999 that is still a senator, that is David Mark. In the House of Representatives, there are only three peole, Nicholas Mutu, Adams Jagaba and Linda Ikpeazu. They are the only members of the House of Representatives who have been there since 1999. If you are saying that all members of the National Assembly are people that don’t have integrity, then you will probably be thinking of a very high percentage of Nigerians who get elected. My worry with what the former president has said is that it actually undermines the most important institution of democracy, that is the legislature. In a monarchy, you have the judiciary, most likely. In military governments, you have the judiciary and executive. The only arm of government that is new and that has always been new and gets disbanded whenever the military strikes is the legislature. But if you look at the length of times

Blame leadership for recession –Bishop Isong

p.47

If Niger Delta, North want to leave, let them go –Kwewum Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu kwewum, the Chairman, House Committee on Army represents Donga/Takum/Ussa/Yangtu Federal Constituency of Taraba State in the House of Representatives. He spoke with MUSA PAM. Excerpts... that we have civil rules in Nigeria, you will discover that, in the present state of Nigeria, it is corruption that has led us to where we are. We cannot by any stretch of imagination be attributed to the arm of government that has been coming on and off. It has not been stable. That is to say that the military government which Obasanjo was part of and the executive arm of government to which he belonged were ruled like a monarchy, disobeying even the laws that he himself initiated, his government has been the most corrupt, with people that had the least standard of integrity. There are arguments that the National Assembly is taking the largest chunk of the budget. Is that true? If you look at the quantum of the budget, even under Obasanjo, the National Assembly had always been the least in terms of the quantum of money available. Under President Goodluck Jonathan, we had three trillion naira as the budget of the combined recurrent and capital expenditure, it rose to four trillion before Jonathan left. Now it is six trillion naira. But the budget of the National Assembly has reduced from N150 billion out of this N3 trillion to N115 billion when we have the national budget risen to six trillion naira. So, the problem of Nigeria, the reason why things are not working in terms of statis-

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

Kwewum

tics can therefore not be attributed to the National Assembly. Except if you will say that the National Assembly is the one that does the implementation of the budget which is not true. National Assembly does not implement budget. The point I am trying to make is that, there is a high turn out of people, the people who were there in 1999 are not the people that are there today. What Obasanjo is saying therefore is that, either the National Assembly has a big corrupting influence that when you come into it, you become corrupt, it corrupts you or that Nigerians prefer to put people that don’t have integrity, people that are corrupt get into the assembly. Whichever case, I think that he is wrong on all force. Presently, 65 per cent of members who were there before did not return. So, you have 65 per cent, that is, more than two–thirds of the members of the House of Representatives today are people who have never been there before. So, you can see that, that is a challenge because you have problems of institutional memory and so forth. But the National Assembly can certainly not be the factor that is responsible for the sorry state of the country today.

ry responsibilities as evolved historically are; one, to appropriate the resources of the country, legislate on sources of income as section 80 of the constitution makes it very clear, determine the ways these resources have been raised and would be spent. Secondly, it makes laws, thirdly it controls, it has the final power to decide which nominations of the president would be acceptable to workers, ministers and so forth. Once the National Assembly completes a bill, the bill is assented to by the President and it becomes law, the implementation of that law including the Appropriation Act becomes the responsibility of the President. So, the National Assembly makes laws and those appropriations, that is determined according to section 80 of the constitution, the manner in which the monies accrued to the federation accounts are spent.

What is your take on the alleged padding of the budget? Let me explain by ordinary English definition, what does padding of something mean. I think that it means adding something to something to make it bigger. As far as the 2016 budget is concerned, this is the first budget, if I am not mistaking, in the last two years, that went into the National Assembly and came out smaller by N17 billion. In all the previous budgets, they used You said the Nation- to change the benchmark of the price of oil and on the basis of that, the budget al Assembly does not implement. was usually increased. What is its primary This is the first budget in 10 years responsibility? that came out less than what went in The National and came out less than what was taken Assembly's prima- in. The second point that we must notice is that people confuse a lot of things. The first one is that people say that the budget was padded because members inserted one item or The military the other or remove some things from the budget. But go again government to section 80 of the constitution, you will see clearly that the Nawhich Obasanjo tional Assembly has the power to was part delete completely. That is what is contained in the constitution. of and the Obasanjo went to the Supreme executive arm Court and withdrew a case himself when the issue of budget of government came up on whether the National Assembly had that power or not. to which he President Umar Musa Yar’Adua belonged did the same thing and withdrew the case. ruled like a

monarchy, disobeying even the laws that he himself initiated

Is that what is operational in other countries? Even in the United States where we borrowed our constitution from, if you recall, the Bill Clinton administration was shut CONTINUE ON PAGE 48

46 Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

Thank God, Akwa Ibomites are no longer househelps – Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey is the Deputy Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. She speaks on sundry issues. Excerpts... On September 23, Akwa Ibom celebrated the 29th anniversary of the state creation, do you think there were reasons to celebrate? In Akwa Ibom, we have reasons to celebrate. At 29, the state is doing very well. God doesn’t make mistakes, He created Akwa Ibom out of Cross River State. We came in as children, we have learnt, and the Lord has been faithful to us. Our leaders, from the military administrators to the democratically elected governors, have in one way or the other contributed to the development of the state. We used to be houseboys and housegirls; now the story has changed for good. We are now proud to come from Akwa Ibom State. If you go anywhere within Nigeria now, and you are asked where you came from, immediately you mention Akwa Ibom, you will be surprised at the way people will respect you. To God be the glory, the present governor, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel is indeed a technocrat. He is doing his best in spite of the harsh economic challenges to consolidate on the performance of his predecessor. We have every reason to celebrate, for me, Akwa Ibom is great. The fifth assembly was against the financial autonomy of the legislature. But recently, the sixth assembly called on the government to grant it financial autonomy. Is the governor interfering with the activities of the House? There must be positive change. Democracy is developing from one stage to another. That was their time; they had the right to say no, we have seen reasons to say yes. If you have your independence, there are lots of things you can do without hitches. So, the fifth Assembly knew why they did not want it. But, I think it is better for the House of Assembly to be financially independent, even the local governments, so that they will be able to do what they ought to do. It is a familiar story that people will complain, that is because they didn’t give them money, they could not execute their projects. You know, we like excuses, we like to shift blames on any body. If you have your own money, you'll know what do, and when the public asks, you won’t give excuses. So, it is good we asked for autonomy so that we can do our own work the way it is supposed to be done. Oron people seem to be marginalised. There are no good roads, no strategic appointments. What do you think is the feeling of an average Oron person as the state marks 29th anniversary? Everybody complains. Even those who should be satisfied in terms of government’s presence in their locality, still complain. So, if you see that the state of development in Oron is not impressive, I can also tell you that the government of this state is doing everything possible to put smiles on the faces of Oron people. I call the present governor an Oron son, I call him okpe oron (first son of Oron), because he doesn’t need to come from Oron to touch the lives of the people. I know he is going to do more than that, he has visited Oron more than any other governor. So I have hope. I know

that within a short time, things shall be well. For appointments, I tell you as an Oron person, he has tried. At least we have 13 special adviers. Before now, we were not that much. Each day we meet him, we tell him the need for him to live up to reasonable expectation. Infrastructure wise, he has tried. If you used to know where we call Mainland Avenue in Oron Town, then you will appreciate what the governor has done. We will cry out. No matter how it is, we have pleaded with our people to support the governor because if you give him the friendly atmosphere, you will give him the chance to come closer. You can dialogue and negotiate to obtain what you want. The other day, I went with him for a church service in Oron, on our way back, there was a bad spot along Okobo road, I told him about it and he acknowledged seeing it. As I’m talking to you, work is ongoing at that spot. So I believe that Udom Emmanuel means well for Oron and we are ready to support him.

Bassey

Would you say the government has carried women along in terms of appointment and empowerment? We are not ingrates. You are talking to the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, a woman. Apart from Godswill Akpabio’s regime, it was not like that beofre. We used to count the protocol of the state up to 30 and no woman could be mentioned. So, if I am a Deputy Speaker and the Head of Service is also a woman, there are other women in the board appointments. In transition committees of local governments, it is compulsory that women be found in each of them. So, he is doing very well. We cannot just wake up and demand equal rights. Men won't allow that, it is gradual. That’s why the little we see, we appreciate. When you tell your father thank you for the little thing he does for you, he will increase it. So, I always tell him thank you for the love you have for the women of Akwa Ibom State. And for giving us the privilege and opportunity to function in his government, we say thank you. We are asking for more, and I know he shall give it to us. Are you implying that the governor made you the Deputy Speaker? Let me tell you this, in politics, you cannot rule that out. You can’t come and sit just like that. He is the Lordlord. Although it is the members of the house that elected me, I know that the governor gave me his blessings. So, that tells you that he is a gender-friendly governor. If the head is good, other parts of the body will also be good.

Politics is a game. Everybody cannot love you; everybody cannot support you. In fact, the freest election was that won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. Where is he today?

You seems the only one happy. Other members of the house are complaining. Even the constituency project fee has been slashed. What is happening? When life is real, live it right. The governor has tried, times are hard. You cannot compare this time to the period of oil boom. Nigeria is in recession. If we used to take certain amount for constituency project and we decided that it should be reduced in view of the poor economic situation, it is just a way of reflecting the present economic realities. You know, there must be synergy in this business. The idea that we must get to where we used to be is not tenable because, practically in our homes, we don’t do that. So we can’t apportion that kind of blame on the governor. He has paid us what he supposed to. But as humans, we still ask for more because of the pressure. So, as a member, your constituency is on your neck. We just have to manage until we are out of this recession. Don't you think the male lawmakers need to reduce their frequency to hotel rooms? I have very responsible lawmakers who don’t stay in hotels. They live in their homes with their families. I know that if there is any problem, their wives will complain to me. I haven’t had that kind of complain. With the all-inclusive scholarship scheme for your constituents, are you in any way faulting the free and compulsory education system in the state? Giving is love. The state government’s free education system is at the basic level. But there are some people who can’t write UTME. We are talking about those in the universities and polytechnics. It is a form of assistance that I am giving to the less privileged and those without sponsors. Let me tell you, even the free education that we take for granted is something we should commend the government for. When I was in secondary school, there were many people who could not complete Class Five. That was the system at the secondary school then. Not now that we have Senior Secondary School Three. Just because of 10 pounds, they could not complete Class Five. Even now, it is still difficult because you need to buy books, the uniform, and the rest. My scholarship scheme is to complement the effort of government towards education. I made promises during my campaigns and people believed and voted for me. I don’t just give it to rich persons. No, I give it to those who have the need. Some of the people I assisted to take the UTME scored very high. And if you

look through a family, you will see three very intelligent children whose education could not be afforded by their parents. So if you see such stars and prospects, what do you do? Do you leave them like that? No. I have to show love. But you trained people and empowered others during your tenure as a council chairman, still, some did not support you when you were contesting the assembly seat. Do you intend to continue despite economic recession? Politics is a game. Everybody cannot love you; everybody cannot support you. In fact, the freest election was that won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. Where is he today? So it is good for some people not to support me. But let me tell you; the day I won election, I won to represent the entire Okobo Local Government. I am not interested in the party you belong to. Some people who benefit from me could even be members of the APC. They come to complain of school fees, I give them. Is that not anti-party activity? I am saying that I was voted as an Okobo representative. You don’t split the constituency. Those people are Okobo people. In politics, people who don’t support you today will be the ones carrying your flag tomorrow. If I am running an election tomorrow, the man who confessed that he never voted for me may lobby to become my campaign manager or my media consultant. Some of them even asked me, why do you treat me better than them. You cannot force people, be able to show them the reason. Tell them that you can do it. Now, many of them will keep supporting me, I trained 240 people during my time as chairman, I gave them starter pack. I offered scholarships and other things. I don’t need to praise myself. In every opportunity, use it to better the lives of other people. For me, I am still longing to do more; I will still continue to train, empower and assist through the grace of God. The assembly was tagged rubber stamp during the time of Sam Ikon as Speaker. Presently, people say you are all deaf and dump because it seems all you do is to approve loan for the governor. How do you monitor the funds? We are not deaf and dump. As you are talking to me, does it seem to you that I am deaf and dump? I can hear you clearly. I don’t have any earring defect, likewise my colleagues. The government of Akwa Ibom State is working even when some of you tend to disabuse people’s minds from it, it is still working and we shall get to our destination without distraction.

Politics 47

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

Blame leadership for recession –Bishop Isong Some people say recession doesn't happen suddenly and that government should have prepared for it. Do you agree? Like sickness, recession has indicators that come between six months and one year. If you are going to have fever, malaria, typhoid or some other health issues, you start feeling it, it is the same with the economy. Hardship, poverty and inability of government to build infrastructure are very strong signs of economic recession. If the warning comes, and the policy makers do not respond to it, the economy becomes sick. A nation’s economy thrives when there is good management of its financial resources. Two years ago, Nigeria’s GDP overtook that of every economy in Africa and became number one. As I am talking to you, it has become number two if not even three and we do not know where it is heading. Are you saying that the recession is a result of mismanagement of resources? Nigeria’s situation is self-made because politicians made it happen. It is a recession in a country that has experienced wealth and oil boom. It is caused by the country’s inability to manage her Godgiven resources and leadership’s lack of foresight and inability to save what the nation had earned. The recession could have been avoided. Nigeria’s economic problem can be compared to the case of the prodigal son in the Bible, who asked the father for wealth. When the father gave it to him, he left the father’s house and went to a foreign country and lavished it in a riotous living. Money is not forever. Oil is not forever. Boom is not forever. It is the savings in the basement and the rearrangement of the economic factors that will help you carry on for long. In real life, you may have N100, 000 today and the next moment you find that you cannot fuel your car. Mismanagement is the number one blame-factor on recession and the various arms of government must be held directly responsible for recession in any country. How could the government have averted it? There are countries in Africa that are not poorly related to the dollar. It should have been possible to start saving for the rainy day. Nigeria’s economic reserves have long been depleted and our capital expenditure largely affected. Our oversized government and ostentatious lifestyles, especially those of our politicians have affected the availability of money for infrastructure, particularly roads. If you pass

Isong

Bishop Emmah Isong is of the Christian Central Chapel International, a pentecostal church in Calabar. In this interview with ISIOMA MADIKE, he reels out both spiritual and economic perspectives to tackling the recession. Excerpts: through Calabar-Itu Federal Highway, for instance, you will not know whether you are in the village or town or that the road has any links with government. What is the way out? We did not have foresight. Nigeria’s economic planning is only yearly. The budgetary expenditure proposal is a 12-month issue. But it should be a subfactor of a bigger vision of 10 to 20-year plan. What we do in this country is win an election to run the central government and plan budget that will last for just one year, which has become largely underutilised. That kind of yearly planning cannot be good enough for a country of about 170 million people. In a large family, you get food supplies in bulk. You do not buy just two cups of garri and when it finishes and the soup is still there, you rush across the road and buy five more cups. There was rascality about government matters. People talk about Jonathan government, Buhari government and so on, but the thing includes governments in the distant past, from the time General Yakubu Gowon said Nigerian government had money but had the problem of how to spend it, we needed to develop foresight on how to spend our money. Our dependence solely on oil failed us, why? It is because there is instability in the Middle East vis-à-vis the relationship with United States and European countries.

with on the Buhari administration. In a relay race, there are four players. So, if you fail in the relay, it is not the first or the last team member but the entire team members that bear the brunt. Buhari is the last man that collected the baton and failed. The slowness of the relay and the inability to cover up is making the Buhari government to bear the brunt. A saying goes that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. If I pass the ball to Point A, who passes it to Point B? Who passes it to Point C? Who gets it to Point D by the goal post? And if Point D is unwilling, unable and refusing to score the winning goal, we will blame Point D for not scoring the goal and not the entire team. We could blame the entire team for not having a master plan that could give us the winning goal, yet, we will put the blame on the last man. The buck stops at Mr. President's table.

Is it true that there is a Biblical perspective to the Nigerian recession? In the Old Testament of the Bible, Joseph was given the job of chief economist to Pharaoh and so became the preserver of posterity to his family. So, when the seven years of famine came the resources the nation preserved through his managerial expertise put food on the table of the Egyptian population, and his family whom he gave Goshen to stay for the rainy day. So, I believe that in a time like this, we need the Josephs of our time who can manage situations to think out what we should do, men with the wisdom of God, not just wisAre you now saying it is not the fault of dom of economics, not wisdom of politics. the Muhammadu Buhari administration They must be men who are filled with the that Nigeria is experiencing recession? spirit of excellence, who are not necessarIt is the fault of all the administrations ily politicians but technocrats. I think it is while the respona time for Nigeria to seek the face of God sibility now lies as there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Pharaoh dreamt about Nigerians do not want seven years of prosperity in Egypt. Joseph interto hear of umbrella or preted Pharaoh’s dream broom or palm tree party. and told him not to be carried away by the Nigerians are hungry seven years of prosperity because seven years of and angry, they want recession were coming. the promises in the Pharaoh had prepared but Nigeria was not political manifestoes to prepared. How many be converted to tangible years of our unbroken democracy did we need resources to prepare for the rainy day? Now, the rainy day has caught us unawares, we are now looking for whom to blame. We should go back to the drawing board and in-

vite men and women with the wisdom of God. We are fighting an anti-corruption war but what can we do for us to get back to good standing? Nigerians do not want to hear of umbrella or broom or palm tree party. Nigerians are hungry and angry, they want the promises in the political manifestoes to be converted to tangible resources that can take them out of this terrible situation. Do you agree that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is contributing to the recession? The Central Bank of Nigeria has been trapped into becoming a commercial bank. By introducing the TSA and saddling it with its operation, you make the CBN to bite more than it can chew. By this action, you make the commercial banks to become toothless, useless and hopeless. The commercial banks are the nearest banks to the masses. The CBN is supposed to be the banker’s bank or the federal treasury. By taking over some of the roles of the commercial banks, the CBN has exposed them to extreme difficulties in procuring foreign exchange and interest rates and this has negatively affected the small scale businesses which indeed are the catalyst that fuel the economy of the nation. They are the ones financing the small scale entrepreneurs who are running about 60 per cent of the economy. We have them in the educational sector, health sector, agricultural sector and the power sector in all the 774 local governments of the country. The small scale entrepreneurs that run these sectors are struggling to get foreign exchange and meet other conditions. They are working hard in the midst of a very stringent and harsh economic environment. The CBN must change its key policies - fiscal, financial and borrowing policies. The country can bounce back if the market system is injected with cash and helping of small scale entrepreneurs. Does the National Assembly have any roles to play? The National Assembly was set up as a watchdog and representatives of the people but saddled with the important business of legislation. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s legislators are rather slow and maybe too interested in politics than in legislation. The Legislature is battling with leadership issues and budget padding and how to take care of themselves including how they can enjoy immunity. They hardly discuss how Nigeria is coming out of problems or even back the president. What they do is to call the minister of finance and one or two persons to ask questions, but we want to see more proactive legislators, more proactive senators, ones that can make laws that will move the nation forward or amend existing laws that are not contributing positively to national development. They should make laws that will encourage manufacturers, create more jobs for the people and focus on legislation that can move the economy forward. What is your stand on the proposal to sell national assets including refineries? I think selling our public assets will be going too far. It would be a wrong action because we can sell them and enjoy the proceeds today but what about our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren? Are they going to forgive us for mismanaging the economy and in turn mortgaging their future and selling the only monuments that could be shown for the past 56 years of independence? Is it fair to empty the treasury and sell whatever is left for the children? If a man that is going to die sells his property, he will eat and die, but his children will have nothing to show for the future or posterity of the family.

Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

Lokpobiri, exploring agric as the new black gold in Bayelsa Pauline Onyibe

T Yenagoa

he drums were recently rolled out by the people of Bayelsa to welcome their son, the Minster of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri, who was in the state to explore agricultural opportunities as a way of keying into the Federal Government's diversification agenda. Since the last administration headed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Government had been clamouring for the return to agriculture, a programme that President Muhammadu Buhari has adopted and made a priority in order to diversify the economy and a way out of the economic recession. However, Lokpobiri has gone further using agriculture as a way to drive out militancy in the Niger Delta, by using it to de-emphasise the focus on oil business in the region. The Federal Government's recent call on Nigerians to go back to farm is no doubt the driving force behind the minister's action. Bearing that in mind, the minster took a bold step to visit his home state and encouraged all to go into farming, saying there is something bigger than crude oil. The minister went round individual farms in the state where he was visibly elated at what he saw. He told the farmers at a town hall meeting that agriculture is the black gold that puts money directly into the pocket of farmers. Lokpobirir moved round, visiting places like Esere Farm, snails farms, piggery, fishery, Frefa Farms along Igbgene Road where they mainly concentrate on poultry, production of chicken feeds, to the Ebikiri Farm along the East West Road where they deal on poultry, fishery, plantain plantation among other. The minster also visited Zada Farm where they deal on cucumber, onions, pineapple, tomatoes and then to the Achievers Farm where the Town Hall meeting was held. In Bayelsa, according to experts, there are no arable crops that cannot not grow in the state, from palm fruit to all the root crops because of the terrain. Also, rain falls all year round in that part of the country,

and there is hardly a dry season. Bayelsa was known for agriculture before the oil boom, but the discovery of oil made people abandon agriculture for easy money. Bearing that in mind, the minister visited most of the farms, said he was very happy to see farmers, even youths that hitherto depend on oil, doing well in agriculture. Lokpobiri said Bayelsa State can feed the whole world because the land is fertile, assuring the farmers that the government will support because they are ready to farm. The entrance of a new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, might also be a blessing in disguise as the 'almighty' oil facilities are beingdestroyed, contributing to the recession that Nigera is going through today. This had made an average Ijaw man think of returning to the farm. The people had forsaken agriculture in the time past because of the abundance of oil money gotten on a platter of gold, which contributed to the abandonment of farmlands in the state. But the level of hunger in the land due to pipeline vandalisation means there is no free money to share, hence, the return to agriculture. The hardship has made the youths to bow and realise that agriculture is the alternative when there is no free money to share. The minister howver encouraged the farmers and assured that, with the level of seriousness he had seen, hunger will soon be a thing of the past in the land.

”I have seen what I least expected in Bayelsa State. We will collaborate with you to see how we can tap from the resources from agriculture ministry to help farmers in Bayelsa. "Don't restrict yourself to farming alone. Go to the next level of packaging" He said the Federal Government spends about 22 billion dollars importing food adding that agriculture was not a priority in the Niger Delta before now, promising that there will be a lot of engagement with the farmers. Lokpobiri assured that with the way people are venturing into the business, there seems to be assurance that hunger will soon come to an end. Knowing the danger of breaking oil pipelines, the minister said, "we are the people suffering from our own decision. Don’t go and blow pipelines, you are doing damage to the environment. Desist from destroying your own resources. There is no economy that is more profitable than agriculture, because oil money goes into government coffers". The minster revealed that Nigeria needs about 7.5 million metric tons of rice while the country produce only four million metric tons yearly. Agreeing that agriculture is the next black gold, a lawyer-turned-farmer, Fred Owotorufa, said although the business is a challenge, he ventured into it because he knew that it is the way to go. The lawyer-farmer said he has put about 60, 000 birds in his poultry and that he had converted water to land and land to structures. He however sought financial help

Lokpobiri with farmers

from the Federal Government in order to keep up the business. He said: “We have to improve on what our forefathers did. Agriculture is the direction of Nigerian eceonomy and we are keying into it". Another woman who braved all odds to do the job that looks like that of men is the Chairman of Fruits and Vegetable Growers Association, Pastor Peace Oruama, who said that people had been tagging Niger Deltans as weak people. “We don’t have anything to show but we have cucumber, pumpkin, coconut. We want to show to the world that our land is fertile", she said, assuring that Bayelsa women can farm but only need to be assisted. She mentioned some of their challenges as lack of packaging and facilities maintainance, which they needed in order to add value to their products. She also complained of lack of access to the market noting that the Export Promotion Council should help to export some of their products. To show that he meant business, the minister had on his team some agricultural experts among whom was an economic development expert, Misa Edemasilo; represntatives of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and Bank of Agriculture among other partners. The minster's visit was surely a turning point in the agro industry in Bayelsa State as people heard and saw the need to go back to the farm. Although, there were complaints that about 70 per cent the state is water and that there is no land for farming, people had dispel that notion on the grounds that the water is a blessing in disguise because Bayelsa State has enough Sea Food to harness from, namely, fish, periwinkle, snail, crayfish, prawn and ongolo to mention but a few. An elderly man simply called Izagara also argued that Bayelsa was feeding on sea foods when the products were being exported for sale and was also a cash cow for Bayelsa farmers who were patronised by people from Lagos, Onitsha and other places. According to him, immediately oil was discovered in Oloibiri in 1965, people started looking the other way and abandoned agriculture.

'Obasanjo ruled like a monarch, disobeyed own laws' CONTINUed FROM PAGE 45

down, even Barrack Obama's present administration had a problem that they had to agree with the congress or the country was going to be shut down. Because when it comes to the control of the finances, how it may be spent, the power of the National Assembly is absolute. National Assembly will determine how it should be spent. It will not be the one to do the expenditure. So, anyone that says adding and removing is padding, is wrong. That is the key function of the legislature. Added to this, is the fact that the leadership committees receive, after the President has presented the budget, ministers, government officials, Secretary to the Government, traditional rulers will write to the speaker and the Senate President asking for the inclusion of one project or the other. That has been the tradition since 1999. The third point you would notice is that as far as the budget is concerned, if you look at the last one year of the 8th Assembly, we processed over 500 motions in one year, it is the highest. What we did in one year is more than the work

that was done in the four years of the previous assembly. If the ministries and the government ignore these requests, is it your responsibility to add them? What are you going to do? Are you not going to add them? This is your power. And these monies are not meant for your pockets, you are not the one that would be given the money to construct the roads. Like we moved a motion for a bridge across River Benue at Ibbi. That is a bridge that is going to cost billions of naira. The money will not be given to me and the members who moved the motion. We also moved a motion on Mambilla Power Project. Motions were moved on the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road for which monies were appropriated. That is one. You see, when we go to our constituencies to campaign, we campaign to say, we want to do this road, we want to do this, we want to do that for you. Now, we will come back and sit and these roads that we have promised our people, this water that we promised our people, this electricity that we have promised our people, are you saying

we should not get them included in the budget? Is it possible? It is not. It is our responsibility. We will include them. And even if President Muhammadu Buhari becomes a member of the National Assembly tomorrow, he will also want projects from his constituency to be included in the budget. Now, some members were complaining about the money that was given to principal officers and the rest of them. Again, that has been a tradition since the time that Umaru Musa Yar’Adua took over the reins of government. If you become a member of the House of Representatives or a Senator and you cannot do the projects, even the basic projects like bore holes and the rest of them, you cannot get them to your constituencies, some of the constituencies like my own, since 1999, have not got any federal government projects. Most of the federal projects that spread around are the ones that come through what we call Zonal Intervention Programme. Since Yar’Adua regime, the presidency includes in the budget proposal, N100 billion and this money is shared in the ratio of N60 billion to N40 billion prin-

cipal officers. There are 20 principal officers and N40 billion for members. It is shared equally among the six geo– political zones. Each geo–political zone gets N10 billion and they share it equally among the states. Now when it comes to the states, senators take 40 percent and the members of the House of Representatives take 60 percent. What did they do with the allocation? You are required to nominate projects in your constituency up to that amount of money to be included in the budget to be implemented by the MDAs. No cash is given to any member. Due process is expected to have been followed by the MDAs in awarding the contracts. And I assure that if you go round and check, you will not find up to 10 percent of members who have companies that are doing contracts in these ministries. I am not saying that there may not be some people who are smart enough that will have contracts, but the majority are not. These monies are not monies that are allocated to members. This tradition has been there since the time of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Perspectives 49

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBer 2016

Purge accelerates Islamist radicalisation in Turkey

Ebubekir ISIK

urkey is being split by the continuing conflict between the globally active Gülen movement and the increasingly Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) that Turkey is being split by the continuing conflict between the globally active Gülen movement and the increasingly Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) that has been in power for over a decade. Both foreign and local audiences have been surprised by the intensity of the dispute, which is now peaking in the aftermath of the recent coup attempt. Beyond any doubt, the attempted coup against the elected government in mid-July has changed the entire social and political context in the country, not only for the Gülen movement but also for the Turkish government. Many pundits claim that the failed coup, which Erdogan described as a “gift from God”, is allowing him to consolidate his power over the military, which used to be the ‘guardian of the secular regime’, and to crush any criticism of his rule through the ongoing State of Emergency. The ongoing purge leaves no room for doubt that the Turkish government is ready to go to any lengths to eliminate the Gülen movement. But eradicating the Gülen movement from society will have its own cost and is part of a process producing other very negative social and political repercussions in Turkey. The impact of the post-coup era can be seen already in many aspects of Turkey’s social and political patterns. Turkey is known to have become a haven for thousands of foreign fighters over the last three years, but the current rise in homegrown Islamist

radicalization is another sign that Turkey’s social fabric is undergoing a noxious change. The major effect of this change has been damage to the traditional mainstream understanding of Islam in Turkey, which had always stood aloof from any form of extremism. Now, this moderate notion of Islam is evolving into a new form of political identity capable of turning to violence against any other segment of society that does not fit into the established concept of Turkish nationalism and Islamism. The political elites, both Islamist and secularist, are increasingly spreading anti-Western animosity inspired either by a die-hard Turkish nationalism or a radical interpretation of Islam or a blend of both. Many political observers were lost for words when, during a rally this year, President Erdogan publicly proclaimed: “Don’t even think that the struggle that began 1,400 years ago between the truth [Islam] and fallacy [other beliefs] is over. Don’t even think that those who set an eye on these lands 1,000 years ago have given up their ambitions. This long-standing struggle is going on and will go on.’’ Worryingly, many officials are following this path, including Turkey’s minister of economy Nihat Zeybekçi, who defined Gülen movement sympathizers as traitors and threatened, ‘’These traitors are going to be punished as the public wants. Not only the death sentence, we are going to punish them so that they will beg us to kill them.’’ Conventional wisdom tells us that action always follows such hate speech. Just as with the Gülen movement, through the compliant media, the political elites are increasing pressure on a number of moderate religious communities which adhere to a peaceful understanding of Islam, and ex-

cluding them from the public arena. These are communities that are known to deter society from any form of religious extremism. Expelling these long-standing communities from the public arena with draconian measures creates a vacuum that is rapidly filled by a number of radical groups with very extremist narratives. This, in fact, paves the way for further Islamist radicalization in the country. In one of the clearest examples of this trend, an imam addressed the crowds outside Erdogan’s house: “What we took from the traitors became the property of this nation. Their 15 universities are all yours. The hospitals are all yours. A thousand schools are all now yours. Use them and enjoy them.’’ This declaration is alarming because in declaring their property “spoils”, the imam is effectively declaring the move-

Erdogan

ment and its participants to be “outside Islam”. This tactic is vanishingly rare in the more traditional moderate forms of Islam in Turkey (because there are religious prohibitions on using it), but typical of Islamist radicals and terror groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. Such a strong assertion and the dangerous trend it represents can only have an impact on mainstream Islam in Turkey if it has institutional and public support. There are already many reliable reports of the institutional capacity of radical groups in Turkey, including ISIS, with a number of propaganda centers in various Turkish cities. According to a survey by a prominent polling center, public support for ISIS has reached 19.7 percent and 23.2 percent of Turkish society has sympathy for this terrorist organization. This Islamist radicalization may be forming part of the ongoing State of Emergency. The government decree that shut down and seized thousands of private science schools is in itself a crucial indicator of how the social fabric of the country is being changed. In a worrisome development, many of the private science schools which were confiscated after the coup attempt are now being transformed into religious education facilities (imam hatip schools). Observers may argue about the extent to which Islamist radicalization is deepening in Turkey. However, the recent trend demonstrates that Turkey as the only Muslimmajority country in NATO is becoming disposed to further radicalization and this process poses a serious threat to its secular and democratic characteristics. •This article was originally published in the Huffington Post

Governor Abubakar bridging political gap in Bauchi State Mohammed Ibrahim

he raging controversy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State that has led to cracks on the party’s wall was recently blown open on the eve of the nation’s 56th independence anniversary by Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. The acrimony reached its peak penultimate Friday when the governor could no longer stomach his annoyance over the factionalisation of the party in the state. Until that moment, Abubakar and his loyalists in the State Executive Council or had constituted themselves into a faction of the party, while members of the National Assembly from Bauchi State, all of whom are APC members also constituted themselves into another faction. The NASS members’ faction fired the first salvo when they called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the national leaders of the party to call the governors to order. This has led to the two warring factions engaging in media war to in order to gain supremacy over one another, an issue that party supporters and electorates could not comprehend. While the two groups continue to hurl ‘missiles’ against one another, the governor, in his quest to diffuse the tension and create atmosphere of understanding in which adversaries will fuse together under a unified umbrella, constituted mediatory bodies to end the feud. At first, the governor constituted a committee of emminent personalities directing them to provide a suitable forum with the state NASS members in Abuja for amicable settlement, but unfortunately the committee’s efforts proved fruitless as the Abuja faction of the party declined the meeting. As a last attempt, Abubakar as the APC

leader in Bauchi State constituted members of the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) into a mediatory committee to meet the Abuja-based faction of the party in order to bring the hostilities to an end. It was gathered that the SWC formed committee had to an extent succeeded in sitting with only five of the 15 NASS members, but even at that, the meeting ended in a deadlock with no concrete resolution to end the fracas. It is therefore with all dexterity that on the eve of the independence anniversary Governor Abubakar at an interactive session with journalists in Bauchi State let the cat out of the bag when he told the purveyors of information that the feud rocking the APC in Bauchi State was centred on certain demands from the lawmakers. The demands, as tabled before the journalists were that, right from inception, that is immediately after their inauguration, the NASS members demanded from him, a purchase of houses in Abuja in aid of their legislative functions, as well as luxury cars and SUVs for their comfort. However, Abubakar said he had consistently told the federal lawmakers that it is not within the ambit of the state government or himself to provide them their demands, asking them to direct their requests to the federal bureaucracy, on which they have been operating and performing their oversight functions. He made it abundantly clear to the NASS members representing Bauchi State that it is not within the purview of the state government to provide their needs, especially at this period of economic recession. Abubakar submitted that even if the state were swimming in a pool of naira, the state would not succumb to the lawmakers’ demands. After the divulgence of the information, tongues have started wagging with ques-

tions as to whether the lawmakers actually put up these demands, and if they did on what ground are they asking their state to provide them with such needs, and for what reasons. The governor also noted that one of the most disturbing things was that ever since the assumption of the eighth legislative session, none of the members representing the state ever achieved a single developmental goal for the people. “From our inception to date, I did not absorb any of the NASS members representing Bauchi, both the Senators and Representatives, let them speak out to mention if any of them ever facilitated, brought or achieved for the good people of Bauchi State a single development goal, just one goal or objective”, he queried. With all the wrangling in mind, one would be tempted to ask, whether Senators and House Representatives members in all the 36 states of the federation and FCT have similar circumstances with Bauchi State where there is sour relationship with the governor or government and people of the state. Abubakar explained that so far as he is contending with real problems of the people on ground, his comfort is secondary not purchasing a treated luxury car for himself as alleged by his adversaries. He reminded all and sundry that he was elected as Governor of Bauchi State to serve but not to be served and advised the Abuja faction of APC to sheath their swords and join the state progressives to serve the people. The fear, according to one of some lawmakers in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, is prolonging the raging controversies or misunderstandings among the APC stakeholders which they say may compel the electorates to change their voting patterns by replacing not only the serving NASS members of the state but even the party in

power during the 2019 general elections. Recently, during a a chat with journalist, the Chairman, Loyalist and Awareness Group, Hon Iliyasu Isah Warji, had expressed satisfaction with the level of development in the state since the inception of the Abubakar administration, saying things are speaking for themselves across Bauchi State. He was of the opinion that the governor needs prayers and support from all, but not critics since the governor is on the track. He pointed out the recent award of N20billion road contract of over 173.312 kilometer across the state and the recent construction of over 1600 boreholes in which about two million people are now having access to portable drinking water in the state as a welcome development. He called on the serving senators and House of Representative members in the National Assembly from the state to join hands with Governor Abubakar in providing humanitarian services to the entire people of the state instead of hiding under green grass and delivering nothing to their constituency. It is delightful that Nigeria operates a democratic system of governance being guided by the constitution, which provides for separation of power between the three arms of government; the executive, legislature and Judiciary; that does not allow usurpation of functions and responsibilities among the three arms of the government. It is therefore advisable for both the federal lawmakers representing Bauchi State and the state EXCO led by Governor Mohammed Abubakar to shun hostilities that have for sometimes now being amplified by the media, put their heads together in not only saving the soul of their party, but diligently serve the electorates for whom they were voted into the various offices.

•Ibrahim wrote in from Bauchi

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Young Telegraph with DEBORAH OCHENI

Women don't need makeup

8 OCTOBER 2016

TOPIC

Makeup, a lie?

It's good to enhance one's beauty

Wearing makeup is like wearing mask, it is not real. I believe women are so naturally beautiful that they don’t need to makeup.

It is good a woman enhances her beauty with makeup. Subtle one is not bad; if it’s not loud people will find it difficult to know you are wearing one.

BENJAMIN EDOGBANYA

ZULLY SULEIMAN

I love women with makeup

I'm comfortable with my skin

It is not lie; I love women that wear makeup. It is one of the things that differentiate women from men.

Makeup up is lie actually, I see no reason one should not be comfortable in her skin. I don’t like makeup. MARK ROSELINE

HABBIB RABBIU

A woman should look classy

Makeup is lie

I think a woman is beautiful without makeup. Wearing makeup is acting to be what you are not. Makeup is a lie.

You are not classy without makeup, whether it's fake beauty or not, I think it’s something for women. A woman needs to enhance her beauty to look classy.

PRINCE OGE OKWUIGWE

ADEPEKO KEHINDE

Men also wear makeup

Makeup is a conversation starter

It is odd for a woman not to enhance her beauty because even men are wearing it so, why should a lady not look good? The fastest way to transform look is by wearing makeup.

Nobody will notice you no matter how brilliant you are. Wearing good makeup is a conversation starter. JOY ISDORE

It feels naked without makeup

Not wearing makeup is like going naked, I don’t know what people think of it and I don’t care because I am not wearing it to impress anybody. IKEM KELECHI

IJIOMA THELM

Makeup is not lie

I don’t see makeup as a lie, I admire women that wear it, but I don’t wear it for personal reasons. MARY JUDE

News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

My deputy stood by me for 23 years –Okorocha Steve Uzoechi

OWERRI

mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has declared that his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, remained a dependable loyalist, who stood by him through his political storms and had made no vaulting demand on him. While also declaring that only a true loyalist can succeed him, Okorocha, described Madumere as one of his diehard supporters who had been a major pillar in his political struggles and career in the last 23 years. Okorocha made these disclosures yesterday during the public presentation of a book written on the Deputy Governor by Peter Clever Obi, titled: ‘Eze Madumere: A True Manifestation of a Loyal Prince’. The governor said while he was yet to name a successor among his loyalists, he can say without fear of equivocation that “Madumere is my son in whom I am well pleased.” He added that in the face of the many trials in

his political career that Madumere was always by his side, unwavering, even when many others deserted him. Recalling how Madumere became his deputy, Okorocha said: “He never knew that he would be the Deputy Governor. I gave him a letter to take to the state assembly with an instruction that it contained

the name of the new deputy governor. “Madumere never inquired to know who the person was but after he had submitted the letter and left he was called back by the Speaker and told that he has been appointed the new Deputy Governor; that is the kind of person Madumere is because he believes in me and never

doubts me.” Okorocha explained further: “I have known Madumere for 23 years; we first met in the United States. We left the US together and he followed me to Nigeria and ever since he has remained dedicated. I do not just see him as the Deputy Governor; my relationship with him is like that of a father and a son.”

Also speaking at the event, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said being a deputy Governor in Nigeria is very difficult and precarious. He was impressed that the Imo State Governor has such confidence in his deputy. He said: “I hope that the endorsement of the Imo State Governor of the book

L-R: Abisoye kolawole (nee Shitta-Bey); former Lagos State Governor, Alhaja Lateef Jakande, Chief Rasheed ShittaBey, his wife, Simbiat ShittaBey, during Shitta-Bey’s 82nd birthday celebration in Lagos…recently

Ebonyi relocates traders to International Market Uchenna Inya,

ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Government is to relocate traders at the Abakaliki Main Market to the newly constructed International Market in the state capital by the end of this year. The International Market which is situated along

Trans-African Saharan highway was initiated by the immediate past administration and completed by the present government. It has over 6,000 lock up shops. Addressing the traders yesterday, the state chairman, Technical Committee on Market Development Projects, Chief David Nwachukwu, said the relocation was to provide the traders with a befitting environment to do their businesses.

He said that over 4, 000 shops are ready for use in the market and solicited the cooperation of the traders for the relocation. Nwachukwu noted that the government was lacking funds to complete the remaining works in the market which was why it set up technical committee to liaise with the traders and find ways of finishing the works. “We are here to meet with you to inform you that the

governor is determined to ensure that we move into the market by the end of this year and it will happen. “To ensure that relocation takes place, one of the assignments given to the Technical Committee is to find how we can raise money to finish the market. “In some places, it is the traders that build market after land is allocated to them by the government. “But here, government

has raised so much money of its own and invested so much on the market and today, we have over 4,000 lock up shops ready,” he said. Nwachukwu assured the traders that the sale of the shops would be at subsidised rates for the traders. In his remarks, the Chairman of Abakaliki Main Market Traders Association, Emeka Nwome, assured the cooperation of traders for the relocation.

Court strikes out N1.8bn suit against Oyedepo Akeem Nafiu

Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a N1.8 billion suit filed by a stock brokerage firm, Valueline Securities and Investment Limited against the founder of the Living Faith Bible Church International, Bishop David Oyedepo, for want of jurisdiction and being incompetent. The brokerage firm and its Managing Director, Samuel

ENUGU Enugu upgrades Zik’s Nsukka lodge for tourism

Enugu State Government has commenced repairs of the Old Premier’s Lodge, Nsukka, once occupied by Nigeria’s first President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, for its tourism potential. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had announced the plan for the upgrade after a visit to Azikiwe’s’ Onuiyi Haven residence in Nsukka in September. The Project Coordinator, Mr. Agu Chukwuemelie, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the upgrade of the building had reached advance stage. “We would be done in the next one month; we want to have that place as a heritage and tourism site.

Enyinnaya,had in February 2015, dragged Oyedepo and his family before the court for an alleged breach of contract in a N9 billion stock deal. The plaintiffs, through their lawyer, Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN), in a fundamental rights enforcement suit were claiming a total of N1.86billion from the defendants jointly and severally as professional fees and damages. Joined with Oyedepo in the suit were his wife, Abiola; his children and re-

lations, Priscillia, Jesutobi, Makinde and Isaac, as well as his book publishing firm. Also sued were the World Mission Agency Inc, which is the overall ruling organ of the Winners’ Chapel; Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State; and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). In his ruling yesterday, Justice Dagat upheld the defendants' preliminary objections challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter. The judge agreed with the

BIRMIN KEBBI Kebbi to establish cancer centre

Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has said arrangements have being concluded for the establishment of a cancer centre in the state. Speaking at the flag-off of this year’s annual International Cancer Month Awareness Activities held at the Sayhaya Hospital Birnin Kebbi, the governor lamented that the diseases which mostly killed women would be tackle by providing the medical solution. Bagudu, who further commended his wife and founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Hajiya Zainab Bagudu, for establishing the cancer foundation; believing the facility, will make lives easy for the people living with the ailment. In her remarked, Mrs Bagudu said: “The wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has directed that 1,000 women should be screened while the state government also directed the cancer screening for 2,000 women under governor's wife medical fund for awareness campaign against the scourge,” she added.

defendants that the plaintiffs ought to have taken their case before the Security and Investment Tribunal rather than the Federal High Court. The judge also held that the plaintiffs failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism provided in the Security and Exchange Commission before resorting to legal action. “This suit is based on a simple contract between the plaintiffs and the 1st to 10th defendants, which the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to entertain.

written on his deputy will translate to coronation because for the Governor to have implicit confidence in his Deputy is an excellent development.” Similarly, Chairman of the event, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), described Madumere as a lesson in humility and urged other Deputy Governors to emulate him.

Water crisis, reflection of weak govt policies –Oxfam

overnments and private organisations have been called upon to recognise the water crisis currently confronting the country as a reflection of governance and weak policies. To address the crisis, efforts should be made to invest in building communities capacity on sustainable water management and resilience to climate change. Head of Programmes, Oxfam in Nigeria, Mr. Constant Tchona, who said this during the commissioning of Oxfam/Guinness Community Water Project in Tyowanye, Buruku Local Government, Benue State, noted that water is the essential building block of life and it is more than just required to quench thirst or protect health. “Water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social and human development,” added Tchona. The newly commissioned Community Water Project will reduce the hardship faced by about 1, 500 families in the community, 60 per cent of which are women, young girls and children. The self-sustaining motorized solar borehole and VIP toilet will help improve access to safe water as well as sanitation in the area. Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who commissioned the project called on other good spirited organisations and individuals to emulate Oxfam and Guinness by complementing government efforts to eradicate poverty in the country. “Water is life. That’s why we appreciate you for giving our people life. This is a welcome development for us as a people and as a government,” said Otorm.

'Stop arresting PDP members'

KANO BUK lecturer, 2 others kidnapped

A lecturer at Bayero University in Kano State and member of the Computer Science department, Saminu Aliyu Kiri, has been kidnapped, according to an online portal, Sahara Reporters. The report added that the lecturer was returning from an official assignment in Shaki, Oyo State, when the kidnapping took place. “Kiri was on his way back from supervising a Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). He was reportedly kidnapped alongside two other people riding in the car,” said an official from the university who confirmed the abductions to Sahara Reporters under the condition of anonymity. Details of their whereabouts, according to Sahara Reporters, are currently unknown as the kidnappers have yet to make any demands, the source said.

“The plaintiffs have not complied with the pre-action requirements of the 11th defendant under its rules and the Investment and Securities Act 2007. “Even after satisfying both requirements, the appropriate venue to institute this action is the Investment and Securities Tribunal. “The preliminary objection filed by the 1st to 10th defendants/applicants and that filed by the 1th defendant/applicant have merit. This court declines jurisdiction to entertain this suit."

Alhassan Yusuf Bauchi

NEWS I N BRIE F

lawmaker, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, has called on the security agents to desist from harassing and arresting members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the interest of peace. The Senator disclosed this in Bauchi shortly after a meeting with PDP stalwarts and other stake-holders at the party secretariat where

he presented two S.U.V's. Ningi also said they are not part and parcel of agitators confronting the present APC government saying that they did not vote them into power. He challenged the security agencies to be conscious in their duties and investigate where necessary before making arrest. Ningi furthered said most confrontations against the present government were done by members of the ruling party and not PDP members.

Perspectives

“A

ll animals are equal but some are more equal than others,” were the famous words of Napoleon in the globally popular novel ‘Animal Farm’, which was written by George Orwell some 71odd years ago. In writing these immortal words, Orwell drove home the undeniable fact that although God created humans in the same mould, however, over the years due to different reasons some humans have become more important than others and thus enjoy more benefits befitting of their status in society. And this fact has become a universal norm, no matter how unpalatable it may be to those of not on such ‘exclusive list.’ Thus such personalities like the President, Muhammadu Buhari, governors, ministers, wealthy Nigerians and their likes enjoy special privileges like extra security protection, highbrow living quarters and other perks such positions attract. Such perks are not just a ‘Nigerian thing’. Even abroad, we all know the impressive security that surrounds the US President, the British Prime Minister, the Queen and other notable politicians and public figures often classified as ‘Very Important Personalities (VIPs)’. However, the position of these VIPs, especially in Nigeria, has been further brought to national consciousness by recent developments affecting them particularly the increasing spat of kidnappings that have hit their ranks. Margaret, the wife of the governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele; former Minister of State for Education, Iyabo Anisulowo; the parents of the former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwala and only last Monday, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam a former Minister of Environment during Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency, and her husband were abducted along with her husband along Abuja-Kaduna Road. They were released a few days later after a ransom was paid. All the above-mentioned personalities have one thing in common apart from being victims of kidnappers – by any standards

“B

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

VIPs, masses and kidnappers TS from the Sidelines 08050498544 (sms only) tunsul2@gmail.com they are important personalities. And as such the immense resources available to the state were brought to bear in ensuring the prompt resolution of the abductions. In the case of Mrs. Emefiele, President Buhari immediately wadded in and ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other security apparatus to leave no stone unturned in making sure she was freed swiftly and safely. And pronto within 24 hours of her abduction, along the Benin-Agbo Road, she had been rescued and the kidnappers apprehended! While this undoubtedly brought joy to the Emefieles, it also showed that when push comes to shove; Nigerian security apparatus can solve any problem, and swiftly too. However, the prompt rescue of Mrs. Emefiele and other high profile victims has also brought to the fore the knotty question of why such swift responses are not brought to bear on other abductions that do not involve VIPs or high profile personalities? After all, one of the major cardinal responsibilities of any government is the protection of lives and properties of their citizens! It is because such massive and productive responses are not often extended to other ‘non-VIP’ crimes that allow such problems fester and spread that they then

become major problems for the majority of the citizens. Kidnapping started off as a ‘business’ mainly limited to the South-South and South-Eastern parts of the country, with foreigners the main targets. But because the issue was not nipped in the bud it has festered and spread till it has become a national issue – and from recent incidents no longer limited to the ‘masses’. Years ago when cultism started in the mid 70s, it was limited to just a few universities and polytechnics; but because government paid its usual lip service to the problem – it too has ballooned into a hydra headed monster, which has not only trickled down to second and even primary schools but also outside the school environment into the streets with cult groups now battling themselves in broad daylight in many suburbs of our cities. Of course innocent bystanders and citizens are often caught up in the battle for supremacy of these cult groups not only losing their properties but on occasion even their lives. Sadly in an ironic twist, it is often these same VIPs who are quick to get the state to come to their rescue when they are abducted, that are often the ones that do the most damage to the commonwealth of the citizens that are often left to fend for themselves.

Bernard ‘Bernie’ Madoff was a very wealthy American, who could afford the very best things of life, but in 2008 once he was found to have committed the sin of squandering peoples’ investments through his Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities company to the tune of $17 billion, the same society that accorded him VIP status immediately withdrew the privilege – he is currently serving a 150-year prison sentence for his crime! Ironically, in a similar like case here in Nigeria, chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina was charged with misappropriating N195 billion, being the pensions of millions of Nigerians. He was taken to court where a judge gave him the option of paying a N750, 000 fine to be bailed. Maina never even left court before paying the money! He has not been seen since. Meanwhile, the people he stole their pension money are living in abject poverty, not for any fault of theirs, but because of one guy who used the system to make himself immensely rich on the back of the sweat of millions of his fellow Nigerians. Only God knows if Maina will ever face justice over his alleged crime. It is such incidents that often make many Nigerians not have faith any longer in their own country because they feel abandoned by the same politicians that promised them heaven and earth when they were canvassing for their votes. Like I pointed out earlier, every country recognises VIPs but the same society that accords Barrack Obama huge respect will not spare him should he do any wrong as former President Richard Nixon learnt to his chagrin courtesy of the ‘Watergate Scandal’. It is only if such become applicable in Nigeria will the government and the governed work in unison and produce a nation we will all be proud of calling our own.

Beware Of False Prophets! (Part 1)

eware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). We are in an era when many people, including so-called Christian couples run from one ‘prophet’ to another, looking for indirect speech from God so as to get their problems solved. Some even go to the extent of hiring prayer contractors to travel to their family compounds at their town of origin and destroy evil family altars. In some cases, such family gets worse and more miserable after such experience, instead of getting better as promised. The ‘prophet’ gets enriched from their resources, smiling to the bank. Before I proceed, please note that this piece does not in any way intend to despise prophecy. If there are false prophets, there are real prophets. Okay? Prophecy is important. However, it is foolishness for you to fold your brain in a handbag, throw it away, and frustrate your family, marriage and future simply because you met a false ‘prophet’. The first question is: “Who is a prophet?” A prophet is one who speaks under inspiration of the holy spirit and one who speaks the mind of God to men. Prophecy is in two forms. It is foretelling (telling you what is about to happen or what will happen in future). For instance, if I tell you that one of your young daughters is going to get married to a foreigner when she grows up, that is a prophecy. Prophecy also means merely proclaiming or declaring or reaffirming what God has already said in his word. For instance,

Marriage Clinic with Albinus Chiedu 08038117704 (sms only) marriagecanwork@yahoo.com “It is well with your family. You shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord. Whatsoever you lay your hands upon shall prosper.” This is equally a prophecy. Now, Prophet is an office (Office of a prophet). The ability to prophesy is a gift, which God can decide to give to any believer at any time. So, any believer can prophesy. A prophet must prophesy but not everyone that prophesies is a prophet. Do I have evidence from the Holy Bible? Yes. The virgin daughters of Phillip prophesied in Acts 21:9 but they were not prophets. Their dad, Phillip was even an evangelist. So, all these characters that are appointing themselves as prophets today all over our environment are suspects. Besides, being a prophet is not in the title but in the function. (This is lesson for another day). It has become very expedient to discuss this topic because there is so much deception and exploitation all over the place and people are so gullible. Good marital relationships are breaking. Homes are scattering and destinies are being destroyed because of one false prophet or the other.

Which church does your family attend? Do you attend a church where they hardly open the Holy Bible to study? All they do is wait for the ‘prophet’ to prophesy to each individual that is present at that service. They do not use time piece for such services because each member is hoping that the ‘prophet’ will get to his or her turn, mention his or her family name and roll down the family profile or history. My question here is: “After that, what next happens to your family, and more importantly, your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which is a determinant of your candidacy of God’s kingdom? A stranger told you the history of your life, marriage and family. So what? You must understand this. The fact that an information is accurate does not mean the source is clean or godly. Paul and Silas had an experience in Acts 16:16-19 “Now it happened as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out saying, ‘These men are the servants

of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.’ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out , that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.” That is the kind of opposition and attack that greets this kind of bitter truth and teaching. Jesus himself even warned us in Matthew 24:23-26 “Then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ! or There!, do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the desert!, do not go out; or Look! He is in the inner rooms! Do not believe it.” This brings us to the question: “How is it that a prophet who is false is able to tell you the truth about your life, your marriage and your family background? This ‘mystery’ and many others concerning false prophets will be unfolded in next week’s edition. You need to place an order for a copy of the book, MAKING YOUR MARRIAGE WORK by Albinus Chiedu. Meanwhile, registration is still on-going for our Marriage Preparatory Programme for singles, holding from November 10 to 12, 2016 in Lagos. Take advantage of the opportunity. It will help you. Your marriage shall be a blessing and a testimony in Jesus name. Amen.

World News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOBER 2016

Hurricane Matthew to cause $30bn insurance losses

urricane Matthew slammed Florida’s Atlantic coast in the United States yesterday with rain and 130 mph winds, hours after millions of residents were ordered to evacuate to escape the monster storm, predicted to be the most catastrophic in more than a decade. The hurricane threatening the first direct hit on the United States in more than a decade could cause insurance losses of $25-30 billion and could be the second costliest U.S. hurricane on record for insurers, according to initial industry estimates. The National Hurricane Center had said in an adviso-

ry on Friday that Hurricane Matthew is on the east coast of Florida near Cape Canaveral, after killing at least 339 people in Haiti on its move north through the Caribbean. More than 300,000 people from coastal to central Florida were without power by Friday morning. Still, the storm that smashed the Caribbean and killed more than 280 people in Haiti is the worst to threaten the US Atlantic coast in a decade, and authorities weren’t taking it lightly. President Obama and governors in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina all declared states of emergency as thousands of flights were

Desmond Tutu at 85: I’m prepared for death

outh African retired Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu celebrated his 85th birthday yesterday saying he would like to be allowed the option of dignified assisted death. "Today, I myself am even closer to the departures hall than arrivals, so to speak, and my thoughts turn to how I would like to be treated when the time comes," Tutu wrote in an op-ed published in The Washington Post. "I have prepared for my death and have made it clear that I do not wish to be kept alive at all costs," said Tutu, who was discharged from hospital late last month. "I hope I am treated with compassion and allowed to pass on to the next phase of life's journey in the manner of my choice," he wrote. Tutu, who is fondly referred to as the Arch, has spent time in hospital on several occasions since last year for a nagging infection. One reason for his hospitalisation has been an infection resulting from the prostate cancer treatment he has been receiving for nearly 20 years. "Now more than ever, I feel compelled to lend my voice to this cause," he said. "For those suffering unbearably and coming to the end of their lives, merely knowing that an assisted death is open to them can provide immeasurable comfort." Medically-assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia is illegal in South Africa, but in recent years there have been growing calls for it to be legalised. Early on Friday, Tutu presided over eucharist at his home church in Cape Town, where he paid a moving tribute to St George's Cathedral before laying his head on the communion table and briefly wept. "I have indicated that when the time comes I

would like to rest here, permanently, with you," he told the worshippers. Tutu, who became the first black Anglican archbishop of Cape Town in 1986, had a cup of tea with worshippers after the Friday morning service. President Jacob Zuma and the last apartheid leader F.W. de Klerk led tributes to Tutu. In a statement Zuma said Tutu "has contributed immensely to the freedom and democratic dispensation" of South Africa. "He continues to inspire the nation and the world in the promotion of human rights, justice and the wellbeing of all especially the poor," said Zuma.

canceled, and some interstate highways were turned into one-way routes to speed up the flow of traffic. In Florida, which is expected to see the worst of the storm, 1.5 million fled their homes, but as of Thursday evening, 4.4 million in Miami and Fort Lauderdale appeared to have been spared serious threat. "It could have been a lot worse," Matt Volkmer of the National Hurricane Center told the Orlando Sentinel. "The issue right now is the outer wall diameter is just wide enough that we’re going to see it move up Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral and the barrier islands of Volusia county." In Georgia, where the storm is expected to strengthen throughout the day, Gov. Nathan Deal has evacuated the entire coastline – more than half a million people. "We have a house that sits right here on the water and we kind of said goodbye to it thinking that, you know, the house ... might not be here when we get back," Jennifer Banker, a resident of Georgia's dangerously exposed St. Simons Island, told the Associated Press. "You know, we pray a lot

and trust God to provide." More than 3,000 flights were canceled after Fort Lauderdale airport shut down, and Orlando airport planned to do the same. Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport experienced a wind gust of 50 mph. Delta, American, United, and JetBlue airlines have offered travelers change fee waivers in areas affected by the hurricane, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. As the storm moves away from Florida, some forecasts suggest there is a 50-50 chance Matthew will move out to the Atlantic Ocean before looping back to South Florida. However, if that were to happen, it would likely be a weak tropical storm, Fox 35 meteorologist Jayme King told the Orlando Sentinel. "It's really a different ball game now," he said. "This storm was going to be unlike anything these communities had ever seen. It's still a dangerous and powerful storm, but the outlook has improved significantly." Data modelling firm RMS has told clients its initial estimates were a 42 percent chance of a $20 bil-

lion insurance loss and a 26 percent chance of a $30 billion loss from the hurricane, a source familiar with the research said. Ben Brookes, vice president capital markets at RMS told Reuters its guidance to clients was based on a forecast from earlier in the week. "We have continued to update our guidance as the situation changes," Brookes said, without giving further details. An estimate from Kinetic Analysis of insured losses of $25 billion would make Matthew "the second most costly hurricane in U.S. history behind Katrina", JP Morgan analysts said in a note, referring to the hurricane which hit New Orleans and the surrounding coast in 2005. Market participants expect these estimates to rise. "People are looking at this literally every minute and working overnight on it," one trader said. The average impact to U.S. property and casualty insurers' book value from $10-30 billion of insured losses from the hurricane would equate to around a quarter's worth of earnings, the JPMorgan analysts added. A $20 billion insured loss

Wing part confirmed to be from flight MH370

Haiti’s village of Corail, where dozens of houses were destroyed by Hurricane Matthew

Ghana to remove Gandhi statue because of racism

hana will move a statue of Mahatma Gandhi from its main university because of his "alleged past racist comments", the foreign ministry said, while paying tribute to Gandhi's role as a civil rights leader. A group of lecturers and students began campaigning for the Indian nationalist leader's statue to be removed shortly after it was installed at the university in June as a symbol of friendship between Ghana and India. They argue that Gandhi made comments that were racist about Africans and that statues on the Accra campus should be of African heroes. In a statement late on Thursday, the ministry said it was concerned by the acrimony the campaign had generated.

would match the insured losses caused by Hurricane Sandy in the northeast of the United States in 2012, which did not make landfall. A loss of this size would lead to "material risks" for Lloyd's of London insurers, analyst Ben Cohen at Canaccord Genuity said in a note on Friday. Cohen calculated a loss equivalent to Sandy would hit Beazley's earnings by $104 million, Hiscox's by 117 million pounds ($145 million) and Lancashire's by $39 million. Beazley estimates an $80 billion storm would cause a $200 million loss, a spokesman said, without specifying losses from a smaller disaster. A Hiscox spokeswoman said it was too early to judge the impact of the hurricane. A Lancashire spokesman also said it was early days, but the firm was feeling "relatively relaxed" about its losses because it was very lightly exposed to risk in Florida compared with other states in which it offers reinsurance for wind damage. The hurricane represented a "real test" of reinsurers' exposure, S&P Global said in a report, but it did not see a ratings impact, due to reinsurers' strong capital buffers.

"The government would therefore want to relocate the statue from the University of Ghana to ensure its safety and to avoid the controversy ... being a distraction (from) our strong ties of friendship," it said. Noting that Gandhi had inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world, the statement urged Ghanaians to "look beyond the comments attributed to ... Gandhi and acknowledge his role as one of the most outstanding personalities of the last century." A senior Indian diplomat said the ministry's "very good statement" had sought to set the life and work of the advocate of peaceful resistance in a broader context and that the statue would be moved from the university to a safer place.

Amar Sinha also told reporters in New Delhi the two governments had discussed the debate over Gandhi that had flared in Ghana and South Africa. He said comments interpreted by some as racist had been made relatively early in the life of the Indian protest leader. India's struggle against British colonialism under Gandhi was an inspiration to a generation of African independence leaders, including Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah, who in 1957 managed to persuade British authorities to grant Ghana independence -- one of the first African nations to get it. Gandhi lived in South Africa at the turn of the 20th century, where he campaigned for rights for the descendents of Indian inden-

tured labourers brought there to work sugar plantations in its northeast Natal province, now KwaZulu-Natal. Although his philosophy of peaceful protest would later inspire the African National Congress in its resistance to white Apartheid rule, historians say Gandhi himself was no believer in equality between races, at least not earlier in his career. In his book, Gandhi: the True Man Behind Modern India, broadcaster Jad Adams quotes him as referring to black people as "kaffirs", a deeply offensive term, in a speech in 1896: "Ours is one continual struggle against a degradation sought to be inflicted upon us by the Europeans, who desire to degrade us to the level of the raw kaffir," he quotes him as saying.

part of an aircraft wing found in May on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has been identified as belonging to missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, Malaysian and Australian officials said. The piece of wing flap has been analysed by experts at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is heading up the search for the plane in a remote stretch of ocean off Australia's west coast. Investigators used a part number found on the debris to link it to the missing Boeing 777, the agency said in a statement on Friday. Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai also confirmed the identification. Several pieces of wreckage from the plane have washed ashore on coastlines around the Indian Ocean since it vanished with 239 people on board during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing on March 8, 2014. So far, none of the debris has helped to narrow down the precise location of the main underwater wreckage. Investigators need to find that to locate the flight data recorders that could help explain why the plane veered so far off-course.

Sport Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 OCTOber 2016

Sport Oboabona tips Eagles to break Zambia away win jinx Slaming

Emmanuel Tobi

Chungu

Zambia coach drops Chungu for Nigeria game

aykur Rizespor of Turkey defender, Godfrey Oboabona, has backed the Super Eagles to beat the Chipololpolo of Zambia this weekend to break the jinx of Nigeria not securing an away win against the Southern African country. The match on Sunday is the 17th encounter by both teams with Nigeria winning six matches out of the 16 games earlier played, all at home, and non-away. The Eagles have drawn the Chipolo-

polo five times and have lost all the five away games in Zambia but Oboabona is not perturbed with the statistics. The 2013 AFCON winner who is yet to be considered by Coach Gernet Rohr said, “We have a new coach with new mentality and the players are ready for the challenge. They can break the jinx in Zambia by winning and securing the three points in Ndola.” He added that, “We must win and start the qualifiers well in order to brighten our chances of qualifying for Russia 2018 World Cup.”

Samuel Ebhodaghe

ambia’s new interim coach Wedson Nyirenda has dropped defender Lawrence Chungu from the squad set to face Nigeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier this weekend. Chungu received his debut call-up from the new coach, who was forced to release because of the numbers. “We have to maintain a certain number of players that we have been given for this game,” Nyirenda said. “Like I said the last time about the other players we dropped, Lawrence is still our player. We released him because of the numbers.” The coach added that Chungu is still very much part of the team, together with the others that have been dropped. “We are still building the new team and we also have to look at other players who we have not called later.”

Golf: Adekoya emerges Nigeria Cup Champion

he 20th in the series of the famous Nigeria Cup, a tournament put in place to celebrate the nation’s Independence anniversary came to a thrilling end at the golf section of Ikoyi club 1938 with Segun Adekoya emerging the tournament overall winner. To come top in the keenly contested competition, Adekoya netted a score of 70, to win the competition by One-shot over Niyi Latinwo who shot 71-net. With his effort Adekoya now replaces, Andrerw Odiri, the tournament defending champion on the Nigeria Cup winner’s chart. Speaking shortly after being given his trophy, Adekoya said his calm disposition toward the game earned him the victory. Playing off handicap 13, Ubong Akpan, grossed 85 score for 72-net score to come in the third position while Uwem Udoh’s 73-net score placed him in the fourth position. Olu Ojutalayo completed the top--five in the net category after 74-net score. In the Gross category, Godfrey Oboh stole the show with a score of 80 while former Nigeria Cup champion, Tim Ayonmike playing off a handicap of 3, grossed 80 but lots on countback to Oboh. Esosa Austin Ojomo with a gross score of 83 came third in the event while Frank Momoh came in the fourth position.

Oboabona (left) in action for Super Eagles

Japanese Olympic largesse not ready, says Mikel Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has revealed that the cash donation of $390,000 made to the team by Japanese doctor and philanthropist Katsuya Takasu is yet to be shared amidst speculation that the money has been secretly spent. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong in accepting cash gifts

from Dr. Takasu, but you can’t stop people from talking. They have their opinion,” he said. He added that, “The cheque is yet to clear, so we haven’t gotten the money yet but as soon as it is cleared all players will get their share Mikel as agreed by the team.”

Contracts: Ozil, Sanchez make hefty demands

esut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez's contract extensions are expected to cost Arsenal at least £36m ($44.7m), which is much more than the Gunners had budgeted ahead of holding fresh contract talks with the duo. Arsene Wenger confirmed discussions are set to take place earlier in the season, but the club are yet to show any concrete progress in terms of convincing them to remain at the Emirates Stadium. The Germany and Chile internationals respectively are contracted to the club until the summer of 2018, but the north London club's hierarchy is keen to tie them down to new

long-term deals before they enter the final-year at the end of the current campaign. Ozil revealed that he will hold talks with the club, while Sanchez is yet to give any indication about holding talks regarding an extension. The Times reports that Arsenal are willing to offer improved contracts to both Ozil and Sanchez, who are currently believed to be on £140,000-aweek and £130,000-a-week, respectively. However, the players reportedly want more than the current offer and will demand around £250,000 a week to commit their long-term futures to the Gunners.

Adekunle Salami

adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Eagles condemned to win

igerians have a thick skin. Football results across levels have been poor. The national U-17, U-20 failed not only to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in their respective categories, they also could not make the African qualifiers. The Super Eagles did not fare better as they were also knocked out of the 2017 Africa Nations Cup. Sad enough, it is the second time back-toback that Nigeria will be missing out of the continental showcase. The Russia 2018 World Cup starts this weekend with the Eagles up against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in a match billed for Ndola on Sunday. The problem in the past has been the away results of the national team but that must change. This very first encounter is crucial because the two other teams in the group, Algeria and Cameroon, have the potential to beat Zambia anywhere. It is a must win for Nigeria and I am happy Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, said so himself. I am happy so far with the work attitude of the German. In the group B qualifiers, the fixtures seem to be in the favour of Nigeria to pick the only ticket at stake. After Zambia, the Eagles will play two home matches against Cameroon and Algeria here in Nigeria. A win in Ndola plus two home wins will give the Eagles nine points. This is attainable, I am not dreaming. Even though we have three key players; Odion Ighalo, Leon Balogun, and Victor Moses out, we still have reliable players to do the task. Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho are currently hot and if they play behind Brown Ideye, Zambia will be in trouble especially with Simon Moses also in the attacking midfield role. I am not a coach but on current form, the Eagles are hot in their respective clubs and Rohr should capitalise on this to get the three points. I also have my worries. It is the defence line especially with Balogun out. Rohr and his crew should not rely on big names or past record to pick, they should get the best players on current form to hold forth for keeper Carl Ikeme. It won’t be easy in Ndola. We always have it tough with Zambia but the Eagles can fly all the same. In 16 games, Nigeria defeated Zambia six times, drew five and lost five. However, in the Past 31 matches, Zambia is yet to defeat Nigeria in a competitive match. This time the stakes are high for Nigeria. The Eagles are condemned to win.

Rangers and Amakapabo

he atmosphere at the Cathedral in Enugu on last Sunday was electrifying. The stadium was full to capacity and many other fans were at the fans’ pack outside the arena. It was like the Super Eagles were playing a World Cup final at the stadium. Spectators came from various parts of the country and beyond. The match between rangers and El-Kanemi reminded one of the good old days of the 80s and early 90s when matches involving traditional teams like Insurance, Abiola Babes, Rangers, Shooting Stars, Mighty Jets, Stationery Stores etc. That time, you must be at the Stadium early because it will be full to the brim. Imama Amakapabo was not given any chance but he worked so hard to raise a solid team good enough to win the title, 32 years after the last one. I was however shocked that the management of the Flying antelopes allowed the season to end without renegotiating with the coach to continue. With four weeks to the end, it was obvious Amakapabo was a success story even if the team did not win the league. It was an error to have allowed the contract of the coach expired. Now, the management will now to climb the mountain to get him. They have to compete with others to win him back. That is poor administration and it does not show they love Amakapabo. To maintain the level they are now is a big task for Rangers and Amakapabo is the man in best position to take the team higher especially on the continent. Rangers should hold on to this coach. They should learn from Enyimba that fired Kadiri Ikhana after winning the title two seasons ago. Imagine how they finished in the just concluded season. A word is enough...

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

8 October 2016

News 55

SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2016

Sanctity of Truth

SATURDAY

N150

SPORT SLAMING

DESTINATION Eko Atlantic: Lagos' next destination in the making

Eagles condemned to win

p.54

p.42

Rohr n o k n ba o h c a n Ihea y r u b to o l o p o l Chipo Ajibade Olusesan

gest teams in Afgles is one of the youn he Current Super Ea ster City striker he 19-year-old Manc d an nt me mo the at rica of quality in the ifies the abundance Kelechi Iheanacho typ ipolopolo of Zambia will find out Ch side and that is what 18 World Cup tomorrow in Ndola. ening fixture of the 20 op the in et me es sid The two g forward to seeing the d Nigerians are lookin an ola Nd in rs fie ali qu paign on a good note. st Eagles starting the cam Iheanacho not only because he is the mo al be go the ry car to d Most eyes would on but he is expecte r ye pla s b gle clu Ea d r an pe y expensive Su for both countr ering his recent form sid con n rde bu g rin sco . of striker Odion Ighalo g the attack Iheanaas well as the absence le of leadin ab cap o als is ye Ide likely come from Although Brown ggest the goals might su s gle Ea and the for io cho’s goal rat pearances for Nigeria ee goals in just five ap r. thr ou red col ’s sco s ria ha ge Ni He . in him for great things him d pe N tip ve CO ha AF t its ia in their las many pund ry well against Tanzan could not break the The Eagles played ve y t the Akwa Ibom State, bu 2017 qualifiers in Uyo, ce until that moment of brilliance from the fen de anacho’s goal resolute Taifa Stars’ 76th minute. That Ihe rnot Rohr the in r ike str m tea former U-20 w manager Ge shes and handed ne saved the Eagles blu ty starlet barring unvictory in his game. will start the Man Ci ye in the attack. The German certainly could pair him with Ide he d an ces tan ms cu foreseen cir in a three-man midfield a more advanced role He could also play in nzania. kel Obi and Ogenyi like he did against Ta three involving John Mi team where he He is part of a midfield advanced role for the re mo a in ys pla he Onazi but games for Nigeria. th Zambia at interhas so far excelled in previous matches wi 16 of six n wo s ha Nigeria d Iheanacho believes five and losing five, an ing aw dr el, lev l na tio na that tradition. ing fans that he will the team can sustain ld count on him, assur ns He said Nigeria cou e. individual; and we increase his work rat for my country as an o told cafonline. “I will also work hard och ely as a team,”Ihean tiv lec col rk wo to are going to be a difficult one. We me for us and is going e against Zambia.” com. “It’s an away ga nc t will make the differe have great players tha

SPORTS WORD SEARCH JUVENTUS FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYERS

Dybala Pogba Morata Buffon Zaza Marchisio Khedira Bonuci Sandro Lemina

Pereyra Hernanes Rugani Evra Caceres Neto Barzagli Valada Asamoah Audero

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.