Sunday, august 7, 2016

Fourteen days in Niger Delta ‘Valley of death’: My ordeal

Naira devaluation:

}8&9

August FAAC disbursement to hit N700bn }5

SUNDAY Sunday, AUGUST 7, 2016 Vol. 3 No. 900

Miss Unity Nasarawa

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

PDP gasping for breath -Obasanjo

I’ll be Nigeria’s first female president }42

NEWS Blame Jonathan for Nigeria’s woes, says Fr. Mbaka }13

Flooding: Evacuate communities around River Niger immediately, NEMA warns }13

lHow Buhari crippled opposition }4 lThe Sheriff angle lPresidency has no hand in the party’s crisis -Shehu

Military destroys 75 militant camps in Arepo, Ibafo

lNDDC appointments it’s time for Urhobos to reciprocate Itsekiris’ hatred -Ex-militant leader }10&14

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SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 7.08.16 BODY & SOUL

Nifty designer Yomi Casual dishes on his date with destiny in fashion, dressing up celebrities and his brother, Comedy guru, AY

}20&21

POLITICS

Restructure Nigeria The clamour for therestructuring of Nigeria continues to grain grounds by the day. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar gives reasons

}23

BUSINESS

Rising bad loans Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s assurances to depositors not to panic, fear is rising that all may not be well with the country's banking industry after all

}43

FAITH

True Federalism It is time to tell ourselves the truth. Call a spade spade, restructure Nigeria along the lines of true federalism without further delay -Archbisho- Alfred Martins

}31

SPORT

Medals quest at Rio Blessing Okagbare is leading the team of five top athletes who can win medals at the world’s biggest sports fiesta Rio 2016

}53

Magazine

Igando attacks Despite assurances by Nigeria Police Force in Igando, residents who fled their homes are yet to return while others are relocating

}8&9

SUNDAY

Editorial

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Fight against corruption

resident Muhammadu Buhari left no one in doubt on his determination to combat corruption head-on as soon as he was sworn in on May 29, 2015.

The monumental graft of the immediate past administration was unearthed a few months into the lifespan of his administration. He promised that no stone would be left unturned in returning stolen Nigerian Commonwealth back to the till.

First to be arrested was the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) for diversion of $2.1 billion and N45 billions arms deal money. Several military officers were later arraigned for sleaze totaling N94.7 billion! Even the former customs boss – Abdullahi Dikko is being probed over N40bn fund unaccounted for.

Politicians, especially of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) stock were also rounded up by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Prominent among those arrested were the party’s former publicity secretary, Olisah Metuh, former Aviation Minister and the Director of Media and Publicity of PDP’s Presidential Campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode as well as former Finance Minister (state), Esther Nenadi Usman.

Former governors were not left out in the astonishing corruption perpetuated by the immediate past administration. A serving governor was also fingered in the slush fund. He, with former Defence Minister (state) Musiliu Obanikoro, were alleged to be involved in the sharing of N4.7 billion released by the Jonathan’s administration for the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

The list is endless. But the opposition PDP has come out to accuse the Buhari administration of fighting a selective anti-graft war, alleging that all of them (APC and PDP politicians) have sinned, but Buhari is just fighting a selective war. They claimed that many of his ministers and party leaders are also corrupt. Governor Ayo Fayose even claimed that the president is one a revenge mission against perceived opponents.

But the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is an All Progressives Congress’ chieftain, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, was quick to defend those arrested do far. He said the roll call tilted towards the PDP chiefs because they have been in power for 16 years before their party was defeated last year.

The APC politicians, he said were in opposition all the years the PDP ruled and were not exposed to slush money. “If we are talking about corruption, naturally it

will related to those that had opportunity to serve in government… if you were to weigh members of opposition that are in government now and had the opportunity to serve, those that would have tendencies to engage in pilfering of resources, majority will come from PDP,” Dogara had said.

Amidst this ding-dong an online medium broke the news that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai owns some choice properties worth $1.5m in Dubai which was alleged to have been acquired illegally.

While responding to the allegations, Lt. Gen. Buratai said that those behind the write up were defeated insurgents and terrorists who have migrated to the cyber space. “We will follow them there and… we ill defeat them,” Buratai said at a press conference.

The army was quick to come to Buratai’s defence. In a statement, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, while not denying that the COAS owns the properties, said that the properties “were paid for in instalments through personal savings”. $1.5 million paid for in personal savings.

This has got Nigerians reacting, wondering how an Army General could manage to save $1.5million Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) while commending Buratai’s feat of leading the Nigerian Army to defeat Boko Haram in the North East called on the COAS to resign honourably or be kicked out by President Buhari.

Second republic House of Representatives members, Dr. Junaid Mohammed lamented that it defied logic that Buratai had not been asked to give account of his stewardship while his predecessors from other parts of the country were currently facing trial over their roles in embezzling funds meant for arms procurement. “Nobody with any sense of decency or justice can leave Buratai in service,” the medical practitioner concluded.

The Chief of Army Staff needs to clear the nagging questions urgently with the relevant agencies. Federal Government, in this case should remain neutral as this matter casts a large shadow on this administration’s anti-corruption stand.

The goodwill that the Buhari administration has enjoyed will be eroded and its credibility will suffer a big blow if this issue is swept under the carper.

President Buhari most sincerely subject Buratai and other perceived corrupt aides to corruption probe if this war is to be taken seriously.

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

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani

Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor n Tunde Sulaiman

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 Asst. Editor, News & Politics n Biyi Adegoroye

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

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016

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SUNDAY 7 AUGUST, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

How Buhari decimated PDP

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

•Presidency has no hand in PDP crisis - Shehu

resident Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to have deployed a sinister strategy in crippling and ultimately, decimating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition political party in the country.

The PDP, which lost the 2015 general elections after 16 years in government, is currently weighed down by leadership crisis, which is about snuffing life out of the once vibrant party.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that, indeed, the APC knew that given its surprise victory at the polls, the surest way to consolidate on power was to so cripple the PDP that it would be extremely difficult for the opposition to have a breathing space to face the coming elections.

A competent source familiar with the plot said that there is “an orchestrated plan by the presidency to decimate members of the opposition,” particularly those who have the capacity to re-launch the party into political prominence.

“Don’t forget it (the leadership crisis) came after the EFCC (the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) has arrested and detained some of our leaders. Some of them who could not stand the heat left and joined the APC to avoid prosecution.”

In PDP circles, it is generally believed that the presidency is using the EFCC to silence critics of the sitting govern-

ment.The anti-corruption agency has arrested and detained almost all the outspoken members and leaders of the party. Even a sitting governor, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, who ordinarily is supposed to enjoy constitutional immunity, is being investigated and his personal bank accounts frozen by the anti-corruption agency.

Prince Dayo Adeyeye, spokesperson of the National Caretaker Committee set up at the May 21 National Convention to run the affairs of the party for 90 days, said in a statement that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government was out to silence any voice of opposition.

According to Adeyeye, since his arrest by the anti-graft agency, “Chief (Olisa) Metuh could not challenge the APC government on policy issues until he left office.

“Nigerians will also recall that one of the known opposition voice, apart from some individuals and governors of our party that have exposed the APC led administration for running the country aground in the last one year, is the former spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode; and he is now standing trial for receiving campaign funds from the Director of Finance of the campaign.

“It’s now the turn of the Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, who has been consistent in condemning the woes

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the APC government brought upon Nigerians and for remaining critical of the APC and President Buhari’s administration.”

He added that, by freezing Governor Fayose’s personal account, which, he said, violates Section 308 of 1999 Constitution as a sitting governor, cannot stand trial until after office.

“President Buhari and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), have introduced a dangerous trend in our polity and if this is not checked or curtailed immediately, Nigeria may be heading to an imperial-rule where the leader of the nation is a supreme ruler, dictating who survives at the expense of Nigeria constitution.”

Among PDP leaders arrested and detained by the EFCC are former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki; former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; former Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; former Director of Publicity of PDP Presidential Campaign, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; former Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed; Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, among others.

But the most disturbing for PDP members is the leadership crisis in the party.

PDP has been factionalised since May this year. Majority of its lead-

ers and founding fathers have pitched their tents with the caretaker committee headed by former Kaduna state governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

But a former Governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who was discretely foisted on the party has become a great threat to unity in the party.

Sheriff and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), as well as former deputy national officers, are still laying claim to the leadership of the party. They have instituted multiple suits in various courts on the claims that their tenure has not expired.

Adeyeye told journalists that the party’s intelligence reports revealed that Sheriff was working for the APC to disorganise the PDP ahead of the Edo governorship election in September.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) has contracted Sheriff and his cohorts to scuttle the chances of the PDP in the Edo governorship election.

“We have credible intelligence that Sheriff had a meeting with an APC governor from the North West, where it was agreed that he would be given full security and financial support to exacerbate the crisis in the PDP with the objective of preventing the PDP from presenting a candidate for the Edo governorship election, or at the least, to prevent the PDP from offering a serious challenge to the APC,

whose electoral fortunes have continued to nosedive.”

Each of the factions laying claim to the party’s leadership has obtained court orders in its favour, which is making the crisis intractable.

The party further observed that two former judgements before the July 4 Port Harcourt judgement, declared that Senator Sheriff is not qualified to be a National Chairman given that the PDP Constitution 2014, which he claimed brought him to power, is not in existence and therefore, null and void.

The BoT members led by the Chairman, Senator Walid Jibirin, have so far visited former Minister of Finance, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, and former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Ciroma is a founding member of the PDP. The board has also sent a delegation to Minna, Niger state, to interface with former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Walid revealed that a special committee headed by former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, has been set up to reconcile aggrieved party members.

Three days ago, members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), embarked upon some high level meetings and consultations in a last minute effort to rescue the party from disintegration. This

effort appears to be the only lifeline now left for the survival of the party.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has absolved itself of all blames in the series of crisis plaguing the PDP in the last one year. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said President Muhammadu Buhari has no hand in the protracted leadership crisis in the main opposition party, adding that, rather the crisis was an act of God. . “The crisis in the PDP is God- sent because of the way they ran down this country. Whether we believe in life here and hereafter or not, we must realise that there are consequences for the actions we take in life. It is called retributive justice. It is a God - sent crisis and it is only God Almighty that can reconcile them. But for now, we can only fold our arms and watch them, “ he said.

On the speculations that the Buhari administration embarked on its anti- corruption war in order to silence the opposition and other vocal critics, Shehu said nothing couLd be further from the truth. He argued that given the pedigree of President Buhari, he would be the last person to meddle in the affairs of another party. “The President we have, you know him, he is not someone that would orchestrate crisis. He can’t put his hands in such a thing,” he said

Abducted Lagos monarch regains freedom

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agos monarch, Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen, has regained his freedom.

Although details of his release are still sketchy, reports have it that the Oba was dropped off near his palace ostensibly by his kidnappers.

It was also not clear if any ransom was paid for the release of the monarch, the kidnappers had demanded for N500 million for his release a few days after abducting him.

Oba Goriola Oseni was abducted by suspected gunmen roughly three weeks ago when they stormed his palace on the evening of July 16.

Witnesses said, the gunmen, numbering about 16, stormed the Iba community in two boats and announced their presence by shooting sporadically into the air.

The gang was said to have killed a member of the local vigilante and also allegedly shot and injured the wife of the traditional ruler during the operation to kidnap the Oba. After grabbing the Oba, who was said to have been planning to take his bath, the gunmen made away with the traditional ruler and left in their boats through the river.

The Oba’s release was confirmed through a terse text message by Lagos State Police Spokesperson, DSP Patricia Amadin.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (m); President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode (l) and PDP Chieftain, Prince Emma Anyanwu and former MD of Union newspaper, Emma Agu (first left) at the Remodelled Diete Spiff Civic Centre during the Guild of Editors tour of projects in Port Harcourt...on Saturday

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 7 AUGUST, 2016

Tony Chukwunyem

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or Nigeria’s cash strapped three levels of government -Federal, states and local governments- the chances of the tough times coming to an end soon may be brightening, as the devaluation of the naira could result in Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursement for August hitting N700bilion, according to projections by analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited.

The firm made this prediction in the latest presentation to the Lagos Business School (LBS) by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Bismarck Rewane, made available to the Sunday Telegraph.

Naira devaluation: August FAAC disbursement to hit N700bn

The FDC stated that the devaluation of the naira, triggered by the commencement of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) flexible exchange rate policy on June 20, has led to a rise in FAAC disbursements to the Federal, state and local governments.

From a two year fixed exchange rate of N197 to the Dollar, the adoption of a flexible exchange rate on June 20, has weakened the naira exchange to N314 per dollar as at last Friday.

The FAAC is respon-

sible for the distribution of revenue accruing to the Federation Account to the federal, States and Local Governments in the country. The Federal Government receives 52.68 per cent of the allocation while the 36 states and 774 local government areas receive 26.72 per cent and 20.60 per cent respectively.

According to the FDC, as a result of increased exchange rate gains occasioned by the new forex policy, FAAC, “Reached

highest level in 18 months- N559.03billion in July- from N305.12billion in June. Estimates for FAAC in August is N700bn, highest level in 30 months.”

The firm noted that the increase in FAAC disbursement will make it more convenient for the Federal Government to continue with its N90 billion bailout for the states.

However, while naira devaluation has pushed up FAAC disbursements to the three levels of gov-

ernment, FDC pointed out that it would also impact the economy negatively.

The research firm said, “Knock-on effect of forex policy seen in prices of imported items: lower agric commodities prices being eroded by naira depreciation, average decline in agric commodities was 6.83 per cent in July compared to naira depreciation of 8.55 per cent.”

It further predicted that headline inflation will increase to 16.8 per cent, “driven by supply shocks, spike in prices of refined products, forex scarcity and defensive buying.”

Analysts at First Se-

NEWS

curity Discount House (FSDH) Group have also predicted that the depreciation of the naira will push July inflation to 17.35 per cent from 16.48 per cent recorded for the previous month.

The expers said, “We expect the July 2016 inflation rate (year-on-year) to increase to 17.35 per cent from 16.48 per cent recorded in the month of June, 2016. We expect the increase to come from the increase in the prices of food items and other non-food items as a result of the depreciation in the value of the naira.”

ECOWAS charges Nigeria to establish Commission for small arms ...as Nigeria records biggest terror-related deaths Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T L-R: Managing Director, Coleman Wires and Cables, Mr. George Onofowokan; Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf; Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Folarin Muslim; Vice President of LCCI, Yeye Agnes Shobajo and representative of the Chairman, Business Education Service and Training Unit of LCCI, retired Rear Admiral Adeyemi Afolahan, at the 2016 Entrepreneurship Mentoring Programme of the LCCI, in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Dogara hails Egbemode’s election as NGE President Philip Nyam Abuja

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has hailed the emergence of Mrs. Funke Egbemode as the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, on Saturday, the Speaker described Egbemode as one of the finest writers in the country.

He urged the new NGE President to build on the giant strides of her predecessors, whom he commended for the role they played in the struggle for and enthronement of democracy.

Dogara, said the challenge before Egbemode and other leaders in the journalism profession is to ensure that the media is alive to its responsibility of ensuring that government adheres to the tenets of democracy.

The statement quoted the speaker as asserting that the 8th Assembly is committed to promoting freedom of press as it is one of the pillars of free society.

The speaker urged practitioners to exercise such freedom with responsibility, so as not to endanger the public good, affirming that without a free press, democracy will not thrive.

Egbemode who is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the New Telegraph, was confirmed substantive President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors Friday night by the Guild at the ongoing 12th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) 2016, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

She emerged the acting president of the NGE at the second quarterly meeting of the association’s Standing Committee held in Abuja.

Before joining the New Telegraph, Egbemode had also worked in The Sun,

Punch and Post Express newspapers and other notable Nigerian media organisations.

She also served as the Special Adviser on Media to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh.

Meanwhile. former Editor of Newswatch Magazine Ray Ekpu, on Saturday, advised the media to uphold the ethics and quality of journalism.

Ekpu gave the advice in his speech entitled: ‘Media Quality, Quantity and Ethics’ at the Guild of Editors Conference in Port Harcourt.

He said editors ought to be proactive in restoring the value of ethics to journalism practice because the profession was experiencing decay gradually.

He frowned at the reliance of some newspapers on mobile phone text messages and social media information for their stories. ``Newspaper is a serious

business, the use of social media massages on our newspapers is simply introducing illiteracy into journalism practice,’’ he said.

In her speech, Mrs Wale Oshokubi, Chairman, Editorial Board of The Sun Newspaper, also expressed dismay over the poor performance of field reporters.

She said that one of the challenges of field reporters bordered on the inability to identify what constituted libel and how to use English language correctly.

Oshokunbi, therefore, urged editors to step up recruitment process to ensure that only journalists who could add value to the media practice were recruited, advising the media institute to be more circumspect in admission processes.

She also challenged editors on continued training of young reporters in story writing, features and editorials to further boost writing skills.

he Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has said that Nigeria remains its only member state without a functional National Commission on Small Arms.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Halima Ahmed, who made this revelation in Abuja at the Experts’ meeting on Improving Cross-Border Sub-regional Cooperation in Small Arms and Light Weapons Control urged the Nigerian government to put in place a National Commission on Small Arms.

“We in the ECOWAS region have advanced in the establishment and strengthening of National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) based on the provision of Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their ammunition and other related materials.

Except for Nigeria, all the member states have functional Commissions on Small Arms...we encourage Nigeria to do the same, “ she said She said the cross-border and the inter-regional nature of the insurgency and other security challenges like piracy and arms trade informed the ECOWAS current partnership with the Econom-

ic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to work on their interregional coordination on maritime and other security issues.

Speaking at the meeting, Director United Nations Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) Ms. Olatokunbo Ige also revealed that Nigeria witnessed the largest increase in terror related deaths ever recorded by in any country, increasing over 300 percent in 2014 to 7,512 fatalities.

While quoting the 2015 Global Terrorism Index issued by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Ms. Ige said the report stated that Boko Haram, which is increasingly operating beyond Nigerian borders, has become the deadliest terrorist group in the world.

She expressed concerns that the Sahel has continued to be confronted with the destabilizing effects of the widespread proliferation and availability of arms and ammunition from within the region and beyond.

“Thus negative phenomenon weighs heavily on the security of populations in the region. The issues of the diversion and illicit transfer of weapons to non-state actors, including armed groups, terrorists and networks of criminals, remains a major challenge in the fight against their illegal and abuse use” she said.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news

I can’t return to PDP, it’s gasping for breath –Obasanjo Kunle Olayeni

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Abeokuta

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, declared that he is not willing to return to the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Obasanjo, a former Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of PDP, said anyone hoping to drag him back to the party “will fail like any man feeding mice to a dead cat.”

He spoke against the backdrop of the mixed reaction that greeted his appearance on Friday at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, where the PDP inaugurated its National Convention Committee.

While PDP leaders and members were within the premises to attend their party’s event, the former president was also within

the same premises to attend a programme on agriculture.

As leaders of PDP sighted the ex-president at the venue, they reportedly rushed to pay him a homage and the attendant mild drama and picture of the event generated media buzz.

It will be recalled that Obasanjo, on February 16, 2015, ordered that his PDP membership card be torn, saying he was leaving the party for good.

In a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, and made available to reporters in Abeokuta, the former president said the reports that he was spotted at the PDP event was ‘mischievous’.

Obasanjo maintained that he cannot return to the PDP, saying, “If I quit a party when it was alive and seemingly united, how could I go back to a now di-

vided, factionalised party gasping for breath?”

He said it was shocking to note that his picture was actually taken while on his way out of the Centre, after the programme he attended had finished.

He described the story as “height of irresponsible journalism” and called for investigation as well as sanctions on anybody involved, in order to serve as deterrent to others.

Obasanjo said, “Those who know me know that I have publicly announced my quitting partisan politics and those who will believe the purported story will believe anybody who tells him that his or her mother is not a woman.

“If I quit a party when it was alive and seemingly united, how could I go back to a now divided, factionalised party gasping for breath?”

The statement partly reads in part, “The photo news in circulation, which claimed that he was spotted at a political party event, is therefore mischievous. As a responsible journalist ought to have gone further to ascertain his actual destination among the number of venues at the centre and not taking photograph of his alighting from his vehicle to read another meaning.

“Shocking also to note that the picture was actually taken while on his way out of the Centre after the programme he had attended had finished. This is height of irresponsible journalism, which the former President is calling for its investigation and sanction on anybody involved in order to serve as deterrent to others who may want to be used either by omission or commission to misinform the public on such sensitive issue.”

Mrs. Buhari speaks on US visit, why she sued Fayose

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isha, President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, on Saturday said she was on a week-long visit to the United States of America to hold discussions with aid organisations on how to help the women and children facing starvation in the north eastern part of Nigeria.

Mrs. Buhari spoke in an interview with the Hausa service of the ‘Voice of America’ (VOA). “Our children in the various camps are in dire situation and the government alone cannot do it, we have to get help,” she said.

Mrs. Buhari said already, she had met with organisations known for promoting peace and provision of aids to displaced children.

Mrs. Buhari said she met with officials of the United States Institute for peace on Friday and assured them that unlike what obtained in the past, any aid rendered to displaced persons would go to those who needed them.

Indorama denies sabotaging economy, national security

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L-R: Bishop of Ikara Diocese, Rev. Yusuf Janfalan; Bishop of Bukuru Diocese, Rev. Jiran Zhumben and Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Rev. Timothy Yahaya, at the second session of the 20th Synod of the Anglican Diocese, in Kaduna…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lagos Mainland PDP backs Bode George as national chairman Wale Elegbede

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takeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos Mainland have backed the aspiration of the former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, to become the chairman of the party.

The party chieftains, including former member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Tajudeen Agoro, who is also Vice Chairman, PDP Lagos State Central; Alhaji Akande Alimi, the party chairman for Lagos Mainland, Hon. Jide

Bob-Taylor, among others gave the backing at a stakeholders parley held ahead of the party’s National Convention billed for August 17 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking at the event, which took place at the party’s office, Hon. Agoro, described Chief George as somebody who had climbed through the ladder, saying nobody had his kind of political experience and should, therefore, be allowed to occupy the PDP chairmanship position at its coming national convention.

Recalling the first major success that the party had in Lagos in the last general elections and the clinching of five Alliance for Democracy (AD) states in SouthWest in 2003 which had the input of Chief George, Agoro said it the PDP was prepared to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and take over power in 2019, it should go for George who had the experience.

Meanwhile, one of the candidates seeking to emerge as national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Raymond

Dokpesi, has vowed not to withdraw from the race despite the position having been zoned to the South West geoppolitical zone.

Dr. Dokpesi, who hails from the South-South, was reacting to the decision of PDP leaders from the South who met on Thursday and agreed to zone the office of national chairman to the South-West.

In his reaction through his spokesperson, Omor Bazuaye, Dr. Dokpesi said he remained undisturbed by the decision of the Southern PDP leaders zoning the position to the South-West.

She also said she told the officials that what was needed now was not even cash because statistics had shown that children between the ages of five months and seven years were dying in large number due to hungerrelated diseases.

She said the United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) had been providing aid packages containing nut-related supplements, which, she said, are produced in large quantities by Nigerian farmers.

Mrs. Buhari said she told the officials that there was need to set up a plant in Nigeria that could produce the package.

“It often takes between 6-8 weeks for these things to be shipped to Nigeria, before they arrive, many children would have died, so I suggested to them to set up the manufacturing plant in the country if they really want to help is,” she said.

ndorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Company (IEFCL) yesterday, denied allegations that the company and another fertilizer firm were sabotaging the national economy and security through their export of fertilizers produced by them in Nigeria.

The company disclosed that all its domestic supplies to customers so far are in accordance with the approval of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Farm Input and Supply Services (FISS) Department in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In a press statement issued by the company and signed

by Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, Head of Corporate Communications, the firm noted that its brand-new world-class fertilizer plant built at a cost of $1.5 billion is one of Nigeria’s largest Foreign Direct Investment in the downstream sec-

tor. According to Nkwocha, the plant recently started pre-commissioning production only at only 75 per cent capacity and has been giving priority to the domestic market in the last one month.

IEFCL, Nkwocha disclosed, has been loading and distributing an average of between 90 – 100 long trailers of fertilizers, each carrying 600 bags of 50kg each, totaling over 57,000 bags of Indorama Urea fertilizer daily over for the benefit of Nigerian farmers across the country.

“It is also a matter of national pride that the surplus production would be exported to enable the generation of foreign exchange for the country at this time of huge deficit of foreign exchange; as well as branding Nigeria’s global reputation as producer and exporter of petrochemicals and fertilizers, thereby encouraging more foreign investors to come and invest in Nigeria,” he said.

Chibok school to reopen in Sept

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he Nigerian Army on Saturday expressed optimism that the Government Secondary School (GSS), Chibok, in Borno will reopen for academic activities in September.

Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, told newsmen in Maiduguri that this was based on progress of its reconstruction.

Ezugwu said the army took over the supervision of the reconstruction after a directive from the presidency.

“The school has become a

national monument of a sort following the April 14, 2014 abduction of about 217 girls by terrorists at the institution.

“There was actually a presidential order asking army engineers to take over the reconstruction of the school, which led to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), giving directives for us to move in,” he said.

Ezugwu said the engineers had been on site for some time trying to ensure the reconstruction of the school.

“We are trying to rebuild the entire structures by supervising contractors on site.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

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News

I’ve delivered on my promises –Wike Emmanuel Masha

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ivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that he has been able to deliver on his blueprint for the state by dedicating 60 per cent of its revenue to capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure takes 40 per cent.

Wike, who stated this while addressing members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors during a project tour on Saturday, said that his administration resolved to build roads to create the right environment for businesses to flourish.

The governor said he won’t play politics with the construction of roads because of the need to develop the economies of neglected communities in the state, just as he said that the state’s topography forced his administration to mandate contractors to use sharp sand to compact roads instead of laterite that leads to failure of roads.

He said: “We had to connect different communities in the four urban local government areas of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Eleme Local Government areas because we met damage road infra-

structure which hampered economic activities.

“With careful planning, we completed key roads and bridges that lead to economic centres in the state. We are reaping the benefits as a people. Therefore, I will never play politics with the construction of roads because they are vital to our recovery process.

“Only contractors with the equipment and capacity will handle our road projects. We are constructing roads that will stand the test of time.”

The governor explained to the editors that he is empowering other contractors through the award of projects because they have the capacity to deliver quality jobs.

The Guild of Editors Tour of Projects with Governor Wike inspected 14 ongoing projects, including Law Centre, Civic Centre, Woji-Akpajo Road, Federal High Court Complex , Elelenwo-Akpajo and Nkpogu road.

The President of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, who led the editors on the tour, commended the governor for the judicious use of resources to develop the state, adding that Rivers people are lucky to have him as governor

Traffic gridlock: Ogun directs Julius Berger to work at night Kunle Olayeni

W Abeokuta

orried by the incessant gridlock on the LagosIbadan Expressway, the Ogun State government yesterday ordered Julius Berger Plc, the contractor handling ongoing reconstruction work on the highway, to work at night.

It also directed that with effect from Monday, the contractor should not work on the expressway during the peak traffic hours, namely from 6am to 10am and between 4pm and 10pm.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, who said the measure had become necessary due to bad traffic situation on the expressway compounded by the increasing spate of armed robbery along the road.

He noted that the state government was deeply

concerned about the hardship being faced by Nigerians who regularly commute on the ever-busy highway.

The Ogun State government said it welcomes the ongoing reconstruction works in the full realisation of the fact that this will ultimately bring greater relief to people. It, however, noted that the effort has come with temporary pain, in the nature of perennial traffic congestion and security challenges.

“In the past few weeks, we took two steps. We increased police and security patrols on that axis and opened up discussions with the Federal Controller of Works, Ogun State and the contractor. We suggested that they should consider working late evenings and overnight in order to ameliorate the disruption to the lives of commuters on the ever-busy expressway and Ogun residents. It is a thing of regret that our suggestion was spurned.

“The state government

made this request based on experience. We recall that before the advent of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration, armed robberies occasioned by bad portions of the road; traffic congestion caused by unruly drivers driving against the flow of traffic and tanker drivers parking indiscriminately on the median, were the order of the day.

“The public will recall that we confronted these challenges headlong. We set up a taskforce to checkmate the excesses of the trailer drivers so much so that the governor personally led regular enforcement teams on the expressway. We also invested heavily on redesigning the security architecture of the state by deploying Armoured Personnel Carriers, elite Quick Response Squad, QRS; Operation MESA and the state Traffic Enforcement and Compliance Agency, (TRACE) etc.”

It added that it had also repeatedly intervened by

undertaking major repair works on bad stretches of the road, not minding the fact that it is a Federal Government highway.

“Additionally, we took responsibility for clearing traffic, maintaining security and cleaning after the departure of our monthly religious visitors. These efforts ultimately restored relative sanity on the road and greatly reduced robbery incidents. But that was until this recent intervention by Julius Berger.

The objective of this directive, it said, is to mitigate the man-hour loses as well as socio-economic disruptions occasioned by the ongoing reconstruction work, promising to continue to monitor the situation and proactively engage the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing and the contractors, Julius Berger Plc, with a view to fashioning a robust intervention that will address both the security and traffic situation on the road.

APC will lose in 2019 –Yakassai

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lder statesman Tanko Yakasai has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC), will lose the 2019 elections, if the exercise is free and fair.

Yakasai, a former presidential adviser in the Second Republic, said Nigerians will vote out the government of the APC because the state of poverty and cost of living is on the increase.

“In my opinion, Nigerians will vote out APC in 2019 because they are complaining over the cost of living and the rate of poverty is on the increase.

I don’t see how APC will

win if they don’t manipulate the process.

“How much was a dollar last year, how much is it now? What about the cost of bag of rice, basket of tomatoes and other. Farmers are complaining about fertilizers but it was not like this when PDP was in power,” he said.

He Yakasai when High Chief Raymond Dokpesi led members of his campaign team to his Kano residence to seek his support for the position of chairman of the PDP at the forthcoming national convention billed for Port Harcourt.

Two Chinese kidnapped

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he police in Nasarawa say two Chinese attached to West African Polaris Investment have been kidnapped in Agada village, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer Ismail Noman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lafia

CHANGE OF NAME NWAKAEZE I formerly known and addressed as Amaukwu Oluchi Rachael, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwakaeze Oluchi Rachael.

All former documents remain valid. Bank, general public take note.

that, XJieng AI Jung, 50 and Wenso Ping, 45, were ambushed by unknown gunmen at about 2.28p.m. on their way to Abuja.

He said that although the gunmen, wielding sophisticated weapons, were still at large, the police had begun investigation to track them.

According to him, security operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups, local hunters and community leaders have also been involved in the search of the victims.

He said security operatives had been deployed in to the forests and bush around the area to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong (middle), applying fertilizer to a rice farm to commence rice farming by Fadama Clusters, at Nyak Ajikamai, in Shendam Local Government Area, Plateau State…on Thursday.

PHOTO: NAN

Officer, 10 personnel killed in Niger Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Nigerian Army yesterday, said an officer, eight soldiers, and two airmen, were killed by armed bandits, during an operation in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.

In a statement by its spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, the Army said that the troops of 31 Artillery Brigade were attacked by the “bandits,” as they made efforts to dislodge and recover illegal weapons.

“Following covert sur-

veillance and intelligence reports on the activities of some gun runners and armed bandits in Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw villages of Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, troops of 31 Artillery Brigade, 1 Division Nigerian Army, in conjunction with Nigeria Air Force detachment on Internal Security Operation (MESA) went on quick cordon and search in the affected areas to recover a suspected weapon cache and arrest the suspected persons and the armed bandits.

“Contrary to statements

attributed to some questionable vested interests, the troops were on legitimate official duty aimed at safeguarding lives and property of citizens in the area” he said “While approaching and deploying to carry out their lawful duty, the troops came under simultaneous and sporadic shootings in all the three locations.

“They, however, responded as necessary in line with the rules of engagement.

Sadly, an officer and eight soldiers of the Nigerian Army and two Airmen of the Nigeria Air Force lost

their lives in the line of national duty.

“Additionally, one soldier is still missing while two of their colleagues were seriously wounded.

“The suspected gun runners and armed bandits also burnt down four operational vehicles and vandalized two others. Bandits also carted away four AK-47 rifles and one Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle belonging to the deceased soldiers.

“The troops also killed eight of the armed bandits and arrested 57 others,” the Army said.

The Sunday Magazine

8

Militants forcing us out of

“O

ut of fear and shock, I fled Ewedogbon for safety.

I fled with my family. I couldn’t imagine selling roasted corn to those boys, who turn out to be militants. Since that day, I went into hiding. Seeing me here today (Wednesday) is my first time here since then. I’m scared because they said they will come back,” said a woman plying her roasted corn business at the entrance of Ewedogbon, Mrs. Chidera Ugwu.

Despite the assurances and presence of heavily armed policemen at the Ewedogbon community, the likes of Mrs. Ugwu are still living in fear of uncertainty as the militants, who attacked the community two weeks ago, left a ‘come back’ message.

Thus, many of those, who fled their homes in a ‘hunt’ for safety from intermittent attacks, are yet to return to their respective homes.

Some buildings in the area, especially those bungalows towards the end of Bamigboye Oyedele Street at Ewedogbon, are currently abandoned; not a single soul was seen around those houses or in that area as at Wednesday evening, when Sunday Telegraph visited the affected places.

It is obvious that most people are still uneasy and scared of the possible re-attack of the communities as the militants, who didn’t achieve their mission on their last visit, may return very soon. Some of the people, who spoke to Sunday Telegraph said they sleep with their eyes wide open even when the police had assured them of their safety and that of their property.

Also, during the visit, it was observed that many stalls were under lock and key while only a few people opened theirs for normal business activities. This, according to Prudent Aigbedion, was the resultant effect of the recent attack, where hoodlums burgled people’s shops and made away with their goods.

“People are still scared to come out and open their shops because the militants entered people’s shop and made away with their belonging and goods, including recharge cards. They drank people’s beer in the shop and it was a great lost in this President Muhammadu Buhari’s era. So, that is why you can see those places locked. As for me, I’m very vigilante here, immediately I see any unusual movement, I don go be that,” said Prudent in a quick remark.

It should be recalled that Ewedogbon is a few kilometers away from Iba, where a monarch, the Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni, was abducted three weeks ago, and his abductors demanded a ransom of N50 million. Also, two suspected militants, who attempted to attack the same community on July 3, were arrested, while three guns and ammunition were recovered from them.

Like others, Mrs. Chidera, who said she wasn’t herself since the incident, said she and her husband are planning to relocate to another area for safety of their lives and property. According to her, nobody was killed but they will not wait until somebody is killed before they move.

She continued: “On that fateful day, I sold corn to those militants without knowing that they were militants. When they started shooting and I discovered that they were the people I sold corn to, I wasn’t myself and I had to run away so that the police would not link me with crime. You know Nigerian police; they might say that I’m an informant.

“I ran away from my house with my family and since then, I just returned on Tuesday, and my husband is saying that we will relocate to another area if the incident repeats. The attack shook this area. We thank God that no life was lost but I will not wait until life is lost.

•No cause for alarm – Police

Two weeks after four riverine communities in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State-Ewedogbon, Fatoki, Obadore and Egan-along Lagos State University (LASU) Road were attacked by suspected militants, many, who fled their homes are yet to return despite the presence of the Nigerian Police Force in the communities. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports

“Yes, accommodation is cheaper here but life cannot be compared with anything. I didn’t come out to sell corn for like a week now. I went into hiding. We decided to leave Igando for Igbo Elerin until every-

thing dies down.”

In another development, Christopher Igwe, a father of two said, “I wouldn’t want to experience what happened here that day.

It was like a war field. My wife and I were

on the floor although the incident lasted for a very long time. I used to live at Ago but it was armed robbers that made us to come here.

“My family had a terrible experience

Fourteen days in Niger Delta

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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he journey of Honourable Dimabo Oruama, a Local Government Area Executive in Rivers State, to the Niger Delta ‘Valley of Death’ started like a joke.

One fateful afternoon, four men accosted him at a site where he was supervising a building project in Idama, Akoku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers state. They threatened to kill him because he ventured into their community land which does not belong to the Akoku Toru LGA, which is not at peace with the neighboring Kula where he comes from.

The men pounced and rained punches on him but he managed to escape as he fled to the home of a 97-year-old man in the community, who pleaded with the youths to spare the life of Oruama.

The unidentified men agreed that he should be locked up somewhere until the youths calm down. The youths claimed that Oruama was on a spying mission in the community and allowing him to go may spell doom for their community and its people. Inter communal conflict was not rampant in the area, but occasionally, miscreants and criminal elements cause inter-communal tension. Idama and Kula communities are renowned for unresolved disputes over oil wells, which most times end in the law courts.

Both Idama and Kula communities are

oil producing areas. In fact, they are among the five communities that host the Soku Oil Fields and Oil Wells, which reports say produce about 300, 000 barrels of crude oil per day, making them one of the richest areas in the Niger Delta in terms of natural resources. The remaining three communities are Elem-Sangama, Soku and Abissa. Oilrelated conflict is not uncommon in the area, with armed youths engaging in militancy and sea piracy. When the administration of the late President Umar Yar’ Adua initiated the Amnesty programme in 2009, youths from the communities were among the first batch of militants to surrender their arms in Port Harcourt.

The boldness of the youths in renouncing violence was a huge morale booster to others that were engaged in militancy in the Niger Delta region, who initially dismissed the Amnesty programme as a big joke.

For Oruama, who was in solitary confinement, the only thought he had was to escape. He was kept in a kitchen whose wall he could scale. So, the moment he noticed that he was not being watched, he took a dash for his freedom, jumping out through the window. But unknown to him, outside the building lays a creek. Recalling his swimming skills he swam in the waters for several hundreds of metres and eventually landed into a mangrove.

The only sign of life where he found himself was the movements and sounds of creatures in the water. Exposed to the elements,

Oruama, was only wearing a boxer’s short when he escaped- amid hunger and thirst, he thought he could not survive it or make it out of the place alive, but he managed to survive due to God’s intervention. For the first four days, he did not eat or drink water, because there was nothing to eat nor drink.

But on the fifth day, he started drinking sea water, and ate mango leaves. “When I saw mango, coconut and palm trees, I heaved a sigh of relief. I cut the mango leaves, perceived the natural aroma and ate it. I drank the salt water with the help of a plastic water bottle, sometimes I lapped,” he recalls.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016

Sunday Magazine

Igando, say fleeing residents during one of their visits. I thought I was dead that day. As an adult, I urinated on my body. So, I decided to come to this quiet place to hide but if I cannot be free here, I will have to move to another area that would be safer. These guys are kidnapping people here and there.

“See, I’m ready to move again if I cannot find peace in this environment. Let me tell you, they shot my friend dead right before me and that trauma has not left. If this incident happens again, I will move. At least, between now and December, if it repeats, I will go. A good a thing, my rent will be expiring by December.

“Their sudden combing of Igando is what I do not know. This place has been peaceful. We hear this kind of story around Ojo and Agbara areas but not here. Life is important because if you are alive, then will you spend the money, if not, my brother, somebody else will enjoy your sweat. With or without money, I will move if it happens again.”

Another resident, Atanda Odunlami, said some people are still thinking of leaving the place, including him. He said that those, whose houses were vandalised and set ablaze by the militants would not be back anytime soon.

“If you look at that house at the extreme of the Bamigboye Oyedele Street, the owner may not come back any time soon because the house is the closest to the water route from where the militants entered.

Their firearm set the house ablaze and you can see how deserted the place is. Go there and you will see for yourself.

“In fact, the whole residents of that short street may never feel like living there again because those were the first points of call of the militants. That was their entrance and exit routes. I wonder at the mission of these militants attacking Igando area of Lagos. It’s not as if there is money here,” said Odunlami.

A seamstress at the affected Ewedogbon said she would like to move out of the place for a more peaceful area if she has

the means to do so, but she added that epileptic supply of power is more of the reasons pushing her away from the environment. She would like to move to Iba Housing Estate, few bus-stops away from Ewedogbon.

At least, these peaceful communities have lost their peace following successive attacks on the communities by suspected militant groups. Though police have assured the residents of the areas of peace and safety, many of them are still afraid that these dreaded militants have an unfinished mission.

Mr. Timothy Umeh, who lives on Ganiyu Adekule Street, Obadare, which is close to Ewedogbon, was also wondering at the recurring attacks by hoodlums.

Umeh has just moved into the environment from Mowe Ibafo, in Ogun State.

According to him, he tried to escape cultists and hoodlums’ attacks from the area, where group of assorted weapon welding young boys go about raping, stealing and terrorising people.

Also, Ayodele Adesuyi said there is no need running from one place to another since crime takes place everywhere in the country. “Even, there is no money to relocate to anywhere, to go and pay two years rent, agency and agreement fees. What we should be talking about is how to deploy strong mobile police here,” he said.

Of course, Fatoki community in the Egan, Igando area of Lagos State, has been attacked thrice in the past one year. A lady, who was said to have been kidnapped by the militants on Sunday evening, perhaps, raped and returned to the community early Tuesday morning, is said to have packed her belongings and fled the community.

Residents said the militants kidnapped her Sunday evening and she was returned early Tuesday morning. The victim was believed to have been raped, since she was freed without any demand for ransom.

“She moved her things out early Tuesday morning, and it appeared she was abducted for enjoyment. We need permanent

security operatives here to safeguard life and property. We won’t mind if we will pay small amount of money to keep them as security levies. We are defenseless because we do not have guns,” Jumai Ahmed, said.

Asked whether he would like to relocate, Mr. Chijindu Ofoge, said, “Nothing is happening. Move to where? I’m not ready to move to anywhere. We will stay here see to the end of the attacks. It happens everywhere. Did you not hear about Ikorodu crisis? Hasn’t it stopped? Everything will soon be over.

“It’s those, who are scared to their marrows that would want to move. Country is hard and everybody has to make the best use of his resources. So, I should use my children school fees for new apartment? Is that new location free from problems? Tell me which part of Lagos you think is safe, then, I will tell you what obtains there.”

However, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Badmos

Dolapo said there is no cause for alarm as police have been drafted in the affected areas to restore peace and order and secure people’s lives and property.

Dolapo, who said that the police and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) have been stationed in strategic locations to quell any form of aggression from the militants, also, called on the residents of the communities, especially those living near the waterways to quickly alert the police of any suspicious movement in and around their communities.

She assured that everything is under control, adding that police was able to foil the militants’ previous attack on one of the communities with their superior fire power. According to her, when the militants entered, the residents were able to alert the police and the Police engaged them in gun duel, which made them to run away from the community with bullet wounds.

'valley of death': My ordeal

At night, he would sleep by the sea shore on top of lemon grass, because he was unsure of the kind of creatures that wandered in the mangrove. During the day, he would walk long distances in search of an escape route. There was a day Oruama came in contact with wolves, but narrowly escaped being devoured. While wandering, he stumbled into a cave, which he felt could shelter him until help comes. He never lost the hope that help would come. But unknown to him, it was a shelter for wolves who return there to relax after hunting.

Oruama, who had abandoned the sea

shore for the cave to sleep, was surprised to hear movements around 2a.m. As he woke up, and peeped from the cave, he noticed the movement of animals that looked like a dogs, but on a closer look, he discovered they were wolves. The wild animals refused to enter the cave that early morning as their strong sense of smell must have raised suspicion of the presence a human in their abode.

At this point, Oruama said he went on his knees and prayed to God to save his soul. “I held two branches of a tree and shook them vigorously and the wild beasts scampered.

I overcame the first danger. But the end of

my ordeal was not at sight. That was just the beginning,” he stated.

He recalled being in a trance most time of the day, trying to forget the stalling wild animals, the cold that attacked him at night and the different insects that ravaged him both day and night. “One of such incredible moments was when he came face-to-face with a green snake that lives in the mangrove. I spoke to the snake saying: “I did not come here to kill you. Don’t kill or harm me. I walked past the snake without being hurt even when it cocked its head to strike,” he said.

At another time, the lost Oruama said he stumbled into a rainforest which turned out to be a place used by Idama Community to bury children. “On getting to the rain forest, I discovered it was a cemetery where dead children from Idama community were buried. Here he also came in contact with a giant snake, but still managed to escape unhurt.

But while he was wandering about in the forest, the leadership of Idama people instituted a search party to look for Oruama.

Having been informed that Idama was the last community that Oruama set foot on before his mysterious disappearance, the people of Kula had started planning to wage a war against the Idama people, believing that their son had been killed. Kula chiefs reasoned that it was still early to take that course of action in expectation that he the missing Local Government Executive would return soon.

After 14 days of waiting, it was concluded that Oruama had been killed, hence the need for his funeral. So, his burial was planned, with canopies, tables and chairs set. But just as the funeral was about to commence proper, Oruama stumbled into his community from nowhere, lean, and shaken.

Initially, some fled the scene afraid that a dead man was in their midst, walking. But once they got closer, and felt his body, they realised he was alive. “I have learnt a lot in my dangerous sojourn in the mangrove. I have forgiven those who forced me into the mangrove where I would I become food for dangerous animals but God protected me all through my ordeal while I was out to better the lot of the people of my community.

Angered by the life threatening activities of the four men that abducted one of their prominent sons, the Idama community leaders took the matter to a Rivers State court to get justice for the criminal act. When the case was called for hearing in the court, Oruama, confirming that he has forgiven the culprit, instructed that the four men should be released and he worked out of the court, telling those who cared to listen that he does not have anything against his abductors and he still love them after 14 days incarceration and sojourn with wild beasts in the mangrove.

“I have forgiven the four youngmen whose mission was to snuff life out of me. I know that forgiveness is a virtue. We must cultivate it,” said Oruama as he reunites with his family and community.

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SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Military destroys 75 militant camps at Arepo, Ibafo Tunde Sulaiman and Flora Onwudiwe

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he Nigerian military services stepped up their onslaught against suspected militants and pipeline vandals operating in Arepo and Ibafo areas of Ogun State on Saturday, and successfully destroyed 75 camps operated by the vandals.

The military action, which began around midmorning with the arrival of helicopters belonging to both the Nigeria Airforce and Nigeria Police over the operational area, lasted for a number of hours as ground forces moved in to flush out the vandals who have not only siphoned products from the pipelines crisscrossing the areas but also attacked and raped civilians living in the vicinity.

Sunday Telegraph exclusively learnt from a military official attached to ‘Operation Awatse’ the name of assignment to flush out the militants, that the ground

forces were directed to the various camps by the helicopters, which provided aerial surveillance for the land forces.

According to eyewitnesses, although the police helicopter was the normal unarmed version, the NAF chopper was seen carrying weapons although the witness could not say if they were used because he did not hear any explosions like he did last weekend when the intensity of the assault on the militants was stepped up with airstrikes.

“I was forced to come out of my house when I heard the sound of a helicopter flying low, I immediately remembered what happened last weekend when the helicopter was followed with the sounds of missiles being fired and subsequent explosions of the bombs striking there targets. However, this time around I didn’t hear any such explosions; but the helicopters, two of them – one had ‘Nigeria Police’ clearly inscribed on its underbelly while the sec-

ond one was an Air Force Chopper – stayed in the area much longer.”

The witness said he noticed that the helicopters were going back and forth for quite some time before they left the area.

When Sunday Telegraph called an official were attached to ‘Operation Awatse’ for confirmation; we told that the helicopters had carried out ‘reconnaissance’ mission for the ground forces.

“The helicopters carried out both surveillance and reconnaissance operation for us. From their vantage position in the area they were able to scout out where the camps were and if the enemy were there.

“Once they did this they informed us and we then moved in to the area where we raided the camps and destroyed and burnt 75 of them before leaving.

“We shall continue the exercise until we destroy and eliminated all their activities around border between Ogun and Lagos

states,” said the military officer.

The Federal Government authourised military action to be taken against the militants and vandals following continued reports of their dastardly actions in Ikorodu, Igando, Arepo and Ibafo areas.

The military onslaught began on the evening of July 28 with an aerial bombardment of the militants’ strongholds by the Nigeria Air Force which used both attack helicopters and alpha jet fighters.

Since the suppression of the activities of the militants by the military, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris have visited the areas to see things for themselves first hand.

After visiting the areas, Amosun then instructed that anything within 500 feet of the creeks should be destroyed which would allow the security agencies a clear view of what was going on around the areas.

Lecturer arrested nude with student in hotel lMan, 52, rapes 7 years old girl

Dominic Adewole, ASABA

A

university lecturer at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has been arrested in a hotel, trying to sleep with one of his students.

The lecturer, names withheld, was arrested naked at the Wembley Hotel in the University town with the student, Esther Omokinovo, who arranged the arrest.

The victim told the police on July 19, last month, that her Course Adviser in Primary/Nursery Education Department at the University has been harassing her sexually and threatening to fail her if she refused to yield to his sexual desire.

Two days after, during Mathematics examination, the victim raced to the police station to inform detectives that she has agreed for a particular date for sex with the lecturer.

The state Commissioner of Police, Zanna Muhammed Ibrahim, at the command headquarters in Asaba, yesterday, said the lecturer was caught naked and ready to take on the student.

“Based on the complainant’s feigned acceptance of the suspect’s demand, she was taken to Wembley ho-

tel, Abraka, by the suspect on, where detectives were invited and arrested him in the hotel room after he had already undressed,” he said.

While the CP said investigation had commenced on the matter, he said on the same day, a 52-year-old man was caught defiling a sevenyear-old girl in Sapele axis of the state.

According to him, a woman residing at Fobie Lane, off New Road Sapele reported the matter at the police station.

The victim, Sunday Telegraph gathered went out to play with other children in their neighbourhood but returned home crying and complaining of pain in her private part.

On close observation, the mother discovered protrusion and bleeding in the minor’s genital. The victim revealed to her mother that Papa Rukewe, a former Councillor in the area, dragged her to his backyard and put one of his hands inside her private part, while using the other hand to cover her mouth to prevent her from shouting.

She added that the suspect later had carnal knowledge of her. The suspect, however, said he was wrongly accused.

Taraba displays controversial IDP grains T

L-R: Postmaster-General, Nigerian Postal Service, Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi; Minister of Communications Technology, Mr. Adebayo Shittu; Director, Telecom and Postal Service, Ministry of Communications, Mrs. Ngozi Ogujiofor and Director, Human Resources Management in the ministry, at the investiture of the new Postmaster-General, in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Enugu children hail Ugwuanyi, lawmakers for passage of Child Rights Bill

N EWS I N BRIEF

Nigerian elected executive director Knights of St. John

Onyekachi Eze, ABUJA The Knights of St. John International (KSJI) has elected a Nigerian, Dr. Dan Anaebo OkekCharles Onyekwere enta, as Executive Director of its board.

ENUGU Dr. Okekenta was elected unopposed late July There was jubilation yesterday across at the body’s convention in the city of Buffalo, Enugu State as children hailed Governor New York in the United States of America.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and members of the A statement by his media aide, Sir, Tony Elstate House of Assembly for the passing of the Child Rights and Responsibility Bill uemunor, said Okekenta was also re-elected second Vice-President of KSJI. into law.

The law, which would protect and care for The statement, however, regretted that the well-being of the child of Enugu State, Nigeria, which was previously tipped to host taking into account the rights and duties the 2016 convention, was denied the right due to security challenges. of the child’s parents, legal guardians ”KSJI international had proposed years ago and other bodies legally responsible for to hold its convention in Nigeria, but the the child, was presented by Gov. Ifeanyi insecurity in the land prevented it. Nigeria’s Ugwuanyi’s administration as an Executive Bill and sponsored by the leader of the loss became USA’s gain as 18,000 KSJI delegates convened in Buffalo for a week, House, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu. instead of Abuja, and poured money into the The Executive Bill was sequel to a paslocal economy through hotel accommodasionate appeal to the governor by the children of the state under the auspices of tion, restaurant, transportation and shopping expenditures,” it noted.

“The Enugu State Children’s Parliament” for the passage of the Child Rights Bill into Governor of the State of New York, Mr. Andrew Cuomo, who addressed delegates, law in the state by the state legislature. noted that since the order was incorporated After clause by clause consideration of in the state in 1886, it has been known for the report presented on the Bill by the outstanding charitable efforts and civic Joint Committee Chairman, Honourable involvement that have both local and farMrs. Nkechi Omeje-Ogbu, the House reaching impacts. passed the Bill into law.

Breastfeeding boosts child spacing - Idris Appolonia Adeyemi

As part of efforts to boost breastfeeding among all categories of mothers, the Lagos State Government has urged parents and caregivers to ensure exclusive breastfeeding, long enough to help in achieving child spacing.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who gave the advice during a media briefing to mark the 2016 ‘World Breastfeeding Week in Lagos,’ said mothers, who breastfeed exclusively for a long time could use it to space their children properly.

When you exclusively breastfeed and do so for a long time, he said, it is one way of improving child spacing which is good for the child, adding that child spacing gives the child enough space to grow.

Allaying fears among women, who get pregnant too early after previous pregnancy, Idris explained that the new pregnancy should not, in any way, warrant an affected mother to stop breastfeeding the older baby.

“Invariably, when you get pregnant again, you still have to feed that child because they (the new pregnancy and breastfeeding baby) are two separate physiologies.

That child must be breastfed unless, of course, the breast is not producing enough milk,” he said.

araba State Government, on Friday, unveiled to journalists, the Federal Government’s grains, it denied the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan from sharing to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state as relief materials.

It should be recalled that the minister of women affairs was in the state for a week official visit, sharing the 12, 000 bags of maize meant for the IDPs as part of the activities of the minister’s visit. But the state government thwarted the Minister’s efforts to share the grains by refusing to hand over the items to her.

It was alleged that the state government refused to hand over the items to the Minister for sharing because it had be tampered with.

“I heard that the state government refused to hand over the grains to me because they have tempered with a large quantity of it.

As I said, I just heard it, I am not confirming it to you, but it’s very unfortunate if it’s true,” Alhassan stated while answering questions from journalists.

After several unsuccessful attempts to collect the grains for sharing to the

women, the Minister before she left for Abuja told the IDPs to exercise patience as the Federal Government was making arrangements to send another grains to the state to be shared by its officials.

However, in attempt to debunk the speculation that it has tempered with the grains, the state government took journalists to a warehouse, where the grains are kept.

The journalists were taken to the warehouse by the state Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Anthony Damburam; the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the governor, Sylvanus Giwa; the Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa and the Permanent Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nuvalga Dan Habu.

At the warehouse, arranged bags of maize were showed to the journalists, where the permanent secretary, claimed that the quantity was 11, 400 bags.

The journalists demanded that the bags be counted to confirm the claim, but the permanent secretary asked them (Journalists) to climb and count the bags themselves.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

OPINION Who is the Best Man for Edo State?

Christian Oronsaye

H

istory plays a role and shapes our future. Today, I share with you my interactions with the two leading candidates for the Edo State Gubernatorial Election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Godwin Obaseki.

Firstly, it was around 2001-2002 that I first met Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. We had gone to appeal to him concerning the closure of Ambrose Alli University (AAU). For those of you who cannot remember, AAU was closed down after students legitimately protested against management high-handedness and, in the process, cornered a CocaCola truck. We asked for his intervention to support the re-opening of our school. He told us that AAU students were bad; that we were thieves, cultists and never-do-well.

Based on that flawed generalisation, he said he supported the decision of the governor on the closure of AAU as a punishment for our misconduct and “SINS”.

While the government of the day was using the conduct of the students as an excuse, the real reason for the closure was lack of funds to pay staff of AAU. As you all know - and as a direct consequence of this action – we, the students, at that time lost over two years of our lives to this unnecessary and unwarranted closure. That memory never left me!

Again in 2004, after I was elected as President of the Law Students Association, I embarked on an audacious and daring task

11

to honour our first and foremost Dean of the Faculty of Law, the Late Professor D.O. Aihie. The Late Aihie - as Dean and, later, Vice Chancellor of the then Bendel State University (now AAU) - saw the formation and growth of the Faculty of Law. His legacies and achievements are overwhelming.

As at that time, it was 10 years post death, so we thought about hosting a lecture and dinner in his honour. We wanted to do this so that the labour of our heroes past will not be in vain. We wanted to show others - his family, the school community…and so on…that we were proud of his time as Dean and, later, Vice Chancellor.

Several Speakers were selected for this event and Osagie Ize-Iyamu was one of them. He was selected because of his profession as a lawyer and then a possible role model for would-be lawyers. As President, I personally went to his office with an invitation letter, and also asking for his support towards the program. After waiting for several hours, He came out, reviewed the letter, asked questions and then told me that he didn’t think the Late Aihie achieved anything worth celebrating. I explained to him that the very foundation of excellence at the Law Faculty was laid by this same Aihie, and that - in any case - this was worth celebrating. In fact, our theme was “For Our Today, He Gave Us His Yesterday”. At that point he lost his temper and asked me to leave his office.

As far as he was concerned, who was I to argue with an SSG? He made me sadder

than I came in. Not only did he demonize my school, he shattered the legacies of our hero, Aihie. Mind you, the same document I gave to him was the same that I gave to Prof. Sagay, the Ugbesias (who overwhelmingly supported the event), Tony Anenih, etc. They were, indeed, very delighted; at last, someone had found the courage to honour an author of excellence.

Now fast-forward to 2007, I graduated from the Law School and emerged as the Law School All-Time Best - breaking all records previously held before me. I graduated with a First Class honours - the first student from AAU and Edo State to achieve that feat at the Nigerian Law School. Yes, I was from AAU, a school that Ize-Iyamu and his government characterized as a school for ‘thieves, thugs, prostitutes and the neverdo-well’. That year, my set at the Law School will never forget the standard set by AAU students at the Nigeria Law School.

Even Lucky Igbinedion - the then governor, who claimed AAU was no good, shut down our school, made us lose two years of our school lives – praised my success as part of his achievements in office.

In November 2007 the late President of Eghosa Old Boys Association (EGHOBA), Dr. Ekhator, of Blessed Memory, invited me to receive an award. At the award ceremony, I was honoured alongside Godwin Obaseki.

That was the first time I met Godwin Obaseki in person although I had heard about him, particularly because I was working in a leading law firm and had the opportunity to

be the lawyers advising the buyers of some assets where Afrinvest, a company founded

by Obaseki, was the Financial Adviser. In fact, at that time, the major financial advisers on big-ticket transactions were either Afrinvest or Vetiva Capital.

After I received my award, Obaseki, in spite of his wealth and standing, walked over to where I was with humility, congratulated me and gave me his card and personal email address.

His words: “Would you like to join my team? Send me your resume before Wednesday so I can get an interview scheduled for you.”

He didn’t bother himself about the school I attended or who I was or where I came from. Rather, he saw excellence and wanted to reward excellence. I was invited for the interview, hired and then I turned it down after I spoke with my mentor about my plans for my future. The offer was mouthwatering, and even higher than the pay I was receiving then, with perks that would drive you crazy.

Obaseki called me some days later when he heard that I turned down the offer. He asked me if I wanted more pay so that I will join his team, then I explained to him about my plans and he welcomed the idea then wished me good luck. After that time, I saw him several times at meetings and public functions.

Christian Oronsaye writes from Benin, Edo State

Senate: So, It was all about ‘Juicy’ Committees?

Garba Abdulrasaq

“W

hen the dust settles, Nigerians will see clearly that this charge (trial) is nothing but a meretricious trash”. - Sen. Ekweremadu I felt so sad, betrayed, and angry with myself as I read comments by the spokesperson of the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabiru Marafa, after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday 21st July 2016. They fooled me and us again, I said to myself.

Asked by State House Correspondents if the charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu could be dropped now that the Senate President has yielded to their demands for “juicy” Standing Committees, Marafa said: “Yes, as long as the party comes in and the will of the party is respected. We are not at loggerhead with anybody. It is not like we hate somebody. The current Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has been one of my very close friends and senior in the 7th assembly. What you saw happened is what I will describe as loyalty to the party. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes only the party, it doesn’t recognize any individual.

“We didn’t go to court because we didn’t like the faces of those that emerged, but this is the will of our party. During the 7th assembly, we accorded the ruling party at that time the utmost cooperation and we knew the committees that we were given that time. But now, we are in power it is our own time and we should be accorded all the necessary cooperation. We should be seen to respect the party. If the party says withdraw the case, we will go on to withdraw the case”.

I even felt more aggrieved when a former neighbour in Lagos who now lives on the same street with Senator Marafa in Abuja

told me that Marafa even threw an inhouse party to celebrate his landing of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), considered by the Unity Forum to be very “juicy”.

Although many Nigerians raised some ordinarily argued, at the inception of Saraki’s trial, that could he have been arraigned if he had allowed the big heads in his party and presidency to have their way in the choice of Presiding Officers and Principal Officers of the Senate, but my attitude was that Nigerians had suffered enough in the hands of their so-called leaders. As such, whatever soul that sinned or whoever ate pour yam, must face the law.

Sadly, the wailers and their ranks, which are now growing by the day, now laugh last. It is not about the ordinary Nigerian or about democracy, after all. I mean, to take the whole nation for a long, noisy, windy circus for 14 out of the 48 months of the first (and I pray the last) term of office by this administration, in the face of excruciating economic pains, merely for power sharing and profiteering, is just too ridiculous and atrocious for a party that soared to power on the wings of “change”.

Regarding the Senate forgery, however, I must admit that I was never really convinced that the invitation/petitioning of the police (an executive agency) by the Senate Unity Forum enjoys the blessing of the constitution because it was just some Senators inviting the police, rather than the Senate as an institution. Justice Gabriel Kolawole’s ruling sometime last year that the issue of Senate Standing Order is purely a domestic legislative affairs was later to reaffirm my opinion.

He went further to say that the option open to members aggrieved by any breach of its Rules or wrong decision was to muster the number to reverse such decision

on the floor or cause the Senate to direct its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter, after which the Senate as a body would decide whether or not to invite the police and/or discipline any erring members.

But were we not so narrow-minded not to have known before now that we were being fooled and that the whole shenanigan and grandstanding in the Senate was about Committee? It is now that I recall clearly that members of Unity Forum, the plaintiffs in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/651/2015 contesting the authenticity of the Senate Standing Rule 2015, approached the Federal High Court with an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Senate leadership from constituting the Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.

Now, relating Senator Marafa’s comments and the recent statement by the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, that “we all find it very, very difficult to accept the emergence of a PDP person as his Deputy Senate President” (even though the APC enjoyed and praised bi-partisan National Assembly leadership under Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and also produced the current Speakers of Plateau and Benue Assemblies where their party is minority), one begins to understand APC’s hypocrisy. What is more, only a few days ago, the APC again produced the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly where PDP is the majority.

A long-frustrated and embattled Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal of the G-15 threw in the towel, while Umar Imam of G-5 was “elected” Speaker.

Much as these serial hypocrisy is condemnable, it nevertheless helps Nigerians to see more clearly why the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF),

Abubakar Malami, a former legal counsel to the Senate Unity Forum, acted in a manner, which Justice Kolawole considered a “gross abuse of legal process”, “in a desperate haste”, and “not in public interests” in arraigning Saraki and Ekweremadu.

According to the Honourable Justice, “the said criminal charge dated 10/6/16 and attached as exhibit “B” to the Plaintiff’s ‘motion ex parte’ dated 23/6/16, given the course of these proceedings as I had in detail, highlighted, can only be seen as one that constitutes an ‘abuse of legal process’ to use the very words in section 174(3) of the constitution”.

He lamented that whereas the AGF, by virtue of the Constitution, is compelled to stop any such abuse of legal process, “The converse situation, which the drafters of the constitution, perhaps never envisaged appears to have occurred in this case as the 2nd defendant (AGF) who is required,

by Sewction 174(3) of the Constitution, to ‘discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person’ where such proceedings constitute ‘abuse of legal process’, is in fact the very person who initiated a criminal proceedings in a matter in which he had, as a private legal practitioner, acted for the one of the ‘interested’ Senators who had petitioned the 1st defendant (Inspector-General of Police) on 30/6/15”.

In summary, it is not about us, after all, but about elites’ selfish interest. This is another hope ruthlessly betrayed. In saner climes, heads would be rolling by now, starting with that of the AGF. Of all people on earth, Nigerians are to be pitied most. What a meretricious trash. Apologies, Ekweremadu.

Abdulrasaq writes from Lagos

12

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* Letters to the Editor

The Sunday Telegraph

Electricity supply: It’s getting better

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Lagos

Okonjo-Iweala: How to be a friend of the poor Dear Editor, The things that really matter in life are surprisingly the seemingly simple things one small thing like patting someone on the back in the event of some achievement or simply saying “Thank you” after a meal to the person who offers one such delicacy, really go a long way.

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08037613380 Normal message fees apply

Give peace a chance in Rivers

Dear Editor, For some days now, generators have been quiet and the environment more conducive, in my neighbourhood. We now enjoy at least roughly 18 hours of electricity supply on the average. This is cheering indeed.

One thing that I’ve observed with the power minister is that he has not set out to give deadlines on megawatts and timelines for stable electricity supply. I just see and hear reports of commissioning and visitations. I pray that this situation gets better and becomes more permanent in the course of time.

In the midst of all the challenges of gas supply, it is truly appreciated that there is some work going on silently to improve electricity supply, without the usual ritual of unattainable deadlines and deceitful targets. So, I must commend the power minister and his team and indeed the president, even though the campaign promise on power supply is far from being fulfilled. My fear, however, is that my experience may not represent that of majority of Nigerians, who grope in darkness and still have to pay bills not incurred.

Given the laudable and landmark judgment of Justice Idris Mohammed on the 45% electricity tariff hike, I do humbly advise the power minister, as a senior member of the Bar, to respect the said judgment and follow due process for such increase. I say this because when compared to the cost of running and maintaining the generator, the tariff increase is still a better option.

The major challenge is that no one should be made to pay for electricity not consumed. In this regard, the estimate bills should stop and all consumers should be metered. It is bad enough to cope with power outage but it is unpardonable and will in fact amount to wickedness, for consumers to pay for blackout. That will be fraud indeed.

(

Dear Editor,

DEATH WISH: Despite Lagos State government’s best efforts at stopping pedestrians from running across roads for their own safety with fences, pedestrians still keep doing so PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

On June 13, 2016, the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi OkonjoIweala turned 62. One of the pictures of the events marking her birthday celebration was the one showing her husband and Senator Ben MurrayBruce “kissing” her during an indoor party. Apart from the media attention that went with the “formal” aspect of the occasion (by which I mean, the “dining and wining),” the media (especially the mainstream or traditional media), as usual missed a big part of the event!

Many remember her celebrating her birthday, but few recall she visited Karonmagaji Village School, a remote public school in Abuja, as part of her birthday celebration. Many do not remember this because this is one part of her that the ‘mafia’ in the media do not want the public to know. The picture of her with the staff and students of the school suddenly went “missing” or did not interest the “big boys” in the media. This, as some of us recall, will not be the first time Madam Okonjo-Iweala will engage in such humanitarian acts.

At a time when even the so-called #BringBackOurGirls campaigners could not visit Chibok where over 200 girls were allegedly kidnapped, she not only visited the town, she laid the foundation for the rebuilding of the Government Secondary School, which was destroyed by the Boko Haram sect. How better can one love the poor? I once received a call from one of my readers who wanted to know why I write so passionately about the former minister after having read one of my articles. I told the young man, in frank terms, that I

have never met the former minister all my life in person, neither have I spoken to her electronically or via social media. This man simply would not believe me, but I swore to it. I told him that I love my job as an accountant (a profession that places much emphasis on integrity) and I have very little to do with politicians since I am never one of their biggest fans.

Whether this man believed what I told him is another matter altogether! For this guy, whose name I cannot remember now, and people like him that may think I am one of those “paid to write”, I wish to disappoint them here.

As I said earlier, I have never met the former minister. But one thing I can say is that I have benefited from the You WIN programme, which she initiated. If this is not enough for me to defend her, then I know not how else I will. That is just on a lighter note. But, seriously, I think we need to have more people like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who can be of help to the poor, as she has always been. We need our politicians to emulate her virtues of stepping down from their big mansions once in a while to associate with the poor.

Bade Adebolu is an accountant, lives in AdoEkiti.

Farming and Famine The Muhammadu Buhari administration will find it difficult to impose farming on the active population. You can’t force young people back to the farms.

You must first and foremost make agriculture lucrative and attractive before kicking off the campaign. We can’t accept

grandpas enjoying the nation’s treasury in air conditioned Italian furnished offices, cruising the best SUVs while young people retire to rural areas that lack infrastructure to operate antiquated farming with hoes and cutlasses.

Nobody forced young people to gravitate towards 419, yahoo-yahoo, political thuggery, drug trafficking even at the risk of their lives etc. If the sector is lucrative, people will saturate it within a short period.

Grandpas, who have refused to let go of government resources, must lead by example.

Let’s see you working in your own farms and growing what you eat. Let your children lead the pack by clearing bushes and planting crops and establishing successful livestock ventures.

Let the State Houses stop patronising imported foodstuffs and make homegrown food economical viable.

The goverment must create an enabling and lucrative environment for agriculture to thrive. Provide modern machineries and offer incentives to youths who are passionate about farming.

The government is paying cash rewards to militants and terrorists but pays no attention to law abiding citizens who intend to make an honest living.

Let there be light in both the cities and the hinterland. You do not expect people to function in villages that are enveloped in darkness and insecurity.

Farming without the necessary infrastructure and information will demoralise Nigerians.

Regular electricity will curb rural-urban migration and encourage unemployed graduates to stay back in their villages.

The Minister of Agriculture should be a vibrant young man that can motivate the frustrated

and disillusioned army of unemployed youths.

If properly harnessed agriculture can save Nigeria from this looming famine and economic downturn. Let the political families return to the farms, only then can we take them serious.

Uzor Ngoladi, Lagos

Agony of Nigerians Dear Editor, Nigerians are agonising over the high prices of commodities and social amenities like transport, medical bills and house rent. Nigerians voted for change and voted President Muhammadu Buhari particularly to help ease their burden caused by so much corruption. Corruption has eaten so deep into the fabric of the society, that the masses have been deprived of decent living. We commend Buhari’s fight against corruption and we pray that he is able to bring it to a reasonable conclusion. The ministers, who should help at this stage in our economy to implement a viable economic plan are the Ministers of Trade and Industry; Minister of Budget and Planning; Minister of Finance; Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Power, Works and Housing; Minister of Health; Minister for Education; Minister of Transportation; Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Solid Minerals; Minister for Niger Delta; Minister for Information and the Minister of State for Petroleum.

Mohammed Fawehinmi Esq. Lagos

Since Governor Nyesom Wike assumed office in Rivers State as governor after defeating his opponents in the April 11, 2015 governorship election, some highly placed members of the opposition in the state are yet to come to terms with the result of that election.

They have done everything humanly possible to reverse it. But it appears that every step they take does not really make any difference. It would be recalled that during the re-run poll, the state witnessed as much violence as during the main poll simply because some people are hell-bent on getting to power at all cost.

Now that the suspended poll will be conducted soon, it is pertinent to appeal to all the stakeholders to allow peace to reign in the state.

Let our politicians stop seeing election as a do or die affair. They should see election as an exercise in which politicians seek to be chosen to serve the people well. Election is supposed to be an enjoyable exercise and not one to be dreaded. It should not be reduced to a war where every imaginable weapon of violence is unleashed on the opponent. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies must ensure that the remaining poll is conducted and concluded peacefully.

This is another litmus test for the INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmud Yakubu. Let there be a level playing ground for all the participants in the electoral contest.

Good enough, the issue is before the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Ibrahim Idris. This alarm should not be treated with levity or be swept under the carpet in the usual Nigerian style. Let the police boss, therefore, look into the allegation and do what is right to avoid another wave of violence in the coming election in the state.

George Nwibe, Port Harcourt, Rivers State YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD! SEND YOUR LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO THESUNDAYLETTERS@ GMAIL.COM. LETTERS SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 200 WORDS AND MUST HAVE THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SENDER

13

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

news

Soldiers invade Benue villages, leveled over 100 homes Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

M

en of the Nigerian Army, numbering over a thousand in the wee hours of yesterday, invaded Gbishe, a renowned farming community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State and reduced over a hundred homes to rubbles.

The troops, Sunday Telegraph gathered, were deployed on the orders of the state government to comb the area and arrest the amnesty leader, Mr. Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as ‘Gana,’ who has been declared wanted by the police for masterminding the gruesome assassination of Governor Samuel Ortom’s Senior Special Adviser on Special Security, Mr. Denen Igbana, a development that metamorphosed into increased crime wave in the

state.

The governor had empowered Gana to oversee and produce activities in the state, which is a major source of income generating revenue for the government.

Gbishe is among the densely populated settlements that were attacked by soldiers recently during which hordes of people were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that dozens of the soldiers stormed the area at about 5am in 15 trucks and immediately swung into action, where they blocked all access roads leading in and out of the commercial town as well as the Katsina-Ala/ Takum entrance point with free movement successfully banned, after which they commenced real operation that lasted for several hours, leveling homes of innocent people.

It was gathered that at Gana’s home, thick smoke was emitting into the air signifying that his home was equally destroyed as the soldiers continued to launch manhunt for him as women and children were reported to be wailing profusely.

Briefing journalists on the incident, Acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Bem Melladu said the operation was approved by the state security council to be carried out by a joint security agencies’ operation and to commence around Gbishe and its environs.

Dr. Melladu said the operation became imperative following the refusal of Akwaza to report to the police to answer charges of murder, kidnappings, and armed robbery pinned against him.

He disclosed that Gana was behind the killing of five Civilian Joint Task Force members in Ukum

Local Government Area as well as the kidnap of the Dangote Cement Company Indian workers.

He said the operation is part of the second phase of the Amnesty programme, which is the stick approach after the carrot strategy had expired Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Burutai has defended the ongoing military action in Gbise Community in Katsina-Ala Local Government of Benue State.

General Burutai, who was represented by the Army Chief of Policy and Planning, Lincoln Ogunewe, told our correspondent in Makurdi, that the operation is aimed at fishing out a beneficiary of the Benue State Amnesty Programme, Mr Terwase Agwaza also known as Ghana, and to secure internal security in the country.

Flooding: NEMA wants towns on River Niger to evacuate Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday warned that flood is imminent in communities along the banks of the River Niger following intense rainfall and rise in water level. It advised residents of such communities to move to safer grounds immediately to avoid been trapped by flood.

Director-General of NEMA, Malam Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who gave the advice in the statement, said the agency had received alerts of the imminent flooding from the authorities in the Republic of Niger from where the river flows into Nigeria. According to him, the information so far received indicated that Nigeria may witness massive flooding that could be compared to what was experienced in 2012.

“Niger Basin Authority (NBA) notified Nigeria that rainy season, which started in the Middle Niger (Burkina Faso and Niger Republic) in June, has led to a gradual rise of the level of River Niger in Niamey, Niger Republic.

This high level of water

in Niger Republic is already spreading to Benin Republic, and invariably, to Nigeria,” he said.

According to Sidi, the level of water in all the hydrological monitoring stations across the country, as at Friday August 5, had already exceeded the corresponding values at that time. The development, he said, was an alarming situation that required the prompt action of government at all levels.

“If the heavy rainfall continues in intensity and duration within these regions of the River Niger, it is imminent that flood situation similar to that of the year 2012 may occur,’’ Sidi said.

He urged all flood -prone states and local governments to ensure that theytook appropriate measures to avert imminent loss of lives and property.

Sidi explained that NEMA zonal operation offices have been directed to enlighten continue with advocacy visit to the state governments.

He also urged the states to utilise the flood vulnerability maps given to them earlier by NEMA to identify safer ground for temporary shelters in time of evacuation.

Tension over land dispute in Enugu community Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

T

he Umuanekeode family of Ibagwa-Nike community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has raised the alarm over alleged trespass into their land by Edem-Nike, a neighbouring community.

The family members expressed fear of another posL-R: Guest Lecturer/Treasurer, Nigeria Internet Registration Association of Nigeria (NIRA), Mr. Adebiyi Oladipo; Chairman, Photo sible breakdown of law and Journalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN), Mr. Demola Akinlabi; Rapid Response Squad Commander, ACP Tunji Disu and Founder/Group order between Ibeagwa Nike Ceo, Technology Times, Mr. Shina Badaru, during a one-day workshop for photo journalists in Lagos…yesterday.

and Edem Nike communi PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE ties over the piece of land called ‘Akparata’ land.

They alleged that Edem community forcefully enCharles Onyekwere ENUGU

F

iery Enugu Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has once again taken former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to the cleaners, accusing him of being responsible for the myriad of problems facing the country.

Mbaka said he never accused President Muhammadu Buhari of causing Nigeria woes rather the successive Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the past 16 years.

His recent declaration, entitled: “Fr Mbaka’s Assertion ‘There is Hunger in Nigeria,’ Not an Attack on President Buhari,” came as a reaction to recent media reports, where he was quoted to have bashed the

Blame Jonathan for Nigeria’s woes –FR. Mbaka

President over the level of suffering in the country.

In a statement he issued through his spokesman, Barr Maximus Ugwuoke, the cleric said he observed with keen concern the news trending some sections of the media that he attacked Buhari, saying the news headlines are not only sensational but also a censorious media colouration, hype and misquotation of the message of the cleric, titled ‘Bless and Be Blessed’ for whatever ends.’

He declared that the ‘Bless and Be Blessed’ message, which was misunderstood, was followed by a message, titled ‘Mega Change of Con-

ditions.’

According to him, the misunderstood message reads: “There is sword that is moving about in the country. People are dying like flies. The sword of hunger is eating the land. And as I have told you, this is just the beginning. If anybody is telling you it is going to be well very soon that person is deceiving you. This is because many of us were among those that were alive during the years of the past government.

“The past government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a grasshopper and locus on Nigerian. The past government was a di-

saster to the land of Nigeria; the past government was a cancer to this country. There is no need trying to cover their incalculable and iniquitous mess. If you don’t feel it now, you will feel it later.

“The impact of their horrific mess is yet to be felt. It was a regime, where hooliganism became a political slogan; where looting became the order of the day; where the neglect of youths became a pattern of administration. The result is what we are passing through now.

Hunger is everywhere; the hunger was created before this new government came in. Buhari is not the maker of the hunger.”

tered the land, which has been a subject of litigation, and designated the land as a proposed “Wisdom/EdemNike Layout” along EnuguOpi road.

The Chairman of Umuanekeode Family of Ibeagwa-Nike Community, Mr. Ikechukwu Ngwu, who raised the alarm in a press statement made available to Sunday Telegraph in Enugu, flared what he said was a biased position of the police in Enugu state, in favour of Edem community on the matter, despite their petition to the State Police Command.

Army, villagers’ clash: Sen. Umaru condemns arrest of 60 civilians Dan Atori MINNA

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he Senator, representing Niger East Senatorial District Sen. David Umaru, has condemned the invasion and arrest of people in Kpaidna, Bambe, Legbe-dagma, Kopa, Lunku and surrounding villages in Niger State by the Military, which clashed with the villagers.

In a statement, signed by him, and made available to Sunday Telegraph, Umaru called on the Chief of Army Staff, the Brigade Commander and the authorities concerned to immediately release the detained villagers.

According to him, it is disturbing to note the military indiscriminately arrested over 60 people from these villages over the incident and detained them in the Military Barracks in Minna.

He said: “I am calling on the Chief of Army Staff, the Brigade Commander and the authorities concerned to immediately release the detained villagers. The fundamental rights of these Nigerians as guaranteed by the Constitution and must be respected and protected. It is the responsibility of the Police to detain civilian suspects and not the Army.”

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NEWS

Plateau harps on agric potential to diversify economy

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overnor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has restated his administration’s commitment to turn around the economic fortunes of the state through harnessing its huge potentials in the agricultural sector.

Lalong made this known on Saturday in Port Harcourt in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on

Media and Publicity, Mr. Mark Longyen, at the 12th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference, with the theme, “Economic Diversification: Agriculture As Option for A Prosperous Nigeria.”

The statement said the government was leveraging on the benefits of public and private investment through private sector partnership to achieve the goal of diversifying its economy from

reliance on oil revenue to agriculture to achieve food security.

It said government’s decision to engage in massive agricultural ventures through public and private sector partnership was deliberate to ensure that agriculture became the driver of a mixed sector sector economy for job creation.

“To this end, the Plateau State Government, in part-

nership with the World Bank Support Scheme, established Fadama Micro Finance Bank in November, 2015, awaiting final CBN licensing.

“This is essentially to provide farmers with the necessary funding for farming, which is an innovative approach, the first of its kind in Nigeria and 2nd in Africa.

“Besides, government has in the last one leveraged on

L-R: Church Warden, Ugo Amadi; Curate, Revd N.P. Nwosu; Vicar, Ven. Adelowo Adesina; Revd A.O. Imaekhai and Church Warden, Olumide Agboola, during the young People’s Harvest at the Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

NDDC appointments: It’s time for Urhobos to reciprocate Itsekiris’ hatred -Ex-Militant leader Paul Ogbuokiri

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s the controversy over the appointment of Adjogbe Ajenakevwe, an Urhobo son, by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Executive Director Projects, Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a former militant leader, General Emmanual Shobor, has warned the agitating Itsekiri people to desist from kicking against the appointment, saying the action of the Itsekiris is a replay of their usual hatred for any good thing that comes the way of Urboho ethnic nation.

General Shobor, who spoke to Sunday Telegraph at the weekend, said appointments into NDDC is on state basis, not ethnic groups.

He explained that the NDDC Chairmanship position, Managing Director (MD), Executive Director Finance and Administration (EDFA), and Executive Director Projects (EDP), have always been rotated amongst states and not on ethnic group basis, “but our Itsekiri brothers in their usual way on any matter that affects Urhobo, want to turn the facts up-

side down.”

General Shobor, who was the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Actualization Force, now a promoter of an non-governmental organisation (NGO),Niger Delta Initiative for Actualisation of Peace and Development, however, said that he remains committed to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda for peace in the Niger-Delta region.

He noted that since the creation of the NDDC, sacked board members, EDFA and EDP, have always been replaced with the indigenes of the same state where the sacked EDs came from, not people from the ethnic groups they came from.

He said, “I have asked leaders and elders across ethnic divide, but am yet to find anyone who can explain to me the root of this generational hatred by the Itsekiri nation against the Urhobo people. An average Itsekiri man can tolerate a perceived wrong from any ethnic group in the state, but will fight with all he has to deny an Urhobo its right, even when it rightly deserves it.

“It seems Itsekiris are happy when they see Urhobo down and out. What is the offence of the Urhobos that

the entire ethnic group will want this second largest ethnic nation in Delta annihilated in order for them to be happy?

According to him, when their son was the governor of the state P. Z. Aginighan was executive director, Finance and Administration for several years and later was the acting MD. Also, Solomon Ogba was Delta Representative for almost eight years, but the Itsekiris didn’t cry for justice, even when the two appointees were from Delta South Senatorial District, because the Urhobos were not involved.

“The Urhobos would have cried and complained for justice to be done, but it didn’t fight in the spirit that Delta is one, and in their usual hospitable manner, they endured it quietly for good neighbourliness.

“When PZ was replaced by another Deltan, Mr. Lambert Komboye, the Itsekiris didn’t see anything wrong in it, because it was not Urhobo that was appointed, but today everything has gone wrong because the man that was nominated is an Urhobo, for the Itsekiris, “it can be anybody, but must not be Urhobo.

“I think the time has come, and now the Urhobos must reciprocate the Itsekiris attitude and treat them in like manners, both within and outside politics,” he stated.

Since the announcement appointing Ajenakevwe as the new EDP of NDDC as the representative of Delta State, several groups from the Itsekiri ethnic stock of the state have been protesting the appointment, saying since the last EDP from Itsekiri did not complete his tenure before he was removed, an Itsekiri man should replace him to finish off the tenure.

In one of such petitions to the Presidency, copies of which were sent to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, etc, the Itsekiris said the appointment of Ajenakevwe was vexatious, obnoxious and constitutes an insult on the sensibility of the Itsekiri people.

Some of the petitioners under the aegis of Youth Wing of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) described the nomination of an Urhobo from Delta State as “an act of injustice and marginalisation” on the Itsekiri people.

the attendant benefits of foreign intervention funds to boost the state’s agricultural sector and, accordingly, paid the counterpart sums of over N105m for World Bank intervention projects and has so far accessed over N400m from the Bank, while awaiting to access additional 10 million US dollars to execute more projects, especially in our three Value Chain Crops, namely, Irish Potato, Tomatoes and Rice,” the statement said.

It added that the state government was set to venture into large scale mechanised farming through publicprivate partnership, hence, its decision to re-acquire its farm, the BARC Farm, for N1.5 billion, which was earlier sold out to an individual by a former government.

“Also, government has already taken measures to increase the existing number of 400 tractors to 800 tractors, in addition to facilitating the purchase of tractors through a four-year supplier credit, with 40 per cent subsidy by the government (state-30 per cent and local government-10 per cent).

“These will go a long way in boosting the state’s overall food production, bolster the exportation of fresh farm produce via the soonto-take-off Heipang Inland Container Dry Port and supply raw materials to the Jos International Breweries when it is revived,” the statement quoted the Governor’s Spokesman as saying.

The statement further said that it was in line with Gov-

ernor Lalong’s visionary and exemplary leadership style and determination to maximally use agriculture to drive the state’s economy that Government recently signed an MoU with a private firm, Solbec Ltd, to revive the abandoned 65-year-old state-owned Panyam Fish Farm under a PPP arrangement.

“Established by colonialists and once reputed to be the largest fish farm in Nigeria and West Africa, covering a land mass of 309 hectares, has the capacity to produce about 4.9 tonnes of fish and over 10 million fingerlings annually.

“It is expected that when it soon becomes fully operational, the farm’s annual revenue generating potential for the state will hit about N1.7 billion, an amount that is more than the monthly salary of government workers.

“Plateau State, with over 1,000 abandoned mining ponds, many of which have been certified fit for fish production, 20 dams and reservoirs, 673 hectares of water surface area,12 natural lakes and unique, clement climatic conditions, has huge aquatic and fisheries potentials,” it said.

According to the statement, Government also keyed into the Ranching Policy of the Federal Government and is now considering its implementation after due consultations in order to boost livestock farming, which has myriads of socio-economic benefits to the people.

Ijaws warn FG against use of force in Niger Delta

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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he Ijaw National Congress, (INC), the apex organisation of the Ijaw nation, has warned the Federal Government not to go ahead with its planned use of force in addressing the militancy in the Niger Delta region if the dialogue with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) fails.

The newly elected President of the INC, Alatubo Charles Preye Harry, who issued the warning in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the innocent citizens living in the communities that would come under attack would suffer, and not the militants.

Harry noted that the use of force in Ijaw communities means that Ijaw are violent, and for that reason, defenceless people who inhabit Ijaw communities would become targets.

Harry said, “Violence begets violence. Ijaw people are not violent people. No-

body can continue to subjugate Ijaw people. We have to work together in unity as a people and forge ahead for a better future.

“Using force against defenseless people is atrocious. They are preparing a ground work for the Odi experience. There is genocide going on in Ijaw land. Life expectancy in the Niger Delta is now 32 years due mainly to the problem of environmental devastation. We will resist such act even with our last strength.

“If they want to bring force to the Ijaw land, then we will mobilise our youths and women to stage a protest on the streets. We will also draw the attention of the international community to focus on Nigeria on the genocide that is currently going on there.”

The chairman of the special convention of the INC in Port Harcourt, Prof. Kimse Okoko, had earlier called for the restructuring of Nigeria along the line of true federalism.

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SUNDAY

Body Soul S U N D AY, A U G U S T 7, 2 0 1 6

Patra’s dilemma 15 22 Psychedelic pussy-bow blouses 18,39 I want to be Nigeria’s first female president –Miss Unity Nasarawa State 42

Fashion business is goldmine -Yomi Casual

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Here Beyond

Vintage glam Vanessa Okwara

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chieving a chic vintage fashion style consists of adding the right amount of ‘old’ and contemporary basics & trends. There’s a lot of misconception out there on vintage or retro style. Many people think they can’t pull it off.

The point of vintage is to take the best of what each decade has to offer and make it work today. Mixing one focal vintage item with core pieces of your wardrobe like jeans, a simple blazer, and belt or with a tee shirt will make your look modern instead of looking like you stepped out of a time era.

Wearing a vintage piece of clothing along with at least one modern piece is the easiest way to begin wearing vintage. Sometimes, particularly when wearing a vintage dress or other head-to-toe vintage look, all you need is one bold accessory to immediately up-

date the look.

Unless you are dedicating hours to recreating precise vintage hairstyles and makeup application, your hair and makeup are already going to look comparatively modern.

Simplicity in hair and makeup is a tried and true way of grounding a vintage outfit. You can top it off my wearing a hat or fascinator to complete your look.

Both here in Nigeria and other parts of the world, the vintage style keeps evolving and ladies are swarming in on this trend with gusto. You too can get on that train and revisit an era your grandmother told you about.

There are lots of ways to be imaginative and creative while trying to find your vintagewearing groove. By focusing on a modern look, incorporating vintage looks into your fashion ensemble will help you feel less costume-y and more timeless!

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Body&Soul

Ufuoma Stacey McDermott Dazzling Diva

Judith Onyebuchi

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fuoma Stacey McDermott is a Nigerian actress, presenter and model. She earned a degree in French language and also holds a masters degree in public and international affairs, both from the University of Lagos.

She started a career in entertainment with modelling in 2000 as a photographic model and later moved on to the runway and pageantry, in 2002, she had participated in two minipageants. she later emerged 1st runner up in the Queen Afrik beauty pageant.

With winning a crown and international exposure, Ufuoma was done with pageantry.

In February 2004, Ufuoma decided to begin a movie career, starting off with Zeb Ejiro’s ‘The President Must Not Die’. She has continued to bag major roles in movies such as ‘Wives on Strike’, ‘Be Yourself’ and ‘Blood in the Lagoon’ to mention a few. Barely six months into her acting career, she decided to take a break to contest in the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant. In December 2005, she took on what she considers one of the most demanding roles to prove her love for the job when she played Chibuzor on the ‘Edge of Paradise’ TV series produced

by Royal Roots Network. The widow role required her hair cut and lots of crying.

It has been a success story from then on. Her smooth versatility in different roles for both big and small screens.

In 2008 she took on the role of “Lillian Wright” in the TV series My Mum and I. A role that earned her a nomination for a best actress award at the 2010 Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo and one at The Terracotta Nigerian TV and Film Awards. She was also nominated as the Actor of the year 2011 at the Future Awards Recognition and also the best female model, 2007.

Ufuoma McDermott, is a beautiful sight for sore eyes in different smashing ensembles, her style speaks elegance, she loves it simple but classy.

The stunning mother of two recently slayed an outfit

by VFL as she stepped out for the private screening of new TV series, ‘Duplicity’. The outfit, a black dress with white lace trimmings, featured a plunging neckline and sheer panels, pairing the dress with a silver peep-toes, a box clutch and dangling earrings. For her beauty looks, she styled her braids into an up-do with a light makeup but a bright pink lipstick to complete her looks. We totally fell in love with this fabulous look and we cannot help but to stalk her from now on!

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

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Psychedelic pussy-bow blouse Biwom Iklaki

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ussy-bows are a fabulous touch to any style one chooses to wear. They are ultra-feminine and work beautifully for most occasions. If you thought they are too old school or prim and proper, think again. This classy and chic style is making a comeback and can be seen on sassy street styles and on the runways.

There are many fun and demure ways to rock your pussy-bow blouses. Even

those not inclined to dress feminine can find a less fussy version as there are so many sartorial styles to choose from. It is no longer only for the prim and proper, if you want the flamboyant variety, go with blouses with wider strips to tie at the neck. If you prefer the mellower version, go for slimmer bows. Let the bows hang loose for a rebel school girl effect.

For styling, there is no limit to this blouse choice. If you need to layer, wear a waistcoat over your blouse and let your bow

Editor’s current obsession

peek out over the could pair this w cil skirt and heel 70s look by pairi with a pussy-bow peek over the nec a pantyhose and edgy. Your puss paired with you weekend too. Re play with and w our wardrobes.

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Wine & Dine

Define special occasion with Amarone Ibukunoluwa Kayode

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ooking for something vintage to buy to celebrate your wedding anniversary?

Amarone wine is one of those wines you don’t wish to miss the tasty notes and feel on the palate. Notwithstanding, it can as well fit into any other occasion. Amarone is not cheap, it’s just too difficult to make and scarce to come by.

This wine is special from its taste profile to its defining features. Amarone holds bold aromas of cherry liqueur, black fig, carob, cinnamon and plum sauce along with subtle notes of green peppercorn, chocolate and crushed gravel dust.

On the palate, Amarone wine often have medium-plus to high acidity balanced with

high alcohol and flavours of black cherry, brown sugar and chocolate. And, by the way, the older the wine the more it will offer flavours of brown sugar, molasses and fig.

What might surprise you about this wine is the presence of a touch of natural residual sugar (RS) in the wine, usually around 3–7 g/L (or about a 1/4 teaspoon per serving).

The RS helps compliment the wine’s natural high acidity and adds to its boldness.

Tasting Amarone is a fascinating experience. You’ll want to be sure and empty the wine and serve it in oversized glasses to collect its aromas. Younger wines can typically be served just below room temperature and older wines slightly cooler. This guide will get you into the perfect bottle. Enjoy!

​Spicy papaya salad Biwom Iklaki

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s light and airy salads go, this spicy papaya salad will leave you wondering where it has been all along (assuming you have never had some of it before). Just remember that with every salad recipe, you can always twist and mix up the ingredients to give it your personal touch, after all, I like to think that food is an adventurous affair and should be treated with all manner of exciting touches. Here is my take on the spicy papaya salad…

Ingredients 1 small green papaya, or ½ medium papaya (peeled & shredded) ½ cup bean sprouts ½ cup roasted almonds (roughly chopped) 2 spring onions (sliced thinly on the diagonal) 2 tomatoes cut into thin strips ½ cup basil (chopped) ½ cup cilantro (chopped) 2 red bonnet peppers (chopped, deseed if you cannot take the heat) Dressing

2 tbsps fish sauce

3 tbsps fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp honey

2 tbsps olive oil

Preparation Combine the dressing in a separate bowl and mix thoroughly. Toss all the salad ingredients in another bowl. Pour the dressing into the salad and toss. Enjoy as a full meal with any protein of your choice or as a side.

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Body&Soul

Fashion business is Award-winning fashion designer, Makun Olorunyomi Omoniyi, popularly known as Yomi Casual, ranks among the best in the country. To him, fashion is a passion because he can’t do without it. In this interview with JUDITH ONYEBUCHI, he talks about his career, style and how the brand became celebrities’ first choice Can you tell me about yourself?

I am the last born of a family of seven children, I hail from Ifon in Ondo State. I studied Fashion Design and Clothing Technology in Auchi Polytechnic. I am the C.E.O and stylist for the fashion label, Yomi Casual. I started professionally in 2007.

How did you come up with the name, Yomi Casual?

Yomi is my name and it’s coined from Olorunyomi which is my middle name and ‘Casual’ is the way I see my brand. I believe casual is not meant to be boring, that’s the definition for my kind of clothing. I call them casual.

Describe your fashion style.

My style is simple, classy and very trendy.

What is fashion to you?

Before I went into fashion professionally, fashion was like a lifestyle to me. I love to look good, I love to dress well; that really gave me the encouragement to go into fashion even though I never intended being a fashion designer. Fashion was never my thing, I was an artist, I do paintings and other artworks but all those dreams were shattered when my sister mistakenly filled in Fashion Design and Clothing Technology as my course of study in place of Fine and Applied Arts in my JAMB form.

How did you react to this ‘twist of destiny?’

Well, at some point, I felt so bad. I always shouted at my sister for shattering my dreams. For two to three years, I was frustrated because in my class, way back in 2002/2003, fashion was not so prominent. One could not proudly say he is a designer and back then, we had more girls in the classroom; we were about four guys amongst over 40 girls. And back then, we believed tailoring is meant for ladies that would not want to study hard. So we were just there working with brown paper and needle, because one has to pass through that stage from the beginning and it was quite frustrating. Whenever I went back home for holidays, I meet my friends and most of them were studying professional courses like law, medicine and when they cared to know mine, I just told them I’m studying arts, I could not boldly say it’s fashion, it was really quite frustrating.

How would you classify the style of Lagosians, would you say it’s trendy?

Yeah! It is. You know I see Lagos the same way I see the UK, when I travel abroad. For example, in the UK, it is almost the same way we dress here in Lagos that they do abroad. You know we are very fashion conscious in Lagos.

How many exhibitions and shows have you held?

So far, I have done like three major ones: Native and Bold, African Fashion Week and Runway Jazz.

What’s it like designing for ladies?

It’s a lot of drama! You have to be ready for that drama and it’s not easy at all. Some are very calm and some are very dramatic. They want perfection even when everything is perfect; they still tell you there is a problem here and there. So it’s quite stressful sometimes but no matter how difficult, I still try to satisfy them.

You are AY’s sibling; in what way has this relationship influenced your career?

It has really helped me; it really opened doors for me. Most times when I go out and tell people about my designs, I just mention his name and everyone is pleased to meet me owing to the fact that I’m AY’s younger brother and he has a good interactive system in the entertainment industry. He is more like a back bone, apart from me being creative, he has also given me that voice, and he makes people listen to me. People want to wear my stock because of the kind of people I relate with. Through AY, I have met a lot of celebrities and we are now friends and am very sure that friendship was established because AY is my brother.

Who are your target clientele?

Well, I make clothes for those that can afford me. There is really nothing like ‘these are the kind of people I make clothes for’. As far as you can afford me, there are really no specifications.

What’s your passion?

For me, fashion is like child’s play; I play with it every day. I don’t feel like I’m coming to work. I can be in the office for like 20 hours and I won’t feel like I’m working. So to me, this is my passion. I love sketching a lot, I did all the sketches of every of my designs. All the designs you have seen so far are from me, I don’t buy designs and I don’t copy anybody. So it’s because of the passion I have that I am able to come out with so many lovely designs over the last nine years. We will be 10 years in the industry next year.

How do you spend your leisure?

Well, with the few breaks I have, I travel. Like this year, I have travelled three times. So whenever I have like a week or two, I just travel somewhere, relax, put off my phone, no business, enjoy the environment and explore. And I also love watching movies and playing games.

You design for top celebrities; can you mention a few you have clothed?

Well, talking about the A-list both in Nollywood and music industry, I have clothed nearly all of them, from Tuface to Zack Orji. Almost all celebrities wear Yomi Casual; it’s now like a tradition for them to wear Yomi Casual. It’s not my strength, I don’t

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Body&Soul

goldmine –Yomi Casual know how that happened; they just love to wear Yomi Casual.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Well, like I said from the beginning, I’m an artist and there is a way an artist reasons. An artist has this third eye that enacts creativity. Basically, being an artist has helped my career; at least, I have been able to infuse my artistic reasoning into my designs.

What are your future plans?

We have a lot of plans. Fine, we have accomplished a few of them and we are looking forward to accomplishing more.

We are opening a shop in Abuja in November; hopefully we will open another branch in Lekki because this particular one seems quite hidden. We are gearing our efforts towards having big fashion shows where we will be collaborating with top foreign designers, bringing them to Nigeria for fashion shows. We will also mark the 10th anniversary of Yomi Casual with a fashion show on our anniversary next year. Well, I can’t really say everything but we have great plans.

We have big plans, we are launching a shirt collection for the first time. Yomi Casual is known for native wears and we are coming up with a shirt collection.

It’s really nice but we are not going out of our box either, we are not putting native aside. We just want to prove to the world what we can do. I’m doing a collabo with Tuface Idibia, it’s called Tuface Idibia for Yomi Casual collection and another with Noble Igwe and it’s called Five Shades of Noble.

If you were not a designer, what would you have done?

I’m an interior designer as well and a stage designer. In AY life shows, most of those beautiful stages were designed by me. So if I’m not doing designing, I can do so many other things. I like business and I’m a business conscious person. I can go into anything tomorrow because I already have the ethics of business.

Are you an art enthusiast? Do you purchase art work?

I have never purchased any. I patronise other designers that have good stuff. I do that a lot but when it comes to art, I have never done that and I have never attended exhibitions. I love abstracts a lot.

Most of these artists do realism. When I see an artist that does abstract and it tickles my fancy, trust me I will go for it.

Are you considering opening a fashion school?

Yes of course! We are doing it already; we have a small one presently. I plan to have a proper fashion school, a very big one, like a university where you can gain admission into. Most of the things that we just take our eyes off, they are the things that people are making money from in this country. If anyone had told me years ago that you can be this big just doing fashion alone, I would never have believed them. Most people don’t believe, they still call me Yahoo boy, that I’m using fashion to cover, but there is serious money in fashion people don’t know. People wear clothes every day, you don’t have a choice. No matter how broke you are, you still have to cover up. In a week, someone must buy something; the more clients you have, the richer you are and you can have clients from all over the world. So there is a lot of money in fashion. So I want to have a fashion

school, teach them fashion and groom them. It’s not just about sewing, there are things you need to know about as a fashion designer but for now, we have a small fashion school and we have over 15 students.

What kind of fabrics do you favour?

I love to work with plain fabrics because they give me more room to be creative. It’s easier sketching on them. When I see a plan fabric, I feel I’m working on my sketch pad, but when I work with a fabric that already has patterns, it blurs my brain.

How long does it take to execute a design on a fabric?

Well, one hour, sometimes 30 minutes, depending on how complex the design is. You know I told you earlier that I see fashion as a passion, I don’t even see it as stress and my target every day is 20 designs.

Are you married?

I’m not married, the world knows I’m not married but I’m not searching either. I’m hooked up already.

When I say I’m hooked, that means there is someone already there. Very soon, pretty soon, we will bring it on.

Who are your role models in fashion?

Well, Mudi is my mentor; he is one of the biggest fashion designers in Nigeria. He is very good, very talented and his designs are extremely unique. I love his styles, I love the fact that he produces his own fabrics and that’s the way to go, that’s the only way you can actually conquer mass production or people copying your work. So when they love your design, they have to come directly to you, it’s not like oh! I love this design and you copy and give it to your tailor.

That’s the exception about Mudi.

What is your life philosophy?

I live life just the way it is; I live life by the day. Whatever happens, I always believe that tomorrow will sort itself out. I’m not always bothered about tomorrow; I only try as much as possible to perfect my today, because I know if today is perfect, definitely tomorrow is going to be OK.

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with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

Patra’s dilemma 15 Juliet Bumah

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ichie’s shoulder hurt so much. He shuffled out of the reception, into the car park. Pius walked out after him.

The security men kept their distance.

Richie walked to his car. He watched as the stranger walked out of the hospital gate to a shop across the street...so well-built, so confident. His mind told him that in this battle, he could be the loser.

He thought of beautiful Patra -a man’s dream of a wife, friend, comforter. Why the hell didn’t he take her to the altar? After the traditional formalities in the presence of a handful of family members, they had planned and planned the church wedding.

She pleaded and he wanted to do it but something kept coming up. When after two years she couldn’t take in, she was too ashamed to even broach the subject again.

Now, he saw himself losing her.

He thought of Ruth and swore. He recalled Old Jim’s rheumy eyes, then his coarse voice taunting him, reminding him of his emasculated state. He swore again and again. His fingers twitched, he could strangle that old man if he was within reach. As for Ruth, it would be nice if she didn’t cross his path again. He was sure he would be charged for murder if he set his eyes on her...at least for now.

It wasn’t as if he was infertile from the beginning...

His mind went back to his love tryst with a local girl 15 years ago as a Youth Corp member in a village in Kogi State. Bushmeat, the moniker they gave local girls, were everywhere. As corpers, they helped themselves to the starry-eye girls that came hawking foodstuff at the corpers’ lodge at dusk. She was not like others, she was shy and would transact her business briskly and then wait for others who, somehow, would disappear into the corpers’ rooms with their wares. Of course, they would come out with empty trays.

Richie had noticed her. He started chatting with her whenever they came. After about four days, she started loosening up.

Then one evening, he invited her into his room when the other five girls that came with her had negotiated their ways into some other rooms. It took him sometime to get her to agree to his overtures. It was the girl’s first time with a man. He didn’t believe her until after the deed. He felt bad afterwards. He paid for her wares, everything, and didn’t see her again. She stopped coming, or rather, the girls stopped coming. The villagers got to know that the girls were selling more than the wares on their heads to the corpers. Young boys replaced the girl hawkers, the head of the community decreed it.

When the girl came back months later with a protruding belly, Richie denied her.

He rejected the pregnancy. Her mother pleaded and Richie was adamant. It was few months to the end of his service year.

Less than two weeks to the end of his service year, the young girl was delivered of a baby girl. Her mother came again to plead with him to accept the young girl and the baby. He refused, but his spirit never rejected the baby. The girl’s father, a wiry old man, came with his wife, the young girl and the newborn two days to Richie’s ‘passing out’ day. He didn’t budge. The old man didn’t utter a word. He stood, observing as his wife pleaded with Richie to spare

them the shame and accept their daughter and the baby. The old man shook his head sadly and took his wife and daughter home when Richie insisted that he would have nothing to do with their daughter.

Richie was still struggling and felt that a child would bog him down. Moreover, the young girl was not his ‘type’.

The girl’s mother had told him he would come begging. She had pulled off her worn slippers, stood on the sand, raised her right hand up and told Richie that he would surely come back. The girl’s father had merely muttered some words and they left.

Few years later, when Richie had gotten a job and was beginning to live well, he had a strange accident. ...

Richie sat up suddenly in his car. That accident was really strange. He was sure he saw a car bearing down at top speed towards him. He swerved to the right just at the nick of time and ran into a wide gutter.

Within seconds, some people were trying to get him out of the car. He was dazed.

His scrotum throbbed. The driver’s door opened and some hands helped him out of the car.

“Did the break fail?” Some asked him

and he shook his head, trying to clear his thought.

“It didn’t fail. It was the car that was coming from the opposite direction that I was trying to dodge. Didn’t know I was so close to the gutter,” he said clearly.

The few people who gathered to help him stared at him. Richie noticed that they were looking at him strangely. He stared back.

The pain in his scrotum had eased a bit.

“This is a one-way route. There’s no car coming from the opposite direction. I was right behind you when you suddenly swerved to the right and I had to swerve to the left,” a man in suit said.

Richie stared at him. They thought he was drunk but he wasn’t. He could swear on his late mother’s grave that a car was approaching, heading for a head on collision.

He shook his head. Someone asked if he had been drinking and he shook his head again.

“Nah...I haven’t touched any alcohol in the left four days. I don’t even abuse the stuff,” he said clearly.

“Then you must see your pastor,” someone told him.

Now, he wished he did...in addition to the doctor that he saw. The doctor gave

him pain killers and some calming pills for the shock. ...

The source of his infertility suddenly became clear.

It was time to go begging that young girl and her family! He felt like a dog. He had to eat his shit and with relish now! ...

Six months later, Patra and her baby boy, Destiny, went for thanksgiving in the church. They had a little party in her home afterwards.

She thought of that day in the hospital. It was a miracle they survived. Before they got into the theatre, the baby was half way out. Dr. KC said the baby was determined to live. He spent two weeks in the incubator and was strong enough to survive outside.

Merriment over, after the thanksgiving, Patra retired into her room. It was time for her private thanksgiving.

She had attended to her family members and friends that came around. They suffocated her with love. Pius’ daughters and his mother made her feel so loved.

Her phone beeped and she brought it out of her purse. Too many congratulatory messages. She would read all and reply them later.

Her phone rang. It was Richie. She picked it immediately.

“Congratulations once again, my love. I couldn’t come. I couldn’t have. I just want you to know that I’ll always love you,” he said.

“Thanks honey. I knew you wouldn’t make it. I’m happy that you got your daughter back. I wish you well...remember, a part of you is permanently in my heart.

I’ll always love you,” she replied.

When she dropped her phone, she heard a discreet cough and swung around.

Pius, standing tall and handsome, stood at the door.

They stared at each other for sometime.

He turned and left without a word. Patra stared at the door. How she loved these two men! Life could be so cruel. Every single being has an element of good and bad! On every bed of roses are few thorns and on every bed of thorns are few roses.

She sighed.

There was a tiny knock on the door.

“Come in,” she croaked.

She was tired and felt heavy. The door opened a crack and she looked up. It was Pius, and he was smiling. He came in and scooped her into his strong arms.

“I understand. A little of me went with my late wife and a little of you is with Richie. The most important thing is that we have the larger parts of us together,” Pius told her.

Their laughter transformed the room into a beautiful flower garden...until baby Destiny’s cry for attention cut into their dream.

They disengaged and rushed to the little tot, laughing.

THE END! It’s been fun the past few months as we laughed and cried with Patra and her two men. Could they all have lived happily ever after?

Send in your reactions to julietbumah@ gmail.com and ......SMS only.

•Send your observations to: julietbumah@gmail.com

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Why Obaseki should become next Edo governor —Esele p.26

‘Why I want to govern Ondo State’ p.27

The Sunday Interview

Germany ‘ll sustain partnership with Nigeria on terrorism - Ambassador p28-29

Politics T

Atiku Abubakar

he theme of this conference, “The Challenges of National Integration and Survival of Democracy in Nigeria” makes two very important acknowledgements: 1) National integration and the survival of Nigeria’s democracy are related and are important; 2) they both face challenges in Nigeria today. I believe that most Nigerians would agree with those propositions although we are likely to have differences regarding how to achieve national integration and ensure the survival of our democracy.

I have spoken, I think clearly and forcefully, on both issues on several occasions in the last twelve years or so. Permit me to focus on national integration in this presentation.

National integration, to me, simply means the process by which different components of a country, with economic, political and cultural links, develop a sense of nationhood, of unity, of oneness, of interdependence, irrespective of their different histories, experiences, ideologies, and cultural values and practices. Such a sense of nationhood and oneness encourages a commitment by the people to the survival of the nation and its values and principles, cultures and territorial integrity.

One of those values may be democracy, that system of government which allows citizens the freedom to choose their leaders in periodic elections, speak their minds, associate with their fellows, and puts limits on the powers of leaders.

As a country we have mightily struggled to live up to this ideal. We have obviously not done enough to realise national integration, and the survival of our democracy is still a work in progress. The cost to us has been enormous. We even fought a civil war to forcibly keep the country together.

Since the various amalgamations that created the entity that we now call Nigeria, different segments of Nigeria’s population have, at different times and sometimes at the same time, expressed feelings of marginalization, of being short-changed, dominated, oppressed, threatened, or even targeted for elimination. Apart from regional, ethnic and religious groupings, other segments of the population such as labour and professional groups have expressed similar frustrations arising from a sense of exclusion and helplessness. This often stems from feelings that their voices are not being heard or that they are unable to hold those in power to account. There is also a sense of disengagement of large portions of the population, especially due to high rate of youth unemployment and lack of obvious economic opportunities.

We have over the years responded to these agitations in a variety of ways and with a variety of measures. These include the creation of states from the earlier three (and later four) regions to the current 36 states; a civil war, and other military operations in different parts of the country at different times; federal character principle; changes to revenue allocation formula; National Youth Service Corps; federal takeover or establishment and management of schools, universities, hospitals, and huge federal presence in the economy as an investor. Others include the excessive centralisation and concentration of power

Biyi Adegoroye Assistant Editor biyi.fire@yahoo.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Why Nigeria should be restructured

Buhari

at the federal level and the weakening of the federating states; and amnesty for “repentant ex-militants” of the Niger Delta.

Unfortunately these measures have not worked adequately to enhance national integration and the sustenance of our democracy. If anything, our unity has been fragile, our democracy unstable, and our people more aggrieved by their state in the federation. We have always responded with a suspicion of the “other” in trying to deal with these challenges to our integration and democratic survival. And, quite naturally, our responses/solutions have also been, at least partly, shaped by sectional interests and sentiments. The problem though is that sometimes what is in the short-term interest of a group may not be so in the long-run. And, more importantly, nation-building requires sacrifices of some sectional interests for the overall interest of the nation and all the segments. Unless we do not think that the nation’s unity is worth sacrificing for or that the sacrifices have to be made only by others and not by us!

Sometimes we implement contradictory policies that weaken national integration.

An example is the requirement of state and local government of origin rather than residency for access to government services and jobs. That alone restricts people’s mobility and infuses in them a sense of rejection by the very country that wants them to feel welcome and proud.

Atiku

Personally I believe in one strong and united Nigeria. I believe that we are stronger united, and that together our potentials are enormous. And I believe that Nigeria’s unity is worth sacrificing for.

It is not a secret that many Nigerians from outside the North hold the view that the main beneficiary of the status quo has been the north, an undifferentiated north. Sometimes they say it is the northern elite or the “Kaduna Mafia”. This sentiment, I think, stems largely from the following reasons: • people of northern extraction being the heads of government at the national level for much of our post-independence period until 1999, during which period much of the current structure was put in place, • the leading role that the north played in the war to keep the country united between 1967 and 1970, • the country’s reliance on oil revenues which comes mainly from the Niger Delta, far away from the North, as well as • what some see as a knee-jack resistance from northern elements to calls for the restructuring of the federation. Having led the federal side in the war to keep the country together, it is understandable that northern leaders would have less tolerance for what they perceive as another attempt to break up the country.

My focus here, however, is to show that the north and Nigeria have not been served well by the status quo and there is need

for change. Who among us who went to primary and secondary school in the 1960s had much to do with the Federal Government? Did the northern regional government wait to collect monthly revenue allocations from Lagos before paying salaries to its civil servants and teachers or fixing its bridges and roads? In May this year the governor of Niger State publicly stated that his state could no longer pay salaries because of dwindling federal allocations. And he is not alone. A recent report by Economic Intelligence published in a number of Nigerian newspapers showed that nine out of the 10 states with the lowest internally generated revenue are in the north. And they are among the 15 states that the report said may go bankrupt if federal allocations to states continue to decline because their IGR is less than 10 per cent of their federal allocations. There is something wrong with the structure of this country and we must see it for what it is. Even in the unlikely event that federal allocations are shared equally among all the states, we would still be in trouble if we cannot generate revenues internally.

How can we excuse the reality that the section of the country that produces most of the country’s food cannot raise revenues to cater to its internal needs? Who do we blame for having a large number of our CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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Why Nigeria should be restructured

Gowon

Nwabueze

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

school-age children being out of school?

Why should our people continue to roam the forests with herds of cattle and sheep in the 21st century when we have had the opportunity to take advantage of advances in the technology and science of animal rearing to settle our herds in particular spots and produce even fatter animals to meet the country’s rising demand for meat? This is what the rest of the organized world has done. Therefore, we need to promote diverse economic activities, tax the proceeds of those activities and use the proceeds to provide public goods and services for our people. Citizens and businesses do not generally volunteer money to governments.

It is the rising dominance of oil revenues that led us to abandon cash crop production and neglect food agriculture. Before oil, agriculture was our main industry and we taxed it (and the products of other economic activities) to develop the north - to provide education, healthcare and infrastructure. But because of oil we now plead helplessness. The north has the largest known deposits of solid minerals in Nigeria including some of the rarest and most expensive. So why should we be afraid of the concept of resource control, that is the control of rents by the areas of derivation?

My brothers and sisters, government revenues are based on taxation. Infrastructure for economic development is built with taxation. Rents on natural resource extraction, including oil rents, are not sustainable sources of revenues for government. And whenever and wherever they are dominant for a nation they tend to distort the economy, discourage productivity and encourage rent-seeking activities and dependency.

What should be done • For a start, we need an honest reappraisal of the motives and principles behind existing solutions to our national integration challenges and their efficacy under current circumstances. Such an appraisal should not be shaped by which political party we belong to or any expected political benefits to individuals. It can be done with the help of a body of independent experts from this part of the country or even from outside the country.

• An honest and clear-headed look at better working federal systems in the world.

Those systems will reveal among other things a greater devolution and autonomy for the federating units, less interference

of the centre on local matters, such as local government administration, including local policing; central governments that depend on taxation of resource extraction and other economic activities rather than rents for their operations.

I’ve been speaking about achieving greater national integration through devolution and decentralization for some time now because I know that too much concentration of power at the centre hurts the country and the north in at least three critical ways: (1) destroying our economy and values as it does elsewhere; (2) putting too much premium on the struggle for power at the centre; and 3) creating the false perception that the north benefits from the status quo, thus presenting the north as being responsible for the country’s development challenges.

The world is also not dominated by the regions with the largest deposits of natural resources. For example, Japan, which has no significant mineral deposits and little land for agriculture is the third largest economy in the world. Also, Singapore moved from being a Third World to a First World economy despite having little in terms of natural resources.

I believe that we have reached the peak of the oil economy. Even for those who think nothing of diversifying to alternative revenue sources, the ‘jamboree’ is clearly over. Oil prices may still go up in real terms in the future, but the long-term trend will be downwards.

I am not trying to be a messenger of doom but to alert us to the serious challenges ahead if we do not take immediate corrective actions both in our economics and our politics. For this region particularly the following measures will be helpful for our economic, social and political recovery and development. Interestingly they are also what Nigeria needs.

1. Devolution of more powers and responsibilities to the federating units with the accompanying resources currently expended on them by the federal government. And here I am not saying the units must be the existing states. We may have to revisit the issue of the current geo-political zones becoming federating units. This will also help put an end to the endless quest for the creation of more states, with little thought as to how those states will be financed. In any case, each federating unit can decide to have as many local authorities as it deems fit. Education, agriculture, healthcare, roads and bridges should be the responsibility of the federating units (zones

Ekwueme

or states) while the federal government sets standards and enforces them. Resources such as mining rent should belong to the federating units where they are derived from while the federal government retains the power of taxation over the corporations that are involved in their exploitation and of course the federal portion of personal income tax. Federating units should have the right to set the wages of their employees in line with their needs and ability to pay. As our history has shown, a strong centre does not translate to a strong and united country.

2. We should begin to think strategically about how to develop this region as a collective. At the minimum, states in each geopolitical zone (with or without the zones as federating units) should begin to work together to share responsibilities such as infrastructure provisioning and the running of social services such as schools and hospitals. This will help save cost and help us integrate the zones and the region more socially and economically. There is no reason why some states cannot merge their universities, polytechnics or even hospitals and run them with one administrative unit.

3. The ACF and other socio-cultural organizations based in this region should broaden their scope to include research and advocacy to encourage the states in the north and/or in each geo-political zone to engage in meaningful collaboration in governance. And they should produce a research-based position on the restructuring of the federation, possibly along the lines of geopolitical zones as federating units, in order to assist political leaders and representatives of the region in understanding the issues involved and in their negotiations among themselves and with the rest of the country.

Those who argue that restructuring of the polity won’t be necessary once we diversify the economy are mistaken. As long as the federal government remains overly dominant relative to the federating states, it will continue to matter which section of the country ‘captures’ federal power with its attendant instability. And as long as the federal government keeps the bulk of oil revenues for itself, its desire and will to provide the leadership needed to diversify the economy will continue to be limited.

I suggest we resolve today to support calls for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation in order to strengthen its unity and stabilize its democracy. I believe that restructuring will eventually happen

whether we like or support it or not. The question is whether it will happen around a conference table, in a direction influenced by us and whether we will be an equal partner in the process. Or will it happen in a more unpredictable arena and in a manner over which we have little influence?

It should be at a table and we need to be at that table. A nation is an organism; it grows, it evolves, it changes, it adapts. And like other organisms if it does not adapt, it dies.

National integration is achievable in Nigeria. But we must do the little things that will help in that regard. Apart from resolving issues around access to economic resources and power by the federating units, there are vital intangibles such as values, ideology, and a sense of investment in the nation that help in fostering a sense of national integration. It is one thing to say that Nigeria must remain a united nation. It is quite another thing to forge that sense of nationhood without which you can never have national integration. And to forge that nationhood requires, at the very least, three critical things: 1) a sense of something beneficial that the nation does for a people that they feel they cannot get elsewhere to the same vital degree.

2) people’s perception of fairness and equity in the way and manner they are treated 3) arising from these, a sense of pride in the nation and its leadership by most segments of the population. All three are linked to government performance, integrity of the leadership and honesty of purpose, all evident to the citizenry. From these, ideologies that project the nation as special can arise and help to cement the people’s commitment to it.

These, to me, are more effective than forcing or bribing people to stay together.

This is a gathering of major stakeholders in the Nigeria project and people here need to join that debate on restructuring. But let our positions be guided by reason, by facts, by history and by a deep reflection on what is in the best interest of our people, and the people of Nigeria, our country. Let our positions not be guided by a knee-jerk reaction that rejects every position on that matter except the one we have held for 40 or more years.

•Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President, delivered this paper at the Late Gen. Usman Katsina Memorial Conference in Kaduna

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politics

What is the present state of the Bakassi people?

It is unfortunate that up till now the Bakassi people are still refugees in their country. It is unfortunate that up till now, this country has not settled the Bakassi people. But what is giving me hope today is that President Muhammadu Buhari is a very passionate person and as a President who is seen as man of the people, he cannot be insensitive to the plights of the Bakassi people. So we are counting on him to as a matter of urgency, to hearken to our cry and set up a committee that will ensure proper resettlement of the people or implement the Efiok Cobham report set up to address the issue of Bakassi under the supervision of former Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo as mandated by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Now, back to your question. The situation in Bakassi is hopeless. There is so much suffering in spite of the fact that I and some other political leaders have devoted so much time, money and resources to their welfare.

There is a limit to what an individual can do. There are no social amenities there. No water, no light, no school, no food, nothing to sustain them and they are procreating, the population is increasing each passing day. It is not our fault that we were ceded without due process but we have chosen to be Nigerians and our rights which are fundamental should be protected.

What is the relationship between the Bakassi people and the host community in Ikang?

We are so grateful to the Ikang community for hosting us this far and for allowing us soft landing. We have been living together as brothers and sisters. However, it must be noted that Ikang in itself has not been developed to cater for the refugees they have accommodated so we are appealing that social amenities should be adequately provided for them.

Second, we are predominantly fishermen and we can’t survive without water so the DaySpring1 and 2 where we were registered as Nigerians by the Independent National Electoral Commission and where we voted and were voted for should be developed for us to be able to live happily. We are not unaware that there were many mistakes that the Federal Government made and the ceding was haphazardly done, but as peaceful Nigerians who love their country, we decided to live with and manage their inactions.

For instance, the document that ceded us has not been domiciled for ratification at the National Assembly till today as provided for in the constitution, but we are determined to thread the path of peace instead of having outbursts.

What has the state government been doing about the plight of the Bakassi people?

This time round, we are fortunate to have a governor who is so passionate about the plights of the Bakassi people. Governor Ben Ayade is very sensitive. He feels our pulse and he has been working so hard to improve the lots of the Bakassi people. But let us not forget that the Bakassi case is a national and international matter. There is a limit to what he can do considering the lean resources available to him and his administration. He is trying his best. All Cross River oil wells have been taken, leaving it with the lean allocation coming from the Federal Government and the little internally generated revenues.

So I appeal to the Federal Government to assist the state so that they can do more and I am confident that whatever comes to the state will be properly utilized. However, may I add that the Bakassi issue is not a political issue neither is it a local issue. It is about human beings. It is about a people whose heritage was taken away.

Their deities, churches, shrines even place of rest of their forefathers were ceded away.

Do people really appreciate the pains that Bakassi people are carrying? This is perma-

Ita-Giwa: Bakassi issue requires permanent solution

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa is a former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters and the political leader of the Bakassi people. In this interview with some journalists, ‘Mama Bakassi,’ as she is fondly called, speaks on why President Muhammadu Buhari as the father of all Nigerians, should find permanent solution to the problem in the area. TOBILOBA ADENEKAN reports government from the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. But be assured that our agitations and struggle will always remain peaceful because we cannot destroy our fatherland.

There were reports of militant groups in the area now. What is your take on this?

The people have been abandoned in the creek for so long. So it is not unexpected.

There is hunger and all forms of suffering.

No amenities. In such circumstance, they can resort to anything. Fortunately, these are people that do not believe in the destruction of the income of their country. So their needs should be provided and when the Federal Government does this, there will be less crime.

Ita-Giwa

nent injury that has been inflicted on us and we want a permanent treatment. It is not a burden that Ayade and Cross River government can carry. At no time are we blaming Buhari but government is a continuum. So President Buhari as a man of the people should make life better. He has won the election and the Peoples Democratic Party has accepted his victory by so doing; he is the father of all. Who else are we going to cry to if not him?

It was reported recently that over N9 billion was voted by previous administrations to develop Bakassi. What is your take on this?

If N9 billion was released, why are there still refugees? This mind blowing figure is frightening so it will be interesting if government tells us what it was used for. I want to also use this medium to advise Niger Delta sons and daughters that whenever they are given political appointments, such is meant for them to develop the region but sadly, people see it as opportunity for self aggrandisement. This is one of the reasons why we are experiencing this strait. I want to also call on President Buhari to do the needful for the Deep Sea Port to take off.

This will allow income into the system and alleviate the suffering of the people.

It has been observed that you are less active in politics now and some expects that you should have given up on activism and agitations. What is your take on this?

I went into politics because I needed a platform to address the issue of Bakassi people and to also use that same platform to help the underprivileged; to speak for the voiceless people who are been trampled upon. I did not go into politics for the purpose of contesting and winning elections only and I will not stop agitating until my people are properly resettled. It is true that I have slowed down politically this period but this is to allow me more time to face the reality on ground which is my Bakassi people and I intend to continue to fight their course.

So, I will continue to make case for them.

It is not just about the over 4,000 refugees in Bakassi, it is also about their children and the unborn ones. We owe them this commitment and we will continue to agitate.

Come to think of it. It was through peaceful agitation that we were about to get a local

But don’t you think private individuals and corporate bodies can also help with donations to ameliorate their sufferings?

Yes, I am calling on captains of industries, public officials and corporate organisations to come to our aid. No relief material is too small. They should come to rebuild Bakassi and make life meaningful for us again just as other parts of the country are being rehabilitated. There are many children that need care and proper upbringing and we are trying our best as much as we can but please, let all Nigerians join us in alleviating the suffering of these children.

It was also reported recently that President Buhari is mooting an idea to address the Bakassi issue diplomatically. What is your reaction to this?

Whatever that means, I want to advise President Buhari not be deceived. The money and resources that are to be used in pursuing the Bakassi case diplomatically should be devoted to resettling the people.

In fact, time and event have overtaken the ceding and we are not even asking for a revisit of the ruling because we know it would be an exercise in futility.

All we are agitating for is that President Buhari should resettle us and posterity will judge him fairly as the President who catered for our need. This is because the Bakassi issue is too sensitive to be politicised. It is not about party politics. It is about the people and I know that President Buhari is a man of the people who feels the pulse of the common men and always eager to make life better for them.

Youths demand 50 per cent political offices Babatope Okeowo Akure

W

orried by the alleged marginalisation of youths in the country, a youth organisation has advocated the inclusion of youths in public decision making and economic developmental activities in the country.

The youths under the auspices of 'Iyanu Asele Youth Volunteers' demanded 50 per cent of the total positions that would be available after the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State as they form the bulk of the voters in any election in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Iyanu Asele Youth Volunteers in Akure, Ondo State capital at the weekend, the leader of the group, Mr. Adelosoye Maxwell, said in-

volving young people in governance offers important opportunities for strengthening their political presence and enlightenment.

Maxwell said the inclusion of youths in governance will also take the talented ones away from obscurity and project them into limelight.

According to him, the initiative emerged as a panacea to the disadvantaged position in which the youths have found themselves overtime as a result of poor leadership structure which has inherently incapacitated the youths from maximising their potentials.

He said it is ridiculous that out of the estimated 170 million population of this country, the youth constituency is about 80-100million but they are the most underrepresented even in the affairs directly con-

cerning them.

While saying it is time for the society started benefiting positively from the positive vibes of the youths, the youth noted that it is high time the society started benefiting positively vibes of the youth.

The coordinator noted that, with the youths in active participation, key needs of various communities within their capacity will be adequately addressed.

His words: "We want to be noted in history that youths in Ondo State did not just sit back in the face of the current challenges but swung to action. It is our belief that what we are doing today will send waves across the country so that more youths in their states will be awakened and become proactive as we take our destiny in our hands."

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politics

You were among those who vied for the All Progressives Congress, (APC), ticket ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. Can you relate your experience against the backdrop of the mixed feelings that trailed the exercise?

The exercise tells much about how our democratic system works and how it is structured.

At the end of the day, the fact that I accepted and congratulated the winner does not mean that I don’t feel that there were some infractions during the primary election.

The way I am wired is that I have to look at the big picture and it means that the party structure is bigger than individuals. No matter how I feel about it, I prefer an APC governor than someone from the other party.

The education I have gotten in this process cannot be quantified financially. I know the country faces a lot of challenges politically but I did not know they were that deep. I am talking about our structure and value system. I also found out that sometimes being intelligent is a crime. I have heard some comments about people saying ‘I am fantastic and good’ but that they can’t guarantee my loyalty.

At the end, what gives me joy is that I was not running for the sake of it. I did that for the state because I have a blueprint for Edo based on my vision. I looked at 20 years from now and the challenges that will manifest and how the state will be able to take on the challenges. My blueprint was on how to navigate through that in various areas like agriculture, education, internally generated revenue, among others. All these were the reasons I wanted to govern Edo. I really had a wonderful experience.

Were there specific lessons you learnt from the exercise that you think do not conform to the general principles of party primaries?

We didn’t have access to the delegates. Having access to talk to them was cumbersome; it was not easy. A lot of money was involved in the process and every aspirant is guilty of that. Some of us were smart enough not to throw in so much money in that process. The bottom line is for one to ask why so much money was being spent. If someone spends so much to become a governor, why would you complain if he is taking your money when elected?

In the process of the campaign, delegates were pressured; I met delegates and had to negotiate with those at the top to make it easier for you to talk to the delegates. When you finish with the delegates, they will tell you they have been told who to talk to and not to talk to. I don’t think that was democratic enough. We also have people who, at the end of the day, were pressured.

One of the things I learned from where I am coming from is that no system is perfect. In a previous interview, I said that if I emerged, I will do a thanksgiving and if I didn’t emerge, I will still do same.

I know Edo better now and their challenges. Going to over 190 wards across the state provided more knowledge about my state.

One of the reasons I joined the

Why Obaseki should become next Edo governor —Esele A former President-General of the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) and erstwhile governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo State, Mr. Peter Esele, in this interview, explains why Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his party’s governorship candidate in the forthcoming election in the state, should be supported to win APC is that I want to add value to the party. My wish is that Godwin Obaseki becomes the next governor of the state.

What informed this wish to see Obaseki become the next governor?

The most important thing is that we have listened to our flag bearer. We want to see our party succeed. The party is bigger than individuals. Just like my training in the labour movement, the way I am wired is that we can slug it out, we can debate, we can argue, but, at the end of the day, we must not lose sight of the fact that we need the platform, the APC.I think it is something we have to address, but my appeal to most of our people is: Politics is not a race. So, the fact that you did not get what you wanted today does not mean you won’t get it tomorrow. What I have always said is that when you see a society where people are preoccupied with primordial sentiments, such as ‘it is our turn,’ it means there is no equity in development. If there is equity, you won’t hear people saying that.

So, those who are complaining in Edo Central have the right to do so. Their complaint is justified. So, it is now left for the party leadership to look at these complaints objectively and see how to assuage their feelings. For me, I think that is important. The attitude of politicians, who think of their interests and not how to put food on the table of the people, is dangerous for Edo and Nigeria in general. A society where politicians reduce governance to individual interest will sooner or later fall apart. I think the challenge right now is for people to look beyond that narrow angle. It is also up to the party to assuage the feelings of the people of Edo Central. Sincerely speaking, I have always looked at things from a broader perspective. But I find out that in politics, it is a different ball game.

There is a feeling that the failure to pick the deputy governorship candidate from Edo North where you come from does not reflect equity and such may work against the APC at the polls. What do you think about that?

The people of Edo Central are not comfortable. I think it is something we also have to look at. But my appeal to most of them is:

Politics is not a race, politics is a marathon. So, the fact that you did not get what you want today does not mean you won’t get it tomorrow.

What I have always said is that; when you see a society where people are talking about ‘it has to be my turn’ or ‘it has to be our turn’, what you will need to also look at is that there is no equity in the development. If there is equity in the development, you won’t hear people saying ‘it is my turn’ or ‘our turn’. So, for those who are complaining in Edo Central, they have the right to complain. So, it is now left for the party leadership to look at these complaints objectively and see how to assuage their feelings.

I think that is important.

What I will also tell them is; it is not a matter of individuals’ position. You know, most times, when we talk about these things, even if Peter Esele is deputy governor today, the first thing is that Peter Esele is from Edo Central. If I was governor today, one thing is clear: H o w do we ensure that he brings developm e n t , employment? I think that s h o u l d be the focal point. I have always grown to look at things from that perspective. How do you put food on our table?

Since I started this journey into politics, I found out that it mainly doesn’t put food on our table. And that is very dangerous for Edo and also dangerous for our country, because a situation whereby we have now reduced governance to an individual aspect of it, where everybody now thinks only of ‘my own’, and not ‘our

own’, it is a matter of fact that society will fall apart. I think that is the challenge right now; that people should look beyond that narrow angle. And it is also for the party to assuage the feelings of the Central.

What do you think your party should do to assuage the feelings of those in the Central?

I have always looked at things from a broader perspective but I find out that, in politics, it is a different ball game. What I have learned in all of these things, and my years of experience of leading people is that, if they tell you anything, you can be sure eight over 10 will be right. But, in my political journey, I found out that if they tell you something, you will be lucky if two is right out of the 10. And they are so proud of it. And that is the danger because that is a signal you are sending to the young o n e s .

T h a t y e s w e play

politics and it is acceptable to lie.

It is acceptable to manipulate. It is acceptable to do whatever you want as long as you get what you want. To me, that is wrong. So, Edo Central has a case because what we have is a tripod. We have Edo South, we have Edo North and we have the Central.

One of the legs of the tripod is gone and then what are you now using to assuage the feelings before September 10, 2016? That is why I needed to come in. As an individual, what I try to do is to let the people see a broader aspect of it.

And I am also going to sit down with our flag bearer. I will also let him have my view and what I think we should do because the campaign in the Central right now is that the APC really doesn’t care about them. But, that may not be entirely correct. We need to do something that will make sure the people don’t feel that way. So, it is now left for us in the APC to go ahead and convince them on the direction they want to take people from the Central to.

I had always looked at things from a broader perspective. But I find out that in politics, it is a different ballgame

Esele

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politics

‘Why I want to govern Ondo State’ Prince Ademola Adegoroye is a two-time governorship candidate of different parties in Ondo State. The former lawmaker and grassroots politician, in this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, explains why he is throwing his hat into the ring, seeking the mandate to govern the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress I think it had to do with the quality of candidates. I am not saying that most of those candidates were not quality people, because APC will not field candidates of low quality. But they were not politically experienced, not politically exposed. They did not know much about mobilisation and strategising. Now, we were aware that a lot of money was rolled into it, but Ondo people are very progressive people, people whom money cannot buy. Now, I know there is high level of poverty in the land, but I know that people of Ondo and Ekiti are principled people. When they make up their mind, they stand by it. What I am saying is that at this stage, APC needs a politician as candidate, a politician who knows his onions; whose name is already a household name in the state- it does not matter where he comes from. We need somebody who has seen the good and the bad sides of politics; a man who knows how to mibilise people; a man who has contested elections over and over again whether he has won or lost, and I tell you that is where I come in. And for these reasons, some leaders and members of the party in the state, even some civil servants have urged me to join the race.

And of course, more importantly, I happen to come from an area which has the preponderance of the voting population in the state, which of course, will translate to victory. I am not going to tell you that Ademola Adegoroye is popular, but how many politicians are more popular than me in the state?

Why do you want to govern Ondo State?

I am sure you are aware that this is not my first time of running for the office of governor in Ondo State. I have done so twice. I contested for the first time in 2003 and the second was in 2007 when I became the governorship candidate of the Action Congress in the state. I have always known that I was born to lead; born to put smiles on the faces of my people. And since leadership is a responsibility, all my life, I have never had any doubt on my mind about my capacity to lead. So, I set out since then to know what politics is and to practice it the way it should be done in order to make life better for the common man.

I have been a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly and contested on two occasions- first in 1997 and second in 1999. I started this governorship ambition of mine in 2003, though people thought that I was too young for the position. But because I have a vision, that I was born to do this and I have this burning desire in me to make a difference and leave my footprint on the sands of time. So my vision has never changed, my focus has never changed. I want to be governor of my state because I know I have the capacity to make a difference.

What is your impression of the current state of affairs in Ondo State, which gives you the impression to run at this stage?

My stance in politics is to always be circumspect about analysing other people.

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko came into office in 2009, and I suppose he has done his own best. But to the best of my mind, Dr, Mimiko, no matter how well-intentioned he is, could not do it all. It could be his style or anything, but today; my people in the state want a change in the style of governance. There are so many areas where Mimiko has done well. First is in the area of health where he put up one of the best trauma centres in the country in Ondo town. I did not want to go there but sometime ago, I had a good reason to go there. I have been to many hospitals in Nigeria and abroad, but I can sincerely attest to the fact that it is a world class hospital.

But I still believe that we should have such hospital in every senatorial district in the state. Today, if people have to come from Ikare Akoko to Ondo for treatment, that is not good enough. We need standard hospitals, world class, at least, three of such in Ondo State. Akure as we speak, does not have a standard hospital. I intend to address this by bringing such to the people and ensure they are well-managed, well run hospital in each zone. Right now, the General hospital in Akure is nowhere. If you go there, you will be amazed. A lot of attention has been given to Ondo, which should not be so.

In the state, civil servants are owed upwards of five months salaries. What do you intend to do in the area of welfare?

By the grace of God, I will ensure that the welfare of my people is given priority attention. Right now, I think the state government is owing about six to seven months’ salaries. And you know what that means, particularly in a civil service state. Government is the major spender, the biggest spender because when the civil servants get paid, everybody benefits from it. I am not a civil servant but I feel it, because my wife is one. Naturally, she contributes to the running of the house. There are sometimes when I am not at home, she buys die-

Adegoroye

sel and a couple of things, but now she cannot do that because she has not been paid.

Other parents suffer in similar manners because they cannot pay their children’s school fees, cannot pay for other services.

So it permeates the whole system and that has crumbled the whole economy in Ondo State. That should not be so.

I am sure that if Dr. Mimiko has prioritised his spending, alongside federal allocation and internally generated revenue, Ondo State would not have been like this.

Take for instance, Ondo State is the only oil producing state in the whole of the SouthWest. So, we earn higher federal allocation than states like Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti states. So, we should not be in the class of states that cannot pay salaries for upwards of six months. So, we are going to look into that. Already, I have set up a team to look at the issue of IGR and they are already working. We know that the decline in the price of all has led to reduction in the revenue that accrues to Ondo State, so we are looking at how to soar up our IGR so as to be able to do well in that area like Lagos State, which is doing marvelously well. Many people have property in Ondo State, for instance, and nobody is asking them about tenement rates. This will be addressed. I also know that if the current developments in the international oil market are anything to go by, oil price will go up. We have no reason not to pay civil servants in Ondo State and by the grace of God, I will ensure that these civil servants get paid as at when due. I am a welfarist and by the 30th of every month, if my driver and security men are not paid, I get worried. Hence, I will be more worried if civil servants are not paid.

What is the strength of the APC in Ondo State, especially since it is now in the opposition?

Dr. Mimiko was in the Labour Party and he joined the Peoples Democratic Party later. I have no doubt in my mind that APC has the structure, a dynamic chairman, leadership and scores of other people are defecting to the party. I am also aware that even people who were no members before are joining. But one fact that cannot be ruled out is that having lots of party members does not translate the party into an election-winning party. We need to make APC an election-winning platform in the state. Let me give you an example, we had a popular candidate in person of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and I thank our party leaders like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who did the magic for us. But you would recall that just a week after that election, during the House of Assembly election, there was a drastic turn-around such that our party lost woefully.

What was the cause?

APC needs a politician as candidate, a politician who knows his onions; whose name is already a household name in the state- it does not matter where he comes from

And which area is that?

I come from Ondo Central- Akure in particular- a place that has never produced a governor in the history of the state. But mark you, I am not predicating my ambition on the Akure Agenda. Of course, I believe in the Akure Agenda, I believe there must be justice and equity. I believe that Akure is the only division in the state that has not produced the governor. Ondo has done, just like Ikale has. Owo and Akoko have done. So Akure North, Akure South or Ifedore should produce the next governor. That is now left for us. If we want it, we must fight for it. However, I am only saying that is an additional advantage that I have. Besides, my political experience, I know how many politician in Ondo State, who has the kind of experience I have in politics – I am sorry if I sound immodest, but I know how to strategise for election, how to mobilise people, how to make people to work for that election. By the grace of God, with me taking the ticket of APC, the party can go to bed rest assured of victory.

You said the preponderance of election figure comes from your division. What has been the figure in the past few elections?

Akure South Local Government alone has almost 300,000. If you add the latest figure from INEC’s registration done sometimes ago. And Ondo Central is the area where more people come out to vote because that is where you have the elite.

The fact is that party in opposition does not go for zoning. I am aware that some time ago, the party gave consideration to zoning the office to the Ondo North, but that has changed because we are not the party in power. If we were the incumbent, we could zone and talk about advantages, but no.

Look at what happened in Rivers State when Rotimi Amaechi was leaving, he CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

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Germany ‘ll sustain partn Nigeria on terrorism - Am His Excellency, Michael Zenner, the German Ambassador to Nigeria recently concluded his tour of duty after being in Nigeria for two years. In this interview with ONWUKA NZESHI, the German envoy relives his experiences and how both countries have been cooperating on the political and economic fronts as well as cultural exchange Your Excellency, in the next few days you will round off your tenure as the Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria. How has these two years in Nigeria been for you?

Nigeria is the first country in Africa where I have been posted to and I think these past two years have been very interesting and encouraging experiences in many areas. In particular, if you meet people who are absolutely friendly, you can talk to each other and you meet many dynamic people, I think that makes the country very vibrant. The initiatives and the dynamism of the Nigerian people are very, very important. My wife and I made many friends in Nigeria to the extent that barely few weeks after our arrival in Nigeria we felt already at home.

Germany and Nigeria are both federal republics. So, we know about the diversity of the regions, we have it in Germany and you have it in Nigeria. It was, therefore, very important for me to travel around Nigeria in order to get to know the whole country and not seeing Nigeria only from the Abuja perspective. That is something really important. As I said earlier, I had very interesting, encouraging experiences and I got very deep impressions of Nigeria in the past two years. This is one of the most significant aspects. When, I leave the country, I am leaving behind many friends.

From the professional point of view, it was as well very interesting, challenging and encouraging. We have a Bi-National Commission between Nigeria and Germany since 2011. A few weeks after my arrival, we had a meeting of Foreign Ministers in Berlin.

Shortly afterwards, the German Foreign Minister, together with the Foreign Minister of France visited Nigeria. Bilaterally, the main event during the two years was the visit of the Federal President of Germany Joachim Gauck to Nigeria this year. He was in Lagos and Abuja. Very important as well is to learn about Nigerian domestic policy, Nigerian economy and the Nigerian culture. If you are in a country during election campaigns, you will learn very fast about all aspects of the domestic policy. The elections in different states and the general elections last year in Nigeria were very important in this respect. It is very noteworthy that the elections and the democratic transfer of power were conducted in a very peaceful, democratic, non-violent and fair way. That is a very important signal to many other countries. Nigeria is the most important country in Sub-Sahara Africa and every day I learned more about it. However, it is part of the job that someday, you have to leave. I shall leave Nigeria with excellent impressions.

Before your arrival in Nigeria or Africa you must have had other impressions about the country. Did what you see on the ground resonate with those impressions?

I came to Nigeria completely open-minded. I did not want to be influenced by some images floating around in the media. My own impressions from the first day of my stay here in Nigeria were really good. The cultural life in Nigeria is very vibrant. You see it in Lagos, which is the city of the movie industry. Here in Abuja, it is very important to note that, the German Embassy together with our French friends and partners, the French Cultural Institute, started and promoted a new cultural initiative that featured concerts, movie presentations, dance theatre presentations, drama and art exhibitions.

We really managed to attract young Nigerians who are interested in art and culture.

It is very important that we understand the cultural relations as dialogue. That means that German culture really meets Nigerian and African culture. For example, German and European artists work together with Nigerian and African artists. Nigerians who live in Europe, for example, a professional fashion designer who lives now in Berlin, organized with us a fashion show here in Abuja. The other day a Nigerian dance choreographer living in Paris and working as well in Germany (Berlin) organised with the French and the German Embassy a performance of dance theatre here in Abuja and workshops for young Nigerians. All these activities clearly show how closely linked our relations are.

What are you going to miss most in Nigeria by time you leave for your new assignment?

People! I will surely miss people. My wife and I have to leave many friends behind.

Can you give us an update on the bilateral trade between Germany and Nigeria in the last two year?

The overall trade volume between both countries when I arrived in Nigeria was about 5.5 billion euros. But the trade relations dropped during the last two years in absolute figures due to the decline of the oil price because most of Nigeria’s export to Germany is crude oil. Most of our exports to Nigeria are machineries, investment goods, goods, cars, lorries and some consumer goods. But, I am very confident that this decline will turn around again in particular with the diversification policy in the Nigerian industry and economy if it has more opportunities for exports. If you diversify an industry or economy, you need machineries, you need cooperation with companies with expertise in different areas.

For example, in the agricultural sector, we have an intensive technical cooperation in order to improve the value chain from the production to the marketing aspect. If you set up food industries, you need machineries for food processing. That is an aspect where German companies have very good

experience. We have about 100 German companies who are very active in Nigeria. Most of them have representations in Lagos. But Nigeria is also focusing on solid minerals.

Here Germany has a very vast experience.

Not only in production of machineries we can offer also partnerships with universities, polytechnics and technical high schools in the mining sector. For the power sector, we have the energy partnership between Nigeria and Germany. It is two-fold. One aspect has to do with private sector participation. For instance, near Benin City Edo State, there is currently a gas power plant under construction. The other area is the solar energy and the renewable energy sector where the GIZ, the German development agency, is very active in giving assistance, advise and consultancy to Nigerian partners. This is done, particularly in order to offer solutions to villages and small towns not connected to the national grid so they can produce power independently. If they are once connected, they may sell their generated surplus to the national power grid. We are also very engaged in consultancy regarding the small and medium scale industries which is very important for the diversification of the Nigerian industry. We equally participate in the Nigerian Development Bank with $200 million. We have vocational

training projects. One of the reasons for the success of the German industry is vocational training and the activities of medium scale companies who are very innovative. In vocational training we have projects in Lagos, the Representative of the German Industry together with two Chambers of Commerce.

The GIZ is equally involved in vocational training projects also on behalf of the European Union (EU). There are some private initiatives too. Vocational training is very important because you need people who are able to participate actively in the economic diversification process and you can increase the employment rate. I am very happy that a delegation of governors from Nigeria will travel to Germany in order to have first-hand information on vocational training in Germany. They will also see renewable power projects, food processing and other trade and investment related issues. I think this is very important so that we can have a very active exchange of views to deepen our bilateral cooperation.

The German government had in the past supported the Nigerian healthcare delivery system. Are there on-going or new projects in that regard?

We assisted Nigeria shortly after the Ebola outbreak two years ago. I think it was a good

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nership with mbassador habilitation of the North-East. We earmarked already a certain amount of funds to assist this process in order to enable people to go back to their villages in the North-East the moment conditions allow it. The GIZ is implementing this not only in respect of a German national contribution but also on behalf of the EU. But until people are able to go back we are trying to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with food aid via programmes facilitated, for example, by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme, other agencies and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). We try to help also people who got traumatized by the Boko Haram terror with particular programmes in cooperation with the International Office for Migration (IOM).

Did you at any time feel insecure throughout your stay here in Nigeria?

No, not at all. I read a lot of things in the newspapers on the increasing rate of insecurity in the different communities in the country. I personally did not face such threats.

Where is your next destination on your diplomatic service?

I am crossing the Sahara from the Southern border of the Sahara to the Northern one. I am appointed as German Ambassador to Algeria.

and efficient support that Germany provided at that time, in particular with laboratories that could analyse the samples very quickly.

Germany is furthermore involved in projects against infectious diseases, not only bilaterally but as well within the framework of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) where Nigeria is the biggest member state. We also participate to a very large extent in the polio vaccination programme which is now eight consecutive sub-programmes.

During your stay here, Nigeria faced many security challenges. Was there any way your country assisted Nigeria?

In the North-East, the Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism is a huge challenge. All over the world, we face global terrorism and we have to cooperate in fighting against it by combining and coordinating all our efforts.

One of the results of the G7 outreach meeting in June 2015 in Elmau, Germany, which His Excellency President Myhammadu Buhari attended on the invitation of the German Chancellor, was the coordination of the fight against terrorism in the North-East region.

Germany, for example, assists Nigeria with mobile health care units, mobile radar systems and demining equipment. Germany thinks already on the next phase too, the re-

Are you happy that you are moving to another Africa country after Nigeria?

During my time in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, I worked quite a lot in EU affairs and I got addicted to the EU because I think regional integration is very important for peaceful relations between countries. It promotes the ideals that people should live peacefully together peacefully. I think that is very important, especially after centuries of bad experiences we had in Europe. The EU is a success in my opinion. I think that regional integration is also economically very important. But I thought one day, I should go back to the ideas I had when I started my career in the Foreign Service. I wanted to serve in a country outside of Europe and further away in order to have new experiences. I think, it is also good to see Europe from the outside. So I was very happy when I was asked whether I will like to go to Nigeria.

Aside from my experience in Nigeria which I have already described, I am impressed to see how integration is moving forward in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. ECOWAS is the most advanced integrated region in Africa.

That is very important. People can travel within the ECOWAS region without any problems. There are also important benefits such as trade, jobs, healthcare, maritime security. Therefore, I was very happy that I could serve in your country.

Are there specific projects or legacies you would want your successor to continue and consolidate?

There are elements of continuity which are fixed. For example, the narrow cooperation in the Bi- National Commission, cooperation against global terrorism, economic cooperation. Additionally, in my opinion, culture is also a very important element in relations between countries because it helps people to understand each other better. So I was very much engaged in this area.

'APC leaders must be realistic about choice of candidate' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

being an Ikwere man decided that the governorship position should rotate in all fairness. But PDP knowing that they have a politician in Nyesom Wike insisted that the governor must come from Ikwere. The rest, as they say, is history. So, only political Lilliputians talk about zoning in politics.

At this point that our party has to win, we need a candidate that has the qualities. In 1997, when I contested my first election, I was one of the only three candidates that won election in the whole of Ondo State.

UNCP was the party led by Olusegun Agagu and Bode Olajumoke. They picked 23 seats out of 26. But I defeated them hands down in Akure and my guys won in Owo and Ifedore- the records are there.

Even in 1999, when AD and Afenifere was the in thing in Yoruba, I won an electionthe records are there. The votes that I got to go to the House of Assembly were more than what Chief Adebayo Adefarati got to emerge governor, because of my political sagacity and my service to my people. I am from a noble family which treasures service. I have served the people and my parents served Ondo State throughout their lives. So I cannot but sustain that name and quality.

Your party has several aspirants, how well have you put this into consideration?

Since the nomination officially started, I think the number has dropped. When the collection of nomination forms by aspirants closed last Friday, the figure had dropped to about 20. I know some of them who joined a couple of years back, and some gentlemen in their own rights, who have gotten to the zenith of their careers like Prof. Ajayi Boroface, Segun Abraham, Sola Oke and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Chief Jumoke Anifowose - fantastic people.

But at this point, I want to preach the message of reality. The delegates at the primaries should be ready to face reality, because if I'm not running, I would probably be supporting one of the aspirants, and say 'if this person wins, I will get a position'. But they should know that a lot of our members have suffered since Chief Adefarati lost governorship election in 2003. So, how do we reverse this? The interest of all must be paramount in our hearts, and we must look at the situation to see how the collective interest will be served. We must field the best candidate; we must look at the candidate of the other parties and choose the best candidate to go into the political

tango with them. That is the situation on ground. We must think twice and get the most experienced candidate from the area where we can get the best chunk of votes.

That is the realistic message to the party both at the state and national levels now.

What do you foresee as the benefits of a possible victory of the APC in Ondo State to the South-West?

Of course, once APC wins in Ondo State by the grace of God, that regional integration which has been championed by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of the State of Osun, Governors Ibikunle Amosu, Abiola Ajimobi of Ogun and Oyo states respectively, can now happen. Because it is easier when we all belong to the same party, when we have the same focus and when the manifesto is the same. It is a lot easier when we are all in the same vehicle and it is easier when the drivers of the vehicles are having the same vision. The story of regional integration is incomplete without Ondo and Ekiti states. That is why our party leaders should be united and pick candidate who can win, because the only thing that matters now is how to win first in Ondo State and in the next couple of years, in Ekiti.

Nigerians have been complaining about the fact President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC’s Change mantra has not translated into any development in the past one year. What is your opinion on this?

My reaction to that is that our people are always in a hurry. The fact is that there is cash crunch in the country. I am aware of that and the effect is pervasive. Nobody can deny that and nobody anticipated this, but I can tell you that the effects of PDP’s 16 years of rule will not disappear overnight. The moment President Olusegun Obasanjo left in 2007, there was serious profligacy. Corruption had a free ride and nobody did anything about it. It came to the highest level during the Jonathan administration when people were just going there to take dollars- money that should have been used to develop this country. So this is the result. There is no way Buhari, who we all know to be honest, who we all know to be a prudent man, will not block those loopholes. It is the blockage of those loopholes that is causing this. Look at the TSA account, even the banks are feeling the pains, but there are the steps that must be taken in order to put Nigeria on the path of greatness

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Body&Soul

Crossword puzzle

The Fox, the Dog and the Cock O

ne moonlight night a Fox was prowling about a farmer’s hen-coop, and saw a Cock roosting high up beyond his reach.

“Good news, good news!” he cried.

“Why, what is that?” said the Cock.

“King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may hurt a bird henceforth, but all shall dwell together in brotherly friendship.”

“Why, that is good news,” said the Cock; “and there I see some one coming, with whom we can share the good tidings.” And so saying he craned

his neck forward and looked afar off.

“What is it you see?” said the Fox. “It is only my master’s Dog that is coming towards us. What, going so soon?” he continued, as the Fox began to turn away as soon as he had heard the news. “Will you not stop and congratulate the Dog on the reign of universal peace?”

“I would gladly do so,” said the Fox, “but I fear he may not have heard of King Lion’s decree.”

Cunning often outwits itself.

Excellent Foundation College Graduates the Legends of Tomorrow E xcellent Foundation College, a Christian coeducational secondary school located next to Big Treat by Omole bus stop, held the valedictory Service of her final year students; THE LEGENDS OF TOMORROW on Friday, 15th July 2016 at the school premises. The college which prides itself for outstanding academic performance has zero tolerance for indiscipline.

During the 2014/2015 academic session, the college won the EHSSQ WEEK ART AND ESSAY COMPETITION with topic; “Raise Your Voice, Not Sea Level”organised by OANDO FOUNDATION among secondary schools in Nigeria. Again, the college was also the best in Nigeria among British Council Partner schools in the competition; ”Your World” organised

by British Council Nigeria.

The chairman of the occasion and the MANAGING DIRECTOR PUNCH NEWSPAPERS, Sir Demola Osinubi, while admonishing the graduating students urged them to be good ambassadors of their families, excellent foundation college and the nation.

Mother of the day Lady Yejide Badejo, a director of education enjoined the graduating students to continue to be excellent in morals, discipline, learning, the fear of GOD and their chosen careers.

Outgoing head boy, AMOBI DARAMOLA, promised that they will remain good ambassadors of Nigeria, Excellent Foundation College, and their families. Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of certificates from The British Council Nigeria to the students who represented the school in” Your World” competition and came first in the 17-19 age category.

Prizes for outstanding students were also presented. The Reverend S. S. Okelola, Chairman Board of Governors of the school, admonished parents to give their children an excellent foundation because when the foundation is faulty there is nothing the righteous can do. Some dignitaries at the occasion include the father of the day; Sir Gbenga Badejo, royal father of the day Alhaji Bakare Taiwo, the Baale of Omole Land; Pastor Mosaku Johnson of the Institute of Directors, among others.

The Legends of Tomorrow in a Group Photograph with the Royal Father of the Day, The Baale of Omole Land-Alhaji Bakare Taiwo, The Chairman board of Governors The Reverend S.S. Okelola and The Vice Chairman PTA Mrs. C.C. Onwunze.

Excellent Mother of the Day Lady Yejide Badejo Presents certificates to winners of “YOUR WORLD” Competition.

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NEWS INTERVIEW Christianity explodes in unlikely places Network marketing is solution to despite persecution poverty in Africa – Rev. Kome p.34

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SERMON

Discover indwelling victory key p.50

FAITH

Restructure Nigeria now –Archbishop Martins

L-R: Chancellor, Lagos Archdiocese, Monsignor, Anthony Obanla; Director, Social Communications, Monsignor Gabriel Osu and Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Matins, during the press briefing on the State of the Nation and the commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the Archbishop of Lagos, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE Tai Anyanwu and Nwagbara Chidinma

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The Archbishop of Lagos Diocese, Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins has advised the Federal Government to embark on political restructuring of Nigeria without further delay.

Martins gave the advice during a media chat marking his fourth anniversary as Archbishop of Lagos, at the Holy cross Cathedral, Lagos Island.

The Catholic Chief shepherd in the‘ centre of Excellence’ condemned the current practice of federalism in Nigeria pointing out that it falls short of a true federal system of government.

“In recent times, there have been renewed calls for restructuring of the country in order that it may be a true federation. I cannot but concur; the federal structure that we have practiced over the years is not been truly federal.

“It has only succeeded in making the so called federating units to be solely dependent on the centre that doles out money accruing mainly from the sales of oil rather than encourage them to develop their potentials.

“How long will we allow this to continue? I believe that we have no justifiable reason to be in the state of recession that we have found ourselves in.”

The archbishop added that it is very

shameful that despite all the gifts that ernment has not applied similar force nature has so graciously bestowed on to check Fulani herdsmen who are still Nigeria, the country is still categorised bringing havoc in the country: “The same among the poor countries of the world. precision that was used in taking care of “The most unfortunate is that our the Arepo area should also be used in aduniversities, polytechnics and colleges dressing this insecurity”. of education turn out millions of highly He also took a swipe on the Federal skilled people each year only for many of Government’s recent appointments statthem to end up as Okada riders and hawk- ing that it seemed to favour only a parers. Is it not shameful that over 20 states ticular section of the country which gives have been unable to pay their workers for the impression that there are no compemany months now? How long will this tent hands in other parts. continue. This is the time to tell ourselves “The appointments should be national the gospel truth by calling a spade, spade. in outlook to reflect equity and fair play” Let us look beyond partisan politics and Martins said. do the needful by restructuring the counHe, however, commended the governtry in the part of true federalism so that ment for looking beyond oil and giving each of the federating units can develop attention to other ways of diversifying itself unencumbered,” he said. our economy such as solid mineral exHe also frowned at the ploration and agriculture. state of insecurity “No country that practices mono econThis in the country, omy can survive in these hard times,” is the time to noting that in he added. recent times, Bishop Adewale urged Islamic tell ourselves the gospel there have leaders to caution and stop their truth by calling a spade, spade. been efforts followers from killing, burning Let us look beyond partisan to douse the churches, but should encourpolitics and do the needful by problems in age them to show more love to restructuring the country in Ibafo and their Christian brothers and sisArepo arters so as to get rid of religious the part of true federalism so eas of Ogun intolerance. that each of the federating State.

He also urged law enforcement units can develop itself The Archagencies to do their very best to unencumbered bishop, however, safeguard the people of the nation. wondered why gov-

TAI ANYANWU HEAD, RELIGOUS DESK titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph © Daily Telegraph Publishing

Woman accuses Catholic school of ignoring sex abuse by teacher

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woman is filing a lawsuit claiming a former teacher sexually assaulted her for years, and claims school administrators knew it was happening and did nothing to stop it.

According to the lawsuit, the unidentified victim claims former Marian High School physical education teacher and sports coach Diane Ryszewski sexually abused the then 14-year-old girl between 1975-1977.

The victim claims the assaults occurred daily, according to the lawsuit.

Shortly after the victim started high school Ryszewski, who was her coach, took a strong interest in her and eventually arraigned for the victim to live with her at her Hopkinton home, the lawsuit said.

During the time Ryszewski allegedly provided the victim with alcohol and drugs and engaged in continuous acts of sex abuse and rape.

The lawsuit claims that administrators, teachers and students knew of previous claims of abuse against Ryszewski before she allegedly abused the victim.

Nahum’s tomb

Jewish official fights to save Nahum’s tomb

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herd Mamsani, the Jewish representative of the Iraqi Kurdistan’s Ministry of Endowment and Religious, is fighting to save the tomb of the Biblical Prophet Nahum from decay.

The Prophet Nahum, whose tomb is located in the town of Al Qosh, is known for predicting the fall of the Assyrian Empire.

The tomb lies inside a synagogue in the Christian town of Al Qosh. The synagogue is guarded by a Christian family. In recent years Jewish groups have been visiting the grave, and concern has been growing about the tomb’s proximity to areas where the Islamic State is active.

“We demand all the historical heritage preservation organizations, the United Nations, UNESCO, the KRG and all the representatives of countries in Kurdistan help to prevent the destruction of this historical monument,” Mamsani said.

“Preventing the destruction of this building is the responsibility of us all. Our call is not a call to ask for money or financial assistance. Our call is just to tell the world that the Iraqi government destroyed many of the historic sites in Iraq and Iran,” Mamsani added.

“Now we are like the Jews, the Kurds do not accept the continuation of the demolition and collapse of any of our history,” he said.

However, UNESCO told the Jerusalem Post the organization could not help because Kurdistan is not a country.

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Stop robbing God, Adeboye warns

Boko Haram leader vows to recover lost territories, fight Christians Tai Anyanwu

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(WITH AGENCY REPORTS)

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he General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has enjoined members of the church to obey every divine pronouncement.

He was specifically warning members on the dangers of not paying their tithes and vows. To drive home the point, Adeboye explained that there are two houses: “One is built on the Rock and the other is built on sand---both look alright and beautiful until there is a storm.”

The G O stressed that at a time like this when government finds it difficult to pay workers’ salaries; God has a way of defending His own people.

“Go back and tell your members to stop robbing God. Tell them not to fail in the payment of their tithes and vows. “The reason you must pay your tithes and vows,” he insisted, “is that nobody knows when trouble will come. When trouble comes, God has a defense for His people, but such defense cannot be extended to those who are disobedient to His Word.”

Turning to RCCG pastors, Adeboye added: “Ensure the message is delivered undiluted to the members of the church. God loves a cheerful giver and that they should make sure they do not owe or rob God.” Buttressing the point with relevant scriptural passages, Pastor Adeboye continued: “Not only must they give to God cheerfully; they must at all-time honour Him.” He also reminded members of the church that Jesus Christ said His Father is greater than him and therefore no one can take His children from Me, emphasising that the father who protects the child of God can Himself tear the disobedient children away as a consequence of disobedience.

Adeboye also reiterated his earlier warning to the church during the Ministers

Conference which preceded the convention pointing out that anyone who introduces tribalism into the mission will die a sudden, violent and premature death.

He warned that the church belongs to God and the moment one is born again, one automatically becomes a native of the Kingdom of God; and added that upon that realization, he has never asked anybody of his/her state of origin.

His words: “Tell all your friends that I’ve prayed a prayer that anyone, whoever, tries to introduce tribalism into RCCG shall die like Ananias and Sapphira died suddenly and prematurely; anyone including the G.O. himself,” Daddy G.O. repeated the announcement of the promotions and the additional eight provinces that have just been created, for the benefit of those who did not attend the ministers’ conference.

Consequently, Ekiti is now a Region of its own.

He also prayed for all who invested their resources to contribute to the building of the new 3 kilometre by 3 kilometre auditorium currently under construction saying that God will build for all those who have in one way or the other contributed to the construction.

Adeboye urged the pastors to tell all those who have not done so, that God will not forget.

RCCG ministers, including pastors and their spouses, must from now make a habit of attending house fellowships and all workers’ meetings, he directed.

Raffles to raise money for any church activity is prohibited, he stated, just as he told the pastors that incessant levies on members for unworthy enterprises are hereby prohibited. “If we want to build and members can see what you want to build, you can go ahead; but levies for other personal activities must be channeled through the G.O.’s office.

he new Boko Haram leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi, has announced what appears to be a major shift in strategy for the extremist Islamic group which has unleashed a reign of terror in some parts of Nigeria especially the North Eastern state of Borno.

Shortly after ISIS, its affiliate international terror group had named Al-Barnawi as new Boko haram leader in Nigeria, he declared that Boko haram’s focus under his watch is to bomb churches, fight against Christianization of the society and recover lost territories in Nigeria.

In an interview with the BBC, Al-Barnawi hinted that he is particularly unhappy with Christian donor agencies who he said are making available relief materials to internally displaced persons in the North East and in the process are Christianizing them.

For this purpose, he de-

clared that Boko Haram will now concentrate on fighting the Christianisation of society by bombing churches, and focusing their efforts on attaching Christian humanitarian groups.

Al-Barnawi, who was the spokesman of Boko Haram under Abubakar Shekau, is featured in the latest edition of ISIS newspaper, al-Nabba. In the report, which was translated by SITE Intelligent Group, Al-Barnawi said his group “remained a force to be reckoned with” adding that Boko Haram had been drawing new recruits - all of whom had vowed to fight “Christianization of society.”

The Islamic terror leader also said that instead of targeting fellow Muslims at mosques and marketplaces as did in the past, Boko Haram will focus on attacking Christian humanitarian groups that “exploit the condition of those who are displaced under the raging war, providing them with food and shelter and

then Christianizing their children.”

The militants will respond to that threat by “boobytrapping and blowing up every church that we are able to reach, and killing all of those (Christians) who we find from the citizens of the cross,” Al-Barnawi said.

He also vowed that under his leadership, Boko Haram will work to take back territory. It will be recalled that the group, which lost most of the territory it controlled 18 months ago, to the Nigerian Military.

According the New York Post, Al-Barnawi’s declaration indicates a “major shift in strategy” for the Muslim extremists who have killed many more Muslims than Christians in attacks on mosques with suicide bombers and gunmen.

Established in 2002, Boko Haram initially focused on opposing Western-style education. However, under the leadership of Al-Barnawi, the terrorist group became more radical, carried out more killings and swore allegiance to ISIS in March

2015. Today, Boko Haram refers to itself as IS’ “West African province”.

Over the past seven years, the group has killed more than 20,000 people and drove more than 2.2 million from their homes, and still stages suicide bombings in northeast Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Just last month, it was revealed that under a quarter of a million children in Nigeria’s north eastern state of Borno suffer from life-threatening malnourishment due to the group’s disruption of trade and healthcare.

According to UNICEF: “Some 134 children on average will die every day from causes linked to acute malnutrition if the response is not scaled up quickly,” said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF’s regional director for western and central Africa.

Last week, Boko Haram ambushed a humanitarian convoy, killing three civilians including a UN employee and causing the brief suspension of UN aid to Nigeria’s northeast.

Starving children in one of the IDP camps in Borno State

Last words of murdered French priest: ‘Begone, Satan!’

‘B

egone, Satan!’ meaning ‘go away Satan’, were the last words of murdered French Priest, Father Jacques Hamel, uttered before two Islamic State terrorists slit his throat, after forcing him to his knees before the altar where he had been saying morning Mass, Life Site News has reported. And as the 85-year-old priest tried to push the attackers away

with his feet, he repeated again, “Begone, Satan!” recounted the archbishop of Rouen during his homily for Father Hamel’s two-hour funeral Mass on Tuesday.

“Evil is a mystery. It reaches heights of horror that take us out of the human,” Archbishop Dominique Lebrun told a congregation of more than 1,500 people that included Muslims, Jews, and state leaders, who gathered in the

ancient Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Rouen, a port city in Normandy.

“Is not that what you meant, Jacques, with your last words? You fell to the ground after the first stab; you tried to push your attacker with your feet, and you said, ‘Go away, Satan,’” Lebrun said.

“Again you said, ‘Begone, Satan.’ In this you expressed

your faith in humanity, created good, but gripped by the devil,” added the prelate, in a translation provided by Aleteia.

Father Hamel was slain July 26 in the parish church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen, by 19-year-olds Abdel Malik Petitjean and Adel Kermiche, who were later shot dead by police as they ran from the church.

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FAITH

INTERVIEW

Network marketing is solution to poverty in Africa – Rev. Kome The General Overseer of God’s Kingdom International Christian Centre, who pioneered network marketing business model in Nigeria, Rev. John Kome, invites unemployed Nigerians to explore opportunities to make real money in the multilateral business model, in this interview with TAI ANYANWU

Congratulations. How do you feel at 50?

Thank you. In the first place, I thank God for helping me to clock 50. To me, I don’t feel 50 anyway. As you can see, I still have a lot of life in me. I think I am just starting the second phase of my life. I will devote this second phase to serve humanity although I have been doing that for the past 20 something years. But now, I want to dedicate the rest of my life touching peoples’ lives; and talking to people who are responsible for making the lives of human beings easier such as government, groups and NGOs. What has influenced your decision to touch lives?

I came from a struggling background where I had to fend for myself. At a very young age, I found myself in the Nigerian Army Children School. I left the school and joined the Army. All my life has been all about struggling, right from my childhood.

And this is the message I have for Nigerians.

You don’t wait for anybody to help you. Try to be creative, help yourself. You should be a man or a woman full of initiatives. Always look for one way or the other to survive. We should not wait for government. Well, what is happening in our society today does not give room for anybody to wait for government to help him or her. If government won’t create the enabling environment for you to survive create one for yourself. God created all of us with potentials. Use those potential to create a future for yourself. As a person, my background helped me to face the future with so much hope. I believe that one can succeed; the first 40 or 50 years of a man are used to create the type of future one would like to have. The humbling background I passed through in the past 50 years gave me the hope that the future will be very bright.

What motivated you to write the book on network marketing being launched to mark your 50th birthday celebration?

Network marketing today has created a lot of opportunities for Nigerians. You heard all the testimonies today; those are people who are earning four to five million naira monthly. One of them was an Okada rider; the other young man was a frustrated teacher. They all joined network marketing at one time or the other; but see their story today. When the young man that called himself the ‘king of network marketing’ drove in, I thought it was the Governor of Ogun State that drove in. He came with three jeeps each worth about N22 million. Escort or outriders led his entourage, he bought those jeeps. This is a young man who was frustrated. He met me at Ijebu-Igbo where I was speaking and he joined the business. Today that young man is worth over N600 million in cash; assets wise, he is worth more than N1.3 billion. This is the vision I had when I saw network marketing in America through a South African resident in Ghana.

I knew then that if network marketing could come into Nigeria, it is going to empower Nigerians. So, I took the next available plane back, to introduce network marketing to Nigeria about 18 years ago. Today you can see the story. Now millions of Nigerians have joined this business and they have created future for themselves and their families. My dream of introducing network marketing into Nigeria is being achieved on

a daily basis. Don’t forget, we have close to 30 or more network marketing businesses in Nigeria. The GNLD was the one I brought in earliest. Now, we have Forever Living Products, Tienshi, Tarsely, Greenlife Organogold, and many others. I am happy and grateful that God used me to start this business model in Nigeria.

The then Senate President, Pius Anyim, launched it with me in the presence of the American, the Europeans who came down with me to the officially launching of the company, on behalf of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo regime.

Abike Dabiri then of NTA Newsline, asked me on February 24, 2001: “Are you sure that this company will create jobs for Nigerians.

Are you sure this will drive away poverty in Nigeria?” I told her to watch and see in the next five to ten years. As I speak, we have thousands and millions of people whose lives have been transformed financially and otherwise because they got involved with network marketing.

In what other way has network marketing benefitted Nigerians?

It is in the area of health, because this business model brought in nutrition. A lot of people who would have been in the grave today are alive because they are using the nutritional products of these companies.

They are healthy today. May be I wouldn’t have been alive now. The doctor also told my mother in-law to go home and die. We took her home to and die; but God saved her because in two weeks, I brought in the nutritional products of GNLD and gave to her. Today she is alive. The products have changed the health status of many Nigerians.

I will like to give the credit to Chief Obasanjo, who saw the wonders of these products and incidentally the former Senate President, Pius Anyim, who had a health challenge. He used the products they did miracles in his live. Hence, Anyim practically performed the official launch of the company products.

Apart from the Senate President, many people in high places have used our products.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo used one of our products called Super Gro in his farm; it is a wonderful liquid fertilizer. Governor Isa Yuguda also used it in his farm. Be it health, agro or skin cares products; they are wonderful products and wonderful business opportunities.

I want Nigerians, who have lost their jobs either in the banking, public or private sectors, to consider a business in network marketing. The book will help them. Many of them believe that network marketing is for riffraff or those who carry bags up and down, No. When they read this book, they

Incidentally, there was a particular Director General (DG) of NAFDAC who made sure these products were not registered until Chief Pius Anyim discovered the efficacy of the products.

When Chief Obasanjo then asked that if these products were so good why are they not registered in Nigeria?

Kome will know what it is all about. Though it is not voluminous, it provides the basics. I enjoin all Nigerians to pick up the book, make sure that they read, understand it and get involved in network marketing.

Today you are telling a success story, how was the beginning like?

The beginning of everything is always very hard, rough, uninteresting, discouraging. If you ask (Aliko) Dangote this same question, he will tell the same story. Starting something is not an easy job. Introducing network marketing was not an easy job, because the product came from Ghana. Several times, the Nigerian Police and Immigration officers arrested me. The gendarme in Togo and Benin Republic also had me arrested.

They accused me of bringing illegal drugs into their countries. They called it a ‘drug’; our products were confiscated. Many times, I had to go to the police station to give health education that the products were not drugs but food supplements. They did not believe that. All NAFDAC did was say they would jail me unless the products were registered.

Incidentally, there was a particular Director General (DG) of NAFDAC who made sure these products were not registered until Chief Pius Anyim discovered the efficacy of the products. When Chief Obasanjo then asked that if these products were so good why are they not registered in Nigeria?

I was called upon and I told them that a particular DG of NEFDAC is the cog in the wheel of progress. The products that could not be registered after three years of seeking became registered in just 72 hours. The DG was removed and Dr. Dora Akunyili was then made the DG. Then the mother company in the US saw the need to launch GNLD officially in Nigeria. The journey to

achieving anything in life is not easy, but if one is determined, focused and consistent, one will definitely hit the golden line.

Is true then that the days of pen pushing may be permanently gone?

To an extent; before network marketing came into Nigeria, the pen was taking the jobs. Without the pen we won’t be educated today, the white collar jobs must not end. People go to the university and other educational pursuits with the intention of getting a job. But I always tell people, there are four groups of people in the world according to Dr. Robert Kiosaki of America.

The first group is the employee. They want to work for people, they are servants and all their lives they want to earn salaries. Salaries will not take you anywhere. No matter the salary you are taken, one day you will be fired. Some people were making money in the banks with pens; today many of them are fired and have gone back to the unemployment market.

The others group is the self-employed, the lawyers, doctors, accountants. What happens to a doctor when he dies? Will the wife and children take over the practice? No. So, being self- employed is good. The third group is the business owners. When you join network marketing you become a business owner. The business owners control the entire world. They are the Dangotes of this world, the Bill Gates, Ford Motors, and the McDonalds. They start small, but business grows. I started small but today, I am into network marketing, oil and gas, education, schools and have many investments today.

The forth is the I group; they are investments.

Business owners are investors; they don’t go poor. People should better be investors rather than going for pen pushing jobs.

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FAITH

Christianity explodes in unlikely Desist from sin –Adeboye places despite persecution

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hristians in Iran face imprisonment, beatings, and even death.

But the Church continues to grow at a rapid rate Christian Breaking News has reported.

In 1979, when the Islamic revolution swept to power there were only about 500 Muslim Background Believers, according to the reference book “Operation World.” It estimates that today there are at least 100,000 MBB’s and [in] some places the number [is] as high as 1 million.

Dissatisfaction with the harsh Islamic regime and disillusionment with Islam in general are part of the shift, but the main reason is bold outreach by Christians inside the country, Mark Howard of Elam

Ministries told CBN News.

Elam Ministries works to strengthen the Iranian Church both inside the country and among the diaspora living in the Middle East and Europe.

“I think first and foremost we have to acknowledge that many people have been praying for Iran for a long time and that the Lord is doing something special in that region,” he said.

Powerful testimonies of people from all walks of life—including hardened criminals, Muslims imams, and abused women—are finding faith in Christ are pouring out of Iran, Howard wrote in a blog on The Gospel Coalition web page.

He told the story of Fatemah, a young Muslim girl who was sexually abused by her brothers

from a young age. When she was 11-years-old her family sold her into marriage, but soon her husband divorced her and sent her back. Facing the prospect of more sexual abuse, Fatemah ran away and began living on the streets.

It was there that she heard about Jesus and gave her life to Him. She began attending church and married a Christian man. As she and her husband, Howard, attended a ministry training session hosted by Elam Ministries, Fatemah sensed the Lord telling her to go back and minister to her family.

Her husband struggled with the decision.

“He told the Lord, ‘I can’t love these people after what they’ve done to my

wife, but give me Your love for them,’” Howard said.

When they returned, the family listened to the Gospel message and they all turned to Christ. Today, their home is a house church and Fatemah is one of the leaders.

Fatemah’s story “speaks to the tragic beauty ... of so many testimonies that come out of that region,” Howard said.

It demonstrates not just the saving power of the Gospel, but its transforming power, as well.

“The Lord saves us, but the Gospel’s also full of the power to redeem and the power to restore and to bring reconciliation and her testimony really speaks to that and shows it in a very powerful, tangible way,” he said

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he General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has warned Christians to do everything to desist from sin.

Adeboye made the call in a sermon titled; “You Shall Be Made Whole”, at the ongoing 2016 Annual Convention of the church.

He warned that sin hinders God’s glory and gives room for sickness which, he described, as an agent of death.

“At creation, there was no sickness but sickness and death came in when man entangled himself with sin by being disobedient to God’s instruction,” Adeboye added.

According to him, sin is contagious and it is an insulator that separates man from God.

Pope Francis counsels Olympic athletes

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Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi (left), with the newly ordained bishop of Ihiala Anglican communion, His Lordship, Most Rev. Prof. Isreal Okoye and other clergy men, after his ordination at Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday

Cleric advises S’west govs to be prayerful Babatope Okeowo

AKURE

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rom the pulpit has come a warning to the governors of the southwest geo-political zone to be prayerful so as not to lose one of them before the end of the year.

The Pastor-in-Charge of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) God’s Power Chapel, Akure, the Ondo State capital, Pastor Kola Ade in his sermon to his congregation said a governor in the zone needs prayers so as not to die after brief illness.

Also, the Cleric said God revealed to him that the Chibok girls will not be freed at once but will be escaping from Boko Ha-

ram’s captivity one after the other.

Pastor Ade, who claimed to have been in a trance for some days, said: “God revealed to me that one governor lost his life after a brief sickness. The governor was seen being rushed out of his office with people wailing and crying, while his state was thrown into pandemonium and mourning.”

The Cleric advised the governors to always let the fear of God be the utmost in all their dealings and stop trampling upon their people or dealing with them treacherously so that the anger and judgment of God would not be visited

on them.

The Pastor said the governors are advised to have the fear of God and be mindful of a fact that Nigerians are God’s loved people as they remain the most prayerful people in the contemporary world.

On the Chibok girls, the Cleric said the parents of the girls need to be prayerful and that the God who liberated the Israelites from the bondage of King Pharaoh of Egypt will also free them from the bondage of the Boko Haram.

Pastor Ade said it was revealed to him that the missing girls were still alive because they were seen dusting their bodies

as they were coming out from a mysterious bush individually.

This, he said indicated that the girls are not all dead and that they would still come back alive, but the date and time that they would join their parents have not been revealed.

He advised the conveners of the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaign to exert their energy on prayers rather than put all their energies on protest and rallies, noting that God is the only one who can locate and bring them back alive.

He added that the girls returning home is not by might or power of any mortal.

Adeboye therefore warned that every act of sin must be dealt with before divine healing can take place in a man’s life.

His words: “At the creation there was no sickness, because in the beginning, everything that God created was good and perfect. It was sin that brings sickness. It is an agent of death.

“Sin is contagious, once a believer messes him or herself with sin, such person’s prayer will become irrelevant and God cannot answer such prayer.”

Pastor Adeboye further highlighted that healing is good but wholeness is better, noting that God can cure the incurable, God can reverse the irreversible, can recreate, God can heal one person among a multitude and He has the power to heal all people.

Just two days before the Opening Ceremonies for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Pope Francis offered a message to those who will be competing in the international games.

“In a world thirsting for peace, tolerance, and reconciliation, I hope that the spirit of the Olympic Games inspires all – participants and spectators – to ‘fight the good fight’ and finish the race together,” he said.

The Holy Father voiced hope that in competing this year, the Olympic athletes will desire “to obtain as a prize, not a medal, but something much more precious: the construction of a civilization in which solidarity reigns and is based upon the recognition that we are all members of the same human family, regardless of the differences of culture, skin color, or religion.”

Pope Francis offered these words at the conclusion of his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on August, 3 He offered a warm greeting to the people of Brazil saying, “I hope that this will be an opportunity to overcome difficult moments and commit…to working as a team to build a more just and safe country, betting all on a future full of hope and joy.”

During his general audience, the Pope also reflected on his recent trip for Poland, where he attended World Youth Day with some one million international pilgrims last week.

As part of the trip, he visited the Auschwitz-Birke-

nau concentration camp, where approximately one million people – primarily Jews – were killed during the Holocaust.

Pope Francis reflected on “the great silence” of his time at the concentration camp, saying that it “was more eloquent than any word spoken could have been. In that silence I listened: I felt the presence of all the souls who passed through that place; I felt the compassion, the mercy of God, which a few holy souls were able to bring even into that abyss.”

“In that great silence, I prayed for all the victims of violence and war: and there, in that place, I realized more than ever how precious is memory; not only as a record of past events, but as a warning, and a responsibility for today and tomorrow, that the seed of hatred and violence not be allowed to take root in the furrows of history.” He noted the cruelties that still exist in today’s world and offered a prayer for peace.

But despite the pain and suffering faced by many today, there is hope in the youth, Pope Francis said, pointing to his experience with the young people at World Youth Day. “Poland, with its rich cultural and spiritual heritage today reminds us that Europe has no future apart from its founding values, centered on the Christian vision of man and including the message of mercy expressed so eloquently in the last century by Saints John Paul and Faustina Kowalska,” he said.

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Body&Soul with

Wole Adepoju 07037763410

Recognition for Leo Stan Ekeh

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t is certainly an open secret that Imo state born Leo Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh, who is fondly referred to as Leo Stan, is not just a factor but a pioneer as far as the ICT industry in Nigeria is concerned as his level of accomplishment speaks volumes of his deep involvement in that sector.

The shot-caller at flourishing Zinox Group who has made a fortune out of his involvement in the ICT world and has given so much back to the society, has just consolidated on the numerous recognitions he has gotten for his foresight and bravery to have delved into this sector when not many were ready to delve into a business that was relatively strange. Leo Stan, at the recently held Nigeria Telecoms Awards, was bestowed with the recognition of Africa ICT man of the year. From a desktop publishing outpost, Leo has taken the digital world by storm, building one of the biggest ICT conglomerates in Africa.

Olu Okeowo eyes next level C

hief Olu Okeowo might not be one of those who love to be loud with whatever they do, but one fact that cannot be disputed about the dark skinned and articulate dude is that he’s been able to do very well for himself and has touched as many lives as possible as a way of reaching out. As a real estate operator, his influence cannot be wished away neither can he be shoved aside when those who matter in the real estate world are up for discussion.

As much as he does not make noise, his taste for good things is second to none and as such, he’s got houses that are worth their while. He has also got state of the art cars in numbers.

According to information at our disposal Okeowo is set to move to another level by erecting a house that is said will be one of the most beautiful in Lagos when it’s eventually completed. He’s said to be planning to relocate from his park view mansion to a house which has gulped funds in no little measure in Banana Island.

Tokunbo Modupe, wife relish happy times C ity big boy cum politician who sits atop flourishing and leading P.R firm, TPT, Akogun Adetokunbo Modupe, is one dude who is endeared to various classes of people for different reasons. While his success as a professional is a source of inspiration to many, he’s admired by others for his great looks and flawless dress sense among several qualities he possesses. Having said that, it will not be out of place to say he’s done very well at the home front as he’s been able to keep his home intact with the complementary effort of his beautiful wife, Funmilayo.

Meanwhile, it’s note-worthy to reveal the couple are indeed relishing happy times as they have been basking in the euphoria of having a time-tested, love-filled and grace-endowed union over many years. The amazing couple few days ago celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary of being together as man and wife.

Top designer, Uche Ibezue, buries dad S

leepy town of Indi-Imaga Elu in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, few days ago, came alive when US based leading light in the fashion world, Uche Ibezue, buried her father, a former national security manager of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, Hon. Prince Paul Udonsi.

Top politicians, businessmen and government functionaries, among other eminent Nigerians, were present at the two-day event to honour the deceased who was also a former national director of security, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and National Director of Special Duties, Joint Mobile Sanitation Agency of Nigeria.

Frontline creative designer who sits atop one of the most sought after fashion houses, O’ Mak Designs, Uche, over the years, has gone around the world to be part of major fashion shows and exhibitions to showcase her works while she has also encouraged many who are interested in the fashion world through African Arts and Fashion Initiative founded

by Princess Fifi Ejindu.

Tina Ogundoyin slows her roll T hose who are in tune with the social cirle, especially in the South West area of the country will not find it difficult placing who Tina Ogundoyin is. This woman of substance has, over the years, been one of the faces who have made the social circle tick as no societ event worth its onion is complete without the presence of the likes of her. Meanwhile, some of the reasons adduced to the vintage position she occupies is that she’s one of the widows of late socialite and successful businessman, Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, just as her disarming beauty

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

and in-depth sense of fashion endears her to many.

What has been noticed of this woman, who is also known as Queen Sheba, in recent times, however, is that she has relaxed a lot with her activities and appearances on the social radar.

However, the business woman who is now given to being in her shell broke newly set protocol to support one of her ilk as she was recently sighted at a societal function where she was resplendently dressed and shone like a star.

Omosede Igbinedion over the moon B

y virtue of her background as the daughter of Edo State born money bag, the Esama of Benin kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Gabriellla Omosede, just like her siblings enjoyed the opportunity of being under the spotlight. But far above some of her siblings, she is today, no doubt one of the most popular among her siblings. Many will agree that her one in town wedding, some years back, further gave her away to the public consciousness.

Beautiful and fleshy graduate of Law, Omosede in a societal wedding, got married to the son of the younger brother of late Oba of Benin, Prince Akenzua, but unfortunately, the union could not stand the test of time as it collapsed not too long after, but certainly not without a fruit from the union. Omosede has since moved on with life as she is presently a member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly House of Representatives, representing Ovia North East and Ovia South West. Of course, the beautiful lawmaker has been committed to contributing her quota to having a more effective and independent democratic legislation which she’s happy about but beyond that, she’s got a source that makes her happiness and joy know no bound which is her son, Prince Alexander.

Those who are in the know will steadily agree that Omosede is so pleased and happy having the boy as her son.

The lawmaker recently had reason to come all out expressing her good cheer at watching the boy grow as she was obviously over the moon seeing the boy clock the significant age of seven. Expectedly, Honorable Igbinedion did all she could to make Prince Alex, as the birthday boy is called, have a fun-filled and memorable day for those who came to felicitate with them.

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Body&Soul

POTPOURRI

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

With Biwom Iklaki

Weight watchers community

​Trend du jour

Weight loss cheat tips 1) Avoid fad diets: these diets just leave you deprived and craving more which leads to binges.

Or, you could be successful on the one hand but they are not realistic for keeping the weight off on the long term.

2) Eat less, move more: this is as close to a hard and fast rule to losing weight as it gets really. When you tell yourself the truth, you are better prepared to face it and seek solutions. When you consume fewer calories and burn even more calories, you begin to eat into the reserves of stored up fat to create energy for your workouts. The end result is a leaner you.

3) Diversify your workouts: do not stick to a particular workout only; in fact, the trick is to work out many muscle groups at the same time. When you do, it speeds up your cardiovascular activity which is what you get when you strength train which can be seen as a time saver and quick fat burner as compared with aerobics.

4) Lunch smart: pick a restaurant close to your office so that you just walk there at your lunch time.

That way, you are sneaking in more activity to your day. While you are there, choose smartly. Watch out for meal choices with hidden calories. You may be better off eating a salad with salsa than the fatty dressing available.

Money talks 10 money saving laws part 1

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hese laws will help you save your money and your life by extension. We all know that we should save for the rainy day…in theory but applying this concept to actual everyday life is easier said than done. However, following these laws below may help you achieve this if you stick with them.

Save your money: in saving money, you have to try to save your money as often as possible. Always resist the urge to pay out everything you earn.

You work so hard for your money so look at it as paying yourself first before anyone or anything. You can arrange for your money to be deducted at source or paid in directly to a savings or retirement account that is separate from your expenditure account.

Avoid new debt: this goes without saying doesn’t it? Although there are some loans you cannot avoid like paying for your home. Many people cannot afford to do this in one go. However, if you must take a loan, pay a large part of the sum upfront to avoid the ex-

tra charges or interest rates that will make it more expensive in the long run than if you were able to pay upfront.

Set goals for yourself: This concept applies to almost every aspect of your life; it is easier to save if you have something that you are saving for. In losing weight, you set goals for yourself, so also in your career, academics, etc. You have to also check your progress once in a while. Look at where you are in saving, where you are going and how far you have come.

Get a realistic time frame:

depending on what you are saving for, your time frames have to be a s reasonable as possible. For instance, the time frame for saving for your home payment or retirement fund for instance will definitely be longer than that for your yearly vacations and car repairs.

Budget, budget budget! Before your income comes in at the end of the month, draw up a list and designate an amount for each item so that when the money does come in, you are less likely to over spend or spend recklessly.

Cat eye sunglasses

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ew sunglasses frame as many faces as the cat eye frames do. It is easy to pick off any pair of frames and set on your face, however, whether they suit you or not is another discussion entirely.

Such questions do not arise where the cat frames are concerned. They are currently a favourite and it is not hard to see why.

You are indeed style safe because they frame all face types and keep you in a fashionable high while taking your get up from regular to star quality. It doesn’t hurt also to wear the cat eye sunglasses which is a style reminiscent of the 70s. bring out your inner old school by spotting a fabulous and fun rhinestone or bead encrusted pair.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Table runners Biwom Iklaki

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ur tables are often the focal point of the kitchen, especially if yours is in the centre of the kitchen. So, just as your window dressing has to be in tune with the theme of your kitchen décor, so also does your table dressing. Now, it is very normal to have cold feet about what you put on your table as regards décor because you want to consider if they are child friendly (for those with kids), attract dirt, etc. You may want to have these in mind when you choose your table runner. Luckily, there is a plethora of choices to be made. This episode

will encourage you to look into the variety of options you have for table runners; sewn together doilies, crochet, patch work of fabrics designed like blankets, pieces of fun coasters paired for a fun finish. These are just a few suggestions. Depending on your theme, colour, personality, etc, remember it does not have to be one single entity; you can bring together a knock out table runner which you can whip up in a flourish to keep your dinner guests amazed always. An experience that would go straight beyond just the meals you serve and keep you the centre of their kitchen décor for a time to come.

GET A

Love is taking a long time to find me

I know that a lot of ladies might be in the same shoe that I’m but oftentimes, I feel as if I’m the only woman in the world that is not married. At 40 years, I’ve no child or husband to call my own. I don’t even have a real boyfriend! The only men that come my way are only those ones that want to take advantage of me either for sex or for money.

Funny enough, I can read their evil intentions from a mile away. Now the year is slowly grinding to the end and yet I’m still single. I’m confused on the way forward and really need help. How do I tell that these men who are flocking around me truly want to marry me or are they just coming for what they could get out of my lonely heart? Pease, I need serious advice.

Bisola , Ibadan Too many secrets between us

I met the most amazing man I’ve ever dated in my love and fell madly in love with him and he seems to love me as well. The only problem

SOULMATE

Send SMS only to 07057201814 or vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

is that I’ve too many secrets between us. How can I tell him that I was once a ‘runz girl’ in Italy and I was among the ladies deported back to Nigeria two years ago? How can I also tell him that the 10 year girl with my parents who calls me ‘Aunty’ is actually my daughter that I had when I was just 15 years old? Yes, I’ve changed and want to be a better person but I’m afraid that my past mistakes might ruin my present future. I don’t see any man that will agree to marry me after hearing my sordid past. So is it really wise to tell him the truth now or wait after we were married?

Please I need your advice.

Adesuwa, Benin City Can I find an honourable woman in Nigeria?

I’m a guy that has been living

abroad for so many years but relocated back to Nigeria in 2015. I have a seven year old son with a white lady and very close to him. My ex even agreed to let my son come back to Nigeria with me and we’ve settled into our new apartment the oil company I work with got for us. The only problem I’ve right now is to find a good woman as wife and mother to my son. Unfortunately, the women I’ve been introduced to all want marriage but they lack character. They are so materialistic! Is money all Nigerian women think about? Can’t I find a decent woman among the lot who will love me for real? Please if you have contacts of this good girl that is ready for marriage, please contact me Charles, Abuja

I am Honey, male living in Enugu. I need a sweet girl for love-07087699800, 08074600653 I am Prince 48 year’s old, handsome, well-built and educated Christian living in Lagos and a business man. I need a mature caring and understanding, pretty and God fearing lady who is a medical doctor or a legal practitioner only, between 30 and 40 years for serious relationship that can lead to marriage-08039533557 My name is Taju Samson. I need a serious relationship between 20-30 years in age. She must be religious-08034120038 I am Lanre, 38 years old based in Lagos. I need a lady as a soul mate-08122203733 I am Larry, 30 years old residing in Lagos. I am 6ft tall chocolate in complexion. I hold a degree in engineering and self-sufficient with an upbeat kind of personality. I need a pretty Yoruba lady who is working and financially independent-08028553096 Teryila is my name. I need a dark beautiful lady between 23-26 years old for a God fearing relationship/friendship. I am 27 years old-07068161004 My name is Samuel, 32 years old man from Ogun State, Christian a graduate and working. I am 5ft 7’’ tall, chocolate in complexion and based in Lagos. I need a lady between 22-30 years. She must be educated and can come from any tribe for a serious relationship.-08189718798 I am Joey, 31 years old working in Lagos. I am 5.11ft tall. I need a female friend from across the country between ages 28-35 years old. No married woman please-07055677783 I am Oyeniyi, 34 years old, based in Lagos and a Chemistry graduate; I need a lady between 28-32 years for a serious relationship. She can be a Christian or a Muslim-07059833728

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Body&Soul

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Break up with a liar

eing lied to by someone you love and felt you could trust is a very painful experience even for the strongest of all humans.

Love can cause you to forgive their lies over and over again before you come to your senses and realise that you’ve been in love with a LIAR. Your friends may tell you to break up with that person and spare yourself further heartbreak, but it’s not so easy to break away when you’ve become attached to a person for a relatively long time. Most times you enter into denial, making flimsy excuses to hang on to that relationship when you know you deserve someone better that will not put you through unnecessary stress.

You have to ask yourself this question: is being lied to your idea of love and respect? A person that lies is just showing his/her true colours. It is a reflection of who they truly are on the inside. When someone constantly lies, they are invariably showing you they don’t care about you or your feelings for them. It does not make any difference how little or big the lie may be because a lie is still a lie.

Once you give a person lead way to start lying, and they see that you keep forgiving them over and over; they’ll start to take advantage of the love you feel for them and use it to their advantage.

Take Oreofe’s situation for instance.

She was in a relationship where she

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CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

was lied to repeatedly. She would hear about him cheating on her from different people and confront him about it only to forgive him and take him back so he could do the same thing all over again. She would find text messages in his phone and see his call log where he called different women with pseudo names just to hide it from her, yet she would find out. She had all the proof she needed

to dump him but she still continued to condone this ill treatment because she was too emotionally attached to even think about break up. What ended their relationship was when she found out he cheated on her with another woman and got her pregnant.

That was when she knew it was time to let him go.

Friends, you have to realise that no matter how beautiful a girl is or how

A person that lies is just showing his/her true colour. It is a reflection of who they truly are on the inside. When someone constantly lies, they are invariably showing you they don’t care about you or your feelings for them. It does not make any difference how little or big the lie may be because a lie is still a lie

much money a guy may have, there is no excuse good enough to keep hanging on to someone that does not respect your feelings. If anything, you should love and respect yourself enough to realise that you deserve someone that will always treat you right. If your partner can lie so easily over little things that are unnecessary, then you can be sure he/she will lie about bigger things which can end up in catastrophe.

So if you’re in a relationship with someone who lies constantly, you might want to think twice and ask yourself: is it worth the headache?

Its best you break that relationship and save yourself from future hurt. Lies are like wounds, leave it untreated and you’ll have a sour deep enough that might lead to an arm or leg amputation. But if you give it prompt attention; you secure your heart from unnecessary heartbreak.

Being lied to by the person that professes love to you negates everything he/she ever said to you. You can’t say you love me and at the same time lie about everything you’re asked.

Trust is a big issues in a relationship and lies automatically breaches trust.

So I encourage you to be watchful in your relationship, ask questions and be sure the person is consistent with the truth. If not, break off from such a person before you end up telling stories that touch!

Padding, paddy-paddy plus padded prognostications

have been forced to go back to school and question everything I know or thought I could define since the inception of Nigeria’s fourth republic. I thought ‘Godfather ’ was a movie until 1999, but then I was made to realise that it meant a man who can sack a sitting and elected governor from office against the will of those who actually elected the official. I thought Toronto was a city in Canada until I was told it meant forged certificates, especially university degrees. I thought ‘Graft’ meant insertions then I was told it meant corruption. Now, thanks to some sensational developments, I have a new word for my political language, ‘padding’.

Before now, I knew of pad. A protection from heavy fall. Yes, to pad, as far as I knew until now, is to protect.

Even when I was young and used to run across the road to the chemist to buy sanitary pad for my mum, it was to protect her from the stain of her monthly period. Well, what do I know? Padding has a new meaning and for that, we have to turn to members of Nigeria’s political class to get the meaning. Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin recently came out to accuse the Speaker and head of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, of padding the 2016 budget. Now, remember the definition of padding? Well, now forget it.

Apparently, the speaker was not in any way protecting the budget from being abused by corrupt officials of the Ministries and Departments, but was inflating figures in order to collect the extra. Guess their padding is

to protect their pockets. All of a sudden, Nigeria’s media is awash with ‘padding’ as its new slogan and we have all forgotten what the word actually mean.

But before we go to the word and its relevance to the ongoing political drama and the chapters that keep on opening, let us look at the two actors; Hon. Jibrin and Dogara. Many people have said that Hon. Jibrin, erstwhile head of one of the most sought after committees in the house, The Appropriation Committee, is a ‘whistleblower ’ who deserves commendation. Well, he has opened the lid on a scandal, no doubt about that, but I have my reservations about his altruism. Against the will of the party leaders, Hon. Jibrin sup-

ported the speaker for the role and declared that they were friends for life or as we say in my school days, ‘paddypaddy’. So what changed? Why this sudden reawakening of national interest? I am not in any way saying Hon. Jibrin has something to hide for the ways of politicians are not my ways and I try very hard to stay out of political intrigues but I feel that he still has other things to say to explain his actions. When did he notice the ‘padding’ of the budget? Was it at anytime during the disappearance of the budget? Or, is that really why the budget disappeared for so long? Did he raise it with his friend, Dogara? As chairman of the appropriation committee, if he knew something was wrong then and

Against the will of the party leaders, Hon. Jibrin supported the speaker for the role and declared that they were friends for life or as we say in my school days, ‘paddy-paddy’. So what changed?

Why this sudden reawakening of national interest?

waited until now before blowing the whistle, then, sorry to say it, but he is complicit in the whole affair. He is not a whistleblower, but a scorned associate out to get revenge for being passed over in the sharing of the padded bill?

I am asking questions and not making any accusations because it seems there are gaps in both sides of the story.

Jokes aside, for all the lexicon they have bandied about, the padding issue comes down to one thing: dishonesty. Or to put it in the current lingo, corruption. It is a clear case of fraudulent and dishonest acquisition of money that does not belong to them. It is also very immoral and in bad taste. In a country where 75 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, where 90 per cent of the hospitals do not have decent facilities and the doctors are not paid enough to care for their patients, where most, if not all the states are owing their workers salaries in multiple months, I find it rather heartless that a small section of the same country can share the kind of amount that they are calling without remorse. Honestly, I think there has to be a more concerted citizen effort in bringing our lawmakers to book. I have never seen a more shameless set of politicians as the ones who run the affairs of my country and it makes me weep for my country. In a country that produces graduates in thousands every year, that has innovators in almost every sector of the economy and yet we are governed by ‘padding paddies’ then it is time to start praying hard for God’s Kingdom to come.

7, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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Rulebook for workplace makeup

e neckline of the vest. You with a pair of pants or penls. You could also go for a ing your sleeveless dress w blouse and again, let it ckline. Pair this look with d ankle boots to make it sy-bow blouse could be ur favourite jeans for the eally, this style is easy to we are all glad it is back in Vanessa Okwara

Y

ou are a woman who works five days a week and most of that time you are in the office from dawn to dusk and it is important to always look your best all through the day. Looking competent and professional is incredibly important and everything that will enhance that look should be taken seriously, especially your makeup.

One challenge many young women face is choosing the right makeup for a corporate environment. Studies have shown that women who wear make-up to work are more likely to get promoted. With the right makeup your confidence increases and that’s pretty powerful. The trick is finding a look that enhances your natural beauty.

Although that might mean putting down the glittery eyeliner, it doesn’t have to mean bare-faced beauty.

However, smoky eyes in the workplace are generally considered a no-no. They either look too sultry or like you didn’t remove last night’s make-up.

Makeup should make you look beautiful and confident. While at work, heavy makeup can be a sure turn off and you would definitely not like to be that person. Make sure to perfect your makeup techniques and be minimal on trying loud colours.

Here are a couple of ground rules for a workplace safe makeup look: 1.

Keep it natural. There’s a time and a place for the fullon smoky eye and scarlet lip, and the office is not that place.

It’s important to look polished and professional at work; the right look can create the right impression and help ensure that people take you seriously. Plus, the more make-up you wear, the longer it’s going to take you to get ready.

2.

Try not to wear glittery makeup or nail polish to work.

Save the pixie dust and shimmer for weekends, and even then wear with caution. A little goes a long way to make you look a little bit trashy.

3.

Avoid using bright-coloured eye shadows as they can be very distracting. Choose an eye shadow that will bring your eyes alive. Go for colours like grey, taupe, bronze or brown.

Try to stay away from glitters.

4.

Don’t apply too much mascara; nothing looks worse than heavy clumpy lashes. Choose a lightweight lengthening (not thickening) mascara formula with a great separating brush.

5.

Eyes are the prime point of contact when you speak at work. So make sure that they stay alive throughout the day with a good primer, foundation and concealer combo.

6.

Makeup should enhance, and not hide who you are. It shouldn’t be distracting. Remember, you want people to be listening to what you’re saying without being mesmerized by your hot pink lipstick or neon coloured eye shadow.

7.

It should make you feel both comfortable and amazing. If you’re busy stressing about your eyeliner, nail polish how can you hope to concentrate on that complicated accounting job?

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Preppy in Jeans and T-shirts Vanessa Okwara

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eans and T-shirts are timeless pieces that can be found virtually in every man’s wardrobe.

Standing the test of time and never going out of fashion, Jeans and T-shirts have helped men solve the riddle of what to wear on a daily basis. They have constantly evolved in the world of fashion with different brands coming out with stylish Jeans and t-shirts to give men that comfy but trendy look they always desire.

The material, style and often times the designer label play a large role in determining the quality and durability when purchasing a Jeans and T-shirt.

For you not to appear boring all the time in Jeans and t-shirt, they can be styled in different ways and you will still come out looking trendy. However, for that man of style, the way you wear these two pieces of clothing tells a lot about you.

Here, we briefly outline some tips for getting the right look.

• It can be worn casually for a date night, to watch a foot-

ball game or simply dashing out to pick up some things from the supermarket. In this way you can pair them up with good sandals, boots or loafers. You can also glam up your look with a face cap, fedora hats and colourful sneakers • When a blazer is teamed with a fabric like denim, you have a look that sends the message that you’re ready to party in a classy way.

Put a blazer, casual waistcoat, sports coat or leather jacket on top of your T-shirt and instantly a get dressy look for an evening outing. For an event such as an album launch or movie premiere, go dressier by slipping into some polished leather dress shoes. You can complete this look by adorning your blazer with a colourful pocket square.

• You can also pull off this look by deciding to go all denim.

This means you wear a denim shirt or jacket on top of the Tshirt and probably accessorize with some bling’s such as gold necklace/chains if you are the type that favour the music star look.

Sound Sultan

Pushing fashion boundaries Judith Onyebuchi

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lanrewaju Fasasi, whose stage name is Sound Sultan, is a rapper, songwriter, actor, comedian and recording artist. He is reputed for having several styles and genres of music and is regarded as one of the pace setters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria.

In 1999, he started taking keen interest in music, miming at school parties and writing his own lyrics. He started learning how to play guitar after his secondary school education and he ascribes his early stage experience to the influence of his elder brother, Baba Dee, who studied Theatre Arts.

Sound Sultan’s career in show business kicked off professionally in the 90s. In 1999, he had a band and won numerous local talent hunt shows, he later released his first single “jagbajantis” in 2000, which went on to be an instant hit and classic song in Nigeria. After independently releasing other singles and featur-

ing in hit songs of other artists, he was signed by Kennis Music. In 2007, he collaborated with his brother Baba Dee to start Naija Ninjas which is a franchise that parents a record label, production outfit and clothing line.

Sound Sultan has built a strong relationship with famous international artist Wyclef Jean. They have both gone ahead to work together on two other projects: ‘King of My Country’ and ‘People Bad’ In 2012, Sound Sultan was made a UN Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career and in 2015; Sound Sultan released another hit rap single, ‘Remember’ after a long absence from the music scene.

Sound Sultan tends to keep his fashion trends stylish and simple but one can’t help but admire his daring approach towards pushing fashion boundaries. His penchant for hats is something else, making him create an amazing sense of style and with that boyish smile of his, he enacts a charming look!

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RazzleDazzle

Body&Soul Abiola Alaba Peters

with

08062622328 abiolaalabapeters@rockmail.com

Modelling is not a walk in the I have nothing to rejoice about park kind of career anymore – Jide Kosoko – Magi Michael eteran actor, Prince

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I can never cheat for any reason – Vivian Nnebedum

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he life of a model often gets complicated especially after winning a crown and it is not different with Imo State born Beauty Queen, Vivian Nnebedum, winner of Most Beautiful Model in Imo 2016. The Accountant cum model spoke to RazzleDazzle on how the crown has changed her life, “It has made me more confident because along the line a lot of people discouraged me. They told me things like ‘modelling is not for you and you can’t really attain that height’. Being able to win this pageant has actually made me understand that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. It has made me more confident and determined. Vivian also revealed her principles of being a beauty queen and her kind of person when its comes to relationship, “A Beauty Queen has to be humble. You don’t have to be rude or saucy to people. It doesn’t portray royalty and the character expected of a Beauty Queen.”

On if her current status attracts more men, “It surely does, but I don’t give them that space because I know what they want. I don’t really want to go into my personal life here, but any man with me must surely understand that this is who I am. Men will come and he must trust me, knowing too well that I will never cheat on him for any reason.”

She stated. When asked if she can sleep with an agent or sponsor, “No way! This is something I will never think of. It might be very cool for some models but it is not my thing. I want people to support or sponsor my projects because they believe in it and not because they have slept with me. If I start it, how many sponsors will I sleep with to succeed?” She said.

ince 1979, even as a child model till date, Magi Michael has been in the modelling industry, and has modelled for top and successful brands and cooperate bodies.

He was the face of 33 Lager Beer for over a decade and graced their billboard for that period. The books ‘The 411 on Modelling’ and ‘Modelling as a Career’ were birthed out of the need to place modelling on the pedestal it ought to be, and to also portray modelling as an interesting and noble career.

These books shed light on the fact that everyone and anyone can be a model, depending on what product or service they are showcasing or selling. This is because there is a department and category for everyone in modelling. The misconception people have about modelling however, is that modelling is about the slim people that walk on the runway. But fashion modelling is not modelling in its entirety, but an aspect in modelling. It took ten years to finally come out with these books which are very insightful and garnished with interesting topics on modelling according to the author. “I operate by a different set of rules, a different kind of game when it comes to being a model. In my formative years in modelling, I was known as the contagious model. Then as I grew in the industry, I changed my alias to the supermodel.

I am a supermodel to have graced about ten billboards at the same time. It can only be a supermodel who can achieve this feat”. Magi said. According to Magi Michael, he shall be launching two more books on modelling next year because it is imperative for models, aspiring models and professionals, including modelling agents, to know that modelling is not a walk in the park kind of career”.

opular south south based comedian Aboki4Christ has debunked the rumours making the rounds that he was badly beaten by a lady he was trying to get. The funny man was contacted by RazzleDazzle about the incident and he clearly started that nothing of the sort ever happened. “This is really funny and strange, why would anybody think of such, why would a sensible lady even try that, anyways, for the record, it was only a comedy skit, I usually put up my comedy skit every weekend, so I wonder why people had to term it to be real” he said. On when he is planning to settle down, he said. “Well, I really can’t say, I’m still on the lookout for the right person, I don’t want to rush into any marriage because marriage is a life time commitment, so, I have it in mind” he confirmed.

Jide Kosoko, who until the death of his late actress wife, Henrietta, was gearing up towards the celebration of 52 years as an actor, had to shelve the plans. The ex leader of the defunct ANTP, who returned to acting, in a recent interview revealed unfulfilled dreams he and his late wife had and what he feels about the present state of the Nigerian movie industry, “What we were planning before she died was my 52nd year of acting. That was the celebration we were both planning. I wanted to do something that would be different from what others have been doing. With what has happened now, I have nothing to rejoice about anymore. But somewhere along the line, I will launch my book, which I called a Warrior’s Lamentation. I wrote the book myself because I used my words to capture the message I am passing across to the people. People will have a lot to learn about my experience in life; my sojourn into the movie industry” he noted.

Speaking further, Jide said, he is going to unleash all that the world needs to know, “I am going to bare it all in that book; I am not going to hide anything. Some names will come up in that book. These people have contributed to the rise and fall of the movie industry. I will also talk about our collective mistakes that worked against the progress of the industry”.

Vector, Ill Bliss, others jump on the 2016 Hennessy Tope Ajani wins Goldberg Fuji Artistry Cyphers t’o Bam contest T

I wasn’t beaten by any lady –Aboki4Christ

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fter months of rigorous drills, excitement and tensions, Tope Ajani from Akure, Ondo State, has won the season four of Goldberg Fuji t’o Bam music talent activation that had over 1,500 fans in attendance at the Trans Amusement Park in Ibadan, Oyo State. Ajani, whose stage craft and renditions excited everyone at the event – will now wear the Wura 1 crown which comes with a cash reward of N1,000, 000. Saheed Ishola, from Sango-Ota, grabbed N750,000 as the first runner up, while Mufutau Alabi, from Ibadan went home with N500, 000 as the second runner up after the battle of wits where three other contestants, Shina Akanni; Kuteyi Sikiru; and Alausa Olalekan also tested their mettle.The night kicked-off with ‘Ewi’ rendition before the contestants took turns to display their mastery of various Fuji theatrics to the admiration of the judges and the audience that thronged the venue of the event. The high point of the event was the impressive performance by the International Fuji icons, Alhaji King Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM1), 9ice and Pasuma, who thrilled the fans with various hit songs from their rich repertoire.The night also witnessed a gathering of the best of Fuji celebrities and respected Yoruba movie actors and comedians like Odunlade Adekola, compere of the event; Alhaji SK Sensation, Adebayo Faleke and the winner of the third season of Fuji t’o Bam, Akeem Okiki.

he Hennessy Cypher kicks off for another year running, it features some of the biggest Hip Hop stars in the music scene & just like in it’s previous year, the Hennessy Cypher returns as a part of the Hennessy Artistry celebration of Hip Hop. Majors of the Nigerian Hip Hop industry like Vector, Jesse Jagz, Show Dem Camp, Ill Bliss, Loose Kanyon along with revered underground rappers had come together to deliver some of the hottest bars & lyrics. Usually in groups, these Hip Hop heavyweights display their ability to recite words rapidly and rhythmically over an instrumental backing to form a perfect blend of Hip Hop music. This year some of the biggest names in Hip Hop have converged again to deliver the best of lyricism and wordplay. This year, the Cypher will be released weekly starting from the 4th of August this week on all major online platforms.

B-one set to drop two singles A

kwa-Ibom state born, Bright Godwin is popularly known as B-one D-vitamin C, an Afro Hip-Hop and highlife singer, who started his musical journey professionally in 2003. He is no doubt a fast rising star in the music industry. He believes in the saying that man shall not live by bread alone which made him venture into so many things.

He is a beautician, a stylist, he has a modelling agency, he has dancers and above all he has worked with top Nigerian musicians like 2face Idibia, Phyno, Sunny-wacy.

After several years of keeping his teeming fans waiting and guessing, Bright Godwin popularly known as BOne finally drops his two new singles; which are making waves in and outside the country. He has two promotional tracks titled ‘Love Nwa-tin-tin’ and a track from the popular Nigerian rapper Olamide titled ‘Who You Epp’ ft B.one which are enjoying massive airplay both online and across the nation. He will be droping another one before the end of August titled; ‘Crazy World’ ft Benzman and ‘Owo Ima mi’.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

I want to be Nigeria’s first female president –Miss Unity Nasarawa State You just won a beauty pageant; can you give us an insight into your background?

I am 25 years old from the Mada tribe in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. I am the First Miss Unity, Nasarawa State. Before now, I was the Queen of Aso Ambassador and I am NANS Ambassador and a final year student of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, reading Language and Linguistics.

How did you emerge the First Miss Unity, Nasarawa State?

There is no magic to winning Miss Unity Nasarawa State. First of all, you have to believe in yourself and be determined because it is said that in any thing you do, you should be determined so that you can achieve your goal. So there was no magic in that. I know that I was fit for the crown and I could do more; that was why I won the competition that was keenly contested.

Are there challenges you faced during the contest?

Of course there were a lot of challenges.

There were many beautiful ladies there and there were about 13 of us from different ethnic groups in the state and it got to a stage where we were screened up to three times and it got to questions and answers session because where there is beauty, there is also intelligence. That was where I actually beat the rest of the contestants.

I answered all the questions I was asked very well and in the end I won the contest.

How does it feel being the most beautiful lady in Nasarawa State called Miss Unity?

It is actually a very beautiful feeling because I merited it, not because I get all the attention anywhere I go, but how I will be able to give back to the state; it really feels awesome.

Who are you dedicating this award to?

First of all, I am dedicating this victory to God Almighty for the gift of life and secondly to my mother. She is someone who brought me up in the right way and taught me how to believe in myself to actually achieve what I put forward to do. And also to my siblings because we believe that good life is always what to look forward to.

How would you want to utilise this golden opportunity to enhance your future endeavour?

For me, it goes beyond my limit. I intend to make it a life time project. We have stories of people like Mother Theresa and many others. They were able to affect people positively across the globe not just their community but the entire world. I will not be wrong to say I want to be like her. I am starting from my roots so that people here will get to know me, then from here to the whole world. I want to be the source of peace to my state, Nasarawa, my country, Nigeria and to the entire world. Peace is just the key word and I will continue to work for peace even after being Miss Unity Nasarawa State.

Do you have a programme in that direction, talking about peace and unity?

Yes, I have a programme called Peace and Unity Initiative Programme going on right now in the state. It is a programme we intend to do in the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State. Before now, Nasarawa

Beautiful and feisty young lady, Beauty Sudar Aliyu, wears three crowns. She is First Miss Unity, Nasarawa State; the Queen of Aso Ambassador and National Association of Nigerian Students Ambassador. In this interview with CHEKE EMMANUEL, she speaks on her peace project and dream to be Nigeria’s first female president State was referred to as the most peaceful state in Nigeria but lately, we started having one crisis to another. We do not want it to go out of control, so what we intend to do is come up with some programmes for peace that will help us achieve the desired peace and harmony. We need to go out there and meet people and preach peace and tell them to live in peace. We intend to meet the people in their communities to enlighten them on the importance of living in peace and harmony. During this period, we intend to offer free medical services to women, children and the old and also to visit public primary schools and to donate learning materials, uniforms and computers to pupils. As for the youths, we intend to organise inter-tribal football competitions. We have 26 tribes in Nasarawa State.

We have various prizes and our target is actually the males because football is the centre of attraction. We intend to use football to bring together the youth in each tribe to participate in the competition and to use the avenue to preach peaceful co-existence to them. We have another package for women especially the widows so as to empower them. Those that are into farming, knitting, trading, selling, hair dressing and so forth, we will empower them because they say charity begins at home and mothers are actually the home makers. These are some of the programmes we have lined up for Peace and Unity concept in Nasarawa State.

Do you have a budget to roll out these programmes?

Yes, we have a budget and it is a very big project. It is not something I, Miss Unity alone can handle. That is why we are trying to appeal to the state government to endorse the programmes as an annual event. Because you cannot do this beautiful programme just once and go and sit down.

People need to be hearing it, people need to see action to know that this is what we need. The project is a large one but I can-

not begin to mention money now because doing so will scare some people. It is a very big project so we need stakeholders; we need commissioners, philanthropists, businessmen and women. We need governors and senators and other well-meaning individuals including corporate organisations to support and join hands with us to achieve our goals.

Where would you want to be after your reign as queen?

I want to be the first female president of Nigeria. Why not? You can see that since the history of Nigeria, we have not had a female president. And if you look at the direction the world is going now, you can see a global move towards gender equality and many countries in the world have either a female president or prime minister. Nigeria should not be an exemption.

It will not be wrong for me, Miss Unity Nasarawa State of today to become the first female president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

What would you do if you become the first female president of Nigeria?

I will champion the cause of women by promoting gender issues, especially the issue of girl child education and encourage women participation in politics. You know that men have had their fair

share in politics, especially talking about leadership of our country, Nigeria, and I think the time has come for a woman to be made the president of this country.

You know that women are more honest and trustworthy than men. Women are also more careful and sincere in handling responsibilities if given the chance. Take a look at our homes and you will agree with me that the role women play at home places them in a better position to manage things. It is said that what a man can do a woman can do better and I think the time has come. I believe that there will be economic and political stability when a woman is made a leader. Look at Helen Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia and just recently, Theresa May, the Prime Minister of Britain. These are women of virtue and they are there today because they have earned the trust of their countrymen and they will always make a difference.

I will make a difference in Nigeria when I become the first female president. My experience in union activities has exposed me to leadership issues and peace issues and lots more and I believe I will do well if I become the first female president of Nigeria.

Can you tell us briefly about your marital status?

I am single.

Are you searching?

Not really.

Any spouse?

No spouse, but those who want to apply can apply.

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NEWS FG, Innoson plan skill acquisition programme for young Nigerians p.44

INTERVIEW

AUTO BEAT

Customs Controller: Benin Republic encouraging cross-border smuggling

Kia commences production of GTconcept p.47

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BUSINESS

PAUL OGBUOKIRI HEAD, BUSINESS

paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph

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Nigeria’ capital spending will soften downturn - Experts

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L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Iyke Ejimofor; Head, Power & Infrastructure, Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Paula Coetzee; GM, Customer Enablement, Enterprise Business Unit, MTN Nigeria, Ladipo Nylander; Acting GM, Corporate Communications, MTN Nigeria,Chineze Gbenga-Oluwatoye; Director, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Ebun Sonaiya; GM, Enterprise Sales and Enterprise Business, MTN Nigeria, Adekunle Adebiyi; High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Ambassador Lulu Louis Mnguni; Executive Director, South Africa–Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Diana Games and Director, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Osayaba Giwa Osagie, at the Chamber’s breakfast forum recently in Lagos State.

Fear rising over non-performing loans

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Paul Ogbuokiri hough the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reassured bank depositors not to embark on panic withdrawals, after it’s recent intervention in Nigeria’s eighth largest bank, Skye Bank Plc, by way of replacing its management and granting the bank a N100billion short term loan to help stablise its operation; fears have persisted that despite the regulator’s reassurances, all may not be well with the Nigerian banking industry after all.

Coming on the heels of the reported suicide committed by a manger at one of Nigeria’s second generation banks last week over alleged pressure mounted on him by his bank, because of a N350 million non-performing loan which he has approved in course of his duty. It is feared more that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the country may be in a precarious situation over their exposure to the nation’s oil and gas industry.

Most Nigerian oil companies that bought oilfields from the International Oil Companies (IOCs) when the price of oil was more than $100 a barrel have been hammered by the fall in prices, and their troubles are taking a toll on the banking sector in Africa’s largest economy.

In the two years before crude oil prices began falling in mid-

2014, Nigerian banks reportedly lent an estimated $10 billion to local oil and foreign gas companies to buy assets from Royal Dutch Shell, Eni and Total as they retreated from the nation’s onshore industry.

At the time these loans were celebrated milestones for Nigerian finance and a boost to bank portfolios aimed at supporting greater domestic participation in the industry.

Now that the price of Brent crude has fallen by nearly twothirds to the mid-$40s, much of that lending have become liabilities.

“The banks lent way too much,” said a foreign oil executive who observed the wave of acquisitions between 20122014. “The assumptions made by the local oil companies were inaccurate. The value of the assets is basically zero with the low oil price,” he said speaking on condition of anonymity.

“The whole system is shaking.”

Most of the country’s 22 licensed commercial banks are exposed to the industry through large syndicated loans, many of which were not hedged, and some of which were poorly collateralised, according to analysts.

In a sign of the times, one of Nigeria’s leading energy firms, Oando, announced in its results statement recently that circumstances “lend significant doubt as to the ability of the company to meet its obligations as they come due”.

The company bought an oilfield from ConocoPhilips for $1.65 billion in July 2014.

Upstream oil and gas and services make up an average of around 28 per cent of the banking sector’s loan books.

But Robert Omotunde, analyst at Afrinvest, a Lagos-based investment bank, says at least two banks gave more than 30 per cent of their loans to upstream energy companies — notably a first generation bank, where oil and gas debt makes up 47 per cent of the total loan book.

In addition to the upstream energy groups, companies that borrowed in dollars to acquire power plants sold in a government privatisation programme are also struggling to keep up with payments.

There has been “significant restructuring” of energy-related loans since the price of oil began falling, said Adesoji Solanke, head of research for Nigeria at Renaissance Capital.

In the two years before crude oil prices began falling in mid-2014, Nigerian banks reportedly lent an estimated $10 billion to local oil and foreign gas companies to buy assets from Royal Dutch Shell, Eni and Total as they retreated from the nation’s onshore industry

But for the restructuring, Solanke estimates that the sector’s non-performing loan ratio would be at least 15 per cent.

During the 2009 Nigerian banking crisis, more than 30 per cent of loans were classified as non-performing and the Central Bank of Nigeria was obliged to step in with rescue packages and reforms.

The index of Nigerian bank stocks has fallen by 50 per cent in the past 12 months, far further than the broader market decline of 25 per cent.

“The magnitude of losses has been translated directly into how sentiment has been priced into their stocks,” said Omotunde of Afrinvest.

The Central Bank last Friday ordered banks to crack down on borrowers with non-performing loans in a move aimed at avoiding a repeat of a 2009 industry bailout that cost the government about N5 trillion to clear up NPLs in the books of the lenders.

The directive confirms analysts’ warning early this year that banks in the country will seriously feel the pressure of the continuous fall in the prices of crude oil and the depreciation in the value of the naira.

They had expressed apprehension that Nigeria’s lender’s bad loan portfolio would rise significantly this year.

A sharp drop in the global price of oil has triggered a curCO N T I N UED ON PAGE 44

s the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said there was not much it could do to avert recession this year, experts have say the Federal Government’s proposed capital spending in 2016 would see the country the country out of the current economic downturn.

The government is planning N1.75 trillion in capital expenditure for the year, more than four times the amount spent in 2015, according to information from the budget office. The government has spent N248 billion so far. However, Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adesun told the Senate last month that government intends to borrow abroad to help plug its N2.2 trillion budget gap and make more funds available for capital investments.

“It’s up to fiscal policy to soften the downturn,” Yvonne Mhango, a Johannesburg-based economist at Renaissance Capital Ltd., said in an e-mailed response to questions by Reuters.

It is feared that the economy will probably contract for the first time since 1991 this year as oil output slumped amid militant attacks on pipelines and foreignexchange restrictions led to shortages of imported goods, including fuel.

“The main effect of the capital expenditure will be felt in several years to come,” Oyin Anubi, a London-based economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, told Reuters on Wednesday “There could be a small boost to economic activity in terms of creating demand and jobs but this does not offset other challenges related to oil revenues and dollar shortages.”

L-R: Regional Director, M-net West Africa, Wangi MbaUzoukwu; winner of Season One, The Voice Nigeria, Agharese Emokpae, and Vice President, Brands and Advertising for Airtel Nigeria, Enitan Denloye, during the winner press conference in Lagos

APPOEMN elects new executives

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ssociation of Professional Party Organisers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN) elected a set of new executives at its recent 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

The election produced Gbemisola Ope as the President of the association. She succeeds Funke Bucknor Obru whom her two years of service to the association has been described as outstanding by members.

While accepting to lead the association, the new president said, “I am excited about taking APPOEMN to the next level. It will not be easy, it will be gradual and it will be a lot of fun. But with your support I know it can and will be done”.

The new executives have the mandate of the association to work assiduously to propagate the ideas of the association, develop and maintain standards while accommodating all stakeholders.

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BUSINESS

Naira falls to N400/dollar in parallel market

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Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige (r), welcoming Innoson Group Chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, in his office in Abuja during a visit by the management of the group recently

FG, Innoson plan skill acquisition programme for young Nigerians

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Paul Ogbuokiri resident Muhammadu Buhari’s youth entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programmes are on the verge of receiving yet another boost from the private sector following a recent meeting between Innoson Group, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja.

Innoson Group which owns automobile and motorcycle assembly plants in Nnewi, and an ultra-modern plastics factory in Enugu, also runs an academy which is focused on providing unemployed youths with relevant artisanal training towards sustainable livelihood.

During the visit to the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, Innoson management, led by the Chairman of Innoson Group, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, and the Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Kiara Academy, Mr. Endi Ezengwa, made a presentation

and later held discussions which both sides described as very fruitful.

While making the presentation to the minister, Ezendi had outlined Innoson Kiara Academy’s activities and programmes, pointing out areas of possible collaboration with the Federal Government on skill acquisition and youth development.

Impressed with the rich content of the illustration, the minister commended Innoson’s management for the noble initiative of equipping the youth with the vital training towards a gainful living – which he said is in tandem with the Federal government’s programmes.

Senator Ngige said the visit by the Innoson delegation was timely, considering that government is launching various skill acquisition programmes designed to empower young Nigerians and provide them with life-long skills and tools to enable them improve their lives and make a difference in their immedi-

ate communities.

He assured them of the willingness of the Buhari government to train and empower Nigerian youths for which it has earmarked N500 billion.

Senator Ngige further assured that the government would partner with the Innoson Group and other relevant organisations in order to ensure the success of the programme. He restated the commitment of the government to an import-reduction regime through heavy patronage of made-in-Nigeria products to which Inoson Innoson Group contributes a long list of items through its subsidiary companies, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM) which manufactures passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Nnewi, As the training arm of the Innoson Group, Innoson Kiara Academy offers courses that are tailored to meet the technical personnel needs of various factories within

the ‘family’, in addition to providing skill acquisition training for participants in the amnesty programme for the Niger Delta ex-militants, as well as other organisations.

A batch of the ex-militants which has been undergoing training at the Innoson Kiara Academy in partnership with the Presidential Amnesty Office, is expected to pass out before the end of August. At various stages in the course of the training which commenced in 2015, the participants were deployed to different sections at the Innoson auto plant in Nnewi, for training as welders, spray painters, auto mechanics, and electricians, among others.

The ex-militants have been undergoing the training under the Federal Government’s Education for Employment (E4E) Programme for the Niger Delta Youths supervised by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen Paul T. Boro.

Fear rising over non-performing loans CONTINUED FR O M PAGE 43

rency crisis in the economy and strained government’s finances, while also harming the cash flow of some companies with foreign currency loans.

CBN in its financial stability report released on May 19, 2016; revealed that the non-performing loans, NPL, ratio of the banking industry jumped to N649.63 billion as the capital adequacy ratio has dwindled.

This was contained in the apex bank’s financial stability report for the period ended December 2015 released on May 19, 2016.

The apex bank in the report released said “ratio of regulatory capital to risk weighted assets stood at 17.5 per cent as at December 2015, showing a mar-

ginal increase of 0.1 percentage point below the level at June 2015.”

It said the decline was attributable to the fall in the level of banks’ general reserves in the second half of 2015. The level of nonperforming loans to capital in the banking industry, however, increased to 7.4 per cent by the end of 2015 from 5.5 per cent which it was at the end of June, 2015.

Non-performing loans, in the six-month period under review, soared by 3.36 per cent to N649.63 billion as at December, 31, 2015, from N628.54 billion as at June 2015. This reflected a 78.8 per cent increase from the N363.31 billion recorded at the end of December 2014.

The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio rose to 4.86 per cent from 4.65 per cent.

While the NPL ratio re-

mained within the prudential ceiling of five per cent, the CBN said it trended closer to the upper limit, with a few banks having NPL ratio above the regulatory maximum limit of five per cent.

The financial stability report, while stating that the banking industry and large banks’ resilience to credit risk was robust, stated that medium and small bank groups showed vulnerabilities to stimulated severe shocks of 200 per cent rise in NPLs as their CARs fell to 7.16 and 6.85 per cent respectively.

The report also revealed that no bank would have a CAR of up to 10 per cent if five of their biggest credit facilities become non performing as the CARs of the banking industry, large, medium and small banks deteriorated to 7.79, 8.73,

5.75 and 6.80 per cent respectively, from the baseline.

Also, a liquidity stress test of the industry showed that a five-day and cumulative 30-day run on the banking industry would result in a liquidity shortfall of N1.79 trillion and N1.93 trillion respectively. The test further revealed that 17 and 20 banks would record liquidity ratios below the prudential threshold of 30 per cent, following the fiveday and cumulative 30-day runs respectively.

We are already in the second half of the year; most of the banks are yet to release their results, despite Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSC) requirement that they do so in the first quarter. Ecobank’s full-year post-tax profit was down 73 per cent to $107.5 million.

he naira hit 400 against the dollar on the black market on Friday, bureaux de change traders said, falling to its lowest since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) floated the currency in June.

On the official interbank market, the naira ended at 311 per dollar, 0.3 per cent weaker, after trades worth $12.63 million. The naira has dropped steadily on the black market this week after opening at 381 on Monday. Traders say dollar demand has been high from individuals travelling abroad for their summer holidays.

CBN has told international money transfer operators to pay dollar proceeds from customer transfers into local commercial banks in naira, while selling the dollars themselves to bureaux de change outlets.

The bank hopes the move will help narrow the gap between the official and black market rates and boost dollar liquidity, traders say.

It had hoped that the need for a black market would be erased by scrapping the dollar peg and thereby attracting foreign investment.

But dollar liquidity remains thin and has curbed interbank activity, despite the central bank increasing the interest rates last week and mopping up naira liquidity to shore up debt yields. Some past suppliers of dollars, including oil firms, are now selling some of their hard currency directly to petrol importers under an arrangement with the government, traders say.

Other foreign players have stayed out of the market, traders say, after exiting the equities and bond markets in the wake of the plunge in crude prices in mid-2014, until Africa’s biggest economy show signs of stabilising.

Before CBN pegged the naira at 197 to the dollar in February 2015, the interbank market had traded daily volumes of over $100 million.

L-R: Registrar, University of Lagos, Mrs. Taiwo Ipaye; Regional Sales Director (Lagos), Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Mr. Samuel Oluwatoye; ViceChancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, and Talent Resourcing Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Mr. Ayodele Olowosejeje, during the Nigerian Bottling Company Career Fair in Lagos.

Ecobank launches‘Move on Up’ consumer campaign

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cobank Nigeria has launched “Move on Up”, a new fullyintegrated consumer advertising campaign. Move on Up is centred on the bank’s drive to ensure that consumers have world-class accessible and convenient digital banking solutions across the country.

Ecobank Nigeria is a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), which is currently present in 36 African countries. Ecobank Nigeria currently operates a consolidated online, real time branch network in over 450 locations across the country.

Ecobank Nigeria’s Managing Director, Charles Kie said: “We are delighted to be launching this campaign in Nigeria.

Ecobank Nigeria has grown consistently over the years to become a well-recognised corporate brand in the Nigerian banking industry. Our mission is to ensure that our customers have access to world-class, convenient, accessible and reliable banking solutions in Nigeria. This new campaign demonstrates how we are fulfilling that mission.”

Ecobank Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director, Tony Okpanachi said, “The new campaign also showcases our widest ever range of banking solutions and the many ways Ecobank helps consumers every day.”

‘Move on Up’ rests on three pillars. The first is digital convenience. Customers want the convenience of banking, from being able to pay with an Ecobank card to making financial transactions on their mobile phones, over the internet, at automated teller machines and at different points of sale.

The second pillar is relevance. Ecobank creates personal banking solutions that are relevant to its customers, such as a range of accounts packaged together as bundles.

The final pillar is choice. This comes via the accessibility of wide-ranging products and services, thanks to Ecobank’s leading Pan-African platform.

Ecobank Group’s Head of Marketing, Ama Okyere, who led the development and production of Move on Up, said: “This fully-integrated consumer advertising campaign demonstrates Ecobank’s relevance in our consumer’s life.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

Customs Controller: Benin Republic encouraging cross-border smuggling

Customs Area Controller, in charge of Seme Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Victor Dimka David in this interview with PAUL OGBUOKIRI sheds light on how he pruned down the number of check points on the Lagos Badagry Expressway and how the command is fighting tooth and nail to wipe out smuggling across Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic. Excerpts: Sir, your command has its peculiarity as a major land border in West Africa; please kindly give us an overview of the activities of the command in the last six months?

It is a bit challenging but not insurmountable so to say. When I came, a lot of things were wrong. One is the issue of multiple checkpoints, leaving unapproved routes unmanned. Everybody was doing their thing and it appeared there was a breakdown of law and order.

So coming in, I sat down and looked at it then started thinking on how to tackle the problem. I decided to post officers to all the illegal routes that we have constant information on goods that are coming from unmanned routes within Seme border. When we blocked those routes, they started paying duty and gradually they started getting used to having one checkpoint because of the deployment of officers to the unapproved routes.

Today, you find out that nobody can come out boldly to say they are smugglers here or see anybody on this road smuggling. We also discovered that the scanning machine was not effectively in use because of importers who were not ready to comply with rules.

I made sure that we put in place measures to checkmate those excesses. I often talked to officers about the danger of not ensuring that they conform to loading and the length of the trailer as stipulated by customs so that they can go into the scanning machine. Today every import that comes in from Benin Republic must go through the scanning machine and it also led to increased revenue.

We expect that as we approach towards the end of the year, we will collect more revenue to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Also in the area of anti smuggling, we discovered that after reducing the number of those checkpoints and sending officers to those unapproved routes it became very difficult for the smugglers to operate.

It is against this backdrop that there is also an upsurge in the number of seizures. In January we made 40 seizures, in February it went up to 55, in March it was 60, April 66 and May 98 and in June it come down to 64. And there were also lots of arrests with over 30 suspects which most of them are in court because they are bailable offences and courts will decide to grant them bail on such offences. That is the position of the command so far.

What about your relationship with the communities living along the border?

When I came in, I asked questions about the place and they told me that for a very long time that they had no meeting arrangement with the community leaders and I quickly asked the command’s Public Relations Officer to send letters across, and then fix a meeting date and they were very happy.

They were able to explain their own challenges and now they can come in and see the controller on issues bothering on the communities. We now have to remind them of our core mandate which is revenue collection and generation, anti-smuggling activities as well as being very good trade facilitators.

I also told them of the need to co-exist together as partners in progress because its their community and our country and if we don’t work together harmoniously there is no way we can achieve anything.

Thank God, our relationship with them improced. The first test case we had was a situation of armed robbery that we degraded and they were very helpful, in fact some of the robbers were found in the villages and

we kept communicating with them until it paid off and today the place is very safe, just like any society.

How did you get the communities to key into your vision as regards removal of the checkpoints?

As always, change is resisted anywhere but if you have a leader that you know lead by example then 90 per cent of the problems are solved and if you continue to talk to your officers you will see good results.

We have achieved increased compliance and cooperation and a lot of things have changed. But the few of them who thought we are joking or still want to live in the past sanctions were meted on them.

They have been keying into it because they know that back in the headquarters, the man at the top is a no nonsense person. Whatever he says he does it is just like that and the Controllers are being reminded that at any point in time they will be held responsible for any misdemeanour of any officer serving under them and that didn’t take time to get the officers to key into the processes.

The communities seem to see smuggling as their right and how have you been able to address that challenge?

Through sanctions that we were meting out to officers or those we think were very careless by allowing some things to pass through their posts, send the right signal to the smugglers that these people are not the friends we used to know, that they have changed.

Where they want to be unruly, we give them a run for their money by ensuring that we tackled them one on one, arresting people and putting people in jail and their leaders were coming to beg and we say no because we have already agreed we will not condone any act of economic sabotage or unruly behaviour of obstructing officers on duty therefore you leaders cannot continue to beg.

The youth leaders keep telling their followers that they have warned them that if anything of that nature happens they were not going to beg so they were forced to back down and so you don’t find where youths will come and shout or over run the checkpoints again.

All the sister security agencies are working together because if anything should happen to Immigrations for instance, you see others coming together to address the situation. If we are overwhelmed the army comes on board and with that we have been able to take absolute control of the border.

It appears under your watch there has been a stronger relationship with other sister agencies, what is

the secret behind it?

It is simple, I maintain an open door policy.

A policeman can come to tell me what the problem is and I will go there and address the situation or I send somebody to get it solved.

We will continue to talk to ourselves that we are working for a common goal and there is no point claiming superiority anywhere and where seizures of arms or ammunition are made, we count and document them then hand over to the appropriate authority - like the police.

Where we find miscreants coming to the barracks without any explanation we will document them and send them to the police as well. Where we have NAFDAC goods that are suppose to get NAFDAC clearance for their release we call them.

Gone are the days when all goods do not go through the scanners, therefore I will say there is transparency so there is nothing anybody is doing in customs that is not known to other agencies because there is nothing in the cupboard that is shielded from them.

What did you consider your most challenging task since you took charge of the Seme Command of customs?

The government and people of Benin Republic are not co-operating with us.

How? We have always advocated for regional cooperation in so many things and we know that at the border stations, apart from trying to see that we suppress smuggling to the barest minimum we know that in Benin Republic anything that is coming in to Nigeria

Dimka

pays to the least Kobo and all we always ask is hand over those things to Nigerian Customs Service directly and that is what we need but it is not always taken seriously by the Beninese authorities.

Are you saying that the Benin authorities are not complying with the directive?

They haven’t. At times they will do it and they drop it along the line. If you don’t hand over to Customs, you encourage smuggling into Nigeria. They collect their duty for their government and help deviants to flout Nigerian laws.

I wouldn’t say our borders are porous but wide and in any organisation there are people who must compromise and they use those people to make things happen by way of compromise and make those things get to Nigeria.

What we keep saying is that Nigeria has banned the importation of rice from the border and we have mass importation of rice into Cotonou port. Rice that they do not eat then the question is where is the rice going? That is why you see the rice leaking into Nigeria.

We have seized bags of rice that during examination we discovered arms in them. If we have that regional or integration among us then anything that is banned here should not be allowed to go to Benin Republic and anything banned there must not be allowed to come into Nigeria. For instance frozen turkey and chicken but they don’t want to believe that.

But they allow vessels coming in with these goods to enter their country?

Yes, they do and those are the problems and they are very big challenges to us as far as I am concerned because if these things are done properly then there will be seamless relationship of movement of goods coming in and out of Nigeria within the routes and that is the biggest challenge we have at the border command.

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SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS NEWS

Hope rises on port reform as Bala Usman settles for duty

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Paul Ogbuokiri

s the new quintessential Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority, Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman commences her first official engagement outside Lagos on Wednesday, few week after she assumed duty as the Chief Executive Officer of the ports authority, hope has risen in the industry that a genuine reformation of the corruption ridden port industry is about to begin.

Most of the port industry stakeholders who expressed this believe at the weekend said that they are so confident not because she is the first woman to occupy that position and the youngest person ever, but her accomplishments in her short years on earth informed the believe.

The stakeholders who spoke to Sunday Tele-

graph at the weekend, said with the pedigree of the 40 year old daughter of late radical Ahmadu Bello University history professor; there is hope that the port industry is set to be repositioned to effectively play its role as a key revenue earner for the country, especially at this period when the price of Nigeria’s main revenue earner, oil is at its lowest in over ten years.

President of Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, said he is confident that Ms Bala Usman understands the port industry very well as it was during her time as the Enterprise Officer of Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) that the privatization agency successfully concession the Nigerian seaports.

She actually began her career with the Centre for Democratic Development and Research Train-

World Wide Web Celebrates 25th Anniversary

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t’s the place where we can communicate without speaking, where we can meet people we might never have crossed paths with, where we can shop and bank and watch movies.

It’s an easily accessible repository of mankind’s knowledge. It’s almost hard to believe what the World Wide Web has become in just 25 years.

It was made publicly available on August 6, 1991 and was the vision of British physicist Tim Berners-Lee, who first came up with the idea in 1989 and successfully tested it in 1990.

Using a NeXT Computer, which can currently be seen at the Science Museum, he developed the world’s first website and first web browser, as well as the mechanisms that now power the web such as URLs, HTML and HTTP. The flow of information was so fast and so easy that within a decade the world had been transformed.

One of the key factors in that astonishing growth was the decision by CERN - and Tim Berners-Lee - to make the World Wide Web free for everyone to use and dabble with.

“Initially, what was wonderful about the web was that anyone could take information that they thought everyone in the world would be interested in and put up a website and the information would be out

there,” says Brad Karp, Professor of Computer Systems and Networks at University College London.

“But the problem was, how would people find that information?

“So one of the first solutions was from one of the earliest internet companies - Yahoo - where a Stanford graduate Jerry Yang and his technical collaborator David Filo, started making a human-curated list of websites.

“They just manually put together webpages that said ‘if you’re interested in music, here are categories of music’ and within that category they would list websites about that type of music.

“And so word spread about Yahoo as a sort of directory of the web.

“Then the Digital Equipment Corporation - DEC - created a search engine called Alta Vista. There were others like Hotbot. Today we are very familiar with Google.

“What these search engines did was take all the information on the World Wide Web, pull it in to a big farm of servers and make it possible for people to type just a few words and then just search through this local copy of the entire web.

“They could find all the web pages that had those terms in them and give back to the user that list of relevant pages. And that really changed the way people used the web.”w

ing, Zaria, a non-governmental organisation in June 2000 as a research assistant.

She left BPE in 2004 and was hired by the UNDP for the Federal capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from October 2004 to January 2008 as a Special Assistant to the Minister on Project Implementation. She worked as Director of Strategy of Good Governance Group, a Non-Governmental Organisation from 2011 to July 2015.

From July 2015, she was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kaduna State, a position she held until her present appointment.

Hadiza, who is married to Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, the once very influential former Chief Economic Adviser to the deceased President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Co founded the campaign, #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG).

A port industry commentator, Mr. Ismail Aniemu, said this goes to show that the concern of Hadiza reflects a larger perspective shared by many

who call themselves active citizens, thinkers and activists.

Born in Zaria in 1976 and raised on the campus of the supposedly leftwinged Ahmadu Bello University with her three sisters and three brothers, Hadiza is the daughter of

the late Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, who was a passionate and respected lecturer of history at the university. She grew up surrounded by intellectuals and her father was especially inspiring.

“I grew up listening to

my father challenging the government and questioning the status quo,” she remarks.

Sunday Telegraph learnt that everything seemed relatively fine, routine and normal for Hadiza, until Boko Haram kidnapped almost 300 female students in Chibok in April 2014.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Hadiza says. “I couldn’t sit back in my world to say it doesn’t affect me.”

That’s when she contacted her older friend, the renowned Barr. (Mrs.) Maryam Uwais, and together, they decided to start a chain of emails to mobilize others, mainly women, to get on the streets to pressurise the government to bring the girls back.

On her new appointment as the NPA helmsman, Hadiza said, “Our ports are a critical artery of the economy, and it is our duty to ensure that the operators deliver port services at the standards that our businesses deserve in the 21st century in supporting President Buhari’s administration agenda of economic diversity. We will strive for enhanced operating efficiency to facilitate improved revenue generation and inflows into the national treasury.

Hadiza

Apapa Customs collects N27bn in July Paul Ogbuokiri

T

he Apapa Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a remarkable revenue collection of N27.4 billion for the month of July 2016.

This figure is the highest monthly collection made this year despite reduced volume of import due to government policy and influence of exchange rate on the economy.

While the command made a total revenue collection of N120.96 billion for the first half of the year- January to June 2016, a breakdown of the collection for each month is N23.48 for January,N19.76 billion for February,N18.48 billion for March,N19.25 billion for April,N17.20 billion in May and N22.79 billion in June.

Increase in revenue collection which became more obvious from June is also

as a result of increased supervision by Customs Area Controller (CAC), Willy Egbudin who has put in strategies to ensure blockage of any possible area of leakage.

Comptroller Egbudinn who also urged officers and men of the command to always carry out the directives of the Comptroller General especially as concerns revenue collection and enforcement of customs laws without compromise, insists that Demand Notices (DN) are issued to make up for any duty payment shortfall discovered.

He also insists that various officers in charge of terminals and units work in line with the service drive to facilitate legitimate trade without compromising national security and economy.

He said: “At this challenging period of our national economy when the price of

oil is down, government’s expectations from non oil sources like the customs is high. We as officers of the service at this critical period must justify the confidence reposed on us and continually add value to our national economy.

“We must not hesitate to seize any import or export cargo that violates our extant import, export and all lists of prohibited items.

Lets raise our intelligence and awareness level so as to prevent violation to government rules and cause perpetrators of illegalities to face the law,’’ he said.

He further said that the command will not condone indolence or compromise on the part of customs operatives, no matter their ranks and will be ready to seize offending imports and exports while ready to prosecute anyone discovered to have violated the law.

He disclosed that as part of the enhanced enforcement drive put in place by the CAC, the command recently made two seizures of soap and furniture.

The soap was uncovered in a 20 foot container while the furniture was brought into the country in 40 foot container.

Duty paid value for the furniture is N17, 036,620 while that of the soap is valued at N21, 842,977 Part of the strategies deployed by the CAC to enhance revenue collection includes speedy resolution of all trade disputes arising from classification and valuation, setting up of a standing committee to monitor and follow up outstanding queries and unpaid assessments and monitoring to ensure that records of revenue collected and DN issued are rendered weekly to the CAC office.

47

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016

AUTO BEAT Motoring briefs

Motoring Journalists and their driving trainers from the Ford Motor Company of South Africa and Dubai (UAE) at the end of the first annual Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) training workshop at Nero Hotel, Sangotedo, Lagos Island last weekend

Kia commences production of GTconcept

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Paul Ogbuokiri ia has confirmed it is developing a production version of the GT concept that was first shown at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show.

The news follows confirmation recently that it will launch a large rear-wheel drive four-door ‘coupe’ — powered by a twinturbo V6, priced from about $40,000 and probably called the Stinger — here in the third quarter of next year.

According to Autocar, the Korean carmaker’s new flagship sedan is being developed under the ‘CK’ codename and will stay true the original GT concept’s low-slung four-door coupe design.

Apart from a biturbo V6, Autocar says Kia’s new four-door rear-drive sedan will come with an entry-level 2.0-litre petrol engine that will boast at least 235kW. Originally, it was hoped Kia would make a Toyota 86-rival based on the 2014 GT4 Stinger concept but, speaking at a recent Kia event in Lagos, design boss Peter Schreyer said, “Two-door coupés are a little bit on the decline. It would be nice to make a new coupé, but if there is no demand, what’s the point?”

When asked about the halo car rumoured to be in development, the design director commented: “I think that accep-

tance or demand for two-door models has changed.

“I think it’s more towards four-door coupés or saloons, or coupé-like saloons, if that’s what you want to call them.”

According to Autocar, the standard output for the new turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 ‘Lamda’ engine that is being created for

Continental Tyre opens distribution warehouse in Ghana

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eading international tyre brand Continental Tyre opened its first warehouse for West Africa on July 20 in Ghana. The warehouse is situated in the Tema Harbour with flexible storage capacity to accommodate the company’s development in the region.

As a part of Bolloré Africa Logistics the warehousing facility situated in Tema is part of the organisations top-quality bonded logistics platforms situated a few kilometres from the port terminal. Bolloré Africa logistics in Ghana provides over 90,000m² of warehouses and storage areas.

“The capacity of the facility allows us the opportunity and flexibility to expand as the market dictates,” said Johann Liebenberg, Market Manager Continental Tyre West Africa.

Driven by the need to provide superior prod-

Hyundai Tucson receives J.D. Power 2016 Appeal award

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.D. Power designated the 2016 Hyundai Tucson as its most appealing small SUV in the 2016 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM. In its 21st year, the APEAL study examines owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement across 77 attributes, ranging from the power they feel when they step on the gas to the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat. Vehicles and their brands are measured on a 1,000-point scale.

Tucson outscored all other small SUVs and performed particularly well in the categories of vehicle fuel economy, seats, HVAC, storage, exterior, visibilHyundai Tucson ity, driving, inte-

the Hyundai group’s premium Genesis brand will be around 285kW, but the new engine could be boosted to a more muscular 320kW. If that’s the case, the new GT might benefit from the Korean car-maker’s heavy investment in a performance division to develop the Hyundai N brand.

rior and audio/comm./entertainment/ navigation.

“We are thrilled with the recognition of Tucson in this year’s J.D. Power APEAL study,” said Scott Margason, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The new Tucson looks great, has two fuel efficient engines and a roomy interior that satisfies a wide range of SUV buyers.

The team did a great job launching the all-new Tucson this year.”

ucts and service to the West African market, the new facility in Tema will allow ease of access and increased capacity for quick and efficient distribution.

“We expect delivery within 24-48 hours in Ghana and also a significant reduction in time to service the rest of the West African countries,” said Liebenberg.

Continental Tyre is one of the leading manufacturers of PLT tyres in Europe and the world’s fourth largest passenger tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement market. The opening of the warehouse follows on the successful launch of the company’s new legal entity Continental Tire West Africa (CTWA) on April 20, 2016. The event took place at the Lambadi Beach Hotel in Accra Ghana. CTWA believes that the market holds enormous potential for all its brands including the fast growing General Tire range.

“We wish to have our products close at hand and we will keep stock for the PLT, TT and CST segments of the market” added Liebenberg. “This is an integral part of the success of our legal entity the premier levels of service we wish to offer.”

The West African market is estimated to be in the region of over 8 million potential tyres in 2016, growing to over 12 million in 2025.

CTWA ambitiously wishes to target a fair share of this market.

Tyres will be supplied via our plants in Europe, South Africa, Malaysia, and America, to only mention the main supplying areas. The Tema warehouse will be seen as the distribution hub for Ghana and surrounding countries, where smaller volumes are required.

Dirty washing accessories Regardless of how many times you wash your car, if you are working with dirty cloths, you can cause permanent damage to the paint. Even if you’re cleaning with the softest and finest microfiber cloth or sponge, the moment it drops on the ground, it will pick up microscopic bits of grit, sand and dirt, which can’t be entirely rinsed off. If you continue to wash your car with dirty accessories, you might be left with wiry swirls and scratches on your car.

1. Before beginning a long drive, always get enough sleep and eat something before you go. Highly caffeinated beverages are not necessarily the best way to stay awake while driving. While initially you will feel more alert, the effects can recede with time, and your attention may wander although you remain awake.

2. Pull over and take breaks every couple of hours, even if you don’t feel sleepy. Grab a snack, get some fresh air, and stretch your legs by walking around.

If you need to, take a quick nap.

3. If you can, share the driving responsibilities with someone else. This will allow you to keep an eye on each other while driving and also enable you to nap without losing time. If you’re driving alone, turn on the radio or put on some music, and keep your window cracked open. You may also want to refrain from using your cruise control if you’re driving alone at night -- having to concentrate on maintaining your speed can help you stay awake.

4. If you do have to pull over, move your vehicle off the road. Never park on the shoulder or in the breakdown lane for any reason except an emergency.

5. If you don’t know this one, shame on you. Never drink any alcohol before your trip. While you may not become intoxicated from one beer, you will become sleepy.

6. Before setting off on a long car trip, be sure your vehicle is in prime condition -- that tires are properly inflated, all fluids are at their proper levels and you have a full tank of gas. (For particularly long road trips, you may want to have your mechanic do a more thorough check.)

7. Don’t wait until your gas gauge is sitting on E to refuel. On an unfamiliar road, you never know when the next gas station will appear. As soon as you hit a quarter of a tank, start looking for a place to fill up.

8. When traveling with kids, be sure to stop often -- not just for snacks and potty breaks, but also for fun. You’ll also want to pack toys, books and music for the car -- not to mention your motion sickness remedy of choice.

Seven ways you may be ruining your car’s paint without even knowing it

Fingerprints Using all the fingers to write a funny message or draw a goofy doodle on a dirty car or two can ruin the paint on a car. Dragging your fingers across the paint acts like sandpaper, grinding the dirt and debris into the paint and leaving tiny markings that will last long after the dirt is gone.

Tip: The easiest way to avoid this is not to do it, although it’s still bound to happen. You can use a duster to wipe down your car every day to prevent accidental sanding, or if you need to remove small scratches, you can use a little bit of polish but just remember to wash your car before polishing.

Ash Murky air can leave behind a layer of ash and soot on your car. Though many people would be immediately inclined to wash this away with some water, by mixing water with ash can actually create powerful alkalis that can ruin your car’s finish.

Tip: The easiest way to avoid this is to keep your car covered if you park outside. To get the ash off, gently dust it away with a car duster.

•continue next week

48

SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS

Microfinance banking is engine of growth, Says Spiff

What is the secret behind the large number of clientele Izonibe Microfinance Bank has?

You can see that operations have started fully in our bank. You asked what the magic is? Well when I took over, we came up with a strategy on how to announce the bank. So we got into marketing. Went into the market and started marketing to traders and we came up with a product. The programme is group lending. We group little business women and men and give them a capital to expand their businesses, to expand businesses because it is very difficult to assess funds in all of these commercial banks. They will ask you to bring this and that as collateral.

Here we are concentrating on traders.

We want to know that you are committed to your job. You want to grow your business yourself. So we group you and you guaranty yourselves. It’s now like chain of people trying to grow. In every where you are operating, tomato sellers, garri sellers and kerosene sellers. Whatever you are trading in, we just try to group them and they are doing very well. At least the bank has been able to make people to learn how to save instead of to use that your money to go and buy biscuits. You know that you have to save. So every day you come to the banking hall to save.

Then for our facility customers every week you come and do your repayment.

And again we have handled the payment of one local government’s salaries. We are going to start paying most of the local governments’ salaries soon. You know we have branches all over the local governments. So from this month we are going to be paying most of the local governments’ salaries.

we can assess funds, but here we are ready to assist in your business. We are ready to grow your business, expand your business so that tomorrow you will look back and say thank you for bringing banking to our door steps.

Is this a way of bringing banking to the grassroot?

Izonibe Micro Finance Bank is here so that you can access funds no matter the amount.

You will be able to access funds because that is the biggest problem we are having.

The major problem we are having is how

Many microfinance banks have been established before now but along the line they either became bankrupt or their managers disappeared, how will you ensure that this one will be sustained?

It depends on the microfinance bank. We have different kinds of them. We have unity

Hon. Nengi Rufus Spiff is the Managing Director of Izon-Ibe Microfinance Bank a Bayelsa State Government-owned micro finance bank in Yenagoa, the state capital. In this interview with PAULINE ONYIBE, she describes the establishment of the bank as one of the most laudable achievements of the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson–led administration microfinance bank and state microfinance banks. For us to have opened branches all over the state, you will know that it is a serious business. And besides, with this management, I am confident that we can hold our own. I have over 15 years of banking experience, all the others have varied years of experiences too. There is no way this bank will go down because it is being run by professionals who have been tested.

What qualifies a customer for a loan from this bank?

When you come to the bank you know what our rates are but what we are doing here is micro in nature. Like I told you we are into group lending. So we give capital sum to groups. It can be 100,000, 200,000, 300,000,400,000, and 500,000. It depends on what the individuals in the group want.

Mrs Spiff

A group of how many people?

Four.

What other requirements?

Definitely they come round and open an account. They run the account for some time to enable us see their activities. Before we even disburse, the marketers will go and investigate to be sure that you have this business on ground. We go as far as getting your shop receipt to be sure that you are the owner of that shop. Those people in the market, we go to their union heads to certify that they are trading from that mar-

The unused talent Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only) UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE EXPECTATIONS OF MIRACLE JOBS In the face of the economic challenges of our society, a common phenomenon is unemployment. Session after session, tertiary institutions and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) release graduates into the society beyond the reception capacity of the labour market. The result?

Some victims of this sad reality turn around and victimise society, some just to seek revenge on society, others to make a living.

In view of the sad reality discussed above, it is imperative we repsychologize our youths. We need to shift their paradigms from job seeking to job creation; from white collar jobs to black collar jobs and even collarless jobs. We need to let them know that there is dignity in labour, no matter how menial a job is considered.

Even the bible, from where I draw a lot of inspiration, says, “WHATSOEVER thy hand findeth to do, DO IT WITH THY MIGHT; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Eccclesisates 9:10 KJV) (Emphasis mine).

Recently, a long time friend called to share an unexciting experience with me.

She was given a ‘prophecy’ that she will get a ‘miracle job’. That job is still pending and frustration is setting in. I did a comment on that development. Though I have broadcast it on a smaller platform, I want you to read it here. Here is it: “... A handy job is ‘better’ than a miracle job in the ‘loom’.

Another expression for this is the popular saying “A bird at hand is worth two in the bush.”

The point is that you should not fold your arms waiting for one big ‘miracle’ job to happen. While you wait for the ‘miracle’ job, get busy with something that can place food on your table and get life going, no matter how slowly. After all, you need to stay alive to enjoy that miracle job when it comes. In any case, through a little job, you can create that miracle you are expecting. Little wonder the bible says in Job 8:7, “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” (KJV). It also says in Zechariah 4:10: “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”

Friend, I have discovered that every ‘LESS’ has the capacity to become EXCESS, if consistently subjected to PROCESS. God said, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with ALL your might.” (Eccle-

siastes 9:10) (Not quoted verbatim). He did not talk of a miracle job. Every job has the capacity to birth a miracle for you. I, therefore, challenge you to go out there and start doing something (provided it is not illegal or sinful). Give it your best.

That way you hasten your miracle.” *** AND THIS ... FEED BACK FROM READERS OF THIS COLUMN 1. Hello Okwudiri ur millionaire mentality write up very interesting . pls keep it up, regrds. KALU OJI 2. The MOST HIGH GOD BLESS you more with intellectualism. in JESUS NAME, AMEN. I enjoyed today’s topic-rejection. -Thaddeus-your friend in Minna.

3. Good afternoon sir, I read your article on telegraph newspaper this afternoon.

I’m happy to tell you that God used that piece to solve a particular challenge I’m going through right now. Thank you for making yourself available for God, and as u work in HIS vineyard, HE will continue to work in yours.

4. Hello Mr Victor, I like your write-up on Success Nuggets of The Christmas Story (1) 5. Gud day,Victor. Thanks for ur good writeups. Can u write on 100 million jobs for Nigerian youths from my Waste to Wealth Technology?Sun had published it two years ago. DrJoe Okeke.

Trust you were inspired by this week’s piece. Have a great week.

You will succeed.

Please follow me on Twitter @VictorOkwudiri

ket. And again because it is a group thing, if one person in the group defaults the other people will pay and even if you fail to pay that group is cancelled.

You can’t come back to get any loan any more. If one person defaults definitely the other people will pay because they have guaranteed themselves. But that group can’t come back for funding again. So I’m watching you. You are watching him. Everybody is like putting pressure at the end of the week I’m asking let us go and pay. If I come to your house and I have seen you eating chicken before, I will ask you ‘I hope it’s not Izonibe MFB’s money that you are using to eat chicken?’

Our loans are secured and the good thing is after you have finished paying down, you can renew it. It is a revolving thing. The loan lasts for months. When you are done with it and repay us, we will look at your business at that level and see if there is growth and see what you did previously. You need something more. Because if you give somebody less than what he needs he cannot achieve the aim.

There is this mentality of ‘it is our money in this state’. Some people when they collect the money they feel I’m a Bayelsan and they take off. What is the penalty for such persons who default?

That mentality is what we are correcting.

If you don’t qualify you don’t get the facility. You must meet up our requirements first thing. You must have a business. We are not into new business. We don’t start businesses. We expand businesses. We grow businesses. You must have business for you to even come here.

Is it only for Bayelsans?

It is for everybody. It is a microfinance bank. The bank is opened to everybody, non Bayelsans, non-indigenes inclusive.

MTN may raise fullyear dividend to shareholders

M

MTN Group Ltd. will consider raising its full-year dividend above forecasts if business conditions improve after the settlement of a record fine in Nigeria led to the first-ever half-year loss at Africa’s biggest mobilephone carrier.

The company will consider a higher full-year payout than the forecast 7 randa-share “if operating conditions improve materially,” the Johannesburg-based carrier said in its first-half earnings statement on Friday. MTN paid 13.10 rand a share in 2015, while the payout was set at 2.50 rand for the half year through June.

MTN agreed to settle a N330 billion ($1 billion) fine by Nigerian authorities for missing a deadline to disconnect unregistered customers. Weaker consumer spending and currency moves across many of its 22 markets in Africa and the Middle East also weighed on earnings. The negotiations over the Nigerian fine took eight months and cost 1.3 billion rand ($95 million) in professional-service fees, MTN said. The company hired Eric Holder, the former U.S. Attorney General, to negotiate with the government on its behalf.

MTN is in the process of “a deep and fundamental strategic review of its operations and processes to ensure it is operating far more optimally,” the company said. “The financial performance for the period reflects the confluence of a number of material issues, which created the perfect storm.”

49

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Market Mood Stays Frail … as NSEASI Pegs at -4.25 YtD

T

he Nigerian equities market reversed prior week’s positive return, after declining in four (4) out of the five (5) trading days of the week. The bearish sentiments could be ascribed to the unimpressive H1:2016 results released by companies. Consequently, the NSEASI declined by 2.09% Week-to-Date (WtD), to peg the Year-to-Date (YtD) return at -4.25%. Also, the volume and value of transactions declined 36.53% and 20.19% Week-on-Week, respectively.

There were twenty-two (22) advancers and forty-two (42) decliners during the week, to peg the market breadth at 0.52x. The gainers chart for the week was led by TOTAL, AIRSERVICE, ETERNA, MOBIL and MRS, with respective gains of 33.34%, 22.94%, 14.47%, 10.25% and 10.19%. On the flip side, SEPLAT, FIDELITYBK, DIAMONDBNK, 7UP, and FCMB topped the laggards list, after declining by 18.54%, 14.63%, 13.84%, 9.62% and 9.29% accordingly.

The H1:2016 performance scorecards continued to trickle in the week, as twentytwo (22) companies, including ETERNA, OANDO, MAYBAKER, and ASHAKACEM, released their results. In sum, the impact of higher operations costs, precipitated by the much depreciated naira, was a unifying theme for the weak performances recorded across many of the companies which released results (save for the banks). Also, UNITYKAP declared an interim dividend of NGN0.015/ share, which based on the closing price on the 5th of August, 2016, NGN0.50, represents a dividend yield of 3.00%. The Qualification and Payment dates are scheduled for the 12th and 22nd of August, 2016, respectively.

In the coming week, barring any positive news flows sufficient to drive positive sentiment, we expect the current bearish mood to persist.

This report reviews events in the current week, with emphasis on different segments of the financial market, while presenting our expectations for the coming week.

Fixed Income: Lofty demand for interbank funds raises MMR Financial system liquidity tempered further during the week, following NGN294bn worth of OMO sales in the week. The consequence of this development was felt in the money market space, as OBB and OVN rates advanced by 16.83% and 15.23% respectively, thereby settling the average MMR at 20.03%.

Investors’ appetite towards T-bill instruments was somewhat weak at the start of the week, as yields across most instruments trended northwards. However, following stop rates (90 day, 15.44%; 182 day, 18.06%; 364 day, 18.50) offered during the Primary Market Auction (PMA) for instruments worth NGN245.18bn, investors’ appetites were revived, thus pushing yields across instruments southwards. Overall, the average T-bills yield settled at 18.33%, as of the 4th August, 2016.

Sell sentiments pervaded bond market in the week, as the average bond yield trended northwards. Yields advanced by an average of 0.05% across instruments, to settle at 16.22% at the close of the week. We note that investors’ bias was skewed towards the shorter-end of the yield curve, following the relatively attractive yields on the shorter termed instruments.

The Naira strengthened against the US Dollar during the week, appreciating by 1.24% WoW to peg the mid-price at NGN318/USD. The average forward market rates also appreciated marginally by 10bps, to settle at NGN322.32/USD. Agric Sector: Sector Index appreciates by 4.13% Agricultural sector performance, as measured by the MERI-AGRI index gained 4.13% to settle the YtD return at 19.28% for the week.

There were two (2) gainers in the week, while

respectively, with 1.56% and 0.27% gains, to close at NGN1.92 and NGN18.50 accordingly.

May & Baker Nigeria PLC (MAYBAKER) released its H1:2016 financial scorecard in the week, posting growths of 8.63% and 1.19% YoY in top-line and bottom-line accordingly.

We attribute the upbeat sector performance to bargain hunting activities on counters which were trading at somewhat depressed levels. We do not anticipate that the current trend may subsist in the coming week, save for an inflow of positive news.

other counters traded flat.

LIVESTOCK recorded the utmost gain (+5.00% WoW) for the week, to settle at NGN0.96k, while OKOMUOIL followed closely (3.98% WoW) to peg price at NGN35.00.

Considering the accumulated gains recorded due to impressive results released by Agric sector companies, we do not anticipate significant activities in the coming week. However, given the increasing government support for the sector and the unabated FX scarcity, which we expect to support earnings growth for the companies going forward, we posit that the counters still portend appreciable upside potentials, especially for investors with long term investment horizon.

Banking sector: Declines by 2.43% as Weak Financial Scorecards Trickle In The banking sector closed negative this week, returning -2.43% and bringing the YtD return to +8.10%. The sector breadth stood at 0.29x, as there were two (2) gainers as against twelve (12) laggards.

STANBIC (+4.91%) topped the gainers this week, and was accompanied by STERLNBNK (+2.40%). On the other hand, FIDELITYBK (-14.63%) had the highest loss in the week.

Other top laggards include, DIAMONDBNK (-13.84%), FCMB (-9.29%) and ETI (-7.22%).

Unity Bank PLC (UNITYBNK) released its H1:2016 result during the week. The result showed a decline in Gross earnings (-35.12% YoY), while Profit-Before-Tax and ProfitAfter-Tax declined even more significantly (-70.20%). The decline in Gross earnings was as a result of declines in both interest and noninterest income lines of 42.32% and 82.75% YoY respectively. While the bank made some operational efficiency gains, as operating expenses declined by 13.08% YoY, this was not enough to offset the effect of weaker income generation of the bank.

Barring an impressive news flow, we expect the current mood to subsist in the coming week.

Consumer Goods Sector: Sector Returns

-2.72% WtD Negative sentiments towards the sector were sustained again this week, as ten (10) stocks declined as against five (5) gainers.

FLOURMILL (+8.81% WoW) was the week’s largest advancer, while 7UP (-9.62%) led the laggards chart in the week. The WtD return, as measured by MERI-CMG Index, pegged at -2.72%, to drag the YtD return to -6.14% in the week.

Dangote Flour Mills PLC (DANGFLOUR) released its Q3:2016 result during the week, which highlighted an impressive revenue increase of 50.59% YoY to NGN49.85bn. Also, Profit-Before-Tax (PBT) and Profit-After-Tax (PAT) advanced significantly by 127.67% and 131.19% YoY to NGN2.64bn and NGN2.84bn respectively, buoyed by declines in operating expenses and finance cost in the period. Similarly, VITAFOAM’s Q3:2016 result showed declines in revenue, PBT and PAT of 20.59%, 109.42% and 147.42% YoY, in that order.

INTERBREW and CHAMPION posted their Q1:2016 and Q3:2016 respectively. For INTERBREW, revenue grew by 31.57%, while PBT and PAT pared by 307.37% and 493.84% YoY in that order. CHAMPION witnessed growths in revenue, PBT and PAT of 14.67%, 435.95% and 440.98% YoY accordingly.

We opine that investor sentiments in the week were influenced by the mix performance scorecards released by sector companies. We anticipate largely negative sentiments in the coming week, in the absence of any positive news inflow to sway the sentiment upwards.

Healthcare Sector: MERI-HLTH index records WoW gain of 27bps The Healthcare sector, as measured by our MERI-HLTH index, appreciated by 0.27% WoW, to peg the YtD return at -45.01%. The gains in the week were driven by price appreciations from three (3) sector stocks.

With the majority of the counters within the sector trading flat in the course of the week, PHARMADEKO maintained its position as the highest gainer in the week, advancing by 2.89% WoW to close at NGN1.78. The counter was trailed by FIDSON and GLAXOSMITH,

Industrial Goods: Selloffs Drive WAPCO Shares Further Down Bearish sentiments dominated the industrial goods sector, as the Meri-Industrial index contracted by 3.39% WoW to peg the YtD return at -2.88%. Market breath (0.33x) skewed against the lone gainer in favor of 3 losers.

CUTIX gained 9.38% during the week ended to emerge as the only sector gainer following the release of an impressive FY2016 result. On the flip side, WAPCO continued to depreciate in value, shedding 8.66% to lead the decliners, while PORTPAINT and CCNN trailed with declines of 4.86% apiece.

During the week CUTIX and ASHAKACEM released its FY2016 and H1:2016 financial scorecards. CUTIX grew revenue, PBT and PAT by 20.24%, 37.61% and 27.71% YoY, respectively, while ASHAKACEM’s revenue, PBT and PAT contracted by 28.65%, 63.36% and 54.12% YoY accordingly, due to lingering FX scarcity and high operating costs.

We expect investors to continue reacting to the latest quarterly earnings, while also anticipating the impact of budget implementation and FX market liberalization on sector profitability.

Insurance Sector: Market Favours LAWUNION The insurance sector, as measured by the NGSEINS10, declined by 1.81% week-onweek, settling the YtD return to -8.65%. Sector breadth pegged at 0.25x, reflecting a lone advancer and four (4) decliners.

LAWUNION topped the gainers’ chart, after the counter appreciated by 7.55% WoW to close at NGN 0.57. On the flip side, AIICO emerged as the worst performing stock, paring by 8.11% WoW to close at NGN0.68. The counter was followed by CONTINSURE (-6.54%), NEM (-3.41%) and MANSARD (-2.79%). All other counters traded flat.

Equity Assurance PLC (EQUITYASUR) and International Energy Insurance PLC (INTENEGINS) released H1:2016 financial scorecards during the week. EQUITYASUR recorded growth declines of -0.58% and -218.15% YoY in top-line and bottom-line respectively. While IEI reported -44.37% and -954.67% YoY decline in top-line and bottomline accordingly.

Also,Unity Kapital Assurance Plc. declared an interim dividend of NGN0.015/per share, implying a dividend yield of 3.00% at the current market price (NGN0.50).

We expect the general market mood to dictate the sector’s performance in the coming week.

Oil & Gas Sector: OANDO Releases H1:2016 Scorecard The sector’s mood was dictated by the trend in the general market as the NSEOILG5 index waned by 1.85% in the week, thereby dragging the Year-to-Date return to -17.71%. Sector breadth, which pegged at 1.67x, was skewed in favor of five (5) advancers as against three (3) decliners.

TOTAL topped the gainers chart for the week after advancing by 33.34% WoW to close with a price of NGN242.02. ETERNA (+14.47% WoW), MOBIL (+10.25% WoW), MRS (+10.19% WoW) and OANDO (+5.00% WoW) trailed behind. On the flip side, FO (-4.95% WoW), CONOIL (-5.00% WoW) and SEPLAT (-18.54% WoW) were the laggards for the week.

50

SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

FAITH

Avoid negative thoughts

O

ne day, my spiritual mentor who was based in London invited me to come for a Conference in London and planned programmes for me to minister in some churches. It was a rare privilege.

He sent his statement of account for the Visa interview and even called the head of the British Consular office – Lagos to give me visa.

On the date, the Head of the Consular himself went outside three different times to call my name but I was not there. I was still on the way. By the time I arrived, they told me that I was not serious and not prepared to travel. Why? I prepared to travel Sunday evening to Lagos by flight. I packed my luggage and got all the papers ready. I had the money for flight, but suddenly, a thought came to my mind to travel the following morning, take first flight, arrive Lagos in 45 minutes time, then take a drop to the Embassy. It was a negative thought.

I picked that thought and postponed the trip to Monday morning. With all the delays, I arrived Lagos at about 9am and it took me between 3 – 4

Word of Life Archbishop. Moses Kattey moseskatteyabp@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

Never, never I repeat, accept a negative thought, or a plan that appears easier or more comfortable.

That thought or plan, originate from Satan and it surfaces, when there is a great opportunity for you to make it hours to move from Airport to the Embassy. All these while, my mentor in London was calling me and the Head of the British consular in Lagos had come out 3 different times to look for me. I missed a 2 - year visa on platter of gold. I do not know what they wrote in the computer that kept me from London for close to 13 years later. I understood what actually happened to me.

It was like what happened to one of the 12 disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ that betrayed Him: And supper being ended

the devil having now put (a thought) into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him. (John 13:2) I accepted a negative thought the devil put in my heart and missed an opportunity that could have opened the golden doors to me. Negative thought. Satan knew what God had planned for me but my preparation was poor. I took things for granted. The intersection of preparation and opportunity is success. Things do not just fix themselves.

I was speaking to many ministers in one programme and I told them this story and how I missed great opportunity.

I asked how many of them have missed opportunities in their lives. To my greatest surprise, all of them raised up hands almost in tears. Never, never I repeat, accept a negative thought, or a plan that appears easier or more comfortable. That thought or plan, originate from Sa-

tan and it surfaces, when there is a great opportunity for you to make it. Such plan looks less sacrificial, more comfortable, easier to carryout and makes you relax – false relax.

Once one accepts such a negative thought by acting upon it, he hands over the advantage he has over Satan back to Satan.

Last Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11) Infact, in a wrestling match, one is careful not to give a “foot hold” to the opponent. That will be disastrous. Accepting a negative thought is giving a foothold to Satan or you enemy.

Be ye angry and sin not: let not sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil (Eph. 4:27,28 KJ) Different versions of the Bible put it these ways: and do not give the devil a foothold (NIV) And give no opportunity to the devil (ESV) We are not down trying to go up. We are up and the enemy is trying to pull us down. A negative thought, puts you down and will take you time to get to the top again.

When your spouse is talking to you

O

ne of the greatest desires of anyone in a marriage is to be understood, but before that can effectively happen, you must first make it a priority to understand your partner. There are different listening styles.

A competitive listener usually thinks he/she is listening to a conversation, but in reality is thinking of a better story to say immediately the person talking has finished. For example, a spouse can begin a discussion on politics and instead of the other spouse to listen to understand what is being said, the latter is thinking of the moment to jump in with a better story or a more ‘educated’ view. A husband can come home really tired and ready to tell his wife about the strenuous day he had at work; instead of really listening, she jumps right through to give her own story of the strenuous day she had with the children leading to a subtle competition of who had the worse day.

Competitive listeners are usually self-oriented; they want to be the center of attention and want no one to have a better story, worse experience, more intelligent and other things.

They may nod their heads

Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521 to the conversation but all that is really going through their minds is how to interrupt with a greater story.

Competitive listening is not healthy for any relationship because after some time, the other party begins to feel unheard and reluctant to communicate. As a competitive listener, you may feel you are a good listener while your spouse is choking by your many smart stories and soon learn to not confide in you because he/she will not get succor, James 1:19.

The next time your spouse is speaking, make an attempt to clear your mind; decide not to bring up any better story even when you have a more interesting one. Do not share it at that moment.

A newly married lady was furious with her husband less than a year after their marriage; her reason being that he never listened to her. Because they spend each day apart as a result of their busy schedule, she wanted them to spend

the evenings recounting the events of their day and bonding. However, she noticed anytime she wanted to tell her husband anything, he rarely paid attention. The husband on his part was puzzled because he was able to repeat word-for-word of everything the wife had said each time she accused him of not listening. He always defended himself by repeating her side of the conversation to her but this was not enough for her, she wanted more.

The husband belonged to the category of listeners I refer to as the ‘busy listeners’. They may listen but at the same time are busy doing something else. Many men fall into this category.

They listen to the words of the conversation not the meaning or emotions behind those words because their minds are occupied with something else. I know of a man whose first thought anytime his wife came to sit with him for conversation was

‘how long will this take?’

Though he never verbalized his thoughts, his body language made her know he really was not listening.

Another set of poor listeners are those that listen with the assumption that they know where the speaker is headed; what he/she is about to say next and can offer a solution to any predicament. This type is the ‘know it all’ listener.

There are moments when your spouse just wants to share with you and deepen your relationship.

Communication is more about deepening relationship than giving and receiving advice. Decide to be quiet and truly understand what your spouse is saying instead of guessing or assuming the next words, Prov. 18:13.

No matter how busy you may be, make out time to listen to your spouse. Listen with your ears, listen with your eyes and listen with your attention. Listen to understand the entire message with patience and love. Let your spouse feel important when talking with you.

DO NOT RUSH OR IGNORE EACH OTHER. I have discovered that listening attentively creates a bond between the speaker and the person listening thereby cementing emotions and love.

Mystery of Anxiety Bishop John Ogbansiegbe 0803 341 6327 (SMS Only)

Discover indwelling victory key

I

n addition to knowing one’s self, one should not associate with people who do not value and inspire him or her. While I was studying and meditating on the sermon on the mountain in Matthew 7:6, I was captivated by the revelation knowledge which I got from the verse. And the revelation automatically changed my attitude to relationships with people till today.

I called my wife and quickly shared the revelation with her and she caught it immediately.

We agreed and adopted it as our guiding policy regarding relationships with other people. In line with the revelation the Bible says: “ Give that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swines, lest they trample them under feet, and turn again and rend you,” – Mathew 7:6.

Going by this scriptural position, everybody cannot be your friend and you must choose your friends wisely. Associating with people who do not value you will open you up for disdain and degradation while those who value you will motivate, inspire and upgrade you with their association. Do not go to where you are tolerated but go to where you are celebrated.

To this end, always associate with people that help you grow and strengthen your self-esteem, credibility, integrity and dignity void of impunity. And not hypocritical associates and false friends, who will envy you, gossip with your name, discourage, dislodge and unnecessarily compete with you.

The phrase, “He that is in you” speaks of an indwelling personality domicile in the inner man as a propelling force to victory over every opposition and challenge of life.

The word of God declares: “Ye are gods, little children and have overcome them because great is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

It means that the person in this privileged position is an embodiment of the triune God. The Almighty God lives in you, you don’t need to fear anything or any person; and you don’t need to be afraid of the adversary.

The force in you is greater than the one in the world.

The force within you operates from the inside and manifests in the outside. This power makes you a winner anytime, anywhere and any day.

Have you imagined what it means for God to dwell in you, in His fullness and power?

“For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world even out faith,” -1John 5:4. When you operate in ignorance of the above scriptural fact, you remain a slave to fear. By the presence of He that is in you, you have already overcome the devil; you have overcome demons, principalities and powers of the darkness of this world. By the presence of the triune God in you, you are more than a conqueror. We are not to be carnally minded like the Corinthian believers.

They allowed carnality to dominate them and walked like ordinary men, because they were in Christ, St. Paul asked them “Are ye not carnal and walk as ordinary men,” - 1Corinthioans 3:2.

And our Lord Jesus Christ categorically declares to his disciples including you and I: “Behold I give unto you powers to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over the powers of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you,” - Luke 10:19. This is wonderful.

Do you know what it means? It means that you have been officially given power over the powers of the enemy, that power has put Satan and his entire host under your feet.

By the authority of He that is in you, you shall not only be victorious, you shall reign. In other words, Christ shall reign through you until all enemies are brought under his footstool.

Associating with people who do not value you will open you up for disdain and degradation while those who value you will motivate, inspire and upgrade you with their association

51

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016

FAITH

Insight

Rev. Femi Akinola www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

You have something extra-ordinary

I

t is very easy to be faithful and obedient under good weather and circumstances, but under life threatening conditions it can be very challenging.

David learnt faithfulness under difficult circumstances. God tried him in very hard ways before qualifying him for kingship.

In the history of David’s family, as the last born, he was expected to end up a shepherd, but God had another plan.

The plan of men for you shall not come to pass; only God’s plan shall come through in your life in Jesus name.

It was in the same wilderness that David learnt to play the musical instrument skilfully, such that whenever Saul was tormented by demons, David would be invited to play for Saul’s deliverance. It was his musical gift that took him first of all into the palace. This is proof of the scripture that says your gift will bring you before kings.

When life puts you in very tight corners, don’t waste such times; instead use the opportunity to learn to do something very skilfully, such that when you appear to do it publicly, your season of obscurity will be ended automatically. Whenever you find yourself in the back side of the wilderness of life, learn to play skilfully. Learn to read your Bible. Learn how to fast and stand out in destiny. Learn how to make the best use of your trouble to emerge with greatness.

Many people don’t know how to take advantage of challenges for their advancement in destiny. Adversity and trouble are the opportunities for excellence in any endeavour. People who suffer difficulty often used that time to develop great skills.

When you have too many friends and are always in the company of people who like you, you might never develop to your full capacity. But when you are left alone and possibly forgotten, you go from isolation to celebration.

David didn’t just learn to play musical instrument, he learnt to use the slingshot so skilfully.

The slingshot was not just a catapult, but an instrument of warfare in

Israel at the time. When David went for Goliath he wasn’t joking. He knew and was confident because he had trained for it. Goliath was wearing a helmet, so the one who must throw a stone at him using the sling shot must be extra skilful at it. It wasn’t the Holy Ghost who threw the stone at Goliath, it was David through skill.

Every skill in your life is being polished by the power and grace of God in Jesus name.

David’s brothers got tired of tending sheep and went to war to be recon with as real men.

But even in the battle field none of them was man enough to accept Goliath’s challenge. They left tending sheep to the one they thought was small and insignificant, but little did they know that the young man was using the wilderness to develop himself for international recognition. The talents and gifts God has put in you are for international impact, don’t play too small.

Mike Tyson was a ghetto fighter, but someone who thought that this young man’s skill which always got him arrested by police men and put in custody could be harnessed and put to good sport use. That was Mike Tyson’s turn around.

Whatever appears to be a waste in your life, today, I see God turning them into your asset for access into greatness in your life in Jesus name.

What they thought will stop you, will be your instrument for lifting in Jesus name.

God communicates a very strong lesson to us through the life and experience of Jephtha in the Bible. His only offence was because his mother was a prostitute, which made his brothers to hate him. They felt it was enough for their father to have made the mistake of sleeping with a prostitute like other men did, but for him to have brought the mistake home by impregnating the prostitute and not even denying it (which is what wise men who sleep with prostitutes will do), he had crossed line, and they weren’t going to accept it.

•To be continued next week

I

The laws of money

t was a sunny day.

Breeze oozed from the nearby river, birds sang as only could be heard in Africa.

The peaceful atmosphere of the nearby forest communicated the serenity and peace that God Almighty Himself had implanted in nature. Yet, despite the obvious blessings of nature all around, a young lad of 13 was looking for a way to end his own life.

He had heard several times of people writing and talking about suicide.

The meaning was clear to him. Thoughts of poisons came to his mind. His dilemma was, however, how to lay his hands on it. These and many other thoughts so clouded the mind of this young, 13 year old boy he could not notice or pay attention to the still call of nature to behold her beauty. He was immersed in his own frustrations and anger so much that it would have been an insult for anyone to draw his attention to his beautiful surrounding.

That young man is your writer today, Sunday Adelaja. Will you be interested in knowing the reason that almost led me to suicide at the tender age of 13? As absurd and bizarre as this might sound, the reason is just because I couldn’t get

The Purpose of Nations

Pastor Sunday Adelaja pastor@godembassy.org

money to supply myself with breakfast, lunch or dinner for several days running!

In the part of Europe where I live today, hardly will anyone believe that it is actually possible for a kid that young to go several days without food. This is in Europe.

The reality of our world however is that on the other side of the world, on the continent of Africa, my story will not be a lonely one. I will not be exaggerating if I say that millions of kids are in the same condition of living that almost drove me to suicide. How will our world live with the thought that in the 21st century, there are actually millions of kids that would rather go through the pain of suicide just to avoid the pain of hunger?

Let me tell you friends, the cruel reality is that as long as we are living in such a world where some go to bed hungry, and others live in opulent wealth, we are all guilty!

The reality is that so long as there is poverty in our

world, we are all indeed poor. The conditions of our environment talk of the reality of our soul.

We are all as rich as the world we live in. If the world we live in is poor, we are all poor not minding our opulence, wealth and riches.

Poverty is a cruel, wicked and heartless reality in our world. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) states that every year, consumers in industrialized countries waste almost as much food as the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa (222 million vs. 230 million tons). The amount of food lost and wasted every year is equal to more than half of the world’s annual cereals crops (2.3 billion tons in 2009/10). Ordinarily, no one should be hungry talk less of contemplating suicide in our world.

The world produces more food than is needed to feed all the inhabitants of our planet; but because of the heartless and callous attitude of

the people and nations who have this wealth, we are forced to live in a world where some throw food away while others die for lack of food.

I would however not sit down here and whine all day long about how unjust our world is. I have come to the conclusion that the world will not become just all by itself.

Unfortunately, people are people. Meaning people are first selfish, egocentric, before they are considerate or compassionate. People don’t really care what is happening in the world they live in as long as they are okay.

That is just the cruel reality of our world.

Recently, I started to observe the panic response of wealthy nations to the plight of immigrants and refugees trying to escape their home lands in search of better lives, who all in the process perished in the sea. All of a sudden, nations and Prime Ministers began to offer asylum and refuge to the survivors.

I laughed out of amusement, not because I was mocking the kindness of these people, but more because, I wondered why it had to take such a grave tragedy for them to notice that the rest of the world has been languishing in need and want all the while.

Cleric predicts return of peace worldwide Tai Anyanwu

I

f the recent prediction by the Founder of the Omnipotence Mission of God, Rev Joshua Oloruntimilehin, is anything to go by, the world might as well not be in it’s last days as other clerics have been claiming.

Oluruntimilehin, had during a goodwill message titled ‘Restoration of Peace in the World,’ claimed that God has revealed to him that peace will soon be restored in the world by God’s agents of peace.

Delivering the message to the congregation at the church’s headquarters In Ipaja, Lagos, the cleric said: “Some children have been born as agents of peace and some of them are yet to be born. Any time from now, the whole world will be seeing signs of laying down of arms of war, returning of seized or disputed lands to their owners.”

According to Oloruntimilehin, these agents of peace will assume various leadership positions like presidency, senate, house of assembly, heads of religions, prime ministers, governors, ministers, directors and heads of families in different parts of the world.

His words: “The agents of peace are coming to rule the whole world in different capacities and positions and also to prepare the world for the coming of the crowned king of peace.

There will be peace, no more wars, no more bloodshed, pains, agony, oppression, selfish interest, racism

or ethnicity; love will reign supreme in the world and they will be friendly with all. Occultic leaders would also be dethroned worldwide.”

In the light of the biblical verse which says that in the last days there will be wars, nations will rise against nation, brother against brother, and that strive will be all over, one could easily discharge oloruntimilehin’s prediction.

However, Oluruntimilehin maintained that God Himself gave him the revelation and backs his claim with the scriptural verse in the book of Amos3:7; “God will not do anything without revealing the secrets to His prophets”.

More so, he cites his earlier predic-

tions which had come to pass as a point of reference. In the early hours of January 10 2015, while ministering at the church’s annual Bethel convention, Oloruntimilehin had predicted that a strange disease like over blown pimples would break out in Nigeria; and that it would be deadlier than AIDs. “It is on record that few months after, my prediction came to pass; because Ebola disease broke out in Nigeria. The whole world was shaken by this Ebola disease,” he said.

Again in March of the same year, the man of God said that Ebola will varnish from the shores of Nigeria within three months; and around June, it was so.

GOD OF MERCY REVIVAL MINISTRIES 17th Power Conference announces it's theme:

God of New Creation DATE: 9th to 12th August, 2016 VENUE: Church Premises 24, Bankole Close, Pab B/Stop, Idimu Ikotun, Lagos.

IMPARTATION SERVICE Host

Dr. James Akanbi General Overseer

Comes up on August 14 @

MERCY CAMP GROUND

Km 4, Sagamu, Papalanto Rd. Off Ibadan Expressway.

52

SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SCIENCE

08035624538

Scientists develop ‘DNA fingerprinting’ to identify rapists With an estimated 500,000 rape cases every year in South Africa where a woman is raped every 17 seconds, the country has the highest rate of rape crimes in the world followed by India, USA, and Sweden. The Medical Research Council of South Africa has estimated that only one in nine rapes case in South Africa are reported due to stigmatization and other societal factors. In Nigeria for example, the rape of minors has become a recurring decimal. However, the good news is that with the new technique developed in science - DNA fingerprinting-when applied effectively, the issue of rape in the world will be minimized drastically. Science Writer, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM AMALAHA, takes a look at this technique and its importance to society

I

South Africa women protesting against rape

t is not far-fetched to say that we are living in a world full of rape. Right from the Biblical history, Amnon, one of the sons of David, raped his sister Tamar (II Samuel 13: 1 – 20). In South Africa, where rape crimes are said to be the highest in the world the issue is reported in seconds or minutes. Everyday in Nigeria for example, newspapers bring to our attention frequent cases of rape with such headlines like: ‘Police rape 2 ESUT girls in Enugu, ‘11- year-old girl raped, infected with HIV by 47-year old man; ‘10 year-old girl raped by father of 9’, the list appears endless.

One disheartening issue in these rape cases is that the men that perpetrate these acts in most times are allowed to go scot free with little or no punishment. In some cases they are not identified because there is no scientific evidence to identify the culprit. However, the good news now is that with the new technique developed in science-DNA fingerprinting, rape crimes will be minimized when applied effectively.

•What is DNA Fingerprinting? human fingerprint in the late 1800s.

DNA fingerprinting is a technique used •The uniqueness of DNA fingerprinting by forensic scientists to distinguish beThe chromosomes of every human tween individuals of the same species cell contain scattered through their using only samples of their DeoxyriboDNA short highly-repeated 15 nucleonucleic Acid (DNA). Unlike conventional tide segments called ‘mini-satellites’. fingerprint that occurs only on the fingerThe location and number of repeats tips and can be altered by surgery, a DNA of any particular mini-satellites are so fingerprint is the same for every cell, highly variable that no two people tissue, and organ of a person. are alike. The probability of two It cannot be altered by any unrelated individuals having The technique of DNA known treatment. Consethe same pattern of locafingerprinting is based on the quently, since 1987, it has tion and repeat-number fact that every individual appears to been used as the priof mini-satellite is one in have a unique set of the DNA segments mary method for iden10 billion, with a world that serve as the spacers or punctuation tifying and distinguishpopulation of about 7 marks between genes. Consider the semen ing among individual billion, no two people sample found on the victim’s clothing human beings. DNA even identical twins (Linda). Even if it is a very tiny spot, it fingerprint was first from the same mother contains more than enough DNA for a introduced as evidence are totally the same. reliable genetic fingerprint; 1x10-9 in U.S. court in 1988. It is •Advancement of DNA gram of DNA is sufficient considered to be the greatto DNA fingerprinting est advance in forensic science A model of the molecular since the first use of the distinctive structure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid

(DNA), the hereditary material in chromosomes developed in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick was a great advancement in science which won them the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Their work paved way for the development of DNA fingerprinting which plays a great role for lawyers to secure judgment in forensic chemistry and in genetic engineering. Lets see how it works.

•How DNA fingerprinting works A young woman, Linda, has been raped in her residence in Lagos Nigeria, at night, she didn’t identify her attacker, who was masked.

The police in Lagos have two suspects, but neither men was seen in the neighborhood on the night of the attack. There seems to be little evidence, except for several drops of semen on the victim’s clothing and her vaginal canal. With DNA fingerprinting, it is possible to identify the rapist with a probability approaching certainty.

DNA fingerprinting is based on the fact that each of us has his or her own unique DNA. It is not surprising that the really important genes, those that encode for insulin, hemoglobin, chymotrypsin, and most other proteins, are identical in almost all of us.

Here as we have already noted, mutations are rare. We differ primarily in the junk DNA that makes up about 98% of the 3 billion base pairs in each human cell nucleus. Therefore, it is to this apparently nonessential DNA that forensic scientists look when they seek to determine “who committed a crime”.

•Technique The technique of DNA fingerprinting is based on the fact that every individual appears to have a unique set of the DNA segments that serve as the spacers or punctuation marks between genes. Consider the semen sample found on the victim’s clothing (Linda). Even if it is a very tiny spot, it contains more than enough DNA for a reliable genetic fingerprint; 1x10-9 gram of DNA is sufficient.

First the DNA is extracted, and then it is multiplied many times over by the polymerase chain reaction. These copies are exposed to the action of enzymes that cut the DNA strands before and after the spacers segments just mentioned.

The fragments are then subjected to electrophoresis, a method of separating molecules based on their rate of movement in an electric field. In the technique used in DNA fingerprinting, samples are applied to a strip of a polysaccharide gel, and electrophoresis is carried out in this medium. Because the phosphate groups of the DNA are negatively charged, the fragments migrate toward the positive electrode or pole. The speed at which a DNA segment moves depends on the magnitude of its electrical charge and its size or molecular mass. Shorter strands of DNA, consisting of fewer base pairs, will move faster than longer strands, which encounter more resistance from the gel.

It is necessary to see and measure how far the DNA fragments have traveled in a fixed period of time. This is done by using radioactive markers that can be detected because they expose photographic film. The fingerprint thus consists of a firm with black smudges or bars, each one corresponding to the distance migrated by a particular segment of DNA. The heaviest and longest segment are closest to the point of application, the lightest and shortest ones are the farthest away.

•To be continued next week

SUNDAY

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

German Rohr arrives Abuja for Eagles’ job p.55

StarTimes secure EPL live broadcast right p.55

Aminu Umar finally joins U-23 Eagles in Manaus

SPORTS

Dapo Sotuminu

A

frican Sprint Queen, Blessing Okagbare, is leading the legion of five Nigerian medals’ hopefuls as the Rio Olympics 2016 flagged off officially at the weekend in Brazil.

The five athletes aside from Okagbare who Nigeria can bank on for possible medals at the world’s biggest sports fiesta include; table tennis star Aruna Quadri, women’s long jumper Ese Brume, the Dream Team VI, female wrestlers Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuruoye.

For Blessing Okagbare, her prospects of winning her second Olympic medal at the Rio Olympics is brighter than what it was at the London 2012 Olympics four years ago when she spent her valuable energy and top form competing in the Golden League and the Diamond League weeks to the London Games, for the purpose of making some mega bucks a situation that prevented her from doing well at the Games proper. All those she defeated at the money-spinning Golden and Diamond Leagues saved their energies for bigger occasions as they turned around to win Olympic medals at the London 2012 Games, while Okagbare lost out entirely after qualifying for three finals; the 100, 200 and 4x100metres.

The situation is different today as the Rio Games officially flagged off at the weekend.

This time around, the more experienced and wiser Okagbare deliberately saved her energy from the lucrative leagues, in an effort to put up her best performances at the Rio Games. With her current form and the 100 percent preference for the Rio Games, there are strong indications that Okagbare would spring medal-winning performances in the 200m and 4x100m relays.

Okagbare, unlike what happened before a major competition like the Olympic Games in the past withdrew into her shell and has been training quietly under her experienced American coach who has concentrated mostly on the athlete’s potential of winning medals at the Rio Games. Another thing Blessing have going for her is that, at the Rio

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p.55

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu daposotu@yahoo.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Okagbare leads five medals’ hopefuls to Rio Olympics

Games there would be less pressure on her to win compared to the cut throat pressure mounted on her at the London Games. Okagbare, is at the moment in the top 10 world ranking of sprinters in the 100m and 200m.

Okagbare’s victories in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays at the 2014 Commonwealth Games give her a bright chance to do well at her third Olympic appearance. She won bronze in the long jump at her first Olympics appearance in the 2008 Beijing Games.

Aruna Quadri is next in line of Nigerian athletes good to win medals at the Rio Olympics. Quadri, who is competing in his second Olympic Games after crashing out in the second round at the London 2102, has been tipped by the International Table Table Federation (ITTF) to win a medal at the Rio Games.

The former world number one player, in the past few months has been on top of his game which took him to the pinnacle of the sport in the African continent, as he is currently the Africa’s number one. He is determined to win a medal for himself in the men’s singles event and also take a chance in the Team event with the strong backing of seventh-time Olympian, Segun Toriola, sixth-time Olympian Funke Oshonaike and highly experienced Offiong Edem.

Quadri, revealed that in the last three months, his training schedules in the two clubs in France and Portugal where she plays, were adjusted by his coaches to fall in line with the big challenges that would be presented at

the 2016 Olympics.

For Nigeria’s women’s long jumper, Ese Brume, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, the chances of winning a medal in Rio is very bright judgering by her current form.

The jump that gave her the gold medal at the Glasgow Games, is good to pick a silver medal in the Olympics, that is if she can replicate her performance in 2014.

Brume, who has been Okagbare’s training partner in the long jump for years, has learned the rope and she is ready to do the country proud at the Rio Games despite the Team Nigeria’s poor preparation ahead of the Rio Games, the worst in history of Nigerian sports. Ese, said she is determined to mount the podium at the Rio Games even if it is a bronze medal. With the possibility of Blessing Okagbare withdrawing from the long jump event to have enough concentration for the 100m and 200m events, Ese Brume, will stand out as Nigeria’s brightest hope of picking a medal in the athletics field event.

Nigeria’s Olympic football team, the Dream Team VI, is another medal hopeful at the Rio Olympics. Despite the Sports Minister’s ineptitude to ensure a befitting preparation for the country’s athletes, the Nigeria Football Federation went ahead with a world class preparation programme for the Games. The team’s strongest point is that it is being led to Rio by the same coach, Samson Siasia, who took the team to a silver medal performance at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Siasia knows

what it takes to win medal in the Olympics.

The Nigeria’s Dream Team became the first African side to win the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in 1996. A side that included Celestine Babayaro, Taribo West, Nwankwo Kanu, Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh defied the odds in Athens, Georgia thanks to dramatic late winners; Kanu grabbed a golden goal in their semi-final against Brazil while Emmanuel Amuneke fired the decisive strike in the 90th minute of the gold medal match against Argentina. The Albiceleste would have their revenge in 2008.

With 10 victories, no African side has won more Men’s Olympic Football Tournament games than Nigeria.

Female wrestlers Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuruoye are the other Nigeria athletes who are also in line to do the country proud at the Rio Olympics after their various gold medal performances at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 African Championship. Their current form in the various categories is playing out well for the Nigeria Wrestling Federation president, former World and Olympic champion, Daniel Igali, who despite not being boastful about his wards winning gold medals at the Rio Olympics but he is sure the five female and two male wrestlers to the 2016 Olympics won’t return empty handed as a group after so much investment in preparing them for their best moments as wrestlers.

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Sport

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Rio 2016 Olympic update

Bolt: I’m in shape to run 9.60 seconds in final

U

sain Bolt says he’s in 9.60 seconds shape and has warned his American rivals that they will feel his “full wrath” at Rio 2016 later this month.

Bolt, who is hunting an unprecedented third successive Olympic Games treble, has shaken off a minor hamstring injury and is ready to defend his titles in Rio de Janeiro.

Bolt could even be ready to take down his own Olympic record of 9.63 seconds in the 100m, which was set at the London

Games in 2012.

“I’m feeling much more confident now,” the 29-year-old sprint legend said in an interview.

“I’m much more comfortable with where I’m at.”

He stopped short of predicting the times he would run in Rio de Janeiro, but revealed that he’s in very good shape.

“I never try to predict times, because you never know what will happen. But for me the shape I’m in, I’ll say I’m in much better shape, so I think 9.6 sec-

onds definitely.”

Such statement could send chills down the spine of his rivals, especially the Americans, who Bolt says need to start learning to not irritate him ahead of major championships.

“Yes definitely, I think they have not learned over the years that the more you talk, the more I will want to beat you,” Bolt said.

“It’s one of those things, but I’m looking forward to it, should be exciting and they will feel my full wrath as always.”

US Women’s Basketball team aims for sixth straight gold medal A mid concerns about health, security and logistical problems at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the U.S. basketball players are staying afloat - literally.

Both the men’s and women’s teams are living aboard a cruise ship during the games: the ninedeck, 196-cabin Silver Cloud.

But the players have other chal-

lenges to focus on.

At their last practice session on U.S. soil before going to Rio, the women’s team huddled around Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, who told them they had a “target” on their backs in terms of the competition.

The United States has won five consecutive gold medals in women’s

basketball and hasn’t lost a single game since the 1992 Olympics.

The players seemed to understand the nature of the competition.

Some of them spoke to VOA about how they have mentally prepared themselves for the competition.

Tamika Catchings, an Olympic veteran with three gold medals, is ready to win again.

South Korean archer Kim sets world record S outh Korean archer Kim Woojin set a 72-arrow world record in the men’s preliminaries at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The world No. 1 scored 700 points in the ranking round at Sambodromo, beating the previ-

ous record of 699, set by South Korea’s Im Dong-hyun at the 2012 London Olympics.

This was the first world record set at the Rio Games, whose opening ceremony is set for later Friday.

Woojin

G

reat Britain’s Adam Peaty scorched the prelim field at day one of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, powering his way to a new World Record in the men’s 100 breaststroke.

The young Brit, who last year became the first swimmer to swim a sub-58 100 breast, lowered his own World Record of 57.92 down to a swift 57.55 tak-

Peaty

Kim finished 10 points ahead of second-place Brady Ellison of the United States. As the top seed, Kim will face the 64th qualifier in the individual round.

Kim said afterward he wouldn’t be carried away by his recordsetting day.

“I was never paying too much attention about a world record, and so I am really not that excited,” he said. “The ranking round is just that. I will be concentrating harder on the tournament. I won’t get ahead of myself. If I prepare the best I can, there will be a good result.”

Kim said he hadn’t been feeling great before arriving in Rio but he’s getting better and better.

He added he wasn’t aware of the world record but admitted, “I was nervous when I fired my last arrow.”

Peaty sets new world record in 100m breaststroke swimming ing charge from the beginning of the race all the way until the end.

Peaty told the media, “Hopefully tonight I’m going to feel a lot better and hopefully swim a little bit faster.” He also explained, “We’re not going to get too complacent now. We’re going to keep striving, keep pushing the boundaries.”

Japan’s Yasuhiro Koseki clocked the only 58-second swim of the morning, stopping the clock at a 58.91,

good for the second place seed.

Brazil’s Felipe Franca and the USA’s Kevin Cordes delivered similar times for the third and fourth place seeds respectively.

Franca turned in a time of 59.01, while Cordes posted a 59.13.

Cordes said, “It was a great first swim and I’m excited to improve when I get to the final.”

Fellow USA team member Cody Miller picked up the fifth place seed with a time of 59.17, just ahead of Australia’s Jake Packard’s 59.26.

South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh (59.35) and Brazil’s Joao Gomes (59.46) claimed seventh and eighth respectively.

Bolt

First gold medal in Rio goes to US shooter Thrasher V irginia Thrasher went through a three-week spring whirlwind, winning three NCAA titles and a spot on the U.S. Olympic Shooting team.

The precocious 19-year-old closed out the summer with her biggest surprise yet.

Keeping her nerve on sport’s biggest stage, Thrasher on Saturday earned the first gold medal of the Rio Olympics, outlasting two-time gold medalist Du Li to capture the women’s 10-meter air rifle title.

“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” Thrasher said. “I knew it was a realistic expectation for me to get into the finals and once you get into the finals, anything can happen. For me, this year has been incredible.”

Thrasher had a quick rise to the

top.

A figure skater growing up, she switched sports five years ago after a hunting trip with her family.

Thrasher killed a deer with her first shot of her first hunting trip and has continued to hit the mark wherever she’s gone. Thrasher was not expected to be among the top five scorers - all that counts in NCAA competition - at shooting powerhouse West Virginia, yet got better as the season progressed.

She became the first freshman to win both NCAA rifle titles and led the Mountaineers to the team championship.

Less than a month later, Thrasher won the U.S. Olympic Trials, earning a spot in Rio. She didn’t flinch at the sport’s brightest spotlight - or an air horn.

Nadal ‘happy’ to carry Spain flag

R

afael Nadal admitted his delight at carrying the Spanish flag during the Olympics opening ceremony despite doubts over his fitness.

Spain echoed Great Britain’s decision to give their number one tennis player the honour of leading out his nation in the Maracana stadium, with Andy Murray proudly emerging at the head of Team GB on Friday night. While the Scot is one of the favourites to win gold in Rio, Nadal’s participation in the event has been called into question due to a problem with his wrist, but the 14-time Grand Slam winner

Nadal

insists he would not have missed it for the world.

“Very happy to be here, really glad,” he said. “It’s something for every sportsman to be proud of, and of course, especially for me after not being in London.”

The Majorcan is entered in the men’s singles and doubles plus the mixed doubles but it remains open to question whether his body will stand up to three separate events. Novak Djokovic is favourite to win the men’s singles and could well face Murray in the final, as the duo continue to battle for major honours this year.

55

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Sport

German Rohr arrives Abuja for Eagles’ job Adeolu Johnson Abuja

G

erman Gernot Rohr landed Abuja on Saturday morning aboard on Air France flight to assume duty as the new Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser.

Rohr on arrival was checked into highbrow Transcorp Hilton where accommodation was already reserved for him.

A member of the Technical Committee who confirmed the arrival disclosed that details of his unveiling will be unfolded by the Nigeria Football Federation board at the appropriate time.

Members of the committee in Abuja to finalised the appointment were second Vice Presi-

StarTimes secure EPL live broadcast rights

Rohr

T

urkey-based Aminu Umar has joined Nigeria U-23s in Manaus, this was revealed by the Media Officer of the team, Timi Ebikagboro on his twitter handle.

Umar, who plays for Osmanlispor in the Turkish Super League was not part of the team’s Atlanta training tour.

The forward now completes the 18-man squad picked by Nigeria’s Olympic team Coach, Samson Siasia, for Rio 2016.

“Aminu Umar joins the rest of the squad in Manaus, we are now a full house, let’s go,” Ebikagboro tweeted.

dent Alhaji Shehu Dikko, Alhaji Fresh, Mr. Christian Chukwu, Mr. Mutiu Adepoju, Mr. Victor Ikpeba and the new NFF Technical Director, Mr. Bitrus Bewarang.

They all met at the NFF Secretariat earlier in the day before moving to Transcorp to receive the new handler.

The former Bordeux coach will be on hand to watch the league match between Ikorodu United and Shooting Stars at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos today.

NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick, had said that the deal is being finalised and Rohr had agreed to live here in Nigeria.

He said the coach, working with the German Football Federation on development pro-

Aminu Umar finally joins U-23 Eagles in D Manaus

Charles Ogundiya

“Umar arrived the Dream Team’s camp at about 11:34pm local time to the warm embrace of coach Samson Siasia and Team Secretary, Sirajo Hassan.”

Umar could be in line for selection for the U-23 Eagles’ next game against Sweden on today.

igital television company, StarTimes Nigeria, at the weekend announced that Nigeria’s subscribers can now watch the English Premier League on its platform.

In a release by the company made available to our correspondent, subscribers can now watch 33 Live EPL football matches on StarTimes and enjoy the super sporting actions as the new 2016/2017 season kicks-off this month. Replay matches will also

be available for those who miss the games to catch up.

“StarTimes had moved to get the EPL Live games for the pleasure of its sports loving subscribers to add to the exclusive broadcast rights to other world’s prestigious leagues like German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, Chinese Super League, French Ligue one and others already secured by the organisation.

“Football enthusiasts can enjoy LIVE matches on weekends and the replays on NTA Sports 24 (STarTimes channel 270).”

Mikel attributes Dream Team’s victory to goodwill, urge athletes to put Nigeria first

T Umar

Solution to Cross Word Puzzle

eam Nigeria captain, John Obi Michael, on Saturday attributed the Dream Team VI’s victory over Japan in their first group match at the Rio Olympic soccer event to the goodwill of Nigerians who were solidly behind the team and the grace of God. Given their arrival to the venue a few hours before the game, many gave an outside chance of winning the match, the best they hoped on was a draw but

Mikel

Mikel inspired his mates to post a dramatic 5-4 win over the Japanese.

“We thank God and millions of Nigerians who stayed awake till late to cheer us. It was not an easy match, we are grateful for their goodwill and support that gave us victory, our focus is now on the next match against Sweden,’’ said Mikel.

Nigeria will play Sweden on Sunday at 11pm at the 40,549 capacity Arena da Amazonia, Manaus, the same stadium where they defeated Japan.

Mikel, who is also the captain of the Super Eagles, urged athletes representing Nigeria at the Olympics to always put the nation first “In a country of about 180 million people, majority of whom are not just passionate about sports, but are also talented, it is a great honour to be selected. Wearing the national colours at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games gives me great joy. I am appealing to all my fellow athletes to see the opportunity to serve our fatherland as a once in a lifetime opportunity that must not be toyed with. Representing Nigeria at any level comes with huge benefits that cannot be quantified,” he said.

grammmes, will be unveiled in Abuja on Monday. Rohr led French side Bordeaux to the UEFA Cup final in 1996 but lost to Bayern Munich over the two legs. He was coach of Etoile du Sahel and FC Nantes before taking up a jobs with Niger and Gabon.

Although the 63-year-old exBurkina Faso coach is yet to sign a contract but is expected to be unveiled at a media conference on Monday.

The Super Eagles will play their opening qualifying campaign on October 3 in Zambia.

They have been drawn in Group B for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers where they will face Algeria, the top-ranked side in Africa, Cameroon, as well as Zambia.

Eaglets beat Junior Menas 1-0

T

he Golden Eaglets of Nigeria yesterday got their campaign to play in the next edition of the African Youth Championship in Madagascar 2017 off on a winning note, as they secured a narrow win against the Junior Menas of Niger 1-0 at the Abuja National Stadium.

Nigeria’s Alagbe Oluwatobiloba scored the only goal of the match to give the Manu Garba-tutored boys the much needed maximum three points at stake and they will go into the second leg of the second round of qualifiers with an advantage.

Abduljabar Sani captain the new Eaglets to the win on their first official game.

The return leg is billed for the Stade Général-Seyni-Kountché in a fortnight.

Oshonaike, Offiong zoom into Round One

N

igeria female Olympic table tennis stars, Funke Oshonaike and Offiong Edem, won their openly games at the Rio 2016.

Oshonaike, defeated Mariana Sahakian four sets to three in the preliminary round in Day One in the table tennis event. She lost the first set 8-11 but bounced back to take the next three sets 11-9, 11-7 and 11-8.

Sahakian rallied back to win the next two sets 8-11 and 9-11 before Oshonaike finally won the last set 11-8. The win sees Oshonaike advance into Round One where she will face Diaz Adriana from Puerto Rico.

Nigeria’s Offiong Edem has qualified for the next round of the Table Tennis event after she beat Yee Sally from Fiji 4-0 in the women’s singles preliminary round at the on-going Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The 2011 African Games women singles champion defeated Sally in four straight sets 11-3, 11-8, 11-3 and 11-2.

She battled against Pavlovich Victoria from Belarus in the next round.

BUSINESS

Fear rising over nonperforming loans

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FAITH

Sanctity of Truth

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Restructure Nigeria now

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

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-Archbishop Martins }31

Powers, limits, extent of Appropriation in Budget Matters by the NASS vis-a-vis the role of the President (Part 1) INTRODUCTION We shall, this week, step down our running discourse on restructuring and take on a more urgent matter – budget padding.

Budgets are regarded as “contractual agreements” between governments and the people they serve.

According to Wikipedia, “a budget (from old French baguette, purse) is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending.” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, (4th Edition) defines budget as “an itemized summary of estimated or intended expenditures for a given period along with proposals for financing them” Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines it more poignantly thus: "a statement of the financial position of an administration for a definite period of time based on estimates of expenditures during the period and proposals for financing them".

From the foregoing, the operative words as regards budget are “plan” and “estimates”.

This simply means that a budget is nothing but a mere plan, an estimate; a mere guesswork and probability, of how much may be required for projects. The actual income or revenue may fall far short of what is expected, while the cost of the project may actually outstrip the expected revenue in the interim. Consequently, to determine whether the National Assembly has the Constitutional powers to pad, augment or increase the budget, it is apposite to examine the provisions of the Constitution itself. Section 81 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 mandates the President to prepare and lay before each House of the NASS estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Federation for the following years. In a bill called the Appropriation Bill. Where this is insufficient, section 81(2) provides for supplementary Appropriation Bill.

According to Business Dictionary, “estimate” means: “Approximation, prediction, or projection of a quantity based on experience and/or information available at the time, with the recognition that other pertinent facts are unclear or unknown.” It is crystal clear from the above provisions that the President shall first do his research on “estimate of the revenue and expenditure” for the year in question and present same before the NASS. This means that the President is not in charge of the National purse; the NASS is. Indeed, the NASS in section 4 of the 1999 Constitution has the responsibility to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Nigeria, while the Executive headed by Mr. President exercises executive powers under section 5 thereof. The Judiciary interprets.

Furthermore, by virtue of Sections 59, 80, 81 of the Constitution, it is only the NASS that can appropriate funds to the estimates and plans presented by the Executive, or authorise funds to be spent from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The meaning of this is that the Executive epitomised by Mr. President can never spend money without the approval of the NASS. However, the Constitution itself, in furtherance of the doctrine of separation of powers, ably espoused by French Political theoretician, Baron de Moutesque in 1748, has made it clear, that the Appropriation Bill regarding the projected revenue and expenditure MUST originate from the Executive and not the Leg-

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) islature. Consequently, although the NASS has the last say as to whether or not funds should be allocated to a particular project, or whether such estimates are indeed, sufficient or not, it does not originate the bill.

It must be conceded, however, that at the time appropriations are being made by the Legislature, the rough estimates may need adjustments or re-adjustments, where it is discovered that the initial estimates by the Executive regarding approval of funds is realistically inadequate. Where for instance, the NASS has cause to believe that a particular estimate falls short of what is required in the budget, or that a particular head has been over-bloated by estimates, it may, suo motu, increase or decrease such amount as initially proposed by the President. It may even altogether cancel and refuse to allocate any fund to such if it believes that such project is a white elephant, or is not of priority.

Where any of the scenarios painted above occurs, the President is helpless about it.

Even where the President believes that the NASS has hurt him by failing to provide funds for a particular project dear to his heart, he has no constitutional power to unilaterally draw funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to finance the said project without NASS approval. Any spending by the President in the absence of due appropriations is ultra vires and constitutes a violent contravention of the Constitution for which the President may become classically liable to be impeached.

This is because Section 143(11) of the 1999 Constitution envisages an impeachable offence as “a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion of the National Assembly to gross misconduct.”

The reason for the above position is simple. The Appropriation Bill, when passed, becomes an Act of the NASS which the President must implement. Thus, it must pass through the furnace of Legislative heat. Even where the President decides to withhold his assent by vetoing the Bill, the NASS can again override his veto by exercising it’s counter-veto power under Sections 58 (5) and 59 (4) of the Constitution, which give the NASS the power to pass into law, a Bill previously vetoed by the President.

Section 80 of the Constitution establishes the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and directs that all moneys raised by the Federation must be paid into it. It also forbids moneys being withdrawn from it except to meet expenditure duly approved by the NASS through an Appropriation or Supplementary Appropriation Act. For distributable money amongst the three types of government, Federal, State

and Local Governments, section 162 of the Constitution again puts same at the door steps of the NASS. NOW THIS The concept of "appropriations" as developed through the centuries in England and as adopted by the colonies encompassed dual limitations on both amount and object. Legislative supremacy over public fund implies the right to specify how appropriated monies shall be spent, which takes on an added significance in a separation-of powers regime. This means that neither the legislature, the Executive, nor the judiciary should exercise the whole or part of another's arm’s power.

The NASS is not a mere robotic, rubberstamping, but a vibrant, interrogative Legislature. Since the Legislature has the capacity to amend, or even wholly reject budget proposals of the Executive and substitute one of it’s own, it means that it is only the NASS that can actually make such appropriation.

Any plan or estimates tabled by the Executive, but without such appropriation, will be tantamount to misappropriation in the eye of the law.

AND THIS BUDGET PADDING “Padding” is defined as “something added unnecessarily or dishonestly”.

It is interesting to hear about allegations of “budget padding” at the House of Representatives. Can there really be padding of a budget within the precincts or hallowed Chambers of the green or red Chambers, where such figures have been introduced, debated and agreed upon? I think not. Padding occurs at the Executive level where the budget is worked upon. If it ever occurs at the legislative level, in the negative sense in which it is being bandied, then it must be shown that unauthorised external additions, subtractions and multiplications were smuggled into the budget during the journey of transmitting same to the president from the NASS, after a harmonized version had been duly passed at plenary and distilled into a Bill. Otherwise, the real business of the Legislature on budgetary matters is nothing but “padding”.

This is because the cumbersome process of rewriting, altering, amending, rejigging, adding to, subtracting from, replacing and multiplying figures, heads, sub-heads, projects, incomes and expenditures, on a budget already worked upon and presented to it by Mr. President, is nothing but padding. (To be continued...)

LAST LINE Are the Legislators, Executives, Nigerians, et al, reading this piece and eagerly awaiting the concluding part of powers, limits, extent of appropriation in budget matters by the NASS vis-a-vis the role of the President on this Sunday Sermon on the Mount of the Nigerian Project by Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb? • Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

Cross Word Puzzle

with Olulana Kayode 08023183727 Instructions on how to play the game •With reference to the ‘clues across’ and ‘clues down’ below, you shall try to provide answers to the clues, by writing the answer in the puzzle box provided on the left side.

•The number in parenthesis indicates the total number of letters making up the solution or answer you will provide.

•Keep on answering all the questions until all the spaces in the puzzle box are completely filled up.

Good luck!

Clues Across 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26

Accept as true, (7).

Portable container for belongings, (3).

More than is desirable, (3).

Hit hard, (3).

Former Finance Minister, (3).

Anambra State Capital, (4).

'House' in Hausa language, (4).

Hit hard, (3).

Tool for cutting, (2).

'Lion' in Hausa language, (4).

Hard exhausting effort, (4).

Ado Ekiti King title, (3).

Employ for a purpose, (3).

Not cooked, (3).

Alcoholic drink, (3).

Late Nigerian Prime Minister, (7).

Clues Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 19 20 21

Large market on Lagos Island, (7).

Former Jigawa state Governor, (6).

Dutch cheese, (4).

Ex Anambra state female Governor, (6).

Bound collection of pages, (4).

Supernatural Being, (3).

Former Attorney General, (7).

Nigerian first Prime Minister, (6).

Tribe in Borno state, (6).

Evil monster, (4).

Nocturnal flightless bird, (4).

Nigerian staple food, (3).

Turn to page 55 for solution

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