Sunday, october 30, 2016 vol 3 no 984

800 herdsmen arrested over violent attacks –Osinbajo

•Gunmen assassinate Miyetti Allah Chairman }4 & 10

El Zakzaky gets funding }22 from Iran -Elder brother Sanctity of Truth

Sunday, OCTOBER 30, 2016 Vol. 3 No. 984

Annjay

N150

How CAN shared Jonathan’s N7bn –Pastor Dikwa Sharing formula:

Day I fought in bra, jeans }42

NEWS 9 killed, 24 injured in twin bomb blasts in Maiduguri }4

• CAN’s five blocks - N50million each • CAN National executives - N20, N30million each • Women’s group - N25million • Zonal CAN chairmen - N5million each • State CAN officials - N3million each • Former CAN leadership took the rest

}4

lIt’s not true –Asake, CAN Scribe lAsk those concerned, says Rev. Ayokunle

Crazy times ahead

‘Thieves stole my pot of Egusi soup’

}5

I thought I would lRobbers now go for food items lFarmer kills wife, die –Buran Tashi child lEmployers go tough on workers lEconomic hardship can make a man user aggressive -Psychiatrist lRewane: We’ll get out of recession in 2018 }8 & 9

lOsinbajo seeks spiritual intervention

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 30.10.16 BODY & SOUL

My turning point Former boss of Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Ola Oresanya, talk about his job and passion

}17

POLITICS

Kingibe's return The appearance of flamboyant politician and diplomat, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, in President Muhammadu Buhari’s kitchen cabinet is causing a great stir

}21

BUSINESS

Setback Divergent views being expressed by the country’s monetary and fiscal policies makers can do everything but hasten Nigeria’s quick recovery from the current economic recession

}43

FAITH

Exposed!

SPORT

Sabotage!

ICPC is probing CAN over N7bn Jonathan donation, says Josbased clergy, Pastor Kallamu Ali Dikwa

}50 Former Eagles coach, Adegboye, reveals how Taribo West sabotaged the Nigerian team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan 2002

}55

MAGAZINE

Buran Tashi experience Demand for sexual satisfaction and pleasure among adult Nigerians have led to an increase in the use of aphrodisiacs

}8&9

SUNDAY

Editorial

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Governors must change

he change mantra of the new order under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari sounded sweet until the people began to swallow the bitter pills accompanying the promised revolution. Nigerians are as confused as the whole world following the doom accruing from the dwindling resources available to the government.

However, in the midst of recession as often preached by those in power, governments at all levels in the country fritter away hard earned resources while they expect compatriots to tighten their belts. It indeed appears lame that while the people are forced to live with hardship induced by maladministration, our leaders are living big and doing virtually nothing to salvage the situation.

This idea of blaming the immediate past government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan cannot sell anymore. We believe that after spending over 14 months in power, the Buhari administration should provide solutions, not excuses. And the way to get rid of the mess is still far away.

Nigeria may be copying the American democratic ideals but we are not and cannot claim to be the United States. In other words, the Federal Government cannot because President Barack Obama flies around the world on Air Force One maintain a bogus Presidential Fleet of aircraft.

If what the country needs at this time is an austere system of governance, it should start from the top. Government spends millions of scarce dollars and pounds to maintain the Presidential Fleet. In the years of petro dollar, it could. We cannot afford to continue to live like kings when our economy has been pauperized.

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Europe’s strongest economy can afford the luxury of a presidential jet, she does not. Neither Queen Elizabeth of England nor British Prime Minister Theresa May flies a presidential jet. Both powerful leaders enjoy the comfort of their local airlines Lufthansa in the case of Merkel and British Airways for May. It is a national shame that tiny countries like Rwanda and Cameroun have more presence in the air. It is also more than a national disgrace that when Nigerians want to travel, they embark on permutations on how to fly Air Maroc, South Africa Airways, Ethiopian Airlines or Egypt Air. The biggest shame was recorded at the August 2016 Rio Olympics when the Nigerian contingent arrived in batches like orphans from one of Mother Theresa’s orphanages.

In what would go down in Olympic records as the 'Miracle of Brazil,' the Nigerian male

soccer team, stranded in Atlanta Georgia, managed to arrive their match venue just five hours to kick–off. And they beat their opponents, Japan 5-4.

Many of our state governors are burning tax payers money hiring and flying jets.

There is the case of a particular governor who has a jet handy and spends quite some time in the air while workers in the state air their frustrations frequently through work to rule.

These flights cost millions of naira. It does not make sense that a state Chief Executive who says there is no money to pay workers doles out cash to junket in the skies.

On the road, the governors waste more money. A governor’s convoy could include as many as 25 vehicles. These automobiles and the legion that adorn the backyards of Government Houses are fuelled and serviced regularly even if they are not moving.

A governor does not need more than seven vehicles on his convoy. The pilot car, his official car, a back up and maybe, a bus for all the retinue of commissioners and aides, another for the media team, then two others for security especially now that there are threats arising from the under performance of the so called leaders.

Government must do away with the lazy bunch who come in as Assistants and Advisers. A governor has a Commissioner for Health, Special Adviser Health and Special Assistant on Health Matters. There is the Permanent Secretary, Chairman Health Management Board, Chairman State University Teaching Hospital Board and Chairman Task Force on Hospitals.

Some governors have Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary, Chief Of Protocol, Private Secretary and all kinds of personal staff. Most of the time some of these aides only look after the numerous Guest Houses allocated to the governors. It is unbelievable that some states keep as many as 15 Guest Houses for the governors’ use.

Things are not better in the legislature.

From the office of the Senate President down to principal officers, so much money is spent on aides. Some of these so called aides may never be seen or known. And many of them may just be aides in name and on paper. They may not receive what the treasury releases.

Government must take a look inwards and begin the change from within. So much money is wasted by the same administration that wants Nigerians to accept the worst. Government is a continuum. If the previous government led us into recession, the new regime must lead us to Paradise as promised. No more excuses.

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

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

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

Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor n 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, OCTOBER 30 2016

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

How CAN shared N7bn - Pastor Dikwa Biyi Adegoroye and Musa Pam

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s investigations continue into various allegations of sleaze in the past administration, information has emerged that the former leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) may have presided over the sharing of the sum of N7billion allegedly provided by former President Goodluck Jonathan to solicit support of churches to vote for him in the March 28, 2015 elections.

Pentecostal pastor, Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Telegraph, said that CAN’s national and state executives, as well as various leaders, received various sums of money under the supervision of former CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsajafor and CAN General Secretary, Rev. (Dr.) Musa Asake, to campaign for the then President in the last election.

“When we received the N7billion, you know CAN has five blocks. Each block in CAN collected N50million. While National CAN executives got N30million each, some got N20million while women’s group was given N25million. All the state CAN officials collected N3million each. Zonal CAN chairmen got N5million each

and former CAN President, Pastor Oritsejafor, went with the remaining part of the N7billion,” he said.

Besides the N7billion reportedly given for campaigns, Dikwa added: “There were Toyota Sports Utility Vehicles given to them. Let me tell you, there are lot of people that can come out to testify if not because of fear. They came church by church, to campaign for former President Jonathan as their candidate, just because they had collected N7billion for the campaigns. But they didn’t exhaust the whole money on campaigns and the people that received the money were the former President of CAN and the General Secretary.”

Giving reasons why he got N1million from CAN, he said the money was received as part of ‘out of court settlement’ in a suit against them.

“The matter is currently being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, which had informed me to play along with them.”

He said shortly after the money was paid into his Ecobank account, a lien was placed on it and he never touched it as part of the investigators’ directive.

“The reason why they bribed me with N1million was because I took them to court last year. When I raised

Gunmen kill Miyetti Allah Chairman in Kogi

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he Chairman, Kogi Chapter of Wuro Miyetti-Allah Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, has been assassinated by unknown gunmen who invaded his residence in the early hours of Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unknown gunmen numbering about eight, invaded the Peace Community, Road 3, Ganaja road, Lokoja residence of Abubakar at about 2:05 am Saturday morning to carry out the dastardly act.

Residents of the area, who spoke with newsmen, said they were gripped with fear when they started hearing gunshots from the residence of the chairman of the Fulani socio-cultural group in the operation that lasted over an hour.

They said that the gunmen passed through “unfamiliar routes” to gain access to the deceased’s residence beating the ‘C’ Division Police Station route where they could have been spotted and questioned.

A neighbour, who identified himself simply as Musa, said there were some strange faces in the vicinity much earlier before the incident, not knowing they had a sinister

motive.

Musa said the gunmen shot at the door to the room of one of the deceased’s two wives and gained access into the house, machete the deceased on the neck and other parts of the body and later shot him severally.

A medical practitioner at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Dr Sam Alhassan, who lives a stone throw from the victim’s residence said: “I was in my room just steps away to his house and I heard gunshots.

“Then I left my bed and looked through the window.

I saw a group of bandits in two lines. At least I saw eight people, and they started shooting randomly.

“The next thing that I saw was that a bullet hit the overhead tank in my house and water started running down.

My family went quiet for a while; then the wife of the deceased came out shouting, ‘they have killed my husband.”

Alhassan said that he later came out with his landlord and went into the deceased’s compound to ascertain the situation; only to find him lying in the pool of his blood with machete cuts and bullet holes in his lifeless body.

the issue of N7billion, the General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Asake, wrote a letter signed by him to the DSS to arrest and investigate me,” he said.

Efforts to get reactions of Pastor Oritsajafor was unsuccessful as he neither picked his phone nor respond to our text message. The text message to Oritsejafor by 8:09am Saturday, after repeated calls reads: “Good morning His Eminence. Hope you had a restful night sir. I have been calling you since yesterday,

(Friday). One Pastor Dikwa alleged that you and Rev. Asake presided over the distribution of N7bn from Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for pastors to campaign for him in the churches last year. What is your position on this sir?”

But Rev. Asake said Dikwa’s story is old and a figment of his imagination. He said neither he nor Oritsejafor presided over any sharing of N7billion because such money was never given to CAN leadership during their tenure.

“He has been telling this story since last year. He has spoken in Abuja and in Kaduna. The story is not straight forward because he (Dikwa) is attempting to dribble all Nigerians. The incident allegedly happened before the elections.

Tell me, if it was true, would the government, which is arresting all indicted persons, not have arrested us?

“On one occasion, when he brought up this issue, he was asked to produce evidence; he said he had no documents. He even wrote

a letter of apology to us, but now he has started going the old path. I am not afraid of probe. If EFCC invites me over this matter, I am willing to go there,” Asake, CAN General Secretary said.

Current CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, who could not pick his call at about 13:25hrs, because his aide said “Baba is preaching,” later replied to our correspondent’s text message, saying, “Call the people concerned. I don’t have anything to do with it.”

L-R: Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Benin, H .E. Lionel Zinsou; former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; President of Sierra Leone, Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma; Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu; wife, Dr. (Mrs) Awele Elumelu; Chairman, Rose of Sharon Group, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija and Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at the 2nd Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Fo rum which held at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos... yesterday

9 killed, 24 injured in twin suicide bomb blasts in Maiduguri Ahmed Mringa Maiduguri

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ine people were killed, while 24 injured in a coordinated suicide bomb blast at the entrance of Bakasi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp and a NNPC filling station in Damboa Road both in Maiduguri the Borno State capital.

The first blast, which occurred at about 7:05am at the entrance of Bakassi IDPs camp, was immediately followed by another explosion at the NNPC filling station in Damboa Road, about a minute later, a few kilometres away from the first blast.

An eye witnessed at the Bakassi camp, Mallam Audu Isah, said suspected female suicide bombers arrived and then suddenly ran into some group of people at the entrance of the camp, when some IDPs

were coming out of the camp and detonated their explosives, killing several persons and leaving others injured.

He said: “The thing just happened and security agencies and officials of SEMA and NEMA are currently evacuating the corpses and bodies of the injured one but nobody can tell exactly how many people died. As I am speaking to you now, more three ambulance are evacuating the bodies of the victims.”

Confirming the incident, the Army in a press statement signed by Col Mustapha Anka said: “At about 7.05 this morning, there were twin simultaneous suicide bomb explosions at the entrance of Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp and NNPC Mega Filling Station, Damboa Road, Maiduguri.”

According to the statement, at the Bakassi IDPs

camp, a suspected female suicide bomber ran into a group of men and women at the entrance while they were coming out of the camp, killing five men and injuring 11 women, adding that the dead men and the injured have been evacuated.

While reacting to the NNPC filling station blast, Col. Anka said: “A female suicide bomber followed a fuel tanker in a Keke NAPEP tricycle with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualty but was prevented from gaining access to the station by another vehicle. In that process, the suicide bomber exploded her device, killing the three occupants of the tricycle.

No reported injured persons at this instance.”

He said their troops and other security agencies have been mobilized and the injured have been evac-

uated while efforts are ongoing to comb the general area as well as entries and exits of Maiduguri.

The Army while commiserating with the families of the late victims of this cruel act, wished those injured speedy recovery.

“We would like to assure the public that efforts are on-going to track those behind the dastardly acts.

However, it is equally important to reiterate the need for more vigilance and security consciousness among all. Citizens are enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movements to the security agencies,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile the Acting GOC 7 Division Brig. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, has visited the area and commensurated with the victims and called on the general public to always be security conscious.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

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News Paul Ogbuokiri and Chijioke Iremeka

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ontrary to the Federal Government’s promises and sundry efforts to address the economic crises, there are indications that tougher times lie ahead as the current challenging economic situation in the country looks set to bite harder.

Since the Nigerian economy plunged into recession a couple of months ago, over five million people have lost their jobs both in the formal and informal sectors of the economy, cost of living has spiralled and several companies have either shut down or are producing at grossly below capacity.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, at least 18,919 Nigerians lost their public sector jobs between October 2015 and March 2016. Although about 5,867 new public sector jobs were generated between October and December 2015, the Bureau said about 10,155 jobs were lost during the period in the public sector of the federal, state and local governments.

No less than 9,700 bank and oil workers have lost their jobs in the review period, even as the manufacturing sector, which capacity has come down to 20 per cent, has axed over 80, 000 jobs.

This is coming as the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), this week issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to find a way to ensure that the over 3,000 of its members sacked by oil majors, are recalled or the union will commence a mass protest.

Meanwhile, a number of homicides have been recorded this year in the country, with some breadwinners committing suicide, and few others wiping out their families because of what they called biting economic hardship and their inability to meet their responsibilities to their family members.

Ridiculous ‘labour laws’ But most employers of labour who are groaning under the weight of the recession, rather than become sentimental to the plight of the workers, are further advancing ludicrous reasons why they will not hesitate to sack the few workers still under their employment.

The internal memo of one of Nigeria’s biggest private sector operators and employer of labour, which the Sunday Telegraph sighted, listed: “Perpetual late coming to work, hanging around the stairwells areas to talk for long hours, visiting colleagues in their offices/ desks to gist for extended hours, improper dressing to the office, and shouting across office spaces, floors and lobbies, are unsavoury behaviours which would at-

Recession: Crazy times ahead tract dire sanctions from this point on”.

Elsewhere at the Alaba International Market and Lagos Trade Fair Complex, the hub of electronics and auto spareparts sale in West Africa, most shops are now under lock and keys.

Chief Executive Officer, Anambol Electronics Limited, Chief Anayo Mogbalu, noted that immediately the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) declared in June last year that all imports that fall under the 41 categories of goods it listed, cannot be allowed to source foreign exchange from the official sources, causing serious pressure on the parallel market, “and as the exchange rate of the naira started to rise at the speed of light, we knew that we were already out of business, unless something changes for good, but instead of things changing positively, it is getting worse by the day.”

He said the fixing of the exchange rate of the naira earlier adopted by this administration had similar effect on the value of naira as the Ibrahim Babangida administration’s Structural Adjustment Programme of 1986 to ’88, which saw the naira deprecating from about N3 to a dollar in 1985, to over N23 a dollar when he left office.

He also said that the Nigerian inflation which is already above 17.2 per cent will continue to rise in the New Year; saying with the scarcity of foreign exchange, importers will not be able to import the necessary things Nigerians need to survive every day.

“Like it happened in this country in 1985, very soon, things could get to a point where very important consumables, like medicine, sugar etc. will start to be rationed,” he predicted.

Sunday Telegraph independent investigation reveals that prices of imported and locally-manufactured consumer goods, including agricultural produce, have gone up by between 100 to 250 per cent.

‘Thieves stole my pot of Egusi soup from the stove’ Ever rising prices of foodstuffs, goods and services has culminated into stealing of foodstuffs for survival by some citizens. Some young people in Lagos, especially around Ojo Local Government Area of the state have resorted to stealing foodstuffs as well as cooked food, as a way of surviving the prevalent economic hardship in the country.

The situation has become so critical that a victim of cooked food theft, Mr. Nnanna Okoro narrated his experience: “I was cooking Egusi soup one evening, but I didn’t know that I was being monitored by unsuspected persons.

L-R: Former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Peter Okebukola; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; wife of the host, Mrs. Ajoke Ogunsan; host, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan; Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina; Sen. Ganiyu Solomon; Managing Director, PAN, Mr. Boyi Ibrahim; Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal and Pastor Segun Babatope, during Dr. Ogunsan’s 40th birthday celebration in Lagos... yesterday.

The moment the food was done, before I could come out to bring the food down, the pot of soup had quietly been taken away.

“The stove, which I was cooking with, was put off and till today, I’m yet to find the pot or identify the perpetrators of such heinous act.”

Also, there are cases of ‘break and enter’ in the area as a remedial move to cushioning the effects of hunger on them. People now break into market stalls at night to steal rice, beans, wheat, groundnut oil and other cereals known to be expensive.

These, according to the residents, were never recorded in the history of the market and its environs. Traders blamed it on hunger in the land.

“My store was burgled last week and thieves stole my beans, rice, and tin tomatoes.

My neighbour’s own was broken into too. They emptied her bags of garri and groundnut,” said Abimbola Ogundipe.

Rising prices of edibles More so, Sunday Telegraph’s investigations reveal that 5 litres of ‘Kings’ vegetable oil that sold for N1, 500 now goes for N3, 200 while the 30litres of same oil that sold for between N7, 000 and N8, 000 currently sells for N16, 200.

Of course, a bag of rice that went for between N8, 000 and N10, 000 is now N23, 000 for long grains and N18, 500 for Indian rice staples, despite the fact that rice used to be the affordable and most available staple eaten by the poor and the rich.

A kilo of turkey that sold for N800 is now N1, 250, while chicken is now N1000, though it originally sold for N700.

Again, a kilo of Titus fish (three pieces), which originally sold for N700 is now N1000. Also, ‘Coaster Biscuit,’ which used to

be six pieces inside, is now four, even as the price has gone up to N15 per pack instead of N5.

A pack of the blue pack ‘Cream Crackers,’ which used to contain four pieces and sold for N10 has been reduced to two pieces and sells for N15. Those homes with biscuit-eating children will be worse off. Gala sausage is slimmer than ever before. Initially, the price was increased to N70 but with drop in the sales of the product, the manufacturer opted to reducing the quantity and quality to retain the original N50 price.

Noodles that sold for N60 is now N90, while Indomie ‘Hungry man size’ sells for N130, up from N70. Sardines that usually had four pieces of fish inside now contain only two fairly large or three pieces of fish and currently sell for between N250 and N300. A pack of St. Louis cube sugar is now N450 against the original N250.

The future for many Nigerians in this recession seemed very gloomy with the ever rising prices without corresponding increase in family income.

Never dash out foodstuffs to neighbours again -Mother warns children The African culture of being your ‘brother’s keeper,’ is now going through litmus test as the situation has affected good neighbourliness.

Neighbours now refuse to give out foodstuffs and other cooking items to those, who would want to borrow to return another day.

On one occasion, our reporter overheard a mother tell her children: “If anybody comes here for salt, Maggi or anything, tell the person that we don’t have. Things are very expensive now.”

Also, the biting economic situation was the reason reportedly given by one Mrs.

Comfort Effiong for selling her two-month old baby for N450, 000 to Mrs. Rose Edward, saying that she doesn’t have anybody who could help her.

The state of the economy has also seen a corresponding rise in crime across the country.

On regular basis, we often read and hear a lot of evil and crimes rearing their ugly heads. A man killed his wife and daughter, claiming that he could no longer feed them.

Economic recession can make man to be aggressive -Psychiatrist Speaking on the rising crime rate, Medical Psychiatrist at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Dr. Suleiman Babalola, said economic recession in the country is affecting men, saying men are losing their jobs, which is enough to make them crazy.

According to him, people react to tension in different ways. When there is no money in the family, it’s enough reason for friction. When there is no money, thinking and reasoning of a man does not work well and any provocation will not be tolerated.

“People react to tension in different ways. Hardship in the country is affecting the men; they are losing their jobs and feel insure. So, lack of money is enough reason for men to be aggressive and irrational,” he said.

How long will Nigerians have to endure this situation?

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was quoted as saying that “Nigeria will be out of the recession by December 2016”, while the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and her budget counterpart, Udo Udoma, also assured Nigerians that: “We are coming out now, it won’t last.”

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Rewane: With right economic policies, we’ll get out of recession in 2018 But financial expert and Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, strongly believes that Nigeria will only get out of the recession by 2018 if the right economic policies are put in place.

Rewane, who had earlier expressed this optimism at the 2016 Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria Triennial Delegates Conference/Gala Night in Lagos, told Sunday Telegraph that the Federal Government must embrace the best economic policies urgently to address the recession.

He said: “It will take a minimum of 18 months for Nigeria to get out of recession, and signs of recovery will start showing in 2017 with the best policies.

“Nigeria will start showing symptoms of wellness in 2017 and by 2018, Nigeria will be well again.”

Rewane called for an expansion in credit supply and reduction of the cash reserve requirement for banks to lend to the real sector.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government as part of its efforts to navigate the economy out of the recession, has announced that it is taking a $30 billion loan from multiple sources to reflate the economy.

Osinbajo seeks spiritual intervention This is even as the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is leading a 30,000-man team of pastors to seek celestial intervention through prayers to support government’s efforts to save the economy. He is leading the prayer convention for Nigeria’s economic recovery and is slated for November 16-19 in Abuja.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news

Declare state of emergency in judiciary –Gen. Ikponmwen Onwuka Nzeshi

A ABUJA

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Gen. Idada Ikponmwen (rtd) has asked President Muhammadu to declare a state of emergency in the judiciary arm of the government if the National Judicial Commission ( NJC) continues to insist that court judges who were arrested for alleged corruption would not step down from the bench to face thorough investigation and prosecution.

Ikponmwen, a former Director of Legal Services in the Nigeria Army, said that given the grave allegations leveled against some Supreme Court justices and the apparent reluctance of the NJC to suspend and hand them over to the security agencies, the President could invoke extra- ordinary powers inherent in his office by dissolving the NJC and sacking the entire bench of the apex court.

The Nigeria Bar Associa-

tion ( NBA), which was initially against the arrest of the judges by security operatives, made a u- turn recently and advised the NJC to suspend the judges to prevent them from presiding over court sessions till their innocence or otherwise is determined. But the NJC has described the request as “unacceptable” and ran contrary to 2014 Revised Judicial Discipline Regulations of the NJC and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. According to the NJC, going by the provisions of Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution, the NJC cannot be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person while exercising its disciplinary power of control over Judicial Officers in the Federation.

Ikponmwen however, described the position of the NJC as an attempt to shield the judges from facing the wrath of the law, adding that these judicial officers cannot be above the laws of the country. “ I think the NJC needs to wake up to its responsibilities. They need to show

us that they are ready for a change. The rot of the past has been too much and I think that if they do not respond positively to the ongoing situation, where allegations have been made linking most of the members of the Supreme Court, we will have no option but to call on the President to declare a state of emergency on the judiciary.

“Dissolve the NJC which is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Sack all of them and bring in new ones by extra- ordinary powers. There are too many things that have happened in the past.

Many Nigerians know that the judiciary has not been well administered,” he said Ikponmwen argued that the power in the NJC to exercise disciplinary control over judges and senior judicial staff was only a provision made for administrative convenience and not intended to remove the powers of the executive arm of government to enforce laws, investigate crimes and prosecute suspects. He said that under the law, no executive body or

institution can take over the role of the police and other security agencies in terms of investigating and trying criminal offences.

“As far as I know, the. NJC is an administrative body.

We cannot be talking about upholding the doctrine of separation of powers and understanding it to mean that the judges, even when they commit offence, cannot be amenable to investigation by the appropriate arm of government. It will be heretic,” he said.

Ikponmwen chided the NJC over its claim that it had not received any formal petition on the case the Department of State Security (DSS) has against the judges. According to him, the NJC needed no formal petition on a matter that had gone viral in the conventional and social media, globally. He urged the NJC to see the need to ask the judges undergoing criminal investigation to step aside instead of adjudicating over cases some of which were not as grave as the ones they (judges) were facing.

Fayose is looking for trouble –Miyetti Allah Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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iyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACABAN) has alleged that Governor Ayodele Fayose wants to throw the country into crisis in order to divert President Muhammadu Buhari’s attention from the war on corruption, that is why he enacted the controversial Anti Grazing Law in Ekiti State.

The Assistant National Secretary of MACABAN, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi who made this known to our correspondent yesterday, also described the law as not only ill conceived but targeted specifically against Ekiti Fulanis and the entire Fulanis in Nigeria and West Africa in general.

Dr Abdullahi told Sunday Telegraph that ‘’there are a few but powerful Nigerians who stole a lot of money and some of them are being shielded by the immunity of their offices. So, the Anti Grazing Law is aimed at causing trouble so that the President’s attention will be diverted from the war against corruption.’’

According to Abdullahi, Fayose wanted a situation where other parts of the country will target his ethnic group with similar draconian laws so that the entire country will dissolve

into crisis between Fulanis and Yorubas. ‘’The Federal Government would then turn its attention towards bringing peace and the anti corruption crusade will lose steam,’’ he added.

The Assistant National Secretary however said that MACABAN saw through Fayose’s game plan so it quickly advised Fulanis in Ekiti State to be law abiding and not to take laws into their hands. He said that the association will follow all legal means to challenge the Anti Grazing Law. He warned that Fulanis are the most populous ethnic group in the whole of African and whatever affects anyone of them, affects all of them. ‘’We are calling on Fayose to know that the trouble that he is trying to foment will not only be limited to Ekiti State or Nigeria but it will have international dimension because Fulanis are everywhere in the continent,’’ he pointed out.

Dr Abdullahi also clarified the statement that was credited to MACABAN spokesman, Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, who called on the Federal Government to intervene before the disagreement over the law degenerates ‘’into (an) unquenchable inferno involving our members and Ekiti State Government.’’

FG, Lagos may relocate 61-year-old Ikoyi Prisons Muritala Ayinla

I Former Vice President and chieftain of APC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar with Sheikh Sa’ad Hassan Jingir, at the wedding fatiha of Sheikh Sambo Rigachukun ‘s three daughters at the Rigachukun Jumu’at Mosque, Kaduna…yesterday.

Wike insists INEC plotting to rig Rivers rerun polls Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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ivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has insisted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is collaborating with the All Progressives Congress, (APC) to work against the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the forthcoming National Assembly rerun polls.

He said that the delay by INEC in conducting the election in the state was part of the plot, noting that, the electoral body successfully conducted elections in the North-East and Sambisa Forest, but failed to same in Rivers.

The governor complained that by not conducting credible election, INEC and its collaborators have denied Rivers representation in the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike, who spoke at a state dinner for the delegates of the West African Architects Fair from 13 countries, said that, failure to conclude rerun elections in the state was fallout of the grand conspiracy to rig the polls in favour of an unpopular party.

He said: “People want to illegally seize power in Rivers State that is why you are hearing all these. This entire plot is to take Rivers State. Why do

you want to take Rivers State when it is not your own?

“Between March 19 and now, they planned to conduct elections so that they could get the number of seats to impeach me and put their own man there. Since March, they have repeatedly postponed the elections.

“They postponed election from May to June, then to July; August then September and later they said October ending, still no election.

Now they have picked December 10 and when we get to December 10, they may shift it to next year”.

“Election took place in Borno; election took place in Yobe; election took place in

Adamawa where you have deadly insurgency. They were able to conduct elections and votes were counted. They were able to conduct election in Sambisa Forest and votes were counted, but they cannot conduct election here in Rivers State,” Wike said.

He lamented that they continued to postpone the elections in Rivers State and unfortunately the Senate would soon be discussing the Petroleum Industry Bill and holding debates on constitutional amendment without input from one of the state that produces the oil because it has no senator and cannot be part of the discussion.

ndications have emerged that the 61-year-old Ikoyi Prisons may soon be relocated due to the environmental nuisance it currently constitutes in the Lagos’ high brow area.

Sunday Telegrah gathered that the structures built in 1955 as one of the nation’s convict prisons is discharging effluence in the environment which may have health implications on the neighbourhood comprising of homes of wealthy Nigerians.

Sunday Telegraph also gathered that aside the environmental challenges constituted by the prisons, the state government was not comfortable with the present location of a prison on one of most valuable expanse of lands in the state.

Hence, to relocate the structure, the state government said it was making moves with the Federal Government for the relocation.

Speaking while fielding questions from journalists shortly after monitoring the October edition of

monthly environmental sanitation in Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area of the state, the state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, who revealed this, said the 61year old facility had outlived its usefulness.

He said: “We also visited Ikoyi prison to see the challenges there. I can assure you that we will tackle it.

We will see how we would work with the Federal Prison Services to ensure that we provide sewage system.

“There is a larger thing coming into play soon; that is relocation of the prison.

The facility had passed its usefulness. The most valuable land in Africa is there.

We should not have such in that location. We are discussing with the Federal Government to deal with the relocation.

The Commissioner, who harped on the environmental challenges rocking Dolphin and Osborne Estates, said the problem in the estates was flooding, stating that, there was need to deepen certain parts of the roads within the estate.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

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News

IPOB protests deletion of Radio Biafra’s Facebook account Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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he leadership of indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and the Directorate of State (DOS) have raised the alarm over the removal of Radio Biafra London Facebook account by the Chief Executive Officer of the social media platform, Mr. Mark Zucherberg.

The group in a statement signed by IPOB Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, accused Zuckerberg, a Jew of helping President Muhammadu Buhari to continue ill-treatment of innocent Biafrans.

“Radio Biafra, London account before it was shut down by Zuckerberg, who visited President Buhari recently, was the biggest and most vibrant discussion forum on Facebook with nearly one million members. Why a man whose family benefited from the freedoms and op-

portunities the USA had to offer can turn around to brutally suppress freedom of speech and expression is beyond human understanding.

“Facebook has made itself the wiling tool of repressive regimes and psychopathic murderers in power such as Major-General Muhammadu Buhari the Nigerian ruler. Mark Zuckerberg must know that the day he cut the deal with Buhari at Aso Rock his Facebook satellite was destroyed He said Nigeria is not enjoying any growth because of the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, alleging that Satlink Israel lost its satellite because President Buhari persuaded them to remove Radio Biafra satellite radio broadcast from their services. He said nobody survives opposition to IPOB and urged Facebook management to retrace their steps and reinstall Radio Biafra London Facebook group.

Kidnappers to forfeit assets, vehicles in Ogun Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

• Govt imposes N50m fine

he Ogun State government has been empowered to confiscate all the assets, including vehicles, property and monies of convicted kidnappers in the state.

This followed the recent passage of a bill into law by the state House of Assembly, which legally enables the government to combat the menace of land grabbing, armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism.

The law, which is already awaiting the assent of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, is cited as the “Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism and Other Anti-

Violence and Related Offences Law, 2016.”

The bill for the law was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, and co-sponsored by 13 other state legislators.

A copy of the proposed law obtained by Sunday Telegraph indicated that any person who arranges for self kidnapping shall be liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment for life without an option of fine.

The law also stipulates imprisonment of not less than 21 years with hard labour for any person that attempts to kidnap or abduct.

It further stipulates life imprisonment without an option of fine for any per-

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son who willingly allows his premises to be used to harbour a kidnapped person.

Moreover, the law provides that any person that engages in false representation on the release of a kidnapped or abducted person shall be liable on conviction to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Sunday Telegraph observes that Part III of the law, especially from Sections 27 to 37, provides the offences and punishment relating to kidnapping in the state.

The law partly states: “All the assets movable or immovable, including motor vehicles, properties and monies of any person con-

victed of an offence under Sections 27, 28 (2), 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 of this law shall be forfeited to the Government of Ogun State.

“The Governor of Ogun State may constitute a panel of inquiry consisting of such number of persons (including an officer of the Ogun State Ministry of Justice) as he may think fit to conduct an investigation for the purposes of ascertaining the assets of any person convicted of an offence under this Law.” On kidnapping offence committed by corporate bodies, the law recommends N50million fine in addition to winding up of any corporate body.

Ortom to partner private investors to boost education in Benue Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has restated the resolve of his administration to partner with private individuals and stakeholders in the education subsector for the state to continue to rank among the best in terms of quality education in the country.

Governor Ortom, who disclosed this yesterday while addressing delegate students of Princess Adeja International College Gboko, who emerged as the Best Secondary School in Nigeria for the fourth consecutive time during the just concluded Annual Model United States Conference, held in Abuja, said his administration would continue to support and provide a friendly environment for interested individuals to invest in the

education subsector, adding that records indicate that the state becoming a home of academic excellence in the country.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Education Mr. Mnyim, the governor congratulated the students for their brilliant performance and for making the state proud.

According to him, the students would soon be hosted at the government house to further celebrate them for making the state proud for the fourth time.

While advising other schools in the state to take a queue from Princess Adeja International College, Hon. Mnyam stated that the state government would not hesitate to deal decisively with any school found engaging in examination malpractices as a deliberate way of ensuring quality education in the state.

Armed Forces Day: NGO to mobilise 200,000 youths for fund drive Caleb Onwe Abuja

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igerian Fallen Heroes Project, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Legion have worked out plans to mobilise about 200,000 youths to raise funds towards the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

The National Coordinator of the Project, Dr. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu said this at a oneday Sensitization workshop, organised recently at the University of Abuja mini campus.

Ibe-kalu explained that the one-day national sensitization workshop was for the purpose of creating a synergy with Deans of Students Affairs and all National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) State Coordinators, who are expected to mobilise the youths to key into the fund raising project.

He noted that the Nigeria Fallen Heroes Project (NFHP) as a Public Private Partnership is collaborating with Nigerian Legion with the approval from the Ministry of Defence to massively promote the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations.

L-R: Chairman, Board of Jury, NB Golden Pen Awards, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi; Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nico Vervelde; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Corporate Affairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem and Senator Iyiola Omisore at the 8th NB Golden Pen Awards in Lagos…on Friday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

OPEC disagrees on oil supply control

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rganisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) officials meeting in Vienna to work out the details of their plan to reduce oil production failed to reach agreement after hours of talks on Friday, amid objections by Iran which has been reluctant to freeze its output, OPEC sources said.

The High Level Committee of experts will meet again in Vienna on November 25 ahead of the next meeting of OPEC Ministers on November 30, to “finalise individual quotas,”a source said.

They will also meet as scheduled on Saturday with representatives of nonOPEC producers, which OPEC wants help from in curbing supplies.

“Yes, we continue tomorrow with non-OPEC,” one of the sources said. “(There was) no complete agreement today since Iran refuses to freeze production.”

“We didn’t finish all. We are looking to the next meeting on November 25 to finalise individual quotas,” another source said.

The meeting of the High Level Committee is comprised mainly of OPEC governors and national representatives - officials who report to their respective ministers.

Talks lasted just over 11 hours on Friday with Iran appearing to be the main sticking point.

“There is no agreement yet, all agreed except Iran,” that OPEC source said, adding

Iran was asking for an exemption. OPEC had agreed last month in Algiers to reduce their production of crude oil to a range of 32.50 million to 33 million barrels per day, OPEC’s first output cut since 2008, in an effort to prop up prices. But from the outset, the proposed plan faced potential setbacks with Iraq wanting to be exempt from cuts and countries including Iran, Libya and Nigeria, whose output has been hit by sanctions or conflict also wanting to raise their output. “It is getting complicated,” a delegate said before the meeting began on Friday. “Every day, there is a new issue coming up.”

However, other OPEC officials including Secretary-

General, Mohammed Barkindo remained optimistic.

“Our deliberations today, and tomorrow with some non-OPEC producers, could very well have fundamental ramifications for the market, as well as for the medium to long term of the industry,” Barkindo said in a speech on the opening day of the twoday meeting, according to a text provided by OPEC. The committee does not decide policy and will instead make recommendations to the next OPEC ministerial meeting on November 30.

Iraq, OPEC’s second-biggest producer, said earlier this week, that it would not cut output and should be exempted from any curbs as it needs funds to fight Islamic State.

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fter what he went through, Jideofor Ibemesia would no longer try any local sex enhancement drug, especially Burantashi, a local libido enhancement drugs.

“Way back in the school, I used to have a girlfriend. She is hot sexually. She usually complained that I couldn’t satisfy her. It got to a point that my reputation and relationship were put in line. So, I confided in a friend and he introduced Buran tashi to me, which I used.

“She was fully satisfied but that was a big problem for me when she couldn’t carry on again. I couldn’t stop because my manhood refused to calm down. Instead, it was increasing in size and the hard on was out of proportion. The pain was much that I couldn’t wear my pant.

“I drank coconut water, may be it would help, but no reprieve until I was advised by my neighbour to use ice block. It was after I applied ice block on my manhood that I got relief. It was a terrible ordeal that I wouldn’t want to experience again. I lost the excitement as I was in pains instead of ecstasy. It might be working for others but I won’t try it again,” he said.

Also, Mrs. Joy Mbonu, a midwife at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, witnessed a case of another victim, who was rushed to the hospital with similar case.

“A young man was rushed to the hospital, tying a piece of cloth round his wife and those that brought him said he drank one local libido enhancement drug. His manhood was stiff and refused to calm down.

We gave him an injection and by the time he woke up, his manhood had gone down.

Such situation kills,” she said.

Prolonged errection

The Sunday Magazine

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

I thought I would die

• Why more Nigerians go for cheap libido enhancement concoctions Sex is the most pleasurable and essential to human development, psychologically and physically. It’s also the best form of exercise. Most people engage in sex because of the pleasure they derive from the arousal of their sexuality, especially if they can achieve orgasm. The desire to stay longer in sexual intercourse in a bid to satisfy their partners has forced many, especially the male folks, into consuming libido enhancement drugs, which is in high demand despite its damaging effect to human health.

CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports

'I wasn't feeling the manhood of my fiancee'

A young Nigerian female adult, Rosemary Osemele, dumped her fiancée for not satisfying her in bed and said, “I dumped my first fiancée because he hardly satisfied me on bed. The size of his manhood is too small for me to feel him during sexual intercourse. “When I discovered this the first time we made love, I knew I wasn’t going to get married to him. If I marry him, I would definitely be an example of infidelity and that’s what I preach against. My parents wanted me to reconsider him but I told them what I saw.”

Perhaps, 27 years old Rosemary, who lives in Agbor, Delta State, is one of the women, whose drive for sexual satisfaction would lead a man into seeking help in penis enlargement drugs and other aphrodisiacs to prolong ejaculation during sexual intercourse. She may, also, be one of the women with high libido, who would push a man to defy all odds in search of sexual satisfaction.

Sunday Telegraph also gathered that some ladies have mastered the art of sizing up men’s manhood before yielding to their relationship’s requests.

Hawua Ahmed, an undergraduate of the Lagos State University (LASU), is one of those ladies, who have mastered the art.

She said: “We look at your waist and butt.

Men with big butt usually have small or moderate manhood. Also, fat men have smaller manhood while those lanky guys with flat butts are the ones that have the real ‘things.

The demand for sexual satisfaction among adult Nigerians have led to increase in the use of aphrodisiacs in the country.

Aphrodisiacs are substances that increase sexual desire or libido. Consequently, sex stimulants are fast gaining unparalleled recognition, especially among the young, middle aged people, who rely on the stimulants for sexual pleasure.

Perhaps, with the increasing demand and effectiveness of these drugs, middle aged Nigerians, who naturally have low sexual drive due to menopausal issues are now into the business of sex exploits as a number of them are currently seeking and obtaining sex enhancing drugs.

Some specific foods, drinks, pills, ointments and even bubble gums have been specially manufactured to give considerable sexual pleasure. However, from historical and scientific perspectives, the results are far reaching because the users believe in its effectiveness.

Aphrodisiac has been reported to fuel sexual desires and pleasure in northern Nigeria, according to a research.

Sunday Telegraph’s investigations reveal that men trying to keep more than one wife happy and some women who compete with co-wives for their husbands' sexual attention have also increased the sales of herbal aphrodisiacs in predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria.

It has become general knowledge that high intake of alcohol and cigarettes smoking, coupled with untreated veneral diseases, stress and others, have informed low sex drive among males and females alike, and consequently, the use of sex drugs becomes desirable for such people.

Some of the popular libido enhancement concoctions

“If I see a man, I will be able to tell you the size of his manhood without seeing it.

Over 70 per cent of women need a man with long and big manhood because every movement he makes is felt during the intercourse.

“Men with small manhood can be boring and tortuous in bed, especially when you are on fire. Some people enjoy deep penetration and if they can’t get it from you, you have not done anything. Some women, including me, want their men to last long in bed.”

However, the drugs come in all forms liquid, jelly and powder - and are taken orally or massage on the manhood but most Nigerians prefer locally made concoction because of its affordability and efficacy.

Aphrodisiacs such as Enhancement-Pep, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are available in big pharmacies; some others prefer the herbs, which are cheaper.

On investigation, it was gathered that a four-tablet pack of Viagra costs about N8, 200 while enhancement-pep goes for about N11, 000. A handful of herbs, which lasts several days costs as low as N100. Hence, locally made concoctions become the most sought after aphrodisiacs.

Again, the commonest used sex stimulant available in Nigeria, especially in the West, is herbal bitters. Herbal drinks have always been available, but these became extremely popular in the early 2000 with the birth of the famous medicinal drink from Ghana, ‘Alomo’ which is said to be a health drink with curative properties, especially for men.

Consequently, it turned out to be one of

the most sought after sex stimulants by most young men, who tend to abuse the use. Other herbal drinks believed to be in the same class with ‘Alomo’ with the same sexual stimulating properties include Ogidiga, Ori Malu, Webo, Osomo, Action Bitters, Baby Oku and many more.

A young lady marketing libido enhancer to a prospective user

…libido enhancement drugs sweeten the experience

The essence of using these drugs, according to the users, is to sweeten the sexual experience. There is sex soap. Sex soap sells for about N4, 500 and it is used few minutes before sexual intercourse by both male and female. Its primary function is to delay ejaculation, making sex more enjoyable and long lasting.

The next to this is love tea. Love tea like normal tea bags, comes in a pack, but with a different composition and mission. Its’ mission is to stimulate the urge to have sex in both men and women. It’s best served and consumed hot, and in a matter of minutes, it sends sensation down the spine of users, and they get aroused.

There is also the viagra capsule. It’s the world-renowned capsule that gives unparalleled strength and ability to a man during sexual intercourse. At its inception, it was embraced by older men who were not as virile as they used to be, but these days, it’s used among informed Nigerians, both young and old.

Viagra capsule comes in a sachet containing 12 capsules and costs N8, 500. Cheaper ones are also available in sachets of four capsules. It is specified that men should use viagra 10 minutes before sex.

The next in line is the Sex Tonic, which originates from Russia. It’s a natural libido enhancer for men and women. The

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

–Buran tashi user

A female hawker

Sex Tonic is a medicinal herb that is used to increase sex drive and urge for people who suffer from low sexual appetite. Two spoons of the Sex Tonic daily, gets the job done.

Another sex enhancer is Sex Sugar. It’s a lubricant that a lady rubs on her private parts and makes the man enjoy the sexual intercourse. Its main function is to ‘sweeten’ the experience, hence the name. It’s a lubricant that comes in little white pack and costs about N1, 850. It is often used with condoms.

Others include, ‘Alomo’ with the same sexual stimulating properties as Ogidiga, Ori Malu, Webo, Osomo, Action Bitters, Baby Oku and many more.

ed that the motor park boys are the major buyers of the different products she sells.

Shonde Ojurongbe, who sells both libido enhancement drug and jedijedi medicine also confirmed that the trade is booming.

Again, there is a spot at Obalende, Lagos Island, where Nigerians of all classes buy these drugs. Though the sellers shed their wares early for the business yet the buying and selling do not take place until about 7pm when different cars park to buy the drugs in the cover of the night.

One of the sellers, Ibrahim Musa, said that they sell all kinds of aphrodisiacs, depending on what a particular person wants.

Nigerian women love sexually active men

Sexual intercourse is the best form of exercise

As part of the reasons the drugs are in demand, Mairo Bello of Adolescent Health and Information Project, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said there is a misconception that ‘manliness’ is gauged by how sexually virile a man is, which explains the increase in the demand for sex enhancement drugs.

It was also gathered that women go for aphrodisiacs to make them appealing to their husbands. Mothers are said to be providing sex stimulants to their newlywed daughters to aid them satisfy their husbands' sexual desires.

Seller of Burantashi (a local Hausa sex enhancement herb), Maliki Ibrahim, is of the view that the business is booming because Nigerian men loves women and are polygamous in nature. He noted that, he would have stopped selling the herb if the business hadn’t been favourable.

“Don’t you know that Nigerians love sex and Nigerian women like men who can make a lasting impression in their sex life? They want to feel you and every man wants to prove to his woman that he is a man indeed. One shot of Burantashi will make you have good sex with your woman. It’s also good for men that keep many girlfriends and wives,” he said.

Mutiyat Alade, who sells at Seme Motor Park in Mile 2, confirmed that the business is fast growing. According to her, she started by hawking in the park but now she has table of assorted drinks.

“I dey sell well. People dey buy. I dey sell reach N6500 every day,” she said. She not-

A sex therapist and the African Representative of Stem Cell Transplantation Centre for Africa (STEMCETA), Dr. Perry Iloegbunam, said: “Sex is very important to the human health and the best form of exercise because every part of the human body is involved during sexual intercourse. During sex, the brain is fully exercised, likewise the muscles of the body. So, I’m not against anybody trying to improve his or her sex life, but this should be done with caution.

“Lack of sexual intercourse can cause serious damage to the body. It can cause stern psychological problem in a man or woman. There are people, who get sick but do not know they are suffering from sex-related problem. “Once, this group of people has good sex even without drugs, they are healed. But before you can enter good sexual intercourse, you have to ensure that your sexual health is sound and definitely not by using enhancement drugs.

“I’m totally against sex enhancement drugs because it does not fix the problem.

Low libid o is a problem that does not need sex enhancement herb, burantashi, as it will not take care of the condition.

“What you need is to fix it properly. Penis has to do with tissues and when there is problem with the tissues, it will begin to degenerate and it’s only specific drugs that will help you regenerate it and not fast fixed local concoctions.

“When you continue to use these drugs instead of treating yourself, you are causing more harm to your body. There is an Enhancement-PeP, which helps to regener-

ate the damage cells and blood will start flowing normal through the manhood. When this is done, such a person will begin to enjoy sex. It can lead to a number of hazardous situations because they are made of hard chemical compounds.

However, John Adams, a Medical Psychologist, said sexual dysfunction is a very distressing side effect of drug addiction, whether herbal or not, adding that, it is a very common unwanted effect of many different types of drugs.

He noted that different drugs affect sexual functions in different ways depending on their mechanism of action.

Regular sex improves sense of smell

On the psychological and physiological benefits of sex, Adams said: “Having sex even a few times a week has an associative relationship with improved sense of smell. After sex, production of the hormone prolactin surges. This in turn causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain’s olfactory bulb, its smell center. Sex kills depression in the body. Good and healthy sex helps in reducing the risk of heart disease and improves one’s cardiovascular health. By having sex three or more times a week, men reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by half. Sex, is exercise and it burns about 200 calories, which is equivalent to running for 15 minutes or playing a spirited game.

“Sex also helps in weight loss. The pulse rate, in a person aroused, rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete putting forth maximum effort.

Muscular contractions during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax.

Local libido concoctions cause blindness, stroke, brain failure, impotency

Although users of local sex stimulants believe they are safe because they are herbal, side effects of sustained erection still occur in many cases, a damaging situation.

A Consultant Urologist, Abubakar Abdullah, said prolonged erection side effect can inflict permanent damage to the body, including impotency, adding that, half of the people who experience such due to usage of local herbal concoctions become impotent once the erection subsides with or without medication.

Speaking further on the effects of sex enhancement drugs to the body, a Gynecologist and Surgeon with Havana Specialist Hospital, Lagos, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Obiora, told Sunday Telegraph that the enhancement of libido in an unorthodox way has many adverse effects on the consumers.

These include weak erection, impotency, watery sperm or low sperm count among

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

others in men, while the use of it among women causes damage to ovaries, fallopian tube, and womb prolapsed.

On the side effect of penis enlargement, she said: “This weakens the penis and leads to impotency, low libido, blindness, stroke and brain failure.”

A Consultant Gynecologist with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lagos and the Managing Director, 3D Ultrasound Clinic, Greg Alabi, told our reporter that there are more to sex enhancement drugs than meet the eyes because it has to do with blood supply.

In some cases, according to him, the drugs lead to increase supply of blood to the heart, which causes an overload burden to the heart and some will take blood away from the heart.

“Whatever happens, the after effects of the sex enhancement drugs differ from one individual to the other. Somebody with a health challenge would have severe effects from the usage of sex enhancement drug than another person who has a stable health history.

“There are different intrigues to it and these still depends on the actions of the drug in question. In any case, there is no need for it, especially for those going for road side concoction,” he added.

A Brain Researcher, Prof. Philip Njemanze, who is totally against it, said it should be discouraged as it leads to death in some cases. The professor of medicine believes that before such could be recommended for anybody, there has to be a number of medical tests to confirm that the person is medically fit and does not have any cardiovascular issue, which would lead to fatality.

Njemanze said, “Blood is needed in the body for healthy circulation and it has to be balanced. When you take a libido enhancement drug, it’s a denial of blood circulation to other parts of the body including the brain. During this, the blood is thicker and moves around the penis. So, when there is no blood in the brain, it can damage the brain and you know what that means.

“Under any circumstance, sex drugs can be very dangerous on any condition, and there are things to review before a particular drug is given. And this review has to be done by an expert before it’s recommended, if not, it’s after effect will be fatal. The use of these sex drugs is not permissible, especially as it relates to cardiovascular risk.

“In fact, it’s a very big risk when it’s not done by professionals. If one says he does not have cardiovascular risk and therefore, he should take the libido enhancement drug, does he know the state of his heart?

And for you to ascertain this, you have to do an ECG test and Ecocardiolography for you to say that your heart is healthy.

“Again, you need a brain and neck ultrasound. How can any professional conclude that these drugs are good when they are seen as recreational drugs? The drugs are as bad as cocaine and marijuana because they are needed for momentarily pleasure which can cause a lot of harm to the health of the users.

This shouldn’t be encouraged.”

Dr. Perry

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News

Markets close as traders, children join protests in Akure Babatope Okeowo

F AKURE

or the second day running, the protests over the replacement of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by the Indepeendent National Electoral Commission (INEC), continued yesterday with market women closing their shops in order to join in the protests.

Apart from the market women, PDP leaders and members of the public sympathetic to the aspiration of Jegede trooped out as early as 8am to register their grievances against the decision of INEC to list Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP. They were armed with different placards with inscriptions like “Justice Abang is a … to the judiciary,” “We say no to Jankara rulings;” “We should allow INEC to be Independent, Is Nigeria going backwards?” “Ondo State Youths are saying we have right to determine our candidate” “Ondo State People say no to the removal of Eyitayo’s name”, and “No Eyi, no election” Others included “Ondo State Women are Angry; We have right to determine our Candidate,” “INEC is no longer independent under the present Federal Government,” “We say no to interference by APC Governors and Federal Government ministers in the affairs of PDP.” The market women, youths, non indigenes and PDP leaders moved from the party’s secretariat along Ijapo Street to the Deji’s Palace where they met with Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi Ogunlade and other traditional chiefs.

The PDP Chairman, Clement Faboyede, who spoke on behalf of the protesters said it is not the duty of INEC to determine who the candidate of a political party is as that rests squarely with the members of the party.

Faboyede told the monarch that they did not want the repeat of 1983 where properties and lives were lost because of injustice done to the people of the

Change of Name I formerly known as Miss Lamidi Monsurat Mmodupe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bakri Lamidi Monsurat Modupe, all documents remain valid.

General public please take note

state by the then Federal Government.

His words, “The 1983 coup began in Ondo State when National Party of Nigeria (NPN) rigged Ondo State election. We don’t want our state to burn.

Jegede emerged as PDP’s candidate in a free and fair primary. Two weeks ago, INEC published Jegede’s name. But suddenly, the name changed to that of Ibrahim who is not a member of our party.

“Beg Federal Government, Courts and INEC not to cheat us. We did not say anybody should not contest election, we are not afraid to lose this election, but we don’t want underhand tactics in getting our candidate to disqualify.”

We don’t want anybody to rig for us or rig us out.”

In his response, Oba Aladetoyinbo said in as much as people have right to protest, there must neither be burning of properties nor lost of lives during protests. The monarch who was flanked by traditional chiefs said INEC would be prevailed upon to do the right thing as there should be no back door to the governor’s seat in the state.

He said, “Whatever mistake they made would be corrected. We will convey your grievances to the Federal Government, Ondo State Council of Obas and INEC. Our judiciary should make sure everyone gets justice, we don’t want unrest. Please there should be no unrest in the state.”

Lawmakers too Earlier the State House of Assembly had addressed the media where they rejected the listing of Ibrahim who did not participate in the party’s primary as candidate of the party.

The Speaker, Princess Jumoke Akindele who was flanked by leaders of the Assembly including her Deputy, Fatai Adams, Majority Leader, Dayo Akinsoyinu and Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr.. Akinsiji Akindiose said as the representatives of the people, they would not allow injustice to pervade the selection process.

Akindele, stated that as statutory delegates of the party involved in the election of the party’s candidate, they never participated in the process that produced Ibrahim as the PDP’s candidate.

Akindele who specifically stated that Ibrahim was not a member of the party in the state, noted that Ibrahim never participated in the primary election of the party in the state.

Violent attacks: 800 herdsmen in custody – Osinbajo

S

ecurity agencies in Nigeria have arrested about 800 suspected violent herdsmen across the country, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

Prof. Osinbajo made this disclosure in Houston, Texas in the US on Friday at a Town Hall event where he interacted with US-based Nigerians who asked questions live at the event and also via the Internet, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson Mr. Laolu Akande in Houston.

The Vice President fielded about 30 questions at a wellattended Town Hall event moderated by Mr. Rudolf Okonkwo of Sahara Reporters and Prof. Nimi Wariboko of Boston University.

Asked about the issue of Fulani Herdsmen attacks in certain states across the country and what the Federal Government was doing to curb the problem, the

Vice President said: “The President has given firm instructions to the security agencies to arrest not only herdsmen who are attacking communities anywhere in the country but anyone of them or anyone at all in possession of firearms.”

He added that: “There are about 800 of suspected violent herdsmen in the country that are currently in custody.”

The Vice President, however, decried the slow pace of the criminal justice system which is affecting the prompt trial of such suspects.

Prof. Osinbajo reminded the audience, however, that the issue of killings by such violent herdsmen has been a perennial issue especially as grazing lands continue to disappear over the years and the cattle feed on peoples’ crops on the farmlands. He clarified that the matter just did not crop up

when President Buhari assumed office.

Vice President Osinbajo then urged against the tendency of interpreting the herdsmen issue as a religious issue, stressing that it is important for all Nigerians to refuse such divisive narratives and tendencies.

He reminded his audience that there has always been conflict between herdsmen and communities across the country and that people should disabuse the notion that the problem has just started because Buhari, a Fulani, is currently at the helm of affairs in the country.

Commenting on the recent arrest of judges in the country, Prof. Osinbajo told his Nigerian audience in Texas that impunity could be very dangerous in any sector and that the federal government is only exercising its executive function in attempting to check excesses.

Scene of the twin bomb blasts which occurred in Maiduguri …yesterday

NGO appeals to youths over vandalism, Body of Tiv legend buried violence Cheke Emmanuel, LAFIA

NEWS IN BRIE F

Igbeaku, UMUAHIA A Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, Partner for Peace (P4P), committed to peace in the Niger Delta has appealed to youths in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State to remain peaceful in face of provocations assuring that issues relating to their welfare would be addressed through dialogue. The appeal was made at a town hall meeting organized at Okeikpe, headquarters of the local government to address the burning issues likely to generate tension in the area.

The meeting which was attended by the chairman of the local government, Chief Uzoma Azunna, also had other stakeholders including the DPO, SP Nnamdi A, the DO of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.

Addressing the meeting the chairman of the NGO in the state, Mr. Pedro Azuogu noted that though Ukwa East has no oil, pipelines crisscross the area hence there was need to take proactive measures to forestall any ugly incident.

He said: “Between 2008 and 2010 when kidnapping reigned in Abia State, this local government was vulnerable then, such that most of the able bodied youths fled the communities for fear of being apprehended. “The situation ended with the stationing of Army personnel at Asa High School to checkmate the activities of the kidnappers.

The body of the longest living Tiv community leader in Nasarawa State, Zaki Faga Kenase, was Saturday buried. He died at the age of 108 years.

The remains of the centenarian who was buried at his country home, Ibuan in Obi Local Government Area of the state, was said to have been instrumental to the new re-settlement areas among the Tiv community in the state.

According to one of his sons, Daniel Asom Faga, the deceased community leader had worked tirelessly to ensure that the Tiv people abandon their primitive and scattered settlement pattern to a civilized cluster types which guarantees citing of social amenities by government.

Mr. Asom said that the centenarian championed the course for the restoration of peace in the southern senatorial zone of the state which was been enjoyed until the recent series of crisis that rocked the zone. He enjoined the people of the state especially the Tiv community to live in peace with their neighbours to allow government to take democratic dividends to the rural areas.

In a related development, the village head of Ihuman village in Awe LGA, Zaki Pius Ihuman, was recently buried at his ancestral home, Ihuman in Kanje district.

Speaking to journalists immediately after the burial, elder brother to the deceased traditional ruler and former commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Solomon Ihuman described the deceased as an embodiment of peace who worked hard to ensure peaceful co-existence in the area.

The Vice President also responded to a question on the state of the nation’s economy and attributed the current recession to the loss of about 60 percent of government revenue due to pipeline vandalisation and endemic corruption in the system.

He, however, stated that getting back oil production is a sure way to get out of the recession and the Federal Government is working to sort it out.

Answering question from the internet on when former President Goodluck Jonathan would be arrested, Osinbajo pointed out that the Buhari administration is not in the business of arresting just anyone anyhow. He said all the Buhari administration does is to empower the security agencies and the anti-corruption agencies to do their jobs, without the administration trying to teleguide them.

PHOTO: NAN

Nigerian Breweries rewards media excellence at Golden Pen Award

Tony Okuyeme Nigerian Breweries Plc rewarded media excellence and outstanding journalism practice at the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award which took place in Lagos recently at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

It was indeed a gathering of like minds and stakeholders as the event attracted dignitaries from the nation’s media, political and social circles including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, among others, who came to celebrate journalists for their outstanding reports on Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development in 2015.

The award which is the 8th in the series is aimed at promoting professionalism and objective reportage of events in Nigeria. It is also meant to reward such journalists who abide by the fine ethics of the journalism profession.

The night of glitz and glamour saw Tobi Aworinde of The Punch Newspaper emerge as the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year, while Gbenga Salau of The Guardian Newspaper won the first runner-up, and Charles Abah, also of The Punch Newspaper emerged as the second runner-up.

The Photo Journalist of the Year award went to Sodiq Adelakun of The Punch Newspaper.

Odutayo Odusanya also of The Punch emerged as the first runner-up, while Ayodele Ojo of The Sun Newspaper was the second runner-up.

Gabriel Dike, an education reporter with The Sun Newspaper won the ‘NB Report of the Year’.

OPINION 11

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

Chibok girls: Mai-gaskiya living up to his name Chukwudi Enekwechi

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ith the recent release of 21 Chibok girls by the Boko Haram insurgents, President Muhammadu Buhari has lived up to his popular alias ‘Mai-Gaskiya’ which is translated to mean, “someone who keeps his words”. In the entire Northern Nigeria, Mr President is synonymous with the nick name, and across the country he is also acknowledged as a man of fidelity. Most Nigerians have implicit faith in President Buhari as a man of honour and integrity. What this translates into is that though reticent, he keeps his promises.

During the 2015 presidential campaigns, it was obvious that President Buhari was flabbergasted that some 219 school girls were kidnapped under the watch of the previous administration and we still carried on as if things were normal. One could easily sense how disappointed he felt about the ugly development; hence he made an irrevocable promise to rescue the girls on assumption of office.

Since May 29th, 2015 when he was sworn in, President Buhari left no one in doubt about his desire to quickly rescue the Chibok girls from the chitches of Boko Haram. He strategized behind the scenes with the Nigerian military and the result is the safe return of the 21 of the Chibok girls and a clear possibility that the remaining will soon regain their freedom and rejoin their families.

It is needless to recount here the horrendous trauma which enveloped the nation

since the abduction of the Chibok girls, yet it should matter to us that on this issue, Nigerians of different political, religious and ethnic divides were united that the act was reprehensible and regrettable.

Before President Buhari assumed office, it seemed as if we were merely scratching the surface as far as locating and rescuing these girls, as all efforts including pay-outs to would-be negotiators yielded little or no result.

Therefore, in celebrating the return of the 21 Chibok girls, we must reflect soberly and appreciate President Buhari’s singleminded determination, but quiet efforts towards the eventual release of the girls.

From all indications, it can be seen that while criticisms have been heaped on the government for the non-release of the girls, especially coming from the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG), President Buhari was ahead of everybody, as he worked tirelessly until this particular mileage in the search and eventual release was realized to the admiration of all.

It is not surprising that Nigerians and the international community will expect quick fixes in rescuing all the Chibok girls, but matters like this are more complicated than the ordinary eye can see. It must be acknowledged that President Buhari has brought his military tactics and experience to bear in the rescue efforts, as well as in achieving the overall security goals of his administration.

In retrospect, we can easily conclude that before President Buhari’s coming to power, the security agencies were running

in circles over the rescue of the girls as no meaningful clue was available. Of course, while the rigmarole lasted, the agony of the parents, relatives and most well-meaning Nigerians and foreigners knew no bounds.

Perhaps it can be said that the whole world was taken aback that such reprehensible act happened in the 21st century. Our collective psyche was hurt and dehumanized, but with the release of the 21 girls, Nigerians have a reason to cheer up and support the President in his efforts to bring back the remaining girls.

It was therefore a great relief that at a time when we least expected it, President Buhari pulled a pleasant surprise on all of us with the release of the Chibok girls.

While it is hoped that the remaining girls will soon regain their freedom from Boko Haram’s captivity and we put the debacle and ugly experience behind us, there is need for the president to be given all the support he needs to weed Nigeria of Boko Haram terrorists.

With the successful release of the 21 Chibok girls, what has to come to the fore is President Buhari’s uncommon ability to navigate through rough terrains using such negotiating skills that only him can muster, or how else should one describe the involvement of the International Red Cross and the Swiss government as mediators? This spectacular feat has endeared the President to Nigerians from different political divides, and for once there is a unifying factor for the entire country.

As expected, the President has been receiving accolades from around the world,

and the most pronounced came from the United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon, United States government, and even some opposition elements in Nigeria.

Nigerians are equally gratified that President Buhari is desirous of bringing home the remaining girls and it is believed that the necessary machinery must have been put in place to achieve the feat.

The revelation that no ransom was paid or any Boko Haram commander exchanged for the release of the 21 girls is a sign that the Federal Government remains committed towards achieving a seamless rescue operation or negotiation as the case may be.

As a nation, we have a duty to condemn Boko Haram endangering the lives of innocent school girls, as it is not only a crime against humanity, but it negates our existence as decent human beings. There is absolutely no justification for the abduction which is in contravention of rules of engagement in armed conflicts.

Once again President Muhammadu Buhari deserves our commendation for heeding to the outcry of Nigerians for the release of the girls and leading the way in actualizing our hopes. Certainly, posterity will judge him favourably as a leader who did not go to sleep or slumbered in the face of daunting national challenges.

By Chukwudi Enekwechi, journalist and politician, writes from Abuja and can be reached via kwechis19@yahoo.com

The PDP, judiciary and our democracy Ebun Adegboruwa

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n recent times, we have all witnessed the schemes and tactics of politicians, in their attempts to outdo themselves in the struggle for power. Of concern is the role being played by the judiciary, in many of these shameful tactics, as an instrument of support, for one political camp against the other.

This is one of the despicable legacies of the now discredited Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP), in its 16 years reign. Whilst the PDP held sway, Nigerians were daily entertained by mind boggling stories of political injunctions, from Anambra State to Ogun State, and indeed across Nigeria. Various factions within the PDP were almost certain of one latest “court injunction”, against their opponent, the following day, as day follows night. And I have wondered why the chief judges of the states concerned, or indeed that of the federal high court, have not been able to coordinate and rein in these forest of injunctions.

The latest is in respect of the Ondo State governorship election, especially as between the Makarfi and Sheriff led factions of the PDP. Predictably so, the Hon Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court upped his game last week when he ordered INEC to accept Mr Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP, ostensibly without any hearing from Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, and another leading contender for the same office, who

was not named as a party in the proceedings.

And whilst we were trying to digest that, a High Court in Akure, with its clearly limited jurisdiction, had rolled out a fresh injunction, restraining INEC, from removing the name of Jegede. And before we could say ‘Jack,’ another state High Court, also in Akure, had issued another injunction, to restrain the Jimoh Ibrahim faction, of the same PDP, from parading themselves as representatives of the PDP in Ondo State.

And just before the end of today, we expect to be jolted with another injunction, yet from another court, on the same issue. As it is expected, petitions upon petitions, have been flying left right and centre, against these injunctions.

In the light of the recent events involving judicial officers and the Department of State Security, one would have thought that judicial officers will become more restrained and circumspect, in dishing out “political injunctions”, which all seem to create tension and heat the body polity, in Nigeria. A situation where judges have become willing

tools in the hands of desperate politicians is no longer acceptable, for our very fragile and nascent democracy.

And the ruling APC seemed to have taken the inglorious lead from the PDP, as in the same Ondo State, the court is being urged to declare a candidate for the APC, for the upcoming governorship election.

Our jurisprudence is fairly now well settled that the issue of candidacy of a political party, should be the internal affairs of the party. The courts should wash their hands, like Pontus Pilate did in the case of Jesus Christ, from bloody political cases, that seem to displace the power of political parties to choose their candidates.

Whereas we advocate and support the entrenched right of access to court and the statutory power of the courts to settle disputes, the National Judicial Council should by now have measures in place, through which conflicting and inconsistent rulings and judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction, will be a taboo. The NJC should not fold its hands, to be foisted with another ‘sting operation’, before it intervenes in the

The courts should wash their hands, like Pontus Pilate did in the case of Jesus Christ, from bloody political cases, that seem to displace the power of political parties to choose their candidates

festering Ondo governorship disputes.

Questions should be raised, suo motu, by the Hon Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is vested with the power of discipline and control, over the entire judiciary. The CJN should take judicial notice of the myriad of these “overnight injunctions”, and help to salvage the image of the judiciary.

I, therefore, appeal to all politicians, to all our judges, the Nigerian Bar Association and indeed all stakeholders within the Bar and Bench, to urgently rise up and tame the monster of “political injunctions”, before the nation is thrown into another democratic abortion.

Like the Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice Mahmud Mohammed put it while inaugurating the 242 chairmen and members of the Election Petitions Tribunals in January 2015, never again should the judiciary be used to truncate the nation’s democracy- an allusion to what obtained in 1993. Nigerians must learn the lessons of history.

The PDP as a political party, should rise above its petty internal squabbles and square up to play the role of positive and credible opposition, whilst the APC should restrain itself from joining the ugly train of multiple court orders, on the same subject matter, in order that it may begin to deliver upon its many campaign promises, from which it seemed to have derailed totally.

Barrister Adegboruwa wrote in from Lagos

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sunday Mail

@

EMAIL

thesundayletters@gmail. com and sundayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com

MAIL BAG

* Letters to the Editor

The Sunday Telegraph

The high rate of jobless mallams

Hassan writes from Bayero University, Kano

The monstrosity of the media Dear Editor, When you embark on a

Strength in unity…

Dear Editor,

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

journey to visit equity at home, you must go with clean hands.

When the business and real estate mogul, Donald Trump decided to go into politics, he got carried away by his popularity forgetting his antecedents at the reality show business. When you create a monster, be prepared to face the full weight of its power when the monster is incubated and hatched. Beware of the cynic power of the media. They make you and then mar you for their mercantilism. When you’re a politician, and a journalist asks you question and you’re not precise in your response, instead, you beg the question and tell the journalist that he will be bored, then you’ll be digging your own political grave. When you ride on the back of a tiger for circus shows, and to the admiration of a cheering crowd, you have to be ready to get consumed by the same tiger when the tiger becomes famished.

The media is hungry now for the news, pronto! Mr. Trump is being consumed by a voracious media. He is in every minute arrogantly playing into stealthy hands of the media. Donald Trump has become an unfettered cannon fodder in the hands of the media. What an irony!

Again, when you are in the honeymoon and feast with the media with honeycomb that archives the juicy and sumptuous part of the brunch, beware of this yummy part of the feast.

Therein might be the bitter part of the yummy yummy, even that might choke you at the end of the merriment. As Mr. Trump plunges into political inferno; as Trump nosedives into the political oblivion, we just have to beware the day of reckoning. We should also beware the ides of March! When you’re faced with the monstrosity of the media, you had better take cognisance of your environment and watch what comes out from your mouth.

Every word or statement that comes out from your mouth whether by commission or omission will be used against you in the court of public opinion. Trump is facing the day of reckoning now.

Trump’s tantrums were hyped by the media, the same media has celebrated his meltdown.

As Mr. Trump is in total meltdown now, the same media is celebrating his comic relief in the marketplace. It’s sad! As Trump is on the downward spiral, all politicians, sport men and women, artists, academicians and other professional, even individual plebeian should be wary of the media and learn a big lesson from ‘Trumpism.’

Yahaya Balogun, Arizona, USA.

How Buhari perpetuates insecurity Dear Editor,

I dedicate this letter-article to the memory of the late Prof.

Kenneth Onwuka Dike, the first African to be the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan. He hailed from Awka in Anambra State, Nigeria. He died in 1983.

I denounce as fraud of monumental proportion, a situation in which some university administrators are said to abuse their positions by recruiting teachers from kindergarten to teach in the university system. Isn’t that the height of ọ̀bàyéjẹ́ (world spoilers in Yoruba parlance)? In the good olden days, teachers were recruited from colleges of education and other post secondary academic institutions. Are we not in a real Boko Haram era?

Why, then, are Nigeria’s rulers waging war on the Islamic sect, Boko Haram? Persecution of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, started under the presidency of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua/Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (GEAJ), and perpetuated by

GEAJ and the current President, General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB). The motivation for this letter-article is the claim that GMB has reduced the level of insecurity in Nigeria. How can you say an oppressor/suppressor is improving security?

Boko Haram was suppressed in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

After some decades, it came again into limelight, because all the conditions for its existence and survival are intact: commission of haram/intolerance

by Nigeria’s rulers. Nigeria’s legislators, the presidency, and people in ministerial positions earn millions of naira monthly, while the downtrodden earn N18, 000 minimum wage, monthly. Deceptive Christians and Muslims talk of security where there is no justice. How can anybody decide for another person how to practise his or her Islam?

Thus, those who need repentance, as the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, said are Muslim imperialists.

Nigeria’s constitution stipulates religious freedom, while Christo-Islamic elite impose their own religions on Nigeria. How can the country know unity, justice, peace, and plenty, without separating religion and politics?

Is GMB promoting security through warfare and opposition to dialogue? Is he promoting security by flexing his muscles with Boko Haram, Niger Delta militants, and Biafra agitators? Is GMB promoting social security by selling dollars at official price to pilgrimage-makers, at the expense of Nigeria’s economic advancement, when abject poverty is tugging at overwhelming Nigerians? Will lopsided fight against corruption and non-accountability for recovered looted funds promote security?

Is GMB promoting security by refusing to outlaw cattle-roaming and allowing Fulani herdsmen to ravage crop farms, and kill

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Nigeria’s Aviation in coma

Dear Editor, The high rate of jobless mallams today in both the rural and urban areas is worrisome.

Some of them have deprived themselves from physical work since they have become imams/mallams. Those types of mallams are seen in mosques sitting, teaching Quran to the “Al-Majirai” while others give unrefined Islamic verdicts (i.e. Fatawa) with the aim to source for funds. As such, they disguise with such acts, which have made them to become an idle mind, who depend on solicitation. They usually solicit funds from youths and some elderly people in the society.

In other words, some of them solicit from politicians, which has made many of them to lose their dignity, and therefore become political mallams. Such acts have affected many mosque pulpits, which have become an avenue for campaigning for certain politicians indirectly or to exchange unpleasant words to other mallams whom they shared different views with.

Such acts of those mallams coupled with their hate speeches cause division among people and generate furore in the society. The root of this problem is joblessness. It is said that, “Joblessness is a disease that kills mental, intellectual and physical capabilities.” As such, Islam urges its followers to try to earn a lawful livelihood.

In other words, Islam makes it obligatory for its followers to earn lawfully and forbid begging. The Quran 25: V20 stated that all the prophets of Allah engaged in commerce as lawful means of livelihood. Therefore, it has become necessary for the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs to nip such mallams act in the bud. They should equally use their authority to call those mallams to order and encourage them to engage in lawful earning and desist from begging and discourage their students from undignifying acts. The Religious Preaching Board should equally screen and register Imams before allowing them to lead prayers or teach the younger ones Islamic education. They should ensure that those scholars have an independent work that they do.

They should enact a law that will sanction any scholar that turn Imamship into a business or violate their law.

(

crop farmers? Is it refusal to implement the recommendations of confabs convened toward Nigeria’s unity and peace that is promoting security? Is refusal to restructure Nigeria promoting security? Are Nigerians really secured, economically and otherwise?

Oyeniran Abioje, University of Ilorin, Kwara State

Nigerians should be very careful Dear Editor Nigerians should be very careful with what is being proposed

by USAID to Northern governors because USAID is illegally distributing GMO seeds to IDPs to plant so that Bill Gates and his company (majority shareholder) Monsanto partners will capture the food security of the Northeast. The GMOs do not replicate so that after the first planting season they will capture the seed chain supply first as aid and then they own the entire food security of Nigerians. The problem is that it has not been understood that the biotechnolgy companies are the main sponsors of Boko Haram hired to drive away farmers and replace their crops with GMO seeds and permanently enslave Nigeria. According to the Kissinger Maxim “Control the food and you control the people.”

The ignorance and naivety of some leaders is what is permitting this. There is a realization of this by the Federal government hence the US government is making desperate efforts to sideline the FG. The Press must inform Nigerians. The Minister of FMARD Audu Ogbeh must be resolute that we do not plant these GMO crops.

Academician Prof. Dr. Philip Njemanze MD Chairman Global Prolife Alliance

There is no gainsaying that the current forex challenges are having its toll on this particular sub-sector of Nigerian economy, which is very important and capable of taking Nigeria out of recession.

The current challenges are basically about the inability of the foreign carriers to repatriate their ticket proceeds to their home countries. This situation should be an opportunity for Nigeria’s main international carrier—Arik Air, which is private driven to be our pride.

However, the reverse is the case. Arik Air being a proudly Nigerian airliner has not made a significant progress to the aviation growth in Nigeria.

Though it could be argued that since it began operations in Nigeria, air travel has become a bit affordable amongst travelling population unlike in the previous times. However, the main contributions the airline should have made to Nigerian economy are not significantly present. In the past few years of its operations in Nigerian airspace, it is obvious that it has been enjoying some sort of government indulgence and not until the birth of Buhari’s administration, hence sustainability suddenly becomes elusive amidst flight cancellations and disruptions coupled with its grappling financial status.

In any developing nation like Ethiopia, where its aviation sector has boosted its tourism and other sectors of its economy. It is said that aviation contributes about 15 per cent to its GDP while in 2014 our erstwhile Aviation Minister asserted that ours was just about 0.4 per cent, which is a far cry compared to the traffic of passenger travel to Ethiopia and Nigeria. Without doubt, Nigeria has the capacity to develop its aviation faster than what Ethiopia, Kenya and other African countries and it could be an harbinger to take us out of recession if it can be well harnessed. Government can start by assisting and consolidating the low-cost carriers like Aero Contractors, which is now moribund and few of them that are epileptic in the country thus moving the country closer in getting its national carrier.

Yusuf Afunku 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 OCTOBER 30, 2016

NewsExtra Caleb Onwe

T ABUJA

he Federal Goverment through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has struck a collaborative agreement with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and Aso Savings and Loans to promote a world class agriculture business hub in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Inspecting the 15,000 hectares of land mapped out for the project, located at Kerkete village, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu

FG partners banks in N30bn Agric industrial park Ogbeh said the project is expected to gulp about N30 billion and when completed, it will be the biggest in the West African sub-region.

Ogbeh noted that about 100 agribusiness investors, both foreign and local are already on ground to participate in the project that has the capacity to engage more than 3,000 youth agrientrepreneurs.

On the facilities expected at the agri-industrial park, the Minister stated that dams and lakes will be constructed to provide irrigation for all season farming

activities. He also said that hydro-power station that will provide the factory facilities with adequate power supply will be constructed, while different factories for agriculture value chain development will be established.

According to the Minister, the agri-industrial park will be transformed into a living environment with massive employment opportunities for both the youths and women.

He emphatically said in a matter of weeks from now the ministry will mobilise

its bulldozers into the site to clear it for the project to start in earnest.

On how to sustain the project beyond this present administration, the Minister emphasised the need for succeeding governments to emulate what he has been done by eschewing policy somersault, and implementing laudable agriculture master plans of his predecessor. He said the government might consider the approach adopted by some countries by making ‘ Farm Laws ‘ that will make it near impossible for succes-

L-R: Presiding Bishop, Faithlife Charismatic Bible Church Inc, Bishop Nath Adekolu; presiding Bishop of Love Aglow Ministry Int’l, Bishop Sola Ore; newly consecrated Bishop, Dr. Denis Ugochuchu; wife, Prophetess Dr. Ogechukwu; Presiding Bishop of City of Refuge Ministries Int’l, Bishop Dr. E.O. Ossai and presiding Bishop of Word Base Assembly, Okota, Bishop Dr. Humphrey Erumaka, during the consecration in Lagos..yesterday PHOTO: CHIJIOKE IREMEKA

Rev Ugochukwu consecrated Bishop, tasked on evangelism

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Chijioke Iremeka t was dream come true and spiritual fulfillment for Rev. (Dr) Francis Ugochukwu, who was, yesterday, consecrated a Bishop by the Chairman, Word of Faith College of Bishops, Archbishop John Osa-Oni and host of other Bishops.

The eventful consecration, which drew men and women from all walks of life to Grace Hall, the event place, witnessed the presence of Chairman, Lagos State Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFM) and presiding Bishop of Love Aglow Ministry Int’l, Bishop Sola Ore; presiding Bishop of City of Refuge Ministries Int’l, Bishop Dr. E.O. Ossai; presiding Bishop of Word Base Assembly, Okota, Bishop Dr. Humphrey Erumaka and presiding Bishop, Faithlife Charismatic Bible Church Inc, Bishop Nath Adekolu.

The consecrating Archbishop, Osa-Oni urged the newly consecrated Bishop of Famous Word of God Mission Int’l to use his staff of office to correct the people and not to curse them.

“When the sheep is going away you will use the staff to bring him back. Study the word of God to know it and then release to the people so that as they prosper, you will also prosper in the things you do.”

Speaking during the programme, the Chairman, Lagos State Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFM) and presiding Bishop, Love Aglow Ministry Int’l, Bishop Sola Ore, said no person can pursue an assignment that he doesn’t know anything about and urged the newly consecrated Bishop to pursue his God-given assignment and not another man’s.

Reading the book of Mark, he urged the Bishop to make disciples for Christ. “You have an assignment to make the world know Christ.

Having known your assignment, you have to pursue it as other Christians are charged.”

Identifying money and fame as the major obstacles to carrying out God-given assignment by Christians and Christian leaders, he warned him against serving money beyond the love of

God and His calling as well as His assignment.

Bishop Ore, who also urged him to do the calling of God upon his life and not the assignment of another person, said, “Don’t look for popularity and titles. I implore you to pursue your assignment with commitment and God will exalt you.”

Speaking against pride in the ministry, especially by thinking less of the poor in the body of Christ and outside, he warned that his countenance to arrogate to himself, the power or glory that God has not given to him, will make him lose focus and float in the things of God. The newly consecrated Bishop was urged by Bishop Adekolu to stick to God and His Word in order for God’s directives in his life to be clearly heard and implemented. He noted that his consecration is a major lift that comes with huge responsibilities.

“We will give him support to ensure he attains his great potential because the world is waiting for people that God will use to solve problems and bring men

closer to Him, especially this generation that seems Godless in their actions and reactions. He is one of those that God has anointed to fill the gaps,” he added.

However, newly consecrated Bishop, who promised to be committed to the work of God, said, “I feel happy and excited because it’s a dream come true. Spiritually, I have been working towards becoming a Bishop.

This is a spiritual height for me.”

According to him, the new height, which he has attained in the Lord, will increase God’s anointing upon him. It will also, help him to live holy life and attain spiritual maturity as is a spiritual father to many pastors.

He noted that a lot will be expected of him. He noted that the inspiration to become a Bishop came to him February last year, though God used several other men in different places to confirm his bishopric calling.

His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr.) P.C. Emeanuwa, who congratulated him on his consecration, prayed that God use him mightily in his vanguard.

sive governments to discard policies of the previous ones, considering the principle of continuity in government.

Mr. Enesi Makonju, Group Head, Specialised Assets Group, Aso Savings and Loans Plc, one of the partner banks of the project, said the project site was carved out

by the Federal Capital Administration some decades ago.

Makonju stated that Aso Savings and Loans have been the financial adviser to the developers of the project, he said his organisation has committed about N500 million into the project.

Provide information to security agencies, Navy tells citizens Ola James WARRI

T

he Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve has called on citizens in the Niger Delta to provide security agencies with useful information that will help them protect lives and property in the Niger Delta region.

The NNS Commander, who made this call in Warri during the command’s ongoing medical outreach, tagged “Rhapsody” at Ugbuwangwe in Warri South Local Government Area of state also urged youths in the area to shun all forms of criminal activities.

The medical outreach, according to Commodore Dzunve, was an initiative of the Nigerian Navy to render free medical service to communities within its areas of operation.

He added that the medical outreach was to engender military and civil relationship noting that the military is not all about enforcing the law but to also provide humanitarian service to the people. The navy boss said that four communities have benefited from the laudable programme since he assumed office in July, 2106.

He said, “The medical

raphsody is one of our programme to promote our relationship with host communities.

“It enlightens members of the public on medical challenges, we are aware that some people are not aware of their health challenges.

“It is a programme put in place by Navy. This is about the fourth community we are visiting and we shall visit other communities,” Commodore Dzunve said.

Responding, secretary of Ugbuwangwe Community, Mr. Tosan Okorodudu commended the Navy for the free medical service.

“I thank the Nigerian Navy for fulfilling its promise of providing a free medical service to our people in Ugbuwangwe”.

He said the programme was timely, noting that the people had been faced with health challenges due to communal crisis in the community. “I am happy that the programme is extended to our community, thanks to the Federal Government and NNS Delta”, he said.

Some of the medical services provided included: malaria test, eye test, blood sugar/glucose test, free drugs among others.

Those with critical cases were, however, referred to the Navy Hospital, Effurun for further examination.

New Emir of Borgu weeps as he remembers late father Dan Atori MINNA

T

he new Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Haliru Dantoro ‘Kitoro IV’ (Mai Borgu) on Saturday, during his coronation wept as he remembered his late father, who died exactly one year ago.

He made the emotional speech at his coronation as the 17th Emir of Borgu Kingdom, Kitoro IV’ (Mai Borgu), saying his late father’s call for true change must be embraced by all.

He said, “In far away Germany, on Thursday, October 28th, 2015, he said to me, ‘Marafa, go home and prepare for my return. I want to come home quietly. A day later, precisely on Friday, October, 30th 2015 it pleased Almighty Allah to recall Mai Borgu the Great from this life.

“To Allah the giver and taker of life, we must return all praises for blessing Borgu and Nigeria with the priceless treasure that the late Mai Borgu represents.

“My father’s reign on the throne of our forefathers, though comparatively brief, will forever remain the definition of our true leadership, not just in Borgu history, but in the annals of this country.

“Like generous raindrops from the heavens the blessings of Mai Borgu’s reign fell not just on Borgu but also fertilised the very destiny of this great nation.”

“My late father was a hero who was prepared to sacrifice even his exalted seat for the cause of giving our beloved country. I call on the leaders of change in Nigeria to honour the late Emir by burying their differences and working as a team in the interest of the common man.”

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Science

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

08035624538

NAEGE honours distinguished engineering Geologists The Nigerian Association of Engineering Geology and the Environment (NAEGE) recently honoured erudite scholars from different parts of the country. The event, which held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, had distinguished personalities in attendance. Science writer, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM AMALAHA captures the event in pictures

Benson Obayelu displaying his NAEGE Award

Prof. Okogbue displaying his NAEGE Award

Nnokwa Progress Union Honours Ezekwobi

Prof. Ebenezar Meshida (2nd right) displaying his award

Dim Noo Abroad: A novel about women desperate for husbands abroad

C.M Okonkwo

I

n a town in Imo State, Nigeria, ten young women who happen to be friends are desperately in need of husbands. Their goal is to find husbands living abroad or find no husband at all.

Dim Noo Abroad, a romantic comedy by C. M. Okonkwo, is a page-turner.Captivating from the first line, the author puts you right there in the lives of ten ladies — Stella, Miracle, Caro, Glory, Oluchi, Dumebi, Amara, Tessy, Halleluiah and Kemi — living in a town in Imo State.

Their eagerness bordering on desperation to not just get married but join the league of women who can proudly say “Dim Noo Abroad” (My Husband is Abroad), makes them victims of their own desires.

With captivating titles for each chapter, C. M. Okonkwo weaves an interesting story around the lives of these ladies and the men in their lives.From an albino pretending to

be biracial, to slave drivers, wife beaters, bigamous lovers, criminals, drug dealers and no-show husbands, these ladies are at the mercy of any man who lives abroad.

Sunday Telegraph finds the characters engaging and their relationships credible.

I found it next to impossible not to be impressed by the tenacity, perkiness and pettiness of these ladies in their pursuit of their goal. The most favourite part of the story was when these ladies looked beyond their own desires, needs, problems, putting aside all grudges and malice in order to support and protect one of their own.

C. M. Okonkwo excels at keeping the story moving and leaving the readers guessing. This is more than a love story; it is a tale of friendship, betrayal and pain. It explores life issues in a hilarious yet compelling manner.

Dim Noo Abroad is a must-have and a must-read for anyone who loves a good story.

N

nokwa Progress Union (Women’s Wing), Lagos Branch, recently honoured Eze Michael E. Ezekwobi (Ph.D), (Oyiomanatumba Ndigbo Gbaagburugburu), Eze Udo Ifako-Ogba, Lagos State for his meritorious achievements and contributions to the society.

The event which took place at Nnokwa Civic Centre, Ejigbo, Lagos, had many distinguished personalities in attendance. In an address presented

by Mrs. Nneka Ezeonyeodili, President, Women’s Wing, Lagos Branch of the union, she eulogized Ezekwobi for his leadership style and developmental contributions to the society.

Eze Michael Ezekwobi was born in Umuezisiukwu kindred, Aboh, Nnok-

wa, Idemili South LGA, in the present day Anambra State.

He obtained a Ph.D (Honoris Causa) from the Pacific Western University, Los Angeles, USA. He has held many electure positions and has many awards to his credit. They include but not limited to the Millennium Award of Excellence by Ohaneze Students’ Association of the University of Ibadan.

Nnokwa is a town in Anambra State.

Its Progress Union (Women’s Wing) Lagos State was formed 40 years ago and has brought many developmental activities to the society such as poverty alleviation scheme among others.

Eze Ezekwobi sitting (2nd left), Barrister Maduabuchi standing (2nd left) with some Nnokwa dignitaries at the event

A section of Nnokwa Womens’ wing Lagos branch at the event

Eze Ezekwobi displaying his award

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

SUNDAY

Body Soul S U N D AY, O C T O B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 6

Athletic chic comeback

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Here Beyond

One shoulder glam

StyleSta ker

Adora Oleh

Delectable presenter

Vanessa Okwara

O

ne-shoulder tops and dresses are seeing a huge resurgence this season; thanks to their recent comeback at runway shows for Versace, Jacquemus, Tibi, and other designers.

Adding an unexpected edge, the one shoulder dress remains a classic. It’s a style readily seen on various major red carpets around the world.

An off-shoulder dress or one-shoulder dress is a sophisticated and dramatic look that can stand out no matter the occasion. As with any ensemble, adding just the right style elements to this type of dress, from jewelry to footwear to the best hairstyle, can take a oneshoulder dress from fine to fabulous.

These sexy and classy dresses are a great tool for showing off your figure, but I have to warn you that they are quite tricky to wear. There are a few things you need to know about accessorizing and styling them in order to pull them off glamorously.

Don’t cover it up An absolute no to layers! The whole point of this type of dress is to show off your gorgeous shoulders so there is no reason at all for you to cover them up with blazers or cardigans.

Wear the right Bra Off-shoulder dresses have a unique styling at the neckline making it important to choose a bra that does not peek out of the dress. In many instances, a strapless bra can work splendidly with a one-shoulder, off-shoulder, or backless dress. However, for those that prefer a bit more support, a convertible bra can be a great solution. These bras have detachable straps that can be arranged in a multitude of ways, including with a single strap for the one-shoulder dress. A bra that is both comfortable and helps the dress to stay in place is a necessity.

Avoid a flashy Necklace When the collarbone and shoulders are put on stark display as they are in one-shoulder dresses, it can be tempting to cover them up with a bold shimmery necklace with large jewels. However, wearing a statement necklace in conjunction with a statement neckline is a recipe for overkill and a muddled, busy look.

In order to give the dress its due, choosing a simple necklace that sits high on the neck is a much better choice, and chokers are a great example. While a statement necklace is not an ideal choice, dangling and attentiongrabbing earrings can be an attractive choice with an off-shoulder dress.

Tobiloba Adenekan

B

ritish-Nigerian TV presenter and On-Air personality, Adaora Oleh is a broadcaster with lots of experience and exposure in her career. She is the first of three children. Her father was a Civil Engineer and her mother a property Lawyer. She found her love for performing and presenting while studying at a private convent school for girls in London. And for over six years, she has been a television presenter both in the UK and Nigeria.

She is known for her anchoring profession both within and outside the country. She is mostly recognized for her co- anchoring in the MTN Project Fame West Africa from 2009 - 2013.

She worked as an international Film Marketing Promotional Manager with paramount and Universal Film Studios in London. She also has a postgraduate degree in Public Relations from London School of Journalism and a post graduate Diploma in

Media Law and Journalism.

She is the founder of her own television programme called ‘The Adora Oleh Show’ which started in Nigeria and also hosted the London leg of This Day Music and Fashion Festival. She has interviewed prominent celebrities like D’banj, 50cent, Will Smith, Kanye West, Psquare, Samuel L. Jackson and 2Face Idiba to mention few.

Adora Oleh is young and pretty. The beautiful, fairskinned lady dresses to suit occasions and she never overdoes it. Her delivery is superb and her dress sense is simple and unique. For her personal style statement, she thinks authenticity is very important.

She believes that a woman’s outfit reflects the different sides of her personality where her essence meets her expression. Her style depicts her confidence and individuality. She loves covering her beautiful figure with designer labels. She also loves to wear long weaves and glam makeup. She definitely knows how to make powerful statements on red carpet.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

Body&Soul

Failing A-level exam was my turning point –Ola Oresanya

Prior to his days as the point man at Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, the organisation suffered obscurity.

However, all this changed when Ola Oresanya was brought on board. The brilliant dude did not only turn it around, he made the organisation to be recognised for its efficiency and commitment. He also brought glamour to his position to compliment his brilliant ideas which ultimately made LAWMA an enviable organisation and himself a celebrated fellow.

Oresanya recently quit LAWMA after ten years of meritorious service. WOLE ADEPOJU engaged the amiable personality in an interview, where he discussed his days at LAWMA, how he excelled at his job and what he’s currently doing. He also reminisced on his growing up years among other interesting issues What has been happening to you since you left LAWMA? Well, I’m basically into teaching and providing consultancy services for companies, individuals, government, and providing adversarial services. But generally, I’m still into waste management services, discovering new opportunities and new things in waste management. So I’m still reading and back to the university where I’m studying and teaching.

Your days at LAWMA were quite remarkable. Can you let us into how you were discovered for the job?

First, I have to thank God for the opportunity and I have to thank Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who offered me the job in 2005 and thankful to Barrister Tunji Bello, who was the Commissioner for Environment then. He introduced me to the governor and to Barrister Fashola too, who allowed me to participate in his government. I would rather just say that fate brought me to that government through these people I mentioned.

Asiwaju is known for working with egg heads and Bello must have had some level of confidence in you to have introduced you. What were your antecedents?

Well, Barrister Tunji was the Commissioner of Environment while I was a staff of the Ministry of Environment and I was the Head of the Waste Mana g e -

ment desk in the ministry then, and when he came in as the commissioner in 2003, he came with the sole objective of cleaning the city. Despite the developmental program of Asiwaju in his first four years, people were still shouting, ‘dirty Lagos’! So he was out to find a solution this time and the number one mandate he gave to Tunji Bello was to clean the city even if he was not going to do any other thing and coincidentally, I was the Head of Waste Management unit in the ministry. Prior to that time, I had known Mr. Tunji Bello; we have been friends so it was easy to relate with him. He was my boss and a friend. Every day, we start our meeting from about 9pm till midnight, strategising and thinking how to clean Lagos. It was a well thought out plan by some of us in the ministry; the permanent secretary and directors, so we had a team in the ministry then that were always thinking of how to do it. Before that time, I had already had about 14 years’ service in LAWMA. I started working in LAWMA in 1985 and I worked till 1999 before moving to the ministry. So I had some understanding of what was wrong and I believe I had the solution. Everybody believed in me; Mr. Tunji Bello believed in me, so we started the reform at the ministry and we had the road map of what we wanted to do and how to sustain that road map. The institutional reform was almost the last thing on the reform plan which was that LAWMA as an institution should reform to carry out and implement those policies and the strategies.

Coincidentally, without my knowing, he recommended me to the governor, not because we knew each other

but because we had been interacting and he felt let’s give him a chance and I was given a chance to sink or swim and I decided to swim.

It’s apparent you are zealous at what you do; what is your drive?

If I look back generally, maybe because of my background; my father was an accountant and my mum was a teacher. As a young boy from a family of five, we were trained to be committed to whatever assignment we were given. I grew up under almost a regimented life. I was a teacher’s boy and my mum was disciplined. You don’t start something you can’t finish, and my father would tell you to account for every action or inaction. So we were trained to be very responsible early in life and any job I find myself doing, I just get myself committed. My mum would tell you if you are supposed to be sweeping, be the best sweeper, if you are a doctor, aspire to be the best of whatever vocation you find yourself doing, I think probably that’s what defined the values I have demonstrated so far.

Was there space to exhibit exuberance as a youth since you had strict parents?

Yes, a boy would always be a boy; I played my own share of pranks as a young boy growing up. We lived a regimented kind of life because my house was almost like a boarding house. When you close by 2 o’clock, lunch strictly was 3 o’clock, you are supposed to have your siesta and your one hour prep before they ever allow you to play; playing hour was strictly one hour. You play by the rules and there are time tables. But despite that as a teenager, I was still able to break the rules that parents would not know but it was a normal thing.

Children with this kind of lifestyle tend to go off the right path when they eventually have freedom in places like universities. What was it like for you?

You are very correct because it happened to me by the time I was in secondary school… oh, free at last. Yes, I joined several gangs, all the vices; smoking, drinking and you pretend when you get home like the son of a Bishop.

Some of my friends even died while we were indulging vices while some probably up till today could not recover from those bad things. There was peer pressure out there but I thank God for my mum who probably was praying. I was very brilliant in school, I was always coming tops but when I did my A Levels, I failed for the first time in my life and that was a shock, and I think that was my turning point. From there, I had to wake up to reality. So it was a turning point for me.

Having been there, how has the experience helped you as a father?

Children of nowadays are different

from the way we were groomed. Like I told you, it was almost a regimented life and till my mum died last year, if my mum called on phone, you still hear me say, yes Ma! When my father was alive, it was Sir! It was almost like a military thing. I don’t have that kind of relationship with my children; it created a gap between me and my parents then. Our parents thought it was a mark of respect but then it was a gap. I developed a kind of relationship with my children where my child can stand and tell me, ‘Dad, you are wrong’ and I have to explain my actions. So we allow them to grow up with a very good self-esteem, and yes, they respect elders but they know where it stops so that elders will not introduce them to perversion and when friends introduce them to bad things, they come home to explain. In our own case especially, my children know mum would shout but I will listen and then advise. When my last son wanted to do music, his mum would not hear it and he was pretending in the house and his mum did not know he was already performing with some boys out there but he came to tell me and I said, don’t worry, it’s going to be a secret between us. I made him understand Dad too was a DJ but I did not allow it disturb my education. I explained to him and at the end of the day, he saw reason why he should give priority to his education.

That’s what parenting these days requires so they don’t go to the wrong places to pick information. Parenting has new definition and we just have to wake up to it.

Being a DJ must have attracted female admirers. How did you avoid tales of baby mamas?

Like I said, my mum must have been a prayerful woman, that I did not get my hands burnt too was a miracle but I thank God I did not.

How easy was it for you to pick a wife when the time was ripe?

I just followed my instincts. I knew my wife for a long time; we grew up in the same neighbourhood. We are born the same year and were friends long before we became husband and wife. I still remember that day very well, it was a Good Friday. I told her, do you know you are going to be my wife? She did not believe me. She said I could not be ready when she was ready and I said time would tell. I think that was all about determining to get a goal and that was what I did.

How do you think marriage can be sustained?

My advice is you should not marry because you are asked to marry. Don’t marry because you must marry. Wait and marry your friend because it’s not love that sustains marriage, its tolerance. Yes, if you love one another, beautiful, but if you have someone who is your friend, you will tolerate one another. I told you my wife and I were born the same year, so we had nothing when we married. We would eat Boli (roasted plantain) for dinner and went through it all as fun. Of course, you will fight but you come back because it’s not about rights but as friends. Marriage is beautiful and joyful when you marry your friend.

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

18

Athletic chic comeb Biwom Iklaki

F

ashion is dynamic and one of the best things about it is that you can make of it what you will. This week, we decided to explore the ladies who took the gym shoes a step further (no pun intended). They work their sneakers and high tops into their daily wardrobes to different

Editor’s current obsession

occasions. Actually if you style them they can go almost everywhere wi From denim on denim to LBD and way to street chic, this style is sure you up while staying true to your p ality. The biggest perk I would im would be keeping you cool, relax comfy all day long.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

Wine & Dine

Become wine savvy (1) Ibukunolwa Kayode

B

ecoming wine savvy isn’t for everyone. But it’s the best way for wine drinkers to enhance their social experiences and gain an improved sense of taste.

There are some significant side benefits too: you’ll become more confident buying wine and be able to taste differences in quality.

Of course, learning to identify wine quality can be so eye-opening that you may never see grocery store wine the same again. So if you prefer to maintain your blissful ignorance, it’s best to stop reading now.

If however, you’re ready to crack the code and understand your wine from the inside out, let’s get started!

Though there is a lot of wine information out there, but not a enough good advice on how to get started and what to learn first.

Fortunately, with a little direction, you can gain lots of wine wisdom (and confidence) in a very short period of time. This guide intends to offer an outline on how to im-

prove your wine knowledge even if you’re starting from the very beginning.

The first step you must take if you want to improve your wine knowledge is to immediately change the way you drink.

Keep in mind that the goal is to alter the way you buy and consume wine so that you can make better-informed choices and have a higher level of awareness. When you remember that goal, every time you taste wine suddenly becomes an opportunity to add to your wine knowledge.

Practice the tasting process each time you pick up a glass of wine Set up comparative tastings to improve your ability to taste Always identify the origin and vintage Seek out new wines that will expand your tasting repertoire This simple adjustment isn’t something that requires your full attention all the time.

Just be sure to take good notes and after you’ve recorded your thoughts, you can get back to enjoying wine for its effect.

Gizdodo snack affair Biwom Iklaki

D

on’t be misled by the title; gizdodo doesn’t only have to be a snack.

It contains the right amount of nutrients to constitute a full meal really. It is also very healthy as the gizzard can be considered non red meat and the dodo is fortified with irons.

If you garnish with the right amounts of veggies, you are on to a dynamite dish. The other day, we were watching the Arsenal VS Barca match and with the kind of entertainment that match brought, I thought my guys deserved a treat. Out came the gizzard and some plantains and I whipped up this lovely finger food for them to wash down with choice wines and beers.

Ingredients 5 fingers semi ripe plantain 15 pieces gizzard Onions (chopped) Green, yellow, red peppers / jalapenos (diced)

3 large tomatoes (chopped finely) Ginger and garlic to taste Stock cubes Salt Red bonnet pepper (pounded) Hot leaf/scent leaf (I use a bit of both) Oil for frying Preparation Spice and precook the gizzard until tender. Peel, cube and fry the plantains and set aside. Drain the gizzard from the stock and fry lightly or dry (your preference) and set aside.

In a separate wok, bring ¼ cup oil to simmer and add your onions. Add the tomatoes and fry till you have a paste. Add the veggies, red bonnet pepper, ginger, garlic, stock cubes and salt.

Cover and leave to simmer for 2 – 3 minutes then stir, taste and turn the gizzard and dodo into the wok. Stir and serve. Garnish with some slices of shallots and pepper.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

I’m going hubby-shopping (12) Juliet Bumah

H

mmmmmmm! Dave must have something for call girls! Anyway, call girls are human beings and many of them didn’t set out to be bad. He turns to Kathryn.

“Where’s your brother? The one you talked about,” he asks and her face lit up.

“My brother lives in Paris with his young family. He’s an engineer. He’s doing well and comes around often,” she says.

“Good. I’ll like to meet him anytime he comes around. Or, we can go see him in Paris,” he says, his mouth searching for hers. He is excited. He wants her so much.

Kathryn kisses him passionately and pushes him away.

“Now tell me, what was Akudo doing in your house? And why did she refer to me as a prostitute even before meeting me? What did you tell her about me? So you do patronize call girls? You must be insatiable, if you had to sleep with that thieving slut after the good time I gave you,” Kathryn says, looking him in the eye.

Dave sighs deeply and begins, “She is not a slut...no, I didn’t meet her as one. I went out with her for months...I was actually in love with her until I saw her come out of a guest house with a friend of mine...”

Kathryn is no longer listening. The words ‘I love her’ slices into her soul.

What? Dave loves Akudo!

**** Ben wakes up from a light slumber and picks his phone. Kathryn must have called.

Oh no. The phone is off. The battery must have been dead for hours. He plugs it.

His spirit yearns for Kathryn. If she doesn’t come, he will go searching for her again.

Such is the impression she has made on him. **** Life is really a yoyo. Dave observes Kathryn silently. He wonders what is going on in her mind. He feels for her. She has gone through much difficulties as a young girl.

He admires her spirit.

Growing up for him was not easy. He has his own tales of woe. He reaches out to her again.

“My love, few rich people slept on bed of roses as kids. Many of us navigated the thorns that life strew on our way. Some of us were pierced but we trudged on till we got to fairer ground,” he says.

Kathryn looks at him with disbelief. Dave doesn’t look like he passed through hard times.

He continues, “Yes, my dear, life was unfair to me as a kid. We weren’t very comfortable but we were very happy as a family. My dad worked in a private firm owned by a white man and my mum managed a provision kiosk opposite our house. Everything went smoothly until the white man folded his business and went back to his country.

He was old. According to my dad, he called all his workers to a meeting one morning and told them he was closing shop. He told them he wanted to spend his last days with his family in his country.

“He paid off his workers, my dad inclusive, a few days later and that was the end of the business. Dad sought for a job without success. After two months, he decided to go into business. Someone had told him he could import some goods from UK. My dad staked all his money and the goods were seized by the Customs. With no money and job, he found solace in alcohol...then

women.

“My mum struggled put food on the table and paid our school fees. We were lucky, we were living in our own house. Dad spent most of what he got as rent on alcohol and women. Mum did all she could, sold off many of her prized possessions to make ends meet.”

He takes a deep breath and Kathryn asks, “Where are they now? I mean your parents.”

“Oh, they are in their house now. They are very old now. My father is wiser now.

He’s forever thankful to God for blessing him with a good wife,” Dave says with a chuckle.

“You see, whatever hard punch life deals you, make the best of it. I learnt something from my mum, when life yo-yo you up and down, remember the good past and look up to a better future. You’ll meet her soon, quite a remarkable woman,” he adds.

“I’m already in love with her,” Kathryn says with a smile.

Then a cloud flickers across her face.

Akudo!

She asks, “You said you are in love with my step sister, Akudo. Where does that leave me?”

Dave signs and says, slowly, “I said I was in love with her...was. I was in love with her.

I’m no longer in love with her. Whatever I felt for her died the day I saw her come out of a guest house with a friend of mine.”

“You are no longer in love with her and

she still comes to your house at will? That’s hard to believe,” she says.

“I’ve told you the truth, nothing but the truth,” he replies, reaching for her shoulders.

She shakes him off.

“Oh, I can’t touch you again? Hmmmmmmm...now tell me, what happened to the appointment you were fixing with your boyfriend on the phone? You wanted me out of your house so you could go and meet him.

It must have been a very short meeting or he stood you up? No?” Dave is really angry.

Kathryn stares at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Baby, I didn’t see anybody. You have to believe me. Yes, I spoke to a man on the phone but he’s a just friend,” she says.

“Of course, he must be a friend. I don’t expect you to be chatting with an enemy on the phone,” Dave says sarcastically and walks out of the room.

His stomach rumbles. He goes downstairs to the kitchen. He needs to eat something.

The hangover of the previous night has not cleared totally.

He pours some nuts into a saucer, pours some fruit juice in a glass and makes himself comfortable on the divan in the sitting room.

“Gawd, I need a wife. How long will I wait for Kathryn to realise I really love her and wants her as a wife? Why is she proving so difficult? So Ann is Kathryn’s stepsister? Oh, not Ann...Akudo. Sisters!”

After munching on the nuts for some min-

utes, he switches on the television and turns to a sports channel. ***** Kathryn goes to the window to peep. Nothing. The gateman is probably sleeping. She stands there. She’s happy that Dave is in the house. She relaxes a bit.

He is getting unnecessarily worked up over nothing. She’s in love with him and not Ben. Ben is just a ‘fall back’ guy if things do no work out fine with Dave.

“I love Dave,” she says aloud to no one.

Akudo!

“Why does that stepsister of mine turn up where she is not wanted? To think she changed her name to Ann! A change of name won’t change what she is -greedy, selfish and quarrelsome as her mum.”

She goes back to the bed and tries to rest.

No use. She tosses this way and that. After about half an hour, she decides to go look for Dave. Does she love him? Yes! She tiptoes downstairs.

Dave slouches on the divan. On a closer look, she realises that he has dozed off.

She changes the television channel to one that catches her fancy and kneels before him.

He looks so tired. She begins to massage his legs, from his toes to the knees and back.

He opens his eyes and smiles at her. She continues, past the knees up the thighs, resting briefly just before his man and down again.

He squirms and makes himself more comfortable on the seat. She continues, her palm hovering around his man and moving to the knees.

“My wife, can we go to the bedroom?

My brothers may come in,” he says, lips clenched.

“A moment,” she says, running her hands all over him and driving him gaga. He feels like she is tickling him with feathers. His man becomes turgid. He loses sense of reasoning and grabs her by the waist.

“You can’t continue to torment me like this my darling. I want you to be with me always,” he says, drawing her into his arms.

“Baby, relax. Lemme give you a lap dance,” she tells him huskily.

She sits on his laps, backing him and and begins the slow, sexy movement of her ample derrière.

Despite the layers of clothing between them, Dave feels the force building up in him, threatening to overpower him. She continues. If she’s aware of the volcano building up under her, she shows no sign.

She rubs, grinds and pounds at intervals, gently, her eyes glued to the television.

Dave’s body begins to shiver. The more he tries to hold himself together, the more he loses it. He screams as he feels the volcano erupting. Kathryn rocks gently as the spasm gradually dies down.

She then stands up, turns around and says sweetly, “Wonder if you still have enough strength to make me feel like a woman?”

He nods.

“Good, meet me in the other room,” she says and sashays out.

Dave looks down between his legs and gives a short laugh. He has messed up his boxers.

“If I don’t have her for a wife, no one will,” he says as he walks up the stair. ******* Hmmmmmmmm...where does that leave Ben? Lets find out on Sunday.

•Send your observations to: julietbumah@ gmail.com

21

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

Zakzaky gets funding from Iran-Brother

How CAN shared Jonathan’s N7bn, Pastor Dikwa

p.22

p.25

The Sunday Interview

Oshiomhole: I have successfully dismantled godfatherism in Edo

POLITICS The appearance of flamboyant politician and diplomat, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe in the appointment of noncareer diplomats last week caused not a little stir. BIYI ADEGOROYE in this report revisits the persona and stature of Kingibe and the role he is assuming in President Muhammadu Buhari’s kitchen cabinet

p26&31

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

Kingibe: The return of a game changer

I

n the last few months, insinuations that a cabal has taken over the running of the nation were very rife. The emergence of the group brought with it the sidelining of prominent members of the All Progressives Congress who mobilized time, energy and other resources to secure victory for the party in last year’s elections.

Since the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, names like Mammah Daura, Lawal Daura and most recently Babagana Kingibe, which were hardly audible in the pre-election activities, have now become heard and dreaded. Their prominent roles include co-ordinating several government activities between the Chief of Staff and the President.

A couple of weeks ago, the President’s Wife, Aisha Buhari, gave credence to the suspicion in a BBC Hausa Service interview in London, when she stated: “It was people that brought the government into power. More than half of those people are not appointed into the government.

Some people that are not politicians, not professionals, were brought into the government. They don’t even know what we said we want and what we don’t during the campaign. They have even come out and say to people ‘we are not politicians,’ but they are occupying the offices meant for politicians. Some have parted with their wives; some lost their children, some women too have parted with their husbands because of politics, a lot happened during the time.

“The way things are going I too I am not happy. We are just starting, we have not finished. Some people that worked for the government have been appointed. But those heading government agencies you can find one fighting his state governor.

They contested together during election, one is in the APC while in the other PDP.” .

While Mrs. Buhari just confirmed the glaring sidelining of the party’s bigwigs, perhaps the icing on the cake came in the recent appointments of non-career ambassadors done without input from the state governors. Even Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, like Senate President Bukola Saraki

Buhari

was reportedly got one slot each out of 46 ambassadorial nominees.

Sources said that the aforementioned trio played major roles in the drawing of the list without consultation with the 23 APC governors who are party leaders in their respective states. Hence their angst with were the Presidency when the list was released last week.

The absence of consultations with the governors has culminated in lopsidedness in the administration’s appointments, which observes believe has been very demoralizing. Not only do they fear their powers are being whittled down gradually, the systematic neglect of these key party leaders, they argue can endanger future successes of the party. The President in his intervention had asked the governors to put their objections in writing.

Undoubtedly, the emergence of this cabal has been roundly condemned by many politicians, like the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa and loyalists of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Of the trio known to be members of Buhari’s inner cabinet, however, Kingibe comes tops- perhaps leveraging on his background to make a great difference in the current administration.

Background Kingibe is an astute politician and retired diplomat. Born in 1945, Kingibe hails from the Kanuri ethnic group in Borno State, in the North Eastern region of Nigeria. After

Kingibe

his elementary education in Nigeria and higher education in England, he joined the Nigerian Foreign Service as a career diplomat.

Kingibe is reputed for his mastery of international relations, especially with reference to diplomacy and intelligence gathering and utilisation of same in the conduct of state affairs in the international arena. Such secrete operations and intelligence, some have observed, have also become useful tolls in domestic relations.

During the Murtala Mohammed/Olusegun Obasanjo government of 1975 to 1979, Kingibe was in the Foreign Ministry, as one of three astute diplomats and intelligent top officials who were members of the inner cycles of the administrations.

He was at various times Nigerian Ambassador to Greece and Pakistan. After his tour of duty he was appointed Permanent Secretary (Special Services), where he was in charge of security matters in the Presidency. This privileged position exposed Kingibe to top state secrets even at a very youthful age in the service of his country.

Between October 2002 and September 2006, he served as African Union, Special Envoy to Sudan and subsequently Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Head of the AU Mission in Sudan and Dafur.

Political limelight For those who witnessed the political transition programme of the then military government of President Ibrahim Baban-

gida, the name Ambassador Babagana Kingibe rang a bell. Kingibe was the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, one of the two political parties that dominated the politics of that era. He later rose to become the vice presidential candidate of the SDP and was the running mate to late Chief MKO Abiola, the presidential candidate of the party in the June 12, 1993 election.

At the vice-presidential debate that heralded the historic election of that year, Kingibe won the hearts of millions of Nigerians. In his handling one of the issues he debated upon with Chief Sylvester Ugo, his counterpart part at the National Republican Convention, he brought down the roof with great laughter when he said the Biafran economy and currency managed by Ugo “fell like a pack of cards.” His broad smiles were infectious; his power of oration and elocution almost second to none, while his broad knowledge of the history and economy of Nigeria earned him and his party the massive support across the country.

June 12 betrayal However, there came a low moment. The military government that midwifed the political transition annulled the popular mandate given to Abiola and Kingibe.

This development triggered a mass revolt from the people, a conflagration that forced General Ibrahim Babangida to "step CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

POLITICS

Zakzaky gets funding from Iran- Brother Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yakoob, the Chairman of Izalatul Bid’ia wa Ikamatus sunna, Zaria Branch, is also the elder brother of Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky, the detained Shiite leader. In this interview with news men, including IBRAHEEM MUSA, the Islamic cleric justified the ban on the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), arguing that Shiite is as dangerous as Boko Haram Penultimate week, a Hausa newspaper reported that you advocated for the continuous detention of your younger brother, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, who has been held for close to a year now by the government, following the clash between soldiers and Shiite sect members. Why did you make that statement?

No. I neither called for his continuous detention nor his release. What I said was that he is being detained by the authorities over inciting his members to block the Chief of Army Staff’s convoy last December. One thing led to another and people died in the process. I said, since it is the authorities that are holding him, it is them that can arraign him before a court which will prosecute or release him. It is not me or any other person that can do so. I didn’t say that he should be released because I am not the one that he offended but the government. So, I have no locus standi to call for his release or otherwise. This is what I told the newspaper. If what you said was what they quoted me as saying, then they have misunderstood what I said.

As his brother, have you attempted to meet him since he was detained because his lawyers have tried in vain?

No, I didn’t attempt to do so. Even before he was detained, we never visited each other, not even when he was sick or otherwise, because of differences in ideology. I am Ahlus Sunna and he is a Shiite.

Recently, the Kaduna State Government banned the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), thereby proscribing the activities of Shiites. The ban was criticised in some quarters because it infringes on the sect’s freedom of worship. As a Muslim leader, do you think the ban was justified?

What government did is not only obligatory but it is a Jihad of some sorts. The ban will bring about peace in the state.

Before the ban, during their Ashura celebrations, most residents of Zaria dared not come out of their homes for at least three days. They used to take over the entire main roads of the town throughout the period. This time around, nothing of that sort happened. Their stock in trade was to infringe on people’s rights when they are practising their religion. Islam frowns at people inconveniencing others in the practise of their own religion.

What they were doing is not Islam. In my opinion, government did the right thing by banning their organisation because it endangered peace. The organization was always causing trouble. If government had not taken this step and the Shiittes started receiving arms from Iran, they would have become another Boko Haram. They have not reached that stage before government acted. If they have not been proscribed, they would have formed their own government in Nigeria. Because they had their own soldiers, state governors, local government chairmen and even police. They had no regard for any constituted authority. So, if they had started getting arms from Iran, they would have risen against the state because they disregarded every organ of the state.

If what you are saying is true, why didn’t

people. Even last year and the year before the last, they hacked down people in Yakassai village. They did not only kill people in Sabirni, but scattered the whole town because people fled from there. They virtually took over the town.

When all these killings were happening, didn’t you alert the authorities as community leaders?

We told constituted authorities about their actions and the consequences that they pose to peace and security but their response has always been, ‘go and protect you. We have been disallowed to confront them.’ This was what they used to tell us. The people took the Shiites on, on several occasions, especially in the villages. When Sani Abacha came to power, he intervened and took over the fight and decimated them. After Abacha’s death, they returned to their old ways of harassing people on the road, injuring and killing them, puncturing their tryes and smashing their cars’ windscreens.

Days before the incident with the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, they had beaten up someone from Giwa and smashed his car. He reported to the police but they refused to honour police invitation. The police have all their records, if you go, they will give them to you. At Gyellesu where their leader lives, they have killed countless number of people and nothing was done. Most residents of Gyellesu have fled. Are all these not human rights violations?

But the Shiites have been saying that the coming of Zakzaky to Gyellesu has brought peace to the area, so much that Christians and non-indigenes used to run to the place whenever there is ethno-religious crisis…

This is just a made up story. Go and ask the people of Gyellesu whether Shiites brought peace or crisis to the area.

They are in a better position to answer this question.

Yakoob

past governments take measures to curb their activities until now?

This administration is more security conscious than past governments. Don’t you see how they have defeated Boko Haram? The government promised two main things; security of lives and property and the economy. Their war against insecurity includes containing Shiite members; banning them is one of the things that will bring peace in the country. They have spent close to 30 years harassing people and blocking highways during their activities. There was virtually no one that they have not denied the right of way. They have blocked a governor before and an army commander, even before COAS Yusuf Tukur Buratai. They have spent 30 years doing this, just because they have now been banned; people are saying that their rights have been violated. They way I see it, the ban has helped the people of Kaduna State and the course of peace.

In spite of the ban, the Shiites still came out during the Ashura celebration, to commemorate the murder of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) but they were attacked by the people. Do you think the attack was justified?

It’s not good for people to take laws in their hands. Doing so was a mistake.

The people should have just reported to the authorities, assuming that they were not aware. The authorities should have arrested and prosecuted them but not citizens of the state burning their houses

and killing Shiite members. This was a mistake and it is wrong in Islam.

The attacks on Shiites during the Ashura celebration did not happen in Zaria. They were limited to Kaduna, Funtua and Kano. What happened? Did the Ulama preach to the youths against it?

Alhamdulilahi. We have control over our youths in Zaria unlike other areas.

They don’t just wake up and take laws into their hands. If something comes up, they usually seek our advice. That was why no one was attacked in Zaria.

Critics point to the fact that the punishment that is being meted on the Shiites is not commensurate with the alleged offence of blocking roads. Don’t you think that attacking them was an over kill?

The allegation of killing them does not even arise. They blocked roads that belong to government and government officials took steps to give people free passage, after all entreaties have failed.

Government has the right to take all steps necessary and when it does, there is no basis to say that they are being persecuted. But if the citizens take it upon themselves to force them out of the road, that is where the problem lies. However, if government does that, there is nothing wrong with it even in Islam.

But do the Shiites have a history of attacking or killing people?

How many times!? They have been attacking neigbouring villages and killing

What is the lasting solution to all these intra-religious crises?

I am calling on Muslims to strive to understand their religion. The limited knowledge of religion is the cause of all these crises. The government should also help in the propagation of genuine Islamic knowledge based on Sunnah so that people will not fall victims to a very dangerous ideology like schism. Secondly, people should not take the law into their hands even when provoked. They should report all acts of violations and provocations to security agents.

But some people say that the crux of the matter is that Sunni Muslims don’t regard Shiites as Muslims. And that so long as this difference persists, there is bound to be problems. Do you agree?

The Shiites regard the prophet’s companions as unbelievers. They say that Abubakar is an unbeliever and that Aisha, the prophet’s wife, was an adulteress. According to them, when they seize Saudi Arabia, they will exhume her corpse and mete appropriate punishment on it. The Qur’an has already laid the issue to rest and whoever alleged that Aisha is an adulteress is an unbeliever because he does not believe in the Qur’an. In fact, the Shiites do not believe in this Qur’an, they are waiting for their own Qur’an that their Mahdi will bring to them. They are just reading this Qur’an because there is no alternative.

This line of thought is unbelief! Now that they regard the prophet’s companions as unbelievers, since it is not true, it means the term is true on them. Apart from prophets or messengers of Allah, there is no group of people that are as pious as the companions of the Prophet (SAW).

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

POLITICS The Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been accused by two judges, of attempting to influence the Supreme Court in the governorship petition judgement. What makes you think he won’t be found guilty?

Let me answer your question with the following questions - Why should Amaechi be found guilty? Is he on trial and if yes who is trying him? Must Amaechi be on trial because two drowning judges who are looking for a tool to stay afloat mentioned his name with the hope of blackmailing the Federal Government to stop their prosecution? Let me reiterate that Amaechi is not on trial and can't be found guilty of a non-existing crime. Let me, therefore, counsel the Justices already arrested for corruption to be men enough and face their trial accordingly and leave Amaechi alone.

Amaechi is not on trial, Rivers APC boss The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, in this interview with EMMANUEL MASHA speaks on the bribery scandal rocking the judiciary, especially how it relates to the Transport Minister, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and other issues snatches who kill innocent Nigerians are assisted by the Judiciary to occupy offices they wouldn't have occupied under normal circumstances.

These accidental leaders who have no respect for democratic norms go about imposing laws inimical to good governance and become danger to the sustenance and growth of democracy in Nigeria. So if these people are flushed out from the Judiciary the better for all of us.

The two judges must have mentioned Amaechi's name for a reason. There are other ministers they could have mentioned, but they both mentioned him…

As I said earlier, the two Justices are looking for a tool to stay afloat. The other reason is the thinking that Amaechi committed a big crime by playing a yeoman’s role in the efforts to see to the emergence of the revered Muhammadu Buhari as the President of Nigeria who, imbued with God’s wisdom and strength, has launched an uncompromising war against those who looted our common patrimony; who in retaliation are frustrating the economic recovery of our dear country by promoting insecurity in our country.

So these people feel that the best way to get to President Buhari is by giving corruption toga to Amaechi, a key Minister in his administration to derail his anti-corruption war. But the fact remains that they have failed in this strategy even before it was hatched.

You have blamed the PDP for dragging Amaechi into this mess, especially the state chapter of the party. Some would want to know how powerful the Rivers PDP is to make two Supreme Court judges link Amaechi to such crime?

PDP in Rivers State can't be said to be powerful, but they are mischievous and devilish in all their devious plots. They have adopted various strategies before to run down the political fortunes of Amaechi. They did everything evil to stop the nomination and appointment of Amaechi as a Minister and they failed woefully.

The PDP in Rivers State can't be said to be powerful but as their master the devil, they can do anything to achieve their sinister plots of pulling down Amaechi but God who always fight for Amaechi is bigger than them and their own god.

There is this school of thought that since the two Supreme Court judges have been asked to resign in order for serious investigation to take place, the same rule should equally apply to Amaechi. Why is the party not taking the calls for Amaechi's resignation lightly?

This question is not necessary and can't be equated with or be used to justify the call by some of these misguided people for Amaechi's resignation. The Department of State Services has searched and found incriminating materials including huge funds in the houses of these two Justices and they are to be tried so that they can explain the source of the funds found in their houses. Besides, these …

Justices have no tangible evidence to prove that Amaechi bribed them. So why should Amaechi resign for no proven crime?

Observers have described the scandal in the judiciary as a setback for democracy. How do you see the whole thing?

There appears to be cracks within the APC. Timi Frank, a member of the National Executive of APC has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the party's situation. Are we beginning to see the end of the party or a stronger APC? We have no crack in APC but being a young party and like any human organisation; it is bound to have some teething problems which are surmountable. Our leaders are doing their best to get some of these challenges resolved. I don't want to give Timi Frank any leverage which he does not deserve by discussing or mentioning him in this interview.

Ikanya

Yes, I agree in toto with this submission because an induced Judiciary has only succeeded in imposing fellow as

our leaders who go about looting our common patrimony and improverishing the lots of us. These established ballot

The date for the National Assembly rerun elections has not been fixed. The Rivers PDP has accused your party of plotting to rig the election in collaboration with INEC. How would you react to that?

You see, PDP in Rivers State is full of charlatans and reacting to some of their foolish statements and unfounded insinuations makes me sick. We have stated that we are not INEC that fixes dates for election.

They are crying wolf because they know that they can't win any election in Rivers State except through bloodletting and ballot snatching but this time they are afraid because we are ready for them.

'The return of a power merchant' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

aside" for an Interim National Government to clear the mess.

Unfortunately, when the ING-led by Chief Ernest Shonekan could not contain the peoples revolt, the then Secretary of Defence, General Sani Abacha took over the reins of government presumably to right the wrongs.

The coming of Abacha in a subtle palace coup was celebrated by pro-democracy groups which thought he had come to revalidate the June 12 election and install the duly elected government. But while Abiola was waiting a swearing in, Abacha made a surprise move and appointed Kingibe the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Considered a back stabbing by the SDP and Chief Abiola, the appointment was a master stroke that signaled the beginning of the end of the struggle to actualise the June 12 presidential mandate.

Although, Kingibe was eminently qualified to serve in the capacity of a Foreign Affairs Minister in view of decades of his

meritorious diplomatic service before, not a few Nigerians believe that the circumstances surrounding his appointment portrayed him as a betrayer. Needless to say, he wore that negative toga throughout his stay with the Abacha junta. It has been said that his inability to bear the guilt of betraying the June 12 mandate, forced Kingibe to leave the Abacha regime and disappeared from the political radar.

As Yar'Adua's SGF While he was marooned in a political wilderness in 2007, the late President Umar Yar' Adua fished him out and made him Secretary to Government of the Federation, a position that saw him taking a full charge of the administration. However, this second incarnation in government ended in a fiasco as Kingibe was accused of using his position to undermine his boss. His greatest undoing started when Yar’ Ádua was sick and flown to Saudi Arabia for medicare. Kingibe reportedly connived with some powerful politicians and retired military officers outside gov-

ernment in a bid to scheme Yar’Ádua out of power. Unconfirmed report said that the group believed that it was better to get Yar’Adua out of the way and replace him with another northerner than for him to die in office and allow his deputy (then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan) to take over the government.

At some point, it was alleged that Kingibe was rallying support for himself to take over from the then ailing Yar’ Adua as a way of recovering the presidential ambition he lost by serving the Abacha regime. These plots however failed when the government got winds of the scheme.

Hence, Kingibe was sacked; thus sending him back to political oblivion. He was said to have relocated to Niger Republic for undisclosed personal and official activities.

He may not have been visible at the Aso Rock Villa, but sources said the Bornuborn technocrat wields immense power behind the scene and makes great contributions to some of the President’s key decisions, especially those in his core competences - diplomacy and intelligence.

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

POLITICS

As Senate mulls making the people's budget I n spite of the hue and cry about the state of our economy and corruption in high places, our democracy is maturing by the day. We are gradually moving towards what one might call the ideals in a sane democratic environment.

We have certainly left the military era when the Head of State would announce the budget in a nationwide broadcast at the beginning of the year. At that time, everything was as agreed upon by the Supreme Military Council and taken with immediate alacrity.

In the last 16 years of democracy, we have experienced a budget process that involves essentially the executive and legislature, supported by the bureaucracies in both arms of government. We have seen the Ministries Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) going to defend their budgets before the relevant committees of the National Assembly.

This system has been roundly criticised for being riddled with frivolous expenditure items and more often than not, heavily padded to divert funds to private pockets.

Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs) have for several years blamed the corruption as-

sociated with the budget on the exclusion of the people from the process.

However, penultimate week, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, raised the game when he proposed that going forward, the Appropriation Bills should be subjected to public hearing to promote transparency and enable Nigerians to make necessary inputs before the budget is passed into law.

Ekweremadu canvassed this position at the National Conference on the Role of the Legislature in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria. He said that the Appropriation Bill was about the most important legislation in a democracy because of its role in the deployment of resources and potentials in shaping the patterns of development in the country.

He argued that if less important bills were subjected to public hearings, there should be no reason a strategic bill like the Appropriation Bill should not pass through public hearing to make room for wider consultations and technical inputs by communities, and institutions who are even the end beneficiaries of the projects provided for in the budget.

From the with Onwuka Nzeshi

This is a fantastic proposal which the parliament needs to pursue vigorously because what has been happening over the years is that budgets hardly touch the people at the grassroots. The trend has been for MDAs to make provisions for recurrent expenditure to cover their wages and salaries, leaving very little for capital projects.

In recent times, public affairs analysts have canvassed that the budget ratio should be reversed in favour of capital expenditure to ensure that the budget is deployed to fund huge public infrastructures such as roads, bridges, electricity, water and medical care. These issues can best be addressed when the civil society groups which represents the grassroots people are involved in the process. Although members of the National Assembly usually lay claim to being the authentic representatives of the people, it has become clear that the appearance of the MDAs before the respective parliamentary committees to defend their appropriation proposals was not the same thing as a public hearing where people, including civil society organisations, experts, and institutions with superior information and

capacity are accorded a platform to make inputs into the budget.

However, if the budget must be subjected to public scrutiny in the form of public hearings, then the executive must endeavour to present the budget to the National Assembly early enough to give ample opportunity for such engagements.

As a preliminary, the National Assembly should put in place the legal and logistic frameworks for the participation of the people in the budget process. The framework should lay out the modalities for selecting the civil society organisations that would participate in the process. There should be a template for collating the views of the people and a mechanism for ensuring that these views are incorporated into the final document.

As soon as this people- oriented budget is achieved at the federal level, deliberate efforts must be made to cascade the process to the state and local government levels.

“We, the people…” must not only be a phrase in the opening page of our constitution, it must be brought to bear in governance, particularly in the allocation and management of public resources.

Mainstream politics, infrastructure dominate Akeredolu’s campaign

T

Babatope Okeowo he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State seemed to have put behind it the intra-party crisis that rocked the party over the emergence of Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN as the candidate of the party for the November 26 governorship election. He has since commenced electioneering campaigns for the polls.

Apart from constituting Campaign Committee headed by Hon Victor Olabimtan for the election, Akeredolu has flagged off the campaigns in Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government in Ondo South Senatorial District, with focus on the need for the state to join the mainstream of Nigeria’s politics and massive infrastructural development in all the local governments in the state.

At a rally witnessed by a massive crowd at Government Field in Ore, Akeredolu said the time was ripe for the state to join its other counterparts in the South-West geopolitical zone in the mainstream of Nigeria’s politics so that it would not be marginalised in the scheme of things.

The flag off of the rally was like taking the political battle to the doorsteps of his main challengers in the forthcoming election. The South Senatorial District is the stronghold of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the governorship candidate of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Olusola Oke. In attendance were the state Chairman, Hon Isaac Kekemeke, his Deputy, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, the Publicity Secretary, Omooba Abayomi Adesanya, the Director General of the Campaigns, Olabimtan, former Commissioners, Princess Yetunde Adeyanju, Prince Diran Iyatan, Hon. Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa and Special Assistant to Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr. Donald Ojogo. The candidate harped on the need for the state to benefit from the APC-led Federal Government and the only way is for the party to join other 23 APC states in the country.

Kekemeke, who stoke the fire of mainstream politics, said the perceived marginal-

Akeredolu

ization of the state in the sharing of political offices by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was because the state does not have an APC’s governor. He assured the party’s supporters that the state would be adequately compensated once Akeredolu emerges as the governor of the state in November governorship election.

Several party leaders of the party in the state have complained that the state has not been adequately compensated for the support given to Buhari in the last year’s General election as the state could only boast of a Minister of State and one ambassadorial nominee despite the fact that the party got about 60 percent in the National elections of last year.

But Kekemeke said the situation was like that because the state does not have a strong ‘voice’ at the national level who could make case for party members during the sharing of national cake. Also, he said the infrastructures especially the Federal roads in the state would be developed once the state joins the mainstream politics.

Besides, Kekemeke charged the people

Kekemeke

to vote en-mass for the APC in the coming election, stressing that the state cannot be left behind in the South-West. He said the party executives are still members of APC, dispelling the rumour that some APC leaders have joined the Alliance for Democracy.

Ojogo, who also harped on the need for the people of the state particularly the South Senatorial district to vote for the APC’s candidate said “Ondo South has no reason to be ungrateful to the APC, Ondo South has produced the chairman of the party, Ondo South has produced the deputy governorship candidate and the minster. It is very key that as the oil producing area of the state, we need to connect with the centre.

“This is the time that this is likely to happen on the platform of another party aside the PDP, it is a worthwhile experience. I think the people of Ondo State will appreciate Mr. President and the party for giving wonderful opportunity that has been given.

And come November 26, I am sure the people of Ondo State particularly the people of

Ese-Odo will vote massively for Akeredolu and their son, Chief Agboola Ajayi who is from our local government.”

Akeredolu, in his remark promised to embark on massive infrastructural development in the state if elected. He promised to put in place sustainable infrastructure which would be part of the priorities of his government if voted into office.

He lamented that the Olusegun Mimikoled government has failed to fulfill its responsibility to the people of the area in term of infrastructural development, and decried the marginalisation of the area by the present state government, urging the people to reject Mimiko and the PDP candidate.

While visiting Araromi Obu in Odigbo Local Government, he promised to restore electricity to the community which had been without light for the past eight years. He said it is unfortunate that the people would live without electricity for such a long time.

He berated the Mimiko-led government for failing to fulfill its responsibility to the people of the area.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

INTERVIEW

How CAN shared Jonathan’s N7bn –Pastor Dikwa Pentecostal pastor, Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa graduated from the All for Christ Institute International, Benin City owned by late Bishop Benson Idahosa in 2004. In this interview with MUSA PAM, he explains how former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation gave the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) the sum of N7 billion was allegedly to campaign for his re-election. He also discloses how the N1 million bribes paid to his Ecobank account a month ago by CAN was submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and gives details of how the N7billion was shared among other issues

How do you view the inter-religious meetings that the Presidency and notable religious leaders recently held in Abuja?

I think the issue of Inter-Religious Council meetings in Abuja where both Christians and Muslims come together under the umbrella of CAN President and the Sultan of Sokoto is a good movement for the nation, but we have to tell ourselves the truth. Meetings at the top will not help the situation and issues because religious crisis and the attacks on Christians or Muslim are not done from the top and I believe that most prominent Nigerians are the ones influencing political and religious crises in our communities. What I want President Muhammadu Buhari to do is to investigate all those who have their hand in religious or political crisis and several attacks in our villages and should be arrested to face the wrath of the Law. And since the history of crises especially in the North – in places like Kaduna and Jos, those who are behind them have never been arrested or punished. So the Inter-Religious Council meetings cannot be effective except those persons are arrested.

Do you know those prominent Nigerians who influence the crises?

It is not the issues of whether I know them or not. Let me tell you, religious tolerance is a situation where everyone respects one another’s religion in this country, when Christians don't force Muslim to accept their own faith and when Muslim don't force Christians to accept their own beliefs too. That is freedom of worship as contained in the constitution. You see, I have listened to several preaching of some Muslim clerics where they were inciting hatred against other faiths. I have a lot of such cassettes and the CD's of such preaching inciting their youths against other people who are not Muslim which is terribly bad. I have their names, but I have written to the DSS and the Senate where they invited us, took two witnesses including a lawyer where

they promised to take action, but nothing has been done up till now. And if we want to solve this issue, then government must take action. According to the law of the land, all those who make such hate cassettes and produce such messages must be punished because they are disobeying the law. Take for an example the incident that happened in Katsina State recently, where the Emir of Katsina adopted a 16 years old Christian girl and forced her into marriage.

Now the Christian in Katsina condemned the situation and tried to show their anger about it, but the Emir was defending his action with the backing of the Muslims clerics who were supposed to condemn the situation. To worsen the matter, the government was watching without saying anything. It is wrong and we can’t continue like that.

What is your take on the anti-corruption war of President Buhari, where others view it as selective against the opposition PDP alone?

President Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign is not selective or one sided. Anybody that is saying it is selective or onesided is not standing on the truth, because there are both PDP and APC members that have been arrested like former Governor of Adamawa State and his son whose case is at the ICPC. Another APC man who is a friend of President Buhari, somebody like Jafaru Isa, was arrested and he admitted and returned the money he received. So I

believed the President is fighting this corruption with his entire heart, because just few weeks back, he told the EFCC that even if any of his family members is involved in corruption, he or she should be arrested and probed. So President Buhari has given a clean slate to the anti-corruption agencies to arrest anybody involved in corruption.

So the anti-corruption war is not selective.

I'm not a politician, but what I'm seeing is that Buhari is not selective, and fighting corruption is the only thing that would save us here in Nigeria and we must remove sentiment and stand for the truth.

How would you assess President Buhari 's appointments?

I want to challenge President Buhari on appointments, and I thank God when I spoke about it few weeks ago and the wife of the President, thereafter, came out and said exactly the same thing. I want to make it clear that people that suffer for APC were not the ones being given appointments today. Take for example the Christian minority in the North-East, North-West have not been given proper appointment. The same thing goes for the South-East.

Nigerians have expressed reservations over the recent arrest of judges by the DSS. What is your reaction to that?

Seriously speaking, the arrest of judges by the operatives of DSS was wrong because I know that the ICPC and the EFCC have the responsibility and mandate to invite the judges to investigate and probe them.

I don't know why the DSS are just jumping

Each block in CAN collected N50million, while some National CAN executives got N30million, others N20million while women group was given N25million. All the state CAN officials collected N3million each. Zonal CAN chairmen got N5million each and former CAN President Pastor Oritsejafor went with the remaining part of the N7billion

from one place to another, taking the duties of other agencies. It is a known fact that issues of money laundry and bribery are the responsibility of ICPC and the EFCC. They can arrest, invite and do whatever they want to do within the ambit of the law, but my opinion on the DSS is that it is honestly very wrong except if the Constitution allows them. I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think that is right.

However on the issue of Rotimi Ameachi who is the Minister of Transport, yes there are allegations that he is corrupt. I'm not saying ‘no’, but my opinion here is if there are facts that show that Ameachi is corrupt then President Buhari must drop him along with other ministers that have been accused.

You accused CAN of collecting N7billion from former President Goodluck Jonathan.

What was the money used for and who received it?

The N7billion was given for campaigns, but that time, I only mention seven billions, but there were Toyota Sports Utility Vehicles given to them. Let me tell you, there are a lot of people that can come out to testify if not because of fear. They came, churches by churches to campaign for former President Jonathan as their candidate, just because they had collected N7billion for campaigns. But they didn't exhaust the whole money on campaigns and the people that received the money were the former President of CAN and the General Secretary.

Why did you collect N1million?

The reason why they bribed me with N1million was because I took them to court last year. When I raised the issue of N7billion, the General Secretary of CAN, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, wrote a letter signed by him to the DSS to arrest and to investigate me. They did but when I was at the DSS office, I asked them if anybody had written a petition against me they said nobody. So after my arrest, interrogation and CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

Oshiomhole: I have successfully godfatherism in Edo Outgoing Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole attended his last National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the presidential villa last week. He spoke to reporters on how he has been able to demystify political godfathers in the state, his vigorous campaign for his successor, Godwin Obaseki and the presentation of staff of office to the Oba of Benin among other issues. ANULE EMMANUEL was there

There are allegations that you rigged the last governorship elections in Edo despite having benefited from a free and fair election in 2012?

Who are those complaining, the Peoples Democratic Party? In your honest evaluation of Nigeria's political history after the 1999 election that was conducted by the military, which political party has been known to wallow in rigging, perfecting the architecture of rigging in Nigeria? It is the PDP. Who did the court find guilty of rigging me out in election? It is the PDP. You recall that even when I won in the 18 local government areas, they went to court to say that I didn't attend a primary school.

And I said praise the Lord that I didn't attend primary school but I can speak without reading. Those who went to school cannot even speak.

You know my pain? When I look at the way the media, permit me to use the word, recklessly parrot the views of...you then create a problem in the minds of readers on which weight to place on responsible people when they talk and armed robbers who are notorious for crime. So if armed robbers rush to your station to say there is robbery going on, they will mislead you to carry your camera out so they can rob successfully around you without your knowing it.

When elections are rigged you can see.

When PDP rigged election in the South, you will find that even periwinkles came out to vote, they recorded 99 per cent of voters turn out, even ancestors came out to vote and returned to the grave.

But why are they saying this?

You said PDP alleged we (APC) rigged.

If you must report you must hear all. In an election in which everyone said the turnout was low, they even said our national chairman lost in his unit. If we were rigging the election so we won't even rig for our National Chairman to win his unit? Does that make sense to you? A party that is set out to write result couldn't write the result of the polling unit of its National Chairman?

It doesn't make sense.

The truth is that PDP simply doesn't have what it takes. They don't have the skills to mobilize, they don't know how to talk because before I came in they were used to shouting on the people and writing results.

Now, what makes politics is who commands the ears of the ordinary persons and what credibility they bring to bear? Now just list any of them and say what they have done.

Do you mean the godfathers did nothing for the state?

Chief Tony Anenih, with all due respect to him, for all the time he was Minister of Works and leader of the PDP, he didn't build a primary school; he didn't build roads to

his village. When I won, I said the way to uproot him was to do for his people what he himself refused to do. I constructed standard roads, roads that are as good as federal roads to his village. I sunk bore-holes there with a world-class drilling machine. The water he had in his hotel that he didn't give to people in his village. I did, which is why I won election in his village and he lost.

What about Chief Tom Ikimi? He created the local government as a Foreign Affairs Minister. That is all he boasts of. The purpose of creating local government is to facilitate development. In that village I have connected all the roads leading to Iguebe and today Iguebe is a center. I have modern schools there; I have provided water which they never had. The same thing goes for Lucky Igbinedion. What were they going to campaign with? Who among them could say my people because of what I have done for you do this for me? Everywhere I went to campaign, we had two faces, the first was for the governor coming and this is what I am going to do. While I told the people, do you know why you must trust him? He is part of this family. We have done XYZ here, when you want to vote this is our record, when they come to you ask them for their records after all, they were here for 10 years and I have only done eight.

The PDP candidate, unfortunately for him, could not disclaim his party because he was the Secretary to the State Government where 98 per cent of Edo people believe that government failed. Even his father admitted that his son failed. His only argument was that if a child fails, he is entitled to repeat.

And then they rigged it and he got a re-sit, but as a child who was destined to fail, he failed again. So how could you think in a decent society that people like that would have won? So, with all due respect there was

nothing like rigging.

What do you think should have occupied the attention of the media in the Edo election?

What I think the media should have amplified is that, compared to elections in Governor Nyesom Wike's Rivers, Seriake Dickson's Bayelsa State, then move to Akwa Ibom State where my good friend is presiding, there is no one of those elections that they did not count dead bodies. The only argument was who killed them? You guys covered these things, the fact is with all the tensions in Edo elections, in line with our policy of one man one vote, with all their evil machinations, as we speak none of the parties has alleged that their officers were beaten up, no one was hospitalised not to talk of anybody dying. This is something worth celebrating. And you think it is just a coincidence that in the only state governed by a comrade that the governorship election can be conducted without life being lost?

That ballot, not bullet did the job. We won and we won freely. They are in court and we will meet them in court.

Are you sure that Obaseki will not betray you?

That is very important if you say he will disappoint me, I am not the state. I am only one out of about four million Edo people.

So his obligation and his loyalty should be to the people of Edo State. The oath of office he is going to take says that he will defend the Constitution of Nigeria; he will do everything to uplift the quality of life of Edo people. Nothing in his oath of office will include 'I shall not betray my predecessor' because I have no interest to be betrayed.

For me, I have presided over Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for eight years and I had a

successor, there was no story of me having conflict with my predecessor. Because conflict only arises when you refuse to accept that when your tenure is over, it is over.

Many have criticised the vigour with which you came to campaign for him?

This is the problem: the media pick only the negatives from the mouth of those who are the least competent. That I campaigned for him; that I was this I was that. That is the way it should be. Look at what is going on in the US. Is Barack Obama not vigorously campaigning for Hillary Clinton? Is Obama's wife, the First Lady of the US not as vigorous perhaps much more than Bill Clinton in campaigning for her husband's successor? When I deployed my skills it troubles them. But these are skills which they will never acquire. I am a product of the struggle as a result of my many years of being exploited fighting the oppressors, I deployed those skills and I defeated them.

At a point they said I should allow the man to talk, and I ask ‘who is complaining? Did the electorates complain?

What do you want to be remembered for?

Let me start by answering the last one. I want to be remembered as a factory worker who worked and laboured as a daily paid worker in the most subordinated position in the textile mills, rising to become the leader of the textile union and eventually spending eight years as the president of the largest mass-driven, mass-funded non-governmental organisation which the Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC), represents. And moving from there back home to confront the most vicious, the most feared political godfathers that completely monopolised the politics of Edo State such that everybody refers to election rigging as a way of life

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

SUNDAY

Potpourri ​Trend du jour

Weight watchers community

1000 calorie shred M

any of you must know already that gaining weight is much easier than losing it. However, whenever you decide to do something about your weight gain, it is right to start slowly. Besides reducing the calories you consume, you also have to increase the calories you burn. So, here are a few exercises of workout plan if you prefer, that will help you shred 1000 calories. Look at it as a workout boot camp. Do it religiously and watch how your weight melts away. Do not forget to regulate your diet as well. Remember that weight loss is 80-20. 80 per cent diet, 20 per cent exercise.

Begin by warming up for 5 minutes (jog 1 minute, sprint 1 minute, repeat) 100 jumping jacks 100 mountain climbers 100 crunches 50 squats 50 burpees 5 minutes of jumping rope 5 minutes of high knees Don’t forget to cool down afterwards: jog and walk intervals for 5 minutes (jog 1 min, walk 1 min, repeat)a

​ eautiful No. 21 B Mules

Money talks

When she is the bread winner (Part 1)

A

lready smiling at the title of this week’s Money Talks. This segment may not even be enough to cover this topic. The truth is that this very topic has plagues many homes and in some cases broken them apart. This is a very touchy topic and could be mainly because we have strong men who feel their strength comes from being able to cater for their women folk and families too. There is nothing wrong with being the one who bank rolls the home; however, it is wrong to stake your entire identity, self worth and self esteem on this singular fact! What happens if you lose your job or health and none of this is your fault. We are currently undergoing a very rough economic patch in Nigeria today and many companies are letting their staff go. With women as part of the work force, it is a huge possibility that they could let you go from your office and she is lucky to keep her job. As a cohesive team, you should be man enough to accept this new reality and support her while she supports the home. It is definitely nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, don’t sit back on your oars, get up and get going.

Think outside the box, while applying to new places for work, also try out your passion and see how that too can be money making venture for you. When she sees your effort, no woman in her right mind would look down on you (isn’t this what most men fear the most about women with economic power in the home?)

Stories by: Biwom Iklaki

A

few weeks ago, we talked about mules making a comeback. Well, comeback they did and delightfully with a very romantic twist in the No. 21 mules.

No. 21 is the new project of women’s wear and footwear followed by creative director Alessandro Dell’Acqua. They are slick, sophisticated, ultra-feminine satin bow mules. In some designs, they are so contemporary and avant garde (sometimes velvet and cashmere, etc) in their presentation. But in all they are beautiful, sexy and very striking. They often come in deep, rich jewel tones with some featuring expensive jewels and other fun appliqué. Who wouldn’t love this unique design of shoes that have stiletto options along with flats?

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sportxtr

Best dressed, stylish a fashionable footb

part from sex, the only other thing the entire world loves is soccer. While we admire our stars for their superbly brilliant legs (leg skills, we mean), there are some who take their style and attitude beyond the goal post, too.

Well apart from wash-board six-packed abs and totally toned legs; some of these footballers actually do possess some great styles. So often, a footballer comes along so immaculately presented that it makes up for the sartorial misfires of the wider community of soccer pros. For several years running there have been a number of top class millionaire footballers who not only perform excellently on the field of play for their club sides and national teams, but are well-dressed and stylish. They also do exceptionally well when it comes to fashion and there’s a range of various outfits that most men can pull off. It’s pretty obvious why men and boys all over the world try to emulate these great footballers in their style of game and fashion! And it’s also quite obvious why they call football “the beautiful game.”

Below is a story on the most stylish footballers ever in international football. These guys are very hot.

Thierry Henry: Henry has and will always be an Arsenal legend and also happens to be the club’s all-time record goal scorer! Apart from this, he’s also featured in GQ UK and can pull-off a suit so well! Although he’s retired from footy, his wardrobe game is still tight AF – something he proved the other day at Didier Drogba’s charity ball at the Dorchester Hotel in London. Not to mention he has the most charming smile!

And man he’s got street style as well! He’s bringing back the high school look in New York with a navy and white wool Letterman jacket, jeans and shades!

Claudio Marchisio: Claudio is genuinely a dapper dude. Claudio has no qualms in dressing up in his best. His sense of Western formals and his ability to carry suits perfectly has made him an eye candy for fashion followers across the globe. The blueeyed star has also shot for several innerwear brands. We are sure, you’d want to see him on magazine covers soon.

A best dressed list can never be complete without an Italian God and here, it’s the Juventus main man Marchisio! With piercing blue eyes and a navy blue suit, Claudio could kill with his looks and perfect stubble. He’s even accessorised his suit with a navy blue scarf! And he’s definitely into formals as you won’t see him without a well-fitted suit jacket.

Neymar Jr. Neymar is everyone’s favourite and he’s the King of Brazil! And his fashion style doesn’t disappoint either! For the Ballon d’Or 2015 ceremony, he hit the red carpet in an Armani suit with a velvet waistcoat and a glittery blue bow tie. Some might call it queer and hell, he pulled off the look and even had an adorable bowler hat! Otherwise, you’ll always find Neymar in comfy clothes and always a snapback! He even has his own line of snapbacks and he’s got the heartbreakingly cute bad boy look!

Paul Pogba: When all eyes were on Leo Messi during the Ballon d’Or 2015 ceremony, Paul Pogba turned heads on the red carpet with his velvet, gold embroidered suit with a pair of nerdy glasses!

He looked spot on and pulled off the suit with ease! He’s also known for funky hairdos and looks like he just walked out a hip-hop music video with a Givenchy shirt, black basketball shorts and black leggings!

His style is the epitome of “thug life”!

Xabi Alonso: Spaniards always make their way into our hearts and here it’s through style icon and midfield maestro of Bayen Munich- Xabi Alonso. With his manly ginger stubble and cheeky smile, he looks so classy in a well-fitted white collared shirt and blue tie. Also notice how well his watch goes with the outfit and that’s probably why he presented Emidio Tucci’s Black Collection! And he casually pull off and Andy Warhol inspired round neck tie with a picture of tomato soup on it like it’s no big deal, with a pair of tennis shoes and aviators!

Pep Guardiola: The former Barcelona and current Manchester City coach has had an impeccable taste in fashion! From Barcelona to Munich and lately Manchester, you’ll see Pep pacing the side-lines with a tailored suit and his signature V-neck sweater inside! And even on the roadside, he’ll be in a hoodie and pants, but his knee length trench coat just makes him look so sophisticated!

Mats Hummels: World Cup 2014 winner, Mats Hummels, is a treat to our eyes with his puppy dog eyes and manly facial hair! Hence it comes as no surprise that he has a partnership with Hugo Boss! He looks absolutely fierce in his Boss suit, it’s like his eyes are piercing through your soul (and it’s not a bad thing). When he’s not suiting up, he’s casually clad in a black on ensemble with a brown leather jacket and black scarf.

Zinedine Zidane: The third Frenchman on this sense as they do know around fashion! CurReal Madrid coach

list, it makes their way r e n t a n d

legend Zidan card after he sense is also m Zidane’s thea look was his from this he’ and you can in winter we jeans, he’s alw

Cristiano Ro Arguably th Portuguese s his deadly lo tion has an i of the latest t seem to be hi and stylish bl an army of tr called CR7 an ion is the one

Lionel Mess Although M sense of dres Argentinian with his gam different. Me wear them. H him a place i Leo has no field

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

ravaganza

and most ballers

ne is known worldwide for his infamous red ead-butting Marco Materazzi, but his dressing making a statement! You can’t help but admire atrics on the side-lines in a bold suit! One such s blue and white large chequered suit. Apart ’s also the brand ambassador for Mango Man n’t but admire how he looks striking he looks ear! Be it a woolly turtleneck or a hoodie with lways got fresh fashion!

onaldo: he best footballer in the history of the game, the sensation is no less than a style icon. Apart from ooks and superb body, the Real Madrid sensaimmaculate sense of styling. He stays abreast trends and is never shy to experiment. Denims is favourite and he wears them with tees, shirts lazers. CR also loves the layering trend and has rendy and stylish jackets. He has a fashion label nd has also shot extensively for Armani. Fashe place where he has beaten rival Leo Messi.

si: Messi cannot be called a style icon, his eccentric ssing and confidence is worth admiring. The great rubs shoulders with Cristiano. Not only me but also with his style, although he is totally essi has a love for colours and is never shy to His fashion sense is individualistic and that gets in this list. ot been applauded much for his looks off the as let’s just say we like him best sporting the Argentina or Barcelona jerseys. But nonetheless, he deserves some apprecia-

tion for his extreme bold yet unique suit choices! He definitely likes dangerous outfit choice! Moreover, he knows how to cool off in the summer in a pair of denim shorts with a round-neck tee and sunnies!

Footballers’ multi-million pound mansion turns hard sale

Emile Heskey’s mansion

Wayne Rooney’s mansion

Samuel Eto’o: Not only does he know how to own the field, but he knows how to dress fabulously. An on trend fashionisto, Eto’o divulges in his love for other things including fashion and fast cars. His jacket collection especially is to die for.

David Beckham: Surely the most stylish man and dad in the entire world, Becks owns the hearts of all the women! He was given “The Most Stylish” man of the year award by none other than GQ, and he continues to uphold that title with his style!

He can wear anything and still look super-hot! Like beige tailored suit with a light blue collared shirt, without a tie and he still looks absolutely dapper! I mean, how can he look so classy in a hoodie with a pair of sweatpants and a beanie?! David, in a tank top with his plethora of tattoos and a backward snapback along with club-masters can literally stop your heart and you realize he looks better than half the men and boys in your age group! He’s always going be a style icon and his fashion can never let you down and all the ladies still sit and wait for their own David Beckham!

Beckham is always immaculately dressed, takes a lot of risks and has something which the others in this list don’t, he has actually influenced modern day culture and started mass trends in the same way a pop star might, when he shaves his hair off or grows a beard a few million people around the world copy.

Mikael Silvestre’s mansion

Peter Crouch’s mansion

T

he multi-million pound mansions of footballers and their other halves are the envy of most, but apparently no-one wants to buy them.

Cheshire’s Golden Triangle is home to several of the luxury homes, snapped up by footballers for northern Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

But the sportsmen - including Cristiano Ronaldo, Emile Heskey and Wes Brown – struggle to sell on the top properties when they transfer.

T h e a re a a ro u n d Wi l m s l o w, Knutsford, Prestbury and Alderley Edge boasts five of the 10 most expensive streets in the North West.

But while the exclusivity is part of the lure for the big earning and big spending footballers, it can throw a spanner in the works when they try to sell up.

As a result, owners are forced to slashing prices in a desperate bid to flog the properties. One couple struggling to sell up is former Man United player Wes Brown, 35, and his wife Leanne Wassell.

They put their Prestbury mansion - which boasts Wayne Rooney for a neighbour – on the market when Brown moved to Sunderland.

The property was originally up for £4.5million, but the couple were forced to knock £1.5million off the price tag in an attempt to sell.

A local estate agent told journalists that with their enormous pay packets these footballers can afford the best.

‘But all they can sell to is other players or wealthy businessmen,’ the estate agent added. ‘The players who did buy places are now stuck with them.’

Former Liverpool player Heskey, 37, and his wife Chantelle put their

Cristian Ronaldo’s UK mansion

Steve McManama’s mansion

six-bed property on the market for sale, but the £2.6million price-tag was a big put off.

Bad luck, Mikael Silvestre, 37, and his wife Severine have been trying to sell up the mansion since August 2008, but the market of people that can afford it is limited. Like a castle, the six-bed property is worth £4.2million, making it only affordable for the super-rich.

Former Man City and Blackburn Rovers player Ashley Ward, 44, and his wife, Dawn, put their home on the market three years ago for £13.5million.

The 11-bed home comes with 12 acres of land, a sun room, a beauty salon, cinema room, games room, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and gym.

Ex-Man United captain Nemanja Vidic, 33, and his wife Ana have been trying to sell their five-bed home - on the market for £2.5million – since July 2014, when Vidic moved to Italy.

But even the triple garage isn’t enough to tempt buyers.

For Cristiano Ronaldo, he has been happy in defeat. The Portuguese star of Real Madrid has given up trying to sell his Cheshire property, and has started renting it to Man United’s Luke Shaw for £7,000 a month. Ronaldo’s five-bed property comes complete with pool, Jacuzzi, gym and wine store and has a price tag of £3.8million Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool player, Steve McManaman, 43, and his wife Victoria have found themselves unable to move on from their eightbed mansion, which has been on the market since June 2014.

Many Premier League footballers now rent instead of buy their mansions, to solve the problem of moving on.

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Luxury

Homes

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

​Lush kitchen décor K

itchens are an amazing place to do lots of beautiful decorating tips and tricks.

The internet is fraught with designs that will leave you wishing to spend most of your day in the kitchen. Besides cooking, the kitchen has taken on a dynamic role in the home and could double as many aspects of the home including a dinning, study and common room. As a matter of fact, this argument can be true to many parts of the home. They take up dual purposes and roles which are interchangeable. Keep all of this in mind and do not forget to splurge on state of the art appliances and accessories that would encourage you to go in there and cook. The room should also be welcoming, inviting and comfy. If you have kids, keep them in mind too and be sure to baby proof your kitchen if you have babies or toddlers around the home. Having said that, I suppose you have a carte blanche cheque to knock yourself out with where the kitchen décor is concerned with fun little nooks with portable sofas and fun pillows to entertain while you cook, rugs and blinds to pique your imagination. Kitchens are now way more that a place to cook so express that thought in your décor.

Weird

I

​Tomato battles

n the midst of Nigeria’s food woes especially concerning the tomato scarcity experienced in May/June of this year, a particular people were making preparations for their tomato festival which took place in August. Now don’t get me wrong, this was no ordinary festival like we have our New Yam festivals and such, this was more like a food fight, an open street brawl with truck-loads of tomatoes. On august 31st 2016, the annual “Tomatina” street battle took place in Bunol, eastern Spain. This year, the streets were agog with over 20,000 participants chanting “Tomato! Tomato”! As six trucks bearing about 160 tons of tomatoes were offloaded onto the street signaling the beginning of the battle where people pelt each other with tomatoes. The rule of the fight is to first squash the tomatoes before hauling it at anyone to avoid injuries.

The tomato fight has been a tradition in Bunol since the end of World War II and has drawn a large international following in recent years.What many Nigerians would do to these peoples and with all that tomato! Can you imagine how many families were deprived of their ofadas, stews and salads to satisfy a glorified teenage food battle? Well, to each his own, no?

D

One man’s beauty, another’s weird

id you know the giraffe and humans have the same number of bones in their necks? No, seriously, scientists used x-rays to confirm. Majority of the human folk have necks that are only five inches long, however, the Kayans, a sub-group of Red Karen (Karenni people), TibetoBurman women of the Kayan Lahwi tribe are well known for wearing neck rings, brass coils that are placed around their necks, appearing to lengthen it. The weight of the brass pushes down the muscles around their collarbones and compresses their ribs. This makes their necks look longer than they actually are. Each set of rings can weigh up to 10 kilos.

They are called the ‘giraffe women” of Eastern Burma. Get this, they are doing it to look more beautiful! Is there any limit to this scourge of the quest for beauty?

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

dismantled And against that background that I came on the platform of a new political party, posing that part of the my mission was to purge the state of godfathers which is the pre-condition for liberal democracy, to thrive and to create a new political environment that is sufficiently liberal such that the people, not the godfathers, determine who becomes what in the politics of our state.

Edo State became a laughing stock in the committee of states. All that you will hear about our state was that armed robbers have taken over; even examinations are cancelled because our parents were using miracle centers for examination. Everything reported about Edo State was negative and I committed myself to addressing all of that.

There were people including the media, I remember this meeting I had with a number of editors over breakfast at Sheraton Hotel in Lagos to inform them of my intention to contest the governorship position in Edo State. They were unanimous that it will be mission impossible and they took time to lecture me about the power of godfathers, that Edo had unfair concentration of the most potent, the most vicious, the most aggressive of these godfathers. They had money, influence, connection in the army, police and in every aspect of life. So, they didn't think that with my background equipped only with my mouth and a level of courage and without money that it would be possible for me to engage those forces. But I also told them that from history and I am a product of the struggle against everything thing that is wrong with society, every unbalanced power that dominates, harasses, intimidates, exploits, subjugates society.

This will flourish only to the extent that the victims of that order accept not to question or that they are intimidated to submit to it and wallow in self pity believing that only God gives.

I said from my experience from the trade union, from the day I wrote the letter of employment in which I promised to obey all rules and regulations, including the ones I never knew what there were about and not a party to, having gotten a job I rose to fight that order and create a new order in which rules were to be negotiated, which we call collective agreement. I realised that every unjust order can be overthrown when victims of that order have resolved to fight, challenge and to organise rather than agonise. And that the godfathers can be defeated and they would be defeated. If you look at the billboards erected during my campaigns, they were not just speaking to infrastructure or whatever government will do if we won, but that we can defeat rigging, dismantle rigging and dismantle the godfathers.

Now, eight years on the job looking back, I believe I have nothing more to prove. I have defeated the godfathers all of them even in this last election. In my election in 2012 we defeated them. The one that is celebrated everywhere in the country as Mr. Fix it, we have fixed him; I defeated him in his ward, in his local government. The other one that was a Foreign Affairs Minister, who boasted that he created his local government, ( we don't dispute that he created it), but we disputed that he is the owner and we defeated him in the last election and in the last House of Assembly election. The other one that has a powerful TV station … we defeated him even in the last election. Is clear that they are all down and by the special grace of God I'm the only one standing. So, in terms of the target I set for myself politically, mainly to demystify the godfathers and banish them from our polity, we believe that has been achieved. As I speak all of them are down and I am standing. Nothing can be better than that.

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

How CAN shared Jonathan’s N7bn, Pastor Dikwa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

What else has changed?

The second thing in terms of what has changed as a result of this is that, the resources that would have been used to service them (the godfathers) are now channeled creatively to deal with those critical infrastructures which have made a difference in the quality of life of Edo people. I mean if you go to Benin City today, there is no question even our critics ride on our roads with comfort. If you go to Edo Central you will find that we have constructed roads linking all the local government areas, we have rebuilt our schools such that from 32nd position in WAEC and NECO in the past, we came second last year. And recall my engagement and interrogation with teachers? That has translated to result. As a result of that we can now say that Edo State has truly free basic education. When a state says it has basic education and the children are not in school or learning under the tree that is not education. Today, our schools are much more appealing to our students than the average private school. And in all the competition they have participated in including the Channels Kids Competition, children from Edo public schools, not private, won. Our children won Mathematics competition including the one organised in the USA. This shows how much things have changed not just in terms of quantity but also quality.

For me, I have nothing more to prove, I am happy I have fulfilled my objectives and I have also shown to workers like you that if I can be a governor, you can. And that it is not true that agitators who interrogate those in power, civil society activists that they are loud when they are not in the system but give them power they do otherwise. But I think my case has proven that you if you can do the talk, you can walk the talk.

How do you feel being the first Edo State indigenous governor to hand over staff of office to the Oba of Benin?

To tell you the truth I'm humbled. For us in Edo State, every Edo son and daughter sees the Oba Benin as the paramount traditional ruler. In my case, I had a very privileged relationship with the late Oba. I'm perhaps the only person based on what I have heard and what I know that my first courtesy visit to the Oba as the NLC president, the Oba of Benin gave me money and other gifts. By convention it is the person that comes to pay homage that brings gifts to the royal majesty. So, I have had that privileged relationship with the Oba. As a governor, he was always there for me. You will recall during my visit in 2012, how the PDP came visiting and somebody was left steering at an empty throne. The new king is somebody I had opportunity of relating with as an ambassador and even before he was an ambassador. He is a great man of sound mind. He has also experienced the rigors of life which was why during his coronation, His Majesty had to trek a long distance spanning several kilometers on foot. So that in that process and this is the tradition, he will experience that hardship the people go through so that as a king when a poor man comes before him he knows where he is coming from, he knows the meaning of frustration and pain even as he superintends as the paramount traditional ruler of our great state. So for me, the presentation of the staff of office to the Oba of Benin is the most significant next only to my signing the oath of office as governor of Edo State in 2008. I remain ever grateful; it just shows that God’s powers are awesome. He just picks and chooses who He uses for certain things. We all hope and pray that under the reign of the Oba, Benin will grow from strength to strength.

torture I sued DSS and CAN, demanding N300million damages and an apology and after that I also wrote a petition to ICPC and EFCC and they realised that trouble was coming. So they started pleading with me to withdraw my case from court. The first person that approached me was the President of CAN before they handed over to him and he sent the former YOWICAN President, who is a Baptist member, Simon Dole. He said that he didn’t want to enter CAN with a problem, that he want to settle with me. Then I said let me call my lawyers and we sat down together and my lawyers gave them a condition which the failed to meet. So after sometime as we were moving then the former CAN President Ayo Arisejafor sent two people to beg me - one Pastor Henry and Avera to come and listen to him. But I told them I was not going to meet him. But it took them one week of continuous begging.

So I contacted my two security councilors and they advised me not to go to Warri by road travel to and fro, but rather go by road and come back by air. And they said if they agree then I should go and listen to him. So informed the people he sent and the SSS demanded the phones numbers of the two people we were traveling with, including the car number and then the former President of CAN and his Personal Assistant’s number.

So when we arrived in Warri and we discussed with former CAN President and I showed him the letter, and he said he didn't know anything about it. That it was the General Secretary that knows and he denied knowledge of the letter, but I told him the case was in court and that he should go and settle with my lawyers.

So I decided to come back to Abuja by air, but they insisted they wanted to give me N1million so that at the end, blackmail me. So I alerted the ICPC which advised me to send them my account number. But they later told me to go to Warri and collect the N1million, but I told them ‘no’ and insisted they should send it into my bank account. But they said I should first withdraw the case before they will pay the money. So I drafted the withdrawal letter with the consent of ICPC and I stamped it then presented to them before they sent the money to my Ecobank account.

Why did it take you so long to speak out on the bribe?

I received the N1million less than three weeks ago. The money is there in my bank account as an exhibit. I have printed the statement of account including how they transferred the money to me and all the documents are with the ICPC. Do you think the CAN President can deny knowing you?

As a Christian, I stand by my words and cannot go back on them because of intimidation from anybody or organisation; I will not begin to say the opposite for the fear of man. It is unfortunate that the CAN President, Dr. Supo Ayokunle, is denying knowing me after sending his representatives to meet me and my lawyers for a reconciliation.

It is the same Ayokunle who used the former youth CAN President to persuade me to withdraw my petition against CAN, saying he didn't want

to assume leadership with any problem.

It is the same Ayokunle who is denying me now when conditions tabled as a way of withdrawing the case from the court could not be met. I want to advise the CAN leadership to fear God and do the needful, knowing that all of us will stand before Him to give an account of every deed. I will not in any way stop telling the world the shameful act committed by CAN leadership last year. The essence of it is for them to repent and seek the face of God in repentance, rather than employing all kinds of defensive mechanism to invite God’s wrath upon them.

How was the N7billion shared?

When we received the N7billion, you know CAN has five blocks. Each block in CAN collected N50million, while some National CAN executives got N30million, others N20million while women group was given N25million. All the state CAN officials collected N3million each. Zonal CAN chairmen got N5million each and former CAN President Pastor Oritsejafor went with the remaining part of the N7billion.

What is your view as a clergy about prosperiy preaching?

It is a pity that some people have turned Christianity to business, where the preachers make money for themselves instead of winning souls for God. They preach to incite members to go and steal and bring to them. It is rather unfair, but I charge Christians to emulate and learn from Jesus Christ who came to save souls and redeem us from sin, gave us salvation free. But I have tears in my heart when I see pastors today preaching about wealth instead of winning soul for heaven.

What is your view about issues of rich pastors and poor congregations?

I don't think those rich pastors are really pastors if their congregations are poor and they are busy buying and using aircraft while their members are suffering in poverty. That is why I said they are fake pastors, because the truth is that true pastors will surely emulate the life of Jesus Christ and that is what I have been standing on and many of them don't like me. But I don't care. I will continue to stand for truth because I know who I serve.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

feature

Joseph Izu’s killing by JTF raises more questions Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

F

ootballers and friends who knew Joseph Izu, the late Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan star defender, who was shot dead by operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, said he was a workaholic footballer, who felt his talent would one day take him to a top club in Europe.

The Nigerian Army in a press statement stated that, troops on patrol saw the late Izu at a cultists’ hideout in Okaki Community, in Bayelsa State during a raid.

His teammates at 3SC, where he ended the season playing as a dependable central defender, described him as an excellently player whose tackles and charges at rampaging attackers were always timely and precise.

His roommate at the Nigeria Professional Football League club, John Dosu stated: “Izu was a very jovial and hardworking player; he was always focused and never joked with his work. He had his sights on winning every game played both at home and away. He was one of those few players whose contributions helped Shooting Stars escaped an imminent relegation to the lower division. The soldiers, who killed Izu, just killed a vital part of the club. The JTK just wasted a precious son of Nigeria.” Dosu also called for a thorough investigation to be carried out to unearth the circumstances surrounding the killing of Izu Joseph.

However, the Commander, 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brigadier General Hamisu Hassan, said in Port Harcourt that investigation is on-going to determine what Izu was doing at the shrine at the time the special troops stormed the place.

Groups in the Niger Delta have dismissed Hassan’s claim, alleging a “notorious and familiar pattern” by JTF troops, who opens fire point blank at suspects, who never had the opportunity to prove their innocence.

The groups also alleged that the killing of Izu Joseph became a national issue because of his prominence as a home-based soccer star. Killings of innocent people in the Niger-Delta had been going on with so much impunity on the part of the JTF, they alleged.

There had been various angles to the killing of the soccer star, but the angle that got most people angry was that he was unarmed when three bullets from JTF guns hit him on the chest. There was no issue of resisting arrest when he was shot. This is the more reason the various groups in the Niger Delta are calling for justice.

The JTF has gotten a foothold in the Niger Delta, and was instrumental in reducing the impact of the actions of ex-agitators, majority of whom laid down their arms and embraced the 2009 amnesty offered by the Federal Government. But since 2009, troops working with various task force have extended their dragnets, combing for suspected cultists, pipelines vandals and other criminal elements.

While they have helped in upholding security in the region, they have turned to extrajudicial killings of victims who are unfortunate to be in places security operatives feel are no-go-areas for decent individuals.

There was the case of a secondary school teacher, who was stopped by the JTF troops on patrol at Choba, Rivers State, around 8pm, he was asked to lie down on the grass along the road. He told Sunday Telegraph

Izu in action... INSET: his body

reporter that he was scared his life would end that day, but instead that, one of the soldiers threw a pure water sachet at him which burst on his face. The troops left the man and drove off.

Reacting to Izu’s killing, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the gruesome murder of the footballer. They argued that the act was not only gruesome but senseless and likened it to the growing trend of cruel killing of Ijaw youths by security operatives whose job was protect them from miscreants in the Niger-Delta.

The President of the IYC, Elvis Donkemezuo, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt called on the people of the NigerDelta to condemn the act of extra-judicial killing, brutality and gross inhumanity.

He said: “For the sake of emphasis, the primary assignment and responsibility of the military in the Niger-Delta are to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and not to maim and kill innocent, defenseless citizens like Izu Joseph. We demand justice for the killing of our illustrious son.

“We want to put it on record that, as at the time Izu Joseph was killed, there was no militant camp inside Okarki Community or in Okarki creeks. There was also no case of kidnapping, breach of peace or any form of unlawful gatherings at Okarki before or on the day and time Izu Joseph was killed by the soldiers.

“So, we wonder what may have warranted the killing of an innocent, harmless and defenseless youth who have done nothing but use his God’s given talent to serve his fatherland, save for a lust for blood and lack of respect for human life on the part of the soldiers.

“We are more angered by the fact that Joseph’s murder came at a time when we are still mourning the killing of Innocent Kokorifa, a 17-year-old Ijaw youth who

was equally murdered by the Police in Bayelsa. This happened through a gang style execution in Yenagoa two months ago. Autopsy was conducted on Innocent’s corpse on Monday and he would be buried this week.

He added: “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the Inspector General of Police among others to ensure that those behind this killing and that of other Innocent Niger-Delta youths do not go unpunished.

“The Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) Operation Delta Save should live up to its name by ensuring that those who have taken the lives of Niger Delta Youths like Izu Joseph, which they were meant to save, are not allowed to go free.”

Another group, the African Global Development for Drastic Change (AGDGC), through its president, Prince Dan Mbachi, said, it was condemnable for the army to hinged their action on the allegation that they saw the late footballer at a shrine. He wondered why he was not arrested and interrogated.

Mbachi added: “The death of Joseph Izu should be investigated. He was not armed at the time he was shot. Did the JTF recover any gun from him? These are the questions Nigerians want answers to.

“The claim by the Nigerian Army that he was shot dead near a shrine is not enough.

If he was not armed, why did the soldiers open fire on him? We advocate peace and non-violence, but in a society where the killings of civilians by soldiers are now common, we demand investigation into these.

“The Niger Delta is not a lawless region.

The leaders in the region should stand up against the gruesome killings in the region. This concerns human life and should be thoroughly investigated.”

The Rivers State chapters of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) also felt that, the only way to get justice

for Izu Joseph is for the police to conduct a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of the footballer. The chairman of SWAN, Sopriala Bob-Manuel, said it was unfortunate that Izu lost his life while he came on vacation to his home town.

He said: “Izu’s death shocked us. He was a young man playing professional football, but lost his life through no fault of his. It is indeed sad that he is no more.”

A Port Harcourt based sports analyst, Olalekan Ige, said that Izu, who is the only person that could have defended himself, was no more.

Ige said: “It is sad when all through the season; Izu played for his club 3SC, and did not have any accident, nor sustained any career threatening injury, only to be killed in his home town. Reports say he did not resist arrest.

“We also have reports revealing that the late Izu Joseph showed his identification card to the soldiers. He should have been arrested at this point. His death is highly condemnable. It is another sad chapter in Nigerian football.”

The Maritime Energy Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MEMPON), faulted the killing of Izu, noting that, human life is so dear and sacred to the point that it should be respected. According to the group’s vice president, Barth Ndubuwa, “the killing of the footballer could not be digested” as it places innocent people at risk of being shot by security operatives even when they are in the comfort of their homes.

He said: “Despite the denials by the military, the fact remains that a suspect is not guilty until proven otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction. Therefore, MEMPON would like an independent panel constituted by the federal government to thoroughly investigate the matter with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the death of this young man.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

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News RCCG Winners’ Centre marks 20th anniversary with road, water projects p.34

Sermon Proud people and their marriage p.36

SERMON

Encounter with power through vision p.35

FAITH

Assemblies of God: When the people rallied for peace Kenneth Ofoma

T ENUGU

he Latin maxim, “vox popili vox dei”, which is translated to mean “the voice of the people is the voice of God”, came to the fore penultimate Sunday in Enugu. It was through a rally like never before witnessed in the Coal City State, when more than 20, 000 lay worshipers of the Assemblies of God Church in Enugu, Nsukka and Enugu South Districts poured out into the streets in what they termed “Rally for Peace”.

For a church that has been factionalized into two, following the mega crisis that hit it in 2014, the rally was a demonstration of hope, determination and earnest desire by ordinary members of the church to end the crisis. It was an opportunity to make eloquent statement, and if you like, make a final push and declaration for peace, having been tired of continued division, mudslinging and long-winding litigations in the house of God. The church members massed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium from where they marched to Okpara Square, passing through major streets, like Ogui Road, Independence Avenue and ended up at the Enugu District Headquarters of the Church at New Haven.

The members, who sang various religious and solidarity songs, and carried placards with various inscriptions such as: “We believe in one God, one church, one Assemblies of God, one leader”, “Assemblies of God under Prof. Paul Emeka says reconciliation is the answer”, “Atmosphere of victory, Peniel 2016”, “One GS, one AG”, “Reconciliation as suggested by CAN, IGP, PFN, DAC”, “Our solidarity for Rev Prof Paul Emeka is irrevocable, Period!” and “Holy spirit take over in AG”.

It was also learnt that the rally simultaneously held in other districts of the church which has more than 12, 000 branches and six million members across Nigeria.

Speaking to our correspondent, Rev (Barr) Benjamin E. Kalu, the legal officer and Public Relations Officer of the Church, stated that members of the church are tired of the crisis that has almost crippled the church for three years running.

Similarly, Rev Emeka Eze, Director of Administration, Assemblies of God Church; Rev Kelechi Augustine, the Secretary of Assemblies of God Church, Abuja South District; Rev Felix Okafor, the Superintendent of Enugu South District of Assemblies of God Nigeria, and Rev. Dr. Emmanuel O. Ngene, Enugu District Superintendent of Assemblies of God and an EC (Executive Council) member of the General Council, all spoke in the same vein, stressing the need for peace.

Rev Kalu said: “We have tried with CAN, we have tried with PFN, and we have tried.

Even the Inspector-General of Police has recommended that we try peace; even the Supreme Court has tried. So Assemblies of God is now saying we need peace, we need oneness; we don’t want a divided church, we want the breakaway church, the breakaway faction to come back and join us without any condition.

“We are tired of going to court, and so there must be an end to litigation. We cannot con-

Some AG members during the peace rally

tinue with this. The battle that is facing the church is so much for the church to be divided. And that is why we are insisting that if the Bible says the gate of hell shall not prevail against the church, we don’t want the gate of hell to prevail against the church. That is why we are saying one peace, undivided church, reconciliation; all those people that went out come back, we need you back here.

“This is a rally for peace and we are calling on all the factions to come back without conditions, we have explored all the mechanisms of alternative dispute resolution. We have tried conciliation, we have tried mediation, we have tried arbitration but they did not take part. They will always break out at one point or the other, and so the members of the church are not happy, they are saying let everybody come back.”

On his part, Rev Emeka Eze said the rally was also to create awareness for a national prayer summit tagged ‘Peniel’.

“As a matter of fact, Rev Prof. Paul Emeka, the General Superintendent has always said that everybody should return and become one, go back to your positions and serve under him. He is not ready to discipline anybody, penalize anybody; he said return, we are one church, unity, peace lets go ahead and work together.

“The whole district in Enugu; you have Enugu district, you have Nsukka district, you have Enugu South district and of course what is happening here is happening all over across the districts. Somebody called me from Delta State to tell me that they are doing the same thing now as I speak. All over, people are saying one church, one General Superintendent, reconciliation, peace. Crisis is not the way, let us come together and serve God under one man, Rev Prof. Paul Emeka the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God.” Also speaking, Rev Kelechi Augustine, the Secretary of Assemblies of God Church Abuja South district said: “Yes it is happening all over but you know that Enugu is the headquarters of the General Council of Assemblies of God. When I heard about that, I have to come and join in this rally and you

Rev. Paul Emeka

can see that it is a great and awesome mobilization.”

Rev Okafor, the Superintendent of Enugu South District of Assemblies of God Nigeria, stated: “Assemblies of God Nigeria is not divided, we are one, we believe in one God, one body, one Holy Ghost, one heaven and one leadership. My advice is please our brethren come back we are one, reconciliation is the answer to this crisis.”

On his part, Rev. Dr. Ngene had this to say: “We want to tell the world that Assemblies of God is one, Assemblies of God is not divided, Assemblies of God cannot divide and Assemblies of God is a church with one leadership. We have elected General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Rev Prof.

Paul Emeka.

“Though we have problem before, but we know it will soon completely be resolved and we will be one because our problem is that the Lord Jesus himself, when he was on earth, he prayed in John 17, said ‘Father, let them be one as we are one, father son and Holy spirit’. So we want our brethren to know that we are one.”

It will be recalled that, on Thursday March 6, 2014, a handful of persons under CO N T I N UED O N PAGE 34

Tai Anyanwu Head, religous Desk titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph online.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Church hosts ‘My Husband and I’ series Tai Anyanwu

W

ith so much going on in mass media platforms like television and Internet, where celebrities command cult following thereby dictating new fashion and beauty trends, some of the dangers of such options have been highlighted at the fifth edition of ‘My Husband and I’ seminar series hosted by St Theophilus Anglican Chapel, Ogba, Lagos.

During the event which took place on at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, experts drawn from various fields of endeavour spoke extensively to an audience on health, social and religious implications of such options.

The speakers at the seminar which included experts like Prof Yetunde Olumide, Dr Reuben Abati, Ven Adeyemi Agbelusi, Susan Oyemade and Mobolaji Sagoe agreed that beauty is made more meaning when it comes from the inside.

According to Prof. Yetunde Olumide, several chemicals used to fortify sundry beauty products are carcinogenic, which is why ‘My Husband and I’ series should be thanked for highlighting these dangers. “Carcinogenic substances are used by so many products as bleaching agents in the beauty products; and these agents seep through the veins of the mothers into those of unborn babies, sometimes the babies take them through sucking of the breasts and some of these processes account for the growing rate of cancer in this generation. As a young woman in the medical school, cancer was seen to be occurring amongst elderly woman, but that is not the case today as younger woman are becoming afflicted.” For Reuben Abati, his participation in the seminar must have stemmed from an article he wrote in a national newspaper a few weeks ago which cautioned females on the need to seek beauty the proper way.

‘Emulate Mandela’s virtues’

T

he Superintendent, District Church Council (DCC) of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ayetoro, Pastor Emmanuel Famuyide, yesterday urged world leaders to emulate a former South African President, Late Dr, Nelson Mandela’s virtues in order to make Africa greater than it is presently.

He made the call at the 36th Church Anniversary and Investiture/Consecration of Deacons and Deaconesses of CAC, OrisunIfe headquarters in Ibadan, where 25 Deacons and Deaconesses among them Prince Ade Adeoye of the National Pilot, were ordained.

In his sermon themed: “Follow the Master”, Famuyide said that the late Mandela during his lifetime exhibited great virtues of leadership that was worthy of emulation by world leaders.

“Mandela was an unparalleled world leader, who exhibited the heart of forgiveness and love. He was a great leader who never upholds greediness as a virtue. He served a 27-year prison term in the cause of fighting against oppression. After his release from prison, he became the South African President and forgave his enemies.

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

RCCG Winners’ Centre marks 20th God promised the anniversary with road, water projects Holy Land to the

T

he Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners’ Centre, Ketu, Lagos last Sunday celebrated its 20th anniversary with the commissioning of two community-assistance projects – a 25-metre community road and a borehole water project.

Commissioning the projects, the Pastor-in-charge, Lagos Province 36, Pastor Tunde Netufo, said: “We do believe that government alone cannot solve all infrastructural problems in the country. So, at some point, corporate organisations will have to come to the rescue. Notwithstanding that the Redeemed Christian Church of God is a church and, therefore, a charitable organisation, we decided to take the bull by the horns by doing these projects for the community” Pastor Netufo, who was accompanied by his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Yemisi Netufo, encouraged other

churches and charitable organisations to follow the example of the RCCG, while he commended Winners’ Centre for its choice of projects, which he described as strategic.

“One of the major causes of fatality on our roads is bad roads. Bad roads also reduce the lifespan of vehicles. Bad roads cause motorists and commuters a lot of pains and discomfort. Therefore, good roads reduce accidents and help to save lives. Good roads reduce the wear-and-tear on vehicles and help us to save money. Good roads also make movement from one location to another faster and pleasurable”, he said.

On the water project, he said “water is life. We drink water. We use water to wash; and we bathe with water. We cannot do without water on a daily basis”, he added.

Pastor Olumuyiwa Olamade, who is the Assistant Pastor-in-charge of Lagos

Province 36, with responsibility for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), disclosed that the corporate social responsibility policy of the RCCG recognises that government alone cannot shoulder the onerous responsibility of providing infrastructural facilities in every nooks and crannies of the country.

RCCG, he said, created the CSR Department because it is sensitive to the needs of the community as well as conscious of its responsibility to give back to the society. He said an uncountable number of communities all over the country have benefitted from RCCG in this respect.

Pastor Olamade added that at parish up to headquarters level, RCCG encourages CSR projects on individual as well as partnership level. “When a project is beyond the capability of a parish or Area headquarters, higher authorities are there and

ready to step in”, he said.

The Area Pastor and host, Pastor Demola Salami, revealed that the untold suffering of their host community propelled the desire to embark on the two projects for the benefit of the community.

Describing the completion of the projects as a dream come true, he said the commissioning could not have come at a more auspicious occasion than the 20th anniversary of the parish.

The anniversary witnessed a week-long activities which included free medical services; welfare programmes; and a re-union of old and new pastors, ministers, workers, and members of the parish.

A community leader, Mrs. Sherifat Rabiu, recalled the hitherto untold suffering of residents but expressed the happiness that the two projects have brought great relief to the community.

AP Ifeoma Ezeani; Pastor Denis Ivue, Pastor Olumuyiwa Olamade; Pastor Tunde Netufo and his wife, Pastor Yemisi Netufo; Pastor Demola Salami; Pastor O. O. Odunuga; Pastor Best Ezeani, and Deaconess Olufunlola Salami ... at the anniversary

Assemblies of God: When the people rallied for peace CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 33

the aegis of “Ambassadors of the Kingdom” (some retired pastors and GSs, but not statutory body) and a number of Executive Council (EC) members met and announced the suspension and dismissal of Rev. Prof.

Paul Emeka, as General Superintendent (GS) of the Assemblies of God, Nigeria. An Acting GS in the person of Rev. Chidi Okorafor was announced by the same group.

But an Enugu High Court and the Supreme Court at various times nullified the removal of Rev. Paul Emeka declaring that the action was illegal.

And at the expiration of Rev. Emeka’s first tenure in November 2014 (He became GS in November 2010 on four-year term), he was re-

elected and other vacancies created by the exit of Rev. Okoroafor’s group were filled.

Some church leaders alleged that the resort to courts and media assault against Rev. Emeka ensued as a result of frustration. They also noted that perhaps, due to pecuniary interests, the breakaway group has rejected all peace moves and recommendations by CAN, PFN and other well-meaning bodies and individuals. They are now calling on them through the peace rally to retrace their steps for God’s sake.

It is also instructive to note that the peace rally is coming on the heels of a recent visit to Enugu by the Vice Chancellor of the University of America, California, Prof.

Prince Gamaliel, accompa-

nied by the Nigerian representative, Prof Gideon Okarewaju, and others. They conferred on Rev Prof. Paul Emeka a Professorial award in Theology at an elaborate ceremony held at the Assemblies of God, New Haven, Enugu.

During the conferment the Vice Chancellor of the university stated that the experience, training and teachings of Paul Emeka qualified him for the award.

“We have theologians from different parts of the world, even in our divinity schools. Theology requires spiritual impartation and requires somebody who has been in ministry for over 30 years and somebody who is trained and has the requisite knowledge and experience in the service.

“These are the kind of peo-

ple whom we require to be part of our adjunct faculty.

Paul Emeka is good and as the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, he is at home with church history.

The board of the university sat down and agreed that he joins us. We will benefit from his expertise and he will be representing that sector in the University of America.

“Paul Emeka has clean credentials and if the state of California assures the Church that this guy is okay and we support him, then I don’t know what anybody is fighting for. United States is backing him and my message to all those agitating against him is that they should stop wasting their time and come back to the fold and submit to him,” he said.

Jews –Pope Francis

J

ust few hours after UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee passed a resolution ignoring Jewish and Christian ties to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City, Pope Francis has said that “the s people of Israel, who from Egypt, where they were enslaved, walked through the desert for 40 years until they reached the land promised by God,” Jerusalem Post reported.

Francis made the statement shortly before meeting with Israeli Deputy Minister for Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara, where he thanked him for his work on behalf of Christians in Israel.

The statement by the pontiff came just hours after UNESCO’s World Heri-

tage Committee passed a resolution ignoring Jewish and Christian ties to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. The resolution, which was similar to a previous resolution passed Oct. 13 by the body’s Executive Committee, exclusively referred to the Temple Mount by its Muslim names.

While the Vatican has yet to make a formal statement on the UNESCO Jerusalem resolutions, Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein wrote a letter to Cardinal Parolin saying the resolutions are “an assault on history and is deeply offensive to both Christianity and Judaism” urging the Vatican to “use its best offices to prevent the recurrence of developments of this sort.”

‘Don’t scatter cremation ashes’

T

he Vatican has issued new guidelines recommending that the cremated remains of Catholics be buried in cemeteries, rather than scattered or kept at home.

“Following the most ancient Christian tradition, the Church insistently recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places,” state the guidelines released Tuesday by the Vatican.

The guidelines do not represent a change the church’s overall policy on burial and cremation, but rather underline “the doctrinal and pastoral reasons for the preference of the burial of the remains of the faithful and to set out norms pertaining to the conservation of ashes in the case of cremation” in light of the increasing popularity of cremation in many countries, according to the introduction of the document.

Cremation has been steadily growing in popularity in the United States. According to the Cremation Association of North America, an industry group for cremation-related businesses, nearly half of all people who died in 2015 in the U.S. were cremated, up from about a quarter in 2000.

The newly articulated ash norms include not storing human cremains in the home and refraining from scattering ashes “in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way ...

in order that every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism be avoided.”

The creation of jewelry and other ash-containing mementos is also explicitly prohibited by the guidelines.

Since its founding, the Roman Catholic Church as an institution has always preferred burial to cremation. For periods, cremation was outlawed entirely. However, since the Second Vatican Council, the official position of the church has been that cremation, while not preferable, is also not banned.

The new recommendations reiterate that policy, quoting the church’s canon law in stating: “The church continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased, because this shows a greater esteem towards the deceased.

Nevertheless, cremation is not prohibited, ‘unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.’ “ Reasons contrary to Christian doctrine, the church says, include “a denial of Christian dogmas, the animosity of a secret society, or hatred of the Catholic religion and the Church.”

“The Church raises no doctrinal objections to this practice, since cremation of the deceased’s body does not affect his or her soul,” the guidelines continue, “nor does it prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life.”

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Deliverance from the curses of ‘thou shall not’

O

ne major curse bedevilling people in life and even in the church today is the curse of ‘thou shall not’ placed on them. They locate a church in search of freedom and deliverance but don’t find it because they fail to discover the cause of their problems.

“Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel…”Genesis49:1-3 This particular kind of curse is that which Jacob placed on Reuben. There are curses that when placed on a person, he might get other things right but will be struggling in that particular area. This is why you see a lot of people who are very wealthy but without a child. Some others on the other hand may have many children but are very poor and can’t even take care of them.

In that area of your life where you are wondering what you might have gone wrong; there might be a curse. You might have done all you know to do but still without any result to show.

I see God breaking every curse upon your life in Jesus name.

What is a Curse?

A curse is a pronouncement that is capable of turning a fertile land into a desert. A curse can work against an individual and a group of people. It is a counter force that ‘overpowers’ blessing.

It’s like a chain around a person’s neck; it is a spiritual energy; an unseen force that sabotages people’s lives and efforts.

The curse that was placed on Reuben transcended his generation. The children were not born when the curse was pronounced yet they were affected. Every curse that was pronounced on your father but is now affecting you, I decree, you are delivered now in Jesus name.

Categories of curses · Prophetic Curse · Diabolical Curse · Territorial Curse · Community Curse · Personal Curse (Selfinflicted curse) · Global curse · Witchcraft curse · Transferred curse · Curse of the avengers · Curse from broken oath “Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben,

took men: And they rose up before Moses…, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you… ”Numbers16:1-2 Dathan and Abiram were from the tribe of Reuben.

All the mistakes that people from the tribe of Reuben were making was because there was a curse of ’THOU SHALL NOT’. Thou shall not curses can tamper with what a man is destined to be. Anything they said you would not have by a ‘thou shall not’ curse, I reverse it now in Jesus name.

Who can place such curse on you? · Parents: When a man offends his parents and they place a curse on him, that’s how it shall be, especially if the parents are anointed. I break every parental curse on your life in Jesus name. · Men of God: When dealing with men of God, be very careful not to provoke a curse. Even when they are wrong, stay away or keep shut. · Spouse: When you don’t agree with your spouse concerning a matter, business, etc, don’t go ahead especially if they have said it wouldn’t work. · Boss: many apprentices don’t prosper because of curses their ex-bosses placed on them either deliberately or otherwise. · Your Benefactor: Don’t turn your back on people who have helped you in the past because you feel God has blessed you. · Abandoned Children. · The powerless: God Himself fights for the powerless.

Signs of this curse · You’ll always feel as though there is a rope on your neck. · Prolonged stagnancy · Inexplicable Retardation · Demotion at the verge of promotion · You seem not to measure up with your contemporaries. · Makes a person to experience embarrassing failure.

WHAT DO YOU DO? · Give your life to Christ · Make restitution · Apologise where necessary · Break the curses. · Raise an altar. · Seek prophetic prayers.

PRAYER POINTS · The fire of the enemy will not burn me… · Thou shall not curse, operating in my family; thou shall not touch me… · Any power hired to curse me, die… … in Jesus name

M

atthew 24: 12 says, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” Our Lord Jesus has through the above context made known to us when we should expect His second coming. And the present prevailing situations on the ground are pointing to the fact that the end has come. Iniquity in the form corruption is the order of the day in every sector of human endeavor even among believers.

Nowadays, many people want a church in their individual houses because they do not want to trek beyond their neighbourhood to worship God again, they do not want to suffer to seek God. They feel they are doing God a favour by worshiping Him. Before now, people could walk to anywhere there is revival irrespective of the distance to be partakers of the spiritual awareness and transformation. People were trekking from one village to the other to worship God because they have great love for God. And this demonstration of the passion they have for God elicited the grace of God upon their lives which helped them to feel the presence of God. But now that love of God has waxed cold, many do not love God because He is God but because of what they will gain from Him. All these are to let you know that the signs of His coming abound, and there is no more time.

You can now understand

Dangers of missing the rapture (2) why I said that God allows the existing quagmire situation in the world today so that we can realize the hour which we are now and extricate ourselves from whatever we have given ourselves to and then look up to heaven waiting for His coming.

Our failure to grasp the opportunity to escape which is offered by the grace we are enjoying in the present hour will be regretted after the rapture.

The grace will show us how we can be qualified and restored for rapture and thus escape damnation that comes after. The doctrine of His grace, will help us to come to the understanding that we must forsake our sin and have no more anything to do with it, looking to God in Christ as the object of our hope and worship. And above all, we must ensure that we deny ungodliness and worldly lusts in all its ramification, but living soberly, righteously, and godly, notwithstanding all snares, temptations and corrupt examples. We must learn to look for the glories of another world for the fashion of this world passes away.

1Cor. 7: 29-31 says, “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that

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Pastor Lazarus Muoka Email: chosenworldwidepublicityltd@

08095139000, 08068465580 (SMS only) weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away” Whatever you are given to in this world are temporal. Whether you are rejoicing or weeping, wedding or divorcing, buying or selling, is temporal. So if you are engrossed in them the time is waiting for you to detach yourself from this thing which you have given yourself over because if you are entangled with these things and the trumpet sounds you may not make it. So the time is waiting for you so that you will see these things as vanities and things that will pass away. So there is no more time and the information is that the time is very short and the fashion of this world passes away. It does not matter your status in the society, if rapture does not take place now there is possibility that

death may come.

So, are you given to marriage, is it the bringing up of your children that has made you not listen to the word of God or are you encumbered by how to take care of the children at the expense of this message which is an invitation to escape from the wrath to come. And at other time you are talking about your baby, and this has taken away the place of God in your life. Or maybe, you are talking about money and whenever you come to the church you only want to be prayed for quickly so that you can go home and watch television or attend to friends. I want to advise you to detach yourself from that and focus your mind toward heaven which is a better home and ensure you prepare for rapture and His coming.

Beloved, take note, there is no more time. And with all these signs around us we should know that the time is up and any moment from now the trumpet shall sound.

Encounter with power through vision

T

he Bible makes us to understand that every child of God is a product of divine predestination. In this context, ‘divine predestination’ simply means vision, which also connotes the plans and purposes of God for our lives.

We also understand from scriptures that every child of God has a glorious and enviable destiny. However, it takes the engaging of the Holy Ghost to unravel God’s vision for our lives.

This is because the Holy Ghost is the custodian of God’s vision for our lives (Romans 8:29-30; Joel 2:28).

What is Vision?

‘Vision’ means discovery of God plans and purposes as it relates to us (Habakkuk 2:1-3). Walking in divine plan empowers us for unexplainable exploits. Unfortunately, there are too many believers who have no recognition for divine plan and purpose. Thus, they keep struggling through life. They erroneously think that vision is about a destination; whereas, vision is an adventure because it’s a day by day walk with God (Proverbs 4:18).

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What is it that makes visionaries unbeatable? · God goes before us: When we are in God’s plan, He goes before us. As it is written: Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared (Exodus 23:20; Isaiah 45:1-3) · He goes with us: When God guides our steps, we cannot struggle.

The Bible says: …lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20; Also see John 8:28-29). · He walks with us: We must understand that we are in partnership with God to deliver any project He ordains (Mark 16:20; Acts 10:38). · He works through us: The scriptures emphasis that it is God who work

in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13, See also Genesis 41:15-16). · He works for us: It is written: Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Hence, it is wisdom to enquire from the Lord on every step of our lives in order to prevail where others travail (Psalms 37:5).

How Do We Encounter God’s vision for our lives It is important for us to know that vision requires revelation to be fulfilled.

This is because Vision defines the goal and revelation defines the step, and both have a common source -the Bible (Isaiah 29:11). However, we would require the help of the Holy Ghost to access the deep things contained in God’s Word (John 16:1214). When the revelation of

God’s plan is discovered and pursued diligently, we are empowered to deliver it (Habakkuk 2:1-3).

Remember, there is no comparing God’s plan with our plan, because His plans are far more glorious than ours. However, it is important to understand that God’s plans for our lives are only accessible by the redeemed (Jeremiah 29:11). Are you born again?

If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today.

I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. From today, I accept You as my Lord and my personal Saviour.

Thank You for saving me!

Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Understanding Diviner Direction, In Pursuit of Vision and Understanding Vision.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35

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Challenges bow to the baby

P

ersons on the street of Cairo or so, the then capital of Egypt saw their king riding on one of the chariots which he had, with signet ring upon his hand and arrayed in vestures of fine linen with gold chair about his neck. The shout before the chariot bow the knee: all the people who came across him did obeisance to the king. Many of them reached home and asked where Pharaoh was going in the afternoon when there was no occasion.

They were made to realize that it was Joseph the Hebrew slave and not Pharaoh. The people doing obeisance did not bother to look at the face of the man riding the Pharaoh’s second chariot. They fused. “But I saw that Hebrew slave yesterday when I visited a friend in prison yard”. Yes the scriptures told the story after Joseph was brought from prison to interpret the dream Pharaoh had.

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, see, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took of his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and

I

Word of Life Archbishop. Moses Kattey moseskatteyabp@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

put a gold claim about his neck; An he made him to ride is his second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, bow the thee; and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and with thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:40-44).

Joseph became the Prime Minister, while Pharaoh remained the President in Egypt. Joseph was No. 2 person in authority and power. Sorry, I omitted one very important part (verse 40): Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shalt all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than you.

It is like the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father.

It is like the Holy Spirit and God the Father and the son Jesus Christ. As you see the Son Jesus Christ, you will think you

have seen the father. ….

John 14:8 – 11.

All those who saw Joseph in splendor thought they had seen Pharaoh. This incidence also occurred elsewhere in the scriptures. It was Daniel’s turn to ride upon the horse of King Belshazzar.

Then commanded Belshazzar, and clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom (Daniel 5:29).

Those who saw Daniel thought it was King Belshazzar. Daniel was clothed with garments, splendor and power and authority like the King himself, Daniel was made the third ruler of the Kingdom. Joseph was made the second ruler of the kingdom of Egypt.

If you see a Baby described by the Lord Jesus Christ in the dream or vision, you will think

the Baby is God Himself or the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. People do obeisance to the baby.

Challenges bow to the baby. Even the world is overcome by this little Baby. Read it yourself.

And the Apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith. And the Lord said, if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea, and it should obey you (Luke 17:6) Read also: And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; are it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20).

A man brought the son to Disciples of Christ and they could not cast out the demon in him. The Lord Jesus, their Master did and they asked Him why they could not cast at the devil “And Jesus rebuked the devil, and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that honour. (Matthew 17:18)

Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521 The test for humility can be found in a teachable spirit, a spirit that is ready to learn, accept faults and yet not feel threatened or cheated. When you see nothing for me, I am a very humble person.” The truth is that only proud people say that they are humble.

Pride can be exhibited in many ways in the marriage but one of the main ways it manifests in the spouse is with an un-teachable spirit. Check yourself, do you always claim to be right in every argument?

Is it difficult for you to accept corrections from your spouse? Do you feel unjustly accused when you happen to ‘loose’ an argument? You may feel these things do not really matter but let me tell you that there is hardly enough room for an inflated ego and a spouse in a marriage.

Pride makes you feel like the boss while humility gives you the heart of a

leader. And for any marriage to work, a leader not is boss is who is needed.

You can know if you are playing the leader or the boss by the way you take your spouse in that marriage. Do you see your spouse as being lower than you in that relationship, seeing the person as a supposed servant rather than a spouse because you have an advantage in one way or the other?

Some feel so because they earn higher pay or bring in more money to the family. Some feel so because they feel more exposed or educated than the other spouse. The best you can do to breach the gap and eliminate this big gap is to lift the spouse up by pulling the person to your level.

The test for humility can be found in a teachable spirit, a spirit that is ready to learn, accept faults and yet not feel threatened or cheated. When you see nothing good in your spouse and keep seeing yourself as the only

Bishop John Ogbansiegbe 0803 341 6327 (SMS Only)

A Faithful ambassador is healthy

A

n entitlement inter-alia is a legal right to own something especially a property. Most entitlements are tangibly evidenced documentarily.

In other words, there is something to show for such ownership and possession.

An entitlement is a right to something or a just and legal claim to a person, place or thing; it means something that is due to somebody.

Based on the trite scriptural principles of adoption and in view of the meaning, implication and consequences of adoption, the believer in Christ has a right to divine legal entitlement to healing.

One may therefore reasonably ask; what is adoption? Or what is the divine purpose as well as the consequences of adoption?

Literarily speaking, it means to take into, to take up, to take over or to choose. It also means to take in a child voluntarily as one’s own biological child, with all the natural and incidental rights of that one who knows it all, you child intact, secured and are indeed proud. When protected. Legally speaking, you feel you cannot gain anything from your spouse it is a legal process whereby one person receives another and feel he/she cannot into his family rights, priviteach you, you are proud.

Proud people do not see leges and advantages. The anything wrong with adopter assumes parental themselves but can spot responsibilities for the out so many faults in their adoptee. The adoptee is spouses even when they thereby considered an are the ones who are doing actual child; becoming the everything wrong in the beneficiary of all the rights, marriage relationship. privileges and responsiA spirit that is quick to bilities afforded to all the apologize and not quick to children of the family. argue is a humble spirit.

The proud man or woman To this end therefore the book of Romans 8:15 states: finds it difficult to apolo“For ye have not received gize to his/her spouse or the spirit of bondage again to other people over an to fear but you have recomhas offense he/she ceived the spirit of adoption mitted. They always see whereby we cry Abba Fathemselves as too big to apologize, too big to serve, ther. The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that too big to be the first to greet if you do not greet we are the children of God. them first. Truly humble And if children; then heirs people are those that strive of God, and joint heirs with to attain humility every Christ.” By this scriptural day. They are the ones who position therefore, it means see the elements of pride in that God has two sons i.e. themselves even if others Christ and you; therefore, tell them how humble they if by resurrection our Lord are. You are special to God Jesus Christ, being our despite your weaknesses. elder brother is now seated You can change and take at the right hand of God in your marriage to a higher level. God resists the proud heaven, interceding for us; in a place of perfect provibut gives grace to the sion, perfect peace, perfect humble (1 Peter 5:5) and abundance and perfect peryou can deliberately work fection, it logically follows on yourself. Humility can be learnt. The first step is to that our Lord Jesus Christ daily deal with your supe- does not necessarily need in heaven all those things riority complex and place yourself as a humble leader provided by God for His or helper of your spouse. children on earth for which

Proud people and their marriage

n many of the marital issues I have handled in my years of marriage and family counselling, one major source of problems I have discovered is pride. Another thing I have discovered is that the most insecure people are those that exhibit proud tendencies.

To cover up for their inadequacies, they assume a pompous air as a result of their wealth, social status, education, marital status, etc. Such people always hide under pride to conceal the things that make them feel insecure.

As a matter of fact; pride is not only reserved for the rich or educated, even the poor person who has emotional insecurities is prone to exhibiting pride. I have come across people who can easily be passed as poor feeling so high and haughty towards their spouses.

They bluntly refuse to let go of issues and do not agree to a compromise because of the pride in them.

Sometimes pride is obvious to the person exhibiting it but it will shock you to know that most times, proud people do not even know they are proud. I remember the story of a very arrogant man who told my wife and I many years ago; “as

Mystery of Anxiety

the Bible according to Ephesians 1:3 reveals were kept for us in heavenly places in Christ.

The Bible calls it all manners of spiritual blessings including the spare parts of different human organs, cells and tissues. So you see, you are entitled to healing and I declare unto you as you are reading this book that “you shall not die if that sickness but live to testify the goodness of the Lord” in your health and indeed in all facets of your life in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

God is a loving father who wants to do good things for His children. He wants to make you well. For instance, if your child become sick and you have the ability to heal that child, you will do that without hesitation. God is far better a parent than any of us can ever be. He is ever willing and ready to heal His children, and He has the potency and ability to do so. He is ready to do anything for His children just to give them life and life more abundantly: “for this purpose, the son of man was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil” -1John1:8.

In Exodus 23:25, the Bible declares: “And ye shall serve the Lord your God. And he shall bless thy bread and thy water, and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”

There are many things involved in this scripture.

It is a fore term contract, You shall serve the Lord Your God is the condition precedent to your bread and water being blessed; and He shall take sickness away from the midst of thee. The primary resultant effect of serving the Lord your God is Divine immunity from sickness, affliction and disease. The arrangement and programme for your sound health has been prearranged, packaged and handed over to you as an incidental benefit of your ambassadorial portfolio on earth. No wonder why proverbs 13:17b declares: “a faithful ambassador is healthy.”

God is a loving father who wants to do good things for His children.

He wants to make you well

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Joy envelopes Wole Olanipekun’s household W

ith his stature in the country’s judiciary, Ikere Ekiti born, Oluwole Oladapo Olanipekun, cannot but be picked as one of the legal practitioners who occupies the front row; having put many years of meritorious service into the legal field as a lawyer.

Of course, his diligence and expertise has since fetched him the highest title one could earn as a lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and he’s been honoured and celebrated by different organisations which make him no alien to being celebrated. The brilliant lawyer and members of his household have been in exciting mood over the recent honour that was bestowed on the SAN. As an indigene of Ikere land, his community is pleased with his activities that make him a role model. It was a glorious moment for Olanipekun and his wife, Princess Omolara, penultimate weekend, when they were decorated with chieftaincy titles as Asiwaju and Erelu of Ikere land respectively by Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu in agreement with his kinsmen. By his societal standing, expectations that important personalities would joyously identify with him on such great day readily came to pass as venues in Ikere and Ado Ekiti where the celebrations were held were thronged with guests from all walks of life.

Isaac, Nneka Moses in excitement galore T

o say that the popular couple of ‘Goge Africa’, Isaac and Nneka Moses have remained object of celebration over the years will amount to stating the obvious because it is without a doubt that this man and his wife have been a reference point of an ideal couple. Even in the face of trouble, they are admired for their consistency in their field of endeavour as television hosts propagating and projecting the heritage of Africa.

Baritone voice Isaac and gap toothed Nneka, we can reveal have been over the moon in recent times for different reasons that came in quick succession. The exciting mood kicked off when they were days ago honoured for their role in preserving and promoting African heritage through their program at the 25th annual Anambra Women Association, Lagos. While they were still basking in that euphoria, the one which has kept congratulatory messages coming in for them arrived and it was their nineteenth wedding anniversary. As against how broken marriages are fast becoming the norm, this couple is joined by lots of their fans in rejoicing over their union that has not only stood the test of time but is waxing even stronger. Isaac and his wife, Nneka, it will be recalled were married for many years without a child before the cry of a baby eventually sounded in their home a few years back.

Henry Alade opens another chapter T

all, dark skinned and handsome Henry Ademola Alade, who is fondly called ‘Old Skool’ by admirers might not be one of those who has a penchant for being loud and blowing their trumpets. What cannot be denied of the dude is that he’s doing very well for himself as a marketing expert which obviously has endeared him to who is who in government circles, business community as well as the social scene.

Dynamic Henry sits atop flourishing marketing outfit, Direct Impact.

Having established himself deeply as a marketer, the city big boy has recently spread his tentacles into the event management industry as he just floated an outfit called Party Deals which has made him toast among his peers and in the business community. The outfit seems to be poised to make a difference going by all that has gone into it and its high projections.

Folly Coker turns man of the Odikpo sets up a fashion moment statement outfit

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raduate of Manchester University, Folorunsho Folarin Coker, who is better known as Folly Coker, has remained relevant in every successive government in Lagos State since the inception of democratic government about 17 years ago. He’s one of the few whose influence and connection transcends government circles and by this, he’s constantly under the prying eyes from different quarters.

Former personal assistant of APC national leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, Folly until days ago was relieved of his appointment in the cabinet of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as the commissioner for Tourism and Culture. His excellent handling of ‘One Lagos Fiesta’ and ‘Lagos Carnival’ at different times many are of the opinion proved his ability and capabilities. Folly was relieved of his duty along two other of his counterparts without any formal reason to back the action. However, it has been noticed that this incident has made Folly become the subject of discussion in several quarters making him the man the moment. Like earlier stated, though no official reason was given for the removal, different persons have not ceased to adduce to why he’s been ousted. While some allege arrogance, some think it is taking the governor for granted on the heel of the toga of ‘Tinubu boy’. However, according to information available to Celeb Lounge, Coker, it was learnt has continually dispelled and described tales flying about as unfounded and that the governor exclusively has the right to do whatever he finds needful without giving unnecessary interpretations. On another note, those who should know revealed Folly may have been a victim of detractors who may feel he’s becoming too powerful and influential to handle and as such want his image smeared. Meanwhile, Folly may have started to consider the reopening of his hospitality outfit, La Cassa.

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harles-Paul (C.P.) Odikpo is a New York based fashion don. He also has a flourishing career as an attorney in New York City, U.S.A. The son of a school principal and a schools supervisor, CP Odikpo was educated at the esteemed Christ the King College, Onitsha where his father was once an eminent tutor. He took an Honours degree at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) before travelling abroad for his legal education. His practice as an attorney in the state of New York was hugely rewarding, but there was the abiding ache to invest in the fashion industry of Nigeria.

It was after repeatedly observing that people paid high prices for fake designer clothes in Nigeria that he decided to take action by initiating the Braga concept that has won wide admiration.

He travels the length and breadth of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to the known designer stores, namely Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, to mention but a few, looking for bargains to sell at Braga, an ultramodern fashion outfit set up to meet this need. It was a very strategic reason that made him to set up shop in Surulere, Lagos, as he croons, “Surulere is without any shadow of doubt the archetypal Nigerian middle class neighbourhood.” The amiable pathfinder fondly called CP by his childhood pals is now more famously known by his trade name Braga.

Braga deals primarily in designer casuals imported straight from America such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Nautica, DKNY etc. Braga is fully stocked with fanciful T-shirts, blouses, shirts, jeans, shoes, bags and all the latest raves in the international fashion market. For as little as N3, 000 one can walk away from Braga with the most modern of wears.

According to the irrepressible CEO of Braga, C.P. Odikpo, “Braga will make sure that whatever is seen in the name of fashion anywhere in the world is available in Nigeria. Nigerians love fashion, both those at home and in the Diaspora. Looking at the Lagos fashion industry, it is easily noticeable that there is a lot of fake designer clothing being sold. Ironically, these fake clothes are not cheap either. Braga was born out of this observation.

The Braga philosophy is pure and simple: “Authentic for less”.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul Married Martha, Abuja How to satisfy my woman

He doesn’t want to commit to me

I’ve been in a relationship with this man for about two years now. He’s a widower with two kids while I’m a matured single. We have talked about marriage and children.

He doesn’t want any more kids, nor does he want to get married. I wouldn’t say I’m the hottest girl in the world but I’m attractive and age is no longer on my side. We have a rough past together before we committed to be in a relationship. We live together and seem to be happy. My question is, am I just an ego boost for him? When you love someone, don’t you put your feelings aside to make them

D

Even though I’ve been with a few different women over the years, I’m embarrassed to admit - I really don’t know what’s going on ‘down there’ with them. Women fake a lot happy? If so why won’t he have and previously, when I have sex a child with me or get married?

Temitope, Ekiti How important is sex in marriage?

I have never considered myself that sexual of a person, but it is still an essential part of my being. I love my husband, but since getting married and having children, our sex life has suffered. I know this is an age-old question, but how important is sex in long-term relationships? I don’t want my husband to start looking outside because I cannot satisfy him. And do you have any tips for keeping the sex in our relationship hot?

with other women, I didn’t care if I satisfied them or not. Now that I have a girlfriend who I really care about, it’s important to me that she has an orgasm, but I’m not sure exactly how to make sure it happens. Do you have any tips on how I can be sure to please her?

Ikenna, Lagos

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Good Night Nike Adesuyi: So long a Night

eath has come calling on the literary circle again. This time, it has taken Nike Adesuyi. I wanted to do a tribute, but then read Nduka Otiono’s tribute online. I can’t beat it and I am now reproducing it here with the author’s permission.

I first met Nike Adesuyi at the University of Ibadan (U.I.) in the mid 1980s. I may not remember the exact occasion of meeting her but there was something magical about that meeting that I looked forward to seeing more of her. She was quiet in a loud kind of way; beautiful in a subdued fashion that called attention more to her being than to her appearance. Her unpretentious personality belied her crackling wit and shy imagination that crept out of their shells once she was comfortable enough to let her guards down with you as a friend. And I was fortunate to call her my friend, to have been up-close with her, and to have shared some significant chapters of our long, and as yet unwritten story, as undergraduate students at U.I.’s Department of English.

Although Nike was very much a girl, and some kind of feminist, she was more ‘masculine’ than some men whose claim to manhood rests on their restless crotches. She was, as the balladic R&B singer, Lionel Ritchie, would croon, “two-times a lady”. Not only was Nike the pillar of her family, having lost her dad under mysterious circumstances. She was also a cornerstone of our male-dominated literary circle at UI in those days, called the Thursday Group, of which our dear lecturer and patron saint then, Harry Garuba, had formally introduced in the anthology, Voices from the Fringe (1988). And no one thought of her as a girl. We seemed to have been gender neutral, and would spend endless nights talking poetry, reading poetry, debating ideas and dreaming the future. Those were long nights escorted with fine wines and the newest lines some member had written. But above all, there was that halo above our heads that Harry Garuba identifies as “tortured souls poets” held hostage by “tortured sensibilities.” The poems produced by members of the group were so profoundly somber and haunting reflections on life that they could have fitted into songs for funeral processions.

The greatest influence on the group was the mythmaker and towncrier at Heavensgate, Christopher Okigbo, who stood naked before Mother Idoto, a prodigal.

Besides the shadow and dream with which Harry Garuba knitted the group together in the 1980s and early 1990s, other members who contributed to the Group’s memories include: Chiedu Ezeanah; Remi Raji; Sesan Ajayi; Afam Akeh; Frank Uche Mowah; Onookome Okome; Godwin (Amatoritsero) Ede; Emevwho Biakolo, David Diai; Sola Olorunyomi; Lolade Bamidele; Simon Berete; Nehru Odeh; Franklyn Ikhinmwin, and other moonwalkers who graced the Thursdays poetry readings of the Ibadan Poetry Club and the annual Christopher Okigbo poetry festival.

Looking back now, it was an extremely masculine group. And I am straining to recall the female members of the group besides associate members such as Funmilayo Dukiya, Yebo Ademolakun, and Ogom Aniemeke, etc. Of the sprinkling of female members of the group, the most visible and perhaps more memorable in terms of her presence in the group was Nike Adesuyi. She was not just active in the group, she was its powerhouse at some point, as Dave Diai, poet and publisher of Flashpoint newspaper recalls in a chat with Chux Ohai for an article recently published in Punch: “She was one of our best and brightest students; a leading member of our English Dept. Debate team, the Idoto Magazine Editorial Board and the Poetry club.”

It was no surprise, then, that when some of us graduated from Ibadan and moved to Lagos, where Nike lived for the most part of her life, our literary paths continued to cross.

We met at the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) House in Surulere, Lagos, and even more regularly at Iya Ijebu’s Bukka in Apapa, where we held impromptu literary salons with a string of writers that included Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Adewale Maja Pearce, Toni Kan, Obi Nwakanma, Chiedu Ezeanah, and so many others. I was the founder and Editor of the Post Express Literary Supple-

ment (PELS) then, and later, General Secretary of ANA. I counted on Nike’s support, and she was happy to support with editing, a skill that she was so blessed with you wondered why she didn’t choose to make a living from it. Nike had a bird’s eye view on scripts, and would enrich any copy you gave her with refreshing insights and her mastery of English syntax and grammar.

Nike’s sensitivity to the feminist question was most manifest in her association with guys in what some may have seen from a tomboy-ish lens—with no pun intended.

She was hardly ever defensive in the malecrowded company in which she often found herself; a measure of her success in carrying herself with dignity was in the fact that she was hardly every disrespected. Yet, her ‘womanist’ sensitivity was acute enough that she was an active member of Women Writers Association of Nigeria (WRITA), and indeed held an executive position.

The outpouring of tributes to Nike on social media has been so remarkable that until her demise, not many people realised how deeply and how widely such a seemingly quiet and self-effacing woman had touched many hearts. In death, she is like a rock star; in life, she was a scented flower you smelt before sighting. Why diseases do not respect even the most precious bodies I do not know; oftentimes we are confronted by the sad cliche that bad things happen to good people.

The news of her passing came to me from our common friend, Utibe Ukim, with whom Nike worked at Workstation, an excellent onestop media production company that some of us have enjoyed their services. It seemed inevitable that Nike would remain in a career that required continuous challenge to the imagination. The creative arts were the veins that coursed through her body, and it was no surprise that she married another creative

spirit and photographer, Amaize Ojeikere.

Incidentally, it was at Workstation that Nike and I had the last and closest working relationship just before I left Nigeria for Canada in 2006 for a second life after a one-and-a-half decade career in journalism. Initially, we worked on some editions of ANA Review during my years as General Secretary of the Association; then on the publication of the anthology Camouflage: The Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria which I co-edited with Odoh Diego Okenyodo and published by Treasure Books managed by the poet and journalist, Nengi Ilagha. In those instances, I experienced Nike’s loyalty to friendship and sacrifice to excellence. She would spend production nights with the production crew that included Matthias Achibong and our “boss’, Utibe.

It’s hard writing a tribute to friends you have closely associated with, knowing how much their death reminds you of how the death knell perpetually tolls for you as well. Nike’s passing around the same age as I lost my precious sister, Phil, via the agent! of Nigeria’s notorious roads and crashes is an eloquent testimony to the transience of life. What is even more disturbing about her death is the idea that she could have had better care had she lived in a country with the appropriate medical infrastructure for citizens’ health and well-being.

Birthdays should not be for dying. But our most dear friend, poet, and Workstation goddess, Adenike Adesuyi-Ojeikere (1968 – 2016), left this tortured plane virtually on her birthday. Nike, forever smiling and lighting up a scene as if she were born without worries, died to create more awareness about the cold claws of Cancer in a country with little care about it. Today, we celebrate her heroic life and fight. Today, we sign her name on the leaves of fate and sing her memories to a thousand echoes from beyond. Nike may have passed on, but she lives in our tongues and hearts!

In death, as in living, Nike’s voice still rings with that quiet wisdom that defines the best of humanity.

Now I invoke you, Nike, as you write in these haunting lines that I am glad I secured from you for Camouflage—given your regrettable capacity to lose your poems. Rest in Peace beautiful soul, as poetry extinguishes the diseases and pains that punctuate life on our ethereal plane. Rest in peace... Nduka Otiono

0, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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back

Say goodbye to chapped lips

m right, ith you. d all the to glam personmagine, xed and

Vanessa Okwara

H

aving soft, moisturized healthy looking lips is as important as a perfect makeup. You might have your best make up on but if you have dry chapped lips, people’s attention will only be on your lips. Due to hectic lifestyles, we often forget to take care of our lips, which is the most delicate and sensitive skin of our face. Baby kissable lips is a not only an implication of good health but also an appealing appearance. Let’s talk a little bit about how to keep lips soft and beautiful so your man will want to kiss you all the time!

Apply petroleum jelly at night: You can use Vaseline at night when your lips need intense moisturizing and are especially chapped. Apply as often as you like, though it’s generally good to use petroleum jelly at night while sleeping and apply a thinner product in the daytime.

Gentle exfoliation: Not only is exfoliation a necessity for good skin, it is also a must for the maintenance of soft kissable lips. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep your lips soft is to gently massage them with a clean toothbrush. Exfoliate them with a little sugar, preferably brown sugar, or sea salt if they are not cracked.

Use olive or coconut oil and massage sugar or salt onto your lips in a circular fashion and wipe clean. Make sure you use a lip balm after this process.

Carry a lip balm: Whenever you go anywhere make sure you have a good lip balm with you. Invest in a good quality lip balm with SPF for your lips; they need protection from ultra violet rays like the rest of your body. Keep applying it to prevent dry, chapped lips. You can also apply a lip balm before you apply a lipstick.

Break the habit of biting and licking your lips: Licking the lips tends to make the lips drier so control this habit. Biting your lips is absolutely one of the worst habits to have as a lady. Ladies, if you want soft and kissable lips, don’t bite them! Ultimately, it causes more chapping.

Avoid application of lip care products with fragrances, dyes or flavours: Synthetic products might contain chemical elements that not only irritate lips but also make them chapped and dry. Most of the lip products you should use must have at least SPF 15 to protect your lips against UV radiations and sun burn damages.

Drink plenty of water: The general rule for being healthy, and looking good, is to be well hydrated. Your lips also crave for hydration.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

dude

Rock house party in style Vanessa Okwara

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e all love a good house party, but the lead up to this favourite weekend activity can often have us all staring at our wardrobes wondering, what do I wear? Whether you’re spending your night surrounded by people you know or complete strangers, you still want to dress to impress without coming across like you made an effort.

House parties are social gatherings, usually casual, held in someone’s home. Unlike a dinner party where expectations can be more formal, house parties don’t normally require any strict etiquette for dressing and fussy invitations are rarely sent out. Even in such a laid-back environment, it is handy to keep in mind few rules of engagement.

Dressing well at a party is particularly important if there are going to be people you don’t know. You have a lot of first impressions to make. As m u c h as we would all like to think t h a t looks

OF THE WEEK

don’t matter, let’s be honest- you’re going to receive more attention if you’re nicely styled.

Jeans and a tee or polo shirt work well to achieve a relaxed look.

When the weather’s cool, layer a V-neck sweater over your T-shirt.

A Denim Shirt is always handy to add prep to your look where you can do the trendy denim on denim attire. Fitted stripes t-shirt on Chinos is also a trendy casual to wear to warm up a house party. Throw on a sports coat with a button-up shirt and tailored trousers for a more casual cocktail soiree.

Some house parties can be semiformal. In such cases, adding a blazer or sports jacket to your Jeans and Polo attire will still give you that casual but elegant look.

Choosing shoes to wear to a house party can be tricky as it is an informal event but you can’t wear your dirty old runners. A pair of loafers, boots or canvas shoes is the perfect solution. It is stylish without being too dressy. There are no rules for accessories, just keep it simple.

The key is to adapt your casual attire to the kind of party you’re attending. Wear your outfit with confidence and have a blast rocking the house party!

Basketmouth Hilarious Comedian

Vanessa Okwara

B

right Okpocha, better known by his stage name Basketmouth is a Nigerian comedian and actor. He is a leading player in the comedy industry in Nigeria. Having represented the Stand-up Comedy genre as one of Nigeria and Africa’s leading exports; the Basketmouth brand has over the years won the hearts of Nigerians and non-Nigerians.

He has organised popular stand-up comedy concerts like ‘Basketmouth Uncensored’ across the globe.

Basketmouth was born in Lagos but hail from Abia State, Nigeria. Bright completed his primary and secondary school education in Apapa Lagos, and then moved on to pursue a degree at the University of Benin where he studied Sociology and Anthropology.

In 2005 and 2006 Basketmouth won the National Comedy Award and the awards for Best Stand-up Comedian of the Year.

In Feb 21st 2010, he became the 1st African co-

median to host a one man comedy concert at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo, which was a huge success. Till date, Basketmouth has hosted nine different concerts in the UK. In 2011 he was approached by Mtv Base to host his own show, ‘The Big Friday Show’ the TV show went on to win the best TV show in 2013.

Basketmouth is presently one of the brand ambassadors of telecommunication giant, Globacom and a brand face for Dana Air. Basketmouth stands out as one of the names in the entertainment industry to reckon with.

Aside his funny nature, Basketmouth is very fashionable. He loves to come out in smart casuals, different types of hats, boots and sneakers. He favours expensive designers both in wristwatches and clothing. His style could be termed street casual but with a touch of class. His signature dreadlocks and comic face always stands him out as one comedian with a unique twist and style.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

RazzleDazzle Chinedu Ikedieze C h i n e d u Ikedieze (MFR), better known as Aki, is a famous Nollywood actor. Although, the successful award winning Nigerian actor is not blind, deaf, dumb or crippled, his only challenge is his minute height and smallish stature. He is best known for playing alongside his trusted partner, Osita Iheme, in most Nigerian movies. Ever since their breakthrough with the movie, ‘Aki na Ukwa’ in 2007, the talented dark and small-sized actor has continued to blow the mind of movie lovers across Africa and beyond with over hundred movies to his credit. Born in the 70s in Abia State, Nigeria, Chinedu, who is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy, and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Federal government of Nigeria, he got married to his sweetheart, Nneoma Nwaijah, a fashion designer in 2011.

Osita Iheme Osita Iheme, popularly referred to as ‘Pawpaw’, is a widely accepted Nigerian actor with loads of movies to his credit. Also known for his role in the film, ‘Aki na Ukwa’ alongside his longtime friend and partner, Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita has often been described as one of the best actors of his generation. His challenge is also lack of height and smallish stature. He is the founder of Inspired Movement Africa, an organisation set up to inspire, motivate and stimulate the minds of young Nigerians and Africans. He is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards. Considered to be one of Nigeria’s most famous actors in 2011, Osita was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Lagos State University.

Yinka Aiyefele

A c e broadcaster turned musician, Yinka Ayefele (OON) is a Nigerian gospel singer who used his bitter experience to transform his life to great success. He started as a journalist and a broadcaster on a national radio station before he was involved in an auto crash that damaged his spinal cord and permanently confined him to a wheel chair for several years now. Against all odds, Yinka stood firm and followed his friend’s advice to start a music career and today he is one of the most sought after gospel artistes in the country. The star singer in a wheel chair is a recipient of over 200 awards and also a national award, Member of the Order of the Niger, awarded to him by the former president, Goodluck Jonathan. Having lost his first wife due to his previous challenges,

Body&Soul Abiola Alaba Peters

with

08062622328 abiolaalabapeters@rockmail.com

Meet Nigerian celebrities that defied all odds

If it takes a lot of commitment, hard work and determination for a full bodied man to be successful in life, imagine the extra efforts needed by a person with special needs to attain any level of accomplishment. Yet, these ones have been able to rise above their every challenge to carve a niche for themselves in the entertainment world. ABIOLA ALABA PERTERS presents top Nigerian entertainers, who, in spite of their special needs, rose to stardom the Ekiti born star who is based in Ibadan recently launched his own radio station and is also happily married.

Kelly Blind

Kelly Blind is popularly referred to as the only blind comedian of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Although, not much is known about this dark and average height comic star, but he recently tied the knot with his other half in a society wedding held in Lagos. Blinded mysteriously at the age of ten, Kelly Blind who defied the taunts of his friends and family is presently one of the most sought after comedians in the country. He is the brain behind the famous annual comedy event, ‘Kelly Blind Unusual’. Kelly is the first ever blind comedian to trot the stage as an entertainer. He was discovered by the popular comedian, AY. Cobhams Asuqwo Happily married, Cobhams Asuquo is a Nigerian musician, producer and songwriter who ventured into music from his professional training as a lawyer. Although blind, the talented music producer has been able to

win awards in his career and is known for producing some of Nigeria’s finest artistes like internationally acclaimed Asa, among others. He is truly an entertainer par excellence. Many continue to marvel how it is possible for a man who was born blind to outsmart several of his colleagues in the same line of business; even though they are not physically challenged as he is. Cobhams has won multiple awards both locally and internationally for his creative and entrepreneurial contributions to the Nigerian music industry. He was featured on CNN’s African Voices for his contribution and impact on the African music industry.

Tony Tetuila Singer, Tony Tetuila was born into an impoverished polygamous family with an enormous lump on his chest, a crippling health condition.

Having to cope as a crippled child, Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye, popularly known as Tony Tetuila, is proof that a man’s beginning does not necessarily determine his future. This Oro, Kwara State born recording artiste and songwriter is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s living Hip-Hop legends and in his own words, owes his success and life to God and his mother’s love, bravery and prayers. He started walking but his legs are not perfectly balanced. At the last 2015 general elections, Tony revealed his love for politics.

Ifeoma Eze releases fourth album

A

buja based singer, Pastor Ifeoma Eze, recently released her much awaited fourth musical album, ‘Behind the Scene’. The pastor made her music debut in 2011 with ‘Phenomenon’. She also released ‘So Lifted’ in 2012 and ‘Koinonia’ in 2013. The singer who presently runs a weekly television series on Hosanna, ACBN, said her love and passion for music made her venture into it. “I’m not singing for money. I sing because I derive utmost satisfaction, joy and total fulfillment from it”. The graduate of Parasitology and Entomology from Nnamdi Azikiwe University also said that she gets her inspiration from God, and writes her songs by herself. Ifeoma says she is not one of those singers that depend on others to write their songs.

She implored singers to be good mentors and role models by exhibiting good attitude that is worth emulating. The singer expressed delight in the way Nigerian music is excelling at the international scene; saying it is a remarkable achievement. The Anambra State born singer is equally an author of several books. According to her, “It is the passion to be a blessing to people and affect lives positively that made me go into music, write inspirational books and ultimately own non-profit making Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools in Umuahia. I believe that life is about giving and not receiving.

I thank God who made my album release a reality and my darling husband, Bishop Okwudili Eze, the founder of Zion Heritage and Miracles Ministries; he has been solidly behind me.”

Timaya becomes Glo Ambassador

The popular singer, fecund songwriter and quick-witted producer, Timaya has joined the league of Glo brand ambassadors, Globacom announced in a statement.

This puts an end to the wide-spread speculations in the industry about his latest engagement, buoyed by his stunning performance in the ongoing Glo Campus Storm show.

Timaya’s entry into the star-studded Glo brand ambassadorship portfolio, which parades A-listers, has been well received in entertainment circles.

Nigeria’s data grandmasters explained that Timaya was made a Glo ambassador because of his humongous success in the music industry and for being a role model to millions of Nigerian youths, especially in the South-South part of the country.

The broad-spectrum musician,

who straddles raggae, hip-hop, dancehall and afro beat genres, is monstrously successful with several top notch albums like True Story, Gift and Grac e, De Rebirth, LLNP and Upgrade.

Timaya is the founder of SouthSouth hip hop g ro u p , Dem Mama S o l diers. His solo career began in 2005 with the release of “Dem

Mama”, which also appeared on his debut album, True Story released the following year.

To date, Timaya has won four Headies Awards and one Nigerian Music Award.

In 2011, based on his exemplary conduct, the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP) made him a Peace Ambassador.

The co-founder of the IIFWP, Dr. Hak Ja Haan Moon described him as “one of those individuals whose lives exemplify the ideal of living for the sake of others, and who dedicate themselves to practices which promote the founding ideals of the IIFWP.” The astral assemblage include Basketmouth, Bovi Ugboma, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Hadizah Blell (Di’ja), Patience Ozokwor, popularly called Mama G, Omawumi, Ego, Yvonne Nelson, Nadia Buhari and MI among others.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Why I don’t do drugs –Annjay Songwriter, model and dancer, Angela Chioma John, popularly known as Annjay, has over the years made a name for herself in the music industry. She had a stint in journalism before passion for music overwhelmed her. In this chat with EDWIN USOBOH, she speaks about growing up, musical career and the kind of man she desires Tell us the latest things about you?

I recently released a single titled ‘Do Me Right’ produced

by Don Adah. ‘Do Me Right’ has gotten thousands of downloads on MTN, Airtel and Etisalat as caller tunes. I was awarded Performing Artiste of the Year 2016, in Rivers State and it was presented to me by Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. John Nwachukwu. My team and I are also working on a project which will hit the airwaves very soon.

What is it about being a musician that thrills you the most?

When I see myself singing to thousands of people, it makes me feel fulfilled in my career. Also working with positive minded people from different backgrounds is great. Singing as a career is beautiful but one needs to take things easy because once you are there, a lot of things might get into your head that could make you lose focus. So, I am staying grounded to make sure I remain the person I used4 to be.

What message do you propagate in your music?

I have positive messages in my songs. Before I release any work, my producer and I will sit down together and work on it properly before doing other studio things. Music is not something you rush; it requires a lot of work and time.

What inspires you when you go on stage?

I would say my passion. The passion I have for my career drives me to give more when I’m on stage. I have it planted like a seed inside me and it can never die.

Some artistes take substances to be high while on stage.

How do you get your high energy while on stage?

I am aware some artistes take drugs to help them perform on stage. As for me, I don’t do anything or take drugs to get inspiration. I don’t need any substance to perform on stage. I remember many people have asked me this before during interviews; what I don’t know is why the drug questions keep coming.

What determines your stage fashion?

I look at the concept of the event and that would help me to decide what I’m going to wear while performing on stage. If it’s corporate, church or entertainment event, I will dress differently. You don’t expect me to dress the same way I dress to an entertainment event to a church or cooperate event. So, it depends on the event. All I want people to know is that I’m doing my job. Nobody should judge my dressing because I want them to understand that’s what entertainment is all about.

What’s your style signature?

My signature style is my hair and dressing, I always want the best for myself.

If in the nearest future your hubby insists you stop singing or stop being a musician, will you oblige him?

This is one subject I don’t like talking about because I want people to know that

sometimes in life man proposes but God disposes. The future is not predictable as it’s in the hand of God and again, nothing lasts forever. I like my career very much and nothing can stop me except God. It will only take the grace of God for me to stop because He is the only one that can do it.

When is the wedding bell ringing?

Marriage is a beautiful thing but I don’t like talking about it because that’s not the main thing right now. Talking about my career is what’s up and not marriage. I believe in the institution called marriage because my mum is married to one man who is my dad. At the moment, my career comes first but if marriage comes early then there is need to talk about it but right now, I’m relaxed and my career comes first.

What are those qualities you look out for in your ideal man?

He must be smart and intelligent. Above all, he must be God fearing because when he’s God fearing, he can help me build my career and family.

What are those qualities that make your style of music unique?

My voice and stage performances Define your fashion sense?

I love to look good and comfortable. I don’t follow trends as long as the outfit looks perfect on me. Nobody should expect Annjay to follow trends anytime or any day because I’m the wrong person to expect such from.

What fashion item forms a larger part of your wardrobe?

That will be shoes and sunglasses.

I like them a lot. If y o u en-

ter my room, you will see different types of shoes all over the place. Sometimes my mum will jokingly say ‘my daughter, how do you manage to wear all this leather on your legs’?

What fashion item can you spend a fortune on?

I can spend my last kobo on shoes, sunglasses and perfumes. I don’t joke with all these, for real.

What stands you out on the red carpet?

My outfit and the way I carry myself. And you know that red carpet is another major work in entertainment industry. If you are not looking good, sorry you are not fit for red carpet. I’m not perfect but always trying my best when it comes to that.

What lessons has life taught you as a musician?

Life has taught me to be strong, always expect challenges, never give up and don’t depend on anyone except God. What is the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done?

During my school days, I was having an argument with my course mate and before you knew it, she turned it into a fight. She was like, ‘I have been waiting for this day to come’. Not knowing that she had me in mind before then. Before I could say anything, she hit me on the face and immediately I gave her back and she held my clothes and she started shouting, ‘you go kill me today or I’ll naked you’.

That statement put me off that I tore the shirt I was wearing by myself, remaining bra and Jeans on me and I beat her up.

Although I was a tomboy, I had another shirt in my bag that I quickly changed into. She was very fat and always tried to intimidate me with her size not knowing that ‘Lepa no be disease’. But that was then and not now.

Can you go nude in music videos for any amount?

No! I will never go nude no matter the huge amount of money. Rejecting such offer doesn’t make me an unprofessional entertainer.

Which would you consider your first love, music or journalism?

Both of them are my first love but journalism came first. Journalism prepared me for my musical career. I’m a journalist anytime because I know how much both careers work together.

What are your words to your fans or followers?

I’m very grateful to you all, after God you are the reason why the name Annjay is alive and I have a word of encouragement for you all that by perseverance the snail reached the ark. Never give up or sit down and grieve, press on and press through.

What inspired your stage name ‘Annjay’?

Annjay is a combination of my real names and it means beauty to my parents. My mum always calls me ‘Annjaysco’.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

News Petrol pump price, not yet uhuru p.46

Business news We’ll continue to invest in Nigeria despite recession, says Dawis p.45

Auto beat Vehicle manufacturing: Automakers to support Nigeria, Kenya p.47

Business

Paul Ogbuokiri Head, Business

paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Niger Republic shipping companies return to Nigerian ports, says envoy

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L-R: Managing Director, FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd, Rilwan Belo-Osagie; Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Bola Onadele and Executive Director, Debt Capital Market, Stanbic IBTC Capital Ltd, Kobby Bentis-Enchill, at the quotation ceremony of the FSDH Merchant Bank N14.17billion and N814.12million commercial papers on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange in Lagos…recently PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Recession: ‘Uncoordinated policies will delay recovery’

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Paul Ogbuokiri

eported disagreement between Nigeria’s monetary and fiscal policy makers over how to lift the economy out of recession may delay the recovery of the economy, experts have said.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently ignored calls by the Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun to cut borrowing costs and kept the key interest rate unchanged at 14 per cent, hours after she said in a television interview that a lower interest rate is necessary to stimulate the economy.

But the Committee noted government’s inadequate efforts to boost growth, saying monetary policy alone can’t get the economy out of stagflation and that “complementary fiscal policies” are needed to resuscitate output and consumption.

Gross domestic product contracted in the first half of the year as the effects of a 15-month currency peg, fuel and power shortages and lower oil prices and production weighed on output. The economy is forecast to shrink this year for the first time since 1991.

The delayed approval of the N6.1 trillion ($19.3 billion) budget has stalled the government’s efforts to stimulate economic activity and the naira’s slump since the removal of the 197-199 per dollar peg on June 20 has fueled inflation to the highest in more than a decade, extending the decline in consumer spending.

“The problem is that neither the government nor the Central Bank have a ‘grand strategy’ to fix Nigeria’s economic woes,” Malte Liewerscheidt, an Africa analyst at Bath, U.K.-based consultant Verisk Maplecroft, said in an emailed response to questions to Bloomberg. “What we have seen over the past 18 months are mostly short-sighted tactical responses to ever more pressing problems.”

Inflation at 17.6 per cent and a currency that weakened about 40 per cent against the dollar since June, coupled with an economy forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to contract by 1.8 per cent, underline the policy dilemma.

Adeosun said the nature of inflation is not being driven by consumer demand as it is “costpush” and won’t respond to interest-rate increases, while the Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele said the tightening stance has helped to lure more than $1 billion in net portfolio inflows. Cheaper borrowing would fuel demand for goods the economy can’t produce due to a lack of action to boost industrial output and increase price growth, he said.

This sort of divergence between fiscal and monetary authorities “tends to be pronounced when there are no clear best options available to policy makers,” Manji Cheto, senior vice president at Teneo Intelligence in London, said by e-mail.

“Ultimately, the fiscal authority will have to realize that the heavy lifting will have to come from its

own end.”

The difference in policy approaches between the government and the CBN is not new.

President Muhammadu Buhari opposed the devaluation of the naira for more than a year, saying it would fuel inflation and hurt ordinary Nigerians.

A shortage of foreign currency which led to rapid price growth and a slump in output eventually forced the central bank to move to a free float.

Lowering the monetary policy rate “will further fuel inflation and you will reduce the yield on fixed income at a time you want to attract foreign exchange,” former CBN Governor Muhammadu Sanusi said in a speech on September 21.

“The immediate oxygen that this economy needs is foreign exchange coming into the economy and foreign investors are responsible for that.”

The government will spend its way out of a recession, Adeosun said in an interview with broadcaster CNBC Africa on September 19. Half of the planned N1.9 trillion of debt to help fund the fiscal gap, which widened by 30

What we have seen over the past 18 months are mostly short-sighted tactical responses to ever more pressing problems

per cent this year, would come from the domestic debt market and the remainder from external sources, according to budget documents. Higher borrowing costs and the loss of almost half of the revenue projected for this year could push Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio above the projected 35 per cent, according to documents from the budget and national planning ministry.

The key is not for Nigeria to spend its way out of recession, but to “give incentives for economic activity and business to thrive,” African Development Bank (AFfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina, who was a former Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria, said in an interview Monday in Abuja.

“Interest rates in Nigeria are too high for the economy to come out of recession. They can attract foreign currency, but its hot money that will leave as fast as it came.”

The nation will finalize a $1 billion loan from the AfDB next month and may borrow more than $4 billion over the next two years to shore up its budget, according to the lender.

“The misalignment between monetary and fiscal policy will remain in the short term,” Pabina Yinkere, Lagos-based head of research at Vetiva Capital Management Ltd., said. “By March, when inflationary pressures reduce, the central bank will have room to reduce interest rates and we will see monetary and fiscal policy get aligned.”

hipping companies in Niger Republic are to return to Nigerian ports this month for cargo clearance, 10 years after they pulled out of Nigeria.

A Representative of the national shipping council of Niger Republic, Idi Hamissou, made the disclosure in an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos recently.

Hamissou spoke on the sidelines of a forum with media executives, hosted by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shipping Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, to announce the unveiling of reforms at Nigerian ports.

The envoy said that shipping companies in his country had resolved to return to Nigeria to do business, following the latest reforms being implemented by the NSC. Nigerian ports have for years been notorious for imposing a regime of taxations and sustaining a legacy of underhand activities. The development forced many shipping companies to relocate to neighbouring countries, especially Benin Republic, which now handles over 40 per cent of cargo meant for Nigeria, analysts say.

“We had used Nigerian ports since 1958 but the concessioning of the ports drove our shipping companies out of Nigeria in 2006. “But going to Togo, Ghana and even Cameroon has not been easy for our shipping companies, so we’re returning to Nigerian ports next month, to be fully on ground in October.”

FG licenses 6 slots to broaden broadband penetration

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he Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, says the Federal XXX Government has licensed six slots of the 2.6 MHz Spectrum for the deployment of 4G-LTE services in its efforts to broaden broadband penetration in Nigeria.

Shittu said this on Friday in Kaduna at the 4th National Council of Communication Technology. He said broadband penetration in Nigeria has reached 20.95 per cent, while the percentage of internet penetration has reached a milestone 47.44 per cent, which makes Nigeria second in ranking in the African continent.

“There is the need to increase Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment of $38 billion,” the minister said.

He disclosed that processes have commenced for the licensing of broadband services on the 5.4 GHz spectrum bank and allocation of 70/80 GHz band (E-Band).

On the theme of the meeting, which is ICT as a Focal Point For Economic Diversification, the minister said that the ICT sector can be re-engineered to expand the frontiers of its contribution towards facilitating Nigeria’s early exit from recessionary economies.

According to him, ICT innovation and entrepreneurship, and the broadening of investment opportunities, is one of the key avenues for increasing internally generated revenue in any economy. Nigeria not an exception, he said.

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business

Seme Customs: Scanner failure threatens N1.2bn monthly revenue

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L-R: Public Affairs Manager, Northern Region, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), Aminu Mohammed; Regional Manufacturing Director, Northern Region, Aliyu Paiko; Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, and Managing Director, NBC, George Polymenakos, during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno in Maiduguri…on Thursday

Petrol pump price, not yet uhuru

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hough Nigerians are yet to recover from the pains of the increase of the pump price of Premium Motor Sprit (PMS), also known as petrol, on May 11, 2016; the astronomical rise in the naira exchanging rate in the foreign exchange market to about 460 to a dollar at the parallel market and about 305 at the interbank, discerning people have been expressing fears at what would happen to the price of fuel, saying unless government has started to subsidy the product again, importers may not be able to remain in the business at the price 145 per liter.

Eighteen months in the life of this administration, and four months after the price

of petrol was increased from N87 a liter to N145 a liter; the Federal Government has failed to revamp the nation’s four old refineries.

The naira was exchanging at about 220 to the dollar in the parallel market last May when the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu said: “All oil marketers will be allowed to import PMS on the basis of FOREX procured from secondary sources and accordingly PPPRA template will reflect this in the pricing of the product.”

It was against this backdrop that the statement credited to the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, that with the current price of foreign exchange, it was no longer feasible selling petrol at N145 per litre, raised so

U

Union Bank launches product for middle class

Paul Ogbuokiri

nion Bank, one of Nigeria’s longest standing financial institutions, has reaffirmed its position as the most improved retail bank in Nigeria with the recent launch of its ‘Elite Banking Segment’ which promises a range of personalized banking services targeted at the emerging middle class.

With the launch of the product, the emerging middle class now gets to enjoy value added banking benefits which are usually reserved for high net worth individuals. Some of these include an Elite Associate or relationship manager dedicated to them, access to exclusive Elite lounges at select Union Bank branches where they can carry out banking private-

ly and priority pass cards which among other benefits grants them access to 850 airport VIP lounges around the world.

It also includes benefits such as accounts with zero maintenance fees, higher interest rates, premium discounts on loans and at select local partner stores, and an Elite Card which gives them automatic membership to the MasterCard Platinum programme for which they enjoy exclusive lifestyle offers for travel, dining, entertainment and lots more.

Speaking during the launching of the product at the Awolowo Way, Ikoyi

much apprehension among Nigerians.

The NNPC official was reported to have told newsmen at this year’s Oil Trading and Logistics Expo, in Lagos that: “We have a very difficult business environment. It is impossible today to import products at the current market price, at current fixed foreign exchange rate.

“There is no way today you can take products to retailers and sell at N145. It is not possible.

“If that is true and I believe that it is, because we all go to the market, why can’t we sell above N145?

That is where legislation should come in.”

NNPC had, however, said in a statement on Tuesday that it will not increase the pump prices for motorists, saying, “Nigerians should

branch of the bank, Dayo Odulate, Head, Elite and Royalty Banking, Union Bank; expressed the bank’s intention to continuously provide its customers with access to unique banking services that fit their lifestyle needs.

She said: “Union Bank recognises the need to pay special attention to the middle class. From extensive focus group sessions with our customers, we identified that there is a gap in service delivery to this class of people in the industry and the Elite Banking segment has been created to plug that gap.”

Also speaking at the

not to engage in panic buying as there is no cause for alarm in respect of pump price increase or shortage of products”.

“The corporation has resolved all issues related to foreign exchange to ensure fuel price stability and distribution,” it said.

It will be recalled that the price petrol was raised to end months of acute scarcity of the product in the country, even as the black market prices rose to about N150 to N250 a liter.

Kachikwu has promised that government had articulated many social protection programmes in the 2016 budget to cushion the effect the hike may have on Nigerians, but two months to the end of the year, the government is yet roll out the promised social programmes.

launch, Carlos Wanderley, Director, Retail Banking assured customers that Union Bank is building a Retail Bank for the everyday Nigerian.

“The newly introduced Elite Banking offer is targeted at hardworking Nigerians and is our way of rewarding all the hard work that they do as they strive to achieve their personal goals. The launch of this segment is in line with Union Bank’s objective of providing simpler and smarter banking solutions and we are pleased to present this new offering to our esteemed customers,” he said.

he over N1.2 billion revenue the Seme Border Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), collects monthly into the Federation Account; is threatened as the cargo scanning machine in use at the command is now performing at below installed capacity.

The development, Sunday Telegraph learnt, has resulted into slow pace of trading activities at thenation’s busiest land frontier with the Benin Republic, south west Nigeria.

Over 80 trucks and other smaller vehicles laden with assorted imported various goods due for scanning to ascertain their contents were held up in queues at both the Nigerian side and Atlas Park inside Benin Republic, Sunday Telegraph learnt this weekend.

This development, it was disclosed, will definitely impact negatively on the revenue the command collects, as just few trucks are scanned and assessed for the purpose of revenue collection, daily.

Meanwhile, the long queue of trucks in the Atlas Park was not allowed out as the queues for fear of the trucks causing disruption in vehicular traffic flow. The situation is further worsened by lack of a parking bay due to slow pace of ongoing construction by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU). Many trucks had to stay on queues for about six hours while operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service deployed to work at the scanning point tried to fix the problem. Some of the truck owners and drivers spoken to decried the situation which they described as regrettable.

One of them expressed worry over the state of perishable imports like fish in cooling vans. ‘’I was afraid because the cooling system of my truck may not endure for days and this will affect the state of the fish, we are carrying. Customs must do something fast about the scanner. I suggest they resort to the old method of physical examination for trucks to come into the country.’’

The scanner, which was procured by Globalscan Systems Technology Limited and later handed over to Nigeria Customs Service at the expiration of a contract between the service provider and Federal Ministry of Finance, has not been meeting up users needs as it is just able to scan about 100 trucks daily, against the 200 which is its installed capacity.

Spokesman of the Command, Taupyen Selchyen, confirmed that their monthly revenue had averaged at N1.2 billion monthly, saying the Customs Area Controller of the Command (CAC), Victor Dimka has embarked of several visits to the scanner site with other senior officers with a view to resolving the crisis.

“My CAC and other management officers of the command are seriously working to resolve the issue. We shall ensure trade is not hampered within the limit of our logistics and manpower.

NLC, NSITF hold awareness workshop for employees Josephine Damisa

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he Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) in collaboration with the Lagos State Council of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has held an awareness workshop for employees on the Compensation Act 2010.

Speaking at the event, held Tuesday in Lagos, the General Manager, Lagos Office, NSITF, Mrs. Olufunke Aleshinloye noted that the mission of the organisation as the leading social security institution in Africa, is setting the agenda for change, be proactive in providing social security protection and safety nets for all Nigerians against deprivations and income in accordance with national and international laws conventions and world best practices.

“What you need to know about the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), is that it provides for speedy and adequate compensation, devoid of unnecessary disputes before payment of compensation, with in-built mechanism to resolve disputes if there is any without recourse to the law courts.”

She said NSITF is happy to partner with the NLC, and make them understand who must register under the employees compensation scheme, what they offer, vocational rehabilitation to any injured employee and assist him or her to get back to work.

Comrade Korodo, Chairman, NLC Lagos Council said it welcomes the idea of working together to give quality training for the workers in all industrial unions affiliated to NLC, saying the Lagos State Council of the congress decided to in collaboration of NSITF threw up this initiative to conduct a training workshop with the goal of educating workers on the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

BUSINESS News

Innoson secures $300m foreign credit for set-top boxes

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nnoson Group, Nigeria’s only indigenous automobile manufacturer; has secured foreign financial investment credit facility of $300 million for local production and supply of a minimum 5-8 million SetTop Boxes to support the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) project being handled by the National Broadcasting Commission in order to meet the deadline switch of June 2017.

The amount was part of Innoson Group partnership with a Consortium of Chinese Investors which says it is pumping $1 billion into Nigeria information technology sector of the economy; to include 400 million Nigeria’s DSO Project Digital Satellite TV station and additional $600 million covering other important sectors.

Public/Media Relations Offier of Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe said at the weekend Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, received the consortium of Chinese Foreign Investment Group led by Liu Baoju, a deputy minister of Communist Party of China in Shandong Province who is equally the Chairman of Shandong Broadcasting Group and Shandong Cable Interactive Service Ltd, the world’s biggest TV operators and Huang Gang, Senior Vice President of Inspur Group

and President of its Oversea Headquarters. Inspur Group is China’s leading cloud computer solution supplier and cloud service provider involving all IT applications.

Osigwe gave a breakdown of the investment as currently agreed by the Chinese Consortium is as follows; “Financial foreign investment credit facility of $300million USD for local production and supply of a minimum five to eight Million (5-8million) Set-Top Boxes to support the Federal Government of Nigeria Digital Switch Over (DSO) project being handled by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission in order to meet the deadline switch of June 2017.

“Foreign financial investment of $100 million to establish the latest technology and biggest DTH (Direct-To-Home) Digital BING Television Station across all states of Nigeria.

In addition, the two above immediate investment is being followed by another $600 million investment in which negotiations is almost fully concluded with our strategic partners to cover the following areas of Nigerian economy; Smart City (CCTV camera) using cloud computing total solution that is known as EPolicing to cover the whole landmass of Nigeria,” he said.

Nigeria hosts EITI meeting on ownership disclosures

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he nine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) implementing countries in the Anglophone and Lusophone region of Africa are meeting on Abuja on Monday to plan for the implementation of beneficial ownership disclosures in oil and gas industry.

The nine English and Portuguese speaking countries in Africa include Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Sao Tome en Principe and the host nation, Nigeria.

Senior government officials, oil companies, civil society, legislature and development partners are also expected to participate in the meeting.

Sponsored by the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) and the Department for International Development (DFID), the workshop is scheduled for October 31 to November 3.

NEITI spokesperson, Ogbonnaya Orji, said on Thursday the workshop would help develop strategies and a workable plan to guide member countries in their implementation of beneficial ownership disclosures.

Effective January 1, 2017, the new global EITI guide-

lines require all EITI-implementing countries to publish a roadmap for disclosing the beneficial owners of companies doing businesses in their extractive sectors.

“The mandatory disclosure of beneficial owners of companies in implementing countries’ reports is a new requirement introduced by the global EITI to push the boundaries of transparency and accountability in the management of oil, gas and mining revenues to reduce poverty and support national development in member countries,” Mr. Orji said.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Waziri Adio, said the choice of Nigeria as host confirms her huge interest to embrace the new policy.

Mr. Adio said President Muhammadu Buhari joined other world leaders to endorse the London agreement on anti-corruption requiring governments to open public registers of beneficial owners of corporate companies bidding for, operating or investing in extractive assets.

The EITI expects implementing countries to fully comply with beneficial ownership disclosures by the year 2020.

We’ll continue to invest in Nigeria despite recession, says Dawis

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Paul Ogbuokiri

he Chief Executive Oofficer of Intels, Mr. Andrew Dawis on Thursday in Onne, Rivers State assured that the company has taken necessary steps to remain in business despite the current economic recession which has adversely affected fortunes in the oil/gas and the maritime sectors.

Speaking after the maiden visit of the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, he said that Intels Nigeria Limited would come out of the recession better prepared for the future when the oil and gas sector rebounds. ``What is critical is that we have taken the neces-

sary difficult steps today that will prepare ourselves and our clients to come out ahead and better prepared for when the industry rebounds. ``As an indigenous company, and as a partner to the NPA (government) and to the major oil and oil service companies, we are taking this responsibility very seriously,” Dawis said.

He expressed optimism that a better future is ahead but noted that: “Times are very tough for all of us in the oil & gas sector right now, which unfortunately has led to a number of layoffs and a reduction in revenue across the industry, including for ourselves. ``Despite the down turn, Intels will continue to press ahead with investment that will yield significant divi-

dends to the oil/gas and maritime sectors in the future. ``We are a Nigerian company and we will remain 100 per cent committed to Nigeria at all times,” Dawis said.

On the visit, he said: “We (Intels) are delighted to welcome the NPA delegation to Onne today to see first-hand the level of development going on down here’’.

He told the NPA delegation that Intels has over 30 years of experience in ports management and terminal logistics support services in shore bases across Nigeria and Africa Dawis said that Intels has adopted global best practice from around the world including Norway and Aberdeen in the development of the company’s

specialized concept which centralizes all logistic support in one area He said that the company has invested billions of dollars in Onne in partnership with the NPA since receiving their first concession in 2005. The figures include deep offshore’s investment in Phase 4b of which has gulped millions dollars He also said that the company has contributed much more money to the coffers of the Nigerian government than its competitors, adding that Intels is the only facility with approved Free Trade Zone status capable of handling oil and gas cargoes.

He said that the company has installed facilities that strategically support over 100 clients at any given time.

L-R: Director, Nigeria South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Dr Ebun Sonaiya; Chief Executive Officer, Chic Afrique, Mrs Opral Benson; Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Kolade, and Director of Nigeria South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Osayaba Giwa-Osagie, at the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, in Lagos …recently

Nigeria gains on global ‘ease of doing business’ ranking

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igeria’s ranking in the latest ease of doing business report by the World Bank for 2017 improved marginally from 170 to 169 out of the 190 countries surveyed.

Nigeria’s overall global ranking improved by 44.63 per cent points average, against 44.02 per cent age points, or 0.61 per cent in 2016.

In sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria was ranked 36th out of 47 countries, with Mauritius, Rwanda and South Africa as the three leading countries in the region.

Under specific categories, the annual report showed Nigeria recorded its biggest improvement ever under getting credits, jumping 16 ranks, from 60th position in 2016, or 60.00 per cent points, to 44th, or 65 per cent points.

It was ranked 8th in that category in sub-Saharan

Africa.

The country ranking improved marginally by two ranks for getting electricity, from 182nd position previously, or 29.38 points average in 2016, to 180th ranking or 29.43 per cent points. It is now ranked 41st in that category in sub-Saharan Africa.

Although there was no change in its global ranking in terms of registering property, as it kept its 182nd position in 2016, it dropped by one step, from 137th position or 77.19 per cent points average in 2016, to 138th or 78.62 per cent points average, for starting business.

Equally, Nigeria did not record any changes in its rankings under paying taxes, trading across borders and enforcing contracts, as it remained on the 182nd, 181st and 139th rankings attained last year respectively on the global

scale It dropped one step each in the global ratings for starting business, dealing with construction permits, and resolving insolvency, from 173rd ranking to 174th; 173rd to 174th, and 139th to 140th rankings respectively.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the country’s rankings in these categories were 27th, 38th and 28th respectively.

It also ranked 41st in trading across borders; 46th in registering property; 3rd in protecting minority investors; 40th in paying taxes, and 23rd in enforcing contracts.

Reacting to the report, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, said the marginal improvement in the country’s ranking was indicative government reforms were impacting on the economy positively.

“The Buhari administration is gratified that the

various reform initiatives put in place towards instituting a positive business environment is slowly, but gradually yielding some dividends as Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business remains static, halting a falling trend in the past several years,” the Vice president said in a statement.

He said the objectivity and reliability of the report lends weight to the milestone recorded in particular on the distance to frontier (DTF) metric.

“This observation by the World Bank is indeed a recognition of the bold initiatives and untiring work of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, particularly through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, chaired

by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.”

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business News

Cybercrime Act: CFI harps on implementation

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Stanley Ihedigbo

he implementation of the Cybercrime Act 2015 will require total collaboration between the legal profession and professionals in digital, mobile and computer forensics.

President and Chairman, Certification Board, Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN), Dr. Peter Olu Olayiwola, made the disclosure at the 5th Annual International Digital, Mobile and Digital Computer Forensics Conference which held in Lagos, recently.

While saying that the professional body started operations in 2008 when there was no legal framework in place to make forensic or electronic evidence admissible in law courts and tribunals, Olayiwola said that it is a thing of joy that within a few years of the existence of the body, Nigeria does not only have an amended Evidence Act 2011 but also the Cybercrime Act 2015.

He added that the acquisition, examination, analysis and reporting of cybercrime evidence require the use of digital, mobile, and com-

puter forensics examiners; saying those are where his colleagues are readily available to help.

“Today over 90 per cent of all criminal cases have one form of electronic evidence or the other. Without knowledge of digital, mobile and computer Forensics, the investigator, prosecutor, the judge or magistrate and even the defence may not know that the electronic evidence exists somewhere. We at CFIN are ready to assist our country in the implementation of the Cybercrimes Act in solving many cases which hitherto were considered by investigators and prosecutors as dead ends,” Olayiwola said.

Talking about the heavy responsibility placed on them as professionals, he admonished practitioners to tread with caution as expert witnesses and said the Institute will monitor and discipline members who place financial gains over and above the integrity of the profession and those who parade themselves falsely as certified digital and computer forensics examiners when they are not.

Cargo diversion: Intels urges OGFZA to intervene Paul Ogbuokiri

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ntegrated Logistics Services Limited (INTELS) has called on the Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Umana Umana to intervene to nip in the bud the on-going illegal diversions of cargo coming to the zone.

The company alleged that cargoes are being diverted to private jetties where they cannot be evaluated by relevant government agencies for purpose of revenue collection and has caused a reduction in the zone’s drive to full realisation of its potentials.

Chief Executive Officer of Intels, Andrew Dawes, who briefed Umana recently and led him on a guided tour of the company’s facilities and operational areas in Onne, described the diversion of oil and gas free zone cargoes to private jetties as the greatest single threat to the success of the zone.

Dawes sought the help of the free zones’ authority to end the problem of cargo diversion by enforcing existing laws and regulations meant to protect government policy and private sector investments in the oil and gas free trade hubs.

He said cargo diversion was an unacceptable trade practice not only because it undercuts government revenue but also discourages private sector investments

in the oil and gas free zones.

The Intels MD explained that government loses revenue to cargo diversion because its agencies charged with the responsibility for collecting revenues on cargoes are usually not represented at the private jetties to collect revenue for government.

He also explained that private investors cannot recover the cost of their investments in the free trade hubs and make private when businesses are diverted to private jetties, which he explained are not adequately equipped to handle cargoes.

Umana promised to look into the problem of the zone and ensure total to laws aimed at protecting investors’ interests. He also promised to look into the infrastructure challenge of the Onne Free Zone that is not connected to the national grid for public electricity supply.

Operators of the zone use 100,000 litres of diesel daily to power the port and this development has caused a reduction in the benefits derivable from investing there.

He also promised that the OGFZA will look seek ways to be part of the greenfield Badagry Deep Seaport project as a way of boosting national economy by creating more opportunities for investors.

To this end, the body launched the maiden edition of the CFIN Register of Certified Examiners as a reminder to all members that they have taken an oath of Professional Ethics with zero tolerance to those whose activities negate the growth and development of the institute and the profession at large.

“For effective maintenance

of standards in the practice of digital and computer forensics in Nigeria, CFIN has constituted a National Working Group on Standards for the Practice of Digital and Computer Forensics in Nigeria. The terms of reference include; identifying requirements for standard operational procedures and quality standards applying to the provision of

digital/computer forensics services in Nigeria.

This will include the quality of the techniques employed and closely associated processes for instance; evidential integrity, interpretation and presentation of results, advising on how to accredit those supplying digital forensics services in Nigeria, advising on how to monitor compliance with

digital forensics quality standards, among others,” the president disclosed.

The three-day event witnessed the induction of fellows and professional members of Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN) as well as awards on some dignitaries who have supported the body since inception to mark the 8th anniversary of its existence in Nigeria.

L-R: Public Relations Manager, Salini Nigeria Limited, Mr. Paul Muoh; Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Project Manager, Mr. Paolo Campanella, during the Minister’s tour of the Gurara Multipurpose Dam and Power Plant in Gurara, Kaduna State…recently

Nigeria, others must accept realities of low prices –IMF Paul Ogbuokiri

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igeria and other African commodity exporters risk a “disorderly” hit to their economies if they don’t adapt to the reality of low prices, said a senior official at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Some governments in sub-Saharan Africa have been slow to “internalize” the fact that prices of oil and other commodities are likely to remain low, said Abebe Aemro Selassie, director of the IMF’s Africa department.

Countries need to let their currencies adjust to lower demand, while shoring up their budget balances, implementing reforms to improve competitiveness and cushioning the impact on the poor, he said.

“The alternative is a more disorderly adjustment process when you eventually run out of foreign exchange, when you run out of fiscal space,” Selassie said in an interview with Bloomberg in Washington.

“These are very difficult political decisions, and we’re under no illusion that putting this in place is going to be easy.”

Battered by the com-

modities slump and anemic global demand, subSaharan Africa’s economy is set to expand 1.4 per cent this year, the slowest pace in more than two decades, according to the Washington-based fund.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is poised for its first annual contraction in about 25 years, while growth is expected to be roughly flat this year in South Africa, which is the continent’s biggest producer of gold, chrome and coal.

While the price of crude oil has increased more than 35 per cent this year to about $50 per barrel on Monday, it remains at about half of a June 2014 peak. The Bloomberg Commodity Index has fallen more than a third since then.

The IMF forecasts growth in the region will pick up next year to slightly less than 3 per cent, from 1.4 per cent this year, but only if authorities in the largest economies move promptly to correct imbalances and dispel policy uncertainty.

The growth picture has split into a tale of “two Africas,” with the region’s 23 commodity-exporting economies under severe

strain and the remaining 22 nations posting reasonably high growth, the fund said in an outlook for the region released Tuesday.

Selassie said policy implementation by commodity producers has been “inadequate and incomplete.”

“In some cases, it’s basically an expectation that prices will recover, or there are some investments already in the pipeline in the oil sector,” said Selassie, a native of Ethiopia and veteran IMF economist who took over the Africa department last month. “There’s an expectation that an increase in production will make things better again.”

Governments have been cutting spending across the board to balance their budgets, rather than taking the preferred route of targeted cuts or durable steps to raise tax revenue, the IMF said in the outlook. Countries have been reluctant to let their currencies weaken as needed, the fund said.

The IMF is concerned the economic damage of the commodities slump is becoming ingrained, undermining the chances of a strong short-term re-

bound.

With foreign-exchange reserves dwindling and public debt accumulating rapidly, the return to growth depends “critically” on the availability of new financing, ideally on lenient terms, the IMF said.

Africa’s second-largest copper producer, Zambia, expects to agree on a support package by March with the IMF after asking for the lender’s help.

Cote d’Ivoire, the world’s biggest cocoa producer, reached a staff-level deal this month with the fund for $674 million in loans.

But countries such as Nigeria and Angola have so far declined to borrow from the lender. Nigeria has instead turned to the World Bank and China for financing, while Angola recently backed away from loan discussions with the IMF. Selassie said the fund isn’t discussing loans with either country.

“What is most important is really the right policies are being pursued,” he said. “To the extent that you do those policies, you don’t need the sort of exceptional balance of payments support that the fund provides.”

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

Peugeot 3008 unveiled at Paris Motor show

Peugeot 3008

Paul Ogbuokiri

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eugeot 3008, which was earlier launched as an MPV, made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October as a full blown Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). By the first look, the car looks great with a raised ride height, long bonnet body cladding and roof bars. All these constitute that the car is more practical than before.

To add some style quotient to 3008 there is a wide grille, LED lights, sculpted bonnet and a floating roof line. The car also comes with 18-inch wheels giving the car a muscular look.

The interior of Peugeot 3008 looks like a futuristic design with Peugeot’s latest i-Cockpit design. The new cockpit is easily accessible by Driver as well as the passenger. There is an 8-inch highresolution screen compatible with both Android auto and Apple Car-Play.

The 12.3 inches centre screen can also

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Paul Ogbuokiri

he African Association of Automative Manufacturers (AAAM) led by executives from Ford Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. will seek to work with Kenyan authorities to develop an automanufacturing industry in the east African country, building on talks with Nigerian lawmakers about their own market.

The group which also includes Toyota Motor Corp., General Motors Co., BMW AG and Volkswagen AG, which is set to take advantage of a new surge of interest from African governments in building vehicles locally; had in August urged President Muhammadu Buhari and senior officials to limit the inflow of fairly used second-hand cars and firm up policy for prospective carmakers and parts suppliers.

“What we talked to them about in all the meetings is that, if you are really interested in this, then it can’t just be about bringing assemblers in,” Ford sub-Saharan Africa Chief Executive Officer Jeff Nemeth, who chairs the group, said in an interview at the company’s Pretoria, South Africa plant. “It’s got to be about bringing in the whole value chain, the whole ecosystem.”

The interest in developing auto industries in sub-Saharan Africa has grown as oil- and commodity-dependent countries seek to diversify their economies amid weaker prices.

Vehicle ownership per thousand people is about a quarter of the global average and

be used as sat-nav, media info and conventional dials. It is not like that this is the first in segment what makes this interior different is how everything compliments each other.

Peugeot 3008 will be available in a series of engines in both petrol and diesel variants. In petrol variant, there is 2 engine option 1.2-litre PureTech and 1.6-litre unit. 1.2-litre unit produces around 128bhp of power and is available in both six-speed manual and automatic gearbox. 1.6-litre produces 163bhp of power and it is only available in the automatic gearbox.

The 1.6-litre diesel variant produces 99bhp and 118bhp and it is available in both manual six-speed and automatic gearbox. There is also a 2.0-litre engine variant which produces 148bhp and 178bhp. Both of these engines are available in both manual and automatic gearbox.

Since 3008 is now targeted as an SUV, it

is equipped with grip control. This will help the car to tackle mud, bad road and sand. It is also fitted with off-road tyres and hill descent control.

The new 3008 is also based on EMP2 platform that helps the car to save weight. In fact the new 3008 will be 100kgs lighter than the outgoing one.

This weight saving also means improved fuel economy and lower carbon emission.

Peugeot’s new 3008 enters the SUV sector’s C-segment with a range which includes sporty GT and GT Line versions. Produced in Sochaux, France, the new model will be launched around the world following the Paris Motor Show.

Beside the 3008, PAN Nigeria, which is the official representative of Peugeot in Nigeria, has made a strong showing in recent times with the Peugeot 301 and the 508, which are locally assembled in the PAN plant in Kaduna, and making waves on the Nigerian market.

Vehicle manufacturing: Automakers to support Nigeria, Kenya there’s barely any automotive manufacturing between South Africa and the countries in the north of the continent.

Challenges include the volume of imported used cars, a lack of vehicle-financing options and poor road and ports infrastructure.

The association has advised Nigeria to ban imported used cars that are one year old or less, and place higher tariffs on one- to fiveyear-old vehicles. The group didn’t suggest immediate measures against imported vehicles older than that, simply because there’s no affordable alternative for many Nigerians, according to Nemeth. In time, older secondhand cars would come from vehicles built in the country, he said.

While automakers have started the assembly of light vehicles in Nigeria from imported kits, they are still a long way from full-scale manufacturing. Nigeria’s economy and vehicle demand have been hurt by lower oil prices, prompting Ford to halt assembly of its Ranger pickup truck in the country earlier this year, Nemeth said. Nissan’s assembly of Patrol sport utility models continues, although at lower levels than the automaker would have liked amid a shortage of foreign currency, according to the Yokohama, Japan-based com-

pany’s South Africa managing director, Mike Whitfield. Another obstacle for automakers in African markets including Nigeria and Kenya is the absence of accessible vehicle financing, said Whitfield, who is also the vice chairman of the AAAM. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government is working with Johannesburg-based FirstRand Ltd.’s Wesbank unit to identify solutions, including plans for a N23 billion ($73 million) assistance fund. An application for a Nigerian banking operating license will be submitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria this week for Wesbank, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest provider of auto loans, said the Director of Policy and Planning, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Luqman Mamudu.

Government will contribute an initial N7.5 billion to the fund, to be managed by Wesbank, and additional funds are being sought from development finance institutions and Nigerian banks.

The council is also in talks with auto component manufacturers including Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany, China’s Miracle Automation Engineering Co. and industry groups in India and South Africa, Mamudu said.

Auto beat Motoring briefs It’s OK to drive barefoot Contrary to what many people believe, it is legal to drive barefoot. In fact road safety experts would rather you drove barefoot than in thongs or high heels, which can slip off the pedals. Ideally, however, drive in comfortable shoes with grippy soles.

Avoid sugary treats and drinks Avoid a sugar crash and don’t eat or drink junk. Health experts say you may get a burst of energy from a sugar high but it’s short lived and you will feel more tired soon after. Stick to foods with a low GI (unsalted almonds are good to snack on) and drink plenty of water.

Avoid coffee and other caffeine drinks for the same reason. Sorry to be a party pooper.

Don’t become a “day-after” drink driver Did you know up to 20 per cent of drink drivers are busted between 6am and midday? That’s because it takes longer than most people estimate for alcohol to clear their system. So don’t be one of those people who have a bender, get a ride home, but then get busted the next day collecting the car because they’re still over 0.05. Give yourself ample time for the alcohol to clear your system even if you feel OK. Don’t swerve to avoid animals As tragic as it is to think of striking and killing an animal, even the RSPCA and wildlife advocates agree it is better to hit an animal than swerve and crash, worse still into an oncoming car. In Canada last week a driver was jailed for 90 days, ordered to do 240 hours community service and banned from the road for 10 years after two motorcyclists died after running into her car after she stopped to round up some ducks.

It’s hard to go against your instincts in an emergency but if an animal jumps out in front of you, hit the brakes by all means, but whatever you do don’t swerve.

Leave a message on your phone If you have an Apple iPhone, add your emergency contact details and any allergies to the “Medical ID” section of the built-in Health app. It means emergency services can access your next of kin, blood type and allergies even if your phone is locked (providing you grant access to those details in the locked screen).

Use air-conditioning to clear a foggy windscreen Most of us use air-conditioning to keep cool in summer and there is a temptation to turn it off when the weather is cold and wet — only to have the inside of the windscreen fog up, especially with a car load of people. Air-conditioning takes the extra moisture out of the air in the cabin and will clear the windscreen in no time.

The hidden clue near almost every fuel gauge If you’re a bloke, you’re a constant risk of running out of fuel as you challenge yourself to find out “how low you can go”. If you’re a woman, you’re probably far more sensible and start looking for a petrol station with a quarter of a tank remaining. But when it comes time to refuel did you know most modern cars have a discreet arrow near the fuel gauge so you know which side the fuel flap is on? Handy if you’re driving someone else’s car this summer.

Headlights on, night and day An increasing number of cars are being driven at night without their headlights on because the instrument displays in modern cars are so bright. Back in the day, the speedometer wouldn’t be illuminated unless the headlights were on. Better still, drive with your headlights on during the day to increase your chances of being seen, especially on shade-covered stretches of road.

Don’t stand on diesel stains when you refuel Even if you own a petrol car (as three out of every four us do) the rise in sales of diesel vehicles means there’s more of it spilt near petrol pumps. Because diesel is more oily than unleaded you can end up with diesel grime on the soles of your shoes, and later slip off the pedals. Grab a paper towel and stand on that, or find a pump without gunk.

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business

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Paul Ogbuokiri he crash of Nigeria’s property market is offering opportunities for brave investors betting that the country will deliver high returns when it climbs out of recession.

Rents for residential and office property in Lagos have dropped by around 20 per cent, year on year, due to a supply glut as projects planned prior to 2014, when oil prices started to fall, are now coming online.

However, opaque land laws, corruption and the prospect of having money held up in the bank due to currency restrictions reduce investors’ appetite in the Nigerian property industry.

This is even as it has become difficult for investors to repatriate profits as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) seeks to avoid a collapse of the naira due to a slump of oil revenues, which has pushed Nigeria into its first recession in 25 years.

But Nigeria has a fast-growing population that will require more housing and shopping malls in the long-term, and some investors believe the time is right to step in, particularly as banks are reluctant to grant loans to other potential buyers in the midst of the downturn.

Some private equity funds, mostly from South Africa, are investing in Lagos and the capital Abuja, betting the spending power of the country’s 180 million people will grow.

“We believe Nigeria has massive potential in the retail area,” said Jan van Zyl, head of Nigerian property development at South African fund Novare Equity Partners. “The sector is in its infancy and will only continue to grow from a very low base.”

He said even as investors face the risk of being caught in another devaluation as the central bank seeks to end a 30 per cent spread to the black market -- a goal it failed to achieve when it allowed a 40 per cent depreciation in June, they can take advantage of their purchasing power as the country is desperate for dollars to replace oil revenues which account for almost all the hard currency income it needs to fund food and other imports.

“What you are offering as an investor is

Nigerian property crash attracts investors looking beyond recession

L-R: National President, Agriculture & Allied Employees Union of Nigeria(AAEUN),Comrade ObaFemi Oyenubi; Vice President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines & Agriculture(NACCIMA),Mr. Olaitan Alabi and National President, National Association of Agriculture Journalists(NAAJ),Mr. Stanley Ihedigbo at the Association’s 2016 workshop tagged: ”Sustainable Agriculture in Economic Recession” in Lagos…recently PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

liquidity. In the country itself, there is no liquidity,” said Jonathan Millard, Lagosbased chief operating officer at Troloppe Property Services. “If you’re looking at this on a five to 10 year cycle there are tons of opportunities.”

He said there were also opportunities in residential property, whose rents had, in dollar terms, fallen by up to 70 per cent since 2009, which was driving down prices. “Vacancy is about 30 to 40 per cent,” he said.

Lagos has seen a building boom in the last few years. Two shopping malls were completed within the last three months, bringing to eight the total of such retail hubs in the city.

Property consultant, Cluttons estimates that Lagos retail yields stand at around 7.5 per cent, compared with 8 per cent in Johannesburg, 9 per cent in Accra and 10 per cent in Nairobi but have the potential to rise once the economy improves.

In the last few months it has become com-

mon for retailers and service sector tenants, squeezed by the economic downturn, to negotiate lower rents with landlords who are keen to sustain occupancy levels. Lower rents have pushed down yields in Lagos.

Lagos office yields have dropped to around 8 per cent from 9 per cent in 2014, making them the same as in Johannesburg and Nairobi, but less than the 10 per cent found in Accra.

But investors say Nigeria’s size, with one of the world’s fastest growing populations, means it has better long-term prospects than the rest of Africa.

Lagos has a population of around 21 million, whereas Ghana’s entire population is 26 million. The Nigerian city is vastly underserved by shopping malls, experts say.

“For now, we are aware that investors are still showing an interest in retail investments, driven purely by the strong demand-supply mismatch,” said Erejuwa Gbadebo, who heads Cluttons’ Nigeria office.

The law of the price tag Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

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otable in the history of Israel is a city called the City of David.

The city was named after one of the most revered kings in Israel.

There was something David did to come to prominence. At a time in the history of Israel, the sovereignty of Israel was threatened by a nation called Philistine. The Philistines had a renown gargantuan warrior called Goliath.

Goliath was a terror, given his towering stature. As such, his presence was almost a guarantee of victory for the Philistines.

In one of the battles between Israel and Philistine, Goliath came to the battle front and molested Israel with his words, challenging Israel to produce someone who could match him in conquest. The king and men of Israel all kept their distance. The situation lingered until David, an Israeli youth unlearned in military tactics, arrived the scene.

Irritated by Goliath’s impunity at the battle field, David offered to redeem the pride of Israel. However, it was not an offer without a condition. Before he took on the task to save his nation, Israel, from the harassment of Goliath and the Philistines, he asked “WHAT SHALL BE DONE TO THE MAN THAT KILLETH THIS PHILISTINE, and taketh away the

reproach from Israel? ...” He was told what the reward was before he proceeded to confront Goliath at the risk of his life. Guess what! The little boy defeated the giant military general, a development which made the Philistines to flee before the Israelites, and brought victory to Israel.

Now the lessons.

LESSON 1 - God has given us talents and abilities; it is up to us to place value on them.

The boldness and energy with which David confronted Goliath was from God, but it was not God who placed a price tag on the adventure. David did (actually he did the confirmation by asking). If David did not place a price tag on his God-given ability, which he wanted to deploy in the interest of Israel, he might have fought without any reward for his efforts.

Friend, we must learn to place a price tag on the value we are bringing to the negotiation table. We must learn to value ourselves, else no one will value us. Interestingly, we must have noticed that people naturally attach more value to more expensive things. There is this natural presumption that, of two products that serve the same purpose, the more expensive one is more qualitative, when in truth the reverse might be the case. It is ‘The Law of the Price Tag’ at work.

Please note that I am not saying that there is no place for pro bono services (free services). Of course, charity is good. Even corporate citizens should show charity through Corporate Social

Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. That is a different thing altogether.

The point made here is that the value people attache to us, our products and services are ours to create. We must stop approaching life with the mind set of ‘whatever comes to me, I will take’. No! Serious people make demands on life, rather than stay on the receiving end of the negotiation table.

If you are a medical doctor, I challenge you to strive to upgrade to a medical business man.

Whatever your profession, vocation or occupation is, I charge you today to pursue it with the highest business sense possible. That way, your career or trade will experience the greatest transformation you can imagine.

Hear this: there is a difference between a medical doctor and a medical business man. While a MEDICAL DOCTOR is confined to his stethoscope, consulting room, hospital wards and, maybe, theatre, a MEDICAL BUSINESS MAN thinks beyond the box and effectively engages tools of entrepreneurship in a technologically advanced world with a view to offering the best medical services, thereby increasing returns.

Think about it.

You will succeed!

Victor Okwudiri, a motivational speaker and author of the popular ‘KISS DEVOTIONAL,’ is the Host of ‘Money Matters,’ an electronic school of financial common sense, on the platform of which he has broadcast classics like ‘JOSEPHONOMICS’ and ‘THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WEALTH’. He tweets with the handle @VictorOkwudiri.

Novare was behind the construction of a mall that opened in upmarket Lagos district Lekki in August - an $83 million project with 22,000 square metres of retail space. Construction on two projects in Abuja - a mall and an office park - began this year.

“We are continuing to build in the downturn so that we have malls that are open by the time the economic environment improves in late 2017 or early 2018,” said van Zyl, adding that the fund had reduced its debt component, using more of its capital, as a short term measure during the downturn.

Funke Okubadejo, real estate director for Actis, another South African private equity fund, said Nigeria provided “a compelling market opportunity”.

Actis has completed two shopping malls in Lagos, another was completed in Abuja in December 2015 and construction is scheduled to begin on a fourth, in Lagos, early next year.

A grade-A office building was completed in the last few months and Actis also raised more than $500 million earlier this year for its Africa Real Estate Fund.

Anglo-South African financial services firm Old Mutual and Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund in August signed an agreement to set up a $500 million fund to invest in real estate, mainly office towers and commercial real estate.

GreenWish to build 100 mw solar plants in Northern Nigeria

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reenWish Partners, a Paris-based investment company focused on renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa, plans to build two solar plants in northern Nigeria with a total capacity of 100 megawatts.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Aubin-Kalaidjian, the construction of the two 50 megawatts facilities will start next year and is expected to cost $130 to $150 million. One of the plants will be located in Kaduna State, she said, declining to mention where the second site would be. Both plants will be connected to the national grid, she said.

“Nigeria is a very interesting market as it presents all the characteristics we’re looking for with regard to energy,” AubinKalaidjian said. “There’s a high dependence on fuel oil and diesel, which are expensive and unreliable sources of energy, and there’s a political will to develop solar energy, especially in the northern regions where gas is less available.”

GreenWish is also developing off-grid solar projects for businesses based in the West African nation, including for a banking network of 350 units and 2,000 telecom towers, Aubin-Kalaidjian said.

The company inaugurated a 20 megawatts plant in northern Senegal on October 22, the nation’s first industrial-sized solar plant. The station, built by Vinci SA, required an investment of 26 million euros ($28.6 million) and will provide electricity to 160,000 people through the national grid.

The plants in Senegal and Nigeria are part of GreenWish’s plan to develop 600 megawatts of renewable energy assets in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020 for an estimated cost of $1 billion, Aubin-Kalaidjian said. In June, U.S. private-equity firm Denham Capital committed as much as $250 million of investment to GreenWish.

The company has also on-grid and offgrid projects in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, Aubin-Kalaidjian said. The group is looking into opportunities in Kenya where it plans to open an office, she said.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

NSEASI Pares by 1.19% WoW …TOTAL Proposes NGN7.00 Interim Dividend

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ustaining the negative sentiments from last week, the Nigerian equities market closed in the red zone on two (2) out of the five (5) trading days of the week. Consequently, the Week- on-Week (WoW) return settled at -1.19% bringing the Year-to-date (YtD) return to -4.71%.

Twenty-one (21) stocks advanced, while Forty-two (42) stocks declined, representing a market breadth of 0.50x. Volume of transactions increased by 0.59%, while market turnover declined by 10.21% for the week.

For the third consecutive week, CAVERTON emerged as the outperformer, after advancing by 27.91% WoW to settle its share price at NGN1.10. Trailing behind were WAPCO, TOTAL, ETRANZACT and AIRSERVICE with gains of 16.25%, 13.79%, 10.11% and 10.00% accordingly. On the flip side, FIDSON (-16.45%), ASHAKACEM (- 9.65%), HONFYFLOUR (-9.23%), MAYBAKER (-8.89%), and SKYEBANK (-7.81%) emerged as top laggards for the week.

The market was awash with Q3:2016 earnings releases this week. The results showed mixed performance and likewise generated a mixture of sentiments from investors albeit the bears reigned supreme.

We expect the mixed sentiments to persist in the coming week with investors’ activities hinged on companies’ performances as depicted by their respective Q3:2016 scorecards.

Fixed Income: Naira Appreciates by 0.08% to NGN304.50/USD Mixed activities permeated the treasury bonds market in the week, with SELL sentiments outweighing the BUY side. Consequently, the average bond yield settled at 16.16% at the end of today’s trading session, reflecting a 7.00% Week-on-Week (WoW) hike.

Sell sentiments pervaded the Treasury bills space, as yields advanced across all tenors, save for the 12M instrument. This drove the average T-bills yield to 19.74% as at the close of the trading session on Thursday, 27th October, 2016.

Average Money Market Rate declined by 4.29% WoW to close at 9.96%, on the back of NGN51.53bn OMO sales in the week The Naira closed the week positive at the interbank FX market, appreciating by 0.08% to close at NGN304.50/USD, while it depreciated by 3.19% at the parallel market to NGN470/USD. The average forward quote closed at NGN326.41/USD.

Agric Sector: PRESCO Records 98% Growth in PAT The Agricultural sector took a different turn this week, after the MERI-AGRI index advanced by 5.33% WoW to settle the YtD return at 33.81%. The Sector breadth (2.00x), signified two (2) advancers as against one (1) decliner for the week.

PRESCO and OKOMUOIL were the gainers in the week, after appreciating by 8.94% and 2.50% respectively. LIVESTOCK pared by 2.44% WoW. PRESCO PLC (PRESCO) released its Q3:2016 result during the week, which showed that Revenue, Profit-Before-Tax and Profit-After-Tax grew by 48.40%, 105.15% and 98.0% YoY accordingly. PAT was bolstered by 97.59% YoY increase in revaluation gains worth NGN4.41bn (vs. NGN2.23bn in 9M: 2015).

We attribute the sector’s performance to Investors’ reactions towards PRESCO’s result, and in anticipation of OKOMUOIL’s scorecard. In the coming week, we expect outcome of Q3:2016 results to sway sector performance.

Banking Sector: Sector Sheds Amidst Earnings Releases

The banking sector closed down for this week, paring by 0.45% WoW to peg the YtD return at 7.85%.There were five (5) gainers and seven (7) decliners, pegging the sector’s breadth at 0.71x.

ETI led the advancers, after appreciating by 3.65% to close at NGN10.50. The ticker was closely followed by FIDELITYBK, ZENITHBANK, and ACCESS which recorded respective price gains of 2.30%, 1.36%, and 0.88%. On the flip side, SKYEBANK (-7.81%), STERLNBANK (-7.14%), WEMABANK (-6.15%) and DIAMONDBANK (-6.03%) topped the decliner’s chart.

ZENITHBANK (Gross Earnings: +12.91% YoY; PBT: 16.55% YoY; PAT: +20.44% YoY) UNITYBNK (Gross Earnings: -28.51% YoY; PBT: -63.22% YoY; PAT: -63.22% YoY), FBNH (Gross Earnings: +7.00% YoY; PBT: +3.50% YoY; PAT: 15.30% YoY), FIDELITYBK (Gross Earnings: +2.99% YoY; PBT: -29.14% YoY; PAT: -23.52% YoY), STERLNBANK (Gross Earnings: -2.64% YoY; PBT: -26.89% YoY; PAT: -26.64% YoY), UBN (Gross Earnings: +11.60% YoY; PBT: +38.92% YoY; PAT: +39.36% YoY), ETI (Gross Earnings: -11.00% YoY; PBT: -29.00% YoY; PAT: -30.00% YoY), ACCESS (Gross Earnings: +6.55% YoY; PBT: +19.27% YoY; PAT: +18.71% YoY), were the banks that released their 9M2016 results during the week.

In our opinion, the sector recorded a negative WoW return due to general negative market sentiments. However, we noticed sell-offs on a few banking stocks that underperformed in their Q3:2016 results, whilst neutral sentiments were sustained on banks that posted good performance scorecards.

Consumer Goods Sector: NB proposes NGN1.00 Interim Dividend/share The Consumer goods sector witnessed a positive outing this week despite gaining on one (1) out of five (5) trading days of the week. Consequently, MERI-CMG advanced by 0.29% WoW, settling the YtD return at -2.81%. There were four (4) gainers against ten (10) losers, indicating a sector breadth of 0.40x.

UNILEVER (+8.93% WoW), CADBURY (+3.58% WoW), DANGSUGAR (+0.81% WoW) and NB (+0.69% WoW) featured on the gainers’ chart with closing prices of NGN50.00, NGN13.60, NGN6.25 and NGN146.00 accordingly. Contrarily, HONYFLOUR (-9.23%

WoW), DANGFLOUR (-6.40% WoW), PZ (-5.61% WoW), VITAFOAM (-4.65% WoW) and INTBREW (-2.76% WoW) emerged as top losers for the week.

DANGSUGAR, (Revenue: +57.95% YoY; PBT: +7.69% YoY; PAT: +8.38% YoY) UNILEVER (Revenue: +16.80%; PBT: +649.95%; PAT: +1011.76% YoY), NASCON (Revenue: +25.53%; PBT: +8.94%; PAT: +8.94% YoY) and NB (Revenue: +3.63%; PBT: -26.00%; PAT: -23.17% YoY) released their Q3:2016 results during the week. Also, NB proposed an interim dividend of NGN1.00/share, which represents a dividend yield of 0.68%, based on today’s closing price (NGN146).

We attribute the sector’s performance in the week to positive investors’ reactions towards impressive Q3:2016 results released by some sector companies. We expect the continued influx of earnings releases to dictate the sector performance in the coming week.

Healthcare Sector: FIDSON Falls to a Year-low of NGN1.27 The Healthcare sector’s performance as measured by the MERI-HLTH index showed a WoW decline of 5.30%, settling the YtD return at -55.30% as at close of trading for the week. Three (3) stocks shed their value while others traded flat WoW. FIDSON led the sector’s laggards, shedding 16.45% to close at NGN1.27. The counter was trailed by MAYBAKER (-8.89%) and GLAXOSMITH (-5.45%) which closed at NGN0.82 and NGN14.92 respectively.

As anticipated, the sector was plagued with bearish sentiments following the weak Q3:2016 scorecards released by FIDSON and GLAXOSMITH. FIDSON posted a decline of 26.52% and 82.67% in Revenue and PAT. Similarly, GLAXOSMITH recorded a 10.85% and 932.69% decline in topline and bottomline accordingly.

We expect the current trend to continue in the coming week, albeit, we do not rule out the possibility of bargain hunting on stocks that have shed their share price substantially.

Industrial Goods: DANGCEM Records Mixed Top and Bottom Line Performance Activities on industrial goods stocks were strong during the week, with the NSEIND index advancing by 2.70% WoW to settle

the YtD return at -20.22%. At the end of the week, the sector breadth settled at 0.50x reflecting two (2) advancers and four (4) decliners.

WAPCO led the gainers’ list with a 16.25% WoW change in price. The stock was followed by BETAGLAS , which gained 0.76%.

Conversely, ASHAKACEM emerged as the worst underperformer for the week, after declining by 9.65% WoW. The counter was trailed by CCNN (-4.91%), PORTPAINT (-4.61%) and DANGCEM (-4.37%). All other counters traded flat.

Also in the week, there were earning releases from Chemical and Allied Products PLC (CAP), Dangote Cement PLC (DANGCEM), Premier Paints PLC (PREMPAINT), Portland and Products PLC Paints (PORTPAINT) and Paint and Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria PLC (PAINTCOM).

We opine that the sector’s performance is a reflection of the investor’s perception of the released Q3:2016 financial scorecards of the companies. In the coming week, we expect slight resurgence in performance.

Insurance Sector: NSEINS10 Contracts by 0.29% The Insurance sector, as measured by the NSEINS10 recorded another week of decline, after shedding 0.29% at the close of the week, dragging the YtD return to -10.55%.

There were two (2) gainers as against three (3) decliners, settling the sector breadth at 0.67x.

WAPIC and CONTINSURE were the gainers in the week, advancing by 2.00% and 1.00% respectively, to close at NGN0.51 and NGN1.01 accordingly. On the other side, AIICO topped the losers’ chart, after declining by 4.92% to close at NGN0.58. The ticker was followed by NEM and LAWUNION, with price declines of 4.76%, and 4.29% WoW respectively. All other counters traded flat.

Some of the insurance companies that released their results during the week were, AIICO (Gross Premium Earned: +51.26%; PBT: +53.98%; PAT: +12.98% YoY) CONTINSURE (Gross Premium Earned: +23.14%; PBT: +142.78%; PAT: +143.57% YoY) LASACO (Gross Premium Earned: +0.79%; PBT: +70.55%; PAT: +100.98% YoY) and NEM (Gross Premium Earned: +7.12%; PBT: -40.70%; PAT: -40.70% YoY).

We expect the sector’s performance in the coming week to be dictated by the general market mood.

Oil & Gas Sector: TOTAL Proposes NGN7.00/share Interim Dividend The Oil & Gas sector closed positive at the end of the trading week after appreciating on two (2) of five (5) trading days. Consequently, the NSEOILG5 index advanced by 0.31% WoW, to peg the YtD return at -9.12%.

There were three (3) decliners against a lone advancer in the week, indicating a sector breadth of 0.33x.

TOTAL emerged as the lone gainer, after appreciating by 13.79% to close at NGN329.99. On the flip side, FO (-5.72% WoW), ETERNA (-4.75% WoW) and SEPLAT (-1.66% WoW) featured on the losers’ chart, with closing prices of NGN120.02, NGN2.81 and NGN380.00 respectively.

Some Oil & Gas companies that released their results in the week include; TOTAL, (Revenue: +38.24% YoY; PBT: +243.75% YoY; PAT: +319.91% YoY) SEPLAT (Revenue: -42.57%; PBT: -258.57%; PAT: -277.33% YoY), MRS (Revenue: +27.47%; PBT: +55.65%; PAT: +60.19% YoY), MOBIL (Revenue: +58.56%; PBT: +61.51%; PAT: +57.39% YoY) and CONOIL (Revenue: +6.31%; PBT: +54.27%; PAT: +51.19% YoY) released 9M2016 results during the week. Also, TOTAL proposed an interim dividend of NGN7.00/share, which represents a dividend yield of 2.12%, based on the ticker’s closing price at the end of the week (NGN329.99).

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NewsExtra

Save country from collapse, Okogie tells Nigerians

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Tai Anyanwu

he Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, has called on Nigerians to join hands and save the country from total collapse.

Okogie, who spoke at the Anthony Cardinal Okogie Annual Lecture/Relaunching of Okogie Foundation and Commemoration of his 80th birthday, 50th Priestly Ordination Anniversary, 45 Episcopal Ordination and 13th Anniversary as a Cardinal during the week, also berated the persisting economic, security and political problems confronting Nigerians. Hence, he called on Nigerians to act fast to avert total national collapse.

The event was organised by the Catholic Lay Apostolate Centre in conjunction with the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, at St Agnes Cathedral Church, Maryland, La-

gos. Okogie emphasised that with the way things are going in the country, there is urgent need for all to make concerted efforts to bring Nigeria out of her predicaments.

He said: “Our country is going down every day and it behooves on everyone to join hands to save the situation, or we should be ready to face the consequence of having a completely collapsed country.”

He insisted that there is need to renew Nigeria adding that for that to be achieved, leaders must live up to their responsibilities while the citizenry should be peaceful and law abiding.

“The government should make good policies for the interest of the citizens and enact laws that must be obeyed by the people. Also, Nigerians need to sit and dialogue for the interest of unity, peace and development of the country. We are called into holiness, so we should continue to fight corruption justifiably,” Okogie said.

The Archbishop Emeritus further advised Nigerians to be law abiding while fighting for their rights saying: “If we are not law abiding, we will lose the moral right to call our erring leaders to order. Most importantly, we should be just and merciful in all our activities and avoid selfishness.”

He prayed Gods to bless Nigeria with peace, progress, justice and mercy.

Given a lecture titled ‘A Nation in Need of Renewal: The Role of Justice and Mercy, Professor Isaac Ukpokolo of the Department of Philosophy, University of Ibadan, described Nigeria as an economic concoction of the British colonialists which is suffering from regional injustices.

According to him, the pronouncements of the founding fathers of Nigeria gave birth to a country that is a not only a historical accident, but also a reality imposed from above.

His words: “What we have is a nation forced upon a ma-

jority by a minority with standardization as goal, and with an iron glove as an instrument to eradicate previous diversity. So, what we find in Nigeria situation is that there was no true national sentiment, neither was there attempt to develop any. In other words, the Nigerian project did not have the internal dynamics like solidarity, common sacrifices, shared values and He said: “Nigeria nation must remain fixated, being a product of historical accident.

What is to be of concern is the generating and the propagating of a genuine desire and agreement by constituent units to build a nation. And, any process of nation building would incur sacrifices, pains and shrewd burdens, which must function together with the values of justices and common good. So, we would need to establish a rejection of a forced union from outside the Nigerian group mind and constitute the needed foundation for not renewing, but building a Nigerian nation.”

We can make Nigeria great again –Oyedepo Mojeed Alabi

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he Founder and General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide and Chancellor of the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Bishop David Oyedepo, has reiterated his strong belief in the power of Nigerians to fix the socio-economic challenges confronting the nation, saying what is demanded is for the people to rise as one and play their parts in the business of nation building without fear or favour.

Oyedepo, who stated this on Friday during the university’s 15th Convocation ceremony, noted that only hard work by the people can make the nation great again, adding that nothing ever works without anyone at work.

According to the Bishop, the fact that his church, otherwise known as the Winners’ Chapel is globally recognised as the single church with largest congregation and with the largest single church auditorium is an indication of greater things to come from the country.

He told the newly matriculated students of the institution to aspire to join the army of youths already prepared to lead the much anticipated change in the country and the continent of Africa, say-

ing the hallmark of the ivory tower are the discipline, doggedness and commitment of both the staff and students to liberate the people from the shackles of unemployment, illiteracy and backwardness.

He said: “As long as you continue to seek relevance, you don’t lose significance.

Relevance should be the driving force behind everyman and I urge you all to seek relevance through hard work and commitment.

“In my life, no one has ever written my speeches or books for me. I write and edit them. I do this in spite of my very busy schedule. At least within the last three months, I have been visiting two nations per week, yet I do let myself down in the business of writing. I have already commenced the writing of my Leadership Volumes.

You need to work hard and be spiritually engaged to excel. That is the only thing that can guarantee your success.

“Everything we have done here are products of these institutions. We do not look for ranking but we are being ranked high every day. Those are signs that Nigerians are capable of achieving global reckoning for good because we have what will solve our problem. We only need to be committed and united. We will make it and we will rise again.”

NMA lauds Okowa on National Health Act, 2014 Dominic Adewole ASABA

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Niger State Governor, Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello (right) presenting staff of office to the Emir of Borgu, Mr Muhammed Sani Haliru Dantoro, during the coronation of the Emir, at Sabuke Square, New Bussa…yesterday

Christians support Israel, decry UNESCO resolution

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n outpouring of Christian support for Israel and decrying the UNESCO vote began during Sukkot, a Jewish holiday prophesied to have multi-national relevance.

The resolution passed last week on the day after Yom Kippur, and was ratified

by UNESCO’s Executive Committee on Tuesday.

It referred to the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, in Arabic terms, erasing any Jewish or Christian connec-

tion to the sites. It also solely blamed Israel (referred to as an “occupying nation”) for the violence in the past year, destructive construction on the Temple Mount by the Muslim Authority, and for its self-defensive blockade against shipping into Gaza.

The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem (ICEJ) issued a statement last Saturday decrying UNESCO’s “scandalous resolution”.

“This is tantamount to rewriting history and stripping these sites of their 4,000 years of Jewish and 2,000 years of Chris-

tian connection,” ICEJ Executive Director Dr. Jürgen Bühler wrote. “This represents a calculated insult against the Jewish people as well as an affront to over two billion Christians worldwide who know full well that as a faithful Jew, Jesus regularly visited the holy Jewish Temple on this site, taught there, and was zealous for its calling as a ‘house of prayer for all nations’.”The ICEJ is currently hosting it’s 37th annual Feast of Tabernacles conference which brought over 5,000 Christian representatives from all over the world in support of Israel.

The conference culminates in a spectacular parade displaying multinational support for Israe In an open act of defiance, 15 Christian parliamentarians from Europe, Africa and Latin America visited the Tomb of the Patriarchs and other parts of Jewish Hebron on Thursday. They are in Israel to participate in the annual Israel Allies Foundation conference, which is co-sponsored by the World Jewish Congress.

This annual conference held during Sukkot brings Christian and Jewish proIsraeli lawmakers from various countries.

t was commendation galore for the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, during the activities marking the 2016 Physicians week of the state branch of Nigeria Medical Association, for the leading role he played as Chairman, Senate Committee on Health in making the National Health Act, 2014 a reality.

The Governor was noted for always being at the forefront of championing policies that would enhance the health sector and domesticating the Contributory Health Insurance Bill in the state. A member of the Delta State House of Assembly, representing Ukwuani Constituency, Hon. Alphonsus Ojo, also a medical Doctor turned politician like the Governor, described Okowa’s leading role in the profession as “a shinning example.”

Ojo, a General Medical Practitioner, gave the commendation while addressing members of the association at the 2016 Physicians’ Week Celebration in Asaba.

According to the lawmaker, Okowa contributed immensely to the enactment of the NHA. The lawmaker told his

NMA colleagues that they are lucky to have a medical Doctor as the Governor of the state, saying that “Okowa has always been at the forefront of championing policies that would enhance the health sector.”

While he recalled that the free medical treatment he sponsored in his constituency in collaboration with the NMA, was a point of contact to the Governor’s first bill the governor sent to the state legislature upon assumption of office, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, represented by his Special Assistant, Dr. Ojodume Okuguni, said the Okowa’s administration will continue to strive towards making healthcare in the state accessible, available and affordable to the people.

He reminded the Doctors that their selfless services and sacrifice was more needed now in this period of economic recession, even as the state chairman of the association, Dr. Cletus Otene, said there were growing concern on the health needs of the people and called on well meaning Nigerians to collaborate with the body in providing health services to the people, particularly the less privileged.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

News

FG to acquire 2 additional satellites for NigComSat at $550m – Shittu

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Stroke Ambassador, Mrs Florence Mbogu (right) attending to a participant during a free medical test conducted as part of the ‘Walk & Run Against Strokes’ organised by Stroke Action, Nigeria in commemoration of the World Strokes Day in Abuja …yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

NLC charges Amosun to embrace dialogue to avert strike Yekeen Nurudeen

W Abuja

orried by the dimension of the ongoing industrial face off between workers in Ogun state and the government of the state, the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to step back and embrace meaningful dialogue to resolve the lingering issues with the unions.

The Congress in the letter written by its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, noted that the prevailing atmosphere of industrial dispute, which could snowball into a major industrial conflict between labour and government was avoidable if government could step back and embrace meaningful dialogue to resolve the lingering issues with the unions.

“If it becomes necessary, the NLC offers to be of assistance in making this engagement possible between the unions and government,” it said The labour body however, expressed surprise at the stance of the state government on genuine agitations of the workers in Ogun State noting that instead of the state government to create an avenue for dialogue and resolution of the crisis, it was engaging in name-calling which it said would only worsen the bad situation.

It also said that it was surprised to hear that the Nigeria Police has cordonedoff the office of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ogun State and has resorted to intimidating the Labour leaders in the state.

“We are also disturbed by attempts being made on the lives of the Labour Leaders in the state. The

Nigeria Police is expected to be neutral in this matter and is not expected to harass or intimidate workers who are pursuing their legitimate demands recognized by Nigerian Laws.”

NLC said in the letter The Congress said the present industrial action embarked upon by the workers arose because of the failure of government to fully implement the March, 2016 collective bargaining agreement which led to the suspension of their strike in March.

It added that a valid notice of intention to resume the strike was served on government which failed to avail itself of the period of notice to resolve the issues.

Workers in Ogun state have been on the war path with the state government over what they described as ‘illegal withholding of deductions from workers

salary’ in the last one year.

These include 72 months of unremitted deductions of contributory Pension, Cooperatives deductions and other bank repayment loans as well as 12 months union check-off dues. Others were unpaid gratuities of retirees for the last two years, and 16 months of unpaid workers’ salaries of the state-owned Tai-Solarin College of Education.

This was as the Congress also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently call Governor Amosun to order for intimidating workers who were merely upholding their rights.

Deputy President of the Congress Comrade Kiri Mohammed while reacting to strike by workers of Ogun State, also warned against a national strike in solidarity with the workers if the governor fails to resolve the issues.

by Jonathan, while the 31 missing trucks were out of the 300 approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in April.

Ndume said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had delved into the issue of the grains diverted in April.

“The contractor was reported to the EFCC for action and nine more trucks were recovered, the EFCC also promised to recover all the remaining trucks,” Ndume said.

He said 29 trucks were traced to the National Strategic Reserve depot in Minna, leaving a total of 31 trucks unaccounted for.

“I am passionate about the issue of the missing 31

trucks of grains because I am an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) myself.

“After been given the trust to transport the grains, somebody went and diverted it, I am assuring you that the EFCC is doing its job on the matter, ” Ndume said.

He added: “When we dug up we found it was a cartel, a syndicate or at best a group of thieves doing this to us; there was a great connivance and head will roll.”

“There is a second phase of the case coming up because they also stole our grains during the regime of Present Good luck Jonathan, am going to follow it up too.

“Jonathan ordered the re-

lease of 600 trucks and they stole more than 100 trucks out of it,” he said.

Ndume added: “They cannot go to sleep while am alive, I will follow it up because it is the same contractor.”

100 trucks of IDPs grains diverted

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enate Leader, Ali Ndume, on Saturday claimed that 100 trucks of grains meant for to Internally Displaced Persons in the North East were diverted during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonthan.

Ndume made the assertion in Maiduguri while handing over grains to Borno Government for the IDPs, supplied to the state by the Federal Government.

He alleged the 100 trucks were diverted by the same contractor who also cornered 31 trucks of grains meant for IDPs since April.

The senate leader said the 100 trucks of grains were out of 600 trucks approved

he Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, says the Federal Government plans to purchase two additional satellites for Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComSat) at the cost of $550 million.

Shittu disclosed this on Saturday while speaking with newsmen at the end of the 4th National Council on Communication Technology meeting in Kaduna.

He said that the Federal Government was already negotiating with China EXIM Bank for the purchase of the two additional satellites for storage of Data.

According to him, efforts are being made to procure two additional communication satellites to complement the existing NigComSat as a means of reaching areas that cannot easily be covered by terrestrial fibre.

“We need just about 550 million dollars to acquire two new satellites; we are already negotiating with

China EXIM Bank, who had assured us that they will deliver the money. “ We will negotiate and procure extra satellites for NigComSat, so that there will be adequate back up for and once this done whatever data is stored in one satellite will equally be shared by the two or three satellites.

“With that, there will not be fear of any problem because there will be enough data collection centre and there will be reliability.

The minister said that once there is adequate backup, all government institutions, agencies and ministries must necessarily patronise NigComSat. He said that a lot of the country’s money was being exported out to sustain other economy through data storage “Once we are sure that we have three satellites then we can beat our chest that nobody would take Nigeria money outside for the purpose of storing data.

Imo: Stakeholders parley on citizens’ role in elections Steve Uzoechi

A OWERRI

n Owerri-based group, Development Dynamics has concluded a one-day public forum on active public participation in the electoral process for the people of Imo State.

At the parley, stakeholders and participants drawn from across the state agreed that election was the end of the electoral process and as a result, citizens must engage their leaders from the outset to ensure their priorities, such as infrastructural developments, were brought to the fore rather than what the politicians think or assume the people need.

Speaking at the event, Programme, Director of Development Dynamics, Dr. Jude Ohanele urged participants to go back to their communities and groups to get them to engage their leaders for the development of their communities.

He disclosed that the aim of the programme was to increase the capacity of the citizens through opinion molders to engage and participate in the electoral process, saying that men, women and the youths should awaken their leaders to the reality of their development needs.

It was the strong view of Ohanele that development of any society did not come by chance but through the collective and collaborative efforts of the citizenry and the media, saying “if we do what we have to do as citizens, those at the top will be shocked at the level of influence we can wield”.

Participants called on the nation’s electoral umpire (INEC) to convince Nigerians that they are ready for the country’s development by ensuring the release of election results at unit level, saying that doing so would checkmate election rigging, violence as well as reduce time and money spent at election petition tribunals.

Hoteliers commend FG over shake up in FAAN

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Hotel Owners Association, Lagos State chapter, has commended the Federal Government over the recent shake up in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Recall that the association had recently, in a widely published petition appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the on-go-

ing probe to FAAN, saying there are of some fraudulent activities allegedly going on there. Speaking on the sack, demotion and redeployment of the top management staff of the airport management firm, the Publicity Secretary of the association, Jubril Agabi, described it as a welcome development.

According to him, what has been going on in FAAN

has been economic sabotage because they were killing tourism by frustrating the display of hotel signs at the airports as it is been done in other climes. He alleged that very corrupt activities were let loose in the airport management firm, adding that while that was going on in the open, some management staff were behaving as if they were untouchable.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

news

Ortom performs N38bn Cargopolis ground breaking Cephas Iorheme MAKURDI

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enue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday performed the ground breaking ceremony of the N38 billion Cargopolis Makurdi Airport at Kilometer 28 Makurdi - Lafia road with a call on the community to cooperate with those involved in the construction.

Speaking at the event, the governor said the project was being executed under the Public Private Partnership that would generate numerous jobs, wealth and opportunities at minimum cost to the state government.

According to the governor the project which is expected to be completed in 2020 would place Benue State on the aviation map of the world, make it the hub for West Africa, improve transportation and transform the host rural community.

Other benefits, he said,

include establishment of industries in the vicinity, provision of capacity building in several areas including training of pilots and aviation engineers as well as hosting of aviation tank farm and power plant.

Governor Ortom said the airport would offer both cargo and passenger transport services. All Progressives Congress, (APC), leader in Benue State and Senator representing Benue North West, Senator George Akume, endorsed the project which pledging the support of the Senate Aviation Committee.

Others who spoke included House of Representatives member for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Hon Dickson Tarkighir, representative of the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Avine Agbom, and that of the Acting Tor Tiv and Ter Makurdi Chief Sule Abenga all expressed appreciation and support for the project.

Igala accuse Buhari of marginalisation Chukwu David Abuja

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he Igala people of Kogi State have said that they accused President Muhammadu Buhari of marginalizing them in federal appointments because he (Buhari) ought to reciprocate their acclaimed solid support for him in the 2015 general elections.

The people who spoke under the umbrella of a socio-cultural group called Ujache-Igala Association (UIA), claimed that they gave their unalloyed support for President Buhari during and after the 2015 general elections, and deserved to be rewarded through appointment.

The group had a fortnight ago, staged a peaceful protest to one of the gates leading to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where they submitted a letter to be passed on to the President, detailing their grievances and demands.

Clarifying why the Igalas were angry with the Buhari, the National President of Ujache-Igala Association, Mr. Akwu Goodman, told New Telegraph that Kogi had been without any representation at the FEC in the past seven months, stating that the situation was a negation of the federal character principle.

He therefore, urged the President to as a matter of urgency appoint another Igala man or woman as minister to represent Kogi State at FEC, adding that the prospective appointee

would be a replacement for the late Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Mr. James Ocholi, who died in a ghastly motor accident in March this year.

He said, “we have mourned and patiently waited for His Excellency to nominate a replacement for the Kogi State ministerial slot to the National Assembly to enable the state be reintegrated into the scheme of things at the federal level to no avail over the past seven months.

“The political dislocation and disconnect caused by this inaction , has raised great concern for the citizens of the state in general and Igalas in particular and therefore calling on you sir, to as a matter of urgency, effect the replacement of our dear late Barrister Ocholi in the federal cabinet.

“The Igala ethnic group that constitutes the majority in the state does not have anyone in key position at the federal level under your presidency. No Ambassador, No Permanent Secretary, nobody has been appointed as head of a parastatal or agency and nobody on board appointments, even though, we have qualified men and women in the All Progressives Congress (APC), who participated actively during the electioneering campaign and elections in 2015”.

Aside the ministerial slot, the group also requested the President to address the issue of Ajaokuta Steel Complex that has been lying comatose over the years.

The Director, Assets and Financial Investigations, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Mrs. Victoria Egbase; DirectorGeneral of the Agency, Mrs. Roli Bode-George and Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Senator Joshua Lidani, during a visit to a container terminal at the Tin Can Ports, Lagos

Senate calls for synergy among security agencies at the ports

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Juliana Francis he Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotic and Financial Crimes Senator Joshua Lidani has called for synergy among security operatives at the seaports as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) assures of detailed investigation into the N2 billion worth of cocaine seized by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos.

Lidani gave the directive at the weekend in Lagos during the Committee’s visit to the Agency. The committee members who were received by the Director-General, Mrs. Roli BodeGeorge at the Ikoyi Headquarters of the Agency also inspected facilities at the Murtala Mohummed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos State and Tincan Island Port commands.

The Committee Chairman

said, “We have observed that there is friction and lack of synergy between the Nigeria Customs and the NDLEA at the seaport.

At the airport there is good collaboration but this is not so at the seaport. Agencies of government must work together in harmony because they have a common goal. Besides, the NDLEA must be properly positioned at the seaports to monitor and intercept narcotics. The suspected cocaine seizure made by the Customs and handed over to the NDLEA on Thursday October 13, 2016 should be properly investigated”.

Meanwhile, the antinarcotics Agency said that investigation had commenced into the seizure and details shall be provided in due course. The suspected substance handed to the NDLEA by the Customs Service tested positive for cocaine with a weight of 214.732kg. The drug was

concealed in eight bags each containing 25 blocks.

Not satisfied with the state of infrastructure in the Agency, the Committee has called for improved funding and provision of logistic support. “Our mission is to see how the agencies under our supervision are performing in terms of their mandates.

The Senate has oversight responsibility over agencies funded by the government with a view to identifying areas of waste, challenges and areas where the mandate is being misapplied for appropriate action to be taken. We have discovered that most of the support for the NDLEA is coming from foreign countries and organisations. This is not good for the country.

The problem is ours and we need to tackle it using our resources while others can only support. The dog unit needs to be expanded to cover all the sensitive areas like seaports and land borders”.

Senator Lidani said that

his committee is concerned about the drug problem in the country and is prepared to assist the NDLEA to perform optimally. “Drug use is taking a toll on the youths, elderly and even women.

Appropriate measures must be taken to address the problem. We have seen that officers are working very hard but under difficult conditions. The welfare of staff is equally very poor. On our part, we have assisted the Agency in the acquisition of an office in Abuja. We also intervened in the area of inadequate personnel and Mr. President has graciously approved the recruitment of officers though money had not been released for that purpose. The Agency needs to be funded and equipped to perform its functions effectively and efficiently” he stated.

The committee called on the ministry of finance and other relevant institutions to support the Agency.

Truck crushes urchings in Ogun Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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wo persons were killed yesterday when a Nissan Cabstar truck rammed over a group of street urchins popularly called “area boys” in Sango-Ota area of Ogun State.

The incident, which left seven others critically injured, occurred about 6:10am in front of the abandoned Gateway Hotel, Ota. Sunday Telegraph learnt that two trucks, with registration number Lagos

EKY 653 XB and Lagos KJA 113 XR, had earlier broken down in the area.

Sources said the brakes of one of the trucks failed while descending the slope of the old Sango Ota Toll Gate.

It later crashed into the other truck which had earlier broken down, causing serious obstruction on the highway.

Another account had it that the driver of the Nissan Cabstar was desperate to evade some policemen and also beat the commencement of the monthly

environmental sanitation when he rammed into the area boys.

The Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident yesterday.

Akinbiyi explained that the street urchins had attempted to dispossess the injured driver of the truck that first broke down.

In the process, he said, the mishap occurred.

According to him, the Nissan Cabstar, which was over speeding in an attempt to enter

Lagos before the commencement environmental sanitation, rammed into the area boys, killing two on the spot and injuring seven others.

The TRACE spokesman, however, said the vehicle sped off away from the scene immediately after the incident apparently to escape arrest by security operatives.

Akinbiyi stated that corpses of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital, Ifo while the seven injured were rushed to a private hospital in Ota for medical attention.

53

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

‘God’s Generals’ Jewels’

Day I began to fear my husband –Pastor Susan Folorunsho Pastor (Mrs) Susan Folorunsho is the wife of Prophet Oluwaseyi Folorunsho, General Overseer of Burning Fire Bible Church, which started in 2004 in Osun State with branches now in Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Ondo states. She speaks on her husband’s ministry, roles of Pastors’ wives and the vision of the church in this interview with ESTHER BAKARE helping myself in doing this because it is a delicate ministry and once the Devil tries to get the husband and he cannot, he fires arrow to the wife and if the wife is just there sleeping she gets attacked.

What was your husband doing before starting his ministry?

He has been in full time ministry with the Deeper Life Christian Church and The Apostolic Church respectively. He has never done any secular job before.

But he actually started with organising open crusades, that was his main field before God asked him to establish his own church.

Can you share some of the experiences of the open crusades your husband was organising then?

He started in Osun State then. We had tough experiences some of which were awesome to me. He used to perform a lot of healing, people with different kinds of infirmities would attend and get healed.

But there was a particular one that really dazed me and made me to be scared of my husband. There was a revival he organised in 2002 at a church called Living Rock in Iwo. There was a lady who was deaf and dumb and at the same time ‘stooped’ and this made her look like a dwarf. That year, she attended the crusade and after my husband prayed for her, not only could she speak and hear, she also stood erect and became normal.

I was afraid of my husband that day to the point that when he stretched his hand towards me that we should start going home, I could not hold him, even to follow him home became a problem for me, I was so scared of him that day.

There were other miracles that God performed through him in crusades, like the one at Odo-Owa town in Oyo State where he burnt some masquerade regalia with some charms and the owners surrendered their lives to Jesus but that particular lady’s case shocked me.

What is the vision of his ministry?

His ministry focuses on healing and deliverance, especially for women looking for the fruit of the womb. There is no such case that has been brought to him that God has not proved Himself mighty because I cannot count how many women with such problems that have visited the church and today they have their children, all glory be returned to God. How did you meet your husband?

We met in 2000. Before then I was in Methodist Church and God showed me his picture. When I went to a mountain to pray, God revealed him to me despite the fact that we had never met before and unknown to me that day, he also came to that mountain to pray and God also spoke to him about me. Later that year, we met through a father in the Lord whom I was attending his church then. My husband spoke to him about me and he later introduced us to each other. When he proposed to me, I did not have any problem accepting him because God had already revealed him to me and we got married that same year.

What actually attracted him to you, aside the revelation you got about him?

I love the fact that he is a born again child of God because all my life, the only criteria I have for choosing a man to marry is that he must be a born again Christian; the physical appearance doesn’t really matter to me. Although I thank God that my husband is a good looking man but that is not why I fell in love with him.

What were your initial fears about your husband starting his own ministry?

I was worried about how to get land to build the church, getting members and even workers to do the work with us because I knew we couldn’t do it alone and our children were still very young.

In fact I was a nursing mother with two children then. We were in Ibadan and my husband just called me one day that God said we should start going to Lagos to start our own church. I was a nursery school teacher at that time, so I had to resign. When we were leaving my husband sold his only car and gave out our other belongings, we actually came to Lagos empty handed.

Can you share some of the challenges that accompanied the ministry at the beginning?

There were so many. Like I told you we came to Lagos with nothing except the proceeds from the sale of our only car.

We used part of it to transport ourselves and the remaining part we used for the lease of a land to start the Ministry. The Ministry started with my husband and I with our two children, later people started joining us. After three years another challenge came as the owner of the land started complaining that we were not using the place properly that the place was becoming dirty and asked us to vacate the land.

At that time God has started blessing us. So my husband bought a plot of land close to that former one and when the Ministry began to enlarge we had to vacate that building which my husband gave to a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God which the church is still using till date. Then God bought our present location for us. Also, we have issues of members who just came to the church to seek miracles and once they get what they want, they disappear while some, after

waiting for few months and did not get what they are looking for, they leave, some just heard all sorts of backbiting about their pastor and instead of them to confirm from the pastor whether it is true or not, they just leave but some have stayed despite all challenges, so these are some of the challenges peculiar to most ministries.

As the wife of a General Overseer of a deliverance ministry, what are some of your own personal challenges?

To be in a deliverance ministry is no child’s play. You must be spiritually at alert, so Daddy is always asking me to join him in prayer and fasting for one family or the other. Whether it is convenient for me or not I have to obey.

At times, he wakes me up in the dead of the night to pray, that sleep in my eyes must disappear and if it has to do with fasting, no matter how weak I am I have to oblige. Although I am, also

What is your take on pastors’ wives being full time house wives?

My husband actually encouraged me to be a full time house wife because of the work of the ministry but I had to plead with him not to because there is a lot of embarrassment in it. That is why I enrolled for hat making and I make hats for women in our church. Because I was a Grade II teacher, I have my National Certificate in Education (NCE), my husband is thinking of establishing a school in the nearest future and I know my experience in teaching will also count in that line.

Your advice to other Ministers’ wives?

They should support their husbands’ ministry, spiritually, morally and financially, especially when the going becomes tough, they should stand by their husbands. They should also make sure that their husbands are truly called into the Ministry, some women even force their husbands to establish a church because of business. However, because God has not called them, things quickly fall apart and they go back to zero; but we have some whom God truly called but their wife would discourage them and say no because she is not ready for the challenges that accompany the work of ministry. My advice is that if God has truly called a man, let the wife support him and also pray along with him for the success of the ministry because if things work out fine, both of them will enjoy the fruits of their labour.

54

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

The Three Cows O nce, three cows lived in a green and fresh pasture near a forest: a white cow, a black cow and a reddish-brown cow. The cows were kind to each other. They used to graze in the meadow together and sleep near each other.

One day, a reddish-brown lion happened to take a stroll out of the forest onto the meadow. It was hungry and looking for a prey. On catching sight of the cows it became glad, but couldn’t attack them, because they were together. So, the lion sat behind a boulder and patiently waited till the cows would separate from each other.

However, the cows were too clever to separate from each other. They knew that if they were together, no predator could attack them. The lion lay in ambush nearby for two or three days. But the cows continued to remain together, and wouldn’t separate from each other. The lion became impatient. It thought of a plan. It went towards the cows, greeted them and said, “How are you my friends?

Are you fine? I have been busy lately, so could not come and visit you. Today I made up my mind to pay you a visit.”

The reddish-brown cow said, “Sir, your coming has really pleased us and brightened our pasture.”

Both the white and the black cows were troubled by what their friend, the reddish-brown cow said, and were grieved at its thoughtlessness. They said to each other, “Why does the reddish-brown cow believe what the lion says?

Doesn’t it know that lions seek other animals only to prey on them?”

As the days passed by, the reddish-brown cow became more and more attached to the lion. The black cow and the white cow advised it against a friendship with the lion, but their efforts were in vain.

One day, the lion said to the reddish-brown cow, “You know that the color of our bodies is dark and that the color of the body of the white cow is light.

You also know that light color is the opposite of the dark color. It will be very good if I eat the white cow, so that there will be no difference among us any longer and we will be able to live together well.”

The reddish-brown cow accepted the lion’s argument and started talking to the black cow to keep it busy, so that the lion could eat the white cow. The

white cow was left alone and was killed, while the black and the reddish-brown cows were busy in idle talk.

Two or three days passed since the lion devoured the white cow. It became hungry again. It called the reddish-brown cow. The cow answered: “Yes sir!”

The lion said, “The color of my body and the color of your body are both reddish-brown, and black does not go with our color. It will be very good if I eat the black cow, so that in this forest we all will be of the same color.” The reddish-brown cow accepted this argument and moved away from the black cow.

The lion attacked and devoured the black cow soon. And as for the reddish-brown cow, it was so filled with joy that it didn’t know what to do. It roamed and grazed and said to itself, “It is only me who has the color of the lion.”

A few days passed later, the lion was hungry again. It roared and said, “O the reddish-brown cow! Where are you?” The reddish-brown cow, shaking with fear, went forward and said, “Yes sir!”

The lion said: “Today it is your turn. Get yourself ready, I am going to eat you.”

The reddish-brown cow, with great fear and horror, said, “Why sir, I am your friend. I did whatever you asked me to do. Still why do you want to eat me?”

The lion roared and said, “I have no friends. How is it possible that a lion makes friendship with a cow?”

No matter how much the reddish-brown cow begged and entreated, the lion didn’t accept its words. Finally the cow said, “Mr. Lion, please allow me to cry out three times before you eat me.”

The lion said, “Ok. Quickly, quickly!”

The reddish-brown cow cried out, “I was eaten the very day the white cow was eaten. I was eaten the very day the black cow was eaten. I was eaten the very day I made friends with the lion.”

The lion devoured the reddish-brown cow very quickly. Then it said to itself: “I have finished my job in this forest. Now I had better go to other forests.”

Word puzzle

Colour by number

Moral: Any group without unity will easily be destroyed.

Rhyme ~My Nutty Squirrel Poem~ Up in a tree, on a branch Now you see me, now you don’t!

Rhyme Live On! Adenekan Tobiloba live on! you are the leaders of tomorrow live on! you are the voice to the voiceless

live on! you are the “MESSIAH” to the world live on!

AGAIN I say “LIVE ON!!!”

Sneaky and fast, I’m adorable Now, why would you hunt or shot me for fun?

Do you like, how fast I run?

I’m not just another chipmunk Stuffing my face with nuts, I’m classy and beautiful, The best part of nature.....

Red pointed ears, I hear you drawing near.

Chuckle, chuckle, caffeine free I saw you looking at my fine coat.

Fluffy and curious, touch me and I’m Calling PETA! See YA--- Life Is Beautiful!!!

I’m stuffing these nuts back into my mouth and Jumping onto another tree :)

55

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30, 2016

Sports

Onigbinde: Taribo West sabotaged Eagles at 2002 World Cup

S

Dapo Sotuminu

uper Eagles chief coach to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has revealed that, the team’s aspiration to go far in that edition of the biggest soccer competition in the world was sabotaged by one of his dependable defenders, Taribo West, who he said deliberately allowed opposing teams to score goals against the Nigerian team.

Onigbinde, disclosed to our reporter in an exclusive interview, that, inviting the likes of Taribo and other Eagles stars from the disbanded Mali 2002 Nations Cup team was a big mistake on his part.

He said: “Soon after the collapse of the Super Eagles team at the Mali 2002 Nations Cup, I was with the then Sports Minister, late Ishaya Mark Aku, in Abuja, when one of his aides brought a security report from thedepartment of State Service (SSS) which the minister gave me to read. It states that, “The

disbanded Eagles players had agreed that, if the new Eagles coach should invite some of the players and not all of them for the World Cup, none of them would honour the invitation. Five minutes later, another security report came, and it reads, if any member of the Mali 2002 squad is invited to the World Cup 2002 team, such would be coming to sabotage the team.”

Onigbinde said, he left all of the disbanded stars out of the new Eagles initially for all the seven pre-World Cup friendly matches played, out of which his boys predominantly home-based stars, won five.

“It was when we played our last friendly game in England that I invited four players from the disbanded team; Taribo West, Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Okocha and Ike Shorunmu. The four players blended with the team during the preparations until we got to the World Cup proper.

“The other three players stood neutral while Taribo West acted as the sabo-

teur and he sabotaged the team in two crucial group games against Argentina and Sweden. In the match against Argentina, Taribo deliberately stood flat footed and never jumped to contest the ball from a corner kick to allow Gabriel Bastituta scored Argentina’s only goal of the match to beat Nigeria 1-0. If the match had ended in a draw, Nigeria would have had the chance to qualify for the next round of the competition and subsequently move to the finals of the competition.

“The second one was against Sweden, when Taribo left Henrik Larsson unmarked to score a goal. In that same match, the penalty foul Taribo committed against Henrik Larsson was also deliberate; he kicked the Swede without justification when he had the opportunity to clear the ball into safety. So in all, he gave out three solid goals that sent Nigeria out of the 2002 World Cup. When these happened I remembered the security reports I read in Abuja,” Onigbinde said.

Musa scores second goal T

L

eicester City boss, Claudio Ranieri, has praised Ahmed Musa for the way the Nigeria forward took his goal in the Foxes’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Musa equalised for Leicester off a Jamie Vardy assist after Vincent Janssen had given Spurs the lead from the penalty spot.

It was Musa’s second goal of the season in back-toback games.

Musa’s good form has arrived just in time for Nigeria’s key World Cup qualifier against Algeria on 12 November.

In his post-match comments, Ranieri admitted Musa is beginning to come to grips with the English Premier League.

“Musa is a good player and slowly starting to understand the Premier League. He saw the ball ar-

rive and was very strong,” Ranieri said. The Italian coach went on to describe Leicester’s general play as outstanding against Spurs.

“I’m pleased with the point, our performance and our spirit. We played together and we fought together. Outstanding,”

he added. “We always try to win. That’s the magic of English football – both teams giving everything to try to win.”

“We played well today against a good team. Our spirit often this season has been singular, but today it was squad spirit.”

Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa scores his second EPL goal against Spurs

Solution to Cross Word Puzzle

he Local Organising Committee of the Nigeria 2016 CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations on Saturday gave a progress report on its preparations to host a tournament that will set a mark for other major beach soccer competitions globally.

At a press conference in Lagos attended by members of the LOC, the Nigeria Football Federation and officials of the Lagos State Government, LOC chairman Seyi Akinwunmi disclosed that the committee has been working assiduously for the past six months, for the competition holding 13-18 December 2016.

“We are committed to hosting the best –ever CAF Beach Soccer Championship. Our tenor is on putting up a world –class event, and we believe that with the support we have received and still receiving from the Federal Ministry of Youth

Etisalat School Cup: Prolific Gift idolizes Griezmann

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ew Layout Secondary School of Enugu striker, Williams Gift, has expressed his desire to emulate and surpass the feat of Atletico Madrid and France international, Antoine Griezmann who led club and country to the final of both the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Champions League.

The 14-year-old striker who netted 9 goals in two matches said he is in awe at the way Greizmann plays and the manner he scores his goals as he comes from deep to do the damage. Like every aspiring footballer, he stressed his belief of one day plying his trade for top clubs in Europe.

The forward who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the regional playoffs in Enugu and the highest goal scorer with 9 goals, dedicated all his goals to God and his coach for ensuring tactical discipline within the team.

LOC gives progress report on Beach Soccer AFCON and Sports, the NFF, the Lagos State Government, we will deliver.

“We are very grateful to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his decision to support the event. Nigeria 2016 will be a show –stopper. The annual COPA Lagos Invitational Tournament, which has been on for the past five years, has shown us how interesting and how much fun beach soccer can be.”

Akinwunmi, who is also 1st Vice President of NFF, added that, Nigeria has been challenged to put out all the stops to put up a fab-

ulous fiesta after Seychelles successfully hosted the 1st CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in 2015, and with The Bahamas preparing to host the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup. Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon. Deji Tinubu unveiled the logo of the championship, and assured that the Lagos State Government will work harmoniously with the NFF and the LOC to achieve the objective of getting the whole world to say positive things about Nigeria.

Ministry of Interior Games: NSCDC top medal’s table

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he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) team top the medal’s table at the ongoing maiden edition of the Ministry of Interior Games holding in Kaduna.

They showed supremacy over their counterparts from the various other agencies in the ministry by clinching 16 gold, 12 silver and 9 bronze medals so far. They are closely followed by Nigeria Police Force with 6 gold medals.

The five-day event which ended yesterday is aimed at integrating the five agencies in the ministry through sports.

According to the Director of Sports of the NSCDC, Ayodele Titus, “the development is the beginning of good things to come. There is no doubt that NSCDC

is a force to reckon with when it comes to sports in Nigeria. And I am also using this medium to say that we are not going to relent in our efforts to keep the flag flying based on the Commandant General Alhaji Abdulahi Gana Muhammadu’s mission for the Corps and Nigeria as a whole.”

The Honourable Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, earlier in the week flagged off the maiden edition of Ministry of Interior Games.

At the opening ceremony, General Dambazau said, he was optimistic that the five- day sport fiesta would impact the spirit of sportsmanship, discipline, team work, dedication, and result oriented attitude on the agencies.

BUSINESS Recession: 'Uncoordinated policies will delay recovery'

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Sanctity of Truth

SUNDAY

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

N150

SPORT Onigbinde: Taribo West sabotaged Eagles at 2002 World Cup

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Bad governance is the worst form of corruption (part 2) ENCORE This week, we will continue our discourse on the above subject matter. Let us today periscope into other climes and see how national problems were collectively solved under an atmosphere of national cohesion and inclusiveness.

RUSSIA - GLASNOST AND PERESTROIK Glasnost and Perestroika (Russian words for “restructuring” and “openness”), were key elements of the campaign initiated by Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, to reform and revitalize the Soviet system. He first mentioned it in a speech at a meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in April 1985.

Glasnost literally means “openness”, when Gorbacher decided to open up the Russian state to public knowledge – perestrioita, on the other hand was a political movement for reformation within the communist party itself, in the 80s, also associated with Gorbacks. It referred to the reconstructure of the political and economic system within the ruling Compliance party.

Glasnost (coupled with the economic and political reforms of perestroika), summarized Gorbachev’s efforts to allow and stimulate more open discussion and criticism in political and cultural life. The term had both a symbolic and practical significance. Carrying the meaning of “speaking out” or “giving voice to,” glasnost was evident in the more open debate and discussion that existed in the final years of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic.

Many conservatives were initially skeptical about this policy. In the Communist Party and tried to undermine it. However, particularly after the 27th Party Congress in February, 1986, public officials and citizens began to take Gorbachev’s call for more open, critical discussion seriously. Intellectuals in particular made use of the new freedom glasnost offered to criticize the government and to engage in activities that were previously prohibited.

These changes were evident in the cultural realm, where previously banned works were able to be published, and in the scientific and educational world, where Soviet scholars and experts were able to speak more freely and have more contact with their colleagues in the international community. The changes were also evident in discussions of economic performance, where experts openly acknowledged the serious problems of the Soviet economy.

Glasnost led to greater openness in the statecontrolled media and to the formation of a large number of independent groups. It contributed to the growth of national movements in the Soviet republics, and, ultimately, to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Perestroika came to encompass a wide variety of political and economic policies. It was implemented along with glasnost. Perestroika at first mainly referred to efforts to reform the ailing Soviet economy by reducing the power of central authorities and introducing elements of a market-based system. A major part of the reforms involved expanding private ownership, which had long been shunned by the regime for ideological reasons. Perestroika also came to mean changes in other aspects of the Soviet system, including the bureaucracy and political life. Although the Communist Party was to remain the dominant political institution in the Soviet Union, other political groups were allowed to participate for the first time in Soviet history, and citizens had a greater role in choosing leaders in elections.

The most significant change was the committee’s decision in 1988 to allow for small private

The

NIGERIAN PROJECT

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) businesses and cooperatives, which could exist either inside state enterprises or separate from them. But disagreement among the Soviet leaders and their economic advisers, and between Russia and the other Soviet republics, prevented the adoption of a realistic reform program for the Soviet economy as a whole.

This deadlock, as well as the drift of control away from state planners, led to a severe economic crisis by 1990. The effects of this crisis included declining production, growing inflation, pervasive shortages of consumer goods, labour unrest—and, most importantly, a widespread loss of confidence in Gorbachev’s ability to handle economic issues.

Gorbachev did not achieve what he set out to do as Soviet leader—that is, to save the country’s existing social and political system by reforming it from within. And in some areas, notably economics, he produced few results.

Nevertheless, Gorbachev’s political and foreign policies made a tremendous difference to the countries of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and in some respects the entire world. The cumulative effect of these policies was to loosen the grip of the Soviet Communist dictatorship, thereby allowing leaders throughout the Communist Eastern bloc to search out new ways of governing. On the international scene, Gorbachev’s policies put an end to the Cold War and the post-World War II division of Europe. Gorbachev is thus one of the most influential statesmen of the 20th century. What do we have in Nigeria? Muzzled opinion. Frightened masses. Government repression. Cronyism, Nepotism. Exclusion, rather than inclusion. Divisiveness. Recession.

Hunger. Thirst Starvation. Decimation of human rights and rule of Law. Rule of the thumb.

Contempt for intellectualism, intimidation of the Judiciary, emasculation of the Legislature, using the coercive, corrosive and awesome apparatchik of state.

The Great Leap Forward (China) In 1918, Future Chinese leader, Mao Zedong, joined a study group headed by his supervisor, Li Dazhao, Director of the library at Beijing University, to be acquainted with the writings of German political philosopher, Karl Marx.

Mao will later revise Marxist ideology in hopes of adapting it to conditions in China. Thus high lights the need for a leader to study.

In 1949, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) headed by Mao Zedong came to power and founded the People's Republic of China (PRC).

During the first few years of its existence, the PRC focused on rebuilding from the ravages of war and redistributing land to 300 million poor peasants. Nigeria is only 185 million people. China is 1.3 billion people. The first five-year plan, implemented from 1953 to 1958, outlined changes for all economic sectors but particularly emphasized expansion of heavy industry. The government created hundreds of large, state-owned, industrial enterprises, and by 1958, China had a solid industrial base. In the agricultural sector, meanwhile, the state organized workers into large, cooperative farms.

Agricultural output increased, but not nearly at the same rate as industry.

Initially, the authors of the second five-year plan modeled it on the first. By the beginning of 1958, however, they had revised the plan to address the concern of Chinese leader Mao Zedong that agriculture was not growing as fast as industry. The revised plan was to be accomplished through an economic and social campaign intended to radically increase China’s agricultural production while maintaining high industrial growth. The campaign became known as the “Great Leap Forward.”

Nigeria? moral platitudes, adjurations. Ineffective liberal disquisition. Lachrymal effusion.

Chest-beating and sloganeering.

and savings, and many depended on charity to survive. In 1933, at the worst point in the depression, more than 15 million Americans— one-quarter of the nation’s workforce—became unemployed.

AND THIS The New Deal (USA) The stock market crash in October 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression, a difficult economic period for the United States and other countries. Unemployment increased and the economic security of many people was threatened. Farmers lost their land, homeowners their homes, and workers their jobs. In the years following the stock market crashed. Thousands of banks closed and many Americans lost their savings. The incumbent president, Herbert Hoover, lost the election of 1932 to Democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt campaigned on promises of a “New Deal” for the American people. In his first inaugural address, he declared: “...in the event that Congress shall fail to take these courses and in the event that the national emergency is still critical I shall not evade the clear course or duty that will then confront me.

I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis—broad executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact to be invaded by a foreign foe.”

Roosevelt's course of action became known as the “New Deal”, the name given to the peacetime domestic program of United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt, and especially to the innovative measures taken between 1933 and 1938 to counteract the effects of the Great Depression.

NOW THIS The Great Depression The great Depression in the United States, was the worst and longest economic collapse in the history of the modern industrial world, lasting from the end of 1929 until the early 1940s.

Beginning in the United States, the depression spread to most of the world’s industrial countries, which, in the 20th century, had become economically dependent on one another. The LAST LINE Great Depression saw rapid decline in the proHope Nigerians are eagerly awaiting part 3 duction and sale of goods and a sudden, severe this Sunday Sermon from the Nigerian Project rise in unemployment. Businesses and banks by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb. closed their doors. People lost their jobs, homes, • 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

Edible fish, (7).

Blood relation, (3).

Pub, (3).

Offer money at auction, (3).

Final part, (3).

Require, (4).

Recurring click, (4).

Live, (2).

Former, (2).

Party, (4).

Release under security, (4).

Igbo king, (3).

Go at fast pace, (3).

Local area network, abbr., (3).

Honey-making insect, (3).

Inedible part of meat, (7).

Clues Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 19 20 21

Home environment, (7).

Reach a conclusion, (6).

Not locked, (4).

Waste-removing body organ, (6).

Upper leg, (4).

Immediately, (3).

Somebody undergoing training, (7).

Be somebody's property, (6).

Brightly coloured bird, (6).

Shaft on which wheel turns, (4).

Flightless bird, (4).

Sharp point, (3).

Turn to page 55 for solution

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