Sunday telegraph sunday, may 15, 2016 vol 3 no 816

}8,9,10&11

Gender equality, insecurity fuel spousal abuse -Psychologists

lLagos records 5,322 domestic violence in one year

Why Buhari can’t dare Nigeria’s biggest thieves -Sheik Gumi }28&29

SUNDAY Sunday, MAY 15, 2016 Vol. 3 No. 816

ronke ojo

Sanctity of Truth

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@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

FUEL PRICE HIKE

WE’LL SHUT DOWN NIGERIA IN 72 HOURS -LABOUR }4

Tribalism is Nollywood’s major problem }41

NEWS Murderous herdsmen are from Libya – FG

•Warns Niger Delta militants over vandalisation

}3

lNaira crashes to N370 per dollar, fuel to rise above N200 per litre, FG in dilemma lPresident should apologise on subsidy removal -Reps

No man born of a woman can stop Biafra, says IPOB ...President more sympathetic to Boko Haram than any other group

}3

2

SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 15.05.16 BODY & SOUL

Stylish male stars Youthful, stylish male musicians are dominating the Nigerian music industry

}20&21

POLITICS

Worsening crises Ahead of the National Convention next week, the Peoples Democratic Party congresses in the state hardly shows evidence of a united party

}23

BUSINESS

Debts for states Profligate governors squander part of the N700 billion bailout, continue to owe worker, even as they heap over N1.65 trillion debts for the states

}43

FAITH

Fulani herdsmen Bishop Ownuachu talks about the incursion and threats of rampaging Fulani herdsmen

}31

SPORT

Agbonlahor’s fall Once the toast of the English Premier League football, Nigerian-born Gabriel Agbonlahor has slipped into obscurity

}53

Magazine

Spousal abuse On daily basis, three women die as result of spousal abuse, while every fourth Nigerian woman suffers domestic violence in her lifetime

SUNDAY

Editorial

No to killing of security agents

T

he recent disclosure by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase that about 359 policemen were killed on duty between January 2014 and April 2016, shows the danger our security agents go through in the bid to protect their compatriots.

According to Arase 272 policemen sustained various degrees of injuries within the same period with the casualties occurring while intervening in civil conflicts. These gallant officers and men paid the supreme price “to enhance community peace and security in the country.’’

While the killing of police personnel has steadily been on the rise since 2009 due to terrorist attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, it is on record that a couple of days after this disclosure, five policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent were killed in Rivers State.

During the same period, some criminal elements ignorant of history, armed with more sophisticated arms also killed three soldiers at Faropapa in Bayelsa State. In March, three soldiers, a colonel inclusive, lost their loves in the same Niger Delta. Indeed, it is saddening that the nation’s security agents have become canon folders, as the civil populace and criminal elements unleash vicious attacks on them with brazen savagery.

Needless to say, the nation seemed to have forgotten so soon that similar attacks on security agents in the past culminated in monumental conflagrations in the country as the latter viewed such actions from “bloody civilians” as an affront.

For instance, in December 1999, the murder of some policemen by some miscreants in Odi, Bayelsa State resulted in a reprisal during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

It led to the Odi invasion by the army, which carefully planned and executed what was then referred to as Operation Hakuri II. Till today, the nation reminisces on that massacre with its attendant human rights abuses.

Similarly, the bustling town of Zaki Biam, in the Sankera axis of Benue

State had a sour taste of Nigeria’s military might when a detachment of the Nigerian Army allegedly invaded the town in a reprisal attack for the alleged cold blooded murder of 19 soldiers sent to restore peace in the town during an ethnic violence.

Another sad occurrence, a couple of years ago was in Nasarawa State when the Ombatshe cult waylaid government officials’ convoy and killed over 15 policemen and other security agents, leaving behind widow and fatherless boys.

Put together, this level of brigandage and proliferation of arms in the hands of the civilian population are not only highly disturbing and condemnable, but they typify a nation which has become a vortex of criminality. Unchecked and with the cheap assess to Improvised Explosive Devices in the Niger Delta and even in the hands of terrorists and armed robbers, the nation is gravitating towards self-destruction.

It is for these reasons and more that we frown at these developments and call for immediate end to the culture of violent attacks of law enforcement agents, who are state agents with legal mandate to perform basic duties in every civilised society.

In consonance with the provisions of the constitution, the nation’s security agents perform crucial roles in the lives of and for the continual existence of the country. Part of the duties of the Nigeria Army is the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity and saving it from external aggression and from the benefit of hindsight, the nation today owns its existence to them.

Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force has played significant roles in the protection of lives and property in the nation, combating riots, maintaining law and order. In recent times, they have quashed insurrection and civil unrests from various militant groups and criminals such that all over the world, the police have become a vital part of t he society. For these reasons and to avoid serious bloodshed in reprisal attacks, we say no to these senseless killings of security agents.

}8&9 DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

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

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

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam Asst. Editor, News & Politics n Biyi Adegoroye

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

3

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016

NEWS

$115m lodgment: FG to await UK’s probe of Diezani before extradition - Investigation

T

Our Correspondent here are strong indications that the Federal Government’s move to seek the extradition of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, from London, may depend largely on the conclusion of investigations by the United Kingdom (UK) government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

P

resident Muhammdu Buhari has stated that herdsmen involved in the killing of Nigerians migrated from Libya, even as he vowed to deal with Niger Delta militants who have launched fresh attacks on oil installations.

Speaking yesterday in London on the CNN, Buhari said Ghadaffi, during his 43 year-regime, gave military training to some people from the Sahel.

“When his regime was overthrown, those people were dispatched to their countries. They found themselves in the Boko Ha-

(EFCC), apart from probing the former minister on other fronts, recently traced $115 million lodgement to Fidelity Bank Plc., said to have been made by her, ostensibly to compromise some state officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during the 2015 Presidential election.

However, Sunday Telegraph gathered from some sources, that the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), may have to con-

clude its investigation of Alison-Madueke, on allegations of money laundering, before action it could be taken on her possible extradition.

Alison-Madueke, one of the most influential ministers during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was said to have been arrested sometime last year by operatives of the NCA, UK, alongside four others. She was later granted bail, while investigations con-

conclude its investigation of the former ‘super-powerful’ minister, before talks on possible extradition - where the need arises - will begin.

Alison-Madueke, who is said to be down with cancer in London, is expected to explain to the EFCC, the purpose of the $115 million lodgment in Fidelity Bank Plc. The Commission has since quizzed Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Fidelity Bank, Access Bank Plc., as well as that of Ster-

ling Bank Plc. Among other prominent personalities that have been interrogated, in the wake of the discovery of the $115 million, are a former Director of Finance, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman; former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali.

Murderous herdsmen are from Libya – Buhari •Warns Niger Delta militants over vandalisation ram and others.

“It is a major regional and virtually African problem now. There is one called Al Qaeda; there is Boko Haram and so on. It is a governmental project now to trace, disarm, try and discipline them.

“Herdsmen culturally do not stay in one place; they move with the season. Normally, harvest is complete

much earlier in the North.

They have to go southwards for greener pasture.

“Initially, there was what they call cattle routes and grazing areas. They were marked. Infrastructures were put in terms of dams and veterinary clinics.

“Later, the big ogas that came, took over these places and turned them to farms.

If we have like 500 cattle, if

Social EvEntS advErtiSEmEnt ratE Congratulatory message Birthday Obituary Notice of AGM Photonews

    

tinue.

Speaking in confidence with Sunday Telegraph, one of the sources said, “As you are aware, there is an existing Mutual Legal Assistance. Treaty (MLAT), “By the provisions of the MLAT, Nigeria and the UK are expected to facilitate the extradition of citizens of both countries, who commit crimes, to face trial in the home country,” he said.

He, however, said in the case of Alison-Madueke, the UK government will

Size

they do not eat for 24 hours or they want water, you can’t stop them.

“But what they used to do then, if anybody goes outside, he would be arrested, taken before a court and he is fined. If he can pay, the money is taken and given to the farmer. If he can’t pay, the cattle is sold and the farmer is paid. So, people are behaving well.

“So, when people came and took away the land for the cattle route and grazing area, you find out that from Kaduna to Bayelsa, Nigerians are fighting cattle rearers now.

“When I was in PTF, we made a comprehensive study of cattle routes and grazing areas throughout Nigeria. So, I am referring the Governors’ Forum to it and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Let them see what they can do and save the situation.”

Meanwhile, Buhari has reiterated his resolve to deal with those involved in blowing up oil installations in the Niger Delta region.

Assuring that such persons and their sponsors will be punished, Buhari disclosed that he had ordered service chiefs to get the perpetrators.

Buhari, who spoke on the sideline of his London meeting, said: “What I know is that I was elected by the whole country and the least I can do is to keep the country together somehow.

I assure you we will develop the capacity to do it.

“If you can recall, I appointed a retired Brigadier General (Boroh). When I give people assignment, I develop terms of reference for them and I allow them to do their work. I understand the problem.

“I spoke with the Chief of Naval Staff and other ser-

vice chiefs to work with him and help him to make sure that those who are blowing the installations, sabotaging investments in Nigeria, we will deal with them eventually.”

On whether his government has reneged on the amnesty programme, Buhari said: “They are saying that the agreement on amnesty, including payment and training and employment were not being met.

These are their allegations.

“So we put this officer who is from there to revisit the agreement and get them and see which part of the agreement the Federal Government needs to fulfil.

“The fundamental thing is that we have to secure Nigeria before we can manage it efficiently. I assure you that we are going to do that.

Try and develop confidence in our ability to do it eventually.”

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EFFECTIVE FROM MAY 1, 2016

ro-Biafra group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has reacted to the threat by President Muhammadu Buhari to stamp out any agitation towards the realisation of Biafra, saying the president is not in tune with prevailing realities.

In a conversation with our correspondent, the spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, explained that members of the group have long been facing intimidation and annihilation in the hands of Buhari with scores, including minors, locked away in prisons across

the country without trial, under the most inhuman conditions.

He, however, stated that, “No matter what they do or how many people they kill, no man born of a woman can stop the realisation of Biafra. Biafra is a spirit and once it gets hold of you, nothing can shake it off. We have already come a long way and almost within reach of our goal and somebody is threatening to shut down the Biafran struggle. It’s a big joke because ideas do not die. Buhari should look back in history and learn.”

Peeved by the spate of ‘state-sponsored lawlessness’ across the country, Powerful regretted that

all the courts in the land had granted their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, bail, but the President and his men have chosen to be the prosecutor, judge and jury in their own case.

“By elevating lawlessness to an act of state, what moral justification does Buhari have to stop any section of the country from seeking self determination? If you notice, Buhari, since assumption of office, have not come out in any public function to threaten he will stamp out Boko Haram, he has even offered amnesty to the bloodthirsty band of killers. But for all pro BiCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

4

SUNDAY 15 MAY, 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS

Labour unites against Buhari, vows to shut down Nigeria Paul Ogbuokiri, Yekeen Nurudeen, Abuja and Stanley Ihedigbo

T

he two factions of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and members of Civil Societies, yesterday, rose from their respective emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meetings, vowing to call out Nigerians on a nationwide strike on Wednesday if the Federal Government fails to retrace its steps on the contentious N145 new pump price of petrol recently announced by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

The announcement by the junior minister ‘deregulating’ the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry has also ignited another round of free fall of the naira in the foreign exchange market.

A development the president of Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said was caused by the permission the minister granted the fuel importers to source their foreign exchange from secondary sources.

According to him, the market had been stable all this while due to drastic reduction in imports, “but the announcement on Wednesday has changed the whole thing.”

He fears that the exchange rate will rise to N400 a dollar this week if the condition persists.

On Thursday, the naira lost N7 to the dollar as exchange rate rose sharply to N334 per dollar from N320 per dollar. This persisted on Friday with the parallel market exchange rate rising to N370 per dollar which translated to N50 depreciation of the naira in two days.

Kachikwu had said that

the lingering fuel scarcity in the country was caused by the forex crisis in the country since the collapse of the prices of crude in the international market. A development that forced the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to peg the official exchange rate of the naira against the US Dollar at N197 a dollar.

He said, “The reason for the current problem is the inability of importers of petroleum products to source foreign exchange at the official rate due to the massive decline of foreign exchange earnings of the Federal Government. As a result, private marketers have been unable to meet their approximate 50 per cent portion of total national supply of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit, also known as Petrol).”

It is against this backdrop that experts say that unless the fuel subsidy is retained, the importers will in the nearest future, increase the pump price of petrol again, otherwise, they will be running at a loss and will not be able to go back and import more.

The options available then are that the subsidy is retained and the price pegged or the importers continue to bring in the product at the rate naira is exchanging with the dollar at the forex market and sell as he buys.

The implication, according to a former president of Association of National Accountant of Nigeria (ANAN) Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, is that price of petrol would rise to N200 a litre gvery soon and will then fall down slowly if the naira stabilises.

Meanwhile, the organised labour, accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of betrayal of trust reposed on him by Nigerians, stating that the hardship the administration has brought on Nigerians since its inception over

...issues 72 hours ultimatum •Petrol to hit N200 a litre, as Naira depreciates to N370 a dollar a year ago is not in tandem with the change mantra of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which Nigerians voted for.

President of the Wabbaled faction of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, at the end of the union’s meeting in Abuja yesterday, lamented that President Muhammadu Buhari had broken his electioneering promise of not removing fuel subsidy if he was elected.

According to him, the Congress would on Wednesday May 18 mobilise Nigerians to the streets, close down the airports, sea ports as well as all public and private offices after which he added that the labour unions would direct Nigerian workers to embark on indefinite industrial action as their response to the government’s policy.

The NLC President, who read the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting on behalf of other unions, lamented what he called the Federal Government’s disinclination for consultation on issues of public interest and its obsession with protecting product marketers at the expense of the Nigerian public.

The Comrade Joe Ajeroled NLC, which concluded its emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting, in Lagos yesterday afternoon, said, “Where the government

fails to heed these calls and correct itself, we shall be forced to call Nigerian workers and masses out onn the streets all over the country to shut the critical sectors of this economy down for as long as it shall take to force the government to subject itself to the desires of the people.”

Comrade Wabba noted that after his election, President Muhammadu Buhari had maintained that there was no subsidy in the petroleum product price regime and that even if there was, he did not see how its removal would be beneficial to the ordinary Nigerian, noting that the slightest product price adjustment often leads to inflationary spiral and unimaginable suffering for the people.

“On January 18, 2016, the government further allayed the fears of the Nigerian people by reducing the pump price of PMS to N86:50, explaining that the reduction was in furtherance of the implementation of the revised component of the Petroleum Products Pricing for PMS and kerosene,” he said The unions also blasted Kachikwu for allegedly speaking from both sides of his mouth saying, “Whereas last year, he had strongly canvassed for the removal of ‘subsidy’ in defiance of President Buhari, about a month ago, he claimed the

subsidy had been removed through his ingenuity and that Nigeria was saving $1billion from this process”.

The unions had, therefore, wondered what informed government’s sudden and dangerous policy summersault and its desperate attempt to convince the public that Labour was part of the decision that led to this price increase.

They further said that the new price announced by the Federal Government without the input of the board of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), which is statutorily vested with powers to recommend price, is illegal, noting that since the board of PPPRA was yet to be constituted, the Federal Government has no right to fix price unilaterally.

While arguing that the new price increase is unrealistic, unaffordable, unacceptable and is thus rejected by Nigerian workers, the NLC President said that there has been no increase, in the past five years, in salaries or wages or pensions in the face of devaluations, spiralling inflation and other vagaries of the economy.

He said that government is unable to justify the price increase other than the puerile explanation that marketers need to recover their costs, without a thought for

the aggregate or larger national interest including the need for local refining and creation of jobs.

Speaking also on the increase in electricity tariff, Comrade Wabba said that government has remained recalcitrant in spite of a subsisting court injunction on the issue of the criminal increase in electricity tariff even in the face of everworsening power supply situation.

“From the foregoing, it is evident that the neo-liberal forces in the government have taken over the government and we should expect more inhumane policies which will further degrade the living standard of the average Nigerian.

The punitive electricity tariff and PMS product prices may just be teasers.

On the position of National Union of Petrol and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petrol and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), who have already supported the deregulation of the oil and gas sector, the NLC President said: ”NLC, TUC and other civil society allies are not unaware of the positions taken by the Unions in the oil and gas industry.”

“A process of engagement will be put in place in order to ensure the success of the struggle to protect the overall interest of the Nigerian people,” he added.

No man can stop Biafra, says IPOB Continues on page 5

afra groups, like IPOB and MASSOB that bear no arms and are not known to have killed anybody, he is threatening to stamp us out. It is obvious Mr. President has more sympathy for Boko Haram than the non-violent pro-Biafra groups,” Powerful fumed.

IPOB stressed that there

is no justice in Nigeria, lamenting that there are different laws for different regions of the country.

“We have therefore resolved long ago to live as free men under a just government in an independent Biafran state and Buhari knows that no force of arm can stop that. They may have delayed it, but they cannot stop it.”

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (2nd left) flanked by Executive Director NIPP/NDPHC, Dr. Albert Okorogu; Mr.Gurinder Singh Raju and the Managing Director Niger/Delta Power Holding Company, Chief James Olotu during his visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the state house, Abuja PHOTO TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

5

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 15 MAY, 2016

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

F

rench President, Francois Hollande, yesterday, warned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian government never to relent in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

The French President said Boko Haram remains a threat despite ‘impressive’ military gains against it.

President Hollande stated this at the presidential villa, when he was hosted

by President Buhari on the sideline of the Second Regional Summit which ended in Abuja on Saturday.

Regional and Western leaders gathered in the nation’s capital with the hope for closer military corporation and assistance in tackling the threat of terrorism and it’s dire humanitarian consequences.

Speaking at joint press conference after a closeddoor bilateral discussion, President Hollande, who spoke through an interpreter, said “The results of the counter-insurgency are impressive” and the insurgents had been “diminished and forced to retreat.”

According to him, although the group has been weakened and have shifted ground from areas they were earlier occupying, they remain a major threat.

“I also held a meeting two years ago in Paris where we discussed together with the neighbours of Nigeria the common threat which is Boko Haram and how to deal with it.

“And when I hosted President Buhari in Paris in September 2015, we underlined the importance of implementing this Paris plan. And this afternoon,

Vanessa Okwara

T

he price of egg, which is one of the cheapest source of protein readily available in the market, has gone up.

Through the market survey conducted by Sunday Telegraph, it was discovered that egg, a dairy product any mother in the country can quickly lay her hands on when she cannot afford to buy chicken or meat, have also slipped out of her reach because an average sized egg that was sold at N25N30 is now going for N40N45 in most areas around.

Secretary, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, NSN, and a dietician, Mr. Olusola Malomo, spoke on the health implication on children.

“Egg is one of the cheapest sources of protein that we have locally, since meat and fish is very expensive. The implication is that we will have more malnourished

Boko Haram remains threat despite success, says Hollande the second of this summit will be held here in Abuja to take stock of the progresses achieved in this two years and work on what remains to be done,” he said.

President Hollande, who explained that results had been achieved through better regional coordination, said “this terrorist group nevertheless remains a threat.”

He said France had also provided training and equipment as part of the international support to the fight against insurgency in Nigeria which includes British military trainers and US surveillance drones.

Hollande noted further that “this terror group, Boko Haram which massacres, terror attacks and abducted the Chibok girls in particular, have been weakened, forced to move back; forced to lose ground; chased about and had to give up the territories they were controlling.”

The French President commended Buhari on the level of success in the fight against the insurgents. He said: “But this has been so thanks to the determination of President Buhari himself; thanks as well to the coordination of the countries in the region.

“I also thank the French government for taking responsibility because France has been supporting this actions through intelligence, information sharing, training by providing

equipment to support the missions of the Multinational Joint Task Force and it’s been this coalition, solidarity and strategy which have enabled the success we are witnessing.

During the closed doors bilateral talks, Presidents Hollande and Buhari signed a ‘Letter of Intent’ that will pave the way for a Defence Agreement. The two leaders also signed several accords strengthening existing cultural cooperation.

Hollande said the two nations “also discussed other matters and signed agreement in technical, scientific, and cultural cooperation agreement as well as agreements on development.

In his remark, President Buhari assured the French leader that Nigeria will continue to work closely with his government, adding that Boko Haram issue dominated the discussions among the two leaders.

“We do appreciate the efforts, the successes record-

ed by this administration.

I was told that a hundred articulated tankers leave Kano alone on a daily basis, seven days a week to go to Maiduguri, from there traders from Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, so you have at least two million Nigerians from wheel barrow pusher to traders that benefit from Maiduguri market before Boko Haram struck,” President Buhari explained.

Buhari told the French President that Nigeria

NEWS

has been the main battle ground and was not aware of “their international coloration until they claimed that they are loyal to ISIS. So I assure you we are doing our best.”

The President said that government’s main problem was rehabilitation of people in the areas ravaged by the insurgency and resettlement of IDPs, adding that in tackling the insurgency, his government will also move against all forms of trafficking.

President Muhammadu Buhari introducing the Vice President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote to his guest, President Francois Hollande, during the official reception of the French President as he arrived for the Regional Security Summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

More children may suffer malnutrition and low cognitive ability -Nutritionist children. Even as at now, we see a lot of malnourished children. In that kind of situation where the parents are poor, we ask them to put egg in pap while feeding their children and also to give their children at least an egg per day. So what the increase in egg prices means to parents now is that it will become too expensive for them to meet up with this important directive. If you have more than one child, families will now be sharing one egg among the children, leading to more undernourishment among the children,’’ he lamented.

Malomo explained that most children who are having problems assimi-

lating what is being taught in school is because their brain was not well nourished while growing up and this affected their cognitive ability.

“Malnutrition affects the brain and the cognitive development of a child. What I mean is that the ability to assimilate at school will be very low. A child that is malnourished, the networking of the brain is slow. If you check the brain scan of a child that is malnourished, the networking is not as that of a child that is well nourished. The ability to read and understand will be reduced. Also, the child that is well nourished will be more relaxed unlike the malnourished child who will always be restless.

And when malnutrition reaches the point when a parent cannot afford to buy eggs for the children, then it is a big problem’ he stated.

What exactly is in eggs that make it so important for a growing child?

Malomo said, “When you consider the nutrient content in egg particularly, the protein content is high. You also have the saturated fatty acid that helps the brain for development. The implication is that, the child that is not fed daily with egg, the productivity of that child is reduced. In children, the development of the brain is within the first five years. So if parents can no longer give their children egg for the de-

velopment of their brains, in the next 10 years, the children that will be the work force of the nation by that time will have low capacity. The capacity with which their brain will be able to absorb and assimilate will be reduced. This means that the future of our children is at stake. We may not see it now, but by the time this era is gone, like 10 years from now, we will be feeling the impact.

Malnutrition is terrible.

Most of the death of children of about 62 per cent is caused by malnutrition.

Health experts opine that children who are malnourished are more prone to contacting diseases unlike children who are nourished with the mi-

cro nutrients and vitamins necessary for their growth and vitality.

Since eggs are gradually slipping out the hands of poor mothers in the society and they still need to find ways to nourish their children, Malomo, who is also a dietician said there is really no cheap alternatives as other source of protein are in fact more expensive than eggs. “Alternative to egg is beans, but even that is also not cheap these days for most families to afford. Other sources of protein we have around is milk, egg, dairy products such as chicken, vegetables, soya but all these are even expensive and egg is actually the cheapest for parents to buy” he said.

6

SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Fulani community dispels rumour of fresh attack in Enugu

Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

T

he Fulani community in Enugu State yesterday dispelled the rumour that the Fulani herdsmen were planning an attack on the people of Nze Community in Udi Local Government Area of the state, describing it as false and unfounded.

This came as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi paid an unscheduled visit to the community in the wake of the panic created by the said rumour of an impending attack on the people of the area, reassuring them of their safety.

Speaking at the palace of the traditional rulers

of the community, Igwe Udodilim Eze, the Secretary of the Fulani community in Enugu State, Bala Ardo, who accompanied the governor to the area with other Fulani leaders, assured the people of the community and Enugu at large that there was no plan to attack them.

He said that the rumour was the handiwork of mischief makers, stressing that if there was any such plan, the leaders would have reported the issue to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Ardo said: “We wish to assure the people of Nze community and Enugu State at large that there is no such plan at all from

the Fulani community.

We have lived here for 34 years; we have no intention to attack any community in Enugu State.

“And should any Fulani man from any the part of Nigeria plan to do that and we know, we will always do our responsibility of informing the authorities that are concerned.”

There was a media report that Fulani herdsmen were threatening an attack on the community, after one Mr. Garba from Nze Community alleged that his friend herdsman hinted him of the plans and advised him to leave the community with his family.

Governor Ugwuanyi

who learnt of the panic in the community visited them with the Fulani leaders, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) covering the area, Onyekaba Ezenwa, to dispel the rumored attack and reassure the people of their safety.

The governor urged the people of the community to be law abiding and peaceful, as his administration is doing everything possible to find lasting solution to the menace of the herdsmen in the state.

He told them that he had scheduled a meeting with the leaders of Fulani community and traditional rulers of Nze community to address the matter urgently.

Ambode orders rehabilitation of OshodiApapa Expressway Muritala Ayinla

G

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday expressed dissatisfaction at the deplorable state of some sections of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, even as he ordered the immediate rehabilitation of the road.

Speaking during an onthe-spot assessment of the road, Ambode said that the road was too strategic to the economy of the state and therefore cannot be ignored.

The Governor, who was returning from the grand opening of a 70, 000-capacity motorbikes assembly plant in Mile 2,stopped his convoy and came down from his vehicles to inspect the bad portions of the road alongside top government officials who accompanied him.

Observing the plight of motorists along the bad portions of the road between Berlett and Ilasa, and Cele Bus Stop inward Oshodi, Ambode directed the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant government agencies to immediately move to site and fix the bad portions

of the road.

But prior to the completion of rehabilitation, he also said that an immediate palliative measure must be put in place to alleviate the sufferings of motorists who have been complaining about the deplorable state of the road through various means.

Addressing some of the crowd that trooped out to welcome him, Governor Ambode said the bad state of the road was of serious concern to him, and that an immediate solution was coming soon.

He said: “The state of this road is just not acceptable. We are going to do something about this place immediately.

The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway is too strategic to be left like this.

“I have directed officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant agencies to move to site immediately and see what they can do and also create palliatives in the interim to alleviate the plight of motorists.

“I want to assure the people that I share in the difficulties they are going through using this road and we cannot afford to neglect this road.”

Owerri residents groan under fuel price hike Steve Uzoechi OWERRI Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left) casting his vote during the South-East Zonal PDP Congress while the Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and others file behind him at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, ...yesterday

Fuel price hike is arrant nonsense, Kebbi govt.to create more jobs Abubakar Abdul says cleric

N EWS I N BRIEF

The Methodist Archbishop of Ogun State, Most Revd Atanda Adewale, yesterday berated the Federal Government over the recent increase in the pump price of petrol to N145 per litre.

Adewale, who spoke while delivering a sermon at the funeral service of Princess Abigail Adekoya at the Methodist Cathedral, Imere, Ago-Iwoye, described the new fuel price regime as “arrant nonsense.”

The late Adekoya was the mother of the lawmaker representing Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The event was attended by a delegation of the House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; former Governor Gbenga Daniel; immediate past Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye; former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora; and former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Isola, among others.

According to the archbishop, the increment in fuel price from N86 to N145 per litre was absurd and unreasonable. Adewale said the new fuel price would further aggravate the suffering of teeming Nigerians who are groaning under the current poor economic situation.

Birnin Kebbi The Kebbi State Government has reiterated its commitment towards creating more jobs for its citizens in collaboration with donour agencies and other organisations as a way of reducing the spate of unemployment in the state.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inspection of Cassava Growers Agriculture Product Nig. Ltd, yesterday in Kalgo Local Government Area of the state, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Atiku Bagudu said the new mission of the state government is to promote agriculture in order to create employment for the youth.

She stated that the government would also encourage women participating on cassava farming and help them benefits from government policies toward promoting gender quality. ‘’We cannot rely on the rice farming only; we need to promote other crops like cassava and onion. When these industries grow, they would produce flower, garri and starch, which would also bring down the prices of the goods and reduce unemployment in the state,’’ she added.

Also, the Managing Director, Psaltery International Ltd, Ado-Awaye, Oyo State, Mrs. Oluyemisi Iranloye said they are try to partner with the state government on cassava processing, assuring the people of 80 tones of flowers and other spices if the partnership works.

SW coalition alleges ethnic bias in Adeseun’s arrest

Sola Adeyemo, Ibadan Piqued by the Tuesday’s arrest of former Senator for the Oyo Central senatorial district, Ayoade Adeseun, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged campaign funds disbursement in the last election, a coalition of socio-political organisations in the South-West zone under the umbrella of Network for Equity and Justice (NEJ), yesterday accused the anti-graft body of persecuting politicians from the zone under the guise prosecuting anti-corruption campaign.

Though it said it was in total support of the anti-corruption policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, NEJ, however, declared that it would not endorse the singling out of opposition figures for punishment while members of the APC remain untouchables.

The organisation said it came to the conclusion after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of senator who was subsequently detained for a night at State CID in Ibadan, before being whisked to Lagos by the EFCC operatives last Wednesday.

In a release signed by its Media Officer, Elder Joshua Obadare, NEJ said more than five days after Senator Adeseun was picked up, no charges had been preferred against him, querying why he was only allowed access to his lawyers after his third day in incarceration.

R

esidents of Owerri, the Imo State capital took quite a jolt yesterday as they awoke to a new price regime of N145 per litre of fuel. Filling stations that sold N120 and N130 maximum the previous night speedily adjusted their meters to read and dispense fuel at N145 per litre.

Prices of goods and services particularly cost of transportation also took a leap in tune with the new pump price. From Orji to Okigwe Road was previously N50 but by 11 am yesterday, it was costing between N100 and N150.

Previously, one could pay N30 or N40 for some particularly short distances but as at yesterday no matter how short or near the destination is, the least transport fare now is N50.

Prices of food items like every other item in the market have increased by nearly 100 percent and in some cases even more.

The same quantity of tomato that previously sold for N100 is now selling for N400 upwards.

Business centres that

hitherto photocopied documents for N5 par page, now do same for N10 a copy and sachet water previously N5 now sells for N15 in Owerri.

Reacting to the fuel hike, Uche Wisdom Durueke, President of Civil Liberties Organizationwants Mr. President must urgently do a stock taking of his cabinet, advisers and think tank. ‘He must also decide whether he wants to run a pro-people government or otherwise. He must not forget that it was the poor that rallied round his candidature and he made promises they believed and created hopes they are expecting.

Kissinger Ikeokwu, a lawyer in his contribution said the removal of petroleum subsidy is not entirely a bad idea. “However it is the policy flip flop and the timing that has made it a serious talking point. The truth is that, leaders of the ruling APC from top to bottom were copiously quoted kicking against deregulation.

Today the question is, what has changed between now and 2012 when the former president removed subsidy.

APC must learn that integrity is a great virtue.”

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

News Philip Nyam

C Abuja

hairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to tender unreserved apologies for “misleading Nigerians” and failing to offer an alternative economic blueprint for the nation.

Nkem-Abonta, who represents Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency of Abia State, also asked the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress

Subsidy removal: Rep asks Buhari to apologise to Nigerians (APC) to “borrow ideas” from the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to cushion the effect of the deregulation of the petroleum sector.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja against the background of the decision of the government on subsidy removal and other alleged sundry economic failures of the President Buhari-

led administration , the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker said: “I think President Buhari and the present APC government owe former President Jonathan an apology right now.

“They must apologise to Nigerians as a whole for the destructive position they took in 2012 when they spent billions of naira to sponsor protests under

“Occupy Nigeria” group without any sense of economic reasoning and bases, and kicked against the change in the oil pump price then.

“So, what changed between 2012 and now that will require the recent astronomical increase in the pump price of petroleum products to N145 if not that they have clearly exhibited ignorance and lack of economic reasoning?”

However, Nkem-Abonta, who hailed the removal of oil subsidy, while also advocating a total deregulation in Nigeria, said the decision was long overdue in view of the economic challenges weighing down the country, adding that, “you cannot run our (Nigeria) economy with subsidy, it is not progressive.

“Subsidy is only to the benefit of our brother countries and the rich men. It is meant for the enrichment of the haves and not the less privileged. Therefore, subsidy ought to be removed if there will be any meaningful progress in our economy.”

He further came hard on the APC for what he con-

A police patrol vehicle carting away some of the items, (Inset) Dasuki

Biyi Adegoroye

A

suspected burglar simply identified as Dasuki shocked the police in Ogun State over the weekend when he led detectives to recover two truckloads of assorted goods he allegedly stole from various shops and houses in Mowe area on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

The suspect, a native of Badagry in Lagos State, was initially apprehended by a vigilance group employed by a Community Development Association at Gbegira, in Mowe, in Ogun State when he dropped the second of his two Ghana -Must -Go bags full of handsets and bales of clothes at about 3:00am.

He was temporarily detained by the vigilance men to enable them arrest other suspects, but he bolted away, and was given a hot chase until he got stuck in a swamp. He was rearrested and handed over to the police at the Redeemed Camp Division.

Explaining his method of operation, a source said when he touches every building with a charm, all occupants goes to slumber, and become insensitive to anything happening in the house. He bores a whole on the wall, steals every valu-

Burglar shocks police: When I touch the wall, occupants sleep off able thing, defecates on the floor and leaves a knife on the spot before disappearing into thin air.

According to an official of the Development Association, detectives moved to the suspect’s house where his wife and mother in-law were sighted. But police watched in utter amazement several stolen items which were on the verge of being sold off to receivers of stolen goods.

“During the raid of his house, the police discovered over 56 assorted handsets, about 10 plasma television sets, desk and lap top computers, bales of clothing materials stolen from various shops and homes in the area,” the CDA official who pleaded anonymity said.

One of the victims, a mother was said to have been burgled a day after she took delivery in her shops of bales of lace and Ankara materials. She allegedly wept uncontrollably upon discovery of the theft the following morning.

The items were moved to the station in two patrol vehicles while the police continued their investigations into the matter. During interrogation, the sus-

pect confessed to stealing the items, usually at night and on Sunday when homeowners must have gone to church.

“I normally bore holes on the wall to enable me enter into the houses and defecate there after each operation,” he said in pidgin. “I act alone, because I do not belong to a gang. When get the items, I keep them and sell them off,” he said.

The suspect was believed to have perfected his crime with the assistance of a charm said to have been given to him by herbalist who made him invincible.

But the charm allegedly failed, thereby making him vulnerable to arrest.

Interestingly, the suspect has been assisting owners of the stolen items who thronged the division to claim them. On one occasion, he told the police that he stole 12 bales of clothes stolen from the shop when their owners arrived.

In another instance when the owner of 36 of the entire handsets visited the station, he explained to him while he produced 34. “When I burgled the shop, I actually

stole 36 handsets. I kept 34 in a bag and two others in my pocket, but the two fell off when I was trying to escape in the cover of darkness,” he said.

According to a source close to the Divisional Police Officer, SP Martins Olaiya, the suspect has been helping the police with investigation and will soon be charged to court. Ogun State Police Spokesman, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi said he was yet to be briefed on the arrest.

sidered “wrongful criticisms” of policies of the immediate past government which, he said was done out of mischief and blackmail in order to destroy it, saying the party has failed to canvass any new economic ideology.

“From the facts available to us, it shows that this present administration has no economic plan rather than to continue what the immediate past administration had done. To date, tell me what they have done that is not what President Jonathan started. Is the fuel subsidy removal now a new economic agenda?

No! They should look at those good areas Jonathan excelled, capitalise on it and continue from there,”

Fayose is causing confusion in party – PDP Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State of causing confusion in the party.

The National Secretary of the party, Professor Adewale Oladipo said the governor was behind the plan to hold the South-West zonal congress in Akure on Saturday despite the court order, which restrained the party from conducting the exercise.

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos had on Thursday granted the prayer of Chief Gbenga Otemolu, South West zonal Secretary, on behalf of the zonal executive, asking it to restrained PDP from conducting the zonal congress.

Otemolu had argued that their tenure would expire on 2018 because they came to office in 2014.

Professor Oladipo had

Lagos demolishes 100 shops O fficials of the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State early on Saturday demolished no less than 100 shops at the Rauf Aregbesola Modern Market in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos State.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the market reports that some of the traders were seen running helter-skelter to remove their goods and valuables there.

Some of them told NAN that they got to the market

he said.

He, therefore, called on the President Buhari to feel free to “go for those persons who ran the economy under Jonathan, and take them as consultants if they don’t want to engage them purely, to run the sector. He shouldn’t condemn all. This is so that Nigerians will have a sense of belonging and enjoy this our nascent democracy.”

On strategies to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal, he specifically urged the government to study, modify and improve on the palliative measures put in place by the PDP administration especially in the areas of improved transportation.

He said the government

in the early hours of the day to see that some of its shops were being demolished without any prior notice from the local government.

Other claimed that they got wind of the development through telephone calls from market members that had got to the market at dawn.

The Secretary of the market, Mr Adegbite Omoluabi popularly known as ‘Baale’ said he had no prior knowledge of the demolition.

Omoluabi said: “I don’t know anything about this

on Friday, addressed a press conference in Abuja and said that the party had decided to obey the order.

But in an interview with journalists on Saturday, the National Secretary accused the Ekiti governor, who incidentally is of the same party, of insisting that the congress must go on in spite of the court order.

“Governor Fayose is not a member of the National Working Committee of the PDP, but he is causing confusion with his utterances.

“We are not dabbling into his government and he has no right to tell us how to run the party here. We have an order of the court stopping the congress. The governor cannot overrule the court,” Oladipo said.

According to him, PDP National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwon, had advised the party to obey the order of the court, which he said was served on him (Oladipo) and the party on Friday afternoon.

demolition, I don’t know what is happening. It took us by surprise. I was called on my cell phone that shops were being demolished.”

The scribe, however, said that the traders could not fight the government and win, hence had to agree to whatever the government wanted.

Another trader, Mrs Ajose Laoye, who deals in toiletries said, “This is the height of impunity, it is madness, there was no notice, we got to the market to see this.

The Sunday Magazine

8

Spousal abuse: •Lagos records 5,322 domestic violence cases in one year - OPD In recent times, there has been an upsurge in reports of incidents of spousal abuse, most of them fatal.

One begins to wonder the cause of the rise in violence in the family unit. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA & BIWOM IKLAKI explore this subject and came up with startling revelations

L

ove, they say, is a beautiful thing, the reason those in love are said to glow. Love cannot hurt as people in love are said to consider their partners above self. There are different reasons why people go into relationships, but love is supposed to be chief among them.

Nobody expects enemies to get married or get into a relationship, but then, everyday, three women die as result of spousal abuse and abusive relationships and about 1,100 are killed every year in the world. Such astounding number may not mean anything to you unless the victim is your mother, sister, daughter or even aunty.

In recent times, there has been increasing cases of spousal abuses and killings in Nigeria. This familial violence is also a problem in many parts of Africa.

In Nigeria, there is a deep-rooted cultural belief that it is socially acceptable to hit a woman as a disciplinary measure. Hence, spousal abuse is widespread. Unfortunately, despite the public outcry against this obnoxious practice, it shows no signs of lessening in the country.

However, the rate of spousal abuse ending up in deaths has been on the increase. Unfortunately, educated couples are involved in most of the reported cases.

Very few people will forget the case of Akolade Arowolo and his late wife, Titilayo, in a hurry.

The increasing rate of domestic violence against women has become a source of concern to the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode. Recently, she described as 'unacceptable', a situation where a man would callously turn his wife to a punching bag at the slightest opportunity.

She urges the victims of domestic violence, including families of those that died, to approach the state’s Office of the Public Defender, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth and Social Development or the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for legal assistance at no cost.

Between June 2015 and May 2016, the Lagos State Office of Public Defender (OPD), recorded a total of 5, 322 cases of domestic violence in Lagos.

Director of OPD, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, said recently, that Lagos State Government has handled about 14,166 rape and domestic violence cases in the state in the last eight years.

Many people wonder what could prompt a man or woman to stab their erstwhile lovers once, not to talk of repeatedly until such a person dies. But then, it happens. In most cases, the couple could have spared their

families the agony and pain of losing a loved one by going their separate ways.

Many victims of spousal abuse, who survived to tell the story, saw all the signs of violence which gradually worsened. They had stayed on, thinking it would just stop.

They were in love, they'd be quick to point out. Most of the times, they stop confiding in friends and families who advised them to leave their abusive partners. Most of the victims suffered heartache and depression.

Some got to the verge of mental breakdown.

"Most times, the signs are there. Verbal abuse precedes physical ones. Verbal abuse

I didn't care anymore. I was done with him. The only thing that mattered to me then was my life. I'd lost all my friends because I thought they weren't happy I was married. I left with nothing but my womanhood.

That was two years ago

can 'kill' the spirit also. It can cause depression. It makes you lose yourself. When the physical abuse sets in, remaining in such relationship becomes suicidal," Folusho said.

Folusho, who would want to be addressed thus, was in an abusive relationship for three years before she decided that one more night in her matrimonial home could spell doom for her.

She told one of our correspondents, "When Mike started showing a part of him I didn't know existed, I thought it was a passing phase. All of a sudden, everything I did was wrong. I also didn't seem to say anything right. We dated for three months and he was in a hurry to settle down. We did. Two months into our marriage, I noticed that he had mood swings. I wasn't too sure he could smile for 10 minutes at a stretch. Then he started complaining about everything. The third month into our wedding, the physical abuse started. 'I'll kill you', he would say and lunge at me. I noticed he talked in his sleep also. We discussed it and I advised that we should see our pastor. We did but when the pastor recommended deliverance and counselling sessions, he stopped going to church and tried to stop me from going to church anymore.

"I spoke to his brother, who is a psychologist, who promised that he would talk to him. The abuse didn't stop after he spoke to my husband. In fact, Mike was angry that I reported him to his elder brother. He punched me till I almost fainted, locked me up in the flat and went out. I called his brother and his wife picked the phone. When she came to see me, she broke down in tears. After about three weeks, she invited me to her house and told me the most shocking news.

"She said Mike actually needed help, that our late mother in-law once said Mike had a 'spiritual wife' that was disturbing him. It was then I learnt that Mike, at a point, was taking medical treatment from his psychologist brother. That was when I knew I had to leave. It wasn't an easy decision though. I loved him and was praying that he would change. He never did. It got so bad that ev-

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016

Sunday Magazine

When love turns sour ery time he was at home with me, I would make sure I was wearing something with pockets where I'd have my phone and some money. Once the beating started, I would just be looking for a way to run out of the flat."

Folusho did leave, but not before she lost her almost five-month pregnancy which could have been the only child of her threeyear marriage to Mike.

"I didn't care anymore. I was done with him. The only thing that mattered to me then was my life. I'd lost all my friends because I thought they weren't happy I was married. I left with nothing but my womanhood. That was two years ago," she said.

People in abusive relationships have ugly tales to tell and many, like Folusho, devised means of surviving in such relationships.

Unfortunately, many didn't live to tell their stories.

Investigations by Sunday Telegraph revealed a number of dynamics responsible for spousal abuse. The chief among the causative factors remains lack of forgiveness and understanding. Marital infidelity, a stroke of many foes, immaturity, anger, intolerance, jealousy, insecurity, lack of respect for each other, and emotional imbalance to handle the excesses of husband or wife are other factors. There could also be the spiritual angle to it, going by Folusho's narration.

For the above mentioned reasons and the inability of one spouse to verbally express his or her feelings in such relationships, gory stories of how husband stabbed wife to death, beheaded wife, how wife poisoned husband, and how boyfriend killed girlfriend are rife in our society.

Just last week, a man allegedly beheaded his wife due to infidelity. The woman allegedly told the husband that none of the six children she bore belonged to him and asked for forgiveness. The husband, who pretended to have forgiven her, eventually killed his wife and was arrested.

Of course, the murder of Ronke Bewaji Shonde, a mother of two, who was allegedly beaten to death by her husband, Lekan Shonde, is still fresh in the minds of many.

On May 7, 2016, it was reported that an MTN staff in Ilorin, Kwara State, Miss Oluwatosin Ashinwo, was stabbed to death by her lover, after she allegedly ditched him upon discovering that he was married with two kids.

Few months ago, a married woman cut off her husband’s friend, Linus Ibok's manhood for trying to have carnal knowledge of her.

This happened in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Also banker, Bimbo Ajetumobi Daniju, was reported to have sliced her gospel singer husband’s penis in Surulere, Lagos, during a fight. She accused her husband of not taking care of them.

“When it comes to infidelity, a good man can do anything. He can beat and do all manner of things to that woman. Not because he hates the woman, but because he wants to keep her to himself alone. If not, why will the man not send the woman away after beating her for infidelity? It’s because he loves her and wants her to himself alone,” Stephen Ibrahim, who has been married for two years said.

He continued: “On one occasion, I saw myself in another mood that I couldn’t believe.

What was the problem, infidelity? A lady I wanted to get married to, whom I had introduced to my family, went for National Youth Service Corps and got entangled with another man. When I found out, I queried her but she denied.

“While we were talking, the guy’s call came in and my anger was rekindled. I almost slapped the phone out of her cheek. I seized her phone for days. At that point, if she had responded harshly to me, I would

have given her the beating of her life. Men are jealous and don’t play with their women.

They can kill and even kill the woman in question.”

In another case of jealousy, Sir Ray beat up her wife for dancing with another man in a club. “It set me off. I remember walking up to her and smacking her with full force.

I grabbed her by her neck, and I held her against the car.

“Then, I walked her over to the bush and threw her in there, and beat her up. It was with every bit of rage, every bit of anger I've ever had. I felt like I had power and control over something in my life. It made me feel invincible. But that situation has changed now after two years," he said.

For Samson Solanke, “A disobedient and stubborn wife is the worst thing that can ever happen to a Nigerian man. Most Nigerian men would rather remain single than marry a stubborn and disobedient woman. In such a case, men would use all manner of forces available to bring such woman under control.

“You can't enjoy some Nigerian women except you slap them to consciousness. Some Nigerian women hide their true character until they step into your home and then their true character is unravelled. Unfortunately for undiscerning men, Christianity and even the society do not encourage divorce, so they have to make the best of the bad situation.”

Many women are of the opinion that men also hide their true nature until a woman moves permanently into their home.

"My husband was such a loving man when we were dating. When we got married, he changed. All the things that used to amuse him suddenly began to get him angry. I was surprised because I didn't change from what I was. The day I told him I hadn't changed from the woman he dated, he whacked me across the face," Andrey, a young woman married for four years said.

Women drag their husbands’ manhood A newly married Julius Frank, who lives next door to a couple who always fight in secret said wives also abuse their husbands.

He said, “I have seen a violent woman that her husband runs away from yet still maltreats him as soon as he gets home.

“When we talk about spousal abuse, it appears as if only men abuse women. Have you not seen a violent woman, who has poured dangerous liquids or even acid on men and their prized suits? Have you not seen wives that slashed their husband’s shoes, or smashed their car windscreen, cell phone and television in the house upon provocation?

“Or have you not seen a wife that stood by the door and barred her husband from

going out, even when he was running late for work? These are the kind of women that bring out the beast in a man. This is a personal experience.

“See, I have a neighbour that tugs her husband’s manhood at the slightest provocation. I don’t know what causes their fight every night. Each night, the man would be making suppressed noise. One day, I was forced to peep through the door that connects my room to theirs. You won’t believe what I saw.

“This woman held the husband’s manhood, and was dragging him up and down.

Funny enough, the man didn’t fight back; instead he whimpered until the wife left his manhood. What will you call that one?

Abuse or what?

“So, if I were to be the husband of such a lunatic, you will ask me not to beat her? I would batter her and break her hands. After that, I would send her to the hospital. Any woman that would try such with me, I will do to her what she would not forget in a hurry.”

Another respondent, Pastor Charles Obiekwe, said he had to separate a couple fighting naked.

He told Sunday Telegraph “They are my neighbours. I heard the man shouting, 'Pastor! Pastor!! Pastor!!!' At a point, I didn’t hear him again. I rushed to their house but the door was locked.

“I looked through the window and saw what was happening. I started knocking on the door but the woman wouldn’t open the door. For me to save the man’s life, I started pleading with the woman to leave him. She continued until I told her that she was going to commit murder, then, she left him and opened the door.

“After speaking with them, I left. What they told me that caused the fight is not necessary now. Horrible things are happening in marriages. People are going through trying times, couples should understand that. But husband beating the wife is not acceptable, likewise wife beating the husband,” he said.

Tony said he beat his girlfriend to the point that she started bleeding. He said, "I couldn't express myself verbally, so I would take it out on her physically. I was triggered by insecurity to beat her. To see her stare at another man, or to see her have a conversation with another man, or if she confronted me about anything, it enraged me. I knew I shouldn't be doing that, but I couldn't stop it. These ladies sometimes get on your nerves.”

Why couples fight, says 88-year-old husband Eighty eight-year-old, Mr. Christopher Nwafor, who has been married for over 47 years, said the major reason for spousal

abuse is lack of respect for each other on one hand and immaturity, on the other. According to him, children are being joined together into holy matrimony.

He noted that African cultural values are being eroded due to western culture, adding that the quest for everything western, especially gender equality, has turned wives against their husbands, who are the heads in the family.

He said, “The problem people are facing in marriages today boils down to system break down. Our culture is fast being eroded because people don’t know what marriage is all about. Today, you see two children getting married all in the spirit of love, without knowing what it takes to be husband and wife.

“Yes, love is good. The Bible says that love is long suffering and enduring but the children we join today do not want to hear this. They are not emotionally matured to put it into practice. By the way, I do not know which love they refer to. If two children are in marriage, it is expected that both of them have known their differences and master their differences.

“You prepare for marriage as a single young man and woman. They would have also known their differences – strengths and weaknesses to determine if they would be able to live together under one roof for life.

They will also check if they have the moral and emotional fibres to tolerate each other.

“Marriage is a union of two great adult forgivers. If you can’t forgive then, don’t think of getting married. If you can’t tolerate a man or a woman, then, don’t think of getting married. A man should be able to know that the strength of a woman lies in her lips. Yes, they can say all manner of senseless things but a matured man should be able to get hold himself.

“I am 88 years now. I have been married for 49 years and people have never gathered in my house to separate fight. The reason is that I took time to understand what marriage is before getting married. I didn’t get married on time. I had to train my younger ones. So, I have an idea. Igbos will make sure that you are emotionally mature before your father approves of your marriage.

“Also, the father of the girl will want to see how emotionally balanced you are before giving his daughter to you. During our time, it was hard to hear that two couples fought because fear and respect were there.

I never fought my wife and she never spoke back at me.

“We had a strong culture that would not allow such. Beating of a woman makes a man less of a man in my community. All these fuss about gender equality are senseless and the major cause of these problems.

“In my days, we lived in a world where women respect their husbands and cherished them. We lived in a world where men loved and protected their wives and not beat them. We lived in a world where people looked at the character of a father and recommended daughter for marriage.

“You can’t do that anymore because the fathers do not know what the girl does in school. Western culture has made our daughters mad. It has made our sons senseless. I will rather preach God to them and maturity. Marriage is not meant for children.

My heart bleeds when I hear the kind of things that go on today.

“You hear that a man killed his wife and wife killed her husband. These are taboo in our environment and shouldn’t be encouraged. Yes, I did have issues with my

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SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Marriage is for the living Violent end Akolade Arowolo sentenced to death for killing wife Nearly three years after he was arrested for stabbing his banker wife Titilayo to death at their Isolo, Lagos home, Akolade Arowolo has not just been found guilty of murder but sentenced to death…by hanging. On June 24, 2011 Titilayo Arolowolo’s mutilated body was discovered at the home she shared with her husband. She had 76 stab wounds, a knife was stuck in her neck & her body was dismembered.

God knows what possessed him to so brutally kill his wife? On arrest he claimed she had stabbed herself. Earlier today (21st Feb 2014) he was pronounced guilty and sentenced to death at the Ikeja High Court by Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

Late Titilayo and hubby, Akolade Arowolo

Late Oluwatosin

wife but we settle that in the bedroom. Understanding is the key word. We lived in an environment where husband and wife will be quarrelling but when somebody comes in, they pretend as if nothing happened until the person had gone. Today, they will call neighbours to separate them. What a shame.

Are they matured at all?”

Some abusers learnt from parents A relationship counsellor, educator and the Chief Coordinator, The Wife, a body of married women and mothers saddled with the responsibility of grooming women and children in the society, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkem Okoro, said low self-esteem and the inferiority complex make some men feel insecure and in turn, beat their wives.

The Director of Inspection, Federal Ministry of Education, who has been certificated on human behavioural studies said, “Though I can't speak for all men, but I believe some abusive behaviours in men and woman are triggered by their past. Fighting has psychological effect on people.

“Children are precious and they record everything that happens around them. Some grew up in an abusive household, and so didn't know how to verbally communicate with one’s spouse without putting her down. They don’t know how to verbally disagree with each other. Some of them don’t even see anything wrong in doing that because it was the order of day during their growing up days.

“Apart from that, there are other factors responsible for their fights. Low sexual performance and lack of sex in marriage is another reason couples fight. I’m a counsellor and I can tell you that major breakups and frictions in some marriages, especially among Christians, are sex-induced. It's either that one person is over performing or that the other is under performing.

“Unforgiveness is another major problem I have come across, while counselling couples. When you speak with these people,

Lekan Shonde with late wife, Ronke

you will discover the level of bitterness in their hearts. If they didn’t speak up, one day, it will burst into serious violence at a slightest provocation.

“Disagreement that is not well handled can lead to serious fights for ‘baby’ couples. To a reasonable extent, you will discover that most killings among couples are preventable but they didn’t handle it well.”

Run for your life According to a social psychologist, Adedotun Johnson, violent or aggressiveness should be addressed critically in the country until common assault is punishable under law.

"I think we are yet to see the last of such despicable acts," he said.

He noted that in the United Kingdom, verbal abuses, emotional abuses, physical grievous body harm or actual body harm are treated as undue aggressiveness and always punishable except in cases where it’s in self defence.

He said, “In my opinion I think it’s uncivilised to raise your hands at another. It’s unmanly to hit a woman and unladylike to hit a man. Our culture as a nation had shown a wrong orientation to many of us. Men see our women as a subordinate than a partner.

“Most women see their husband or partner as a meal ticket, thereby making herself vulnerable. History told us that every successful woman, thought outside the box, went the extra length to achieve rather than put herself in a vulnerable position. Trust me, if you are hardworking enough for your partner to see you as a support in the home, he would never raise his or her hands on you.

“It’s when he or she knows you don’t have a choice he or she takes you for granted. I really think our women need empowerment and enlightenment mostly. In rare cases, we hear about women beating up their husbands. I have not seen one but I think as a nation, the issue of aggressiveness needs to be addressed.

Alleged Murder of Ronke by husband Of course, the murder of Ronke Bewaji Shonde, a mother of two, who was allegedly beaten to death by her husband, Lekan Shonde, is still in the minds of many.

A dramatic twist, Mr. Lekan Shonde, who allegedly murdered his five months pregnant wife, Ronke, on Friday at their Egbeda residence in Lagos, yesterday surrendered himself to the police. Shonde, 57, decided to surrender himself after some of his friends convinced him to do so. That, however, came after he had sent about 70 suicide threat text messages to his friends.

At 12:28p.m., Shonde and his friends appeared at the office of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The RRS Commander, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olatunji Disu, ushered them to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, where the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, debriefed them. Shonde allegedly escaped to the Republic of Benin, hoping to enter Ghana and disappear, but was advised to return. He shelved his plan and went to Ondo State, from where he was persuaded to return to Lagos and surrender. Shonde “Marriages should not also be seen as a do or die affair as believed! One woman stabbed her husband to death while he was asleep in Ibadan. What a cruel way to die – no chance to fight back, no chance to defend himself. I heard that was not the first time she would use the knife on him.

“So, two questions here are, why remain in such a violent marriage and what could he have done to warrant such cruel treatment from his wife? That is not a wife. That is one monster from the darkest and fieriest part of hell.

“So, here’s my uneducated conclusion. If you have ever suffered violent, domestic abuse from your spouse, chances are, they would violently abuse you again. I don’t care what your culture or religion teaches, if that is your situation, run for your dear life before it becomes fatal and too late.

“To be divorced is way, way better than to be dead, unless you have nothing to live for.

True, marriage is supposed to be ‘till death do us part’, but that death shouldn’t come from your spouse!"

Some laws allow gender-based violence Country Reports 2013 revealed that some federal laws allow gender-based violence.

Those laws permit husbands to use physical means to chastise their wives, as long as it does not result in ‘grievous harm,’ which is defined as loss of sight, hearing, speech, facial disfigurement or life-threatening injuries.

Under Section 55 of the Penal Code, applicable in northern Nigeria, men may engage in wife battery as long as it does not result in ‘excessive bodily injury’ and who determines what is excessive? Notwithstanding,

had over the weekend, sent about 70 text messages to a friend, Mr. Sunday Nwobi, indicating his intention to commit suicide.

Some of the text messages he sent on May 7 read: “I want to die, please help,” “I can’t face police or cell,” “You’re the only one advising me not to kill myself, I will respect you till I die.”

A man beheaded wife Just last week, a man allegedly beheaded his wife due to infidelity. The woman had confessed to her husband that, none of the six children he calls his children, belonged to him. She asked for forgiveness, but the husband, who pretended to have forgiven her, eventually killed her.

Oluwatosin Ashinwo murdered by fiancée On May 7, 2016, it was reported that an MTN staff in Ilorin, Kwara State, Miss Oluwatosin Ashinwo, was stabbed to death by her lover, after she allegedly ditched him upon discovering that he was married with two kids.

Woman cuts husband’s friend's penis Few months ago, a married woman cut off her husband’s friend’s manhood, Linus Ibok, from Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, for trying to have carnal knowledge of her. Also banker, Bimbo Ajetumobi Daniju was reported to have sliced her gospel singer husband’s penis in Surulere, Lagos, during a fight.

Other headlines You would see other newspaper headlines, like Six months pregnant woman brutally battered by husband; man stabbed to death by his wife just after their wedding; husband baths his wife with acid; woman battered and inflicted with a deep cut by her husband in Lagos; and barren woman attacked and bathed her husband with acid among others. the Nigeria Criminal Code Act of 1990 indicates that: (353)Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults any male person is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant and; (354) Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults a woman or girl is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment for two years.

The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also admitted that domestic violence laws in the states are still poorly implemented. This, in turn, has helped fan the flame of abuse the more, making the phenomenon one practically impossible to nip in the bud.

Physical abuse against women at homes is regarded as a family or private affair in Nigeria and shielded from public. Many battered women never come out to say what they are going through. This act of suffering in silence has resulted in many women trying to take their destinies in their hands and fight back.

Detecting abusive characters The President, Tamar Rescue Foundation, Pastor (Mrs.) Fidel Onwuraokoye, said certain character in adults hardly change, except the Spirit of God helped them couple with person’s hard work.

“It requires a lot of work on your own. God cannot do it without you. When speaking with a man and he gets angry and says, ‘If I slap you’ or ‘I will slap’ or raise his hand without slapping, know that he will slap you one day. It’s in him but he is suppressing the act. It’s a sign to watch out for.

“If he doesn’t beat you, check whether he beats other people, especially ladies. When

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No magic at the altar he gets angry does he hit or beat the wall?

Does he or she smash things? Does he smoke and drink alcoholic drinks when he gets angry? If he does, he can get drunk in anger and descend on you.

“Nobody is perfect. I believe in change but if you can’t change the person or see signs of change, don’t go into marriage relationship with such person, except you can endure the beating until he or she changes. If he or she doesn't change, then you have to endure or would you put up a fight and lose your eyes or skin or beautiful face or even your life?

“Don’t say you didn’t know that he or she can do it, because the traces are there, so glaring but you refused to take a walk when you should. May be you are so desperate to marry him or her under the pretense that he or she will change. I will change him. Yes, that is possible but can you bear it all through for the change to come? If you are weak where he or she is weak, please take a walk.

“Marriage is an institution ordained by God for us to be together until death. He doesn’t want separation. It's either we see some signs and decide to ignore it due to some reasons or the other. But there are traits that cannot be hidden, which we should always look out for.”

“Again, while going through this change, you need somebody that is emotionally strong to take your excesses until you get it right. If not, you will break the process. I used to have ‘bad mouth’ but my husband was emotionally balanced to take it, until I changed.

“He had never beaten me for once but not all men can do that. He might be weak in some areas but in this my weakness, he is very strong and that was why we never fought. Those days, I would talk to him, and he would go to a corner and be weeping but never raised his hand on me. A day came when I jacked his trousers, he was pleading with me and the little gap he had, he fled the house.

“But then, I realised what I did, that I chased my husband out to other women and out of his house. When I saw him come back, I knelt down and appologised as a humble wife would do. He accepted and took me inside for a talk. He is very strong there and that was why he tolerated me, yet he is a very hard and stubborn man.

“If he had beaten me in that first instance, I would have distorted that process of the change and I would fight back. And he knew I was like that when he was coming for me because I showed him my true colour. I was influenced by my parents’ character. But I had to work on it myself.”

Spouse battery, when to say goodbye Former Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Police Force, CSP, Frank Mba in a work titled: ‘Spouse battery, when to say goodbye,’ said, “I’m a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage, and I strongly believe the Biblical injunction ‘What God has joined together let no man put asunder.’

“I’m also aware of the fact that marriage is not a bed of roses and couples should be given time and support to help them in solving their marital issues. I’m also a firm believer in the power of love, the power of repentance and reconciliation. But to be candid, sometimes, relationships are just wrong and cannot be saved. For your sake, and for the sake of your mental health, try hard to recognise as early as possible whether or not this relationship is even worth working on.

“If you are unhappy in your relationship, and all efforts to salvage the relationship have proved abortive, please leave. Your life is more important. Marriage is for the living and not for the dead. If you’re trying to decide whether to stay or leave, you may be feeling confused, uncertain, frightened, and torn.

“One moment, you may desperately want to get away, and the next, you may want

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abusive behaviour.

“Instead of helping your abuser, you’re perpetuating the problem. When facing consequences, abusers often plead for another chance, beg for forgiveness, and promise to change. They may even mean what they say in the moment, but their true goal is to stay in control and keep you from leaving.

“But most of the time, they quickly return to their abusive behaviour once they’ve been forgiven and they’re no longer worried that you’ll leave. Whether or not you’re ready to leave your abuser, there are things you can do to protect yourself. These safety tips can make the difference between being severely injured or killed and escaping with your life.”

Arowolo on his way to prison

to hang on to the relationship. Maybe you even blame yourself for the abuse or feel weak and embarrassed because you’ve stuck around in spite of it. Don’t be trapped by confusion, guilt, or self-blame. The only thing that matters is your safety.

“As you face the decision to either end the abusive relationship or try to save it, keep the following things in mind: If you’re hoping your abusive partner will change…The abuse will probably happen again. Abusers have deep emotional and psychological problems.

“While change is not impossible, it isn’t

quick or easy. And change can only happen once your abuser takes full responsibility for his behaviour, seeks professional treatment, and stops blaming you, his unhappy childhood, stress, work, his drinking, or his temper.

“If you believe you can help your abuser…

It’s only natural that you want to help your partner. You may think you’re the only one who understands him or that it’s your responsibility to fix his problems. But the truth is that by staying and accepting repeated abuse, you’re reinforcing and enabling the

Gender equality, insecurity fuel spousal abuse - Psychologists Dr. Alex Igundunasse, a psychologist at the University of Lagos attributed rising cases of the spousal abuse to the economic situation in the country. “For me, the only thing I will say is responsible is the economic situation in Nigeria,” he said.

A Psychiatrist at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Dr. Suleiman Babalola viewed the increasing rate of spousal abuses and killings to both historical and contemporary times.

He said: “Is spousal abuse really on the increase or it’s more reported now? It’s a global something. It has to do with who controls power and the resources. Hundred years ago, husbands beat their wives and they didn’t say anything. Is it on the increase or we have come to know that culture is bad and have to stop?

“It’s a clash of cultures. It has been there for ages only that people didn’t report them, but now there is presence of media, including social media reporting the case.

I think it has to do with reporting. People are getting awareness that it’s wrong and that is why they are reporting.

“Also, it boils down to women’s education. More women are getting educated.

They beginning to know their rights and demand it. They are more vocal. Before they were relegated to the background, and they are not allowed to speak even in developed countries. They have more freedom and independence.

“Again, the men have a problem now.

It’s as if they are losing control. Women are getting more jobs and becoming the breadwinners in the house. But it’s wrong the way we train our men. We train them to look down on women and that has to stop. We need to train our men that women have the right to live.

Also, Babalola said that economic breakdown in the country is affecting the men.

“They are losing their jobs and perhaps, there is role reversal. Women now bring more money to the table and the men are

insecure about that. It is cultural clash. It doesn’t matter what man is still the head.

Whatever a woman has belongs to the husbands. There is no need fighting it out.”

Executive Director, Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, on her part, does not believe there is an increase in cases of domestic violence, but acknowledged increased openness in reporting of the cases.

“Before now, people were not reporting abuse cases due to threats and intimidations from families, coupled with the culture that does not allow people to speak up.

But now, such silence has been broken and people are reporting. There is difference between increased reporting and increased rate of incidents. It’s happening everywhere but the ones that were celebrated were the ones that involved loss of life.

“We can no longer live in denial, domestic violence is killing people. In the sanctity of marriage, life is more important. I have to be alive to be a wife or husband.

The reason we need to avoid violence is that we might know how it started but we can’t forecast how it will end.

“You might not want to kill the person, just a push, she fell and hit her head somewhere and dies. What next? I belong to that school of thought that says prevention is better than cure. For instance, in a month alone, we recorded a total of 15 cases of domestic violence. These are not the cases we are working on, but new ones.

“That is, 180 cases in a year for Project Alert alone. Remember that some of these victims report to churches first, families and police. Sometimes, the cases die at the family level. This is the reason we want the religious leaders to be committed in addressing the issue and stop justifying it with scriptures.

“We need the same vigour they use in preaching against sin and preach against domestic violence. I always say that there are two major epidemics in Nigeria; they are sexual violence epidemic and domestic violence epidemic,” she said.

'Live with abuser, prepare for emergencies' Mba continued: “Know your abuser’s red flags. Be on alert for signs and clues that your abuser is getting upset and may explode in anger or violence. Come up with several believable reasons you can use to leave the house (both during the day and at night) if you sense trouble brewing.

“Identify safe areas of the house. Know where to go if your abuser attacks or an argument starts. Avoid small, enclosed spaces without exits (such as closets or bathrooms) or rooms with weapons (such as the kitchen, store or house gyms). If possible, head for a room with a phone and an outside door or window.

“Come up with a code word. Establish a word, phrase, or signal you can use to let your children, friends, neighbours, or coworkers know that you’re in danger and the police should be called.

“Make an escape plan. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Keep the car fueled and facing the driveway exit, with the driver’s door unlocked. Hide a spare car key where you can get it quickly. Have emergency cash, clothing, and important phone numbers and documents stashed in a safe place (at a friend’s house, for example).

“Practice escaping quickly and safely. Rehearse your escape plan so you know exactly what to do if under attack from your abuser.

If you have children, have them practice the escape plan also. Make and memorise a list of emergency contacts.

“Ask several trusted individuals if you can contact them if you need a ride, a place to stay, or help contacting the police. Memorise the numbers of your emergency contacts, local shelter, and domestic violence hotline.”

Spousal abuse is a serious offence -Police Commenting on the increasing spate of spousal abuse and killings, Superintendent of Police (SP), and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmus, “I cannot tell the reasons for the upsurge of domestic violence in Nigeria, but as a man or a woman, you must not tolerate domestic violence.

“We have to act above customs, traditional and even religious beliefs that you must not separate or divorce when you are married.

This is the reason people endure and do nothing about it.

“They are worried about what their churches and parents or society would think of them. In Lagos State command, it is a very serious offense for you to violate your spouse domestically, even sexually.”

On how frequent, the cases of domestic violence have been reported to the command, she said, “I do not have the exact number of cases we have in our records, but right now, we are working on the one that is trending of the lady who was found dead by their help with her children, trying to wake her up.”

On the way forward, she said, “We know it is a dangerous trend and we are doing our best to curb it. We ensure that anyone engaging in such an act is being prosecuted and by doing so, it will reduce the scourge and serve as a deterrent to others.”

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OPINION Death penalty for kidnappers: What about treasury looters?

Osayimwen Osahon George

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here is a popular notion that Nigerian leaders are not proactive enough in attending to sensitive issues threatening national security. A recent example is the onslaught on the Agatu people of Benue by rampaging Fulani herdsmen which reportedly claimed over 300 lives. It took the Federal Government over a week to issue a ‘noncommittal’ press statement that condemned the undenied reprisal attack and a ‘political promise’ of fishing out the culprits involved in the blood-bath.

There was even silence from the Benue State government. It took the Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom over a week to make out time to visit the devastated Agatu land which is an agrarian community. The responsible security agencies in Nigeria consisting of the Nigerian army, police, Directorate of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and others allegedly went on recess giving us the impression that a covert investigative operation was in place until DSS shifted our attention to five Fulani men buried in shallow graves in Enugu, Southeastern part of Nigeria with the Biafra agitators strongly fingered in the criminal act.

What about the perpetrators of the Agatu mayhem?

The snail-speed approach of the arms of government may not also be far from the factors that aided the successful abduction of over 270 school girls from Chibok in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents in April, 2014. The bitter truth is that the lives of the common people don’t count in Nigeria after all we have a population of over 170 million people which the government is already having issues in managing; so the smaller the better.

The crowd are only needed during elections. In fact, their voter’s cards are more important than them as it’s the only tool needed to legitimize a politician’s inordinate quest

for power.

The issue of death penalty approved by the senate for kidnappers is quite laudable and also very much laughable. It buttresses my point on how much the ruling elites want to stay alive as long as possible enjoying their loot at the expense of the common people.

Senator Iyabo Anisulowo’s kidnap was an audacious statement of abduction in Nigeria.

The effrontery at which the former Ogun West lawmaker was successfully kidnapped by yet to be identified assailants was a bold statement for both the affluent, average citizens and the poor. The average citizens like business owners and other established technocrats who have some coins to part with and can’t afford massive security around them have made God their ‘Chief Security Officer’.

As for the rich, who are the main targets especially our public office holders, there is an urgent need to approach the issue headon with the machinery of government before their homes become flooded with sycophantic sympathizers on their return from the abductors’ camp; hence, the urgency in the approval for a death penalty for kidnappers in the country by the Senate of the 8th assembly.

Kidnapping in Nigeria has been rampant for quite time despite the efforts of the Nigerian police to clampdown on them. An early notable achievement of the ‘Kidnappers Association of Nigeria’ (KAN) was the successful abduction of the current honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige in 2002 which was heavily publicized due to his position as a governor then.

Some prominent individuals, celebrities in the Nigerian society have been monitored and targeted by abductors while others perceived to be comfortable by physical appearance on the highways have been randomly with huge ransoms paid. A few cases that went viral are that of Nollywood icon, Pete Edochie in August, 2009, Managing Director of God is Good Motors, Mr. GodGood Nlakosin, who was killed by his abductors for unknown reasons,

Nollywood actor, Prince Eke, Actress Nkiru Sylvanus in Imo State and Samuel Oki a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan was kidnapped and later found dead.

Since then, the few successful rescues and the huge ransoms paid by the families of the victims have given the needed boost to the ‘kidnapping industry’. Several unemployed Nigerian youths with limited skills and below par ideas but massive ambitions have ventured into this part of the labour market that was almost competing with the oil sector for quick cash. It is risky but they have found it endurable after all, all jobs have their own unique kind of risks.

The Nigerian society is a very vulnerable one with incessant cases of blind followership. The society is suffering from a disease I refer to as ‘AFFS’, in simple terms: ‘Acute Follow-Follow Syndrome’ which means any successful antic whether reasonable or unreasonable could be replicated by another person without considering the motivations and circumstances surrounding the decisions of the first person.

I will give an examples to back up my view.

In 2015, one Suleiman Hashimu, a 34-year-old man probably unemployed decided to embark on a solidarity trek from Lagos to Abuja for President Muhammadu Buhari on his success at the presidential election which he successfully did. He received a royal welcome in Abuja and consequently, about 17 political lobbyists trekked in honour of several other politicians. What madness!

The police and other security operatives have blamed the general public for encouraging kidnapping by attending to the financial demands of the kidnappers. This advice is deemed comfortable to give when you are not in the shoes of the victim’s family. It is he that wears the shoe that knows where it is pinching him. Onlookers can only admire while the wearer pretends all is perfect.

Only a bastard exercises patience and goes to bed peaceful at night when his loved one is in the hands of demons that have no conscience

or value for human life.

Our Senators need to draw a cue from medicine in dealing with the issue of kidnapping.

A doctor treating a cancer patient cuts off the affected part to prevent a future spread or contamination of other healthy areas. Without this, ordinary treatments will be ineffective.

Kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking, internet scam and the likes are concomitant effects of the magnitude of criminal acts perpetrated with the power of the pen behind the closed doors of government offices.

Apart from its by-product which is the murder of the naira, we don’t have a viable economy that could give jobs to the two million Nigerians that join the labour force each year. Higher institution graduates are being churned out in thousands every year with very few decent jobs that could compensate for their sacrifices back in school, simply put underemployment. Corruption has led to a network of problems that are too intertwined for a simple solution. A death penalty should be approved for treasury looters too in order make stealing unattractive and change the mentality of generations to come as the act of looting now takes the front-seat in our perceptions of leadership even though we mostly fail to admit. Cutting the branches of the fig tree is not the solution as it will sprout again with time. There is a need to uproot it, so that its final death can be assured.

As long as the society condones corruption due to the belief that one day tables will turn and it will be your turn to steal, the less-privileged youths will keep devising means to ‘tax’ the loot of public office holders by their own indiscriminate terms.

If our leaders at this rate continue as ‘enemies of the society’, this might degenerate to the heads of prominent politicians being sold at open markets with interested buyers.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a Content Writer and Political Scientist

Discos and historic electricity debtors Okechukwu Nwankwo

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he news in the Thisday newspaper of May 9 on how much some Nigerian public institutions are owing Nigerian electricity distributor companies, called discos, was quite disturbing. The amount ran into about N98billion. The report noted that the debtors, called ‘historic debtors’, cut across the three tiers of government namely local, state and even the Federal Government and also included the security and military apparatus of government.

This certainly is a very bothersome development which simply does not augur well for any hope of having constant power supply in Nigeria or for any meaningful economic development to occur, when institutions which should set the pace for others to follow are the leading defaulters in payment of electricity bills.

Worse still is the obvious situation of these public institutions being the very ones expected to act to prevail on ordinary and corporate debtors to pay their electricity bills in case of default on payment of such bills.

What sort of moral authority would such public institutions and security outfits have

to prevail or induce electricity debtors to pay their bills when they too are owing similar bills they have not paid? Certainly a huge moral deficit has been created for such local, state or local governments that have not paid their electricity bills.

Obviously such defaulters in high places both in power and the corridors of power have contributed immensely to the parlous state of electricity supply in the nation and the odium of poor performance that attended the image of both NEPA and PHCN both predecessors of the discos in the delivery of electricity in Nigeria.

Given the huge investments of the discos to come on stream in electricity delivery as a result of privatization, it is certainly unrealistic, if not downright wicked to expect the discos to carry a debt burden that preceded privatization without some financial help from government in recognition of the existence of such debt burden on the discos.

But now that government itself is involved at all tiers it is as if it is a government policy not to pay electricity bills at all levels which definitely cannot be the case. Or are we mistaken on this matter in assuming that government has decreed not to pay electricity bills

when it privatized the power industry in this nation thus contributing immensely to the huge historic debt burden inflicted on the discos?

Certainly an answer needs to be provided at the highest echelons of government to solve this riddle finely but mischievously hidden in an enigma of unbelievable government default of electricity bills.

The obvious comparison is for government at all levels to consider how it will feel if citizens in each local government , state and the nation at large, fail to pay taxes. Of course they will be taken to court and jailed if found guilty. Now how can the discos, who are partners with government, perform successfully their task of delivering electricity when consumers including government don’t pay the equivalent of taxes which are electricity tariffs and which in this case are cost reflective and putting that weight of delivery on the shoulders of the discos?

Certainly something is rotten in the state of public institutions perception of their electricity bills and government at all tiers must do their duty in this regard to prove that like all of us who pay our taxes and electricity bills , they too are worthy to be called solid individual or corporate citizens .

This is a clear cut case of civil irresponsibility that should be nipped in the bud before it becomes the norm in our society and nation generally. Public institutions have always had priority over individuals or even busy corporate companies and the private sector at large in the allocation of electricity even before the coming of the discos and right till now. So why can’t they justify their importance by simply settling their electricity bills?

This none payment of electricity bills by agents of government at all tiers cast deep aspersion on the integrity and sense of accountability of such institutions in the governance of this nation. This is another act of blatant corruption and misuse of public funds since such public institutions must have budgeted for electricity usage and delivery.

This certainly is another Pandora’s box in the Buhari government ’s fight against corruption.

Government should simply ask its institutions of all shapes and sizes, and at all levels to pay what they owe the discos or be ready to face another Dasukigate, this time in the power sector .

Nwankwo, an analyst, writes from Benin

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NEW TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

Gov Umahi, aide clash at South-East zonal congress

l as gov’s sibling emerges National Vice Chairman

Kenneth Ofoma, Charles Onyekwere

T ENUGU

empers flared yesterday as mild commotion created by delegates from Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nearly marred the South-East zonal congress of the party held at Okpara Square Enugu.

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi was pitched against his Special Adviser on Security, Ali Odefa, who protested his disqualification from contesting the position of National Zonal Vice Chairman of the party, zoned to Ebonyi State.

The Chairman of the Zonal Congress Electoral Committee, Barr. Casmir Igwe, had before the commencement of the congress, read a petition, dated May

14, 2016 and signed by Governopr Umahi against his aide, Odefa, alleging that he didn’t resign his position before joining the race for the National Vice Chairman, South-East of the party.

Umahi wanted Ali Odefa disqualified to pave way for his younger brother, Austin Umahi, who later won the position almost unopposed.

A slip by the chairman of the electoral committee that Odefa should step aside on the strength of Governor Umahi’s petition did not go down well with Odefa, who protested and insisted that he had resigned his position long ago.

A fisticuff ensued between the supporters of Governor Umahi and those of Odefa, leading to commotion that lasted over 45 minutes.

It took the intervention of Deputy Senate President

(DSP) Ike Ekweremadu to restore order by announcing that everybody should be allowed to stand for the election.

But Odefa stormed out of the venue after. But before leaving, he told journalists that he had tendered his resignation letter long ago and wondered why the governor should petition against him.

Meanwhile, Austin Umahi, the Governor’s younger brother polled 255 votes to defeat Odefa who got two votes, out of 298 accredited delegates.

Other elected officers at the congress include: Casmir Ugwu, Zonal Secretary; Victor Sams, Zonal Organizing Secretary; Greg Madu, Zonal Publicity Secretary; and Mrs. Mary Omile, Zonal Women Leader.

Others are: Emeka Okeke, Zonal Treasurer; Ukpai Ukiro, Zonal Legal

Adviser, Chidiebere Egwu, Zonal Youth Leader, James Ugwu, Zonal Financial Secretary and Sylvester Mgbogo, Zonal Auditor.

Earlier in his speech, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu stated that PDP would continue to support democracy, noting that it will be difficult for peace to reign where there is no justice, equity and fare play.

Ekweremadu boasted that South -East is the stronghold of PDP which controls 100 per cent of National Assembly seats from the zone.

He reiterated his stand that Ndigbo had no apologies for the choice they made in 2015 elections by voting former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that given the same opportunity they will vote PDP again in 2019.

news

N’East endorses Sheriff as consensus candidate Sabiu Mustapha and Cajetan Mmuta

T

he Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) chapters in the six northeastern states Saturday endorsed the Acting Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff as the consensus candidate from the zone in the upcoming party’s national convention, come next weekend.

The North-East PDP made the decision at its zonal congress held in Jalingo, Taraba State capital. A motion for his endorsement was moved by Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State and seconded by his Gombe State counterpart, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.

Similarly, all other positions in the zone were filled by consensus during the Congress. The positions include : Vice Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Njiwah from Taraba, Secretary, Alhaji Kabiru Wamba from Gombe, the Treasurer, Alhaji Baffa Haruna from Yobe State, among others.

Meanwhile, former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Rowland Owie, yesterday urged Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff to ignore those he tagged ‘palace jesters,’ who are out to destroy him and quit the office of the chair-

man.

He stated that the position of national chairman of the PDP had been ceded to the South in the May 21, 2016 convention.

Speaking to newsmen in Benin, the Edo State capital, Owie also called on key leaders of the party to desist from acts capable of brewing more crises.

He warned that unless the party puts its house together, it will be difficult to defeat the ruling APC government in 2019.

“I wish to genuinely urge my colleague, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff not to listen to the palace jesters around him who are encouraging him to sit tight as the National Chairman of our great party the PDP. He should be a man of integrity and leave office on May 21, 2016. Having been a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a two-time governor, he should know that there is no big deal in his being party National Chairman.

“He should jettison the idea now and quit because the spirits of the teeming members of the party dead and alive will petition the ‘Throne of Grace’ and the consequences won’t be good.”

Olafeso elected PDP SouthWest chairman Babatope Okeowo Akure

F L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mrs. Abisola Kamson and Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya during the governor’s inspection of the bad portion of Berlett Bus Stop on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos at the…weekend

Isiaka, PDP demand probe of Ogun building collapse Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T

he Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in 2015 elections, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, has called for an investigation into the collapse of Itoku market building in Abeo-

kuta.

He said such incident was rare in a government project, adding that the state government should not overlook any complicity or possible compromise in the standard of the project construction.

One of the state government’s projects, a four-sto-

rey market building under construction, had, on Friday collapsed, leaving two persons dead and several others injured.

Isiaka, who commiserated with the families of the victims of the disaster, said in a statement issued in Abeokuta that a thorough probe of the cause of the col-

Saraki’s wife seeks protection for women, girls Chukwu David Abuja

W

ife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, has called on the Federal Government through its relevant agencies to ensure the protection of women and girls in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps against gen-

der based violence.

Mrs. Saraki, who is also the President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), according to a statement from WBFA, spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the fundamental rights of displaced women and girls in Nigeria.

At the event organised

by CSIS Africa Program in Washington DC, USA, Mrs Saraki noted that gender-based violence had plagued Nigeria and there was a desperate need for the nation’s policymakers and the international community to invest in protecting the women and girls in the camps.

lapse was imperative.

He said, “I have heard about some private projects suffering this type of unfortunate fate but with capacity put in place, it is rare in government projects. It is in line with the above that I enjoin the government not to overlook any complicity around a possible compromise in the standard of the construction of this project, both by the contractor and the supervising authority, which to me cannot be in conformity with the much flaunted ‘Ogun Standard.”

Meanwhile, the state chapter of PDP has urged the state government to compensate the families of the dead and injured. The PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Adeniji, also sympathised with the victims of the incident.

ormer Commissioner for Information in Ondo State, Dr. Eddy Olafeso was yesterday, elected the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West at the delegate conference held in Akure, the state capital.

The congress attended by the only two PDP governors in the zone and many party leaders, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and Mr. Ayodele Fayose saw to the election of other zonal officers who would run the affairs of the party for the next four years.

Aside Olafeso, Revd Bunmi Jenyo (Osun) was elected as Zonal Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Hon Wasiu Bankere (Ogun), Youths Leader, Hon Femi Adetola (Oyo) and Women Leader, Mrs. Ajigbeda (Ogun). Others were the zonal Publicity Secretary Hon Abiola Makinde (Ondo) Financial Secretary Chief Aifoji, Auditor Hon Biliaminu Ogundele (Oyo), Treasurer Mr Adeola Ogunrinde (Ekiti) and the Legal Adviser Mr Sunday OjoWilliams (Osun).

While other officials of

the party emerged unopposed, the position of the Treasurer was contested for between Ogunrinde and Kolawole who are both from Ekiti State as the leadership of the party had earlier zoned the post to the state.

Ogunrinde who was the candidate of Governor Fayose had 62 votes, while Kolawole had 12 votes.

In his remarks, Governor Mimiko called for unity among all members of the party, and said the future of the country is in the hands of the PDP, saying that the PDP members would determine the future of the PDP. Also Governor Fayose stressed the need for unity among members of the party in the South- West, just as he called on all members to work towards the victory of the party in the 2019 Presidential election.

He denied insinuation that he was working against the interest the elderly people in the party, saying that “I love our elderly people, but the elders should play the roles of advisers and allow the young generation to take over. This is in line with my stand against Buhari who is too old to rule Nigeria.”

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SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News Anule Emmanuel,

P Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday re-assured world leaders that his government will not rest on its oars until the over 200 school girls kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State are rescued.

President Buhari stated this during Second Regional Security Summit in Abuja, alongside the President of France, Francois Hollande, and other seven regional leaders including the Heads of States of Chad, Cameroun, Niger, Benin, Senegal and Gabon.

He told the world leaders that his government was working day and night to ensure the Chibok girls are rescued and reunited back to their parents, as well as free other hostages and strengthen the Multination-

Buhari: We must rescue Chibok girls al Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

“Let me reiterate our firm commitment to safely rescue and re-unite the abducted Chibok girls with their families. Our government will not spare any effort to achieve this important mission,” he vowed.

President Buhari at the event expressed optimism that the Summit would usher in a period of improved collaboration needed to address the menace of terrorism in the region, with promise of sustainable peace and development.

He said, to achieve this, the MNJTF has to be strengthened to enhance its decisive role as the fulcrum of the collective effort to rid the region of the last vestiges of Boko Sect.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the

Boko Haram terrorists since assumption of office a year ago, has been significantly degraded and currently squeezed in a small enclave in Sambisa Forest.

He noted that he was on the verge of fulfilling the pledge he made to Nigerians when he assumed office to devote all his energy to eradicating the scourge of terrorism, that ravaged the North Eastern part of the country.

According to him, Boko Haram has been militarily defeated and confined that they have now resorted to hit and run tactics.

President Buhari explained that “true to our commitment, he said, we have worked tirelessly to strengthen regional collaboration and expand international partnership.

“We have not only observed human rights and international humanitarian law in our military operations, we have also diligently implemented several proactive programmes. Today, we have achieved significant outcomes. Boko Haram is no longer a cohesive force, but a group of self-seeking individuals pursuing personal glory,” he said.

The President also spoke on the benefit from Regional Alliance in tackling the terrorism scourge listed some of the achievements recorded at both bilateral and multilateral levels since the First Paris Summit in 2015 including: the recovery of all the territories occupied by the terrorists group; establishment of special military units by Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroun, to

prosecute the War on terror; admission of Benin Republic to the group to strengthen the regional coalition; establishment of the Regional Intelligence Fusion in Abuja and its operationalisation, to pool intelligence resources; and strengthening the security of border regions of Member States.

He said that the regional alliance have been able to set up the Inter-Regional Coordination Centre (ICC), based in Yaounde, Cameroon, under the aegis of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), to coordinate and disseminate intelligence and security information to all members states; reactivation of the MNJTF with 8,500 officers and men, drawn from Cameroun, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin, with Headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad.

President Buhari also noted that within the past year, they have been able to host Conference of the Par-

ties side event on the Lake Chad, in December 2015 in Paris, during which the Lake Chad Development and Climate Resilience Action Plan, a systematic development plan for the Lake Region, was presented to donor nations and organisations, with a view to raising €916 million; and Development of an Action Plan by the LCBC for Nigeria, for the Infrastructural development of the areas worst affected by the War on terror.

According to him, the Action Plan aims to rehabilitate towns and villages of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to enable them return home.

“These achievements would not have been possible without the steadfast support, invaluable contributions and sacrifices of my brothers, the Presidents of Cameroun, Chad, Niger as well as the Republic of Benin, he said.”

Enugu govt states support for anti-graft war

T

L-R: Kaduna State Governor. Nasir El-Rufai; former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, at the 2nd Regional Security Summit in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

CAN challenges leaders on good governance

N EWS I N BRIEF

Musa Pam, Jos The Plateau State chapter of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged politicians to use their positions as talents to serve the masses in order to improve their wellbeing.

The CAN Chairman, Rev. (Dr.) Soja Bewarang, who challenged them, yesterday, in Jos, during the dedication of Tazuk Investment Services Limited’s headquarters in Jos East, owned by Hon. Emmanuel Go’ar at Zarazong.

Rev. Bewarang said he saw nothing wrong in the church supporting those politicians, who stood for the truth and are always prepared to add value to the lives of the people they represent.

The clergy, who used the ‘Parable of the Talents’ in book of Mathew, said God honours those, who use their resources for themselves and the community.

The CAN Chairman said by this singular act of establishing the project at Zarazong, outside his native local government, is an indication of the desire for oneness, unity and the promotion of the Plateau citizens.

Chief Executive Officer of the new outfit, which specialises in gas services, and former member representing Pankshin/Kanke/ Kanam in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Emmanuel Lokji Go’ar, said it was his humble contribution to church/governments’ efforts towards poverty alleviation, environmental protection, qualitative air, socio-economic development of Plateau through private sector.

Ita-GiwahailsAyadeoverBakassipeople We support deregulation, not N145 per litre – PENGASSAN Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Dr. Florence Ita Giwa on Saturday, was full of praise and commendation for the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for standing up and identifying with the deprived people of Bakassi.

In a statement signed personally by her, Ita Giwa said that she was impressed that Ayade is speaking for the internally displaced people in Bakassi, noting that previous government’s had not shown any commitment to the struggle of her people.

She added that it was rare to see a sitting governor who is also an activist who feels the pulse of his people like Ayade is doing adding that the people of Bakassi and the entire people of Cross River would forever be grateful to him.

The statement reads in parts: “I want to use this medium again to appreciate my governor, Professor Ben Ayade for speaking in behalf of the displaced people of Bakassi.

It is commendable because he is not just seated in the comfort of his home and office to talk about their plights but visits them and gather first-hand information about their sufferings.

“The people of Bakassi have suffered a lot perhaps because we are the minority and it is in the light of this that we express profound gratitude to him for all his good works and concerns for the Bakassi people. :I am also using this medium to call on the Federal government to pay attention tobthe displaced people of Bakassi as he is doing to the IDP’s in the North East.

President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson has said unions in the oil and gas sector have not endorsed the recent N145 price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

Speaking with newsmen at the NLC secretariat in Abuja after a joint press conference of the NLC and TUC, Johnson said the two unions in the sector merely supported the deregulation of down stream sector with a proviso that government must immediately engage all stakeholders in the nation’s economy to find a way forward.

Johnson, however, expressed the fear that the factionalisation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) may affect effective negotiation with government on the way forward, pointing out that labour must find a way of presenting a common position on all issues.

He said oil unions were also opposed to allowing the deregulation of the industry to be driven by import, pointing out that government must also find a way of ensuring that the nation’s refineries are working at optimal capacity, while the construction of new one must be made a priority.

He maintained that the government must also have the political will to drive the process of deregulation just like it did in the telecom sector, pointing out that it is unfortunate that the Petroleum Industry Bill is yet to be passed into law.

he Enugu State Government has expressed commitment to zero tolerance for corruption and continued support to the EFCC and other related agencies in its fight against corruption in the country.

Its said that the allegations leveled against Pastor Sam Iyiogwe, a Senior Special Assistant to the state government has nothing to do with his current appointment, but what allegedly transpired during his tenure as a local government chairman.

A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Louis Amoke said that Iyiogwe, one of Senior Special Assistants appointed in March this year has not handled any financial transaction for the government other than receiving his monthly salary.

It said Iyiogwe was invited by the the Economic

and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged embezzlement of over N200 million when he was elected two-term Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state during the past administration of Mr. Sullivan Chime and ended on January 4, 2016, but he was never detained.

The statement said that the allegations leveled against him have to do with his stewardship during his tenure as Chairman of the council and have nothing to do with his current appointment in this present administration.

It stated that while intergrity remains the hallmark of this administration, the state was unmindful of the resolve by a few persons to attempt to distract the government but we remain focused bearing in mind the goodwill the state government enjoys from the people.

‘Boko Haram may be sending fighters to IS in Libya’

T

here are indications that Nigeria’s Boko Haram jihadists are sending fighters to join Islamic State in Libya, and of increased cooperation between the two groups, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.

Nigeria has asked the United States to sell it aircraft to fight Boko Haram, which has been waging a seven-year insurgency in the north and last year pledged loyalty to Islamic State, which is active in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

Little is known about

the extent of cooperation between the two radical Islamist groups. But Western governments worry that Islamic State’s growing presence in north Africa and ties with Boko Haram could herald a push south into the vast, lawless Sahel region and create a springboard for wider attacks.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there were “reports” that Boko Haram fighters were going to Libya, where Islamic State has established a large presence, taking advantage of security chaos.

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SUNDAY

Body Soul S U N D AY, M AY 1 5 , 2 0 1 6

Stylish male musicians

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SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

SUND AY

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Contents 15.05.2016

COVER

NDAY , 15

MAY 20

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style that allows you show off your sexy or not so sexy shoulders or décolletage and still make it appealing is a must have for every lady

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The Nigerian male musician is not slacking in delivering stylish ensembles that captivates with their bold, suave, dapper looks

BEAUTY ZONE

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St y lish mu male sici ans

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GLAM DUDES Neat, clean nails make a man look sophisticated and put together.

Dirty, long finger nails are a definite turn-off

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Everything about Patra unsettled him. He forced himself to think about other things, to keep his mind in check, but failed.

Patra moved close and ran her fingers through his body, poking here and pinching there like a doctor examining a patient. He felt like a million needles were being shot at him.

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r hopes. It has has deflated ou ice pr p ck to m pu r eyes. We are ba t in ll Progresthe shine off ou ng last year, the A n en ni ke m ig ta rn pa ve m e go ca at le w id hi ne W cand any edged that, if their uare one where ction campaign promissives Congress pl t by the Nigerian people sq ele eir th s w ro th en er id w hoods and even is elected as Pres would not remove fuel po r faces with false ou in ck n ba tio es ra ist his admin us to protest. n to the fact that ent re- dares m subsidy. rn ve go is th d, it all boils dow r the breaking. r, en te e af th ar In ye e on Barely public de e there fo ise! Without any omises ction promises ar neged on that prom with relevant stakeholders ele ened to the heaven and earth pr n lik just to is tio nd It ta ul rie ns rlf e bate or co ent took th es to his gi Federal Governm ednesday a guy in heat mak s. When the act results e th , er ev tso ha w nt by surprise on W t between her pa als when asked to take Nigerian people increase the pump price ge sque he y, nc na eg to pr when it decided r litre. Not in onsibility. irrors.

86.50k to N145 pe of petrol from N me government had sup- resp en promises are like broken m ng ok sa eedi e Br bl th o, em th ag on to ng id ld lo pa o he to riffs e who sition of higher ta umers.

They leave thos red images of themselves. ported the impo cons ctu by fra ty at ici g ctr rin ele sta of d izen at this paigns, an m epileptic supply ca es the Nigerian cit t accept on rib cti sc ele de ’s ar tly ye ap st is la Th g en m rin rn Also, du this gove N5, 000 sti ry moment. Will l their promises or will promised to pay ve rty pa at e m Th . sa e hs th oyed yout ty and fulfi pends to unempl has taken wings responsibili r election promises gone sour? he ise ot a an om pr be e st m ju sa it k is giving you d Soul this wee d keep you enan dy and flies away.

Bo e n an som It’s a pity that to douse the tensio eight stylish men der- package at people don’t un s tertained. We are looking nsider style ise stry today we co du in stand the prom ic us The m e th g in our Cover story. they’re makin eck them out on our Ch . g ns in ico ac gr is e when they mak nke Oshodi Oke Ro r la pu po them or else passion page. s on point with how would n pages are alway ld today. I’m io sh fa ur O the fashion wor you explain styles trending in be disappointed. Patra’s t the continun’ ld d Work sure you wou ntinues on our Be ous broken co s rie se a m m joy this ile D en ill w of u promises ges. I’m sure yo pa fe Li d an this present week’s package. government? bulous Wish you a fa Unfortunated! essa ea ah week Van ly, this new

DAY

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BED, WORK & LIFE

te o n s ’ r o t Edi

SUN

T h e Te a m Vanessa Okwara (Editor) Wole Adepoju (Snr. Correspondent) Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent) Abiola Alaba Peters Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) Isma’il Akintunde (Graphics) +234 (0) 818 0515840, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com, julietbumah@gmail.com

Associates

Helen Paul

Eyitayo Aloh

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

StyleSta ker

Body&Soul

Tiwa Savage Fierce diva

Vanessa Okwara

I

f you are looking for a Nigerian female artist with ‘star’ written all over her, then look no further as Tiwa Savage readily comes to mind. Many refer to her as the most sought after female Nigerian artiste, considering her eclectic performances anytime she comes on stage.

This Nigerian beauty is a triple treat with her natural songwriting ability, her electrifying stage presence and a voice that stays powerful as she sings her heart out. Tiwa Savage took over Africa with the single “Kele Kele Love”, which went on to become an anthem and took the number one spot on numerous radio and television stations across the continent.

Tiwa, who is signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, has gotten many notable awards and several nominations.

Her hard work has paid off so much as she is a brand ambassador for MTN, Pepsi and Forte Oil. Tiwa savage has been in the news recently as her marriage breakup with her ex manager and husband Tunji ‘Teeblizz’ Balogun broke the internet. She recently gave birth to her son and worked so hard to get her body back in shape in such a short time.

One thing you cannot take away from Tiwa though is her fierce dress sense. The ‘Eminado’ coroner’s dress sense can sometimes be questionable but she is undoubtedly one of the female singers in the country that knows how to clothe her body to stardom. She likes to imitate the fierce looks of international stars like Beyonce and Rhianna. Since she came into the music industry, she has truly blossomed into a beautiful and fashionable lady.

Thanks to her slim, tall physique, the songwriter/musician can make any cloth look classy. Her red carpet and off red carpet styles are off the hook. She definitely has what it takes to rock her body for any occasion. Tiwa Savage knows how to show off her fantastic svelte figure in skimpy clothes and can also rock expensive designer labels like a music star that she is.

Body&Soul 18

SUNDAY, 15 MAY

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Bardot: Stylishly Biwom Iklaki

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esides the fact that this style is fantastically perfect for this hot weather, it is also amazingly chic. A style that allows you show off your sexy or not so sexy shoulders or dĂŠcolletage and still make it appealing is a must have for every lady. In fact, I would call it a wardrobe staple. Because the neckline is wide and shows off the shoulders without the arms, it slims big arms. Also, they width of the shoulders creates a waistline and could create an hourglass silhouette.

The more versatile option would be to get it in a black or white blouse to wear with skirts, pants, shorts, etc. However, you can also find fabulous Bardot styles in jumpsuits, dinner and cocktail dresses and more.

This style is named after the popula ion model, Brigitte Bardot, who popu both shoulders. She is also credited bikini in France, in 1959 through her in knitted sweaters and jumpers, the and textures, even African fabrics. T sorise this style. If you decide to use just short of the neckline or a single way to your belly button. Your footw wearing pants, skirt, culottes or shor hwo you match up your shoes and ba dress up this sexy piece.

Editor’s current obsession

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

Here Beyond

Body&Soul

Fashion meets Technology MET gala Biwom Iklaki

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uch like our awards season in Nigeria, the awards season in the global community is fraught with excitement and anxiety all rolled up into one big knot that sits somewhere in your gut. For some, it may be responsible for those faltering steps to pick up an award that cause

you to stumble on the stairs or step on your hem and…well, stumble. Unlike in Nigeria however, the MET gala is all about themes. Last year, it was the “China through the Looking Glass” and it had fantastic designs that were showcased on the red carpet. The likes of Sarah Jessica Parker with her fabulous head piece and Rihanna stole the night and appeared on several best dressed

lists. Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé wore sheer dresses with patchwork embellishment that covered them in the important areas.

This year, the Met gala theme was “Manus and Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” and this brought out the celebrities in different forms of their interpretations of the theme of the year. While Rihanna was sorely missed, the likes of

Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Madonna, Ciara, Beyoncé and Jordan Dunn absolutely stunned and made mince of the theme.

They stayed true to the theme and came out looking beautiful as well.

It would be nice to have such an award event to celebrate the arts and cultures in Nigeria. Then, we would hope to have our celebrities dress up in a bid to interprete the theme of the year.

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SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Stylish male musicians Vanessa Okwara

F

ashion is no longer for women alone.

These days, men have taken their styles a notch higher, competing favourably with ladies in driving their fashion and style games to a much higher level.

Music and fashion are inseparable. It seems like the musician needs

more than talent and good voice to make an impression in the music industry. The right fashion sense obviously adds to an artiste’s popularity.

Just like their female counterparts, the Nigerian male musician is not slacking in delivering stylish ensembles that captivates with their bold, suave, dapper looks.

It is true that there are so many stylish men in the Nigerian music industry, but Davido Super star, David, ‘Davido’ Adeleke, son of Deji Adeleke, a billionaire businessman is easily one of the most fashionable celebrities out there. This multi award winning singer has so much swag; you can’t help but fall in love with his styles.

The ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ singer is known to showcase his wealthy background through his clothing and expensive jewellery.

Davido, The HKN CEO, has added more to his achievements as he unveiled his new clothing label last year. His clothing line is called O.B.O. Davido’s dressing style is youthful but yet stylish. If you are young, hip and trendy, Davido’s fashion ensemble is the perfect style to follow.

Kcee He is stuck to our timelines thanks to his risque looks over the last years.

He calls himself ‘Nigeria’s fashion icon’ and he tries to live up to that self-title.

At every occasion, he tags a huge smile and confidence to his outfits. Love him or not, you won’t and can’t avoid his fashion choices.

‘Limpopo’ crooner, Kcee, has a controversial fashion sense due to his love for colours, but one thing you can’t help admiring about him is the fact that he is daring when it comes to pushing fashion boundaries.

Fashion is about self-expression and Kcee knows how to do that with his outfits. Pull over and see his style!

who are those that stand out? They are those at the top of their fashion game.

They are those who are not just red carpet slayers but also present their unique styles each time they step out in public.

Some are a bit more fashion forward; they showcase runway collections almost immediately the international designer releases new designs while some make strange fashion choices and still pull it off

like pros.

These guys are recognised as style icons because of their ability to light up the red carpets each time they step on it with their unique styles. Their strong blend of wearing contemporary clothes and traditional attires as well as the overall swanky air around them definitely puts them on our exclusive list of eight best-dressed gents.

Wizkid With his skinny jeans, fresh tattoos, fitted Tees and fez caps; Wizkid is definitely a guy of fashion. One thing you can’t take away from Wizkid is his great fashion sense. The talented singer has not only become a force to reckon with in the music industry, he has also become a style icon. Earlier this year, he was featured in Vogue. com as ‘Nigeria’s Best-Dressed Pop Star’ due to his trend setting styles and fun approach to wardrobe.

Lynxxx Chukie Edozien, popularly known as Lynxx, is another rapper on this list. The model turned musician has once revealed in an interview that he will never be caught dead wearing skinny jeans. The entertainer who has also disclosed that he is turned off by smelly weaves has a right to all these demands because he is a style icon and knows how to pull off his outfits. The Delta State-born rapper is the CEO of Syndik8 records and won the 2011 FAB Award for Most Stylish Male Artiste. So, he earned this spot.

Lynxxx has a body that fits into anything; he doesn’t even have to try to look nice. His high fashion sense always makes him look outstanding at any event.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

Body&Soul

Banky W When you are making a list of men with dapper style in this country and Banky W is not on your list, then that list needs to be rechecked.

A great voice, a charming personality and an amazing sense of style to match, what more can you ask for in this gentleman? Singer and songwriter, Banky W, has been in the game for two thingsmake money and let people see it on you.

Everywhere he goes, his style speaks volumes. Despite ditching his hats two years ago, Banky still pulls through with his outfits. From simple Tees to the most rock-able suits, Banky is that one guy who never stops experimenting with his style.

Bankole Wellington, is the man for the cameras any day, anytime. He is fresh, smooth and articulate. He sits atop the affairs at Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). He also directs videos.

D’banj Dapo Oyebanjo needs no introduction in the African entertainment space. D’banj is ranked as one of Nigeria’s most stylish celebrities and he’s been on his A-game for a long time and it doesn’t seem like he will lose his style charm anytime soon. Bangalee is one of the leading fashion icons in the entertainment industry so I am not even going to bother talking much about him other than say; great music, greater style!

Iyanya Onoyom Mark The 30-year-old dashing singer, songwriter and coowner of Made Men Music Group exudes confidence and charm in all ways.

It’s not news that the ‘Kurukere’ crooner is always standing out with his style. Iyanya has a well sculptured body and he’s never afraid to show it off and loves to wear designer suit labels.

Ice Prince Ice prince is the first guy to wear a native outfit on sneakers.

His well-treated beards have made him the ladies’ guy in the Nigeria entertainment industry. He mixes things up and has often times greatly combined traditional and Western cultures brilliantly. On or off stage, Ice rocks some of the best footwear and he loves wearing sunglasses so much he created his own brand. This 30-year-old multi-award winning rapper and label executive at Chocolate City Music is a style icon for many young Nigerians. The rapper, singersongwriter and actor has his

22

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

Patra’s dilemma 3 Juliet Bumah

P

atra was alone in the hotel room.

Pius had gone to take care of a personal business. He called every few minutes to express his love to her and assure her he would be back immediately he was through.

She contemplated her posh environment and smiled. She felt so loved. A shadow flickered across her face as she remembered that she had to go back to Lagos the following day.

Her phone rang again, it was Pius.

“I’m on my way, my love. I will be with you in less than 10 minutes. The meeting took longer than I expected,” he said.

“I’m waiting my sweetheart,” she told him, her body tingling all over. He blew her a kiss and the line went dead.

When he tapped lightly on the door a few minutes later, Patra was waiting in her birthday suit. His eyes popped and his blood rushed downward. He quickly closed the door behind him and drew her into his arms. As he made to move, she whispered, “No, not a step”.

He leaned against the door and watched as she unbuttoned his shirt and took off every item of clothing on his body.

Patra could live her fantasy. She moved a few steps back and admired his fine, firm body. As her eyes rested between his legs, the ‘man’ lunged at her.

“I said, don’t move, or I’ll punish you,” she chided him playfully.

“I didn’t move.”

He forced the words out of his clenched teeth.

“Oh you didn’t? I see,” she said and his man nodded again.

He almost swore under his breath.

Pius used to take pride in the fact that he could control his emotions. But that control seemed to have flown out of the window. Everything about Patra unsettled him. He forced himself to think about other things, to keep his mind in check, but failed. Patra moved close and ran her fingers through his body, poking here and pinching there like a doctor examining a patient. He felt like a million needles were being shot at him.

“Keep still and don’t touch me,” Dr. Patra warned.

She ran her fingers all over him. All the muscles in his body were turbo-charged.

His man was beginning to show signs of weeping.

“Please....” he moaned but she paid no heed. Instead, she dropped to her knees and ran her fingers through the V of his legs, resting on the man who was already in the throes of agony. She then stood up and ran her fingers through his chest; it was too much for Pius. He stooped and gathered her into his arms.

As he made to move, she whispered, “No...here,” pointing at the pack of sheaths she kept beside the door. He set her down and like two school children left to play in a field, they explored and... explored.

Patra tempted him with her mountains and valley and set his blood boiling with her tongue and fingers on his body. They left reason and entered the realm of fantasy. On the floor, against the wall, on the couch, Pius galloped and Patra kept the pace. He took her through the cloud to a new planet paved with precious stones.

They beheld a large circular diamond afar off and sailed towards it. As they crashed into it, it disintegrated into millions of shinning stars, blinding them momentarily. They got back to planet earth, spent and held on to each other, unwilling to let go.

“I’m going with you to Lagos,” Pius murmured and Patra shook her head, too tired to talk.

“Then you must be in Abuja every week,” he said.

The next morning, Pius and Patra were at the departure hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Patra was about to board a flight to Lagos. The ‘honeymoon’ was over.

They held on to each other, oblivious of people milling around them. Some spared them a stare or two, but they were past caring.

“My love, I want you to understand that what happened between us was not a mere fling. For two years, my heart had mourned and searched for happiness. You came and filled the emptiness in my life.

You gave me a genuine reason to laugh

again. I want you to know that you are leaving with that part of me that can love a woman, that you are leaving with my strength. You can kill me if you choose,” Pius’ voice had gone hoarse. He couldn’t go on.

“Baby, I promise you, I’ll be back soon.

You don’t understand how I feel about you. I don’t feel like leaving, but you know that there are ties that cannot be broken by a mere wish,” Patra replied just as the Lagos-bound flight was announced.

Another long kiss, exchange of words of endearment, and she hurried to board her flight.

Pius stood and watched her walk away, every step she took etched in his mind.

When he could see her no more, he walked to his car, turned on the ignition and waited. The plane took off and he felt a twinge in his heart.

“I’ll see her again and again,” he told himself. He was so sure. **** As Patra fastened her seatbelt, she rued the happenings in the last few days.

“What made me come to Abuja? I wanted to clear my head of the agony of knowing that Richie had been cheating on me. Now I have cheated on him. What moral right do I have to be angry with him now? Can I look him in the eyes and accuse him of infidelity? Oh, how I wish he didn’t scatter his maker’s image in his bid to prove that I was responsible for our childless marriage.”

She settled more comfortably into her seat and closed her eyes.

Immediately, the image of Pius, strong and handsome, chased Richie’s away. Her heart fluttered.

“If this is not love, then I’m not capable of loving,” she told herself with a smile.

“Pius! Virile, gentle, caring...” she dreamt of her days with the man who had suddenly taken over her heart.

She was startled when the landing announcement was made. She opened her eyes, surprised that she didn’t know when the plane took off.

Immediately the aircraft taxied to a halt and it was safe to turn on the phone, she did and called Pius.

“Baby, I’m in Lagos.”

“Oh, thank God! I can now go home.

Been waiting, thinking you would come back. Of course, I knew it was a childish dream, but it was worth it,” he said with a little laugh.

Patra felt as if the air was sucked out of her.

“I love you, my baby. We’ll see very soon,” she told him.

She didn’t divulge the details of her flight to Richie. She didn’t want him to pick her at the airport. As the cab took her home, she wondered how she would manage her secret.

When she got home, she was surprised to meet Richie at home. He looked so disheveled. The house was in a mess.

“What’s the matter?” She asked sharply.

“Nothing. I’ve not been feeling too fine,” Richie replied weakly, moving towards her for a hug. It was without passion on her part.

“How was your trip? Hope it was successful?” he asked, wondering what he meant by ‘successful’.

“Yes, it was,” she snapped in response and added, more kindly, “Have you seen the doctor? What did he say?”

In bed that night, there was no passion.

Patra was glad it was over so quickly. She heaved a sigh of relief as he spurted so weakly. The sticky fluid irritated her. She noticed that his body was flabby, it didn’t excite her. She longed for Pius’ strong arms and felt ashamed.

Richie was alarmed, he could not attain full ‘turgidity’. As much as he willed himself, it came up as cooked muscle. He was grateful that Patra was too tired to notice but prayed silently that it was a passing phase. *** Four days later, Pius made an unscheduled visit to Lagos!

************** Does Richie still have a wife? I’m also dying to know. The series continues on Sunday, so keep a date with me here.

•Send your observations to: julietbumah@gmail.com

23

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

Sen. Abdulahi: It’s too late to reverse sale of PHCN p.25

‘South-East govs not ready to resolve Ohanaeze crises’ p.27

The Sunday Interview

Sheikh Gumi: Why Buhari won’t dare biggest thieves p.28-29

Politics

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

Controversial congresses: PDP on a familiar path

T

he dream of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for rancour-free congresses might have been defeated going by reports on the conduct of its twoweek old congresses across the country.

The congresses, which started on April 30 in all the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised wards across the country, have polarised the party leading to some members holding parallel congresses and producing factional leadership at various levels.

From the ward through local government level, the state and zones, defiant party members have organised their own congresses to produce factional leaders.

And just two days to the zonal congress, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, restrained the party leaders from conducting any election into the PDP South West zonal executive.

The order was given by Justice Ibrahim Buba following the application by the zonal Secretary, Chief ‘Pegba Otemolu.

Otemolu’s argument was that the tenure of the zonal executive still subsists until 2018 having been elected into office on October 11, 2014. The PDP constitution allows four-year tenure for elected party executive at all levels.

But Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, after consultation with the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff shortly after the court judgment on Thursday, declared that the congress must go on as scheduled in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Even the May 21 National Convention scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where next PDP National Working Committee (NWC) members will be elected, may not be free from such crisis as some founding fathers and stakeholders are gearing to hold parallel convention.

But that is if the PDP Deputy National Officers’ Forum who came into office on August 31, 2013 believes allows it to hold.

The Forum, which comprises PDP deputy national officers who are not statutory members of NWC, believes that there is no vacancy yet since members of the forum have a four-year mandate, according to the PDP constitution.

A member of the Forum noted that “no organ of the party is authorised to alter that except you alter the constitution.” He added that “except vacancy has been created, there won’t be any election into such offices” at the national convention.

At the inauguration of four special committees to plan for the national convention among them, the Reconciliation Committee, chairman of the committee, Governor Sierake Dickson of Bayelsa State, wished that the congresses were conducted in convivial atmosphere to reduce the work load of the committee.

But it appears that this turned out to be a wishful thinking. Like the situation in

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows it has not learnt from history going by the crisis trailing its ongoing congresses. ONYEKACHI EZE writes that the same factor that led to the party’s poor performance in the 2015 general elections is at play again

Sheriff

2013 when he was saddled with the same responsibility, Dickson and his committee will have their hands full.

Even before the committee ventures into post-congress crisis, it will have to reconcile the party’s National Chairman with those who oppose to his ambition to return to office after the convention.

Sheriff’s plan to succeed himself is ruffling feathers in PDP. And as he is trying to placate one group, many more are confronting him.

Some of the groups include Northern Elders’ Forum led by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, and Concerned PDP Leaders led by former Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

The Gana-led NEF, after its second meeting in two weeks in Abuja last Wednesday, insisted that the May 21 National Convention of the party should not hold. It cited the crisis rocking the congresses across the

Emmanuel

states, noting that “the current NWC has proven that they cannot organise a proper and transparent convention.”

It called on the PDP NWC members to handover to the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) when their tenure expires on May 21.

“In order not to create a vacuum, the BoT should provide credible trustees that will allow proper transition when a new date for convention is announced and new leaders elected,” the group said in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting.

The Concerned PDP Leaders in who held a stakeholders summit a day after, described the present NWC members as an illegal body because their tenure expired in March.

The summit claimed that it has constituted a 21-member steering committee to manage the affairs of the party until a new leadership emerged according to the PDP constitution and guideline.

In a communiqué issued at the end of

the summit, the founding fathers said the steering committee will “work intimately with our respected members of BOT who are the conscience of the party till such a time that a proper, lawfully organized National Convention of the party, where a new authentic leadership of the party will be duly elected in accordance with the provisions of our party constitution and guidelines.

“We enjoin all our party faithful nationwide not to despair. The new steering committee will soon embark on a Nationwide tour, to address and resolve all issues and areas of conflict in every state of the federation.

“The steering committee will immediately put in place a National Reconciliation committee to reconcile all previously aggrieved party members.

“We condemn the attempt by the illegal NWC of the party to amend the constituCONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

O

f the six states in South-West zone, the case of Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be the hardest nut for the party’s hierarchy to crack. Since its ouster from power in 2011, the Ogun PDP has not made desired recovery. Every attempt by the party to bounce back has always been dogged by crisis.

The gladiators in the renewed brickbats include the Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu; former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole; and the lawmaker representing Remo Federal Constituency, Oladipupo Adebutu. Each of the camps apparently has its eyes set on the 2019 political expedition, especially the governorship election.

Although the Ogun PDP “mainstream structure” is within Kashamu’s grip at present, Bankole and Adebutu are leading other groups bent on changing the status quo in the party. The turf war came against the backdrop of claims that the state PDP leadership had excluded and alienated key figures who once made the party most formidable in the state.

But ahead of the May 21 National Convention of the PDP, there were high expectations that some sanity would be restored in the affairs of the state chapter. At least, the party congresses leading to the national convention were expected to usher in new sets of leaders to steer the ship of the party for the next four years.

The exercise rather intensified the scheming for either continuous control or total takeover of the party by the contending forces. At the end, the Ogun PDP plunged deeper into confusion as three parallel executives emerged. From the wards up to the local government and state levels, the party has been polarised along the camps of Kashamu, Bankole and Adebutu.

Last Tuesday, the wrangling in the party reached a crescendo with parallel state congresses conducted at separate venues

by PDP members in Abeokuta. Similar development earlier took place across the 236 wards and 20 local government areas of the state.

While the Kashamu-backed faction held its congresses at the PDP State Secretariat, Abeokuta, the faction loyal to Adebutu conducted the exercise at the nearby Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in the state capital.

On the other hand, party members loyal to Bankole gathered at the Ake Palace Ground, Abeokuta to organise the state congresses.

How three chairmen emerged in Ogun PDP

Kasamu

Bankole

Armed security operatives were deployed to the various venues to forestall a breach of peace. Though the congresses were generally peaceful despite the factionalisation, there is growing apprehension within the opposition party as each faction continued to claim authenticity.

At the end of the exercise, a former chairman of Ijebu North Local Government, Chief Adebayo Dayo, was elected as state chairman by the faction loyal to Kashamu.

While a former Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chief Wale Egunleti, emerged as chairman in the Bankole faction, the Adebutu group elected a former House of Assembly member and ex-chairman of Ifo Local Government, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, as the party chairman.

The three groups also elected Alhaji Semiu Sodipo, Hon. Johnson Olu-Fatoki and Hon. Durotolu Bankole as the PDP State Secretary respectively. Other executive positions in the party also had parallel officers.

But of the three congresses, only that of Kashamu group was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Tunrayo Ayinde,

Sanni Ishaq and Momoh Bakare. Also, the chairman of PDP Congress Committee from Abuja, Muhammed El-Yakub, led 10 other members to supervise the exercise held at the state secretariat of the party.

Barely a week to the state congresses, nine out of 15 members of the State Working Committee of PDP had announced the indefinite suspension of Dayo and Sodipo as chairman and secretary respectively. The aggrieved nine officers accused Dayo and Sodipo of alleged financial misappropriation, indiscriminate imposition of candidates and exclusion of party officials.

Led by the former PDP Organising Secretary, Dr Folasade Filani, the officers unanimously appointed Chief Ibukunolu Ojosipe and Muritala Adegoke as interim chairman and secretary respectively.

Filani explained that the suspension was in accordance with section 21 (5) of the party’s constitution. She claimed that from the financial facts available between 2013 and 2015, it was discovered that over N250million was misappropriated and spent by the duo without approval and due process.

But Dayo described his suspension as il-

legal and nullity, saying the nine aggrieved officers lacked the locus standi to sanction him because he is a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

He, therefore, said he remained the party chairman in the state.

Dayo, who would later be re-elected as party chairman, enjoys the support of Kashamu while the nine aggrieved officers are being backed by Adebutu, who is believed to be interested in contesting for the 2019 governorship on the platform of PDP. However, in their separate acceptance speeches, the three factional chairmen promised to reconcile warring members and run all-inclusive administration in the PDP. Dayo declared that his task was to bring into the fold aggrieved and estranged members of the party. He said he was prepared to join hands with notable leaders, including exGovernor Gbenga Daniel as well as Bankole and Adebutu, to unite the party.

But while Dayo promised on one hand to engender reconciliation, he also sounded a note of warning. He said, “There are no factions in Ogun PDP and only one validly conducted congress held on 10 th May, 2016.

Any other arrangement anywhere that purports to be another ‘parallel’ congress is nothing but a gathering of people whose motive and intentions are not clear and definitely not in consonance with the mood of the larger percentage of our members that are desirous of a rejuvenated, peaceful and progressive party.”

On his part, Egunleti, who emerged as state chairman among Bankole’s loyalists, expressed the hope that the PDP would regain power in 2019 elections despite the current crisis rocking the party. He promised to work for the unification of the party and appealed to all aggrieved members to sheathe their swords and cooperate with his leadership.

With the parallel executives now in place, the party appears to be on another road to the Golgotha. If the divisive trend continued, pundits say, the party may be on the cliffhanger ahead of the next general elections. Just like in previous polls, where the various power blocs worked at cross-purposes, the defeat of the PDP may be another fait accompli.

Controversial congresses: PDP toeing a familiar path CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

tion of the party in order to muzzle and control the BoT and thereby subject the BoT to the villains and caprices of the NWC. “Rather it is recommended that the BoT be further strengthened and empowered to function effectively as the true conscience of our great.

“We call on the governors elected under our party PDP, who are our leading beacons of light, our able senators, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly members to take up the gauntlet and support this noble cause.

“We need to come together as a family, to fight the cancer of impunity that has eaten deep into the tissues of our party.”

The communiqué was jointly signed by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantua, former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, media owner.

But unfortunately, no serving governor or National Assembly members attended the summit. Most people at the summit were former ministers and some former national

officers of the party.

Sheriff, however, described then as faceless and self style leaders. He blamed the failure of PDP in the presidential election on the “ignoble role” they played during the electioneering campaign.

Said Innua Bwala, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the National Chairman: “These were the same characters that deceived President Jonathan into failure. Unfortunately most of them still go round to ask the chairman of one favour or the other and when the chairman declines they take offence against him.”

Bwala took on Professor Gana, leader of the Northern Elders’ Forum, and who was guest speaker at the Concerned PDP Leaders’ summit, noting that he “attempts to play role in every government since the time of the military. ”I know as a fact that Professor Jerry Gana has written to the national chairman to allow him nominate some people into certain committees or allow them perform certain functions for the party. Whether these requests were granted or not is immaterial.

But that is perhaps one of the reasons that he has taken the position against anything

this man does.

“This is the same man that who recognized the national chairman, writing to him on the need to submit the report on the finance committee which he headed.

“The chairman has been running away from receiving that report because it is on record that the same Jerry Gana, on behalf of the party without using the machinery of the party, collected the sum of N500 million from Skye Bank for which the PDP has been dragged to court and is being compelled to pay back.

“Leaders of thought in this party including some elders have prevailed on the chairman not to make this matter known and to save this man from public embarrassment.

“But as it is the chairman may be left with no option than to drag Jerry Gana before the EFCC to explain his role in obtaining N500 million facility on behalf of the party and let him also explain what he has done with the money.”

Gana is yet to react to this allegation as one of his aides said he was not available for comment when a call was place through his phone.

Fayose who acknowledged the role of the founding fathers in nurturing the party, however, believes it is time for them to take back seats and allow the younger generation to take leadership of the party. “I cannot drag position with my children,” the Ekiti governor added.

When he headed the PDP Reconciliation Committee in 2013, Governor Dickson’s committee made spirited efforts to reconcile aggrieved party members who felt sur-changed in previous party primaries and congresses.

Unfortunately, towards the end of the year, most party members, including five governors and National Assembly members, left PDP to join the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP is still suffering from this, and it cost it the 2015 general elections.

Congresses and conventions have proved to be the Achilles heel of PDP since 1999.

These are periods of intra-party wrangling, and it is not difficult to know why.

Congresses and conventions are the constitution of new party executives at all levels and whoever gets his loyalists entrenched is sure of party ticket at primaries!

25

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

politics

As the Vice Chairman of the Privatisation Committee of the Senate, what is your reaction to Nigerians’ call on the President to revoke the privatisation of the power sector due to the poor performance of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)?

It is better for us to get the background of what happened in the power sector. First of all, I don’t want to preempt the report of the joint committee which has been set up by the Senate to look into the circumstances that led to the privatisation exercise and report back to the Senate, to find out the ways and means of those under the leadership of Senator James Manager, the Chairman of the Committee on Power with Privatisation Committee.

Very soon, there will be a public hearing on that but without preempting the outcome, we have to know what happened; every Nigerian knows about the problems in the power sector over the years and the lack of investment that happened in that sector for a long time. It has given so many governments a lot of headache.

Since the coming of this democratic rule, various governments since Chief Olusegun Obasanjo tried to find out some ways and means of doing that. The Obasanjo’s government came up with the Integrated National Power Projects (IPP), which a combination of little resources from the federal government and from the state governments with their own consent so that these independent power plants can be established, and many of them have been established.

But when they established the provision for gas because most of them are gas based plants, it was not worked out. Only recently the gas issue was being resolved for many of them. And hitherto, there were plans to develop the hydro-power projects so that we can generate at least enough electricity.

The transmission network has been very backward, not much has been done, so that even if you produce the power, what are you going to do to evacuate it? The network servicing the country is the one established during the Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, regimes, which is 30-40 years old. Then the distribution network itself in most of Nigerian communities is also about 40 years old. So, government decided to intervene in the power sector because of these problems and lack of investment.

You know that power is the most vital means of bringing about industrialisation in any community. So, we had this challenge.

Now what are the approaches that the various governments have adopted? Since government came to focus on the sector since Obasanjo regime, the government made the reform which moved the management of power resources from National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) so that you can break down the company into several sub companies, with one single company taking care of what has happened, but at the end of the day, there was some kind of concern with the government, that there was a need for privatisation to be done in the sector.

So, that was what led to the creation of the generating companies; the Transmission Company of Nigeria which is still a stateowned company, which is being managed by Matoba hydro, and then the GenCos which is also providing in originally based and sold out; and the GenCos, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the distribution companies.

Now, what really happened was that, if you break a monopoly, what you have created is an oligopoly. You think that you are creating a new market system but the market system has not come on because you are not creating a competition. So, when a disco is taking care of about five states, you are not creating an atmosphere for competition with a new market, because you are creating another monopoly in that particular chunk of the market. So, you find yourself creating so many monopolies from one single monopoly. So, the challenge really for any government maybe, the whole privatisation exercise would have been done differently. But if you

Sen. Abdulahi: It’s too late to reverse sale of PHCN Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Sen. Yahaya Abdulahi (APC, Kebbi North), in this interview with CHUKWU DAVID, examines the sale of Power Holding Company of Nigeria to the distribution companies against their poor performance and the continued rift between herdsmen and farmers

Abdulahi

say that you are going to do it differently, it means that you are going to revoke this one and we go back to square one; then we go one step forward and two steps backward.

So, the thing that can be done now is not to reverse the process because there was a time late President Yar’Adua wanted to reverse a lot of the privatisation processes in the oil industry, power industry and others. This sent us backward for about four or five years.

At the end of the day we had to come back to the same thing. Now that we have done the privatisation, the issue of reversing it does not even arise.

What we have to do is to go back and look at the way the privatisation was done and ensure that everybody who has benefited from the privatisation is also carrying out the duties and obligations into the agreement that has been signed to carry out that obligation properly. If that person is incapable of handling the privatisation exercise, then we come back and trigger some deliverables.

And if the person handling the project likes those handling the Yola Disco, who came back and said that they could not handle it because there was a force majeure, then you can review it. But for you to say that you want to revoke the privatisation exercise and start afresh. That is not right.

What do you think is the way forward on the issue of herdsmen attacks on communities in Nigeria and fear of possible reprisal attacks?

You see, the problem is for people to understand this situation from two fundamental points of view: the first one is that the Nigerian society has developed over a period of time in ways that population has increased in all Nigerian ethnic groups, but the land area of the country has remained the same.

In fact, one can even say that the land area has decreased because some areas have been

ceded to Cameroon under Obasanjo.

This conflict between the herdsmen whether they are Fulanis or not is another matter, but the conflict has been there before the colonialists came. So, let’s deal with this issue; the issue of human life involve, and the issue of livestock industry. When you go to the early colonial reports, one of the early problems the British government in Nigeria faced when they conquered this country was conflict over grazing rights between farmers and herdsmen.

Now, herdsmen can be of different tribes; the Fulanis are not the only herdsmen. Let me be clear about that. In my area, you have herdsmen, some whom are not Fulanis, they belong to a different ethnic group. There are some Sudanese Fulanis and they are not even dealing with cattle. They rear sheep and goats instead. As the livestock industry is developing, there are so many other tribes, ethnicities who are into cattle rearing.

If you go to Borno, Yobe and other places, there are a lot of other herdsmen who are not Fulanis. So, livestock farming is not a tribal occupation.

It is the deforestation and desertification in the northern part of the country that has moved the livestock of the nation to the North-Central and the southern part of the nation because there is no grass in the far North for them to stay. So, before the colonial rule, a lot of the conflicts happened between the herdsmen and Hausa and other northern farmers. When you look at the colonial achieves, you will see a lot of reports on this.

That was what informed the creation of cattle routes and grazing reserves. So, cattle routes and grazing reserves were creations as a colonial policy in order to settle the kind of conflict they faced at that time.

Then over the years, because of increase in population, the farming population expanded; so they encroached on these graz-

ing reserves and took over the lands that the herders were using. In the southern part of the country, there was no initiative like this because the herding population was more in the northern part. So, grazing reserves and grazing routes were not developed in those areas. So, when they came, there because they saw good pasture for their cattle they found it convenient to stay in the South. You find out that the Fulani man in Cross River does not know how to speak Hausa but he speaks Efik; they speak Fulani or their own language and Efik because they have departed from that territorial area where they were before.

So, the question we should ask is, how do we develop the national livestock industry while preserving the peace and security of the nation. Whatever these people are, whether they are Fulani or other stock, at least they are Nigerians. Now, if you say that every time crisis happens, you expel the people, that means what you are saying is that they should take out that particular occupational group. If you expel them, where do they go; so, you are not really getting to the root of the problem.

The root of the problem is to really look at the security aspect; work out a system where you secure all the communities, get rid of all the criminals and let them know that they are not supposed to carry guns in this country if you are not licensed by the Police. So, we should be proactive, create awareness among communities where they see anybody carrying gun or any weapon, report the person and let the police do their job. But the problem in Nigeria is corruption; you know the same people can connive with the Police to hide their guns, and then later they come out and shoot people and go away.

So, I don’t think we should politicise it.

The most important thing is let’s look at the situation in much more dispassionate and nationalistic way, and how do we modernize the Nigerian livestock development industry and then secure the entire Nigerian population including the herdsmen themselves because in some of these conflicts, when the farmer is at advantage he kills the herdsmen.

Also rural banditry that is going on in Agatu or Enugu cannot be compared with the number of people that have been killed in Zamfara over the years. Zamfara alone has lost hundreds of farmers who have been completely wiped out by rural bandits. Zamfara, recently Katsina, Kaduna and all the forest extensions right from Kenya down to Cote d’Ivoire.

So, let us not ethnicise this issue. Let us look at it from its historical and it’s developmental dimensions. It is when we do so then we can understand whether we can separate the grain from the chaff; isolate the criminals and deal with them, and then find a way you can develop our livestock industry.

Nigeria has about 20 million to 25 million cattle. We are just next to Ethiopia but we have allowed the livestock industry to thrive which makes meat in Nigeria very cheap; in fact the cheapest in the world. If you eliminate that source what do you do?

What do you do to develop and modernise the industry and how do you secure the rural communities and ensure a measure of interdependence, and also make sure that criminal elements do not come to cause trouble in the communities?

26

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

politics

A UK lesson for presidential spokesmen Villa Notes emmyanule@yahoo.com

P

Anule Emmanuel

resident Muhammadu Buhari was among few world leaders who converged last week on the British capital, London to chart a new course in the global fight against corruption.

Interestingly, the President attended the international anti-corruption summit on the invitation of British Prime Minister, David Cameron, because of his current stand against corruption in the country, a posture which has since earned him global reputation.

Nigeria is among few developing countries particularly in Africa seen by the West as highly corrupt. Sadly, most of these advanced nations that have such notion on the country in the past, encouraged investment of corruption proceeds in their domains.

Of course, this could explain why many Nigerians including President Buhari did not take David Cameron’s recent comments that Nigeria was fantastically corrupt personal. For most people, Cameron was only reaffirming the obvious which the present administration is pursuing vigorously under its change mantra.

For those with the penchant for criticising the President over his frequent travels abroad, the recent trip to the United Kingdom may have rather widened their horizon to understand that some sort of global partnership is critical in governance at the presidential level- a justification that Pres-

ident Buhari needed to have been at the London summit.

One major take-away from the just concluded summit is the agreement by the world leaders including Nigeria to put in place a mechanism known as the Open Contracting Data Standard for registering, reporting and tracking all investments of looted funds abroad and their owners.

The signing of this action plan will definitely assist in the anti-corruption war embarked upon by the President and help the repatriation of the Nigeiria’s stolen funds stashed in foreign banks.

This demand has already been made by the President.

Beyond this, however, there is a silent lesson which one believes strongly is for the attention of the President’s media managers, Mr. Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu. President Buhari in the course of the summit had reason to respond to Cameron’s fantastically corrupt comment about Nigeria. Buhari’s answers have been trending on the social media for days now.

Very unofficially, reporters in London had besieged the President on his way into one of the venues of the summit to get his response about Cameron’s appalling statement.

Appalling indeed, but who says Nigeria is not “fantastically corrupt” especially looking at recent revelations from the arms deal scandal and many others from which millions of dollars of public money have been looted by corrupt public officers and taken overseas?

The dramatic pressure on President Buhari from the foreign reporters par-

ticularly the free will that they presented questions is quite intriguing.

The reason is simple. Back home, in the Presidential Villa, State House Correspondents never get such open opportunities to seek direct answers from either the President himself or his visiting colleagues on national and global issues.

With the array of security aides around Mr. President, every step could easily be interpreted as an affront and embarrassment to government (what ‘they’ often refer to as breach of protocol).

In the past, reporters were even gauged and carefully tailored on what questions to ask at joint press conferences organized after bilateral talks between the President and a visiting foreign leader.

Unfortunately too, even when reporters accompanied the President on foreign trips, they hardly get the privilege of an interview with him. The reverse is often the case when foreign reporters advance request for similar interview opportunities. Most media handlers appear to have preference for foreign media other than their own.

At some point under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, security operatives in the villa had to seize and withdraw the accreditation of one of the correspondents for asking a visiting President a question about mercenaries hired by government then to assist in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

Really, this kind of environment rather presents the villa and it’s modules operandi as if we were still in a military junta.

Why should journalists be afraid to seek clarification from their own leader as against what obtains in other climes?

A few State House Correspondents have

had cause to imagine after watching President Buhari’s recent London interview video in response to David Cameron’s statement, whether such could happen here in Nigeria.

Here’s the extract of the interview: Mr. President, you demand any apology from the Prime Minister?

Buhari: No, no, not at all.

Are you not embarrassed by what he said?

Buhari: No, I am not.

He just said you are fantastically corrupt Buhari: Yes. This interaction interestingly took place while the President was in motion, never prepared for the interview. Who says that this is not possible in Nigeria and the Presidential Villa? As brief as the answers were, they generated banal headlines. It is just what reporters all over the world look for.

There is need for the London experience to serve as an eye opener and a challenge to the two principal spokesmen of the President. They can make a difference and bring possible change that could foster a better working environment for reporters covering the Aso Rock too.

Both Adesina and Garba are tested field journalists who understand rightly what the dilemmas are. This is the more reason why they should strive to do the right things.

The excuse often times that the villa is a peculiar terrain does not hold waters.

How come President Barrack Obama knows White House Correspondents by name? Knowing state house correspondents by name is not really the issue but that needed smooth working environment that must not be hostile at any time.

Subsidy removal: Same issue, different postures From the

Green Chamber ternyam@gmail.com

O

Philip Nyam

n January 1, 2012, Nigerians received a shocking and unbearable New Year gift when the then administration of President Goodluck Jonathan suddenly announced the removal of subsidy on all petroleum products and instantly hiked the price of fuel from N65 to N141 per litre. The action sparked spontaneous protests across the country by labour unions and the civil society groups.

As a result of the crisis that trailed the decision, the House of Representatives, which was on Christmas and New Year break immediately reconvene and held a special plenary session on a Sunday.

At the plenary, the House led by then Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (now Sokoto State Governor) condemned the action of the Federal Government and advised it to immediately rescind the decision and apologise to Nigerians for the hardships occasioned by the over 100 percent increment in the prices of petroleum products. The lower chamber equally constituted an investigative committee led by Hon. Farouk Lawan from Kano State to look into the subsidy payment claims. Of course, the outcome of that investigation is well known to most Nigerians who followed the drama.

The motion that led to the resolution to call on the government to return to status quo was moved by Hon. Tijanni Yusuf

from Kogi State and was co-sponsored by 49 other lawmakers. Of course, the Federal Government did not acceded to the demands of the House and the protests continued in all the major cities and towns of

the nations.

In fact, in Abuja, some members of the House were in the forefront of the demonstrations. I remember vividly that Hon. Tijanni who led the motion on the floor of the chambers was part of the protests; Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, now Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was also on the protests train insisting that government must change its decision. After weeks of negotiation, the Jonathan administration was compelled to cut down the new price regime from N141 to N97.

Like what happened in January 2012, Nigerians received the news of the deregulation of the petroleum sector by the change administration of President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday night with a pinch of salt. It was a bitter pill too difficult to swallow. Incidentally, the House, which has been on a week recess and was due to resume on Thursday had earlier in the day shifted its resumption to the following Tuesday. Also, quite striking is the fact that Speaker Yakubu Dogara was one of the co-sponsors of the anti-subsidy removal motion in 2012. We have also been made to understand that this time around, the leadership of the National Assembly was involved in the decision to remove the subsidy.

Already, labour unions and some civil society groups are meeting and strat-

egising to tackle the Federal Government on the latest price hike in petroleum products. Barring any changes, these groups may mobilise Nigerians and take to the streets in the next few days to protest against the removal of subsidy. Will Dogara and his colleagues join the labour unions in protesting against the PMB-led government? Will the House convene a special session to deliberate on the removal of subsidy?

Will it set up a probe panel to look into the subsidy regime under the present administration?

Certainly, times have changed and the indices on ground are different. The position of some of these lawmakers has also changed. Speaker Yakubu Dogara in his reaction to the hike a day after, assured Nigerians that the administration of President Buhari will not take any deliberate decision to further compound the pain Nigerians are going through, adding that the House will not allow the executive to take any decision that will impoverish the people.

He said, “I know that due to the nature of the leaders we have in power, if there was any way that they could possibly avoid inflicting further pain on the people, I’m sure, I’m sure, almost 100 per cent sure, that they will toe that path. So when the decision has been taken, I’m sure but it will come back to us on the floor of the House and when it comes, we will call all the parties and then, look at it. If there are better ways of doing it, maybe we can suggest. The overall goal of this government is to ensure that this country doesn’t collapse on our head.

Dogara assured that the House will collectively take a decision on the matter

when it comes before them in plenary to ensure that the overall interest of all parties involved is protected. “We are the House of the people so we don’t judge.

I do not want to come out with an opinion because I know that the matter, very soon, will come to the floor of the House of Representatives and as the presiding officer, I don’t want to give my opinion before that time. But one thing we can take home and assure our followers is that we will never allow any measure to be embarked by the government that will further impoverish our people.

In his reaction, leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was part of those who kicked against the subsidy removal under Jonathan, instead urged the Federal Government to review the minimum wage of workers to cushion the effects of deregulation of the petroleum sector. He said the position of the House became necessary in view of the need to meet the rising cost of living in the country. “There has to be a serious review of the minimum wage if you are going to increase the pump price of petrol because we all know everything rests on that. ``Prices are going to skyrocket, from school fees to food to transportation to school uniforms and to books. Everything is going to go up because of mono economy. If we are going to do that it is incumbent upon the government to take seriously the demands of labour. But minimum wage needs to be reviewed; we cannot increase the cost of living and keep salaries where it is, they go hand in hand,’’ he said. You could say same House, same lawmakers but different times and different circumstances.

27

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 15 MAY 2016

politics

Chief Richard Ozobu is a former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and a senior member of ImeObi (elders’ council) of Ohanaeze. He is one of those kicking against the current leadership of the body. In this interview with KENNETH OFOMA, Ozobu blames the sorry state of Igbo nation on the inertia of in the South -East Governors’ Forum Recently there were reports of fresh crisis rocking Ohanaeze; what is the leadership tussle all about?

I did not read the report you are talking about concerning fresh crisis, as if the one already there had been resolved. Nothing was resolved, so there couldn’t have been a fresh one. I don’t think anything was resolved. Sometime ago, we read that the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha invited some people who he considered to be those fighting. I don’t understand what he meant by that.

The tenure of the executive had expired, those who claimed that they were caretaker committee, nobody knows where they derived their powers from and who set them up. I was interviewed on that and I made my views known, that what Governor Okorocha did was neither here nor there. There was no provision for that kind of action of the governor to establish a caretaker or an interim body to run the affairs of Igbo nation, called Ohanaeze.

It is not there in the constitution. So as I said you cannot bring two illegal bodies and be discussing with them, no, it is not done that way. What matters, what should have been the case is for him to look at the report of the body set up by the South-East Governors Forum to mediate in the crisis that followed the election that came up after the tenure of Chief Ralph Uwechue.

I remember in that election I served as executive secretary of the electoral body.

And I did say that no election took place.

I did say that the constitution set up the guide to what should happen. And I did say that Ebonyi State that was to produce the president-general was not aware and was not part of what was going on. So was Imo State at that point too. And I presented evidence to that effect; on the letters written by General Council of both states, saying that they were not informed.

At any rate, a body headed by respected Sen Ben Obi set up by the Governors’ Forum to look into that matter. And members were for instance, his blessed memory, Sen Uche Chukwumerije, the then Attorney-general of Enugu State was the secretary, Senior Advocate Agu. Other members also include Chief J.O. Irukwu, former president general of Ohanaeze; Bishop Chukwuma, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu; and Monsignor Obiora Ike. I know I was the first to appear before the committee. I laid out all the facts from my own side in a marathon sitting that took more than six hours. And I know some people involved were invited within a period of two weeks and interviewed.

And I’m also aware that they came out with a report on the matter which was forwarded to the governors’ forum. One would ask what happened to that report and why was it not implemented? It will be far-fetched to talk about it being made public, because it is in public interest that it should have been made public.

‘South-East govs not ready to resolve Ohanaeze crises’

is difficult for you to play the game you don’t know the rules. So they are not into it and many of them still, I don’t think they still know the implication of not having a stable one voice to the Igbo land; when Arewa is there, Afenifere is there, Middle Belt Congress is there which is still functioning properly.

Ozobu

I know that of the five governors who were there then, that the only one still present there is Owelle Okorocha. So the new comers to the Governors’ Forum should have been told by him that such a report existed or if they have a secretariat, the secretariat should have presented the report to them so that they could take a second look at it.

Do you have an idea of the content or recommendations of that report?

I’m aware that in that report that the complaints of Ebonyi State was looked at and the committee did find out that the elections were not conducted in accordance with the spirit and letters of the Ohanaeze constitution. I’m aware also that with regard to tenure, that they listened to all sides including the outgoing executive then (Ralph Uwechue exco), and stated that the tenure was two years not four years, that was the finding of the committee. I know that they considered the implications of the petitions written against the outgoing executive that time and recommended that the issues raised should be dealt with. I’m also aware that the committee recommended that that Igariwey-led executive should rather be an interim executive, while arrangements have to be made for an election to be conducted. I’m also aware that the governors took the advice from some members who are very familiar with how a credible Igbo body, Ohanaeze is run; they did say that the best way to do this, the only legitimate way to do it was to summon Ime-Obi, present the whole matters before ImeObi and let Ime-Obi activate the process of implementing the recommendations.

Ime-obi is defined as a rapid response body of Ohanaeze with responsibility of handling urgent matters coming before or threatening Igbo nation. And the membership of Ime-Obi is drawn from all the states, the seven Ohanaeze states which include; Rivers State and Anioma in Delta state. And also Igbos in Diaspora are all members. So it is Ime-Obi that qualifies to handle the matter and implement those recommendations, which I consider fair.

It was not done; one would ask why was

it not done? So you see, the amorphous body that came out of the trip to Imo could not hold.

So neither the Gary Igariwey led executive nor the caretaker committee led by Chief Ralph Obioha is legal…?

(Cuts in) they had no legitimacy, that’s why they couldn’t operate. I’m not the one stopping them but I said this; how could any of them call the Igbo nation together, what mandate do they have, how did they come about?

At what point did this matter go to court?

One group, those who thought they have the legitimacy to remain there for four years, when the constitution was very clear it is two years, went to court to stop the caretaker committee from parading themselves. And sometimes they try to bring me into the crisis when I was not part of it at all.

What is the way forward?

The way forward is to summon a meeting. The Governors’ Forum should be properly advised to look into that report and call those who can give them proper advice on how to set up another executive, and it is necessary to review that constitution; look at it properly and tidy up certain ends that allow loopholes. There are some areas that are not properly defined and some people who are in the executive take advantage of that to move completely out of order. The executive committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was never mandated by the constitution of Ohanaeze both in letter and in the spirit, to initiate an action on behalf of Ndigbo. You must submit any initiation to Ime-Obi or general assembly for approval. That is the spirit, that is how Igbos work.

Is it possible that the inability to resolve this matter as intended by the Governors’ Forum was due to politics which has also affected the Forum?

Yes, I don’t know whether there is anything in effect now because most governors now don’t know about Ohanaeze.

They were not frequent members who attended Ohanaeze meetings. You see, it

How do you assess the reaction of the present “leadership” of Ohanaeze tothe recent herdsmn attacks in Enugu State?

What could they do? These actions are not for tribal leadership at all. These things are happening where the chief security officer in the state is the governor. Proper information has to come from the governor, otherwise you may be misled into making certain statements. But we know those of us who have been involved with town unions and local government leadership, that this thing is a national problem. And it affects most states in the country including the northern states. One cannot say that it is properly organized by the leadership of the Fulanis to invade people, no. we know that they are nomads and their life is based on taking cattle particularly to the South where you have grazing land.

But we know also that many of them have gone totally off-hand in behavior in many places where they go. We want to find out why and why the security forces have let it happen that way? We have heard about cattle rustling in the north with the same nomad problems. There, it’s not a matter of grazing; it’s a matter of killing the cow, after that they are stolen and mixed with the herds and they will come down here to feed them and still led by the same brigands.

But some believe that it took Ohaneze almost seven days to react to the Nimbo attack?

(Cuts in) That happened because there is no Ohanaeze. In the first instance before you make any public statement on a matter like that the governors are normally invited to brief Ohanaeze, (and) the Igbo leadership on what’s on the ground before you issue statement on how far they have gone. So that you don’t contradict what they have done or you don’t go from the false premise. If you need to contradict them; then you do so. But you must have the information right before you move into it. The other way of doing it is calling for meetings from those communities directly, interacting with the communities affected and they will tell you their own stories. So that you know exactly how to go about it. You know this thing has happened before in Udi-Ezeagu. I don’t know if you were there when we were being told about 400 carrying AK-47 rifles and we recorded those statements being made and we said we were going to take these findings to the government and the local government in Ezeagu; because I’m the president-general of Ezeagu general assembly. This thing happened about three, four years ago. And we did, but chairman denied it! When they were attacked, he denied it; and he said that statement made was political statement against the governor, he said they had good relationship. You have good relationship when the dead body was lying there already?

So you don’t know brings some of these people at local areas under the influence to hide that kind of brigandage. If you have written the nomads, which they said they do, to regulate their movement and things like that, then why are they suddenly falling out of line?

28

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

The Sunday

Sheikh Gumi: Why Buhari w

In the run up to the 2015 presidential election, Sheikh (Dr.) Ahmad Gumi wrote a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and retired Gen ambitions in order to avoid a possible crisis. In spite of Gumi’s advice, the duo ran for the presidency and the rest, as they say, is history. and also speaks on the Preaching Regulatory Bill which is before the Kaduna State House of Assembly Last Wednesday, the Federal Government announced an increase in the pump price of fuel. What do you think the hike portends for the people?

The price increase of fuel is a natural domino effect of the economic policies of the present administration. The economic style of the government right from its inception, truly speaking, has been on the wrong footing. We know that there were a lot of financial wrong doings in the previous government. Yet, you cannot totally condemn their policies. Nothing is 100 per cent bad and nothing is 100 per cent good. As a medical doctor, I can tell you that even the best drug has side effects. And sometimes, poison can be used for treatment.

Bee sting can be used in curing rheumatism.

So, in trying to paint a terrible picture of the previous administration, this government is trying to undo every policy of the former government, instead of just correcting what was wrong. The prophet warned Muslims to be careful of liking or loving something too much because one day it will be your enemy. And if you have an enemy, don’t hate him so vehemently because one day he may be your best friend. What I mean is that the policies that you criticise, you may one day end up doing the same thing. President Muhammadu Buhari criticised the removal of subsidy when he was in the opposition, now he has just done that. We have been telling them to be careful right from the word go, otherwise the government will be engulfed in crises and contradictions. Increasing fuel prices is inevitable but what I want the government to look at are the factors that lead to the pressure to increase the prices. First, the government imports fuel for domestic use.

Second, the foreign exchange to finance this importation is dwindling. Even though the refineries are working, the supply of crude oil is being disrupted because the militants are blowing up pipelines. Why are they doing so?

Because they feel alienated, that they are not part of the government. So, you can see the domino effect that I have earlier mentioned.

Are you in any way advocating that the Federal Government should negotiate with the militants?

The government should have formed a Government of National Unity right from the beginning. For example, tell the South-East to bring whoever they trust to represent them in the government. The South-West brought Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as running mate; he was not the choice of Buhari. The same way that you did with South-West, do with the SouthSouth and South-East. This is what I mean

by Government of National Unity because if the militants believe that they are represented well in the government, they will allow the oil to flow. If the crude oil flows, our refineries will work. The President needs to listen; he can’t afford to be adamant any more. He should listen to knowledgeable individuals and not sycophants who supported him. Nigeria is for everybody. It is not for any single political party or the President.

If I understand your analysis, are you opposed to the orders given by the President to the military to deal with the militants who blow up pipelines?

How can they deal with the militants in the first place, when they are holding the na-

tion’s umbilical cord? You are fighting Boko Haram in the North and you want to fight the militants in the creeks. You don’t fight on two fronts at the same time. That was one of the reasons why Adolf Hitler failed in the Second World War. Government should sit down with them and ask them the reasons for their agitation. Don’t forget, they were embittered that their man Goodluck Jonathan was defeated. Their argument now is, ‘if you hate our man, then leave our oil.’ No section of the country has the solution of Nigeria’s problem.

So, everybody should be brought on board.

Even if the South-South brings Government Tompolo as their man, we should accept him, so long as they trust him; so that we will have stability. A military solution is not the best option in this circumstance. Former President Umaru Yar’adua could swallow his pride as president and negotiate with the militants.

Jonathan also did it. But a military man cannot do it because it will hurt his ego. But if he doesn’t do it, he will kill the nation.

The Fulani herdsman has been associated with so many evils in recent times, ranging from cattle rustling, kidnapping, and armed robberies. As a Fulani man, what will you say is responsible for the recent transformation of the herdsman?

It is really unfortunate. I remember, during the Jonathan administration, a soldier came to me. He said that there was an ongoing military operation which was wiping out Fulani communities around Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State. He said that more than 10 communities had been wiped out by the soldiers. I was so agitated that I called a Fulani lieutenant.

I also confronted very influential people in government, telling them of the plot to wipe out Fulanis. The Fulani lieutenant told me that all the kidnappings and the cattle rustling that were being carried out in that community were done by Fulanis. But the Qur’an tells us that when ‘’Fitna’’ (trouble) comes, it will not affect only those who commit the sin or atrocity. It is unacceptable for the Fulani communities in the bush, to allow their brothers to go out and commit all these crimes and keep quite. Even those that do not engage in them will one day become victims of the reactions of these atrocities. I am calling on the Fulani associations like Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to sensitise their members on an almost one-on-one basis. The association should tell them to stop killing and kidnapping people and rustling the cattle of fellow Fulanis. There is no need denying it. Fulanis are involved in armed robbery and all these crimes that I have mentioned. But the question is, why did the Fulanis start engaging in these crimes? But what do you expect of population that has been left in the bush without education or social amenities and without government’s assistance of any kind? The so-called Normadic Education is just on paper. Even religious organisations do not go to preach to them. So, what do you expect from this kind of population? It has been a time bomb all the while. The government and Miyetti Allah should intervene so that the crisis will not escalate like Boko Haram. An FM Radio station should be dedicated specifically to addressing the Fulanis because they listen to radio. They should also be given incentives. That is the only way to avert the disaster. But to deny that these atrocities are not being committed

Gumi

by Fulanis is the wrong way to approach the issue. My brother was kidnapped some few months back. When we secured his release, he told us that the kidnappers were asking him to beg Allah for them so that they will be reformed. Now, they have discovered that kidnapping is a gold mine. Before, they used to rustle cattle and it was so difficult to sell the cows. So, they resorted to the easier crime of kidnapping. Truly, the Fulanis are involved and it is very unfortunate.

The All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government will be one year in office in about two weeks from now. What is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari in office, a man whom you had earlier opposed?

Actually, I was not opposing a particular person. What I feared was a scary scenario. I wasn’t opposing Buhari or Jonathan. I never hated them at all. If anything, I pity them because much as they wanted to correct things, they couldn’t. What the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, is doing is evil but he believed in what he is doing and he has given his life to it.

Out of all these leaders, nobody is ready to give his life like him but what he is doing is wrong and he is evil. So, it is not enough to sacrifice but you have to do the right thing. So, there must be pragmatism in governance. Interests and alliances should be based on pragmatism.

So, I’m not opposed to any politician at all but I’m concerned about how Nigeria can get out of this problem. I’m very passionate about that.

I have children and I don’t want them to be

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 15 MAY 2016

y Interview

won’t dare biggest thieves

neral Muhammadu Buhari, the then presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), advising them to sacrifice their In this interview with IBRAHEEM MUSA, the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric gives an interim assessment of Buhari’s one year in office

messed up by someone’s vision of how to run Nigeria, which I know will not work. It will just bring more hardship to them. To be honest, I want progress and peace for everybody and I’m truly concerned about it. I believe that the only way to cure Nigeria is to open a new page completely if not we will continue to be having problems. We are divided along North/ South lines and along Muslim/Christian lines.

There is also the class division between the rich and the poor. We also have tribal differences.

It is until when every segment is substantially carried along, that you can have peace and harmony in the country. So long as a big segment of Nigeria feels that it is marginalised, Nigeria will never see peace.

So, in the run up to the last election, I wrote a letter to President Jonathan not to contest

because the North will reject him. I asked him to allow anybody to be the PDP flag bearer but not him because the north will reject him because somehow, he was linked with Boko Haram. I also wrote another letter to Buhari, advising him to rest his ambition because if he runs, Nigeria will be polarised. What Nigeria needed at that time were people who will mend fences. Buhari’s coming into politics has accentuated the class struggle in Nigeria.

The antagonism between the rich and poor can sometimes be more dangerous that religious differences. I saw this class struggle coming because the masses will always rush to Buhari because they believe that he will bring justice and food on the table for them.

They want him to emasculate the rich for them; he either does it or they will categorise him as a failure. So, once you put a leader in that kind of situation, then you are already introducing a class struggle into the already compounded problem. In addition to our tribal problems, our religious differences and the North/South divide, there is now a class problem because the talakawa just want to see the rich imprisoned. And if they are tasking the president to do that, and if he does not do it he is a failure, then he will definitely fail because he cannot do it.

So, the kind of leader that we needed at that time was one who will pacify the rich and still have the confidence of the poor. By so doing, the rich will help in building the economy by setting up companies that will generate employment. That is why the Prophet (SAW) said that you can get with leniency what you can never get by force. He said that when leniency enters anything, it decorates it. And strictness, violence blemishes and destroys the beauty of whatever they enter. So, what you get with diplomacy, you cannot get with violence. If you want to deal with corruption in Nigeria, you have to deal with it in a diplomatic way. No one should be afraid of returning the money that they have looted.

But when the poor is always rating your administration by the number of people you have caught, then you are in trouble because you cannot catch the big ones. Because if you do so, you will destroy your government and if you don’t catch them, the poor will say that you have changed.

The president is even fighting the war on corruption the wrong way. When you fight corruption, it will naturally fight back. Corruption has become an international institution. You will hear foreign leaders condemning corruption but they are engaging in it because their countries benefit from it. So, the President needs to tread carefully in fighting corruption with the way things are now because it will frighten the upper class of the society. It will put them on pause and this is not healthy for a developing economy like our own. You need the rich to infuse money into the system and fund projects. For example, I went to a fund raiser of an Islamic school. Big men came but not a single one donated a kobo, not even a pledge, because they may be asked where they got the money from. So, there is fright and this is hurtful to the economy. The war on corruption should purely be a law and order issue. Right now, if EFCC invites someone, the next day it is in the newspapers. The damage this kind of thing causes to people’s reputation is very severe, especially if they are found to be innocent.

In an interview with a news magazine recently, you described the Preaching Regulation Bill which is before the Kaduna State House of Assembly as unconstitutional. Why did you say that?

The law was enacted during the military regime. What the present government of Kaduna State wants to do is to modify it, especially the sanctions aspects of the bill which are unconstitutional are the ones that will trample on freedom of expression, freedom of thoughts and religion and freedom of gathering for such purposes. If a law says that you cannot preach until you are given a license, then this is unconstitutional.

lages. They reach out to the vulnerable in the society. This was how Boko Haram started.

Boko Haram didn’t have any programme on any radio station but they are not only strong but are fighting the state. The Shiites in Nigeria are like that too. They are almost forming a state within a state. So, when government says that it is going to curtail preaching, it is only going to curtail the moderate preachers. Instead of wasting so much time and resources on laws that will regulate preaching, the government should do the right thing by supporting the moderates in every religion. Because if you leave vulnerable people without allowing moderates to tell them what their religion is, others will indoctrinate them.

For example, if you leave Muslims and say that government will not spend its money on propagating the religion, another extreme sect will come and preach to them using the same Qur’an and Hadith. Since they come behind the Qur’an and Hadith, people will accept their interpretation of the religion. So, what stops the government from using the Qur’an and Hadith, for example, to preach the truth about their religion? Also, use the Bible to preach to Christians about their religion. That way, there will be peaceful coexistence. So, the government cannot eat its cake and have it by saying that Nigeria is a secular state when it comes to supporting religion but when it comes to fighting extremism, it will now try to regulate religion. There is a contradiction.

So, government should allow freedom of religion and freedom of thought. Let everybody says what he wants to say, so long as it does not infringe on the right of others. Whenever someone says something that infringes on others rights, there are existing laws that can deal with the issue. So, nobody should be given the authority to give preaching license.

But you spent over a decade in Saudi Arabia.

Can anyone just wake up and start preaching there?

This is where we need to expatiate on this issue. It is one of two things; you either control religion or you don’t control it. But if you should control it, then you have to impose the particular interpretation of the religion that you are controlling. In Saudi Arabia, they impose the interpretation of the religion which is the Sunni-Hanbali Mazab. In Iran, they control the preaching of the Shii-Imamiyya.

You cannot go to Iran and start preaching Sunnah. Likewise, you cannot go to Saudi Arabia and start preaching Schiism. So, these are examples of states controlling religion. In the United States, you can preach anything so long as you don’t attack anybody. So, it is an open market for everybody to preach. It is good for the state to control religion if those that are in control are truly religious. That means that they know the religion and they truly practise it. This is the best but we can’t get it in Nigeria. So, since you don’t have a government that knows the religion and it is practising the religion, if you attempt to control it, you are more likely to suppress the truth than to curb the extremism that you are trying to fight.

I say this because extremists, wherever they are, they don’t need your license because they don’t even recognise you as a government.

Without government license and with all the restrictions to air their views on radio, they propagate their creed one-on-one in the vil-

Are you saying that the proposed preaching law is not feasible because Nigeria is not a theocracy? Saudi Arabia and Iran can regulate preaching because they run Islamic governments?

My point of disagreement is government’s desire to give people license to preach. Before you are given a medical license to practise in Nigeria, it is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria that will certify you fit to become a practising doctor. It is not the Federal Government that issues the license; the Medical and Dental Council does so because it consists of professionals. Now, if you say Jamatu Nasir Islam should give license to Muslim preachers, Jamaatu is headed by emirs, some of who don’t even know Islam. So, they are more likely to give license to preachers who support their understanding of traditional Islam. That of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is even better because it is an organisation of clergymen. Most of them are reverend fathers, pastors and what have you. Yet, Christians opposed the bill because they have denominational and sectarian differences. So, they cannot trust an umbrella organisation to give the license. What I am saying is that given the circumstances that we are, the problems confronting us and the nature of our government, the best way is to allow everyone to say what he wants to say. So long as it doesn’t infringe on anybody’s rights and if it does, the laws of the land should apply.

The question of the state government giving license is unconstitutional and it will promote the extremism that it seeks to curb.

President Buhari criticised the removal of subsidy when he was in the opposition, now he has just done that. We have been telling them to be careful right from the word go, otherwise this government will be engulfed in crises and contradictions

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SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Lenny the Inventor (part 1)

Crossword puzzle

Moral:

O

nce upon a time there was a funny guy named Lenny. Lenny was an inventor. He invented all kinds of contraptions. His house looked like a mess, but he had some really cool things. One day Lenny decided he wanted to fly.

“I am going to invent some wings and fly,” Lenny told his friend Rudy.

“Now I really know you’re crazy. You won’t even get off the ground,” said Rudy.

“You’ll see,” said Lenny.

So he went down to his workshop and began working. Day and night, he worked. No one saw Lenny for weeks. Then one day he came out of his workshop with a great big grin on his face.

He called Rudy on the phone. “Rudy, tomorrow I will fly, but I need your help,” said Lenny.

“Did you really build some wings?” asked Rudy.

“Yeah and they are really beautiful,” said Lenny.

“They’re a little heavy though. I need you to help me drag them up to the top of Kill Devil Hill.”

“What did you make them out of?” asked Rudy.

“I made them out of some scrap metal I had laying around from when I built my helicopter last year,” said Lenny.

“Metal! Don’t you think that will be too heavy to use for wings?” asked Rudy.

“No, I calculated all of the angles. I will be like a human airplane,” said Lenny.

Rudy just rolled his eyes. “Ok, I will be over first thing in the morning and we’ll try them out,” said Rudy.

“See you then,” said Lenny.

The next morning they dragged the wings up to the top of Kill Devil Hill and Lenny strapped them on.

“Are you sure those are not too heavy? asked Rudy again.

“No, the faster I run, the lighter they will get. The wind will lift me up and I will be flying,” said Lenny,

Those who think they are the smartest, are usually the biggest fools. People who think they are wise, when they are not are worse than fools.

quite confidently.

“All right, I am going to get a running start and take off,” said Lenny. So, Lenny backed up about fifty feet and started running. As he ran, the weight of the wings started to wear out his legs and he got lower and lower to the ground. Just as he got to the crest of the hill, his legs gave out and he skidded across the ground on his face.

After Rudy rolled around on the ground laughing for about a minute, he got up and asked Lenny if he was Ok. “Yeah, Yeah, real funny,” said Lenny. “I guess you may be right they are a little heavy, but I know the shape is just right. I will just go back to the workshop and make them out of another material.

Something lighter” A couple of weeks later Lenny called up Rudy.

“I’ve done it,” said Lenny.

“You’ve done what?” asked Rudy.

“I reworked the wings. I made them out of wood and tissue paper. These things are so light I may get going by simply jumping off the roof. Come on over, I need a witness,” said Lenny. “I’m on the way,” said Rudy.

When Rudy arrived, Lenny was already up on the roof with these hilarious looking pink wings.

“Pink wings!” laughed Rudy.

“Yeah, this is the stuff I had left over from when I invented that giant Pig robot we used on Halloween last year,” said Lenny.

“So you think you’re just going to jump off and fly?” asked Rudy.

“Yeah. Here goes,” said Lenny.

He backed up a little and took a quick dash and a jump.

Aaaaaaaaaaagh, SMACK! The wings broke right off and Lenny landed on his head in the middle of 2 hearty cheers as little Tiffany Oghenerukome Ukpanukiema Ogedegbe turns 2. She some bushes next to the house. loves colour pink and Sophia the First. Happy birthday little one!

Celebrations

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016

News Pope to study Catholic female deacons p.32

Interview

A troubled marriage lacks God’s presence – Apostle Sulemanp.33

31

sermon

Every trial overcome attracts elevation p.50

FAITH

Tai Anyanwu Head, religous Desk titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph © Daily Telegraph Publishing

China frees courageous Pastor

F

iery Chinese Pastor, Zhang Chongzhu, who had been imprisoned for eight months for protesting against the government’s forced demolition of Christian crosses and churches, has been released.

Zhang Chongzhu frequently spoke out against the ongoing persecution of Christians in the country, China Aid reported.

Some churchgoers also suggested that Zhang might have been singled out and arrested for meeting with a U.S. diplomat in Shanghai last year.

In 2013, Communist party officials began a campaign to take down hundreds of rooftop crosses and churches. The government claims it is targeting places that violate building codes and deems rooftop crosses as unsafe.

Since 2014, authorities across Zhejiang province have demolished more than 2,000 church crosses.

Zhang, whose Three-Self Patriotic Movement Church is in the Zhejiang province, was reportedly taken into custody on September 8, 2015. He was charged with “stealing, spying, buying, or illegally providing state secrets or intelligence to entities outside China.” This is a common accusation against those who challenge the Communist regime, reports China Aid. Although China allows state-run churches to operate, it has not spared even the highest ranking pastors from prison if they speak or act out against the Communist Party.

Bishop warns against incursion in Igboland •Says Christians will resist Islamic agenda Okegwo Kenechukwu

T

Onitsha

he presiding minister of Living Spring World Alive Assembly, Bishop Sylvarnus Onwuachu, has said that Ndigbo are ready to defend their fatherland with their last drop of blood if the Federal Government will not, as a matter of urgency stop Fulani Herdsmen from ravaging communities in Igboland.

The cleric also described the incursion of the herdsmen as possible clandestine moves by the group and their sponsors to overrun the homeland of Ndigbo pointing out that any plan to insult the ability of Ndigbo to seek the actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra would not be tolerated.

Onwuachu, a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), added that Christians would resist any attempt to Islamise Nigeria under any pretext.

Speaking at a press briefing in Onitsha

Anambra State recently, the cleric condemned the blood bath at Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.He noted that the activities of the herdsmen, who he said regrettably now wield sophisticated weapon, posed serious threats on the lives of other innocent Nigerians.

“See how people are being massacred in churches in the name of Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen invasion of Enugu State.

“This is a demonstration that the Islamic fundamentalists want to take over this country by all means, but it will be resisted with the last blood of every Christian,” he said.

The Bishop recalled that all progressive Nigerians are in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda but frowned at the prevailing violence against innocent Nigerians even in their homeland.

He therefore called on all Ndigbo residing in Northern part of Nigeria to come back home and take their destiny into their hands.

Wondering what section of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria permits herdsmen to carry arms, the clergy man charged government to urgently route for the cattle owners and supposed sponsors of the herdsmen.

While thanking the Anglican Bishop of Enugu and Niger Diocese, Most Rev. Chukwuma Ekwe, for earlier condemning the assault on Nimbo community, Bishop Onwuachu alleged that some prominent Igbo leaders and investors have been compromised because of their numerous investments in different parts of the country.

This is a demonstration that the Islamic fundamentalists want to take over this country by all means, but it will be resisted with the last blood of every Christian

Zhang

Secrets to hearing the voice of God

H

ow many times have you felt God is trying to speak to you and yet you feel like you’re hearing nothing?

Who hasn’t asked, “God, Can’t You Talk Louder? I just want to know what to do?”

The reality is that all of God’s sheep, in every denomination, already hear God’s voice every day! Steve Shultz uncovers the many Scriptures “hidden in plain sight,” as he likes to say. These clear, yet often forgotten passages, contain easy answers to the questions you’ve asked, or wish you could ask, about hearing God’s voice.

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. ...everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. —1 Corinthians 14:1,3 (NIV) Learn how you can tune in to what God has to say personally to you! You don’t even have to believe in prophecy. It’s not the term “prophecy” that’s the problem, but how it’s defined.

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faith

Pope to study Catholic female deacons

P

ope Francis has announced he will create a commission to study the possibility of allowing women to serve as deacons in the Catholic Church, signaling an historic openness to the possibility of ending the global institution’s practice of an all-male clergy.

The pontiff indicated he would create such a commission during a meeting at the Vatican Thursday with some 900 leaders of the world’s congregations of Catholic women religious, who asked him during a question-and-answer session why the church excludes women from serving as deacons.

The women religious, meeting with the pope as part of the triennial assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), told Francis that women had served as deacons in the early church and asked: “Why not construct an official commission that might study the question?”

The pope responded that he had spoken about the matter once some years ago with a “good, wise professor” who had studied the use of female deacons in the early centuries of the church.

Francis said it remained unclear to him what role such deacons had.

“What were these female deacons?” the pontiff recalled asking the professor.

“Did they have ordination or no?

“It was a bit obscure,” said Francis “What was the role of the deaconess in that time?”

“Constituting an official commission that might study the question?” the pontiff asked aloud. “I believe yes. It would do good for the church to clarify this point. I am in agreement. I will speak to do something like this.”

“I accept,” the pope said later. “It seems useful to me to have a commission that would clarify this well.”

Francis’ openness to studying the possibility of women serving as deacons could represent an historic shift for the global Catholic church, which does not ordain women as clergy.

Pope John Paul II claimed

in his 1994 apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalisthat “the Church has no authority whatsoever” to ordain woman as priests, citing Jesus’ choosing of only men to serve as his twelve apostles.

Many church historians have said however that there is abundant evidence that women served as deacons in the early centuries of the church. The apostle Paul mentions such a woman, Phoebe, in his letter to the Romans.

In the modern day, the Catholic church reinstituted the role of the permanent deacon following the reforms of the landmark 196265 Second Vatican Council.

The role is generally open to married men who have reached the age of 35.

Such men are ordained, similar to priests, but can only conduct certain ministries in the church.

While they cannot celebrate the Mass, they frequently lead prayer services, offer the sacrament of baptism, and even manage parishes as pastoral administrators in the absence of priests.

Francis said Thursday that the professor he spoke with years ago had told him that female deacons had helped the early church particularly in baptizing women, when the practice of baptism at the time called for full immersion of the person’s naked body in water.​ The pontiff’s words about female deacons were only part of a nearly 75-minute meeting with the members of the International Union of Superiors General, which represents nearly half a million Catholic women religious on five continents.

The women religious asked the pope four notably strong questions, leading with an inquiry on how to better integrate women into the life of the global church.

Quoting the pontiff’s frequent use of the phrase “feminine genius” to describe women’s role in the church, they noted that while the pope uses that phrase “women are excluded from the decision-making processes of the church” and from giving the homily at the Mass.

CO NT INU ED O N PAG E 3 4

Pope-Francis

CAN orders TEKAN/ECWA to conduct fresh primaries • I’m not government candidate, cries Gado

T

Tai Anyanwu

he Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) has cancelled the TEKAN/ECWA bloc’s controversial March 29, 2016 primaries held to pick the bloc’s representative ahead of the election of CAN’s new helmsman.

The controversial was held while the bloc’s head, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau, was in kidnappers.

Rising from a prolonged extraordinary meeting of its National Executive Council summoned to resolve the crisis rocking the TEKAN/ECWA bloc, the apex Christian body gave the bloc two weeks to conduct fresh primaries.

The august body also urged all parties in the dispute to sheathe their swords and sort out their differences in the interest of peace and unity among the Christian body and conduct fresh elections that will pick a consensus representative of the bloc.

Sunday Telegraph learnt from a reliable source within the NEC, that the bloc was also warned against undue publicity, stating that anybody who goes to court or takes the case to the media is on his own.

Our source explained that the bloc was given the twoweek grace period after a presentation by the bloc leader, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau, and Dr. Jeremiah Gado, the ECWA President, and contributions from delegates.

They are to forward their consensus candidate to CAN on or before May 24 who will then in turn forward the name to the Electoral College which is expected to screen the candidates and send two names to NEC. The election of the next president will take place on June 21 or 22 while the General Assembly will do the ratification on July 19 and 20.

“We are trusting God that no devil or temptation will make that date to be shifted beyond the already fixed date,” the source said, noting that the outgoing CAN president had earlier enjoined the gathering on the need to resolve the intractable crisis early because he was not in the mood to spend a day more than necessary on the seat.

Giving reasons for the extraordinary meeting, outgoing president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor emphasized that NEC had given a time table which he passed on to the Electoral College ac-

Oritsejafor

cordingly, stating that after candidate and because the the close of nominations, president is a Muslim so only two blocs presented therefore I am a Muslim candidates but the Elec- candidate, they have failed. toral College had refused I am not a Muslim candito perform its functions date. I am God’s candidate. and instead of exchanging I am CAN’s candidate. They correspondents, he opted are the ones playing with to summon the emergency money, throwing money NEC meeting to resolve the around. How many advercrisis. torials have you seen pubMeanwhile, the president lished by them? We will let of the Evangelical Church the people make their judgWinning All (ECWA) and ment,” Gado emphasized.

Gado, however, said that co-founder of Cultural Evangelistic Ministries for there was no confusion in Africa, CEMA, Rev. Dr. Jer- ECWA to warrant CAN’s emiah Gado, 63, has denied NEC intervention: “There is insinuations that he is a gov- not confusion from my bloc. ernment candidate.

The only confusion is in the “My candidacy dates minds of liars; in the minds back to 2013. Was this gov- of self-centred people; in the ernment in power then? In minds of those who don’t 2013, I was asked to preach wish CAN well. There is at the Christmas Carol and no confusion in ECWA or the present leadership at TEKAN/ECWA. that time had his eyes on “ECWA has never been a me,” Dr. Gado said, declar- confused church; will neving: “I am not a government er be a confused church. candidate. I am spending ECWA is very clear, comtime to get money to help mitted to truth and the aueducate people, to help in- thority of the bible, so there form people. Have you seen can be no confusion from us make any publication? the meeting of ECWA. The Have you seen us make any General Church Council press statement or adverto- unanimously endorsed rial? Is it because we don’t my candidacy so what are want to? you saying? And that was “No! We want to but the money is not there. If we were government We candidate, we would be floware trusting ing in money.

My candiGod that no devil or dacy is being temptation will make supported and funded that date to be shifted by private friends. I can beyond the already give you a list fixed date of them. So it’s not true. They think that projecting me as government

communicated to the bloc leader,” he explained.

Invariably, the ECWA president noted that there’s no human situation where you will have a unanimous 100% agreement, but instead when an overwhelming “majority of over 95 per cent of the General Church Council endorsed my candidacy, those who are saying there’s confusion in ECWA are those who are praying for confusion and trying to implant or generate confusion. Confusion is only for those who are doing the bidding of Satan. There’s no confusion in ECWA nor in ECWA/ TEKAN. There are few people who are not happy and they are trying to create the impression that there’s confusion in ECWA/TEKAN, no. There’s none.”

Is it not odd for ECWA to produce the president and the General Secretary, our correspondent asked, and he replied; “No, it’s not. The CAN General Secretary was seconded and his tenure is going to end in June. The election of CAN president has nothing to do with the position of CAN General Secretary. I’m praying that I win, if I win, then another bloc will provide the General Secretary of CAN. “The ECWA/TEKAN bloc has been producing CAN secretary for 12 years now. The current General Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake went in to finish the tenure of Engr. Samuel Salifu (of TEKAN) who resigned.

He just finished that tenure, and due to manipulation, got another four years.

ECWA seconded him for four years and the four years will end in June, so where is the conflict? His tenure is ending in June and by the grace of God, when I contest and win, my tenure will begin in July,” he stated.

Gado denied reports that he failed to commit the General Council’s decision to the appropriate authority in a duly signed letter, saying; “The General Church Council endorsed me on the 14th, on the 15th, a letter was sent to the leader. A letter was written by ECWA General Secretary to the bloc leader communicating the decision of the General Church Council but up till now, the leader has not acknowledged the letter, but hurried to write another letter on the 18th that since he has not heard from ECWA, we have missed the deadline. We have the letter.

“So who is saying the CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

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faith

A troubled marriage lacks God’s presence – Apostle Suleman you comment on the experiences at your recent conference in Minnesota?

It was indeed awesome. God manifested Himself in many miraculous ways. It is a written pact that God’s works done in God’s way never lack positive supplies.

God has always been wonderful. The Minnesota experience tagged Minnesota Restoration Conference 2016 was a three-session explosive deliverance episode that was filled with signs of His glory and power.

Suleman

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, shares his experience, the essence of Mother’s Day celebration, celebrity marriage crashes and more in this interview with Tai Anyanwu. Excerpts Many things new did happen in the life of many. Of course, when Jesus calls, the world gathers; listens and profits hugely.

You are always on the move around the world preaching the gospel. What is your itinerary like after Minnesota?

God has sent His servant to America to the world to bring restoration and grace to all who would believe. Right now, the world is experiencing His presence in America, as people from all parts of America yearn a n x iously for the great e n count e r .

Over t h e y e a r, American cities like N e w Yo r k , Te x a s , Chicago, Georgia, Maryland, Florida and several others have experienced the power of God. It was Minnesota two weeks ago, it will be Philadelphia next. We were also in Serra Leone after the Minnesota great experience. The next visit would be Johannesburg in South Africa on May 24 and 25,

while Philadelphia is next that will take us through June 08 and 29. And God has promised us these are also going to be fulfilling journeys in the life of the hopeless and the downtrodden. As we move around the world through His special grace, millions of people are being freed from all evil foundations that temporarily hold their glories, finances, health, spiritual life and family success.

Your ministry’s Celebration TV just marked its third anniversary. How has the response been using a faith-based television channel to reach homes?

We give all glory to God. We saw this vision passionately spreading beyond Africa and it has come to be. We are determined to keep on this blessed track and ensure souls and lives are redeemed as far as technology can reach. The aim for which the Celebration TV of our great ministry of God was established is fulfilling. One of the core objectives is to reach many homes across the world, wiping out tears and restore people back to their destinies through the revelation of the Word and the manifestation of power and the reality of the Holy Spirit.

Celebration TV was established to take the gospel into the homes, schools, offices and businesses of millions across the nations.

We are going to continue to use this powerful tool for the gospel and expansion of the Kingdom.

What is the secret of the great following that your ministry enjoys?

To start with, one lesson is the value of time-tested methods. Yes, using the new media for outreach contributes significantly to attracting people to God. But the fact remains that teaching the Word and having personal relationships by way of sharing are the most effective forms of publicity to growing the church. Like I have always shared with people, I have tasted poverty.

I come from a very humble background.

This is what fires my passion for sharing with the less endowed. We are not graceful with words of mouth; we are also generous with other things that make life worth living for a man.

God understands the needs of man and He is ever ready to provide those needs if man obeys His Word. We regularly share cars worth several millions of naira, cash gift and more. The latest is a brand new multimillion naira Mercedes car we gave out to a member.

Your ministry marked the recent Mother’s Day. Do you think there are other values of mothers that some don’t know?

There are lots of values in mothers.

Firstly, no matter how good you are as man, when you have a bad woman around you, you end up a bad man. That is to tell you how very powerful a mother can be.

Women are stron-

ger than men. A man uses energy, woman uses strategy, a man uses affluence, woman uses influence. Ahab was a bad king because he had a bad wife. Mothers are heroine. For instance, a successful ministry is successful as a result of the strong love that exists in the home of the leader. So, it is important that we celebrate the grace in mothers’ lives.

Social media has been full of celebrity marriages crashing. What are the divine elements needed t o keep a marriage enduring?

The Lord says in Genesis 2:18. “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. That is a proof that God wants and is happy with man and woman relationship. For a Christian to keep the home, spouses must avoid anger to the point of leading them to commit evil. In marriage, you need to understand the mystery of the third party. It must be fought. In marriage, spouses must always be one another’s friends. If a marriage must succeed, there in spouses, must be spiritual and emotional maturity. One of the keys to a lasting marriage is communication. Lack of communication gives room for suspicion and the devil sets in. spouses must learn to call each other pet names to deepen the mutual affection, even in Christian homes. A woman must learn to take good and proper care of her body. In marriage, love covers multitude of offences.

Immorality sets into marriages when men are not sexually free with their wives.

A lady recently came to your church and later alleged that she was asked to pay for miracle. How did you deal with that matter?

That was a ridiculous claim. It was a set up and an attempt to blackmail God because we speak His Word. We late discovered that a Lagos-based prophet was behind the blackmail attempt. But be rest assured that we serve a mighty God, so small situations and circumstances would not move us. A man that wants to catch an elephant does not set his trap with maize.

The enemy tried to set fear. But in God we have conquered fear. The only thing that helps me is to fear God more than men. So we are saved out of obedience to God. We are praying for the enemy too. Real love has the courage to tell God to help a man who is going astray. We’re all accountable to God to love others.

In marriage, you need to understand the mystery of the third party. It must be fought. In marriage, spouses must always be each other’s friends. If a marriage must succeed, there in spouses, must be spiritual and emotional maturity. One of the keys to a lasting marriage is communication

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SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

faith

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Tai Anayanwu

espite is on the way for female gospel artistes of African origin.

This is because a group, Women of African Origin in Music Ministry (WAOMM), has initiated a commitment to support female gospel artistes of African origin.

The outfit, formed in the United Kingdom by a Nigerian female artiste, Isabella Ogo-Uzodike has the aim of also mentoring female gospel artistes of African origin around the world.

Speaking recently in Lagos at the inaugural seminar titled, ‘Step Up and Stand Up,’ President of the group, Ogo-Uzodike, told participants that the organisation was established with a

Group pledges support for African female gospel artistes divine passion to provide support for gospel artistes in terms of providing needed encouragement and mentorship.

“My husband and I are pastors in the UK; I am a minister and gospel artiste. I had my first album in 2009. At the initial period in my career, I needed to connect with someone to mentor and encourage me. I yearned for a woman of African origin, I couldn’t find where I was,” she explained, stating further that, “Not that there were no good people around, but I just needed someone of African origin who I can

always relate with.

This developed a passion in me and later, God helped us to start this organisation which is designed to answer such questions,” she explained.

“The spirit of WAOMM is that we want to support ministers, we want to empower them for ministry and that is the whole essence of the ministry,” she said.

According to Ugo-Uzodike, President of the organisation, the group has already made appearances in a number of countries.

“We were in America, Scotland, and Canada; and in

July, we are going to Italy and by October we would be in Kenya. It is all to equip women in African gospel music. It doesn’t matter where they live, we want them equipped and encouraged. In Nigeria, our national coordinator is Onos Ariyo. We want a team of people who understand the terrain to coordinate,” she said.

Facilitating a session, Chief Responsibility Officer, X2D, a Christian entertainment channel, Deji Irawo, spoke on bridging the gap between the ministry and the industry. He enjoined the participants

to have a connection between who they are and what they do.

Irawo also enjoined gospel artistes in Nigeria to develop a relationship with God which would distinguish them and make them God’s oracles.

“How can God send you on a message when you are not on same page with him?” he asked.

In his own submission, gospel artiste, music director and trainer, Segun Obe, told the participants to always be the best they can be. Obe, whose career has spanned through two decades, agreed that: “Gospel music in Nigeria is growing, it can be better. I don’t compare, but I want to say that gospel music definitely has its own place.

Spiritual singers are rising; we now have more music making meaning.”

Another facilitator, Wilson Joel, told participating gospel artistes to be original. “Don’t copy someone else’s lyrics,” he said. Joel, a seasoned producer also said, “Gospel music has more opportunities than the secular music and

therefore, you as gospel artistes must promote your work. There are now bloggers, online radio stations and the social media available to promote your work.”

Also the event, award winning gospel artiste, Nikki Laoye, enjoined upcoming artistes to be original and identify their styles.

“You have to be original and identify your styles,” she said.

Encouraging artistes further on professionalism, she said, “Ensure you have a good press kit which should comprise of your short and well writtenbio, a website where people can find you, good shots and a good press release written in third person mode.”

The event culminated in an evening concert tagged, “Women of Worship Concert,” featuring: Onos Ariyo, Emmy Kosgei, Isabella Ogo-Uzodike, Efe Nathan, Glowreeyah, Nene Uko, Ighosa, Enkay, Ayo Vincent, Joan Paul, Chee, Toluwanimee, Blerisa and Rejoice

Pope to study Catholic female deacons CO N TI N U E D F R O M PAGE 3 2

Chief Tony Emele Udonsi and family during a thanksgiving for the successful burial of they mother, Madam Elizabeth Udonsi, at Presbyterian Church, Okota Parish, Lagos…recently

Great signs of revival in London

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s Spirit-filled believers from around the world gather in London next week for the Empowered 21 European Congress, believers say it’s a great sign of revival in London, reports Charisma News.

The European Congress also referred to as “London 2016,” will take place in the historic Gaumont State Theatre from May 11-13 - just a few days before Pentecost.

The conference will host famous Spirit-filled speakers and artists like Samuel Rodriguez Jr., Cindy Jacobs, George O. Wood, Steve

Strang, Phil Cooke and Marilyn Hickey.

Dr. Billy Wilson, president of Oral Roberts University and global co-chair of Empowered21, will be there too. Wilson says he hopes this event can have an impact on Europe.

“We’re praying a lot for this particular conference to impact Europe,” Wilson said. “Europe is in the world’s view perhaps more than it has been in decades, with the migrant crisis and terrorist attacks.

We’re praying for God to do something fresh in Europe today. There’s great signs of

revival in Europe. We’ll be fanning that flame and encouraging people to get involved and become agents of revival and renewal in UK.” The Empowered21 Initiative began in 2006, following the Azusa Street Centennial, as a way to unite Spirit-filled believers and maintain the momentum of that historic event. The first Global Congress was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2010.

Since then, the movement has grown rapidly worldwide, with 14 different regional cabinets carrying out Spirit-filled events in each

part of the world.

This year’s conference in Europe will focus on addressing issues like the rise of Islam, financial crises and terrorism - issues that are important to Europe but also affect countries like the United States. Scholars at the conference will be focusing on the theology of grace and the Holy Spirit, asking difficult questions like, “Is there a such a thing as too much or ‘extreme’ grace?” and “What difference does the Holy Spirit make in our comprehension and response to the grace of God?”

Francis responded that the integration of women into the life of the church had been “very weak,” and said: “We must go forward.”

The pope noted that the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has a woman serving as its second-in-command and said he wanted to appoint a particular woman to a similar position in another office but that she had been preferred to serve elsewhere.

“For me, the elaboration of decisions is very important,” said the pontiff. “Not only the execution, but the elaboration; namely, that women, whether consecrated or lay, are inserted into the process of the discussion.”

“Because [a] woman looks at life with true eyes,” said Francis. “We men cannot look at it so. The way of seeing problems, of seeing whatever thing is totally … different than men. They have to be complementary.

In consultations, it is very important that women be there.”

Francis said that it is a “theological/liturgical” issue of whether women can give the homily at Mass. He said there is “no problem” for women to give reflections or homilies at prayer

services, but that during the Mass the priest is serving “in persona Christi” and is therefore the person to give the homily.

The pontiff also told the women religious that the church needs to treat them with more respect, saying he has seen many times that sisters are made to do the “work of servitude and not service.”

The pope told them that should someone “ask you to do something that is more of servitude than service, you are courageous to say no!”

“Your vocation is for service, service to the church … but not of servitude,” said Francis.

The pontiff then asked aloud: “What would the church miss if there were no more religious?”

“We would lack Mary on the day of Pentecost,” he responded. “There is not a church without Mary. There is not Pentecost without Mary.”

“The consecrated woman is an icon of the church, an icon of Mary,” said Francis.

“The priest is not an icon of the church, he is not an icon of Mary. He is an icon of the apostles, of the disciples ... but not of the church of Mary.”

•Culled from National Catholic Reporte

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

Body&Soul with

Wole Adepoju 07037763410

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

Oba Adetona celebrates at 82 F

Alaba Lawson decorated

T

o different people, Iyalode of Yoruba land, Chief Alaba Lawson, represents different things. While some admire her passion for education as an educationist, others love the fact that she constantly promotes culture and tradition of the Yoruba race. Her humanitarian activities and her wish to see development in our society is the reason some hearts melt at the mention of her name.

Of course, her laudable activities have continually fetched her commendations and recognition all over. In the same vein, the woman of substance has just added another feather to her cap as she was recently honoured by the National Rotary Organisation that bestowed her with Platinum Care Award in a grand ceremony that had a number of dignitaries in attendance to celebrate with her.

or one of the most revered and respected traditional rulers in the South West area of the country, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, The Awujale of Ijebu land, life cannot be sweeter and more exciting.

The monarch is grateful to his creator, contributes to humanity and development of the society as well as savours the good times of his old age.

Becoming a first class monarch as high as Awujale of Ijebu at a tender age is no doubt a rare privilege, while successfully remaining on the throne for over 50 years is considered to be uncommon grace. All these and several other personal accomplishments must have certainly been a factor for celebration when the influential monarch was a year older recently. Oba Adetona, few days ago, hit eighty-two years, but rather than throw a loud bash, he simply opted for a modest and classy celebration. At this event, which was held at his palace, a good number of important personalities thronged the venue to celebrate with the monarch.

Visibly excited Adetona was happy and felt great to have people around to show him love and identify with him on his special day.

Funsho Kupolokun returns to the radar

G

All for Sunny Adun at 60

S

unny Osa Adun’s name might not ring a bell on the streets but what can’t be taken away from this man is that he’s written his name in the sands of time as a pacesetter as far as broadcasting is concerned in the country. It’s on record that Sunny bears the credit of the first Nigerian to establish and own the first privately owned television station in the country. He founded Degue Broadcasting Network, DBN, in United States of America in 1984, and incorporated it in Nigeria in 1986.

The man in question recently hit the milestone age of 60 and he is celebrated for his numerous values that includes pacesetting, discovering and nurturing potentials to mention a few. Of course such a man deserves to be celebrated and on that note, some days ago, all roads led to the ballroom of a prestigious hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, where the birthday boy was celebrated. It was indeed a glorious moment for Sunny, whose wife, Oyinkansola, was on hand to support as guests took turns to extol the virtues of the birthday boy even as there were other items that made the day a memorable one.

Boroffice goes spiritual over guber ambition

A

koko, Ondo State born Ajayi Boroffice, it will be recalled, plunged into the waters of politics after he had distinguished himself in the academic field as a lecturer and scholar. He emerged a member of the upper chamber of the National Assembly on the platform of Labour Party. But for what was speculated to being over ambitious, he dumped the party to join the then ACN where he had hoped to vie for the governorship post but his dream would be thwarted when the party settled for Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu in the election that gave Mimiko his second term opportunity.

As Mimiko’s tenure is winding up, gladiators have since been preparing to see who occupies Alagbaka seat of power after Mimiko must have exited and Boroffice is not making any pretense about his aspiration to succeed Mimiko. The first time he nursed the governorship ambition, he romanced one of the big men of God in the city of Akure, Prophet Samson Oluwamodede of Prayer Centre Church of God. He turned a regular and prominent member but he was alleged to have left the church upon failure to realise his ambition. Latest information about the senator from sources in the know is that the man has again gone spiritual over the same governorship ambition.

Sources revealed he has since returned to the church he once deserted and featured prominently. In addition, he’s said to have started courting another man of God who is believed to be one of the hottest in and around the Federal Capital City, Abuja, Brother Joshua Iginla of Champions Royal Assembly.

oing by how brilliant and dedicated he was, Funsho Kupolokun, as a young man back then in his days at the University of Lagos where he studied, stood out of the crowd and many wanted to associate with him.

Laying his hands on an enviable job immediately after school made his life more interesting as he rose through the ladder while he enjoyed what he was doing.

His excitement doubled when it was time for him to pick a life partner. He was lucky to have found a lady that perfectly fit in as his missing rib and the rest, they say is history. Funsho’s career had blossomed while he enjoyed a blissful married life with the wife that he cherished and loved so much. But as life is known not to be a bed of roses, the former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Funsho, would taste the other side of life when he lost his gem of inestimable value, Bukola Olatokunbo, to the cold hands of death. The mother of three, after a serious battle with the dreaded disease, cancer, gave up the ghost in a London hospital about two years ago. To say her beau she left behind was greatly devastated would be an understatement as the sad incident was reportedly said to have left a serious vacuum in the life of the man who was said to be very close to his deceased wife. What was however evident is that the former NNPC boss has remained in his shell since his better half passed on, making him to shun public space and social events.

The sixty-nine year old brilliant engineer, Celeb Lounge can reveal, may have started getting used to the reality of his wife’s demise and begun to regain his groove as he was recently spotted at the wedding ceremony of Ife prince, Tade Aderemi, and his lover, Dayo Bidmus, in Lagos.

36

Wine & Dine

Body&Soul

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Health benefits of berries Ibukunoluwa Kayode

I

t is clear that blueberries are incredibly healthy and nutritious. The fact that they are sweet, colourful, and can be enjoyed both fresh and frozen is just a tasty bonus. Also, considering the load of health benefits packed in it makes it the most nutritious fruit juice anyone wouldn’t want to joke with.

Aside it’s benefits of low calories and high nutrients with antioxidants properties, blueberry juice contains more potent healthy benefits.

Reduce DNA Damage which may help protect against aging and cancer.

Oxidative DNA damage is part of everyday life in which, several studies have shown that blueberry juice is a leading preventive driver of aging and cancer .

Protect Cholesterol in the Blood from becoming damaged Fortunately, the antioxidants in blueberries are strongly linked to reduced levels of oxidized LDL lipoproteins.

Biwom Iklaki

A

s the economy gets tighter and tighter, more people need to look inwards and get creative ways to make more money or extra incomes. Making snacks is an option and if you decide to do so, one of the snacks to consider is samosa. It is tasty, crunchy, filling and absolutely delicious. Depending on the filling you decide to use, and the method of cooking (choice between frying and baking), it could also be a healthy snack. No matter the reason for making this snack, pay attention to making it crunchy and

tasty.

​Samosa snacks

Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons oil 1 cup water Vegetable oil for frying 1 cup of boiled potato, cut into cubes 1/2 cup of green peas, cooked 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 hot green chile peppers, minced

1 teaspoon ground coriandercumin seed 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 a teaspoon garam masala 2 tablespoons oil or ghee Salt to taste

Preparation Sieve the flour and salt together in a bowl. Add salt and oil. Mix with fingers until all of the flour is coated with fat and the dough has begun to form. It should still be quite dry and flaky.

Add 5 tablespoons of water and work into soft and pliable dough but not wet. Add more water if necessary.

Turn out the dough and knead until it is smooth and slightly shiny. Make into a ball cover with plastic and let it rest for 30 minutes. Toast cumin seeds till they begin to pop. Sauté onion and ginger with seeds for about five minutes. Add garlic, chili peppers, turmeric and salt. Sauté the spices and add the potatoes and peas.

Stir the mixture gently and cook until the potatoes become dry, which should take about 3 minutes. Mix well and mash lightly.

Cool the filling. Divide dough into eight equal portions.

Roll in each round into thin flat dough. Use a rolling pin or

Lowers blood pressure Blueberries appear to have significant benefits for people with high blood pressure (hypertension), a major risk factor for some of the world’s leading killers. Regular intake of this fruit juice has been shown to lower blood pressure in numerous studies.

Maintains brain function and improve memory Since Oxidative stress can accelerate the brain’s aging process, having negative effects on its function, blueberry interact directly with aging neurons improving the cell signal with the load of antioxidants present in it.

Anthocyanins in Blueberries can have anti-diabetic effects Several studies have shown that blueberries have anti-diabetic effects, helping to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. Because the bio-active compounds in blueberries appear to outweigh any negative impact of the sugar when it comes to blood sugar control. In which research suggests that anthocyanins in blueberries can have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

press the dough into shape with your fingers. Cut each flat piece of dough into two halves. Use a knife to slice each one in half. Stuff and fold the samosas. Spoon 2 teaspoons of filling into the center of a piece of dough, then bring the edges together to form a cone shape. Seal the edges carefully using a little water or make a paste using flour and water for easier sealing.

Use your fingers to press the edges of each samosa into place.

For a lovelier edge, you can use a fork to press the edges together.

As you finish filling each one, set it aside on a plate or a baking sheet.

37

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

KITCHEN DECOR

Herbs for taste and décor Biwom Iklaki

to be by the sun.

any kitchens would do with some form of plants. Some people do artificial flowers in vases throughout their homes; others actually plant in vases that they can water daily. But here is an idea for your kitchen that would be multipurpose; plant some herbs in pretty vases for taste and to beautify the kitchen. Plants in a home also clean up the air.

Basil: plant basil from seeds and keep them facing the sun. They do well with lots of warmth.

Oregano: this herb is better planted with a tip off oregano and they too love

Chives: at the end of a growing season, dig up a clump of chives and transfer into a pot for your kitchen. Leave the pot outdoors until the leaves die then move to a cool, dark area or basement for a few days then finally locate at the brightest spot in your kitchen.

Rosemary: begin with a cutting and place in a moist soil-less mix until it takes roots. If you want your rosemary, which is a perfect herb accompaniment for potato meals to flourish, place in a south facing window and watch it bloom.

M

I feel bad cheating on my husband I am a 28 year old woman, I am pretty and I have a nice profession and a secure job. Four years ago I married my husband for love.

He is a very sexy man and he likes women a lot. I knew this before, but I guess I thought that after he marries he will become a new man, besides I was madly in love with him and he was with me too. We lived very well. Of course we had our arguments like every other normal family, but we always found ways to solve all our problems.

Recently though, I started noticing this specific sparkle in his eyes when he looks at young girls and they will in return look him over.

At the beginning I was amused because I was proud of him. It was a nice thought that I owe him, that he is MINE. But I guess I overestimated my capabilities to have him only to myself. To cut the long story short, I understood in a second that he was cheating on me. I went crazy!

What I hated most was that he was replacing them very often.

After a mad argument, my husband solemnly swore that he would stop with his love adventures, that he can’t imagine his life without me. I trusted him, because he was so miserable.

But only after six months, it all happened again. Then it dawned on me to pay him back and make

GET A

HEARTTHROB

Send SMS only to 07057201814 or vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

him feel betrayed, just like I felt.

I decided to cheat on him! What is more, I have my way and am quite successful with guys. I chose my ‘candidate’ – young and goodlooking, and I knew he liked me for some time.

I went to bed with him, but I did not feel at all relieved. On the contrary, I felt worse. I felt I have lost not only my marital honour, but also my self-respect.

Instead of paying him back, I feel miserable and dirty. How can I live with this? What should I do?

Shall I confess it all to him? What would happen to me?

Josephine, Abuja Is it possible to be lucky in love again?

I have been lucky enough to fall in love twice but unlucky enough for either of the relationships to last. I am still reeling from my last relationship but now it’s more a case of just not knowing if there’s someone out there for me. I would just like to ask, how

many times can you fall in love before finding the right person?

Some may see this as a silly question and there’s probably no definite answer but I feel so lucky to have at least experienced love in my life; that maybe my luck has run out and I’m just meant to be alone for the rest of my life as self-pitying as that may sound.

Or maybe those men were just not right for me and I’m yet to meet the man who will be mine forever. I guess what I’m asking is are there people out there who thought they found love, only to find it didn’t work out and went on to find something even better? I feel so lost at the moment. I know I really gave my all in both relationships and now I feel disheartened that I will ever find someone who will love me for me; it would be nice to have a small amount of reassurance. Has anyone been in my place and are now happily in love?

Uche, Lagos

I am Stephen from Lagos. I am 24 years old and I’m looking for a sincere girl for a serious relationship-09094296078 My name is Meshak John. I am 26 years old, dark and tall, a student and trader. I need a tall dark lady for a relationship-08172893987 My name is Andy Bouyant, 40 years old. I am a business man living in Lagos. I need a beautiful, Christian and caring girl that is ready to make a good wife-07039298741 I am Opeyemi from Lagos State.

I need a girlfriend between 20-30 years-07065499309 I am Engr. Chukwuma, 48 years old, 6.3ft tall, widowed; fair-complexioned, from Imo State and a businessman living in Lagos. I want a lady, between 30-48 years old, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage -0814 041 3702.

Gbenga is my name, 24 years old. I need a caring, understanding and mature lady of between 19 and 29 years old for a serious relationship 08083848196, 07067801853.

My name is Adeshina, 44 years old, from Ekiti State, a Christian, fair in complexion, 5.6ft tall. I live in Lagos and gainfully employed with an oil company. I need a God-fearing woman, between 38 and 42 years old, for a serious relationship that can lead to marriage -08037464238.

My name is Jumoke, a 40-year-old single mother. I work and live in Lagos. I need a responsible working-class or businessman, between 40 and 50 years old, for a relationship -07011962758.

I am Mike, 40 years old, tall, dark. I live and work in Lagos. I am a Christian from the Middle Belt. I require a responsible and caring working-class lady, between 28 and 35 years of age, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage -08038753537.

Vivian is my name, 20 years old, single

38

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

When lover saves your name as ‘Edible Catering’

T

iwa Savages’s marriage came under public ridicule when she and her husband Teeblizz decided to go public with their marital problems. Of all the revelations on the reasons for the breakup, the one that got Nigerians cracking up was when Tiwa revealed in her interview that her husband received a call from one ‘Edible Catering’ around 2am in the morning. Upon snooping around her husband’s phone, she discovered that the ‘Edible Catering’ was in fact her husband’s lover.

Trust Nigerians with their jokes! They couldn’t let that pass as lots of jokes and memes have been created with ‘Edible Catering’ on social media. Check out some funny ones: Pastors will have new prayer points this Sunday, ‘Every spirit of ‘Edible Catering’ in your marriage…die by fire’, ‘My wife didn’t ask me if I have eaten…

Baba T, how will she ask when Edible Catering was knocking you out in a Hotel; ‘Well I once saved side chick’s number as “Big treat” but this “edible catering” burst my head…tbillz na bad Guy…’ All these and more have been the jokes trailing this invisible lady called ‘Edible Catering’ and that got me thinking. What if your number is saved as ‘Edible Catering’ on your lover’s phone and you honestly didn’t know he/she is married?

Well, it’s time to get curious and do some snooping around if you ask me. They say curiosity killed the cat, but I also say it’s better than burying your head in the sand like the ostrich and believe in illusions. I know I maybe criticised for asking you to do this today, but whoever says they’ve never snooped through their partner’s phone before should go ahead and cast the first stone.

So what name did your lover or spouse save your phone number with? It is very

CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com important to find out because these coded names have been devised by many on their mobile device especially for the purpose of covering up extra marital affairs and cheating on their partners.

Cheating in relationships have become the order of the day and people do it furtively these days that even the wife or husband living in the same house with them is oblivious to their unfaithfulness.

Just on the side, someone made a funny joke saying that, when you go through a market woman’s phone, you’ll find all kinds of names like: Iya Eja, Baba Okporoko, Mama Ororo and so on. Well, such funny names are also trickling into guys and ladies phones as well.

A guy once discovered that his girlfriend

had about four ‘pastors’ on her phone and she differentiated them numerically and his own phone number was saved under number 4. The question now is, are the other three “pastors’ real or just as fake as he is?

Guys are mostly culpable in using coded phone names. Check out an average guy’s phone and you’ll see “Mechanic” with different street tags. These streets or areas actually represent where his girlfriend’s either stay or where he usually meets up with them. He would not want to put a lady’s name in case his wife or girlfriend snoops through his phone when he steps out of the room or taking a shower.

So it’s time to get smart and start decoding these phone names to know where

So what name did your lover or spouse save your phone number with? It is very important to find out because these coded names have been devised by many on their mobile device especially for the purpose of covering up extra marital affairs and cheating on their partners.

you actually belong in the heart of your lover.

Names are powerful and what your lover calls you both in written or verbal form should matter to you. If he confesses his undying love to you in private but fails to acknowledge this publicly on his phone, then that love is seriously experiencing a wave of insincerity and should be properly scrutinized.

If she tells you that she loves you and yet fails to use your real name at least on her phone, then know my dear brother that your girl could be a ‘runz’ girl. I mean, how else would you want to explain it?

How can she have the audacity to save your number as ‘James the electrician’ when you are a business executive?

If you are in a serious relationship, why do you still get romantically involved with another person that will make you to start lying just to cover the covert affair? It is said that once you tell a lie, you will need ten more of it to cover your tracks.

When you meet people who joggle more than one relationship and ask them how they do it, they’ll sincerely tell you that it is hard work to keep up with the lies. You may think you are being smart and may even enjoy having the best of both worlds for now and it’s also likely you have never been caught; but bear in mind that truth always have a way of crawling out to sting you when you least expect it. If you see Teeblizz, I’m sure he’ll tell you that cheating will always find you out.

It’s time to straighten out your acts people! It’s time to stop all these lying and cheating in relationships. Stop the cheating and clean out your phones before you lose that valuable man or woman in your life for just one act of infidelity.

Rashidi Yekini, mental health and other social silence

H

ow time flies. I couldn’t believe it has been four years that Rashidi Yekini died. Four years and yet no significant monument to the man who scored Nigeria’s first World Cup Goal, scored the first goal on the path that led to the World Cup and till date, remains the highest goal scorer on record for the national team. Four years, and even the Nigerian Football Federation did not see any reason to put at least a memorial in his honour on their website. Aside from naming some Golden Boot Award after him, there is practically nothing else to remind us of this most illustrious of football servants. There are Seven pictures, including one with the new FIFA President of the NFF President and none of Yekini. I guess the ongoing imbroglio over the soul of the NFF is taking its toll and no one cares for Yekini or his family and legacy. This is big shame but I think enough had been said on this.

However, there remains a social aspect surrounding the death of Yekini that is still being discussed in muzzled tones and whispers and today, I bring out the loud speaker and ask the question in open, exactly what is the cause of Yekini’s death? Depression?

Mental health? Someone please answer.

Four years and we are still afraid to talk about the issues surrounding his death.

Again, our social science has failed to include proper education on issues of mental health. Therefore, we glorify a social silence that does nothing but harm us as a collective eventually. Why are we afraid of talking about mental health? When will we de-stigmatise all things around the mental well being of the society and talk openly about it. We are afraid of talking about sex openly, therefore many people are dying in silence with preventable and curable sexu-

ally transmitted infection. We are afraid of talking about domestic abuse, therefore men can continue killing their wives like chicken and we call it masculine hegemony. Just when will we unshackle ourselves from colonial mentality and speak freely just like our forefathers did?

In traditional medicine, there is a name and a cure for all sort of illness including mental health. I know it can be hard associating with anyone having such issues and I know it can really be shameful, but all of these is because we sanctified the subject

rather than open it up to public discourse.

That is why, even after four years, I read as a fellow Eagle went to great length in emphasising that Rashidi Yekini did not die of mental health causes; so what killed him? I don’t know what killed him and I am not going to assume, but just for argument sake, if he actually had depression, or other related mental health issues, there are doctors for that. In fact, Nigeria has one of the most notable mental health hospital in Aro. Yet, mention Aro, and it is a metaphor for madness. How will anyone want

There remains a social aspect surrounding the death of Yekini that is still being discussed in muzzled tones and whispers and today, I bring out the loud speaker and ask the question in open, exactly what is the cause of Yekini’s death?

Depression? Mental health? Someone please answer.

Four years and we are still afraid to talk about the issues surrounding his death.

to be taken to such an institution? Yekini’s brother was beheaded in Saudi Arabia, he allegedly made wrong investment decisions and there were other issues known to close associates and so he could, in a very civilised and cultured environment have sought the help of a professional to deal with these things. Nothing wrong with counselling sessions to get his thoughts in order. But if anyone had seen him coming out of such a session, news would have gone that he had already gone mad. So he suffered in silence and sadly, it probably killed him.

By not coming out with what killed this bright Nigerian, I think we may be missing a trick. Yekini could have been the mascot to bring this issue back to social consciousness and force the government or other responsible agencies to do something. He had a name and it commanded attention.

No one is doing anything. Without awareness, a lot of people continue to suffer in silence and eventually, die in the silence.

How sad.

We are beginning to see the sad consequences of people with unbalanced mental state being allowed to roam free rather than being helped. A certain Mr. Shonde just killed his wife and locked her corpse in the house. No rational or sane human will do that. He had issues and his utterances are confirming that. He must be punished for his dastardly act and the best way to do that, is to give him the medical aid he deserves.

Social silence kills. It is killing our fellow men who are too ashamed to own up to needing medical help, it is killing our women who stay in loveless marriages until it is too late and it is killing our heroes. Perhaps, now is the time to be silent no more.

Y 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2016

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ar French actress, singer and fashularised the neckline that exposes d with the popularisation of the movie, Manina. Originally made ey now feature in different fabrics There is no limit to how to accese a neck piece, try one that stops chain or beads that reach all the wear depends on whether you are rts. Also, the occasion will inform ag. Remember to have fun as you

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39 19

Cover zit perfectly with makeup Vanessa Okwara

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othing is worse than waking up to find pimples all over your face.

You will even feel more terrible if you have a party to attend and want to exhibit a flawless skin. It’s not the end of the world; there are tons of effective ways to hide your blemishes. Try these tricks to get smooth and clear looking skin.

Step 1: Foundation One or two pimples are very easy to cover. Take a bit of foundation on fingertip, dab on to the area and then after 10sec, it’s dried, swipe a second coat of foundation with a makeup sponge.

Step 2: concealer When you are choosing a concealer to cover a zit, pick a thick formula that is quite dry and use a very small, pointy concealer brush to cover it from all angles.

It is best to use a makeup brush so that you can get into all the crevices that your finger cannot. Don’t brush across but instead dab the concealer onto your little

monster, then tap your finger on top to set. Use a green based concealer corrector followed by foundation to counteract redness. Don’t choose a concealer that is lighter than your skin tone or you will just bring attention to the thing you are trying to cover up. Focus only on the pimple and not the surrounding area. After you are finished concealing you can blend out to your skin, but do not blend or touch the actual zit.

Step 3: Powder Next you will want to blot with loose powder to make sure that it remains hidden and the makeup doesn’t slide off the pimple’s oily surface. It’s best to use an eyeshadow brush loaded with powder.

Because a zit is usually raised, you will still probably see it on your face but it will be much less noticeable when covered well. If your pimple is large you might notice that it casts a shadow too. Use a lighter colour concealer underneath the bottom half where the shadowing is for an optical illusion to counteract this effect, before setting with powder.

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SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

dude OF THE WEEK

Give yourself a

manicure Vanessa Okwara

W

alking around with grimy nails and crusty cuticles is downright gross! Some men actually feel it is not ‘manly’ to take care of nails.

They feel manicure belong to the females alone but they couldn’t be further from the truth. Clean nails should be the priority of every human being, both male and female as a hygienic way of living healthy.

Neat, clean nails make a man look sophisticated and put together. Dirty, long finger nails are a definite turnoff. There is no point in wearing an executive’s suit if your nails look like that of a car mechanic.

The best time to take care of the nails is after you get out of the shower, since they’re naturally softer and easier to cut. Once you’ve toweled off, follow these three super simple steps for a DIY manicure.

Step 1: Shape the Nails Grab a nail clipper and use the white tip of your nail as a guide to avoid cutting too close; cut straight across the nail, leaving the edges sharp. Resist smoothing out the corners, since clipping too close around the edges can lead to ingrown nails.

Next, starting from one corner, file it repeatedly in one direction. Round the corners

slightly and continue until you can feel the file start to rub against your skin.

Step 2: Clean up around the edges It’s tempting to peel off the white dirt around your cuticles with your fingers, but simply yanking it out can cause bleeding and swelling that’ll leave your hands in worse shape than before. Get rid of any excess skin by pinching it with a cuticle nipper.

If your cuticles are in pretty good shape, you can stop here. But if they still look mangled, you can use a metal tool to gently push them back.

Step 3: Hydrate Once you’re done, rinse your hands and slather them up with a heavy-duty moisturizer to sooth any dry skin.

An extra thick cream will help keep your skin hydrated for longer.

IK Ogbonna I

Style icon

kechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna is a model, actor, event’s organizer and entrepreneur who has interest in several businesses. He is also a worthy GLO Ambassador.

IK as he is fondly called was born in Abia State and the second child in a family of six; two boys and four girls.

The popular actor studied Sociology at the University of Jos Plateau State. He has also featured in several popular movies. He is married to a Columbian, Sonia Morales, and they have a lovely son together.

IK stands at an impressive 6ft2 inches and he has the right frame to carry his height! He has sexy brown eyes that makes ladies to practically swoon towards him.

He is also fondly called ‘Tattoo boy’ by his friends and fans because of the beautiful artwork that adorns his well built, six packed standard frame.

No male style mentions in Nigeria is complete without this Nollywood actor cum model. The father of one emits charm and confidence all around him. He is always on point with his styles.

I.K Ogbonna is not new to the fashion business but his ability to renovate himself over the years is simply fascinating. From runways to red carpets, I.K understands his physique and combines that to his style phenomenally well.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

RazzleDazzle

Body&Soul Abiola Alaba Peters

with

08062622328 abiolaalabapeters@rockmail.com

I ‘m a goddess – Laide Bakare

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I’m not intimidated by male colleagues – Kemi Adetiba

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ight skinned Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare, has expressed her love for short dresses. The proud mother of beautiful kids, who have had a failed marriage and series of controversies, in a recent interview, revealed she doesn’t do long dresses and skinny jeans. Laide who described her fashion style as anything comfortable also shares her love for wristwatches and bags.

“Style to me means comfort. If I have to wear a dress, I make sure it is short; I do not like long dresses and I don’t like to wear skinny jeans. My favourite fashion accessories are wristwatches and bags,” she said.

The actor cum producer, while revealing the secret to her smooth light skin and beauty, also talked about being a mother.

“I see myself as a goddess. I am lucky that God endowed me with so much beauty. I seldom apply make-up and when I do, it is for professional reasons. My skin has always been smooth, beautiful and spotless. I have never had a single pimple on my face or any part of my body.

Why do I have to go through the trouble of wearing heavy make-up? I do not apply any special cream and I do not have a beauty routine. Motherhood has been my best experience ever. My family comes first before everything I do. I am not so keen about money and then neglect my family. Family comes first and every other thing follows.

I am grateful that God has shaped me into everything I wanted to be,” she said. Laide Bakare is one of the active and prolific Yoruba actresses in Nollywood. Starting her movie career 16 years ago, she has become a household name in the industry.

ne of Nigeria’s successful female cinematographers and popular TV host, Kemi Adetiba, has confirmed that even though she has found her feet in a male dominated field, she is not scared. The creative queen, who loves to be addressed as a visual artiste, in an exclusive chat with RazzleDazzle, said, “If I’m being intimidated by my male counterpart, then I will not be where I am today. I did not pay or sleep with anyone to get to where I am today. One of those deep things my mum taught me from the very beginning was that, when you work, you have to work harder than the next person. That way, you can be rest assured you will make it.”

The single mother of one has worked with top Nigerian music stars and corporate brands. She also noted some of the challenges she faced in her line of business and conquered.

“I try not to see challenges. There are obvious ones but I don’t want to give too much energy to them by highlighting them. I could go on about how difficult it is to conduct business in Nigeria but it won’t be fair. I have the same even shots as everyone else,” she noted. Kemi Adetiba got her first taste of the media industry as a little girl accompanying her father, Dele Adetiba, to radio and television stations. Dele Adetiba is a veteran in the advertising and broadcast industries, playing a pivotal role in the development of the industry in Nigeria.

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ollywood actress cum producer turned singer, Dayo Amusa, has confirmed she is not in competition with any Nigerian music artiste. The beautiful, intelligent and lively act revealed she is doing music for the fun of it. When asked what makes her different from the others in the music industry, she said, “Well, I don’t think I have gotten that grounded yet. If you say movies, I can agree with you, but music? Well, Dayo Amusa is yet to get there. The good thing is that I’m not coming into the system to compete or be a threat to anybody. I have come to make a statement; music for me is fun. I respect those who are already there for their individual efforts. I am coming into music as a new act.”

Dayo Amusa is one of the top shots in the Yoruba movie industry. When the roll call of ‘big girls’ in the industry is compiled, Dayo Amusa will surely be at the top. She recently floated a school in Surulere. When it comes to her romantic life, Dayo has had her own fair share, both on the positive and negative notes based on reports written about it.

GOtv excites subscribers with new comedy series

I

Malaika, Sodimu, others storm Ogun State for new Fuji star hunt he arrangements for Malaika, Sodimu, others to select Fuji talents in Goldberg concert have been concluded by Goldberg, a lager beer brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc. This is to put the Fuji music on the global map again as the fourth edition of Fuji music fanfare, a Fuji talent hunt show, begins. An indigenous music activation platform of Goldberg, ‘Fuji Sowapo’, has in the last three editions led to the discovery of budding Fuji talents.

The auditions for this year’s edition of the annual activation, which would hold in eight cities, kicks off in Ota, Ogun State on May 17. Apart from Ota, other cities where auditions would be held are: Ikotun-Egbeda, Oyo, Ilesha, Akure, Ado-Ekiti,Sagamu, and Ibadan. Identified talents from the auditions will later converge on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for the final selection of contestants

Music is fun for me – Dayo Amusa

that will proceed to the quarter final in the ancient city of Oyo. Mr. Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout, said notable Yoruba artistes like Otunba Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM1), Abass Akande Obesere, Sulaimon Adekunle Alao (a.k.a. Malaika), Dr. Wasiu Osupa,and Dammy Krane will grace the competition at different stages. He adeed that Malaika; Yemi Sodimu, popular presenter and actor; and Moruf Shadow, National President, Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), will serve as panelists for the auditions.

Agu said that the Fuji music genre has huge followership especially in the South Western part of Nigeria; thereby providing a credible platform for Goldberg to connect and engage its numerous customers.

“We encourage youths with talent in Fuji to seize this rare opportunity that comes once in a year to showcase their talents,” Agu added.

n a bid to bring the best of digital experience to its subscribers, GOtv has announced fascinating new drama series on its bouquet. Two series will debut on popular channel, Zee World and Telemundo this month. ‘Love… Look What You Made Me Do!’ starts On May 15 while ‘If Only I Was You’ premieres on May 23, respectively. Sony Max begins ‘Impractical Jokers’, an American hidden camera-practical joke reality series filmed in New York, on May 11.

‘If Only I Was You’ is a humorous, romantic story where destiny leads twin brothers, separated at birth, to embark upon separate paths only to reunite them years later.

But a twist of fate will have the brothers exchange their identities, leaving them to face challenging, oftentimes comical situations. ‘Impractical Jokers’, another comedy series lined up this month, follows Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn and Sal Vulcano, as they coerce one another into doing public pranks while being filmed by hidden cameras. The show differs from other prank television programs in that the stars of Impractical Jokers do not know the details of the prank until the moment they are performing it on strangers. While one cast-member performs the prank, the other three comedians in the troupe are behind the scenes feeding lines to their friend via a microphone (with an earpiece). The lines fed to the prankster create a humorous and awkward exchange between the prankster and the stranger being pranked.

‘Love… Look What You Made Me Do!’ is a new series that deals with love and just how crazy things can get when a relationship doesn’t work out. The intriguing new drama reveals true love stories, happy endings and just how quickly one can switch from loving to hating the same person!

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SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Ondo State born multitalented Yoruba actress, Ronke Ojo, popularly known as Ronke Oshodi Oke, has starred in over 70 Yoruba movies. She is loved and highly respected in Nollywood because of her creativity and wits. In this interview with ABIOLA ALABA PETERS, the actress, musician, director cum producer, she speaks extensively on her journey to the world of make-believe, marriage and music

Tribalism is major problem in Nollywood – Ronke Ojo What has been happening to you in recent times?

I’ve been working on my album. I want to go into music. I’ve been saying that for a very long time and I have done some tracks.

I featured Pasuma, 9ice and Oritsefemi. I have done about five tracks. I’m also working on two projects, one is ‘Osun Shegese’, its a story about Osun Oshogbo itself and the other is, ‘Feyintola Olobi’, that’s also a true life story of one of my big mummies in Ilesha. A story of a woman that suffered from birth till she was 70. Basically, those are the three projects I’m working on and by the special grace of God, they are going to come out before the end of this year.

best. I can only try, so I don’t think I’m threatened by anyone. I’m not too afraid of coming out to sing.

Are you not discouraged by some of your colleagues who have tried going into music and it didn’t work for them?

Like I always say, I love challenges. We are in the entertainment industry directly or indirectly. Everybody wants to showcase what he or she has inside. I wouldn’t call it rivalry; if you are selling something and I’m selling the same thing, you would want yours to be unique and I would mine too. So I can’t say I’m really threatened; on the other hand, I’m not too bold because whatever I do, I won’t say I’m the

What are the modern day challenges confronting movie industry in Nigeria?

The number one challenge we have is tribalism, yes, coupled with not being under one umbrella. I tell people, Americans love their country, that’s why they love themselves.

Of course, they’ve got shortcomings as well but you won’t really see it the way you see it here in Nigeria. This tribalism of a thing is actually our number one problem. A Yoruba man would not want to call an Igbo man to act in a movie and same with the Igbo people. Especially we women; you know that person is your colleague and you will be giving her attitude. All these things to me are childish. That’s one thing about me, if I see any good actress, I approach her and compliment her. When I come across some upcoming actresses that are good, I go to them and tell them that I am their fan. I’m a very blunt person, but I don’t know what our problem is in this industry. Tribalism has really eaten deep into this industry.

Even if I’m not on talking term with a particular person and I have a script and I see that the person is fit for the role, believe me, I will call the person to come in. It’s got nothing to do with our relationship, but I don’t know what our problem is. So tribalism is our major problem in Nollywood; especially I f we are not under one umbrella.

How would you describe your genre of music?

I actually do a universal music.

How soon are we expecting an album?

The album would be coming out before the end of this year.

How is marriage life?

I bless God. I’m happily married to Mr. Sylvester Gbolahan and blessed with two wonderful children.

So that is to say you are not dissing anyone in the industry?

My brother, believe me, I love everybody in their own way.

What other form of business do you do apart from movies and music?

I am a full time entertainer. I act, I sing, I anchor events.

When you feel the need to take a break off movies and music,how best do you do that?

I spend time with my family. People say I am homely; I don’t really like going out. I like watching movies and listening to music and I love my kitchen, as you can see, I’m very big Your favourite perfumes and designers when it comes to fashion?

I am not a designer freak. Anything goes, so long as it is beautiful and cool. If it suits me and I’m comfortable in it, I’m fine with it.

What’s your take on nudity?

I don’t like it! I am a mother, its really sad that nudity is what most of our new actresses are promoting now. Maybe if I was born twenty years ago, I might, you get what I am saying? But its not the way we were born and brought up. Of course, I am not just a Yoruba person, I am a woman of tradition and culture, why would I encourage or preach nudity? It’s fake and that is what

I tell people, we are Nigerians, we are African, we have got cultures and traditions here but we are derailing. Exposure is fine, its a good thing to be exposed, but we are getting it wrong. The indians, although, they have changed their style a little bit, you won’t see them encouraging nudity, and that is because they value their culture. So we too should not encourage it. The Americans that are doing that, that is their way of life, that is the way they are brought up. Why do we have to emulate something that is not our culture?

What’s your life philosophy?

Be proud of yourself, be humble, be good to people, put smiles on people’s faces in your own little way.

What’s the craziest thing the media has ever reported about you?

If I tell you, you won’t believe it but I have never seen any. Do you know why? It’s because whatever the press sees is news to them and when the press is talking about you, it is either good or bad and that’s because you are still relevant in your society, if you are not, the press will not say anything about you. So I don’t see anything bad in whatever they report. More importantly, I love my job, I have passion for my job, so if I see anything as a problem, I am going to derail, I don’t see the negative side of it, instead, I focus on the positive side of it.

How long have you been in the movie industry and what’s that height you still feel you are yet to attain in your career?

I am just starting, I have been doing movies for twenty years now.

For twenty years, you have been entertaining your fans, did your parents support you in the beginning?

No Did you ever overcome that and how?

My father is late now, he wanted me to go back to school and be a newscaster. Its just few years ago, that you will see a Nigerian parent encouraging their children to go into movies. Unlike before, you dared not. No one wanted to be associated with theatre practitioners. In my own case, before my father died, he had no choice. Eventually, he and my mum became my number one fans and today, she is eating the fruits of her labour.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Like I said earlier, in my own little way, I like putting smiles on people’s faces. God willing, I want to try and make few people, encourage those who are serious about taking up a career in acting. This is because when it comes to acting, everybody wants to act, everybody wants to be an entertainer but I really want to help the serious ones. I am here today because my boss, late Mufutau Oladokun Babaalaran, encouraged me both in and outside the industry too.

What do you have to say to those coming up?

Don’t look up to me or to any individual, Look up to God. Any other Ronke Oshodi Oke in this industry is fake, it can’t last, because it is art. You must think, you must be creative; create your own thing, don’t try to be anyone, be yourself. And to my fans, I love them, without them, there’s no me.

They are everything I am today.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016

News

Nigeria: Currency swap may increase trade deficit with China –Experts p.44

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Interview

News

Kuye: Nigeria Industrial Revolution, NEDEP will drive country’s industrialisation

Hyundai appoints new head of Africa & Middle East region p.47

p.45

Business

Paul Ogbuokiri Head, Business

paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Oando develops multbillion naira LNG plant

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L-R: Secretary, Joint Tax Board, Federal Inland Revenue, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar; Managing Director, Intermarc Consulting, Mr. Adeyinka Adeyemo; President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Dr. Olateju Somorin and Executive Director, System Spec, Mr. Deremi Atanda, during the ERevenue Sustainability Conference in Abuja

Govs blow bailout fund, increase states’ debts to N1.65trn •No panacea on unpaid workers salaries

Buhari

Abdulwahab Isah

H ABUJA

Huge debt burden, low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and misappropriation of public funds

by States’ Chief Executives are some of the factors that account for the current financial insolvency in most states, checks by Sunday Telegraph revealed.

Going by information gleaned across the states, most of the states in Nigeria are indebted to their civil servants for unpaid salaries and pensions, in addition to their

financial obligations owed to local contractors.

Data on debts, obtained from the official website of Debt Management Office (DMO), showed that the nation’s external debt stood at $10.7 billion or N2.1 trillion at the end of December, 2015.

Domestic debt rose to N8.83 trillion during the period, up from N7.9 trillion in 2014 while states’ domestic debt stood at N1.65 trillion or $9.85 billion.

In spite of over N700 billion bailout fund approved

by President Muhammadu Buhari last year to enable states pay up debts owed civil servants, states are still indebted to their workers and local contractors. No fewer than 27 states based on the approval of the President received the bailout fund.

As part of the Federal Government’s effort to end the lingering crisis of unpaid worker’s salary in most states of the federation, Buhari approved a comprehensive relief package designed to salvage the situation through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Special Intervention Fund which offered affected states soft loans solely for the

purpose of paying the backlog of salaries.

The 27 benefiting states include: Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara.

However, a recent revelation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) supported by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) on the usage of the bailout funds released to state governments by the Federal Government through the CBN showed the larger portion of the bailout was misapThe nation’s external debt stood at $10.7 billion or N2.1 trillion at the end of December, 2015.

Domestic debt rose to N8.83 trillion during the period, up from N7.9 trillion in 2014 while states’ domestic debt stood at N1.65 trillion or $9.85 billion

propriated.

While some states were alleged to have out rightly mismanaged the funds, others were said to have diverted it to other uses. Other states, who claimed to have used it for the payment of salaries, still owe workers’ salaries.

Revelations by the ICPC showed that some states collected the funds and used it for other purposes, with many still owing their workers despite the fact that they were given enough money to cover the outstanding salaries.

The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) expected to serve as succour and alternative source of income to states, aside the monthly statutory income from federation account is not there.

With the exception of Lagos, Rivers and Kano states, who have maintained a modest IGR level; other states are worse off in terms of IGR position.

The latest states’ IGR data released last month by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a dwindling IGR figure across the states.

CO N T I N U E D O N PAGE 44

ando Gas & Power Limited (“OGP”), the foremost indigenous developer and provider of gas and power solutions, and a fully-owned entity of Oando Plc, has commenced development of a mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility through its Transit Gas Nigeria Limited (“TGNL”) subsidiary in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

The pioneering liquefaction plant is primarily directed towards fulfilling the gas supply requirement for captive power plants, embedded generation, and industrial clusters in the Northern region, as well as stranded customers in the South. Off-takers, particularly, power plants and industrial customers who currently utilise liquid fuels such as diesel and LPFO, will be able to lower energy costs by up to 40 per cent, while significantly decreasing carbon emissions.

Commenting, OGP CEO, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya said: “The establishment of the Ajaokuta mini LNG project is in firm alignment with our mid-to-long term gas conversion strategy. This venture further emphasises our push to broaden our asset portfolio and strengthen our market play within the gas sector; and by providing the gas advantage, we will help spur the development of self-sustaining industrial clusters to bolster the country’s socio- economic growth. LNG is a viable provisional solution and an industry game-changer for the development of gas markets ahead of the actualisation of a far-reaching nationwide gas pipeline network as stipulated by the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.”

The modular nature of mini LNG projects require minimal infrastructure development, thus substantially reducing design complexity, and the time and cost attributable to traditional gas pipeline development.

TGNL will establish the Ajaokuta liquefaction plant where feed gas will be cooled to get the gas into a liquid state.

The liquefied gas will then be stored at the plant site, and subsequently conveyed to respective customer regasification facilities by taking advantage of Oando’s transportation expertise as demonstrated in its Downstream operations.

With an unlimited supply radius across the country, the Ajaokuta mini-LNG project will supply gas to key foundation off-takers including strategic power plants and commercial concerns.

Wale Tinubu

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SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business

Nigeria’s oil output slips to 1.4m barrels a day igeria’s oil production has dropped again as a

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L-R: Legal Director/Company Secretary, Unilever, Mrs. Abidemi Ademola; Chairman, Board of Directors, Nnaemeka Achebe; Managing Director, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh and Finance Director, Mrs. Adesola Sotande-Peters, during the company’s 91st Annual General Meeting in Lagos PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigeria: Currency swap may increase trade deficit with China –Experts

O

Paul Ogbuokiri

n a visit to Beijing last month, President Muhammadu Buhari signed a currency agreement aimed at encouraging trade with China and reducing Nigeria’s demand for dollars to relieve pressure on the nation’s dwindling foreign reserves.

While the deal, details of which are still being negotiated, helps China’s push into Africa’s largest economy, it will buy Nigeria a few months, at most, before it’s forced to follow the lead of other oil exporters and devalue, according to Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp.

But analysts say the deal would not be able to put away the dollar pressure on the naira and is likely to increase Nigeria’s trade deficit with China.

The naira-yuan swap agreement is “very unlikely” to relieve pressure on the naira or Nigeria’s reserves, said Andrew Howell, a

New York-based frontiermarkets strategist at Citigroup, the world’s biggest foreign-exchange trader.

“The market wants to see a clear path toward achieving a sustainable exchange rate, where supply and demand for foreign exchange are balanced.”

Nigeria has held the naira at 197-199 per dollar since March last year, even as oil revenue and export earnings plummeted and other crude producers from Angola to Russia let their currencies weaken. Reserves have fallen 29 per cent since mid2014 to the lowest in more than 10 years as the central bank’s capital controls slowed foreign investment to a trickle.

While the level of devaluation implied by naira forward contracts has dropped as Buhari resists calls to let the currency weaken, they still predict a 37 per cent decline in the next year. With the economy set to expand this year at the slowest pace since 1999, according to the International Monetary

Fund, Buhari last week signed off on a record budget that leaves the government with a deficit of N2.2 trillion ($11 billion).

The recent rebound in oil prices hasn’t helped: Nigeria needs to produce 2.2 million barrels a day and sell them at $38 a barrel to meet its fiscal targets. Production slumped to 1.7 million barrels in April, the lowest since 1994, because of militant attacks on oil facilities in the Niger delta. The country relied on oil and gas for about 70 per cent of government revenue and 90 per cent of export earnings in 2014.

Details of the currency swap agreement, such as its size, maturity and exchange rate, have yet to be announced, making it hard for investors to have faith in the accord. The People’s Bank of China didn’t respond to faxed questions and Isaac Okorafor, a spokesman for the Central Bank of Nigeria, declined to comment when contacted by phone.

Beijing has signed several bilateral currency swaps

in the past eight years, including with South Korea, Malaysia and Argentina, in a push to let the yuan trade more freely. South Africa, which took on a 30 billion yuan ($4.6 billion) three-year swap in April 2015, is the only other African country to have agreed such a deal with China. Presidency sources say Nigeria and China are considering a swap of about 20 billion yuan.

Buhari and central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele claim that letting the naira drop would hurt Nigerians by raising prices in a country that imports the bulk of its finished goods. Most businesses are forced to use the black market exchange rate, which trades about 60 per cent weaker than the official rate, at 320 to the dollar. That’s boosting inflation, which accelerated to 12.8 per cent in March, the highest in almost four years.

“Nigeria runs a persistent trade deficit with China,” said Oyin Anubi, a Londonbased economist at Bank of America.

Govs blow bailout fund, increase states’ debts to N1.65trn CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 43

For instance the 36 states IGR in 2015 stood at N682.6 billion as against N707.8 billion IGR recorded in 2014 indicating a shortfall of N25.1 billion. Lagos state is ahead of other 35 states in IGR volume raking N268.2 billion as against N276.1 billion realised in 2014 indicating a difference of N7.9 billion. Rivers State came second in IGR realising N82.1 billion as against N89 billion showing a difference of N7 billion.

In 2015, Abia State IGR was N13,

249,44,263.72 as against N12,371,194,895.08 representing a difference of N976,249,368.64 or 7.33 per cent. Other states and their IGR according to NBS data are, Adamawa State N 4,451,736,117.84 as against N4, 994,481,880.78, Akwaibom N14.791175,253 as against previous figure of N15, 676,502,432.

Others states and their IGR are: Anambra N14,791,175,253 as against N10,454,312,216.18, Bauchi recorded N 5,393, 721,996 as against N4,853,453,184.87: Bayelsa N8,713,516,526 as against N10,958,263,688;

Benue N7,631,789, 841.37 compared to N8,284,425,160.72, Borno N3,530,261,222.31 as against 2014 IGR of N 2,760,773,778.99, cross river N13,567,122.507.38 as against N15,738,850,743.95; Delta N40,805,656,911.96 as against 2014 figure of N42,819,209,025.24, Ebonyi state IGR for 2015 was omitted but recorded N11,O32,472,512 in 2014.

Others and their IGR for 2015 are, Edo N19,117,468,369.25 and N17,023,596,231.62 in 2014 ; Ekiti was N3,297,707,703.96 as against N3,462,341,448.32,

Enugu N18,081,-014,527 compared to 2014 figure of N19,250,345,593.00, Gombe N4,784,605,861,47 while in 2014 it realised N5,196,460,381.93, Imo recorded N5,472,581634.18 as against N8,115,751,385.95; Jigawa was N5,081,424,105.40 as against N6,273,310,616.35; Kaduna got N11,536,8729,988.5 as against 2014 IGR in sum of N12,782,522,515.51, Kano was N13,611,853,935.85 as against N13,661,853,935.85; Katsina N5,791,008,741 as against N6,223,037,599, Kebbi was CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 4 6

third major crude-export facility was disrupted, this time by accidental damage rather than militant attacks.

“The renewed activities of the militants in the Niger Delta is seriously affecting our oil production, in fact it is now down to 1.65 [m b /d]“, Kemi Adeosun said on state-owned NTA television on Friday morning, Reuters reported.

The federal budget signed into law a week ago counts on 2.2m b/d but output has been several hundreds of barrels below that–around 1.7 to 1.8m b/d for the past several months, Nigeria, long Africa’s top oil producer, is as of this week pumping less than Angola.

Production began sliding in February when a new militant group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers claimed an attack on an underwater pipeline running that forced Royal Dutch Shell to shut down its Forcados export terminal, knocking off at least 250,000 bpd. The government has said it will be reopened this month but it is not clear if repairs have started.

Earlier this week Shell declared force majeure on exports of Bonny Light crude after a leak on one of its trunk lines in the Delta, days after Chevron had to shut a platform falling an attack also claimed by the Niger Delta Avengers.

It is not clear who is behind the new group but the statements attributed to them that are being circulated on social media suggest their demands are similar to those of militants who waged an insurgency until 2009 that slashed the country’s oil production. The new group has vowed to bring Nigeria’s oil output to zero.

Meanwhile Exxon Mobil Corp. declared force majeure — a legal clause that allows it to stop deliveries without breaching contracts — on shipments of Qua Iboe late on Thursday, according to two traders from companies that purchase the crude, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. The Bonny Light and Forcados oil grades were already disrupted following militant attacks. The three facilities ship more than 700,000 barrels a day. An Exxon spokesman in Nigeria was not immediately available to comment.

“We expected more supply disruptions out of Nigeria this week, but the pace of new supply problems from that country beats our expectations,” Olivier Jakob, managing director of consultant Petromatrix GmbH, said in a note.

Production may not be much above 1 million barrels a day, he said.

A resurgence in militant attacks in Nigeria’s oil-producing region has cut output by as much as 600,000 barrels a day to 1.4 million a day and “massively diminished” the nation’s income, Emmanuel Kachikwu, Nigeria’s minister of state for petroleum, said Thursday in a broadcast on Lagos-based Channels Television, before the disruption to Qua Iboe. An armed group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers later warned of more attacks to come.

Brent crude has risen 5.2 per cent this week to $47.72 a barrel as of 10:15 a.m. in London as supply halts in Nigeria, wildfires in Canada’s oil-sands region and declining U.S. output combined to curb a global surplus.

M-Net launches new time –shifted channel

rom Wednesday, June 1, M-Net will be introF ducing a new time-shifted channel M-Net Plus 1 - an exact replica of M-Net, however with an

hour time delay The subscription-funded broadcaster revealed that the launch of M-Net Plus 1 aims to give viewers the opportunity to not miss out on any of their favourite programming.

“As M-Net 101 currently caters for a diverse audience with different lifestyles and viewing time preferences, we believe that the addition of M-Net Plus 1 will be welcomed by many of our viewers,” Director of M-Net Channels Jan du Plessis explained in a press statement.

“While our prime-time scheduling is at convenient times for the majority of our series lovers, there are also many people – especially parents with young families - who can only start watching television a little later. With M-Net Plus 1, viewers who don’t have PVRs can now continue to enjoy linear television and stay on top of M-Net 101’s excellent series,” he added.

M-Net Plus 1 will be available on channel 901 on DStv Premium. To accommodate this new channel, the DStv Audio Channel numbers will now start at 750 onwards while the Radio Channels from channel number 800 onwards.

45

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016

Business/ INTERVIEW

Kuye: Nigeria Industrial Revolution, NEDEP will drive country’s industrialisation In this interview with PAUL OGBUOKIRI, the Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Gbenga Kuye, says the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, and the National Enterprises and Development Programme (NEDEP); are the two key government policies that would promote the country’s industrialisation.

What is the role of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), and how does it function within the current context of the Nigerian economy?

Once the government realised that there was no single agency responsible for national industrialisation, it was decided that NEPZA would hold this additional mandate. Several things must happen to ensure this. First, the enabling act that set up NEPZA needs to be reviewed.

That process has begun by order of the National Assembly. One key aspect that we noticed was that many of the jobs were done by too many people, whereby there was no ownership of the process, which curbed the taking of responsibility. Therefore, we restructured and pruned down the departments. We created the compliance and enforcement department to be fully responsible for the end-to-end compliance and enforcement of various policies, aligned to the incentives we have given.

Then, we separated the free zones into public and private entities. The idea is that you have one director responsible in each area who sees things end-to-end from the beginning with marketing to bringing those people on board, registering them, providing incentives, and ensuring that they are complying with incentives and paying all relevant dues and fees. They are also responsible for training. Furthermore, NEPZA will be renamed the Nigeria Industrialisation and Free Zone Agency (NIDZA) once all approvals have been made.

There are two key policies that will drive industrialisation. One is the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, and the second is the National Enterprises and Development Programme (NEDEP). Supplementary to these programmes are the Sugar Policy and the Automotive Policy. Our mandate has been expanded, and we no longer solely focus on free zones, but also on industrial cities and industrial parks. This means the whole appraisal process of the old free zone has to be amended, more checklists have to be put in, and it has to be more robust.

You identified certain key sectors that are particularly promising for future development. What is their importance, and what will be the role of NEPZA in these sectors?

Our mandate has been expanded, and we no longer solely focus on free zones, but also on industrial cities and industrial parks. This means the whole appraisal process of the old free zone has to be amended, more checklists have to be put in, and it has to be more robust you planning for?

We have restructured and plugged the loopholes, looked at the free zone, and seen what is working and what is not. Of the 25 free zones, 10 are functional, nine are under construction, and six are dormant. The six that are dormant are state run. I told my staff from those states that it was a shame that their state did not make proper use of its free zone license. As a result, the governments of the dormant zones are currently talking to me regarding investments. Years ago, industrial parks and industrial cities were created in this country, but they died with the government. They still exist and some manufacturing is happening. We conducted a research around the country on the viability of these industrial parks. In partnership with the government, we are identifying the old industrial parks and cities to see if we can jump start them.

We are trying to realize a highly innovative new vision. This involves the concept of the Nigeria International Financial Centre, based on the Dubai International Finance Centre, which will be located within our free zones. The objective is to motivate Nigerians to transfer their funds back to Nigeria to set up industries, because currently 80 per cent to 90 per cent of total Nigerian funds are located beyond the country. The New Financial Policy will increase development and industrialisation.

I am a Nigerian, and I love the country that has done so much for me; I need to give something important back. One quick way to jump start the economy is to use the free zones, industrial parks, and industrial cities. Since I have that responsibility, I see myself as the President’s number one ally in this. I will assist in his success. For me to succeed, I have to come up with a clear strategy and make sure it is executed. The problem with Nigeria has never been strategy. We have the best strategies in the world, b u t they do

Where do you see Nigeria in the next five years and how will it be achieved?

The US which used to be our largest buyer no longer needs our oil, because of shale gas fracturing, and the discovery of crude in Ghana. Ghana will offer a discount, or else offer buyers delayed payment terms. Therefore, Nigeria has started looking at different sectors of the economy where we have comparative and competitive advantages. Agriculture is an area we need to focus on. We also need to look at the oil and gas sector in a constructive manner, as we should not be exporting crude. We are exporting it to countries that have their own refineries that create jobs for their own people. We need to do it all end-to-end, and take the by-products of the crude.

A NEPZA-operated zone will have industry, skills workshops, and SMEs, and will become the hub that everyone has to connect to. I want my zones to rank among the top-50 zones in the world. I want a line confirming that 15 per cent of manufacturing is coming from these zones.

What will be your strategies and priorities, how do hope to achieve them and what kind of projects and incentives are

Kuye

not get executed, which is a situation I am trying to reverse.

What I am doing is not new, and the only thing different is that for the first time somebody from the private sector and who understands generating revenue is running the agency as a business that needs to make profit while running effectively.

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Business

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Stanley Ihedigbo ebb Fontaine Nigeria Limited, a specialist firm in provision of ICT for trade facilitation and improved revenue has achieved a linkage between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for uniform manifest.

With this feat, the discrepancies and differences in manifests submitted by importers and their agents to different government agencies have been addressed.

Sunday Telegraph learnt that several manifests on imported consignments into Nigeria submitted to customs are often times at variance with what was received by the NPA and FAAN. This is even as shipping companies were in the past alleged to be involved in the underhand deals of doctoring manifests.

Sources at the NPA disclosed that Webb Fontaine simulated the seamless manifest interaction between the NPA and NCS for a test period of three weeks before it went live on the fourth week.

The source added that the new development will help NPA billing process, enhance transparency in the system and increase government revenue by preventing possible leakages caused by information on forged manifests.

He also said that the improved uniform manifest regime will also help government generate accurate data for planning and economic purposes like knowing the number of shipping lines, number of vessels and types of cargoes coming into Nigeria.

For FAAN, airlines had always submitted hard copy manifest and airway bill which in some cases were at variance with the documentation at NCS. Webb Fontaine have also worked out a digital Certificate for the Standard Organisation of Nigeria(SON) whereby importers do not

SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NPA, FAAN integrate on uniform manifest with Customs lAs SON gets digital certificate need a hard copy certificate for processing importation of SON regulated products into the country.

In place of attaching photocopies of SON certificates, importers are now only required to input their SON Certificate reference number and the system will accept the entry for processing if the number is genuine as allotted to the company doing the importation.

This SON digital certificate regime also makes it impossible for any two companies to use one certificate number as the number allotted will also be attached to the Tax Identification Number (TIN) of the company that applied for and got it.

Attempts at using an allotted number for a different company will automatically be rejected by the system and detected as fake.

The innovation with SON has increased the number of persons coming to register for SONCAP, improved the organisation’s revenue into government coffers and will curb the incessant incidents of fake and substandard imports into Nigeria.

Confirming this development, SON’s spokesman, Matthias Bassey, described it as one that will achieve time and cost saving advantages ahead of the previous regime. He added that the system will bring about more transparency in the country’s business arena.

Bassey said, ‘It saves time and cost and it is very transparent. It provides data for analysis and subsequent planning for national development and decision taking for policy makers’.

Over N20 billion will no doubt be saved yearly from these electronic innovations aimed at curbing fraud and promoting transparency in business while also ensuring a fairer deal for all consum-

Govs blow bailout fund, increase states’ debts to N1.65trn CON T ’D FR OM PAGE 44

N3,592,406,108 as against N3,834,143,641.95: Kogi was N6,776,580,756.17 as against N6,569,928,663.47; Kwara N7,178,922182.76 as against N12,460,517,964.55, Nasarawa N4,281,701,806.50 as against 2015 amount of N4,085,127,585.70, Niger N5,975,149,,291.86 compared to 2014 IGR figure of N5,737,185,035.88, Ogun N34,596,446,519.52 as against N17,497,620,787.52; Ondo IGR was N10,O98, as against N11,718,741,502.49. Osun

was N8, 072,966,446 as against N8, 513,274,186.67 while Oyo recorded IGR of. N15, 663,514,824.73 in 2015 as against N16, 307,233,700.20, plateau was N6, 937,349,802.70 as against N8, 284,425,159.92.

Others are Sokoto N6,224,448.122.53 as against N5,617,763,260.35, Ta r a b a was N4,155.053,,816.15 as against N3,799, 040, 873.48 , Yobe N2,251,330,427.39 as against N3,073,780,160.87 while Zamfara recorded N2,741,632,541.03 as against N3,149,630,553.96

ers of regulated products imported into Nigeria.

Webb Fontaine have being playing leading role in modernizing import and export business procedures and processes in Nigeria, as it championed the cause of evolving a single window template that integrates various stakeholders with the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), an electronic template playing a prominent role in customs trade facilitation efforts in Nigeria was conceptualized and designed by Webb Fontaine as

part of customs modernization drive.

NICIS as an e-commerce tool is greatly improving customs operations and processes in Nigeria. It has significantly impacted on the service revenue collection.

An online statement by the company, said, ‘’Implementations of Webb Fontaine products are focused on delivering a customization of the core system using the company’s development centres, resident expatriates and local resources.”

It added that the company has deployed custom-

ized TradeWorldManager solutions for Customs automation in the Kingdom of Bahrain (called OFOQ), Armenia, the Philippines (called e2M) as well as selected modules in Nigeria. ‘’These solutions cover the whole spectrum of services, including: e-manifest, e-SAD, e-Transit, e-excises, e-Payment, Risk Management, Integrated Release.

In addition the system operates fully automated exemptions and licences modules with SAD acquittals,” the statement added.

A complete Customs system on its own embraces

all core Customs functions: Manifest management, Declaration processing, Accounting (cash, credits, statements, prepayment, e-payment), Warehouse management with guarantee control, Temporary import/export and processing programmes with guarantee management, excises monitoring and Integrated tariff.

Others are, Transit shed management, Valuation check during declaration assessment and through Selectivity and Transit bonds management (road, railway, transshipment).

L – R: Head, Corporate Services Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Bola Adeeko; Nigerians Recording Art, Seyi Shay; Burna Boy, and Head, Corporate Communications, NSE, Olumide Orojimi, at the 2016 NSE Corporate Challenge Closing Gong ceremony in Lagos

2015: NB pays Shareholders N38.05b dividend

T

Appolonia Adeyemi

he 2015 audited results of Nigerian Breweries Plc showed that the Company’s shareholders earned a total dividend of N38.059 billion, translating into N4.80 per unit of the company’s ordinary share of 50 kobo each for the 2015 financial year. This is the highest dividend ever paid by the company in its 70-year history.

Addressing the Shareholders, Chief Kola Jamodu, Chairman, Board of Directors, said the board had in October 2015 paid an interim dividend of N9.5billion, representing N1.20 per ordinary share of 50 kobo each.

He stated that the policy of dividend pay-out is in the strategic interest of the shareholders.

According to him, the proposed final dividend will be subject to deduc-

tion of withholding tax at the appropriate rate and will be payable on the May 12, 2016, to all shareholders whose names appear on the Company’s Register of Members at the close of business on the March 2, 2016.

“We remain committed to Winning with Nigeria.

Thus we will sustain the investment in our operations, systems, brands and of course people.

Cost leadership and market leadership supported by innovations remain our key strategic pillars,” Jamodu said.

The shareholders applauded the company for recording such impressive financial result in 2015.

According to the shareholders who spoke at the 70th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company held in Lagos on Wednesday, the company’s performance in spite of the very challenging operating environment, stood out as a

shining example for other manufacturers to emulate.

Mr. Bello Owonikoko, Chairman, Ibadan Zone of the Shareholders Solidarity Association stated that the 2016 results and the dividend pay-out are strong signals of the resilience of the company in the face of the challenges of the economy.

The same sentiment was re-echoed by Chibuzor Eke-Emmanuel, who expressed confidence that the company remains in good stead to weather the storm and deliver good returns to shareholders in the future.

NB is the second most capitalised company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The company paid out a total dividend of N37 billion (N4.75 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo each) for the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

Not a few analysts agree that NB has consistently added value to shareholders investments with

its dividend payouts. It would be recalled that for the 2013 financial year, the company’s board had recommended the payment of a total dividend of N34.032 billion, translating into N4.50 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo each.

According to the 2015 corporate rating report by Augusto and co; Nigerian Breweries possesses very strong financial condition and very strong capacity to meet local currency obligations as and when they fall due.

The rating, Augusto maintained, is underlined by the company’s dominant position in the industry; highly experienced and stable Board of Directors; and competent management team.

The rating is also supported by NB’s strong financial condition which is validated by good profitability, low leverage, good cash flow and adequate working capital.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016

Auto beat Motoring tips

Rainy driving tips

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Nissan patrol Assembly plant in Lagos

Hyundai appoints new head of Africa & Middle East region Paul Ogbuokiri

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armaker Hyundai has appointed Mike Song as its new head of Africa and Middle East Region, commencing during the second week of May. Based in the Dubai Regional Headquarters, Mr. Song will oversee operations throughout the MENA region, as well as SubSaharan Africa, and the Canary Islands.

“It is both an enormous challenge and a great privilege to take on such an exciting role,” said Song. “Hyundai is a leader in passenger car sales in several markets in the region, with a committed network of distributors, and a growing number of satisfied customers.

I look forward to playing a vital role in the company’s continued success.”

Born in Korea in 1968, Song joined Hyundai in 1993 after graduating from

Seoul National University.

He was Executive Coordinator for Sales and Marketing in Canada from 2000 to 2005; worked within the Corporate Planning Division at Hyundai Global Headquarters from 2005 to 2009; and was Sales Coordinator for Hyundai Motor America from 2010 to 2014. Most recently, he has filled the role of Head of Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East Group, based in Korea.

He joins the Africa and Middle East Regional Headquarters during an important period for the carmaker, with 2016 expected to include the launch of two significant new product lines: the introduction of Genesis as a standalone luxury brand, and the release of the IONIQ eco-friendly model. This will be the first car to be offered with a choice of the three most popular alternative-fuel drivetrains, including full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full-

electric.

Song will also work to drive Hyundai sales in what are difficult market conditions through much of the region.

“Looking at the road ahead, there is considerable uncertainty in many markets, from the impact of low oil prices in the GCC and other petroleum-producing countries, through to falling currencies in the two largest African markets – South Africa and Egypt,” said Song.

“Hyundai is, however, in a strong position despite the challenges. We are recognized for high quality, and increasingly for advanced engineering and stylish design, but we also retain a reputation for value, both at the time of purchase and in terms of continuing ownership costs. People feel Hyundai is dependable, as well as desirable.”

Mike Song replaces Jin (James) Kim, who is returning to a senior management position in Korea.

Nissan targets 34% stake in alliance with Mitsubishi

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issan Motor Co., Ltd., (“Nissan”), and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, (“MMC”) on Thursday announced that they have signed a Basic Agreement to form a far-reaching strategic alliance between the two Japanese automakers.

Nissan will take a 34 per cent equity stake in MMC for 237 billion yen.

The strategic alliance will extend an existing partnership between Nissan and MMC, under which the two companies have jointly collaborated for the past five years.

Nissan and MMC have agreed to cooperate in areas including purchasing, common vehicle platforms, and technology-sharing, joint plant utilization and growth markets.

Carlos Ghosn, chief executive and president of Nissan, said: “This is a breakthrough transaction and a winwin for both Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors. It creates a dynamic new force in the automotive industry that will cooperate intensively, and generate sizeable synergies. We will be the largest shareholder of MMC, respecting

their brand, their history and boosting their growth prospects. We will support MMC as they address their challenges and welcome them as the newest member of our enlarged Alliance family.”

Osamu Masuko, chairman of the board and chief executive of MMC, said: “Through its long history of successful partnerships Nissan Motor has developed a deep knowledge of maximizing the benefits from alliance partnerships. This agreement will create long term value needed for our two companies to progress towards the future. We will achieve long term value through deepening our strategic partnership including sharing resources such as development, as well as joint procurement.”

Under the terms of the transaction, Nissan will purchase 506.6 million newly-issued MMC shares at a price of 468.52 yen per share. The price per share reflects the volume weighted average price over the period between April 21 2016 and including May 11 2016. Nissan will become the largest shareholder of MMC on closing.

MMC and Nissan expect Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation and The Bank of Tokyo – Mitsubishi UFJ to maintain a significant collective ownership stake in Mitsubishi Motors, and to support the strategic alliance.

The transaction is subject to the signing of a definitive Alliance Agreement, expected by the end of May, 2016, the signing of a shareholders’ agreement with the current Mitsubishi Group shareholders of MMC and regulatory approvals. It is expected to close by the end of the year.

The decision by Nissan to acquire a strategic stake in MMC marks the latest expansion of its Alliance model built around a 17-year cross shareholding arrangement with Renault. Nissan has also acquired stakes or signed partnerships with other automotive groups including Daimler and AutoVaz. MMC will propose Nissan nominees as board directors in proposition to Nissan’s voting rights including a Nissan nominee to become Chairman of the Board.

mart Motorist offers the following suggestion for safer driving in wet weather. In stormy conditions, it is more difficult to see other vehicles, road signs and the road itself. It is critical to make sure you can see and be seen.

First and foremost, slow down.

It takes longer to stop or adjust in weather.

Stay toward the middle lanes-water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Maintain proper following distance (3 seconds Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather. Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you. Don’t follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision.

Take care when passing them as well, if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery condition. Watch out for brake lights in front of you. Avoid using your brakes, if possible; take your foot off the accelerated to slow down.

Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions.

Not only do they help you see the road, but they’ll help them on, so vehicles behind you can see you better.

Before it starts to rain, replace old or brittle wipers.

Avoid off-road driving; it’s hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck, even in an SUV. Never drive beyond the limits of visibility.

At night roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights, amplified by the rain on your windscreen, can cause temporary loss of visibility while substantially increasing driver fatigue.

In rainy conditions pedestrians, livestock, and wildlife are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid. Never drive through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow.

If it’s deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and fund another route, Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car’s electrical system. Avoid splashing pedestrians.

If possible, stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Large flashes of lighting can temporarily blind and disorient drivers, and the accompanying high winds and heavy rain can create deadly driving conditions.

Drive safe. Arrive safe.

Crashworthy design reduces death /injury

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tructure and restraints help determine crashworthiness. Good structure means a strong occupant compartment, crumple zones to absorb the force of a serious crash, side structure to manage the force of a striking vehicle or struck object and a strong roof that won’t collapse in a rollover. safety belts keep people in their seats and spread crash forces across the upper body’s stronger bony parts.

Airbags protect people from hitting things inside the vehicle or objects outside it.

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Business

Clinical Consultant pharmacist EMMANUEL A.NWANKWO

SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

What is Potassium?

agmerendis@yahoo.com

08148877648 (SMS only) WHAT IS POTASSIUM? Answer: Potassium is a very important mineral in the human body. It is one of the main blood minerals called electrolyte which conducts electricity to all the cells of the body.

WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE BODY? Potassium is found in red blood cells, muscles and bones. Potassium is a mineral the body needs for the proper function of all cells, tissues and organs of the body. About 98% of potassium is found inside the cell while sodium (salt) is found outside the cell body.

Studies show that potassium is important in nutrients, metabolism and protein synthesis which helps the tissues to grow well.

There is always a balance of potassium, sodium and magnesium in our body to regulate the balance of water and acidbase in our blood, body tissues, which helps with muscle contraction and regulation of our heart beats. Therefore sufficient level of potassium is very important for our body’s growth, muscle building, muscle contraction and relaxation because most of the potassium in the body is located in the muscles.

Potassium is very important for our heart to beat properly and for all our nerves to function properly. Helps in preventing bone disease (osteoporosis) in elderly women.

Potassium acids in muscle contraction.

When your body lacks potassium, you start experiencing frequent leg cramps and other muscle cramps. Solution to this cramp is consuming a banana every day because it contains a lot of potassium. It is important to check your potassium when you visit your doctor for routine check.

Having too much potassium in the body is called Hyperkalemia

What can cause too much potassium in our body (Hyperkalemia) 1.

Kidney problem (when the kidney is not functioning well) 2.

Stomach Bleeding 3.

Major infection When the kidney is healthy, potassium helps in its regulation by assisting the kidney in the removal of waste through excretion.

THINGS THAT CAN DECREASE POTASSIUM LEVEL Low potassium level is very common especially in older people and people with chronic diseases e.g. HIV, Alcoholics and people with eating disorders.

Fatigue is the most common symptom of chronic, low potassium in the body; we may also have muscles weakness, dry skin, irregular heart beat, insomnia etc Low potassium level is very common especially in older people and people with chronic disease like HIV, Alcoholics and people with eating disorder.

It is important to know that these things will decrease potassium level in the body such as Alcohol, Coffee (caffeine Drinks), Sugar, Drugs (diuretics), Processed foods, Excess urination (removes a lot of potassium through the kidney) and Excess sweating (heat wave) That is why when you perspire or sweat a great deal, we have to replace our fluid with orange/ banana juice or vegetable juice that contains a lot of potassium 1.

Vomiting / mal nutrition 2.

Diarrhea/ children diarrhea 3.

Stomach problems Therefore infants with Diarrhea must be watched very closely.

Low potassium level in the body is called Hypokalemia.

NATURAL SOURCES OF POTASSIUM According to Health experts the most important sources of potassium are Green vegetables (lettuce, parsley, spinach), Tomatoes, Potatoes espe-

cially potato skin and Citrus fruits, vegetables and fruits oranges grains, banana, mango cantaloupe apple, avocado pears, all citrus fruits.

Whole grains, wheat, nuts, fish, stock fish meat, plantain herbs, red clover beans and peas Some drugs that decrease potassium levels in the body are Diuretics (water pills), Excess use of laxatives, Steroids/ anti-inflaminatory, Aspirin and Antacids If you are taking a Diuretics of drugs that can make you loose water it is importance to check your potassium level with your doctor/ care giver.

HOW MUCH POTASSIUM DO WE NEED DAILY? Answer: According to USA department .of Agriculture we need about (4.7 gm) or 4700mg of potassium daily to maintain a healthy adult well being.

And 3000mg-3800mg of potassium for children between 1 year to 8 years old.

The best way to get this potassium is to add high potassium fruit and vegetable to our daily diet.

Studies shows that there is a good link between diet rich in potassium and good bone health especially for elderly women. Therefore eating fruit and vegetables with high level of potassium strengthens and prolongs bone life.

Patients’ right to know that people with hyperkalemia (to high potassium) should not take potassium supplements. Also people with kidney damage should not take potassium supplements and should not take excess potassium because the kidney is the main organ that controls the balance of potassium by removing the excess into the urine.

Do not give potassium supplement to child except authorized by his/her Doctor/ care giver.

Patients have the right to know that multivitamins contain potassium and can be take by both pregnant and breast feeding mothers, unless where your personal Doctor objects.

Money matters (1) Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

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or a while now, we have not discussed money on this platform. As such, I thought to talk randomly on money today.

Financial wisdom is an imperative.

This is because money is a universal medium of exchange. Even the Bible says that money answers all things. As such one of the greatest favours anyone can do himself is to seek financial wisdom. It reduces stress.

Here we go.

ISSUE ONE - Saving and the Use of ATM Cards Some people believe the best way. Or one of the best ways to save is to have a savings account in respect of which an ATM card is not operated. So, one gets to hear a piece of advice like, “Open a savings account, but do not apply

For anyone to be able to save, he must grasp the wisdom that saving is what sustains one in the rainy day and life itself has seasons for an ATM card for that account.”

The argument of proponents of that school of thought is that the ATM card comes with a propensity to spend. As such, staying off an ATM card helps one to be spendthrift. I beg to disagree and my argument against that school of thought is predicated in two grounds.

The first ground of my argument is that saving is firstly a ‘wisdom’ and secondly a discipline, though one can argue that discipline is itself wisdom.

For anyone to be able to save, he must grasp the wisdom that saving is what sustains one in the rainy day and life itself has seasons. A grasp of that fact will generate the relevant response ability in someone as regards saving.

Secondly, one who must save must be disciplined. An ATM card is merely for convenience in accessing funds. Fiscal indiscipline can make one who does not have an ATM card to still go to the bank to withdraw

money. At worst, it is only a matter of a little more stress, and in some cases no stress at all, given the proliferation of bank branches in the drive for patronage. Another reasoning is that with the existence of electronic and mobile banking platforms, one can spend money without an ATM. On the other hand, however, one who is disciplined will not move an inch, even if ‘raw cash’ is placed beside him.

I know that issues like this are bound to have arguments for and against. However, my point, it should be noted, is that, in the drive to promote a culture of saving, the emphasis should be on discipline, rather than the avoidance of an ATM card. Discipline is the major. Avoiding the use of an ATM card is the minor, the reason being that an ATM card is not indispensable to spending. It is an error to major on the minor. Think about it.

NOTE: Next week, I will tell you the major reason I think it is okay to have an ATM card for every account, notwithstanding the drive to save.

So, please ensure you get next week’s edition of SUNDAY TELEGRAPH. See you then.

You will succeed.

Please follow me on Twitter @ VictorOkwudiri

Nigeria’s naira policy ‘not sensible’–Investec

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nvestec Asset Management Ltd., which has about $1 billion invested in Nigeria, says the country’s refusal to devalue its currency and relax import controls “is not a sensible policy.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has resisted calls from investors and the International Monetary Fund to devalue the naira, which has officially been pegged at 197-199 per dollar since March 2015. The black-market exchange rate, which most businesses have been forced to use, is roughly 320 per dollar. Foreign-exchange trading restrictions and import curbs have led to shortages of goods from gasoline to milk. “We need the political will to accept that a market-set exchange rate works better,” Hendrik du Toit, Investec Asset’s chief executive officer, said in an interview at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda on Wednesday. “Ultimately, the government is going to be ahead of the curve, or it’s going to be forced.”

On Wednesday, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo told a conference in Lagos that the country needs a “substantial review” of its foreign-exchange policies, including further consideration about devaluing the naira. Africa’s largest economy is growing at its slowest rate since 1999 as oil revenue declines due to a plunge in crude prices and the lowest production in more than 20 years.

“The shortages of dollars are distorting the economy, distorting economic activity and ultimately therefore leading to all sorts of speculation, unproductive activity and a complete misunderstanding of the risks,” Investec’s Du Toit said. “All I know is it’s coming,” he said of the possibility of a devaluation.

Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ), Mr. Bola Onadele. Koko (left), with Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir H. Gwarzo, during FMDQ’s visit to SEC on Nigerian Sukuk Market Development Agenda in Lagos

Interbank rate rises sharply to 8.5%

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igeria’s overnight interbank rate climbed sharply on Friday to an average of 8.5 per cent, 4.5 percentage points higher than last week’s close on payment for bond purchases and on AMCON contributions.

Nigeria’s commercial lenders in 2010 agreed to make available 0.3 per cent of their assets each year for the next decade to a fund to cover any net deficits incurred by Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

Traders said the central bank withdrew about N90 billion ($452.26 million) from the banking system on Friday for the Nigeria’s “bad bank” liability, which led to a drop in banking system liquidity and a spike in interbank rate.

Also, about N52.5 billion left the banking system to pay for bonds purchased in the week, which further depleted liquidity in the system, traders said.

Nigeria raised N52.5 billion in local currency denominated bonds where yields climbed across the board on paper maturing in 2036, 2026 and 2020 at an auction on Wednesday.

This is coming as the naira is expected to weaken against the dollar next week after the country increased gasoline prices by 67 per cent The local currency weakened to 324 to the dollar on the parallel market on Thursday, down 1.25 percent compared to last week’s close, while trading at 199.40 to the dollar on the official interbank market, around the 197 official peg rate.

“There is dollar scarcity right now in the market, even at N324 you can’t find dollar to buy,” one trader told Reuters. Traders said expected pressure from fuel importers could further push down the naira value in the coming days.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

NSEASI hikes by 2.88% WoW T

he NSE All Share Index advanced by 2.88% in the week concluded, resulting in a year-to-date performance of -7.69%. In the week ended, there were 55 advancers and 17 decliners representing a market breath of 3.24x. TIGERBRANDS was the week’s highest advancer with a 50.13% WoW return, while UPL recorded the highest loss in value declining by 14.21% WoW. Volume traded and market turnover, in comparison to the previous week, jumped by 100.49% and 125.75% accordingly.

During the week, following the meeting held by the Vice President, Leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, Governors’ Forum and Labour Unions, the conclusion was reached that any Nigerian entity can import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subject to existing quality specifications, and sourcing of forex from the secondary market. Correspondingly, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency announced a new retail price band of NGN135-NGN145 per. litre, effective 11th May, 2016.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange implemented its compliance status indicator codes during the week, to aid transparency and informed investment activities. The codes are to be displayed on the ticker tape of affected companies.

We anticipate increased position taking on counters perceived to be positively impacted by the recent news inflows (Budget implementation and new fuel price), including companies within the Building material, Construction, and Oil and Gas sectors. We however note the possibility of profit taking on counters that have accumulated gains during the week concluded.

This report reviews events in the current week, with emphasis on different segments of the financial market, while presenting our expectations for the coming week.

Fixed Income: Yields advance on FGN Bonds The Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate pegged at an average of 9.93% (+1.24% WtD)

by Thursday, as the CALL, 1M, 3M and 6M rates pegged at 7.08%, 8.89%, 11.20% and 12.54% respectively. The average money market rate advanced by 3.84%, as the OBB and OVN rates pegged at 7.42% and 8.00% respectively at the close of the week.

At the secondary market, the 1M, 2M, 3M, 6M, 9M and 12M Nigerian Treasury bills instruments closed at 4.28%, 5.67%, 8.09%, 9.80%, 10.89% and 13.02% after the Thursday trading session.

The FGN Bond instruments endured a predominately bearish week, as indicated by the 0.63% week-on-week increase in average offer yield across instruments. The average offer yield pegged at 13.20% at the close of the week’s trading session. The Debt Management Office (DMO) conducted an auction during the week on the FEB 2020, JAN-2026 and MAR-2036 bond re-openings.

Marginal rates at the auctions were 13.25%, 13.74% and 13.90% in the same order.

Naira remained resilient at the interbank and parallel markets, retaining a mid-price of NGN197.38 and a value of NGN323.00 against the greenback respectively.

We anticipate resumption of demand for FGN Bond instruments in the coming week, considering the relatively attractive current offer yields, while also noting the impact that the scheduled auction had on buying activities in the course of the week.

Agric. Sector: LIVESTOCK appreciates by 25.00% WoW. The Agric sector closed the week in the negative territory, as measured by our MERI-AGRI index. The index recorded a 1.19% loss week-on-week, thus, settling the year-to-date return at 1.27%. Sector breadth

…as news inflow spurs positivity

FIDSON and GLAXOSMITH reversed their preceding week’s negative performance, advancing by 10.84% and 4.62% WoW to close at NGN2.25 and NGN22.42 in that order. All other counters traded flat.

Given that all the actively traded counters in the basket recorded price appreciations in the week, we opine that the negative investors’ mood triggered by poor performance scorecards has abated. However, we expect profit taking activities to ensue on the sector stocks in the coming week

pegged at 0.50x, on the back of a lone gainer and two (2) decliners.

LIVESTOCK closed the week at NGN1.00, following a 25.00% WoW gain. The sector heavyweights, OKOMUOIL (NGN29.01) and PRESCO (NGN35.02) however dragged the sector’s performance with respective declines of 0.34% and 1.90% WoW. ELLAHLAKES and FTNCOCOA recorded no week-on-week movements, closing the week at NGN4.26 and NGN0.50 in that order.

We maintain our position that the Agric. sector will offer good returns to investment portfolios, even in the current bearish market. However, investment decisions concerning sector players should be guided by evaluation of company fundamentals.

Banking Sector: Returns 8.77% WoW The banking sector advanced strongly during the week, appreciating by 8.77% WoW, according to our MERI-BNK index.

There were thirteen (13) gainers and two (2) decliners to peg the sector’s breadth at 6.50x. DIAMONDBNK led the advancers, after gaining 44.29% WoW. The ticker was closely followed by FCMB (+30.30%), SKYEBANK (+21.21%), UNITYBNK (+16.67%), and ACCESS (+15.00%). On the flip side, the decliners’ list was populated by WEMABANK and STANBIC after the respective counters pared in value by 1.30% and 0.14%.

Unity Bank Plc released it FY2015 and Q1:2016 numbers during the week, which depicted a relatively weak YoY performance. While the bank’s Gross Earnings (GE) grew by 0.12% YoY, Profit-Before-Tax (PBT) and Profit-After-Tax (PAT) declined by 82.82%, and 56.15% respectively. By Q1:2016, GE, PBT, and PAT all declined by 25.90%, 75.22%, and 73.18% YoY. We anticipate that the gains recorded in the week are just the beginning, as investors return focus to the most fundamentally justified stocks, some of which are in the banking sector.

Consumer Goods: NSEFBT10 returns 4.12% WoW Measuring with the NSEFBT10 index, the Consumer Goods sector returned 4.12% WoW, pushing the sector’s year to date performance to -11.93%. The sector breadth for the week, pegged at 12.00x, indicating the twelve (12) advancers and one (1) decliner.

The gainers’ chart featured TIGERBRANDS, HONYFLOUR, UNILEVER, PZ and UACN as the highest advancers with 50.13%, 13.33%, 11.66%, 11.54% and 8.55% week-on-week returns accordingly.

NASCON was the sole decliner, recording -0.86% WoW return.

International Breweries Plc, released its FY2015 audited financial result, indicating 12.69% YoY increase in revenue to NGN23.269bn. Operating expense advanced by 21.55% YoY, while financial charges declined by 9.94% YoY. Profit before and after tax for the year pegged at NGN3.657bn (+29.88%YoY) and NGN2.653bn (+36.28% YoY) accordingly.

We opine that the positive week-on-week sector return was due to significant buy activities on some heavyweights within the sector, as the sole decliner was not sufficient to overturn the overall positive sentiments.

We anticipate some profit taking in the coming week, considering accumulated gains, though we note that some counters have remained resilient in recent times.

Healthcare Sector: Sector Breadth pegs at 4x The healthcare sector trailed the general equities market in the week, returning 4.57% Week-to-Date (WtD) as measured by our MERI-HLTH index. The upbeat performance skewed the sector breadth (4x) completely in favour of advancers, as four (4) counters recorded share price appreciations, with no share price decline in the week.

NEIMETH and MAYBAKER consolidated on their prior week’s performance with 28.21% and 20.24% respective price appreciations to settle at NGN1.00 and NGN1.01.

Industrial Goods: FG to Commence Funds Disbursement Based on the Meri-Ind index, the industrial goods sector closed the week in the positive zone having pared by 1.63% WoW, as the YtD return settled at -5.40%.. There were four (4) decliners against three (3) advancers, as the sector breadth settled at 1.33x.

CCNN rebounded from the previously negative investor sentiments, with a 5.72% gain in share price to NGN7.39. CUTIX and PAINTCOM were the other advancers with respective gains of 4.64% and 4.21%.

PORTPAINT, again, emerged as the worst laggard for the week, shedding 5.07% WoW to close its share price at NGN2.06. BERGER, DANGCEM and WAPCO made up the decliners’ list with respective losses of 4.92%, 1.79% and 0.42%.

Following the signing to law of the 2016 appropriation bill, the federal government is expected to begin disbursing funds for capital expenditure into the economy in the coming week. We expect building material companies to be key beneficiaries of this largesse, given that they produce required inputs for construction and infrastructure development.

Insurance Sector: Strong showing, as NSEINS10 index advances The insurance sector recorded a positive showing in the week, as the NSEINS10 Index advanced by 1.33% week on week, thus, trimming the sector’s year to date return to -6.46%. Three (3) stocks recorded price appreciations in the week, while two stocks pared to peg the sector’s breadth at 1.50x.

CUSTODYINS emerged as the worst performed sector stock in the week, after the counter pared by 2.63% WoW to close at NGN3.70. NEM also featured on the laggards chart, trimming by 1.25% WoW to close at NGN0.79. Conversely, AIICO (+7.59%), CONTINSURE (+2.91%) and MANSARD (+2.82%) emerged as the sector’s top gainers.

Standard Alliance Insurance Plc. (STDINSURE) released an unimpressive 3M2016 financial scorecard during the week. Gross Premium Earned, Underwriting Profit, as well as Profit after Tax respectively declined by 7.26%, 43.15%, and 68.56% YoY, to NGN1.45bn, NGN446mn, and NGN116mn accordingly. Respective climb (+89% YoY) and decline (-77% YoY) in Claims and Investment income, were responsible for the company’s weak performance in the period.

We expect the current trend to be sustained in the coming week, following anticipated economic stimulation, as the disbursement of the first tranche of the NGN1.75tn capital expenditure as stated in 2016 budget enters the economy.

Oil & Gas Sector: Subsidy Removal Spurs Positive Sector Performance News inflow on the removal of subsidy and consequent sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at a cap of NGN145.00/litre spurred investor sentiments in the week, as the bulk of sector counters gained in the week. There were seven (7) advancers and one (1) decliner in the week, resulting in a 5.12% WoW appreciation of the NSEOILG5 index.

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SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

faith

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Every trial overcome attracts elevation

hen entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot being of the number of the twelve (Luke 22:3) One cannot predict what the devil can do once he has possession of someone. Judas Iscariot was an Apostle yet he could not control himself once the devil entered him. But for the grace of God, the devil could not get me and could not understand why and how I rejected that fornication.

How do you think the Lord reacted to this? He knew that I would not succumb because His grace was sufficient for me. I was actually not looking for an opportunity to mess up myself even though I saw immorality all around me. If I had looked for one, I could have had the opportunity.

And truly if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have opportunity to have returned (Hebrews 11:15) If you are looking for opportunity to kill, to steal, to commit adultery or fornication, the devil will present it. The people

Word of Life Bishop. Moses Kattey moseskatteyabp@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) Do you know why you are reading this article?

There is something that is coming and if you boldly say NO. He will ever be happy all your life. Watch it and you will be blessed, or for some they are facing such challenging now.

God bless you.

For me, now I see it as a very great sweet smelling sacrifice I offered to God. He accepted and the Lord released a lot of promises and blessings, for me, my family and ministry – many are yet to manifest.

It should be noted that not all challenges or temptations that may attract special favour or reward if you overcome. You may not know the one that is so important as this was to me. Just be conscious of this truth (not fact) whose

If you are looking for opportunity to kill, to steal, to commit adultery or fornication, the devil will present it

of Israel were not looking for opportunity to return to Egypt, so they did not see it. I did not look for opportunity to sin so the Lord did not allow me to sin, and I had no regret till today since 1970 when this incident occurred.

How did the Lord view this victory? He was and is very happy about it. The Lord was and does not joke with me. The Lord rewards me from time to time.

But without faith it is impossible to please him.

knowledge sets one free.

You will never regret forgoing such “an opportunity” that takes one back.

Luckily for me, missing that so called opportunity kept me going until I married my wife. What could have happened if I did not REFUSE such “opportunity” to stay naked with a naked beautiful girl throughout the night?

Praise God for this one day experience.

I knew God before that He was a good soil, so seed faith is important but now I know God as great REWARDER. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6) The Lord rewards me every day for this trial I overcome, and for each temptation I overcome since then. He rewards me for any act of kindness I do. Seed faith also works.

The combined, becomes excellent & wonderful.

Every trial or temptation you overcome gets you great REWARD from the father.

The way men and women quarrel

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ecause every cell in the body of a man is different from every cell in the body of a woman, they therefore think differently, decide differently and quarrel differently. When a man talks or quarrels like a woman, fellow men and women sometimes tell him “are you a woman. sometimes talking like a woman.”

Quarrelling with a frustrated spouse Can you imagine the cause of the quarrel between Jacob and his beloved wife Rachael as recorded in Genesis30:1-2? Rachael woke up that morning with all thoughts consumed with the fact that she had no children after years of marriage. What she did was to confront her husband who was possibly going about his normal business. She said to her husband “give me children or else I die” (Genesis 30:1). We cannot tell whether she held her husband or prevented him from going to work. “Why should you get Leah pregnant not me? Two things must happen today.

Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521

So many times, men and women quarrel due to the frustration. At times like this, a very little matter can lead to a verbal exposure.

Instead of responding accordingly, hold your peace and begin to think of what might have been getting him or her frustrated. If you cannot lay hand on anything, wisely confronts him or her and probe Either you get me pregnant now or I die.”

You can see that Rachael was highly frustrated and when many people are frustrated, they lose their sense of reasoning. These were possibly the thoughts that might have made her to confront her husband that beautiful day thousands of years ago. Jacob response did not help the matters. Genesis 30:2 tells us that he was very angry and he said “I’m I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the

womb?” This is certainly not out to respond to a frustrated woman.

Jacob “quarreled back” at his frustrated wife.

This typical of what many men do Jacob quarreled tit for tat. His father Isaac however behaved differently.

When month after month Rebecca his wife kept having her menstrual flow, Genesis 25:21 tells us that Isaac response was to pray for his wife. God answered his prayer and she got pregnant. What to do when a quarrel is brewing due to the

frustration of your spouse is to lovingly address the reasons for the frustration and give hope is a rope. So many times, men and women quarrel due to the frustration. At times like this, a very little matter can lead to a verbal exposure.

Instead of responding accordingly, hold your peace and begin to think of what might have been getting him or her frustrated. If you cannot lay hand on anything, wisely confronts him or her and probe. Then address the frustration.

Though Rebecca did not angrily confront her husband, Isaac probably did what he would have done if he were confronted. What Jacob said to Rachael in the feet of anger was probably what was on his mind. We should however not to be too surprised that Jacob did handle the matter well.

As at time, the sanctified Jacob was not in existence. He had not met God “face to face at Peniel. His name had not been changed to Israel (Genesis 32:22-33).

Mystery of Anxiety Bishop John Ogbansiegbe 0803 341 6327 (SMS Only)

Labouring without tangible result

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here features and attributes which must characterise God’s vessels, for effective use. These are necessary attributes without which God will still seek for another vessel. When these attributes are not there, God will keep on announcing and advertising a vacuum and vacancy saying “Who shall I send and who shall go for us.” Many ministers in our world today are totally void of these qualities, and as such God sees them as useless, non-existing and unfit for his use.

Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Who shall I send, and who will go for us?

Then said I, here am I, send me.” –Isaiah 6:8.

From Isaiah’s experience in the above passage, we earlier discovered that a man be preaching up and down as Isaiah was doing, yet God will never cease to ask: “Who shall I send, and who will go for us?” I saiah never saw or knew that his very position was being advertised. But something happened that made him start thinking and that experience brought Isaiah to a standstill where he met and knew God better. Isaiah suddenly discovered that God was looking for someone else other than him.

What could be wrong in a man like Isaiah that God had to look for someone else, despite the fact that he was there in full-time ministry? When Moses died, it was normal for God to advertise his position. When it was time for Elijah to go, God also advertised to the sons of the prophets, if there was any one of them who was willing to come in. But I cannot understand how a man is actively ministering and having what we call a fiery message, yet, heaven is still asking; “Who shall we send, and who will go for us?”

If anyone over-heard the cry of God, the person would wonder what the reason was,

seeing that someone like Isaiah was there, yet it was like there was nobody. Whatever he seemed to be doing from heaven’s point of view was undone. The Godhead was not making any profit and there was no concrete advancement in the ministry. There was plenty of activities sweating and movement but no advancement.

It is not every movement that is advancement. Rotation is also a movement of some sort but in a circle. A swing is also a movement but with no tangible advancement. Such is the kind of ministries and services that several vessels are up to today in the name of the Lord.

And that is why from heaven’s perspective; several active ministries are spiritually unprofitable and undone. Such that while they think they are working hard, God is crying for replacement, for a servant and a vessel that will satisfy his heart.

If anyone overheard the cry of God, the person would wonder what the reason was, seeing that someone like Isaiah was there, yet it was like there was nobody. Whatever he seemed to be doing from heaven’s point of view was undone.

The Godhead was not making any profit and there was no concrete advancement in the ministry.

There was plenty of activities sweating and movement but no advancement

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016

Insight

Rev. Femi Akinola www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

Insight in business

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nsight is the capacity to gain accurate and deep understanding of something; while eyesight is merely the ability to see.

It’s normal for humans to see with their physical eyes, but how far has the things you see with your physical eyes taken you? Anytime, any day and anywhere, insight is superior to eyesight.

In our today’s world, we have blind people who have made indelible impact on earth.

Needless to say, it is an aberration for the blind to live a more impactful and fulfilling life than a man who can see with his two eyes. The difference in insight!

When the physical eyes of a man has problem, an optician can proffer solution, but when the man lacks insight only God can help him. Many generations have failed because they couldn’t get the necessary insight from God for their advancement. Even today, many businesses die soon after the demise of the owner because of lack of insight.

The difference between a consumer generation and a productive one is insight. A business man running with insight from God, who acquires skill and every necessary information for his advancement will outshine and outlive every other business that are just mere products of ambition and human ideas.

“Now at the end of the days that the king has said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Daniel 1:18-20 Daniel got very sophisticated information that was impossible for others on a platter of gold because God gave him insight into every situation he enquired from God about.

When you have insight you don’t run around the way others. When

you have insight, anxiety takes care of itself.

Education enhances knowledge, but insight enhances and guarantees the fulfilment of vision.

For every next level in business, insight is necessary. Insight makes you stand out of the crowd. When you run only with the vision of your prophet without your own insight from God, you might not survive in times of challenges.

Most people who work and work all their lives lacked one thing - INSIGHT. Every employee who must become an employer of labour must receive insight; must receive vision of destiny from God. Stop confessing in ignorance; it is good to make confessions, but it makes better meaning when you do from insight of what God has shown you. When you confess from a deep knowledge of what God has communicated to you, you confess with conviction not out of confusion. Every other confession might come from deep sense of emptiness. That’s why the confession of many never see manifestation.

Eyesight is fallible, it is external but insight does not fail because it is within.

In I Sam 3:1-4, is an account of Eli. His sight was already failing both physically and spiritually and God had to provide another prophet in the young man Samuel.

The plan of God for a people, person or place can fail if there is no insight.

Insight alone can lead to global business breakthrough if well harnessed. Insight can bring a business from the rear to the forefront.

“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in te darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” Dan 2:22 Pray these payers fervently: • Lord, reveal to me deep things about my business and my life.

• My Father, make me better than my competitors by reason of insight.

• My Father, show me my future so I can prepare.

• Lord, reveal to me what will reveal me to my world.

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Christians living in Syria fear their people may soon entirely disappear from the country as persecution from Islamic extremists and devastating civil war show no signs of stopping.

“We are facing terrorist action in the whole geography of Syria,” the Rev. Ibrahim Nseir, pastor of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon and the Presbyterian Church in Aleppo, told FoxNews.com from the conflict-torn city. “They are destroying our churches, killing and kidnapping Christians, stealing our homes and our businesses.”

The Christian population in Syria, the region where Christianity began 2,000 years ago, has been reduced by two-thirds since the beginning of the country’s civil war in 2011, from 1.5 million to only 500,000 today.

In Raqqa, ISIS’ stronghold, just a dozen Christian families remain, and are forced under threat of execution to convert, pay an “infidel” tax or go into hiding, Fox News notes.

“We are trying to help them escape or stay safe, in hiding,” said Ayman Abdel Nour, executive director of Syrian Christians for Peace.

“Their life is horrible. The people of Raqqa are being forced to live like it was 1,400 years ago.”

Raqqa first fell into rebel control in March 2013 after a battle between Al Qaeda-

faith

Syrian believers fear extermination

L-R: The District Superintendent, Rev. Emmanuel Adebayo Adeniran, receiving Former Head of Nigeria’s Interim Government, Chief Earnest Shonekan, at The Apostolic Faith Church, West and Central Africa, WECA, Headquarters, Anthony Village in Lagos,on the occasion of his Shonekan’s Birthday Anniversary

linked jihadi group Al Nusra and Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s regime, becoming the first provincial capital under rebel control.

“The suffering of Christians began with ISIS control of Raqqa,” Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered (IBSS) said on its website. “ISIS looks at Christians as infidels loyal to the West more than their loyalty to their homeland which they live.”

While many Christians are forbidden to leave “under any condition,” others choose to stay, determined

to maintain a presence in the war-torn region.

“We are rooted in this country,” Nseir said. “Any picture of Syria without Christians in it is the true destruction of Syria.”

Under ISIS rule and ongoing civil war, Christian archbishops, nuns, clerics and church leaders have been systematically kidnapped and executed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights released a list late last month of over 4,000 people who have been slaughtered by the militant group in

Syria since June 2014, many of them believers.

A number of Christianity’s most sacred sites and treasures have been looted or destroyed by the terror group. In addition, ISIS has taken hundreds of Christian women and girls as sex slaves and forced children into battle, according to US researchers, prompting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to officially declare the group is committing “genocide” against Christians and other ancient minority groups.

CAN orders TEKAN/ECWA to conduct fresh primaries CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 32

me and ECWA General Secretary. Is that not enough? In writing to ECWA, communicating that we missed the deadline, he never acknowledged the letter we sent him on the 15th. So there’s a clique working against my candidacy, and it is this few cliques that are trying to use their present position to deny me.

“So don’t believe that we didn’t communicate. After all TEKAN/ECWA had their primaries on March 29 and I won 15-7. We have a list of those who attended.

There are about 10 leaders out of the 16 denominations in ECWA; 12 people were selected from TEKAN, 12 from ECWA and the 24 people voted. I got 15 and my competitor got seven, two undecided,” he pointed out.

Asked if the said primaries were not suspicious because the leader was still….

(Gado cuts in) “No, I will not let you land, unless you are joining them. There are no issues concerning that March 29 primary elections.

We had a deadline of March 30 and we met on March 29, so what’s the issue with that?

There’s no issue. In any organisation, if the leader is not there, his vice takes over. The

Vice President of TEKAN took over as a result of the decision of those who met, a motion was moved to have him to chair the meeting and he agreed.

“There were 29 of us; 10 leaders from TEKAN and 15 from ECWA and when it came to voting it was 12-12 making it 24. The president was kidnapped, and if a person was kidnapped, should I die or must something happen to me? Is that not why we have a place for vice president? If there are questions, you and I are in the business of telling the truth. You are

in the business of informing people of such information, not distorting the fact and misrepresenting the facts from our own end. God will judge us for that,” he said.

Rev. Gado prayed that the extraordinary NEC meeting would be able to resolve the issues, saying: “We want it resolved amicably so that we don’t have to go court; we don’t want to be on each other’s throats. Let’s have our balance. Let equity and fair play reign.

“Church leaders from all over the country are praying, let there be justice, let

there be truth. We are in the business of telling the truth, we are in the business of informing people, equipping and empowering them with the truth. Let’s inform the people that if they are furnished with lies, their decision will be faulty. So that is why we are informing and we pray that when we sit down together as brothers and sisters, we will tell the truth to each other and let the truth prevail over lies.

So it’s good they have called for NEC and we will be there by the grace of God to make our case.”

Mr. and Mrs. Iwu and the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Kizito Catholic Church, Rev, Fr. Gordian Opara, during their wedding ceremony in Iju, Lagos ... recently

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SUNDAY MAY 15, 2016, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NEWS EXTRA

Queen’s College: I ‘ve been vindicated – Osifala

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Mojeed Alabi

ollowing the release of the report of the investigative panel into the allegation of sexual molestation of a junior secondary school II student of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, the accused teacher, Mr. Olaseni Osifala, has said the report has vindicated him.

Speaking exclusively with Sunday Telegraph yesterday, Osifala described the experience while the whole matter lasted as sad and unfortunate. He, however, thanked those who stood by him while revealing that he would never make any enemy over the incident.

Says my students remain my treasure

He said his pupils will continue to remain his treasure and that he would continue to offer his best as a teacher.

“I am happy that I have been vindicated by the report of the panel. It was a terrible experience while it lasted but I believe in the words of God that, ‘without tests, there cannot be testimony.’ Today, I am glad I have been tested and have come out victorious,” Osifala said.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had on March 22, set up a seven-man Investigation

Committee to look into the allegation of sexual molestation levelled against Osifala.

At a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, said the Investigation Committee did not establish any credible evidence against the accused teacher, considering the fact that Mrs. Chinenye Okoye remained unidentified, faceless and inaccessible despite the committee’s best efforts and assurances to protect her identity and that of her daughter.

“Consequently, the Investigation Committee finds it difficult to recommend disciplinary action against the accused teacher as the complainant failed to come forward to prove this weighty accusation,” the Minister said.

The Minister said when the panel was set up government deliberately kept the identity of the Committee members confidential, as a result of the sensitive nature of the assignment, as well as the need to avoid undue pressure and interference on the committee members.

Group presents Development Charter for Imo communities SteveUzoechi OWERRI

I

n a bid to make citizens more involved in the electoral process and governance, Development Dynamic, at governmental organisation has produced the Development Charter for three communities in Owerri West Council Area.

The Charter, otherwise known as ‘Village Books,’ highlighted the core development needs and challenges of Umuguma, Oforola and Umuoma communities in Owerri West council area.

The project, which was done in collaboration with men, women, youths and persons living with disabilities in three communities as part of programmes under the Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement in the Electoral Process (SCEEP) project.

According to Dr. Jude

Ohanele of Development Dynamics, the programme covers six council areas across the three Senatorial Districts of Imo State.

He explained that the Charter enables political leaders and government to know at a glance, the core developmental need of the communities and in turn enables the communities to make informed demands from government and track projects and campaign promises of politicians.

Ohanele said: “It is only the communities that know exactly what they need.

No matter how generous a politician is, he cannot tell them what they need. And that is why this village book is needed by communities during the electioneering period, to make the right development demands and thereafter participate in governance and monitor projects promised.”

NSCDC seeks concerted efforts against insecurity Ezekiel Adesawe

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L-R: Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Martin Babale; former Vice President and founder of American University of Nigeria(AUN), Atiku Abubakar and Representative of the National Universities Commission, Prof Akaneren Essien Abubakar at the 8th Graduation Ceremony of AUN in Yola, Adamawa State…yesterday

Fashola flays FHA’s failure to deliver homes

2019: APC will win S’ East, say chairmen

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S

Caleb Onwe Abuja

orried by successive government’s failure to sustain policies that will ensure that the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) fulfills its mandate of delivering affordable homes to the masses, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has vowed to beat all odds in bridging the obvious housing gaps in the country.

Fashola expressed dissatisfaction over the achievements of FHA, an agency established over 40 years ago to solve the housing deficit equation of the country.

“Some of the records I have seen suggest that the Federal Housing Authority has delivered less than 40,000 homes in about 40 years. Apart from the fact that this number was not delivered on a consistent basis of 1000 homes per year, the long gaps between starts and stops clearly indicate the need to change how things have been done,” Fashola said.

The minister noted that the major albatross to the

problem of housing in Nigeria was lack of sustainability of government policies and stakeholders’ housing initiatives; this is even as he gave credence to the efforts made by both Shehu Shagari and Lateef Jakande in the Second Republic of Nigeria’s life in the area of housing. He said that though the initiatives of these foremost leaders did not yield all the desired results, the concepts imbued in it could be useful in addressing the problem if there is “an agreed common purpose and a parameter as well as those who qualify and a housing design that has national acceptability, “taking into consideration our cultural differences.”

He argued that the nation’s deficit in housing could not be bridged or dented unless it industrializes housing delivery adding that this could not be done if it does not make the production process uniform in terms of door sizes, window sizes, roof sizes, standards of design, sanitary and electrical fittings and so on and so forth.

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

tate Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), SouthEast zone yesterday said the party will take over power in the zone in 2019.

The chairmen met in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital with the resolution to work assiduously to ensure that APC takes over the zone in the next general elections.

Speaking at dinner which was attended by the party stalwarts in the zone, the Imo State Chairman of the party, Dr. Hilary Eke said the chairmen were touring the states in the zone to strengthen the party to ensure it wins the zone in future election. ‘’We are going round the South-East states to make sure that APC is intact and I want to assure you incase many of you don’t know that 2019, APC will take over all the states in this zone. ‘’Peoples Democratic

Party is still in Ebonyi State not because people like them and voted them.

It is because they have opportunity to rig. Now, God has given you the opportunity. In 2019, you have what is called federal might. Nobody can come to your house again and whisk you away.

“So, start now to challenge them. Let me tell you, I fought PDP in Imo State. They came from Abuja and carried me away in helicopter at 1am, detained me in Wuse Police Station. The following day, they took me to court and I was taken to Kuje Prisons where I spent 14 days. And I was there planning my election in my state and APC won in Imo,’’ he said.

He advised the state chapter of the party to hold meetings periodically to bring members together and ensure it grows stronger to win future elections.” ’Politics is all about meeting, it is like a farmer.

he Deputy Commandant, Head of Department of Private Guards Companies of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,(NSCDC), Commandant Daniel Apeh, has called for collaborative efforts so as to quell the current wave of insecurity in the country.

Apeh, said at the flag off ceremony of training programme for private guards companies in Lagos State that the country is currently facing serious security challenges, added that the collaboration of all security agencies is crucial for effective tackling of the security problems in the nation.

Apeh said: “We are in an era of great security challenges in which all hands must be on deck to win the

war against the threats of crimes and criminalities in the land.

“This can only be achieved by mutual inter-agency support and collaboration more so in the area of intelligence and information exchange.

The Private Guard Companies are the closest to the people and as a result an important tool in this regard.”

“The issue of continuous training and re-training for security operatives cannot be over-emphasised as these build a virile, disciplined and highly professional workforce. This accounts for the corps being pro-active in organising this training programme for private guards companies in Lagos State.

I assure you that after the training, participants will be well informed of the security challenges and the way approach same, “ he added.

Ekweremadu lifts schools with computers, books Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

A

s part of activities to mark his 54th birthday, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has donated 100 pieces of laptop computers and books to secondary schools in Enugu State.

The donations were made at the weekend through Ikeoha Foundation, a non government organisation founded

by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

At a brief ceremony in Enugu, the Executive Director of Ikeoha Foundation, Mrs. Cindy Ezeugwu, stated that 100 computers would be given out to 45 rural secondary

schools, two per school, saying each of the HP computers was loaded with educational software for easy learning and research.

Speaking while distributing the computers and books to students and their principals in Enugu, the State Commissioner for Education Prof.

Uche Eze described senator Ekweremadu and his foundation, as worthy partner in educational development of the state.

Prof. Eze stressed that government alone cannot provide the educational needs of the populace and therefore requires the contributions of well meaning citizens like Senator Ekweremadu.

SUNDAY

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016

Nigeria guns for Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo p.55

Barcelona win 2015-16 La Liga title p.55

Amuneke clears Osimhen for Burundi cracker p.55

SPORTS Dapo Sotuminu

G

abriel Agbonlahor, who was once the toast of the English Premier League, playing top class soccer for Aston Villa and the English national team where he played three matches, has fallen unceremoniously from the

peak of his career to the lowest rung of football as his club for the first time since 1987 were relegated from top flight football.

Coupled with this, he was also suspended as a player and captain of the club which marks the fall of the Aston Villa striker who once gave defenders nightmares.

In November 2008, Agbonlahor’s footballing career was full of promises. An England call-up saw him play 76 minutes in a win against Germany, four days after petrifying the Arsenal defence for his boyhood club Aston Villa in a 2-0 win at the Emirates.

Gabriel, whose dad is a Phd holder in Chemical Engineering from Ondo State, said he decided to play for England national team in the U-19, U-21 and senior team as no invitation until ever came for him to play for the Nigeria national soccer team.

He said: “Playing for Nigeria was always in the back of my mind that I was eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and England, but as a kid growing up all you ever think about is doing well for your club and playing for them week in week out, anything after that is a bonus. For me there was nothing to consider. Neither my agent nor my club have ever had any formal contact from the Nigerian FA inviting me to play for the country or enquiring if I was even interested that I’ve ever been aware of. Since then a lot of people asked me a lot why I rejected Nigeria or whether I regret the decision. The issue is how do you reject something you’re not offered? No official paperwork was received by any of my

53

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu daposotu@yahoo.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Gabriel Agbonlahor’s fall from grace to grass representatives or my club from the Nigerian FA that I am aware of and they have no reason not to tell me if there was.

“That time before my England debut, I had close affinity to Nigeria as my parents visit Nigeria often and always telling us stories growing up, speaking Yo r u b a a n d using typical Nigerian sayings to discipline us when we needed it.”

That song, an ode to Agbonlahor’s blistering pace, was heard home and away among Villa fans every week towards the end of last decade, but today you would struggle to hear a speck of praise for the Erdington-born forward.

His fall has been steady but depressing. Chiefly used as a striker alongside Norwegian John Carew during Martin O’Neill’s tenure, Agbonlahor enjoyed a four-year period under the Northern Irishman where he scored 50 goals and collected three England caps.

He was top league scorer for the club in 2008/09 and 2009/10, scored two winning goals against bitter rivals

Birmingham City at St Andrews and was linked with a £15m move to Arsenal, but stuck with Villa as they formed a top-four push.

“Gabby has a willingness to adapt his game and the same street footballer style and the same appetite for the game as Wayne Rooney and that comes through in his game,” O’Neill said in 2009. When you point out things to Gabby he takes them on board and he is constantly improving.”

While his finishing ability phased in and out, Agbonlahor’s number one asset was pace, and as soon as that resource was suppressed by either the opposition or Villa’s string of managers post-O’Neill, he was a mere spectator.

He was forced out to the wing in 2012/13, where he has scored just 28 Premier League goals in the six seasons since O’Neill left. March 18 marked the 10-year anniversary of his debut for Villa, but the word ‘testimonial’ could not be further from Villa fans’ lexicon.

The current season has been a disaster for Villa and Agbonlahor, who has just one goal to his name.

Agbonlahor’s suspension pending an internal investigation following newspaper allegations that he used nitrous oxide comes just weeks after another probe into his behaviour during a break in Dubai in which he was reportedly seen smoking a shisha pipe. Villa took no action on the Dubai incident, but from t h e

fans’ point of view, the damage was done long ago.

Agbonlahor, a Villa fan himself, continued to notch up appearances throughout dry goalscoring periods on the off chance that unforgettable acceleration would be restored and fire the club up the table again. It never did, and the 29-year-old’s future at the club looks bleak.

“I can’t think that he’s not 100 per cent involved and committed to the future of Aston Villa,” said former coach Remi Garde last month.

“He knows he has a responsibility as a senior player and long-term Villa player.”

As Villa drop into the Championship, and with a new manager to come, it remains to be seen whether Agbonlahor will be utilised next season. His first task will be to get himself fit after Villa ruled him out of action while he undergoes a personal regime.

He has kissed the badge as club captain, has 375 appearances for Villa and had the chance to be a cult hero. Those few remaining romantics among Villa’s deflated faithful would long for Agbonlahor to turn around his fortunes under the new manager and ‘save’ the club from slipping further and lead them to promotion.

But others will point to numerous occasions over the past few seasons where Agbonlahor had the chance to reverse Villa’s sleepwalk to relegation, and simply failed to turn up.

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Sport

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Nigeria premier football league update

Tornadoes’ Biffo positive against MFM

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iger Tornadoes chief coach, Abdullahi Biffo, has expressed his positive posture in his team’s readiness to get a shocking result against homers Mountain of Fire and Miracles FC at the Agege Stadium on Sunday.

Biffo said they are much aware of the strengths and philosophy of MFM FC. Both teams gained promotion to the top division this season but have had different fortunes with Biffo’s men six places behind the Lagos-based club. MFM FC had topped the league in the early stages of the season but Biffo said that he is

Ikorodu Utd will shock Rangers in Enugu Stories Dapo Sotuminu

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he players of the Sam Okpodututored Ikorodu United Football Club of Lagos duo have told all those who cared to listen that they will not be at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu for sightseeing when the visitors tackle Nigeria Premier Football League leaders, Rangers International FC in the matchday 17 game.

They noted that: “We are not in Enugu for sightseeing, we are there to win or worst case scenario grab a draw at Enugu Rangers. Rangers are big in the domestic scene playing in the top flight.

They would have them-

selves to blame if they treat us as minnows and possible as a walkover.

“Though we occupy the bottom position at the moment that does not mean we cannot play good football. Lobi Stars and Heartland FC are big sides in the land and we defeated them successfully, so Rangers have to watch their back. We will respect Enugu Rangers but will not fear them as our position makes us dangerous customers to any side in the top flight.”

Two of the players who have been vocal Kabiru Balogun and Michael Adenodi are optimistic that with hard work in today’s game, Ikorodu United will not leave the Coal City without grabbing something that would put

smiles on their faces.

They noted that: “We are truly worried at our poor position at the moment but we have vowed to start picking away points starting from the Enugu game against Rangers. And our expectation is that after three wins we are certain to climb out from the base.

“Our confidence is rooted in the belief that we have come to stay in the top flight as relegation is not for us. In this game against Enugu Rangers, we are certainly going to overcome our 100 per cent poor away record.

Our mission in Enugu is to win or pick a point as we have vowed to stop the win at home and lose away practice.

“We have challenged

ourselves that we can win on the road and we are starting this revival from Enugu against Rangers.”

Meanwhile, Enugu Rangers have received a big boost ahead of today’s home fixture against Ikorodu United with the return to training of forward, Bobby Clement.

Clement has missed the Flying Antelopes’ last two games against traditional rivals; Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan and Sunshine Stars due to injury.

In his absence, Chisom Egbuchulam has shouldered the goal scoring responsibilities for Imama Amapakabo’s men who are aiming to win a first league title in 32 years.

Ogunbote on standby as Aigbogun predicts tough Giwa FC falters battle against FC IfeanyiUbah oach of troubled NPFL Wednesday in a Matchday

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side, Giwa FC, Gbenga Ogunbote, has said he will continue working with the club as the technical head of the team and will not dabble into matters of management that has put the NPFL status of the club in a difficult situation.

For the third time, Giwa FC have failed to honor its home games outside of the Rwang Pam Stadium after the stadium ban by the League Management Company.

The Jos side failed to turn up for the game against Akwa United in Ilorin on

16 fixture and the LMC duly awarded three points to the visitors.

Ogunbote said the situation was out of his hand and though regrettable he’s on standby to act whenever the club chairman gives the nod.

The latest sanction on the Jos-based club was contained in a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued by the League Management Compnay (LMC) following the nonappearance of Giwa FC in Ilorin for the Match Day 16 fixture against Akwa United.

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aul Aigbogun, the chief coach of Enyimba of Aba, has said that the matchday 17 game against FC IfeanyiUba in Umuahia today would not be an easy one for either side.

The coach noted that his side’s new found form would help them to get a resounding result, maintaining that Enyimba was still in the run to retain the trophy.

“The match, just like

any other match in the league, won’t be easy, but we are going into the game with the mindset that we are going to win.

We started the season poorly but you can see that we are gradually picking up so on Sunday, we will hope to continue what we have been doing in the last three matches now. Hopefully, we will come out with a result our fans will be proud of,” he said.

confident of leaving Lagos with a positive result.

MFM FC midfielder, Onuwa Emmanuel, ahead of today’s game against Niger Tornadoes said his teammates have resolved to record an outright victory against the visitors.

The petite midfielder said MFM is looking forward to great game against Tornadoes, victory is what we target and we will go for it.

He revealed his club’s disappointment failing to defeat reigning league champions Enyimba at home last Wednesday as they played out a goalless draw at the Agege Stadium in a Week 16 game of the NPFL.

Boboye

Boboye warns players ahead of Rivers Utd visit

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ennedy Boboye, the Abia Warriors coach, has warned his wards to expect a tough test when the side hosts Rivers United in Umuahia today.

The hosts would be eyeing to top the Nigeria Premier Football League table against the Stanley Eguma’s men.

The coach said: “Stanley Eguma is a good coach who knows how to manage his team. It will be difficult because Rivers United is coming off three straight victories. It is a team in possession of undeniable technical qualities in midfield

and in attack.”

Boboye added: “We’ll find an opponent which can create a lot of difficulties for us. We know that they don’t joke in attack.

Yes, the numbers says that on a defensive level they concede something, but every game is different.

We will need to give a great technical performance.

The team is good and if we manage to stay calm at the Umuahia Township Stadium we will give a great performance.

“We want to win and that’s our target,” the former soccer star stated.

NPFL Fixtures May 8, 2016 Kano Pillars

vs

Plateau United

vs

Heartland El-Kanemi

Rangers

vs

Ikorodu United

Warri Wolves

vs

Sunshine Stars

Wikki Tourists

vs

3SC

Abia Warriors

vs

Rivers United

Akwa United

vs

Nasarawa United

Lobi Stars

vs

Giwa FC

Enyimba

vs

FC IfeanyiUbah

MFM FC

vs

Niger Tornadoes

TOP GOAL SCORERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ismaila Gata - Niger Tornadoes Godwin Obaje - Wikki Tourist Chisom Egbuchulam - Rangers Ibrahim Mustapha - El-kanemi Okiki Afolabi - Sunshine Stars Opkotu Anthony - Lobi Stars Wasiu Jimoh - 3SC Rabiu Ali - Kano Pillars Odey Stephen - MFM Esosa Igbinoba - Nasarawa Utd

9 8 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, 8 MAY 2016

Sport

Nigeria guns for Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo Dapo Sotuminu

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ust as it was done in the cases involving Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi, Alex Iwobi and Omasone Aluko, Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo, could face a similar decision over whether to commit his international future to either Nigeria or England.

Ojo was born in England and christened Oluwaseyi Babajide is eligible to play for Nigeria at the senior level through his father, Mr. Olu Ojo. His fantastic showing i n

the English Premier League in the colours of the Jurgen Klopp’s tutored Liverpool FC side endeared him to the hearts of the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation who will stop at nothing to ensure he plays for the Super Eagles.

The greatest attributes of the 18-year-old, who was recalled from a loan spell with Wolves in January, are his goal scoring skills where he netted one goal and laid on a further four assists in 10 appearances for Liverpool this season.

His powerful, energetic performances have seen him rise above Jordon Ibe in the pecking order on the flanks, with Jurgen K l o p p clearly an admirer of his potential a s a

Sheyi

top-level attacker.

Set for a bright future on Merseyside, Ojo could look to establish himself as an England regular in the coming years, this projection has forced the Nigerian Football Federation to make a bold move to secure Ojo’s services on the international stage.

This would follow Arsenal teenager Alex Iwobi’s commitment to Nigeria in March, as the NFF look to call up their finest young talents.

Nigeria’s latest squad, including Iwobi, former Reds loanee Victor Moses and Man City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, had an average age of just 24.3, underlining their change in focus.

Securing Ojo would be another great move for the NFF, but with the Liverpool star having already turned out for England’s U-16, U-17, U-18 and most recently U-19 sides, it remains unclear whether he would make the switch.

The winger did miss out on Gareth Southgate’s latest U-21 squad for the Toulon Tournament, however, with Ibe also omitted following his red card against Switzerland in March. But at 18, Ojo has a big future ahead of him, and whether he elects to commit to England or Nigeria, he is poised to shine on the international stage.

Maureen Mmadu secures foreign partner for Women’s League

Visa marks 100 days to Olympic Games opening ceremonies

ormer international, Maureen Mmadu, has written her name in gold in the history of NigeriaN football development after securing a foreign partner for the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NNWL) with a Hungary-based drink manufacturing company, Watty.

Mmadu, made 101 appearances for the Super Falcons including playing at four FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and two Summer Olympics 2000 and 2004. The former Toppserien and Kolbotn

isa, at the weekend celebrated the 100 day milestone to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

In its 30th year as the exclusive payment provider of the Olympic Games, Visa is creating and managing the entire payment system infrastructure and network throughout all venues including stadiums, press centers, point-of-sale (POS), the Olympic Village and Olympic Superstores.

This year Visa will implement 4,000 POS terminals across key Olympic venues, as well as 11 ATMs in partnership with Bradesco.

Visa also extends the value of its sponsorship to Olympic Games host cities, facilitating the development and advancement of payment infrastructure in those markets. This year Visa will introduce acceptance of new technologies and innovation throughout Rio, focusing on new ways to pay.

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FC of Norway star became the first ex-international in the country’s history to attract a foreign partnership for the Women’s League that has been left without sponsorship for upwards of 20 years. She ensured a two-year partnership deal with the men’s third tier league.

The deal with the NNWL includes recognition and various exciting cash prizes for player of the week, month and season as well as for the team of the month and season till 2018.

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Boxing: Ekundayo set for ABU title defence

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Ekundayo

he pride of Nigeria, Larry ‘The Natural’ Ekundayo, is gearing up to defend his African Boxing Union title belt against Tanzanian boxing star, Saidi Mundi, on Saturday 4th June in London.

The Nigerian-born Ekundayo who is the undefeated African Boxing Union champion, International Masters welterweight title holder and the 2012 Prizefighter champion, will once again carry the hopes of Nigeria on his shoulders in a title defence that is set to be an explosive African showdown.

Tanzanian Champion, Mundi, brings an impressive ring record of 14 wins and only 2 losses, meaning both athletes will be looking

to get the best of one another on the night. This night of sporting excellence will be attended by Nigerian celebrities from the worlds of music and film who are great supporters of Ekundayo.

As well as this bout promising to be an exciting and thrilling display of African pugilistic talent.

This will also be a night of historic magnitude, as it will be the first time an African title defence has headlined at the home of British boxing, the York Hall, London.

This night is of great significance to the boxing phenomenon Ekundayo as victory will propel him up the world rankings ahead of a potential title defence in his homeland of Nigeria on Independence Day, October 1st, 2016.

Suarez

Barcelona win 2015-16 La Liga title

J

ust one point separated Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table after 37 rounds of action as they took the field for the last league match of the season for the decision of where the title would go. While Real Madrid started the goalscoring earlier at Estadio Municipal de Riazor against Deportivo La Coruna, with Ronaldo getting an early goal, a win for Barcelona, against Granada would secure them the title, and only if they slipped would Real Madrid’s win have done any damage.

Barcelona didn’t falter.

Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick to end the league with 40 goals and wrapped up the title as

well as become the first player other than Messi or Ronaldo to win the La Liga golden boot since 2008-09.

Real Madrid won against Depor 2-0, but their efforts went in vain as Barcelona finished the title with 91 points, one clear of Real Madrid.

After finishing last season with a treble, much was expected from Barcelona this season.

Although they crashed out of the Champions League after losing to Atletico Madrid, the Catalans made sure the same couldn’t be said about the La Liga, despite a underwhelming patch in the middle.

This is the 24th title for Barcelona.

Amuneke clears Osimhen for Burundi cracker

F

lying Eagles chief coach,Emmanuel Amuneke, has revealed that Victor Osimhen has been cleared to take part in the 2017 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations qualifier in Burundi.

Osimhen, 17, suffered what appeared to be a shoulder injury during a friendly with the Nigeria under-23s during the week.

Amuneke, who had feared that the striker may have crocked up ahead of the trip to Burundi, has now disclosed that the Wolfsburg man is fit for the second round, first leg qualifying game of the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations.

He said: “Victor is a strong boy.

He is in good condition now to play against Burundi despite

our initial fear,” The Flying Eagles are scheduled to face their Burundian counterparts in Bujumbura on May 21 while the return fixture will be held in Nigeria at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on the weekend of June 10-12.

Osimhen

Solution to Cross Word Puzzle

business Govs blow bailout fund, increase states’ debts to N1.65trn

}43

FAITH

Sanctity of Truth

SUNDAY

A troubled marriage lacks God’s presence

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

N150

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2016

– Apostle Suleman }33

Governor Fayose: The new Nigerian Nostradamus (3) INTRODUCTION Let’s continue our analysis this week on Governor Fayose’s December, 2015 uncanny predictions.

DEVALUATION OF THE NAIRA Fayose had predicted that the naira would experience a “free fall which will take it to as low as N320 to one dollar”. It was then N220/dollar. Not a few Nigerians believed he was a doom’s prophet. Surprisingly, the naira actually plummeted to over N430 to the dollar, and currently hovers between N320 and N350!

Just recently, CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee actually devalued the country’s naira.

Falling global oil prices and depleting foreign reserves meant that this committee charged with regulating the naira, had run out of options to stabilize Nigeria’s economy.

But, this decision has severe microeconomic implications. On ordinary Nigerians who are feeling the heat in their homes, from the low value of their cash at hand, to their inability to borrow.

With the naira further devalued amidst spirally inflation (not withstanding FG’s denial), prices of goods have since sky-rocketted. Nigeria imports most of its goods, and importation is paid for in dollars. Importers now pay more because of naira’s lower value. That extra cost is transferred, through the retailer, to the final groaning consumer. Fayose, dead on bull’s eye.

ON HUMAN RIGHTS Says Fayose: “The penchant for dictatorship will rise with rampant human rights abuses and disobedience to court orders”.

Nigeria’s human rights situation today is abysmally poor. Nigerians now live in constant fear of governmental harassment and intimidation through its security agencies.

Cases of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, unlawful killing of unarmed civilians, torture, and even extra judicial executions in the hands of authorities abound.

Zeenat, wife of El-Zakzaky, the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and Aliy, his son, were among hundreds murdered in cold blood by the Nigerian Army during a siege on the sect’s enclave in Zaria. The killings took place in three different locations, including El-Zakzaky’s residence. US-based Human Rights Watch reckoned that over 300 Shiites were killed and secretly buried, in the orgy of bloodletting that occurred from December 12 to 14, 2015. The Army argued that the sect had barricaded the high way and attempted to kill its Chief of Staff, General Yusuf Buratai.

Killing of tens of protesting and unarmed pro-Biafran protesters in Onitsha, Aba, etc., clamouring for the release of detained Kanu and for a sovereign State of Biafra, massacre of the Agatu and Nimbo people by rampaging herdsmen, upsurge in cases of armed robbery, kidnappings, abductions, murders, etc., complete the horrific circle.

Investigating government agencies now hold Nigerians in dungeons, until they ‘vomit’ certain predetermined sums, without embracing judicial process or rule of law, recognized in civilized societies. A case in point is Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who, inspite of the grant of bail by three different courts, still languishes in a government gulag, without access to his counsel.

In the recent case of Col. Nicholas Ashinze vs EFCC, which I personally handled, the incensed judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu of FCT High Court, Abuja, on 14th March, 2016, or-

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) dered the immediate release of the serving Colonel who had been detained, alternately by the EFCC and the Army, as in a relay race, for nearly three months, since 22nd December, 2015, pending when he would “confess” to “looting” money he knew nothing about. The court described them as behaving like illiterates operating in a dark military era.

NOW THIS REACTIONS: FAYOSE’S PREDICTIONS Oga Mike, contrary to your asertions, Fayose never saw tomorrow. Like every right thinking person, his calculation was based on the crashing oil price, mismanagement of the high oil revenue by GEJ, the looting of fund as supervised by GEJ. Let Fayose face Ekiti issues and stop talking to the gallery.

We know he aims to be presidential running mate for the PDP in the 2019 election.

Obinna, 09098491548.

GOVERNOR IKPEAZU’S VICTORY Sir, you have paid your dues in Nigeria.

The Supreme Court judgment re-affirming Dr. Ikpeazu's governorship victory vindicates you. Thank God that everyone now knows there are levels you can't condescend to. You have passed those silly points, though mischievously, some were struggling to indict and blackmail you, but those ungodly arrows gravely had swiftly gone back to the desperate senders. Congrats.

You said it just as it should be and so it was, in Jesus Christ holy name. I received threats, bashings, pushings, etc, but, I have laughed last and indeed better. Yet, it is not yet over for Abia State. Jehovah has not finished the supernatural healing and redemption of God's own, Abia State. Obasi, 08033455244.

FR. MBAKA’S POSTING I am a devout Catholic and read your piece on Rev.Fr Mbaka, Where art thou? with rapt attention. I totally agree on the contents of your write up. Ostentatious life is not synonymous with the tenents of Catholicism.

Mbaka should seek the Lord in his new dispensation. Dominus vobiscum. Igudia, 08050538656.

Thanks, for your beautiful write up. I hope Clerics draw from its lesson. Stay blessed.

Igah, 08023764452.

AND THIS THE ROYAL PASSAGE: OBA GHA TO KPERE, ISEE The mighty Iroko has fallen. The perching birds had scattered, momentarily. But, they have since regrouped under the bespread canopy of the Obaship scion, Edaiken n’ Uselu, Crown prince Eheneden Erediauwa. Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo n’ Oba n’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR, did not die. No. He cannot die! Benin customs and traditions hold that he merely

transited and joined his ancestors, a league of illustrious monarchs, that include Oba Ovonramwen N’ Ogbaisi, who in 1897, humiliated the British with bare knuckles, leading to his punitive exile to Calabar; including Oba Akenzua II, who on 9th August, 1963, fruitified the creation of Midwest region from Western region. He quintensially represented the end of a golden era and the beginning of a more glorious one. Graceful, regal, dignified, resplendent, magisterial, sartorial, royal and very handsome, Oba Erediauwa was an uncommon nationalist, mentor, role model, cultural icon and traditional prodigy, who radiated royalty and aristocracy with exceptional wisdom and character.

An accomplished and incorruptible Civil Servant, brilliant lawyer, astute politician and a renowned bridge builder who turned Edo State into Dolly Parton’s “Coat of many colours” and melting point of all Nigerians, Oba Erediauwa brought untrammeled peace, progress, and tranquility to bear on Edo State and on all peoples of Edoid pedigree, at home and in the diaspora.

I am an Edo man, but of Afenmai (Etsako) extraction. That did not, however, stop the oracle and Sybil, who fondly called me “Ozekhome”, to confer on me, in 2014, one of the highest titles in Benin Kingdom, the

Enobakhare Ode of Benin Kingdom, a title that situates me squarely and eminently in the hallowed pantheon of the highest league of Chiefs in Benin Kingdom, led by the Iyase, Chief Sam Igbe. Some other titans in this venerated class of Benin Royal Ambassadors are the Esogban, Eson and Esama. The nonagenarian had treated me affectionately as a son since 2002, when I first met the sage, and never tired (surprisingly), of narrating to me in the minutest details, what he regarded (I was always very humbled), as my legal and human rights exploits. He encouraged me to no end. His memory was unsurpassingly gargantuan and cosmic. I have since shaved my hair, skin clean, to bid farewell to this colossus, whose royal exploits traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria. He was an incredibly detribalized homo sapien.

True, “when beggars die, there are no comets seen… the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes” (Calpurnia, Julius Ceasar, II). True, Oba Erediauwa’s “life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, this was a man” (Mark Anthony, Julius Ceasar, 5, 5).

Oba Erediauwa came. He saw. He conquered (veni, vidi, vici).

2 Timothy 4:7 aptly summarises the royal juggernaut: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith”.

Adieu, father of all. Farewell, lover of humanity.

Oba gha to kpere, isee.

LAST LINE Nigerians, PMB, NASS, Fayose, Ekiti, avid readers, please, await the next tranche of Fayose’s predictions, even as you read today’s sermon on the “Mount of the Nigerian Project” by Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb. • Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

Cross Word Puzzle

with Olulana Kayode 08023183727 Instructions on how to play the game •With reference to the ‘clues across’ and ‘clues down’ below, you shall try to provide answers to the clues, by writing the answer in the puzzle box provided on the left side.

•The number in parenthesis indicates the total number of letters making up the solution or answer you will provide.

•Keep on answering all the questions until all the spaces in the puzzle box are completely filled up.

Good luck!

Clues Across 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26

State in S.E USA, (7).

Star that warms the Earth, (3).

The whole of the alimentary canal, (3).

Make mistake, (3).

African Dev. Bank, abbr. (3).

Body pimples, (4).

Exploiter, (4).

United Nations, (2).

Bismuth symbol, (2).

Small vessel for water travel, (4).

Tribe in Ogun state, (4).

Divisional Police Officer, abbr. (3).

Biblical prophet of God, (3).

A grassy field, (3).

Bathing and mineral water resort, (3).

Colourless distillation product, (7).

Clues Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 19 20 21

Lagos State Deputy Governor, (7).

Previously decided, (6).

Burial site in Yaba, Lagos, (4).

Nigerian world's most beautiful girl, (6).

Shock somebody, (4).

Edible kernel, (3).

Gov. Aminu Masari state, (7).

Largest city in Nigeria, (6).

Small gnawing mammal, (6).

Special festive occasion, (4).

Cleansing agent, (4).

Petrol in America, (3).

Turn to page 55 for solution

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488), Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: JULIET BUMAH.