1st April 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,470

FRIDAY, 1 APRIL, 2016

Petrol: One scarcity, undending agony —P44

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Insurgency cost N/East $9bn —Report •Nigeria, US consider options to weaken Boko Haram •W/Bank earmarks $800m for rebuilding N/East —P16

N150

Why I won't sign budget in a hurry —Buhari —P2

US to trace, return stolen billions of dollar to Nigeria •US officials, EFCC chairman to meet —Pgs2,4 •To invest $600m in Nigeria in 2016 22 dead in India flyover collapse

No agreement yet as Oyo govt, workers meet —P?2

One of abducted Kaduna pastors found dead—P7

Scene of the collapsed flyover at Kolkata Street, India, on Thursday. PHOTO: AFP (STORY ON PAGE 43)

Epidemic may arise from hot weather —Expert —P15

news Why I won’t sign budget in a hurry —Buhari 2

Friday, 1 April, 2016

No rift over budget -Information minister Leon Usigbe -Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, in Washington, D.C., United States (US), on Thursday, said in view of the controversial alteration and padding of the budget proposals, he needed to review the appropriation bill to be certain that its contents tallied with the authentic budget proposal presented to the National Assembly. He also told the US Secretary of States, John Kerry, at a meeting with him that bureaucrats changed the original provisions in the 2016 Appropriation Bill he submitted to the National Assembly, adding that he would, therefore, critically review it before assenting to it. The bill had already been passed by the National Assembly, which recently transmitted the highlights to him. Buhari, at the meeting, said “some bureaucrats removed what we put in the proposal and replaced it with what they wanted. I have to look at the bill that has been passed by the National Assembly, ministry by ministry, to be sure that what has been brought back for me to sign is in line with

our original submission.” Also, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said there is no rift between the executive and legislative arm of government over the passage of the 2016 budget. Mohammed said this on Thursday, when he paid a visit to the corporate headquarters of the Leadership Newspapers in Abuja. “On the passage of the budget, I want to clear the misconception. There is absolutely no rift between the executive arm of government and the legislative arm. “It is not true that the president has refused to assent to the budget. The fact remains that it (budget) is not even before him. “The practice really is that when the budget is approved like that, there is what we call headline figure that is approved, then, it will take a few days for the National Assembly to throw up the details,” he said. The minister said it was the original copy of the budget that would be taken to the president after the necessary correction. He also said that there was no setback in the budget, adding that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning was working closely with the

National Assembly to ensure its hitch-free passage.

THE meeting between the Oyo State government and the labour movement in the state over the irregularity of payment of salary and pensions ended with no concrete agreement on Thursday, as both parties resolved to commence another round of negotiations. Speaking at the end of the four-hour long meeting, chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Waheed Olojede, hinted that the labour movement had asked the government team, led by former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, to return with a feedback on how best to ensure regular payment of salary, as soon as possible. Olojede said labour movement’s position on the subsisting memorandum of understanding (MoU) to the effect that 90 per cent of federal allocation be used to pay salaries had become obsolete. Calling for a review, he said the agreement had become obsolete because the Federal Government allocation had continued to dwindle and 90 per cent of such

allocation was irrelevant. Noting the prevailing economic circumstances, he called for a review that suited the prevailing economic circumstances and socio-economic capacity of workers. “We rose with the understanding that now that negotiation has commenced, negotiation is in progress and will continue and run within a short reasonable time within which we come to a conclusion on how to address the irregularity of payment of salary and pensions and payment of all outstanding. “The government team informed us that they will inform their principal. We told them that they should give us a feedback quickly for us to determine how best to end this crisis of irregularity in the payment of salary. “We feel that within now and the next few days, we will be invited to another round of meeting. We appeal to government that they should use the opportunity of the understanding and negotiation that commenced today as a golden one and not allow an indus-

dent Buhari would reflate the economy and uplift mil-

lions of Nigerians out of abject poverty.

From left, Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Imoh Etuk; Head, Policy Research and Strategies, Dr Kayode Olagunju and the Head, Media Relations, Mr Bisi Kazeem, during a press conference on the forthcoming sixth FRSC annual lecture series, in Abuja, on Thursday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

US to trace, return Nigeria’s stolen billions of dollar To work with EFCC chairman Leon Usigbe -Abuja THE United States (US) has promised President Muhammadu Buhari to

No agreement yet as Oyo govt, workers meet By Wale Akinselure

The minister said the signing of the budget by Presi-

trial impasse in the state. “We appeal to government to round off the negotiation to allow the exiting industrial peace in the state to be sustained,” he said.

facilitate and repatriate all stolen Nigerian funds found within the American banking system. At a meeting with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in Washington, D.C., Buhari reiterated that his administration would continue to prosecute its war against corruption “It will greatly help our country if you assist us to recover all our stolen

funds which we can establish to be within your financial system,” the president told Mr Kerry. Responding, the Secretary of State said he had been told that the stolen Nigerian funds were in “billions of dollars.” “It’s not easy to hide that amount of money and we are pretty good in tracing them,” Mr Kerry assured President Buhari, adding that relevant US govern-

Hardliners in Buhari’s govt after Saraki —Senator Misau Taiwo Adisa -Abuja CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isa Misau, on Thursday, said some hardliners in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari are responsible for the travails of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. Misau, in an interview in Abuja, however, debunked insinuations that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would take over the Senate if Saraki was removed. The senator said what was needed to resolve the Saraki matter was political solution, adding, however, that some hardliners in the administration are stalling the solution. Speaking on the possible

PDP takeover of the Senate, Misau said the senators of APC would do all within their powers to defeat the PDP if it came to producing another Senate president. “What my friend, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, said will not happen, because the APC caucus of the Senate will, under no circumstances, allow Dr Saraki to be removed. “But I understand the larger implication of what Nwaoboshi is saying, because our majority in the Senate is very slim, which means we need to be careful and that is why we need to find a political solution to this crisis and this trial of the Senate president at the Code of Conduct Tribunal,” he said.

Misau also clarified that senators of the APC recently decided to close ranks to ensure there was unity of purpose, adding that the meeting had nothing to do with the travails of Saraki. He said the Senate president remained popular among senators across the geopolitical zones. “I am a Muslim and I know that nobody can be a leader without the will of the Almighty Allah. But I can tell you today that 99 per cent of the senators are solidly behind Saraki. So what we call closing of ranks is actually for us to unite behind our leadership in the Senate, behind the Federal Government and also behind President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

ment officials would meet with the chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to discuss further cooperation in that regard. Kerry applauded the Buhari-led administration’s success in rolling back the Boko Haram insurgency, saying that the US would continue to give Nigeria all possible support to ensure that the terrorist sect was finally eliminated as a threat to national and regional security. He also lauded Buhari’s clear order that Nigeria’s Armed Forces must show greater regard for the human rights of persons in the theatre of operations against Boko Haram. Acknowledging that the United States had been of help to his administration in the retraining and reequipping of the Nigerian Armed Forces, which had resulted in the significant success already achieved against Boko Haram, Buhari said the Federal Government was now working hard to restore full normalcy in the NorthEastern states. “Boko Haram no longer holds any local government area. We are reconstructing damaged facilities and preparing the police to take over and reassert civilian control over areas affected by the insurgency,” he said.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

news

Friday, 1 April, 2016

FG will monitor N350bn injected into economy —SGF

ECRETARY to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, said the N350 billion being injected by the Federal Government into the economy would be strictly monitored. He said this on Thursday, in Abuja, while declaring open the second National Conference on Public Procurement (NACOPP), entitled: “Sustaining the anti-corruption campaign through best procurement practices.’’ The conference was organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to increase awareness among critical stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007. Represented by Permanent Secretary, Special Duties at the Presidency, Mrs Phyllis Nwokedi, he said the money was provided to enable contractors to meet their obligations. “Government recently committed to the injection of N350 billion into the economy to enable contractors discharge their obligations in the delivery of infrastructure. “This imposes greater responsibilities on procuring entities, contractors and service providers. “Every kobo disbursed will be strictly guided by the procurement rules.’’ Lawal commended the BPP for its foresight in factoring states into its implementation of the BPP Act 2007. He said it was clear that the 25 states that had enacted laws to set up procurement regulatory agencies did it on their perception that the act was working at the federal level. “Government attaches a great deal of importance to the process of procurement as a vehicle through which government must deliver on infrastructural development as promised to the people. “We are confident that the states stand to benefit from the public procurement system that is transparent, competitive, efficient and one that is founded on accountability,’’ he said. Similarly, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr Muhammad Bello, said the establishment of due process policy was instrumental to birthing the PPA 2007. Represented by the chairman, FCT Area Council Service Commission, Mr Buba Gamawa, he said the Act had helped in sanitising procurement process in

Nigeria. “It is particularly gratifying that the PPA has come to establish a uniform standard and created a level playing ground for prospective contractors who are interested in bidding for public contracts. “This administration believes and reposes its confi-

dence in the public procurement sanitisation efforts and recognises a herculean task the enforcement of the procurement Act has proved to be,” he said. Responding, the acting Director-General of the BPP, Mr Ahmed Abdu, said the NACOPP served as a consultative and advisory body

to all the tiers of government in the federation. He said it promoted a sustainable relationship and synergy between heads of procurement regulatory bodies at the federal and state levels. According to him, this year’s conference was aimed at providing a national plat-

form for policy makers to interact and share experiences on public procurement procedures and processes. “It is to identify and agree on further strategies for improving the implementation of public procurement reforms. “It is also to formulate new strategies for compliance

President Muhammadu Buhari and the United States Secretary of States, Senator John Kerry, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre, United States, on Thursday.

with due process in public expenditure and cartel tendencies to circumvent the process. “All are aimed at aligning the Nigerian procurement system with world best practices,’’ he said. Representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Andoh Mensah, commended the BPP for initiating the conference and stated that the bank’s procurement policy was also undergoing reforms. “Effective from January 2016, the bank has adopted a new procurement policy framework whose key feature is the achievement of value for money by borrowers. “This is based on a dynamic and differentiated fit for purpose approach to procurement transactions,’’ Mensah said. He said AfDB’s Nigerian country office had commenced the assessment of Nigeria’s public procurement system. This, he said, would help the nation’s public procurement profile to meet with international standards. The first conference was held in 2014 and would now be an annual event.

US to invest $600m in Nigeria in 2016 —Official THE United States (US) government will invest $600 million as development assistance to Nigeria in 2016, the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has said. He made this known in a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the US Embassy in Abuja, on Thursday. Kerry was quoted as saying this at a bilateral meeting between Nigerian and the US officials in Washington, D.C. The US Secretary said “our development assistance this year will top $600 million. “We are working closely with your leaders, the leaders of your Health Ministry, to halt the misery that is spread by HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB.” Kerry then lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s actions in the area of security and the attempt to diversify the economy. He said “the US is very encouraged by President Buhari’s commitment to diversify the Nigerian economy, in order to make it less dependent on a single commodity for export earnings and that means we need to develop sustainability. “Sustainable growth depends on a climate that is welcoming to investment and respectful of the envi-

ronment and of workers’ rights.” He added that the US Power Africa Initiative was aimed at strengthening the energy sector, where shortage in electricity frustrated the population and impeded growth. Kerry said that the US Young African Leaders Programme which many Nigerians participate in, was preparing the next generation to take the reins of re-

sponsibility. He noted that the US was working with Nigeria in the area of education to fight illiteracy, especially in the Northern part of the country. “We are working together to fight illiteracy, especially in the country’s north, where the lack of opportunity has been holding people back and Boko Haram murdered thousands and disrupted million lives.”

The statement quoted Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, as commending the US support to Nigeria. Onyeama said the Buhariled administration had put in place measures to diversify the nation’s economy. “We’re really looking to diversify into areas such as agriculture, solid minerals and other extractive industries. “We have to promote our manufacturing sector and

look at sustainable economic growth. “For sustainable economic growth, we appreciate that we have to also develop a manufacturing base.” The Foreign Minister said Nigeria was also placing emphasis on Foreign Direct Investment, which he said was key to the economy and stressed the need for Nigeria to do a lot more to make it an attractive place for business.

Gunmen kill Rivers LG chairman’s aide PDP chairman raps APC on peace in Rivers Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt AN aide to the Asari-Toru Caretaker Committee chairman, simply known as Godknows (aka Babadiba), was killed by unknown gunmen in Buguma, headquarters of the local council, in the wee hours of Thursday. The victim was said to have been shot dead inside his residence by the gunmen, who stormed the area around 1.00 a.m, shooting him several times, to ensure he had no chance of survival. Godknows, who was also selling drinks in retail and wholesales, was said to have

been found dead at daybreak, a development that caused anxiety within the area. The local government chairman, Chief Soboma Jackrick, said his slain aide was a politician, but an easy-going fellow, whom he (Jackrick) appointed as his Special Adviser on Business Development. The council chairman, who spoke through his lawyer, Mr Tubotamuno Dick, said the gunmen stormed Buguma and began to shoot sporadically between 1.00 a.m. and 2.00 a.m. He recalled that the victim was recently threatened by a group of people, who accused him of being an informant to

security operatives on criminal activities in the area. “He was appointed the Special Assistant to the council chairman on Business Development. He is always at home. He was recently threatened by some persons, who said he was giving information to security operatives,” Dick said. He disclosed that the police had been informed about the killing of the deceased, adding that a group of security operatives came to Buguma on Thursday morning and took the victim’s remains to the mortuary. When contacted, however, spokesman of the Rivers State police command, Mr Ahmad

Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said he was yet to receive such an information as of the time of going to the press. Meanwhile, the police command in Rivers State has announced the arrest of five suspected criminals and recovery of dangerous weapons. The state police PPRO, Ahmad Muhammad, made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, adding that the arrest was effected after a string operation carried out by team of policemen at Pipeline, Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area, early Thursday morning. continues pg15

Friday, 1 April, 2016

6 news

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Sagay, Aribisala, Ezekwesili disagree on corruption discuss

EGAL scholars and experts, including Femi Aribisala; Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Mr Femi Falana and Professor Itse Sagay, on Thursday, hurled verbal missiles during a roundtable convened at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to brainstorm on winning the war against corruption. The roundtable was organised by the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, UNILAG, tagged “Winning the War Against Corruption.” In his keynote speech: “Rule of Law and Treatment of Politically Exposed Persons in Corruption Cases,” Femi Falana, who was represented by Wahab Shittu, advocated the creation of special courts to handle corruption cases. The verbal battle began after Aribisala took to the podium to discuss Falana’s speech. “There is no fight against corruption in Nigeria. And if there’s no fight against corruption, you can’t even talk about war,” Aribisala stated. He, thereafter, launched into a 10-minute speech that attacked the global definition of corruption by Dr Ezekwesili, a former World Bank vice-president, who had earlier defined corruption as “the abuse of public space for private gains.” Aribisala said “corruption cannot be narrowly defined the way Dr Ezekwesili defined it, only relating to public institutions. We are corrupt in Nigeria. The plumber, the tailor, the whole society is corrupt.” He said there was no mandate against corruption, adding that the 2015 election was not an anti-corruption election. “If President Buhari was determined to fight corruption, my feeling is that he gave up after losing election

three times. “Because the fourth time, he formed an alliance with people who he despised before. They were not necessarily people who had a track record of being (sic) anti-corruption. So today, I don’t know who is anti-corruption,” he said. He said if Nigerians wanted to deal with the question of corruption, they must insist on it, adding that “we have to deal with it at the institutional level.” Aribisala’s speech received a thunderous ovation from the guests, mostly students, but Professor Itse Sagay, a professor of Law and chairman on the occasion, said “we are not here to make students clap.” Sagay said the APC had a manifesto that spelt out its strategies to combat corruption and admonished Mr Aribisala to stop making statements devoid of facts. “(Olusegun) Obasanjo created ICPC, EFCC, they are doing well we don’t need to create new institutions. You do not win a war by just creating multiplicity of institutions everywhere, that’s irresponsible. We will work with the institutions that we have. “You don’t dilute the meaning of corruption to a point that it is meaningless. This is a very serious discussion and I want us to be serious about it. If you are anti-government, please go and campaign against government and let your party

win in 2019,” he said. Also speaking, Ezekwesili said “there is no comedy

session going on here. We are talking about something that can be destructive. You

should be holding the gun to fight against corruption. The gun has to be intellec-

tual, so I need you to intelligently process everything that is said.”

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OSUN STATE OF NIGERIA (PROBATE DIVISION) WHEREAS the persons whose names are set out in the first column of the Schedule hereto died intestate on the dates and at the places mentioned therein. AND WHEREAS the persons whose names and addresses are set out in the second column of the said Schedule along with particulars of their relationship to the said deceased (where-ever found necessary or expedient) have applied to the High Court of Justice, Osun State of Nigeria for the grant unto them of Letters of Administration in respect of the real and personal properties of the deceased. NOTICE is hereby given that the said Letters of Administration will be granted to the said applicants unless a notice to prohibit such grant is filed in the Registry of the High Court of Justice, Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria within Twenty-One (21) days from today.

DECEASED:

SCHEDULE

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT:

DECEASED:

SCHEDULE

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT:

MR. ASAOLU AJAYI late of C1/16 Afin Compound, Ifaki Ekiti, who died on the 16th day of January, 2015at Ile- Ife.

Mr. Ebenezer Asaolu and Mr. Kayode Asaolu both of C1/16 Afin Compound, Ifaki Ekiti Children of the said deceased.

JOSHUA KEHINDE KOSILE late of KP 12, Oke Opo Quarters Off G.R.A Road, Ilesa, who died on The 28th day of June, 2015 at Ilesa. Moore Street, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Mrs. Betty Adejoke Kosile and Abigail Abimbola Kosile both of C/o Their Solicitor, Niyi Kosile Esq of Niyi Kosile &Co of No. 97, Widow and Daughter of the said Deceased.

29. JACOB AKINTOLA AKINFENWA late of 37, Oke-Isokun Quarters, Zone 2 NTA, Ile-Ife, who Died on the 7th day of March, 2016 at Ile-Ife.

Isaac Akinjide Akinfeenwa and Comfort Toosin Akinfenwa both of 37, Oke-Isokun Quarters, Zone 2 NTA, Ile-Ife, Children of the said Deceased.

3. LUQMAN OLUSEYE ADEGOKE late Onile’s Compound, Oyan, Osun State, who died on the 8th Day of June, 2014 at Osogbo. Deceased.

Mr. Adegoke Afeez and Mrs. Adegoke Serifat Kikelomo both of Onile’s Compound, Oyan, Osun State, Brother and Widow of the said

4. MUINAT OLUWASAYO SHITTU late of Federal Government College, Ikirun, who died on the 22nd day of November, 2015 at Offa, Kwara State.

Alh. Raufu Omowumi Shittu and Miss Fridaous Yetunde Shittu both of Federal Government College, Ikirun, Osun State, Widower and Daughter of the said Deceased.

30. SUNDAY OLADIJI ADEFISAN late of No. 9, Kasali Adedokun Street, Osogbo, who died on the 19th day of January, 2016 at Osogbo.

Adewale Adekunle Adefisan and Saratu Adefisan both of C/o Their Solicitors, Chief Abdulrahaman O. Olodo & Co. No. 32, Ajegunle Street, Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

5. OLASUNKANMI DURODOLA late of Eesa’s Compound, Ifon, Osun State, who died on the 19th Day of December, 2014 at Ifon, Osun State.

Kehinde Hassan Olasunkanmi, Kehinde Morufat Hamzat(Nee Olasunkanmi) and Suliyat Olasunkanmi all of Eesa’s Compound, Ifon, Osun State, Children of the said Deceased.

31.

Tolulope Rotimi Adeniran and Dolapo Ronke Adeniran both of C/o Their Solicitors, Olayiwola Adeniyi Esq, S.O.O. Adeniyi & Co., No. 1, Children of the said Deceased.

MR. ADENIYI OLUDELE ADERIBIGBE late Of No. 34, Gbayanrin Street, Gbongan, who died On the 7th day of July, 2015 at Gbongan. No.1, Ore Meta Junction, Oke- Church Street, Gbongan,

Messrs Adedeji Aderibigbe and Olusegun Aderibigbe both of C/o Their Solicitors, Olayiwola Adeniyi Esq, S.O.O Adeniyi &Co. Children of the said Deceased.

7. 8.

SAMSON KOLAWOLE OLADIMEJI late of 8, Oke –Ogbo, Dobule Royal, Ile- Ife, who died on the 12th day of December, 2013 at Ile- Ife.

Oladimeji Paul Tobi and Oladimeji Kikelomo both of 8, Oke –Ogbo, Dobule Royal, Ile- Ife, Son and Widow of the said Deceased.

OLUFUNMILAYO RUPH ADEDEJI late of Atapapa Eleebaata Area, Odeyinka, Road, Ikire, Who died on the 7th day of November, 2013 At Ikire.

Mrs. Rukayat Olayemi Adigun(Nee Adedeji) and Oluwatosin Adedeji both of C/o Their Solicitors, V.A. Akinyele Esq, No. 7, Fagbewesa Street, Osogbo. Children of the said Deceased.

9. CHIEF SUNDAY OLUSEGUN FAKUNLE late Of Idita Quarter, Off Mokuro Road, Ile- Ife, who Died on the 27th day of August, 2013 at Ile- Ife.

Pastor Joy Oluwafunminiyi Fakunle and Mr. Tobi Fakunle both of C/o Their Solicitors, T.A. Princewill Adelugba House of Laws Opp White Plain Hotel Onward Area, Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

10. ALHAJI LAMIDI AJAO GBADAMOSI late of Oba, Osogbo, who died on the 31st day of October, 2015 at Ikire.

Sarafadeen Gbadamosi and Suraju Gbadamosi both of Oba, Osogbo, Osun State, Children of the said Deceased.

11.

TAOFEEK OLAJIDE JINADU late of Orisunbare Community, Kasimo Area, Oke- Baale, Osogbo, who died on the 26th day of November, 2015 at Osogbo.

Latifat Adenike Jinadu and Kazeem Olayinka Jinadu both of C/o Their Solicitors, Barr. Ayoola Babalola of ALJ 2, Oke Ibukun, Ilesa, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

12.

MR. RAHEEM ADEBAYO OMOTOSHO late Of 12, Agboyele Street, Oke-Baale, Osogbo, who Died on the 1st day of February, 2012 at Osogbo. Road, Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

Mr. Omotosho Akeem Adekunle and Mr. Omotosho Gafar Ademola both of C/o Their Solicitors, Yemi Araoye Opp. 1st Bank Station

13.

SAMUEL ADEGUNJU ADEYEMO late of No. 135, Fajuyi Road, Ile- Ife, who died on the 7th day Of April, 2015 at Ile- Ife. Children of the said Deceased.

Adeshola Adewale Adeyemo and Victoria Adetoun Adeyemo both of C/o Their Solicitors, D.F.O. Olaniyan No. 164, Iremo Road, Ile- Ife,

14. KUBURAT ABIOLA USMAN late of No. 16, Abija Street, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, who died on the 12th day of May, 2015 at Osogbo.

Usman Taofeeq Adebare of No. 16, Abija Street, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, Brother of the said Deceased.

15.

ADERETI THERESA NDUDI late of No. 1, Zone 9, Olashinade Estate, Osogbo, who died on The 16th day of October, 2015 at Ibadan. Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

Toluwani Ruth Adereti and Eunice Inioluwa Adereti both of C/o Their Solicitors, Olateju Kolawole(Mrs.) M.O. Agboola &Co. Iwo Road,

16.

OLUWASESAN EKUNDAYO AWOBAMISE Late of Plot 2, Ifofin Street, Ipetu Ijesa, Osun State, Who died on the 5th day of September, 2013 at Abuja.

Abimbola Olajumoke Awobamise and Awobamise Patience both of Plot 2, Ifofin Street, Ipetu Ijesa, Osun State, Widow and Daughter of the said Deceased.

17.

TOYESE ADEKUNLE OLAGUNJU late of No. 7, Ibukun Oluwa Avenue, Road Safety, Osogbo, Who died on the 23rd day of July, 2015 at Osogbo. Road, Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

Adesola Fatai Olagunju and Saheed Bowofola Olagunju both of C/o Their Solicitors, Mutiat Yetunde Yusuff Esq of No. 37, Gbongan/Ibadan

18.

MR. GANIYU OLASUNKANMI OGUNDELE Late of No. 3, College Road, Osogbo, who died on The 1st day of March, 2015 at Osogbo. said Deceased.

Mrs. Kudiratu Adeboola(Nee Ogundele) and Mrs. Suliyat Osuolale(Nee Ogundele) both of No. 3, College Road, Osogbo, Children of the

late of 9B, Kareem Oladejo Off Kolabalogun, Osogbo, Who died on the 5th day of December, 2015 at Ikirun.

MRS. REBECCA ADENIKE ADENIRAN late Of No. 4, Ayepe Street, Gbongan, who died on the 27th day of February, 2015 at Ile- Ife. Oremeta Junction, Oke- Church Street, Gbongan,

Off Kolabalogun, Osogbo, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

32. SUNDAY FASHINA late of Aanuoluwapo Street, Road 2, Olosan Area, Ogo- Oluwa, Osogbo, who Died on the 27th day of June, 2014 at Osogbo.

Mrs. Mulikat Fasina and Mr. Oyewole Fasina both of C/o Their Solicitors. M.A. Laogun Esq, M.A. Laogun & Co. Opp. Osun State Government House Annex, Oke- Fia, Osogbo, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

33. JOSEPH DIYELGONG late of St. Peter Catholic Church Area, Plateau State, who died on the 20th day of May, 2014 at Kefi, Nasarawa State.

James Diyelgong of C/o His Solicitors, W.O. Wemimo & Co. No. 11, Iwo/Ibadan Road, Opp. Moye Fillings Station, Osogbo, Brother of the said Deceased.

34.

RASAKI AYINLA OJO late of Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Govt. Area, Ogun State, who died on The 3rd day of March, 2014 at Ota. Widow and Daughter of the said Deceased.

Mrs. Saidat Ojo and Miss Sherifat Ojo Pelumi both of C/o Their Solicitors, S. O. Ola(Mrs.) Ola Adeoye &Co. Osogbo City Hall Olonkoro,

35. OLAMIJU AWE late of Araromi Street, Ilesa, who died on the 9th day of June, 2015 at Ilesa.

Awe Dada and Emmanuel Awe both of Araromi Street, Ilesa, Children of the said Deceased.

36. OLUSEGUN SAMUEL ONI late of D17B, Iloro Street, Esa-Odo, who died on the 4th day of October 2015 at Ilare- Otan Ile.

Oni Abiodun and Mrs. Fadairo Olusola Racheal both of D 17B, Iloro Street, Esa-Odo, Son and Sister of the said Deceased.

37.

Victor Tunji Fagbola and Dada Fagbola both of C/o Their Solicitors, Adewale Folorunso Esq, N.O. Folorunso & Co. No. 10, Fagbewesa Street,

JULIUS ADEBAYO FAGBOLA late of Odo- Inisa Street, Ilase via Ilesa Road, who died on the 14th day January, 2006 at Ilase, Osun State. Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

38. AKANJI ISIAKA ORISABODE late of Ailodu Compound, Obada, Ikire, who died on the 19th day Of February, 2016 at Ile- Ife.

Orisabode Abidemi Busoye and Orisabode Omolabake B. both of C/o Their Solicitors, Tai Ajibola Esq, right Choice Chambers, WAEC Road, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

39. ADESOJI OLUREMI ADEDIRE late of House 24B, Mokuro Road, Iloromu Quarters, Ile- Ife, who Died on the 14th day of December, 2014 at Ile- Ife.

Olubunmi Felicia Adedire and Adeyinka Babatunde Adedire both of C/o Their Solicitors, Abusola Olubukola Olabisi House 3, Oranfe, Ile- Ife, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

40. MR. TAIWO EZEKIEL ADENIRAN late of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, who Died on the 15th day of December, 2015 at Esa- Oke.

Mrs. Taiwo R. Yemisi and Taiwo Elizabeth Adenike both of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Children of the said Deceased.

41. OLADEPO SULAIMAN AJANI late of No. 3, Irebami Street, Line 3, Fajuyi, Ile- Ife, who died on The 10th day of May, 2015 at Ile- Ife.

Oladepo Abideen and Oladepo Nafisat both of No. 3, Irebami Street, Line 3, Fajuyi, Ile- Ife, Brother and Daughter of the said Deceased.

42.

Mrs. Caroline Alli, Mr. Adegoke Alli and Mr. Sola Alli all of C/o Their Solicitors, Soji Oladeji Esq, No. 10, Rasco Road, Technical Area,

MICHAEL AKANMU ALLI late of No. 10, Rasco Road, Technical Area, Osogbo, who died on The 10th day of February, 2016 at Osogbo. Osogbo, Widow and Children of the said Deceased.

43. ODEYANJU ODEBODE late of 19, Adelola Str. Modakeke, who died on the 30th day of November, 2015 at Ile- Ife.

Mrs. Olaleye Florence, Mr. Odebode Tope and Mrs. Odebode Rebecca all of C/o Their Solicitors, Bhadmus Adewale Jubril, Modakeke, Osun State, Children of the said Deceased.

44.

VEN. RUFUS OLUBUKOLA ADEWOYIN late Of Alaafia Street, Off Olanrewaju Street, Ondo Road, Modakeke Ife, who died on the 25th day of May, 2014 at Ile-Ife.

Mrs. Temilade Esther Adewoyin and Mr. Victor Oluwatimilehin Adewoyin both of C/o Their Solicitors, Titi Ezebudey 8, Ede Road, Ile-Ife, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

45. RUFUS OSUOLA OLOPADE late of No. 4A, Olopade Street, Ataoja Estate, Osogbo, who died On the 10th day f January, 2016 at Ile- Ife.

Mrs. Idowu Olopade and Mr. Olalekan Olopade both of No. 4A, Olopade Street, Ataoja Estate, Osogbo, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

46. OLUSANYA ADETILOYE late of No. 57, Obalufon Street, Ile- Ife, who died on the 15th day Of September, 2015 at Ile- Ife.

Elizabeth Adetiloye and Adewale Adetiloye both of C/o Their Solicitors, E.B. Awosemo 9A, Fajuyi Road, Ile- Ife, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

47. OSENI OLANLOKUN late of Oke Pau, Modakeke, Ife, Osun State, who died on the 13th Day of September, 2015 at Ile- Ife.

Alice Olanlokun and Osuola Ajeniyi both of C/o Their Solicitors, E.B. Awosemo 9A, Fajuyi Road, Ile- Ife, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

48. ABDUL-MALIK KOLAWOLE MAYE late of Aje Compound, Ede, Osun State, who died on the 24th day of August, 2012 at Ede.

Mrs. Kafilat Maye and Nurudeen Maye both of of Aje Compound, Ede, Osun State, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

49. MOFOLUWASO ADEBUNMI ONASOGA late Of Akindeko Street, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, who died On the 26th day of July, 2014 at Ibadan.

Ishola Adeyinka Bamidele of Akindeko Street, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, Brother of the said Deceased.

50. TAIWO COMFORT ARAYELA(NEE- AWOYEMI) late of Redeemers University, Ede, Who died on the 7th day of July, 2015 at Ibadan.

Olatunde Arayela (Prof) and Omosalewa Grace Arayele both of C/o Their Solicitors, O’Gbemiga Haasen -Ayoola &Co., Bugbe Ayo Chambers, M. 28, Oke-Eso, Ilesa, Widower and Daughter of the said Deceased.

51. MRS. GRACE MORIADEKE RAJI late of 29H Elemo’s Compound, Iwo, Osun State, who died on The 30th day of September, 2014 at Iwo.

Raji Oyewole and Raji Olajide both of C/o Their Solicitors, E. Bolarinwa Esq, Ultimate Chambers, Ogunniwe Shopping Complex, Beside 7UP Depot, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased. Alimotu Adesoji of C/o Her Solicitors, E. Bolarinwa Esq, Ultimate Chambers, Ogunniwe Shopping Complex, Beside 7UP Depot,

19. ABEL OLORUNFEMI late of F.13B, Iloro Street, Iloko Ijesa, who died on the 27th day of November, 2015 at Ilesa.

Mrs. Funke Olorunfemi and Mr. Oladele Olorunfemi both of C/o Their Solicitors, G. Olabode & Associates (Adefiola Chambers) 2nd floor Itakogun, Ilesa, Widow and Brother of the said Deceased.

20. SAMUEL OLUDAYO FABELURIN late of B1, Oke-Ode Street, Iwaraja-Ijesa, Osun State, who Died on the 26th day of June, 2010 at Iwaraja- Ijesa. 21. MRS. FAROTIMI CAROLINE OLAPEJU late Of No. 5, Alafia Street, Osogbo, who died on the 29th day of July, 2015 at Osogbo. Ibadan, Children of the said Deceased.

Mrs. Patricia Atinuke Ada Fabelurin and OmoAdewale James Alechenu Fabelurin both of C/o Their Solicitors, Jola Akintola Esq of Jola Akintola &Co. F50, Odo-Iro Street, Ilesa, Widow and Son of the said Deceased. Pastor Olusegun O. Olaobaju and Mr. Oluwarotimi Kunle O. both of C/o Their Solicitors, Barr. E. F. Ogunjuyigbe, Oke Bola

22.

TAJUDEEN AKANBI TORIOLA late of3,Lanny Toriola Street, Ifesowapo Area, Ofatedo, Osogbo, Who died on the 26th day of September, 2015 at Ofatedo.

Toriola Mojisola Adejoke and Toriola Ayodeji Mobolaji both of C/o Their Solicitors, Falode &Co. 14, Alekuwodo Street, Oke- Fia, Osogbo, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

23. TITUS OLUGBENGA OLADIPUPO late of No. 7, Oke Owoyomi Street, Oke Ogbo, Ile- Ife, Who died on the 5th day of November, 2015 at Ile- Ife.

Mrs. Oladipupo Funmilayo Elizabeth and Oladipupo Victor Oluwaferanmi both of C/o Their Solicitors, Barr. Ayoola Babalola, ALJ 2, Oke Ibukun Stadium, Ilesa, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

24. AZEEZ OLADEJO late of Quarry Road, Oke-Ola Apomu, Osun State, who died on the 10th day of June, 2014 at Apomu.

Mr. Isiaq Oladejo and Moroof Oladeju both of Quarry Road, Oke- Ola, Apomu, Osun State, Children of the said deceased.

25. MR. JOSHUA OJOlate of Grammar School Road, Oke Ayo, Ido –Osun State, who died on the 25th Day of June, 2015 at Ile-Ife.

Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ojo and Babajide Ojo both of Grammar School Road, Oke Ayo, Ido –Osun State, Widow and Son of the said Deceased.

52.

26. AYOBAMI OLUFEMI GBENGA OYATUNDE Late of No. 3, Olosuru Road, Kuta, who died on the 1st day of December, 2015 at Kuta.

Oyatunde Oluyemi Beatrice and Oyatunde Nike Oluranti both of No. 3, Olosuru Road, Kuta, Osun State, Children of the said Deceased.

DATED 1ST DAY OF APRIL , 2016.

27. MRS. FOLASADE MOTUNRAYO OKUNOYE Late of No. 7, Babalola Ofatedo Area, Osogbo, who Died on the 11th day of June, 2015 at Osogbo.

Dr. Mrs. Folorunso Oluwabukola and Mrs. Afolabi Mosope Feyisayo(Nee Okunoye) both of C/o Their Solicitors, Rockliz Attorneys, 12A, Ajegunle, Osogbo, Children of the said Deceased.

28. MR. MOSES ADARAMOYE (AKA (ADARAMOYE MOSES OLUSOLA late of

Mrs. Abosede Eunice Adaramoye and Femi Ajayi both of No. 9B, Kareem Oladejo

GABRIEL ADESOJI late of B33, Idiroko Street, Osu, Osun State, who died on the 26th day of November, 2015 at Osu. Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Widow of the said Deceased.

LAWRENCE OLAWALE AROJO PROBATE REGISRAR.

news

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Police begin recruitment of 10,000 personnel nationwide Chris Agbambu-Abuja

he Police Service Commission has commenced the recruitment of about 10,000 policemen across Nigeria today. President Muhammadu Buhari had, last year, at the National Security Summit in Abuja, directed the recruitment of 10,000 Nigerians into the force to address the obvious shortfall in the manpower needs of the Police. Speaking on the recruitment exercise on Wednesday, Chairman of the Commission, Dr Mike Okiro warned staff of the commission who would be involved in the screening of candidates, to avoid any

Police acquire 4,388 houses for its personnel The Nigerian Police, through its cooperative society, has acquired 4,388 houses in 22 states of the federation for officers and policemen. The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, announced on Thursday, while commissioning 250 units of one-bedroom to three-bedroom semi-detached houses for policemen in Kubwa, Abuja According to him, over 700 units had been fully constructed under his administration, while 2,291 units were at various stages of completion The IGP said the Nigeria police Cooperative Multipurpose Society would be delivering to police officers across all cadres houses in one, two and three-bedroom categories. There are 96 units of one-bedroom units, 40 two-bedroom flats,44 twobedroom semi-detached houses, 56 three-bedroom semi-detached houses and 24 three-bedroom fully detached bungalows. These houses, he noted, are serviced with stateof-the-art infrastructures including tarred access roads, public electricity, boreholes perimeter fence and a security post. “We are not working alone on these projects due to the massive capital needed to achieve these projects, hence, we have partnered with experts in the real estate sector in the hopes of achieving our goals.”

act that would compromise the integrity of the exercise. He said any staff involved in any misconduct, during the exercise would be sanctioned in line with the Public Service Rules adding that such staff and might be prosecuted for sabotage. He expressed the com-

mission’s readiness to make a huge success of the presidential assignment in line with its resolution to discharge its duties within the ambit of the law, transparently, and according to laid down rules. He further warned candidates to desist from indulging or inducing the Staff of the Commission,

as anyone caught would be arrested and prosecuted. He reiterated that there would be no shortcut in the exercise noting everything had been put in place to ensure that the integrity of the process would be preserved at all the stages of the exercise. He maintained that the Nigeria Police Force de-

serve the best brains in the Nigerian society, stressing that the Commission would ensure that only the best would be engaged as policemen who would sustain the cherished tradition of the force, and also to help to maintain peace as well as securing lives and property of Nigerians and non-Nigerians.

It’s Nigeria’s chance to be great again —Osinbajo Nigeria has a unique opportunity now to become a great country with the kind of leader that is currently at the helm of affairs,VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo said. Osinbajo said this on Thursday, when he received a delegation of his Law Faculty classmates with whom he attended the University of Lagos from 1975 to 1978. The vice-president urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari, “a man who is honest and whose only desire is to make Nigeria go forward and become a great nation. “We should support such a leader,” he said, noting that in spite of the twists and turns in governance, the country has a unique opportunity to make good progress now. “The President and I are determined to give a good account of ourselves and more importantly ensure that the country makes good progress.’’ Expressing appreciation for the visit by his classmates, Osinbajo said “it is very rare that after so many years, we can still reunite. I am really honoured and humbled.’’ Earlier, Justice Chinyelu Anigbodu (retd) who spoke on behalf of the delegation that included former petroleum minister, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), congratu-

lated the Vice President, noting that his election was a precious gift.

One of the three clergymen of HEKAN church kidnapped on Kaduna- Abuja Expressway has been found dead on Wednesday. HEKAN General Secretary, Reverend Jibrailu Wobiya told newsmen in Kaduna, on Thursday, that Reverend Iliya Anto, was until death, the vice president of the church . However, he said two other pastors kidnapped with him had regained their freedom from the hands of their abductors. The surviving pastors

from across the country and beyond, including Cameroon.

Ghost workers: Kwara begins verification of schools Biola Azeez-Ilorin

The Kwara State government said it has commenced verification of schools across the state in its ongoing authentication of workers and pensioners in the state. The exercise follows the completion of the first phase which involved the use of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to verify workers and pensioners. According to a statement issued in Ilorin, on Tuesday, by the Kwara State Committee on Personnel Database Development and signed by its alternate chairman, Alhaji Sola Isiaka Gold, the verification of schools’ location across the state, started on Wednesday and would end on Friday, April 2, 2016. According to the timetable, the physical verification exercise for workers and pensioners in Ilorin West Local Government Area, would hold between April 4 and 6; Ilorin South; April 6 to 8, Ilorin East; 11 to 13, Ifelodun; 14 to15 and Asa, 18 to 19 April, 2016.

One of abducted Kaduna pastors found dead Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

Members of the vice president’s class at the meeting included legal practitioners

were Reverend Dr Emmanuel Dziggau and Reverend Yakubu Dzarma, who were released on Wednesday. According to him, the released pastors were now receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Kaduna. It will be recalled that the pastors were kidnapped by yet to be identified gunmen at the proposed HEKAN Theological Seminary permanent site on Kaduna – Abuja Road. This incident brings to two, the number of kidnapped people, that were reportedly killed in the state in recent times.

The statement added for workers and pensioners in Edu, Isin and Oyun local governments, the verification exercise would take place on April 20, 21 and 22, respectively. It stated further that workers and pensioners in Patigi would appear for the screening on April 25; Irepodun 26; Oke Ero 27; Ekiti 28 and Moro 29. It also said workers and pensioners in Baruten, Kaiama and Offa would

undergo screening on May 2, 3 and 4, respectively. All state pensioners are to appear for the verification exercise between May 5 and 13, while all staff that missed their turn will have a second chance to undergo the screening exercise on May 16, 17 and 20. Also, for all staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the verification exercise is scheduled to hold between May 17 and 20.

UK partners Nigeria on Digital Switch over Ademola Adegbite- Abuja

ACTING British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Simon Shercliff, on Thursday, announced the decision of the United Kingdom (UK) government in partnering Nigerian government on digital switch over to strengthen the enduring partnership existing between the two countries in the area of industry, research and other areas of science and technology. He made this announcement during his visit to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, in his office in Abuja. According to him, “it is an enabling function that would bring opportunities to many Nigerians population to see many more different channels, more variety and more television technology reliability to produce many more opportunities in the technological field.” Mr. Shercliff pointed out that digital switchover, at the moment, was the main thing in which many countries around the world were going through, and stressed the importance of upgrading technology in broadcasting world.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

JCI, FRSC walk 4km to warn motorists on safety belt

From right, representative of Lagos State governor and Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello; Special Adviser, office of Overseas and Investment (Lagos Global), Professor Ademola Abass and the guest speaker, Professor Pat Utomi, during the launch of Lagos Global, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, on Thursday.

$1.65bn Lekki Seaport for completion 2019 —Ambode By Bola Badmus

AGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured that Lekki Seaport will be completed in 2019 and upon completion will be the deepest seaport in Sub-Sahara Africa. Governor Ambode gave this assurance on Thursday, while speaking at the formal unveiling of the office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, otherwise known as Lagos Global, even as he assured that the state was opened, more than ever before, for greater business. This was just as the governor added that the Badagry Creek Industrial Park, a $1.3 billion investment meant for completion in 2018 and the $12 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Park were among other investments coming to the state. Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, who represented the governor at the unveiling,

said that the efforts put in place so far had ensured that the state remained the desired business hub, having attracted massive Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in several billions of dollars. “As the world continues

to acknowledge Lagos as a regional financial hub, we as government have demonstrated the commitment to strengthen this position through deliberate policies aimed at improving the business climate in our state,” he said

In his keynote address, renowned economist and social crusader, Professor Pat Utomi, said the creation of Lagos Global was a major step towards transforming the state to modern city -state just like the advanced ones in the world.

THE Lagos City chapter of the Junior Chambers International (JCI) has organised an awareness road walk on the use of safety belt devices while driving. Members of the club penultimate Saturday trekked a distance of 3.93 kilometres from Ikeja through the busy Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way to Maryland to sensitise motorists on the need to always put on their seat belts while commuting in a vehicle. The awareness was organised in conjunction Lagos State office of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Led by a representative of the sector commander of the FRSC, Mr. O. C. Orji, JCI members distributed materials to motorists with a view to sensitising

them on safety awareness while in a moving vehicle. Addressing newsmen shortly after the march, the President of the club, Mr Olaolu Abayomi said, “Members of the Lagos City chapter of JCI are here today to promote awareness on the use of safety belts while in a moving vehicle. The nation has lost so many souls to the scourge of road accidents in the past and we what to stem it. “Unfortunately too, we are using this occasion to mark the second year anniversary of the death of two of our valuable members, Agaptus and Oyebanjo, who would not have died if they had used the seat belts at the back of the vehicles they were travelling in.”

Repair works begin on expressway, 16 other By Bola Badmus LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has ordered the State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) to immediately embark on extensive repair on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in order to im-

prove driving experience of motorists in the area. Special Adviser to the governor and Chief Executive Officer, Public Works, Ayotunde Sodeinde, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday, saying the Corporation had already mobilised its workers to commence work

Policeman kills robber in shootout, sustains injury By Olalekan Olabulo A yet-to-be-identified member of an armed robbery gang was on Thursday killed, while a policeman was injured in a gun duel between the police and armed robbers. The armed robbers were operating on a motorbike and were attempting to rob an unidentified woman, around Coconut area of Trinity, Apapa, when the incident happened. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident to Lagos Metro, stating that,

“Operatives of Lagos State command attached to PMF 2 Keffi have engaged a notorious armed robber in gun shootout at coconut Bus stop Trinity Apapa,” Badmos said. She added that “CPL Ayeni Adetayo posted to Micura Service Limited, Apapa, while on duty noticed two men on motorcycle, popularly known as Okada, trying to snatch a bag from a woman. On sighting this, the policeman moved towards the scene but the armed robber at the back of the Okada opened fire on the policeman and in a

shootout, the robber died, while the rider of the Okada fled. The policeman sustained gunshot injury at the abdominal area.” “One Pistol with seven rounds of live ammunition

was recovered from the suspect, who has been on the watch list of the command in the last two months. The deceased robber specialises in snatching bags from women, mostly the ones

coming of out banks,” the Lagos State police spokesperson said She also stated that, “Efforts are on to track the rider who is at large, while the policeman is receiving

Man impersonates Customs clearing agent Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 52-year-old man, Echebiri Ikechukwu, who allegedly impersonated a Customs licensed clearing agent, and stole vehicles worth N7.8 million, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court.

According to the police, Ikechukwu and others at large committed the alleged offences on January 2014, at Apapa. Ikechukwu allegedly stole three Toyota cars worth N5.3 millon, one Toyota Corolla car 2009 model, one Toyota Camry 2004

model and one Toyota Corolla car 2001, which are all properties of a man identified as Osagiede Christian. He was also accused of parading himself as a customs clearing agent and obtained the sum of N2.5 million, from the complaint on the

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

metro Unilag suicide: Police transfer case of 4 arrested students to Lagos By Naza Okoli

An accident scene at Abijoh, Ibeju Lekki, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Driver hits policeman while driving against traffic I was afraid —Suspect By Olalekan Olabulo A police corporal, attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) narrowly es-

caped death on Thursday evening, when he was hit by a hit-and-run driver, who drove against traffic around the junction between Mo-

Lagos-Badagry roads immediately on several sections of the road. According to him, work of the road had commenced since Tuesday following the directive issued by the governor. “Immediately Governor Ambode gave us the directive, we moved into the area to commence extensive work on the roads. We have been here since Tuesday and work has commenced earnest,” he said. Sodeinde said the repair works would include covering all potholes on the road while the drainage systems would also be given a facelift.

Other roads earmarked for repairs, according to Sodeinde, include Iyana Ishasi - Ribamu Bus Stop (both sides), Ketu Bus Stop - Cele Nica, FGC Ijanikan - Iyana Era, ACOED Pedestrian Bridge - Alafia Bus Stop, Former Toll Gate – Ibiye/ Morogbo and Pure Water Bus Stop – Magbon (both sides). He said the rest are IleEpo Bus Stop – Oko Afo Outward Badagry, Mowo Bus Stop – Elijah Araromi Bridge (both sides), Limca Bus Stop – Mosafejo (both sides), French Village – Low Cost Housing Scheme and Ibereko (both sides).

torways building and Ikosi Road in Ikeja. The injured policeman, identified as Corporal Nasiru Abdul, was as of Thursday evening still receiving treatment at an unnamed hospital. The driver of the vehicle, Yusuff Ogunbiyi, was later arrested by the police in Alausa area of Ikeja, after he had escaped from the scene of the accident and was immediately transferred to the Alausa divisional police station for investigation and possible prosecution. A police source told Lagos Metro that the driver had driven against traffic and was trying to escape, when he hit the policeman, who was trying to arrest

him. “He was coming from the expressway and wanted to link Ikosi way and instead of him to go and make a U turn, he attempted to drive against traffic,” a police source said, adding that, “he drove recklessly forcing the traffic officers to scamper for safety but the policeman, who tried to stop him was hit in the process.” The suspect, while speaking with Lagos Metro insisted that he was not aware that the road was a one-way and blamed his inability to stop on fear. “I was very afraid. I thought that the police would arrest me, if I had waited. I regret my actions. I should have waited.”

The police in Ogun State on Thursday said the four students of University of Lagos (UNILAG), who were arrested at Ifo in Ogun State in connection with the death of their schoolmate, Mr Eniola Jacobs, had been handed over to the Lagos State Police Command. Ogun State Police PRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, told Lagos Metro that the students had acted in a highly suspicious manner at Jacobs’ graveside, prompting the family of the deceased to call the police. “We have their statement with us, and they did not say they were trying to pray in tongues. The parents of the deceased called the police, and we actually met them there. When we got there they told us they wanted to exhume the body. We asked them: ‘Are you coroners? Are you carrying out any investigation? Who are you to exhume the corpse?’ And they then said they wanted to resurrect him. It was suspicious. That was why we took them in for questioning but the case is now with the Lagos State Command; I wouldn’t know what the Lagos State Command is doing about it.” Asked if the students were being investigated for murder, Adejobi said that was left for the Lagos Command to determine. Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of Lagos

to steal 3 Toyota cars pretext of helping him to clear the three cars. Okechukwu was also accused of threatening to kill the compliant. His alleged offences are punishable under sections 410, 348, 312 and 56 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the police. The Magistrate Mrs O. Kusanu granted him bail in the sum of N250, 000, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned till April 25, for mention.

The Third Mainland- Ebute Metta link bridge littered with wastes. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa

State, Dolapo Badmus, has confirmed the transfer, but could not immediately confirm what the charges were. “Yes, they have transferred the case to Lagos, and the Command (Lagos) has taken over, and we are investigating. I can’t yet confirm whether it is a murder case, until I speak with the officers handling it.” Meanwhile students from the Faculty of Law, UNILAG, on Thursday visited the embattled four students at the State Criminal Investigation Division, Panti, Yaba, where they were being held. One of the detained students, Mr Raphael Awe-Obe, is a 500-level student at the Faculty of Law. Awe-Obe’s brother, Mr Abiola, who also visited the detained students, said there was hope the matter would be quickly resolved. “My brother and his friends are in custody,” he said. “But they are in the outer cells. We want to see the family of the deceased and the families of the detained students. We want to have a meeting together to finalise the issue.” Asked if his brother and his companions really attempted to resurrect Jacobs, he said: “They asked the aunt of the deceased: ‘Do you believe in resurrection?’ That was the question they asked her and she said yes, that she too is a Christian, and that was all. That was how it started. So they (the four students) began to pray.”

businessnews

Friday, 1 April, 2016

NNPC opens bids for co-location of refineries

•Raises 14-man reconciliation committee for IPMAN

he Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has opened bids for the co-location of refineries. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, on Thursday in Abuja. It said the NNPC was committed to boosting the nation’s refining capacity which in turn would put an end to perennial fuel scarcity in the country. According to the statement, nine companies submitted bid. NNPC Chief Operating Officer Refineries, Anibo Kragha, in statement said the open bidding exercise was a demonstration of the determination of the federal government to increase the nation’s refining capacity from 445,000 barrels per day to 650,000. “The aim is to leverage on the existing facilities to fast track the take-off of the refineries as soon as possible,” he said According to him, a technical evaluation committee has been set up to study the bids and announce winners as soon as possible. Also, the corporation’s General Manager, Supply Chain Management, Sophia Mbakwe enjoined all the companies to accept the outcome as the exercise would be transparent. She added that all the rules of public procurement as spelt out in the Bureau for Public Procure-

ment Act would be strictly adhered to. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has raised a 14-man committee within the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to help in finding lasting solution to the fuel crisis in the country. This information was contained in a statement signed by Mr Garba Deen Muhammad, the Group General Manager, Group Public Af-

fairs Division of the NNPC on Thursday in Abuja. The statement quoted Muhammad as saying that the setting up of the committee followed the meeting between the Minister and IPMAN toward ending the crisis in the Association. He also quoted Kachikwu as urging the committee to do everything possible to bring back peace to the Association at the national, zonal and depot levels.

Guarantee Trust Bank Plc (GTB), in the Year 2015, recorded gross earnings of N301billion, which represents an 8.4 per cent increase over the N278.5 billion it earned in 2014. This was disclosed by the Managing Director, Mr Segun Agbaje, during a parley with financial journalists in Lagos, on Thursday, ahead of the bank’s annual general meeting billed for Tuesday, next week. The bank’s profit before tax went up by 3.7 per cent as it moved from the N116.4billion of 2014 to N120.7billion in the year under review. Profit after tax also rose to N99.4billion in 2015 from the 2014 figure of N94.4billion. This was an increase of 5.3 per cent. Agbaje, who noted that the year under review was a difficult one given that there was a tepid system liquidity that characterized

leum Resources and other stakeholders. This, he said, would help to ensure that the prevailing fuel scarcity became a thing of the past as quickly as possible. The National Secretary of IPMAN, Alhaji Danladi Pasali, expressed members’ readiness to assist the Federal Government toward bringing a lasting solution to the fuel situation in the country within the next two weeks.

From left: Sales and Marketing Director, Amadeus, Joke Adeyemi; President, National Association? of Nigerian Travel Agencies, Bernard Bankole; Publicity Secretary, NANTA, Muyiwa Salami; Account Manager, Amadeus, Mercellina Elomien and NANTA Secretary, Sylvester Olobor, during a meeting to discuss a new course for the travel industry and members at the NANTA office, Lagos, on Thursday. Photo: Wale Olapade.

Q1: NSE decline by 13.2%, lost N1.15trn capitalisation Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

Stock trading on the Nigerian Stock exchange in three

months dipped by 13.2 per cent as market capitalisation for the first quarter closed at N8.704 trillion against

GTB earnings hit N301bn By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

The minister said that as critical stakeholders in the downstream sector, the contribution of IPMAN was crucial in the drive to end the prevailing fuel supply situation across the nation. He also urged the IPMAN members to see the Association as one indivisible entity and charged them to work with relevant government agencies such as the NNPC, the Department of Petro-

the first nine months of the year, foreign exchange scarcity as well as the lull in economic activities in Q4 2015, added that the bank recorded its slowest growth in the last four years in 2015. Giving an insight into how the bank was able to ensure growth in spite of the vicissitudes that characterized the year, Agbaje said, “Revenue growth was mainly attributable to N28.6bn increase in interest income, compared to the growth of N15.2bn in FY2014 due to efficient balance sheet management and growth in other fee lines.” The GTB boss also said that “Increase in interest income mainly was driven by 7.5 per cent growth in loan book enhanced by change in risk assets portfolio mix in favour of the higher margin Naira loans against USD loans. This resulted in improved asset yield from 11.66 per cent in 2014 to 12.48 per cent in 2015.” He also said that fee and

commission income grew by N3.9bn (8.1 per cent) in spite of the 21 per cent decline in COT income. ”Other Income comprising gains on disposal of long term investments, forex earnings and dividend income, declined by 52 per cent to N8.5bn from N17.9 bn in Dec. 2014. The decline is attributable to gains from disposal of long term investment in 2014 and stable exchange rate in 2015,” he said. Agbaje, who noted that 2016 would be a more difficult year , added that the bank planned to mitigate the effect of this by ensuring that cost to income ratio is below 45 per cent, making return on equity is above 25 per cent, focusing on optimizing revenue and minimizing cost of all subsidiaries and commitment to growing retail and SME business. According to him, the bank aims at growing its profit before tax to N125billion in 2016 from the N120.7billion it recorded in 2015.

N9.850 trillion it began the year in January. All Share Index also shed 3,336.03 basis points to close at 25,306.22 as against 28,642.25 basis point recorded at the opening of trading for the year 2016, as the Year-to-Date (YTD) returns currently stands at -11.65 per cent. Meanwhile, trading activities on the Nigerian Bourse increased by 0.64 per cent on Thursday as All Share Index (ASI) closed at 25,306.22 basis points

compared to 25,145.28 points recorded previously. Similarly, Market Capitalisation added N55.4bn to close at N8.7 trillion compared to N45 billion lost previously to close at N8.69 trillion. A total of 264 million shares amounting to N1.94 billion were exchanged at the market in 3,298 deals today, with top three traders recorded as FCMB which sold 44.4 million shares worth N38.1 million.

BATN Foundation revamps cassava processing cottage to boost productivity By Rotimi Ige

IN continuation of its policy of investing in communities to positively impact the lives of smallholder farmers across Nigeria, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) recently rehabilitated the Cassava Processing Cottage at Ago-Are, in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. Oluwaseyi Ashade, the Executive Director, BATNF, said that “The rehabilitated cassava processing cottage industry was initially commissioned and handed over to the community on 3rd December, 2004. Due to expansion of agricultural activities, especially the cassava valuechain enterprise, a request for facility expansion, to increase cassava processing into various derivatives, was made by the Ago Are agrarian community in 2015 which the Foundation honoured. Our work in supporting smallholder farmers in rural communities in Nigeria is our answer to the challenge of poverty and our approach to transforming the society to self-sufficient people who can feed themselves, earn an income from their farms through processing and feed the larger population. So far, the Foundation has established community development projects in all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, some of which have resulted in wealth creation and food security.” According to Ashade, the rehabilitation of Ago-Are Cassava Processing Cottage signposts the Foundation’s commitment to supporting efforts targeted at alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers.

Group tasks NEPC on economic recovery Collins Nnabuife-Abuja

The New Initiative for Credible Leadership has tasked the Nigerian Export promotion Council (NEPC) to increase its activities towards ensuring increase in non-oil export as solution to the economic hardship caused by fallen crude oil price. It said NEPC had a crucial role to play in Nigeria’s economic recovery since there is finally a consensus that the era of depending on crude oil as the country’s major revenue source is over. A statement issued by

the group in Abuja yesterday noted that the current economic challenge offers a unique chance for NEPC to fulfil its mandate of developing and diversifying the nation’s export trade since it can easily get the buy-in of Nigerians at this point. “Now is a good time as any for the Executive Director of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo to implement all the impressive concepts and ideas he had articulated in the past. His pronouncements public have been source of hope in the past and we believe

implementation of his idea will bring the much needed succour to Nigerians. “Our observation is that Nigerians have been looking inwards since the pressure on the naira first manifested and our belief is that it is a matter of time before the small and medium scale industries that were recently re-activated will begin to produce surplus to local consumption. NEPC must prepare for this eventuality to ensure that there would be no glut and that industries are able to export such surpluses without breaking sweat.

businessnews

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Customs sets N67.9bn monthly target for Lagos seaport commands Tola Adenubi-Lagos

he Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has set a monthly target of N67.9bn for its three Lagos seaport commands, Apapa Customs Command, Tin-Can Customs Command and the Ports & Terminal Multiservice Ltd (PTML) Command. After surpassing the N954billion revenue target for 2015, the Customs hierarchy had imposed on itself a target of N1trillion for the 2016 fiscal year. Findings however revealed that in order to meet the N1trillion revenue target it had set for itself for 2016 fiscal year, the NCS has issued the 2016 official monthly revenue target for all its commands. Even though it is yet to be made public, a breakdown of the distribution which was sighted by our Correspondent in Lagos on Thursday showed major commands like the Apapa and Tin Can Island commands getting N32billion and N29billion respectively as their monthly revenue target while the PTML Command on the other hand is expected to collect N6.9billion monthly. Speaking to a Customs officer who preferred not to have his name in print as he is not authorised to speak, unfavourable government policies might truncate the realisation of this targets come end of 2016. “The N1trillion is not what government gave us, it is what we gave ourselves in order to enable us meets our target, and have something left, because? if we decide to set it the way government gave us, we might not meet up. “However, there are factors that play prominent roles in the generation and

collection of revenue; factors like the market forces and the demand and supply. If importers do not bring in cargoes, Customs cannot collect revenue. “Many of the importers have gone to neighbouring ports in the West African s8b-region because according to them, these policies have made Nige-

rian ports too expensive for them. “Meeting the target is not a problem if cargoes are coming in as it used to be. But with the low level of importation we are currently experiencing at the seaports, i just hope we get more than half of those targets,” he stated. Nigerian Shippers’ had

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), private operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), has faulted the claims in some quarters that insufficient space for parking aircrafts was delaying the commencement of international operations at its terminal. It will be recalled that BASL had obtained authorization from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to commence regional operations at MMA2 as set out in the concession agreement between the two, but this still requires regulatory approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before com-

countries to Nigerian ports because it allows them to avoid multiple levies and bureaucracy being experienced in Nigerian ports. The shippers who are basically importers and exporters cited lower import duties and seamless clearance of cargoes as reasons for patronising the Port of Cotonou.

From left: Associate Director, Risk Consulting, Tolu Odukale; Head, Sales and Markets, Nike Oyewolu; Partner and Head, Risk Consulting, Olumide Olayinka and Tomi Adepoju, Partner, Risk Consulting, all of KPMG, during a press conference and launch of KPMG’s survey report on “The Top Ten Business Risks for 2016” held in Lagos, on Thursday. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Fidelity Bank posts N146.9bn gross earnings, offers N4.6bn dividend Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

Fidelity Bank Plc, on Thursday said its gross earnings for the period ended December 31, 2015 grew to N146.9 billion from N136.1 billion recorded in 2014 Financial Year (FY). In the same vein, it promised shareholders N4.6 billion as dividend payout, thus maintaining a tradition of consistent dividend pay-out

for the past six years. According to the lender’s audited financial statements for the period under review, Fidelity Bank posted a rise of 7.9 per cent and 0.8 per cent in its gross earnings and profit respectively, despite the nation’s harsh operating environment characterised by regulatory and economic headwinds. Profit after Tax (PAT) for the period

MMA2 is ready for regional operations —Bi-Courtney Shola Adekola-Lagos

recently identified multiple charges, bureaucracy and inordinate activities of terminal operators as reasons for abandoning Nigeria ports for neighbouring ports. Speaking to newsmen in Lagos recently, some Nigerian shippers’ said they preferred the Cotonou Port and other ports in neighbouring

mencing operations. BASL in a statement said the delay in obtaining NCAA’s approval has nothing to do with the size of its apron or any other operational issue, explaining that various teams of inspectors from NCAA and other statutory agencies, including the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Port Health Service supervised its preparation for the international operations to ensure that it complied with all the requirements. It noted that all these agencies have also deployed their personnel at the terminal in readiness

for the commencement of international operations, while the interior ministry had already accorded MMA2 the status of an entry point into the country.

ended December 31, 2015 rose marginally to N13.9 billion as against N13.8 billion made in the comparable period last year. Whereas total equity increased by 6.0 percent to N183.5 billion from N173.1 billion in 2014 FY, net operating income stood at N83.9 billion, a moderate 12.5 percent rise from N74.6 billion in 2014 FY. Commenting on the result, Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo said the bank’s 2015 FY performance reflects the disciplined execution of the management’s medium term strategy and the resilience of evolving business models despite the extremely challenging

business environment in 2015. He explained that the bank improved the earning capacity of its balance sheet even in the face of decline in fee income precipitated by a N10.0 billion reduction in its foreign exchange income. “We continued to increase yields on earning assets faster than the growth in funding costs which improved our Net Interest Margin (NIM) to 6.9 percent in 2015.” This development, the Fidelity helmsman added, is indeed indicative of the bank’s continual focus on balance sheet optimisation, rebalancing of its loan portfolio in consonance with its medium term strategy and increased growth in retail deposit base.

FirstBank unveils enhanced features on mobile banking app Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

AS part of its effort to boost convenience and ease of banking as well as enhance customers’ digital banking experience in line with its commitment to offer value-added products and services that suit the lifestyles of its customers, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has unveiled a set of enhanced

features in its integrated lifestyle mobile banking app, FirstMobile. The mobile banking app which is secure and easy to use, allows customers to carry out banking transactions on the go from their mobile phones. With the introduction of the app, First Bank customers can carry out transactions such as domestic funds transfer from self-

owned accounts to FirstBank accounts and other bank accounts; make quick airtime purchase for self and others on all mobile networks; bills payments; cheque services including confirm cheque and stop cheque; flight booking; and quick account services such as account balance inquiry, statement view and much more from their smartphones.

Key players commend FAAN for successful ICAO audit Shola Adekola-Lagos

Key players across the country’s aviation sector have commended the efforts of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engineer Saleh Dunoma for making it possible for the authority to scale through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). The stakeholders who described the FAAN MD as a seasoned aviator committed to the agency through which he was able to reposition Aviation Security, attributed Nigeria’s success at the audit to his ensuring that all the gaps earlier identified by ICAO were corrected even within the deadline given before the close of the audit date. Reacting to the pass mark given to FAAN and the industry, the President of Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), Benjamin Okewu said the agency merited the approval given it by ICAO. According to Okewu, initially, there were open items but a lot of work was done by FAAN and all those problems were addressed even as he hinted that the agency has embarked on training of personnel, which is not conclusive but open-ended. His words: “I feel we merited the high score. During the last time there were open items but a lot of those issues were addressed. The issue of training is gradual so ICAO understands that this would happen over time and that it is ongoing. “Fencing the airports both the airport fencing and perimeter fencing will take sometime but even now the airports are not porous as people claim because the runways are well protected and the security personnel are well trained. I think we merited the pass mark,” Okewu said. Also speaking in the same vein, the industry consultant and the CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe said although the infrastructural status of the airports in the country may not attract a high rating but he acknowledged that so much work has gone into safety and security. He said that Aviation Security personnel has been properly trained and they know their job and attributed this to Dunoma’s immense experience in the area of safety and security.

south-westnews Ekiti lawmakers storm Abuja again 12

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Take case to IGP, British High Commission, US Embassy

JacobSegunOlatunji—Abuja

HE last may not have been heard of the face-off between the members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and Security Agencies as the lawmakers again stormed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, to protest alleged fresh harassment of members and other top government officials in the state. Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Segun Adewumi, who led the chairmen, House Committees on Information and Health, Honourable Gboyega Aribisogan and Honourable (Dr) Samuel Omotoso, respectively and others, vowed to resist incessant harassment and intimidation of members and other government officials by the Police. The lawmakers told newsmen that they had to petition the Inspector

Protest: Ibadan Poly orders each student to pay N1,000 surcharge as school reopens THE authorities of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday, directed its students to resume for their academic activities on April 4, with a N1,000‘reparation’ fee paid by each of them. This was contained in a statement signed by the school’s Registrar, Mr Hezekiah Feyintola, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan. The statement said that the N1,000 reparation fee was to cover the damages done to the school’s property by the students during their last protest. It will be recalled that the students went on rampage on February 2016, over payment of some levies, such as Insurance and ICT fees imposed on them by the Students’ Union. The over 8,000 students, however, kicked against the levies, resulting in a violent protest. According to the statement, the students are to login on to the website of the institution for the payment. The statement said that while the returning students should login using their matriculation numbers, the freshers were to login with the numbers on their forms.

General of Police, Solomon Arase, because of the fresh constant threats by men of the Nigeria Police to them,

government officials and party leaders in the state. The lawmakers, in the petition, urged the IGP to call

his officers and men, who constantly threaten the peace of the state, to order in the interest of peace.

From left, Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Segun Adewumi; chairman of the Assembly Committee on Health, Dr Samuel Omotoso and the chairman, Assembly Committee on Information, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, after submitting petition to the Inspector-General of Police, at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Hon Omotosho, who spoke with newsmen on behalf of others after submitting the petition, said that the situation had gone so bad that they could not remain in silence anymore as representatives of their people. According to him, “We thank the good people of Nigeria for standing up to condemn the attempted holocaust in Ekiti State by men of the Directorate of State Security. “We are here in Abuja today (Thursday) again to submit a petition to the office of the Inspector General of Police, the British High Commission and the Ambassador of the United States of America to intimate them of the ugly incident happening in Ekiti State in the hands of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police in Ekiti State.” “Some persons who claimed to be policemen invaded Ekiti State and they attempted to arrest 11 members of the State House of Assembly and some Peoples Democratic Party leaders in Ekiti State; this is further extension of the campaign of calumny against the government of Ekiti State.”

Money lenders claim Osun schools, PDP alleges It’s a laughable allegation —Gov’s aide Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

OSUN State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, asked the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, to explain why he signed off public school buildings to “Islamic money lenders.” The party, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said it was alarmed to read a direct claim over public school buildings in the state made by shadowy holders of the N11.4billion Islamic bond taken a few years ago by the Aregbesola’s administration. According to Odeyemi, “we read the advertorial in The Guardian and The Nation of Wednesday, 30 March, 2016 bearing the logo and name of Osun Sukuk Company Plc. We note that the rating agency said it had down-graded the state’s rating because of the parlous state of its economy just as they made open their decision to seize and sell school buildings should the state fail to pay back the bond sum of N11.4 billion at 17.5 % fixed return.” He continued, “specifical-

ly, we note in paragraph two of the advertorial that ‘“The Sukuk holders will have ownership of the school buildings acquired with the Sukuk proceeds until the issue is fully redeemed; therefore, the Sukuk holders will have recourse to the property in the unlikely event of

default.” However, the director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, described the allegation of the PDP as laughable and an attempt to mislead the public. According to him, “some

TWO students of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, have been jailed for three years without an option of fine by an Ekiti State High Court, for cultism. The duo (Akintunde Olumide and Oladapo Olaoluwa) were convicted on Wednesday, following a charge brought against them by the police, which said they committed the offence on July 13, 2013 at a hotel in Iworoko-Ekiti. The prosecution, led by Mr Femi Falade, had said that the accused were brought on a three-countcharge of stealing, assault and secret cult.

He had held that the offence was punishable under Section 355.4(1) of criminal code Laws of Ekiti State 2012 and Secret cults (Abolition and Prohibition). The prosecution counsel had also called four witnesses to prove his case, while the defence counsel, Mr Emmanuel Oluwole, also called three witnesses to prove his case. Justice Mosun Abodunde, in her judgement said the prosecution counsel had established a case of secret cult beyond reasonable doubt and noted that the accused made a confessional statement as a member of Black Axe at the criminal investigation department during interrogation.

No student of Ibarapa Poly hurt, killed during protest —Registrar By Tunde Adegbola

THE Management of The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, in Ibarapa-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, has debunked the claims by some national dailies that a student of the institution was killed during a peaceful protest staged by the students on Tuesday. This was contained in press release signed by the Registrar of the institution, Miss Tomi Olatunji, saying that the students had been directed to proceed on semester break following the wanton disruption of activities they embarked upon. According to her, “the general public should discountenance the report of gunshots and killings by the security operatives, who instantly brought the situation under control. “Such information is malicious and callous as the students only embarked on peaceful demonstration. No student was neither hurt nor killed in the upset. Resumption date would be announced soon.”

Don’t pay into personal account, OAU warns admission seekers Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

comments can be laughable! Or how else does one explain to anyone misinforming the people that Osun schools built with proceeds from the Sukuk bond stand the risk of being taken over by a “named Sukuk Loan Facility Company” using the words of the writer.”

Court jails 2 EKSU students for cultism Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

Nigerian Tribune

She added that the police found cutlass, black head warmer, black T-shirt, black trousers in their custody during investigation. The judge also held that the short cutlass could not be measurable with the one used for agriculture or weeding. She said “It is not a tool for education; it is a weapon of danger and intimidation which should not be seen within the school premises.” She decried cultism and said secret cult according to Ekiti State laws was a group whose membership were kept in secret, committing or inciting violence, encouraging the disturbance of the state.

AUTHORITIES of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday, cautioned some candidates seeking admission into the institution against paying acceptance and school fees to a nebulous account which was opened by a fraudster. In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, it was imperative for the candidates, seeking admission to avoid being duped by paying into a First Bank of Nigeria PLC account number 3103284809, opened in the name of one Professor Haruna Jeminetu. According to the statement, “there is no such name as Professor Haruna Jeminetu in our university and the said account number has nothing to do with our university in whatever guise. The statement reads in part, “the university has not asked candidates to be paying acceptance/school fees for now because the timetable for resumption for the 2016/2017 academic session has not been released, neither have we asked candidates to resume for the session.”

south-westnews

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Fulani cows must leave our lands, Ogbomoso indigenes cry out By Wale Akinselure INDIGENES, especially farmers and students, of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have protested the con-

tinued damage to their farmlands as a result of the grazing activities of Fulani herdsmen. With placards bearing “Cows must leave our

lands; Fulani can stay; Cows are causing damages to our farms”, the indigenes, under the auspices of Federation of Ogbomoso Students’ Union, had on

Tuesday, stormed the Oyo State House of Assembly, to beckon on the state government to be more serious with the issue. Senate President, Fed-

From right, Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Commissioner for Works, Mr Gboye Adegbenro; the deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo and others, inaugurating the 27.55km Ajagba-Iyansan road, on Thursday.

We have built more roads than any administration in Ondo —Mimiko

NDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has declared that he has built more roads than any other government in the history of administrations in the state. The governor made the declaration at the commissioning of the AjagbaIyansan 27.5kilometre road in Irele local government on Thursday. Mimiko, who said the completed road project was in fulfilment of his electioneering promise to the people of the area said the road used to be a footpath accessed only by bicycles, motorbikes and timber trucks made possible only in the dry season. The commencement of the raining season he said means people can only access Iyansan, Akotogbo, Ijuoshun and other communities in the area by water. He stressed that the project was a milestone, not only in the lives of the communities but also in the annals of the records of the achievements of his administration. Mimiko listed other roads his administration had completed in the Southern senatorial district of the state among others to include Asphalt Overlay in Southern Senatorial Axis -Okitipupa/ Obonde 7.545km; Asphalt overlay in Southern Senatorial Axis II Omotosho/Ilutitun 21.40km; rehabilitation /Asphalt overlay of Irele township road 5.2km; dualisation of Igbokoda township main road 2.5km; rehabili-

tation of Okitipupa-ErinjeObonde road 12.75km; rehabilitation of Ore township road 6.46km; Asphalt overlay of surface dressed road in Ile-Oluji axis 3.85km. Others include construction of IgbisinOloto - Igbo Egunrin Mahintedo junction, rehabilitation/Asphalt overlay of Igbokoda Aiyetoro road phase 1, 33km; construction of concrete waterway in Bologwe, 1.7km; Asphalt overlay of OjualaIpoke road 5.8km.; Asphalt overlay of Inikorogha – Oboro road 3.5km; con-

struction of Okitipupa – Ayeka - Araromi road 9.7km and construction of Igbokoda Aiyetoro road phase 3 -IgbonlaEruna road. The Governor said he had to mention the roads in question to debunk claims that government concentration in terms of road work is more in other areas. He mentioned roads done in the Central district also to include the rehabilitated Ilesha road- Fiwasaye 9.3kilometer road in Akure, Oda- Davog 3.4km road, Installation of light on Ile-

sha road- Fiwashaye-Owo 9.3km, Installation of light on Ademulegun Idi -Ishin 9.7km road in Ondo, Ashpalt overlay in Ondo axis 9.9km road, rehabilitation of Ibule 1.4km road, federal highway Ogbese 0.2km road, Ondo township 14.2km, Alade owena-idanre township 20km, Akure township Asphalt overlay 20km, FUTA -Aule 5.2km, Dualisation of Ilesha road-Fiwashaye 3.1km, NEPA- Arakale 2.3km, Oba Adesida-Isikan 4.1km and rehabilitation of 1.4km Ibule roads.

Fayose condemns arrest of 76 Igbo villagers for protesting against Fulani herdsmen Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has condemned the alleged arrest of 76 villagers from Ugwuneshi Autonomous community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State following an alleged clash between the natives and Fulani herdsmen. Fayose said in a statement on Thursday that “It has gotten to a level that lovers of peace in Nigeria must speak out on this keg of gun powder which is the threat that the Fulani herdsmen has become.” According to the statement by the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olay-

inka, “no fewer than 76 men from the Ugwuneshi Autonomous community were last Thursday arrested and whisked away by “men in military uniform” after they protested the continued destruction of their crops and farmlands by Fulani herdsmen and their cattle who settled in the area without permission.” Reacting to the alleged arrest, Governor Fayose said “President Mohammadu Buhari should address the killing of Nigerians and destruction of farmlands by the Fulani herdsmen.” The governor, who called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 76 Igbo villagers, said the President Muhammadu

Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government must not give impression that the Fulani herdsmen were lords in other people’s lands. Governor Fayose said the Fulani herdsmen were given the impression that they now own Nigeria and could perpetrate any crime and get away with it. He said “It is worrisome that the herdsmen that killed over 400 Agatu in Benue State, raped women and destroyed farmlands in the North Central, South West and South South zones of Nigeria are walking the streets free while Igbo people, who opted to defend their sources of livelihood, are languishing in detention.”

eration of Ogbomoso Students’ Union, Alagbe Lukman, presenting their case, said it was high time the state government implemented measures to limit the damage to their farmlands and attendant negative effect on the livelihood of farmers due to the grazing activities of Fulani herdsmen. “The Fulani herdsmen, through their grazing activities, have continued to damage our farms. This affects us as students as our parents’ income from their farm yield is gravely affected. The farmers seem handicapped as the security agencies do not come to their aid. Our parents depend on their farms for their source of livelihood and also use it to take care of their families. We are not saying Fulani should leave but we don’t want them to graze on our farmland. So, measures should be put in place to curtail these excesses. “This trend has been on for quite some time. We have written to government, security agencies and other stakeholders to see to this matter. But we are yet to get a response. Also, we have spoken with community leaders they seem unable to handle this issue. “The labour of our farmers is in vain. There are several instances whereby the herdsmen graze and these cattle eat up our crops. Some of us as students engage in farming to sustain ourselves and sponsor our education. We plead with the state government to seriously look into this matter to prevent a crisis in the area similar to the Agatu scenario in Benue State.” Addressing the protesters, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, decried increasing reports of how the grazing activities of the Fulanis affected the people in Ogbomoso, among other parts of the state. “We have received videos, pictures of the activities of the Fulanis and how our people are affected. We are concerned and have to get to the root of such senseless activities of such Fulanis. We will meet with the Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service, Fulani representatives, and community representatives on how to address this issue. We cannot fold our arms knowing what happened in Agatu. We will deal with the issue decisively.”

Nigerian Tribune

NURTW chair charges members to maintain peace in Ondo Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Najeem Yasin, has charged members of the union in Ondo State to maintain the peace existing within the union in the state. Yasin, who gave this charge in Akure, Ondo State capital, during the inauguration of the new executives of the NURTW said the Ondo State branch of the union remains one of the best in the country, saying “the Ondo State branch of NURTW is crisis free.” The chairman said development can only be witnessed in a peaceful atmosphere, noting that the NURTW is one of the stakeholders contributing to the economy of their immediate environment. He enjoined the new leadership of the union in the state, led by Mr Ariyo Adetula, to accommodate everybody in the union, charging the new executives to emulate the past leaders of the union in the state.

Ekiti: Transporters of logs, planks at night risk 6 months’ jail term THE Ekiti State government on Thursday announced a ban on movements of logs and planks at night by individuals or vehicles in any part of the state. It added that violators risked a six-month–jail term. The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bisi Kolawole, announced this at a meeting with the executive members of the four unions operating in the forest industry in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four unions are: The Timber Association, The Saw Millers Association, The Timber Lorry Drivers’ Association and The Power Saw/Chain Operators Association. The commissioner said that the order was consequent upon the coming into effect of the new Ekiti State Forestry Act, 2016. He also said that the state government had outlawed the use of motor chainsaws for the processing of logs into planks in all forest reserves and free areas in the state.

14 photonews

Primate, The African Church, His Eminence, Emmanuel Udofia (second Right); his wife and President, African Church Ministers’ Wives’ Association, Lady Evangelist Ene Udofia (second Left); wife of the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Mrs. Dorcas Abbe (left) and the wife of Archbishop of Calabar Province, Mrs Oluwakemi Odufuwa, during the 2016 ministers’ wives’ retreat in Lagos on wednesday.

Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello (left) with the Executive Secretary of NCPC, John Kennedy Opara, during the airlift of the intending pilgrims from Niger State, to Israel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The 1982 set of Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan Old Boys recently held a mini reunion event at the Develpment Support Centre, Iyaganku, GRA, Ibadan. From left: Dr Kayode Akintola Afolabi (former Health Commissioner in Oyo State, now a Director at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja), Pastor Taiwo Otegbeye (former Information Commissioner in Oyo State) and Mr Goke Adeyemi (an Abuja-based businessman), at the event.

From left, former Public Relations, Advertising and Sales Promotions Manager, Texaco Nigeria Plc, (now MRS Nigeria Plc), Nathaniel Iyanda; his son, Joseph Omoyele Iyanda and his spouse of 40 years, Stella Olubunmi Iyanda, cutting the 40th wedding anniversary cake, recently.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

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Friday, 1 April, 2016

Fight against corruption, our collective responsibility —Falana Says Buhari might not win the war if... Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

He challenged the national body of ASUU to help in

the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government.

He submitted that the there was no equality as

the Rule of law in Nigeria was concerened, insisting

UMAN rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, has said Nigerians must support the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the fight against corruption, in the collective interest of all. He stated this on Thursday, while speaking as a special guest at a special congress and public lecture on the theme: “The limits of anticorruption law,” organised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, held at the institution’s permanent site. The former chairman of the West African Bar Association contended that corruption had eaten deep into the political system of the country, hence the need for the Nigerian populace to assist government in stamping it out. He noted that Buhari’s government might not win the corruption if it failed to find the root cause of the problem. He said the menace would continued in the system, unless government empowered the people to take the destiny of the country in their hands. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also submitted that the criminal justice system in the country had been hijacked by corruption. He said: “No doubt, corruption has assumed a dangerous dimension in the country, whereby a father and his two sons were charged to court for corruption cases. They were locked up in the same cell. This is unspeakable and that is the extent of collapsed of values in the society. “You cannot fight corruption without looking at the root cause, because we are operating a neo-capitalist system.” He challenged the president to publish the names of people standing trial for corruption cases and their lawyers, if he wants to achieve in his anti-corruption war. He said Buhari’s government might not be able to convict up to five suspects on corruption before 2019. Falana also indicted the Bar and the Bench for their roles in dispensing criminal justice system, saying “the criminal justice system in the country has been hijacked by corruption.”

Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, receiving a souvenir from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubarkar, during a courtesy visit of the Chief of Air Staff to the governor, at the Government House, Uyo, on Thursday.

that there was wide gap between how the laws viewed the rich and the poor. He explained that only two people who had corrupt cases hanging on their necks had been convicted since 2007, adding that diversion and theft of stolen funds meant for project execution also aided the under-development of the country. “Nigerians must join him (president) and take advantage of his declaration to fight corruption. No government can fight corruption. Government should publish the names of lawyers handling any corrupt case in the country, in order for the people to ask question,” he added. In his remarks, the national president of ASUU, Dr Nasir Isa Fagge, assured that the body would collaborate with the government in the fight against corruption.

Epidemics may arise from intense heat —Health expert By Vera Onana AS temperature across the country, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), as of Thursday, ranged from 32°C in most southwestern cities, to as high as 37°C in the FCT and 39°C in the core North, one would expect that the intense heat being experienced by Nigerians nationwide would subside as the rains showed up early this year, ironically, the reverse had been the case. Speaking on the pervasive heat, despite the rainfalls, expert Climatologist and atmospheric physicist, Dr Olaniran Matthew, said “the month of March is usually the hottest period in Nigeria. This period is often extended to April in most northern parts of the country. “The warmth decreases as soon as the outset of rainfall is reached, that is, when the probability that it will rain within five consecutive days is greater than or equal to 0.5 and 10 per cent of the total annual rain has fallen. What is happening now is not strange. There is increased evapo-transpiration due to rise in soil/ground water and high solar insolation. We refer to the unusual rainfall in this period as ‘false start of rainfall’. This is why we are experiencing these high temperatures even as it rains.” He added, however, that

the increased temperature might not necessarily be heat wave, “lack of observed weather patterns for this period might make it difficult for us to categorically say what we are experiencing now is heat wave because a heat wave is rather a prolonged period of hot weather when the daily maximum temperature of more than five consecutive days exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5°C . “What we are experiencing now is more of the manifestation of the projected negative effects of climate change.” Dr Matthew itemised the implications of this intense temperature, saying “this kind of extreme event always lead to health hazards, such as dizziness, dry skin, heatstroke, headache, fainting and even death in very extreme cases, if prolonged for weeks, but this unbearable heat is expected to end as soon as the actual rainfall arrives, which is presumptively April.” Also, speaking on the effect of such intense heat on children, expert paediatrician, Dr Atinuke Uwajeh, said “heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration are illnesses children could develop under such harsh weather conditions. “Children develop very high fever; they get pale and lethargic, just because they have been exposed to intense heat. Some come in appearing listless and when

they are examined, it is noticed that not only are they febrile, they have dry mucous membrane and they lose focus, sweating profusely with very high temperature.” Dr Uwajeh, therefore, admonished parents and guardians to care more for their children this season. “To prevent this, parents must limit a child’s exposure to direct sunlight, not from the warm sun that gives us the vitamin A, but the real scorching one. “A child must not be exposed for more than 10 minutes at a time. Schools should also limit outdoor

activities during this period because this is not a time to do physical exercises, as the children will end up with heat exhaustion. They could almost collapse from heat stroke as well. “Parents need to keep the children well hydrated. This is the time to use creams that have sun protective components, especially if outdoor activities will be embarked upon. Aside from that, hats and umbrellas can be used for protection, but above all, water intake must be high,” she said. Earlier this month, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of

NiMet, Dr Anthony Anuforom, said the present high temperature being experienced in different parts of the country might likely continue till the end of April and a few days ago, the body had reiterated it in a statement signed by its Public Relations Manager, Ms Eva Azinge. While stating that the global average air temperature of the earth was already 1°C hotter than it was at the start of the 20th century, Nigerians were advised to be prepared to confront hotter days, warmer nights and heat waves in the days and months to come.

Gunmen kill Rivers LG chairman’s aide continued from pg4

He gave the names of the suspects to include Okachi Isaiah, Benjamin Ohahuru, Enyele Eze, Orakwu Innocent and Ibuchi Would, all males, adding that weapons recovered from them included two AK 47 rifles, one pump action gun, one Bareta pistol, 19 rounds of assorted live ammunition, three magazines and eight cartridges. “Preliminary investigation indicated the gang are responsible to series of robberies and kidnappings around Ubima and environs,” the police imagemaker added. In a related development, chairman of the Rivers State chairman of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support efforts by Governor Nyesom Wike to create a new state devoid of violence and criminality for peace and sustainable development, rather than instigating violence. Obuah made the call in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, in reaction to a statement credited to the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, to the effect that if Wike wanted peace in the state, he should come and beg him (Amaechi). Obuah said it was regrettable that such a statement could from Amaechi, as a former governor and leader

of a political party, “who ought to exhibit high level of discipline, responsibility and maturity.” He further said alleged comment by the immediate past governor of the state had vindicated PDP that he (Amaechi) and the members of APC were behind all acts of violence in some parts of the state. However, Rivers APC chairman, Dr Davies Ikanya, tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive action to end the lingering political violence in the state and bring the perpetrators to book. He commended the president for publicly condemning the spate of violence in the state which he described as worrisome.

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Friday, 1 April, 2016

Insurgency cost North-East $9bn —Report

HE North-East Nigeria Recovery and Peace Building Assessment (RPBA) team announced on Thursday that the impact of the conflict in the region cost $9 billion. The team also said it would need $6 billion to perform recovery efforts in the crisistorn area. The data, released at the two-day final validation and consensus workshop in Abuja, noted that the devastation happened between 2011 and 2015. Presenting the report, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Dr Mariam Masha, said Borno State was worst hit by the crisis, with a loss of $6 billion. According to her, the region suffered damage worth $3 billion in housing alone, while it suffered damages in terms of livestock, which brought about the need to restore agriculture in the region. The RPBA said Yobe and Adamawa states were next in devastation, adding that the devastation in other parts of the region was enormous, but with less gravity. She said no fewer than 20,000 lives were lost, while 1.8 million people were displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. Masha said the planned “interventions is going to be done overtime based on resources that are available. “And what this process brings home is that it also helps to create a platform to harmonise resources, to co-ordinate better, support and planning at the federal and state level, and support also from international donors and partners,’’ said the presidential aide. She said that RPBA would try to generate the needed funds for the rehabilitation of the North-East through partnership with donor groups. “We have support from our partners, we have support from the donors and we also have the support from the government. “It is not something that can be fixed in one day. It is not money that can be raised in one day, but it is process that is ongoing. “It is good that we see it as that and that is why it is important to prioritise what needs to be done immediately, what need to be done in a short to medium term and this is what this is presenting to us,’’ she added. The presidential aide said the assessment was basically built on work that had

been done both at the federal and at the state government levels. She said it considered the data collected from the state governments, the ongoing initiatives at the federal government level “and what data is available from there and bringing this together to see what gaps exist in them and how to fill them.’’ In the report, the RPBA recommended a four-year strategic plan to restore the North-East to progress and development. The plan was divided into two equal phases of stabilisation and recovery, and would cover such areas as

agriculture, housing, transportation and education over the four-year plan. The representative of the European Union (EU), Mr Juan Casla, said the assessment was outcome of the protocol of the EU and United Nations to help countries in that kind of situation. He said: “From my experience in this type of interventions, I have seen that the team has been able to put in place thorough assessment in a complex and challenging situation in the NorthEast. “Being able to analyse the data from this situation and coming out with a sound,

precise and concise assessment that focus on the issues affecting the NorthEast and coming out with recommendations that are sound and offer the way forward for the different government agencies and the states to tackle these situations.’’ He said the EU was satisfied with the assessment. “So, with the leadership that we have seen from the Federal Government and the different states and the international donor agencies we now have to discuss how to move forward,’’ Casla said. The Borno State Commissioner for Reconstruction,

Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Dr Baba Umara, said the quantum of damage done to the state by Boko Haram was alarming. He said the people had suffered very serious stress and strain in overcoming insurgency. He said the World Bank, EU, UN and the Federal Government had made an assessment to find lasting solution to these problems which was commendable. The commissioner, however, said the validation workshop was with respect to the infrastructure, social and peace building as well as the recovery components.

“We are optimistic that at the end of this report, something very good will come to the people of Borno, the entire North-East region and Nigeria in general” he said. He said that Borno State government would key in the stabilisation and recovery concurrently.. “We hope that by the end of the four-year term things would be okay. “But when things are not okay, the state government may need to look for another intervention or the World Bank, EU mission may decide to expand the scope of the work to another fouryear period,’’ he added.

Boko Haram: World Bank earmarks $800m for rebuilding North-East THE World Bank has earmarked $800 million to support the rebuilding of the infrastructure destroyed in the North-East by the Boko Haram insurgency. The United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms Fatma Samoura, made the disclosure on Thursday, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima. Samoura, who is also a UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, said the UN was scaling up its presence in Borno and other northeastern states ravaged by the insurgency. “Yesterday, we had a long discussion with the World Bank team that came from Washington, D.C. to attend the workshop. “The workshop was for validating the year findings of the recovery and peacebuilding assessment. “They have promised to leverage 800 million dollars for the North-East to response to recovery, rehabilitation, de-mining, waste management and debris processing for the NorthEast of Nigeria,’’ she said. The UN representative regretted that the UN was having challenges in mobilising resources for Nigeria, in view of the humanitarian crises in other parts of the world. “As we all know, the Syrian crisis that is affecting Europe is also taking a heavy toll in terms of funding from our traditional donors. “We are trying our best to ensure that our advocacy and our communication strategy are up to the level where we will be receiving more attention from the donor community. “The humanitarian response plan, as we speak, is just 10 per cent funded,

meaning we have only received 24 million dollars. “This is out of $248 million budgeted for the NorthEast of Nigeria for 2016,” she said. Samoura, however, pledged that the UN would continue to complement the World Bank and the European Union (EU) supports to address the root causes of poverty and exclusion in the North-East. “The UN will be on your side in order to address the humanitarian situation.

“The UN will also support the Borno State government in its work on recovery and rehabilitation for the safe return of the IDPs back to their areas of origin,” she said. Samoura said her visit to Maiduguri was to demonstrate the sympathy of the UN to the appalling situation of the 1.8 million people, who had been displaced by insurgency. She commended the strong leadership and commitment of the governor to

finding sustainable solutions to safe and voluntary return of the IDPs to their places of origin. Responding, Governor Shettima commended the UN for standing by the government and people of Borno in identifying root causes and also finding lasting solutions to the insurgency. Shettima, however, described that the $800 million pledge by the World Bank as grossly inadequate, in view of the enormous challenges left behind by the

insurgency. “It is in the interest of humanity to rally round Nigeria over Boko Haram. The developed world gave Turkey $ 2 billion to resettle refugees from Syria. “There are about two million IDPs from Borno and 20 local government areas were overran by Boko Haram and there is food crisis now in the state,” he said. He, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to Borno and victims of insurgency.

Nigeria, US consider options to weaken Boko Haram As GOC tours frontline, commends troops From Adetola Bademosi and James Bwala NIGERIAN and the United States (US) governments have discussed measures aimed at countering violent extremism in Nigeria and encouraging defections from Boko Haram sect. The discussion was part of the agenda of the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC), which met in Washington, D.C on Wednesday. The commission, according to a joint communique obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, jointly determined to take further actions to advance US-Nigeria security cooperation to promote peace and security in Nigeria, especially in northeastern Nigeria and the broader Lake Chad region. Both sides recognised that the cooperation includes, but not limited to military cooperation. It noted the continued threat to peace and security posed by Boko Haram, now an affiliate of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), while the US reaffirmed its support for Nigeria and its neighbours in countering the threat.

The commission discussed the situation of refugees and internally-displaced persons in Nigeria and the region, and the governments decided to work together to create conditions for their safe and voluntary return. Other areas discussed included the importance of protecting civilians and safeguarding human rights; the need for integrated planning for the restoration of full civilian authority, resettlement and reconstruction; the need to understand and eliminate sources of terrorist financing; and ways to expand intelligence sharing. The commission established a working group on security cooperation and directed that it meets within six months to review progress on joint goals. “The BNC noted the governments’ decision to intensify their work together to help Nigeria trace funds and assets stolen through corruption and other illicit activities and seek to recover the assets. “The BNC noted the historical importance of Nigeria’s 2015 elections and the peaceful transition that

ensued. The US intends to support Nigerian efforts towards improving the quality of elections and looks to Nigeria to support elections and democracy throughout Africa. “The BNC decided to strengthen their joint efforts in support of good governance, anti-corruption and enhanced delivery of public services, including national institutional frameworks for peace building and conflict management to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and promote inclusive prosperity. “The BNC recognised that the US intends to continue its support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies, as appropriate,” the communique read. Meanwhile, the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, BrigadierGeneral Victor Ezugwu, has expressed happiness over the conduct of troops of 3 Battalion, Gamboru Ngala, stressing that their recent performance, in clearing Boko Haram terrorists, was encouraging.

General Ezugwu stated this on Thursday, at Rann, Headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area, which was captured by the troops in a battle that brought glory for the battalion in the ongoing war on terrorists’ hideout declared by the Nigerian military. The GOC was earlier welcomed by the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Igwe Omoke, who briefed the GOC of their arrival to the mission area and achievements within the few days they were inducted into ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, which included the capture of Alagarno and its environs. General Ezugwu commended the bravery and gallantry of the officers and soldiers, and assured them of the Division’s adequate logistics and operational support. He also toured the company locations and interacted with the members of the civilian JTF. Earlier, General Ezugwu stopped at the Headquarters of 22 Brigade Dikwa, where he was received by the Commander, BrigadierGeneral Benjamin Sawyer.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

ONG life is a gift from God. Some live long no matter the difficulties and hazards of life. Some equally have short lives. A man lives long as a result of the special grace of God. Africans, as part of their cherished tradition, mourn their fellow men and women. It is part of our lives in Africa that when a man dies, it is believed he has gone to heaven to join the angels of God. There is, therefore, a time to be born and also a time to die. Were life to be eternal, Papa Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Herbert Macalay, Tafawa Balewa, Mallam Aminu Kano and many other legends of our history in Nigeria will still be alive today. Death is a leveller for all men. Our religions teach us to prepare to meet death. A man who has accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour can never be afraid to face death when it eventually comes. As for me, therefore, when death comes, it comes. Glory to our God Almighty. I am sorry for the long diversions I have made today before hitting the nail of my friend’s death on the head. The point I have made here is to give justification on why I mourn the deaths of those close to me and those who have contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of our country on this page all the time. About two months ago, the death was reported of a childhood friend of mine. The death of Benjamin Olusesan Ajiboye was relayed to me on phone by ‘Segun Fayemi (a junior of mine at Ifaki Grammar School and brother in-law to Benjamin Ajiboye). Though Ben was senior to me in age by about three years, we were very close friends until he died. I knew Ben as far back as 1954 at Ifaki in Ekiti State of Nigeria. He had come to Ifaki in 1954 on holidays from Ile-Oluji in Ondo State, where he had been living with a man we all call till this day “Oga” Dada. “Oga” Dada was a famous football manager during his youthful days. He could develop a football team at any time point in time. Now, about 91 years of age, “Oga” Dada remains as active today as ever. Benjamin Ajiboye and Bamgbe Akilaya (both of blessed memory) were living with “Oga” Dada at Ile-Oluji at that time. “Oga” Dada is still alive today at 91, but his wards Ben and Bamgbe are no more. We were many in those days of our childhood years, Professor S. Ade Ojo, who went to Egbe-Oba High School, Ikole Ekiti and retired as a French Professor at the University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba; Bayo Akerele, the late Solo Dada, the late Sunday Omoniyi, the late S.K. Dada, the late Isaac Babalola “Babson Photos”, Toye Aladegbami, Agbemuko, Professor ‘Tunde Adeniran of Orin Ekiti, Biodun Agbelese, the late Johnson Fakoro (who was murdered by his fiancée in America year ago), Pastor Dayo Ojo, Rufus Borode, Joseph Ajayi aka “OMO EYE AWO”, Gbadamosi Dada (of blessed memory) and several others were among those who shared childhood days with me and Benjamin Ajiboye at Ifaki in the 50s. Those were great days we cannot forget in our lives. Benjamin Ajiboye later proceeded to Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji for his secondary school education. When he finished his secondary school education around 1961, he came to Lagos to work in a Federal government department. He stayed in Lagos for about 20 years before moing to Ibadan, where he will be buried next week. I remember too well that my friend stayed at Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute-Metta in Lagos. I was frequently with him when in particular I was an H.Sc student at Igbobi College, Yaba. Benjamin Ajiboye was sharing a room with “Egbon” Olu Omotayo, who was my classmate at Ifaki Grammar School between 1957 and 1962. “Egbon” Olu Omotayo died not too long ago. I dated a lady in Ben’s house who was the daughter of Ben’s landlord at that time. Benjamin Olusesan Ajiboye was a good man. Anyone who could accommodate my rascality at that time must surely be a nice and lovely person. Ben did and I will remember him for a longtime to come. Ben got married to Funmilayo (nee Fayemi) and we were compelled by his marital status to see less of each other. God will bless ‘Funmi as she now takes up the responsibility of looking after their six children alone. On April 7, next week, a service of songs will take place at Faith Joe Civic Centre, Akobo, Ibadan. Funeral service for Ben will hold at the Emmanuel College Chapel, Samonda, near the University of Ibadan. For me, those two days will be of full emotions as I will once again be

With

Ebenezer Babatope

0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

The death of Benjamin Ajiboye

•The late Benjamin Ajiboye

face to face with a friend who was many things to me as we grew up in Ifaki-Ekiti in our childhood years. Ben’s body later will be conveyed to mother earth at St. James Cemetery Ijokodo, Ibadan. Awe Okun O. As a Christian, I believe we will eventually be united at the feet of Jesus in paradise. Goodbye, Good-Night and Farewell!

Benjamin Olusesan Ajiboye was a good man; anyone who could accommodate my rascality at that time must surely be a nice and lovely person.

BOOK LAUNCH On Saturday 9, April, 2016, Prince Olanrele Akigbogun will be launching a special book on the life and times of Reverend I.O. Ransome Kuti, the father of the late Professor Ransome Kuti, the late Fela Anukulapo Kuti and the late Dr. Beko Kuti. Reverend I.O. Ransome Kuti was the husband of the famous female revolutionary, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. Political Panorama will very soon deal extensively with this book on a great man who was known to have been involved in the formations of the Nigerian Union of Teachers. The launching will infact take place next week Saturday at the Nigeria Union of Teachers Hall, Opposite M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The Chairman of the occasion is His Royal highness, Oba Dr. Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso CON, the Karunwi III, Oranmiyan Osile Oke Ona Egba. The Co-coordinator of the book launch is Chief Doja Adewolu. Reverend I. Ransome Kuti and the other well known Kutis are dead. Their achievements will continue to speak very well of them. The programme will start at 11a.m. It will be a great day remembering the life exploits of an educationist. EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK BISHOP ‘RANTI ODUBOGUN RETIRES (BOOK YOUR COPY IN ADVANCE)

18 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 1 April, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08053412982. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Towards reviving Ajaokuta Steel Company

JAOKUTA Steel Company Limited (ASCL) was designed to be the driving force of Nigeria’s technological advancement, but it has not lived up to expectation; now, the need to revamp the nation’s steel sector is more compelling than ever before as the global oil price continues to drop. The construction of the Ajaokuta plant commenced under the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1979, and was commissioned in 1983, when the project had achieved about 95 per cent completion rate. At that time, the following rolling mills of the

steel plant were in operation: light, billets, wire rod, medium section and structural mills. It was planned then that profits generated would provide the needed funds for the completion of the remaining five per cent of the plant. However, since its inauguration in 1983, the plant has been embroiled in managerial inaptitude and controversy, ranging from allegations of obsolete machines and outdated blast furnace model. Despite its initial completion, the plant had suffered years of neglect under successive administrations due to lack of political will. There was a technical audit report by Ukrainian engineers recently which

revealed that the situation of the steel plant’s equipment and facility are satisfactory. Technically, the Ajaokuta plant’s equipment and facilities are generally in good condition. According to the engineers, the blast furnace model, which Ajaokuta steel plant has, is the best in the world. In 2010, the world statistical year book put the total crude steel rates produced globally at 1.4 billion tones, of which 74 per cent was through blast furnace. Experts have said that the steel plant, if completed, has the capacity of producing 1.3 million metric tonnes of liquid steel, and serve as a net

Blame Kachikwu for fuel scarcity THE Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, should just resign from the positions he hold in the Muhammadu Buhari government, as his body language suggests that he is tired of the challenges associated with his offices. When he was appointed as the NNPC boss by President Buhari, he knew what he was coming to do; he knew he was coming to work in a tough environment, and should have prepared himself for whatever comes his way. Also, as a public officer, one’s statements and body language go a long way in aiding or alleviating a challenge, and this is what is happening when Kachikwu said he was not a magician and could not solve the fuel scarcity until May. The fuel marketers simply capitalised on this, and continued hoarding the product to create an artificial scarcity. Today, Nigerians are suffering more, and many are beginning to wonder if electing this government will bring the solution to our challenges. In some climes, Kachikwu would have resigned for that statement, which has brought about more

suffering for his fellow countrymen. As an exposed personality, I think it would do Nigerians a lot of good if Kachikwu tendered his resignation, while another

person who is mentally strong be brought in to solve the issue of fuel scarcity in the country. •Dr Taju Alalade, Ilorin, Kwara State.

provider of employment. What is required in Ajaokuta is adequate funding and maintenance. I sincerely urge President Muhammadu Buhari to develop the will to reactivate the steel company. At optimal production level, the steel plant at Itakpe can generate over two million jobs for youths if properly funded, as many cottage industries that will make use of the by-products from the steel mill would be established. The Federal Government cannot create jobs through the establishment and duplication of agencies, which in many cases, would be scrapped due to policy inconsistency by successive governments. The surest means of creating jobs in developing countries like ours is through technological initiative and advancement, which will lead to industrial revolution. It is ridiculous that in the 21st century, the giant of Africa is still importing slabs, roofing sheets,

simple agricultural tools such as hoes and cutlasses, glassware, potato chips, tooth picks and even grasses from countries which became independent after Nigeria.

It is, therefore, not a bad idea if government makes the company functional as Nigeria can be a net exporter of steel. •Balogun Emmanuel, Kabba, Kogi State.

Belgium attacks: Nigeria should be at alert FOLLOWING the attacks on an international airport and metro station in Brussels, Belgium, which claimed the lives of about 34 people, then Nigeria should also not relax its counter-terrorism measures. Our security agencies should be at alert every time as terrorists will not inform anybody that they will strike. We also have our own security challenges, and the authorities are already doing a good job in the North East, where the capabilities of the Boko Haram insurgents have been downgraded; however, we must not forget that due to the war, many people have moved to other parts

of the country, particularly the South West, and there might be some people who might be sympathetic to the cause of the Boko Haram insurgency. These people will be looking at ways to attack innocent people in continuation of their war, and that is why our security officers should be at alert, particularly those manning the airports, ports, government buildings, among other important places. It is high time Nigeria also invested in training its intelligence/information gathering agencies; if we had highly-trained intelligence officers, then the war ought not to have lasted this long. The world is at a critical stage and terrorists are at war with liberalism; they want to entrench their own negative ideologies, but the people must continue to resist this. While ordinary people have a lot to do, it is the responsibility of security agencies to neutralise terrorist attacks. • Tuope Henry, Lagos.

Still on the Rivers re-run violence POLITICIANS in the country, particularly those in Rivers State, must realise that elections are meant to choose the representatives of the people, and as a result, there is no need to go violent. The people know who they want in positions of authority, and this shouldn’t result in violence. I hope perpetrators of the political violence in Rivers will face the music. •Ayisat Ahmed, Kaduna.

editorial

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Tunji Braithwaite: A nationalist departs

n his heartfelt homage to Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, the nationalist and social justice advocate who passed on at St. Nicholas Hospital on Monday March 28, President Muhammadu Buhari was quick to praise the departed elder statesman’s genuine love for Nigeria and his inimitable contributions to the country’s ongoing struggle to build a truly democratic society. President Buhari noted that Dr. Braithwaite remained “selfless, patriotic and committed to national development” even though he never achieved his political dream of being elected president. The president’s tribute captures the essence of a man who, for several decades and right until he drew his last breath, was the standard bearer—and all too often the solitary voice—of an ethical approach to politics that still remains a rarity in the Nigerian political firmament. Whereas the majority of his colleagues talked but always balked when it came to putting their money where their mouths were, Dr. Braithwaite bravely, and with uncommon dignity, walked the talk. For the better part of five decades, he consistently put his career- the law- at the service of his overarching political objective: restructuring the Nigerian federal system in order to make it serviceable to the economic well-being of the people who comprise it. Dr. Tunji Braithwaite was a dogged defender of progressive ideals and the cause of the common people, a fact that becomes all the more remarkable given his own solid upper middle class upbringing. Born in 1933, the youngest son of eight children, Dr. Braithwaite was educated at the storied C.M.S. Grammar School, Lagos, from where he proceeded to the United Kingdom where he graduated as a barrister in 1960. Following his return to Nigeria in March 1961, he wasted no time in establishing his legal bona fides, and was one of the lawyers who defended the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the famous 1962-63 treasonable felony trial. Always politically sensitive, Dr. Braithwaite

would soon be thrown completely into the vortex by unfolding events. In 1983, by which time he had become a leading crusader for social justice in the country, he was the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), a left of centre party which sought to translate the angst of Nigerian workers and the economically disaffected into direct policy involvement. Although the country’s political architecture and related problems guaranteed that it would not respond to such leverage, Dr. Braithwaite was nevertheless successful in laying down a political and moral marker. Thanks to his earnestness, not only did the generation then emerging know that a different way of doing politics was possible, they also learned that they did not have to ‘dress up’ for people to take them or their ideas seriously. Dr. Braithwaite did the sartorially uncool because of his firm belief that substance was superior to form. Away from the hustings, Dr. Braithwaite strengthened the Nigerian democratic process with his legal work. The culmination of his legal interventions was his 530-page book, The Jurisprudence of the Living Oracles, which first appeared in 1989 and was reprinted in 2011. An unusual book, Jurisprudence is not just, as might be readily surmised from the title, about the law. Rather, it is a critical collation of Dr. Braithwaite’s complex thoughts and assessments of the intriguing trinity constituted by law, justice, and religion. To the extent that a single thesis can be extrapolated from such a multifaceted work, it is that true justice is possible only when human law becomes subject to “the higher law that governs human society.” With the departure of Dr Braithwaite, not only has the country lost one of its most morally serious and ethically-driven politicians, it has lost a brilliant legal mind whom posterity will justly remember for his forthrightness, fearlessness, and incorruptibility. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of an outstanding nationalist, a fine scholar, and a good human being.

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opinion

Friday, 1 April, 2016

In defence of Ibe Kachikwu By Femi Alapatira

R Ibe Kachikwu ranks among the best in the oil industry. As the Executive Vice Chairman/ General Counsel of ExxonMobil, he was at the peak of his career. It wasn’t just in his professional calling that he achieved excellence. Academically, he was also one of the brightest. A doctor of law, Kachickwu graduated with distinctions from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and was the best graduating student of his set at Law School, winning seven of the available nine prizes. He holds the LLM Harvard Distinction and was best graduate in 1980 with specialisation in energy, petroleum law and investment. Kachikwu set a record with a Ph.D/ SJD Harvard Distinction, specialising in petroleum and investment law strategies after completing his doctoral thesis in a record time. He has more than 30 years experience in policy-making positions in the petroleum industry including; General Counsel/Legal Adviser, Texaco Nigeria and Texaco Overseas Petroleum Co (1984 -1994); General Counsel/Secretary, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (2001); Executive Director, ExxonMobil Group of Companies (2003). Until he assumed office as the Group Managing Director, NNPC/Minister of State for Petroleum, he was the Executive Vice Chairman/General Counsel, ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria and Oversight Counsel, ExxonMobil Companies in Africa since 2009. To underscore his patriotism, Kachikwu influenced over $10 billion investment from ExxonMobil Group into Nigeria and other African countries. It is on record that he set major policy planks on government relationship, investment policy and corporate governance for ExxonMobil in Africa and was a member of many highly influential policy and investment teams for ExxonMobil Corporation. He served as a lead negotiator on diverse issues for ExxonMobil in Africa, including conclusion of Lease Renewal Negotiations for Mobil Producing and facilitated solid contacts in Global Energy Sphere with contacts to most Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of multinational petroleum corporations and secretaries of energy for key national country players for more than 25 years.

With these robust credentials, President Muhammadu needed no looking further when the time came, last year, to appoint somebody to oversee the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). And it was a smart move to give him unfettered hands to run the nation’s oil industry that, in addition to being the NNPC GMD, Buhari appointed Kachikwu into his cabinet as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, with the President himself being the Minister for Petroleum Resources. Obviously, the nation needed a man of Kachikwu’s calibre to run the oil industry at a time everything seemed to be wrong with the sector. Transparency had become a scarce commodity in the

Kachikwu is not unmindful of the pains the shortages are subjecting Nigerians to.

running of the sector with the subsidy regime being a clog in the wheel of progress. The subsidy regime had become some racket through which unscrupulous elements fleeced the nation of billions of naira. The refineries that should have eased the problem of the importation of petroleum products were down because some importers benefitting from the subsidy regime deliberately made it so. Vandalisation of oil pipelines was the rule rather than the exception because it was an avenue to steal products as they moved from one point to the other. To cap it all, oil price in the world market has been down, and, therefore, the nation needed to block all the leakages in the system to make up for the money lost to the oil slump. On assumption of office, Kachikwu rose to the occasion. He paid the outstanding subsidy claims of N600billion inherited from the Jonathan administration to marketers. Meanwhile, the good news arising from that is that, with the oil slump in oil price, which has, for now, eliminated subsidy, if there will be a return to the regime in future, we have an experienced and eagle-eyed overseer of the sector, brimming with patriotism, to foil such effort. Now, as it is always with a problem that took decades to pile up, there will be hitches in efforts to address it. Because petroleum products importation no longer attracts subsidy through which the nation has been fleeced of billions up till the advent of this government, no marketer imports products anymore, thus leaving the exercise solely in the hands of the NNPC. This accounts partly for the current shortages of petrol in the system. Kachikwu is not unmindful of the pains the shortages are subjecting Nigerians to, and, like he told the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, on Tuesday, all hands are on deck to end the shortages. The minister even gave a deadline of April 7 or thereabout to end the shortages. This shows his commitment to tackle the challenge. The refineries are also being fixed to produce refined products locally. We only need a little more patience with the government that has showed in words and deed that the welfare of the people is top priority. All will be well. •Alapatira sent this piece from Lagos.

Remembering late Chief Olaniran Ogunyemi Ogungbemi By Kunle Olasope

IT is now exactly 60 years that I first met the man Titus Ogunyemi, as he was then known, called and addressed. That waswhen I joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) at Oxford House, Dugbe, lbadan in 1956 to begin my broadcasting career. He was one of the few senior colleagues of mine with Michael Olumide as Senior Broadcasting Officer and Victor Badejo as Head of Programmes. He later adopted the name Olaniran Ogunyeml Ogungbemi. Chief Ogungbemi was tall, stately and elegant. He was meticulously neat scrupulously well-dressed, whether in lounge suit, the ordinary trousers, shirt and ties, the French suit or the Yoruba attire. His cap and shoes matched the colours of his dress. He carried a tin of tobacco from where he stuffed the pipe which he puffed regularly. He carried himself with grace and showed great self confidence. Niran was a pleasant gentleman, very friendly, soft spoken but always convincing and making his point. He was a jolly good fellow! Chief Ogungbemi was an astute programmes planner and in later years, we worked closely together preparing the programmes schedules of the West Regional Programme of Radio Nigeria. His specialty was magazine and features programmes writing and production, an assignment he carried out with great thoroughness and professionalism. He loved to read the news as well but presentation was not his strong point. He certainly was not in company with the likes of Michael Olumide, Nelson Ipaye, Segun Olusola or Anike Agbaje Williams. He loved and enjoyed co-ordinating outside broadcasts, whether sports or ceremonies. Often, he played the role of OB. Manager, to ensure successful outside broadcasts and smooth transmission and links with the studio. I, as Chief Announcer or Head of Presentation, was also in charge of sports and ceremonial commentating for

the station. I was a regular narrator of the features programmes which Niran wrote and produced. In December 1961, Chief Ogungbemi was sent from Ridio Nigeria for the usual six months attachment to the African Service of the BBC, London for the production of the weekly “Calling Nigeria.” In June of the following year, it was my turn to go for the attachment. I recall that in the morning of June 2, 1962, it was Niran who welcomed me to Bush House at the reception on the third floor. I returned to Nigeria in January of 1963; a few years after, Niran was appointed Head of Programmes in succession to late Alfred Olatunji. He thus became my boss even though I was next to him being the most senior of-

ficer in Programmes Department. I cannot recall any occasion when Chief Ogungbemi had a quarrel with me or any other person for that matter. He was a fascinating character and a perfect gentleman. I finally left Radio Nigeria at the end of March 1968 to assume the position of Commercial Manager and later Director of Commercial Services at WNTV — WNBS, Agodi, Ibadan. I had earlier, in 1959, been one of the pioneers of television when WNTV-First in Africa was launched on October 31st of that year, but I returned to Radio Nigeria in February of 1961 for my last lap on the station. Many years later when Radio Nigeria marked its 50th anniversary in 20011, Niran and I met again in Abuja as guests of the FRCN. He had shown signs of age but he still had pleasant words for me, telling those around that I came from “a good home.” He got me to sit next to him around the same table and we had such wonderful recollections. After that, the Odeomu Chief and I never met any more until Eric Akinduro called me to break the news of the departure to eternity of this fine gentleman. I am not surprised he was an Anglican like me, he was Balogun of his home church, I am Otun Baba Ijo of St. Paul’s at Efon Alaaye. The difference was that Niran stayed on in Ibadan till the end. I have relocated to Efon Alaaye since 20 years ago. I pray to make 90 like him as I look forward to my 80th birthday next year, D.V. Sleep on my beloved Oga, if ever it is possible in heaven, you would have reunited with Victor Badejo, Michael Olumide, Akinwande Osin, Akintunde Ogunsina, Alfred Olatunji, Olaolu Omideyu, Nelson Ipaye, Segun Olusola, Ayo Bankole, Bankole Balogun, Yomi Onabolu, Dokun Famubode Olu Ladele, Segun Smith, Emmanuel Eriyo. Eternal rest, grant them, 0, Lord! •Chief Olasope is a veteran broadcast journalist.

Nigerian Tribune

Friday, 1 April, 2016

fridaytreat

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

My mother

can sing all my songs — Jisola

ROTIMI IGE, in this interview with Jisola, reveals the passion and and uniqueness of the Afro pop/ R and B artiste who has been acclaimed by critics to be one of the ones to watch this year.

How I discovered my music talent. HEN I was little, because of my voice, I was always encouraged to join the choir in church. Often, I was also asked to lead. Then, whenever I sang in public, I always got positive feedback. I just felt they all couldn’t be liars so I said to myself. ‘I must really have talent then’...So, I decided to develop it and make good music. Do you play any instruments? Well, none at the moment, but I have a passion for the Piano and I’m taking lessons on it already. Mentors? I have learnt something, no matter how little, from every artiste home and away. But, I can say that I have always aspired to be like Beyoncé, Brandy, Jessie J, Aramide, Tiwa Savage, Waje, Omawunmi, Seyi Shay... Critics opinion about female artistes about limitation of acceptance... In my opinion, success in arts (music) is not gender related, though there might be few limitations around here (Nigeria). However, I feel the level of success one will attain as an artiste depends more on your hard work rather than gender. My type of music My music will generally fall under the genre of Pop and R&B. But as a full blown naija babe, I notch it up with a bit of Afro pop to give it that African vibe. Parents support? Yes! My parents are in full support. As a matter of fact, my mother can confidently sing all my songs from A to Z. Continues on pg22

My relationship with MI, Ice Prince - Diles Ailes

Music

Business 101 God’s Children Great Talent season 6 enters quarter finals

fridaytreat

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

MUSIC BUSINESS 101 Understanding the dynamics of the internal and external environments of the artiste/musician as a business entity

By Toyin Adeniji

HE artiste/musician is a business entity providing musical products and services tailor made to meet the needs/wants of an identified audience. As a business, and like other traditional businesses, the artiste/musician operates within an environment. The artiste/musician as a business entity is influenced by certain forces that naturally exist in the business environment. These forces impact on all businesses that operate in the business environment. Every business has two distinct and unique environments within the larger business ecosystem known as the internal and external environments. The internal environment consists of those factors in the artiste/musician’s music business that are directly under the control of the artiste/musician and which the artiste/musician can influence. The external environment consists of factors and influences that are outside of the control and influence of the artiste/musician’s music business and which the artiste must learn how to manage and adapt to. Generally, all of the factors which are under the direct influence and control of the artiste/musician in the course of carrying out their music business objectives constitutes their internal environment. These factors, depending on the level of control exercised by the artiste/musician in mastering them will ultimately influence the operations and the potential for success or failure of the artiste/musician in the music business. Factors such as talent development, songwriting skills, proficiency and mastery of principal musical instrument, musical performance skills, team building, personal development, artiste career development and management, understanding concepts of music business management etc are all direct

responsibilities of the artiste/musician for which he exercise control over and can influence outcomes. In the external environment lie all the factors and forces which the artiste/musician has no control over but which impacts on their music business. There are principal external environment forces such as political, economic, socio-cultural, legal and technological factors. The artiste/musician is powerless as a business entity to change the economy, rewrite socio-cultural norms and practices or influence political decisions; however, the artiste/musician must learn how to adapt and manage the influences of these factors on their music business. For instance, the advent of digitalisation (technological factor) has completely altered the structure of the music industry from its traditional conventions of depending on a major record label to access or gain entry into the music industry and has totally changed the way music is produced, promoted, distributed and consumed today. Digitalisation has reduced the cost of entry and lower entry barriers for independent artistes/musicians to launch their careers in the music industry without necessarily dependent on a big record label. As a matter of fact, artistes/musicians have now become entrepreneurs and owners of record labels by leveraging on the digitalisation of technologies and the processes of music production, distribution and consumption. Artistes/musicians have no control over the external factors in the business environment, but they can however, adapt and leverage on these factors to achieve their career objectives and goals. As it is, in understanding the nature of the internal and external environments of the artiste/musician as a business entity existing in the larger business ecosys-

God’s Children Great Talent season 6 enters quarter finals From left; Gospel Artistes, Enitan Adaba and Moses ‘Moz’ Onofeghara; Young Filmmaker, Zuriel Oduwole; Dancer and Leading Producer, Wale Rubber Sodade, all judges at the quarter finals of the God’s Children Great Talent held in Lagos recently.

PORT-HARCOURT, Abuja and Lagos recently played hosts to the sixth edition of Africa’s leading gospel talent hunt programme, God’s Children Great Talent (GCGT). The gospel talent hunt is focused on discovering, grooming and producing young talents and stars in various fields of artistic expressions across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America. This year, Season 6 opened its doors beyond the Apapa family to children and young people aged 5 to 20 years with auditions recently held in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. In each of these cities, leading gospel performing and non-performing Artistes judged performances in order to pass them to the next level. Dayo Benjamin-Laniyun, Wale Rubber, Enitan Adaba, Zuriel Odu-

wole, and many others guided the competition to its next stage. Freke, the dynamic gospel artiste and Ayo Thompson Cool TV presenter both anchored the auditions This next stage which is the quarter finals holds on Saturday, March 26, at RCCG Christ Church Gbagada. Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Head of Apapa family, explained that the vision of the initiative is to engage children/teens in a positive way, using their talents to glorify God. “God’s Children’s Great Talent was born out of a desire to identify and nurture the diverse talents available in children. We are delighted a multinational brand such as Cadbury Bournvita and other brands such as Digital Jewels, The Riverbank School, and many other media partners” have supported the project over the years.”

tem, what is most important in order for the artiste/musician to build a successful and sustainable career in the music business is to understand how to manage and adapt to forces in the external environment, while learning how to gain mastery over the factors that are under the control of the artiste/musician in the internal environment. The artiste/musician has control and influence over the internal environment but has no control over the external business environment other than to learn how to manage and adapt to external forces. Building a truly successful and sustainable career in the music business will ultimately be dependent on how well the artiste/musician can learn how to manage and adapt to forces in the external environment and master the control and influence over the factors in the internal environment. It is common to hear artistes/musicians complain about all the things that constitute obstacles to their ability to succeed in the music business. One of such commonly complained about obstacle is the lack of access to record labels to sign them or the absence of financial sponsors to facilitate the funding of the production and promotion of their musical projects. While it is true that the cost of production and promotion of musical projects for artistes/musicians can be an expensive capital-intensive venture if the project is to enjoy significant media attention in terms of its marketing and publicity; it is also very true that there is always a demand for authentic talents by record labels and music entrepreneurs to invest in. While artistes/musicians do not have direct control over record labels; they do have a great deal of influence and control in developing their musical talent to the point that they become an attraction for record labels and investors.

Any proactive artiste/musician will understand the difference between the internal environment and the external environment of the music business and learn to concentrate their efforts on mastering the things that they have direct influence and control over such as their internal processes and structures. These would include things such as the artiste/musician’s talent, professionalism, musical skill development, networking skills, management skills, inter-personal skills etc. There is no hiding place for a talent that has all the ingredients ready for a successful career in the music business, it is irrelevant where that artiste/musician is located, talent has a way of getting out and getting discovered. Talent cannot be ignored or suppressed; it has a way of always rising to the top. This is the story of virtually all the successful artistes/ musicians regarded as music legends in the history of the music industry past and present. If you want to succeed in the music business as an artiste/musician, focus all your energy and time on the development of your talent, it is a strategic choice as the music industry all over the world is always in search and need of authentic musical talents to sign on or invest in. The development of talent resides in the domain of the artiste/ musician’s control and influence – the internal environment. Instead of worrying about the factors in the external environment such as the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological and legal which the artiste/musician has no control or influence over, it pays to focus and concentrate efforts on developing and mastering the things or factors that the artiste/musician has control and influence over in his internal environment.

‘My mother can sing all my songs’ Continues from pg21

Inspiration behind my songs My songs are majorly fiction. I make up stories in my head; I have quite a vivid imagination and write about it. Sometimes though, I write about real-life situations...situations that my audience can connect to. Is music a business or passion? Music is majorly passion for me, but I’m looking at growing it to that extent where it becomes a source of livelihood as well. Challenges faced as an artiste? Though I am trying not to sound cliche, but I think the biggest challenge, so far, is getting the music out there to the people. It comes with quite some logistics that are not easy to come around when doing music independently without a record label. In 5 years... I’m not looking to steal anyone’s shine in the industry, but I feel that in five years, I’ll be where God’s grace and the support of my fans gets me and that’s definitely top of the scene in the Nigerian music industry. Most memorable achievement? My most memorable achievement for now, is working with “the wicked producer”, Young John. I respect his work so much. If I wasn’t a musician... I would have been doing something Agriculture-related. I studied Agriculture in the university. In fact,

it’s something I still plan on doing; it’s something I would like to leave for my generations to come Something not many people know about me? I’m Acrophobic (scared of height) My most prized bodily possession... That has to be my breasts (laughter) What I want my music to achieve. I want it to literarily give life, which, for me, is the whole essence of music or arts as a whole. I want people to listen and connect with it and find happiness or solace while bumping to my tunes. They should also get good laughs and vibes while at it too.

society

Friday, 1 April, 2016

...celebrating the people

Nigerian Tribune

For Booking, contact Alaba Igbaroola alabaadewale01@gmail.com 08155975474

Premier Palace Club inducts new members, dedicates new club house â&#x20AC;˘Names new hall after Fasholaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, Late Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola

From left, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the event and Chief Moroofdeen Oshodi, President, Premier Palace club

From left, Alhaji Moroof Adisa Oshodi, President, Premier Palace Club, Epetedo, Lagos; royal office staff carrier; Chief Omogbolahan Aremu, Suenu of Lagos, representing the Oba of Lagos, HRM, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Mrs Omolara Fashola and Prince Shamusideen Ope, Chairman, Planning committee and former President, Eko Club, during the celebration

From left, Mr Ibraheem Ademola Fashola and Mrs Olayinka Fashola

From left, Prince Tajudeen Lawal, Honourable Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State and Prince Wale Lawal . Chief Omogbolahan Durosinmi, representing the Oba of Lagos and Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State, commissioning the new Premier Palace Club

From left, Honourable Abayomi Daramola, Executive Secretary, Iru LCDA, Victoria Island, Lagos; Otunba Femi Pedro, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State and Honourable Lanre Ope, former member, Lagos State House of Assembly.

From left, Chief Taju Mogaji, Chief Satar Momoh and Alhaji Ibraheem Giwa .

From left, Otunba Femi Pedro, fomer Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State and Chief Moroofdeen Oshodi, President, Premier Palace Club

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 twitter: @rotifizzle twitter: @fridaytreat

fridaytreat I sometimes

make music unconsciously — Pelly Jay

Pelly Jay spoke to ROTIMI IGE recently about his plans for music domination, among other things. Excerpts.

OW I discovered my musical abilities I discovered my music back when I was about 12. Then, my father used to play songs of Michael Jackson, Ayuba, Barrister and all. So I guess that triggered the music artistry in me. Do you play music instruments? Yes, I play the drums. Mentors? 2face and Olamide are my mentors. They are great guys and they inspire me.

Rating males and female artistes in the industry. I believe women can make it as well as their male counterparts too. The likes of Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Saeon, Emma Nyra have shown that. My kind of music. It is called Rap and Afro pop. Parents support. Firstly, I thank God for my parents. Both my father and mother have been very supportive. Even when I get lazy, my father is always the person pushing me to do more and better. Tell us about your songs I have a new song out now, produced by Sess titled ‘MiOFoshi’ and before this one, I had a video out featuring Oritse femi produced by PuffyTee. I think what inspires my music is the fact that I want to be different and bring something different to the table every time. Is music a passion or business? Music is a passion. I make music unconsciously at times... Challenges. I think the only challenge I’m facing is in getting the attention to show people what I’ve got to offer. Next five years. I see myself among the big ones. I see my myself investing back to the economy. Most memorable achievement. I think having my video out there on the big platforms is my most memorable achievement so far. If not music? I would have been an artist. I quite good at drawing. What many people don’t know about you? I have too many potentials people don’t know about. I will be unveiling them as time goes on.

trending

MI and Ice Price are like my elder brothers — Dice Ailes Diles Ailes is one of the fastest growing young musicians in Nigeria at the moment. A Chocolate City artiste, his new single ‘Machinery’ is currently enjoying airplay across the continent. ROTIMI IGE caught up with the artiste recently and presents excerpts of their interaction. TELL us a bit about your background: growing up years and early influences? I am the first born of two children. Growing up, I was exposed to different cultures and ways of life as I grew up in a bi-national household; we moved and changed schools a lot. Growing up, my mother was a choirister and my uncles were songwriters and aspiring artistes. Growing up around them, I was surrounded by music so much that I couldn’t have escaped being involved with music in the long run. I think all these influenced my versatility as an artiste. What’s your real name and how did you come about Dice Ailes? My real name is Shashaeniyan Damilola Alesh. My stage is Dice Ailes. Dice describes that there are many sides to my artistry. I believe that I am very diverse musically, and the word dice perfectly describes my diversity. I felt I needed a last stage name so I made Ailes out of what was my actual last name, Alesh. Most people think you live abroad. Now you are in Nigeria. What’s the story? I actually do school and live in Canada with my family. But, being that I make music relevant to the Nigerian music listener, it was only right for me to move back here and connect with my audience on a physical level. How did you get signed to Chocolate City? In 2013, I visited Lagos from Toronto to get my music video (Yemisi) airing on Nigerian TV. During this media tour, I visited veteran singer (Frank D Nero) who had scheduled a studio session with MI. I tagged along this led to my meeting with MI. MI listened to my music and took interest in my work. The rest they say, is history Is there any pressure from label mates as Ice Prince, Koker on you to out perform them? At all. I basically strive to outperform my previous efforts in everything I do. As a young musician, what would you say influences your kind of music? Primarily, the way I grew up and the type of music I listened to growing up, has a lot to

We have a great working relationship. They give me advice on how to be successful in the Nigerian music scene.

do with the kind of music I make now. Secondly, my personal life experiences influence my music. With the amount of talent in the Nigerian music scene, how do you intend to stand out? The Nigerian music scene is indeed flooded with talented artists. My diversity will stand me out. Tell us about some of your songs and the inspiration behind them… ‘Fantasy’ was a song about about two individuals who were in love. The world and so many forces were against them but they stayed together through thick and thin. My parents were one of the inspirations behind ‘fantasy’. Your latest effort, ‘Machinery’, is currently enjoying massive airplay. However, it’s a slight contrast to your earlier releases. What informed this switch? Every Dice Ailes release has been slightly different form one another in terms of genre. And the only reason for this is that I believe I am equipped enough to make many different sounds that I don’t ever try to restrict myself when I am in the studio making music. ‘Machinery’, in-fact was recorded over a year ago and would have been released on the TICBN album alongside ‘Oh No’. At the time I released it, I thought it was perfect timing for me to contribute my own quota to the club scene and I am glad that the clubs have embraced it the way that they have. Like I said earlier, Dice describes that there are many sides to my artistry. Machinery is just another side. What should fans expect from you this year? This year, expect major moves from me. I will be putting out more singles and videos. We are working tirelessly to up the standards with every release. I am also working on a lot of major collaborations this year. I just might put out a body of work as well. I am very grateful to my fans and I will not let them down. Your relationship with MI and Ice Prince? We have a great working relationship. They are like my big brothers. They give me advice on how to be successful in the Nigerian music scene. Tell us something not many people know about you… I do not drink or smoke. Favourite fashion accessory and why? My gold teeth. Gold is great investment. Most prized asset… As I speak my most prized assets are my shoes How do you relax? I like to be around family and watch movies/ cartoons.

Solidstar and Davido preach sexual abstinence ACHIEVAS Entertainment star artiste, Joshua Iniyezo, popularly referred to as Solidstar has released an amazing feel-good music titled ‘Wait’, and this time he features Sony Recording artiste, Davido. This is coming after the earlier leak of song, which had created hysteria and anticipation among fans who couldn’t wait to listen to the song put together by two of Nigeria’s top music stars. Solidstar has been on a run of musical form lately, releasing massive tracks such as ‘Baby Jollof’, which featured Mavin’s first lady, Tiwa Savage, ‘Good Woman ‘and another hot track,

‘My Body’ featuring Timaya. This new song with Davido is a dancehall funk that is sure to get music fans grooving from start to finish. According to the artiste’s team, the song is about the readiness of a man to wait patiently for his woman until she is ready to take the plunge with him. The video to the song was directed by Avalon Okpe, and it has also been released. The picture quality of the video further adds value to the song, as well as a nice message from Solidstar to everyone at the end of the video, which says “No Sex Before Marriage, Wait Without Regrets”.

Spar Ilupeju hosts celebrities at launch

Mr Prakesh Keswani (middle) in handshake with Aare Ona Kakanfo of Owuland, Prince Bolu Akin Olugbade (second left) SPAR hypermarket has officially opened its first ultra-modern mall in Ilupeju, Lagos State. The retail chain hypermarket located along Town Planning Way was commissioned on Wednesday by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Owuland, Abeokuta, Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade; the Onipeju of Ilupeju, High Chief Korede Bisade Phillips; the former chairman of Mushin Local Government, Prince Bayo Oshiyemi among other dignitaries. The grand opening also attracted a large turnout of shoppers from Ilupeju and Lagos Mainland, who trouped out en mass to make initial purchases of fresh products, food and groceries, meals, household goods, appliances, fashion and beauty items at the Ilupeju SPAR.

First 1500 customers, who spent N3000 and above were rewarded with bags full of freebies. First 20 shoppers of mobile phones were rewarded with free gift cards worth N 5000. The first set shoppers of laptops were given free mobile phones. Speaking during the opening ceremony of the ninth store in Nigeria, the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Prakesh Keswani, stated that ‘’SPAR has grown to understand and appreciate the needs and aspirations of Nigerians especially on the community level.’’ Apart from Ilupeju Mall, SPAR stores are located in Victoria Island, Lekki, Maryland Ikeja, MMA2, Abuja Wuse II and Ceddi Plaza and Port Harcourt.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

’Wale Olapade 08161235359 wale11g3@gmail.com Winner, NMMA, Tourism Reporter Of The Year

Runsewe advocates for tourism as low hanging fruits in economy recovery Stories by ’Wale Olapde

HE former Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has called on Nigerians to practically embraced tourism, which he described as a low hanging fruit to engender the economic reality of the Federal Government called change. Runsewe who was speaking at an economic summit themed Nigerian; Beyond the oil economy, in Lagos recently, said the progressive fall in the price of petroleum products and its attendant shock on Nigeria economy has made it highly imperative for Nigeria to pursue a sustained process of economic diversification, if the country must attain the much needed economic stability and development. “It is now clear to all that Nigeria can no longer continue to depend solely on crude oil exportation, which makes this summit highly desirable as a platform for engendering national discourse on the options available to Nigeria as we seek to diversify our economy.” Runsewe who gave more practical insight on the opportunities abound in tourism through his paper on ‘our heritage, our destination in a new economy, started with caveat, ‘Oil is good, but tourism is better because oil is exhaustible while tourism is sustainable and environmental friendly. Highlighting tourism as a critical economic sub-sector, the former DG, NTDC, said the sector is remarkable economic and social phenomenon of the 21st century service led economy. According to the UNWTO, “international tourism arrivals show an evolution from less than 25 million arrivals in the 1950 to 66 million in 1999, which contributes to an average annual growth rate of seven per cent. “It projected that international tourism arrivals would increase from 556.4 million in 1995 to 1.5 trillion in 2020. Similarly, earnings from international tourism are expected to increase from about $477 billion in 2000 to about $ 2.0 trillion in 2020. “Tourism, according to a school of thought is the highest employer of labour in the world and another estimate suggested that one out of every 15 workers worldwide is engaged in core and allied tourism sector; transportation, hospitality and otherwise serving tourists.” “Environmentally, tourism, when properly developed and managed, can serve as a mechanism for protecting natural environment; preserving historical and archaeological and religious monuments and stimulating the practice of local culture, folklores, traditional, arts and craft and cuisine. “Economically, tourism brings many benefits to the central government, local authorities as well as private sector through the generation of foreign revenue, financial returns on investment, taxation on tourism products, services and linkages to other level industries such as agriculture and fisheries among others.

From left; Former Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs Sarah Alade; Minister for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Managing Director/Editor in Chief, New Telegraph, Mrs Funke Egbemode at the New Telegraph Economic Summit on Nigeria beyond Oil held at Sheraton Hotel on Thursday in Lagos. “It is therefore clear that if we get tour- from the Dubai example, Runsewe exism right, it will not only engender sus- plained that had long planned ahead for tainable economic growth, but also lead a post oil economy by judiciously ultilisto the creation of empowerment of the ing the revenue from oil to expand and people; the educated and skilled as well as strengthen trade and commerce as the the uneducated and unskilled and semi- traditional base of its economy. skilled members of the society. “Today, Dubai which was a remote and Urging Nigerian government to learn obscure desert, has transformed into a vi-

brant, modern business centered city. “Virtually every sector has been reinvented by oil wealth, thus transforming Dubai into a state with massive state-ofthe-art infrastructure. “In the same vein, Nigeria has grappled for so long in her search for development. A land with vast human and natural resource, Nigeria has not been able to translate her enormous potential to national development. “Nigeria, like Dubai remains a world economic wonder, waiting to be discovered with specific attention placed on our tourism sector in the process of diversification. Runsewe who is an arden tourism promoter and advocate said that the current economic challenges facing Nigeria and the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari, geared towards repositioning Nigeria may just be what is needed to launch the nation to the new dawn of economic prosperity. This is why we must all work with Mr President and the new administration in repositioning Nigeria as key player in world economy.

Ethiopian visa available through tour, travel agents in Nigeria Travelers to Ethiopia can now get their visas easily through the help of registered tour operators in Nigeria. This was revealed in Kano Nigeria by the Area Manager Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria Solomon Begashaw while addressing Kano based travel Agents at the annual Agency Seminar. Before now all travelers have to visit the Ethiopian Embassy in Abuja to procure a

visiting visa. As the headquarters of African Union Ethiopia is joining the move by AU to simplify travel within Africa by Africans, the new arrangement will see selected tour operators and travel agents assist their passengers in approaching the embassy for visa. Thus new arrangement will take away one of the obstacles for travellers to Ethiopia. Ethiopia the land of Queen of

Sheba is home to the largest number of UNESCO heritage sites in Africa. At the very successful seminar that was attended by leading agents in Kano issues involving passenger handling and hajj operations were discussed. Ethiopian Airlines started its flight to Kano in 2014 but has been flying to Nigeria since 1960. Today ET flies to Lagos Abuja and Enugu.

La Campagne River Resort Koton Karfi creates 75 jobs at ground breaking ceremony HISTORY was made last month when the ground breaking ceremony of La Campagne Tropicana River Resort Koton Karfi in Kogi State held at the resort’s site amidst colourful celebration and feasting by the people of Koton Karfi and others in attendance at the event. Thirty years on La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, which first debuted in Ikegun Village in Lekki axis of Lagos as African theme resort has extended its tentacles, the first, outside its traditional Lekki home. The new resort is to seat on 89.7 hectares stretch of land with the River Niger forming a lake across the land. Interestingly, just like the Lekki resort, which has the Atlantic Ocean, lagoon with the mangrove swamp and stretch of forested land harbouring some animal habitats, the Koton Karfi resort also comes with its complete blend of natural elements such as the lake and forest area, which hopefully would make the resort a distinctive natural hideaway as well. Speaking during the ceremony, the Founder and President of La Campagne, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, described the new venture as a new dawn and celebra-

tion of industry and successes that have been achieved in the 30 years of the existence of La Campagne in Lekki and that he hopes to replica the same in Koton Karfi and even surpass it. He urged the people to embrace the resort because it is for them as it is meant to bring development to the community and open it to the international community thereby improving on the socio- economic and cultural development of the people and the community. According to Akinboboye, the resort, which is an African themed resort would entirely promote the culture of the people of Koton Karfi and its environ as well as the people of Kogi even as he charged them to be refine their various cultural products and traditional practices to attract the hordes of visits especially international tourists that are expected to patronise the resort. The focus of the project, he said is that tourism will be of great benefit to the people especially the youths as he said that ‘‘this youth of today will have a bright tomorrow because what we are building here today is not only for today, but for tomorrow and those to benefit are the youth and the children.’’

“The entire Koton Karfi will begin to benefit from it today and to give effect to his word, he announced the employment of 25 bricklayers, 25 carpenters and 25 security men, all of whom he ordered to register with the secretary to the emir palace and be deployed to site immediately. This pronouncement was greeted with great ovation and celebration by the people as many of the able bodied men and women, youths and even children scrambling later on to be registered for the job offers.

From left, The Emir of Koton Karfi, Alhaji Gambo Abdulrazak Isa-Koto; Founder and president, La Campagne Tropicana resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye and others during the ground breaking ceremony in Koton Karfi, Kogi State, recently.

Friday, 1 April, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Ondo 2016: The dilemma of APC The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State seems to be at a crossroads over selection of a candidate among the array of aspirants jostling for the governorship ticket of the party in the November 26 governorship election in the state, HAKEEM GBADAMOSI writes.

T is no longer news that the governorship election in Ondo State has been slated for November 26, 2016 and that interested aspirants within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), are working to emerge as their party’s standard-bearer. No fewer than 30 aspirants from the APC have shown interest in the number one seat in the Sunshine State and this seems to be giving the leadership of the party sleepless nights, as the number keeps increasing day by the day. One of the aspirants, Honourable Bode Ayorinde, attributed the scenario to the change phenomenon sweeping across the nation, which he said the people were craving to be part of. He said: “APC has become the new bride because of its control at the federal level. The change phenomenon that has enveloped the nation and the positive development at the federal level have endeared APC to the people of the state.” So, the state leadership of the party has however been engaging in permutations on how to beat the PDP. Some of the aspirants on the APC radar include Ayorinde, who is the lawmaker representing Owo/ Ose federal constituency at the House of Representatives; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Victor Olabimtan; a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Jamiu Ekungba, and Segun Abraham. Others include the senator representing the Northern Senatorial district of the state, Senator Ajayi Borrofice; the candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2012 election, Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu; the senator representing Ondo Central district, Tayo Alasoadura, and a former chairman of the party in the state and daughter of the first governor of the state, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose. Then there is Derin Adesida, Ademola Adegoroye and Foluso Adefemi . A large number of the aspirants hail from Ondo North where the strength of the party lies, judging from the result of the last election in the state, even though the party leadership has repeatedly said that the race had been thrown open to members across the senatorial districts in the state. However, the emergence of the party’s candidate is expected to be a tough battle among political bigwigs, who will dictate where the pendulum swings. Some pundits predict that the choice of candidate will not be determined by the members but by the power blocs and godfathers within APC. It is a known fact that many of the delegates of the party are products of one power bloc or the other. They are therefore expected to follow the dictates of their benefactors. A source in the APC highlighted two

powerful blocs within the party, namely the Lagos bloc and home-based bloc. The two blocs are in serious horse trading over the choice of the candidate of the party. The Lagos bloc, which is mainly controlled by the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, is reportedly backing the senator representing the Ondo senatorial districts, Boroffice. However, some politicians from the Lagos bloc groomed by the APC national leader and part of his political family seem not to be on the same page with their leader. They are said to have thrown their weight behind Akeredolu. Boroffice is said to be favoured by the APC national leader because of his role at the National Assembly during the struggle for the seat of Senate President. He is seen as a loyal party man who stood by the party during the struggle. Again, Boroffice is said to enjoy the support of the erstwhile national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, who reportedly impressed it on Tinubu to rally support for Bioroffice to emerge as the party’s candidate. Akeredolu, who was highly favoured in the 2012 election, was said to have fallen out of favour with the bloc after failing to win the election. But the other bloc from Lagos has reportedly vowed not to go the way of the national leader by throwing their support behind Akeredolu to slight their former leader and godfather. Their argument is that, since the zoning arrangement of the APC in the state favours the North where Akerdolu hails from, it is the turn of Owo to produce the governor. The group sees Borroffice as an extension of Mimiko’s political empire. They opined that Boroffice might ditch the party, just as he did to his former political leader on whose back he rode to political relevance. Another argument tabled by the group is that the last governor from the North, late Adebayo Adefarati, hailed from Akoko, and so the ticket should now go to Owo. The group is of the opinion that since Akoko produced the lawmaker representing the Ondo North Senatorial district, so governorship slot should be reserved for the Owo/ Ose zone where Akeredolu hails from. They opined that though there was no written agreement to this effect, the slot should be conceded to Owo in the spirit of fairness. This scenario, it was learnt, had strained the relationship between these politicians and their godfather. It was gathered that they are planning to deploy all the resources at their disposal to outwit him. Boroffice was also said not to enjoy the favour from the party’s leadership in the state, especially the party executives who have been at loggerheads with the senator over his position on some issues affecting the party in the state. The recent media face- off between him and the party leadership, coupled with series of accusations

and counter-accusations, is a pointer to the schism within the party. However, the home-based politicians appear set for a showdown with the Lagos bloc, vowing to take their destiny in their own hands this time around. They argued that the last governorship election in the state was lost because of the interference from Lagos, which imposed a candidate on the party, despite the popularity of the party in the state then. These politicians have decided to support a popular candidate, aside the two aspirants being supported by the two blocs from Lagos during the party primaries. They have pencilled in some ‘grass-roots’ ones who can win the election for the party, in order to avoid a repeat of the 2012 scenario in the state. A source within the party said the home-based politicians are looking towards Olabimtan as their candidate. They maintain that if a free and fair primary is conducted by the party

No fewer than 30 aspirants from the APC have shown interest in the number one seat in the Sunshine State, and this seems to be giving the leadership of the party sleepless nights.

leadership, the ambitions of Boroffice and Akeredolu will not see the light of the day. Olabimtan, though he joined the party from PDP in 2014, is seen to have contributed to the success of the party in the Northern Senatorial district during the 2015 general election because of the respect he commands at the grass roots. Olabimtan, according to a source, understands the politics of the state and has what it takes to win the election if given the APC ticket. Many of the aspirants however believe that the game will be different from the 2012 scenario, where a candidate was picked and imposed on the candidate. Almost all the aspirants have been calling for a level-playing field, where the party’s candidate will emerge through a real process of internal democracy. One of the aspirants, Moyosore Niran-Oladunni, while declaring his intention to run for the number one position in the state, said there was no way the issue of godfatherism could be separated from politics but that the beauty of the game was for the leadership of the party to give room for internal democracy. Another aspirant, Jamiu Ekungba, advised the party’s leadership to give room for a free and fair primary. He said the party’s standard-bearer should be a candidate that can win election. “The party leadership should not choose anybody that does not possess what I call demonstrable antecedents. Anybody can come and pledge to build castles in the air for you, but we must find out if he has been able to build a hut in the land. “The person that will be chosen must be somebody with the fear of God. We cannot continue to chose charlatans to rule us but we must look for somebody with the fear of God. And lastly, anybody that will rule this state must not be an arrogant person that does not have respect for elders and community and traditional institutions.”

politics&policy

Friday, 1 April, 2016

APC, PDP’ll die before 2019 —Akin-Deko er in the middle of the road that we can all live with. That is the talent that President Buhari lacks, he’s too straight, he’s too rigid and he’s a very difficult man to work under. We can all see that from a distance. Therefore, he needs somebody who will tell him, don’t be so rigid, this is politics. This is not a human rights issue, not a religious matter.

Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko is a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who contested for the position of the National Secretary in 2012. He is also the convener of the Majeobaje, a socio-political group. In this interview with SULAIMON OLANREWAJU, he speaks on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the polity and other topical issues.

ou were deeply involved in the campaign for the election of President Muhammadu Buhari despite being a member of the PDP. Almost a year after his inauguration, how would you rate his performance? President Buhari is God-sent. The thing is many people have great expectations of him and they forget the terrain under which we are working. Nigeria is a tough country. Buhari came in and met the country a lot worse than we all imagined. Right now, he is fighting the judiciary, the National Assembly; he is trying to turn around almost every stratum of the society and he is doing remarkably well. You can see from the body language of the people in those areas, that they too know that things have to change and it is because of the beacon of Buhari’s integrity that is now shining over the whole system. The fact is that we, the political class, are greedy. But again, you cannot run this country without politicians; they can make and they can unmake. President Buhari has to realise that he cannot do these things all alone. He didn’t get there on his own. I have never met President Buhari before in my life, yet, based on instructions of my own networks of elders, leaders in Yoruba land, and nationally, we worked assiduously to see him win. He needs to keep the friendship and network of support of elders and leaders to advise him. I know he will turn round tomorrow and say that given the level of corruption in the land who can he trust? But 99 per cent of us are still good people, it is just that we are not going to beg to help.

and he has been doing very well. He is not able to handle the economy aspect because he lacks that type of knowledge.

Are you happy with the way he is running the economy? It is not all his fault because as the president, he cannot run the economy on his own. First and foremost, obviously, they’ve been playing politics with the budget; and without the budget in place, the economy generally cannot improve. Having said that, Buhari is not an economist but he has put around himself some people who have an understanding of how the economy should be run; Vice President Osinbajo, Senator Udo Udoma, a lot of them who know their onions as far as this thing is concerned. The challenge is the dysfunctional civil service that is still fighting back so that some of the corrupt activities will not be further exposed and an unstable private sector which itself has been so used to bribery and corruption. However, I think President Buhari needs to let go once he has identified the right people to run with so that they can now use their own wisdom and experience to drive the economy. He is focused on security, and anti-corruption

He doesn’t have an economic policy, how then will he get the economy out of this state of inertia? No president has a vision that he can implement without a rolling plan. We stopped having rolling plans long ago. The fact is, President Buhari has to now start with a plan, maybe five years plan, which will be drawn up. That plan will bring in all stakeholders, it will not be President Buhari’s plan, it will be Nigerians’ plan. That, I think, he can do for us now. They came in without any economic policy. As you know, they came in with an amalgamation of different interests; that has been compounded by the mess and the rot that they found on ground. If you want to treat somebody that has cancer and you open up the patient and you see that the cancer has gone deep, you forget the plan you have on ground of curing the cancer. You now start cutting out the cancer first. After that you can now decide on radiation, chemotherapy, diet etc. We are at the stage now of finding out the depth of the rot that these people had in-

I keep telling a lot of my friends who are progressives to go and make peace with Afenifere. Those are the real progressives we all know.

flicted on the country. I won’t blame President Buhari for that, it is a big problem and he has to take it from the wholesale point of view, not on specific matters. The President seems not to be interested in obeying the rule of law. A court will admit somebody to bail and the person will be arrested again. Is that how to run a democracy? It’s certainly how to run a democracy when you realise that you are running a democracy for the people and not for dogs. I know that you are probably referring to the Dasuki case. When he was charged with the misappropriation of $2.1bn, he suddenly remembered that he needed to go to London for his health check. Now, the man said, ‘I gave this money to this person and this person.’ He said that of his own volition. It is only that the law requires that he has to come to the court of law to admit that he did it before he could be found guilty. I think the judge should have sensed all of these, because bail itself is a matter of discretion. Even if he’s going to be given that bail, it must be under such strict conditions that would be hard to satisfy. Judges must realise that they are supposed to interpret the law for the betterment of the society and if they do have the option to decide which way to go, then they should exercise the right option in favour of the society. Do you think President Buhari has a hold on APC? No. I think the person with the real hold on APC has always been Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. President Buhari is not a politician. His caucus, inner core of people that helped him in CPC, are not politicians; they are passionate people but they don’t know how to carry everybody along in the middle of the way kind of thing; its either right or left. Fortunately, there are so many different shades in the society that you need somebody to bring us all togeth-

Do you see APC remaining a unified party ahead of 2019? That’s a really good question because as it is now, politicians are already networking and holding meetings. Many of us are convinced that both the PDP and the APC will not make it to 2019, that there is too much of mixture from the different tendencies in politics in both parties that we really need to go back to the basics on policies and positions. I am a nationalist, I’m basically conservative, and that is the network I will work with. A lot of my friends in APC are like me but they are stuck with people who call themselves progressives. I keep telling a lot of my friends who are progressives to go and make peace with Afenifere. Those are the real progressives we all know. APC and PDP are more of the same. We still need to see these two tendencies coming back; one will be a little to the left and a little to the right and they will come out spontaneously, these two parties will serve their own purposes. The PDP, we had hoped, could have found its feet again if, after (former President Goodluck) Jonathan lost, the National Working Committee had stepped out of the way and allowed us to rebuild the party based on the constitution. Remember, it is that schism between the North and the South about who should be the President after Umaru Yar’Adua that started the problem. Unfortunately, a lot of our politicians, especially here in the South-West, who have a little bit of power and money started trying to drive the PDP. You see Alhaji Ali Modu-Sheriff going to Ekiti to thank Governor Ayo Fayose for making him chairman. You know it’s not right. How can an Ekiti man choose a candidate for the North? They knew that it was the turn of the North-East to produce the chairman, they should have allowed people from that region to choose their own person. So, right now they are fighting that. Sheriff can’t last in that place. All of these issues both in the APC and the PDP show that there is a need for new parties. But nobody wants a new party to come on stream yet because none of us wants to destabilise Buhari. We don’t want to create a party tomorrow that will appear as if we are moving against Buhari. This country needs a nationalist government for now. We all need to work together to drive this country out of the mess it is in. But along the way, we are already discussing. Those of us who are nationalists are pulling ourselves together because we are going to keep this country united and we are going to fight against corruption. We have learnt from the mistakes we made in the past, we are not going to hand this country over to those whose interest is just to make money out of the country. APC NWC said last Tuesday that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019, that all other parties should hands off. What do you say to that? It is funny for two simple reasons. One, it is not for the APC caucus to decide if there is a vacancy or not, it is for Buhari to say. But obviously, the most important thing is what does God say? Let’s wait and see what God says.

politics&policy

Friday, 1 April, 2016

If APC removes Saraki, PDP’ll produce next Senate President —Nwaboshi Senator Peter Nwaboshi was the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state where he also served as Political Adviser and then commissioner. He is currently the senator representing Delta North District in the red Chamber. In this interview, he speaks on the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, and sundry issues. Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, presents the excerpts:

n view of the ongoing trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), a number of permutations have been going on. We heard that some forces have asked him to resign his position to allow for the implementation of a ‘soft landing’ plan. Do you think he should throw in the towel at this point? I’m a lawyer, 27 years at the bar. He has not been proven guilty. Let us first of all get to the point that he has been found guilty. The man has taken a plea of not guilty and the law is very clear. He’s deemed not to be guilty until it is proven. It’s a matter before the court. The prosecutor has the duty to prove his case, before the onus will shift to him to defend. If the prosecutor doesn’t have a case, then what is he defending? Take the example of Honourable Ndudi Elumelu; that was how they removed him as Chairman of the Power Committee because he was taken to court. In the end, he was cleared. Look at former Senate President Adolphus Wabara. He went to court. People were saying he is in court, that he should be removed. He resigned as a result of pressure from the public. He went to court and won. The other woman in the House of Representatives, former Speaker Patricia Etteh; in fact, the House changed its own position. But they had achieved what they wanted to achieve. There are so many examples like that. The man (Saraki) is going to court and he is obeying the court order. Until it is proven that he is guilty, no amount of blackmail will make us shift our ground and our support for him. In any case, my party the PDP, we’ve resolved in our meeting to support him. So, there is no basis for him to resign. But it appears the soft-landing option looks like an olive branch. You don’t think he should look at that option? What is soft landing? There is no soft landing. The case is on. Are they going to withdraw the case? Let him go through the distance and let us see who is right. I have my reservations about the rulings they have given but let us see what the court will say. You can even see what the Supreme Court said; you can see the position of Professor Ben Nwabueze, one of the best legal minds in this world. We understood that some members of the APC, some of whom also belong to his group, Like Minds Senators, have been meeting to unite the APC in case anything happens. Don’t you think this will be a threat to PDP support for him?

Well, I wish APC the best of luck if they are making that wild goose chase. But I want you to mark what I’m saying; I was the first to address the press in Port Harcourt and I told them that Saraki was going to win the Senate Presidency and I gave them my reasons. Then, nobody ever thought that Saraki was going to win. People were saying that APC had decided. But it was clear to me that he was going to win and I had to address the press. I said Saraki was going to win and that he was going to get my vote. Eventually, we went there, he won. If, but God forbid, because we don’t see it coming, by chance Saraki is removed; I can tell you that PDP will produce the next Senate President. But you don’t have the numbers. What numbers? We only need three and we have it. The calculation is very clear to me. The calculation is very clear for PDP. We know what it will take us. When I told them that Saraki was going to win, I did a lot of mathematical calculations based on the facts on the ground and it is even clearer to me now that the PDP will win it. We will win it. If anybody is thinking that a PDP man is going to vote against a PDP candidate, he is telling you a lie. We have people and we know how to get the people from APC. We will win and that will be very interesting. What is happening in America is going to happen in Nigeria. America has a Republican Senate but the executive is led by Democrats. So, it’s happening in different parts of the world. I can tell you with what’s on the ground that we will produce the next Senate President. But then the PDP has a number of seats outstanding. You have one in Anambra, three in Rivers and one in Kogi, wont that constitute a hindrance? Take note that we have got one in Kogi. The outstanding one in Kogi is also PDP and I can tell you that if you do the elections in Kogi 20 times, the PDP will win. Our candidate is leading. The first senator has been sworn in out of the two elections that they did there. In the second election, the PDP is leading with over 40,000 votes already. So, we know what we are calculating. The three in Rivers, we are leading. The ones in Imo and Anambra, we will win. There is nothing called APC in all those areas. You have seen it in Rivers. It’s clear to the whole world that there is nothing that will make APC to win Rivers. Whether you do all the magomago, it’s so clear to Nigerians now. They now know who is making noise. So, we will get those seats. But even without those seats, we have our calculations. Even if they don’t do those elections, we have our calculations well wrapped up.

Nwoboshi Don’t forget it’s going to be by secret ballot. It’s not going to be by open ballot. That’s what our rule says and we are not going to amend the rule before we do it. So, we will go in there to use the present rule we are using and do a secret ballot. I can assure you that we will win. What if the APC is able to reign in their members like they attempted to do before June 9 last year. What if they perfected that process this time? Is that person (from APC) going to write the names in the chambers? We will walk into the chambers and only you and your God knows what you are writing. Let me make it clear to you; if PDP had wanted the Senate Presidency in June 2015, it would have won. It was some of us who felt that we should assist, so that they don’t accuse PDP of trying to frustrate the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari. We didn’t want to be accused by the Nigerian people that we wanted to frustrate Buhari’s government; that we had just left power and we didn’t want the man to rule. That’s why we brought in an APC Senate President. Otherwise, how many were they on the floor that day? We would have won. Senator Ike Ekweremadu contested with Ali

What is happening in America is going to happen in Nigeria. America has a Republican Senate but the executive is led by Democrats.

Ndume and he won with the block vote of the PDP. He got fifty-something votes with the block votes of PDP. If the PDP had said okay we want to take it (Senate Presidency), how man were they on the floor that day? We would have won and the person would have been sworn in and that would have been the position. This time, the Nigerian people are now seeing that what you call change is not the change. The people have now seen that the APC has been there for almost a year now and people are crying, dying on the streets. So, the Nigerian people now know it’s not the PDP that is frustrating them. We are tolerating and allowing a lot of things because of the APC leadership of the Senate. But they want us to demonstrate that we are the representatives of the people and that’s what we want to do. But do you think the avenue for peace option is closed, as things stand now? I’m not a member of APC. I’m a very proud member of PDP. When you tell people this is the problem of governance, they don’t understand governance. APC has now come to govern; Nigerian people have now seen the capacity of the APC. So, it is clear to Nigerian people. You said we were doing this and doing that, but Nigerian people were not passing through what they are passing now under the PDP. I don’t know the peace option they are talking about. If there is a peace option among them, the earlier they allowed us to do our work, the better for them. But if they don’t want it, we wish them the best of luck. All I know is that those people who are talking; the leaders of APC, will not be there on the floor of the Senate when we will vote. We will be there on the floor, we will vote and we are confident. We know the mathematics, what is on the ground. Has the PDP started making moves to that effect, as some sources said that the last caucus meeting had the issue of Saraki on the agenda? Continues on pg30

politics&policy

Friday, 1 April, 2016

S I dithered on what topic to address this week, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Wednesday’s trip to the United States and the standard criticism from cynics of his frequent foreign travels weighed heavily on my mind. But I did not want to go there having already dwelt on it in the December 11, 2015 edition of this column. In “What Buhari should do about his foreign trips,” I had pointed out that Buhari gave an early indication that he was comfortable with foreign trips undertaken by the Nigerian president. That was why during the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, he was the lone voice that justified Jonathan’s foreign travels when elements in his party the All Progressive Congress (APC), then in the opposition, ripped the former president to shreds on account of his frequent trips abroad. While he demonstrated aversion to other government officials going on such travels, candidate Buhari thought that the president had to travel to meet up with his international obligations as Nigeria’s leader. With the “oh, not again” exclamations from many quarters, I decided to touch on it once more. The latest trip is the 28th of such foreign travels since Buhari came into office and his critics may continue to rile him with greater venom for not sitting back to pay more attention to local issues as things have apparently taken a worse turn in the 11 months of his administration. They are quick to cite the economy that is in tatters with no visible sign that any positive direction can be carved out for it soon; power generation and distribution are at their lowest in recent memory, Nigerians spend more time at petrol filling stations now than they do at places of work and with their families. Yet, the prices of essential goods are speedily getting out of the reach of the masses with no hope that they will come down soon. But as can be deduced from the foregoing, Buhari is not the type to shirk his international obligations for sake of appeasing his domestic critics. It is obvious though that the Presidency is hard pressed to rationalise the trips in the face of relentless onslaught from critics. That is why it goes to the extra length of explaining details of every given scheduled foreign engagement, their participants, the position the president will

inside

aso rock WITH LEON USIGBE

08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Buhari’s travels: Who’s s listening to the Presidency? canvass and the probable benefits to accrue to Nigeria from such international engagement. While out there, the media team is also generous with information on the president’s every step to let Nigerians know that he is engaged in serious business. But who is listening at a time the administration is yet to show that it can indeed positively retool the country for desired progress? On this trip to Washington DC, the Presidency on Tuesday, issued such statement, announcing to Nigerians that Buhari would join President Barack Obama of the United States and about 60 other world leaders and heads of international organisations at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit which opened there on Thursday. What will Buhari do? The Presidency painstakingly narrated that at plenary sessions of the summit which it explained is dedicated to reinforcing international commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Buhari will insist that while Nigeria will continue to sustain that commitment, world powers must respect the right of other countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development purposes. After that, he will reaffirm Nigeria’s stance that international efforts to ensure greater security of nuclear materials should maintain a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the indisputable right of Nigeria and other countries to har-

aso rock

ness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic 08078891838 development. WITH LEON leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk Still in the effort to convince cynics, the Presidency recalled that at a meeting with him in Abuja earlier in March, Buhari told the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Yukiya Amano that the Federal Government will welcome greater support from the agency for Nigeria’s aspiration to begin the generation of electricity with nuclear energy. While in Washington DC, the President and his delegation will also hold bilateral meetings with other participating Heads of Government and high-ranking United States Government officials. The Presidency did not however give a hint as to the objectives of these bilateral meetings. Possibly, they are also to advance Nigeria’s quest to explore nuclear energy to finally sort out the intractable epileptic power situation in the country. The president has since commenced his engagements in Washington DC and hopefully, will achieve the aims of the journey. But the Presidency’s. concerted explanations not withstanding, there are Nigerians who will continue to assail him for what they believe is unnecessary distraction from the business of delivering on his electoral promises to the people.

‘APC still practising opposition politics’ position even to themselves. They are opposition to themselves. Look at what is happening. You have a Senate President from your party and you are fighting him. So, they are used to opposition. They are even opposition within themselves. If anybody is doubting it, just wait till that day and you will see how we will demonstrate it in the Senate.

Nwoboshi Continues from page 29

It is difficult to remove Saraki on the floor of the Senate because his popularity cuts across party line. The PDP as a party has not addressed it. It has not come up into our calculation. We don’t need any meeting. Our leaders will just call us and we will go to the Senate and demonstrate. We don’t need noisy meetings. When our leaders in the Senate call us, we will discuss it like we did when we wanted to put in Saraki. They summoned us in our leader’s place; we took a decision and we marched to the floor of the Senate. When

some of us said no, we said put it to vote – democracy. We voted. In fact, we made the position known to APC that we were going to vote for Saraki. We addressed a press conference immediately and said PDP was going to vote for Saraki. Even those who were not interested in voting for him, the moment the party took a decision, they marched to the chambers and of course, all of them voted one way because we have practised democracy. The APC has not practiced democracy. They have been in opposition. That’s why they are still behaving as op-

But there is this feeling that the Senate President did not follow through some of the expectations of the PDP when you voted for him. Is there no animosity among some of your members now? There is no leader that will be one hundred per cent. Some of us feel – including me – that the Senate President is over protective of the government. That is what some of us feel that he is protecting the government; he is more APC than APC. He is doing everything to protect the APC. During the ministerial screening, that was what he did. All of the ministers were cleared as if we were just rubber-stamp. During the time of budget, that was what he did. I was the first to raise the alarm that the document (budget) was a fraud. I said it on the floor of the Senate that the document was a fraud and APC people were attacking me. Three days after that, all of them saw that what I was telling them was true. I raised so many issues when I spoke on the budget, based on the facts I had. Having gone through the budget with my consultants and assistants, we discovered a lot of anomalies and I made it clear. One of the senators, the Chairman of Navy Committee, said I was talking as if I was still on the campaign ground. But three days after, everybody now saw what I was saying about the document. Everybody now came to see it. Everybody now admitted that the document was badly packaged. So, the

Senate President is over protecting the APC. But because some of us don’t want people to say after all, you people brought him, that’s why you see some of us keep quiet. It’s not that we are one hundred per cent happy with what he has been doing in the Senate protecting APC. You said that he is protecting the APC, but the same APC is fighting him. How do you reconcile that? I told you the APC is an opposition to itself. They are used to opposition. So, they are opposing themselves. They are not prepared to rule. They are not prepared to govern. They are professional opposition people. That is what they know. APC is just made up of people who carry propaganda and that propaganda is what they are now suffering because Nigerian people are now seeing it. Go to the streets; go to the markets; go into a taxi; ask a taxi driver what is happening. Ask the woman on the street. Ask a manufacturer. Ask anybody. A lot of people are concerned about the state of elections in the last one year with particular reference to Rivers State, the turn of events that made the election to be very violent even far more than what happened during the general election in March 2015. Is it that the PDP is desperate to retain Rivers or what? One of the greatest legacies that former President Goodluck Jonathan gave to this country is the conduct of free and fair election. He is the first President in Nigeria to hand over power to an opposition and congratulated the man who won. Whether you like it or not, history will be very fair to him on that path. He s a great democrat and a very good sportsman. Having said that, let us look at the elections you are talking about.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

eyesof islam

USLIM youths are under the hammer of two extremes; forced to live in virtually two different worlds — in homes, which are culturally Muslim and in an environment outside the home, which tends to be challenging in many ways as well as Islamophobic in some circumstances. Youth fail to understand where they belong. Whatever they hear in many mosques may seem meaningless to them in their daily lives, while in the real world they are exposed to the pressures of multiculturalism, assimilation and peer-pressures. The result is that they suffer from identity crises. Identity, we must remember, is vitally important for self-esteem and selfesteem is so crucial for mental, emotional and personality development. The home and madrasah/school atmosphere has a significant impact on the youth’s attitude towards Islam. Seven facets are focused on here that need our attention: Too often when parents/teachers think about talking to their children about Islam, they concentrate on the ritual of the five pillars. They expect teachers at school/madarasah to teach their children how to make salaah and memorise some short Qur’anic surahs. These are important, but don’t forget that Islam is a total way of life; not mere memorisation and ritual. Many children know how to pray; very few feel the need to pray, fewer still

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

The dilemma of teaching Islam to contemporary youths understand its importance. Quite a large number of children know how to read the Qur’an. Only a few read the Qur’an in order to understand it and fewer still in order to find solutions. Many parents grew up in areas where colonising rulers maintained schools for acquiescence. That is, pupils were taught to merely repeat exactly what the teacher told them. If the test question asked for three reasons why you pray, the answer had to be the exact three reasons that the teacher had told them in class. In the process, personal understanding is undermined.

Muslim youth are under the hammer of two extremes; forced to live in virtually two different worlds — in homes, which are culturally Muslim and in an environment outside the home, which tends to be challenging in many ways as well as Islamophobic in some circumstances.

Throughout much of the Muslim world, Islamic education itself has been, so to speak, self-imitative for centuries. A teacher is expected to teach what he was taught, using the same methods by which he was taught. Hence it is extremely difficult to get most Islamic Studies and Arabic teachers to look at any textbook other than the textbook from which they learned, or to consider any change in the method which might speed up the pupils’ learning and enhance their understanding. The pupil is not supposed to think; he is supposed to accept everything without questioning. If students do question, their questions are mistaken as a rebellion. The prevalence of the Fear and Guilt approach is still prevalent. Instead of seeing the world as an opportunity, it is seen as a trap; instead of enjoying the gifts of life, everything is seen through the prism of ‘haraam’; instead of basking in the mercy of Allah, we are gripped in fear of God… This approach is most counterproductive and often achieves the very result we are trying to avoid. Stressing the negative makes the child want to avoid anything to do with the religion. Children grow up thinking that it is religion that keeps one from enjoying life. The notion of wanting and having the best of this world and the best in the Hereafter is undercut. Our children’s first experience of Islam is based almost entirely on

the memorisation of many sounds and words of unknown meaning, of actions of unknown significance and of facts of no obvious relevance to the question of what Islam is and what it means to be a Muslim. This is after all the way most born Muslims are taught Islam, and they tend to feel it is the only way in which it can be passed on to the next generation. The children are, therefore, naturally under the impression that Islam is something you memorise and hopefully are able to repeat when asked. Learning “Islamic Studies” has often normally helped the growing child to understand much. It has not given him any insight and he was not encouraged to ask questions. By the time he reaches teen age, he is quite likely to drop the subject and because of a lack of affinity to the subject, he tends to grow up as a virtual “religious illiterate.” Little wonder why so many Muslims have such little understanding of Islam despite having spent much time attending classes on Islam. Parents/guardians, have the basic responsibility of providing the young ones a loving family circle, a nurturing and protective home, a good name, good education, health care and preparation for independent life (marriage, work, responsibility …). The duty now is to ensure that the content and method of teaching be practical and relevant. Source: IslamiCity-Sadullah Khan.

islamicnews

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Scholar warns leaders against hypocrisy

Ridwan Abdulkareem Osinowo of Halal Art Gallerio explaining a work at an Islamic art exhibition, in Lagos.

Project Islam with art, Muslims implored

USLIMS have been asked to adopt the medium of art to disseminate the peace message of the religion of Islam. The charge was given by participants at an Islamic art exhibition with the theme “Seeds of Peace: The Sower and the Envoy,” held in Lagos. According to the artist, Mr Ridwan Abdulkareem Osinowo, Islam is synonymous with art and nature. Osinowo, who declared that one of the best ways of preaching the message of peace inherent in Islam was through art, admitted that

Islam, however, abhors using art to promote nudity, corruption and idolatry. Another contributor at the exhibition, Mr Taiwo Akinlade, said it is erroneous to state that Islam forbids art in its entirety.

According to him, art forms such as calligraphy and nature painting have strong links to Islam. A patroness of the exhibition, Mrs Haruna Rukayya, said Islamic art fills the void

Commissioner calls for action on corruption at QWSA’s forum AN appeal has gone to politicians, lawyers and journalists to collaborate with the Federal Government in the fight against corruption in the country. The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Abdulateef Abdulhakeem,

made the appeal in Lagos while delivering the public lecture of the Qur’anic Women Study Association (QWSA). The commissioner deplored the situation where some lawyers, judges and politicians constitute clog in

Muslims told to prioritise knowledge acquisition MUSLIMS have been called upon to place emphasis on knowledge acquisition and empowerment of youths as a measure to prevent crime and grow the society. A former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, made the call at the first Walimat khatimil Qur’an and conferment of titles on deserving Muslims by the Wasilat Aduke Alli Central Mosque, New Ife Road, Ibadan. Alli noted that Muslims were still lagging in the field of education and called for concerted efforts on the part of all to turn the situation around. He advised Muslim leaders to establish more companies and create employment opportunities for the youth. The politician said the future of the country rests with the youth, hence the need for all the stakeholders to do something to assist them to be relevant

that would otherwise have been occupied by worldly and obscene works of art. The exhibition, which featured painting, relief calligraphy, fibre glass and mirror, was the second in the series.

and useful. He expressed worry over the amount of crime being perpetrated by jobless youths, calling on governments at all levels to do something urgent so as to stem the tide. Earlier, the guest speaker, Shaykh Abdul Wasii Alakia admonished the graduands to be committed to their studies. He implored the title holders not to rest on their oars and contribute their quota to

the propagation of Islam in their respective communities. The chief host and imam of the central mosque, Alhaj Mas’ud Akintola, assured the people that with necessary support, the mission and vision of the mosque would be realised. Ten graduands comprising six boys and four girls completed their studies in the Qur’an while 10 titles were bestowed on Muslim men and women.

Senegalese Speaker commends Muslim World League THE Speaker of Senegalese Parliament, Moustapha Niasse, has praised the role of the Muslim World League in serving Islam and Muslims through pursuing moderation in its programmes. Niasse gave the commendation, on Wednesday, while receiving the Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Dr Abdullah Al-Turki, in the presence of Saudi

Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Abadan. The Speaker expressed hope for the success for the conference being organised by the League to counter terrorism and achieve development and stability. He stressed the strength of the relationship between the Republic of Senegal and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

the wheel of justice. He declared that it is the duty of everyone to ensure President Muhammadu Buhari succeeds in the anti-corruption war in order to entrench a new society devoid of want and evil. He charged Muslims to study the Qur’an and make use of the injunctions therein rather than serve as passive observers, saying it is difficult for a Muslim to navigate the world successfully without knowing and practising what the Qur’an preaches. Abdulhakeem also charged leaders to act for the sake of God, saying only God can give or take power. Commending members of the association for teaching Muslim women the Qur’an, he implored them to put the teachings into practice. The Ameerah of the society, Alhaja Sherifat Olubajo, disclosed that QWSA was established to train Muslim women in the ways of Allah, saying educating a woman is tantamount to educating a nation. The organisation has various programmes, including teaching women to read and understand the Qur’an, organisation of mentoring programmes for children as well as public lectures. She then appealed for personal and corporate supports for the body, which was established in 1982.

A preacher, Dr Daud Amoo, has called on leaders in the country to stop being hypocritical in word and action. Amoo made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State, at a lecture organised by the Bodija Muslim Youth Forum (BOMYOF). The preacher, renowned for his prowess in comparative sermon, said “so many of our leaders are hypocritical. This is the bane of Nigeria as it cuts across; it is not limited to leadership, it also affects followership. “During the Christian festive periods like Easter, Nigerian leaders will enjoin Christians to emulate Jesus Christ, in which the Christians among them [the leaders] are not Christianly. “At the time of Muslim festivals, Muslims will be enjoined to emulate Prophet Muhammad while these leaders themselves never practise what they tell followers to do,” he said. The preacher urged the Muslim community to ensure dissemination of pristine information about Islam and have a deep understanding of their faith in order to avoid being deceived. Earlier, BOMYOF chairman, Alhaji AbdurRahman Balogun, said the lecture on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was meant to bring about religious tolerance, harmony and understanding between adherents of Islam and Christianity.

NACOMYO appeals to govt establishments THE National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has enjoined government agencies and establishments to key into the antigraft initiatives of the Federal Government by checking corruptive tendencies and practices that were part of the system. This is just as it commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the refund of N1.7 billion excess (of pilgrims’ fare) recovered from hajj service providers to pilgrims. NACOMYO, in a statement by its national president, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, stated that NAHCON’s action underscored the central government’s zero tolerance for corruption and the commission’s determination to check sharp practices within the system. While calling on NAHCON to sanction service providers that tend to embarrass the hajj commission, the apex Muslim youth organisation urged all stakeholders to evolve a robust synergy to revamp hajj operations for the enhancement of pilgrims’ welfare and the realisation of hajj mabrur (valid hajj) by pilgrims. In the meantime, NACOMYO has called on the Saudi Arabia monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the international community to put the events of last hajj behind them and restrategise for a sustainable and smooth hajj. It reminded the Saudi king of the need to fasttrack payment of compensations promised families of the dead and wounded pilgrims of last year’s catastrophes.

Afe commends Ansar-Ud-Deen on education THE Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria has been described as a notable Islamic organisation devoted to the educational development of the country. Foremost lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), disclosed this while receiving the president of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) who led a delegation to the university campus in Ado-Ekiti. Chief Babalola urged religious organisations to be more involved in education so as to reduce indiscipline, moral decadence and criminality in the society. Earlier, Alhaji Okunnu commended Chief Babalola for his initiative to establish the university, saying that the Summit University, established by Ansar-Ud-Deen, when it becomes operational, would collaborate with ABUAD.

33 hersay

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Learn to manage your home —Bosade Ogunlana A marriage counselor and business woman, married to Pastor Gbade Ogunlana, a tele-evangelist who hosts the popular Television programme Paito Wa, Bosade Ogunlana in this interview with RONKE SANYA explains why she is passionate about impacting marriage and family positively, among other issues.

hat was growing up like? I grew up in Ibadan, attended Bodija International Primary School, from where I proceeded to the Federal Government Girls College, and then ABU Zaria for my A levels, I went through the University of Ibadan, where I studied Veterinary Medicine. I did my masters in Veterinary Public Health and Managerial Psychology. I did not study Veterinary Medicine because I had an interest in it. I was just given admission to study it; I don’t even like animals; all I want to do with animals is to cook and eat them. I am not a loyalist to pets. Pathology classes then really disgusted me. Sometimes, I had to go out and throw up. I just found myself there; I discovered it was not really what I was coined out for, though I practised for a while. My diversification into business was as a result of the fact that my mother was a business woman to the core. I got used to doing business from when I was young because of my mother’s involvement in business. Before I got into the university, I used to package baby food into small nylons and sell I also sold coconut candy. I was always going around with my mother then because she was hardworking. While I was in the university, people used to call me Gbogbonise, meaning someone who multi-tasked. Why did you decide to set up Family Impact vision? This vision dates back to my mother’s marriage to a man, who left her and traveled out of the country for over 10 years. Despite being legally married to him, I was told that my mother’s mother-in-law told her to get involved with another man and move on with her life, because as a woman, time was not on her side. I am one of the children who came out of her relationship with another man. You can imagine how it feels, growing up, conscious of the fact that you are as a result of your mothers extra martial affair. I saw myself as an intruder and unwanted and didn’t like it. So, when I got to the age that I was about to get married, my mother prayed that I marry rightly. I thank God that today, God answered her prayers. Now, I am happily married. I grew up knowing that I cannot toy with the issue of marriage,’ I wanted a good marriage, so I read books on marriage and attended various marriage seminars. I was hungry for knowledge. I believe that was what God saw and why He called me into the ministry to affect homes positively. How long have you been married and how far can you say you have affected homes? I got married in 1995. Through the radio ministry and the Family Impact Magazine, many have testified. Someone once told me that a couple who were already heading for divorce picked up our magazine and that was the end of their quest for divorce. They didn’t need anyone to talk to them again, they resolved their issues amicably. Through the radio broadcast, people call in and give testimonies of how they have been blessed listening to my programme and how they are enjoying their marriages as a result of the programme. It is exciting when I see couples who have separated before, come back together again, after being counseled. Sometimes, I listen to my radio programme and I wonder if I am the one talking. I know it is as a result of in-

to learn to wake up and take care of your home and do the necessary things. I tell my son I must never see him beat any of his female siblings. In fact, it is an abomination, because if someone doesn’t curb that, such a child will continue to be violent. Parents should not pamper a child that gets angry unnecessarily. All these things starts with giving attention to issues that matters, like temperance and tolerating one another. Most women that their husband beat run their mouths. It is almost impossible for a man to just get home and start beating his wife for no reason. Women should also watch the way they run their mouths. Marriage is management; you have to learn how to manage your home. If your husband has temperament, you are his help-meet; you should not aggravate the situation. Married couples should learn how to bring out the best in their spouses and not their bad character. Poverty is another challenge. A man that doesn’t have much on him sometimes transfers aggression to his wife and children and he gets to the point whereby he stops talking and he starts ‘barking.’ This might also be another factor for domestic violence.

spiration from God. What do you think is responsible for the high rate of divorce in our society today? I think one of the major reasons for the high rate of divorce in our society is that people are not prepared for marriage. Most people don’t have a good knowledge of what marriage is about. They grew up with the wrong examples they learnt from their parents. They don’t read, they don’t know how to choose, they don’t know what to look out for while choosing a life partner. They just meet on the street and off they go to the alter or court to be joined. This is as a result of misplaced priorities. I have seen couples preparing for marriage, yet they cannot part with N1,000 to buy a magazine they can learn from, but they can spend N100,000,000 preparing for the wedding. The extent to which we celebrate the wedding day is so bad that people have forgotten that “after six, there is seven”. After the wedding day, there are several days, months and years that you will still spend together as a

It is the responsibility of a woman to call the king out of her husband before he treats her like a queen.

couple; this, they are not prepared for. We are carried away by the excitement of preparing for the wedding day. We are preoccupied with aso ebi. The preparation for the husband and wife to live together as couple is null. In most cases, children from dysfunctional homes; where the husband beats up his wife and the wife in turn is engaged in extra marital affair is the example the children see while growing up. Unpreparedness for marriage is so high in our society and that is the reason for what I do. I have a ministry to educate them. Most of what happens in homes today is as a result of ignorance. People are not ready to learn. I advise that before you get married, you should have read at least 10 books on marriage. Another issue is that of in-laws, who try to enforce their will and opinion on their children, even in marriage. Marriage is instituted by God and if we depart from God and His ways, that institution cannot work. Talking about spouses killing each other, what do you think are the reasons behind increased domestic violence? It starts with ignorance; dysfunctional background is another reason. If a child grows up seeing his father beat up his mother, the chance that that child will be a wife beater is very high. It will take extra caution for him not to take after his father. We should be cautious to raise our children properly. We should ask ourselves, “What kind of husband or wife are you raising”? I usually tell my children: “By the time you are married, will you be doing this?” My 10-year-old daughter will say “Mom, you are always talking about this marriage thing.” And I will respond why not, you have

So what should women in this kind of situation do? I have seen a woman whose husband was abusive, she left the home and another woman moved in and till today, that other woman is enjoying the man. The so-called beast that was initially abusive is now happy with his new wife and they have children. I am not trying to say a woman should die in the hands of an abusive man. When the heat is much, we advise ‘temporary separation.’ This is after much counseling and involving the pastor and family members’ consent. This is why no lady should marry a man that does not have someone that can call him to order. After exhausting all avenues to resolve issues and make the man behave normally and he doesn’t stop beating the woman, such a woman has to run for her dear life. It doesn’t mean the woman should leave the marriage completely. God created a woman to complete the man. The woman is a helpmeet, without the woman, the man is helpless. Some women are stubborn and heady. They believe in fight to finish because their mothers taught them to fight for their rights. The home is not a place where you demonstrate your ability to speak English. Some women want to have the last say, which is not the role of a good, virtuous woman. So, women should be cautious. We should be gentle in spirit and respectful. A woman should revere her husband. It is the responsibility of a woman to call the king out of her husband before he treats her like a queen. Another thing is, people don’t believe in going to therapists in Nigeria. When you are having issues, walk up to a therapist that can help. Though we don’t have much of them around in Nigeria. Before things get out of hand, couples should see marriage counselors and confide in them. Advice for singles They should not be discouraged by the mess that occurs in some failed marriages. Marriage is very sweet; it depends on the cutlery you use to eat it. They should look at marriages that are thriving and learn from them.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

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Monica Taiwo monicataiwo@yahoo.com 08055001724 @taiwomonica

Please, help me, I want to go back home to my parents

Dear Taiwo, lease help me find a solution to this mess I am in. I cannot tell my parents or even my friends because everyone around me had warned me but I felt I could make good the relationship, get married to this man then shame everybody. However, I just found out two weeks ago that I have really been foolish and he had actually been using me and manipulating me diabolically and successfully turned me against my family for a purpose I just discovered. I met Frank few months after I finished my NYSC, and got a job through my father’s goodwill with one of the very solid banks in the country. He came to lodge in some money and I attended to him. I was not attracted to him because of his money; I am from a very comfortable home and money was and has never been a problem to me. To cut the long story short, one thing led to the other and we started dating. What I noticed from the outset of my relationship with Femi was that everyone I introduced him to never liked him, but unfortunately, I loved him and I thought he loved me too; but I was very wrong. My best friend, Laide was the first person to call my attention to the fact that Frank could be a fraud. This was because even after we have dated for about eight months, he never introduced any of his friends to me. He was always the one who visited me, I could not visit him. I didn’t even know where he lived. I also could not just pick my phone and speak with him, it’s either his phone was switched off or out of service. I only got to speak with him when he called me. I raised this issue with him several times, but he would always have an excuse ready for me. I lived at home with my parents and that was how they met him early and he started coming to our house about a month after I met him. My parents have only female children, three of us and I am the last, all of us are closer to our father and he gets to know things about us before mother did. When I told him about Frank, he asked me to find out some information about him, before going too deep into the relationship. He said I should find out his job, educational background, where he came from and stuffs like that. You wouldn’t believe that simple facts like these took him time before telling me and the little information he offered turned out to be fraudulent when the chips were down. Mum took an instant dislike to him the very first day he came to our house. I know dad too felt the same way, but I am sure he tried to hide his feelings for my sake. I never liked the way mum spoke about him and this, almost all the time, led to quarrels between us. When my eldest sister got married, he was invited and he was also asked to come with his family. He gave an excuse about his parents and came with two of his friends, I really did not like them. I had never met any of them before, but I tried to put up with them because I loved Frank. I should also let you know that although we were not the so-called born again family, but my parents are the God fearing type and they taught us the fear of God, we were not forced into it, but we all agreed to a strictly no sex until marriage relationship even without our parents’ knowledge and I told him this. Though, unbelievably, he agreed with me and that was one of the excuses he gave me when I complained that he never took me to his house. He said he deliberately did not take me because he was trying to avoid any form of temptation. Although whenever he claimed that his work load was less he could come around sometimes, we would stay back in my house or he would take me out. He was also very fond of buying very expensive gifts for me and I always told him that these were not things I needed. There was a time he bought a very expensive

PHOTO: Google wristwatch for me and I made the same complaint. He became angry and said that he knew that he cannot be as rich as my father but I should know that he was better than some of his age mates. I really felt bad and I pleaded with him. At a time, he told me he was very broke and he needed two million naira to do some business. I did not need to ask my parents, I had it, so I gave him. Three days later, he returned it. I was shocked because, the time he returned the money to me and the way he was when he asked me for the loan did not tally. I asked if he didn’t need the money again, he said he had used it and he wanted to return it with an interest of a million naira. I did not want to take the interest from him, but, he insisted. It was not long after the issue of the wristwatch, so I had no choice but to take it from him. I really cannot say as at that time why my mother could not stand Frank, and I was so angry that I moved out of the house. It is a family tradition in our home that every Christmas we all have dinner together and after dinner we speak about different issues and try to trash some things out. I guess it was my parent’s way of taking stock. Unfortunately, that particular Christmas, my issue and Frank’s was the topic of the day. Every member of my family wanted me to leave him; even my married sister and her husband who were present agreed to the same thing. My daddy who had been my best ally, that night was on the other side too.

Mum took an instant dislike to him the very first day he came to our house.

Without mincing words or looking ridiculous, I loved Frank and I couldn’t understand why everyone was against him and my relationship with him. When Kunle, my sister’s husband saw my plight, he asked my parents to take thing easy and promised to check Frank out. He has the capacity to do so because of the nature of his job. Two weeks after Christmas, Kunle came home with his findings, he told my parents and I that Frank was a 419, he is involved in advanced free fraud and that the company and friends he kept are not the type he could even imagine. He advised, just like my parents did that I should take a walk from the relationship. Unfortunately, I loved Frank too much to listen to any reasonable suggestion from anybody. After the New Year celebration, I told my parents that I wanted to move in with my friends.( Before this, however, I made the mistake of telling Frank all that went on in our house during Christmas and about Kunle’s findings. They both agreed that I could move out, but daddy said he would be very disappointed in me if I moved out of the house under pretext to go and live with Frank. I, however, did not do that, I moved in with my friend, Laide, she also did not approve of my relationship with Frank, but she allowed me to stay with her. Frank, however, became a changed person after I told him everything that transpired in our house during Christmas and Kunle’s findings. He began to invite me to his home. The first time I visited him, I was dumbfounded by what I saw. He has a very tastefully furnished house, in fact, I could say his house is better than ours, but the odd thing, is that he lived there all alone; not even a cook lived with him. That day, he invited me to stay the night, but I declined, because I remembered the promise I made to my parents. The next time he asked me over to his place was a weekend, it was his birthday, and he said he was expecting some visitors and he wanted me to be around. I asked my friend to come along with me since it was a work-free day. The first thing that threw me off balance, however, was his reaction when he saw my friend with me. It was not as if he had not met her before and he knew we lived together, the only thing he did not say aloud was, ‘why did you come with her. When his friends arrived, I didn’t like what I saw. I raised it with him and he became very angry. I had to beg him. He called me a snub and a spoilt rich girl. We eventually settled and I became a regular visitor in his house and began to stay the night. One fateful day, I went to his house but he wasn’t around, I called him and he told me where to pick the key from. Fortunately, my friend called to find out where I was, I asked her to meet me up at Frank’s house and she did. I kept calling to tell him I wanted to leave, he asked that I wait and if push came to shove, I would sleep over. I did not tell him my friend was with me. We had slept off in his room when he came in with about four of his friends. I can’t actually say how many of them. They thought we were asleep, they started discussing me. They wanted to know if Frank had completed his arrangement and how much was I and my father worth. My friend asked me to keep quiet when I wanted to scream. We both heard everything; he was also mandated to take me to baba after he had carried out all their instruction. Which baba? And what for? Laide advised that we left and not wait until they come for us. I could not recount how, but we escaped. Since then, Frank has not called me, neither I him. I feel bad having disobeyed my parents. I have never done this before. I want to go back home, I don’t know what to do or how to approach my parents, please, advise me.

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Friday, 1 April, 2016

alk to your folks. Tell them where you are going. Tell them who you are going with. Bring your friends over to the house so your parents can meet them and get to know them. Do what you say you will do. Tell them the truth even when you know they don’t want to hear the truth. Ask questions from your parents; especially the uncomfortable questions. Talk to them about your fears, your dreams, your desires and your plans. Some problems are so bad that good open communication will help you get through. Don’t shut your parents out, include them. They honestly want to be included, do your part to make that happen. Don’t be a dumb ass, go to class. Maybe you are not learning a damn thing most of the time while you are there, but sometimes going to class is just as important as the learning that is supposed to be taking place while you are there. Show up, pay attention as best as you can. Your teachers are poorly paid, some of them should never have been hired in the first place and some should have been fired long ago. But put up with it for a few years. It will be over soon and you will at least be able to laugh about it all someday. If you don’t go to class, you are only going to get in trouble, make a lot of people mad and put yourself through more grief than it’s worth. Get your parents to teach you about money. Ask them to talk to you about credit scores and savings and mortgages and credit cards and other debt. Have them help you as best they know how to establish and maintain good credit. If they don’t know an-

Parenting The host of Straight Talk!

With Olufunke Adetuberu

08023242389

cryonmenow@yahoo.com

Parenting for your teenager (II) ything about money (you will know this, by the way, if you pay attention) then go learn about money on your own. Buy a book. Try You’re Broke Because You Want to Be by me. It’s like a primer for responsible financial behavior. Help out around the house. Don’t wait to be asked. You can at least carry your dirty clothes to the washing machine and put some detergent in and turn on the machine. It’s not that tough. Don’t expect the dishes to wash themselves or for the trash to empty itself. Chip in. It’s only fair “Besides, it will confuse and confound your parents. That alone makes it fun. Your parents are not made of money. Don’t ask for stuffs all the time because maybe they can’t afford it. Don’t embarrass them by forcing them to say no to you when they would love to say yes but they simply can’t afford to buy you everything you want. Get over yourself. There are more important things than being cute, being tough and being one of the popular crowd. Few people make a living from being cute or tough or popular. While it may not seem like it now, it is actually

more important to be kind, polite, respectful and smart. Your parents deserve your respect. No matter how they act or what they have done, show them some respect simply because they are your parents and they work to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. Don’t curse at them. Don’t belittle their efforts. Don’t call them names. They deserve better . Say “thanks” from time to time. When you get up from the dinner table, say “thanks.” When you see a pile of folded laundry on your bed, say “thanks.” When you get to use the car, say “thanks.” A little appreciation goes a long way with parents. Your parents don’t owe you a cell phone or a car or every cool fad that comes along. They owe you food, shelter, health care and education. Everything else is a bonus. If you want that other stuff, get a job and earn the money to buy it. You will respect yourself and the stuff you have much more if you have worked to pay for it. Call your grandparents. Don’t argue or whine about it, just do it. Even if it is just to sympathize with them for having to put up

with either your mom or dad. Don’t drink and drive. It is stupid. You aren’t cool when you do it and you really might kill someone, including yourself. Cigarettes don’t make you look cool. They make you look stupid. Drugs will ruin your life. They will give you a very temporary high and a lifetime of lows. If you have a problem with drugs, get help immediately. Be polite. Say “please” and “thank you” and “yes, sir” and “no, sir.” It is a good habit and will serve you well forever. Don’t be a slave to every goofy fad that comes along. Prove how cool you really are by rising above the need to be just like everyone else by having, wearing and doing the same things as everyone else you know. Sex is a wonderful thing and don’t let anyone tell you different. However, an STD and an unwanted pregnancy are not wonderful things. Either will ruin your future. Don’t be an idiot. Use condoms! And remember, “no” means no every time and without exception. No one touches you without your permission. No one gets to abuse you physically, emotionally or psychologically. If you are in an abusive relationship, get out of it now. Abusers don’t ever change. In fact, their behavior only escalates. Learn to “take it like a man.” Even if you are a girl. That means if you mess up, take the punishment without a bunch of whining and complaining. Remember the old saying “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.” You can make a nugget out of this instructions! And paste it in your teenagers room!.

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With Monica Taiwo

08055001724(sms only) monicataiwo@yahoo.com

My boyfriend almost raped me!

Photo google

My parents are against a divorce! Dear Taiwo, My husband and I have been separated for about one year and five months now. I want to ask him for a divorce but my parents refused. They sent for him to know why he sent me out of our matrimonial home but he refused to come to see them. I would give anything to get a divorce because he cheated me. I made him what he is today. I did everything to make him what he is today but he did not appreciate all I did for him. We were married for three years and my 18-month-old son and I have been living alone for over a year now. Please, what do I do? Mercy. Dear Mercy, I appreciate the fact that your parents asked you to be patient and hold on a little before filing for divorce. Looking at your story, one would expect you to react exactly the way you did because it could be very painful, especially if you were the one who made him what he is today by the mercy of God. You have been patient for over a year; a little patience won’t hurt or spoil anything. Although

you did not state when your parents invited him, but I am sure they did not invite him after you have lived apart for over a year. If he refused to heed their call, I am sure he has parents or if not, there are people who can come in and intervene within his family. Although you did not state what exactly happened that led him to send you and your son out of your home, but I will plead that you take your parents’ counsel now and be a little patient. Remember that your son needs both of you as he grows up. No matter what decision you have to take living as a single parent or divorce shouldn’t come first. This should be the last resort. You did not state your age, but I am sure you are still young. Please, give your parents the opportunity of trying their best. They are older and have more wisdom. You also must be prayerful. Fight this battle on your knees, no matter what your fate is, God answers prayers. Your parents can also get his pastor or Imam involved as the case may be. None of the holy books supports divorce. It is well with you.

Dear Taiwo, I am 22, dating a 27-year-old man. I am still in school; he has graduated and currently undergoing his compulsory national youth service. He was always asking me for sex and I always refused. Two weeks ago, I visited him in his house and he attempted to rape me. He would have succeeded if not for the timely visit of his friends. Since then, I made up my mind not to have anything to do with him again but he would not leave me alone. I don’t want to have anything to do with him again because I am not sure that he won’t try to rape me again. Please, what should I do? Zina Dear Zina, You know your boyfriend more than I do, but I will advocate that you give him another chance. You also must let him know in very clear terms that you are not ready for sex now and you mean just that. You also must be very careful about how you dress around him, the type of films and possibly discussions you have with him. Do not engage in things that are sexually inclined or things that will lead him on. He is an adult and it is normal for him to want sex, if you don’t want to have sex now, then, you have to help him with things that will take his mind off that subject when both of you are together. If you know these won’t help, then, avoid been with him alone. Help him to fight temptation. If you think you can’t go through all these with him or he won’t agree with all these, then I think you should move on, but you also need to be careful with the next man too, because it is healthy for a man to want sex.

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Friday, 1 April, 2016

Confusion as Kogi Assembly opens

It was never sealed off —Factional speaker YinkaOladoyinbo-Lokoja

HERE was confusion over the status of the Kogi State House of Assembly, on Thursday, as the gates of the complex were widely opened with no security presence. Although, members of the assembly were not

in the complex during a visit by the Nigerian Tribune, some workers, including the clerk of the assembly, Seidu Shedaa, were sighted within the premises of the assembly. The workers, who were mostly women, were seen in some of the offices, while only three policemen and a civil defence officer

were at the entrance of the premises. The security operatives did not obstruct movement in and out of the complex by the workers but visitors and journalists were screened before they were allowed into the complex. Apart from the civil servants, the special adviser to the governor on legisla-

tive matters, Haruna Yusuf and the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), to the speaker, Ali Umar, were also on ground. It was, however, learnt that the directive to the security operatives was not to allow any of the members of the assembly entrance into the complex. But reacting to the devel-

opment, Yusuf said the situation on ground had shown that the assembly was not sealed off as was reported. He said it will be wrong to say that the assembly complex was sealed off without the presence of heavy security and free flow of human and vehicular movement. Yusuf said, “On the ex-

Declare 3-yr economic emergency, S/South, S/East professionals tell FG Leon Usigbe - Abuja THE Federal Government has been advised to declare a three-year state of emergency on the economy to enable it take necessary measures to revive it. The call was made by a delegation of South-East and South-South profes-

sionals, during a visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting with Osinbajo, the president of the group, Emeka Ugwu-Oju, said the state of emergency was needed because the econo-

my was in bad shape. He said it was time for leaders to demonstrate that things were not as they should be and therefore, lead by example. “On the current stage of the economy, we strongly suggested and advised that the president, as a matter of urgency in consultation with the National

Assembly, should declare a three-year state of emergency on the economy. “And this is not about the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is something that is nonpartisan. Our economy is bad. People should realise that because we are mak-

ing it seem like is something that will go away. “We the professionals want to see what we can bring to the table. We from the South-South South East, we are bringing the energy corridor project to the table and we can say we have the most comparative advantage on that.”

Nigerians groan as no end in sight to fuel scarcity From Seyi Gesinde and Hakeem Gbadamosi

HE current fuel scarcity in the country is biting harder every passing hour, with no hope in sight that the situation will end soon. This pitiable situation has turned most of Nigerian bubbling streets into a semblance of “ghost towns,” as vehicles are off the roads and business closed, as the condition is also made worse, owing to power outage with no fuel to power generators. Nigerians continue to groan in distress as most motorists abandoned their vehicles at filling stations, while a few others on the roads are driving with the last drop of fuel in their engines. The situation is worrisome since in a few filling

stations where the fuel is available in small quantity, the prices vary between N200 and N300 per litre, leaving the transportation fare on the high side, which most people claimed they could not afford because of the present harsh economic condition. As a result, most people resorted to trekking to their different destinations, complaining of “no money in town” to “waste” on transport fares. Now, those who seem to be reaping from this sorry situation are telecommunication operators, as most people now make phone calls or send text messages to each other to relate the situation and confirm areas where petrol is available. The roads in most capital cities in the country, especially in the South-Western

states were deserted, as only few cars with fuel were seen on the roads, while travellers were stranded at motor parks and commercial activities were at lowest ebb. Heavy queues were noticed at one of the independent filling stations on

Akure-Owo, Ondo State road, while the product was sold out at N300 per litre. The manager of the filling station who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity explained that it took the management of the station about 10 days to procure the fuel at the

rate of N200. A motorist who spoke with Nigerian Tribune said: “I have been here for the past three hours struggling to buy fuel at N300 per litre. I may end up leaving my car here because there is no enough fuel to take me home.”

SATURDAY, 2 APRIL, 2016

ecutive side and as the special adviser to the governor, I am here personally to see things for myself, since yesterday (Wednesday), I have been doing that and I don’t see any difference in what happened here and today (Thursday) security wise. Also speaking, Umar said he was in the complex to ascertain the status of security in the assembly, adding that he discovered that there was no restriction in the assembly. He said: “It is not true that the assembly has been sealed off, the essence of being here is to confirm whether or not the complex was sealed, we have done a tour of the assembly and we found out that the assembly is open and the staffers are working and members have adjourned sitting till April 12but the oversight functions are on going. He, however, said members moved to the Government House for the budget defence because there was a security report that made the assembly premises unsafe for legislative duties.

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Mymumwasagreat dancer—KingSunnyAde

Nigeria is suffering from power poverty —NUEE boss By Tunde Ogunesan NIGERIA has been declared as the greatest country suffering from power poverty, considering its population and the available megawatts to its over 170 million population. This was made known by the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr Joe Ajaero, while speaking with journalists at the third triennial national women delegates conference, at Wallan Hotel Limited, Ibadan, Oyo State. Ajaero said he is not expecting President Muhammadu Buhari to play politics with the number of megawatts to be provided in Nigeria. “Nigeria is the greatest country suffering from

power poverty. The international best practice is that wherever you have one million people, you have 1,000 megawatts. And you are claiming 170 million and you have 3,000 megawatts. That is the worst you can get,” he said. “Why would President Buhari say 10,000 megawatts? I don’t know the power station that he has commissioned. Do you take 10,000 megawatts as a figure or based on what is on ground. The gestation period of any power plant is about three years and if you have not started constructing any one by now, there is none to commission. But, If you say you have started constructing plants and if put together, would give you 1,000 megawatts or 4,000 megawatts, that is tenable.

Corruption fight should go to APC too — Modu Sheriff interview

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I wrote ‘Soldier’ but Falz fell in love with it — Simi

Real reason Saraki is being tried — Kwara Speaker voxpop

The handsome broke or the ugly rich, who would you go for?

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Friday, 1 April, 2016

Nigeria still has heroes, effective civil service, say Mabogunje, Ofeimun

gainst the backdrop of collapsing leadership and national values which have made corruption and its allegations rampant in high places, two foremost Nigerians, poet and governorship aspirant in Edo State, Odia Ofeimun and Professor Emeritus, Akin Mabogunje, have said that Nigeria still has heroes who can be compared with those of other lands. In the same vein, the Nigerian civil service, they said, has prospect which

would make it to go places. They made this known in separate forewords to two new books written and just released by the former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Dr Tunji Olaopa. The books tagged: Labour of our heroes past and “Civil service and the imperative of nation building”, were published by Bookcraft Publishers in Ibadan. According to Ofeimun, coming on the heels of an earlier work entitled “A prophet is with honour -

The Life and times of Ojetunji Aboyade, a biography of former vice chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, economic adviser to successive Federal Governments in the 70’s and into the 90s written by the same author, “Labour of our heroes past”, holds prospects for the exploration of heroes long forgotten. “It (the book) is a painstaking exposition of the travails of managing change in a society quite desperately in need of

prime movers. The desperation, as a virtual fabric of the whole society, is clearly the reason that the author is ready to grant the outstanding performers in our midst, the feat-makers, so to say, the status of culture heroes. Otherwise, truly evident and uplifting, across Olaopa’s many books, is that he has turned his own admiration and worship of our heroes past into a means of personal, communal and national pursuit of organisational effectiveness,” he said. “This book, quintessen-

A serving youth corps member at the National Assembly, Miss Chioma Augusta Ugwu, celebrated Easter feeding over 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), at the New Kuchigoro IDPS Camp, Abuja. The event was organised by the Augusta Chioma Foundation.

Fg directs activation of basa with Israel

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate activation of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), signed in 2013 with the State of Israel. The executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara, disclosed this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at the departure of Niger, Kaduna and Adamawa pilgrims to the Holy land under the NCPC Easter pilgrimage programme. According to the NCPC boss, the activation of BASA would enable the pilgrims to fly direct to Israel, thus, reducing the long hours of flight. Mr Opara commended the Governor of Niger State for being the first governor from the North Central to sponsor pilgrims to Israel for the Easter pilgrimage. He said that apart from the spiritual benefits of the Holy pilgrimage, the commission was partnering with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture to train the pilgrims on agriculture under the skills acquisition and leadership training programme of the commission. He stressed that the commission is using pilgrimage as a tool for moral

transformation and spiritual rebirth. He further commended President Buhari, who according to him, “has made it possible for us to be flying by now.” He enjoined the intending pilgrims to conduct

themselves well while in the Holy land and should come back as change agents. Mr Opara further urged the intending pilgrims from Niger State to uphold the governor in prayer while in Israel. “It takes a

man who loves God to do what the governor is doing, God will honour you”. In his remarks, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, commended NCPC for initiating the skills acquisition and leadership training for pilgrims.

tially, is braced for a reversal of the verdict; and to bring grand visibility and acceptance to those whom the author considers deserving of acknowledgement as heroes. By memorialising their feats, up-raising the heroic status of people like Claude Ake himself, and deploying the values and standards that he and others have upheld in sector after sector, a corrective is emplaced against the rudderless, morally anarchic devaluation of outstanding performers,” Ofeimun said. In his own foreword on the book, “Civil Service and the imperative of nation building”, Mabogunje, who traced the chequered history of the Nigerian civil service, said the book “has taken on the challenge of delving into the workings of the Nigerian civil service to dissect the basis of its dysfunction, failings, successes, progress and future possibilities from both a theoretical and practical perspectives. His passion for research and the intellectual confidence with which he presents his findings, observations and conclusions are attributes not commonly found among career civil servants. Indeed, the structure of most of the essays in the volume is certainly a critical notch above the conventional public commentaries that populate our nation’s newspapers, with most of the analysis duly spiced with personal anecdotes and wisdom quotes from great minds in the political and administration arena.”

Bayelsa: Tribunal delivers ruling on Sylva’s application April 11 Sunday Ejike - Abuja The Bayelsa State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, will on April 11, deliver ruling in an application filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva , seeking an order of the tribunal to allow him inspect election materials used for the December 5, 2015 and January 9, 2016 governorship election held in the state. The tribunal chairman, Justice Kazeem Alogba ,gave the date after taking arguments from parties in the petition challenging the election of Seriake Dickson, as governor of the state The motion on notice filed and argued by Sebastin Hon, on behalf of the

petitioner, seeks an order of the tribunal compelling the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to allow the petitioner inspect election materials used in the elections. Among the 37 materials sought to be inspected are the ballot papers used, thumb printed and counted as valid, the ballot papers recorded as spoilt, un-used and print out of records of accreditation as captured by the Smart Card Reader. Others are the voter register in all the polling units and the eight local.government areas, INEC result sheets, security report on the election, appointed observers’ reports, video and audio reports on the election and letters of complaints of irregularities and malpractices during

the election addressed to INEC. Moving the motion, predicated on seven grounds, Sylva’s counsel, Hon, prayed the tribunal to grant the request since the electoral body, which conducted the election and is in possession of the items did not oppose the application. Hon said in law, the facts deposed to in an affidavit and not challenged by way of counter affidavit are deemed admitted by the force of law. Hon argued that the counter affidavit filed by Governor Dickson through his counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, was misconceived and misplaced because it did not address the issues raised in the petitioner’s motion. The counsel argued that it was wrong of the governor (2nd respondent), to claim that the petitioner’s

motion was vague because the documents sought to be inspected by the petitioner are well pleaded in the petition and in-line with section 151 of the Electoral Act 2010. However, in his opposition to the request, Governor Dickson urged the tribunal to refuse the application for lacking in merit. Oyetibo submitted that the prayers in Sylva’s application did not support what he wanted the tribunal to do for him. The governor’s counsel specifically insisted that the petitioner’s request was vague because it failed to mention the maker of the materials sought to be inspected. Chairman of the tribunal, fixed April 11, to deliver ruling on whether to allow the inspection of the materials or not.

INEC recruits 9,000 ad hoc staff for FCT election The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has now recruited the required number of ad hoc staff for the April 9 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the FCT, Professor Jacob Jatau, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, in Abuja. NAN recalled that INEC FCT had on March 16, postponed the area council election from March 19 till April 9 due its inability to recruit over 9,000 ad hoc staff required for the conduct of the election. “I can confirm to you that the commission is fully ready for the April 9 election. “We have been able to recruit the additional ad hoc staff to meet the shortfall that made us postponed the elections. “The commission has also trainined the additional adhoc staff recruited for the exercise. “All is now set for the conduct of free and fair election in the FCT,’’ Jatau said. Mrs Ndidi Okafor, the INEC deputy director of publicity in FCT, told NAN that the commission had recruited 9,374 ad hoc staff for the exercise. Okafor added that the commission had also recruited and trained extra personnel in addition to the 9,374 ad hoc staff to address likely shortage on Election Day.

NASFAT’s 21st anniversary grand finale holds Sunday The grand finale of the series of events marking the 21st anniversary of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Faith Society (NASFAT), Ikoyi, Lagos, will hold on Sunday. This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the publicity secretary of the society, Mr Banji Busari, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday. The event will take place at NASFAT Islamic Centre, Kilometre 36, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Adeese, Ogun State, by 10.00am. The grand finale event will be graced by several distinguished personalities from various fields of human endeavour while the chairman of the event is Senator Bareechu Gbenga Ashafa.

news Olubadan urges clerics to pray more for Nigeria 38

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HE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Olasupo Adetunji, has called on religious leaders to increase intercession for Nigeria. Oba Adetunji stated this at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace, on Wednesday, while welcoming the presiding Bishop of Rehoboth Cathedral, Bishop Taiwo Victor Adelakun. According to the Olubadan, when an individual or a society is faced with challenges of life, you pray as if you don’t work and work as if you don’t pray. Said he, “At 88, I have lived long to know that failure in life is failure in the place of prayer and fasting. I believe very much in the efficacy of prayer and fasting to overcome life’s challenges.” He added that his emergence as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland could not have been his making but God’s, to whom all powers belong. According to his director, Media and Public Affairs, Mr Adeola Oloko, the Oba noted that although all men were created equal by God, some human beings have gone out of their way to seek God more than

the others and He rewards them. The Olubadan, who lauded all clerics in the land, particularly Bishop Victor Adelakun, for their forthrightness, therefore, urged them to increase the tempo of their prayers, not only for Nigeria in general, but for Ibadan in particular. Earlier, Bishop Adelakun had congratulated Oba Adetunji on his emergence as the new Olubadan. He prayed God to give the monarch long life, sound health, remarkable peace and progress. He prayed God to grant the Olubadan’s vision of Ibadan State and Ibadan International Airport during his reign. Bishop Adelakun recalled that he came to Ibadan as an 8 years old boy with a pair of slippers, 45 years ago from the village. “Kabiyesi, I entered Ibadan through the famous Agodi-Gate Motor Park with slippers. Today, I bear testimony to the goodness of God to me in Ibadan, a city where I have fulfilled the plan of God for my life. It is also in Ibadan that I got married and blessed with lovely children.”

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Nigerian Tribune

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39 CHANGE OF NAME

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I, Mrs Esther Funmilayo Olajide am the same person as Esther Funmilayo Oladire and Esther Akinwale. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MRS ESTHER FUNMILAYO OLAJIDE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Ihemegbulam Edith Chiemezie now MRS GODWIN EDITH CHIEMEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Shaib Babatunde Saheed now JOSEPH OLAYINKA OLADIPUPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Rasheed Musifi Oke now ARUMENE FRANCIS OKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Taiwo Ayodele Moses now AYODELE JOHNSON OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. Crusader Sterling Pension and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bolaji Ibrahim Akorede now AKAMO MUIDEEN ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abdullahi Sulaiman now DAAWUD SULAIMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Akanbi Ereloja Oluwadamilare now AKANBI ERELOJA ADEBANJO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Babalola Omolola Damilola now MRS. ABIODUN OMOLOLA DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Farotimi Titilayo Anike now MRS OMIDIORA TITILAYO ANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adegoroye Adebusola now BAMIDELE OJO ADEBUSAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sanwo Taiwo Teresa now MRS ABIOYE TAIWO TERESA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adegafe Adewale Festus now KOLAWOLE ADEWALE FESTUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Odion Christianah Aderemi am the same person as Odion Victoria. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ODION CHRISTIANAH ADEREMI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adeoye Kafayat Adenike now MRS. EKUNDAYO BALQEES ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. FCMB, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fadare Modupe Hannah now MRS. ODOLE MODUPE HANNAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oyediran Ajewole Biodun now AJEWOLE BIODUN SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Tunde Fadare now SAMUEL BABATUNDE FADARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Eddy Odianosen Okonofua Igene now EDDY ODIANOSEN IGENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Miss Ojo Catherine Toyin now MRS CATHERINE TOYIN OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Management, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeyinka Michael Ayomide now AKANDE MICHAEL ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Temitope Oladipupo Bolatito now TEMITOPE OLATINPO BOLATITO. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Pius Adekunle Ibironke now PAUL ADEKUNLE ADEDIRAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abimbola Bunmi Rebecca now MRS. ADEMUYIWA BUNMI REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Oluseyi Sunday Akinyemi am the same person bearing Sunday Solomon Akinyemi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as SUNDAY OLUSEYI SOLOMON AKINYEMI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. All Banks, NIHORT and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Adisa Nusiratu Akanke am the same person as Nusirat Sule Mojoyinola. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADISA NUSIRATU AKANKE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, Adedeji Luqman Abiola am the same person bearing Adedeji Raimi Adigun. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEDEJI RAIMI ADIGUN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bakare Omowunmi Basirat now MRS SANUSI OMOWUNMI BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Muraina Anifat Olabisi now MRS ADEBAYO ANIFAT OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State TESCOM and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ayoola Taiwo Helen now MRS OLAOYE TAIWO HELEN. All former documents remain valid. Bond Chemical Industries Limited, Awe and general public take note.

I, formerly Dare Idowu now OLUDARE IDOWU OLAYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Shomuyiwa Iyabode Oluwabukolami am the same person bearing Shomuyiwa Iyabode Bukky. Now, I want to be known and addressed as SHOMUYIWA IYABODE BUNMI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Adelakun Olawumi Azeezat now MRS AHMED OLAWUMI AZEEZAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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I, formerly Miss Popoola Abidemi Adeola now MRS BOBOYE ABIDEMI ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adetunji Omolara Mariam now ADETUNJI OMOLARA BISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Opeoluwa Tinuola Oluwatoyin now BOGUNJOKO TINUOLA OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Lasisi Raifu Akanmu now RAFIU OKETAYO. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Pension Board, Ibadan and general public take note.

I, formerly Funmilayo Arike Aderemi now FUNMILAYO KUDIRATU ADIO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Muhammed Adewumi Olaleye now SURAJUDEEN ADEBIYI OLALEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Moruf Anidugbe Alade now MORUF KASALI ALADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Ogunjinmi Yemisi Victoria now MRS AGBAJE YEMISI VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bello Oluwamayowa Adebimpe now MRS KAYODE O LU WA M AYO WA ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ogundiran Damilare Olaide am the same person bearing Ogundiran Dare Muhammed. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OGUNDIRAN DARE MUHAMMED. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajayi Modupe Grace now MRS. OLUBEKO MODUPE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Ramon Aminat Awele now OLUWABI AMINAT AWENI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oke Olamide now MRS. OLOWOOKERE OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, 1 April, 2016

news

Friday, 1 April, 2016

Angry mob lynches notorious goat thief in Ilorin Biola Azeez-Ilorin

N angry mob has lynched a leader of a notorious criminal gang in Ilorin, over an alleged theft of eight goats. The Nigerian Tribune investigations gathered that the suspected criminal,

Kunle Poly, led a four-man robbery gang to a village called Abayawo-Oko in Amoyo community of the state capital, on Wednesday morning, where eight goats were allegedly found inside the suspected gang’s Golf vehicle. An Eyewitness account revealed that vigilant

members of the community gave the hoodlums a hot chase on motorbikes for a distance of more than 10 kilometres until the leader of the gang was caught up with at Temidire area of Ilorin, opposite Muslim cemetery, where the tyre of the Golf car reportedly got burst.

It was also gathered that three of the members escaped while Kunle Poly was not so lucky, as he was lynched by the angry mob who reportedly descended on the suspected criminal with all manner of available objects in sight until he was unconscious. The intervention of the

From left, Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Archbishob (Dr) George Latunji Lasebikan; National President, Ibadan Grammar School Old Students’ Association, Venerable Muyiwa Oyewole; first vice-president, Mrs Dupe Kolawole; Chief Taiwo Osungbaro and the National General Secretary, Oluwarotimi O.A. Shodimu, during the school’s 103rd Founder’s Day celebration, at the school chapel, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

Woman takes Edo commissioner to court •Over alleged assault, loss of 7-week pregnancy •Whatever happened was her making —Commissioner Banji Aluko-Benin City

A woman in Benin City, Edo State, Mrs Ohosa Ejimai, has alleged that she lost a 7-week pregnancy, after she was attacked and molested at her shop by a team led by the Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Isimeme Oregbe. She said apart from the loss of her pregnancy and bodily harm caused her, the goods in her shops were also carted away by the commissioner’s team, thus, her resolve to sue the commissioner and the Edo State government the sum of N100 million for assault. Mrs Ejimai spoke in Benin when she was presented to journalists by the Publicity Secretary of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Chris Nehikhare, at the state secretariat of the party. The woman said she was in her shop located at 14, Mission Road, Benin City, at about 5:00p.m. on February 2, 2016, when some people led by the Commissioner, Mr Oregbe stormed her shop and started packing the goods therein, adding that in her attempt to prevent the commissioner and his team from removing her goods, she was slapped and hit. “They tried to push me into a vehicle, hit my head and fired shots into the air.

People rushed me that day. I was taken to the Benin Central Hospital and reported to the Oba Market Police Station. “The third day, I started bleeding. So I went to the hospital. At the hospital, doctor confirmed that I had lost my 7-week-old pregnancy. “When they called me to come and pick my goods, I only saw about five per cent of the goods taken from my

shop. They told me to take whatever was available as they don’t usually release seized goods.” Speaking on the plight of the woman, Mr Nehikhare said members of the PDP could not fold their arms and watch Governor Oshiomhole and his agents unleash terror on the people of the state. When contacted, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Osimeme Oregbe,

said Mrs Ejimai’s goods were seized because she displayed her goods on walkway, adding that the woman attacked members of the task force on street trading that were with him. “She was involved in assault and battery. If she lost her pregnancy, I don’t know. It would be very unfortunate if a pregnant woman could behave that way. Whatever happened to her that day was her making.”

Nigerian politicians, birds of a feather —Cleric By Tunde Busari

THE Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ondo, ArchBishop, Dr George Lasebikan, has described Nigerian politicians, regardless of party affiliation, as a group of same character. Lasebikan stated this on Thursday, as the guest lecturer at the 4th Venerable Emmanuel Alayande Memorial Lecture, held at Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The Archbishop, whose lecture was entitled: ‘Leadership: A biblical Understanding’, lamented the leadership style of Nigerian politicians, classifying it as wicked. He berated the current culture whereby money, according to him, is worshipped by all and sundry, regretting the spread of the culture among the legislators, lecturers, bankers and

security agents. He said the nation has failed the test of civilization because the leaders have also failed to understand the concept of leadership, saying what is more worrisome, is the fact that leadership problem is everywhere including the church. “Leadership is a critical matter in human society. If not God himself would not have placed premium on it and the Bible would not have provided so many incredible principles of leadership. “The Bible is full of so many examples of strong leadership whereby implicating that for any society to succeed and be fulfilled it must have a leadership that is goal oriented and purposeful in approach,” he said. At the 103rd Founder’s Celebration Thanksgiv-

ing Service earlier held at the school chapel, the national president of the Old Students’ Association of Ibadan Grammar School, Venerable Muyiwa Oyewole, had admonished the teachers of the school to maintain discipline among the students who he described as future leaders. He particularly harped on their appearance, saying good look was one of the strong points of the school, during his days as a student in the 60s. The president said Ibadan Grammar School students were indentified in the public with the way they dressed and their confidence among their colleagues. “Teachers should set a good example at all time. We cannot afford to compromise the high standard with which our school is known,” he stated.

members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the policemen, during the mob action, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, could not save the notorious criminal, who was rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), by law enforcement agents, as he later reportedly died at the hospital. However, an interesting twist was introduced to the report, when some people claimed that the stolen goats were actually humans who were allegedly turned to goats by the suspects. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the theft of the eight goats by the suspects said, “We have information that the suspect has been a notorious criminal. “He is called Kunle Poly. Nobody knows his real name. There is information that he might be among those that killed somebody at Saw Mill area of IIorin about three days ago.”

Braithwaite’s death, a big shock —Soyode Bola Badmus-Lagos

ELDER statesman and father-in-law of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Elder Tayo Soyode, on Thursday, said he received with shock the news of the death of foremost lawyer and political activist, Dr Tunji Braithwaite with big shock, adding that he could hardly believe it as Braithwaite had always looked “a very fit gentleman.” Elder Soyode said this while speaking with newsmen, after paying a condolence visit to the wife of the deceased elder statesman, Mrs Grace Braithwaite, even as he recalled the very close relationship between Braithwaite and the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. “Well, it was a big shock because he was always a very fit gentleman and in fact, I came across him in 1978 when Chief Obafemi Awolowo was trying to form the UPN. But somehow along the line, he changed his mind and formed another party called NAP. “He was very close to Papa Awolowo, very, very close to Papa. We attend the same church, St. Paul, Breadfruit, Lagos. We will miss him, we will miss him. I couldn’t believe it. That day, I came down here. I said I saw him on Friday. In fact, I heard that he was doing his exercise, I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

I’ll continue to reach out to people —Lasun Yusuf DEPUTY Speaker of the House of Repesentatives, Honourable Lasun Yusuf, has declared that as an ardent believer in true democracy, he would continue to reach out to the people throughout his tenure. This was just as he added that plans were ongoing to empower people of his constituency with 50 grinding machines and 50 sewing machines to improve their standard of living. Honourable Yusuf made the disclosure while expressing his appreciation to Oloobagun of Obaagun, Oba Kayode II and other dignitaries, who graced his installation as the Basorun of Obaagun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State. This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by his political aide, Mr lekan Olawoyin, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday. The Lawmaker, who used the occasion to empower 600 aged women with 10,000 each, however, promised to continue to impact positively on lives of the people of his constitutuecy and the people of the state in general.

Army holds monthly route march April 1 THE Nigerian Army Headquarters Garrison said it will hold its monthly route march on April 1. This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, by Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations. It stated that the exercise being part of the Garrison’s monthly activities, would hold between 6:a.m. and 8:a.m along a designated route. “The marked route for the exercise is from Guards Brigade Sports Complex, Niger Barracks, Lungi Barracks checkpoint and back to Guards Brigade Sports Complex,’’ it said. The statement said the exercise was mandatory for all personnel of the Nigerian Army serving in the FCT. It also said the exercise was aimed at testing the physical fitness of troops and their endurance capabilities. The statement advised residents of Abuja and environs not to panic.

communitynews

Friday, 1 April, 2016

New Felele, Soka communities undertake N5m projects By Tolu Olamiriki

EW Felele, Soka and environs, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, comprising 58 zones, have embarked on over N5 million development projects, which include the construction of a bridge. The President, New Felele, Soka and Environs’ Landlords Association, Engineer Omotayo Runsewe, said that apart from the bridge project, the communities, with over 40,000 people, had also embarked on road excarvation and grading so as to ensure good drainage system. Runsewe stated that the bridge, when completed, would have a pedestrian way to give way for free movement of vehicles. He said the river had claimed many lives, while properties worth millions of naira had been destroyed during heavy rainfall. According to him, the projects were being carried out through communal efforts with executive members of the association pooling their resources together alongside the financial support of well-

meaning individuals as well as notable community leaders. While noting that the bridge would last for about 70 years, he promised that the project would be completed in the next two

weeks and opened for use. He said the communities also embarked on the excarvation and grading of Maje/Idiagbon/Alabameji Road so as to make it motorable and increase economic activities in the

area. Also speaking, the Director of Works for the community project, Mr Olubode Aziz, commended the Urban and Regional Planning Department and Town Planning Authority

of Oluyole Local Government Area for giving the communities the authority to demolish illegal structures beside the bridge which paved way for its expansion. He also lauded the develop-

Obalufeelect promises to work with Ooni, govt

The construction of this bridge on Soka Road is facilitated by residents of the area. PHOTO: LAOLU AFOLABI

Promote peace, unity, Ogun commissioner charges traditional rulers OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeoikuta

OGUN State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Olajide Ojuko, has tasked traditional rulers in the state to use their God-given authority to promote peace and unity in their domains. He said this during a courtesy visit to Yewa Traditional Council members at the palace of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle. The commissioner commended the council for maintaining peace and tranquility at all times, submitting that his visit was to intimate the council about the plans and programmes of government, so that the traditional rulers could give advice and suggestions that would make them work in the overall interest of the people at the grass roots. The commissioner charged the traditional rulers to give necessary support to the proposed Local Government Councils Development Area

ment efforts of various landlord associations in the communities, which culminated in the feat recorded, adding that they had already done over 40 per cent of what is expected of them by the state and local governments in the area, saying that it was time for government to assist. Meanwhile, the Chairman, Okada Riders Association in the area, Mr Tajudeen Irinoye, has commended the development efforts of the communities, pledging that okada riders in the area would continue to support development efforts in the area. “The projects belong to all of us. The communities ha ve adequately supported us,” he said.

s when created, adding that such development would bring government closer to the people and make the dividends of democracy to spread across the grass roots. “l want to seek your prayer and support for the Local Council Development Areas. What is important is to get finance to run them, but

we are relying on your cooperation and support to raise the LCDAs to maturity,” Ojuko said. He also appealed to the traditional rulers to desist from installing village heads where such is not necessary, warning that government would no longer tolerate such act. Oba Olugbenle, in his

remarks, appreciated Senator Ibikunle Amosun for deeming it fit to create LCDAs, noting that with additional 37 LCDAs, Ogun State would witness rapid infrastructural development and more jobs would be created for the people. He said the Yewa Traditional Council would

continue to complement the efforts of the present administration in the state and give necessary suggestions when necessary. He appealed to the government to ensure that the headquarters ofthe proposed LCDAs are located in towns where there are palaces.

Ex-lawmaker empowers Akure communities Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

NO fewer than 1,500 people from Akure communities have benefited from the 12th edition of Princess Monisola Olatunji Empowerment Programme instituted by a former lawmaker, Honourable Monisola Olatunji-Eddo. The beneficiaries included the underprivileged, elderly persons and the physically challenged. Some of the items distributed included refrigerators, water dispensers, dryers, standing fans, sterilizers, clippers and ovens. Others were sewing

machines, pop corn machines, coolers, grinding machines and bags of rice. A cash donation estimated at N22 million was also made to women and the underprivileged. Speaking during the presentation of the items, Honourable Olatunji-Eddo said the programme was aimed at putting smile on the faces of the underprivileged. Olatunji-Eddo, who explained that the empowerment programme was the first in Akure, said previous editions were held in Lagos. She said she decided to bring this year’s edi-

tion to Akure, where she grew up because “ I now live in Ondo State. I relocated there after the expiration of my tenure at the Lagos State House of Assembly and I feel my people should feel the impact. “ It’s an annual event since the demise of my mother. It was put in place to show love to the underprivileged in the society. My mother would have done more than this if she were alive because she was a free giver, who loved giving. The programme was put in place in her memory. “ She explained that she

inherited the spirit of generosity from her late mum, saying that she had been a philanthropist since 1999. Commending her gesture, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Honourable Isaac Kekemeke, noted that the items donated by Olatunji-Eddo would go a long way in putting smile on the faces of beneficiaries. He urged beneficiaries to make good use of them, saying the donor had laid a good foundation for them to build on. He also called on other priviledged individuals to emulate the gesture.

THE newly appointed candidate for the Obalufe of Ife Kingdom, Oba Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura, has expressed gratitude to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for his selection as the new Obalufe of Iremo Quarters, promising to work with them to develop Ile-Ife, especially, Iremo Quarters. Oba Adediwura, while speaking with Community News, also expressed appreciation to all Ife Chiefs as well as the people for their support and cooperation, promising not to let them down or betray the trust reposed in him. According to the Obalufe-elect, the Obalufe throne, which is second in command to the Ooni, “is quite strategic and important. It has been on my mind for the past 20 years that I have a mission for Ife, Osun State and Nigeria as a whole and now, I will be able to fulfill that mission by working with His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Ogunwusi, to accomplish his vision of a greater and better Ife, Osun State and Nigeria. I believe my new appointment will also afford me the opportunity of realising that dream.” He further promised to work with the Ooni and the government on employment generation for youths, maintenance of peace and stability in Ile-Ife and ensuring that government continues to provide social amenities for his community.

Friday, 1 April, 2016

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S/African court orders Zuma to repay public funds

outh Africa’s Constitutional Court has ordered President Jacob Zuma to repay some of the $16 million in public funds used for upgrades at his private home. The ruling Thursday comes as authorities investigate Zuma for another more recent scandal, alleged undue influence given to the wealthy Gupta family. Handing down the Constitutional Court judgment on Thursday, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said President Zuma violated the constitution when he ignored the public protector’s order to pay back some of the money used to build non-security features at his private home, VOA reported. “The failure by the president to comply with remedial action taken against him by the public protector in her report of March 19, 2014 is inconsistent with Section 83 (b) of the constitution and is invalid,” Mogoeng said. The court gave the National Treasury 60 days to determine how much Zuma should pay. Mogoeng said once the court receives the Treasury’s report, Zuma will have to pay. “The president must personally pay the amount determined by the National Treasury within 45 days of this court’s sig-

nification of its approval of the report,” Mogoeng said. The court also had harsh

words for the National Assembly where the ruling African National Congress allegedly shielded

South African’s President Jacob Zuma

Zuma from paying back the money. “The resolution passed by the National Assembly absolving the president from compliance with the remedial action taken by the public protector is invalid and is set aside,” Mogoeng said. The Democratic Alliance Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters Party have pledged to impeach Zuma and remove him from office for violating the constitution. Both the ANC and Presi-

dent Zuma have issued statements welcoming the judgment, saying they respect it. Political analyst Levy Ndou said Zuma’s fate is in the hands of the majority ANC Party in parliament. “If they come out clearly and say the state president has breached his oath of office, that will provide sufficient reasons for parliament to move for a motion of no confidence on the state president,” Ndou said.

ter were not immediately clear but the company in charge of the construc-

tion, IVRCL, said it would cooperate with investigators.

22 dead in India flyover collapse A flyover under construction in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta) has collapsed, killing at least 22 people and injuring others. Many people are feared trapped under the concrete and steel bridge, which fell on a busy road. Images show residents using their bare hands to help the rescue effort. Safety issues such as lack of inspections and the use of substandard materials have plagued construction projects in the country. The accident took place in an area near Girish Park, one of Kolkata’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, with narrow lanes, and shops and houses built close together. The 2km-long (1.2 mile) flyover has been under construction since 2009

and missed several deadlines for completion. The causes of the disas-

Trump struggles to contain abortion fallout as White House rivals pounce Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s campaign sought on Thursday

to contain the fallout from his comments on punishing women for having an abortion, characterising

Award-winning anchorwoman fired for ‘racist’ Facebook post Wendy Bell following her controversial comments she made about a suburban ambush that left five people - including a pregnant woman and her unborn child - dead on March

9. Parent company Hearst Television said Bell’s comments were ‘inconsistent with the company’s ethics and journalistic standards.’

Kenyan President’s speech interrupted by whistling lawmakers

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, had his annual State of the Nation address to Parliament interrupted when parliamentarians began loudly whistling Thursday. VOA reported that the loud, screeching whistles started almost immediately as Kenyatta began speaking, forcing him to temporarily halt his speech while he asked House

Court okays Abdeslam’s extradition to France A court in Brussels has decided to allow the extradition to France of Salah Abdeslam, a suspect in last November’s Paris attacks. Abdeslam, who was arrested earlier this month in central Brussels, had earlier agreed to be transferred. He was detained after apparently hiding in the Belgian capital for more than four months. His arrest, in a dramatic police operation, came four days before bomb attacks in Brussels killed 32 people.

Aerial view of the collapsed bridge. PHOTO: AP

otherNEWS

A Pittsburgh TV station has fired a white anchorwoman over racist comments she posted on Facebook about a deadly mass shooting. WTAE severed ties with

The judgment has created more problems for the already embattled president. The country’s elite police unit is also investigating Zuma’s son for allegedly helping the wealthy Gupta family influence the appointment of ministers. The probe follows claims by some government officials that people involved with the Gupta family’s extensive business holdings offered them ministerial posts. The ruling ANC is also investigating, which analysts say could further hurt President Zuma’s standing.

Speaker Justin Muturi to restore order. Kenyatta chuckled as security personnel walked around the chambers looking for the lawmakers making the whistling noises. The whistling continued for about three minutes until Muturi ordered security to remove those lawmakers making the loud noises and they were escorted out of the building.

It comes less than 48 hours after the journalist, who has won 21 regional Emmys, apologized for the vulgar remarks. In the virulent rant on March 21, she wrote: ‘You needn’t be a criminal profiler to draw a mental sketch of the killers who broke so many hearts two weeks ago Wednesday.

Wendy Bell. PHOTO: WTAE/FACEBOOK

the flap as a “simple misspeak” as his White House rivals pounced on the controversy. The billionaire businessman rowed back rapidly on Wednesday from his statement that women should be punished for having abortions if the procedure is banned in the United States. The comments triggered a flood of rebukes from both sides of the abortion debate, and his campaign tried to address the repercussions. “You have a presi-

dential candidate that clarified the record not once but twice,” Trump spokeswoman Katrina Pierson told CNN, describing the initial comments as a “simple misspeak.”

Donald Trump

10 wounded after blast hits police vehicle in Turkey Ten people were wounded when an explosion hit a passing police vehicle in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir on Thursday, a security source said. Broadcaster Haberturk TV said the blast hit near a bus station in the city, the largest in the mainly Kurd-

ish southeast. Ambulances rushed to the scene, Haberturk said. The southeast has been scorched by waves of violence since a ceasefire between the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the government collapsed last July.

Friday, 1 April, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 0811 184 5048

features

Petrol: One scarcity, unending agony

We never had it this bad, protracted —Civil servants, artisans, traders, others

Endless queues, flaring tempers, sweat-stained clothes and sometimes, bloodied fists, many are the sights that currently pervade many petrol stations in Nigeria, and economic activities have become more expensive for self-sustenance. Tribune Features examines the activities at various locations across the country, noting the many negative effects of the fuel crisis. It feels like the nation is grounded – Lagosians S the fuel scarcity persists in Lagos, many residents have complained about the effects. A vegetable seller at the Binukonu Market, Ojota, lamented low patronage. “I sell vegetables and salad ingredients. I can tell you that this year has really been tough for my business. I didn’t sell much this Easter. The economy has been hard. People are just trying to manage what they have,” she said. Commenting on the cause of the fuel scarcity, an independent oil marketer, Chief Folorunsho Alake attributed the scarcity of petrol to increase in ex-depot price of the product. Alake said that most independent marketers were forced not to lift the product, because it would be difficult to sell at the official price of N86:50. “How can I buy the product from private

depot at N95 per litre and be expected to sell at N86:50; it will not be profitable,” he said. He urged the government to ensure that private depots comply with the NNPC template of ex-depot price of N77 per litre, so that independent marketers in Lagos would start loading from the depots. Some residents also complained bitterly about the black market menace where some filling stations alleged sold only to people with jerry cans. “The whole situation just looks as if Nigeria is grounded. There is no light and no fuel and things are really expensive,” lamented Mrs Folusho Adeyemo who lives in Ogudu. “The heat is so terrible. You should see my son’s body. It is filled with heat rashes,” she said. Ogun residents lament low business patronage The untold hardship caused by the scarcity

ha continued to take its toll on daily lives of residents of Ogun State. According to Alhaja Risikat Bankole, a businesswoman, at OkeIlewo area of Abeokuta, “I buy fuel to power my generator on a daily basis at exorbitant price. Customers have refused to come out to buy goods. It has not been as bad as this. Government should do something to end this problem,” she said. Also, Mr Ernie Odigh, a journalist, explained that he spent nothing less than N17,500 in re-fuelling his car when he travelled to the Eastern part of the country recently, which should not cost more than, N6,000 normally. He said: “The fuel scarcity is hitting me seriously. I cannot drive my car to town on a daily basis. I only take it out when it matters most and this could be attributed to the reason why I fell ill.”

For Mr Wole Awonuga, a beer parlour operator, “We used to buy ice blocks to cool our drinks at the rate of N150 per block before the fuel scarcity, but it has gone up to N200 and sometimes, depending on what the seller wants. At the end of the day, we might only have four or five people buying a bottle of beer. We are running at a loss,” Awonuga said. Transport fares in Osun increase by 200 percent In Osogbo, capital of Osun State, while few filling stations were dispensing a litre of the product for N150 or N170, many others independent marketers have closed their filling stations, claiming non availability of petrol. Mini buses’ drivers that operate intra-city Continues on pg45

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Friday, 1 April, 2016

‘Our sufferings are self-inflicted’ Continues from pg44

transportation within the state capital and other communities have increased their fares by 200 per cent. The scarcity of the petrol is already having debilitating effects on artisans and other categories of people who depend on petrol to run their businesses. A miller in Osogbo, Mrs Adejoke Ogunbumni, said, “I have not been able to use my grinding machine since the fuel scarcity started. The reason is that I had queued for hours at the filling station, waiting to buy fuel in jerry can, but could not get the product after wasting so much time. This is worrisome. Even, if I had succeeded in buying the petrol at the rate of N180 or N170, how much am I going to use it to make in grinding pepper for my customers?” she remarked. Small businesses crippled in Ekiti The usual heavy traffic at Oke Bareke-Okesa road in Ado Ekiti after 4p.m. has all but disappeared due to the current fuel situation in the country. Nigerian Tribune observed that many civil servants whose offices are at the old Governor’s office, Internal Revenue Service and sundry areas of the Oke Bareke area no longer bring their vehicles to work. The common sight now is for the workers, especially the lucky ones, to join their bosses’ vehicles, depending on their routes or go by public transport. One of the civil servants said the cost of running the vehicle had increased without any commensurate increase in income. “As a matter of fact, you spend more nowadays because the cost of most commodities has gone up. It is wise for me to restrict my movement now and also control how much I drive around with my car because I get paid bi-monthly at best and the value of the money is no longer what it used to be.” And that seems to define the current situation in the Ekiti economy. Like in many other places in the country, there is poor electricity supply and there is hardly petrol to power generating sets. This situation has virtually crippled small businesses around Ado Ekiti, the state capital. A taxi driver, Mr Adebayo Timothy, who spoke with Nigerian Tribune on the current development, said he had rationed his work hours due to fuel scarcity. “I don’t run for the whole day anymore, at least for now. I only come out for business during the rush hours and I choose my routes carefully so as to make the best of the time. That’s how I’ve been managing the times,” Adebayo stated. It is impossible to break even in business –Kogi resident A hairdresser on Cemetery Road, Lokoja, Kogi State, Blessing Atta, prior to the present situation, had depended on generator for power supply but could not do so any longer as there was no fuel to power the generator. She lamented that only about three filling stations had been selling fuel in the town at N160 per litre, adding that there was no way she could break even if she buys at that price for her business. Tunde Obabolu, who owns a barbing salon along Lugard Road said he had been finding it difficult to get patronage that could meet his basic needs. He added that many of the men in the town now use the local Hausa barbers that go around and scrape heads for a lesser fee. Obabolu, who also runs a drycleaning outfit, regretted that the two jobs were linked with power supply, saying the situation in the country had affected him badly. Government activities affected in Delta Mrs Onoherhe Philomina Roli is the head-

Joshua

It is wise for me to restrict my movement now and also control how much I drive around with my car because I get paid bi-monthly at best and the value of the money is no longer what it used to be. mistress of Cavegina Primary School, Warri. She bemoaned the situation saying: “The rate of fuel price in our country is alarming. Before, fuel which I bought at N86 per litre, I bought for N155 this morning. I’m a civil servant; I can’t buy more than N1,000 and where will that N1,000 fuel take me to if I really want to drive? The government should take this thing into consideration. We are dying in silence.” Omokaro Tega has been a tailor for ten years, and according to him, this was the worst he had experienced regarding fuel scarcity and power supply. Glory Okorodudu, who owns a computer business centre, said “Since the fuel price increased, the materials we use in working also increased: for instance, the price of the paper we use here in printing went up too. We normally buy it for N600, but now we buy at N1400 and it is affecting us because normally when there is no light, we photocopy for N10 and if there is light, N5. But we can say now that fuel has increased, it should be N20, but nobody will want to pay and also if I want to do a small job, like typing, I use about three litres of fuel. You can imagine how much it will cost me. I just pray the price goes down.” Tempers run high in Oyo State Chris Bickersteth works in a stock broking firm in Molete. Fresh out of university he awaits NYSC mobilisation but has chosen to gather experience in the mean time. He commutes by road on a daily basis and spoke of his experience trying to cope with the situation. “I have to bear the high cost of transport every morning. It has been difficult coping with the fares. So what I do in the evenings when I return home is that I trek from Gate, a major bus stop in Ibadan, to Ikolaba where I live, a distance of over 3 kilometres.” Tempers ran high and lamentations were great when Nigerian Tribune spoke to a trio of women, each with different occupations. Mrs Toyin Jaiyeoba, a trader, stated that, “It is not easy! Do they want to injure people? Where the bike men charged for N50 now costs N100. The sachet water suppliers are also complaining over the cost of fuel they use to deliver to

us. The price of sachet water has gone up. The government should pity the masses.” In her reaction, Mrs Victoria Akinpelumi said, “At the filling stations, they won’t sell in kegs, so some people detach the tanks and bring to the station. We heard there won’t be enough fuel till May. I have a pepper grinding machine and I bought petrol for N150. How much pepper will I grind to cover the cost of fuel? I have no option but to increase prices. I went to Bodija to grind cassava and I paid N250. It used to be N100. Compounding the issue is that government is not paying people their salaries, so where do they get money for extra costs? We will just keep praying!” “I was just looking at my husband this morning as he was calculating how much he would spend on transport to get to work. I just encouraged him to take it easy and that the money would be enough. Every bike ride is now N100 and above. There is no electricity. To pump water is a problem,” said the third lady simply identified as Mrs Falodun. Justin Onuoha, a commercial motorcycle rider, said many of his colleagues are abandoning their transport trade to explore other areas. “We are very sad. Many of my fellow commercial motorcycle operators have abandoned it. We have never had it this bad.” Mr Ibitoye Adeoye, a tricycle operator in Ibadan said, “I don’t believe the fuel scarcity came as a result of what the minister of state for petroleum said, that he was not a magician. We have to acknowledge that we have challenges in the petroleum sector. For us, it is not that we just increase fares because it is difficult to get fuel these days, and that is why the high cost of getting fuel is reflecting in the fares we charge.” Comrade Femi Babalola, a public affairs analyst, laid the blame of the recurrent fuel scarcity at the feet of the government, saying our leaders act as if the people have been accustomed to suffering. “Nigerians are really suffering; we spend productive hours at filling stations just because we want to buy fuel. This is definitely a self-inflicted suffering, and some wealthy oil moguls are enjoying it because they are making huge profit from the chaotic situation,” Comrade Babalola said.

Adegbite

Akinpelumi

Jaiyeoba

Comrade Babalola

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Friday, 1 April, 2016

occasions

featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08074626431

Faces at Aare of Ago-Are’s coronation 1

By Taiwo Olanrewaju

T was a roll call of who is who at the epoch making coronation of Oba Dr kofoworola, Abodunrin Oyetunji, Ilufemiloye – Olakanla II, as the fourth Aare of Ago-Areland, on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Top on the list was the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was ably represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, who presented the staff of office and certificate to the brand new Oba. Eminent personalities at the event included the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Muktar Abimbola; ATISBO Local Government officials, led by

the caretaker chairman, Mr Ayoola O. Ogundeji and the HLGA, Alhaji Aleem; Professor Ismail Junaidu, Secretary, Nigeria Educational Research Development Council, Abuja; Prof Kate Nwufo; Prof Dibu Ojerinde, JAMB Registrar; Mr Niyi Otunla, former Accountant General of the Federation; Prof Soriyan, BOWEN; Prof Akinyemi, USA; Prof Akinpelu, LASU; Prof Umo Ivowi; Mr Femi Awolola; Deacon B.O. Faleke, Nigeria Export Promotion Council; Prof Demola Ajuwon, UCH; Dr Segun Ajuwon; Mr Wole Oladokun; Mr T. Ade Ojeleye and Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba, former Secretary general of the Nigeria Football Federation. Distinguished personalities present were High Chief Lateef Adebimpe, Ekerin Balogun Ibadan; High Chief L.O. Omotayo, Oloka of Ikole-Ekiti; Chief Tejubiyi Isola; Mr Adeniyi Adebisi who represented Chief Michael Koleoso; Otunba Bode Raji; Mr Deji Alabi; Mr Gabriel Ire-Oluwade Asubiojo; The Oke-Ogun Baptist Conference led by the president, Rev Dr Alade; ATISBO obas and chiefs; the Adetolas; representatives of the Old students of Baptist High School, Saki; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, University of Ilorin, Ilorin and University of Abuja, Abuja; Oyo State Sports Council, Ago-Are sons and daughters home and abroad; community leaders in ATISBO and Oke-Ogun; representatives of christians, muslims and traditional worshippers in ATISBO and Oke-Ogun; security agencies; relations and friends.

1. From left, Olori Adenike Kofoworola; Oba Kofoworola, Abodunrin Oyetunji, the Aare of Ago-Areland; Oba John Oyetola Bolarinwa, the Onigboho of Igboho; Oba Rauf Adebimpe, the Onitede of Tede and the Ajoriwin of Irawo, Oba Musiliu Olalere Ademola. 2. Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo (right); Professor Dibu Ojerinde, JAMB registrar and the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo. 3. Staff of ATISBO Local Government, led by the caretaker chairman, Mr Ayoola O. Ogundeji and the HLGA, Alhaji O. Aleem.

As Senator Adeola gives back to constituents

ENATOR Solomon Adeola recently at the Blue Roof, LTV, Ikeja, began the fulfillment of his electoral pledge with the first ‘Senator Solomon Adeola Town Hall Meeting/Empowerment Programme.” Kicking of his speech to his audience and guests which included representative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the APC state chairman, Chief Oladele Ajomale, commissioners and state and federal legislators, Adeola said, “I am glad that in fulfillment of one of my electoral promises to you all during the campaigns, this town hall meeting is coming at this time to give you a report on

the journey so far as well as fulfill some of my empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes for some of our people.” The big one for most constituents how- 300 ever was the empowerment items in varigrinding machines at 30 per LGA, 150 ous forms for the benefit of individuals 2kva generators at 15 per LGA, 40 and groups within the senatorial district. vulcanizing machines, five block moldAmong the empowerment items were ing machines, 500 life jackets, 20 welding brand new buses, ten electric transformmachines, 10 tricycles, 120 hair dryers ers for the ten LGAs of the district, 28 with stands among other items. borehole installations for 28 LCDAs, and 250 chairs and benches for pri- 1. Senator Solomon Adeola giving aid to one of his beneficiaries mary schools. Other empowerment 2. Buses given out at the event 3. 150 2kv generating sets were given to beneficiaries items touching the lives of constituents directly were 4. Grinding machines distributed to the constituents 380 sewing machines at 38 per LGA, 5. Sewing machines

Friday, 1 April, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Taye Taiwo slams Marseille boss Former Nigerian international, Taye Taïwo has slammed Olympique Marseille president, Vincent Labrune for his poor management of the club. “I am struggling to understand how he makes a call when he signs a player. After two good games, he brings them to Marseille for €17 million. It is not possible,” the former Lobi Stars defender told So Foot. “You simply cannot let Dimitri Payet go. The same applies to André Ayew, Mathieu Valbuena or André-Pierre Gignac. It doesn’t make any sense,” added Taïwo, who won the

French Ligue 1 during his six-year spell at Marseille. “There are too many youngsters in this team. There is no safety at the back. Against Rennes, it is unbelievable. They conceded three goals in five minutes. Marseille need leaders at the back. Steve Mandanda cannot do everything. “OM don’t play as a team. They all move upfront. On the left they move upfront, on the right they move upfront, it doesn’t work like that.” Olympique Marseille occupies 12th on the Ligue 1 table, only six points above the danger zone.

Taiwo

NTF mourns Ikulayo The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has expressed deep regrets following the death of its board member, Professor (Mrs) Philomena Ikulayo who passed on March 24 during a brief illness in Lagos. NTF president, Sani Ndanusa described the deceased as a great lover of tennis whose contribution to the game in Nigeria cannot be overlooked. “She was a great woman who is revered in the academic field and her contribution to tennis in Nigeria is quite significant. She brought lots of ideas to the board of the NTF which helped in the uplift of tennis in Nigeria. “I have known and familiarised with her for more than a decade and I can say she is a great woman. I pray that her soul rest in peace,” Ndanusa said. In his own tribute, Yemi

Owoseni, the first vice president of the NTF lamented the exit of Ikulayo while extolling her virtues.

EPL is not easy, Ferguson warns Guardiola

ormer Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Pep Guardiola that managing in the Premier League will not be easy, but is ultimately confident the current Bayern Munich chief will succeed in England. Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Manchester City helm once the current season ends, in what will be his first foray in English football. “Manchester City have made a real coup in getting him, but Pep won’t find it easy. English football is not easy,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “Every foreign coach that has come to England will tell you that. Arsene Wenger was talking about that a few months after coming and even Jose Mourinho was. “Pep will be a success, but I don’t think he’ll ever replicate what he did at Barcelona because that was a high standard, they were the best. “Without question Pep has got a fantastic work ethic about him, he demands that in all of his training sessions. Anyone who thinks they’re not going to work hard at City won’t last long. He has got great coaching ability, there is no doubt about that.” Fergie further advised Guardiola on arrival in England.

Guardiola

NASS pledges support for sports development Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja The National Assembly has stated that it recognises the role of sports as an instrument of youths development and job creation and as such will back sports development in the country. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Honourable Goni Bukar Abba, stated this at the closing ceremony of the 11th biennial Police Games, Abuja 2016, held at the National Stadium, Abuja. “The House of Representatives and indeed the National Assembly realise the roles of sports in the development of the youth and

job creation and therefore we will support each initiative with the necessary legislative backs,” Abba declared. He congratulated the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase and his management team on the successful organisation

of the 11th Police Games, which he described as “a very good initiative to develop institutional sports which is the bedrock of elite sports development.” He, however, urged the police not only to maintain the success recorded at the Abuja 2016 Games

but also to improve on them at the 12th edition to be held in 2018. Also speaking, Bayelsa State governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson, urged the police to keep the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie on. “All of you are winners;

there are no losers. We need to keep this spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie moving forward. I commend you all. Particularly, I want to commend the IGP members of his able police management team for taking the police to a new level,” Dickson said.

Lagos FA Cup finals hold at Agege stadium With the finals of the 2015/2016 Lagos State FA Cup scheduled to hold this weekend, the sponsor, Winners Golden Bets raised the bar with cash awards for the Most Valuable Player of the championship and other individuals for exceptional performances.

The highest goalscorer award of the tournament will go home with also cash award of N100,000. The best goalkeeper will go home with N50,000, while the referee of the tournament goes home with N100,000, with the best coach of the championship being sponsored to

a coaching course. According to Deji Breecoft, Assistant General Manager of the company, WGB, the company decided to give the cash awards in order to encourage the players and other stakeholders like the referees’ and coaches to always give their best. He revealed that the

eventual winner in the men’s category will go home with N1million and the runner up will get N500,000, while the women champions get N300,000 and the runner up goes home with N200, 000 apart from other individual awards for women footballers too.

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In many states of the country, Nigerians have been paying exorbitantly for fuel, after spending hours to get some at filling stations. While this is a pain, one gain is that many neighbourhoods are now quiet at night as generators are no longer being used. One of the complainants, Hope Solo on duty for US.

I’m jealous of present-day PSG stars —Okocha

Nigeria soccer legend, Austin Okocha has admitted he is jealous of the present-day PSG stars going by their quality and the financial power the club has now compared to when he was at the club. “I am jealous of the present squad with the qualities they have now and the financial backing. I feel like being here now,” Okocha told PSG TV. “I am happy for the club because they are now where they are supposed to be. I am proud to be a Parisian, they are on top of their game.” Okocha, who was honoured as

the special guest by PSG at the weekend when they hosted Monaco said he decided to dump other offers for PSG after the France 1998 World Cup. “I enjoyed the atmosphere at PSG. We were disappointed the way Nigeria exited at the tournament. The atmosphere and the support we got here during the World Cup made me decide to join PSG when I got the offer,” he revealed. The former Bolton of England and Super Eagles captain played for PSG between 1998 and 2002 during which he played 84 games and scored 23 goals.

US women footballers sue FA for better pay Five senior members of the World Cup-winning US football team have filed a lawsuit against the national federation for wage discrimination. Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Hope Solo say they are paid less than half of what the male USA players receive. The five players were acting on behalf of all the players. “The numbers speak for themselves,” said goalkeeper Solo in a

Okocha

FIFAbans Eboue

he world football governing body, FIFA has slammed a year ban on former Arsenal defender, Emmanuel Eboue over issues pertaining to non-payment of monies due to his former agent, Sebastien Boisseau. Eboue had took this case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but they dismissed his appeal thus leading to a ban which FIFA said will be rescinded once the owed monies are paid. A FIFA statement read: “The origins of the case involve a decision passed by the single judge of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee in July 2013 regarding a contractual dispute according to which Mr Eboué was ordered to pay the players’ agent Mr Sébastien Boisseau an amount owed to him based on the representation agreement between the two parties. The decision was taken on the basis of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations in force at the time (2008 edition).

“On 9 September 2014, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to sanction Mr Eboué with a fine of CHF 30,000 for failing to comply with the decision of the single judge of the Players’ Status Committee on the basis of art. 64 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. “The player was also granted a final period of grace of 120 days to settle his debt, upon failure of which the creditor – Mr Boisseau – would be entitled to request that a oneyear ban on taking part in any football-related activity be imposed on Mr Eboué. “Mr Eboué appealed to CAS against the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision, but the appeal was dismissed and the decision of the Disciplinary Committee confirmed in full.” The news comes as a blow to Eboue’s relegation threatened club Sunderland, who only signed the defender 22 days ago to help boost its survival quest in the EPL.

statement. The US Soccer Federation said it was disappointed, given the work it had done in building the women’s game. American women’s football has dominated the international game in recent decades, with a string of titles. “We are the best in the world, have three World Cup Championships, four Olympic Championships, and the USMNT [men’s team] get paid more just to show

Eboue

up than we get paid to win major championships,” said Solo. Her team-mate Lloyd, who was named the best player at last year’s World Cup, said they had been patient over the years in waiting for action to deliver fair pay. Former Everton and LA Galaxy winger, Landon Donovan - who won 157 caps for the US men’s team - tweeted his support for the women’s team’s cause. “#USWNT absolutely deserve to be treated fairly in all ways,” he said. “Important to remember that these issues are/can be collectively bargained.” The lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Thursday morning. One of the lawyers representing the players, Jeffrey Kessler, said the women’s game generated more income for US Soccer than the men’s and it was time to address the “discriminatory and unfair treatment’’ they have endured for years. There has been an ongoing legal battle between t h e federation players’ and the u n i o n over collective bargaining. A statement from US Soccer said it had not yet seen the complaint. But it added: “We have been a world leader i n women’s soccer and are proud of the commitment we have made to building the women’s game in the United States over the past 30 years.”

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