1st August 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,557

MONDAY, 1 AUGUST, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Banker commits suicide in church over bad loan —P7

•Capital Market —Pg18

•Entrepreneurship —Pg28

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Our budgeting system induces poverty —Utomi —P17

•Money Market —Pg26

•Brands & Marketing —Pg27

FG plans major reforms in Police, Immigration, Prisons —P4

•To address corruption, introduce career patterns, regular promotions in services FG bans conference bags, T-shirts, souvenirs at workshops, seminars —P11

JAMB withdraws 2016 admission list sent to varsities —P4

From left, former GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza, his wife, Jumai; New GMD/CEO, Mr Kennedy Uzoka, his wife, Lotanna; Chairman, Mr Tony Elumelu and his wife, Awele, during the send-off ceremony in honour of Oduoza, in Lagos, on Saturday.

FG to resume payment of ex-militants' allowances today —P11

DSS has no legal right to investigate budget padding —Falana —P29

4 arrested as troops, OPC battle militants —P7 in Lagos

IDPs: FG steps up food, shelter support in North/East —P11

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

FG plans major reforms in police, immigration, prisons To address corruption, introduce career patterns, regular promotions in services Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

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HE Federal Government is set to introduce major reforms and restructuring of the internal affairs services to ensure operational efficiency and address emerging security issues, sources close to the administration said at the weekend.

Information at the disposal of the Nigerian Tribune indicated that the government had already set up teams of experts which had reviewed activities of key internal affairs services, including the police; immigration service; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Prisons Service and the Fire Service.

Sources, however, said one critical aspect of the operations of the internal affairs agencies, as identified by the experts, was the absence of “career pattern” in services like the police, immigrations, NSCDC and Prisons service.

Sources close to the administration told the Nigerian Tribune that the team of experts, which had been working for some time now, had recommended immediate and long term steps that would see the services out of the woods.

One of the measures recommended by the experts, it was gathered, was the decision that the services should not appoint anyone with less than three months to the end of his career to head any of the services.

The decision was said to have been taken to ensure that anyone that would be appointed would have enough time to impact the system.

“It is not good that somebody who has less than a year is appointed to the position of IG or Comptroller of any of the services. His impact would not be felt by his organisation,” a source disclosed.

Another source said a high powered team was set up under the Ministry of Interior to midwife the reforms being planned for the agencies.

“A committee was set up to work out other details and the committee is doing its job,” the source said.

It was gathered that to enhance training, the services would have their training arms restructured.

As far as the police was concerned, it was gathered that the government is planning a bill that will soon be sent to National Assembly to ensure that the Police

Training School is legalized.

Another source said “since its creation, the Police Training School has been operating without a law.

Government wants to legalise the operation of Police Academy. As we speak, the Police Academy is not operating under any law. and that is shameful.”

Sources in the administration further said the reforms being planned for the security agencies would ensure emphasis on training and career pattern where the government would ensure provision of facilities to help in the discharge of their functions.

It was gathered that the decision, which was said to have received a presidential seal, had already been adopted and that the mea-

sure affected a number of officers who were swept aside during the process of appointing the headship of immigrations and Prisons Services recently.

Another measure already taken, according to sources, was the need to adhere to excellence and merit at the top echelon of the services, a situation which was said to have informed the emergence of the heads of Immigrations and Prisons after the conduct of internal tests.

It was gathered that before the Controllers of Immigrations and Prisons were appointed recently, officers on the line were asked to undergo some competitive tests.

A source also told the Nigerian Tribune that though some powerful

forces at the top echelon of the Ministry of Interior had planned to avert a situation where the two posts would be occupied by northerners, the results of the tests was adopted by the President.

“In the case of the police, the planned restructuring measures were also applied.

Thirteen officers were listed, assessments were done and it happened to favour the incumbent acting InspectorGeneral of Police,” a source in the administration said.

It was gathered that lack of career pattern in the police essentially played out during the appointment of Ibrahim Idris as acting IGP, as it was discovered that career stagnation had retarded his progress in the Force.

Idris was said to be a course

mate of former IGP, Suleiman Abbah, who was named the IGP by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was gathered that the absence of career pattern had not only ensure that some officers of the agencies spent as much as 10 years on the same rank, it had also affected their job schedule, effectiveness and had promoted corruption in the system.

It was gathered that with the introduction of career pattern in the services, officers would be made to progress on equal basis and those who failed promotional examinations would be kicked out at any stage.

One of the measures to be introduced as part of the planned structuring

of career pattern was the strengthening of the training schools.

“Whereas the police, immigration and other services have training schools, the officers are not availed the opportunities of such schools and in cases where some are taken to the schools, they are not exposed to emerging trends and so they teach with obsolete materials due to poor funding,” a source said.

It was gathered that one of the key recommendations of the experts was to professionalise the services in a way that their operations would be close to what obtained in the Armed Forces, where each officer and soldier clearly had job schedules and career pattern.

JAMB withdraws 2016 admission list sent to varsities C lement Idoko - Abuja THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has withdrawn the list of recommended candidates for admission, earlier sent to tertiary institutions.

Head of Media, JAMB, Dr

Fabian Benjamin, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja, on Sunday.

He explained that this was to ensure that the university Senate performed its statutory responsibility of conducting the selection of candidates and refer it

to JAMB for confirmation, in line with the admission criteria of merit, catchment and educationally disadvantaged states.

Benjamin noted that this was also in line with the directive by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu, at

the policy committee meeting held recently on 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

According to him, the earlier list was sent to help fast track the process of admission, so as to allow other tiers of institutions also con-

duct their admissions.

He urged the candidates not to panic, saying this was part of the process of the 2016 admission exercise.

The admission body regretted any inconvenience the decision would have caused the tertiary institutions.

him Dosara.

The statement said the agreement was reached during a meeting attended by the representatives of the state APC leadership and state council of chiefs, who told the warring parties that no meaningful development could be achieved without the cooperation and understanding between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Speaker of the assembly,

Honourable Sanusi Garba Rikiji, also affirmed the development that an agreement was signed to end the rift.

The meeting was attended by the state deputy governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala Liman; state APC chairman, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar Makaman Kaura; chairman, state Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, among others.

Zamfara gov, lawmakers end rift Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE one-week rift between Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State and members of the state House of Assembly ended on Sunday, following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.

The meeting, which was chaired by the chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers and the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed, brought the governor and the legislators closer since the impeahment threat started.

Though the outcome of the meeting was scanty as of the time of filing this report, it was gathered that a truce was reached between both parties to abide by the conditions of the resolutions.

The spokesman of the assembly, Nasiru Biyabiki, in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, affirmed that the impasse was over.

“As I’m talking to you, the meeting between the governor and the lawmakers was being held behind closed door, and from the feelers we got, the parties have resolved their differences,” he said.

Findings by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that

prominent Nigerians had called on both parties to sheathe their swords in the interest of the people who elected them into office.

It was gathered that business mogul, Dahiru Mangal, an in-law to the Speaker, Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji, had first met with the lawmakers to appeal to them to drop their impeachment threat.

Also, a meeting between the lawmakers and Governor Aminu Tambuwal was held behind closed doors, at the Sokoto Government House, with a former governor of the old Sokoto State, Mallam Yahaya Abdulkarim and former governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wammako, in attendance.

Meanwhile, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has said he had amicably resolved the contending

issues between him and the state lawmakers.

“Both parties have identified areas of differences and they all agreed to honour certain agreements that will ensure more cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government,” he stated.

This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday, and signed by his Special Adviser, Ibra-

Restructuring of Nigeria inevitable —Civil society group Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja A Civil Society group in the country has stressed that restructuring of the country is inevitable, saying that it is the only solution to the plethora of problems facing it currently.

The Coalition of Civil So-

cieties Movement for Good Governance in the country said that government could no longer handle the situation , adding that the only way out is the restructuring of the country.

The national coordinator of the group, Mr Ajibade Oyayeye, told newsmen

in Abuja, at the week end, that if Chief Obafemi Awolowo had been alive, he would have given the needed support towards restructuring of the country, adding that all his policies in the South West were to achieve this political ideology.

6 die, 27 injured in Ibadan auto crash

By Tunde Ogunesan NO fewer than six persons lost their lives while 21 persons got injured in an automobile accident involving 27 people around Kilometre 15, quarry area, Ibadan /Lagos Expressway, on Sunday.

The incident happened

around 5.36 p.m.

According to the Public Relations officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Tunji Onijala, the auto crash involved three vehicles; two Mazda buses with registration numbers EKY 59 XR, AME 384 XA; and one Mercedes Benz SUV with registration number

EKY 111 BL. Onijala said “the cause of the accident was a result of route violation by the drivers.”

He added that injured victims were taken to Ibadan Central Hospital, Ososami, for treatment while the corpses were deposited at the Adeoyo Hos-

pital morgue.

An eyewitness informed the Nigerian Tribune that the three vehicles, which were badly damaged, were Lagos bound.

The source further hinted that one of the vehicles was a 18-seater commercial bus, with full load of passengers.

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6 news Sheriff’s chairmanship of PDP a mistake —Fayose

Monday, 1 August, 2016

Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti

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OVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described the emergence of Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff as

the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “a mistake.”

Fayose, who spoke in Ado Ekiti, at the weekend, during a visit of Chief Raymond Dokpesi to the state, said

Sheriff attacks Anenih over 2015 query From Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja FACTIONAL national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff, has insisted that former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, must respond to a query issued to him in April 2015, for alleged anti-party activities.

In a statement issued in Abuja, on Sunday, and signed on his behalf by one Honourable Bernard Mikko, Sheriff said unless the elder statesman responded to the query, his previous resignation as the BoT chairman and member could not change.

It was not clear whether the Iyasele of Esanland was seeking to return to the party’s BoT. But the factional party boss apparently issued the statement in response to a recent meeting Anenih had with the national caretaker committee of the party, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, where Anenih had straightened out issues concerning the query issued to him by the then national secretary of the party, Professor Wale Oladipo.

Oladipo is now loyal to the Sheriff faction of the PDP. Sheriff pointed out that the attention of his factional National Working Committee (NWC) had been drawn to the status of Chief Anenih as a member of BoT of the PDP. He reminded party mem-

bers and loyalists that the NWC had issued a query to Chief Anenih in April 2015 “as part of disciplinary procedures for his anti-party activities in Imo State, during the 2015 general election, in line with Article 57(4) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended).”

Sheriff added: “Chief Anenih did not respond to the query, but chose to tender a letter of resignation as BoT member. Up till date, the query remains unanswered and his resignation remains valid.

“Any effort to readmit the chief will have to follow due process which is well known to all party members . If the chief is desirous of returning as member of the BoT, he should reapply to the party, with his response to the pending query for consideration. Party members are, hereby, assured that no individual or group will be prejudiced in the enforcement of discipline and the application of the rule of law.”

Anenih, on his part, commended the national caretaker committee for “its steps to correct the injustice meted to me by the immediate past NWC,’’ and said it was “a consequence of this blatant unfairness and other similarly disappointing developments, following the loss of our party in the presidential election, that I was compelled to resign from office by the leadership of the party.”

he took “responsibility for that,”and also stated that he would “not be in the forefront again to carry responsibility for any man.”

He, however, pointed out that “he will first seek the face of God to choose the right man for the people.”

He said the PDP in Ekiti was “deeply concerned on the current situation of the party right now,” and lamented that “the party has broken into factions because everybody wants to be masters in the party.”

He condemned those go-

ing to court to express their grievances on party matters and also condemned those who are paying lip services to the party.

Fayose said the “dry bones of the PDP will rise again,” saying “God will give the PDP a new leader that will reposition the party to progress in the country.

According to him, “in Ekiti, we have no anointed candidate; we would come to Port Harcourt with open mind and let God do justice.”

In his speech, while soliciting the support of Ekiti

Sheriff

PDP delegates, Dokpesi, who is contesting for the PDP national chairmanship position, pleaded with the stakeholders to allow him to serve the party.

According to him, he was “a leader, a transformer and a bridge builder, who will promote, protect and project the PDP by bringing freshness into the party.”

Chief Dokpesi said the All Progressives Congress (APC), since the last general election, had not allowed the PDP leaders to rest, and urged the PDP to stand and

George

Dokpesi

Protest as PDP leaders meet in Abuja today

By Kunle Oderemi A fit of anger raged on Sunday among some national leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Osun State against a PDP chairmanship aspirant, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, for purportedly shunning them when he took his campaign to the state on Saturday.

This is coming as PDP leaders across the country converge on Abuja today to consider the reports of the various Reconciliation and Harmonisation committees that met with aggrieved party

members last week in parts of the country.

While the committee members succeeded in a number of states in their assignment by reconciling PDP members, where there were parallel structures, they met a brick wall in a couple of states and recommended that the national body determined the fate of such states.

The chairman of the main PDP Reconciliation Committee is the deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwremadu.

Both Governors Olusegun Mimiko and Ayodele Fayose

of Ondo and Ekiti states respectively, as well as Senator Buruji Kashamu facilitated the reconciliation and harmonisation exercise in the South-West, especially in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states.

In Osun, where there are two factions, many of the party leaders are furious that Dokpesi shunned them even when they had converged at the PDP state office in Osogbo to receive him.

They claimed that he communicated with the state chairman of the party, Honourable Soji Adagunodo, repeatedly, saying that he

Chairmanship: My case with EFCC will not affect me —Dokpesi S/West professionals back Bode George, sues for peace From Victor Ogunyinka and Bola Badmus Chief Raymond Dokpesi has said the corruption charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will not affect his ambition to become the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that he is innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.

He said the charges could not be used by the Federal Government or the All Progressives Congress (APC), to hoodwink him if he was elected as the chairman of the opposition, the PDP. He said this on Sunday, during his meeting with delegates from Kwara State, at the party secretariat in Ilorin.

“The case is in court and I

don’t want to comment on it, but I will not join the APC or be a stooge because of it. I respect Muhammadu Buhari as the president of Nigeria, but what he is doing now is not different from what he did as a military Head of State.

“If you are an hotelier and someone spent three days in your hotel and paid for services rendered but days later, DSS came to arrest you that the money the client paid you was from illegal proceed from the Central Bank of Nigeria. ..... Let me stop there as the judge will decide,” he said of his current charges.

On Sheriff, he said governors and other stakeholders were reaching out to him for reconciliation and peace.

The Kwara State PDP chairman, Mr Akogun Oyedepo,

defend democracy in the country.

“The leader who believed in the people, that is the leader we need in our democracy,” he said.

He denied that he had not stepped down for Chief Olabode George, saying “I am still in the race, at no time have I stepped down for Chief Bode George. We need fresh blood to run the PDP. I will stand by you and defend the PDP.” The PDP chairman in Ekiti, Mr Gboyega Oguntuase, expressed appreciation to the aspirant and prayed for him.

praised him and assured him of support, stating that he had set a standard for others to follow.

“We have not seen any other candidate that can match your credentials. We will go with you because you are a pioneer. The PDP that is almost crumbling needs someone like you. APC is jittery already because of Dokpesi’s credentials. We need to return the party to the people and that is what you are doing by meeting delegates. We have heard you and we will make you accountable for your words,” he said.

Other PDP stakeholders in the state, including Senator Idris Haliru Gunu and Senator Ajadi Makanjuola hailed his determination to lead the party.

Meanwhile, a pressure

group within the PDP, the South-West PDP Professionals, has said it is throwing its weight behind the aspiration of Chief Olabode George to become the next chairman of the PDP ahead its August 17 national convention taking place in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

President of the group, Dr Akeem Fijabi and secretary, Mrs Adeola Opaleye, said this in a statement issued on Sunday, and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

The group said it based its support for Chief George, who is a former deputy national chairman of the PDP, because the South-West could not present anyone less than the pedigree of George, who it classified as a bridgebuilder across the length and breath of the country.

The group, which prides itself as the professional engine room of the party in the South-West with headquarters based in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said through its various advocacies, it had been able to mobilise and integrate professionals from all walks of life into the six state chapters of the party in the zone over the course of six years that it was formed.

“As our party continues to take giant strides aimed at putting its house in order and bring back its lost glories, we, the South-West PDP Professionals, have watched with keen interests the various developments within the party and have met to objectively deliberate on the issues and personalities preparing themselves for the plum job of our party.

would be “in your state PDP secretariat tomorrow (July 30) as part of campaign tour” to mobilise support for his aspiration.

Some of the leaders that gathered at the venue with the hope of listening to him on his ambition and plan of action to revive the PDP included a former deputy governor of the state and minister, Erelu Olusola Obada; Senator Olu Alabi; Ambassador Gunju Adesakin; Chief Bayo Ajeigbe; Dele Fasheru; Alhaja Oyawoye; state PDP chairman, Honourable Adagunodo, while the Board of Trustee (BoT) members from the state sent their representatives.

But, Dokpesi only took his campaign to the office of another faction of the party in the state, and left without a message to the leaders waiting for him at the state PDP office in Osogbo.

Speaking on the development, Senator Alabi described the action of Dokpesi as embarrassing, because of the calibre and commitment of the PDP leaders and their supporters to the current efforts at repositioning the party.

He said it was sad that “anyone should fail to appreciate the fact that the leaders sacrificed their time and energy to be at the venue.

“The PDP in Osun State is leadership-driven,” noting that “whoever wishes to lead the party must never take its leaders and, indeed, the entire members of the party for granted,” Alabi stated.

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Nigerian Tribune

4 arrested as troops, OPC battle militants in Lagos for 6 hours •OPC loses another member •Abducted RCCG pastor, others rescued Olalekan Olabulo and Opeyemi Owoaseye - Lagos

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OR close to six hours between Saturday night and Sunday morning, troops of the Nigerian Army, police, Air Force and Navy bombed creeks around Lagos and Ogun communities in the throes of suspected militants’ invasion.

The sustained operations to flush out the criminal elements that had left tales of blood, death and woes for the fleeing residents of Igbo Olomu area of Ikorodu and Igando of Lagos State, as well as Arepo and Ibafo areas of Ogun State were complemented by members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

The combined operations also yielded first major breakthrough with the arrest of four members of the militant group by OPC members.

The Gani Adams’ faction of the group, however, lost a member to the operation.

OPC members confirmed that they were responding to a distress call on the abduction of two members of Yewa community in Igbo Olomu.

Residents of the affected communities watched on Sunday as the military continued the air raid, which lasted a few hours.

A resident of Igbo Olomu, Mr Fasan, told the Nigerian Tribune that “again, the military came early today and shot repeatedly at the millitants’ base for about three hours.

“They came again in the morning and attacked the creeks again. They were there for about three hours.

They continued to shoot from the air till they left.”

He also continued that “today’s bombardment was even more than those of the last three days. They spent almost three hours today.”

Another residents who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, expressed fears that some of the milltants might have penetrated neighbouring communities, as four of them were arrested after the operation on Saturday.

The resident said “the OPC men arrested four militants who abducted two members of the community, including a landlord.”

The OPC men from Ogbagba zone reportedly succeeded in rescuing the abducted community members but lost one of their members, Tunde Sogunro, who died in the encounter with the militants.

The arrested militants were reportedly handed over to the divisional police officer in charge of Owutu divisional police station, who took them to the area commander in charge of the area.

After the militants’ attack

last week Friday, a man simply identified as Daniel, a resident of Yewa phase 2, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, was abducted.

He was released on Saturday after a confrontation between the militants and some OPC members on the waterways.

Sogunro, who was lost to the face-off, died on the way to the hospital after being shot by the militants, while the other casualty, identified as Tunde Oyenge, was taken

to the hospital.

A source told the Nigerian Tribune that Oyenge died on Sunday morning while some militants were arrested.

“We lost Tunde this morning. He was a member of the OPC who helped in rescuing Daniel the militants abducted on Friday. His corpse had been deposited at the mortuary. Some militants were arrested yesterday and today.

“Navy officials were comb-

ing the waterways and all the creeks from Afa Bridge to all the creeks around.

“All the security personnel were on ground. Two more militants were arrested today (Sunday) as they were trying to run away,” the source said.

A resident of the Yewa Phase 2 community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Nigerian Tribune that there was stop and search exercise in the community by security agencies.

He said “there was stop and search exercise going on early this morning (Sunday) around 6.00 a.m., we were woken up by the sporadic shootings from the Koonu and Elepete communities this morning.

“We have it on good authority that the abducted pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God had been released. He was released today in company with other abducted victims.

“Residents around Koonu

Girl-child education necessary to overcome current challenges —YALI Ambassador Naza Okoli - Lagos THE need to provide adequate education to the girlchild formed the central focus of a one-day sensitisation campaign held at Oluwole Ogba Central Mosque, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State, on Sunday.

Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune at the end of the programme, the facilitator and member of Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI), Moriam Afolabi-Rufai, said Nigeria and Africa would overcome most of its current challenges if it would make the education of female children a priority.

“It’s not all about money,” she said, adding that “if you see your neighbour who is not going to school, you should ask them why they are not in school. We are working hard to raise a team of volunteers in this community, so that in such cases, residents can refer such children to us.

“Besides, this community has two primary schools and one junior secondary school, and education in these schools is free. We need to motivate these children to go to school.”

The event, which was attended by men, women and children, featured a lively interactive session, with questions and answers on such issues as family planning, early marriage and home management.

Most of the participants who spoke during session said educated women had a better chance of influencing their children positively than their educated fathers.

A number of participants, at the end of the seminar, publicly pledged to “advocate for girl-child education” and to “help a girl stay in school.”

From left, Executive Chairman of Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), Dr Tunji Olaopa; Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and Professor Akin Mabogunje, during the book reading by Bishop Kukah, in Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

Banker commits suicide in front of church over bad loan Olalekan Olabulo THE police in Lagos State have begun investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 44-year-old banker, who shot himself dead in Lekki area of the state.

Unconfirmed reports had it that the deceased might have killed himself over an unserviced loan in his bank, which he approved.

The banker, Olisa Nwakobi, a resident of 1, Aladinni Close, Chevron drive, Lekki, reportedly, last Friday night, pointed a gun to his head and shot himself.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the incident to Nigerian Tribune and added that the police had recovered the pistol, with which the suicide was committed.

A police source at Ilasan divisional police station, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, said that the banker killed himself in front of a church. The banker stopped in front of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church and brought out a pistol with which he shot himself.

According to reports,

Chinese commits suicide, hangs on room’s window Opeyemi Owoaseye A 50-year-old Chinese national, Si Guicai, has killed himself in Itohan Avenue, Ikeja area of Lagos, on Friday.

Guicai allegedly hanged himself to the iron window of his apartment at 9:00 p.m.

It was however, gathered that no one could really say the reason for his decision, as he was just found dead the following morning.

Lagos police spokesperson,

Dolapo Badmos confirmed the incident.

She said: “One Si Guicai, a Chinese, allegedly hanged himself to the iron window in his room.

“A team of policemen attached to Man-centre division visited, examined and photographed the scene, while corpse was removed and deposited at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja morgue for autopsy while investigation is ongoing.”

Nwakobi, a manager with a first generation bank, reportedly committed suicide following a bad loan decision he made at work. He was said to have shot himself dead on Friday, July 29, after telling his priest to tell his wife to take care of their children.

Olisa allegedly took his life because he was under pressure to recover a loan of N350 million which he had approved for a beneficiary.

Olisa reportedly took the decision to commit suicide because of his family name and integrity, which he felt would be tainted if the bank took a decision against him because of the loan. His father was a successful lawyer, politician and highly respected member of their Nkwelle Ezunaka, Anambra state community.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, while speaking on the incident said that a silver American pistol and five rounds of 6 mm cartridge were recovered from the scene of the incident.

She also said that the body of the banker had been deposited at the public morgue for autopsy.

reported that about six large canoes or speed boat were brought to the area for the operations.

“Peace is returning to our community, although shops are still locked down as people don’t want to be caught in the crossfire,” the resident said.

The suspected militants were reportedly handed over to Owutu division.

The image maker in charge of the Lagos State police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest of the four militants to the Nigerian Tribune.

Speaking on the rescue of the pastor, Badmos said “at about 1.00 p.m., upon information received by Owutu division from members of Olanukan community, Isawo, Ikorodu area that some suspected militants had kidnappped one Daniel Akpugbe in the community, combined teams of policemen attached to area ‘N’ command, Ijede, commenced into action.

“The victim was rescued from the hoodlums’ hideout while the hoodlums took to their heels. However, three suspects, viz, one Paul Oshodi, Samuel Oshodi abd Isaac Ikire, all of no fixed address, were arrested.

“One Babatunde Sogunro, aged 25, was shot dead by the fleeing suspects. His corpse had been deposited at Ikorodu General Hospital morgue for autopsy.”

Meanwhile, a self-identifed resident of one of the troubled communities, Mr Sunday Orija, in a Facebook post, claimed a reprisal by the militants after the military operations were halted on Saturday.

According to him, “as I am posting this. Sporandic gunshots and explosives weapon attacks are going on between militants and security agents. All residents are in serious danger.

We appeal to the security chiefs to deploy more men to complement the efforts of those on ground because it seems the militants are having upper hand.

“At around 8.00 p.m. yesterday night (Saturday), many residents were either killed or kidnapped in retaliation of the military air strike bombardment carried out early yesterday.

“Please come to our aid now at Isawo area of Ikorodu, we are appealing please. The militants are having upper hand.”

Police sources, however, denied his claims.

His claims could also not be indepedently verified as other sources contacted in the area only confirmed the military raids and efforts by cornered militants to escape from the area.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

9 photonews

Monday, 1 August, 2016 PHOTOS: D’ TOYIN & ALOLADE GANIYU

80th birthday celebration of Chief (Mrs) Grace Awoyemi

Chief (Mrs) Grace Oluto Awoyemi, the Iyalode Ilu Ilisan Remo, welcoming the former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, to her 80th birthday celebration, held at Methodist Church Nigeria, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State.

From left, the celebrant, Chief (Mrs) Awoyemi, wife of the former governor of Ogun State, Chief (Mrs) Olufunke Daniel and Chief Daniel.

The celebrant, Chief (Mrs) Awoyemi, cutting the 80th birthday cake, while Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu and other guests assist.

The celebrant, flanked by the Bishop, Diocese of Remo, Right Reverend Micheal O. Akinwale and other Bishops.

The celebrant, Chief (Mrs) Awoyemi, with her children.

Cross section of Remo traditional rulers in attendance.

Former Vice Chancellor, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Sir Professor Odutola Osilesi (right) with Senior Apostle Samuel Olugbenga Shobande.

Chief Kola Ogunjobi and his wife.

Chief Gbenga Daniel (right) with Chief Ade Sadiku (left) and Honourable Lamiju Owoseye.

Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu (left) and Prince Adeniyi Akinsanya.

10

news

Monday, 1 August, 2016

Alleged N500m bribe: I was never quizzed

by EFCC —Bauchi ex-dep speaker

F

ORMER deputy speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Honourable Saleh Dumba, has said he was never at any time quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged N500 million bribe during the 2015 general election.

The former deputy speaker, in a statement by his media consultant, Mr Hilary Kemjika, described the report in a section of media, on July 21, as wicked, malicious, obnoxious, scandalous, unsubstantiated and false.

"To add salt to injury, the mendacious and malignant publication said that Honourable Dumba and others admitted collecting the said amount on behalf of the Dass Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) stakeholders.

"The amount mentioned was incredible and extremely shocking. There is no iota or grain of truth in the story.

"His political opponents are strenuously at work to tarnish his remarkable image, which he earned over the years before the 2019 general election, fearing his towering political clouts will constitute obstacles for them before 2019," the statement read.

Giving the true picture of what transpired, the media aide, according to the statement, said "prior the 2015 general election, the Bauchi PDP, through Alhaji Garba Dahiru, disbursed N12 million to DASS PDP Local Government Area stakeholders for the success of the party in the general election.

"Honourable Saleh Dumba

acted as a witness and signatory to the DASS PDP stakeholders before the money could be released from the state party. He did not collect, share or benefit from the money."

The former deputy speaker affirmed that at no point during his invitation and interrogation by EFCC did he admit collecting money for election purposes, adding that the issue of N500 million did not arise.

It lamented the damage the publication had caused Honourable Dumba, his political supporters across Nigeria and beyond, while it threatened that the lawmaker would not hesitate to take legal action against anyone dishing out false and malicious publications against his personality.

Founder/global convener of Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT), Hajia Aisha Ibrahim (left) and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hajia Hadiza Usman, during the fourth WILAT Nigeria 2016 conference and awards night, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, at the weekend.

Hadiza Usman commends Aisha Ali-Ibrahim on WILAT initiative

By Tolu Olamiriki THE Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hajia Hadiza Usman, last Thursday, commended the founder/global convener of Women in Logistics and Transparent (WILAT), Hajia Aisha Ali-Ibrahim over WILAT initiative.

The managing director made the commendation duirng the 4th women in logistics and transport Nigeria 2016 conference and award night held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, tagged: “The Irreplacable ladder to sustainable development.”

While pledging total support for WILAT on mentoring and other related laudable programmes, she said that all necessary machinery will be put in place at ensuring that women excel in society and launched the WILAT impacted of mentoring programme (WIM) in conjuection with other women participating in the conference.

The keynote speaker and a chartered member of CTLT and chairperson of WILAT, Sri Lanka, Mrs Gayani De Alwis, said that mentorship involved impacting of knowledge and experience from older women professionals over a period of

time on young professionals.

Alwis said that the programme had been well organised that the mentees are now mentoring young professionals.

Earlier, Hajia Aisha AliIbrahim, had discussed on WILAT activities, which included but not limited to material support for women entrepreneurs as well as encouraging them to work assidiously to top positions.

Others that made presentu-

tious at the conference are the vice president of WILAT, Mrs Ogochukwu Ugbona, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, a retired civil servant and Mr Muhammed Rufai, General Manager of Engineering Capital project of NPA while Hajia Amina Waziri, the former acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), now chairman, logistics and operations of INEC, discussed on the role of logistics, especially, during elections.

GOFAMINT begins 60th anniversary, 51st convention today THE Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), will begin the celebration of its 60th anniversary and 51st annual convention today (Monday).

The week-long programme, tagged: "The God of all blessings," will run till Sunday, August 7, at the International Conference Centre, along Igbo-Oloyin Road, Alaka, Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ministering at the programme, which has morning session between 8.00 a.m. and 12 noon and afternoon session between 5.00 p.m and 9.00 p.m., are the General Overseer

of the church, Pastor (Dr) E. O. Abina; Deputy General Overseer, Pastor (Professor) S. O. Ewuola; General Secretary, Pastor Femi Omowumi; General Evangelist, Evangelist Augustine Sossa; Evangelist E. O. Falade, among others.

Pastor (Dr) E. O. Abina

11 news FG bans T-shirts, souvenirs at conferences Sanya Adejokun -Abuja

A

S cash crunch bites harder, the Federal Government has announced the ban on printing and distribution of souvenirs and limit the number of pages to be printed in invitations, programmes and brochures at events.

The Ministry of Finance, in a statement issued on Sunday, said this measure was in continuation of ongoing cost-cutting and efficiency drive in the utilisation of public funds by the present administration.

“The Federal Government has banned the procurement and distribution of conference bags, T-shirts and other souvenirs at events and activities such as conferences, workshops and seminars organised and funded by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“The new measures were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, following recommendations by the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and conveyed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National Planning, by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, for implementation.”

It noted that the directive was a recognition of the

fact that in a period of lean financial resources in the face of huge national infrastructural deficit, wasteful and unnecessary expenditure on overheads, such as souvenirs and conference bags, were luxuries that the government must eliminate to release funds for infrastructure and services such as health and education that would have direct positive impact on the well-being of the citizenry and promote economic development.

The directive also contained specific guidelines that would reduce the cost of printing invitation cards, programme of events, brochures, folders and note pads.

Among the guidelines are that they should be in black and white and limited to only one page and in the case of brochures they should be streamlined to contain only essential information.

Similarly, the directive has banned the printing of unnecessary publications and books of short shelf life which have no real value to the concerned public institutions or the citizens.

While noting the need for the citizenry and other interested parties to be aware of the initiatives, activities and programmes being implemented by the government, the MDAs were directed to save costs by uploading such publications on their websites which had the added benefit

of wider visibility, and print only limited number of hard copies of such publications.

PROFESSOR Julius Okojie has bowed out as the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) having completed a two-term tenure of 10 years.

He is to formally hand over to the Deputy Executive Secretary of the commission Professor Chiedu Mafiana, today (Monday).

NUC staff and friends have also poured out encomiums on him for his landmark achievements in the transformation of Nigeria’s university system and “impressive” staff welfare policy. Okojie was also eulogised for his open-door policy.

Many staff of the commission, who shared their experience working with Okojie, recounted how he personally touched their lives and needed encouragement he gave them to perform their assigned duties.

The public eulogies were made at the weekend at a valedictory meeting with the staff of the commission

administration to promote fiscal prudence on overhead expenditure, thereby

releasing resources for the development of vital national infrastructure.

The building dedicated in honour of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, at the Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, at the weekend. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

Kogi Jailbreak: 6 escapee prisoners recaptured —CG Confirms escape of 13 inmates Clement Idoko -Abuja THE Controller-General of Prisons, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed, has confirmed that 13 prisoners, comprising 10 pre-trial detainees and three convicts, escaped from Koton Karfe prison in the early hours of Saturday.

He made the confirmation while on an on-the-spot assessment of the incident in Koton Karfe prison, Kogi State.

He disclosed that six pretrial detainees, out of the es-

Okojie bows out as NUC boss Clement Idoko -Abuja

It will be recalled that the Efficiency Unit was established by the present

Monday, 1 August, 2016

capees, had been recaptured with the assistance of other security agencies and local vigilante groups, as well as individuals, and have been returned to the prison.

Meanwhile, the ControllerGeneral has set up a threeman panel to carry out detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape and forward the report to his office for necessary action.

He disclosed that appropriate measures were being put in place to address conges-

tion phenomenon, particularly among awaiting trial prisoners, in line with the reform agenda of the Federal Government.

The Controller General

further stated that security arrangement had been strengthened in and around prison facilities across the country to forestall future occurrence.

FG to resume payment of ex-militants’ allowances today Hakeem Gbadamosi -Akure EX-MILITANTS in the Niger Delta region will soon heave a sigh of relief, as the Special Adviser to the President

•Says ‘I leave commission fulfilled’

in Abuja.

Okojie, who was appointed as the Executive Secretary of NUC in 2002, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had been fondly referred to as the “Father of private universities in Nigeria.”

He increased the number of private universities from four to 61, an indication that he facilitated the establish-

ment of at least 57 private universities.

Okojie, during his 10 years at the commission midwifed the creation of 97 universities, having inherited only 46 universities both public and private. The number of universities now in Nigeria is 143 even though access to university education remains a major challenge in view of the nation’s population

explosion.

Professor Okojie, who said he was leaving the commission fulfilled as a result of hard work and cooperation he received from the workers, noted, “I will not miss my office, but I will miss all of you.”

He noted that NUC had been a benevolent regulator and called for the strengthening of the laws of the com-

mission to make it a stronger regulator.

The immediate past permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, spoke at the Okojie’s valedictory meeting and described him as a distinguished Nigerian who worked hard to ensure quality and access to university education in Nigeria.

OVER 23,000 bags of assorted food items and 2,155 bags of shelter supplies have been provided by different Federal Government agencies to Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps in the North-East as part of ongoing initiatives at ameliorating the plight of IDPs in areas ravaged by insurgency.

Under the coordinated federal intervention programme, both the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are leading the humanitarian aid with the distribution of 10,300

bags of assorted grains and cereals towards the feeding of over two million persons scattered across the region In the monthly Federal Intervention Report that shows the level of supplies in the month of July and compiled by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the NorthEast, Dr Tope Masha, PINE supplied over 10,300 bags of food items such as rice, millet, maize, guinea corn, salt, vegetable oil, beans, and noodles to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi states.

Besides, NEMA also sup-

plied Borno State with 13,200 bags of food items.

The report indicated that PINE, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, distributed 2,155 assorted shelter materials in nine different local government areas of Borno State which includes Bama, Damboa, Bakacy, Dikwa, Monguno, Mafa, Jere, Banki and Gwoza.

The Federal Government, according to the report, responded swiftly to the reported case of malnutrition in Bama camp, as severely malnourished children and

adults have been moved from Bama to Maiduguri for comprehensive medical treatment.

Government has also deployed medical teams from the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigerian Airforce to assist in support mission for nutrition emergency response to those in need.

In addition, the government of Borno State is converting Islamiya School in Bama to a hospital which will be equipped by the Nigeria Airforce to achieve quick comprehensive treatment of victims.

FG steps up food, shelter supplies to IDPs in North-East

on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh, on Sunday, assured the ex-militants of payment of their monthly stipends as from today.

The assurance for the payment of the stipends was given in a statement signed

by Piriye Kiyaramo of the Media and Communication Department of the Amnesty and made available to journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital. He appealed to the ex- militants in the region to shelve the planned protests slated for today.

Boroh, who expressed concerns over the plights of the ex-agitators in respect of their delayed stipends, explained that President Muhammandu Buhari appreciated their patience, saying the delay in the payment of their stipends was already being addressed by the ministry.

According to the amnesty boss, President Buhari attached so much importance to the amnesty programme, noting that the president, in his inaugural address to the nation, specifically promised “to invest heavily in the projects and programmes currently in place for the exagitators in the region.”

12

Monday, 1 August, 2016

13

editorial

P

Monday, 1 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Vocational training for governors?

ERHAPS no other tier of government has been hit harder by the current economic recession in the country than the states.

Because of drastically reduced revenue, many of them are unable to meet basic financial obligations. For instance, at least 27 of them are currently owing their civil servants salary arrears going back several months. Most states have put vital capital and development projects on pause.

Across the country, state governors are preaching the sermon of further belt-tightening to ordinary workers who have already cut to the bare bones.

On the whole, the country is witnessing levels of desperation last seen in the depths of Structural Adjustment in the 1980s.

It is this precarious economic situation in the country that makes it rather difficult to justify the planned ‘vocational training’ trip to Germany by six hand-picked governors from each of the country’s geo-political zones. Zamfara State governor and chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, has presented the trip as necessitated by the desire to explore the promising investment possibilities arising from the governors’ recent meeting with the German ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Dietmar Krausel, and the global communications firm, Vodacom.

According to Governor Yari, the trip will allow the six governors, whom we assume will not be travelling with their usual expansive entourages, to strike up immensely beneficial partnerships in the areas of health and agriculture.

Yet, the trip raises more questions than answers.

If, for instance, the purpose is in fact to explore urgent economic opportunities, why has this come about in the context of the NGF, and why randomly handpick only six governors? Surely, individual states know best where the economic shoe pinches. Why wait until a meeting of all governors?

Besides, the general public would certainly appreciate more illumination on the real benefits of such a potentially expensive trip. Are these potential alliances substitutes for or complements to existing agreements signed by the states with a host of foreign partners in the two key areas?

What is it about these ‘partnerships’ that cannot be handled by their teams of economic advisers?

These days, private and public enterprises across the world are increasingly taking advantage of the latest electronic communication for virtual meetings. Did the Governors’ Forum consider this as a realistic option?

Arguing that the planned trip is nothing but a pretext for frivolous spending, several civil society groups, activists, and government watchers have already kicked against it. For example, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Peter Ozo-Eson, has described the trip as not only “laughable,” but “completely uncalled for, potentially unproductive and will yield no real benefit to the citizens they (the governors) are supposed to govern.” We strongly identify with this criticism and align ourselves with the call to shelve the proposed trip in the name of fiscal prudence.

The elephant in the room here is the question why the country is prone to a recurrence of shenanigans like this. Why is management of public office in Nigeria so completely devoid of any notion of financial rectitude? There are contending sociological explanations, but perhaps the most convincing is that, in a rentier state where most public money comes from resource exploitation (oil in the case of Nigeria), there is little incentive to accountability. If this is correct, the country may not witness any significant change until it diversifies its economy and makes public taxation the basis of the social contract.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 1 August, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

For agribusiness to thrive in Nigeria

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent submission at a lecture in Ibadan, Oyo State, that government has no business in agriculture should be commended by stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Most agricultural projects of government, after a couple of years, fail, and the simple reason for this is that government does not have the will to achieve success in business. This is why capitalism is thriving in most of the advanced countries.

However, having said this, it is the responsibility of government to ensure that businesses fluorish in the country. Agribusiness is like any other business, and if the atmosphere is not conducive for a business to grow well, then it won’t be a success.

First, there is the need for government to support agribusiness owners with fund. The biggest challenge we are facing in this country as regard to agriculture is the lack of financial sup-

port for farmers.

We keep hearing that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and some commercial banks have set aside certain sums of money to support those in the agribusiness sector, but the terms to access such funds are usually unbearable for farmers.

The commercial banks in particular do not differentiate between an oil and gas company and a small scale agricultural business; they subject all firms to the same interest rate. Nigeria has the landmass for a prosperous agricultural industry; we cannot compete with the developed countries in technology or the service sector, but we can advance our agricultural sector, thereby exporting to other countries.

Also, multiple permits are killing those in agribusiness. Whenever a small livestock farmer sets-up his business, the following day, officials from the local and state governments will come

around, asking for certain permits. There is the need for government to realise that small businesses need time to blossom.

One good thing about agriculture is that it can absorb all unemployed youths in the country, but

we are yet to get it right in this sector.

I am happy that Chief Obasanjo, as a farmer, tried his best for agribusiness while he was in power. Today, all the gains we made during his tenure are fast disappearing. I could

remember we were supplying cassava to China, while chicken farms grew exponentially while he held sway as the nation’s number one citizen, but things are not looking positive in the sector these days.

I hope President Mu-

hammadu Buhari will focus on agriculture so that we can reduce unemployment, while also curbing the huge forex we pay for importing food.

•Dr Taju Alalalde, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Why Nigeria must restructure politically WHAT we are hearing concerning how politicians mismanage our commonwealth is really giving Nigerians cause for concern.

Nigerian politics is too attractive, and that is why people struggle to attain political offices at all cost.

We, therefore, need to cut the number of political positions in the country.

In actual fact, what members of the state and Federal Assemblies are doing can be done on part-time basis. Since they don’t sit on a daily basis, then nothing stops them from being part-time legislators.

Most of those who go into politics today do not really have the interest of

the people at heart, but what they will gain from the positions they hold.

That is why we have governors who had served two terms of eight years still going to the Senate. After being governors for eight years, what zeal do they have left to debate motions in the Senate? People have been calling for a political restructuring of the country for some time now, and it is high time something was done about it.

First, I want the legislature to be on part-time basis only. Nigeria does not need full-time politicians to progress. Our politicians are just drain-pipes in our finances, and the earlier

something is done, the better.

Also, I want the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, henceforth, ban former governors from contesting for seats in the Senate.

After their eight years in power, they can contest to be president, but deciding to go to the Senate is not for service but just for political relevance.

•Samson Tonge, Badagry, Lagos State.

Insecurity: President Buhari, come to our aid in Lagos, Ogun THE Nigerian Navy and the Police should collaborate to tackle the activities of militants in the riverine communities of Lagos and Ogun states.

Most of these militants were involved in oil bunkering before the coming on board of this government, but since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed the leadership of the country, their illegal sources of making money were blocked. Since then, they have turned on the communities bordering the waterways, robbing, kidnapping, raping.

These criminals are so bold that they even carry out their activities in broad daylight, and all ef-

forts to tackle them by law enforcement agents have failed.

It is so funny that they now write to communities, telling residents that they would be coming, and they should prepare for them.

Most riverine communities in Lagos and Ogun states are now deserted as a result of the activities of these criminals.

I am, therefore, appealing to President Buhari to come to our aid. The situation at hand needs the urgent attention of the Federal Government as the Lagos and Ogun state governors cannot do more than they are doing now.

•Felix Ezena, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Oyo NURTW, organise trainings for Micra cab drivers I want to appeal to the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State chapter, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, to start organising frequent trainings for drivers of Micra cabs in the state capital.

The truth is that these Micra cabs constitute a nuisance to the capital city with the manner in which their drivers drive.

The drivers hardly obey traffic rules and regulations and they manouvre their way in the narrowest of spaces. The Micra cabs have caused several road accidents in the city as a

result of this.

Also, it is important that the NURTW boss warns drivers who are in the habit of using their cabs to commit crime to desist from doing so. It is a known secret in Ibadan that the cabs are being used to kidnap people. I have also heard stories of the cabs being used to rob, as well as rape people.

Consequently, it is, obligatory for the leadership of the union to warn Micra cab drivers to obey traffic rules and regulations, while also desisting from crime.

•Saheed Olaoluwa, Ibadan.

15 opinion

Monday, 1 August, 2016

Lasisi Olagunju

T

Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053)

here is a sense in which great fortune engenders misfortune. Good fortune can make an otherwise skillful General lower his guard on the battlefield.

That was what the PDP did with itself when its last President, Goodluck Jonathan invited his enemies to nominate referees in their electoral combat with him.

We read Dr Junaid Mohammed’s disclosure that it was Jonathan who asked Muhammadu Buhari in 2010 to nominate a national commissioner for the INEC. Did he also not do same with the other enemies in other zones?

Only a politician with a mind set on martyrdom or stark suicide would sign such a blank cheque for his opponent to go cash except he is so confident, very sure that the enemy has been permanently incapacitated.

That moment of self-sure-footedness ultimately eased the overthrow of the PDP from the high horse where it boasted it would remain for 60 years. It is evil for democracy to stand on a leg. No one benefits from a political system that is so one-sided that the underdog is contemptuously discountenanced by the ruling elite. The party in government gets swollen headed, the people suffer without a voice. We owe it to this democracy, therefore, to create an opposition for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Indeed, the APC owes its survival that duty to join in the search for an enemy. Our democracy is imperiled with the APC roaming freely, fearlessly, doing and undoing what it likes with the full knowledge that there is no one to scold it. The APC itself is endangered if in the next couple of months an opponent worthy of being called that name is still not within a jab distance. The PDP, having travelled that road for 16 years, is today too down to play that role.

It is, in fact, out.

You would know the PDP is down and out when you appreciate the mesh of court rulings it has around its neck.

The asphyxiating effect of the cases is enough to tell anyone who still hopes for a redeeming moment for that party to give up. If there is a time the APC needs someone to hold up the mirror for it, that time is now. It cannot assume that it is as beautiful as it sees itself. The appreciation of its warts and all is better done by opponents with exaggerated loathsome. A peacock will lose all its plumes if it lacks a critic. If “Machiavellian dictatorship” was the definition of colonialism’s relationship with Nigeria, must we cook for ourself a homegrown dictatorship of self-righteous, Kabiyesi messiahs which is never wrong because there is no one to press its brake pedal?

It is so easy for us to condemn, lament and excoriate the 16 years of the PDP but have we asked what all of

In search of opposition for APC

us, including the official opposition, contributed to the mess? Democracy is synonymous with competitive party politics. Is that what we have had in the years from 1999?

We run a peculiar democratic system in which parties contest, lose elections and dissolve into the bowels of their conqueror while eating and waiting for the next polls. The guardian spirit of our politics is that of the stomach. The spirit that rules the parties does not understand that the people deserve and, indeed, have the right to good governance. That would explain why our multi-party democracy works as single party system with a negation of the values of tolerance and compromise in public affairs.

Greek philosopher, Aristotle, posits that in all systems of government “no one is allowed to become overly great and powerful enough to threaten the stability of the state.”

He is right. When a man or institution is too big and too strong for the system to caution, he/it works ignorantly, arrogantly and directly to destroy the system. “Acquiring great prerogatives,” Aristotle continues, “quickly tends to corrupt people, for not everyone can stand good fortune.” Exactly. We saw this in the PDP which became so well fed, so blessed that it forgot how to behave well and be pragmatic when it mattered. Great fortune gives great confidence. We saw it in Julius Caesar as he spurned the warnings and counsel of both his wife and the soothsayer about the fatal promise of the ides of March. Power, immense power, gives immense confidence, and, immense

confidence gives steady decay and certain death.

A democracy is so called because it serves the people. The people element in the system distinguishes it from autocracy and tyranny. A democracy can only serve the people if it produces a government that respects and fears the people. A government will fear the opinion of the people only when it knows the people have an alternative to it.

It will do the people’s wish only when the realities show that the people have the capacity and the opportunity to ensure that the party in opposition today is enthroned tomorrow. Nigeria made a mistake with the PDP when it invested heavily in it in every ward, every local government and in every state without putting a worthy rival beside it to make it behave responsibly. The PDP itself indulged in self-mortification, killing off others that would have assisted it with criticisms.

The APC has spent 14 months in power. Has it impacted positively on the life of the ordinary man? Has it been fulfilling its promises or repudiating them? If it has fallen short of expectations, who has been the voice of the people calling it to account? Is it not customary in multi-party democracy for the opposition to be the conscience of the people? In the twilight of PDP’s glory, didn’t its nemesis, the APC, consistently beam the floodlight of scrutiny on all and every of its actions? Can the fractured PDP of today play the same role, especially at this period of borderless economic pains? If the PDP is fatally injured to act, should the society not consciously construct its replacement?

Nature has no space for vacuum. All spaces are filled in the field of nature. If there is no outsider to fight, you turn your sword homewards. This is normal in the animal kingdom which, truly, politics is. Scientists say the hunger for extra protein often lead certain animals “to chow down” on their own kids. It is the same in politics. They call it implosion.

When you shut out outsiders from seeing and speaking about your ugliness, insiders will rise to reject your odious smell.

Our ruling party is already behaving like its predecessor in power, silently killing off opposition with proxy meta wars. If we are dumb enough to allow it run away with this, all rights will soon become wrongs — and we wouldn’t be able to complain. The good news is that history teaches us that no empire lasts forever. Even King Louis IV of France, credited with the famous phrase “L’État, c’est moi” (“I am the State”) ultimately on his deathbed was quoted by historians as surrendering: “Je m’en vais, mais l’État demeurera toujours.” (“I depart, but the State shall always remain”).

Lagos: In support of neighbourhood corps

By Michael Ogunjobi

There is no gainsaying that security is the most fundamental need of human beings. A disturbed mind results in a restless, hapless and distraught personality. Succinctly, there are extant laws which provide for fundamental human rights and freedom from torture, cruel and degrading treatment in our polity. Issues of security and safety have been of concern to Lagosians and the security of lives and property is the resolve of the state government in view of increasing acts of lawlessness, social disorder, such as the recent invasion of militants in some communities in Ikorodu and Igando areas of the state, armed robbery, and kidnapping, exemplified by the recent kidnapping of the Oniba of Iba. The presence of law enforcement agencies in the body polity of the state is a sine qua non for safety of lives and properties in a state. The spate of insecurity in Lagos is worrisome indeed. Thus, advocates of community policing have opined that Lagos should have community and state police to check the challenges of insecurity bedeviling the mega city. Hence, it has become expedient to revisit the role of vigilante groups readily accessible to the populace in curbing crime in the commercial capital of Nigeria.

With increasing activities of hoodlums, the motley communities comprising Lagos, definitely need a commensurate increased vigilance from security agencies at this time of economic down-turn in the country. Increased surveillance and intelligence gathering is desireable since everything cannot be left for the police. The large population of the state

has made it quite difficult to curb the excesses of hoodlums and miscreants increasingly immigrating into the already over-populated state. Moreso, efforts to checkmate crime by the police have been mostly futile since often times, the great distrust and absence of empathy by the police creates a wide gap between them and their host communities. Public hostility and indifference are the most perplexing problems the police force in Lagos is facing today.

However, over the years, local vigilantes have helped to patrol neighbourhoods under the supervision of the police in many communities in the state. Thus, the Lagos State House of Assembly recently passed a bill for a law to establish the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, for the regulation and control of the safety corps activities and for connected purposes. The functions of the Agency’s board is to take over all existing responsibilities of the neighbourhood watch and absorb all eligible ‘Watchers’ into the corps. In addition, they will establish uniformed neighborhood safety corps in all local government/local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state, formulate guidelines, regulations and policies for the day to day operations of the corps; and other local vigilante groups within the State amongst other functions.

The Bill came to the fore in a bid to ensure that emerging highbrow crimes like killings by herdsmen, kidnapping, ritual killings and terrorism do not take root in the state. The Bill seeks to repeal the Neighborhood Watch Law of 1996, enacted by the then military administration of BrigadierGeneral Buba Marwa (rtd). The new agency would integrate

the existing personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch, that are competent, having good character and integrity.

However, the efficacy of the philosophy and policies of any system of government in any given society depends on their faithful implementation. Hence, the vigilante system must not be turned into tools in the hands of influential community leaders to threaten and punish their adversaries. Also, a major caution note is that the security outfit to emerge should not compete with the Nigeria Police, but must complement their efforts in preventing and combating crime, since our laws do not recognise state policing.

It is important to state that anyone carrying any firearm must be licensed by the competent authority which according to the Firearms Act is the Commissioner of Police in the state. Illegal possession of firearms by any group whatever names it is called, either vigilante or non-vigilante contravenes Section 328 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The fulcrum of the foregoing is that crime prevention is not achieved through isolated retaliatory actions or preemptive violence of policing organisations but by prompt reporting of such incidents to the law enforcement agencies in our neighbourhood. It is in the light of the above that the law by the Lagos State House of Assembly for the regulation and control of vigilante groups in communities to fight the scourge of crime and assist the police in their crime prevention initiatives and to enable it discharge its civic duties to the society is laudable.

•Ogunjobi, an attorney, lives in Lagos.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

PDP’s two-step chairmanship dance As leaders of PDP meet today in Abuja, KUNLE ODEREMI takes a look at the ongoing battle of wits among the gladiators in the quest to reposition the party.

T

HE two-step, a popular American folk dance, involves two people endlessly trotting around each other: slow-slow, fast-fast ad infinitum, to the cheers of bystanders. In Nigeria, much the same can be said about the ongoing fight to control the PDP, which has fast turned into a ritual dance between different couples.

Makarfi vs Sheriff The most visible couple is Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff, who are both currently laying claim to the PDP national chairmanship. Both men are Northerners; both are two-term ex-governor of their respective Kaduna and Borno states, and both are ex-senators. They can thus be said to have much in common. But in contrast, Makarfi is the quietly networking schemer, of aristocratic stock who, on 21, May 2016, was co-opted by PDP governors to chair their hastily created Caretaker Committee contraption after a court order halted their emergency National Convention that was scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt that same day.

Meanwhile, Sheriff has been described as a ruthless fighter, an iconoclast who would stop at nothing to break down the walls of Northern aristocracy. It is alleged that he even went as far as appointing Boko Haram’s Alhaji Foi into his 2003 cabinet as Commissioner for Religious Affairs simply to spite Borno leaders, who opposed his 2nd term bid. By 2016 and with grass-roots members clamouring for a change in leadership, Sheriff, who had crossed to PDP just a few months earlier, had somehow emerged as the first choice of PDP governors to chair the party. The four-year mandate of the then incumbent National Working Committee (NWC) members ended in March 2016. Indeed, a group of ordinary PDP members, led by Dr Fijabi Adebo, an aggrieved 2015 elections senatorial aspirant from Ogun Central, went to court to demand that the BOT should immediately take control of the party and organise fresh convention to elect a new NWC. With EFCC investigations taking its toll of some of the PDP’s NWC members notably its embattled publicity secretary Olisah Metuh, the governors panicked, and drafted Modu-Sheriff to fill the position of PDP chairman, which was, at the time, still zoned to the North-East. They then planned the May convention, where they hoped to get him a new four-year mandate. But, as their working agreement with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s group of ex-ministers broke down, the governors dumped Sheriff and sought to replace him with Makarfi.

Meanwhile, Jonathan’s ministers held a parallel national convention in Abuja on that same day, where they appointed Professor Jerry Gana to head their own hastily

PDP to its fate in the hands of EFCC and forming a new party altogether. But the logistical challenges of a new party proved insurmountable in the short term, especially as grass-roots members were unwilling to consider shifting away from the party but simply demanded a house cleaning. The North thus began to plot to recover control of the party, and have been in consultation with their Southern nationalist counterparts on the pros and cons of such a takeover. The two-step dance between Jonathan and the North to control the PDP and determine who rules Nigeria come 2019 thus continues.

Justice Liman vs Justice Abang The more disheartening two-step in the ongoing dance around the PDP is the trading of rulings by Justices of the Federal High Court. Soon after the failed convention, Justice A.M Liman, in his Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, ruled for Makarfi and ordered INEC to recognise him.

On July 28, Justice Okon Abang, in his own Abuja Division of the same Federal Court, ruled for Sheriff. The ethnic colouration of these judgments is, of course, not lost on the polity and is worsening ethnic tension.

Makarfi

concocted Caretaker Committee. The PDP was dancing ever closer to factionalising and catastrophe.

Jonathan vs North The second illustrious couple on the dance floor are ex-President Jonathan on the one hand and the North. Jonathan had risen from deputy governor to governor, vicepresident, acting President and then president in the space of 10 years. He had been unable to cope with the challenges of the office and the heady wine that comes with having greatness thrust on humble shoulders. And as he and his men dug in at Aso Rock, a traditional North watched, waited and patiently plotted his downfall so that they could finally have their own two consecutive terms in office.

Sheriff

While Jonathan was magnanimous in defeat by shaking the hand of his opponent (ever before the final result was announced) and thereby frustrating alleged Plans B and C to stop Buhari from becoming president, his men appear to have nevertheless quietly planned for their second coming to power sooner than later. Their plan to return seems to have depended on their keeping control of the PDP party structure. Consequently, when the chairman of the defeated and disgraced PDP – Alhaji Muazu – resigned to enable a new leadership to emerge, his deputy from the South-South – Chief Uche Secondus ( a Jonathan loyalist) – stayed put and assumed the leadership of the party.

With ex-President Jonathan’s men in their respective offices at Wadata plaza, the North initially considered abandoning the

If zoning is not to cause the PDP to frustrate its dream to return to power in 2019, then the party must end this clumsy dancing on two left feet and present Nigerians with a fresh, untainted national chairman, who can be trusted to keep faith with party elders.

The final steps Well-informed insiders observe that neither side of the two-step is happy with the calibre of contestants that are emerging from the South-West. For example, Chief Bode George is considered by some camps to be a difficult sell because of issues relating to his headship of the Nigerian Ports Authority. Mr Jimi Agbaje, who is new to the party, is seen as relatively unknown, while the likes of Chief Gbenga Daniel, Dr Doyin Okupe from the South-West and Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Dr Peter Odili, and Chief Lyel Imoke from the South-South, who are all believed to be preparing grounds to join the race, are considered by some as old faces that may not justify the push for new wine in such a critically visible frontline post.

The question on many lips is, if the PDP has zoned the chairmanship to the SouthWest, what happened to its frontline gladiators who, in 2012, contested the National Secretary, when that post was the one zoned to the same South-West? And it is perhaps unfortunate for the PDP that ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the winner of the 2012 National Secretary election, crossed to APC only to be forgotten.

But what about the PDP revisiting some of those past aspirants whose loyalty have been tested and found to be unwavering. One of them, Professor Tunde Adeniran from Ekiti State, may have boldly risked the anger of his PDP governor, Ayo Fayose, by indicating interest. The alleged support of his cause by Senator Buruji Kashamu may not help the professor’s case. But there is still the defunct UPN’s former Organising Secretary, Chief Ebenezer Babatope from Osun State, or Professor Taoheed Adedoja (a former minister), who is believed to be running his business from Ibadan, or Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko, son of the late Minister for Agriculture, who is said to have retreated to his farm in Ondo State.

If zoning is not to cause the PDP to frustrate its dream to return to power in 2019, then the party must end this clumsy dancing on two left feet and present Nigerians with a fresh, untainted national chairman, who can be trusted to keep faith with party elders.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju | 08055001708 | lanresulaimon@yahoo.com | @lanresulaimon

analysis Prof. Pat Utomi is a thoroughbred academic and a distinguished private sector player in Nigeria. He once served as an Economic Adviser to President Sheu Shagari. He was also the Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen of Nigeria, Vice Chairman of Bank PHB Plc and a Non-Executive Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc. A fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria, he is also a former Director of the Lagos Business School of the Pan-Atlantic University. He has served on the council of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, The National Council of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Consultative Association (NECA). He has been a scholar-in-residence at the American University in Washington DC and the Harvard Business School. In this interview with WALE AKINSELURE, he speaks on the issue of recession, diversifying and revamping the economy as well as the need to have valuebased leadership in the country. Excerpts.

T

HE IMF, in its recent forecast, said that the nation’s economy would grow by -1.8 per cent during this year revising an earlier forecast of 2.8 per cent. In this light, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, also said that the nation was in a recession.

How did we get here?

Anybody who has just a basic understanding of how economies run would have known that Nigeria was going to be in a recession. We didn’t need an IMF pronouncement to know that. Technically speaking, two quarters back and back of a decline in output is a recession.

How did we get here? The thing that gets blamed a lot is a decline in oil prices. But, let me begin from the basic fact that we have economic cycles. Boom is not forever.

You will have boom and then the cycle will come down. But, the question is whether the decline becomes bust. The tendency in public commentaries in Nigeria, from public officials, is to blame it on the decline in price of crude oil. Of course, it is a contributor. But, one of the most painful things about how we manage Nigeria is that the expected takes us by surprise. Oil prices, traditionally, have been very volatile. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Nigeria kept going from boom, bang, to bust because of the volatility of oil prices.

I very often tell the story of how my father passed away while I was in graduate school abroad, in the 1980s. And I came home on the back of the Iranian revolution when oil prices went to $40 a barrel for the first time.

The whole country was going crazy. We were spending like we invented money. Lagos became the biggest dustbin in the world. Some people were drinking canned soft drinks and canned beer and tossed the can out of their cars as they were going. Champagne became the beverage of choice. I came back home in 1982, when I finished my PhD, and Nigeria was in dire situation. Nigeria could not pay for its imports and lines of credits to Nigerian banks from foreign banks were shut. By 1984, Nigerians were queuing up to buy milk and sugar; they were called essential commodities. So, we have had this history of abandoning projects. Once oil prices go up, we start all kinds of projects; oil prices go down, we abandon the projects, thereby compounding

entrepreneuership

markets

leadership & management

Our budgeting system induces poverty — Utomi

Professor Pat Utomi our problems. That is part of reasons why we are where we are.

You will think that a country, like a company or individual, will be a learning organisation, that is, learn from yesterday’s mistakes. From all those volatilities, we were supposed to know that oil prices will come down. So, what you do when oil prices go up is to save, and have a systematic pattern of planning your development. The second thing you should learn is to use oil as leverage to attract other peoples’ savings to come into your country as investment. We never did particularly well in either. The rise of India, China led to a stretch in the peak of the boom era and led to extraordinary amnesia about the fact that the prices will come down. We behaved like oil prices will remain permanently up, therefore, the recklessness with which we spend public resources. So, the impact of this on our thinking was more dangerous than its real impact. Fundamentally, it means that we are not a thoughtful people.

When Olusegun Obasanjo became president in 1999, the price of crude oil was $11 per barrel, not $100. We are behaving as if oil prices have always been $100. But, we did not get into this kind of depressed mode in 1999. Of course, it was rising, but it leads to the point that where oil prices is a significant contributor to our finances becoming challenged, how we managed it, the last one year is more responsible for how depressed we are.

You mean the country is gravitating towards depression due to our policy choices in the last one year?

Somehow people do not seem to realise that what policy does is to help manage your economic behaviour so that the outcome will be sustained growth for everybody. Policy makers have not managed to do a good job of educating people of why choices are made.

A classic example is this story of devaluation.

One of the sad things about Nigeria is that our politics has become deeply antiintellectual.

We are not hearing that people in Russia are starving today as they are in Nigeria because the essence of your currency responding to your foreign earning is so that you don’t continue to behave like nothing had changed.

In Nigeria, we said we won’t allow petrol prices to change relative to the price of crude oil, so, our habits continued the way they were. This is not to mention the corruption in the so-called petrol subsidy business.

A combination of the massive corruption in that system and our refusal to let our earnings reflect in the pricing of something that comes from abroad created the problem of huge waste in the name of fuel subsidy.

We refused to address that. Government set up a transition committee which addressed that and made suggestion of what to do even before the government came into power. For whatever reasons, those pieces of advice were not taken.

When you say we cannot devalue, you are preparing yourself for a devaluation that will hit you in the gut. It happened to us in the 1980s when crude oil prices began to crash.

Due to the fact that Nigeria had a blocked currency, that is, the value of the currency is determined at the Central Bank, the variants

between our purchasing power parity and our exchange rate created rooms for distortions in our economy. Purchasing power parity is a measure of how much of your currency can produce the same thing as the currency of the country you are dealing with. The Economist Magazine described it as a surrogate measure called the hamburger index. The McDonald’s quarter pounder has the same ingredients everywhere. One asks that how much naira will it take to produce one hamburger in Lagos, Nigeria. That is an idealised representation of what your exchange rate should be. Therefore, exchange rate should orient behaviour in a way that you can begin to produce more when you are more competitive, you earn more, and the quality of life will go up. It is the refusal to follow this discipline, through the years, that has not enabled us to diversify the base of our economy.

Diversification of the economy, since the 1980s, is a refrain in our budget every year but no diversification has taken place. This is because the incentive system based on our purchasing power parity relative to overshooting exchange rate and a number of other factors are responsible for the behaviour of Nigerians. So, we can encourage behaviour in a particular direction. It is not always that the incentives work so fast; sometimes one has lags. So, leadership behaviour can facilitate that. The whole idea of industrial policy in Asia that led to rise of Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia is really a function of leadership behaviour orienting a thrust towards a direction. We watch our agricultural sector disappear before our eyes because all that state governors were interested in is sending their finance commissioners to go to a FAAC meeting and bring back what has been shared from the receipts of crude oil and pay salaries and whatever else meets their Continues on pg18

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Monday, 1 August, 2016 Continued from pg17

fancy.

The progress of Nigeria in the 1950s was because of the creativity of people like Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the sub-national level, not national level. Their creativity led to farm settlements that led to setting up industries.

The direction of industrial development in Nigeria began with Chief Awolowo setting out the Ikeja Industrial Estate and then others responding to that competitive thrust.

Eastern Nigeria followed immediately with the Aba and Portharcourt industrial estates; Northern Nigeria followed with the Kakuri Industrial Estate and Bompai in Kano. I don’t know how many great initiatives come from sub-national level these days. If we don’t produce, exchange rate would go to N10,000 to $1. The bottom line in our exchange rate is building a competitive economy and building a producing economy. Right now, the truth is that Nigerians have lost understanding of how to produce. For a long time, we have got used to getting something for nothing. Many have developed an entitlement mentality. We need a revolution in thinking, especially as citizens, and then a more responsible leadership that understands where we are and what needs to be done. Right now, we don’t have that.

Currently, we are in a period of recession evident in the current hardship, unemployment, poverty, which you have said was bound to happen. But you have noted that the situation has been poorly managed in the past one year and a bad situation has been worsened. What measures should government take to redress this situation?

We need to have short term fire fighting stuff in addition to having medium term and long term thrusts. Yes, there are so many people out of work. You hear people say diversify the base of the economy. Now, the solid minerals sector will be the new area of focus. Solid minerals will not contribute a kobo for the next ten years. It is a left field.

In my travels this year, I tried to promote the country, and they tell me that my country is not even ready to even begin to consider mining. There isn’t even data. It has not done the study that will show where what is. People, say, Ah! There is gold in Ilesa, this is there, that is there. Is it commercial? The first thing is to begin to do real serious work to establish what is where and make that information available to mining companies. Then, they will come in. Oh! There are infrastructure issues to where these minerals are located, what kind of planning do we have. We are talking about 10 to 20 years from now before those solid mineral deposits can contribute anything. While planning that, we must ask what do we do today? One of the things to do is to create a certain stimulus in the economy. As government, you have to do a level of deficit budgeting, that is, to put money in the system, provide jobs for very vulnerable citizens.

Is the 2016 budget not a veritable tool in stimulating the economy, in terms of pumping money into the economy?

How many people will the money reach and what is the impact? So, planning how you spend the money is itself, work. Nigeria doesn’t mean to make budgets that have consequences for the lives of Nigerians. We just know that there is money coming and we have to allocate it. And so, the budget process seems like just a public relations exercise because the person who makes the budget begins to do something that is not in the budget, the next day. So, you wonder if we take the budget seriously. I told the Vice President shortly after inauguration that we need to start thinking of a zero based budget.

Zero based budget completely discounts all former assumptions. The typical budgeting process is incremental, that is, if for example, we spent N300 billion last year, and inflation is X percent, we adjust our allocations to various agencies baring inflation in mind. I

Poorlymanaged recession results in depression

said that is why we are where we are. Let us forget all the assumptions and begin again.

Rather than just vote monies to ministries that is spent, let us set goals for each ministry.

In the sports ministry for example, let us say our goal for sports is to win two gold medals in a particular sport in the next Olympics. We should then say how much money should be given to the sports ministry to achieve this goal. It becomes the new basis of our assumptions in sports. We should set goals in ministries. When I heard two months later that the 2016 budget would be zero based budgeting, I screamed. I said, it is not possible for us to have zero based budgeting in 2016; it will take at least two years of serious people sitting down to do serious work to do a zero based budget. And you can see what happened to the 2016 budget. So, the budget of its own does not stimulate the economy.

It can be a deficit budget determined to put more money into the economy but we have to be careful that we put the money where there will be impact. We need thinking people, serious minded people in leadership positions.

Unfortunately, we do not have enough of them in this system. We have to start looking for this kind of persons. One of the sad things about Nigeria is that our politics has become deeply anti-intellectual.

The government plans to give N5,000 monthly to some unemployed Nigerians. To what extent does this social intervention programme get Nigerians engaged and take them out of poverty?

I believe in the programme and the Vice President told me on my birthday in February, this year, that I suggested the programme. The idea came to me from Brazil.

That is part of the ways Brazil marched its way out of poverty. Brazil was always thought of as a bigger version of Nigeria. A country of great potential that may never attain its potential and people laughed about Brazil until Professor Fernando Henrique Cardoso came up with ideas that transformed Brazil into one of the top six economies in the world.

One of the things he did was to use conditional cash transfer to the poorest of the poor to stimulate economic activity. I am a big believer in doing that. Though some give excuses of us not having statistics but let us try something. There are surrogate measures of what you need as input. You leave this money in ministries, directors will steal the money.

Give the N5,000 to those poor people but my condition is that they do some service for it.

It could be cleaning the street or making the community clean.

The CBN has liberalised the foreign exchange market. How do you see this, especially in view of the cascading value of the naira?

Has the foreign exchange market been deregulated? There is still a window. Wherever you have a window, maybe well meaning, in a society like ours, it will be cheap access for the powerful from others who do not have that opportunity. It will affect competitiveness but more importantly, it sends a signal to other players that you can still not trust that system. And because that signal is going out, people who have dollars to bring will still be waiting, and so you don’t get to fund the market enough and that will lead to further depreciation of the naira.

The CBN has just raised the lending rate from 12 to 14 per cent. What are the implications of such increase in lending rate given that the economy is in recession?

Who was borrowing anyway? For those who are borrowing, are those things they do creating jobs, growth? There is a sense in which it sounds paradoxical that really in a time of response and we talk about stimulus response, the idea should be to stimulate a journey of interest rates down so that those who borrow can have easier access. But you find that Nigeria is stuck in an awkward dilemma. Many of those accessing loans are the people who may not actually be producing but may use the “cheaper money” they borrow to hit the foreign exchange market and take money out, therefore put more pressure on the market, compounding the vicious cycle in inflation. At the same time, how do those people you want to start out in agriculture,

Diversification of the economy, since the 1980s, is a refrain in our budget every year but no diversification has taken place.

Nigerian Tribune

in those areas that will diversify the base of the economy. So, how do they access funds that they can use in this situation to create wealth? There is no easy answer to that. I will be inclined to the creation of funds for priority sectors like manufacturing and agriculture that would obviously have much more lower interest rate. But you cannot get people go into agriculture if they will be borrowing at 14 per cent interest rate or more. So, do we want to tolerate some inflation and stimulate production? I will vote for production even though inflation does a lot of damage.

Should there be total ban on importation to help our local production?

This is where leadership matters. Where you have leadership that is really pragmatic and practical, you can use industrial policy with clear timelines to support growth of a sector. Blanket choices will not help us. If we determine today that we want to become the global leader in the production of sesame seeds, for example, I will have no problem in banning the importation of any sesame seed into Nigeria and making machinery for processing sesame seeds completely duty free. But you have to be systematic, take on one sector of the economy you want to grow with clear timelines.

But actively look for bright young people in their specific fields and provide the needed conditions for them to meet set targets.

We need that kind of focused leadership to grow certain sectors that we want to become dominant in globally.

As a result of the recession, companies are closing in their droves. How should government help to arrest this development?

Government should sit and discuss with these companies about what is going on.

What is the biggest pressure? They will say some selfish things, but if you are smart enough and have the right people on your team, you will show them what they did not do and what they should do. But we do not have those teams in government. How many people in government understand manufacturing; understand what the issues are both at the political level and at the civil service level? You do not have them.

Nigeria has very smart people all over the world, even here in Nigeria. But the way we treat power in Nigeria is like the hunter that hunted down big game. Government is about eating and no one wants to be disturbed when eating the big rat that was hunted down. Government should be about inclusion. Where are the smartest Nigerians in the world? We get them on the business side and on the government side and they have serious robust conversation and people become champions in making those things happen and you will see a transformation take place. But that is not the psychology of Nigerian politics.

How soon do you see the country exiting recession?

How soon we exit recession depends on what we do. To the ordinary Nigerian, recession means companies will be folding up; recession means you cannot pay basic bills and cannot eat the kinds of meals that would nourish you properly, diseases will increase because people are not getting enough nourishment, malnutrition will increase. A recession not managed well can lead to a depression; and, in depressions, what you get is mass suicides. We pray we do not get into a depression but we also pray that policy makers do not keep praying that oil prices go up as the basis for improving the polity because if oil prices go up, it will not be sustainable. Nigeria’s oil will run out in the next 30 years and it is over. The bottom line is leadership. This is a time for us to be bold, be ambitious in initiatives. Somehow, something restricts our capacity to boldly engage problems. We need to see champions around many of the areas of challenges.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

The 60-second

business coach PAGE 24

PAGE 24

Leaders’

forum

Leke Alder, Principal Consultant, Alder Consulting

PAGE 24

Leaders and power of influence

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

I

NFLUENCE is the essence of leadership. Leaders influence others to achieve a predetermined goal.

They influence the outcome of

a process by providing guidance, support, motivation, inspiration and direction to those they collaborate with.

Leadership ends when a leader fails to influence because without this critical factor, delivering on his

mandate of effecting a change becomes extremely difficult. Leaders are agents of change and to cause the kind of change they want, they must be able to wield some level of influence.

Influence is not synonymous to

charisma. Though being charismatic could be helpful to a leader, if a leader solely relies on charisma as his tool of influence, he will record more failure than success.

Quote Make each day your masterpiece — John Wooden LEADERSHIP

Continues on pg20

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

How leaders increase their influence

BOOK does invariably is that he makes the people indebted to him. This is why he is held in awe. But the moment a leader abandons his service to the people and concentrates on serving himself, he loses his estimation in the reckoning of the people. Thus, he loses his influence over them because the cord which connects them is cut.

Continues from pg19

What is influence?

Influence is the ability to affect others’ thoughts and actions. It is the ability to make people do what they might not want to do ordinarily. Influence is the ability of a leader to mould an individual in the shape he wants to achieve his purpose.

Influence can be put to good or bad use depending on who is wielding it.

Between 1933 and 1945, Adolf Hitler influenced the killing of six million Jews living in Europe because he wanted to exterminate the Jewish race, which he referred to as the parasitic vermin, and establish the Aryan race as the superior one.

On the other hand, Mahatma Gandhi influenced the people of India to embrace nonviolent civil disobedience in their struggle for independence from Britain.

Influence becomes effective when a leader is able to ensure buy-in from the people.

Influence and compliance Influence and compliance are cousins because they are meant to achieve a similar purpose; a pre-determined objective. The difference, however, is that while influence is ensured, signifying voluntariness on the part of the influenced, compliance is enforced, a resort to force by a superior. Leaders ordinarily rely on motivation to influence their people but when a leader resorts to the use of force most of the time, or drive his people to get the job done, he has lost his leadership because leaders don’t drive; only bosses do.

Source of influence If influence is this important how does a leader get it?

Influence derives mainly from respect. People allow themselves to be influenced by those they respect. Influence should not be taken lightly by leaders because he who is influenced by another has, in a way, subjugated his will to that of the influencer. It is akin to the clay submitting itself to the potter to do what he likes with it. The influenced voluntarily allows the influencer to decide his fate and shape his destiny.

So, influence is a product of respect. People only allow themselves to be influenced by those they hold in high esteem.

How do people gain esteem?

People gain esteem through a number of means.

Position of authority A position of authority often confers respect on the incumbent. An elected political functionary or a company chief executive, by virtue of the position occupied, enjoys some measure of respect. People

Ladi Balogun, MD, FCMB defer to him because of the realization that the position occupied has some inherent powers that could be deployed for the good of the state or the organization. Sometimes even when the occupier of a position conducts himself in an untoward manner people are reluctant to disrespect him because of their respect for the office.

Excellent service Service is key to influence. The right perspective is to see every position as an opportunity to serve.

Those who wield the greatest level of influence are those who serve the most. Mahatma Gandhi was not wealthy, had no official title, and controlled no army, yet the people followed him even at the risk of losing their lives. The people took his suggestions as instructions and they pandered to his wishes. As a matter of fact, he was deified.

Why was he so influential?

Gandhi’s life was dedicated to

Service is key to influence. The right perspective is to see every position as an opportunity to serve.

Those who wield the greatest level of influence are those who serve the most.

Patrick Ogungbola, MD/CEO, Bluehedge Realtors serving the people. For everyone who yearns for others’ respect and hope to gain influence as a consequence, service is sine qua non.

Companies that render excellent services enjoy the respect of the market and as a result wield considerable influence. That is why they are able to shape the way we live.

Facebook, Twitter, Jumia, Konga, Nokia, Microsoft, Nigerian Tribune, Dangote, DSTv, Mr. Biggs, Sweet Sensation and others have great influence over their customers to the extent that they are utterly dependent on these companies. This is because the companies offer services that the customers find irresistible.

Rendering services that are above par is a route to gaining respect.

Exceptional competence People respect those who possess uncommon skills. Football stars, singers, dancers, actors, painters, athletes etc all have their fan bases.

These are people who hold them in awe because of their uncommon skills. These stars are idolized by their fans. Hence, they wield awesome influence over their followers.

The influence is so great that fans often pattern their lives after their idols’.

But being idolized is not the preserve of those who ply their talents, others who demonstrate uncommon skills enjoy the same honour.

Professor Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel laureate in Literature, is held in awe by many people. Steve Jobs, who gave the world the iPhone series, was respected throughout the world. Colleagues respect those who they perceive as being exceptional on their jobs. Students adore lecturers they find outstanding.

Inspiring personality Individuals with inspiring person-

Femi Akintunde, CEO, Alpha Mead Facilities & Management Services

Ndidi O. Nwuneli, Founder /CEO, LEAP Africa

alities also enjoy a lot of respect from others.

Figures like Malala Yousafzai, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Moshood Abiola and Nelson Mandela fall into this category. By the virtue of their uncommon experiences, they command respect that is cross-cultural.

Other people in this category are religious leaders. They are held in awe by their followers because they are seen as possessing qualities that are rare in human beings. Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Sheik Gumi and a host of other religious leaders are idolized by their followers and, consequently, the religious leaders are in a position to influence the followers.

Why leaders lose influence A leader’s influence is either permanent or transient depending on how he handles himself and his people. While most followers will want to hold their respect for their leaders in perpetuity, more often than not, occasions

arise that force them to review their perception of the leaders.

Leaders lose their influence for a number of reasons. Prominent among them are the following.

Failure to model Leaders are deemed as models because they give the rest something to aspire to. This is very critical. Great leaders across the world are held in awe and respected by the rest because there is something in them that others hope to possess. The moment a leader is found out to have lost what held him bound to the people, he loses the people’s respect and by extension the influence he wields over them.

Allied to this is the issue of integrity. Integrity has two components; reputation and character. To be a person of integrity, an individual’s reputation and character must be the same. That means there must not be a difference between who the individual is in reality and who he is reputed to be. The moment there is a discrepancy between a leader’s reputation and character, he begins to lose his respect and influence because he is no longer who they had thought he was; he has stopped living in line with his conviction. He is therefore no longer worthy of the people’s respect. Neither does he deserve to influence them.

Leaders focus on themselves Leadership is about the led, not the leader.

Many leaders start at this point but sooner or later, shift their focus from the people to themselves. A leader who focuses on the people serves the people; he who focuses on himself is concerned about feathering his own nest. Service is what connects the leader to the people. Service is what binds the leader to the people. Followers respect leaders who serve them because of the law of reciprocity. The law says that everyone who Loss of competence has enjoyed a good deed feels indebted to A leader who loses his competence whoever made it possible and looks forward loses his edge. Competence is vital to an opportunity to reciprocate.

So, by serving the people, what the leader in leadership because one of the

fundamental functions of a leader is to provide solutions. A leader’s ability to provide solutions is anchored on his competence. If people want solutions and all a leader can offer is explanation, the air of reverence around him begins to peter out.

A leader must never put himself in a position that would show him as being bereft of ideas or solutions to the people’s agitations. The basic assumption is that a leader knows the direction and possesses superior knowledge. That is one of the reasons he leads and others follow. The moment he shows that he does not know the way, he loses the respect hitherto enjoyed from the people and strips himself of the privilege of influencing those who had believed in his leadership.

Continuous self improvement is critical to leadership. There is no information or knowledge that a leader needs that is not available somewhere. It is his responsibility to get the information which would improve the lot of his people.

Blame more than praise A leader stands the risk of losing his people’s respect if he turns himself to an unrelenting fault finder. Among other things, a leader is a mentor. A mentor pulls up, he does not push down. So, a leader is supposed to help bring out the best in those who look up to him for leadership. But when a leader fails to connect with the latent ability in the follower but rather plays up his foibles, he fails the follower and he begins to lose the prestige enjoyed with him.

Mentoring is a debt leaders owe their followers. Failure to provide this robs them of the followers’ respect and the right to influence them.

THE 60-SECOND business coach

Top leadership traits, qualities and skills

By Jill Leviticus RECOGNIZING the qualities that good leaders share is a priority if you hope to thrive in a management position. While you might naturally possess some qualities and characteristics necessary for success, other areas might need improvement. Familiarizing yourself with good leadership qualities and traits will help you identify your weaknesses and develop a strong management style.

Passion Good leaders have a passion for the work they do and feel it is important.

Sharing that passion and enthusiasm with employees can help you motivate your employees to become more productive. Praising your employees when they do a good job can be a natural extension of passion. Morale sinks and

employees soon hate to come to work without occasional praise.

Communication Strong leaders know how to communicate effectively with staff at both higher and lower levels in the company. Understanding how to clearly explain tasks and projects to staff while communicating the importance of your department’s work to administrators is a crucial skill that takes practice. Good communicators keep staff informed when changes or updates to projects occur, are readily available to staff and hold regular meetings to ensure that all team members are aware of the status of projects.

Good leaders understand that success isn’t possible without the help of their employees. Providing ample training opportunities for your staff and ex-

pressing your confidence in their work lets them know that you are invested in them. Strong managers avoid the urge to perform every part of a project themselves, but allow employees to make decisions, prioritize tasks and plan projects. Leaders who are committed to their teams try to ensure that all employees are treated equally and that preferential treatment is not given to a particular employee or employees.

Team Building Encouraging employees to work together, rather than competitively, can result in higher productivity and improved morale. Encouraging a cooperative atmosphere and group problem solving will help you ensure that your department completes tasks on time without personal conflicts. Asking for input from employees regarding

departmental functions and procedures can help them feel that they are an important part of your team.

Decisiveness Employees rely on leaders to make decisions that are quick, logical and correct. Understanding the scope of the work your employees handle, the concerns of your supervisors, financial constraints and any other relevant factors will enable you to make fast decisions. Entrepreneur recommends using the “Q-CAT” system when making a decision. The system suggests being quick, committed, analytical and thoughtful when making decisions.

If you are unaccustomed to making important decisions, developing a spreadsheet to evaluate drawbacks and advantages can help you focus on the issue.

The Slight Edge

By Jeff Olson THE Slight Edge is divided up into two parts. Part I: How the Slight Edge works and Part II: Living the Slight Edge. It’s a self- improvement book that has some tried and true ancient concepts that really work to helping increase the success rate of achieving your goals.

Part I focuses on explaining the essential ingredients necessary for accomplishing your dreams. The best part is realizing there are no genetic requirements but rather skills that can be learned by each of us. So if you thought there was something wrong with you because you have never been successful at achieving a goal before well you are in for a surprise-you are normal and there is hope!

While there are a few key ingredients into living the Slight Edge one that is critical is your philosophy. He explains that your philosophy creates your attitude, your actions and your results in life. A positive philosophy turns into positive attitude, actions and ultimately results. A negative philosophy has the opposite effect. Our thoughts drive how we feel about things and our feelings drive our behaviours. The true power comes in knowing that to control our behaviour we need to control our emotions and in order to control our emotions we need to control our thoughts.

It is normal to have negative chatter going on in our head, we all battle this.

We have all been faced with the decision to either go to the gym or watch a movie or eat the cupcake instead of the apple. These are all normal everyday battles we all face.

But as Jeff describes it understanding these are daily battles we will always face is half the battle.

The second important ingredient is understanding which direction you are heading: define your goals. If you do not have a clear direction of where or what you want to accomplish you will never get there. It’s that simple.

No one can empower us to do anything long term, that motivation simply lies within each of us to figure out for ourselves if we want to have ultimate success.

The third ingredient is consistency. Con-

trary to popular believe our there, success doesn’t happen overnight. Small daily habits over time lead to huge success. The challenge as Jeff points out is that it’s just as easy to do these small daily habits as it is not to do them. “I know eating vegetables at lunch and dinner every day can help me lose weight. But I don’t feel like having them today”. Skipping a small daily habit doesn’t usually create negative results immediately but compounded over time will lead to negative outcomes. Jeff talks about a common trend seen in human behavior.

When we are failing at something in our lives, we often work towards figuring out how to change this course of action into having success. Once we figure it out we start realizing we are having success and it feels great. We keep doing it for a while and then all of a sudden something strange happens. For whatever reason, we slowly stop doing the very behaviors that helped us have success.

In Part II of the book, Jeff talks about some strategies that will help you live the Slight Edge. He talks about there being two life paths, one of failure and success.

Being aware of your daily habits and how often you choose or not choose to do them will ultimately determine where you end up. Jeff mentions in chapter 12 that 99.99 % of our life is made up of habits we do on autopilot which means we are really not mindful about. This is why it is so essential for us to figure out what behaviors we have to do to achieve our goals and then do them so many times that they eventually become automatic.

I can guarantee you this does not happen overnight, next week or even next month. But if you look at 1, 2 or 3 years into the future you will see results compounded into greater successes.

The final advice Jeff recommends when learning to live the Slight Edge is to seek out mentorship in helping you live the life you dream of. I think this is truly a sign of someone that is ready to change. Having an external accountability structure in place to help ensure that we follow through with what we said we were going to do may not be easy to face all the time but it absolutely helps increase the likelihood of achieving our goals.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

TOPE POPOOLA is a Human Capital developement Consultant and Pastor. Please feel free to send questions, feedback comments on this column to

topheritage@yahoo.com or visit http//turbochargedforsuccess.blogspot.com

An enigma called Ma HIS is the classic story of grass to grace. If you met Jack Ma on a busy street, his diminutive stature might make you feel like extending some benevolence to him. His physique belies his means. He used to be a struggling English teacher in China. His early life did not show any signs of a prodigy in the making. At an early age, his desire to learn English made him ride his bike for 45 minutes each morning to go to a nearby hotel and converse with foreigners. He would guide them around the city for free in order to practice and perfect his English. He failed the entrance examination to the Hangzhou Normal University twice. He was to later graduate from there in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in English.

His salary after graduation was about $20/month.

At a low point in his life, he was rejected for employment at a branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in China. His attempts at self-employment saw him starting a translation outfit in China to serve the increasing traffic of enterprise between China and America. In 1995, he had the privilege of visiting America for the first time. It was his defining moment. Encountering the internet for the first time, he became fixated on this contraption with such enamouring allure that he made up his mind to explore all the possibilities inherent in it. The only snag however was that as an English teacher, he was not very comfortable with figures and the whole gamut of engineering and designs. But his mind was made up.

On his return to China, he first started building websites for Chinese companies with the help of friends in the US. According to him, “the day we got connected to the Web, I invited friends and TV people over to my house... we waited three and a half hours and got half a page.... We drank, watched TV and played cards, waiting. But I was so proud.

I proved to my house guests that the Internet existed.” He also started the China Yellow Pages. Unfortunately, that

venture was a flop. But he was undeterred. In 1999, he started AliBaba.com, a China-based business-to-business marketplace site which he started with 17 friends. Today that site currently serves more than 79 million members from more than 240 countries and territories.

By 2012, the online transaction volume on the site was in excess of $163billion. The Ali Baba group had also become a conglomerate with nine major subsidiaries. One of the subsidiaries actually forced eBay to shut down its operations in China in 2006! Jack Ma resigned from his position as CEO of Ali Baba in 2013 and became its Executive Chairman.

Listed as BABA, Alibaba’s shares opened up for trading on the New York Stock Exchange on September 19, 2014. Currently valued at over $230billion, the company was out to raise $22billion. Investor demand pushed it to $25billion, making it the highest ever on the NYSE! Initially offered at $68/share, it opened to trading at $92.70, over 36% higher than the offering price. It finished out the first day of trading at $93.89, setting a record on the exchange! Most IPOs open at about 15% higher than the offering price!

If you think all this would get into his head, you have another think coming. Jack Ma does not cut the picture of a superstar. In fact he sees himself as just another ordinary, in his own words, “stupid” guy who, 15 years ago, was no different from the everyday ordinary working class Chinese.

Unchanged by his humongous wealth, he draws inspiration from the character of Forest Gump in a film by that title which Jack Ma never tires of watching. According to him, he is inspired by the story of how the ordinary, sometimes foppish Forest Gump overcame several adversities to become stupendously wealthy.

In July 2015, ahead of the IPO, Ma told his employees, many of who would have become very wealthy because of their ownership of shares. “We’ve worked so hard, but not

for the sake of turning into a bunch of ‘tuhao’” (a Chinese term meaning ‘uncouth, newly rich person’). Instead, he implored them to use the proceeds of the IPO to do good and enable more businesses to make money.

Speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative’s 10th annual meeting in New York on the 23rd September 2015, a few days after the record-breaking IPO that saw him as China’s wealthiest man and 70th richest man in the world, Jack Ma shares the secrets of his success: Think ahead. “We got successful today not because we did a great job today—we had a dream 15 years ago,” Money isn’t happiness—it’s responsibility. “When I graduated, I earned $20 a month, which was fantastic. When you have one million dollars, you’re a lucky person. When you have 10 million dollars, you’ve got trouble, a lot of headaches. When you have more than one billion dollars, or a hundred million dollars, that’s a responsibility you have— it’s the trust of people on you, because people believe you can spend money better than the others.”

Expect the unexpected. Quoting a line from his favourite film he said, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.”

You don’t need connections to achieve success. “We don’t have a rich father or a powerful uncle. We only have the customers that support us.”

To change the world, invest in youth. “The secret here is helping those who want to be successful. Help young people. Help small guys. Because small guys will be big. Young people will have the seeds you bury in their minds and when they grow up they will change the world.”

Moving from a humble beginning in a one-room apartment in Hangzhou, China to the dizzying peak of the financial marketplace, he should know!

Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!

The domino effect of substandard leadership High-quality leadership is like the light, permeating into every aspect of the business, nation or institution; and poor leadership is like the shadow, darkening many areas of the organization (nation or institution). Leadership debate is never ending. The leadership impact for the business, nation or institution is just like the light on the road when you drive in the dark. What is the cause and effect of poor leadership? What is the biggest negative or most serious impact on employees when leadership is poor?

Poor leadership is “misleading” or lack of vision: Without a direction, employees are aimless. They do not know what the goals are for the company and they do not know why they are working with specific processes. They will accomplish only mechanically, not with any intelligent direction towards a common goal. Employee productivity gets the biggest hit as they are directed less in an ambiguous work environment. Poor leadership also leads to frustration in employees as decision making is either crippled or biased, thus leading to employee dissatisfaction and attrition in few cases.

Poor leadership causes huge gaps between strategy and execution: Most of the managers with poor leadership skills cause a huge gap in the strategy making, the process of the work; the communications between departments, and the capabilities to execute strategy. Poor leadership can cause the cognitive gaps because they only “like” folks who both look and think like themselves, such homogeneous team setting causes cognitive gaps in strategy making and capability gaps in strategy execution. And micro-management causes employees to feel stressful and lack of trust. Further, when employees think that they would be heard when they go to leaders, whether on an issue, or idea or anything else, the ‘poor’ leaders do either of the following things; they over promise and under deliver, or just keep postponing decisions, or worse, they just thrust their own agendas on them.

Hence, there are both communication gaps and execution

gaps caused by poor leadership.

Also, poor leadership is the root cause of the culture of mediocrity: Poor leadership effects on the improvement of the employees within the group, where the employee will remain with same performance till an action is taken by the management to solve the leadership issues. The employee is left wondering whether the growth of employees is at all in the list of those leaders. And they start to emulate their style of managing people and business decisions. This goes on and flows down the chain of command, eventually becoming a culture in the organization, breeding contempt and mediocrity; where costs are high, quality is low and customer complaints are high. It will also cause turnover for the talent/good employees, where such employees will give up very soon and leave for another environment where they can find the improvements which they are looking for, and on another hand, you will have a big satisfaction by the undesired employees in the company with the result of lack of performance, or long-term capacity. Even business scrapes through on the back of a few good people who still believe that things will change by changing processes and procedures, introducing new and innovative products, robust marketing and so on. But for how long? Mediocrity eventually shows its colours in everything an organization, institution, a nation… does, even the bottom-line.

As well, poor leadership impacts every area of business: Leadership is such a high impact element of a business, nation or institution and if it’s poor, it can lead to retention issues, decreased engagement, scaling issues, low employee performance, and morale. It is one of those things that no matter where poor leadership is coming from (from a front line manager to a top executive member), it will have its repercussions. The impact on employees when leadership is poor includes: 1). Confusion, misunderstanding 2). Unable to bond to a common organizational goal / cause

3). Low morality and culture of mediocrity 4). Misalignment of “do what you say, say what you mean, mean what you do” 5). Erosion of integrity, professional values, work ethics etc 6). Communication from the “leadership” is disregarded, ignored, viewed skeptically.

7). Unpredictable business performance 8). Low employee engagement / employee dissatisfaction Poor leadership impacts every area of business; nothing is exempt. More often, businesses always focus on the impact to employees and ask what areas are the most serious. Good leadership is like the light, permeating into every aspect of the business; and poor leadership is like the shadow, darkening many areas of the organization. Leadership is the key leading ingredient of corporate culture, which is the collective mindset, behaviors and brand of business.

Over the years, I have come to understand that it is not the abundance of natural resources that makes a nation great, but a strong presence of high quality leaders. Every country on this continent is blessed with natural resources, but they are equally bedeviled with substandard leadership. To be more homely, Nigeria is struggling economically today because of the issue I am raising this day. Nigeria can never move from where she is to the first world without first-rate leaders. The pioneers and founding fathers of Nigeria were not perfect, but they were men of vision, character and knowledge. For Nigeria to move forward, she needs a crop of leaders as Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Lastly, on this continent and especially in Nigeria, we need to begin to take the issue of leadership very seriously.

Without high quality leaders, we shall remain as this for a very long time. No nations rise higher than the quality of their leaders. Nigeria can never become better than the total quality of those who are leading her. Remember, poor leaders will always lead nations to poverty.

See you where great leaders are found!

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Nigerian Tribune

Start-up & depression

The mostly ignored dark price of entrepreneurship

By Ruth Olurounbi

U

NTIL I lost of friend to depression a few years ago, I probably would not have known what depression is or that it affects everyone – colour, creed and gender, let alone understood its disabling effects on those living with it. As a matter of fact, there is a distinct possibility that I may not know that Nigerians could suffer from depression or that more recently, data are showing that start-ups and entrepreneurs are suffering from what is now known as “start-up depression” and possibly a lot of African start-up founders are currently going through this right now as we speak.

Statistics shows that a staggering number of Nigerians – at least there are 32 million – suffer from one form of mental illness or the other – depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia – according to Consultant Psychi-

atrist, Dr Femi Olugbile. Unconfirmed reports have it that there are less than 100 psychologists/psychiatrists to over 32 million cases of mental illness in Nigeria and a major news outlet in Nigeria recently reported that mental health experts have raised the alarm over increased cases of mental disorder in the country, calling for adequate facilities and personnel to curb it.

In the international community, we read with shock the stories start-up founders who struggling with years of depression, took their own lives. In 2015, we read the story of Austen Heinz, a biotech entrepreneur and founder of Cambrian Genomics, who took his own life after struggling with depression. In 2013, two high-profile suicides rocked the start-up community within weeks of each other: Aaron Swartz, co-founder of Reddit, and Jody Sherman, founder of Ecomom.

Although we have not read local stories of entrepreneurs

or start-up founders committing suicides in the media, this doesn’t mean that there are no entrepreneurs or start-up founders in Africa struggling with depression, or sadly, that there are no personal cases of close friends who have taken their own lives after seemingly unending struggle with depression.

Mental health issues are often considerably neglected and often ignored in the Nigerian society and this shouldn’t be so. In fact, discussing mental illness is very much a taboo in our society and this drives those living with mental health issues deeper into dark hole of helplessness.

As several start-up founders have narrated, a start-up business can feel daunting and sometimes, survival seem elusive. As Chris Gory wrote in his blog post Why Entrepreneurs Need to make their Mental Health a Priority, Continues on p24

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Nigerian Tribune

4 steps to making ideas actionable in the end.

In order to find success, you have to be flexible, and you have to be willing to pivot from your original concept. Don’t cling so tightly to your first draft that you lose focus on the bigger picture -- creating a viable plan, one that actually works. Talking to someone will help you get your idea out there, allowing it to be scrutinized and picked apart. Putting your idea out there allows you to refine it into something that’s worth pursuing.

By Brenton Hayden

3. Develop a plan The difference between ideas that stagnate and ones that get executed comes down to one thing -- taking action.

According to Scott Belsky, author of Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality, having an action plan is key to turning ideas into reality. In his book, Belsky outlines the system that he uses to get an idea rolling.

First, start by classifying your ideas as a project. This will allow you to push them into action. Next, once you’ve established your project, you can get to work breaking your plan up into their components -- what Belsky calls action steps, backburner items and references.

AS entrepreneurs, our minds are constantly filling with new ideas. Unfortunately for many of us, our concepts rarely make it to the execution stage. Instead, we subconsciously create excuses that stifle our progress and prevent us from fulfilling our plans. Have you ever said “I can’t share my idea, because someone might steal it or think that it’s terrible.” “They might tell me something I don’t want to hear.”

“It might be a failure!” “I might feel stupid.” The list goes on Continued from p23 and on.

If this sounds familiar, I’m here to tell you that you’re not “a start-up can feel like a pressure cooker, and those alone. Fears and negative internal dialogue are real, and they stressors are making “start-up depression” or “founder’s happen to the best of us. What counts is rising above these blues” all too common.” mental roadblocks and finding a way to turn those ideas into 4. Don’t give up.

He continues that the “pressure of running a company, reality.

While being flexible is important for success, it’s also the personal nature of your business failures, and a conThe fact is that great ideas demand action. All of the best important that you don’t give up when the going gets tough. stant state of uncertainty can lead to intense anxiety. A ventures begin as mere ideas, but they don’t stay in the This doesn’t mean to plow full steam ahead with an idea that founder’s once-passionate perspective can transform into concept stage. Instead, they’re the result of calculated risk, has no merit, but it does mean following through and ensuran unstable frame of mind – obsessive thoughts, cycles of of taking that leap -- even when it would have been easier to ing that you don’t give up for the wrong reasons. The best withdrawal and engagement, and low self-worth.” go with the flow. Success doesn’t come about through good ventures often come about only after relentless determinaCompounded by stress, isolation, long work hours, and ideas alone. It’s the result of action -- of having the courage tion in spite of difficulty. Pushing through moments of doubt lack of self-care, the aforementioned factors can lead to bring an idea to the surface and refine it into gold. and roadblocks and coming out the other side is one of the to depression, a psychologist told me. Those who have If you’re full of good ideas and ready to take them to the greatest accomplishments you can have. Set your goals, and struggled with depression say that it is “a dark and lonely next level, here are some tips that will help you to put those then reach them. You’ll be glad that you did. place to be in” irrespective of what a person does for a plans into motion. living. And given that entrepreneurs’ personal health is 1. Don’t fear failure.

Finally, and most importantly -- act fast. The clock is tickreflected in their business health (their business successes “A few people are afraid of good ideas,” writes best-selling ing. Don’t leave those ideas to stagnate at the back of your are personal successes – and their business challenges author and marketer Seth Godin. “But many people are petmind. There are few things worse than a dream that never rified of bad ideas. Ideas that make us look stupid or waste are personal challenges), according to Shari Alexander, gets to see the light of day. The longer you wait, the less likely time or money or create some sort of backlash.”

Persuasiveness Coach & Speaker and founder of Observe you’ll be to make it happen. Don’t worry about mistakes or The only problem with that, though, Godin says, “is that Connect Influence, they “face a unique set of challenges think that everything has to be perfect before you act. You’ll you can’t have good ideas unless you’re willing to generate a when depressed.” be waiting forever otherwise. lot of bad ones.”

Depression, if left untreated, can lead to an insidious Source: entrepreneur.com Most entrepreneurs find success only after a series of bad ideas -- ones that just didn’t pan out.

In order to have good ideas, you have to be willing to take a chance, and let go of the able, it’s important to realize these too will pass misconception that everything IT seems as though every other week I read about dealing with its effects. That statistic is staggeranother promising young entrepreneur gone too ing but entirely believable. Entrepreneurship and fade in time. you do has to be an instant soon.

This week, we learned of the early passing is a deeply personal journey, and it’s incredibly success. Free yourself up from of two more promising young entrepreneurs. difficult to separate your individual identity from Live to fight another day the unrealistic expectations, While I don’t claim to know exactly what hapthe business that you’re trying to create.

Soon, Entrepreneurs have to accept the fact that the and don’t let the fear of failure pened in these particular cases, I do know that business setbacks (of which there are many) odds are stacked against their success. Most new control your future. the stresses of entrepreneurship can take their seem like personal setbacks, and depression can business ventures fail, and even those that are toll on people, both physically and emotionally. quickly take root. eventually successful take a long time to get off 2. Refine your idea Depression is a huge problem among entreThe key is always to strive to keep things in the ground. Setbacks will outnumber successes, So what if people think preneurs, and it’s time we did something about perspective. Life, like business, is a journey full of and there’s a good chance that most days will your idea is terrible? That’s it. I don’t have the answers, but I’ve learned a ups and downs. When talking to entrepreneurs be stressful. That’s the game we chose to play a common fear that plagues few things along my personal entrepreneurial going through a rough patch, I often encourage and the ability to embrace these realities is what us all. But that’s a risk you’ll journey that have helped me navigate difficult them to think back to high school.

For most of makes us entrepreneurs. Still, when challenges have to take. The fact is, they situations. us, there were moments in our high school lives pile up, it’s easy to feel like the world is ending might think it’s terrible, and that seemed to be monumentally important and that we’re failures. I recently had lunch with that’s ok. Chances are, it is Keep things in perspective that in retrospect seem childish.

At the time, of a good friend who was in the process of shutterterrible, at least in its initial, Business Insider recently published a great articourse, the pain and anxiety that you experienced ing his third startup in seven years. During our rough draft stages. The first cle about the depression epidemic in the startup was real and raw. However, the more distance conversation, I reminded him that in his brief thing that pops into your community.

According to the article, only 7% of you gain from the situation, the less painful it career to date, he’s accomplished more than head is generally not the the general population report suffering from debecomes.

While the problems that you’re facing the vast majority of people do in decades. His idea you’ll end up pursuing pression, but a whopping 30% of founders report right here and right now may seem insurmountpedigree and experience put him in the top one

Entrepreneurs: Don’t lose yourself to depression

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ruth Olurounbi

0811 695 4637 (sms only) e:ruth.olurounbi@tribune.com.ng t:@Olurounbi

Tony Elumelu: Patriotism in entrepreneurship, philanthropy

Start-up & depression: The mostly ignored dark price of entrepreneurship cycle that continues on and on and on. A friend, who gave me the permission to share some of his struggle with depression, told me that he didn’t know he’d had depression for several years and since he worked in the start-up ecosystem, he had attributed the feeling to stress or acute burnout until he was confronted with the truth, he was living with depression.

Depression he told me, is not the absence of happiness, but an occasional (depending on the severity of the illness) lost of interest in what usually made you happy, difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions, fatigue and decreased energy, feeling of hopelessness and/or pessimism, anxiety, feelings of helplessness on a continuous basis.

Statistics shows that one in four people will suffer from depression, or some form of mental illness, in their lifetime, and with the high rise of start-up founders doing business in one of the most difficult terrains on earth – Africa, it seems inevitable that some start-up founders, entrepreneurs and employees will suffer from depression or one form of mental illness.

However, you don’t have to go through the struggle alone. Seek for help, as quickly as possible. I have included an article by Chris Myers, a contributor to Forbes Magazine that may help. percent of people in his age group, and, as a result, his opportunities are vast. Sure, the latest venture didn’t work out, but he can and will live to fight anther day.

Wherever you’re at this point in your life, there is a very good chance that your current endeavor will not be your last. In fact, many of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world hit their stride on the second or third attempt. Consider the case of Mark Cuban.

Before he struck it big by selling his business to Yahoo, Cuban had a string of failures.

After failing as a cook, carpenter, and even a waiter he remarked, “I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter how many times you failed.

You only have to be right once. I tried to sell powdered milk. I was an idiot lots of times, and I learned from them all.” The lesson here is that there are second (and third and fourth) acts in life, and it’s important to remember that whenever you encounter failure.

Don’t be afraid to get help

THREE weeks ago, while interviewing the chairman and founder of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, Dr Stella Okoli, she said something I found exceptionally profound. She told me, her business success could be trace back to her fierce patriotism. To drive home her point, she said to me: “patriotism as one of the fundamentals my continued business success” and answered in affirmative when I asked her if patriotism was one of her recommendations to young entrepreneurs in Africa.

“Absolutely!” she exclaimed, insisting that “patriotism is something that should be learnt here in Nigeria. We have to teach it so that people can understand it...Patriotism is the backbone of any industry around world.

Go to America and ask them, they will tell you they are Americans first.”

As the United States presidential elections draw closer,

I’m fortunate in the sense that I have a fantastic support network I can call on when I need help. My family and friends are always there when I need them, whether it’s to listen to my struggles or to lend a hand. Not everyone is as lucky. Entrepreneurs need to be able to reach out and get help when they need it. This can be difficult in a world where everyone feels the need to be “crushing it” all the time. Asking for help can be seen as a sign of weakness, which leads to people simply keeping their difficulties to themselves.

We in the entrepreneur community need to change this mentality. People should feel free to get help without the fear of judgment, and it’s going to take a few brave influencers to initiate the change. I know a few people in the industry who care about this deeply, including Structure Capital (a team of high-profile venture investors based out of San Francisco), but more are needed. There are good people out there who want to help.

It’s just a matter of having the courage to reach out.

Nick Friedman, Co-Author, ‘Effortless Entrepreneur’ and Co-Founder and President, College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving wrote that it was time “entrepreneurs wear both a “business owner” and “patriot” hat and begin implementing practices that will help jumpstart our economy,” he wrote in his The Patriotism of Entrepreneurship for huffingtonpost.com.

While Hillary Clinton has some ideas on how to make America’s business leaders as entrepreneurial and patriotic at the same time, back home in Africa, a Nigerian billionaire, global business leader and economic driver is challenging

Africa’s young entrepreneurs to embrace his kind of leadership – the patriotic entrepreneurship.

In his investments and philanthropy, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA Group, as well as Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) saw himself “a Nigerian by birth abut an African in everything I do, from my investments to philanthropy and to everything in my essence,” in a new documentary on the TEEP Entrepreneurs.

Tony Elumelu has proven that he is not just a Nigerian billionaire who is looking to exploit the continent to enrich his pockets, but an entrepreneur who believes that Africa’s greatness lies within the continent and can only be shaped by its children. Thus, from the concept of Africapitalism was a vision born, to raise 10,000 African entrepreneurs who will lead the continent into its glorious future.

Explaining what Africapitalism is, the institute, which was launched in 2014 at the historical World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) held for the first time in Abuja, Nigeria, said the concept defined as the positive role the private sector must play in Africa by making long-term investments in strategic sectors of the economy in a way that creates and multiplies local value in order to accelerate and broaden prosperity throughout the continent and around the world.

Africapitalism, it says, “calls for a new kind of capitalism – a version in which Africa leapfrogs other models, creating a more broad-based and sustainable economy.”

And the business mogul did put his money where his mouth his. In January 2015, he launched the $100 million Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme, aimed at raising 10,000 African entrepreneurs in 10 years.

From launching series of companies that are patriotic to helping thousands of African entrepreneurs launch their through capital investment - $100 million (personal finance), mentorship, and development, Elumelu may proven that doing good is doing the business in ways that not only create wealth for shareholders, but for the society in general.

And now it’s time for small business owners in Africa, to heed Dr Okoli’s call and Elumelu’s passion to develop the continent through entrepreneurship, to embrace their patriotic duty and start making business decisions that benefit not only their own company but the continent. And big firms on the continent also need to do more than promise to help businesses grow, the actually need to pitch in! As Friedman said: “the support of small business owners from across the nation (in Africa’s case, the continent) may not be the cure; but it is surely a catalytic treatment that will send our economy on its way to recovery.”

Monday, 1 August, 2016 26 Eulogies for Oduoza at book launch in his honour

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T was rain of accolades for the immediate past Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza, in Lagos, last Wednesday as captains of industry and leading voices of Nigerian society witnessed the launch of a book in his honour.

The book titled: ‘Dynamics of the Nigerian Financial System’ edited by Professor Michael Ogbeide is a compilation of essays on the Nigerian financial system in honour of Oduoza, who retired at the end of July, having completed his two terms of three years each at the helm of the pan African financial institution.

Speaking during the occasion, Chairman of Best Foods Limited, who was the chairman of the book launch, Emmanuel Ijewere, said Oduoza was worth celebrating because “he has proven himself to be a worthy banker, an authority in the banking industry, and an administrator who has traversed the banking and financial landscape without blemish. A special brand dedi-

cated to excel”.

Also, Chairman United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony O. Elumelu, in his remarks, commended Phillips Oduoza for sustaining the growth trajectory of UBA Plc in the last six

years.

“Oduoza is a man with a very cerebral mind, very diligent, loyal and astute.

A man retiring in two days, who still works like he just resumed. During the period we worked together

at UBA, he was a wonderful big brother. A man who loves and encourages progress and a man who always works for the best of everything,” the chairman said.

Elumelu said that the performance of UBA to-

day, both financial and brand management are all attributable to Oduoza and all the team he worked with.

Alex Otti, former CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, praised Oduoza for his extra-ordi-

From left, Divisional Head, Retail Banking of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr Olu Akanmu; Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Olufemi Fasanmade; Divisional Head, Human Resources & Strategy of FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa; music star, Mr Adekunle Kosoko (aka Adekunle Gold) and Executive Director, Business Development of the Bank, Mr. Adam Nuru, during the launch of FCMB Flexx Hub at LUTH, Idi-Araba in Lagos, on Friday.

Three banks beg for extension of submission deadline, for H1 financial results THREE deposit money banks (DMBs), Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank and Zenith Bank Plc have appealed to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to extend the deadline for the submission of their financial results for the first half of 2016.

The banks made their position known in separate letters to the Exchange, just as NSE’s regulatory filing calendar indicates that the deadline for submission of annual report for companies with Gregorian calendar business year ended June 30, while the one month extension also ended July 31, 2016.

Most quoted companies, including banks, major manufacturers, oil and gas companies, breweries and cement companies use the 12-month Gregorian calendar year as their business year, which terminates on December 31.

In compliance with the post listing requirements of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the banks are expected to submit their Interim Financial Reports to the Nigerian Stock Exchange not later than thirty (30) days from the end of the relevant reporting period.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors of Zenith Bank which met on July 27, 2016 to approve the bank’s Half Year Audited Financial Statements, the Half year

Audited Financial Statements will be forwarded to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for approval before release on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“We have accordingly, written to seek the approval of the Nigerian Stock Exchange for extension of time to submit the bank’s Half Year Audited Finan-

cial Statements to August 31, 2016,” the board wrote in its later making Zenith Bank the third and latest in the list.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in its recently released monetary, credit, foreign trade and exchange guidelines for fiscal years 2016/2017, threatened to sack CEOs and chairmen

of banks who fail to publish their financial statements within the regulatory period.

Nigerian Tribune findings show that the deadline for quoted companies to submit their audited report and accounts for this period has expired, even as strong indications emerged that the Nigerian Stock Ex-

change may sanction banks and other listed companies over non-compliance.

However, a herd of analysts said the banks have many problems especially the as they are being faced with weakening oil sector revenue, which has seen the reduction in earnings. This is coupled with other regulatory challenges.

Nigerian Tribune

nary talent and management skills and leaving the banking industry with his integrity intact. He urged Oduoza to ensure that he put his wealth of experience in the banking industry to the benefit of the country.

Also speaking on the occasion, the editor of the book, a renowned academic from the University of Lagos, Professor Mike Ogbeide, said the book is a worthy testimony of Oduoza’s sterling contributions to an industry whose zenith he reached by scoring many firsts.

Jumai Oduoza, wife of Phillips Oduoza, put together the book launch to honour her husband’s over two decades sojourn in the African banking industry.

Reviewing the book, Professor Awolabi Kuye, said the book is a metaphor for excellence and recommended reading and study of the book to students and all those interested in the Nigerian financial industry.

Phillips Oduoza, who had been the Group Managing Director and CEO of pan-African banking group, United Bank for Africa Plc since August 2010 officially retired from the bank on July 31, after successfully completing two terms of three years each. He will be succeeded

by Kennedy Uzoka, who has been the Deputy Managing Director, working closely with Oduoza, in the last six years. UBA says the smooth transition process is a testimony to the strength of the bank’s succession planning model.

Access Bank reaffirms support of FG’s Agriculture initiatives ACCESS Bank Nigeria Plc, has restated its readiness to support the Federal Government’s efforts in diversification of the economy, especially in the agricultural sector.

This was made known by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe in a message posted from his Twitter handle @HerbertOWigwe.

“As our nation desires to diversify its economy, agriculture has become the new focus of government and the private sector and as such, Access Bank Plc is well positioned to provide necessary support in this sector.”

Wigwe advised Nigerians to take advantage of the various incentives in the financial system that support agriculture, stressing that agricultural intervention schemes from the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) and some other facilities come at single-digit interest rates, as such Access Bank is ready to help customers access any of the agricultural intervention schemes.

According to him, some of the schemes include Commercial Agriculture

Credit Scheme (CACS), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund (MSMEDF), Non-Oil Export Stimulation Fund (ESF) and Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP).

“Our bank also participates in other agricultural schemes, such as Nigeria

Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Funds (ACGSF).

“We indeed provide funding for all agricultural activities along the entire value chain,” he said.

When asked why he chose

Twitter to express his line of thinking, the bank’s helmsman responded that he wanted to give an engaged audience the opportunity to share their thoughts and join the conversation on how everyone can join to move Nigeria forward.

Sterling Bank Bags Best Non-Interest Banking award STERLING Bank Plc has been awarded the Non-Interest Bank of the Year, Africa 2016, for its Non-interest banking window known as ‘Sterling Alternative Finance.’ The award courtesy “The European,” is one of the major categories at the Global Banking & Finance Awards held in London.

Sterling Bank commenced non interest banking in 2013 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) granted the bank the license to operate the window.

The bank in a statement

made available over the weekend noted that the award was conferred based on its success story in the last three years coupled with its ability to use non interest banking contracts to structure transactions in the most unique manner.

With about 200 branches offering non interest banking services, the bank’s coverage which is considered the best in Africa, quality of staff, consultants and advisors such as Sheikh Abdulkader Thomas who belongs to several advisory

boards globally, also gave the bank an edge over competitors.

The statement from the bank reads further: “Since 2013, we have achieved major milestones which include a line of US$30 million from the Islamic Corporation for Development (ICD) and US$25 million from the International Islamic Finance Trade Corporation (ITFC). Both institutions are members of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). In the same vein, the CBN has approved an array

of innovative non-interest financial instruments for us in 2016 which will keep us ahead of industry performance.

The Bank stated that “as we celebrate the international recognition that has come via this award, Sterling Bank will continue to intensify efforts to sell our Sterling Alternative Finance offerings to customers and prospects and remain a reference institution in the area of non-interest banking not only in Africa but globally”.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

By Chima Nwokoji

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria in March 2016 said it has commenced discussions with the National Education Resource Centre (NERC), to introduce financial literacy programs into the education curriculum of secondary schools in Nigeria.

Once the discussions with NERC are finalised, Financial Literacy would be taught as a subject in all Nigerian secondary schools before the end of this year.

According to Investopedia online dictionary, “financial literacy is the possession of knowledge and understanding of financial matters. Financial literacy is mainly used in connection with personal finance matters. It often entails the knowledge of properly making decisions pertaining to certain personal finance areas like real estate, insurance, investing, saving (especially for education), tax planning and retirement.”

It also involves intimate knowledge of financial concepts like compound interest, financial planning, the mechanics of a credit card, advantageous savings methods, consumer rights, time value of money, among others.

Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bayo Adelabu summaries financial literacy as the ability to make informed judgments and to take effective actions regarding the current and future use of and management of money, especially in the current economic condition of the country.

“It is the possession of knowledge and skills by individuals to manage financial resources effectively to enhance their economic well-being. Simply, it refers to ability to manage one’s available resources to be sufficient enough to provide both present, future anticipatory and contingent needs,” the Deputy Governor explained at the 2016 graduation ceremony of Lifeforte International High School, Ibadan, Oyo State titled.

While discussing on the topic, “financial literacy: an antedote to career success,” the Deputy Governor stressed that all life events are affected by how skilled an individual is in financial matters. Some of those life events according to him include buying a car, buying or building a house, renting a house, caring for a loved one, critical illness, death, getting a new job, losing a job, getting an education, getting married or divorced, having a baby or babies, inheriting money, life after school whether secondary or tertiary, planning for retirement, preventing your money or assets from being stolen, preventing fraud, raising a family among others.

Adelabu went on, “How effectively or efficiently you navigate through all these life’s pressure is highly dependent on your financial literacy level or money management skills. Everyone needs money.

According to the deputy governor, the sooner youths start saving, the better off they will be . A Chinese proverb he added, says that ‘the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now’. “Start saving now. Little savings can add up to big amounts over time. The power of compound interest magnifies the power of savings over time. If you save N10,000 every month at the rate of 10per cent for 30 years, you would save the sum of N22.8million in 30 years,” he advised.

Leading a rally to flag-off the global money week in Abuja recently, the CBN Director, Consumer Protection Department, Hajiya Umma Dutse said the commencement of the financial literacy program would assist in improving the savings culture among secondary school students. Global money week is an annual event that creates awareness amongst youth and children by teaching them about savings, investments entrepreneurship and employment generation through interactive activities.

Represented by a Deputy Director in the department, Hajiya Khadijat Kazeem, she said, “At the CBN, we are partnering with numerous agencies to teach our children and youths

Examining financial literacy in current economic condition

about financial matters and also to create an enabling environment for them to gain access to basic banking and financial products and services through various initiatives, especially the financial inclusion strategy.

“An important aspect of this strategy is the implementation of financial literacy programmes across various target groups of Nigerian population.”

Deposit Money Banks’ are involved To underscore the importance of this initiative, Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria have embarked on various financial literacy programmes. For instance, First Bank Plc., under its Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability scheme initiated the Future First Programme to impart financial independence into young people through the acquisition of the right financial knowledge. The bank has to date covered over 40 secondary schools across the country, impacting over 20,000 students.

Also, as part of marking the Global Money Week, Stanbic IBTC Bank recently spent a day enlightening and mentoring students of Ikolaba Grammar School, Ikolaba, Ibadan, Oyo State, on financial literacy.

Every year, during the second week of March, young people around the globe talk, play, create, sing, read, discuss and learn about saving, money, changing economic systems and building a financial future Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni who sees lack of financial literacy as a social ill said, “We know that the cure for the social ill of financial illiteracy is to start practicing financial discipline from a young age and that with the right financial knowledge; the future generation will be able to make informed decisions and move themselves forward. Our desire is to equip them to be able to make smarter, more informed decisions than the generation before them. The knowledge that we have impacted in them will surely place them ahead in the learning curve.”

Heritage Bank is another lender that has embarked on Financial Literacy Programmes. It is a platform for learning and inspiration to help children and young adults

establish a positive relationship with money and navigate personal finances as their financial needs mature. Financial Literacy programme is a key enabler to the achievement of financial inclusion for sustained economic growth and development in the country. All these are geared towards inculcating savings culture on the youths.

Standard principles for Financial Literacy Talking about tips in becoming financially literate and better managers of money, the CBN Deputy Governor listed 8 principles.

He said this will assist youths more in their lives through the universities and thereafter, stressing that it is only coincidental that he is an accountant and also a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

But, “my primary inspiration for this topic was from my personal growing-up experience, and application of these simple principles has worked wonders in my life till date,” he said.

He believes that whether young or old, living in Lagos or London, there are standard principles that one must live by to achieve financial success in the areas of personal finance, commercial finance, or self-employment. If one cannot manage ones income as a salary earner, there is the likelihood that the person will also squander his or her business revenue as a self-employed, said the Deputy Governor.

The standard principles are as follows: Know your money personality: this means understanding your personal comfort level with risk and financial loss. Know your personal traits when it comes to money. Determine your long term goals. This simply asks you to determine and control your taste within the confine of your income. Know the personality of your current income can accord you and stick to it. Know what you are saving for and have a plan to get there: This second principle entails setting financial goals and deciding how much one need to save. It involves determining how much time you have on your side and keep your finances on track. What you earn today is for both today and the future.

Know your cash flow: another principle requires that youths should know how much they earn and how much they spend. “It will surprise you that many people do not know how much they spend in a given period and it is funny when such people say that their money ‘just disappear.’”

Adelabu wants everyone to have a worksheet that records income (from salary or self-employment) and expenses; advising that the expenses should be divided into - (a) Living expenses: rent, insurance, electricity, refuse disposal, furnishing/appliances, clothing, phone bills or recharge cards, fuelling and servicing of generators, neighbourhood vigilante expenses, etc. (b) Personal expenses: child care, hair/body/beauty products, laundry/dry cleaning, etc. (c) Health expenses: medical, dental, eye care and other drugs. (d)Food – Groceries, take-aways, drinks (e) Transportation: bus, ‘okada’, petrol, servicing and spares (f) Entertainment: Hobbies, toys and gadgets, amusement parks, cable TV, cinemas and concerts, videos, parties, funerals, etc. (g) Vacation: Travel, accommodation, food,, rental car, entertainment, etc (h) Education: school fees, lesson fees, forms, etc (i) Others: charity, religious donations or obligations, alms to beggars, etc. This will equip one with the idea of what is the excess of expenses over income or savings and whether one need to borrow?.

Adelabu queries: “How does each of this compare to the other? For example, is entertainment expense greater than the one on food or education? It’s a matter of priority. It is very useful to know the difference between your wants and needs. While needs are necessities for everyday living and goal attainment, wants are things that are just ‘nice to have’ or gratify some desire or urge. For example, is food a need or a want; is Education a Need or Want? Is going to the Movies a Need or a Want?”

Other standards are: Shop around to get the best value for your money; Care more about your money than anyone else does; Be a saver, not a borrower. The seventh is to understand when it is too good to be true and the eightieth is, “the sooner you start saving, the better off you will be.”

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Why we veered into specialised exhibitions —Dele Alimi The Director of Trade Promotions and International Relations, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Dele Alimi, in this interview with AKIN ADEWAKUN explains the reasons behind the Chamber’s decision to organise specialised exhibitions, noting that one of the attractions of such exhibitions remains their value-adding qualities.

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HIS year’s event witnessed a much bigger attendance than that of last year. What did you do differently this

year?

Well, lessons are supposed to be learnt.

We had a lot of challenges last year because what we wanted to do then was to hold the event after the elections. But unfortunately, the election was postponed, and it later fell exactly within the period we rescheduled for the event. So we had to postpone our event again. That, of course, caused a credibility issue.

There is always a crisis of confidence when you have an event and you keep postponing it. Even when people know why you are postponing the event, they may think that maybe you were not well prepared for it. Also, the prevailing situation at that time didn’t help matters. There was fuel scarcity; we had a lot of trepidation in people’s minds, both local and foreign about whether the election would hold or not. So nobody was ready to commit themselves to anything at that time.

So I think that constituted greatly to what happened last year. We learnt from that and we thank God that the atmosphere is better this year. We also learnt one or two lessons because we’ve had what we call the general interest trade fair for years and we were foraying into a new area of specialised exhibition. So we learnt a new thing, that it is not a plug and play thing. You need to learn some new tricks in organising a specialised event, and I think that was part of the lesson we learnt last year.

We also ensured more engagement of stakeholders in that industry for them to see. We took a lot of lessons from them on the salient areas of IT and telecommunications that needed to be addressed, especially in terms of relationship with business and how IT will grow. And I think that has paid off tremendously because the show now went from being LCCI event to being a sector event. We had in our planning committee the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, the Federal Ministry of Communication, the NCC, NITDA, private sector bodies like the Nigerian Interbank Systems, ConnectNigeria and a host of other stakeholders.

We had people from all over the spectrum as members of the planning committee. So we actually dished out what the sector wanted. It is all about selling value.

We sold this product to people, they saw the value in it and when we also went out to talk to people who are not in the sector, they were interested. And the result is what you see here in the last three days.

The presence of the Minister of Communication provided a big boost to the event. How would you interprete this as far as the exhibition is concerned?

As a Chamber of Commerce, we are at the forefront of advocacy, and advocacy involves the private sector engaging effectively, the public sector. What we have done with this is that, when we started the planning for the programme, we actu-

ally made a courtesy call to the Minister of Communication and the Minister of Science and Technology to also get their take on the situation in the industry and what their expectations are. When we asked for their nomination from the Ministry of Communication for this event, the minister nominated his Special Adviser, Technical as a member of our planning committee.

So that shows you how far we had gone in engaging the public sector to be part of this.

So getting him to come, it was a show that he knew everything that was happening, from planning to implementation. So it was easy for him to come because it is almost like his own show and like he said during the opening ceremony, that anything that would lead to the development of IT is what he would work with.

Many participants at this event clamoured for e-governance, especially in the public sector. How ready are we for this? e-government is desirable. In fact, it is either we do it or the world will leave us behind. We have done a bit of e-government, for instance the TSA, where there is only one single treasury account. But what we are saying is that there is the need for us to become smarter in everything we do.

Our society will become better, easier and smoother. At the end of the day, we would have used technology to make living better.

So e-government is an opportunity for government to make its operations simpler and also ensure that it delivers on its promises. It is an easier way for the government itself, because when you use technology to provide solutions to issues, it ensures an easier way to do anything. e-government will ensure using technology to implement programmes for the people. It would even raise the profile of the government and enhance service delivery in every sector. That is the way to go, whether we like it or not.

Although the issue of infrastructure is there as a challenge, we will not wait until we have 100 per cent infrastructure before we start. So we start now and develop both.

The major infrastructure that is not there now for e-governance is power. So as we work on power, there is need to also work on our e-government capacities so that

both can grow at the same time. We cannot say that the e-government should wait while we work on power. Working on the two must go simultaneously such that at the end of the day, we will arrive at a conducive level on time.

One would have expected the nation’s financial institutions and telecom companies that depend on ICT to drive their businesses to be at the forefront of this event, but I could only see a few of them at the exhibition. What must have gone wrong?

For me, nothing went wrong. Nothing absolutely has gone wrong. We didn’t have only Diamond Bank, we also had GTBank.

And in terms of the telcos, we had Airtel and MTN. But everybody was invited. People just chose different platforms to participate in the event.

We are doing some things with Etisalat as well with Glo. As far as the Chamber is concerned, we create different platforms of making things happen. We are doing some things with First Bank, as far as the advocacy programme is concerned. So it is a Chamber-wide thing.

So when you don’t see them here, it doesn’t mean they are not involved in what LCCI is doing. They have just chosen different platforms to support what LCCI is doing.

You have an exhibition that the Chamber is well known for, the Lagos International Trade Fair. Why veer into specialised exhibition such as ICTEL? We are only reacting to the needs of the market, both local and international. The Lagos International Trade Fair is big, it is a general interest fair and some of the sectors have requested us to create a platform where they can discuss the issue that are germane to their own specific sectors and not be in the midst of many other sectors where they are buried. That is what led to this.

We are going to go to other sectors and even look at the tiniest sub-sector in each sector. We are doing something on agriculture and it may not be general agriculture.

It could be a micro part of agriculture that

we think is impacting strongly in the bigger sector. We are a chamber of commerce. We have members in different areas of businesses and in our discussion with them, we have received feedback on the kind of value they want, because right now, it is about value creation. People would only go to places where there is value for them.

They are not going to come because it is being organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, they are going to come because LCCI is presenting a product that is delivering value to them and that is what we’ve done with this.

Most of the companies that are here have never attended the Lagos International Trade Fair. Why? For them, their product is not a mass market product, it’s a specialised market product. So they need an area where they know that at least 90 per cent of the people that will come here are people from the sector they are trying to reach.

What are you doing now to make sure this specialised exhibition is not mistaken for the Lagos trade Fair?

It can’t. They are two different products.

It is just like a company having different products in its portfolio. There is no way it could be mistaken. This is sector-specific and it is happening at a different time.

People know that Lagos International Trade Fair happens in November every year, and there are distinct marketing and publicity processes, robust enough to ensure that there is no mixture.

As we speak, we are already running marketing programmes for Lagos International Trade Fair. People have started booking stands, we have sold almost 2,000 square metres of space. So there is no confusion between Lagos International Trade Fair and our specialised exhibitions.

What should we expect from LCCI regarding this specialised exhibition come 2017?

We expect a much bigger event. Many organisations have approached us now, we are already selling the value to members. So we expect a much bigger event that would even meet more the needs of the business community.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

DSS has no legal right investigating budget padding —Falana Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, on Sunday said the Department of State Services (DSS) lacked the moral and legal rights to carry out the probe of the lawmakers involved in the budget padding.

Falana further noted that the DSS had by recent acts lost moral right to probe the scam and thus, could not be trusted with such responsibility.

He also said there was no legal backing for the DSS to embark on such investigation as the agency, according to the senior lawyer, by virtue of National Security Agencies Act, was strictly limited to the preservation and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria.

He said since the alleged budget padding was a form of economic crime and had nothing to do with internal security, the DSS should be stopped from going ahead with the investigation.

“It was reported last week that the Nigeria Police had commenced investigations into the criminal allegation of the padding of the national budget by some members of the House of Representatives.

“Some civil society organisations have also requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to wade into the matter. Curiously, the State Security Service (DSS) is alleged to have usurped the statutory duties of the police and the antigraft agencies by taking over the investigation of the padding of the budget.

“Based on the illegal decision to take over the investi-

gation the DSS is reported to have sealed off the office of the chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives.

“Having regard to the recent activities of the SSS and the clear provisions of the relevant laws on investigation of corruption and other economic and finan-

cial crimes the DSS lacks the moral right and legal powers to interfere in the investigation of the criminal allegation of padding of the budget in any manner whatsoever.

“More importantly, by virtue of the provisions of the National Security Agencies Act the powers of the DSS

are strictly limited to the preservation and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria.

“Since the padding of the national budget is a straight forward case of economic crime which is not concerned with the internal security of the nation the SSS should not

play into the soiled hands of the criminal suspects in the House of Representatives as they may later turn round to challenge the legal validity of any criminal charge arising from a faulty investigation report.

“They should be called to order as the nation cannot afford to bungle the investi-

From right, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; his Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs Yetunde Onabule; Special Adviser, Lagos Global, Professor Ademola Abass; Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc., Mr Herbert Wigwe; Chairman, Eko Pearl, Mr Elias Saad, admiring the architectural design of the Eko Pearl Towers, during the governor’s visit at Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday.

Recession, result of Jonathan’s mismanagement of economy —Fashola MINISTER of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has said the current economic recession the country is witnessing is a direct fallout of the mismanagement of the nation’s economy by the Goodluck Jonathanled administration.

Fashola, who said this in London, while speaking at a programme organised by the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NAIF), said the immediate past

administration made choices that brought the nation down to its knees and made economic progress Herculean.

According to him, “today, we face challenging economic times. The commodities boom is gone, we have suffered consecutive negative growth and are economically experiencing a recession.

“The reason is simple. It is not what the Buhari-led administration has done, it

is a result of the profligate fiscal policy between 2010 and 2015, when we not only under-budgeted in the face of deficient infrastructure, we also compounded it by providing 15 per cent for capital; expenditure, which was under-funded and 85 per cent for recurrent, which we adequately funded.”

The minister, who expressed optimism that the country would weather the current recession

because of the determination of the Buhari administration to improve infrastructure within the country, noted that “if infrastructure drives growth as we have experienced from the Great Depression to the Marshall Plan, and lately fiscal stimulus in recent years, our current economic recession is the result of yesterday’s policies and choices, especially during 2010 and 2015.

Emergence as deputy Senate president, my offence —Ekweremadu Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja DEPUTY Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Sunday, reiterated his innocence over the charges of forgery of the Senate Standing Rules brought against him by the Federal Government, stressing that his only offence was his emergence as the deputy president of the Senate against the wishes of the “powers that be.”

Speaking when members of Enugu State Economic Advisory Committee paid a solidarity visit to him at his residence in Enugu, Ekweremadu said that his

gation of the highly placed politically exposed persons involved in the padding of the budget.

“In the light of the foregoing, the police and the anti-graft agencies should be allowed to get to the root of the criminality of budget padding in the National Assembly,” he said.

hands were clean.

Ekweremadu, who is also a member of the committee set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the inception of his administration, in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, reiterated his commitment to the principles of the separation of power, independence of the legislature and growth of the nation’s democracy.

“I am indeed humbled by your solidarity. As they say, the true test of a man is not where he stands in the time of comfort; it is where he stands when there is crisis.

“Many people may not take this step of faith be-

cause of the situation we found ourselves in the country; some may be afraid of their liberty and afraid of any reprisals. But you have stepped out to come and show solidarity and ask questions in a matter concerning one of your sons.

“Let me start by saying that I reiterate my innocence; that I committed no offence or forged any documents; and none of the accused persons to the best of my knowledge committed any offence, let alone forging any document.

“Let me also say that no senator accused me, Senate President or the other people of committing any

offence. No senator or bureaucrat accused us of forging any document.

“Again, as a lawyer, I know what is called Proof of Evidence, that is the statement of witnesses who are going to confront you with the offence for which you are being charged.

“I was served and I have read this document (court process) from the first page to the last page; no witness said any of us committed any offence. Our only offence is that Senator Bukola Saraki and myself emerged as president of the Senate and deputy president of the Senate.

Some people found it un-

acceptable, and that is why we are being charged, not that we committed any offence,” he said.

Chairman of the committee, Monsignor Professor Obiora Ike, said members were in Ekweremadu’s residence to get his side of the case as regards development at the National Assembly, and thanked him for granting them audience.

“One more thing, our people stand behind you, our people believe in you and they are praying for you. When you are in public service, there is always trouble, but when you are forthright, you will always triumph,” he said.

“Sometimes in March 2015, a little over a year ago, before the Buhari government, a snap survey of four construction companies which I contacted revealed that they had laid off 5,150 workers because government was not paying these construction companies for work done.

“Since my assumption of office in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, meetings with contractors in power, works and housing reveal that contractors have been owed two to three years. These are the seeds of recession, planted and nurtured between 2013 and 2014. The Buhari government knows the cause, and has designed the proper solution: fiscal stimulus and capital spending.”

Fashola said as a result of the strategy deployed by the current government, contractors were already returning to site.

He added that the contractors that had laid off their workers had been taking them back as they were getting ready to resume work on the projects that had been abandoned as a result of non-release of funds by the immediate past administration.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016

FIRST CORONATION ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEJI OF AKURE, OBA ALADELUSI ALADETOYINBO

The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo (second left), with the recipients of Omowa Omoekun 2016 awards, from left, Honourable (Mrs) Omowumi Olatunji; Mr Eyitayo Jegede, representing Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Mrs Olowookere and the member representing Akure North and South at the House of Representatives, Honourable Afe Olowookere, at the one year coronation anniversary of Oba Aladetoyinbo as the Deji of Akure, on Saturday.

From left, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom and the Chairman of Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo; Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the celebrant, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo.

Oba Aladetoyinbo with his Oloris.

Oba Aladetoyinbo (right), with the Alani of Ido-Ani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye.

The Deji of Akure with the MD/CEO, Farm Support Services Ltd, Mr Olumide Origunloye.

Kabiyesi with Honourable (Princess) Kemisola Adesanya, member, Ondo House of Assembly (Akure South Constituency I).

Members of the Hausa community at the event.

The Iyalajes and Iyalojas, adding glamour to the event.

Governor Mimiko with the new Yeye Bobagunwa, Chief (Mrs) Sefunmi Olawumi, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo and the Asamo of Akure Kingdom, High Chief Rotimi Olusanya.

Other guests at the event.

south-westnews I’ve no case with ICPC —Daniel 31

Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

T

HE immediate past governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, on Sunday, cleared the air on a report published in a national daily (not the Ni-

geria Tribune), that he has a pending case with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC).

The former governor described the report as false.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minis-

ter of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, in the report was said to have written to the ICPC, directing the reopening of corruption cases of 31 former governors.

In the letter, Malami was quoted as saying that: “It is clear that some of these

governors and other politically-exposed persons have not been charged to court, despite the fact that the ICPC has concluded investigations concerning allegations levelled against them.

“It is the position of the present administration that

Monday, 1 August, 2016

all ex-governors who the ICPC had long concluded investigations into the various allegations levelled against them should be immediately prosecuted.”

However, Daniel defended his innocence over the allegation, saying the inclusion of his name must have been a “mistake somewhere.”

“I categorically declare that I have no issue with ICPC whatsoever and I am sure that a mistake has been made either deliberately or otherwise in this issue and others,” he said.

Land dispute: Court delivers judgment in favour of Magbadelo family Olayinka Olukoya – Abeokuta

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (left); National President, Loyola College Old Boys Association (LOCOBA), Dr B. G. K. Ajayi (fourth right); Dr Akintunde Akinyemi (second right) and other LOCOBA members, during the unveiling of the association’s development fund, held at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, on Saturday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Nigerians must give back to their roots —Ooni

By Tolu Olamiriki

THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said that it is a fundamental task for Nigerians to give back to their roots, just as he said that anybody who failed to do so is making a great mistake.

The traditional ruler disclosed this during a dinner and unveiling of Loyola College Development Fund, organised by the Loyola College Old Boys Association (LOCOBA), at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, at the weekend.

The Ooni, who is also a distinguished alumnus of the institution, urged the old students to put necessary machinery in place at ensuring that the institution competes favourably with others globally.

He hailed the leadership qualities of Professor Pat Utomi, who is also an old student of the institution, adding that “Utomi is an agent of change to celebrate and a politician with strong moral value.”

Earlier, Professor Utomi had backed restructuring of the nation, saying it will lead to sustainable economic development, good governance, reduce militancy and speed up industrialisation.

The professor urged Nigerians to have attitudinal change and embrace

creativity, adding that the current crop of politicians in the country do not have creative enterprise.

He said that the current war against corruption was good but that the government should ensure that other critical issues are properly addressed.

Also, the national presi-

dent of the association, Dr B.G.K. Ajayi, expressed dismay that the serene environment, dedicated and selfless teachers as well as facilities are no more in schools, adding that the decay in the system started during the military era.

“We cannot have a responsible and progressive

society with such schools in our country,” he said.

Among dignitaries present were Alaye Moore of Ido-Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin, Professor Francis Adeniji, Mr Tosin Ambode, Alhaji Yisau Olasupo, Dr Charles Ologundudu and Mr Busayo Taiwo.

Fajuyi: Ekiti govt supported us morally, financially —Family CONTRARY to the recent claim by the eldest son of late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, Mr Donald Femi Fajuyi, that the Ekiti State government refused to support the family during the just-concluded 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of the late heroic soldier and first military governor of Western Nigeria, some family members have said that the state government supported them.

Mr Fajuyi (jnr) had told newsmen in a recent interview that Ekiti State government refused to support the family when family representatives approached the government for support prior to the celebration.

But four representatives of the Fajuyi family, Mrs Lanre Fajuyi, Mrs Desola

Olajuyigbe (nee Fajuyi), Dr Tope Olajuyigbe (sonin-law) and Mrs Abigail Abike Boboye (nee Fajuyi), told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, on Sunday, that Governor Ayodele Fayose indeed supported the family morally and financially.

The family representatives who spoke to newsmen at the government office, in Ado-Ekiti, while paying an appreciation visit to the governor, revealed that the governor indeed sent delegations, led by the Deputy-Governor, Dr Olusola Kolapo Eleka who fully participated in the weeklong event.

Speaking for the family, Mrs Lanre Fajuyi, said: “The governor was represented by his deputy, Kolapo Olusola, at the Fajuyi Park where the 50th remembrance kicked off.

“Governor Fayose was also represented on Friday, July 29, in Ibadan, at the ‘Yoruba Think’ programme, at the International Conference Centre and even today (Sunday, July 31), at the thanksgiving programme to round off the one-week remembrance in honour of late Lieutenant Adekunle Fajuyi.

“We actually received full support from the state government through representations in all the events and monetary support to Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust Fund.

“We are here to appreciate the governor for his support and I can tell you that we were fully supported by the state government. Our eldest son must have said what was quoted in the papers before the event,” she said.

AN Ogun State High Court sitting in Ota Division has delivered judgment on a land dispute in favour of Magbadelo family in Akinbo village, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

The claimants, Chief Jonathan Akintona, Messers Nojeem Magbadelo and Lamidi Magbadelo, had in a suit No; HCT/ 212/2010, instituted against Lafarge Cement Africa and 20 others, approached the court over the ownership of a land measuring 353,412 hectares with Survey No. OG/276/2012/092 dated September 27, 2012.

The family, through its counsel, Mr Abayomi Omoyinmi, filed a motion of ex-parte seeking an order of the court to grant the applicants leave to take possession of the land.

He also sought the order for the enforcement of the judgement for declaration of title of the land in favour of the applicants as delivered against the cement company sometimes in February.

One of the claimants, Nojeem Magbadelo, in an 11page affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte, said that the cement company had been in possession of the large expanse of land, despite the judgement in suit HCT 212/2010 which was not appealed against, to its benefits.

The presiding judge, Justice Ademola Bakre, in his judgement said that the claimants proved beyond reasonable doubt that the land belong to them and disagreed with the arguments of the defence as regards a judgement of Ake Native Court which refers to the land in question as Akibo as opposed to Akinbo.

Nigerian Tribune

Prioritise education, proprietor urges stakeholders

By Tolu Olamiriki

EDUCATION stakeholders have been urged to give priority to the sector across the country due to its critical role in nation development The proprietor of Bola Immaculate Group of Schools, Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty, made the submission at the weekend, during the 2016 graduation ceremony of the institution, at Immaculate Model College, Off Adeoyo Hospital Road, Ibadan.

Mrs Doherty averred that the institution will continue to put all necessary machinery in place at ensuring that it nurtured the youth so that they would be able to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

Earlier in his address on the occasion, the chairman of the event, Dr Onaolapo Sholeye, had urged the students of the institution to work harder so as to become leaders in the future and also to abstain from negative acts.

Dr Sholeye admonished them to have faith in God, be courageous, transparent as well as work assiduously in order to achieve societal goals.

Ogun JDPC to hold conference on LG election August 2 DIRECTOR of Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Reverend Father John Patrick Ngoyi, is set to organise a conference where issues concerning the forthcoming local government election in the state would be addressed.

The lecture, which is slated for Tuesday, August 2, with the theme: “Mobilisation for credible local government election”, will hold at JDPC Conference Hall, Ijebu-Ode. Political leaders in Ogun East senatorial district, religious bodies, civil societies, market men and women, aspirants, among others are expected to be in attendance.

In a release signed by Reverend Ngoyi, the lecture will enlightened the people on how to participate in a free, fair and transparent local government election.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, will deliver keynote address, while former Deputy Leader, Odogbolu Local Government Area, Honourable Bola Odumosu and Mr Aladesuwa will address the people.

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35

Monday, 1 August, 2016

36 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Monday, 1 August, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss. AkindeleObe Temitayo Anuoluwapo now MRS AJILA TEMITAYO ANUOLUWAPO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Safi Habeeb Abolore am the person as Safi Habreb. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as SAFI HABEEB ABOLORE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and General public take note

I, formerly Adeoluwa Johnson now OWOLOJA ADEOLUWA JEREMIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ayodele Bukola Comfort now MRS OGUNDANA BUKOLA COMFORT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Mohammed Adama now MISS MOHAMMED AYISHAT TOURE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Olarewaju Taiwo Daniel now OKEOWO TAIWO DANIEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Racheal Oyewale Kafilat now RACHEAL OYEWOLE KAFILAT. My correct date of birth is 1/1/1971 and not 10/2/1967. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Teniola Aderonke Adesola now MRS ORIMOGUNJE ADERONKE ADESOLA. All former documents remain valid.

Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Apata, Ibadan and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Adebesin Ismail Akanni now ADEBESIN ISMAIL OLANSILE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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I, formerly Tella Bashirat Ayobami now ADETONA BASHIRAT AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Samuel Unini Ruth now OKEJI RUTH IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

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I, formerly Mrs Christiana Yemisi Gbemisola now MRS IYABO YEMISI GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

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Fidelity Bank Plc and general public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Saidat Abiodun Giwa now MRS SAIDAT ABIODUN RAJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Jacob Emmanuel Dare now KYAUTA JACOB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oshomah Christiana Egbe now MRS FOLARIN CHRISTIANA EGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Aderounmu Babatunde Abiola Abosede now AGBONIN ABIOLA ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Embassy and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Dauda Aminat Abidemi now MRS ODUNAYO AMINAT ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly Miss Adebola Priscilla Fajuyi now MRS ADEBOLA PRISCILLA OKEDERE. All former documents remain valid.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Rufus Sunday Henry am the same person as Rufus Sunday Adebowale.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as RUFUS HENRY SUNDAY ADEBOWALE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, Ado Ekiti and general public take note.

I, formerly Odunaiya Adeniyi Olasubomi now AYODELE ADENIYI OLASUBOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Babalola Olaosebikan Abiodun now BABALOLA BIODUN OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid.

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CORRECTION OF NAME

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FCMB Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

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I, Afolabi Tijani Kamorudeen am the same person bearing Kamorudeen Ajadi Tijani. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI TIJANI KAMORUDEEN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc., UBA Plc., and general public take note.

I hereby declare that my correct name are OLANIYAN GBEMISOLA MARIAM not Olaniyan Gbemisola Ajoke.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Adesina Abiodun Muheebulahi am the same person as Adesina Abiodun M. and Adesina Muheebllahi A. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADESINA ABIODUN MUHEEBULAHI. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

I, formerly Rafiu Adeyemi now RAFIU AJANI ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Oredein Olabisi Bisola, my name was mistakenly written as Oredein Olabisi Abisola on my BVN at SkyeBank Plc., instead of Oredein Olabisi Bisola.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OREDEIN OLABISI BISOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. SkyeBank Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Oresanwo Tosin Omowunmi now OSIBAJO OMOBOLAJI ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

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THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

I, formerly Mrs. Ayansanwo Folasade Fausat now MRS. OREDEIN FOLASADE KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid.

Ogun State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

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ADDITION OF NAME I formerly Mrs Olufemi Adelarin Adebayo-Oyetoro am the same person as Mrs Olufemi Adelarin Adebayo.

Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OLUFEMI ADELARIN ADEBAYO-OYETORO. Also, my correct date of birth is 02/11/1971. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly Miss Sanni Rashidat Olufunmilayo now MRS KUYE OLUFUNMILAYO RASHIDAT. All former documents remain valid.

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I formerly Salau Kehinde Fatimo now OLORI AJINESE KEHINDE FATIMO. All former documents remain valid. Iseyin Local Government and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Akinosun Rhoda Oluyemisi now MRS OLALEYE RHODA OLUYEMISI. All former documents remain valid.

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I formerly Miss Gbadamosi Mujidat Adeoti now MRS ALLINSON MUJIDAT ADEOTI. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly Mary Favour Godpower’s now MARY FAVOUR MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

That I, Amore Joseph am the same person by name Amore Joseph Oluwarotimi and that henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AMORE JOSEPH OLUWAROTIMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Ayedun Ifedayo Omolola now MRS IFEDAYO OMOLOLA OLABODE. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly Adeniyi Sulaimon Babatunde now OBISESAN SULAIMON BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Abikhui Jennifer Airobomangbon now JENNIFER A. ABIKHUI. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Abdulrauf Kamardeen now ABDULRAUF KAMARDEEN BOLAWALE. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Oluwatoyin Joseph now MRS. ANASTANCIA OLUWATOYIN AGBEDE. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Olajumoke Ayokanmi Akinsete now MRS OLAJUMOKE AYOKANMI JADESIMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Akinlabi Morenike Nurat am the same person bearing Akinlabi Morenike Nuratu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AKINLABI NURATU MORENIKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Akinwale Ifeoluwa Deborah now MRS TAIWO IFEOLUWA DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Roseline Ilay now MRS ROSELINE ORHORIAREHOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Ogunrinde Kemi Florence Moradeyo now MRS OYEDIRAN KEMI FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

My name Onovwoma Beauty Eseoghene, was wrongly written as Avwrosuo Ipoko in some of my documents. My correct name is ONOVWOMA BEAUTY ESEOGHENE. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc, EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Folorunso Gbolagade Musibau now FOLORUNSO GBOLAGADE MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Omotoso Johnson Abiodun now OMOTOSO JOHNSON AKANBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Itunu Eunice Arawomo now MRS. MOBOLAJI ITUNU EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADDITION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Akande Adefunke Oyewumi now MRS OYERO ADEFUNKE OYEWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

United Nations, World Health Organization and general public take note.

I formerly Omole Oladapo Ebenezer now OMOLE OLUWOLE LADAPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olarinde Taoveek Biodun now OLARINDE TAOFEEK BIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Adesokan Funmilayo Mary now MRS. FABIYI FUNMILAYO MARY. All former documents remain valid.

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, all authorities concerned and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly Salawu Romoke Abigail now ADELABU ROMOKE ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Niniola Odunayo Kayode now AYODELE KEHINDE DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc., and general public take note.

I, Dunmoye Michael Einstein am the same person as Dunmoye Michael Oluwapelumi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as DUNMOYE MICHAEL EINSTEIN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Omilegbe Arike Funke now MRS OLORUNFEMI ARIKE FUNKE. All former documents remain valid.

International Breweries, Ilesa (IB Plc) FCM Bank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Ibironke Bukola Eunice now IBUKUN BUKOLA EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Ekundayo Faith Olayinka now MRS ADEAGBO FAITH OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Adisa Morenikeji Grace now ASAAJU MORENIKEJI GRACE. All former documents remain valid. OAU, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Sanyaolu Mary Titilayo now MRS OLOYEDE MARY TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeaga Bolaji Mariam now ANDREW BOLAJI MARIAM. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Francis Oluwatobiloba Senami now MRS. INWANFERO OLUWATOBILOBA SENAMI (NEE FRANCIS). All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajadi Mary Oyenike now MRS. ADEGOKE MARY OYENIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH I, Olanrewaju Fadeke Fausat am the same person as Aderinto Fadeke Fausat. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADERINTO FADEKE FAUSAT and my correct date of birth is 20th April, 1965. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinade Olunike Mary now MISS AKINTOLA OLUNIKE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Salawu Ganiyu am the same person bearing Abisodun Ganiyu.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEPOJU GANIYU. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

GTBank Plc., Fidelity Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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news

Monday, 1 August, 2016

Constituency projects exite Osun communities by gbenga olumide

Osogbo-Ilobu-Ifon-Oyo boundary road to be reconstructed by Honourable Lasun Yusuf, as part of his constituency projects.

Orile-Owu stool: Court judgment splits community

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HE judgment of the Osun State High Court that recommended Prince Dauda Ajolola Akinfalabi of Lagbedu Ruling House as the new Olowu of Orile-Owu has split the community.

A court sitting in Ikire, Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, on July 15, 2016 ordered Governor Rauf Aregbesola to install Prince Akinfalabi after five years of legal tussle.

Not satisfied with the judgment, the defendants immediately filed a stay of execution and notice of appeal.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omoko Augusta now MRS AKPOFURE OMOKO AUGUSTA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

ADDITION/CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Anthony Ada Unke am the same person as Anthony Unke. Now, I want to be known and addressed as ANTHONY ADA UNKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Justice Olubukola Ayoola in the judgment, held that the descendants of Olatibonu of Apena compound in Orile-Owu are not eligible to be nominated or appointed to fill the vacant stool because they are not members of Lagbedu Ruling House.

In the notice of appeal signed by counsel for the respondents, Mrs Olateju Kolawole, the respondents sought an order of the court, setting aside the judgment of the lower court.

However, since the death of Oba Moses Adedosu Ad-

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Wahab Semiu Oyatogun now MR WAHAB SEMIU ALOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adewuyi Oyike Benard now PETER BENARD. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adebayo Khasiat Folake now AHMED ASIAT FOLAKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ayansola Janet now AYANKOSO JANET AYANWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

The time I opened account at Zenith Bank with the name Nwogbo Sunday on the National Identity Card, my name was written as Nwogbo as surname, Ogbonni middle name and Sunday first name and date of birth as 03/01/1959. I formerly Nwogbo Sunday now NWOGBO OGBONNIA SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaonipekun Dupe Olaitan now MRS AKINBOYE DUPE OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Alajede Roseline Adenike am the same person as Alajede Roseline Adeolanike, Alajede Roseline Olanike and Roseline Adeolanike Alajede. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ALAJEDE ROSELINE ADENIKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ihouma Adjoa Okezie now ADJOA OKEZIE OKUMA. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akinmuyisitan Iyabo Wuraola now MRS OLUSEYIFUNMI IYABO WURAOLA. All former documents remain valid. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omoni Clara Omonigho now MRS OJETAYO CLARA OMONIGHO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oladokun Bunmi Bosede now MRS FAGITE BUNMI BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Afolabi Aderonke Victoria now MRS OLAYIWOLA ADERONKE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ejobi of Afelele Ruling House on March 15, 2011, the stool of Olowu has been vacant, while the legal tussle started with two persons from the same ruling house laying claim to the stool.

The legal tussle began when Prince Bayo Adenrele from Apena family was nominated by the local government for authorisation, a decision that led to protest by his co-contestant, who contended that Adenrele was neither a member of Lagbedu Ruling House nor the other five ruling houses.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olayemi Bola now AJIBADE OLUYINKA ADEJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Isiaka Akanmu now ISIAKA SALAWU AKANMU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as Emma Rerosuoghene Ike now wish to be known and address as EMMA REROSUOGHENE EMILE by reason of the dissolution of my customary marriage, my family having returned the bride price paid to them for my marriage. All former documents remain valid. My employers and the general public should please take note.

MEMBERS of Osogbo, Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu communities in Osun State, last week Wednesday, trooped out to witness the kick-off of the reconstruction of a 57 kilometre road and Ojutu Bridge as part of constituency projects of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Lasun Yusuf, who represents Irepodun/Orolu/ Osogbo/Olorunda federal constituency.

The people expressed their happiness over the development which, they said, would boost socio-economic activities in the areas.

Speaking with Community News, some leader of the communities, Samson Niniola, Sulaimoh Kunle Ibrahim and Alhaji Azeez Yellow Oloba, lauded the lawmaker for making the projects a reality.

Also, Alhaja Serifat Lawal and Alhaji Adekunle Adigun, said the projects would add values to the people’s lives.

The projects, which will gulp N2.7 billion, will be terminated at Ilajue, the boundary between Osun and Oyo states.

Speaking on the projects,

the Special Adviser, Political Affairs to the Deputy Speaker, Chief Rotimi Bidmus, said: “Osun State government was consulted before the projects were selected for execution.

“All the projects listed by Honourable Yusuf as his constituency projects in 2016 will surely better our lives. Let me also add that other lawmakers in the National Assembly listed projects in the 2016 budget as constituency projects.

“The lawmaker’s projects in the 2016 budget include construction of Osogbo/ Ilobu/ Ifon/ Oyo Boundary Road which will cost N500 million, Ojutu Bridge, which will cost N700 million, Five blocks of 32 classrooms are to be built in five different schools across the constituency and this will gulp N1 billion.

“Others are two dam projects in Osogbo and Ilobu with each costing N50 million and two 50-bedroom hospitals to be located in Osogbo and Ilobu.

“Aside intimating the state government of the projects, the lawmaker also consulted his constituents on the kind of developmental

projects that them before sending the list to the National Assembly.”

“In the 7th assembly, Lasun Yusuff, through the zonal intervention projects, built schools that are of the same standard with schools built by government, provided transformers, among others.”

While speaking, the site engineer of Dutum Construction Company, Ibadan, Akole Raphael, expressed optimism that the projects would be completed as early as possible if the Federal Government released fund without delay.

In their comments, traditional rulers in the area, Oba Al Maruff Magbagbeola, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan and Oba Yusf Omoleye, commended the Federal Government and Honourable Yusuf for revisiting abandoned road projects in their constituency.

They described it as a good development, adding that it would promote commercial activities in the various communities.

The monarchs appealed to all and sundry to cooperate with the contractor handling the projects.

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news

Stop the blame game in Edo, Ize-Iyamu tells APC

Monday, 1 August, 2016

As Obaseki reiterates commitment to creation of 200,000 jobs Taiwo Adisa and Banji Aluko

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OVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State in the September 2016 election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Sunday, asked the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki, to stop the blame game over the state of affairs in the state.

Ize-Iyamu, who said this in a press statement made available by his media organisation in Abuja, said the electorate in Edo State, had grown wiser beyond the level of being bought.

Ize Iyamu said the time had passed when politicians would win elections through financial inducement, add-

ing that the electorate was ready to reject and punish such politicians.

The Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation, in a press statement said it was malicious and spiteful to blame Ize-Iyamu for the mistakes of the past administrations, including those of Oshimhole.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the APC in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his commitment to his promise to create 200,000 jobs if elected into office in the September

10 election.

The APC candidate also praised the achievement of incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole, adding that more still needed to be done in the state, especially in terms of job and wealth creation.

Speaking at a rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area, at weekend, Oshiomhole said the nation was presently in an economic recession because the past PDP government looted

the treasury dry.

“We have focused on education, infrastructure, health and water provision.

Yes, we will continue to do so, but I will now make sure that we focus on human development. We want to focus on job creation and we will create 200,000 jobs for our people.

“We will not only create jobs in agriculture, we will also from mining. We are attracting a lot of mining companies into Owan East. They are over 25 mining licenses in

Owan East and are talking with the Minister for Solid Minerals to ensure we get investors to this place,” he said.

Also, in a related development, a 75-year-old man, Joseph Ogbele, at the weekend, caused a stir during the governorship campaign of the PDP in Aduwawa area of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state, as he wept profusely over what he described as the nonpayment of his 14-month pension arrears by the state government.

EFCC urged to initiate graft reduction advocacy programmes THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been urged to initiate a preventive corruption reduction educational/ advocacy programmes as part of efforts to further institutionalise its anti- corruption activities.

Speaking at a one-day seminar organised by the Centre for Applied and Social Advocacy, in collaboration with the Coalition for Democracy and Credible Election (CODECE), in Abuja, on Sunday, the Director General, Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), Dr Lanre Adebayo, emphasised the importance of education as a vehicle to positively change societal values.

He also noted that advocacy was a necessary element in any national effort to enlist citizens’ participation, ownership and stainability, especially on matters of national importance.

Dr Adebayo contended that corruption had undermined the country’s development strides, adding that the current energy with which the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, was fighting the menace was commendable.

He, however, suggested an effective combination of both the preventive and curative approaches in order to mainstream the efforts as well as making it to endure.

He further argued that one of the ways to ensure the stainability of current reforms and efforts was through a robust preventive corruption reduction advocacy and education efforts which should domicile in the EFCC.

Director, Distance Learning Centre, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Hassan; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, ABU, Professor Ibrahim Sada; Managing Director, Edutech Business Solution, Professor Abiola Awosika and the Director of Public Affairs, ABU, Mallam Nasir Bello, during the launch of ABU e-distance learning programme, in Abuja, on Friday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

MASSOB rejects conditional release of IPOB leader, Kanu, others

Jude Ossai - Enugu

THE Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB), on Sunday, rejected the Federal Government’s reported offer of a conditional release for the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and several others.

Reports had it that a meeting between the Federal Government and representatives of some militant groups, proposed the release of Kanu and several others on the condition that they would drop Biafra agitation.

However, MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, in a statement, declared that the conditions “are not only laughable but inconsequential.”

The statement wondered how any sane man would think that Nnamdi Kanu would renounce Biafra and sell-out the good people of Biafra clamouring for selfrule.

The statement noted that Biafra struggle was bigger than the Radio Biafra director, Nnamdi Kanu or any other leader, pointing out that “nobody, not even Kanu can stop the tide.”

“MASSOB’s reaction to the

FG’s condition on Nnamdi KANU’s release is a bluff of government that knows nothing about genuine selfdetermination. This condition is not only laughable but inconsequential.

“MASSOB does not see Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as one who can betray his belief on Biafra. He is not a sellout, his ideologies on Biafra may differ, he can never betray hundreds of Biafrans that died recently on the course

of Biafra,” the statement asserted.

“Secondly, Biafra is not a religious faith that can be renounced or abandoned. Nobody can renounce Biafra, it is an identity, culture, tradition and existence of group of nationalities, it’s not personal or individualistic.

“There are thousands of Biafranistic persons more determined, consistent, dangerous, focused, unshakable than Nnamdi KANU, Uchen-

na Madu and other leading figures in Biafra struggle.Biafra is also bigger than all the leading figures put together.”

“It is childish on Federal government to expect Nnamdi KANU to renounce Biafra, the fate of over fifty million people.

“MASSOB advises Buhari to save his battered Nigeria’s face from more diplomatic shame by allowing the court to grant Nnamdi Kanu and others bail.

Remain spirited in serving God, Awosoga enjoins Christians DIOCESAN President and wife of the Bishop of Ijebu Diocese, Anglican Communion, Mrs Florence Awosoga, on Friday, celebrated the 11th joint conference of women organisations of the diocese with a call on Christians to remain spirited in the service of God. Awosoga, who presided over the three days conference held at Bishop A.S.O. Olowoyo Conference Center, Ologbun, Ogun Waterside, also commissioned the newly completed hostel at Bishop Olowoyo Conference Centre.

Awosoga, in her address described this year’s con-

ference as a special one because it coincided with the activities marking the 40th anniversary of the Diocese, while thanking persons who had contributed in one way or the other to promote the work of evangelism.

Speaking further, she commended the diocesan, Rt. Reverend (Dr.) Ayo Awosoga for his unflinching support at all times.

In his brief remark, the Bishop of Ijebu Diocese, Rt. Revd Ayo Awosoga lauded the women for their wonderful work, especially regarding the newly completed hostel, among others.

He charged them to con-

tinue to pray fervently for the nation, their husbands and children, noting that such prayers would help in the realisation of our dream of a country where peace, equity and justice with the fear of God would reign supreme.

Dignitaries present on the occasion were Mrs Theresa Omolara Olaoye,wife of the Bishop of Osun North Diocese, Mama Olori Ebunofe Andu, Venerable and lady Samuel Adeniyi Ope, Chief Adeniran Babafemi Adenaike, Chief Mrs Akinloye representatives from sister Dioceses, among others

Edo NULGE ready for strike Wednesday —NULGE boss PRESIDENT, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Edo State chapter, Comrade Edward Young Ilenikhena, has reiterated that the union would embark on strike, on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 if the state government failed to yield to their demand, by paying up-to-date, salary arrears of its members, before that day.

It will be recalled that the NULGE, at the end of an emergency State Executive Council meeting held at the state secretariat in Benin City on July 20, 2016 had given the state government fourteen days ultimatum effective from that day to address all the issues deliberated upon at the meeting, and the ultimatum will elapse on Tuesday, August 2, 2016.

Speaking with newsmen in Benin, at the weekend, Comrade Ilenikhena stated that the union members across the 18 local government councils had been fully informed, saying they were ready to embark on mother of all strikes to ground business activities in Benin metropolis and its environs on Wednesday, unless the state government took concrete steps before that day.

Labour insists on strike over salary cut in Nasarawa Godwin Agwam- Lafia

THE organised labour in Nasarawa State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has vowed to continue with its one-month strike, following government’s insistence on 50 per cent salary cut.

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura had told the national leadership of the organised labour that he would not go back on his decision to reduce workers’ salary, citing economic downturn as the reason.

The governor told the Ayuba Wabba-led NLC that, its state chapter was being economical with the truth on the real percentage cut from their salaries, and had therefore, advised the national leadership to advise its state chapter to return to work.

Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune on phone, the NLC chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Adeka said, since the government was insisting on salary cut, workers in the state would have to continue with the strike.

Abdullahi maintained that workers in the state would not return to work unless the state government changed its position on the reduction of workers’ salary.

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Monday, 1 August, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Nigeria, USA lock horns in Basketball Showcase

By Niyi Alebiosu

3SC wins for Ajimobi

By Olawale Olaniyan

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OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi on Sunday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, watched Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), for the first time since he assumed office and the team did not disappoint.

The Oluyole Warriors after a gruelling game defeated Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure 2-1 in a match day 29 fixture of the Nigeria Premier League, to brighten their hope of retaining their slot in the top flight next season.

Governor Ajimobi had during his visit to 3SC two days to the match promised to come and motivate the team to victory, a promise he fulfilled, as he stormed the stadium with his entourage a few minutes after the kick off.

Former 3Sc striker, Meshack Chukwubuikem, was a thorn in the flesh of the homers as he kept mounting pressure on the defence of 3SC. Meshack, eventually put the Owena Waves ahead in the 23rd minute when he cashed in on a defensive blunder to slot the ball past goalkeeper Charles Tembe.

Sunday Adetunji in the 31st minute drew parity as he converted a penalty kick awarded to 3SC after Ajani

Ibrahim was brought down in the box.

Senator Ajimobi at recess went to the meet the Oluyole Warriors in the dressing room to give them words of encouragement.

Adetunji’s header in the early part of the second half off Salau Ibrahim’s corner kick missed the target.

What would have been the lead for 3SC in the 56th minute was wasted by lanky Adetunji as he shot wide in the box with only goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke to displace.

As the match was approaching the end, goalkeeper Olorunleke began a drama perhaps to waste time falling down after virtually every move towards his goal area.

Coach Gbenga Ogunbote in a bid to secure the maximum points for 3SC brought in Ifeanyi Ojukwu and Ebitimi Agogo later in the game, but the visitors handled by Solomon Ogbeide refused to let in another goal.

Fans of 3SC had goalkeeper Olorunleke to thank as, he in an attempt to stop Agogo brought the striker down during added time, leaving the centre referee with no option but to award another penalty kick to the homers.

Adetunji after the protest which greeted the decision of the referee by Sunshine Stars players, converted the resultant spot kick for his

eight goal of the season.

Olorunleke, after the final whistle unable to bear the pain of defeat cried like a baby as he was consoled by his team-mates.

Speaking after the match, Ajimobi expressed joy at the

turn out of spectators for the match saying his presence will really add value to 3SC as a team.

“I was really shocked to see the number of spectators here today. I’m really impressed and we would

Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (left), Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Abayomi Oke (middle) and the Secretary to the State Government, Olalekan Ali, during the match. PHOTO: NIYI ALEBIOSU. give our darling team all the needed support. I believe football promotes unity, healthy rivalry and empower the youths and we will create an enabling environment to make sport thrives in the state,” he said.

Police, Oyo SWAN clash in football friendly match

By Nurudeen Alimi IN a bid to foster a formidable working relationship between the sporting media and the Nigerian Police, arrangements have been concluded by the Oyo State Police Command to engage members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter in a friendly football match scheduled to hold at the playing ground of the Oyo State Police Command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

SP Segun Faboyede, the Officer-In-Charge of Sports, Oyo State Police Command’ said he had perfected plans alongside the Chairman of Oyo SWAN, Niyi Alebiosu, to have a hitch-free match.

The match which has been slated for Wednesday 3rd, August, 2016 is not between the media and the Police professional side known as Police Machine but between a selected officers which includes the Police

Commissioner and other top officers in the command “The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, CP Leye Oyebade is keen to feature in the football match and had been training vigorously to ensure victory for the Police over the sportwriters”, Oyo Police O/C Sport, Faborode noted.

Meanwhile, Oyo SWAN Chairman, Niyi Alebiosu, while speaking with

newsmen in Ibadan has sounded a note of warning to the Police, saying the sports writers have a formidable squad that comprises of professionals that can easily subdue any opponent at any point in time.

He added that the event will also create a conducive atmosphere for both bodies to interact and relax because the nature of their job barely gives time for such.

NIGERIA’S national basketball team is set to take on the USA Men’s National Team on the 2 August 2016 as part of the USA Basketball Showcase.

Kwesé Free Sports, which is part of Econet Media’s Kwesé-branded platforms, has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA Network Service) to broadcast the game live at 01:00am Nigerian time (02:00 CAT).

This means that anyone with a television will be able to tune in and watch the game anywhere in Nigeria for free.

The official game can also be streamed live on the Kwesé Sports website and it will also be streamed via the Kwesé Sports Facebook page.

“We are excited to be able to bring Nigerian fans all the action live from Houston.

Our business is founded on the principle of giving African sports fans access to exclusive and premium sports content. Through this agreement with NTA, more fans will be able to engage with their national team and have access to live content from USA Basketball,” says Joe Hundah, CEO of Econet Media.

According to NTA, this is a particularly important sports broadcast event for Nigeria.

“This is a first for Nigerian basketball and for Nigerian TV. It is important because fans from all over the country will be able to view this live international game on NTA. Thanks must go to Econet Media and Kwesé Free Sports for choosing NTA as their broadcast partner for this game.

African Hockey Championship: Union Bank, Niger

Flickers to represent Nigeria

By Nurudeen Alimi UNION Bank hockey team as well as its counterparts from Niger State, Niger Flickers have secured ticket to represent Nigeria at this year’s African Cup for Club championship to be held in Bulawayo,Zimbabwe.

Niger Flickers and Union Bank hockey teams, finished first and second respectively at the National

Hockey Super League which ended over the weekend in Abuja thereby qualifying them for the African Championship.

Union Bank was the only team from the South-West squaring in the supremacy battle with teams from Yobe, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau and the Police Machine in the National Super League.

Union Bank played six matches, won four, drew one and lost one.

Thus with 13 points from six matches and aggregate goals of six.

The team came second after Niger Flickers which had 15 points with aggregate goals of 8. The 3rd team was the police machine with 8 points and aggregate goals of zero.

SIDELINES

NO 16,557

MONDAY, 1 AUGUST, 2016

T

WO great Nigerian military generals are currently in the news and interestingly so. Of course, these two great generals have since retired from the Nigerian Army, our great Army that has seen interestingly rough and perilous times, including several successful coups and failed coups.

The two generals in question clearly were forced out of our Army and their respective commands when they were not really set to quit, and at a time when their military mangoes seemed to be at their best season and geography of ripeness. Indeed, how succulent were their mangoes at the time compulsion compelled them to go – or, better put, at their seeming ripest hour of greatness when compulsion got rid of them.

Ladies and gentlemen, - my titled and untitled audience, my dear readers, my dear, dear readers of warmth, - who are our great generals in the news? Who are the great generals who have played more than sufficient roles in our military and political and economic affairs? Did I just say that the generals “have played more than sufficient roles in our military and political and economic affairs?” How eagerly and mischievously wrong am I? Clearly, the said generals are still playing and will always play more than sufficient roles in our country from the “ups and downs of politics,” the vicissitudes of commerce, economics and petroleum and the exigencies of military passions and sensibilities. And the thought expressed here, in this preceding sentence, must be one reason why the generals will always be in the news – as they recently are – until they engage in their final war against one another, a war that we shall find is not a camping party or holiday excursion or soldierly retreat of retired generals.

Let me alight from my soaring aeroplane of suspense. Our current civilian president, a seventeen months military head of state, in times past, and our one and only military president of above seven years, also in times past, are our two great generals recently in the news.

Our major newspapers, including the almighty Nigerian Tribune, this newspaper that rarely misfires/misfiles when it comes to news reports, gave us on Monday, July 25, 2016, an interesting summary of an exclusive interview published in the recent edition of The Interview Magazine relating to retired generals Muhammadu Buhari

N150

After arresting over 57,000 Turks and placing a travel ban on thousands, Turkish president, Tayyip Erdogan, at the weekend linked 17 Nigerian schools to the recent military coup in his country. As Erdogan forges ahead in his morbid search, propelled by grand illusions, we hope he will not list the entire West Africa, the United Nations and the EU nations as conspirators.

in&out with Tony Afejuku

08055213059

The past of two great Nigerian generals and Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. In the brief report, we read a pertinent glimpse of the past of the two preeminent generals.

What happened between both military gentlemen thirty-one years ago has come to us in what my writing imagination is compelling me to call a precious time of “moral equivalent of war”- actually the title of a recently re-read essay. President Buhari is waging a spiritual and moral war against corruption in our country.

Whether or not his current war is partial or semi-partial or merely cosmetic or idealistic is not really important now.

What I find moving as I shoot my memory and imagination to the past, the past that the afore-said interview has rekindled, is the legend of Buhari’s “integrity, honesty and fairness” that surfaces. As a national newspaper informs us, by way of reference to the cited interview, “Shagari once exonerated Buhari of complicity in the coup that toppled his government, saying, ‘it was when those boys that overthrew our government were looking for someone with integrity, honesty, and fairness to be the head of their government, that was when Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s name came in.’” The names of those who played prominent roles in the Shagari-overthrow were given in the newspaper, Daily Sun, report. In fact, we were given the name of the general who recommended Buhari for the military mango job, a recommendation which all the major dramatis personae accepted.

But the catch of The Interview Magazine report paraphrased by the different dailies

Did I just say that the generals “have played more than sufficient roles in our military and political and economic affairs?” is this: “Babangida overthrew Buhari to escape probe,” as newspapers, in various guises, put it. So Buhari is after all a truly daring warrior against corruption?

Thirty-one years ago he dared his primary constituency, and the gap-toothed general and his fellow band of like-minds got rid of him before he got rid of them. What was rumoured thirty-one years ago has now come out of the very mouth of the moral general who is now in the prime position to reduce the mischievous betrayers of thirty-one years ago to the dreadful necessity of the present. If Buhari is legendarily right with respect to the

Rio 2016: NFF may charter private jet for Dream Team THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are considering chartering a private jet to fly the country’s Olympic team to Brazil from the United States of America, officials have disclosed.

The Nigeria U23s will now depart Atlanta, United States of America for Brazil today.

According to an official statement by the NFF, the earlier arrangement was for

the team to depart for Brazil in batches due to difficulties in securing seats for the team, but the NFF decided against that movement and they are now thinking of either getting them to Brazil as a team or chartering a private plane to take the team directly to Manaus, venue of the team’s first match.

Nigeria play their first match against Japan on Friday 2am Nigerian time.

legendary story of his legendary betrayal and legendarily repugnant overthrow, he should revisit the past without qualms.

The ancient looters of our commonwealth, the hunting generals of yesteryears who hunted us up and down must be part of the current permissible war and justice against corruption. It does not matter if Buhari’s sacred war may inspire another war of the generals. What matters is that Buhari’s justice will fetch us the ideal harvest - if what he recently reveals is correct.

And our honest and fair general – if we must believe Alhaji Shehu Shagari – must go the whole hog: He must re-visit Journalist Dele Giwa’s death by a mystery bomb under his usurper’s watch, and the Halliburton and plunders and other plunders in the land. If he can descend on the generals he is descending on now, is it the old, past band of generals he cannot flatten? The piratical generals of the past are no less guilty than the irrational generals of the present. The ensuing war my writing imagination is igniting is giving me an exotically exciting expensive fascination.

Maybe after reading this IBB and his fellow brethren of yester-years of voracious power will quietly go to “General Integrity” and plead that bygones should be bygones. Or shouldn’t the past bury the past? But we must sound this alarm: Retribution’s law never fails, as it never ceases. Yes, but ultimately it is better to be a victim than to be a victimizer. I accept and applaud both choices.

NPFL RESULTS 3SC

2

Sunshine 1

IfeanyiUbah

2 Pillars

1

MFM FC

0

Plateau

1

Enyimba

1

Rangers

1

Lobi

3

Wolves

0

Akwa Utd

3 Wikki

Tornadoes

2 Abia Warriors 1

Amaju Pinnick, NFF President

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 1/8/2016.

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