1st October 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 16,339 THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER, 2015

HID Awolowo's burial will unite Nigeria —Methodist Prelate —P16

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EDITORIAL COMMENT

Nigeria at 55

From left, Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence (Dr) Samuel Emeka Uche, presenting letter of condolence to Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, at the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos, on Wednesday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

S Nigerians roll out the drums to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the nation’s existence as an independent nation, it is important that this special moment is set aside for critical reflection on its chequered political trajectory. Today, more than on any other occasion in the recent past, the country is poised delicately between opportunity and peril, and it behooves our intelligentsia, both at home and abroad, to pool the best ideas that will impel the country towards much-needed economic prosperity for all. Continues pg19

Ministerial list: Buhari beats deadline, sends first batch to Senate —P10

•Amaechi, Fashola, Onu, Ngige, Lai Mohammed touted •Envelope containing list won't be opened till Tuesday —Saraki Touted minister-nominees Rotimi Amaechi Babatunde Fashola Ogbonnaya Onu Aisha Alhassan Adebayo Shittu Abubakar Malami Chris Ngige Lai Mohammed Kayode Fayemi

— — — — — — — — —

Former governor, Rivers State Former governor, Lagos State Former governor, Abia State APC guber candidate in Taraba APC chieftain, Oyo State CPC Legal Adviser (2011) Former governor, Anambra State APC National Publicity Secretary Former governor, Ekiti State

PDP restores zoning ahead 2019 elections •To pick presidential candidate —P8 from North

Bayelsa: Sylva wins APC guber primaries —P42 Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (left), receiving the ministerial list from the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari (middle), at the office of the Senate President, Abuja, on Wednesday. With them is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.

Independence anniversary messages

Buhari calls for patience

•Our challenges are temporary —Saraki •Happy times will be here —Dogara —P10

•As Alaibe withdraws from race

Bird flu spreads to Saraki: Reps direct Dogara to meet Buhari 85 LGs in 21 states •As judge withdraws from trial —P8 —P43

Boko Haram poisons water source in villages —P10

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

PHOTOS: Tommy Adegbite

9 1. A cross section of clerics of The Apostolic Church, Remo Area with Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. 2. From left, Mr Toyin Okeowo, Venerable Abel Ajibade, Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Right Reverend (Dr) James Odedeji, the Lord Bishop, Lagos West Anglican Communion. 3. Evangelist J.A. Adelakun (right), presenting some of his recorded disk to Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 4. From left, Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and the Oyo State NUJ chairman, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun. 5. From left, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Mrs Adenike Idowu, Principal, Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos; Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Mrs Abimbola Ali, Vice-Prin-

cipal. 6. From left, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Emeka Uche, Chief Bode Akindele and The Most Rev. Luke Odubanjo, Bishop of Egba Yewa. 7. A cross section of Alhaji D.S. Adegbenroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 8. From left, Right Reverend J.O. Akinsanya, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Most Reverend Solomon Ojumu of the African Church, Ogun Province. 9. From left, Mrs Iyabo Stephen, Most Reverend Kehinde Stephen and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 10 A cross section fo the Ikenne Christian Prayer Fellowship with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

news

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Nasarawa election petition tribunal dismisses Maku’s case Ademola Adegbite-Lafia

overnorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at High Court 4 in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Wednesday, dismissed the petition filed by the im-

mediate past Minister of Information and gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) against Governor Umaru Tanko Al- Makura for lack of merit. While delivering her judgment, Justice Halima Shammaki, after reading

Old Boys honour their elders Activities lined up to mark the 2015 Annual General Meeting ( AGM) of Oke-Are Seminary Old Boys Association of Nigeria ( OSOBAN ), the alumni association of St. Theresa’s Catholic Minor Seminary, Oke-Are, Ibadan, begins with the conferment of honours and recognition of the ‘ ELDERS among its fold. The event to honour the elders is tagged ‘ Elders Forum’ and holds on Friday, October 2, at the Reverend (Fr) Dolan Hall, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Prominent among the elders to be honoured are Most Reverend (Dr) Felix Alaba Job, the Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan; a former Nigerian Ambassador, Michael Kuforiji and MrDejumo Lewis; the ‘Kabiyesi, Oloja of Oja’ of the popular but rested TV drama, ‘ The Village Headmaster. Others are Mr John Aniagwu, Mr Bernard Okodua, Professor Francis Ogunmodede, G.K

Ayankoya, among others. According to association’s president, Mr Ladi Taiwo, the decision to honour “our Elders is to give recognition to members who have become statesmen in their right and have attained the age of wisdom. They served humanity in their lives and in various human endeavours and if they are not honoured by the nation, the association must recognise their numerous contributions.” The event is packaged to be witnessed by the family members and associates of the elders, so as to make them happy and feel fulfilled even in their old age. Following on the heels of the elders’ recognition is the general meeting, scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 3, at OkeAre, Ibadan, to elect new new officers to run the affairs of the association, as the outgoing executives give account of their stewardship.

out all written addresses by all the counsels, declared that the forensic expert engaged by the petitioner failed to mention the source of his data and the tribunal could not rely on his explanation, because it was not from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who conducted the election. According to Shammaki, “the petition could not prove beyond reasonable doubt where he alleged that card readers were not used in some polling unit.” “He also failed to sort out ballot papers tendered before the tribunal, so it is not the business of the tribunal to sort it out for the petitioner.” Reacting to the judgment, the running mate of Maku during the election, Alhaji Ibrahim Abu, said they were not satisfied with the judgment, as according to him, “we were robbed, the people of the state were robbed and we will go to Supreme Court, where the last hope of common man lies.” He, therefore, urged the people of the state to remain calm and be resolute, as due process would be followed. Responding, counsel to Governor Al-Makura, Isaac Adebayo said the petitioner would also be defeated at the Appeal Court again.

nigeria@55

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Nigeria will stay united —Saraki Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

HE Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, disclosed on Tuesday that in spite of the current challenges facing the country it would remain one indivisible nation. He believed that with the support of every Nigerian, “the future of the country is very bright” insisting that we would get there one day. Speaking during a motion on the 55th independence anniversary celebration sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume but read by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Na’Alah, entitled “Congratulations to Nigeria and Nigerians on her 55th Independence Anniversary”, Saraki stated that “challenges of today is tempo-

rary.” According to him “l thank you for your robust debates, it is clear that Ni-

THE Centre for Crisis Communications (CCC) has congratulated citizens but lamented the widening insecurity situation in the country. In a statement signed by Executive Secretary, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), said “the Centre for Crisis Communication heartily felicitates with Nigerians on the auspicious occasion of the celebration of Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary. “The centre believes that in spite of the country’s chequered history of conflicts, crisis situations and

Bola Badmus - Lagos FORMER Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has tasked Nigerians to embrace love and defend the hard earned democracy. Ita-Giwa, who congratulated Nigerians as the country celebrates its 55th Independence Anniversary, also enjoined Nigerians to work harder and be determined to create more local and global impact among the comity of nations. The former presidential adviser, while harping on nation-building and the

violence, we do have reasons to celebrate Nigeria’s modest accomplishments and determination to remain a peaceful, progressive and united indivisible nation.” According to the executive secretary, without any doubt, “the most potent of the crisis assailing the country is the current Boko Haram insurgency in the North eastern parts which has led to the loss of thousands of innocent lives, displacement of over a million people from their homes and the destruction of property, homes and livelihood.”

Ekweremadu preaches unity, good governance Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja DEPUTY President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekwermadu, has described national unity and good governance as essential ingredients in the nation’s quest for national development. Senator Ekweremadu, who stated this in his independence message to Nigerians, reasoned that the nation’s founding fathers were able to achieve

independence for Nigeria because they rose above political, ethnic, religious, and sectional cleavages to speak with one voice. According to him, “Sadly, there is no doubt that the full blessings of political independence has continued to elude us. I, therefore, believe that the occasion of the 55th Independence Anniversary is an opportunity for soul searching and retracing of our steps.

Nothing to celebrate —Fasoranti Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

THE leader of the Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Af-

enifere, Pa Rueben Fasonranti, on Wednesday said Nigerians and Nigeria have nothing to celebrate about

Be hopeful, Lasun tells Nigerians Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, yesterday enjoined Nigerians to be hopeful for a better tomorrow. In his goodwill message to Nigerians, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Honourable Lasun said that with tolerance and

sources for sustainable development. All agencies of government must work for the development of the

Ita-Giwa tasks Nigerians on unity

CCC bemoans insecurity Chris Agbambu – Abuja

geria shall remain one indivisible country. We have made a lot of progress and we must build on our re-

unity of purpose, the nation would grow to the level that it would be competing with other developed nations of the world. The Deputy Speaker, however, used the occasion to call on Nigerians to give President Mohammadu Buhari a chance to put things right in the country.

need for a dynamic and dedicated leadership to sustain the country’s growth and development, equally enjoined Nigerians to improve the way they related with one another and begin to see themselves first as Nigerians, rather than one ethnic group or the other. Ita-Giwa, who is the Bakassi political leader, in-

sisted that the future of Nigeria rest in its ability to achieve unity and peace. She also said that those in leadership positions should be exemplary to their followers, contending that unity and peace would be much easier to attain if leaders at all levels allowed justice and fair play to govern their actions.

Fayose calls for strengthening of core values EKITI State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has called for the strengthening of core values in the country for it to take its pride of place among its peers. In a broadcast to mark this year’s independence anniversary in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, the governor said it was unfortunate that despite the fact that the nation was marking her 55th independence anniversary, her developmental strides had not been commensurate with her age. In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor lamented the current economic situation

Mark craves for peaceful, united nation Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has implored Nigerians to guard jealously and uphold the sanctity of the nation’s independence attained with sweat and pains of founding fathers and make the country a better place for all. He spoke against the backdrop of the current security challenges in the country aggravated by the Boko Haram insurgents, saying that everything must be done to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria. its 55th Independence Anniversary considering the myriads of challenges confronting the nation. Pa Fasoranti stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital. The Afenifere leader said, “we cannot continue like this, what are we celebrating when salaries of workers are not being paid regularly, no employment for our youths, our economy is going down everyday, there is insecurity and you said you are celebrating Nigeria at 55. To me, there is nothing to celebrate at this critical time.”

in the country and called for greater commitment on the part of leaders to get the country out of the woods.

country. I believe the future is bright and I believe with corporation, we will get there.” Presenting the motion, Na’Alah noted that on Thursday, October 1, 2015, Nigeria will mark her 55th Independence Anniversary, having attained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960. Senator Sanni Shehu said “the leaders of today must

THE Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has order men of the Nigeria Police to ensure adequate aerial and vehicle patrol of all nooks and crannies of the country. The security measure, he said, was put in place to ensure a peaceful and secured anniversary celebration. According to a statement issued by the Force Public relations officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, the IGP directed all Zonal Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure adequate and effective deployment of all operational tools and manpower within their commands.

look back and ask what have we done to the families of those who fought for the independence?” The Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, stated that “as we celebrate the 55th independence, we must not overlook the challenges the country is facing currently,” mentioning the insurgency, unemployment and kidnapping among others.

Time to remember past heroes —APC Bola Badmus - Lagos

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday felicitated with all Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 55th independence anniversary, saying the occasion provided an oppor-

IGP orders adequate aerial, vehicle patrols Chris Agbambu - Abuja

Nigerian Tribune

“The IGP enjoins all well meaning persons and groups, to cooperate with the force by providing useful information, especially with regards to the ongoing fight against terrorism and other forms of crime and criminalities, for the mutual benefit and collective interest of the citizenry,” he said

tunity to remember all the nation’s past heroes as well as the sacrifices they made to keep the nation united and strong. The party said this in the anniversary message issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, adding that the anniversary also provided us with the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the ideals for which they lived. The APC said it was necessary for all Nigerians, in line with the wordings of the country’s national anthem, to re-commit themselves to serving their fatherland with love, strength and faith so as to ensure that the labour of those heroes past were not in vain.

Nigeria has advanced beyond description —Inah Ubong Anthony - Calabar A former permanent secretary in the old Cross River State, Chief Wilfred Inah, has said that Nigeria has advanced beyond description, 55 years after independence. Inah who stated this in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Calabar also said that Nigeria has made steady prog-

ress, especially in education and human capital development. He said, “Nigeria has advanced in many ways, for instance in education we now have more than 20 times the number of universities we had in the 1960’s. Other educational institutions have equally multiplied. I also think that the standard of education has improved.”

Nwajei flays federal character ideology Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba THE ideology of federal character has taken Nigeria some steps backward and unless it is reviewed the march towards Eldorado may not be in sight. Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Senator Francis

Nwajei who disclosed this in Asaba on Wednesday said creation of states brought in the federal character commission in which the best was not considered for positions but rather promoted, in some cases, mediocrity. Senator Nwajei, who spoke on the nationhood at 55, said a nation desir-

ing efficiency should cancel the ideology of federal character, adding that state creation had brought about a situation where everybody was after his own. He said it would be wrong to conclude that politicians were selfish or not committed to the course of the common man.

Patriotism, selfless service, true essence of our independence -Ambode Bola Badmus - Lagos LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, felicitated with Nigerians as the country marks its 55th Independence Anniversary, saying patriotism and selfless service were two aspects that can truly reflect the essence of the country’s Independence. Ambode said this on Wednesday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Habib Aruna, urging Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the pride and service of the nation as exemplified by her

founding fathers. He said the period of Independence must not be lost on anyone, urging Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the pride and service of the nation as exemplified by her founding fathers. The Governor, who said

the message of Independence must not be lost on anyone, stated that there was need to rekindle the flame that ignited the determination of the founding fathers to fight for and obtain independence and the pride they had in serving the country.

Let’s keep faith in Nigeria —Seyi Makinde OYO State-born politician, Mr Seyi Makinde, has enjoined Nigerians to keep faith in the country. In a press statement to mark 55th independence anniversary of the country, Makinde called on Nige-

rians to celebrate the independence with focus on keeping faith in the country. According to him, this became necessary to ensure that “Nigeria is returned to prosperous and peaceful era.”

nigeria@55

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Happy times will be here again —Dogara Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday, felicitated with Nigerians on the 55th independence anniversary of the country. In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, the speaker said although Nigeria is facing multifarious challenges, nonetheless the country had witnessed significant improvement in some areas. Dogara declared that “Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the 55 years of independence and over 100 years of existence.”

According to him, “I will urge our people to use this period to give thanks to God for keeping the coun-

Nigeria is moving towards greatness —Abdul Isiaq Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna SOCIAL Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate in the last election in Kaduna State, Abdul Isiaq, said “at this state of our nationhood, I realised that the country is moving towards greatness. All these trials and errors signify that one day we will get it right. “Don’t forget we have had 16 years of uninterrupted democracy. And for the first time we have a sitting president overthrown by the ballot box not gun. To me, all these are clear signs that we are gradually leaping forward.”

Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday charged Nigerians to have full respect for the office and person of President Muhammadu Buhari who is the symbol of the leadership of the country. This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, to commemorate the nation’s 55th independence anniversary It urged Nigerians to use the anniversary to recom-

Ibrahim said the country was yet to exploit its abundant human and material resources to transform the nation due to the lack of political will, corruption, ethno-religious and political crises and insecurity. He, however, expressed confidence in the President Buhari-led administration, saying the government’s commitment in the fight against corruption had rekindled hope for the nation.

Pastor Johanna Buru has said that Nigeria is a great country. He disclosed this in his independence message on Wednesday. The cleric said “There are

mit themselves to respecting their leaders at the local, state and national levels, while paying adequate reverence to national symbols and institutions. PDP pointed out that though the president could be constructively criticised, but “under no circumstance should he be abused or insulted in any way and under any guise whatsoever.” According to the PDP, “on this note therefore, we expect those around our dear president to be cautious and desist from actions and utterances that tend to set him up for public ridicule.” It congratulated the nation for giants strides achieved since independence, especially within the 16 years under the PDP led-administration, during which enviable milestones were recorded in critical sectors of the polity. It assured that even in opposition, it would continue to ensure that the country “is not dragged back to the dark years of dictatorship by firmly defending the tenets of democracy and provisions of the constitution.” The party insisted that the feat achieved through the successful conduct of

Hon Odebunmi calls for patriotism A member of the National Assembly, Honourable Segun Dokun Odebunmi, has called on Nigerians to be more patriotic and committed to the advancement of the country. Honourable Odebunmi representing Ogo-Oluwa

Surulere Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, in a press statement, said “as we celebrate 55 years of independence as a nation, we have to reflect on our attitude towards the greatness of this nation.

2015 general election and the smooth transition, all resulting from the democratic disposition of PDP leaders, must be sustained, as the country “cannot afford to degenerate from its globally acclaimed democratic credentials.” It also commended the military for the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in the country even as it commiserated with all those affected by the senseless acts of terrorism and violence.

THE senator representing Lagos West, Senator Solomon Adeola, has predicted

a brighter future for Nigeria and Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 55th indepen-

Oyo NIPR calls for support towards a new Nigeria By Nurudeen Alimi THE Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Oyo State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the

lot of potentials in the land. At 55, though we cannot be compared with great nations like United Kingdom and America, but then with time we are getting there. “We have great people who are doing well. So, we need the right leadership.”

present government on its new initiatives most especially the anti-corruption war. According to a congratulatory message to Nigerians on the 55th independence anniversary of the country and signed by its Chairman, Henry Adegbuyi, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, Oyo NIPR said: “We give glory to God for the successes and achievements the country recorded in the last five and half decades in diverse areas of human endeavours.”

human development index,” saying “I am very hopeful that happy times will be here again.” He said rather than grieving over the problems and challenges facing the country, Nigerians must move away from lamentation and hopelessness to a new era of hope and positivity about the future of the country. He said “The new leadership in the country under our great political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is determined to provide quality leadership. “The eighth House of Representatives will continue to enact people-oriented legislations that will be targeted at solving the

Nigeria’s history replete with woes —NMA Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said the greater part of Nigeria’s history is replete with woes, travails, lamentations and buck passing without effective remediation. In its Independence message, the NMA said the country scored unimpressive mark which accounted for its position in the ranking of Global Human Development and Health Indices. In the message, signed by the NMA President, Dr Kayode Obembe, the association, however, stated that Nigeria did not lack the required policies and recommendations but bad leadership and lack of implementation. Dr Obembe said: “We also observe that the country has never lacked effective recommendations to mitigate our crippling socioeconomic, political and developmental woes; rather poor leadership and poor

Senator Adeola predicts brighter future

Nigeria is a great country —Pastor Buru Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

developing countries, “Nigeria is far left behind in many areas and ranked among the lowest in the

PDP canvasses full respect for Buhari

CAN expresses hope for the nation under Buhari THE Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday expressed hope for a better Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. The association’s Secretary in the state, Reverend Sunday Ibrahim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that at 55, Nigeria was still faced with security, socioeconomic and political challenges.

try one despite many upheavals.” The speaker said that when compared with other

dence anniversary. The senator said that in spite of daunting challenges at present and a chequered past, Nigeria has survived as a nation adding that “the new administration of President Buhari is poised to effect necessary changes.” “Without mincing words, Nigeria has missed many opportunities to develop its resources and potentials. At present, the economic environment nationally and internationally is very challenging and daunting. But I am convinced that with the present administration of President Buhari and its anti-corruption policy, the focus on revenue generation and economic diversification, Nigeria stands a good chance of liberating its people from economic want and misery,” the senator stated.

implementation have been responsible for the uninspiring status of the nation in the global development circle.” He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari and all leaders at various levels on the conduct of the 2015 general election, describing it as a landmark within the year. The NAM said: “As Nigeria clocks 55 as an independent nation, and one year since the signing of National Health Act 2014, the President of NMA, Dr Lawrence Kayode Obembe, on behalf of all the medical doctors and dentists in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, wishes to congratulate the President and Commanderin-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, all other leaders at various levels of authority, and the entire citizens of our great country for the journey so far.

Nigerian Tribune

current socio-economic and security challenges in line with our legislative agenda.”

Organised private sector demands improved power supply President, Delta Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), Mr Simon Asite, on Wednesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to improve electricity generation to boost the country’s economy. Asite made the appeal while fielding questions on Nigeria’s achievements on its 55th independence anniversary from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Warri. According to him, “it is disgusting that at 55, Nigeria is still grappling with the challenges of inadequate power supply. “Power is critical to the growth of any economy in the world, so I expect President Buhari to tackle this challenge headlong so as to encourage the growth of cottage businesses. “Again, government is the largest player in the economy, so I want the president to inject fund into the economy while tackling corruption simultaneously.” The DACCIMA president also urged President Buhari to be prudent in the war against corruption.

Enhancing regional authorities will lead to Nigeria’s disintegration —Balarabe Musa A former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, on Wednesday, warned against reducing the powers of the Federal Government, saying that enhancing regional authorities would lead to Nigeria’s disintegration. The former governor made the remark in an interview

with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary. He said Nigerians should not listen to “secessionist forces” advocating for stronger regions, noting that already such regional forces had pulled the country backward.

Nigeria’ll soon overcome challenges —Oyo Speaker By Nurudeen Alimi SPEAKER, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo, has expressed optimism that Nigeria will soon overcome all its challenges. The speaker made the remark in his independence anniversary message to Nigerians. Adeyemo, who described Nigeria as a work in progress, noted that the country had made appreciable progress especially with its

democracy. He urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the ideals of national development, unity and cohesion even in the face of obvious daunting socio-economic challenges. Honourable Adeyemo, however, solicited support for the APC-led government at all levels in the ongoing efforts at tackling the decay in various facets, especially the fight against corruption.

news

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Saraki saga: Reps want political solution Direct Dogara to meet with Buhari over crisis Jacob Segun Olatunji, Kolawole Daniel and Sunday Ejike - Abuja

HE House of Representatives, on Wednesday, resolved that the ongoing trial of the chairman of the National Assembly (NASS), who is also the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal be settled through political solution. The House also resolved that the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara should meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, with a view to resolving all outstanding issues relating to the National Assembly in the interest of Nigerians. This followed a motion moved by Honourable Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe (Imo-PDP), under matters of urgent public importance, entitled: “Nigeria’s 55 years of Independence: Need for vigilance.” Presenting the motion at the pelnary Hon Igbokwe urged all the institutions of government to be guided by the rule of law and due process as Nigeria “marks 55 Independence Anniversary.” He urged the institutions in the country to avoid being used to undermine any arm of government, saying that milestones so far achieved in the country were sustainable due to the strengthening of institutions through legislation. Honourable Igbokwe, who commended Nigerians for their support for the growth of the country’s democracy, pointed out that the advent of democracy had given Nigerians a sense of inclusion and participation in governance, especially opportunity to choose their leaders. According to the him, “the 55th Independence anniversary offers another opportunity to reflect on the country’s past and plans for the future, as there are so many reasons to celebrate our independence anniversary in spite of our challenges as a nation.” In his contribution, the Minority Leader, Honourable Leo Ogor (Delta-PDP), who proposed an amendment to the prayers, said the involvement of the House and the Speaker would be to find political solution to the issue, so as to protect the National Assembly as an institution and the interest of Nigeria’s democracy. In her own contribution,

Honourable Nnenna Ukeje (Abia-PDP), pointed out that although the efforts of the country’s founding fathers gave hope, but “Nigerians still yearn for improved life” thus canvassed for a more united Nigeria, one devoid of religious and political bickering. Also contributing, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, (Abia PDP), who

decried the level of infrastructural decay in various sectors in the country, expressed worry that institutions like schools and hospitals had dilapidated structures with lack of equipment to operate. According to Onyejeocha, “the country needs to go back to the drawing board and take stock of where things went wrong.”

She also pointed out the need for the country to embrace acceptable norms crucial for a crime-free society. When the motion was moved, it was unanimously adopted through a voice vote by the lawmakers.

Judge hands off Saraki’s case, sends case file to CJ for re-

assignment

Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, remitted the suit filed by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to the Chief Judge of the court for reassignment. Justice Mohammed said the action was due to negative reports from online media, which stated that he

granted order restraining the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from hearing the matter, as against his instructions that the parties be put on notice. When the matter came up on Wednesday for the respondents to come and show cause on why he should not grant the request of the Senate President, parties were absent in court.

2019 election: PDP restores zoning •To pick presidential candidate from North •To adopt direct primaries in choosing candidates Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja AHEAD 2019 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, hinted its intention to restore its earlier principle of zoning at all levels. To this end, the party declared that since the last president it produced, Dr Goodluck Jonathan who came from the Southern part of the country, its next presidential candidate for the 2019 election would be picked from the Northern part of the country. Acting national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, who dropped the hint in Abuja, on Wednesday, while receiving the report of the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led PDP Post- Election Review Committee, stated that the action was being taken in the spirit of all-inclusive PDP being packaged by its National Working Committee (NWC), in conjunction with other decision making bodies and all stakeholders of the party.

This came just as the leadership of the party accused President Muhammadu Buhari of playing games with Nigerians over his refusal to name his cabinet over four months he assumed office, despite his numerous promises to name his ministers before the end of September. Prince Secondus declared that it was worisome that the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led Federal Government had refused

to name ministers as promised, despite the constitutional provisions that the president must have a cabinet, which would work with him in administering the country. He said Buhari was doing this deliberately, in order for him “to be ruling Nigeria as a sole administrator; this must stop, there must be ministers.” Secondus, who also accused Buhari of being selective in his administration’s

ers. Presenting the report earlier, Senator Ekweremadu assured that if the party should stand its ground and see to the full implementation of recommendations of the committee, the party would not only regain its losses, but would as well disloge the APC from power at all levels come 2019, based on the finding of the committees across the states of the federation.

Tribunal adopts Ladoja, Ajimobi’s final addresses By Tunde Ogunesan OYO State governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday, adopted written addresses of all the parties on the petition brought before it by the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, challenging the election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chairman of the tribunal, after adoption of counsels’ final addresses, Justice Muhammad Aliu Mayaki, informed that the date of the judgment would be communicated to them. Senator Ladoja is challenging the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state, in a suit number EPT/ IB/Gov/22/2015. The three-man panel is headed by Justice Muhammad Aliu Mayaki, with Justices Muhammad

Our expectations from contestants —‘Dance With Peter’ judges JUDGES of ‘Dance with Peter’ reality TV show, sponsored by Globacom, have disclosed the qualities the contestants taking part in the dancing competition should possess to stand a chance of winning the mouth-watering prizes promised by the telecoms operator. The prizes being offered by Globacom include a brand new Toyota Rav4 and N3 million cash prize for the winner, as well as a Honda Civic car with N2 million cash and a Kia Rio with N1 million cash for the first and second runnersup, respectively. Speaking on his expectations from the contestants,

war against corruption, challenged him to go after other known corrupt APC members, in order to show his sincerity to the entire world in the crusade. The acting national chairman, who assured that the PDP would see to the full implementation of all the recommendations of the committee, pleaded with party members to drop their personal interests and allow for the collective rebuilding of the party by all stakehold-

the show originator, Peter Okoye of PSquare, said he was looking for uniqueness. “I am looking for the X Factor. I need someone that can give me a distinct performance and wow me. My advice to the contestants is for them to realise that with great power and opportunity comes great responsibility. So, they have to BRING IT ON!!! They should give it their best and hopefully they can make it to the end.” He added that “dancers are working really hard, so it is time to appreciate them.” Don Flexx, PSquare’s choreographer, who is also a judge in the show, said

“I’m looking out for creativity, originality, someone who is smart and can think out of the box in delivering tasks giving to him.” On her part, Nigeria’s dance queen and Guinness Book of World Record holder for the longest dance ever, who is also a female judge on the show, Kaffy, “I am looking for originality. The dancers should be comfortable and bring out the dance from their souls. I would be looking forward to seeing dancers take advantage of the mentorship by the judges to metamorphose from what they were when they entered and blossom to a better version of themselves.”

Karaye and J.E Ikede as members. The petitioner also joined APC, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner,Dr Rufus Akeju and the commission itself as co-respondents. The petitioners’ counsel, Chief Richard Ogunwole, first and second respondents’ counsel, Wole Olanipekun and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and counsel to the third and fourth respondents, Yusuf Ali, who led their teams of counsel were present in court at Wednesday’s proceeding. In his final address, counsel for Governor Ajimobi, Olanipekun, urged the tribunal to dismiss Senator Ladoja’s petition, because it had no substantial evidence and noted that the petitioner did not emerge through his party’s primaries election. Olanipekun stated that “this petition is dead on arrival. This is the first and only petition where the petitioner did not have a witness statement. We have also taking objection to it by citing the Court of Appeal decision on the signature of the petitioner that there was no petition signed by the petitioner and it ought to have been struck out on this basis.” He noted that the petitioner did not present any

evidence of rigging, manipulation of election result and unprecedented act of violence as being sought for by the petitioner. Olanipekun further added that the petition was an abuse of court process and waste of time of the tribunal. Also, counsel for the second respondent, Akeredolu, noted that “the imprecise and vague nature of the petition” showed the level of unseriousness on the part of the petitioner. In his presentation, counsel for the third and fourth respondents, Ali, maintained that all the allegations included in the petition were ‘baseless’ and urged the tribunal to dismiss it without further delay. Meanwhile, the petitioner’s counsel, Ogunwole, argued that preliminary objections should not be attached to the final addresses of the respondents. He challenged the respondents to give evidences that the petitioner did not go through primaries election process of his party before emerging as a candidate of the Accord Party. After adopting the written addresses of the parties, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mayaki directed all respondents to make available copies of authorities cited in their final addresses by Friday.

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Govt assures on Ago-Palace ‘link’ Way, disowns Ile-Epo axis Chukwuma Okparaocha

agos State Government has assured on the completion of the final phase of the ongoing Ago Place Way from Fedrick Fasheun junction to Amuwo-Odofin Bridge among various others projects across the state. Responding to media commentaries on the state of the road, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in a statement disclosed that efforts were on to ensure that contractors on all its road projects return to work and deliver high quality roads within reasonable timeframe. According to the statement, conceived as a link between Isolo axis and the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway and Lagos Badagry Expressway, the Ago Palace way was segmented into phases to ensure ease of financing and delivery. “Phase 1 of the road is 1.7km long road. It spans between Durban junction and the bridge. Phase 2 is the expansion of the 700m long bridge, while Phase 3 is 1.65km long road that spans between Okota Road Junc-

tion and Fredrick Fasehun junction. The three phases have been completed and in use,” the statement said. “The phase IV is a 3.05km long road. Currently, the project has attained 45per cent completion with significant works done on all the drainage/ culvert and New Jersey barrier works.

Also, work is at advance stage on relocation of services, soil stabilisation, and provision of crush stone before laying of 80mm interlocking paving stone on a segment of the road,” it further said. According to the statement by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure erosion

and flooding within the carriageway has subsided with the completion of drainage works along both sides of the 3.05 km road, adding that inclement weather has reduced the pace of work on the road. While assuring that the pace of work will soon pick up, the ministry noted that

optional routes had been provided and made motorable by the contractor. They include Lamidi Ariyo, Folarin Fatunisi, Femi Kila, Ostra Lane, Zoostra Lane, Hakeem Dosunmu, Prince Joseph Adebayo, Awka Etiti, Okiki and Jemtok Street. Commenting also on the

A couple identified as Dio Ochepo, 42 and his wife, Ene Ochepo, 43 have been arrested by the police for allegedly keeping a 20 yearold-boy captive. The incident happened at 4, Aro-Oloye Street, off Better Life bus stop, Abaranje, Ikotun on the outskirts of Lagos where they reside. It was gathered that the man and his wife went to their home town in Benue State and brought 20-yearold Godspower Otache to Lagos under the false pretence of assisting him because he came from a poor home. They promised his parents that they would assist them to train the victim and send him to school. But after he was brought to Lagos, the police said the couple allegedly turned him into a slave. The victim was allegedly

I rob when drunk —Suspect

Olalekan Olabulo

This section of the lagoon located under the bridge linking Ebute Metta to Third Mainland Bridge has virtually been turned into a dump site, disfiguring the mega city status of Lagos while also posing environmental and health risks. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa

Couple remanded in prison for ‘enslaving’ 20-year-old Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

complaints by residents and road users, the statement gave indication that action to complete the project was being taken with necessary funding requirements being met.

subjected to all sorts of inhuman treatment, constant beating and torture. He was not allowed to go to school or move out of their apartment. He allegedly worked from morning till night without proper feeding. This did not go down well with the residents who also noticed that the victim was

not allowed to have any contact with his family and the neighbours. It was gathered that it was their neighbours who informed the police about Otache’s condition. The police subsequently arrested the couple and rescued the victim and took them to the station.

The man and his wife were charged with human trafficking before a Magistrates’ court sitting in Ejigbo. They pleaded not guilty on the three-count charge of felony, slavery and assault under the Criminal Code. The presiding Magistrate, Mrs J. O. E. Adeyemi granted them bail with two

sureties in like sum. The court also ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant from level 10 and above and must show evidence of payment of tax for two years. They were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail.

Container-trucks continue to shun govt’s restriction order Chukwuma Okparaocha About a month after the Lagos State government gave the order that container-trucks had been banned on all roads in the state between 6am and 9pm every day, drivers of such vehicles are yet to comply with the order. Lagos Metro which has continued to monitor the level of compliance with the government’s directive

counted no fewer than 10 trucks carrying various containers on the Agege-Abule Egba road and the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. All the trucks were noticed to have travelled without any noticeable disturbance or interference by any law enforcement officer who often could be found at different spots on the roads. At the ever busy road, Lagos Metro spotted a rickety truck carrying two contain-

ers, whose driver appeared to be making a phone call while driving. Other road users were quick to hinge this development on the state government’s seeming lacklustre attitude towards dealing with those flouting the order. A commuter who shared a bus with our correspondent said that since the law restricting the movements of such trucks was reawakened

by the Governor Akinwunmi Amobode administration, no one was known to have been arrested and made to face the music. “How can these trucks are roving about in broad daylight when less than a month ago, we were all told the good news that they had been ordered to stay off the roads until 9pm. This is another clear indication of the government neglecting its own orders,” he said.

A 30-year-old armed robbery suspect, who was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has blamed his addiction to alcohol for his involvement in armed robbery. The suspect was a few days ago arrested by RRS operatives after a series of attacks on motorists around Surulere. The suspect, Michael Ogedengbe, had successfully smashed the side screen his last victim’s vehicle and had in the process robbed him of his handset, laptop and other valuables, when he was arrested. One of his victims, Emmanuel Ugwunne, who was attacked inside his Honda Accord saloon car with registration number, AGL 41 DC, aroused the attention of the RRS operatives when he shouted for help. According to the RRS Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olatunji Disu, “The policemen while on patrol duty saw Ugwunne crying for assistance after the suspect had damaged the windscreen and side window of his car to steal the valuable items.” On interrogation at the headquarters, the suspect, who confessed to the crime, said that he was under the influence of alcohol. The suspect said that “It is true that I damaged the windscreen and side window of his car and stole his handset and laptop. I didn’t do it ordinarily. It was because I just took some bottles of alcoholic drinks and liquor. I beg for forgiveness. The devil put me into the act.”

Thursday, 1 October, 2015 10 news Ministerial list: Buhari beats deadline, sends first batch to Senate

•To head petroleum ministry •Envelope containing list won't be opened till Tuesday —Saraki Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, beat the deadline he set for naming his cabinet, as he sent the

first batch of the ministerial list to the Senate. The president had, in his Independence anniversary message to Nigerians, stated that “the first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent

lists will be forwarded in due course.” The submission of the list was, however, confirmed by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, as his media office said though the Senate President had officially closed, he was in the

Troops ambush fleeing terrorists TROOPS of “Operation Lafiya Dole,” on Wednesday, ambushed fleeing terrorists and killed two of them, while they also captured several weapons and supplies. The troops had laid the ambush at the Boko Haram

crossing point into Sambisa Forest at Iza and engaged the terrorists who succumbed to the superior firepower of troops. At the end of the encounter, two of the terrorists were killed while some of them abandoned their

supplies and fled. A general purpose machine gun and one AK-47 rifle were captured. Other items abandoned by the terrorists were three bicycles, provisions including maggi, potash, peanut and onions.

Boko Haram poisons water sources in villages Chris Agbambu -Abuja Boko Haram terrorists have now resorted to poisoning water sources like wells and streams in areas they were dislodged by troops or areas threatened by offensive operations, the military said on Wednesday. The military said the insurgents poisoned cattle water ponds in Kangallam village on Marte and Abadam axis in Borno State, where a large number of cattle died

after drinking water from the ponds. In a statement, Colonel Tukur Gusau, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said credible information available to the Theatre Command indicated that though no human life was lost as a result of the act, some cattle were killed after drinking water from some poisoned sources. The action of the terrorists, he said, was, no doubt, aimed at taking their own pound of flesh on the inno-

Army inaugurates amnesty panel for Boko Haram Chris Agbambu -Abuja THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Wednesday, inaugurated a national committee to oversee the creation of safe passageway into the mainstream Nigerian society for surrendering members of the Boko Haram terrorists. The defence headquarters acted in compliance with directive by President

Muhammadu Buhari. It also conceded to inaugurate the committee, after acceding that the current unfavourable situation for the terrorists in the battlefield had resulted in large number of the insurgents willing to surrender their arms to embrace peace. However, the Boko Haram members penciled Continues pg46

Buhari returns to Abuja from UN Assembly Clement Idoko -Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, returned to Abuja from United States of America, where he had gone to attend the 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York. He was received by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. President Buhari, who addressed the Assembly on Monday, equally met notable work leaders, attended sessions on anti-terror initiatives and pleaded with

world leaders for support on his anti-graft war. He called on the international community to urgently redouble its efforts to strengthen mechanisms for dismantling havens for proceeds of corruption. Buhari, while addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly, also urged his counterparts to do more to return stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin. He reaffirmed his administration's determination to frontally confront the twin evils of corruption and illicit financial outflows.

cent citizens and livestock, as a result of the unbearable offensive operations through the combined effort of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force to route them out completely from their enclaves and hideouts all over the North East. In view of the development, he said citizens were called upon to avoid as much as possible drinking water from unverified sources, especially in locations where troops routed out Boko Haram terrorists.

office, apparently waiting on hints that a crew from the Presidency was coming to deliver the list to him. The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, took the list to Saraki at 5.00 p.m. The Senate President confirmed the receipt in a tweet on his Twitter handle @bukolasaraki on Wednesday, but refused to disclose the names. "I can now confirm that I just received #the list of ministerial nominees." His media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, who also confirmed the receipt of the ministerial list by his boss, said the envelope containing the list was sealed and would remain sealed till Tuesday. He said the Senate President would only read the letter to his colleagues at the plenary on Tuesday. Earlier, the Senate spokesman, Senator Dino Melaye, had told Senate correspondents that the media would be intimated as soon as the list got to the Senate. Following an endless wait for the list, Melaye told newsmen that the me-

dia would be intimated as soon as the list arrived. “We are still waiting for the ministerial list from the president. I want to advise that there is no need for agitation because September expires by midnight and the office of the Senate President is open,” he had said. At the plenary earlier on Wednesday, Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, had raised a point of order based on privileges to prompt Saraki to read the letter from the president.

Akpabio said the media had been awash with reports of possible ministerial list and that he had no idea of the said list as a senator. Deputy Senate leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, however, told the Senate that the president actually promised to unveil the list on September 30, adding that the day was still on till midnight. Saraki thereafter ruled Akpabio out of order, adding that the nation should be patient and await the ministerial list.

I will head Petroleum Resources ministry —Buhari PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said he will head the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the new cabinet. Addressing some select reporters in New York, United States, on Tuesday, after addressing a Global Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism, he said “I wil remain Minister of Petroleum. I will, however, appoint a Minister of State for Petroleum.” According to him, the step was being taken as part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s oil industry which, he said, was plagued by corruption,

massive fraud and crude oil theft. Buhari restated his determination to sanitise Nigeria’s oil industry and free it from corruption and shady deals. He said the first step in this direction had already been taken with the appointment of a new management for the NNPC and its subsequent reorganisation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for most part of his tenure, was the minister of petroleum.

Independence anniversary: Impatience not a virtue —Buhari PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has tasked Nigerians to be more patient with his administration as it continues its change mantra, adding that impatience is not a virtue. The president, in a broadcast to mark the 55th Independence anniversary of the country, said "order is more vital than speed," adding that "careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better result for our country is what the APC government for change is all about." Speaking on the backdrop of delay in appointment of ministers, Buhari said there was no cause to be anxious, while confirming that the wait was over. "Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. "Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handing over notes

from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. "Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its report on the reorganisation of Federal Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalised the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance. "Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue," he said. He tasked Nigerians to be agent of change, adding that "change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. "We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change

our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. "To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens." President Buhari recognised the role played by the immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, in entrenching democracy, adding that the fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. "Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences," he said. The president also reaffirmed that he would not be vindictive, adding that "as I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear

the consequences of their actions. "I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view, to join me in working for the nation." He said his government, as expected, inherited problems, adding, however, that what Nigerians wanted were quick solutions, not a recitation of problems inherited. He, therefore, listed some of the achievements of his administration in the past four months to include improvement in power supply, overhaul of NNPC, CBN, FIRS, Customs structures, payment of backlog of salaries owed workers by states and the Federal Government, among others. Speaking on Boko Haram, he said, having toured the neighbouring countries, and after meeting with G7 leaders, "our gallant armed forces, under new leadership, have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities." Full text on page 46.

Thursday,1 October, 2015 11 businessnews JP Morgan removes half of Nigerian bonds from market index Chima Nwokoji With Agency Report

alf the Nigerian bonds listed on JP Morgan’s emerging markets bond index (GBI-EM) was removed on Wednesday and the rest next month, the United States’ bank said. JP Morgan said it would drop Africa’s largest economy from its index this month, citing a lack of liquidity and currency restrictions. Finance experts said the decision which means investment funds tracking the index will sell Nigerian bonds, adds to upward pressure on national borrowing costs from a sharp drop in oil revenues. The bank said in a note that 50 per cent of bonds will be removed as of September 30, part of its month-end index rebalancing, cutting Nigeria’s weight to 0.79 per cent. In comparism with peers, the weight of Brazil and South Africa will increase by 0.80 per cent and 0.20 per cent respectively. In 2012, Nigeria became the second African country after South Africa to be listed in the index with a weight of 1.8 per cent. “The estimated yield for Nigeria bonds on the index was quoted at 14.83 per cent as of September 25, marking the second highest yield after Brazil at 15.75 per cent,” the bank said. Analysts said they expected bond yields to trade flat after the removal on Wednesday because domestic buyers have stepped in since foreigners left the market. Yields on government bond spiked this month on the news of the index removal with the 10-year benchmark debt rising to as much as 16.68 per cent, prompting the bond market regulator to widen spreads to calm volatility. Reuters quoted one European asset manager in Lagos as saying that his fund was still interested in naira debt despite the index expulsion but would buy only if the yield rose to around 20 per cent, to compensate for currency risk. Meanwhile, the Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr Abraham Nwankwo, had earlier reassured Nigerians that the recent announcement by JPMorgan Chase & Co. to phase out Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bonds from its Government Bond

Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) would not have a negative impact on the

country’s bond market. According to him, even though the share of allot-

ment at the auctions to foreign investors dropped from 15.51 per cent in 2003

to 3.34 per cent in 2014, the domestic bonds market has remained stable and internally-driven.

From left, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), MD/CE, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim and NDIC Executive Director Operations, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa in chat with MD/CE Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr Muhammad Nurul Islam, during a courtesy visit of the Jaiz Bank Management Team to the Corporation.

Heritage Bank Chairman tasks banks on TSA Chima Nwokoji- Lagos Against the background of fears being expressed in the banking sector over the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Heritage Bank Limited, Mr Akinsola Akinfemiwa, has assured that the financial system will surmount the challenges and stabilise itself very soon. Addressing senior journalists in Lagos recently, Akinfemiwa advised banks to do new thinking and break fallow ground in the area of financial services engineering and development. He maintained that the idea of the TSA was not bad on its face value, but the current apprehension arose because banks have been reluctant to unwind their public sector transactions.

Akinfemiwa also enjoined the CBN to be proactive and set off machinery to reverse the current state of things. “The idea of the TSA is not bad; the banks will just have to do some critical thinking in their areas

of core competence and the financial system will stabilise very soon. The CBN too will have to play a critical role to reverse the current state of things. Oil price is down, the CBN must do something to push up the system,” he said.

NDIC charges JAIZ Bank on benefits of non-interest banking Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has admonished the Management of Jaiz Bank Plc to embark on intensive public awareness and financial education on the benefits of non-interest banking practice in the country in order to improve the volume of patronage. The MD/CE of NDIC Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim stated that the benefits of profit and loss banking is a mutually rewarding partnership among all participants in

the Islamic Banking in line with its business practices. Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim stated this during a courtesy call by the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr. Muhammad Nurul Islam and other top Management staff of the Bank who visited the Corporation’s head office in Abuja to brief it on the recent developments in the bank. The NDIC Boss informed the team that the Corporation had developed a non-interest banking deposit insurance fund framework in

Nigeria’s foreign reserves fall again Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen again. The reserves which fell by $940m (N185 billion), about two weeks ago, has fallen again by $210m, CBN latest data have revealed. The reserves now stand at $30.48 billion, a fall from $30.69 billion two weeks ago, and $31.47 million a month earlier. Though the reserves fell by 3.14 percent by the month, 23.03 percent depletion has been recorded, relative to the September 2014 figures. The central bank has used the reserves to support the

President Muhammadu Buhari had on August 9, 2015 ordered every Federal Government’s ministries, departments and agencies to start paying into a Treasury Single Account for all government revenues, incomes and other receipts.

local currency, selling dollars to bureau de change operators twice a week, as it narrows the gap between the official and black market rates. The reserves crossed the $30 billion mark in July, when it saw an increment of 5.6 percent from $29.03 billion in June, to $30.69 billion. In August, the CBN indicated that foreign exchange reserves rose by $350 million (N70 billion) to $31.43 billion, but has since then fallen twice, with no succour in view. The dwindling experi-

enced so far has been attributed to efforts of the present government to plug leakages and demand management by the apex bank. Another school of thought posits that this would continue for as long as it takes the new government to pitch its policy direction, seeing all investors have had to work with is the president’s ‘body language’. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor (pictured), has warned that the Nigerian economy may plunge into recession if the government does not take pro-active measures.

May 2015 which is designed to create a level playing field and provide deposit protection for depositors involved in non-interest banking and protect them against any possible losses. He reiterated that the Corporation had trained its staff in Malaysia in this special area of expertise. He said the Corporation is in the process of appointing committee of experts to advise it on all issues relating to Deposits Insurance Scheme (DIS)for non interest banking. He, however, noted that the dearth of viable investment windows like SUKUK and other Sharia compliant investment portfolios would require collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Debt Management Office (DMO), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to develop Sharia permissible investment products. He also noted the challenges facing the Corporation due to lack of investment instruments for premium collected from the non-interest banking subsector.

Nigerian Tribune

Glo salutes Nigeria at 55 National telecommunications operator, Globacom, has congratulated the government and people of Nigeria on the country’s 55th Independence Anniversary. In a statement released in Lagos on Wednesday, the company said there was so much to celebrate as Nigeria marks yet another year of its existence as an independent state. It commended Nigerians for their resilience, patriotism, industry and enterprise over the years, noting that the country had remained together as one unit despite intermittent challenges and threats to its cohesion. “Currently, Nigeria is set to regain her leadership position in the comity of nations with the fresh wind of democratic change blowing across the country. It is hoped that the country’s vast resources would be judiciously harnessed for rapid industrialisation and growth propelled by good governance,” Globacom said in the release. The company praised Nigerians for successfully nurturing democracy since 1999, saying that smooth handover of power from one political party to another at the federal level showed the progress made in the country’s democratic journey. “People remain the country’s greatest assets. There is no area of human endeavour that you will not get outstanding Nigerian making waves globally. Government at all levels should therefore concentrate on inculcating good morals and virtues in leaders of tomorrow while adult Nigerians should set good examples for them,” Globacom observed. The telecoms operator encouraged Nigerians to shun vice and inculcate patriotic virtues, adding that the foundations for the emergence of a truly great nation was being laid by government and that hope was gradually being restored among the citizens. Globacom restated the company’s belief in the ability of Nigerians to rise above present challenges and excel in their endeavour, affirming that it would continue to empower Nigerians with world class telecommunication services to enable them to reach their full potential.

business

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER, 2015

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

16 news

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

HID Awolowo’s burial will unite Nigerians —Methodist Prelate By Olayinka Olukoya, Moses Alao, Tunde Ogunesan and Nurudeen Alimi

RELATE of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Emeka Uche, has stated that the death and burial of the Yeye Oodua and Iyalode of Remoland, Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, will unite Nigerians, noting that it would mark the beginning of a new order of unity and the rebuilding of Nigeria to a virile nation. Dr Uche, who stated this in Ikenne, on Wednesday, when he led a delegation of the church, described Mama as an epitome of Christian virtues of love, tolerance and accommodation, saying: “I believe politicians of all shades and divides will honour this woman, who lived her life for all. She was an epitome of Christian virtues of love, tolerance and accommodation. You can see that many people have been coming here.” He stated that in the course of coming to Mama Awolowo’s burial programmes, “the spirit of God will arrest all Nigerians to look for greater unity; to build a virile nation; a nation we can be proud of, a nation, where we will no longer emphasise tribes, ethnicity or language, but emphasise one great nation where there is no more corruption, where job is available for young people.” The prelate, who had earlier delivered a condolence letter to the family, stated that Mama Awolowo would be celebrating her centenary in heaven. On the entourage of the prelate were staff and students of the Methodist Girls’ High School. Responding, Reverend Omotola Oyediran, noted that the family was overwhelmed that such a powerful team of Methodist clergy and laity visited them, saying their sorrow had been taken away because it was shared. Meanwhile, the clergy and laity of the Methodist Cathedral, Agbeni, Ibadan, where Papa and Mama Awolowo worshipped for years while in Ibadan; groups and several other individuals, again, poured encomiums on the deceased co-founder/chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc., extolling her virtues for the great life she led by touching lives and impacting people.

Mama was an epito-

me of love —Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Communion

Speaking during the daily opening service being conducted by the Anglican Communion, Remo Diocese, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Right Reverend (Dr) James Odedeji, who led the House of Clergy and Laity, said Mama meant so many things to so many people. Preaching from Psalms 90, Dr Odedeji said: “Mama was an epitome of love; she not only loved her children, she loved the children of others. “It is a matter of time; all of us will leave this world. So, the consciousness must be with us to number our days, so we can put our hearts to wisdom. And that is by impacting others, touching lives. Today, we remember God for giving Mama to us.” The Agbeni Methodist Cathedral, which had in its entourage Archbishop Kehinde Stephen, the Presbyter of the cathedral, Very Reverend Opeyemi Awe, Baba Ijo, Chief Bode Akindele and many others, eulogised Mama for being the foremost leader in the church and for her great values as a Christian. Also, at the Ikenne home of the Awolowos were members of The Apostolic Church, Remo Area Council, led by the Remo Area Superintendent, Pastor Z.O. Odugbote and the Ikenne Christians’ Prayer Fellowship, led by its coordinator, Pastor Mathew Ayankoya. The fellowship eulogised Mama for accommodating them about three times for prayers.

She was an inspiration to womenfolk —Oyo NUJ

Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its chairman, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun, also paid a condolence visit to the Awolowos. Opadotun, who led other leaders of the council, as well as chapels’ leaders and members, said the Oyo NUJ, where Tribune is located, was in Ikenne to mourn the exit of its great mother from whom many people learnt a lot of values such as being faithful and standing by one’s husband. “We mourn the exit of our great mother; a mother, who was a source of inspiration to the womenfolk. Her type is very rare to come by,” Opadotun wrote in his condolence message.

D.S. Adegbenro’s family identifies

with the Awolowos

The family of the late Premier of Western Region and Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s successor in office, Chief Dauda Soroye Adegbenro, was also at Ikenne to identify with the Awolowos on Wednesday. In a condolence message signed by Honourable Adesina Adegbenro, the family commiserated with the Awolowos on the demise of “Papa’s jewel of inestimable value,” praying to God to be with the family she left behind. Also among the callers in Ikenne, on Wednesday, were delegates of the African Church, Ogun Province and the popular music evangelist, Pastor J.A. Adelakun of the Ayewa International Gospel Singers, popularly known with his hit track Amona tete ma abo. Adelakun, in a condolence message he signed, said “Mama’s good works will remain forever.” Similarly, in its condolence letter to the family, the Isokan Omo Yoruba group from the University of Lagos Distance Learning Institute, said it received the news of Mama’s death as a shock, noting that she “supported the objectives of the association, in order to consolidate the unity among the Yoruba people. “The sons and daughters of Yorubaland will forever be grateful to Mama for her contributions to the development of Nigeria and Yorubaland, in particular. May her soul rest in peace,” the letter signed by the group’s outgoing and incoming presidents, Aare Yinka Agaba and Aare Victor Oludipe, respectively, as well as its outgoing secretary, Omidan Joke Olagunju,” read in part.

Mama was a living practical model —Yooba Omo Ood’ua

The Yooba Omo Oodu’ua Forum, through the Maye Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs) Adeyinka Adegbite, has described the late HID Awolowo as a living practical model, whose contribution to the Women and Youth Cultural Foundation of Nigeria will forever be remembered. “Mama HID was no doubt in her life time a practical model of the saying that ‘behind every successful man, there must be a woman’,” noting that mama lived a commendable life worthy of emulation by the womenfolk all over the world. The Iyalode said mama

firmly stood by her husband, particularly in his free primary education programme in the West, which eventually got millions into the classrooms, a trend that persisted till today and perhaps ad infinitum. “May her gentle and kind soul rest in perfect peace,” she concluded.

HID was mother of all —Lawmaker

The lawmaker representing the Remo Federal Constituency, comprising Ikenne, Sagamu and Remo North local government areas in Ogun State, Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, has expressed shock at the demise of the Matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief HID Awolowo, describing her as mother for all. In a condolence message made available on Tuesday, Honourable Adebutu described Mama HID as a mother, whose influence extended beyond her immediate circles/community and to the nation at large. He recalled her role during the lifetime of her husband, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in which she established herself as a devoted believer in his vision for a

united Nigeria. “She will be greatly missed and remembered by her immediate community and the country at large,” he said.

Oyo NIPR commiserates with Awolowo family

Public Relations practioners in Oyo State, under the aegis of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Oyo State chapter, have commiserated with the entire Awolowo family on the demise of Chief HID Awolowo. In a press statement signed on behalf of Oyo NIPR by the chairman, Mr Henry Adegbuyi, the practioners described Mama Awolowo as a nationalist par excellence, bridge builder, humanist and a woman of substance with strong faith, who lived her life for the promotion of peace and unity among people of diverse ethnicities. They also noted with delight, the untiring spirit, doggedness, forthrightness, managerial and administrative acumen combined efectively with wisdom of God and uncommon faith which kept Mama till her last day, despite challenges of life that came her way.

HID’s industrious acumen kept Tribune alive —NPAN

The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has described the healthy survival of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of Tribune titles as a testament to the industrious acumen of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo. NPAN, in a condolence message signed by Dame Comfort Obi, sent to the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, ANN Plc, Mr Edward Dickson, said it received the news of the death of Mama HID with mixed feelings, having attained 99 years, saying her death was a personal loss to the the association. According to NPAN, “Mama lived and led a virtuous and exemplary life. We recommend her as a worthy example for the younger generation, most especially, young girls and women. “Her life was that of courage and steadfastness, which were especially on display during the political trial and subsequent incarceration of her dear husband during the First Republic.”

Thursday, 1 October, 2015 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

8 1. From left, member, Board of Directors, Kwara Commercial MicroFinance Bank (KCMB), Alex Okoh; Chairman, Demola Banu; Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed; membe, Board of Directors, Femi Ajibade; another member, KCMB, Soji Oyawoye and the Managing Director KCMB, Abayomi Ajayi during the presentation Cheque of Year 2014 Government’s dividends in KCMB, at Government House, Ilorin. 2. From left, Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and award recepient, Mr Ali Rabiu; Fellow, NSE (award recepient), Mr Akintunde Zedomi; representative of president, NSE, Mr Musiliu Odumeru and the chairman, NSE, Apapa branch, Mr Olalekan Taiwo, at the 2015 annual lecture and induction ceremony of NSE, Apapa branch in Lagos. 3. From left, Abolaji Omotayo; Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed; Peker Victor and Adeyemi Sikiru, gold Medalists from Kwara State at the Commonwealth Youth Athletics Games in Samoa, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin. 4. From left, Lagos State Woman Leader of Peoples Democratic Party, Mrs Shola Oladeinbo, Chairman Ojo LGA PDP, Alhaji Adio Salami, newly wedded couple, Mr and Mrs Abodunrin, Lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency, Honourable Tajudeen Obasa and the father of the bride, Alhaji Idris Olarewaju. at the wedding held in Lagos, recently. 5. From left, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Professor Ishiaq Oloyede; the guest

lecturer Ambassador. Clement Lasehinde; Professor Sulaiman F. Ambali, Dean of Veterinary Medicine, who stood in for the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, the acting director CPSS, UNILORIN, Dr. Mahfouz A. Adedimeji and Professor Olabisi OlasehindeWilliams, at the fourth Biennial International Conference of Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, at the university auditorium. 6. From left, Special Project Manager, South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Hazel Tlhabanyane; Managing Director, PRM Africa and Executive Producer/President, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mike Dada; Manager, Marketing and Communications, Channel Africa, South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Mamolete Segakweng and the General Manager, Channel Africa SABC, Solly Phetoe, after a business meeting between the producer of AFRIMA and South African Broadcasting, in Johannesburg, South Africa. 7. From left, Olori Abimbola Balogun; founder, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun and the Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, during the Ojude Oba festival, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, recently. 8. Mrs Oluwakemi Oyaniyi (third left); her husband, Chief Caleb (second left); their children, Ayomide (left); Damilola (right) and Toluwalope, during Mrs Oyaniyi’s 40th birthday anniversary in Ibadan. PHOTO: DARE ADEKANMBI

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08116954645 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

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yournews

Saraki: Let’s not use the law to settle political scores JUSTICE must be applied where necessary, but my problem is that when justice is called for with biased mind and hidden motives, it makes the accusers the worst aggressors. Is Bukola Saraki’s case not coming up because of the manner in which he assumed the Senate presidency? Is he the only politician who has been found by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to have falsely declared his

assets, or the trial of other politicians are still coming? Or better still, is he meant to be a scapegoat because of the manner he called the bluff of his party’s leadership to become Senate president? We should not use the law to settle political scores. We should only allow true justice to be the background of the present drive for change. V. Oluwansebebe, 07060520065.

How police can quickly resolve crime I think it is high time we fixed CCTV cameras in all our streets to prevent crime. In developed countries, these cameras help in preventing crime, as well as arresting criminals. This year’s bombing on a Thailand temple is a good example. Within a couple of hours afer the crime was committed, the Thai security agencies were able to release photographs of the suspect dropping a bag containing the bombs at the temple, while he walked away. Few seconds after he had left, the bomb

•This crater in the midst of a major road at Sawmill, Old Ife Road, Ibadan needs fixing.

FG, seek compensation for Hajj deaths

S of the last count, over 50 Nigerians have been confirmed dead in the stampede that took place in Mecca. Ev-

ery year, people die in the Holy land as a result of stampede, but this year’s tragedy is just too much. I, therefore, want to implore the Federal Gov-

ernment, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, to urge the Saudi Arabia authorities to pay compensation to the families of the vic-

tims, including the hospital fees of the injured. Wale Isola, 08062086668.

High tuition in private varsities I want to say that private universities are not meant for the children of the poor. Although there is the possibility of getting

federal or state scholarship for one’s ward attending private universities, the procedures of getting them are very tedious and

cumbersome. Therefore, the Federal Government should create a conducive environment for Nigerian students to acquire quali-

tative education regardless of the social and financial status of their parents. Usman Suleiman, 08151440289.

Govt should make education affordable THE hues and cries that came as a result of the recent increase in the tuition of the Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State has brought to the fore why the Federal Government should do more to ensure that Nigerian children are well educated. We all know that over 70 per cent of Nigerians live below the pov-

erty line, so how does a family that earns just N216,000 per annum send his child to Babcock University? While I don’t blame the owners of private universities for their high tuition, they are systematically creating a class in the education sector -- it is either a student’s parents are rich to afford a private tertiary education or

not. What is painful, however, is that the affordable public universities are very difficult to gain admission into. This year, over 300,000 students applied to gain admission to the University of Ibadan, but the institution will only be admitting a tiny fraction of that; this means there will be qualified students who

would not be given admission because of the quota to be admitted. The solution to this is making the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to be more affordable so that all Nigerians who desire qualitative education can acquire it. Tumini George, 09095687489

exploded, killing several people. The many bombings we have recorded in Nigeria would have been resolved easily if we have security cameras in strategic places. Even, we are still battling Boko Haram insurgency, and we are yet to know how to overcome this evil sect. We can instal cameras on Abuja and Lagos streets and see how it will help reduce crime before taking them to other places around the country. Idayat Kassim, 08070928355.

FG, probe sale of sugar industries The Federal Government needs to probe the sale of all sugar companies in the country; there is no good reason to turn Nigeria into a dumping ground for raw sugar. We will never develop if we don’t produce. Importation is the reason our currency is struggling against the dollar. If we

produce everything we consume, then there will be no need for the rush to get the dollar. I hope the privatised sugar companies like Bacita Sugar and Lafiagi Sugar Company can start production as soon as possible. James Olorunmaiye, 08177105527.

Nigerian youths, let’s end corruption Embezzlement of public fund is a normal phenomenon in Nigeria, and this makes me sad. However, who cares if am sad, after all, the courts would set these criminals free, or make them spend a few years in prison and after, they are free to go and spend their loot. Nigerian masses are crying, while hoping the country will change for better. What really works in Nigeria? Government officials award road contracts to politicians, who in most cases, abandon the site after col-

lecting the money. As a result, Nigerian roads are death traps, killing and maiming innocent lives. Even, our airspace is not safe either, with the frequent plane crashes. However, Nigerian youths should rise up to their responsibilities. Youths can bring about changes in the country. We need to contribute to how we want to be governed and bring sanity to the country. Boluwatife Sanya, 08153372419.

editorial

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria at 55

(Continued from Front Page) In doing so, Nigerian intellectuals should take advantage of the mood of optimism which took hold across the country after the unexpectedly successful conduct of this year’s presidential and gubernatorial elections. It is true that, prior to the elections, many had, for good reason, feared the worst. Caught between an inflammatory rhetoric for which both the incumbent and his challenger were equally guilty, and an Islamist insurgency which was spreading like wild fire, Nigerians had every right to feel eschatological. Yet, not only did the election pass without any major incident, the defeated incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, betrayed unusual magnanimity by calling the winner, Muhammadu Buhari, and congratulating him on his victory. The country was in dreamland. Thus, four months ago, as President Buhari took the oath of office, the temper across the country was perceptibly buoyant, and if one looks carefully, one will still find a residue of that feel-good factor. Yet, not even the president’s closest aides can deny the obvious fact that, due to a combination of circumstances, a certain portion of that mood has been squandered. President Buhari will have to accept part of the blame for this undesirable situation. For one, early on, he could have avoided appearing tentative about his intentions and sparking a hurtful debate in the media about his readiness for governance. Although the president appointed a Transition Committee under the leadership of Ahmed Joda, there is little evidence that the president studied, not to mention accept, any of their recommendations. The fact that two weeks ago, the president openly complained that ministers tend to mooch at the expense of hardworking civil servants has cast a doubt on his commitment to appointing ministers. For all we know, the president may not even believe that he needs them in order to govern. To his credit, the president has done a number of things right. He has shown a greater willingness to combat the Boko Haram insurgency, and there are budding signs that his efforts in that regard may be yielding some fruits. More admirable still is his honesty in telling Nigerians that the campaign against Boko Haram is going to be a protracted one, and that, given the unconventional nature of the enemy and its tactics,

complete success cannot be guaranteed. In addition, President Buhari’s determination to extirpate corruption from Nigerian public life is a huge step in the right direction. One thing that the president has going for him among Nigerians is his image as a man of integrity, and if the war against corruption is prosecuted in ethically ecumenical manner, Nigerians are bound to throw their weight behind the president. The problem then is not with President Buhari’s intentions. Nigerians trust him to do the right thing, and to do right by them. What is not always clear is his strategy, and whether or not he appreciates the urgency of the crisis that the country faces. The war against corruption is a good example. Nigerians appreciate that the president is determined to flush out corruption from public life; but they are also eager to see the campaign fastened to something bigger- a plan of action about the economy, something that has been missing so far from the administration. It is true that the modern economy is a study in complexity, one that is well beyond the comprehension of a single individual. This is the reason behind our advocacy that the best Nigerian brains out there be pooled in order to generate cutting edge ideas on managing a modern economy. But even if that team, comprising the froth of the cream were to be convoked today, it could hardly function without a political telos. This is where the president comes in. Just as he did with the Boko Haram insurgency, President Buhari urgently needs to provide the country with a political road map. The continued absence of one is creating a mood of suffocation that the country can ill afford to bear. As Nigeria attains the ripe age of 55, the extent of its resources is evened out by the depth of its problems. Hence, it remains a country with enormous potential, one that is perpetually on the brink of being harnessed. If any leader can break this historical jinx, it is President Buhari. He should, taking advantage of the enormous confidence that the nation has in him, and maximising the human and material resources at his disposal, wrench the country from its accustomed mooring of mediocrity. This special day, the occasion of the country’s political independence, is the day to break away from the old and inaugurate a new journey.

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opinion

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

the

avant-garde

Falae: The Fulani and the Yoruba

HE problems we have as a country in the realm of politics usually have a ripple effect in other areas of life. For instance, a proposal on language policy and national development was defeated on account of mutual distrust. It had been mooted by some experts that one of the three major indigenous languages-Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba-be made a national language in place of English, a colonial language, to erase the vestige of colonialism. The counter-argument which killed the proposal was predicated on the fear of domination by the ethnic group to which the chosen language belongs. My focus here today is not language development and its attendant benefits for national development. My concern is the condemnation that has trailed the abduction and manner of release of a prominent Yoruba leader and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, by gun-wielding Fulani herdsmen. The unfortunate incident is just one out of many dastardly acts of the Fulani (bororo) against the Yoruba. To fully comprehend the abduction, we need to “understand the past with the urgency of a present tense,” for those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat its errors. Border demarcation became a problem during the colonial administration, particularly during the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914. The border created by the British lumped the peoples of various ethnic groups across boundaries together without taking into cognisance, their cultural or ethnographic differences. One of such of areas is Kwara State, which has Ilorin as its capital city. The Niger and the Benue (rivers) appear to be the natural demarcating lines. So naturally, Jebba downwards should be the old Western region, while from Markudi to the other side of Lokoja, we should have the old Eastern region. But the North insisted that Jebba area downwards, as well as Markudi and others were part of the North and that if they were ceded to the South, they would not support the amalgamation. And so, the colonial government gave in to that demand and re-drew the line in favour of the North.

Historical record has it that the early settlers in the Kwara State were the Yoruba people and that people from other ethnic groups later joined the Yoruba in the state. The dominant ethnic groups in the state are the Yoruba, Bariba, Fulani and Nupe. Ilorin was founded around 1405 by the Yoruba. The first traditional head, Afonja, was said to have made Ilorin his operational headquarters. Ilorin, in the accounts of many history scholars, was once an Oyo provincial city, which broke away from the old Oyo Empire. Afonja was said to have left Oyo for Ilorin. With the passage of time, people from other ethnic groups migrated to Ilorin. One of such people was a Fulani named Sheu Alimi, who helped Afonja to ward off attacks from the enemies. Afonja was assassinated in 1824 and his kingdom was brought under the control of the Sokoto Caliphate. Today, Kwara State, which is naturally a Yoruba state, is a North-Central state. Its traditional head is coronated by northerners. With the conquest of the Yoruba founders of Ilorin, the Fulani appear to consider the remaining Yoruba territory, every inch of space in it, as conquerable. This is the dominant philosophy in every Fulani in every corner of Yorubaland and this is why they wickedly graze their herds of cattle on people’s farms and allow the cattle to destroy planted crops.

Nigerian Tribune

with Dare Adekanmbi

m:08053412982 e:samueldare2002@yahoo.ca t:@dareadekanmbi

In the last, the Fulani have particularly become a terror to the Yoruba people of the South-West geo-political zone.In the year 2000, Fulani herdsmen destroyed farmlands in Saki, Oyo State and swooped on the farmers. A reprisal attack on them led to the death of scores. The North reacted angrily. A delegation from the North was led in October of that year by Muhammadu Buhari to the office of the then governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina. The Fulani had mobilised massively to the secretariat and tension was very high. Buhari accused the state government of complicity in the killing of 68 Fulani herdsmen. Lam and heads of security agencies present at the meeting debunked the claim. Lam urged Buhari to appeal to the Fulani to observe less aggression and be friendly to their hosts. I travel the Lagos-Ibadan Highway every week without fail in the last 15 years. Perhaps like other frequent travellers on the road, I avoid slowing down at a particular stretch of the road, about seven kilometres to the Saapade area, where Fulani young men hold motorists captive, rob and sometimes kill motorists and passengers. My first experience was two years ago when I was in the convoy of the then Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly en route Ikenne Remo on a courtesy visit to Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo. We saw a long queue of vehicles on both sides of the highway and the security operatives in the convoy were alarmed that some armed robbers could hold people to ransom. The policemen marched towards the robbers, shooting. When we got to the scene of the robbery, the victims were lying face down. They told us the robbers were Fulani who were armed to the teeth. The convoy made the road passable for other motorists and travellers on that day. Before Chief Falae’s abduction, his corn farm had been ravaged by the herdsmen and the elder statesman had complained bitterly about it. Nothing was done. The herdsmen came back for him on his birthday. Although the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase said no ransom was paid, Chief Falae confirmed that money exchanged hands for him to regain his freedom. Ask people in Benue and Plateau States what their ordeal has been at the hands of the Fulani herdsmen, they will narrate accounts that are perfect raw materials for horror movies.

NCC: Leveraging on USPF for educational development By Matthias Ekwenibe

In recent times, Nigeria’s telecoms regulator has spread what it aptly described as the digital dividend to various tiers of the education sector in the country. This, in the main, includes building of ICT centres, installation of ICT equipment, establishment of ICT-related libraries, training of facilitators and teachers in many states across the country, etc. However, the scope of this intervention is soon to rise with the expanding visions of the new leadership at the commission. Like in education where ICT is being taken to a crucial sector, there is a vision to extend the reach of services to those out-of-the-way communities and areas where the network operators are either reluctant, or incapable of investing in. With that in mind, the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), has expressed commitment to deploying 40 percent of its annual operational levy to drive the activities of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) as recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) towards delivering sustainable e-learning solutions to schools across the country. Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta declared thus during an interactive forum with States’ Desk Officers of the Fund in Abuja. He said the need has become imperative to conform to the basic objectives for the establishment of the Fund. The meeting was convened for Desk Officers to understand the objectives of the project and the responsibilities of the parties involved, in order that maximum impact to the school community especially the students can be felt. According to Danbatta, the USPF was set up based on the recommendation of the ITU that all countries and regulators like NCC should set aside 40 percent of their annual operation levy to drive the activities of USPF in tertiary, secondary and primary schools and in remote areas, where telecoms operators could not afford to provide service. The USPF was established by the Federal Government via

Chapter VII, Part IV of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003), to facilitate the rapid achievement of national policy goals for universal access to telecommunications, information and communications technology. Its primary objectives are to: contribute to national economic and social development through enhancing the universal accessibility and availability of telecommunications and ICT infrastructure and services; facilitate the provision of access to ICT services within a reasonable distance to all persons in Nigeria; facilitate provision of infrastructural development to rural and underserved areas in a non-discriminatory manner; Promote technological innovation in ICT services delivery; Promote competition in ICT services delivery; ensure effective utilisation of funds to leverage investments in rural communications; support the establishment of efficient, self-sustaining, market-oriented businesses, which will continue to expand access to ICT on their own, requiring minimum amounts of short and longterm funds; and use ICT to promote greater social equity and inclusion for all the people of Nigeria. Danbatta said the USPF resource which is derived from NCC should be used to provide telecoms services in the areas where telecoms operators wouldn’t want to venture, adding: “So consciously speaking, the USPF is intended to address the unwillingness of operators to go into rural areas that are underserved

or un-served of telecommunications services. “As you may know, I came from the academic community and would strive within the limits of equity and available resources to ensure that our projects in the educational sector, such as University Inter Campus Connectivity (UnICC), Territory Institution Access Project (TIKC) and the School Knowledge Centre (SKC) make remarkable impact in the sector.” According to him, the USPF is there to undertake such projects and it is not only that they should also ensure that these projects are sustained even after take-off in terms of making sure that the funds are provided for maintenance in tandem with the ITU charter and also ensure that from time to time more funds are provided which will facilitate the provision of these projects. This ambition fits in squarely with the drive to improve the quality of services in the ICT sector. Extending the availability of services to underserved areas means bridging signal transmission gaps and lapses. Achieving the goal through investing in schools by deploying the USPF vehicle is akin to the allegorical killing of two birds with a single stone. In a remark, the Executive Secretary, USPF, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, informed the States’ Desk Officers that the SKC is one of the projects designed between USPF and the states to inculcate 21st century skills – a set of abilities that students need to develop in order to succeed in the digital world. He said: “We also believe that other outcomes, such as increased innovations in schools and increased access of community members to adult education and literacy should be part of our focus. For us to achieve these goals and based on key lessons learnt from previous implementations of the SKC project, we recognise the need for the support and commitment of all stakeholders.” In conclusion, it is a positive development that moribund institutions and policies are being revived to contribute to the overall benefit of our country. •Ekwenibe is an educationist based in Abuja.

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

anchor

maritime

Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

Nigeria’s seaports and the need for trade facilitation

In this report, TOLA ADENUBI looks at the how an improvement in Nigeria’s cargo clearance system will facilitate revenue generation.

he port reform of 2006 led to a surge in the volume of cargo throughput at Nigerian ports. This ultimately led to the increase in the numbers of government agencies that had to show their presence at the ports. With many government agencies at the seaports, the volume of paperwork needed to clear a cargo increased, thus giving room for corrupt and sharp practises in the ports. This also led to incessant delay in the cargo clearance process at the ports and many importers were forced to pay billions in demurrage as their cargoes overstayed inside the port terminals. In the words of Chef Val Usifoh, Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), “there is too much paper work involved in the clearing processes in Nigeria. The world has gone on to the level of e-commerce, e-trading, but there are some government agencies that still believes in the manual paper documentation, and this is another serious challenge to the growth of Nigeria’s seaports system. There is need to reduce manto-man contact in the port clearance system.” Thus in 2011, the Federal Government, in its infinite wisdom,

asked some government agencies to leave the ports because aside the fact that their presence were giving room for corrupt practises, it also slowed down the cargo clearance process, thereby leading to delay of cargoes in the ports. It is imperative that government agencies crying foul over their eviction from the seaports should look at how they can integrate with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) controlled trade facilitation initiative for the benefit of the Nigerian economy. Trade facilitation The World Trade Organisation (WTO), in an online training package, defined trade facilitation as: “The simplification and harmonisation of international trade procedures” where trade procedures are the “activities, practices and formalities involved in collecting, presenting, communicating and processing data required for the movement of goods in international trade”. Trade facilitation has since become a sing-song among nations of the world. Nowadays, no country wants to be left behind in international trade and global competitiveness. In Nigeria, trade facilitation

would entail ensuring that Nigerian industrialists, importers and operators in both organised private sector and public institutions carry out their transactions smoothly and successfully through mainly deploying the instrumentality of Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) and the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), which allows businesses to be transacted electronically while all government agencies have access to monitor the system to ensure compliance.

There is too much paper work involved in the clearing processes in Nigeria... and this is another serious challenge to the growth of Nigeria’s seaports system.

Benefit Benefits of trade facilitation are immense and economically viable to the growth of Nigeria’s economic drive. Among the benefit of trade facilitation includes but not limited to the following: it reduces the time spent through advance pre-lodgement of electronic document making enquiries by agents and importers; reduces restrictions inherent in clearance of goods through Nigerian Ports thus enhancing customers’ satisfaction; and allows for instant notification of regulatory status of any product during Form ‘M’ and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) Consignment processing, among others. Leading by example Among the agencies that were asked to leave the seaports and has keyed into the trade facilitation fever is the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). For an agency like SON, who regulates virtually everything that come into the country (except drugs), trade facilitation will allow for the following at the nations seaports: trade facilitation will provide easy access to information on products regulated by SON (consignees can confirm

if a product is regulated by SON through any online platform; enable the implementation of strong document authentication system using different methods and electronic signature for all sensitive electronic documents (e-Product Certificate & e-SONCAP Certificate is transmitted electronically via NICIS through activation on its website; eliminate the need to apply for paper SON product certificate/import permits which is later uploaded during Form ‘M’ application; consignee simply needs to put the certificate number of the ‘activated e-Product Certificate’ on the ‘ATTACHMENT’ section of form; protect Nigerian consumers from substandard products by ensuring that only consignment that has passed through the ‘Mandatory SON Conformity Assessment Programme –SONCAP’ is allowed into the country; provide statistical reports for SON on e-PC usage for Registered Form ‘M’ and e-SC usage for PAAR Consignments by any applicable search criteria, and also provide statistical reports for SON, for intelligence management and risk profiling, on level of compliance to requirements for importation of regulated products.

maritime Tally clerks not needed at seaports —Terminal operator 30

Stories by Tola Adenubi - Lagos

he Managing Director of Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL), and a member of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Capt. Mohammed Bashir has said that tally clerks are not needed at the seaports. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune in an exclusive interview, Captain Bashir stated that many of the tally clerks are being paid for jobs that could be done by surveyors who are always better learned than the tally clerks. According to him, “You know, when discharging bulk cargoes, for example sugar or salt, the grab is put into the hatch to pick quantities of the bulk cargoes and then the grab opens into a hopper to deposit its contents. It is from the hopper that the deposited contented goes into a truck for onward evacuation. That is how a bulk cargo is discharged. “Do you know the job of this tally clerks at bulk terminals? Their job is to count the numbers of the grab. The issue I have with them is that how do they know how much of bulk cargoes was inside the grab? Was the grab full to capacity? Was it 75 per cent full? Was it 50 per cent full? And that is the job they are doing, collecting salaries.” He also added that, “Like in a terminal like ours, the quantity of cargoes that came in is determined by graph survey which the bill of laden and cargo manifest corroborate. The idea that there are revenue leakages because the tally clerks are not there is so laughable. “The tally clerks are just collecting money from the

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for doing nothing. There have been unsuccessful efforts in the past to pass this set of workers over to the terminal operators, but the terminal operators refused because we cannot pay tally clerks for doing nothing. We don’t need them. “A ship is such a big item, can you hid a ship under

your jacket? Some of the tally clerks are not even learned. In this days and age, we don’t need them. Before, there was no surveyor, which was what gave room for tally clerks. “But now we have surveyors who are educated and competent. For every discharge at the terminals, there are up to four surveyors from different organisa-

tions who are on standby to monitor everything. “The NPA has a surveyor, the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) has a surveyor too, there is another surveyor working for the terminal operator, and sometimes there is a fourth surveyor from insurance companies. At time, we have up to four different surveyors during cargo discharge and they are there to

President Muhammadu Buhari

protect different interest. So it’s very unlikely that they will connive. “When a ship brings in 46,000 tonnes of wheat, the bill of laden and cargo manifest is already there. Then a graph survey is done but usually is very difficult to determine the metric tonnes, so it is usually plus or minus. That is the nature of the discharge. In advanced countries, anything less than half of one percent, plus or minus is allowed because you cannot put a ship on a weighing scale. But in Nigeria, they shout that it is under-declaration. In bulk cargo; you cannot measure exactly the cargoes.” Meanwhile, in a related development, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to ground operations at the nation’s seaports by this weekend if the NPA fails to pay six months outstanding salary arrears of tally clerks and onboard security men. MWUN President-General, Comrade Tony Nted issued the fresh threat while speaking to journalists in Lagos.

SON gives importers 3 months to get genuine certificates The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has given a three month grace period between September to November 30 for all importers bringing in goods into Nigeria to obtain genuine SON certificates for all their imports or risk prosecution by the agency. Speaking to maritime journalists recently, Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, SON, Engr. Bede Obayi stated that the agency has four foreign partners who test goods destined for Nigerian ports abroad and issue valid SON certificates on behalf of the agency. According to him, “we have

four partners overseas carrying out test on goods destined for Nigerian ports. They are MPS, Cotecna, Inter-tech, and CCIC of China. This are proven organisations that have been tested and found worthy to issue SON certificates on goods overseas. “Therefore, all importers must obtain genuine SON certificates for their imports and we have given a three month grace for that. If the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) that SON has fully integrated into continues to work as planned, then it means that every goods that must come into this country

must pass the standards set by SON. “Prior to this period, people who prefer to bring in sub-standard goods into the country were forging SONCAP certificates, however, with the NCIS integration, no more forging of SON’s certificates by dubious or unscrupulous importers.” Concerning prosecution of defaulters, Obayi disclosed that SON now has powers to prosecute offenders. “The 7th assembly of the National Assembly approved the new SON Act before they left office and that nbew Act gives SON the powers to prosecute offend-

ASA seeks audit of Africa import, export cargoes President African Shipowners Association (ASA), Temisan Omatseye has said that there is need to carry out an audit of all cargoes brought into, and taken out of Africa in order to empower Africans to participate in their affreightment. Speaking at a conference tagged ‘African Cargo for African Shipowners’ recently in Lagos, Omatseye said the lack of a data base of inbound and outbound cargoes is one of the reasons why foreign shipowners have continue to have an edge over their African

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

counterparts. “We have a lot of our youths who are unemployed, who are not trained as seafarers. We are trying to bring them back to get jobs. The challenge we have is that we do not have an audit of the number of cargoes leaving Africa; we want to get the audit of the cargoes leaving Africa, the amount of money we are paying on insurance. Once we have that information that will guide us to bring the business back to Africa. “Once they (youths) finish the seafarers development programme, without a cer-

tificate of competence, they have a problem, they cannot work. Maritime Academy Oron is training so many people but no sea time training. Unless we are able to get the ships to put our youths onboard, the training they get is all useless. “Let us get the cargoes which will allow us to buy the ships, once we own the ships, we can then put our youths on board the ships to become seafarers,” he said. Omatseye said the recommendations from the conference including the identified challenges of national, regional and conti-

nental Cabotage; issues of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and the Gulf of Aden, will be forwarded to the African Unions Head of State meeting in Lome, Togo in March 2016 to form the policies that will drive the African maritime industry. “A lot of cargoes are leaving Africa and coming into Africa and we do not have any ships carrying it. The Heads of government meeting coming up in March is where we are taking proposals from here to tell them how much we are losing in Africa,” he said.

ers. Before now, we did not have such power to prosecute. What we were doing before was to arrest offenders and hand them over to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). “But with the new Act, we now have power to bark and also bite. Therefore, with the expiration of the grace period, we expect everybody to be compliant or be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” Obayi stated. In his own contribution, SON Head, Port Operations, Alhaji Suleiman Isa explained that, “For all importers, the NCIS integration simply means that they cannot process their Form M if they don’t have the product certificate issued by the product manufacture overseas. For processing of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), importers can no longer process PAAR if they don’t have their SONCAP certificates. “Therefore, all those who don’t have such certificates still have till November to get their certificates. “If in any case, we have people who bring in sub-standard imports into the country but have the genuine certificates issued by our partners, overseas, then we will have to sort that out with our partners who issue such certificate. So everybody has to be careful,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

CGC should redeploy sit-tight officers from lucrative Commands —CAFFA A coalition of four customs agents’ associations has raised alarm that some senior officers of the service have perfected the art of staying-put at lucrative commands for years. The group also called on the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC); Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to transfer such officers who have spent years in a particular command, especially at the seaports; saying that it will eliminate corruption from the system. The customs agents under the aegis of Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarding Associations (CAFFA) said that such officers have been perpetuating themselves in one command for years and they have become untouchable. “The Comptroller General should simply understand that some Customs officers who have been in the seaports by recycling their postings for the past 10 years must have to leave the port arena if he wants to tackle corruption in the Customs ports and border stations. “ In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, the group accused the sittight officers of being the brain behind the unbridled bribe taking in the ports. “We must clearly state that we are tired of giving bribes in our profession and the expectation of the freight forwarders may be disappearing for the slow starting of the new Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd). “The Freight Forwarders who are looking forward to be saved from the in explicable extortion in the ports, we are getting disillusioned”, they wrote. The group also advocated that the new CG of Customs should visit all customs commands and formations with a view to interacting with the stakeholders for first-hand information. “It is dangerous for the Customs boss to gather information from officers alone, stressing that he will be better equipped when stakeholders advise him on issues bothering on customs operations. “The expectation has been that by now the CGC should have visited the ports and strategic border locations with a view to conferring with the stakeholders. “If Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) continues to confer only with officers, it may be risky to the mandate of Mr President and anti-corruption crusade.

Thursday, 1 October, 2015 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

‘Technology ‘ll make sci-fi literature popular in Africa’ Nnedi Okoroafor is a science-fiction (sci-fi) writer. Despite the fact that this style of writing is not very popular in Africa, Okoroafor, who has published three novels this year, believes it is just a matter of time before Africans begin to accept sci-fi literature. She speaks on her style of writing in this interview. EXCERPTS:

a greater interest in ideas, spiritualities, religions, people who are unlike the norm. Greater social awareness. More worldly individuals. And new and innovative technologies born from within the continent. Do you think Africa is ready for alien movies, fighting robots and stories of a tech dystopia? Of course. I even think we’ve had a sci-fi movie in Africa.

POEM

FRICANS are just beginning to appreciate science-fiction (sci-fi). What would you say influenced your ideas in writing this genre of literature? I can’t possibly see why imagining Africa’s future, considering the role of technology and social shifts in the evolution of humanity, or the possibility of the existence of aliens, etc, could be un-African. It’s human. That said, it’s a fact that the genre of science fiction as we know it was spawned in the West, so why expect Africans to write copiously within a genre (and let’s define genre here as a WAY of telling a story) that was not born in Africa? So, I think it important to fully understand what we are talking about and the various angles of it before we discuss it. Science fiction as a genre is popular in the West; it’s a style of storytelling that is normal and expected there. It’s a style into which imagining the future, the coming of aliens, social shifts, etc, is part it by definition. Now, I was born and raised in the West; thus, I was exposed to the genre of science fiction and its importance to and popularity in society. Nevertheless, I couldn’t relate to these narratives within the books and films because I never saw reflections of myself, my family, my cultures, Africa in those stories. So I wrote the stories that I created from my experiences and observations in Nigeria in the style of the genre of science fiction that I was exposed to because I grew up in the United States. For a continent with such a firm belief in the supernatural (and about 90% of Nollywood movies exploring the theme), it would seem that Africans only have a problem with science-fiction in books. Why do you think that is? I think Africans have loved the genre of science fiction for as long as the movies have been making their way there. I think people are just not used to the stories in novel form because it hasn’t been done before, not consciously. That’s changing, so attitudes will change. In 2009, you wrote a blog post about the reception to science fiction among Africans in which you did not seem too hopeful about the future of science fiction in Africa. What has changed since then? I actually was quite hopeful in that post. I’m always hopeful. It was Nollywood director, Tchidi Chikere who was saying that Africa is not ready for science fiction. I’ve always disagreed with that. I think he was speaking from the Nollywood movie side of things, which he certainly knows best…I just disagreed. There has been speculation on the potential of science fiction to predict the future. Is that a mere coincidence or proof of something greater about the potential of science fiction? It’s not speculation, it’s true! Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, the Internet, all were predicted and dreamed up in science fiction first. Science fiction writers speculate when they write. I don’t just make random things up. I consider the world around me. I live in it. I experience it.

Political Shark Repetitious screening, a dramatic psychic psychological turmoil crooning cocklike before dawn, on proscenium; eyes blown off, reddish or blind; retina twisted and darkened; gait, staccato and lachrymose à la Charles Baudelaire with dilapidated soles; teeth, confused structure, smelling foul, radiating nauseating and worrisome cavities; personality, depersonalised, a primeval chimpanzee back on show. And when will the frozen arrears be fully paid as years of committed service to keep the country positively transformational, sacrosanct to the retirees? •Nnedi Okoroafor I love it. I hate it. I worry about it. Then I imagine what’s to come. When I wrote “Spider the Artist” (the story about the AI robots violently guarding the pipelines), I was thinking about bunkering, oil pipeline explosions, how oil companies take and destroy, the lack of compassion for local human life, consequences, and the day to day life of the average person. Killer AI robots in the Niger Delta who eventually go rogue are a logical progression. Ben Okri rightly said Africa breathes stories. The continent is the perfect breeding ground for stories of mysticism and alternate realities but the potential remains untapped. Why do African writers shy away from this genre? Writers are supposed to go where the stories are. I have never understood the shying away from such fertile, enjoyable, haunted, beautiful, indigenous material. The stories practically beg to be told. I think a lot of writers are held back by themselves and the pressures of ideologies around them. Africa has massive problems such as starvation, poverty and corruption. What role does/ will science-fiction play in shaping contemporary Africa? Imagination and ideas. You cannot find a solution to a problem until you imagine that solution first. If you are incapable of imagining that which is not there or has never been, you are already at a huge disadvantage. Science fiction does all this. What do you foresee to be the impact of Africans embracing all genres of storytelling? An increase in imagination. A greater tolerance for and

But all of a sudden, a dastard, selfimposed sacred cow self-named Asiwaju1 emerged from a rural rickety pondok; in half-year stole billions of naira from the state——Àjòtó2-Abomean kleptomaniac cruising the sky, like a baboon hollering turned his country to sand, dustbin and emptiness, thus revamping Jean-Paul Sartre existential zero.

Ànábì3 looks on, keeping His judgment and lash on the house ceiling; big stone, thick rope tied to his gluttonous neck flung riotously into the southern wayward sea of Hades. Wao! Wao! Wao! 1. Asíwájú, Self-acclaimed leader 2. Àjòtó, Fon language in Benin Republic meaning thief, and kleptomaniac 3. Ànábì, Progenitor of Islamic faith B.M. Ibitokun

arts&review

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Focusing on loss of culture in the Diaspora BOOK REVIEW A review of Jide Familoni’s novel, Losing my Religion.

HE book, Losing my Religion is a 2014 Indie Book Award winner. The principal protagonist is Olufemi (meaning “God loves me”) or Femi in Yorubaland. Femi hails from Ido-Ekiti, in the South Western region of Nigeria in Yorubaland. After successfully going through school, he enters the University of Lagos to study engineering. He then attends a nine-month mandatory national service programme, following which he secures a job as an Assistant Lecturer at the College of Engineering of the University of Ilorin. Five months later he gets accepted into the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada to pursue graduate studies. Five months later, Femi returns to Nigeria in order to marry his college sweetheart, Yetunde. They both move

•Cover of the book to Canada and settle there, while Femi completes his doctorate degree. Thereafter, the couple relocates

to Memphis, Tennessee, USA, where Femi gets a job as an Assistant Professor. Life in the United States comes with new challenges for the couple as they adjust to a new culture and society, far different from the traditional Yoruba culture they grew up in. In time, their marriage collapses. Femi falls in love with Megan, a white American. His jilted wife Yetunde hires a sniper, who gets on Femi’s trail and on one occasion, attempts to assassinate him. Meanwhile, Megan gets pregnant. Femi is obliged to go see her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart. Her father almost instantly likes both the relationship and Femi, but her mother, stays indifferent. But when Megan gives birth to twins, her indifference evaporates. She actively takes part in organising a big child ceremony that is held according to Yoruba tradition in their mansion. The officiating minister is a Catholic Archbishop. By enlisting the ministerial services of an Archbishop, the profile of the naming ceremony is

Authors join forces to assist refugees Some of Britain’s bestselling authors and their publishers are joining forces to raise money for Syrian refugees. David Walliams, Hilary Mantel and Ian Rankin are among those whose books will be donated by publishers and sold by Waterstones for charity. “Buy a book, help save a life,” said Rankin. “We are doing what we do best: bookselling,” said Waterstones’ James Daunt. “Every single penny of each book sold will go straight to Oxfam.” The Buy Books for Syria campaign is a joint initiative between authors, publishers and Waterstones. Authors involved include Neil Gaiman, Ali Smith, Philip Pullman, Marian Keyes and Lee Child. “The cause is so obviously good that anything we can do is worth doing.” said Pullman; Ali Smith added: “I support this initiative with heart, mind and soul.”

•Popular British authors are signing up to assist Syrian regugees coming into Europe Best-selling children’s writers including Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo are also taking

Hotel Transylvania 2 enjoys record-breaking US opening MOVIE Animation movie Hotel Transylvania 2 has topped the US box office, taking $47.5m (£31.3m) in its debut weekend - the biggest September opening of all time. The sequel breaks a record held by its predecessor Hotel Transylvania, which opened to $42.5m in 2012, according to figures from Rentrak. The story of a hotel for monsters, it features the voices of Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez and Mel Brooks. The Intern, with Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, was second with $18.2m. Written and directed by Father Of The Bride’s Nancy Meyers, the office-based comedy stars De Niro as an intern at a fashion website run by

Hathaway’s character. Hotel Transylvania 2’s success was attributed to early excitement for Halloween and the film’s broad family appeal, with relatively little competition in the kids’ market until The Peanuts movie is released in November. Its $47.5m takings also far exceeded the studio’s expectations and industry projections, which were between $32-37m. Jeff Goldstein, executive vice president at Warner Bros, called The Intern “a real hit”, appealing to fans of Meyers’ previous films such as The Holiday and Something’s Gotta Give. The audience was 62 per cent female - with 55% of them over the age of 50, not an audience which typically sees films on opening weekend.

part. “We often speak as an industry about the power of books to change lives, “ said Tom Weldon, CEO at Penguin Random House UK. “Our aim with this campaign is to use the power of books to save lives. “I’m humbled by the way publishers and authors are collaborating... I hope that together we can make a difference.” With the support of many major UK publishers, including Penguin Random House, Pan McMillan, HarperCollins, Hachette and Faber, Waterstones hopes to raise one million pounds for Oxfam’s Syria Crisis Appeal. The books, donated by publishers, will be stickered with ‘Buy Books for Syria’ and will go on sale in Waterstones shops from 1 October. “Jack Reacher says: do your Christmas shopping at the Buy Books For Syria table!” said Jack Reacher’s creator and author Lee Child. “With £1m our programme could deliver clean water to another 150,000 people in Syria, or support to tens of thousands of people in Jordan over the next year,” said Mark Goldring of Oxfam.

raised in the eyes of Mrs. Stewart, who had hitherto opposed the idea of holding a pagan ceremony in her home. Her high-class-society friends attend and she gets the local Public Broadcasting TV Station to film the ceremony. The naming ceremony is replete with meaningful symbolism and at the end of it, the twins are named, Taiwo Yejide Oluwatoyin and Kehinde Yewande Oluwatosin. The name Taiwo, the first to be born, means, “taste the world”, Yejide means, “mother reawakened” and Oluwatoyin, means, “God is sufficient to be praised.” Kehinde is the second to be born and her name means “come last”, Yewande means, “mother came looking for me”, and Oluwatosin means, “God is sufficient to be worshiped.” Throughout his stay in the USA, Femi suffers several instances of racial bias from both the academia and the police. On December 6, 1998 after a bitter argument with the Provost over an issue of campus politics actuated by racial injustice, he resigns from his job after having climbed the rung and attained the position of chair in the Department of Engineering. Megan has for long nursed the desire to be a sort of a redeemer for minorities. Her union with Femi and their relocation to Nigeria provides the channel to make her dream come true. In addition and ironically, this move by a Caucasian rather helps Femi to introduce his twin daughters and son to the traditions of his ancestors, particularly, since Relé, having lived in the USA almost all his youth, had become ashamed of identifying himself with Africa, and had even gone as far as adopting the name, “Ray”, in place of “Relé”. The major themes in the novel are beautifully and appropriately strung together in lines of poetry by Wole Soyinka, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Ernest Hemmingway, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, by biblical sayings, Yoruba proverbs, Yoruba deities, and a Yoruba legend about the creation of the earth. Yoruba consider proverbs to be “the horses that conversations ride; …” And this novel is indeed replete with many great proverbs. “… if a calabash bowl falls facedown, we turn it right side up and retrieve it. If we cannot, we put a heel to it and smash it into smithereens. If we cannot peacefully remove the magic bangle from the witch doctor’s wrist, we simply sever his arm to recover the bangle!” (p. 7) “If someone is plotting to roast or fry you, the least you can do is not lotion your body with cooking oil.” (p. 16) “If a fire dies out, it leaves its ashes behind. If a banana plant dies it leaves its young saplings to grow into tomorrow’s fruit-bearing trees.” (p. 24) “A war that has been threatened for 20 years does not kill a wise cripple.” (p. 53). Even though a number of themes are covered in the novel, the title, Losing My Religion is apt in that it addresses one of the major themes which is the result of Femi’s relocation to the Western hemisphere – the loss of the Yoruba culture to his offspring either born or raised in the West. In another sense, related to racial injustice, the title is apt, for racial inequality and injustice is not part of Yoruba culture.

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Our Pledge remains

unwavering...

Over 5 decades ago, when we ďŹ rst partnered with Nigeria, we committed for the long term. Since then, we've continued to support energy development and invest in economic and human development. Today, we are happy to felicitate with the nation as it celebrates its 55th year of independence. Happy Independence Anniversary Nigeria!

2015

Human Energy

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

natural

By Sade Oguntola

ingworm on the scalp of children is always a cause for concern because of its contagious nature. Children are particularly susceptible to ringworm as contact among children is more frequent between the ages of four and 14 years than in early childhood. Oftentimes, transmission of ring worm is enhanced by poor hygiene, overcrowding, contaminated hats, brushes, pillows and other inanimate objects. A local barber who used the same barbing equipment has been identified as a major source of infection among students. In treating ring worm, mothers resort to unsafe practices like the use of alcohol, lime, kerosene, oil and insecticides. However, herbal medicines and the germicidal properties of certain plants, including the oil extracted from neem seed, have been proven to be cheap and an effective remedy for ringworm. In the study, scientists asked pupils to apply the oil to the affected region on their head two to three times daily in their homes with the assistance of their parents. The pupils diagnosed with ringworm were randomly selected from public primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State. For the period of the study, the dermatologists monitored each of the pupils on who the treatment was administered once a week for a month. At the commencement of the study, the circumference of the skin of each pupil covered with infection was measured with a tape rule before administration of neem oil. They found a significant reduction in the proportion of skin circumference covered by infection over the treatment period that spanned four weeks. Its effectiveness in the management of the diagnosed infections,

health

Neem oil, cheap remedy for ring worm

Neem plant however, depended on consistency in the use of the oil. The scientists, who established the therapeutic effect of neem oil on ringworm in the 2015 edition of the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, said their findings was consistent with past suggestions that neem oil can effectively control the fungus that causes ringworm. Given the reduction in the circumference of skin covered with infection before treatment

to what was obtained after treatment, they declared, “its use can replace some common unsafe practices in certain parts of Nigeria.” Given the global change towards the use of non-toxic plant products, they suggested that development of products from neem should be emphasised for the control of various diseases since neem tree is common in our environment and its oil can easily be extracted from its seed. Studies have shown that neem seed oil has

Health &your health benefits of sex sex,sexuality

With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

Continued from last week

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

moisturising and regenerative properties, containing Vitamin E as well as essential fatty acids. Some of its chemical constituents like the terpenoids are considered to have antimicrobial and insecticidal properties among many other actions. Scientific research today validates many of the traditional uses of neem oil. It is used to treat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, to boost the immune system and to treat many specific health problems. Among other conditions, neem oil has been historically used to treat the following: acne, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, gingivitis, lice, dandruff, ringworm, wounds, rashes, wrinkles, athlete’s foot, worms, boils and warts. Similarly, scientists have listed plants that are useful remedies for ringworm in Cross Rivers State to include Senna alanta and Borreria Ocymoides. Senna alata is commonly called ringworm burn or candle bush. The 2009 study reported in the African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences that the local plants were more effective than the conventional drugs used in the treatment of ringworm, thus offering some hope of treatment and control. These plant extracts were tested on germs that cause ringworm, which were collected from 840 pupils that were screened for ringworm in the communities involved in the study. The researchers found that the local plants were more effective than the conventional drugs used in the treatment of ringworm, thus offering some hope of treatment and control. Elsewhere in Nigeria, coconut oil has been attested to as safe and effective for ringworm. Its magic ingredient, especially Lauric acid, is capable of killing many species of fungi. Lauric acid dissolves the fatty outer membranes of the microbes thus killing them.

be caused by increased stress levels. So it is important to keep your stress levels in check. The actual act of sex and the cuddles after can decrease your blood pressure and make you more able to face some of the problems contributing to your stress. Sex is also a great communicator and allows both you and your partner to express how you feel about each other.

Burns calories If you are overweight, you are more likely to be diagnosed with a health problem. If you are not sure about your current weight, check out Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator and if you need to lose weight, ask your doctor for a weight loss plan that can help. We are all guilty at looking towards new and ‘trendy’ routines to help us lose weight. However, the answer can be right on your doorstep, or your bedroom, or your front room – wherever takes your fancy! Remember, sex counts as exercise and can burn up to 90 calories for every half an hour.

Improves self-esteem Having self-esteem is important for not only yourself, but for those around you. How you feel about yourself in the world dictates how you interact with it; and so can be a deciding factor on how you live your life both socially and at work. Having the kind of sex you want when you want it can make you happier within your own skin. Being with someone who loves you for who you are and gives you what you need can be a great confidence booster just for you.

Reduces stress Long-term (chronic) exposure to stress can cause a whole series of actual physical problems to your body. Raised blood pressure, lowered immune response and an increased susceptibility to anxiety and depression can

titbits Myths about sex — Birth controls The Myth: If I use birth control, I don’t need to worry about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Birth control methods, like the pill, and Intrauterine Device ( IUD), while very effective at preventing pregnancy, do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. Condoms are the only method of protection against both

STDs and pregnancy. For maximum protection, use both the birth control method, which suits you with condoms. To further reduce risk of getting or passing on an STD, discuss with a healthcare provider about getting tested for STDs, including HIV, before becoming intimate, and talk openly with your partner(s).

Thursday, 1 October, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Nigeria @ 55: Two nations, one country AS Nigeria marks 55 years of gaining independence from Britain, KUNLE ODEREMI writes on the mixed fortunes of world’s largest Black nation.

HERE is a tinge of irony in the entity called Nigeria. It is a typical case of a country of two nations. The rich make up one, while the poor constitute the other. The division is so sharp and pronounced that the widening gap between them has become a time bomb over the years. Whereas they constitute a minute few, the rich have continued to spew out the milk, with the majority imperiled to steady the bullish proverbial cow. Yet, a former American president, Woodrow Wilson accentuated the strategic place of the majority of the population in the attainment and sustainability of stability and progress for any nation: “When I look back on the processes of history; when I survey the genesis of America, I see this written over every page: that nations are renewed from the bottom, not from the top; that the genius which springs up from the ranks of the unknown men is the genius which renewed the youth and the energy of the people. A nation is as great, and only as

great, as her rank and file.” Fifty-five years ago, Nigeria was globally identified as a “potential hero,” a land of superior talents and strong vision, going by the pedigree of the nationalists that negotiated its political freedom from the British. At independence, those political giants bestrode the landscape like colossus. With the passage of time, coupled with the conspiracy of nature and vagaries of life, that

era of indisputable giants in the chequered history of the country gave way to a season of parasitic village heads, eating deep into the fabric Nigeria. The season of oil boom seamlessly melted into a climate of impunity, profligacy, fascism, cruel and criminal acquisition of wealth, as well as a harvest of ethno-religious fanaticism. Most of the policies and programmes of the state became camouflaged in varying nomenclatures and acronyms like UPE, OFN, SAP, Green Revolution, DFRRI, MAMSER, Poverty Eradication Programme (PEP), just to mention a few. Virtually all of them were turned into conduits for the privileged few to fleece the country of its scarce resource. Gradually, the achievements of the largest Black nation began to pale into insignificance, especially given its huge human and material endowments. Where the policies proved

This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us on the road when we had so nearly reached our goal. —Balewa

relatively realistic, desirable and effectual, the scourge of political instability obliterated the tangible and intangible gains in no time.

Statistics According to available statistic, about 70 per cent of the 80 million youths in Nigeria are either unemployed or underemployed. Whereas Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, the country has been flaring gas since the discovery of oil in the 1950s. It is said to burn about 20 billion cubic meters of gas annually, an a quantity experts say is sufficient to meet its energy need. About 120 million persons in the country are said to lack access to electricity. However, thoughts on how to arrest the game of musical chairs are not in short supply among the stakeholders. In the mist of lamentations about the litany of woes that has trailed the path of the country in the past five and half decades, have come calls on how to restore the glory of the land. There are consistent calls and pressure on the political and economic elite to collaborate and diversify the national economy from its monolithic status so as to make the country less import dependent. Such pragmatic action will tackle massive unemployment; fire the pace of industrialisation; fast-track infrastructural development; check rural-urban migration, as well as brain drain. There is also the ceaseless public concern over the relative low Gross Domestic Product of the country, when compared with its contemporaries; weak IGR machinery because of lapses in the deployment of the instrument of taxation, which if properly harnessed, would help shore up government revenue. Currently, it is being used to feather the nest of the business empires of the powerful and influential few in the country. Local government, which should serve as the real spring board for development and rural integration, has become a mere appendage of the state and a few power brokers. With their awesome capacity to influence the process and system, they plant their surrogates in strategic positions in the local councils, who in turn, continues pg39

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Nigeria @ 55:

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Amalgam of policies, programmes continued from pg38

serve the narrow interest of their masters rather than that of the over 70 per cent of the 170 million Nigerians resident in rural areas. From 1960 to 2015 From 1960 till date, the individual speeches of all Nigerians leader are highly inspiring and emotive about the country. Their speeches invoke strong emotions and are superfluous in patriotism, arousing great and huge expectation and confidence from millions of compatriots and members of the international community. A few of those timeless speeches by the leaders will suffice. On October 1, 1960, when the Union Jack was lowered for the Green White Green, Sir Tafawa Balewa, had said he was not only overwhelmed by the historic moment but was ready to propel the new country to the greatest height and pride of the world. His word: “Today is Independence Day. The first of October 1960 is a date to which for two years, Nigeria has been eagerly looking forward. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent Sovereign nation. Words cannot adequately express my joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged to accept from Her Royal Highness these Constitutional Instruments which are the symbols of Nigeria’s Independence. It is a unique privilege which I shall remember forever, and it gives me strength and courage as I dedicate my life to the service of our country. “This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us on the road when we had so nearly reached our goal. But now, we have acquired our rightful status, and I feel sure that history will show that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace: it has been thorough, and Nigeria now stands well-built upon firm foundations.” At a very critical moment in the life of the country, the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, had equally underpinned the issue of national progress and unity. He said: “Let us therefore, march manfully together to alter the course of this nation once again for all and to place it on the path of progress, unity and equality. Let us so act that future generations of Nigerians will praise us for our resolution and courage in this critical stage of our country’s history.” When he assumed office in 1976, late General Murtala Muhammed had spoken on his desire to return Nigeria to the path of recovery and sanity in public service. After the civil war, the affairs of state, hitherto a collective responsibility, became characterised by lack of consultation, indecision, indiscipline and even neglect. Indeed, the public at large became disillusioned and disappointed by these developments.The task ahead of us calls for sacrifice and self discipline at all levels of our society. This government will not tolerate indiscipline. The government will not condone abuse of office.” Similarly, as head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo had promised to consolidate on the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the Nigerian federation. His words: “This administration believes in the capacity of Nigerians to make her a great country where social and economic justice, political freedom and the rule of law prevail. We are dedicated to the pursuit of this goal/. I am therefore

Awolowo

Zik

There is need for a dedicated leadership and citizenry imbued with faith to cultivate a widespread national feeling for One Nigeria. —Shagari calling on every one of you to rise to the challenge.” In his inauguration speech in1979 as president in the Second Republic, Alhaji Shehu Shagari had used the opportunity to promise to build on the foundation laid by the first generation of Nigerian leaders. While acknowledging their unquantifiable sacrifice that culminated in Nigeria’s independence, Shagari said: “This administration is determined that the slogan of One Nation, One Destiny shall be translated into reality. We are not so naive as to think that nationalism is a natural phenomenon, which comes about automatically, as we grow. It has not been so in any part of the world. National integration requires hard work. There is need for a dedicated leadership and citizenry imbued with faith to cultivate a wide-spread national feeling for One Nigeria.” During his first coming as a military head of state in 1983, Buhari had declared that his intention was to bring the country back on track concerning the cardinal goal of the architect of modern Nigeria. “We have dutifully intervened to save this nation from imminent collapse. We therefore expect all Nigerians, including those who participated directly or indirectly in bringing the nation to this present predicament, to cooperate with us. This generation of Nigerians, and indeed future generations, has no country other than Nigeria. We shall remain here and salvage it together,” he intoned. In his speeches at two auspicious occasions times, former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida had equally promised his unwavering commitment to taking the country through the right path. Following the ouster of Buhari from power in 1985, IBB stated: “There is a lot of work to be done by every single Nigerian. Let us all dedicate ourselves to the cause of building a strong, united and viable nation for the sake of our own lives and the benefits

of posterity. About eight years later, IBB extended his pedagogic sermon after annulling June 12, ostensibly to assuage some nerves. “I enjoin you to keep faith with the unity, peace and stability of our country for this is the only country that you and I can call our own. Nowhere in the world, no matter the prompting and inducements of foreign countries, can Nigerians ever be regarded as first class citizens. Nigeria is the only country that we have. We must therefore renew our hope in Nigeria, and faith and confidence in ourselves for continued growth, development and progress,” he said. In his valedictory, speech when he was shoved aside by Abacha, Chief Ernest Shonekan as the Head of the interim National Government, stated: “Let me say loud and clear that that we have all made sacrifices for these past 82 days in the strong belief that our country deserves the best. I have an unshaken faith in the promise of Nigeria and I believe that the best is yet to come.” A similar promise resonated in 1993, when Abacha ceased power. He was emphatic about the huge potentialities of Nigeria. According to him, “Nigeria is wonderfully endowed by the Almighty with human and other resources. It does no credit either to us or the entire black race if we fail in managing our resources for quick improvement in the quality of life of our people. Instead of progress and development, which we are entitled to expect from those who govern us, we experienced in the last decade and half, and particularly in the last regime but one, persistent deterioration in the quality of our governance, leading to instability and the weakening of all public institutions….We must change our ways of governance and of doing business on this eve of the coming millennium. This, we must do to ensure progress, justice, harmony, and unity, and above all, to rekindle confidence among our people, confidence that their condition will

Balewa rapidly improve and that Nigeria will be great and will become a major world player in the very near future.” It was the turn of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 when he was sworn to reinforce the message of the nationalists that worked assiduously to secure freedom for the country. He vowed: “I will set a worthy personal example as your President. No matter what obstacles confront us, I will set a worthy personal example as your President. I have confidence and faith in our ability to overcome them. After all, we are Nigerians! We are a resourceful and enterprising people, and we have it within us to make our country a better place. To that end I offer myself as a servant-leader. Let us recapture the mood of optimism that defined us at the dawn of independence, that legendary can-do spirit that marked our Nigerianness.” New vista Like he did in the past, incumbent President Buhari has promised to rekindle hope and confidence of Nigerians in their country. He acknowledged the vast missed opportunities of the past in the history of the country but regarded such past as belonging to history, with a promise to evolve a new Nigeria. His words: “I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.” The didactic message has become a recurring decimal in the annals of the country, even about 17 years after Nigeria restored civil rule in 1999. In its October 25-31, 2003 edition the authoritative international magazine, The Economist, had warned against the danger in any country living under the illusion that oil will remain dominant as a resource base. It drew an analogy between the era of Stone Aage with the period of crude oil. It stated: “The Stone Age did not end for lack of stone, and the Oil Age will end long before the world runs out of oil.” How has Nigeria pragmatically addressed the coded message in such analogy 12 years after? To what extent has Nigerian leaders internalised the import of what a former President Jimmy Carter said about his country, America in his book entitled: Why not the best?

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Nigeria @ 55:

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Nigeria must progress as one happy united family with accommodated diversities.

Okoh

Uranta

Ogunlewe

Where we missed it —Ogunlewe From Bola Badmus, Yinka Olukoya and Babajide Johnson The way forward Primate Nicholas Okoh, Archbishop, Metropolitan Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) HERE is a crusade on from the government initiative and that is to fight corruption and indiscipline. If we can achieve a measure of success in this direction; then we will be well on the way to prosperity. Furthermore, those of us in the church and the mosque should bridge the gap between what we say and what we do, that will give Nigeria a very strong footing.

Where we missed the point —Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe (former Minister of Works) Assessment At least Nigeria is still existing as a country, we should move forward, we should have national development plans as we used to do during Awolowo days and the plans should span the next 25 years. You know changing of policies has been the bane of our national development. As the new government is coming in, another one would come in, they would change the policy, they would change the direction, they would change everything. We should now sit down and plan for our next 25 years, where do we want to be? There are enough knowledgeable people in the National Planning Commission that can do this thing for us, so that we would not be changing our policies every time. We should have not only an Economic Team; we should have another one that is Engineering Team. The Engineering Team is a Development Agency of the government. An economist cannot develop a nation; he will create wealth. An engineer will tell us about innovation; he will tell us about research and development into areas that will benefit the entire country. That is an engineer’s work but we have neglected our engineers, whereas they have developed every part of the world. It is only in Nigeria that we don’t countenance our engineers. On if Nigeria has made progress Yes, we have moved forward, but there is no benchmark with which to assess our performances. If we have national planning, national policy, that is when we can measure how we are performing; how many secondary schools; how many classrooms do we need for our primary schools

for the next 25 years? How many have we built? How many people are participating in JAMB every year; how many universities and polytechnics do we need? Are we lacking there? Why should our children be going to Ghana and other countries, including Gambia, Benin Republic, all over Africa for university education? It is as a result of our lack of planning. We spent $75 billion to sponsor our children in Ghanaian universities alone. How can a country develop like that not to talk of all over the world? And we don’t have corresponding numbers of the citizens of other countries coming to Nigeria to study. That is a problem; you can hardly find expatriates that are teaching in federal universities in Nigeria. Why? Lost opportunity National planning; that is all, that is the opportunity we lost. There is no research fund. The type of budget we make is an income and expenditure budget, which is not what budget is all about. Which area of research must we fund in our budget? Our focus for our budget must be defined, is it beggar economy we want? The beggar economy means in the morning the beggar comes, hold a bowl, you put money, he would spend it, and bring the bowl again. That was what Awolowo told us, no plan. There must be a National Plan which everybody must follow whether you are a ruling party or not, you must follow the National Development Plan. It is not your responsibility to determine what Nigeria needs, we need basic things, we need light. What is our need and plan in the next 20 years? There are things we must research into. A country without research, planning and development will never grow. We need innovation, we need a breakthrough. One university in US, Stanford University was able to establish more

than 30 factories for production processes through their engineering department alone. Where is our own? ‘Current trends may mar the nation’s survival’ Secretary General, United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) and Executive Secretary, the Nigerian National Summit Group (NNSG), Mr Tony Uranta The trends of seemingly insensitive power-thrusts are not the best conducive with the accepted national aspirations for equitable economic development, democratic politics and social justice. These ought to be driven by the Constitution and the respect for Rule-of-Law, plus the pragmatic recognition of diversities that a United Nigeria needs to be premised upon. As an imperfect member of this less than perfect human race, one empathizes deeply and sincerely with all other specimens of humanity, especially those who may be inadvertently misled by others into thinking that they are infallible or that admitting to errors is in any way belittling. The economy is in shock following the series of oil revenues downturns, foreign exchange policies fallouts, absence of a holistic economic strategy revelation from Abuja, and the absence to date of a sense of urgency in creating the Presidential Team to run the nation. Not to mention, at best, the probably misplaced perception that Mr President, who has already affirmed a preference to work with cronies and people from certain parts of Nigeria, truly intends to wield a putatively punitive rod against those sections of the country that voted less for him during the General Elections much earlier in the year. The Peoples of Nigeria,” rather than “the opposition political parties, must become the Ultimate Ombudsman for Nigeria, going forward. This must be exhibited if

We spent $75billion to sponsor our children in Ghanaian universities alone. How can a country develop like that? This is not to talk of the huge expenditure we incur in sending our children to schools in other parts of the world?

Akin Osuntokun (former Special Adviser ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo) “The most crucial contemporary success and achievement we have had is generally how the Fourth Republic has endured and specifically the successful transition from a government to an opposition party. It is most the significant in the context of the history of this country. It has never happened before and even in Africa, am not sure it has happened. We have been able to witness successful transition. That is a very significant success in the history of Nigeria. On the nation’s woes, we have for the better part of 55 years, been governed by military dictatorship. It is a failure. We have squandered opportunities, economic opportunities, leakages in the economy in terms of corruption, wastes and sheer recklessness and irresponsibility of the leadership. The civil war is a failure, but that we are able to come back together after the civil war was also a success. The civil war has a contradictory significance, first the breakdown of the First Republic that led to it which was a tragedy. The fact that we are able to go through that and come back together as a nation is a significant success. The fact that Nigeria is still together as a one nation till today is a success. In terms of economic development, we lacked behind in our potential. We have squandered a lot of opportunities. We are thousands of miles ahead of what we have now. If you look at its potential, both in human and mineral resources. Nigeria should be far ahead of where we are now. There has been a dramatic fall in the standard of education from the primary secondary and tertiary levels. A former member of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Chief Abu Shuluwa ‘”The nation has achieved little in certain areas like education sector but with lapses, what we have in education is quantity without quality’, regretted that the present leaders rather than building on the achievements of the past national leaders like late Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamidi Azikwe, Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa had destroyed their legacies with policies summersault.The discovery of crude oil in Nigeria which ought to be a blessing has by action and inaction of our leaders turned to curse, stressing that ‘as a result of this discovery we have become too lazy, abandon agriculture and the worst of it is the corrupt attitude of the leaders who ought to use the proceed to develop our country but diverted it to private purse. Until we are able to change our attitudes towards life generally and return to our old culture and norms where discipline and respect to elders reign then the nation can attain its desired goals.” Honourable Abiodun Abudu-Balogun Before we talk about the country at 55 and the way forward, I consider it imperative to salute the courage of our founding fathers like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa,Ahmadu Bello, and others. The military interregnum was what set Nigeria backward to the best of my knowledge. If what our fathers laid had continued, I think Nigeria will be better for it. The military came and so many things went wrong. Thank God for the change agent in person of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is doing his best to change Nigeria, to take us back to the foundation laid by our forefathers.

news Gunmen abduct Kogi traditional ruler

Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

HE traditional ruler of ApaaBunu community in KabbaBunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oba Adebisi Obademi, was on Wednesday abducted by gunmen and whisked away to an unknown destination. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Oba Obademi was attacked at 7.30 a.m. An eye witness stated that he was abducted while on his way to Odo-Ape, a suburb community close to his domain. It was further gathered that the gunmen, numbering about five and suspected to be Fulani herdsmen laid ambush for the traditional ruler and forcefully took him away on a motorcycle. Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Emman-

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

uel Ojukwu, said the command had been briefed, adding that his men had been deployed to rescue the monarch. He, however, said no arrest has been made in connection with the abduction. Speaking on the development, a former member of the House of Representa-

tives from the area, Honourable Duro Meseko, condemned the act, saying it was barbaric. Meseko, who is also a senior special assistant to the state governor, Idris Wada, raised the alarm over the rising cases of kidnapping in the area, charging the security agencies in the state to rise to the situa-

tion. According to him, there was the need for the police authorities to establish a Police Station in the area to further help in the fight against criminals in the communities. He also decried the activities of Fulani herdsmen around the area, alleging that they were frequently

fomenting trouble in the area. Meseko, who further expressed apprehension over the development, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly address the issue of kidnappings in the country to enable the law abiding citizens live without fear.

12 years of PDP a waste —Audu Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, on Wednesday, said the 12 years administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had set the state backward. Audu, who said this at the inauguration of his campaign at Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of the state, however told the people of the state to bring about change with the next election. Addressing his supporters at the rally, the former governor said it was only the electorate that could bring about the desired change that could develop the state. He lamented that the PDP administrations in the last 12 years in the state had not added to the infrastructural facilities that he put in place while he was governor between 1999 and 2003. The APC candidate regretted that instead of improving on the infrastructures he put in place, the successive administrations had allowed them to decay. He said, “The power is in your hands, you the electorate, effect the change mantra of APC in Kogi State and see instant development and advancement of the state for the future of your children and those yet unborn. “I have done it before and I can also do more if you give me the mandate.”

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Ganiyu Yusuf (left), being welcomed by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Gu Xiaojie, to the 66th anniversary of China and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Nigeria strategic partnership, in Abuja, on Tuesday night. With them is the Director, Regions and International Organisations, Ambassador Sonni Yusuf. PHOTO: NAN

Ondo workers commence 2-day warning strike No major issue in contention —Govt Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

Following directives from Labour Union in Ondo State, ordering workers to stay at home, workers in the public service on Wednesday began a two-day warning strike to press home their demand for payment of their salaries arrears. A visit to the state Secretariat in Alagbaka area of the city, where all gates to all ministries were under lock indicated that a greater percentage of the workers complied with the directives of the leadership of the union.

The leaders of the union were seen at the gates as early as 7.00 a.m. at the entrance of Ministry of Finance to ensure and enforce the strike order, while government offices were deserted. The situation was not different in all the 18 local government areas within the state as government secretariats and health centres remained closed while patients were turned back from the hospital. At the State Specialist Hospital, Akure doctors were seen attending to patients but nurses and other health workers did not

turn up at their duty posts. While speaking on the development, the State Chairman of the Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Mr Sunday Adeleye alleged government of trying to divide the workers saying some of the core civil servants had been paid. Adeleye said that government has not paid salaries of workers in the local government and primary school teachers and other categories of workers noting that the government has failed to fulfill its promise to pay the July and August as promised during the union’s meeting with

Lasun seeks China’s help in agricultural development Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun has sought the assistance of the China government in developing the nation’s agriculture. The Deputy Speaker said the appeal became necessary in view of Federal government’s economic policy of moving away from oil dependent economy, adding that the nation would also benefit from China in the area of technology. Lasun, who stated this on Wednesday at the celebration of the 66th anniversary of the foundation

of the People’s Republic of China, and the 10th anniversary of China-Nigeria Strategic partnership, disclosed that Nigeria’s partnership with the Chinese government is very key towards achieving this objective. According to him, “With agriculture alone, the Federal Government could develop the nation’s economy, but China has to come in and assist, when necessary.” He also expressed concern over engineering graduate unemployment in the country, noting that

yearly, the nation’s universities are producing a lot of engineering graduates but they are not fully engaged. According to him, there is need for the China to assist Nigeria in this direction. He said, “I am happy to note that Nigeria and China enjoy cordial relationship which dates back to more than five decades. “The two countries share common views on several key issues on global economic and political agenda, particularly the maintenance of international peace and security.

government officials. Reacting in a press release made available to the Nigerian Tribune, the state government said, “the Ondo State Government is embarrassed to discover today that the Labour Unions went on strike when it was apparent that there were no major issues in contention. “In the bid to ensure that workers in the state are paid despite the present economic challenges, the government joined other states to obtain a bailout loan to the tune of N14.6 billion for both state and local government council which will be enough to cover outstanding salaries up to August. “So far, the outstanding deductions for payment of Union dues, Cooperative and loans for May and June have been duly paid. Following the report of leakages and fraud in the system, government conducted a verification exercise and made the following discoveries. “It was established that some workers were receiving salaries from two departments of government. Some retired and or dead officers were still being paid salaries. Some workers who have since retired were found to be collecting salaries in addition to their pensions. There were established cases of fraudulent adjustments among others etc.”

Group calls for rejection of Kogi APC candidates Bola badmus-Lagos

A group, Kogi People in Lagos (KPL), which is a coalition of Kogi indigenous and towns associations in Lagos State has warned voters in the state to reject the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu and his running mate, James Faleke at the forthcoming governorship poll holding in the state. The group gave the warning on Tuesday in a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr Adebukola Ebenezer, even as it vowed to stage protest in Lagos, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital and all the three senatorial districts in the state against what it termed attempts by the APC National leader, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu “to take over our state by imposing on us Audu and Faleke.” The KPL, while noting that the APC had presented candidates with tinted records in governance and delivery of dividend of democracy for the state, alleged that Audu failed as the state governor, and Faleke also as the chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) in Lagos.

Group drums up support for Audu/Faleke A group, named the KG21-Initiative, which is a political advocacy platform has drummed up support for the election of Audu/ Faleke, the governorship and deputy governorship candidates under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in forthcoming Kogi State election. The group has described the APC deputy governorship candidate’s familiarisation tour of Okun as a triumphant entry, lauding his acceptability by all and sundry. The group also dispelled the rumour peddled by mischiefmakers that Faleke is unknown in Okun, stating that, “Faleke is not only well known and accepted but also communicated in fluent Okun dialect to the shame of his critics, during the tour.” The group in a statement jointly signed by the Director General, Chief Ben Oguche, and Secretary General, Deinde Komolafe, enjoined Kogi residents to shun the rumours and vote for the Audu/Faleke ticket during the November 21 election.

news

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Bayelsa polls: Sylva wins APC primaries Alaibe withdraws Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

ormer Governor, Timipre Sylva has been declared winner of the rescheduled All Progressive Congress (APC) primary election in Bayelsa State, even as he lauded the delegates for their commitment, and called on all aspirants to join hands with him for a resounding victory at the general election slated for December 5, 2015. Declaring the results at the State Secretariat of the Party, the Chairman of the Election Panel, General Mansur Dan Ali (Retired), declared Sylva as the winner with a total of 981 votes to emerge as the flagbearer of the APC. Others are Godknows Powell, 39 votes, Warman Ogoriba, 28 votes, Diekivie Ikiogha, 22 votes, Romeo Bekeyei, 10 votes, Francis Williams, 9 votes, Aganaba Preye, 8 votes, Charity Vedelago, 7 votes, Aus-

Ohanaeze seeks unconditional release of detained MASSOB members Celestine Ihejirika - Umuahia

AS International Igbo Youth Day has just ended in Umuahia, the Youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has sent passionate appeal to the Federal Government to consider unconditional release of detained MASSOB members who are currently being detained at various custodies. National President of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isinguzo, who stated this on Wednesday, while interacting with newsmen in Umuahia, regretted the action of MASSOB members, whose agitations might have been as a result of perceived injustice against Ndigbo soon after the Nigerian civil war. Expected at the second edition of International Igbo Youth Day are Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Nyesom Wike of Rivers states and South East governors, including the former Federal Permanent Secretary under the Ministry of Education, Chief Nwaobiala and other notable prominent sons of the South East. “We are not happy because the reason for them to be doing what they are doing is because of the perceived injustice that has been meted to Ndigbo after the war and if the Federal Government has addressed all those injustices, these boys will never be agitating for another state outside of Nigeria.”

tin Ogionwo, 7 votes, while Timi Alaibe and others scored zero. The total accredited delegates stood at 1, 147 while the total vote cast is 1,107 and the total valid votes is 1,120 respectively. Elated Sylva, in his acceptance speech said that it was a long walk and that he is happy to accept the victory given to him for a second time, submitting that it is

only the beginning of a long that would be consummated with APC victory at the general election in December 5. Meanwhile, an aspirant for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the Bayelsa State governorship election, Timi Alaibe, has withdrawn from the party’s primaries. Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission,

announced the withdrawal of his candidacy in a statement on Wednesday. He said his decision to withdraw was to avoid “collateral consequences” for the party. The party had been embroiled in crisis after the initial primaries ended in fiasco. A former governor of Bayelsa State and leader of the APC in the state, Timipre Sylva, was alleged to have

brought thugs to the venue, thus disrupting the exercise. The Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the Primaries Committee, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, decried the role of Sylva in the crisis that led to the disruption of the exercise. The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, on Monday, announced the cancellation of the primaries.

From left, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Mekong River Asia, Eze Uzochukeu Ezeneche; Eze Eri Ezeora 34th Eze Akajioforigbo, Eze Chukwuemeka Eri and the Eze Igbo 1 of Abuja, Eze Nwosu Ibe, at the presentation of kolanuts, during the 2015 Igbo Day celebration, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Lack of qualified teachers, our major challenge —FG ..As NUT urges govt to enforce NCE as teaching qualification Clement Idoko - Abuja

THE Federal Government has said that the major challenge to expand access and provide qualitative education in the country is the acute shortage of professionally qualified teachers. Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, said this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday, in Abuja, as part of programmes lined up to commemorate the 2015 World Teachers’ Day on October 5. She spoke against the backdrop of the revelation by UNESCO report on the national literacy action plan for 2012 to 2015, which puts adult literacy in Nigeria at 56.9 per cent, saying one fundamental constraint to expansion of access in the country is the shortage of qualified teachers. But the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticised the Federal Government for failing to enforce the National Certificate in Education (NCE) as the minimum teaching quali-

fication in the country in line with the decision of National Council on Education (NCE) in 2006. Abdullahi, however, said the Federal Government is working to ensure that only professionally, competent and efficient individuals are engaged in the noble profession. She said the focus of the present administration

was to equip teachers with the required skills, knowledge and competence to meet the varied needs of the 21st century learners. The World Teachers’ Day was set aside as a result of the declaration of the Joint International Labour Organisation and UNESCO Special Conference on the Status of Teachers in Paris, on October 5, 1966,

with focus on identifying and addressing the major challenges associated with teaching as a profession. The Acting Permanent Secretary disclosed that the development and welfare of teachers were top priority of the government, saying no nation or society could rise above the quality of teachers and the education system.

PDP faction petitions EKSIEC, threatens court action over LG polls Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

THE proposed local government elections slated for December in Ekiti State has come under threat as a faction of the party, led by Mr Tunde Olatunde, has written a petition against the operations of the electoral body planning the election. In a petition by their counsel, Mr Lekan Olatawura, Olatunde warned the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) against recognising candidates presented by the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr Idowu Faleye, citing extant court cases

against Faleye. Olatunde’s faction, in the petition dated September 21, 2015 and signed by Oluwatobi Fatoki of Lekan Olatawura Chambers in Ado Ekiti, asked the chairman of EKSIEC, Justice Kayode Bamisile, to note that Faleye and other members of his executive were “impostors” and that “the commission should stop relating with them in matters concerning electoral issues.” In the petition entitled: “2015 Local Government Election Time Table”, Olatunde warned the commission against recognising candidates of the PDP

presented through Faleye, failing which it would take legal action against the commission. The petition read: “Our clients came about the notice of Election to wit: the Ekiti State 2015 Local Government Election as scheduled in your time table published in the national daily on September 10, 2015. “Our clients hereby wish to lodge their reservations to the extent that their right as the State Executive Committee is for a four year tenure, which will lapse March 2016 as they were duly elected into their respective offices in March 2012.”

Nigerian Tribune

Adeyemi vs Melaye: Tribunal fixes judgment for Oct 10 Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

A former senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Senator Smart Adeyemi, on Wednesday, asked the National Assembly and Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, to declare him the winner of the election into the seat, held on March 28. This is just as the tribunal fixed October 10 for judgment in the petition filed to challenge the declaration of Senator Dino Melaiye as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Parties to the petition had, at the resumed sitting of the Justice Akon Ikpeme-led tribunal, on Wednesday, adopted their written addresses following which counsel to the petitioner, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, prayed the court to uphold his prayers. The address, signed by Wole Olanipekun SAN, Fagbemi SAN and Kayode Olatoke SAN, urged the court to uphold the petition as it was primarily predicated on pleadings.

Abia Central senatorial seat: Orji knows fate Oct 13 Celestine Ihejirika - Umuahia

THE National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Umuahia, has fixed October 13, 2015, for judgment on the petition filed by Ahamdi Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) against the declaration of Chief Theodore Orji as senator of Abia Central zone in the last election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Tribunal chairman, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, fixed the date on Wednesday, after the parties adopted their written addresses. In adopting the written address, counsel to Nweke, Gordy Uche, raised two issues which he said were not included in the address, including allegation of corruption in the election and failure of the second respondent to file within the allotted time. He averred that the failure of the first and second respondents to call evidence meant total abandonment of their responsibility and urged the Tribunal to discountenance and strike out the petition.

news

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Bird flu spreads to 85 LGAs in 21 states

•As FG suspends payment of compensations to affected farmers Collins Nnabuife-Abuja

he Federal Government has said that the deadly poultry viral disease, Avian Influenza otherwise called bird flu has spread across 85 local government areas in 21 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Disclosing this on Wednesday, at a meeting with stakeholders in the poultry industry, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sonny Echono, said that measures were being put in place to contain the virus. Echono said that currently, a total of 491 farms were affected by the virus resulting in the depopulation of 1,597,191 birds. According to him, “the resurgence of Avian Influenza as at today has spread to 85 local government areas in 21 states and the FCT, affecting 491 farms resulting in the depopulation of 1,597,191 birds.” The permanent secretary also said that a total of 1.1 billion is required for compensation for the affected poultry farmers. It will be recalled that the first case of bird flu outbreak was recorded in Kano State on 5 January 2015, and thereafter discovered in Lagos State. Echono noted further that “the disease thereafter has

continued to spread mainly in the southern states and the latest outbreak reported between July and September, 2015 in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Enugu, Abia, Rivers and FCT.” He, however, disclosed that the government with the support of development partners had procured containment inputs for depopulation and de-

contamination which had been distributed to all the states and FCT. Speaking further on measures to contain the virus, Echono said there will be “mandatory registration and certification of all poultry farms in the state, enforcement of biosecurity in all farms and live bird markets with the state. “Enforcement of intra-state

Justice Okon Abang of a Lagos Federal High Court, on Thursday, ordered the Zamfara State government to pay a judgment sum of N3.159,017,940.71, to Ecobank Nigeria Limited, being the outstanding indebtedness to the bank. Justice Abang gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Ecobank Nigeria Limited, against the Zamfara State government. Other defendants in the suit are Zamfara State’s Attorney-General, Zamfara State Ministry of Finance; Accountant-General of the Federation; Attorney-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria. Ecobank Plc in a suit listed undefended, and marked FHC/L/CS/872/2015, had dragged the Zamfara State government before the court over a loan of N1.5 billion obtained from Oceanic International Bank in the month of May, 2009.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sonny Echono. Echono said the reason for the suspension of the payment of compensation was based on farmers’ refusal to comply with hygienic standard that could help to contain the bird flu virus.

Pastor, Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo (right) and wife, Ibiduni, signing the condolence register, during a visit to the family of the late Gamaliel Onosode in Lagos, on Wednesday . Photo; Sylvester Okoruwa.

Reprisal claims 4 in Niger Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

No fewer than four persons were killed in a reprisal by suspected Fulani herds-

men in Kwanan Mariga, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, last weekend. The state Police com-

Court orders Zamfara to pay EcoBank 3.1bn Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin-Lagos

movement control of poultry and poultry products at the state levels, disease investigation and trace back, awareness on the disease amongst poultry farmers in the state.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced suspension of payment of compensation to farmers affected by the current outbreak of bird flu.

The Bank in an affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by Oluwafunmilola Salami, a lawyer in the law government firm of Kunle Ogunba and Associates, averred that Zamfara State government, through the Ministry of Finance, had in the month of May, 2009, received an extended facility of N1.5 billion from the Oceanic International Bank Limited, now consolidated with Ecobank Nigeria Limited. The deponent averred that the major security for the disbursement of the said loan facility was a conditional Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) from the State government Valued Added Tax, (VAT), domiciled with the First Bank Plc. She added that facility, however, suffered a set back when First Bank Plc stopped warehousing the State’s Federation Account Allocation Committee (FACC) and consequently

declined further remittance of for the payment of the indebtedness that arose from the subject facility. But Justice Abang, while granting all the plaintiff’s claims, only award the sum of N50,000,00, as the cost for prosecuting the suit against the first to third.

mand’s image maker, Mr Bala Elkana, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP) confirmed the incident in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, on Tuesday, in Minna. He added further that this was sparked by the killing of an unidentified Fulani herdsman by three suspected youths recently, following insinuation that he was part of those who killed three vigilantes from the community about two months ago. Consequently, Elkana said

the three youths were said to have accosted the deceased Fulani herdsman in front of a shop, at the weekend, and killed him in the process. Elkana, however, stated that some of the Fulani hersmen who were around quickly retreated to their settlement and mobilised for a reprisal which resulted in the killing of four persons. Elkana also confirmed that four people sustained injuries in the attack, adding that police investigation into the incident revealed that seven people were also injured.

Kogi to evacuate residents of flood prone areas Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

Worried by the rising level of the River Niger in the state, the Kogi State government said it had concluded arrangements to evacuate the people living in flood prone areas in the next 48 hours. The state deputy governor, who is also the chairman, Flood Management Committee in the state, Yomi Awoniyi, said the evacuation protocols would be activated by the state government if the water level continued to rise. Awoniyi, who stated that the water from close moni-

toring rises every hour, said government was no longer comfortable. He, however, appealed to those living in flood prone areas to move upland to avoid severe loss to lives and property. The deputy governor said the water had risen to 9.66m, describing the current situation as disconcerting as some communities in the riverine areas of the state had already been flooded. Awoniyi disclosed that from report so far received, some riverine communities in Kogi, Bassa and Ibaji local

government areas of the state, had been flooded, saying the current flooding of those areas had become an annual occurrence. He, however, noted that though the situation was not as worse as the scenario in 2012, government would not fold its arms and allow the situation to degenerate. Awoniyi, who noted that as of this time in 2012, the state had been completely submerged, added that the state government had placed all agencies on the alert for the purposes of evacuation and rescue.

Annual Convention Jehovah’s Witness annual convention with the theme: ‘Imitate Jesus’ will come up soon at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, Ifatumo village, on Ibadan-Iwo Road, Ibadan. This was contained in a press release signed by its media officer, Mr Sunday Olukayode Oladele, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune. The release added that “Jesus, the founder of Christianity, considered as one of the most influential and significant, lived his life as a model for us Christians to follow. The convention will examine Jesus’ life, as outlined in the Bible and emphasise how everyone, regardless of their background, lifestyle, or religion, can benefit in practical ways from his examples and teachings The highlight of the programme will be keynote address on Friday morning, entitled “Concealed in him are the treasures of wisdom”. Starting from this weekend, Jehovah’s witnesses extend invitations to everyone from Oyo, Ogun and Osun states to attend the convention.

Kolawole Oladipupo dies at 80 Dr Jacob Kolawole Oladipupo is dead. He died on Saturday, 12 September, 2015 during a brief illness. He was aged 80. Funeral arrangements began on Wednesday, 30 September, with service of songs at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, at 5.00 p.m. Commendation mass holds at same venue today, at 7.30 a.m. The body leaves for his hometown, Oro, Kwara State, after the mass. Christian wake holds today at his residence, No. 1 Adeboye Avenue (Bode Way), Oro. Funeral Mass will hold tomorrow at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Oro, at 10.00 a.m; followed by interment at his residence. Entertainment of guests takes place at the church premises. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Agnes Oladipupo, many children, grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.

tribunepools

BEST BARGAIN 02, 28, 31, 49 (08163084077)

(STOKE CITY AT AWAY) No 2 is the key given to us by our reliable compilers to unlock the draws for Week 12, Week 13, Week 14 and Week 15. Our game last week scored 2/3 with Nos 14xxx and 41xx clicking. Registration remains N250,000 for the U.K. season, while weekly NAP costs N25,000. Call 08163084077.

DR. J.K POOLS – 07039275802 (18&19) 4, 23, 26, 28 32

We are now set to dish out naked draws in the local coupon. The number 22 that drew last week is giving you 3draws from the above games this week. It is like week 7 and 8 of this season Those who want to smile to their banks should enroll with only #5, 000 payable Zenith banks, account number 208579536 I bet that as from this week promoters will see hell from my weekly shellings. Now pick two bankers from 4, 23,26,28,32 and add to the above bracket games, Good luck says DR JK Pools.

17XXX 25 LUCKYMAN

08054352685

It is a draw our 3 sure draws with the above pair will certainly produce 4 over 5, it’s N40,000 when you win far away fans will send N1,000 MTN CARD, you can also contact your nearest agent winning is assured win now perm with 17xxx25

38 DRAW 39 THE LILIES

08086944309

Draw is a draw we have the draw call now and grab our 3 jackpot Xs the road to a big jackpot will be widely open for all our fans send N1,500 MTN CARD and win on pools 38 draw 39

32xx 23xx 21 FOR 2 DRAWS SIR BRAKA 08078052128

The above bankers must for two draws call for another 3 Napable draws send N3,000 GLO CARD now and smile to your bank on Monday.

MISTER-DRAW 08030415683 Reading must draw plus 2 super draws cost N2,000 MTN CARD call now and win well on Pools. DR. JACKSON – 08156829811 PARTICK - PARTICK - PARTICK.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE THE WINNERS CHOICE WISHES YOU WELL. GET A COPY TODAY AND BE A POTENTIAL WINNER. HAPPY CELEBRATIONS

MBA EXPERT 08077247137/08104694618 WK 12 PAIR — 15XX16 WEEK 11— 08X 27X 38XXX

CONGRATULATIONS — to all callers with my 3 Nap draws on numbers 8x 27x 38x in week 11. It is a big step forward for 3 weeks operations as the sky is the limit for those who wish to become millionaires this ILUK soccer season. The more you have hope and big heart to invest in this 12x venture, the heavier your hitherto lean purse. week 12 which is the 3rd purple colour coupon pools settings promises to be another week of good fortune with bountiful harvest of winning draws from the stable of De Maikel/MBA Associates. All roads leads to the popular most reliable WEEK/ DATES of play draw sequence plus other discoveries in pools settings. The purpose of fixing teams ending with MBE specifically on coupon pools no 38 in some weeks can only be uncoded by pools compilers of note. Call now or text relentlessly for your sure win. Goodluck.

MR. CYRIL (THE CURRENT CHAMPION) 08154836338 = 35XX39X (08X 15X 35X 39X)

YES! Our week 12 Nap is to get you prepare for our Annual weeks with reference to weeks 12 – 14 2010 and 2015 - YEARS winning right. 5years winning history is to repeat. The champion winning group is your best place to independent WIN. PATRICK HOME 49 – Weeks 5 and 12 Week – 5 = 08x 15x 39xxx, Week – 12 = X X X Your winning is cyrilistically SURE = Happy 55th Anniversary - N25, 000.

OBINYAN ASSURES STAKERS OF MORE WINNING

The doyen of 1.2.X pools forecast in the world and managing Director/ Chief Executive, King and George Group, Prince Willy Ehi Obiyan, has assured stakers of better times as the season progresses. Prince Obinayan advised stakers to watch carefully new innovations being introduced in his Group of papers which have continued to unearth hidden draws in recent times. He said stakers should continue to patronize his papers Pools Telegraph, Pools Guide, Shoot Pointer, Murphy Sports, New Dream and Final Result for sure winnings.

HON. EMMANUEL PROMOTERS EBB 08102874949. 28 MUST 29 08X 15X 25XXX 46/45.

Our last week winning fixed matches put promoters on their toes on full payment of 11 draws. Congratulations again- NEWPORT Co and PARTICK at home on same digits numbers controls our week 12 home on some digits number controls our week 12 scheduled fixed matches. Hon. Vs promoters again. Be a winner take a wise choice with Hon. Emmanuel wisdom win. Once again beware of underground promoters and Agents/collectors they ruin ones winning chance.

MADAM DE MADAM – 08023329191 32 TURN 23 = MUST

W.W. on No 32 – WIGAN – WALSALL and C.B. on No 23 – COLCHESTER – BURY. Enroute our week 12 Arithmetical Nap Madams world Nap under the surveillance of our Overseas Experts- week 11 = 08 + 15 = 22 = Whoa! Infact failure is an orphan while success has many parents. Our tabulation and calculated winning gazette for week 12 is strictly on Expert advice. Expert another full odd week, Madam winning team is stakers PAY DELIGHT. (get over your finance embarrassment today invest with the reliable Madams of Mr. Joshua (trusted media manager) #50,000 = Madam positive movement is SURE & GUARANTEED = Good luck

HOME 49 – 49 – 49 free independence Gift 09x 19x 29x 39x 49xxx Please don’t ignore the above games is for at least 3draws starting of our 3weeks back to back WIN. BE PREPARED =

OLA – CITY WITH 3 FIXED DRAWS THIS WEEK 12 AND WEEK 14 PAIRS 36XXX 37XXX

4 BANKERS N5000 WK 8 NO 17X 32X 34X 36X= 4/4 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 9 NO 14X 20X 31X 41X= 4/4 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 10 NO 15X 27X 38X= 4/4 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 11 NO 30X 38X 41X 48F WITH 6X 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 12 NO NAP NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 Stakers try to get 4 members 4 bakers this wk 12 cost N5000 winner membership group A. N10, 000

ZENITH NEW DREAM–08146879314(28xx29)

4. MEMBERS 4 BANKERS. 42 NAP 44= 08162705220

NEXT – LEVEL AGAIN = 8184784094

NOW OUT ON 28 OR 46 and other 3 Bankers with the above alternative banker that must produce and (MUST) for this week with Just N50,000 Call 08184784694 for details.

HELPER NAP — 09095680491=02 CBK

The Lord is my helper has come again, don’t be weary with last week result, it was due to technical fault from the key. Nevertheless, I will shake pool promoters with 4 fixed draws this week (4/4) as a revenge to last week. You won’t regret it. It cost N5,000 = for all interested stakers. Payment to Usman Ebute – UBA Bank A/C no 2054709764.

KAMARK SUPER– 08186573842= 15X 16X 17X 18XX — FOR 2/3 DRAWS.

BLACKBURN vs IPSWICH – under the bar, controls the key to our 3 direct bankers and a pair. The 3 direct bankers cost N6,500 while the permutation is N5,000. Payable to S.B Odesola. IBTC Bank, account no 0001361916— call & win.

Thursday, 1- 7 October 2015

PHONE 08140575314, 08085005634 The compiler of Ola- City international assures stakers and all registered members of his 3 fixed Draws for this week 12 and week 14 cost N10,000 cash each week which will surely gladden the heart of all participants on Saturday as predicted by Ola-city compiler. You will not regret in playing this release. Pay your N10,000 cash to First Bank PLC in the name of OLAFENWA R. OLA-CITY Account No 3033318854 and collect the 3 Draws on phone after confirmation of your payment. STOKE AWAY No. 2 (PURPLE WK. 12 AFFAIR) P. vs. M must be on number 28 or 29. P = 16, M = 13 = 29xxx = 2012. Week 12 – 2012 = 06x 15x 38x44xxx Week 12 – 2015 = X X X XNote: In week 12’ 2012 = P + M = was on 29 and now in week 12’2015 P + M = on 28 & MUST 29 Our New dream winning target was discovered through the assistance of our new winning contact Let’s put you to finance Zenith join the progressive this week with N25, 000 = Congrats & Good Luck.

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The failure of last wk11, is big joy of the weeks ahead of us. It’s betting matters (POOLS), check this coupon-numbers nos:- 15, 27, 41 place for score drs for the past (three wks now) . and the EVERY PURPLE WK Nos:-11xx 12xx 26xx 27xx., for “X” drs. IT’S PPA LONDON THE HOME OF FINAL HOME VERDICT DRAWS WATCH OUT. Next week, wk13,wk14 releases, check our paid advert for more news. Call us now nos:- 07038878227 or 08189472447. Note the offer of wk 12, have nothing to do with our two wks (RELEASES) WELCOME.

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HOPE NAPS & CO do welcome all fans and sundry – to a 3 weeks comfort. We are sets to give you the best in pools Bank No 10 with No32 this wk 12 while other are for people who believe in their comfort, will surely call HOPE NAPS OR PAY to First Bank PLC Account No 3088328923 in person of MR GBADEBO STEPHEN A. while the wk releases will be sent to you when your payments are confirmed each wk cost just N10,000 only. Thank God, bye.

MAC-ANTHONY BIRTHDAY 7TH OCTOBER TO RELEASE MORE NAP/WIN IN WKS 12 &13 08086-904-8857 (18X WIN 19X)

I congratulates my REG fans while I appreciate God Almighty for his grace and mercy for adding another year to my years this week, may his name be praise. This week 12, promoters must you double with our 5/4 or 5/5 unbeatable and unstoppable winning line set just for you stakers. Wk 12 NAP NAP NAP =3/3 @N15,000. Wk 13 NAP NAP NAP =3/3 @ N15,000 U.B.A to Engr Michael Akam acct No 2029382770. My birthday weeks has always been wonderful, so please don’t miss it.

LAST HOPE 2015= 08103222635= 34 NAP 34XX 33X WK 10 TWO BANKERS GOT NO 27X 37XPAIR 22F 43X

WK 11 TWO BANKERS GOT NO 38X 41X PAIR 38X 48F WK 12 TWO BANKERS NO NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP 4 special draws wk 12 purple cost n6, 000 wk 12 no nap nap nap with 34. 34. wk 13 no Nap Nap Nap Nap N6, 000 key every purple colour. Bank. ACCRINGTONS. To draw wk 12 No 34. 34. 34. Plus 3. Others cost N6, 000 wk 4 purple No 27x 28x 29x 36x KEY Wk 8 No 17x 32x 36k 21x KEY. Wk 12 purple No Nap Nap Nap. 34. Wk 13 Brown No Nap Nap Nap= cost N6, 000 Two Bankers cost N3000. Send MTN Card to 08103222635.

MOSES-NEW-DIMENSION

=08069759520 (01 MUST 49.) ARSENAL HOME NO 1 AND PARTICK HOME 49 Congratulations our week 12 Annual fixed Nap is set again on calculated matches in different venues. Join the winners forum N10,000 = welcome.

LABAEKA NAP – 08053303522 23XX 42 –

Other 3 sure draws for week 1. Win. Call details – N50, 000. Goodluck.

ADEOTI SYNDICATE 07051327960

BANK NOS. 15X (2-2) 46X(1-1) This week is week 12, I promise to give compensation Game for week 9 release. All involved clients will get their compensation game through their G.S.M Number Goodluck to you all. Thanks

MARY NAP 07088694992 (8X 20X 28XX)15/23 MUST

Congratulations a special release free gift from our compilers for independence. It is a 4 weeks colour key programme that runs from week 13,14 and 15 with 3 nap draws and a pair cost N25,000 each week. For week 12 it is free. NAP – 8xxx 20xxx 28 PAIR – 15 and 23xxx. Goodluck. For more details please call. Wishing you all Happy New Month

MAGIC KINGDOM – 08056753098/07085060512 NAP – 2, 3, 4 PAIR 34 AND 36

Last week our game got 3/5 which is not our target. That is why I gave out this game free against wk. 13 and 14 cost N25,000. Payment to Balogun Adesina Kamoru, FCMB A/C NO: 0279550010 or WEMA bank no: 0206965116 or GT Bank no: 0115505082. Our secretary call number – 08182560652. Good luck.

tribunepools

NEW PROFF NAP – 07069009601 15 – 23 – 28 – 35

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MOLLY. ONE BANKERS GROUP= 08055230300 (32XX 33XX)

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MID-WEEK SUPER ON IBK WITH 38XX AS WE NOW GIVE 9-25 (08087176217)

An indication of our being on the right track was manifested in our super IBK draw last week on No 38xxx which clicked as predicted. We have often said it that consistency wins the race. You are advised to be on the winning track henceforth as we are turning the table against gullible pools promoters. Our IBK cost only N1,500,2 Drws cost N3,000 and 3 Draws cost N10,000.

VICTORIOUS VICTOR — 08126994034

28X 29X 35X 39XX (13/43X) The above numbers is guaranteed for sure win BUT the 3 fixed Nap cost N5,000 = only for this week. Happy Celebration.

FORTUNE DONOR DONATES 1-9 (08099111828)

Good News as we now confront the promoters with scintillating performance this week. Punters are advised to use Nos 1 and 9 to the maximum as a sure draw will definitely come out from the duo. Combine the pair with our IBK this week and smile to your bank on Monday. Our IBK costs only N1,500, 2 Draws cost N3,000 while 3 draws sell for N10,000 in 08099111828. Goodluck.

HERITAGE NAP

08032428168 (3 MUST 11)

Thursday, 1- 7 October 2015

PLEIAD DE MAXWELL – 09099968585

CRYSTAL P. – WESTBROM DERBY – BRENTFORD Hurray Nigeria is 55. 1960 – 2015 = 55yrs Happy celebrations! Our 55years of independent existence is filled with many ups and downs. Thank God we survive then heat despite all hurdles. Let do some pools calculation with our 55years and number of coupon = 55-49 = 06x? Can Liverpool hold Everton at St James Park this Saturday? With Liverpool recent unimpressive performance when Man Utd trashed the never walk alone team at Old Trafford with two unreplied goals, they narrowly survived 3 – 2 win at home last week with lowly rated Aston Villa. A draw with Everton at St. James Park could save Brenden Rodgers work at Anfield (Liverpool). Call De Maxwell draw clinic for your week sure win after surgery. – TOKEN MANAGER.

IKECHUKWU ON RAMPAGE WAR PATH WITH

PROMOTERS. = 08168157259 31 MUST 32 Week 10 and 11 promoters Regret on W. W xxx – 2 bankers and W. Pair w . WOLVES and WALSALL – 2 bankers WIGAN pair WYCOMBE – 1 bankers (must) Strictly on 2015/2016 current winning program . week 12 and 13 showdown is another calamity and injury to their financies. WIGAN _ WIMBLEDON = SCUNTHORPE. Congratulations if you are a new client your time is here. More good winning weeks ahead. N50,000 = weeks 13 – 15.

NAZAR MASTER COMMENDS STAKERS

NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan, has given a pat on the back to stakers for their continued patronage on its Fixed and Treble Chance odds during the current U.K. Football season. The leading pools company in Oyo State and environs gave the commendation in a statement made available to TRIBUNE POOLS during the week. According to the pools company, “we are delighted with the level of patronage from stakers as the U.K. Football season progresses. We therefore make bold to say their winnings as and when due no matter the amount of money involved.”

MAGIC EXPERT EXCEL AGAIN 3/3 NAP 4/5

KING OF CHAIN DRAWS 40XX 41XX= 09038633666= 08135888720

SHADOW (1 PAIR 49) 08087670776

Second missionary journey (seasons of testimonies) presenting to you all Nigerian tribune readers and stakers nation wide. The glorious fortune and great galore a fortnight that is 2 wks. Operations. Wk. 11 and 12. 08151968152. WK. 11 RED 29XX13” — 31XX14” — 36X” +ONE OTHER WK. 12 PURPLE 31XX”08 XXX”38 XXX”+2OTHER SURE BANKER BANKER DRAW WITH FULL DETAILS COST N10, 000 CASH. Delay is dangerous; a stitch in time saves nine* make a hail while the sun shine; a word is enough for a wise! Call for more information and grab the copy and enjoy yourself.

WK 10. BLUE NO 36X 37X 38X WITH 41X 42X 43X WK 11 RED NO 13X 14X 15X WITH 35X 36X 48F WK 13 RED NO CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WK 14 RED NO CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN KEY:- Ltter. B.B. at away No 15. 16. To control 4 special draws this wk 12 purple cost 6, 000 wk 10 blue No 36x 37x 38x with. 41x 42x 43x wk 11 RED No 13x 14x 15x with 35x 36x 37x 38x wk 12 No CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN with CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN wk 13 No CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN with CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN send MTN Card 09038633666= 08135888720.

NIDAS — 08033510149

X25X 26X plus 3 NAPS = 5/5 Cost N25,000 cash only.

This is another winning week at NIDAS. We want those who have not benefitted from our previous releases to enjoy with us this week 12. Our previous performances will prove us right. Just stay with us. KEY INFORMATION: In every purple color, position of CREWE + 1 to draw, position of DONCASTER – 1 to draw. Check your record.WK 04- 25X 27X 28X 34X 43X 5/5. WK 8- 5X 8X 17X 21X 35X 5/5 WK 12- NAP NAP NAP 25X 26 = 5/5. Cost N25,000. Pay cash at UBA Bank A/C no 2023019865. A/C Name - ADESIDA ADENIYI. Goodluck.

TRIPLE SAYS ALL WILL BE WELL ON 1-6-25-11/38 (08035324990)

DONOHILL NAP

OH YES! ANOTHER ANNUAL WEEK 12 WINNING SEQUENCE WEEK IS SET AGAIN. WEEK 12 – 2013 – 09X 13X 34X = 13X 23X WEEK 12 – 2014 – 11X 19X 30X = 14X 22X WEEK 12 – 2015 – X X X = 15X 23X LETS FETCH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. PLEASE DON’T BE LEFT OUT OF MR AKINS 2 IN ONE EXPERT ANNUAL WEEK 12 SURE NAP. N10,000 – ASSURANCE WIN.

WEEK 11 =8XX 22XX 38XX (5 PAIR 6XX) Donohill Nap is now talk of the town. With only eleven draws on coupon last week 11, Donohill Nap still maintain his oga position in the field of pool forecast as he scored 3 over 3 correct and the pair produce a draw. Just send N5,000 MTN recharge card for week 12 game and laugh to your winning on pool staking.

WOMEN COMPILERS FORUM RELEASE 08038245181 SURE PAIR 31X33

Our first release in week 10 played 41X, 42X, 43, Pair 29F, 30F. We are releasing another 3 correct nap draws to all stakers this week, cost is only N10,000 cash. Payments at First Bank to Mrs Sanni Abiodun Faleti, acct No. 3007847537. Phone 08038245181.

SINBAD NAP –

07083993858 (49 MUST 44)

Oh yes we had a successful win last week starting of our 3weeks promised winning scheduled. Now, second week is a MUST call now for details. BE A WINNER.

WEEK 12 STATUS EKO – 04 LKO – 05 SUNDAY MATCHES – 01, 06, 10, 14 & 47.

Congrats our week of tens (10s) stated for week 20, 30, and 40 — MANSFIELD AWAY 39. 08X 15X 39XXX. B.B.B — S.S.S — and C.C.C. — AT HOME Reference to week 7,11 and 12 Same alphabets at home on Numbers 23, 24, 25 = Key to our week 12 straight win. Dr B4 Dr. new winning contact gave us a new name as stakers relief. Play and win with the progressive team N50,000 =contact fee. Goodluck. SUNDERLAND. SYSTEM= 09038460009= 8XX 9XXX 4 SPECIAL DRAWS WK 11 NO 13X 14X 15X 22X N6, 000 4 SPECIAL DRAWS WK 12 NO NAP NAP NAP NAP N6, 000 TWO BANKERS COST N3000 WK 11 NO 13X 22X PAIR 15X 16F WK 12 NO NAP NAP WK 13 NO NAP NAP WK 14 NO NAP NAP ONE. BANKERS N2000 WK 11 NO 14X WK 12 NO NAP Stakers try and SUNDERLAND. SYSTEM 4 Special Draws this week 12 cost N6, 000 cash wk 12 no Nap Nap Nap Nap wk 13 No Nap Nap Nap Nap XXXX. Send MTN Card.

PROPHETIC OF DRAWS ENGLISH SEASON 2015 (08XX 38XX)

As the 2015/2016 U.K. season progresses steadily, the draws are beginning to form with our most current and articulate compilers exposing the draws. Just as we did last week, the pair above must play with other gazette draws this week. The game costs N25,000. Our performances of recent confirm our leadership position.

08107048991 (42 PAIR 44)

MODUPE (08033566694) 36- 44- 47. 2drs New season sure win call for details. DR B4 DR — 08062748396 25 SURE 23

With only 11 draws on the cards last week end, punters are still on the edge as the draws looked untrapable. Not to worry. Hard times cannot last. Let us focus on the positive week. Take a mandatory winning line from the games on 1-6-25-11/38. This is in preparation for next week bombshell. Go for our IBK this week at only N1,500, 2 Draws cost N3,000 this week. You are a sure winner!

AKIN MR AKIN – 07067202291 (15X23)

ALHAJI SADIKU TALK OF THE TOWN 08062978995 PAIR 43, 44

WK10 RELEASE =19X, 20X, 21X. PAIR 29F, 30F. I DON’T PUBLISH EXCEPT I HAVE GENUINE SURE NAP. MY FIRST RELEASE THIS SEASON SCORED 19X, 20X,21X. PAIR 29F, 30F, IN WEEK 10. THIS WEEK 12 NAP IS MY SECOND RELEASE. IT MUST ALSO DRAW 3/3 NAP CORRECT AGAIN. COST N10,000 CASH, PLEASE TRY TO GET IT AND WIN. PAY AT GTB & ALHAJI SADIKU ADEDOJA, ACCT NO 0030411077. CALL 08062978995 0R 08057416201.

WEEK 11 XRAY

Last week results was not favourable to many punters. During a chat with our compilers, they promised good tidings for all their clients and assured them of bountiful harvest to compliment the Nigeria 55th year independence anniversary. Magic kingdom perform his magic on 3/5 three over five free win. Hope nap, Sam Ayo, Labaeka, Donohill, Mac Anthony, Lady K excelled on their pairs, Dr. J.K and Best Bargain were at the corridor of winning last week. They promised sure win this week. Please for easy win browse through our pages and secure your winning with the best. Infact all our compilers are superb. Pools business is like rain and sun, one come after the other but your rainy season is here. So don’t be weary, call and appreciate them.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

AUSTINE CHUKWU – 0805446577

25X 29X 33X PAIR 5 AND 3.

The above games must give you a winning. there is a special 3 draws for those that cares. please call for details.

SAM AYO – 08109152433 (21xx32)

We are silent achiever we don’t make noise our work say it all. Good winnings boost your finances. Another full payment week.

EDITOR’S PLACE 43-44-49

Congratulations week 12 sure 3/3 Napxxx… Call:- 08160742266 Napxxx pair 32x 49x Wk 10 Nap 20x 37x 38x/7x 41x = 5/5. Wk 2w Nap 7x 20x 37x/25x 33x =4/5. Wk2 Wk Nap 8x 27x 35x pair failed. Their’s another miss and cry wk 12 sure 3/3 Nap for negotiation and payment details.

WK 11 RESULT = 13XX 14XX 15XX (16 PAIR 17) This is another jackpot week as shadow the master of pool forecasters set to release another 3 Nap draws and 1 hot pair this week 12. Draw is a draw anywhere it is play. Send N15,000 MTN recharge card to me and hit jackpot on pool this week 12.

AKANDE WK 11 PROPOSED RELEASE SHIFTED TO WEEK 15 PAIRS 20XX 19XX PHONE 08025572554

The arrangement to travel to Onitsha & Enugu before Sallah became necessary for me and due to much stress, malaria took over Sallah events. I’m now myself & we must be happy in week 15 for the 3 draws. Watchout for my pairs and regulare one banker weekly and Advert to back up my release with 20xx 19xx this week pair.

MALLAM BAWA MUSA AGAIN 08052506287 HOT 02/12 WK 4= 27X, 28X, 29X. WK8= 34X, 35X, 36X

The special purple colour unstoppable 3 chain draws nap that has not failed since week 4 is set again in week 12 purple to enrich all interested stakers. Cost N10,000 cash. Do not miss it. Payments at Access Bank to Mallam Musa Ibrahim Bawa, accts No 0042075587. Call 08052506287.

PETER NAP 39XX 27XXX CBK 08076546261

Congratulation to all those that will get my release this week as the even week system that get 7xx, 8xx, 36xx, 3/3 in week 10 must get it gain plus the pair 20xx, 30F making 4/5. My weekly release cost just N25,000, pay to the saving acct No:- 3023114822 First Bank in person of Mr Onalolapo Peter G. And call on 080976546261 meanwhile bank on 27xx this week and get set for another 3/3 Next week. Real and sure. Do not miss it.

AUTHORITY – NAP – 09030084552 10X 32X 44XXX – 2DRAWS

Congratulations our week 12 special release is stakers JOY. Call for your winning details. Don’t miss it. Good luck.

NJOROGE MR. ASSURANCE – 08177474535 15 = 20 = 28 XXX (23 - 24 - 25)= 02

CONGRATULATIONS FREE INDEPENDENCE NAP 55 YEARS OF BETTER TOMORROW. At Njoroje your winning is our PRIDE HAPPY – CELEBRATIONS.

fortherecord

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

Great countries have unity of purpose, Buhari tells Nigerians

ctober 1st is a day for joy and celebrations for us Nigerians, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in, because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness. No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honouring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet. We have in addition: Arable land, Water, Forests, Oil and gas, Coastline and Solid minerals We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration, but also continuity and economic progress. Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose. Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a sea change in our democratic development. The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Goodluck Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences. As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view, to join me in working for the nation. My countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions, not a recitation of problems inherited. Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain

President Muhammadu Buhari the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections and since then. As you know, I toured the neighbouring countries, marshal a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram. Our gallant armed forces, under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run. That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as IDP camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places. On power, government officials have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost effective way. In the meantime, improvement

in the power supply is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country. All the early signs are that within months, the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better. Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitise NNPC and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum. Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations, so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped. In addition to NNPC, I have ordered for a complete audit of our other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service delivery to the nation. Prudent housekeeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is

Reps order probe of alleged inflation of $6.1bn Mambila dam project Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja THE House of Representatives, on Wednesday, ordered the immediate investigation of the alleged inflation of the $6.1 billion Mambila Multi-purpose Dam and Hydroelectric Power Project. This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Honourable Austin Chukwukere by the House at the plenary. Presenting the motion, Honourable Austin Chukwukere, who alleged that the contract for the Mambilla power project was inflated, pointed out though due process was followed in awarding the first phase of the contract, the second phase of the project did not, however, follow laid down procedures. According to him, “it is

worrying that while the first phase of the contract was duly awarded and completed by companies contracted for the job, the contract for the second phase was alleged to have been awarded by the then minister of Power without recourse to Procurement Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act

and other extant laws for award of contracts.” The lawmaker noted the importance of the power sector reforms to the growth of the economy, hence interventions such as the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the initiation of power projects, the Mam-

billa Dam inclusive, adding that the House sets up an ad hoc committee to scrutinise the process leading to the award of the second phase of the contract. When the motion was was put to voice vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, it was unanimously adopted.

...Urge FG to intervene on deplorable Agege-Abeokuta highways Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene and repair the deplorable Agege-Abeokuta highway, based on its economic importance to the country. This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Honourable Abiodun

Adaranijo, who lamented that the deplorable condition of the road was impacting negatively on industrial growth and economic development in the country. Leading debate on the motion at the pelnary on Wednesday, Honourable Adaranijo pointed out that the Agege-Abeokuta road, which links Lagos and Ogun states, was in a

state of total collapse, despite several contracts being awarded for its reconstruction by the Federal Government over the years. Adaranijo recalled that contracts for the construction of the road was awarded in 2003 and re-awarded by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that the road had remained impassable as there was no work done on it.

not so much what accrues, but how we manage our resources that is important. We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean-up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing. At an early stage, the Federal Government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians. Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its report on the reorganisation of Federal Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalised the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance. Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for Change is all about. I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens. Happy Independence celebrations. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Army inaugurates amnesty panel for Boko Haram Continued from pg10

for re-integration are those forcefully conscripted into the group and those who have already surrendered and given up their membership of the sect and those willing to renounce their membership. Members of the new committee comprise relevant Federal Government agencies involved in the counter-insurgency operation and representatives of states in the North-East and Jigawa. Confirming this via a statement, Group Captain Wap Maigida noted that so far, military operations in the contested area had yielded remarkable successes, following the immediate review of the security forces strategy, approach and

concept of operation designed to neutralise the operational capabilities of the terrorists and rout them out before the year’s end. According to him, several strongholds, hideouts and camps of the terrorists had been cleared and taken over by military forces. He further noted that many children and women captives of Boko Haram had been released and currently undergoing rehabilitation process in the various established internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. “Already, to ameliorate the suffering of the IDP, the DHQ and the services have embarked on aggressive quick impact projects which have significantly improved their wellness,” he said.

Thursday, 1 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

PHOTOS: Tommy Adegbite

9 1. From left, His Eminent, Dr Samuel Emeka Uche, Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Right Reverend Michael Akinwale, Bishop of Remo Diocese. 2. His Eminence (Dr) Samuel Emeka Uche, Right Reverend Kehinde Stephen and the Baba Ijo Methodist Church, Chief Bode Akindele. 3. Chief Akindele (left), presenting letter of condolence to Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu and Revd (Mrs) Tola Oyediran. 4. From left, Mr Shodipo Ayoola, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Mr Adeyemo Julius and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 5. From left, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, Sir Simeon Oguntimehin and Ambassador (Dr)

Awolowo Dosumu. 6. A cross section of students of Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos and the principal. 7. A cross section of Isokan Omo Yoruba (UNILAG branch). 8. A cross section of Methodist Church members with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 9. A cross section of Bishops, principal and students of Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos. 10. From left, Mrs Grace Ajileye, Iya Ijo Methodist Church; Chief Bode Akindele, Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, Most Reverend Kehinde Stephen and his wife, Iyabo.

SIDELINES

no 16,339

n150

THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER, 2015

“Prior to the first devaluation of naira in the 80s, naira exchanged favourably with major currencies. A university graduate could hope to save enough money few months after graduation, sufficient to purchase a brand new car. With drop in value of naira, the car became a commodity out of the reach of many university graduates. Graduate cannot even afford to purchase a used car called “Tokunbo”. Development effectively destroyed the middle class in Nigeria. Without a middle class, a country is doomed economically.”

ast week I commended the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to put a stop to further devaluation of the naira. In doing this I traced the history of devaluation of the nation’s currency to the military and how that decision continues to affect Nigerians. This week I intend to continue my highlight of the President’s commendable decision against the background of just how the Naira’s loss of value has continuously affected Nigeria over the years. As I stated earlier In the 70s and 80s prior to the first devaluation of the Naira, the naira exchanged favourably with major currencies such as the United States Dollar and the British Pound. This ensured that Nigerians received their pay in a currency that was strong and could thus buy them the necessities of life. For example, the salary paid Nigerian Judges was the same as those paid to their counterparts in England. This also applied to University Professors and Doctors. With this state of affairs there was little or no need for such professionals to leave the country in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece. However following the devaluation of the Naira several key sectors were affected by a massive exodus of qualified personnel. Doctors started to seek employment in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of Africa whilst University Professors started to explore opportunities open to them in foreign Universities. On their part Judicial officers were compelled to work under harrowing conditions as Government failed to provide much needed infrastructure for the efficient running of the Judiciary.

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

A one-year-old child was recently rescued in Ekiti State, Efon-Alaaye to be precise. As the kidnapper struggled to squeeze the infant into a sack, an Okada rider who was openly defecating in a nearby bush sighted him and raised the alarm, attacked the kidnapper and sought help from his fellows before the kidnapper was arrested. Now, who still says ‘open defecation’ is bad? Surely, this is one time that a bad habit may be beneficial.

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

Buhari’s standoff on further devaluation of naira, a Repeat of his position in 1983 – A commendable decision (2) EEFECT OF DEVALUATION ON ORDINARY NIGERIANS However ordinary Nigerians were also affected. At a time in Nigeria, a University graduate could hope to save enough money, few months after graduation sufficient to purchase a brand new car. However with the drop in value of the Naira a car became a commodity out of the reach of many University graduates. This situation prevails to the present day in which most graduates cannot even afford to purchase a foreign used car, popularly referred to as “Tokunbo”. Many Nigerians could no longer afford to put food on the table. Basic healthcare became a luxury of sorts for millions of Nigerians. DESTRUCTION OF THE MIDDLE CLASS These developments effectively destroyed the middle class in Nigeria and as Political and Economic analyst all agree, the Middle Class is the driving force of any economy. Without a middle class a country is doomed economically and politically. On the 7th December 2011 President Barrack Obama in a speech delivered on the importance of the middle class stated as follows: “When middle-class families can no longer afford to buy the goods and services that businesses are selling, it drags down the entire economy from top to bottom. … that’s why a CEO like Henry Ford made it his mission to pay his workers enough so they could buy the cars they made.” In a similar vein a public commentator,

David Madland stated as follows: “Perhaps the most important way a strong middle class boosts economic growth is by creating better governance. The president alluded to this when he argued that inequality distorts our democracy by giving “an outsized voice to the few who can afford high priced lobbyists and unlimited campaign contributions.” This is a problem Theodore Roosevelt also discussed in his speech in Osawatomie, Kansas, a century before. The middle class promotes efficient and honest delivery of government services, as well as forward-looking public investments—in education and infrastructure, for example—that benefit all of society rather than only special interests. Such good governance sets the stage for economic growth. But when the middle class is weak, government tends to operate poorly as the wealthy use their disproportionate power and influence to secure special favors, wasting taxpayer dollars on narrow tax breaks, bank bailouts, special copyright terms, and giveaways of public resources. The middle class has a strong interest in promoting foresighted policies and making government work well because their economic fate is more closely tied to the quality of government than that of the wealthy. Quite simply, the middle class depend more on public services than the rich. High-income individuals can more easily opt out of public services because they can readily use private services unavailable to individuals with average income.” In stark contrast to the above, the divide

between the rich and poor in Nigeria continued to widen. As stated by David Madland, the rich in Nigeria became less concerned in the dwindling state of educational and health facilities provided by the government as they could afford to send their Children to private schools within and outside Nigeria whilst at the same time flying out of the Country to seek medical attention for the most trivial of ailments. The middle class who could have influenced a change in governmental attitude had had their fortunes reversed by the drastic drop in the value of the Nigeria. As a result of these unemployment became the order of the day and where unemployment is rife, poverty is sure to take a foothold. Little wonder then that Nigeria since the 80s experienced a surge in violent crimes including armed robbery and kidnapping. Despite all insinuations regarding the political undertones of the Boko-Haram menace, I believe that poverty has also contributed in no small measure to the rise of the insurgency. I find it difficult to imagine that any one assured of the basic amenities of life and guaranteed of a bright future which only a sound economy can provide, will willingly take up arms against his government or volunteer his life as a suicide bomber. Next week I will focus on the solution available to the country other than devaluation of the naira. AARE AFE BABALOLA, SAN, CON, D.LL, D.Litt

2015 AfroBasket: D’Tigress tackle Mozambique for s/final ticket By Ganiyu Salman NIGERIA women’s senior national basketball team, D’Tigress will today batte with Mozambique in the quarter-final of the ongoing 2015 AfroBasket Women championship in Yaounde, Cameroon. The two-time African champions whose only loss so far in the competition was at the opening game against the defending champions, Angola, finished as group B runners up as a result of the head-to-head rule. After the Angola defeat, D’Tigress went on to claim four wins in a row to send a warning signal to other opponents. The Mozambiqans in terms of pedigree may not pose a serious threat to the glory seeking Nigerians who won the silver at the just-ended 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. The team handled by Scott Nnaji is also propelled by the

feat achieved by their male counterparts, D’Tigers who for the first time emerged Africa’s best after winning the justconcluded AfroBasket Men championship in Tunisia. If statistics should be anything to go by, Nigeria’s tournament-high 88.4 points per game, gives them a clear advantage over Mozambique, who recorded 68.8 points per contest and finished third in group A. Nigeria star, Olayinka Sanni while speaking with fiba.com said D’Tigress will as usual approach the game with utmost seriousness adding that the loss to Angola has become a lesson. “We are looking forward to the competition and we are not going to overlook them. The Angola game was a bit difficult for us, but we are not stuck on that, we came back. We tried to refocus and we regained our confidence with the last four games,” Sanni said.

D’Tigress Sarah Ogoke (right) dazzles during the game against Senegal.

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. Ag. EDITOR: TINU AYANNIYI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 1/10/2015.