3rd May 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,492

TUESDAY, 3 MAY, 2016

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FRONT PAGE COMMENT

Institutionalising savings

AST week, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) urged President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the sharing of the $2.259 billion in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) among the three tiers of government in order to improve the liquidity position of the states. The governors, during a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, hinged their call on the current economic crisis facing the states, which had culminated in the inability of majority of them to pay workers’ salaries. Chairman of the Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, said: “We are looking at loan restructuring, bailout and the ECA. We are asking for an 18-month moratorium before we can start paying, so that we will be able to strategise.” Yari cleverly avoided saying that his call was hinged on the slight rise in the price of oil from the benchmarked $38 to $44 which enabled payment into the ECA by the current Federal Government only once since it got into power.

The governors’ call came against the backdrop of the allegation made by President Muhammadu Buhari and several senior officials of his administration in countless local and international fora that the failure of the immediate past administration to save for the rainy day was responsible for the country’s current economic woes, and the counter claim by the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that it was the state governors who lacked the discipline and political will to save. To all intents and purposes, however, the current call derives from a callous indifference to the raison d’etre of the ECA, and a desire to continue with the unchecked profligacy that has made a mess of the country’s liquidity profile.

2016 budget most ambitious in nation's history —Osinbajo

Continues on pg13

Lagos robbery patron expelled in 2013 —NURTW •Says $15bn arms fraud, half of Nigeria's external reserves —P2 —P7

Life of the Fulani people of Oke-Ogun •From migrants to settlers, and now indigenes —P23

Suspected killer of General Shuwa arrested —P30

From right, Oba Otudeko, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran; Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka; Leader, House of Lords, Nigeria, Professor Olajide Desalu; Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Mr Fola Adeola, during the presentation of “Nigeria: Challenges of Growth and Development,” at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, on Monday. PHOTO: D'Toyin

NDLEA discovers cocaine in sweets at Lagos airport —P6

5 killed as Customs, rice smugglers clash in Ogun

—P6

2 news

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

2016 budget most ambitious in nation’s history —Osinbajo •Says 1 million poorest Nigerians will receive conditional cash •External reserves now $27bn By Wale Akinselure

ICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo has described the 2016 budget, set to be signed into law, as the most ambitious budget in the history of the country. Osinbajo during the presentation of a compendium of speeches, entitled: “Nigeria: Challenges of Growth and Development,” by The House of Lords, Nigeria, at University of Ibadan, Ibadan, on Monday, said the budget had 33 action points cutting across security, governance, economic diversification, power, transportation, including roads and rail, oil and gas reforms, ease of doing business and social investment. The nitty-gritty of the budget, according to the vicepresident, included infrastructure development, with particular focus on rail link between Lagos and Kano and Calabar to Lagos, increased gas production and transmission, self-sufficiency in rice and wheat production and creation of technology hubs across the country. Stressing the government’s focus on social investment, Osinbajo added that conditional cash transfers would be given to one million poorest Nigerians, vocational training for 370,000 youths, loan facilities for one million market women, training of 65,000 youths in hardware and software services, training of 500,000 graduate teachers as volunteer teachers and implementation of home grown school feeding in all states. “In the next few days, we will begin the implementation of one of the most ambitious budget in our history, ambitious not just in its size, but more in its broad range of fiscal policies. “For the first time in several years, we will be spending 30 per cent of the budget on capital expenditure. That capital expenditure is to take care of several aspects of infrastructure, in particular, rail, roads and power. The rail link between Lagos and Kano, and the rail link between Calabar and Lagos,” he said. He affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to dealing with corrupt public officials, noting that the country’s external reserves currently stood at $27 billion, whereas embezzlement to the tune of about $15 billion was discovered in procuring security equipment for the military. “There has been a sustained fight against corruption, which means that corruption itself has fought back. But it is true to say that this country cannot sustain the levels of public sector corruption that has bedevilled it for so many years. It is just impossible. “If you look at the sheer

amount of money that has been embezzled, the sheer loss from any of the various cases of corruption, you will find that far too much has been lost for a country whose external reserves stands today at $27 billion. “It has been reported that the total amount of money lost just to corruption in the provision of security equipment in the military is closer to $15 billion, which is more than half of the current reserves of the country. “What we try to do is to ensure that there is consequence for corruption. Anyone who has been found to have been corrupt will not only dislodge the properties they have stolen, but also pay for it in terms of sanctions of the law. No public officer can steal the resources of the country and expect to escape,” Osinbajo added. Identifying power as a major problem, he said that the targeted generation of 7,000 megawatts was hampered by vandalism of pipelines and its attendant poor transmission of power. He, however, expressed hope that the problem would be resolved, following President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent order to the military

to fully mobilise to protect the nation’s pipelines. He further affirmed the commitment of the current administration to attending to the plight of the poor as well as technological development. “The country will be investing a considerable amount of money in social investment, that is, the projection of the poorest in the society. Conditional cash transfers will be going to a million of the

poorest Nigerians. “Already, the World Bank and Bill Gates Foundation is working with us in compiling that register. There is also home grown school feeding in all the states. The Federal Government will partner with the states, in this regard. “The idea is to ensure that each state will leverage on its own agriculture production in order to be able to feed its children. We also have vocational training for 370,000

young Nigerians, especially in areas of middle technology and we have loan facilities for a million market women through their market associations,” he said.. The vice-president said two super technology hubs, one in Lagos, another in Abuja and six regional hubs in the six geopolitical zones of the country would be established by the government, adding that the hubs would be fully resourced with infrastructure

Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambawal (right), exchanging pleasantries with the Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, after the funeral prayers for late Ambassador Hamzat Walin-Sokoto, at Gwadabawa, Sokoto, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

and capacity building tools. According to him, each hub would be designed to produce relevant innovative technology solutions for business, commerce and governance. Reviewing the book which has 209 pages, Professor Jide Osuntokun called for restructuring of the government from the “ridiculous” three tiers. He also called for real decentralisation and devolution of power from the centre. Chairman of the event, Oba Otudeko, noted that the book provided a compendium of ideas on ways to move the nation forward and encourage Nigerians to contribute towards attaining a country that was self-respecting, secure and safe. Guests at the event included the deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo; founder, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr Fola Adeola; Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran; chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran; Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka; leader, The House of Lords, Nigeria, Professor Ayodele Desalu, among other members of The House of Lords, Ni

NASS clerk: Twists as commissioner disowns colleagues Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja THE controversy over the appointment of the new clerk to the National Assembly took another dimension on Monday, following the decision of the commissioner representing the North East in the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Alhaji Idi Adamu Ningi, to disown his six other colleagues who last week dissociated themselves from the letter announcing Mr Sani Omolori as the acting clerk to the National Assembly. Seven Commissioners of the NASC had, last week, written the chairman of the commission, Dr Adamu Fika, to dissociate themselves from the letter approving Omolori’s appointment as Acting clerk of the National Assembly. But in a twist on Monday, the commissioner representing the North East, Ningi, declared that he had never signed any document opposing Omolori’s appointment. Ningi, in the letter dated April 29, 2016, indicated that he could not opppose Omolori’s candidature because he had earlier on April 19 submitted a handwritten endorsement of the same person to the chairman of the commission. A handwritten note sent to the chairman of NASC by Ningi on April 19 had read: “I am in support of appointment of Alhaji Sani Omolori as acting clerk to the National Assembly of the Federal Re-

public of Nigeria.” The incumbent clerk, Salisu Maikasuwa, is due to retire in August and is set to start his pre-retirement leave in matter of days. Seven commissioner, Abubakar Rufai, North West; Ningi, North East; Joseph Oru, South South; Dr Paul Oweh, South East; Elder Stephen Yelphi, North Central; Funmi Lamuye, South West and Abel Chukwu, South-East, had written on Tuesday, claiming that Fika acted alone. But Ningi was now insisting that he never signed a letter rejecting Omolori’s appointment. “On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, I was informed of a meeting of the commission with the President of the Senate in his house at 7.00 p.m. of that day. “Myself and one of my colleague – Alhaji Rufai Tuta, arrived after 7.00 p.m., having missed our way trying to locate the Senate President’s house. “On arrival, we met four of our colleagues already seated – Elder Yepwi, Funmilayo Lamuye, Paul Oweh and Joseph Oru. About five minutes later, the Senate President walked in and after exchanging pleasantries, he spoke about the way the issue of the appointment of the acting clerk to the National Assembly was handled by the commission and essentially expressed displeasure about it. “My colleagues, who all spoke before me, recalled their contributions at the

meeting of the commission where the decision on the appointment was taken. I spoke last and only offered apologies to His Excellency as it was apparent that he was not happy with the commission; assuring him that we cannot annoy him intentionally. Mid-way into the meeting, the Deputy Senate President walked in and joined us. “While I was speaking, one of my colleagues (amongst the four we met at the residence) walked towards my seat with a sheet of paper which he gave to my colleague sitting close to me – Alhaji Rufai Tuta – to sign and thereafter gave it to me. I noticed the paper was merely to write our name, the zone we represent and signature to indicate our attendance at the meeting and I signed accordingly. “I am, therefore, shocked and surprised to learn that I signed a document. No document was presented at the meeting and I did not sign any document but an attendance sheet. “I could not have signed any document dissociating myself from the decision of the commission, as I had earlier (on the 19th April, 2016) in a handwritten note – attached – expressed my support for the appointment of Alhaji Sani Omolori as the clerk to the National Assembly in acting capacity,” he said. In a swift reaction, however, six out of the commissioners who attended the meeting with the Senate President

lambasted Ningi, saying he lied. The commissioners, in a counter-statement issued on Monday, described as unfortunate Ningi’s denial, adding that they were disappointed at his inability to stand by his word. “We expect that a man of his age and standing should know better than to publicly deny a position he had earlier taken in the last meeting which held between us and

the Senate President in the interest of the commission, which has been brought to disrepute owing to the crisis rocking the commission. “More so , to think that Idi Ningi could fall so cheap shows that he is not one to call a dependable ally, neither is he in anyway worthy of confidence. His recant demonstrates a lack of maturity that glaringly tells about his character,” the statement read.

Gunmen kill district head, son in Kaduna Muhammad Sabiu -Kaduna GUNMEN, on Sunday evening, killed the district head of Fadan Kirshi, in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Bala Madaki and his 20-year-old son, Emmanuel. The district head, according to a reliable source, was on a mat with his son, relaxing in front of palace when they were killed. “The hoodlums slaughtered them and left them lifeliess. A member of the family later noticed the mutilated bodies and raised the alarm which attracted other family members and neighbours,” the source told the Nigerian Tribune. At the time of filing this report, no arrest had been made. Business activities and social gatherings at the village had been suspended, to mourn the death of the

monarch who was described a peace loving person. A brother of the deceased, who pleaded anonymity, told the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview that his murder might not be unconnected with his persistent call for a chiefdom. “For many years, he had been in the forefront for the agitation for a chiefdom. This is because the Gundara people are the most populous tribe in Sanga and Jema’a local government areas of the state,” he said. Sources affirmed that the remains of the monarch and his son had been deposited at the mortuary of Sanga General Hospital. When contacted, the image maker of the state police command, Abubakar Zubairu, confirmed the incident, adding that perpetrators would be fished out soon.

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

NDLEA discovers 193 wraps of cocaine in sweets at airport Shola Adekola

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered 193 wraps of cocaine inside packs of sweets at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The substance, concealed in sweets, tested positive to cocaine and weighed 3.230kg. Anti-narcotics officials discovered the drugs in the luggage of a 24-year-old female passenger from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A suspected member of the drug cartel was also arrested. NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Ahmadu Garba, said that the suspect,

The woman, with wraps of cocaine

who hails from Edo State was found in possession of the drug while a suspected member of the drug cartel in Lagos was successfully traced and apprehended. “One Igbainoba Uche Rose, who concealed 3.230kgs inside sweets was apprehended at the arrival hall during inward screening of passengers. A suspected member of the cartel, Ofor Kamsochukwu Chimezie was arrested on a follow-up operation. The suspects are being investigated,” Ahmadu stated. During interrogation, Rose said that she works as a clerical officer after her secondary school saying: “I work as a clerical staff after I completed my primary school because

Roadside shops for demolition, as street traders get quit notice Bola Badmus

Electricity to be rationed in VI, Ikoyi, Lekki — EKO DISCO Olatunde Dodondawa The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company has announced that beginning from today, May 3, there will be power rationing in Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and some parts of Ajah, all in Lagos Island. A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the company in Lagos signed by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Godwin Idemudia, and made available to Lagos Metro on Monday stated that the power rationing was to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to upgrade both Line

1 and Line 2 of Ajah-Alagbon transmission line from 132kv to 330kv. According to the statement, during the upgrade, operation which will last between three and four weeks, the Lekki Transmission injection sub -station from which most of the areas to be affected by the power rationing are fed would be completely shut down. The statement however said that to ensure that the areas are not completely out of supply for the duration of the upgrade operation, alternative power supply arrangement would be made through back-feeding operation to the areas from Alagbon Transmission injection

sub-station via Ijora. While appealing to customers to show understanding and bear with the situation during the period of the facility upgrade exercise, the statement further stated that all efforts would be made to ensure equitable distribution of available power to all customers. Confirming the situation to Lagos Metro in a telephone conversation, Idemudia assured affected customers that the normal situation would be restored as soon as the upgrade is completed because “to us, our customers are number one and we will do everything within our powers to satisfy them.”

In order to enhance the aesthetic of Lagos State, all shops on the road have been earmarked for demolition by the state government. Street traders, who constitute nuisance on major roads and entry points into the state, have also been served quit notice. The state government made these known while raising the alarm over proliferation of illegal dumpsites in the metropolis, saying the habit could cause epidemic outbreak in the state. Commissioner for Environment, Babatunde Adejare, who spoke with newsmen at the weekend over the state of the state’s environment, also decried the filth that now defines Badagry. He warned that the state government had declared zero tolerance for all forms of environmental degradation in the state and would prosecute anyone or corporate organisation violating its laws. The commissioner in-

sisted that such dumpsites that currently festooned some parts of the Lagos metropolis, including other points of entry into the country like Badagry where he monitored the environmental sanitation exercise, would not be tolerated. “We need to put a plan in place on how to improve the state of the environment in Badagry especially how they dispose their refuse. This is one of the ancient towns in the state. We will not accept dirty environment in Badagry. I want to use his opportunity to appeal to the people of Badagry, they have to pay for PSP operators that cart away their refuse. I am appealing to the residents of Badagry to do their portion of the task in order to have a cleaner environment in Lagos. “As a ministry, we have served the street traders notices two months ago, on the need to leave the road. We will remove the traders soon. We will extend this to Badagry to ensure that visitors to the country see cleaner and organised environment,” Adejare said.

there was no money to further my studies. I have suffered hardship in life but to a man offered to assist me establish my personal business. He promised to pay me half a million naira. This was how I got involved in this”. Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, who warned drug traffickers to desist from their criminal acts declared; “Drug criminals should shun their unlawful act because the Agency has perfected strategies to detect narcotics notwithstanding how cleverly they were concealed. Recent drug seizures clearly reflect the reformation of the NDLEA as an intelligence-led organisation. We are determined to trace major traffickers behind the scene and prosecute the barons.” The NDLEA Chairman assured Nigerians that no drug trafficker will go unpunished. His words, “we are working hard to perfect the practice of aggressively follow-up on every case from the first to the last person behind every case of drug trafficking. Drug barons shall have no escape route. This way, drug trafficking will either be drastically reduced or completely eliminated from our society.”

5 die as Olayinka Olukoya

Five people were reportedly dead on Sunday evening, following a bloodly clash between officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and smugglers in Oke-Odan area in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state. The incident, Lagos Metro gathered happened when the Customs officers were said to be pursuing some suspected smugglers with two trucks loaded with rice through Igolo, a border

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

metro 419: Police save jail-bird from being roasted by mob • I prefer prison to mob anger — Suspect Olalekan Olabulo

Street hawkers taking a nap due to low patronage, as they wait for the evening peak traffic hour to sell their wares at Bonny Camp Bus stop. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa

Lagos robbery patron expelled in 2013 — NURTW Lanre Adewole The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), on Monday, said that Kazeem Bamidele who confessed to being a patron to 52 robbers and kidnappers, is no longer a member of the union. The Police in a statement on Bamidele’s arrest, had labelled him the Second Vice Chairman of the Ajegunle/Ajeromi Unit of the union, based on his claim. The union, in its reaction, said Bamidele was expelled in 2013 due to wayward conducts. The Chairman of Ajeromi branch D of the union, Areago Raufu, said Bamidele popu-

larly known as Elewure, no longer have any connection to the union and was surprised by his false claim. Men of the Rapid Response Squard (RRS) arrested Kazeem Bamidele for buying stolen phones which he confessed to.

Raufu said the false claim by Bamidele had caused a lot of stress for everyone, considering the dissatisfaction of the state Chairman of the Union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede. “We are very surprised because the man in ques-

tion is no longer with us. Already, the issue is causing problem for me at the state council as our state chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede is not taking it easy with the reference to the suspect as the boss of the Union.”

Man pulls down church fence over disagreement Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 57-year-old man, Ismaila Arepo, has been charged to court for allegedly pulling down a fence belonging to Que Iboe Church located at 8, Thompson Street, Abule Tailor, in Abule Egba. Arepo was accused of singlehandedly destroying the fence following a disagreement over ownership of the

church. He was arraigned before Mr Martins Omowumi of an Igbosere magistrate’s court on two counts of malicious damage and breach of peace. Prosecuting Police, Inspector Steven Molo, told the court that Arepo committed the alleged offences at noon on December 24, 2015, at 8, Thompson Street, Abule Tailor.

According to the charge, the offences contravene Sections 57(a) and 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. He, however, pleaded innocence of the charge and Magistrate Omowumi granted him bail of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum, whose addresses must be verified. The case was adjourned till May 16, for mention.

Customs, smugglers clash • Only 2 died — Customs, Police PROs town between Nigeria and Benin Republic. It was learnt that the trucks were impounded by the Customs officers and were been driven to their Idi-Iroko office, when the smugglers ambushed them. The Customs officers were alleged to have opened fire on the suspected smugglers which led to the death of a couple, two children and a male adult. The couple were said to

have been hit by a stray bullet inside their house in the area. Several people were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries as a result of the clash. However, the Public Relations Officers of the NCS and Police, Usman Abubakar and Muyiwa Adejobi, respectively, said only two lives were lost. Abubakar explained that three Customs officers sus-

tained injuries while three checkpoints were razed down. He said, “ Two people have been confirmed dead. Our officers were attacked by smugglers on their way to Idi-Iroko office after seizing two vehicles loaded with rice at Ajilete. “These smugglers carried guns, cutlasses, axe, broken bottles and stoned our officers with a view to recovering their vehicles with

the contraband and injured three officers. “We had to call for reinforcement of military and police before we could escape from the smugglers, they burnt down three of our check points.” Adejobi equally said that only two casualities were reported to the police and that the alleged mastermind of the incident identified as Okegbenro had been arrested.

An ex-convict has been saved by policemen attached to the Aswani Divisional Police Station in Lagos State from being lynched by an angry mob. The suspect, Usman Abudu and one other person simply identified as Aboy, now at large, had successfully duped a teenage girl, Ogechi Ude, of the sum of N7,800, before residents of the area attacked Abudu, last Wednesday. The arrested suspect and his partner were waiting for the victim to bring her mother’s jewellery and other valuables, when the youth in the community got wind of the fraud and descended on them, before Aboy escaped with the gang’s motorcycle. Abudu had reportedly lied to the victim that he was in the area to deliver some goods to the buyer and that he could not get the buyer and was looking for somebody to help him sell the goods. The 19-year-old victim said “I was coming from the church when Abudu accosted me and told me that he brought some goods to his customers, who had just relocated from the area and that he needed somebody to help him sell it. I told him that I am not interested but he begged me and also the Okada man who was not far from us. As I was going, the Okada man called me back and said I should assist him (Abudu) because he said he used to keep the goods with one Reverend Sister in a Catholic church. So reluctantly I followed the two of them on the Okada,” the victim narrated. She stated further that, “as we passed in front of the church I protested and he said the goods were kept in their quarters. Eventually we got to the place and he said we should wait a little that

Abudu

the Sister will soon come. Thereafter, he brought out two papers and dropped them inside the water and added a little chemical on it and asked me to be stirring the water for at least five minutes. “After five minutes he brought the two papers out of the water and the papers turned to N200 that is N100 each. He then said he had two cartons of the paper which he put the amount at N400,000,000 and also said we would need about N30,000 to buy the chemical to wash them. “The Okada man told me that that was an opportunity for us to be rich so they asked how much I could get and I told them I did not have any money, and they said what of my father that I should go and take some money from where he normally puts his money. I again told them that I did not know where my father keeps his money and later they asked of my mother. The Okada man said I should know where she keeps money then I said it was the N7,800 that she gave me to keep for her that was with me. “They collected that and asked if my mother had gold jewelleries and told me to bring the jewelleries the following day, promising that I will go back with the jewelleries then they gave me their phone number.” Abudu who told Lagos Metro that his profession was to dupe people said it was better to be in the police custody or even in prison than for him to be in the hands of the angry mob. He added that he was earlier sentenced to prison, after operatives of the Lagos State Task Force on the Environment and other Related Offences arrested him and that he just returned from prison, last month.

8 news

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Sunny Ade hale, hearty —Associate By Seyi Sokoya

HE King of Juju Music, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, a.k.a. Sunny Ade (KSA), is not dead, contrary to the rumour doing the rounds on Monday. The rumour was debunked by one of the associates of the Juju maestro, Mr Clement Ige, saying “it is

not true.” Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, Ige said nothing was wrong with KSA, adding that “he is hale and hearty,” just as he noted that he was not aware of the source of the rumour that had widely spread. “KSA was in Ibadan yesterday (Monday) and will also grace an appointment with the Awujale of Ijebu-

land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona today (Tuesday). “I urge the people and the entire Nigerians not to panic and disregard the rumour. KSA is in good health and full of life,” he said. Nigerian Tribune also gathered that the music icon had commenced preparation for his 70th birthday slated to hold later in the year.

Cameroonian president, Biya, arrives Abuja today Leon Usigbe -Abuja PRESIDENT Paul Biya of Cameroon will, at the invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari, begin a two-day state visit to Nigeria today. According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in Abuja, on Monday, Biya, who would be accompanied by his

wife, Chantal and senior Cameroonian government officials, would be received by afternoon at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by President Buhari. Both leaders and their officials would confer on issues of common interest to Nigeria and Cameroon, including ongoing bilateral and regional cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism and cross-border crimes.

National inland waterways bill passes second reading Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja THE Senate has passed the National Inland Waterways bill for second reading, with the aim to transform and restructure the authority into a purely regulatory institution with the powers to manage

and develop the inland waterways. The bill, sponsored by Senator Andy Uba, would provide an alternative mode of transportation for the evacuation of goods and services and also for the commercial transportation of persons.

It is expected that new agreements to strengthen existing ties, as well as trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Cameroon, would be concluded and signed before the end of the visit. A joint communiqué on the visit and the talks between the two presidents and their officials will be issued before President Biya’s departure from Abuja tomorrow.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ebenezer Oyeniyi Abejide now EMMANUEL OYENIYI ABEJIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AND I, formerly Miss Falana Funmilayo Hannah now MRS ABEJIDE FUNMILAYO HANNAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

businessnews

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

FG to fund petrol subsidy with oil savings

he Federal Government on Monday said it is currently subsidising Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol at N12.62 per litre. It said that subsidy figure was for petrol imported directly by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and dispensed at its retail outlets, while the rate was N12.88 per litre for other oil marketers. This was contained in the latest Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) Template released in Abuja. It said that although provision was not made for subsidy in the 2016 budget, it would be defrayed from ``recoveries’’ made by the country from oil transactions in the first quarter of 2016. According to the agency, between January and March, 2016, the Federal Government was able to save about N10 billion as a result of selling the product above the Expected Open Market Price. It explained that without the subsidy and given the landing cost of the product, it ought to be sold at N98.62 per litre at NNPC outlets and at N99.38 per litre by major and independent oil marketers. According to the template, the expected open market price is the actual price of the product without subsidy and it was based on the current exchange rate of N197 to a dollar. A breakdown of the template revealed that for NNPC retail outlets and

independent and major oil marketers, landing cost of PMS imported into the country was N84.32 and N85.08 per litre, respec-

tively. It stated that the distribution margin, which included retailers, transportation, bridging fund and

Nigerian Breweries Plc has declared a Profit after Tax (PAT) of N10.45 billion for the First Quarter of 2016, representing a 4 per cent increase over the N10.10 billion declared in the corresponding period in 2015. The company’s revenue for the period grew by 11 per cent from N69.92 billion in 2015 to N77.55 billion in the current period. A further analysis shows that the Results from Operating Activities improved by 10 per cent from N16.37 billion in the first three months of 2015 to N17.99 in the corresponding months in 2016. A statement by the board

ket Price to N98.62 and N99.38 for NNPC retail outlets and other marketers respectively,” it said.

From left: Director, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor; President/CEO, Emmanuel Nnorom; Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu; Non-Executive Directors Abdulquadir Jeli Bello and Stanley Lawson, at the 10th Annual General Meeting of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, held at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.

Pension fund: ‘Only N5.3trn, not N20trn contributed by employees’ Akin Adewakun-lagos

Ten years after the introduction of the contributory pension scheme in Nigeria, only 6.9 million Nigerians out of over 170 population have keyed into the scheme. Disclosing this in Lagos, at the 2016 Workers’ Day, the Executive Secretary of Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (Pe-

nOp), Susan Oranye, also added a total of N5.3 trillion had been contributed by employees, and not N20 trillion as being touted in some quarters. She said although there had been a marginal growth in the past one year, in terms of participation, she insisted that a lot still needed to be done, adding that Nigerians must be encouraged to see the benefits of pension at

NB Plc records N10.45bn PAT in Q1 Akin Adewakun-lagos

dealers margin stood at N14.30 for both NNPC and other marketers. “This brings the current Expected Open Mar-

of the directors attributed the 11 per cent growth in revenue to the company’s strong and effective route to market, increased sales during the festive Easter period as well as higher number of sales days in the period as against the lower number of days recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 due to the general elections. According to the statement, despite the current challenging operating environment leading to consumer down-trading, rising inflation, increased cost of financing due to higher foreign exchange cost and increased input cost amongst others, the Company was still able to return the four per cent

increase in profit after tax. The increase in profit was also helped by the one-off merger costs incurred in the first quarter of 2015.

retirement. “As at first quarter of the year, the total fund was N5.3trillion, since May last year till now the industry has grown and that is an indication that workers are paying pension in preparation for their retirements. People understand the important of a pension that is why they are joining the contributory pension. “The 6.9 million people that have so far subscribed to the scheme can be described as a drop in the ocean when you consider the population of the country. Though we have progressed but we are aware

that there is still work to be done, if we need to reach the N60Trillion mark by 2025,” she said. She said one of the priorities of the industry was to grow the contributory base to approximately 20 million Nigerians by 2025. “The industry strategic direction is the 10 years primary focus. In 2025, we will be hoping to raise the number of contributors to 20million. We can say by 2017 or 2018 we would have doubled the figure. We are optimistic and for that to happen the employment rate really need to settle,” she said.

Shell completes sale of Denmark marketing for $300m By Ruth Olurounbi Shell reports that it has completed the sale of Dansk Fuels in Denmark to Couche-Tard for approximately $300 million including working capital. Completion of the transaction follows regulatory approval from the European Commission, Shell says. Dansk Fuels comprises Shell’s Retail, Commercial

Fuels, Commercial Fleet and Aviation businesses, and products distribution activities associated with those businesses. It will be owned by Circle K Denmark A/S (formerly Statoil Fuel and Retail A/S), which is a subsidiary of Couche-Tard. It will be recalled that Shell signed an agreement to divest the business in March 2015. The oil giant said its

brand will continue to be visible in the country through a Trademark Licence Agreement with Dansk Fuels, adding that the sale is consistent with Shell’s strategy to concentrate its downstream footprint on assets and markets where it can be most competitive. Shell’s Upstream business in Denmark is not impacted, the company said.

Nigerian Tribune

HP partners govt to fight counterfeiting By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

HP Incorporated has said that it is partnering with government agencies in Nigeria to put a stop to the activities of counterfeiters in the country. According to Mrs Ify Afe, Managing Director of the company, the rationale behind this is to ensure that customers are not shortchanged by counterfeiters. Afe, who said this while intimating journalists with the new products by the company said, HP had committed huge resources to the fight against counterfeiting, though she did not give any specific figure. According to her, “Apart from collaborating with government agencies, we also educate members of the public on how to identify fake products. Now our products come with codes that make it possible for our customers to verify the authenticity of a product.” Afe, who noted that her company prided itself in its ability to stun the market with new products, said the company spared no cost as far as research and development was concerned. Her words, “HP Incorporated never stops coming out with products that amaze the people. We know that the market never remains the same, so we also never stop to think about the technology that will be useful in the next few years. This is why we have remained number one in the market. While lamenting the failure of Nigerians to apply available technological solutions in their endeavours, Afe said, “We have a huge population as well as huge challenges on our hands as Nigerians, but very few people are aware of the existing solutions to address their daily challenges. Nigerians are aware that they have challenges, but they do not know the means to deploy in addressing those challenges. A lot of Nigerians are not fully aware of the technology solutions that are already on ground that they can use to address their challenges and we have a lot of those solutions from HP, and I think that is the area the Nigerian government needs to work on by creating the right opportunities for people to understand how to use technology to address their challenges in their daily lives.”

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016 12 news Ojo-Wiiliams, Olayinka, Odeyemi join race for PDP national offices By Kunle Oderemi

O T W I T H STANDING the current dust over the new zoning policy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, no fewer than three contenders have emerged for the positions of national secretary and national publicity secretary zoned to the area. A lawyer and former acting chairman of the Osun State chapter of the party, Sunday Lanipekun OjoWilliams, has declared his interest in the post of national secretary presently occupied by Professor Wale Oladipo. Nigerian Tribune, however, learnt that some forces within the PDP favour Oladipo, who also hails from Osun State, retaining the seat. The national convention of the party comes up on May 21 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Similarly, a former Director of Publicity and Strategy of Osun PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, has announced his interest in vying for the post of national publicity secretary. Odeyemi earlier served as Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to a former Oyo State governor, Chief Adebayo AlaoAkala between 2007 and 2011. His entry into the race for national publicity secretary poses a serious challenge for PDP, especially in Osun State since all the remaining five states chapter of the PDP in the zone might not concede the two key positions to Osun State. Already, the Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Mr Lere Olayinka, has equally declared his intention to run for the post of national publicity secretary of the PDP. The social media has been abuzz with his campaign, following the announcement of the new zoning formula by PDP National Executive Committee, last week, in Abuja. Proclaiming his ambition through a statement on Monday for the post of national secretary, Ojo-Williams predicated it on his wish to reinvigorate PDP in its ongoing restructuring, with a view to returning to power in all future elections. He also served as deputy state chairman of the party in Osun State between 2008 and 2010.

He promised to use his experience as a legal practitioner of more than 30 years at the Bar, as well as an accomplished local government administrator, ar-

bitrator and mediator with vast experience in human relations, to add value to efforts of the party in rediscovering itself. Ojo-Williams called for

the support of members of the party throughout the country to ensure his election as the next PDP national secretary. On his part, Prince Odey-

emi said he brought to bear on PDP as national publicity secretary, his wealth of experience, spanning more than three years as the spokesman of Osun PDP.

From left, Chancellor, Lagos Anglican Diocese, Justice George Oguntade (retd); Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Ephraim Ademowo; Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the former deputy governor of Lagos State and Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals to the President, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, at the opening ceremony of the first session of the 33rd Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, held in Lagos, on Monday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

The 1986 Communications graduate of the University of Ibadan, who had extensive media experience, is the current Chief Executive Officer of Crown FM, Osun State. He said his decision to contest was based on the conviction of PDP stakeholders on the need to take the struggle to save the party to the next level. “Having successfully handled my brief as the spokesperson for the PDP in Osun State in the last three years, leaders of our party believe we should take the struggle to save Nigeria higher by vying for a post at the national,” he said. Odeyemi, who cut his teeth as a correspondent of the Vanguard newspaper in the late 80s through the mid 90s, later joined Nigerian Tribune as a columnist and correspondent for the United Kingdom. He had been a leading opposition voice in Osun State since 2011, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to power through a Court of Appeal judgment.

IGP deploys homicide detectives to unravel Rivers killings D apo Falade-Port Harcourt INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, has disclosed that a crack team of police homicide detectives has been deployed to Rivers State, to investigate the various killings in some parts of state. This was as he vowed that the law enforcement agency would leave no stone unturned in unraveling the mindless killings in the state, adding that a situation, where some people take the law into their hands was unacceptable. Arase made the disclosure while speaking at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Port Harcourt, where he officially unveiled the new Spy Police uniform. It will be recalled that about 70 people had been killed in various parts of the state within the last two months, even as most of the killings were said to be either cult-related or politically-motivated. The IGP, who said he had directed the state police command to go after the killers in the state, further disclosed that the team of homicide investigators was deployed from Abuja to complement the effort at unmasking those perpetrating the dastardly act. He confirmed that some of the suspected arrested were being investigated and that the police would not allow

hoodlums to overwhelm the state, adding that the proliferation of arms in the country was unacceptable. “It is unacceptable for people to take the law into their hands. This is not a Hobbesian State where might is right and I have told the Rivers State Commissioner of Police that he must go after whoever takes the life of anybody and ensure that such people are brought to book.

“Those arrested in connection with killings in Rivers are being investigated and I have dispatched a team of homicide investigators from Abuja. Whenever this thing happens, there are usually different perspectives to it. “I have always taken a stand that the police is supposed to be apolitical. If we are going to be apolitical, we must be professional in investigating matters. That is why I have deployed a

team of homicide investigators from Abuja to take over most of these cases. “Nobody is above the law and that is one thing we have to get very clear. The law is no respecter of anybody. The proliferation of firearms in the system is unacceptable, not only in Rivers, but across the length and breadth of the country. “This is also reflective of the international environment, but our strategies to-

FIRS contract refund mafia battle Fowler A face-off is ongoing in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the executive chairman, Tunde Fowler, battles to mould the agency in a way that will enable him achieve the N4.9 trillion target he promised the Federal Government in 2016. FIRS insiders confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune at the weekend that the silent quibling in FIRS was responsible for the growing social/ online media focus on the FIRS in the last two months. An old directorate cadre staffer, who had spent about 20 years in the agency, said: “Let me tell you, Fowler is fighting on several fronts. He is fighting the FIRS refund mafia, FIRS contract mafia and some of our colleagues who are used to wasteful spending within the service. “The modus operandi of these aggrieved interests is that they are misleading the members of the National Assembly and the general public on what is happening in

FIRS, to give Fowler a bad image. “That is why you will see that Fowler is being summoned to the National Assembly regularly based on, at times, frivolous petitions and documentation. “lf you notice, Fowler hardly sits in the office these days to even settle down to collect revenue. It’s one hearing or the other at the National Assembly. This has a negative impact on the focus of delivering on the mandate given to Fowler. “These refund, contracts and waste-trepeneurs are also passing documents to the National Assembly members on little things like appointment of aides or Special Assistants/Special Advisers to the chairman and posting of staff. “They are also creating several websites dedicated to concocting misleading information on payment vouchers to give Fowler and giving his aides a bad name.

“Recently, they emerged with false information against Fowler’s Special Advisor, who is a decent technocrat.” Sources in the Presidency confirmed that though Fowler was not happy with these publications and was determined to ensure he was not distracted from the bigger mandate to collect N4.9 trillion to fund Federal Government’ s 2016 budget. Another source familiar with the FIRS stated that the Federal Government had multiple sources of information beyond anyone and all institutions in the country. “If the Federal Government does not believe in Fowler and his integrity, he won’t be appointed in the first place. The Federal Government is watching, monitoring and understands the FIRS game,” he said. Several attempts to reach FIRS spokesperson, Wahab Gbadamosi, failed. SMS to his telephone numbers were not replied.

wards it is that we cannot allow a group of criminals to overwhelm the state. You can be assured that we will deal with them. “Criminal gangs, cult groups can never overwhelm a state; it is never done and I can assure the people of this country that we are going to clamp down on these criminals. We will arrest them; we will make sure that we amputate them from our security landscape,” he said. The IGP said the launch of the new ‘Spy Police’ uniform was an initiative that had taken a while to come to fruition, adding “but I am happy to see its proper implementation by today’s landmark event by SPDC. “Spy Police are engaged for specific security functions within a restricted jurisdiction or operational space. Unique service numbers are given to them to distinguish them from the general police. The Spy Police remain as crucial to me as any special branch of the Police Force.” Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo, said calm had returned to Ahoada East Local Government Area, where suspected cult members recently unleashed mayhem on the people. He said apart from deploying troops to the troubled local government area, armoured personnel carriers were also stationed in strategic places within the area.

editorial

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Institutionalising savings

Continues from Front Page

The ECA, a national account meant to save oil revenues above a base amount derived from a defined benchmark price, is a visionary economic instrument established by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2004 with the primary objective of protecting approved budgets against shortfalls due to volatile crude oil prices, thereby insulating the Nigerian economy from perennial external shocks. Crude oil price being well above $100 per barrel at the time, the then President Obasanjo laudably spared a thought for the future, although the constitutionality of the ECA was called into question. In 2011, the Goodluck Jonathan administration enacted the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority Act as a complement to the ECA. Under it, the Sovereign Wealth Fund was founded, with an initial $1 billion in seed capital, for the purpose of investing part of the savings gained on the difference between the budgeted and actual market prices of oil, with its returns meant to benefit present and future generations of Nigerians. For far too long, the ECA has been subject to the whims and caprices of the governors. In 2008, the NGF instituted a suit against the Umaru Yar’Adua administration calling for the sharing of the $15billion then in the ECA. By 2009, the administration opted for an out of court settlement, consequently sharing a whopping $8.5billion, leaving only $6.5billion as outstanding from the initial $15 billion accumulated in the account. The same pressure, coupled with litigation, was mounted on the Jonathan administration and in January 2010, Jonathan acceded to the governors’ request and shared $2 billion from the ECA. In August 2010, another $3 billion was withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account, leaving behind a meagre $460 million. The tug of war between the then Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the governors, then led by Mr Rotimi Amaechi, currently the Minister of Transport, considerably heated up the polity. Indeed, in 2013, the position of the (NGF) was clearly articulated by the National Leader of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu noted that “the accumulation of money by the Federal Government is a misplaced objective for these times. Our driving purpose must be to channel idle human and material capacity into productive streams that furnish jobs and manufacture tangible goods bettering the living conditions of every citizen. To say we are saving money for a rainy day while everyone is already drenched and wading through flood waters makes little sense to me.” In our view, such a reductionist view of national savings anchored on momentary felt needs is mortally fractured by the nature of

human existence. Saving for the rainy day is, we believe, the product of a disciplined consciousness. Has there ever been any point in history when there were no pressing needs? We believe that it is time the National Assembly enacted a bill institutionalising compulsory savings as part of the national culture. Since the governors have proven time and again that they are not interested in saving for the rainy day, it is time to compel them to do so. It is a proven fact of history that successful nations do not joke with savings, and that they do not do so because of a surfeit of funds or the absence of critical needs. Rather, they do so in the full realisation of the indispensability of savings to wealth generation, national stability and national security. Besides, the current economic situation is in a large measure the product of the scandalous spending profile and unceasing profligacy of Nigerian governments at all times and at all levels. In any case, the current sorry state of infrastructure in the country coupled with the astounding debt profile of both the federal and state governments put a lie to the claim by the governors who ceaselessly harassed the Yar’Adua and Jonathan governments because they claimed to be in need of funds to prosecute core developmental programmes whose results fall far short of the resources claimed to have been poured on them. And this visible failure applies to successive federal governments too. Those who cannot manage scarcity and difficult situations have no business being in the Government House in the first place. Given the foregoing, we categorically reject the NGF’s call for the sharing of ECA funds. We consequently call on the National Assembly to come up with an Act that would institutionalise national savings. It is our suggestion that the proposed law should allow withdrawal in a fiscal year from the ECA to the maximum of twenty five percent (25%) of what has been accumulated in a preceding year to augment budgetary shortfall in that year. Where on the balance crude oil sold above the budgetary benchmark for the year, no withdrawal will take place. Another 25 per cent of the ECA account balance of the preceding year will statutorily be sent to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to boost its capital base. Returns on investment of the SWF should be made available as part of the distributable funds in the Federation Account. The balance of 50 per cent must be kept for a time of extreme national emergency such as war. And that statutory balance in the ECA, in the face of an extreme national emergency, can only be drawn down by a resolution supported by two-thirds of all members in each of the two chambers of the National Assembly. This is what the unfortunate economic situation of the country and the reality of the unrepentant profligacy of Nigeria’s political elite demand.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

editor

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

Preparing for return of Chibok girls

T’S been two years since the Chibok girls were kidnapped, and while we still hope as a nation that they will be returned to their families, every passing day is making such reality fade away. Recently, the Cable News Network (CNN) released a video of the girls, but what

is surprising is that despite the onslaught on Sambisa forest, I doubt it if the girls are still there. There is also the likelihood that they may have been relocated to neighbouring countries where the war is not as tough as that of Nigeria. The truth must be told,

the girls would have been married-off, while others would have been sexuallyassaulted multiple times. However, while not giving up hope, I think it is important that the circumstances that led to their disappearance should be re-investigated so that we can learn from it as a nation.

But is the society willing to accept the girls back when they are found? I read the interview of a young girl who was kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters, but was able to escape from them after a while. The girl said since her return, she had been dubbed

Fulani herdsmen shouldn’t cause war in Nigeria JUST as we are celebrating the victory of the Nigerian government over the Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani herdsmen are opening up another war vista with the attacks in the Southern part of the country. The attacks in Benue and Enugu States are the major ones, but we continue to have pockets of attacks across the South. These Fulani herdsmen also rob, rape and kill on highways, and they have become embold-

ened, particularly since the presidency has returned to the North. One thing is sure, and that is, if the security agencies will not curb the excesses of these herdsmen, then ethnic militias will regroup to drive the herdsmen from their lands. Someone who wrote on social media recently asked, why is it that it is only in the South and Middle Belt that these herdsmen wreak their havoc;

Do we really need more universities? I really don’t know the number of higher institutions of learning that we have in the country at the moment because private universities keep springing up every day. It has even reached a stage where Nigerians believe these private tertiary institutions are for money making, as different religious groups and wealthy citizens struggle to establish theirs. However, one thing about these institutions is that they don’t come cheap for obvious reasons. I could remember how many faithful contributed financially, while also rendering their services during the construction of their church’s private university, but today, the children of these people cannot afford to attend the institution. One of such churchbased universities, last year, increased the tuition for Medicine to N3million per session. How many average families can afford this? However, instead of the

establishment of more universities, we should rather focus on the creation of jobs. We don’t need more graduates, but more jobs for our youths. •Dr Taju Alalade, Ilorin

Appeal to Dream Team VI IT is no longer news that the Super Eagles will not participate in next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON). In fact, it is a great heartache for lovers of football in the country. However, we will be participating in the football tournament at the Brazil Olympics, and I want to charge the coach, Samson Siasia, and the players to win the competition for Nigeria so that it can relieve our pain of not qualifying for AFCON. •Vincent Kadiri, Benin, Edo State.

why are they not taking their cattle to the rice and tomato plantations in the North? This shows that it is another agenda to ruin the South. But while it is true that we all live under the same umbrella which we call Nigeria, everyone has his homeland. The Yoruba own the South West, while the Igbo own the South East, so no one can come from another region to de-

stroy other regions, while claiming they have the right under ‘one Nigeria.’ It is high time the Federal Government took urgent steps towards curbing the activities of these herdsmen. No region or group has a monopoly of violence, and as we say in Yorubaland: When a goat is pushed to the wall, it turns back to face its attacker. •Femi Abegunde, Ado Ekiti

‘Boko Haram wife’ and that everybody avoided her in the community. She said even her extended family members warned their children to stay away from her because she only came to recruit more people for Boko Haram. Speaking amidst sobs, this young lady said with the manner in which she was being treated by her community, she would prefer to return to the Boko Haram people. We keep shouting all over the place that we want the girls to be returned, but will the society accept them back? Do we have psychologists who will help them mentally to overcome the sufferings they went through? As a result of this, officials of the Bring Back Our Girls should be ready for the post-liberation of the

girls. They should know that it will even be mentally healthy to relocate them from their immediate communities, as some would have lost their parents and other family members upon return, and this will add to their grief. So as we keep fighting for the release of the girls, we should also be preparing for how to make them overcome the torture of the last two years. We should be prepared to allow them undergo mental and psychological tests first, then we can assist them by sending them abroad for their tertiary education. This change in environment will really help them a great deal. •Esther Chinwe, CBD, Abuja

opinion

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

As the euphoria runs dry

remember vividly the animated nature of Nigerians pre 2015 national election. The amount of energy with which fellow countrymen chanted the CHANGE mantra was incredible for everywhere I turned, it was change. The clergy mounted the pulpit, opened his mouth and change came flying out. The lecturer stood in front of a bunch of medical students and was suddenly screaming change. It wasn’t whispered, it was sung in perfect pitches in markets places, it was resonated in motor parks and even the most illiterate Nigerians knew change. The change, in that time before the election, was synonymous with the broom. All over the world, a broom is regarded as a material for cleaning, but in Africa, more profound traditional meanings are attached to the material. In some cultures, after the infiltration of a peaceful abode by unwanted guests, the broom is used to sweep after them. In this sense, it ensures the unwanted guest doesn’t leave a scintilla of his or her ill luck or negativity behind. The broom, aside from its physical cleansing abilities, is believed in diverse cultures of Africa to have spiritual cleansing abilities as well. So, millions of Nigerians took to the streets of the nation with the symbolic broom in their hands sweeping away bad luck while their lips simultaneously proclaimed change. A positive change they all envisaged… oblivious and struck in the costly labyrinths of assumptions and disgruntled fantasies, they dreamt of a country where a litre of petrol would be sold at N40. They believed change would make all unemployed youths N5000 richer every month. Nigerians, in sheer naivety, projected in their reverie a nation where roads would be without a crack, electricity as constant as the stare of Da Vinci’s immortal Monalisa and education as free as the air.

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688

Alas, the euphoria has run dry as the reality begins to fiercely kick in 2016 and kick Nigerians right in the face,

As poverty, lack and insufficiency bite harder, I hear nothing from them. Not even whispers. Behold they are as quiet as the tomb ...while the chief change agent tours the skies.

like the foot of a foetus, protesting in the mother’s womb. Today, I look at the predicament of Nigerians and I remember a little scenario from my childhood. Growing up as an ebullient girl, I fiercely would spring into a monumental display of almost chaotic jubilation anytime I anticipated a new toy after persuading my mother with series of deafening cries and tantrums; she usually would give in to my request and I would get my new toy, but she always had a phrase in pidgin to accompany my new bundle of fascination. My mother used to say “your body go soon come down” which literally meant the short life span of my euphoria and mother was always right! Today, after buying fuel at over N200 from filling stations and not the black market, surely mother’s words are apt to describe the current position of Nigerians who clamoured for change, sweeping transformation into the trash. Where are the change brokers? The ones who advocated change to get a percentage. Where are the change mongers; the change peddlers and change preachers? As poverty, lack and insufficiency bite harder, I hear nothing from them. Not even whispers. Behold, they are as quiet as the tomb where the transited lie while the master custodian of the cleansing broom and chief change agent, incessantly tours the skies of diverse continents in the belly of the white man’s flying bird. Today, it seems “their body don come down,” because a year has scurried by and Nigerians are yet to be intimated with the fool proof strategy that was meant to bring change that extremely published change. That is, if there ever was one, save for the waving of dry brooms and empty chants of “change.”

Transformational leadership: The Singapore experience By Adedara Oduguwa

“DO not worry about Singapore. My colleagues and I are sane, rational people even in our moments of anguish. We will weigh all possible consequences before we make any move on the political chessboard...” — Lee, 21 September 1965. What! The third fastest growing world economy as at 2015, now not in the first 15 growing economies in Africa! This was the reaction of many recently after stumbling on the news about the poor state of our economy. But then, the doom of today was birthed by the boom of yesterday. Today, it is incredible to see how Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty. Several opinions launched; why some believe our problem is the lack of true leadership, many believe it’s a case of corruption and incompetency. Well, whichever way, Nigeria is critically in need of reengineering, repositioning, repurposing and rebranding. Historically, Nigeria was one of the most respected British colonies in the 50s. The country is endowed in both human and material resources. In the 50s and early 60s, we did not have oil so much as we do today, yet we were true giant of Africa. Education was entirely free in the West, business and commerce was at apex in the East and herdsmen in the North were so peaceful and contributing, that we all had share of their honeyed beefmeat. Our currency was strong that it was not second to dollar and our soil was so fertile that even stone could grow on it. What about our leaders? Sir Ahmadu Bello represented a leader of focus. He knew what he wanted for the Hausa/Fulani of Northern Nigeria, and he stood by it with principle. He was bold, strong and full of natural bravery. He held the powerful title of Sardauna. He was only a college graduate, yet was a simple great-leader of purpose. He stayed in the North to the end, maintaining position of Premiership, even when he had opportunity of becoming Nigeria’s Prime Minister. He introduced the doctrine of Northernisation (which simply means- the North for the North, Northern jobs should be for the Northerners). He was altogether a leader of purpose!

Dr. Azikiwe was the most educated pre-independence Nigerian politician. Born in Zungeru to Eastern parents who shared in Mr. Herbert Macaulay’s belief that ‘Education is a better safeguard to liberty than a standing army.’ At a time, he almost committed suicide due to frustration of not being able to pay his bills in the US. He was persistent, focused and energetic that by the age of 33, he already founded a powerful newspaper —West African Pilot. He became one of the most successful and fortunate politicians in Africa! ‘Zik of Africa,’ as he was fondly called, knew what he wanted and he pursued it. Formerly, Premier of Eastern Region, later GovernorGeneral and First Executive President of Nigeria. He was a great man and one of the most educated public administrators. In the West, Chief Obafemi Awolowo needs no introduction; his ‘Democratic Socialism’- progressive indoctrination as a political ideology which gave birth to a number of firsts is well known to us, which included ‘Basic Free Education Programme.’ It was a programme that withdrew cutlasses and hoes from children of the less-privileged and replaced them with pens and papers, thereby producing so many professors and highly successful captains of industry out of them today. Awo, so fondly called, introduced industrial estates and agricultural institutes for the teeming populace of Western Nigeria. He was so prepared for Nigeria but Nigerians were not prepared for him due to ethnic bigotry and political self-deception. During their reign, everything was so attractive to the European explorers who almost forgot going back home until they were whisked out by pressure of educated few in the West.

Nigeria was then a place to stay and not to visit and leave in a rush. We were envied by Arab kings and Asian emperors for our soil and oil. As if this reign would never end in our generation, the Indians, British, Chinese and Americans were only few of our primary and secondary school teachers. In fact, even in the early 1990s, Ghanaians and Liberians were our cobblers and housemaids. We became relaxed and the rest is history! We started missing it when ethnic bigotry creeped into our existence. Comparatively, Nigeria and Singapore were third world nations as at 1959. Singapore was also a British colony with no much potential for the future. The country was blessed to be barren. No human and material resources, no oil, iron, bitumen, and even water. As at 1959, the population of Singapore was a little above 1.5million people. Per capital income was only US$400. Unemployment was high and how to get drinkable water was a major concern other than buying from Malaysia. “This must stop!” That was Sir Lee Kuan Yew’s comment shortly after he resumed office as Prime Minister in 1963. Mr. Lee introduced the practical aspect of transformational leadership. This, today, helped him to enlist his name in the diary of great leaders. In three decades, Singapore was transformed from a third world nation to a developed nation. What about Nigeria, a third world nation, a little above 44 milion people with US$500 per capita income in 1959. Blessed with massive human and material resources, iron, bitumen, crude-oil, water, all in abundance, but unfortunately, we have not made much progress over the years. What we presently need is a leadership of hope. A leadership of how to move forward and not why we cannot move forward. A leadership of bail-out and not of bewilderment, and then a true transformational leadership in practice. We are tired of countless excuses. The business of governance is a serious one since many destines are dependent on this political economy. •Oduguwa sent this article via adedaraoduguwa@yahoo.com (To be continued).

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

agriculture NIRSAL launches $500m initiative for farmers THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently appointed the executive management of Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) to drive its sustainable financing of agricultural value chains in Nigeria. NIRSAL, an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, supports commercial financing of end to end agricultural value chains through a project management approach that emphasizes value for money, leverage, commercial viability and self sustainability. The $500 million (N100 billion) public private initiative, wholly owned by the CBN, was incorporated as a Public Limited Liability Company and licensed as a non-bank financial, facilitates the flow of credit to agribusiness value chain players and collaborating with stakeholders to fix broken agricultural value chains in Nigeria. According to information from NIRSAL, the company plans to fix the broken agricultural value chain in order to provide a veritable platform for de-risking agricultural lending, mobilize financing for Nigerian agribusinesses by using credit guarantees to address the risk of default, provide technical assistance through capacity building across the value chains to enhance productivity, reduce the cost of borrowing, diversify the economy from oil to agriculture in the light of the current decline in oil revenue and enhance the Internally Generated Revenue sources for states through export of agricultural products. It will be recalled that 454 projects valued at N61.161 billion have been guaranteed by NIRSAL, with the sum of N753.36 million paid out as interest rebate to borrowers, while it had trained over 112,000farmers across the country, between 2012/13 to 2015.

Approaching agriculture as

an investment opportunity By Akinwumi Adesina

was recently appointed President of the African Development Bank. A development bank is not necessarily an intuitive concept; most banks don’t exist to serve explicitly social purposes. But what defines a bank is the way it conducts business, whatever that business may be. This is why I say I wear my banker hat, and not my development hat, when I speak about agriculture. Agriculture is not a way of life. It is not a social sector or a development activity, despite what people may claim. Agriculture is a business. And the more we treat it as a business, as a way to create wealth, the more it will promote development and improve people’s lives to boot. One way to treat agriculture like a business is to get the private sector more involved in it. When I was Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, the most important thing I had to under-

stand was that government can’t create agricultural transformation; it can only enable it by making more room for businesses to intervene. We could do this by putting the right policies and regulations in place, by creating strong institutions, and by building sufficient infrastructure. But there is not much else government can do with a reasonable measure of efficiency. Agricultural transformation has to be led by the private sector. The problem in Nigeria was that the private sector was largely non-existent in agriculture. Take fertilizer and seeds. For 40 years, the federal government had been procuring these inputs and filtering them down through layers and layers of state and local governments until, in theory, they got to the smallholder farmers who needed them. Except the theory rarely played out in practice. Our data indicated that only 11 per cent of the fertilizer procured by the govern-

Agriculture can pay. Hundreds of millions of small farmers, thousands of local agribusinesses, and hundreds of seed and food companies will make it pay ment got to farmers in the end. Since the seeds also rarely got to where they were going, some suppliers started selling the government grain instead – counterfeit seed. In fact, the system existed to serve the rent-seekers attached to it, not the smallholders who were supposed to benefit from it. With corruption and inefficiency like this, it wasn’t hard to explain why a country with 84 million hectares imported almost all of its food. We decided to try to replace government-run agriculture with a set of small and medium enterprises that ran the gamut from provid-

ing inputs to smallholder farmers to transporting, processing, and selling food. These businesses would bypass government bureaucracies and build supply chains directly into rural communities, generating – we hoped – significant ripple effects. We dismantled the public procurement system in less than 100 days. Over the next two years, the number of seed companies operating in Nigeria increased from just 11 to more than 100. The new fertilizer market mobilized 5 billion naira from private investors over the same span. Major players like Syn-

genta, which had stopped doing business in Nigeria because of the corruption, re-entered the market. We now have more than 5,000 mom-and-pop shops selling these companies’ products – and providing informal agricultural training – directly to farmers. I don’t mean to make it sound so simple. Merely removing the government from the fertilizer and seed business doesn’t guarantee that the private sector will step into the breach. We needed to demonstrate that there was a market opportunity – that farmers wanted to buy these products. But without a ready supply, it was challenging for farmers to express their demand. It was a classic bootstrapping problem. On the demand side, the key was making fertilizer and seeds affordable enough for smallholders to try. So we instituted a 50 percent subsidy, with the idea that farmers would fund more and more of their purchases Continues on pg17

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Continued from pg16

over time. Subsidies are not new or radical, but we innovated by creating a new and radical delivery mechanism: the eWallet program. We knew that there were 130 or 140 million mobile phones in Nigeria, so phones seemed like the most efficient way to reach millions of farmers. As a side benefit, the eWallet program helped us make contact with farmers, which not only gave us more information about the population we meant to serve but also gave them a means to communicate back to us over time. Yes, eWallet was about delivering fertilizer and seed vouchers, but it was also about building a platform for interacting with millions of once-inaccessible smallholders in the future. Recently, we started using the eWallet platform to deliver other benefits, including vouchers for nutritional supplements. The eWallet program helped with demand. If farmers were going to start purchasing fertilizer and seed in large numbers, though, we needed to make sure the fertilizer and seed was available, so it was critical to address the supply side, too. The problem was the lack of capital for agricultural start-ups; the solution we hit upon was easier credit. The ministry of agriculture collaborated with the Central Bank of Nigeria to create a new initiative to share risk with banks and encourage them to make more loans to agricultural businesses. With a little more assurance, banks have increased their lending to the agriculture sector from roughly 10 billion naira annually to in excess of 40 billion naira. I recount this history from Nigeria because it demonstrates four key principles that are guiding me as I take on my new role at the African Development Bank. First, smallholder farmers can be customers. Second, companies are interested in serving them if the conditions are right. Third, mobile phones can facilitate transactions that used to be prohibitively expensive. Fourth, scale. Africa is the fastest-growing continent

in the world, with a population that already surpasses 1 billion. The majority of those people earn their living by farming small plots of land. So any institution that is dedicated to inclusive growth for Africa must stand for reaching all African smallholders. Agriculture is seen by banks as a huge risk. It doesn’t have to be. If we use our resources to guarantee some loans and help banks get more comfortable with lending in the sector, then we believe we can unlock the many billions of dollars needed to spur new businesses and help the sector function properly. There is no shortage of entrepreneurs who want to serve farmers’ needs. There is only a shortage of capital. If entrepreneurs have the resources they need, then we can get a lot closer to agriculture as it should be – as a business. It is easy to forget that the largest private sector group in African agriculture is the smallholder farmers themselves. For decades, farming was viewed as a subsistence activity whose loftiest goal was food security for individual households. But life is about more than having enough food to survive. Farmers want to eat nutritious food that helps them thrive. Beyond food, they want education, health, and housing – comfort and a promising future – and they will invest on those things if given the opportunity. Agriculture can pay. Hundreds of millions of small farmers, thousands of local agribusinesses, and hundreds of seed and food companies will make it pay, as long as the development community and governments are willing to try something new. And when I say pay, I mean it in the broadest sense of that word. Yes, pay in terms of incomes for smallholders, and yes, pay in terms of profit for the businesspeople engaged in the sector. But also pay in terms of a healthier and happier life for hundreds of millions of Africans, and a stronger Africa. Adesina is the President of the African Development Bank.

Nigerian Tribune

OBJ, IITA draw roadmap on ending hunger in Nigeria by 2030 By Emmanuel George

THE Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan on Friday held a stakeholder meeting to draw a roadmap to end hunger in Nigeria by the year 2030.

The Nigeria Zero Hunger Strategy meeting, which received support from the World Food Program, was organized in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) that seeks to end hunger by 2030. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who convened the meeting, said

that the task of attaining the SDGs could not be left for the government alone; neither could it be left for the civil society nor the private sector. “It is going to take the collective effort of each and every citizen of this great nation and our partners. It will require our collective change

From left: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Dr Kenton Dashiell, IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery and Professor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, during the Nigeria Zero Hunger Meeting at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Ibadan.

FG to provide 50 farm stretchers to Kebbi farmers Collins Nnabuife -Abuja

THE Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is concluding plans to hand-in 50 farm stretchers hooked to vehicles to boost Kebbi State Rice Farmers Production. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this in Abuja, when he hosted the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Colo-

nel Samaila Yombe Dabhi (rtd) in his office. Ogbeh, who was in Kebbi, recently applauded the government and farmers in the state for their production of about 10 million tons of rice, thereby boosting the country’s determination to be self-sufficient in rice production. He added that companies to process and covert rice and wheat chaff into livestock feeds should be quickly considered and

Nigeria shines at 5th global feed and food congress in Turkey NIGERIA has been commended over the success of the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) Train-The Trainer Capacity Building Project held in the country in October 2015, following a power-point presentation of the pilot project by the Registrar of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Dr. Godwin Oyedele Oyediji. The country was represented at the recently concluded 5th Global Feed and Food Congress held in Antalya, Turkey, between April 18 and 20 2016, by the NIAS and NAFDAC, with the former having been invited by the IFF NIAS had been

invited to the Congress “to officially present the report of the successful IFIF Train-The Trainer Capacity Building Project held in Nigeria to the world at the Congress.” A statement by NIAS stated that the institute had been recognised “as a Partner with IFIF for African Animal Feed issues after South Africa Feed Association that is a member of IFIF.” According to the statement, the conference, with the theme “equity and prosperity for all,” applauded NIAS’s report, commending Nigerian for the success, “and for being a reliable partner to serve as example for where the project will be implemented next.

promised government’s support with funds. He advised Kebbi government to produce and distribute large farming hats to shield farmers from the hot afternoon sun, chemical respirators and shade canopy he said will encourage farmers to produce more. Dabhi, in his response, appreciated the minister’s visit which he affirmed had galvanised them into more dynamic farming.

of mindset to at first identify the opportunities that abound,” he said. The former President commended the efforts of the international community towards fighting hunger and poverty, citing efforts and gains made under the Millennium Development Goals. Although the MDGs may not have achieved all its targets, Obasanjo said that the SDGs presented Nigeria another unique opportunity to drive its development agenda and end hunger. The former president said that Nigeria’s continued import of food was unacceptable and requested that efforts be made to address the import bill. The Representative of the World Food Program, Stanlake Samkanga explained that unlike the MDGs, which were driven by the United Nations, the SDGs would be driven by members of state. According to him, the SDGs will be achieved by countries themselves, and the WFP/ UN’s role is to support countries in achieving these goals. “WFP’s role is to be a catalyst in a country –owned process,” he added. On the sidelines, IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga commended the Nigerian people for their willingness to drive the initiative. He said IITA would provide the necessary support for Nigeria to achieve its target within the framework of the Zero Hunger initiative.

Guinea donates high yielding seed varieties of rice to boost production Collins Nnabuife -Abuja

FEDERAL Government’s determination to diversify her mono economy from crude oil to Agriculture and other sectors has received a boost with the Republic of Guinea donating twelve (12) high yielding varieties of rice seeds to Nigeria to increase rice production in the country. The donation was presented to the Ministry on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Guinea by the Charge “D” Affairs of Nigeria to the Republic of Guinea, Ambassador Jerry Hassan. He explained that his decision to solicit for these varieties of rice seeds from the

Republic of Guinea was informed by the commitment of the Present Administration to diversify the economy from oil to other sectors, particularly Agriculture. He further explained that these varieties of rice seeds which are high yielding could be cultivated three times in a year and would boost rice production in Nigeria. The Desk Officer, Rice Value Chain, Dr Victor Onyeneke, who received the donation on behalf of the ministry expressed appreciation to explained that these varieties of rice seeds would be handed over to relevant agencies of the ministry.

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

From right, former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja; Alhaji Lateef Oyelade; , former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Musiliu Smith and the Executive Secretary and CEO, MUSWEN, Professor Noibi, during the second assembly of MUSWEN at Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, recently.

Chief (Mrs) Major Oluyemi Aderonke Okusanya (retd), cutting the cake during the celebration of her 70th birthday anniversary at Ala-Ijebu, Ogun State, recently. With her are her sons, from left, Bimbo, Opeyemi and Segun Okusanya.

Mrs Mobolaji Adeniran (widow), her children and grandchildren, during the funeral service for Mr Adeniran, at the RCCG, Bolumole, Ring Road, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

Mrs Temilade Matanmi (middle) cutting her birthday cake with her husband, Bola and children, at their residence in Lagos, recently.

From left, acting Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Professor Aderibigbe S. Olomola; chairman of the occasion, Professor Olakunle Frank Odumosu; guest speaker, Professor Ademola Oyejide, Dr Ekundayo Babatunde Isreal and Professor F.O. Nyemutu Roberts, during the NISER seminar series held at NISER Conference Centre, Ojoo, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

The groom, Mr Bolaji Ajenifuja with his bride, former Miss Mary Abimbola Alao, during their wedding at The Gospel Faith Mission International, Elewi-Odo Assembly, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.

Prince Adedapo Adejumo, a Huston Texas ,United States-based member of Osogbo Tennis Club held his birthday in Osogbo,Osun State, during the week. Flanked from left to right are executive members of the club: Mr Kayode Oladeji, secretary; Mr Kunle Ogedengbe, treasurer; Mr Biola Oni, captain; Prince Adejumo; Mr Samuel Oguntunde, president; Mr Ayoade Oyeleke internal auditor and the vice captain, Mr Gbenga Lawal.

Wife and children of the late Pa Abdul Lasis Olajide Solarin, during the fidau held at the Ansar U-Deen Praying Ground, Isara Remo, Ogun State, last weekend.

For bookings, contact â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo adisa 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Critics of Buhari’s China trip missing the point —Ortom Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, was on the delegation of President Muhammadu Buhari to China recently. In this interview with journalists, he speaks about the gains and prospects of the trip for the country as a whole. KUNLE ODEREMI brings some excerpts:

trading in agricultural machinery like tractors and other farm implements in our state. I was in Wuzheng to discuss with the President and Chairman of this group in order to ensure that we not just go into trading of these machinery but we can start an assembly plant in Makurdi, the headquarters of Benue State. Apart from the benefits of having the equipment close to farmers in the Food Basket of the nation, the assembly plant will generate jobs, create opportunities and create wealth because it will be a centre to service neighbouring states, especially those in the North-Central part of the country. I’ve taken advantage of Mr President’s visit to China which opened up many opportunities for Nigeria. I’m happy that I was part of the delegation and I want to take maximum advantage of the visit in order to ensure that my state benefits first. I’m glad that the agreement has been signed. The chairman has agreed to start an assembly plant in Makurdi and has directed his people to do a feasibility study on how this can be done. I think that within the shortest possible time, the benefits will be there with their practical presence.

HY do you keep looking towards China in your investmennt drive? Our people say that ignorance is darker than night. When you are not fully informed and knowledgeable about certain things, you may be confused. Today in the whole world, if you go to other parts of the world, in America, go to Europe, go to other parts of Asia, go to the Americas and everywhere in the world, you will see the presence of China whether by way of the people or their products. Gone are the days when we experienced substandard products from China. Today, they have the capacity to produce high standard and quality products and I can attest to this. Gone are the days when people used to criticise China, they should go there and see things for themselves. I think that people who criticise me for looking towards China are completely ignorant about what is happening around the world. They should travel to America and go to the shops; 70 per cent of what you see on the shelf of an average shop in America is produced in China, the same thing in Europe; the same thing in other parts of the world. This is where it’s happening and that’s why they’ve made a lot of progress. For me, I want my state to develop, I want my state to progress, I want my administration to make an impact on our people and I’ve identified and seen that the way forward is there; that’s where the whole world is going. We went to Canton Trade Fair, for instance, and the entire world was there: from America, from Europe, from India and other parts of Asia, they were all there. These people have had a breakthrough and come to think of it, this revolution that we’re seeing in China took place just about 30 years ago; within 30 years it took place. It’s quite challenging for anyone that goes there if you are someone with a development heart, you’ll be challenged to replicate it back home and that’s the challenge that I have. I’m not just folding my hands; I’ve always told people that, please identify something and do. Everything that concerns every human endeavor can be found there in China and our people should take advantage and let us together develop Benue State and Nigeria. Does your current investment drive have any link with your experience as a former minister in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment? I started going to China during my days as Minister of State, Trade and Investment. I believe that now that there is a downturn in our economy, we must look outside the box and the way forward is about trade, industries and about investment. We are doing trade in order to ensure that we balance whatever comes in and whatever goes out. We are going into industrialisation so that we can process our primary products. With that, we shall be getting multiples of opportunities – creation of jobs, creation of wealth, and creation of opportunities within our state and country.I believe that all these will support our micro, small and

Ortom medium scale enterprises, these will support investments to come into the state because standing on our own we do not have enough to do the investments. That is why I laugh at those who say I shouldn’t have gone out. How will you get investors when you do not reach to tell the potentials that you have? We have reached out and invited people to visit us and see things for themselves, and some have already made commitments. All these are things that I learnt at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and I’m trying to replicate in my state. What’s your reaction to those who say you’ve spent much money on the trip in the face of the economic crunch and non-payment of salaries back home? For me, it’s money that makes good soup. If I fold my arms and sit in one place, while our industries are not working (technology has gone very far and we cannot identify this and bring to the state to effect development), then what are we doing? You must not eat your seed if you want development, if you want to prosper, if you want to make progress. You must learn how to use your seed wisely so that in

At least 70 per cent of what you see on the shelf of an average shop in America is produced in China; the same thing in Europe; the same thing in other parts of the world.

time of harvest, you can harvest more. That’s what I’m doing. In any case I’ve not spent money outside my entitlements; the same applies to other members of the delegation. Is it the commissioner or the Director of Industries that you don’t want to attend the Trade Fair? Is it me that Mr President invited because of the strategic role that Benue State has on the map of Nigeria, to accompany him to China that would have said no because we have no money? I want to appeal to those who seek to make political gain by criticising this government to please reason because politicking is over. We have three more years ahead of us, let us do government. Let them bring ideas, let them go back and check what the other government was doing before we came in. I’ve not been traveling, go and check the records. How many times have I travelled out of Nigeria since I became governor? I can assure you that for this purpose, the state stands to benefit far more than even myself and the people who travelled with me. I didn’t make the trip for personal reasons. I’ve just started my leave for one week and I’ll go back. I’m not the type that travels for fun or for leisure. This is my first time of travelling to attend a trade fair outside the country since becoming governor. But, this and the other trips have mostly been at the invitation of the President. In any case, those criticising should go and check whether I’ve done anything outside the rules or outside my entitlements. Why did you visit the assembly plant in Wuzheng, and what does your state in particular stands to gain? You can see that Benue State is the Food Basket of the nation, and that at a personal level, I’m a farmer. This plant is deeply into the production of agricultural machinery and in China, it’s one of the best; it also has some little presence in Benue State. I felt like encouraging them because they’re already doing some

Could you explain further some of the gains of the trip beyond what you have just highlighted, in view of criticism trailing the visit in a few quarters? The gains are massive, even though we’ve not finished the signing of Memorandum of Understanding and agreements with different provinces that have indicated that they want to partner with Benue State. But I can assure you that more opportunities have been opened up for the people of the state because I had the opportunity of showcasing our potentials as a state in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals, as well as culture and tourism. The people here have been quite receptive to these and it’s happening at a time Mr President visited and signed several agreements of friendship and bilateral issues that affect the two countries. I’ve noticed that the average Chinese man and woman are quite receptive. I’m happy with this visit, especially now that they have so much and are looking for opportunities to invest outside their country. I’m discussing with quite a number of them and during the Trade Fair, the chairman of Benue Chamber of Commerce was there with a delegation from the chamber and other government officials who accompanied me. We’ve gone into discussions with various investors and businessmen over there with emphasis on establishing their plants and factories in Benue State so that we can get maximum benefits out of these. We’re not just looking at trading, but for members of the Chamber of Commerce in the state who are willing can start with trading because that will also be of benefit to our people. We believe that this foundation that we’ve laid with the President’s visit, the Trade Fair and the visits that we’ve paid to several provinces will definitely generate positive results for our state. For instance, we’re discussing with the government and people of Guangzhou about an agreement with them so that Makurdi can become a sister city to Guangzhou, this will bring a lot of benefits. Before you know what is happening, someone who just heard our discussion went into discussion with his government in a different province and they decided that we should come and sign an agreement that they want to partner with us, an investor who is willing to come to Nigeria and Benue State in particular by May. He’s willing to invest in agro processing, in tourism, and is also willing to invest in solid minerals.

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

politicscommentary

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

The memo of Akenzua on Aburi By Eric Teniola

HEN on March 15th last year, the Secretary of the Benin traditional council, Mr. Frank Irabor announced that “the leopard is ill in the Savannah bush”, we knew exactly what has happened to the OmoN’obaN’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa (CFR), the 38th Oba of Benin, who was born on June 22, 1923 and ascended the throne on March 23, 1979. Well to an average Benin man or woman, such an announcement is well understood. The Benin people value tradition and culture. And they are proud of it. I am from Ufosu in Idanre local government of Ondo State that shares border with Edo State, so I should know. The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler of the Edo people and head of the historic Eweka dynasty of the Benin Empire. The services of Oba Erediuwa are well valued and will not be forgotten. Before becoming an Oba, as Prince Samuel Aiseokhuoba IgbinoghoduaAkenzua,he was an outstanding civil servant.He in fact rose to become the Federal Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health before he retired in 1973. Along with others, he attended the Aburi meeting held at the Peduase lodge where the conflict of Nigeria was discussed between January 4th and January 5th, 1967. Aburi is a town in Ghana. It is 45 minutes’ drive from Accra, the capital of Ghana. Those who attended the meeting were Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, Colonel Robert Adebayo, Lt-Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu, Lt-Col David Ejoor, Lt-Col David Hassan Katsina, Commodore J.E.A. Wey, Major Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Kam Selem and Mr. J. Omo-Bare. Others were Prince S.I.A. Akenzua (Permanent Under-Secretary, Federal Cabinet Office), Mr. P.T. Odumosu (Secretary to the Military Government, West), Mr N.U. Akpan (Secretary to the Military Government, East), Mr. D.P. Lawani (Under-Secretary, Military Governor’s Office, Mid-West) and Alhaji Ali Akilu (Secretary to the Military Government, North.) The Chairman of the Ghana National Liberation Council, LtGeneral J.A.Ankrah, declared the meeting open in his capacity as then the head of state of Ghana. The following was agreed upon--that Army to be governed by the Supreme Military Council under a chairman to be known as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Head of the Federal Military Government, Establishment of a Military Headquarters comprising equal representation from the Regions and headed by a Chief of Staff, Creation of Area commands corresponding to existing Regions and under the charge of Area commanders, matters of policy, including appointments and promotion to top executive posts in the Armed Forces and the Police to be dealt with by the Supreme military council, during the period of the Military Government, military governors will have control over Area Commands for internal security,Creation of a Lagos Garrison, including Ikeja Barracks. In connection with the re-organisation of the Army, the council discussed the distribution of Military personnel with particular reference to the present recruitment drive. The view was held that general recruitment throughout the country in the present situation would cause great imbalance in the distribution of soldiers. After a lengthy discussion of the subjects, the council agreed to set up a Military committee on which each Region will be represented, to prepare statistics which will show: Present strength of Nigeria Army;Deficiency in each sector of each

Oba Erediauwa

unit; the size appropriate for the country and each Area command; Additional requirement for the country and each Area command. The Committee is to meet and report to council within two weeks from the date of receipt of instructions. The Council agreed that pending completion of the exercise in connection with re-organisation of the army, further recruitment of soldiers should cease. The implementation of the agreement reached on 9 August 1966, it was agreed, after a lengthy discussion, that it was necessary for the agreement reached on 9 August by the delegates of the Regional Governments to be fully implemented. In particular, it was accepted in principle that army personnel of Northern origin should return to the North from the West. It was therefore felt that a crash programme of recruitment and training, the details of which would be further examined after the committee to look into the strength and distribution of army personnel had reported, would be necessary to constitute indigenous army personnel in the West to a majority there quickly. As far as the Regions were concerned, it was decided that all the powers vested by the Nigerian Constitution in the Regions and which they exercised prior to 15 January 1966, should be restored to the Regions. To this end, the Supreme Military Council decided that all decrees passed since the Military take-over, and which tended to detract from the previous powers of the Regions, should be repealed by 21 January, after the Law Officers should have met on 14 January to list out all such decrees. The decisions at Aburi amounted to, in terms of political and military control of the country was that the country, should be governed as a Confederation. Suffice it to say that the vocal military officers like Lt-Colonel MurtalaMuhammed, Major Martin Adamu and Major TheophilusYakubuDanjuma did not attend

the Aburi meeting. Prince Akenzua along with top permanent secretaries including Alhaji Yusuf Gobir, Phillip Asiodu, EmeEbong, B.N. Okagbue and Allison Ayida deconstructed in Lagos, all that was agreed in Aburi. On arrival in Lagos, Prince Akenzua discussed with General Yakubu Gowon and raised objections to what was agreed in Aburi, Gowon asked him to raise a memo which he did. I am sure a copy of the memo is with General Gowon today while a copy is in the archives in the PRESIDENCY. Civil servants are to be seen and not to be heard and that is why Prince Akenzua never released a copy of the memo to the world. The memo dated January 8 1967 began with “Your Excellency, in view of my discussion with you last night, I am raising this memo in the interest our fatherland-Nigeria”. Prince Akenzua traced the long hard road that Nigeria has travelled and stressed the need to keep a United Nigeria. In the memo, he said that Gowon had given too much away in Aburi and that it would lead to the destruction of the country. He further added thatGowon

Prince Akenzua traced the long hard road that Nigeria has travelled and stressed the need to keep a United Nigeria.

has “legalised” total regionalism which “will make the centre very weak.” Prince Akenzua alluded in his memo that a weak centre will lead to confederation and total disintegration of the country. It was the memo that prompted Gowon to summon a meeting of the Secretaries to the military governments and other officials which was held in Benin City between February 16 and 18 1967. If you look at the minutes of the Benin meeting presided over by Mr. H. A. Ejueyitchie, Secretary to the Federal Military Government, you will discover that it was a total rejection of what was agreed upon in Aburi. The Benin meeting interpreted in its own way the agreement reached in Aburi. After the Benin meeting, Lt-Col. Ojukwu started the “on Aburi I stand” slogan. Thereafter the Federal Government promulgated Decree No. 8 of 1967 which gave total powers to the centre. It has been so since.We shall continue to argue and debate the full implications of decree 8 which was promulgated on March 10 1967. The ghost of that decree still haunts us today. On February 16 1967, ColonelOjukwu wrote a letter to Gowon. In the letter he said” At Aburi, certain decisions were taken by the Supreme Military Council--- the highest authority of the land under the present Regime. For my part, I became dedicated to those decisions, only to discover soon that you and your Civil Service advisers, along with selfish and disgruntled politicians in Lagos, and perhaps elsewhere as well, did not feel the same. As a result you have seen to it that the decision taken at Aburi are systematically vitiated or stalled.” In his own broadcast, the then military Governor of western region, Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo on May 3 1967 said” we tried at Aburi to find the basis for a solution but there was not enough confidence to build upon that basis. As a result, follow up action was slow and argument developed which further impaired confidence. When at last decree No. 8 was passed by the Supreme Military Council, we could not carry the Eastern Region with us.” In his broadcast to the joint meeting of the advisory committee of the Chiefs and Elders and the Consultative assembly of Eastern Nigeria on May 27 1967, Colonel Ojukwu said “In Lagos, the Permanent Secretaries there studied the recommendations and, to their credit, brought out clearly and unmistakenly their meanings and implications. Having seen these, however, they unfortunately went beyond their rights and duty as civil servants to advise against the implementation of the Aburi agreements. From there our difficulties started and have taken us to our present stalement”. Till today both sides (Gowon and Ojukwu till he died) interpreted what was agreed upon in Aburi in their own way. One of the problems at Aburi was that a portion of the meeting was not recorded. The military excused the civilians at a certain stage during the meeting and it was alleged that during this informal chat that Gowon made certain commitments to Lt. Col. Ojukwu especially on full regionalism. Even till today judging by the decisions reached at the last National Conference, we are still arguing on confederation or federalism. As long as Nigeria remain one under federalism, the memo of Prince Akenzua which was a wakeup call on General Yakubu Gowon and his efforts later will continue to be appreciated in no small measure. The nation remembers and the nation appreciates. Teniola, a former Director At The Presidency, Stays In Lagos.

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

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Nigerian Tribune

The

South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056

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Life of the Fulani people of Oke-Ogun

•From migrants to settlers, and now, indigenes Most towns in the 10 local government council areas that make up Oke-Ogun area in Oyo state are heavily populated by Fulani herdsmen who had settled there for decades from the Northern part of the country. There is therefore mixed customs, traditions and inter-tribal marriages And of course clashes. Today, it is noteworthy that very high numbers of Fulanis are fully integrated into their host communities. Some have made advantage of the indigenisation policy -by birth and long stay to lay claim to the town they are currently residing. As of today, generations into their fourth now reside and lay claim in various zones of Oke-Ogun. Chief Correspondent, TUNDE OGUNESAN reports.

E gave out a silent aura of a Nigerian of northern extraction, yet when asked about his name, he quickly replied, “I am Adepoju.” After a pause, this reporter stretched the interaction a little further. “But your father must be from the North. You must be Fulani. How can you be Adepoju?,” he asked. He stuck to his gun, speaking a distorted form of the Yoruba language. “My name is Adepoju”

“You are from which state?”, this reporter asked him and he answered, I am from Ilero. I was born there. Ilero, is a community in Kajola LGA of Oke Ogun, Oyo State When prodded further on how he would claim to Ilero as his home town and appropriate a Yoruba name despite being obviously Fulani, he said, “My parents told me that I am also Usman but I am largely called Adepoju. My parents were born around Igboho

but we live now in Ilero. I don’t know anywhere else. I also know Ilorin. At a point, I was asked to travel to Kano to acquire more knowledge of the Quran. I went and spent six years there. After that I was asked to travel to Maiduguri for advanced Quranic lessons but there, it was impossible for me to stay. The harmattan was extreme and I could not bear it. My nose bled and I had split feet. I said I had had enough and decided

to come home. I returned to Ilero.” he said with a tone of finality. Like Adepoju, Mr Kehinde Mosobalaje, aged 50, with northern ancestry has spent all his life in Otu, Oyo State. He recently performed the Ijala chant on Ajilete FM, located in Alaga, Itesiwaju Local Government area of Oyo State. His wife is from Sepeteri in SakiEast Local Government area. Continues on pg24

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Nigerian Tribune

Bride, groom absent at Fulani marriage

People serving food at the wedding ceremony.

Food being served at the wedding ceremony.

Representatives of the bride family inspecting the dowry.

S a Yoruba man, who, until recently, never had any serious information regarding the Fulanis, when I was told that a marriage ceremony was coming up, I was delighted to attend. It was an open ceremony with Islamic clerics billed to offer prayers for the new spouse. According to their tradition, both the groom and the bride would not attend. They are expected to be represented by their parents and other siblings. In addition, women do not come near the venue of the ceremony. Their preoccupation is to prepare food for the ceremony and stay back at their houses,

entertaining the women folk. Isa, the nomadic teacher who served as my tour guide informed me that “it is the parents that perform the ceremony on behalf of the newly wedded couple. The elder brother of the groom in some situations represents his brother.” He also added that the bride will not move into the groom’s house on that day, but a day will be fixed for the movement. On this occasion, friends of both families from different settlements gathered for the wedding ceremony of Adama and Mohammed. According to their tradition, a representative from the bride and groom’s

The bride

Representatives of the groom’s family

family requested for the hand of a daughter in marriage with the sum of N10,500, 200 pieces of kolanut and two pieces of Ankara fabric of five yards each. When this offer is accepted, the clerics then commenced prayers which in this case lasted for around 35 to 45 minutes. The prayer for the wedding was led by the Chief Imam of Igbojaye, Alhaji Usam Alim,

followed by other Imams on the occasion. Thereafter, the ceremony featured local dishes like rice, and surprisingly, amala with soup was on the menu list. Without mincing words, meat cut in large pieces complemented the savoury taste of the soup which was devoid of artificial seasonings. Meanwhile, God’s grace sustained my salt resistance.

‘Some of us have married Yoruba people’ Continues from pg23

Mosobalaje is one of hundreds of Fulani cattle rearers who have migrated from their original birthplace down the south. His grandfather, Saliu Abagun came to Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government over 80 years ago. One of his children, Mosobalaje Mohammed gave birth to Kehinde, who today sees himself as an indigene of Otu.

Mrs Modinat Rabiu

Mrs Tawa Yamusa

Mr Audu Rabiu

Mr Bani Gbonke Yamusa

The People Today, there are many fulanis like Mosobalaje and Adepoju in various towns in the 10 Local Government areas of Oke-Ogun, in Oyo state. From Itesiwaju to Kajola, Iwajowa, Iseyin, Atisbo, SakiEast and others, the Fulani have found comfort over a period of years. As an ethnic group, the Fulani/Yoruba people relationship in the region has become a union which is difficult to separate. The Community The Oke-Ogun people are predominantly farmers and the zone is almost officially termed the food basket of the state. The climate favours the growth of food crops like yam, cassava, millet, maize, fruits, rice and plantains. Cash crops such as citrus, tobacco and timber also abound in the region. Despite this the zone has many uncultivated land. The region also has many streams. The

weather in this zone is also not significantly different from that of the north. These features among others are the reasons why the community become hospitable for herdsmen since time immemorial. So, from Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Zamfara, Adamawa, Jigawa, Kaduna among other Northern states in Nigeria, herdsmen considered the region as safe to travel down to especially during the dry season. In the process, many of them never returned home. They stayed behind and became part of the society. Most of the Fulani people told South west Tribune that their forefathers travelled down from their states in search of favourable climate for their cattle business. And because the land was fertile, they stayed and lived till they died while their offspring inherited their business and properties. To some, their forefathers left the north during war times and having found solace in these communities, they settled there. Sixty year-old Oseni Iyanda hails from the Fulani community in Kwara state. Today, he has not only integrated fully in Komu where his grandfather settled down after a local war in Ilorin, Kwara State, he claims that he hails from Olowu’s compound in Komu. “I am part and parcel of the compound,” he said. According to Iyanda, his grandfather,

a herdsman, Balogun Mohammed migrated from Ilorin to Komu where he was received by members of the Olowu’s compound in the town. He said his father, Usman Abagun, who also died over 20 years ago told him that they are from Komu. And today, nothing has changed as the Baloguns have been well integrated into the compound. Iyanda himself who just retired from the services of Itesiwaju Local Government said his children are erecting structures in their fatherland, Komu, today. One of Iyanda’s son, Babatunde, who is of the fourth generation also ascertained that “I am from Komu. I married my wife Mulikat from Okeho when I was training as bricklayer there. I can’t go anywhere because I was born here. I am from Olowu’s compound in Komu.” Today, the Komu natives today regard the Baloguns as members of Olowu’s compound. But while the Baloguns have integrated into one of the compounds in Komu, some Fulanis have remained independent communities, retaining their Fulani essence while also claiming to be indigenes of the towns they reside in. In Igbojaye, also In Itesiwaju local government, for example, a group of Fulani herdsmen also from Kwara State informed the South west Tribune Continues on pg25

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Nigerian Tribune

‘Some of us have married Yoruba people’

Alhaji Sambo Masudo with members of his family.

Isa Umaru

Kehinde Mosobalaje Continues from pg24

how they have been able to settle down in the community. The group numbering over ten in separate interviews recounted how they came from Ilorin to Ipapo, also in Itesiwaju local government area before they relocated to Igbojaye. The head of the Fulani in Igbojaye, Mallam Buge Usman, led the delegation to the interview session which was arranged by two of the local chiefs in Igbojaye; Otun of Igbojaye Chief Ayandele Julius Ayanwumi and Bashorun of Igbojaye, Chief Timo-

Babatunde Balogun (left) and his father, Oseni Iyanda of Olowu’s compound.

thy Sulola, on the order of the traditional ruler, Olu Igbo of Igbojaye, Oba Zaccheus Olatunji Oyeleke Alobaloke III. Others on the team were: Yahmusa bani Gbonke, Isa Umaru, Alhaji Isa Adamu, Alhaji Samo Masudo, Alhaji Hamzat Adam, Alhaji Abdulahi Amodu, a.k.a baba dudu and Adamu Bello. As stated by Chief Ayanwumi, there has been mutual co-habitation between the two tribes in the town. He informed that this was even made easy by the virtue that most of the leaders of the Fulani community in the town are known to them. He added that

Otun of Igbojaye, Chief Ayandele Julius Ayanwumi (left) and Basorun of Igbojaye, Chief Timothy Sulola.

“we knew their parents while growing up, some were our mates while we can tell stories of some of them. All those sitting here were born right before us in Igbojaye.” In addition, Chief Ayanwumi noted that the town is peaceful, more so that they never disrespect our traditional institution. “They have been respecting our traditional institution from the days of their fathers who first came to our town. In the course of our relationship, we have developed mechanism to resolve our differences. Economically, we relate very well. Their wives sell milk and cheese to

Looming crisis in Ilero as herdsmen fight for grazing pasture

Chairman, Ilero community, Alhaji Ganiyu Amuda

Usman Abubakar

DESPITE the good relationship being enjoyed by the people of Ilero, Kajola LGA, that peace seems to be under threat at the moment. Before now, Ilero used to be a major hub of Fulani’s cattle business in the region until one of the leading cattle businessman, Alhaji Kokoko, whose herd is believed to be more than 80 herds, was threatened by incessant attacks and kidnapped by another Fulani sect nicknamed

‘Bororo’ in the region. According to Audu, since Alhaji Kokoko who had been living in the town for more than five decades left for Benin Republic, the cattle business has not been the same again. To corroborate this, the community chairman of Ilero, Alhaji Ganiyu Amuda, said the town used to be peaceful, noting that the Fulanis have been living in Ilero

for decades, until recently. According to Alhaji Ganiyu, “we have co-existed for many years in harmony until recently when the issue of their cattle grazing on farms surfaced. The community is however taking a drastic step in solving the issue to avoid snowballing into a major crisis. Another issue is some bad eggs among them that are into armed robbery, and this is not peculiar to Ilero. Other communities in the region can also attest to it that some bad eggs among the Fulanis are trying to cause chaos.” Usman Abubakar came to Ilero in 1994 as a herdsman. He is currently lamenting the loss of four cattle to the crisis. Abubakar stated that there was an allegation that cattle from his herd grazed on someone’s farm. While trying to resolve the issue, he alleged that some people from the community poisoned the water, and he lost four cattle to the crisis. Also, Alhaji Abubakar said the police was not helping matters, as he noted that “they are just using the Fulani/Yourba crisis to enrich themselves.” He alleged that whenever there is crisis “the police are only interested in making money from the parties, especially from our people. Imagine someone who lost four cattle to the crisis and you are still asking the person to bring money so that you can help resolve the issue?”

us while they also subsidize cattle for us whenever the need arises. The only thing they have not done so far since they’ve been here is to signify political intention,” Chief Ayanwumi stated. The Fulani delegation was led by Mallam Usman, who was also given birth to in Igbojaye over 50 years ago. While stressing the essence of their years of relationship and stay in the town, Usman said “no Fulani can abuse any native in the town with our language. Many Yoruba in this town now speak Fulani fluently.” He added that since their fathers settled down in Igbojaye, there has been mutual relationship with the community. “We have been co-existing peacefully. No problem whatsoever. When we have one, we’ve come up with an understanding on how best to settle it. We were born here and still living here. We grew up to know that we hail from Itesiwaju local Government. I have never been to Ilorin, this land profits us.” And of course, their language and proverbial way of describing issues really confirms that Mallam Usman and his people had really integrated with the people. When asked how they can help in curbing the atrocities of their fellow kinsmen who torment the people of the city, Usman replied; “Ti e ba mu ehoro igbo wa sile, ko le gbele. Bi oro won se ri niyen,” meaning if you bring a hare from the bush, it cannot adhere to the system at all. While the Balogun in Komu, Mosobalaje in Otu dress as Yorubas and even speak ‘Onko’ language synonymous with the local people of Oke-Ogun, others like Usman still prefer to dress the Fulani way and still regard themselves as natives of the town they reside in. While some of them have fully and properly integrated into the main community, living in towns and running their businesses from there, others still prefer to operate from their traditional settlements popularly known as “Gaa Fulani” in the inner farmlands. In Igbojaye, Itesiwaju Local Government, Alhaji Yamusa Bani Gbonke in his sixties married Mrs Tawa Yamusa and the marriage produced three children. Continues on pg27

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Nigerian Tribune

Behold, three-headed palm tree that wages wars against evil in Akure Itaogbolu. On getting to Akure and with the permission of the then Deji of Akure. Pa. Oduyilemi settled at Ipalefa in Akure where he annually worshiped the deity of Obalufon. This further strengthened the bond of relationship between him and Asamo of Akure, who was also the custodian of the same deity of Obalufon in Akure. “However, the love for farming activities spurred Pa Oduyilemi to request for a piece of land from the then Deji of Akure who directed one of his palace chiefs to take Pa Oduyilemi to a large Olu of Aaye, Chief Aderopo Omotosho expanse of land behind Selemo’s land along Oda road in Akure to enable him and his people practice their farming profession. “Pa Oduyilemi was known for his local medicine called “Adin” in Yoruba land which is a potent medicine for healing of children from all sorts of ailments. On their way to occupy the land as authorised by Deji of Akure, Pa Oduyilemi observed a sudden change in whether with signs that rains were Oldest man in Aaye, about to fall. He used his Pa Omolade Olomola mystical powers to communicate with a rock he met on the way to the farmland, requesting it to shield his “Adin” from being beating by the rains so as not to destroy the potency of the medicine. “Seeing the confidence reposed on it, the rock agreed to protect the “Adin” till the time Pa Oduyilemi would need it. The rock later prayed for Pa Oduyilemi that “Omo re aaye” which literally means”Your children will survive” and from that time, no more death of his children. This was how “Aaye” community came into existence.” Speaking about the mysterious palm tree, Olomola explained that the tree was first sighted in the community some years after the community was founded by Oduyilemi. According to him, the palm tree, was never planted by anybody but just appeared mysteriously which he described as a strange development to the people living in the community then. “Sacrifices were made by Oduyilemi to unravel the mystery behind this strange palm tree. After series of fact-finding from the oracle, It was revealed that it came to live with A mysteriously looking three-branch palm tree in Aaye community, in Akure them to guide and guard them against war and enemies, and they all agreed to settle South Local Government Area of Ondo State enjoys the status of a deity. permanently on the land as their place of

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI looks at the myths and beliefs surrounding the existence of this three–headed palm tree in Aaye community.

itting over a plot of land, in Aaye Community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, is this mysterious three-headed Palm tree which is accorded the status of deity while the whole people within the community regard and see this special tree as a protector of the land against evils. The palm tree will continue to be relevant as long as the people of the community live. Virtually all the plots of land in the community have been sold, but as a mark of reverence, the community decided not to touch the land that occupies the strange tree and one other palm tree which is regarded as its Second in Command. However, the people of the land attached enormous spiritual importance to the three-

headed Palm tree which stands adjacent to the palace of the traditional ruler of the small community but to a visitor, seeing the palm tree for the first time with its strange features, it is another work of nature. Speaking about the origin of the Palm tree, the oldest man in Aaye, Pa Omolade Olomola, said the history of the palm tree was as old as that of the community. According to Olomola, Aaye community was founded over three centuries ago by the late Pa Oduyilemi, a farmer who migrated from Idoani to Akure to seek refuge due to incessant wars and invasions of warriors from neighboring communities and states. He said: “Pa Oduyilemi was accompanied by his two sisters and younger brother, called Owoso who later settled at a place in

The community has to locate the palace of the monarch very close to the three-headed palm tree while the land that housed the tree has been carved out as a tourist centre.

abode since then.” He said further that the Palm tree had two heads when it first appeared but after a while mysteriously disappeared when the settlers were moving out of the community in search of a place for farming. He said the people were scared with the disappearance of the Palm tree but when they contacted the oracles, they were assured that the Palm tree will resurface. He said: “The palm tree was said to have been noticed with two heads (branches) when it first appeared. However, some years later, the palm tree mysteriously disappeared after noticing that the settlers were moving away from the interior wilderness to a nearby community. This disappearance further aroused the inquisitiveness of Oduyilemi which made him to inquire further from the oracle what could have led to the development. The palm tree, through the oracle told the people that it would soon come back to join them wherever they moved to and after some years, the people suddenly noticed that the palm tree had resurfaced at their new settlement but with three heads which gave the people of Aaye the assurance that it was indeed a strange being who actually came to settle with them for a purpose. “Another mystery noticed about the three headed palm tree was that whenever there was fire outbreak in the area or its surrounding, the fire always spared the two Palm trees, no matter the density of the fire outbreak. “It is forbidden for anybody to venture into tapping wine or harvesting the kernel of the palm tree till today. The second palm tree standing beside this mysterious palm was regarded by the people of Aaye as “the second in command” to the three headed palm tree,” Olomola said. The traditional Head of the community, Olu of Aaye, Chief Aderopo Omotosho, said that the palm tree was a symbol of peace, and source of progress to all sons and daughters of the community, including residents of the community. The monarch disclosed that all the people of Aaye do gather to worship and make some sacrifices to the palm tree during an annual festival tagged “Opesepo” which comes up once in a year. He said the people of the land had been experiencing unprecedented peace from time immemorial. The Olu of Aaye said further that every indigene and residents of the community adhered to the annual rituals and occasionally people visit the area to offer sacrifice and to the mysterious tree. The community has to locate the palace of the monarch very close to the three-headed palm tree while the land that housed the tree has been carved out as a tourist centre. However, a University Don, Dr. MoyinJesu Emmanuel, demystified the belief attributed attached to the Palm tree as myth and viewed the existence of this palm tree differently from the mystical beliefs of the people of Aaye. Emmanuel, an agronomist and lecturer at the Federal College of Agriculture in Akure explained that a process led to the development known as bifurcation. According to him, many factors responsible for the formation of the tree-headed palm tree which he said could happen in one out of 100 cases. He backed his claims with some scientific analysis, maintaining that the reason for this could be as a result of exposure of the palm tree to external factors such as heat and fire during the course of germination which could change the number of chromosomes either below or above the normal number of chromosomes in plants.

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consider our kingdom for their investment, we are also scouting for tertiary institutions. We are talking to our people to support these lofty efforts by releasing their land for gigantic projects in Odigbo kingdom as we have more than enough land to accommodate as many investments as possible.

AS the 18th Orunja of Odigbo kingdom is set to ascend the royal stool of his forebears, Oba Olugboyega Akinrinmade Adebusoye I, in this chat with GBENGA OPADOTUN, appeals to FG and investors to take advantage of large deposit of bitumen in his domain. Excerpts:

How do you feel about obas battling for supremacy among themselves? I believe there is hierarchy among the obas. There should be sovereignty as well. But an oba is an oba. I believe we should respect ourselves. An oba should not be inferior to any oba while an oba should also not oppress a brother oba. Already, we have classes among ourselves.

AABIYESI, what were you doing before your selection as Orunja of Odigbo kingdom? I was an accountant with Ondo State Local Government Service Commission as a civil servant. I voluntarily retired from the commission after putting in about 32 years to ascend the throne of my forefathers. What prompted your interest in the throne? I have never dreamt I could be Orunja. I see my emergence as a divine intervention. Infact, I was compelled to ascend the throne. My father was Oba E. O. Akinrinmade. He once occupied the throne and that could be one of the reasons that prompted me to wear his shoes. I was even born on the throne during the reign of my father. About eight of us struggled for the throne as male children in our ruling house out of which I was presented to the kingmakers. The kingmakers consulted far and wide before arriving at my choice. In an African context, losers will always complain, but, today they are cooperating with me to move Odigbo community forward. They are now working with me on how to develop our town. They know that the selection process was free

Nigerian Tribune

Take advantage of bitumen in Odigbo, Orunja tells FG, investors and fair. I extended my hand of fellowship to them and they accepted.

How many ruling houses are eligible for Odigbo royal stool? We have five ruling houses rotating the Orunja stool. They are Orunsero, Akingboye, Akinrodolu, Adebusoye and Adeolu ruling houses. Orunsero was the first Orunja of Odigbo kingdom. Others were co-founders. Orunselu is the real owner of the town. As you ascend the throne, what are your plans for the community? Odigbo kingdom has a large deposit of bitumen. We are working round the clock to draw the attention of the Federal Government

and prospective investors to this God-given natural deposit. This will definitely shoot Odigbo to limelight. We also have hectares of land for local and foreign investors to tap. We are very reliable and hardworking. So, we are going to focus on our natural and human

resources to develop our kingdom to make it an Eldorado. Initially, our people were reluctant to release their land to investors, we are going to change this orientation so as to attract people to invest their money in Odigbo kingdom. We have been clamouring for industrialists to

I believe there is hierarchy among the obas. There should be sovereignty as well. But an oba is an oba. I believe we should respect ourselves.

As a retired local government staff, what is your view on Joint Allocation Accounts (JAAC) system across councils? It is a bad system. Allocation accruing to local government should go directly to their accounts. JAAC is pruned to abuse as it is not clear at all, it has negative effect on the people at the grass roots. They don’t declare the actual allocation meant for local governments. They will call them to a meeting and allocate the funds to them. The system is very unfair as it is only the state government that benefits from it. What advice do you have for your subjects at home and in the diaspora? I enjoin them to come back home and invest as only odigbo people could develop Odigbo the way it should be. They should know that there is no better place than their kingdom.

Fulani embracing Western, nomadic education Continues from pg25

Mallam Yamusa said he dreamt of marrying a Yoruba woman and had that dream fulfilled by marrying a Yoruba woman as his third wife. According Yamusa, in his staggering Yoruba language despite never being to his home town since birth, “It never came as accident. I wish to have a Yoruba woman as a wife and it came to pass. But for the records, I married her as a girl, not that I took another man’s wife.” His wife, Mrs Tawa Yamusa, who cant speak Fulani, revealed that the marriage which was contracted in 1993 has produced three children, and is still working till today. “It all started as a relationship and it blossomed into marriage. He paid my dowry as husband. He has built a house for me. He never forced any business on me because some people expected that maybe I should be selling cow milk as some of their women do. “I was in school while the relationship started. I chose the business I wish to venture into then. Initially, I was selling bread and egg including some provisions, later I added liquor and

soft drinks which I still sell till today. And to the glory of God, he has built a house for me here in Igbojaye.” Her children also cannot speak Fulani because they are not living

with the family. Interestingly, one of them has also married a Yoruba girl. Another example is that of Audu Rabiu’s family in Ilero, Kajola Local Government.

Audu, a butcher from Zamfara State came to Ilero around 30 years ago. Four years after, he married a native of Ilero, Modinat. Today, both Audu and Modinat’s union is a reference point in the city. The mar-

‘As Fulani, we also dread Bororos’ CHIEF Alimi Ismaila Jawuro, the head of the Fulani community in Otu, aged 51 was born in Ipapo to the late Alimi Sule who reared cattle down to the south from Kwara State. Like others, Chief Jawuro revealed that the resident Fulanis also dreaded ‘Bororo herdsmen,’ stating that they always destroyed people and their host communities. He revealed that their menace became more terrifying because some traditional rulers got influenced and imposed them as leaders on the resident Fulanis. “To segregate them from Nigerian Fulanis is even headache for the immigration officers, except by the nature of their hair. They come down from Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger, Kano, Zamfara, Adamawa, Jigawa and Kaduna. Along their routes, they cause crisis on their way down south. They are wicked. It is not all the Fulanis that are like. But these set, most of who are contracted herdsmen inflict injury on their host. “No resident Fulani, who was born

in Yorubaland, especially most of us whose children are now indigenes like us will never, quote me, be dangerous like that. This is our town. Our fathers came and gave birth to us and we have also given birth to children. They are empowered by Yoruba leaders in the community. They entice a strong person in the Yoruba community before they begin to exhibit their trait. At that point, they would become untouchables, to an extent that even if they wreak havoc on Yorubas, they lean on these influential leaders.” For donkey years, the two tribes have co-existed, sharing land, customs, traditions, and even inter-marrying. Today, it noteworthy to know that very high number of Fulanis have fully integrated into their host communities. Some have made advantage of the indigenisation policy by birth and long stay to lay claim to the towns they currently reside in. This is not peculiar to a particular town, local government or area, but depends on the hospitability of the host communities.

Chief Alimi Ismaila Jawuro

riage has produced five children. Also, Jabi Buge is currently enjoying his marriage to a Fulani woman and even proudly says “I’m also planning to marry a Yoruba woman.”

28 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

l, o o h c s in e c in r P s a Acted r e t la s r a e y g in k e m beca •The story of Olu of Ile-Ogbo

The story of the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Ayedire Local Government Council, Osun State, Oba Abeeb Adetoyese Agbaje is that of a child of destiny who innocently acted a play of his history as a pupil. TUNDE BUSARI writes

URING the rehearsal of an end-of the-year drama presentation, his teacher randomly picked him to play the role of a traditional ruler. That was at the DC Primary School, Ile-Ogbo, in the then former Western Region of Nigeria. The little, hardworking boy did not only interpret the role to the expectation of his teachers, he also captivated the large audience and went home with his stage name-Kadarawhich stuck to him till date. Theater practitioners have, at different fora, argued about the spiritual power inherent in performing art. The journey of Kadara from a poor, struggling prince to the Olu of Ile-Ogbo seems to have confirmed their submission. Retrospectively, the monarch attributed the safe voyage only to the grace of God given the number of hurdles he jumped with each leaving an indelible mark in his memory. In view of those experiences, he declares that without sorrow there is no success, suggestive that both are siamese twins. But if one perseveres and remains in the battle field, he sermonises, victory is not negotiable. Nevertheless, Kadaras admonishes that it is good for one to set forth before dawn because, according to him, time waits for no one. “I realised this very early and traveled out of town to live with my cousin in Lagos at Ajegunle-Apapa. He was into carpentry and I always joined him in the vocation. But along the line I was no more comfortable with it. “I realized I needed to go to secondary school and found my way back home. I enrolled at Luther King Secondary School, Ile-Ogbo and later proceeded to the then Oyo State College of Education, Ila Orangun. I studied Guidance and Counseling,” he recalled. Kadara’s student life was characterised by different activities which earned him fame among students and lecturers. In his little way, he was said to have been a philanthropist and brothers’ keeper, an attribute which also earned him a place in the Students Representatives Council (SRC), an assembly of the Students Union. His leadership quality came to the fore during an impasse in the Students Union leading to a call for the impeachment of the Students Union president. Joined by a few like minds, Kadara saved the president and consequently saved the school of students’ unrest that could have followed the impeachment.

His modest success propelled him to divest and Kadara went into Oil and Gas and later cement distributorship.

With higher education certificate in his kitty, Kadara was set to take the world by storm, after all he was a qualified teacher who could conveniently secure a job in secondary school and build his career. His sixth sense, however, instructed him to further explore the inner resources deposited in him. What does that mean? He had to think and indeed look beyond his certificate to build the personality of his dream. He then returned to Lagos, a place which he believed had lots of opportunities for him to express himself. This time, he was more confident due to his school experience and his NCE Certificate. Surprisingly, instead of searching for job in a school and earn salary with the prospect of enrolling at the University of Lagos or Lagos State University for a degree in Education, Kadara did the unthinkable. He kept his certificate and took to the streets to sell newspapers. “I saw an opportunity in vending papers and went for it. I was known in Ikeja, Oshodi and other areas. If you saw me then you won’t believe I had an NCE. I blended with my colleagues in the business in a way that even surprised me too. One should find joy in whatever one is doing. It is by doing this that doors of opportunities will open. “Within five years, I got a job at the then Concord Press. The General Manager, Alhaji Mukaila Adeogun, helped me to secure the job. Later I was given distributorship deal which grew and attracted another deal at The Guardian. I was popular among circulation personnel of most of the papers including those of Nigerian Tribune,” he also recalled with a smile of fulfillment. His modest success propelled him to divest and Kadara went into Oil and Gas and later cement distributorship, employing no fewer than 150 people. When his town lost its traditional ruler in 2010 and the stool declared vacant, Kadara’s pastor at his Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Ago Adura Gbogbo eniyan, Ile-epo, Oja, Lagos, Pastor Timothy Jegede told him that his people were awaiting him to succeed the passing king. Though a prince who was qualified to enter the succession race, yet his pastor’s unexpected but divine message hit him like an arrow. And having been a beneficiary of the pastor’s spiritual guide, he shook off the shock and prepared his mind for the task ahead with fervent prayer and fasting. Of the five ruling houses in Ile-Ogbo, it was the turn of Arowo-okunjoye to produce the new king. The ruling house comprises Onijaye and Olodo’s compounds. Then Kadara and seven other princes signified interest in the stool. A blunt Kadara, while recalling the moment of the race, revealed that the contest for the throne was and still is not meant for the pauper. He noted that aside from God, his big pocket substantially helped him to triumph over his co-contestants and clinch the stool. The Olu of Ile-Ogbo said the demand of the kingmakers, which contestants must, as a matter of necessity, meet, is an obstacle to a financially weak contestant. This, he stressed, is what is operative in every part of Yorubaland because of the prestige attached to the palace.

Nigerian Tribune

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

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Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Suspected killer of General Shuwa arrested As Army frees 400 hostages, captures terrorists Kola Oyelere-Kano

PERATIVES of the Nigerian Military Intelligence have arrested the suspected killer of Major General Mohammed Shuwa (retd). The suspect was arrested in Kano area of Kano State.

Shuwa was murdered in his residence in Maiduguri, Borno State. The murder was suspected to have been carried out by members of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram, on November 2, 2012. The retired military officer was the first General Officer Commanding of

the Nigerian Army’s 1st Division. He also commanded the Nigerian Army’s 1st Division during the Nigerian Civil War. The spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, confirmed the arrest of the suspect.

Usman said the suspect would be paraded in Kano where he was arrested. Meanwhile, troops fighting Boko Haram terrorists under the auspices of Operation Lafita Dole have arrested nine Boko Haram terrorists hiding in foxholes. The terrorists were arrested by troops of the 22 Bri-

Governor Adams Oshiomhole (right), paying obeisance to Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, the Edaiken n’Uselu, during his condolence visit to the palace, on the transition of Oba Erediauwa, on Monday.

Sustain Oba Erediauwa’s legacies, Oshiomhole tasks Benin crown prince GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has condoled with the crowned Prince of Benin Kingdom, Eheneden Eradiauwa, on the demise of his father, Oba Erediauwa, Uku Akpolokpolo. Oshiomhole, who condoled with the crown prince, during a visit at Uselu on Monday, urged him to sustain the legacies of his father. He said the news of Oba’s transition came to him as a huge shock. “Though a statement had already been issued by my

office on the life and times of the Oba, we are consoled that the vacuum created will be filled by a true royal crown prince. “The crowned prince has sufficiently gone through the rigours of life and royalty. “The late Oba was not only a unifying factor to the people of the state, but to the nation in general. I, therefore, appeal that the legacies and national respect he commands be sustained,’’ he said. Responding, the Edaiken thanked the governor for

the visit, and said there was not much to say as his heart was heavy and grieving due to the demise of his father. The crown prince appre-

N20bn bailout: Bello lied —Wada Yinka Oladoyinbo-Loioja THE immediate past governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, on Monday, faulted the claims of his successor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on the status of the N20 billion bailout fund approved by the Cen-

New Edo minimum wage Greek gift too late —PDP Banji Aluko -Benin City THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has described the May Day announcement by the state government of increase in the minimum wage for civil servants in the state from N18,000 to N25,000 as a Greek gift and politics taken too far. The party also described the increment as hasty and a betrayal of trust on the part of the Edo State government, accusing Governor Adams Oshiomhole of announcing the increment at a time the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was negotiating a N56,000 minimum wage

for civil servants. State chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, who stated this in a signed statement made available to journalists in Benin, the Edo State capital, said everybody in Edo State knew that the real challenge in the state civil service was about recruiting employable youths into the service and not about deceiving the people with unrealistic wage increase. Orbih said, while the number of political appointees of the governor had continued to increase on daily basis, that of the civil servants had continually dwindled owing to death of workers and retirement of existing workers without replacing them,

ciated the governor’s assistance and contributions to the palace, as well as the development achieved so far in the state.

gade Garrison on Sunday, as they continued the clearing of remnants of members of Boko Haram. Four villages were cleared by the troops in Borno State. The villages were Cinga, Mallum Maja, Bosuma and Murye. The terrorists, according to the Nigerian Army, were armed with dangerous weapons and had been terrorising the communities. During the operations, three Boko Haram terrorists were killed, while nine of them, who tried hiding in foxholes and dugouts, were identified and captured alive. Items said to have been recovered from them included nine Dane guns, three machetes, one bow with arrows and six motorcycles used by the Boko Haram terrorists to ferry slaughtered cow meats to Boko Haram terrorists hideouts. Other items recovered included one tricycle, four Tiger generators and one solar panel. The troops also recovered 300 herds of cattle rustled by the Boko Haram terrorists from Fulani herdsmen and handed over to their rightful owners. Similarly, 400 persons held hostage by the terrorists were rescued and set free. The statement by the Nigerian Army, signed by its spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, added: “It is gratifying to state that we have not sustained any casualty to own troops and equipment and troops morale remain very high.”

adding that the salary increase was too little too late. He said: “This is a Greek gift to Edo workers considering the fact that the governor has continually neglected workers’ welfare and treated them with disdain before now. Who does not know the motive behind this fake gesture that is coming at a time every state in the federation is facing economic recession? “As of the time of the windfall, he (Oshiomhole) didn’t pay workers for many months. Right now, local government workers are being owed over six months salary. Retirees’ pensions and entitlements are also not being paid under Oshiomhole’s watch.

tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying the governor lied on the issue. Wada stated that there was no truth in the assertion that the new administration had to apply afresh for intervention fund from the Federal Government. The former governor, in a statement issued in Abuja, by his Chief Communications Manager, Mr Phrank Shaibu, stated that it was part of the bailout fund approved for the state during his tenure that the CBN released, adding that Governor Bello could not have fulfilled the conditions precedent for a state to benefit from such a fund. “It is curious that Governor Bello announced that the CBN has approved N20 billion as part of the N50 billion bailout fund applied for. It was the same N50 billion we requested for out of which N20 billion was to have been released before the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government created bottlenecks to frustrate us from getting the bailout.

But the coincidence in the figures leaves a very sour taste in the mouth,” he noted. The former governor wondered how the new administration could have applied for a bailout when there was no state executive council in place to approve, neither had the state assembly met to deliberate on the application, nor the staff audit embarked on by Bello to determine the exact overhead cost completed. “Since the advent of the new administration, commissioners have not been appointed. So, can the state executive council have met to approve the application? The state House of Assembly has been in turmoil since January this year. Could some ghost lawmakers have been employed to approve the application? And has the current staff audit ended as to have determined the monthly workers pay? How was the so called fresh application done without meeting these conditions,” he asked.

Police recruitment: PSC receives 843,008 applications THE Police Service Commission (PSC) said it received 843,008 applications as of 1.00p.m on Monday from applicants seeking enlistment into the Nigeria Police. This was contained in an update issued by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission in Abuja, on Monday. He said 243,327 applications were received for Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) cadre. Ani added that 197,990 and 401,691 applicants applied for the Inspector and Police Constable (PC) cadres respectively. The commission recently said, in a statement, that it would recruit 500 Cadet ASP, 500 Cadet Inspectors, 1,500 Specialist Officers and 7, 500 Constables in the recruitment of 10,000 policemen. NAN reported that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the recruitment of 10,000 policemen into the nation’s Police Force to reinforce the police for better service. NAN also reported that the exercise would close on May 13.

Hundreds defect to PDP in Etsako West LGA Banji Aluko -Benin City THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again vowed to capture Edo State in the September 10 governorship election after about 600 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) dumped their parties for the PDP in Etsako West Local Government Area. The defectors, who pledged their loyalty to the PDP, at a reception organised for the newly-swornin lawmaker representing Etsako West II in the state House of Assembly, Honourable Sylvanus Eruaga, held in Afashio-Uzaire, said with their defection, the process of annihilating the APC in the council had begun. Among the hundreds of defectors were a two-time councillor in the council, Honourable Atogwe Oghie; former APC youth leader in Ward 12 of the council, Otis Mohammed; Alhassan Enahela and Nicholas Sedi.

businessnews

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Why state govts remain in finanical mess —Experts Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

herd of finance,legal and economic experts have observed that State Governments are still having difficulty paying basic salaries to workers and will continue to ask for Federal Government’s help because of bad governance, selfish diversion of funds, wrong project priority, Nigeria’s centralised revenue generation and sharing mechanism as well as limited scope in raising revenue from their governing territories. These they say, creates a perverse incentive structure favouring central dependence and lack of creativity among the states in raising Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). After listening to state governors’ request on 28th April, President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to make more money available to help them over the prevailing financial difficulties that have made it impossible for states to pay their workers’ salaries for months. The proposed palliatives to ameliorate their fiscal challenges include: an 18-month moratorium on loans before resuming servicing, direct financial intervention and commitment of the Federal Government (FGN) to a Fiscal Restructuring Plan for Federating units which is yet to be made publicly available. Economic and finance experts from an investment banking and research company, Afrinvest West Africa identified unchecked spending which has increased the operating expenses of sub-nationals and increase in minimum wage in 2011 as part of the problems that will keep States in financial mess. According to Afrinvest,Foreign and Domestic debt of states have remained too high compared to revenue as the duo went from US$2.0billion

and N1.2 trillion in 2011 to $3.4 billion and N1.7trillion in 2014; while IGR only improved from N401.4 billion to N707.9 billion within the same period. “Total debt stock of subnationals in 2014 was 3.2x of their IGR in the period. “Lack of a sovereign status and weak municipal

debt market further complicates the fiscal health of sub-nationals with creditors unwilling to grant credit access to indebted States to refinance their debt obligations,”Afrinvest observed. The experts are worried that despite falling oil prices,many State Govern-

bank to 19 states totalling N338.0billion and sharing from Excess Crude Account and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas dividend proceeds have not improved the fiscal health status and also raise moral hazard questions as they came with few strings attached.

From left, CEO, Bhaujet Ventures, an Airtel channel partner, Bunmi Odubanjo; Deputy Governor, Ogun State, Yetunde Onanuga; Chairman, Wema Bank, Ade Asekun and Babajide Odubanjo, at the official opening of Bhaujet Venture’s Airtel Express Shop in Lekki, Lagos.

Lafarge Africa grosses N52bn in Q1 2016 By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

LAFARGE Africa Plc, a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, has reported revenue of N52 Billion and an Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of N5.1 billion in the first quarter of 2016. The performance was in spite of the challenging overall economic conditions accentuated by temporary production challenges during the quarter. The company is, however, optimistic of a better performance in the remaining quarters of the year. According to the CEO, Mr. Michel Puchercos, while commenting on the results, “In spite of the macroeconomic challenges, our company will continue to

deliver good performance with significant upsides to come as we conclude on the integration journey to form Lafarge Africa Plc. The new organisation of the Company is much stronger and better positioned to deliver operational excellence and improve value to our shareholders.” The company in a statement said, “We expect 2016 to be a vibrant year, driven mostly by the Individual Home Segment

both the upstream segment which includes mining and benefication of Iron ore into concentrates and the downstream activities of processing the concentrates into steel and conversion of steel into automobiles and household appliances and building equipment required immediate revival. He argued that the government should develop its steel industry so as to diversify the economy and reduce

and we are confident about the future. Our objective is to deliver innovative and quality building solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers, while also achieving good value creation for our shareholders,” the statement read. The statement added, “The new line at Eastern Nigeria (Mfamosing plant) will be commissioned during the second half of the year, while the ReadyMix business continues to se-

cure high quality contracts to deliver strong performance in the year. “The South African cement market will remain challenging, but we are confident in our ability to develop the business through a renewed sales force team and route to market initiatives. Furthermore, we have renewed strategies for our Aggregates & ReadyMix business which would support overall future business growth in the year.”

6 banks’ Q1 impairment charges give shareholders hope Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

HOPE seem to be alive for shareholders as rising credit losses which has been a general trend in the banking sector may have started improving as lenders report lower impairment charges in their first quarter of 2016. Nigerian Tribune checks over the weekend revealed that the positive outlook was as a result of improvement on the banks’ risk management, leading to lower impairment charges and cost of risk (COR) for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2016, An analysis of Q1 results released by six top banksDiamond Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Zenith Bank Plc- showed that while total loans and advances increased in Q1 of 2016, the impairment charges reduced, indicating improved risk management. In terms of impairment charges, Fidelity Bank Plc recorded impairment charge of N739 million, down fromN1.020 billion posted in March 2015. However, Diamond Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc recorded increased provisions. For Diamond Bank, its impairment charge stood at N8.81 billion compared to N6.47 billion in the same period of 2015 reflecting its continued prudent provisioning. Zenith Bank’s impairment charges rose to the tune of N2.577 billion, up from N2.090 billion.

Vodacom business Nigeria wins two awards at BoICT By Bode Adewumi VODACOM Business Nigeria walked away with two industry awards at the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards ceremony; a merit-centric celebration aimed at rewarding best practices and

Give attention to steel to industrialise Nigeria, FG told THE Federal Government has been urged to give special attention to revive the Iron and steel industry for urgent transformation of the country to an industrial nation. THE Chief Executive of Kam Industries, Alhaji Kamorudeen Yusuf made the call during the foundation of Kam Integrated Steel Project, Jimba-Oja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. According to Alhaji Yusuf,

ments’ in 2016 budgeted for increased expenditures whereas recent efforts to tackle the financial problems have been piecemeal. The states according to the experts, are likely to continue to experience financial difficulties because earlier bailout funds from the central

Nigerian Tribune

the pressure of overdependent on the Petroleum industry. “With continued pressure on the Naira, it becomes crucial that a new approach by the current administration drawing experiences of other climes such as Brazil, Guinea and South Korea which have successfully developed and transformed their mining industries using targetted policies. This should be adopted, he suggested.”

recognition of outstanding contributions to the growth of ICT in Nigeria. The BoICT Awards was instituted by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, Nigeria’s leading technology publication. At the BoICT awards ceremony, which was held in Lagos, Vodacom Business Nigeria representatives walked away with two outstanding awards which were the Enterprise Solution Provider of the Year, an award the company won in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and Cloud Service Provider of the Year, another award the company has won for three years, back-to-back since 2014. This year over 1.3 million readers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek voted in the different categories with Vodacom Business Nigeria

emerging as the clear winner in Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year and Cloud Services Provider of the Year categories. Brimming with pride on the back of this accolade, the company’s Managing Director, Mr Lanre Kolade said, “We are extremely proud and honored to receive these excellent awards that recognise our leadership in total communication solutions and cloud services. We were up against some of the most accomplished global players in the industry, winning the awards is a very proud moment for the Vodacom Business Nigeria team. We will continue to deliver services that raise the bar in the market.” Vodacom Business Nigeria has bagged over twelve local and international Industry

awards in recent years which include ICT Infrastructure Provider of the Year at the BoICT Awards, Best African Wholesale Offering at the Capacity Awards, GSM Backhaul Operator of the Year at the Innovation Awards, Enterprise Solution of the Year Award for its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution at the CAIA Awards, First Class Customer Service and Wireless Network Infrastructure Innovation Award, both at the SatCom Stars Awards. Vodacom Business Nigeria provides high-speed Internet services, wireless broadband and international VPNs, Pan-African data networks, enterprise voice, machine-to-machine solutions, hosting services, system integration and maintenance.

south-westnews

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Anisulowo: Police offer N5m for information on kidnappers Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

HE Ogun State Police Command has offered a sum of N5 million to any member of the public

that can furnish security agencies on the abduction of Senator Iyabo Anisulowo. Anisulowo, a former Minister of State for Education, was kidnapped last

Wednesday, at her farm in Sawonjo/Iganokoto area of the state. This declaration was made by the state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, after a security

meeting with other security chiefs, including the Commander 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta, Brigadier General S. Danwalis and the Director of

From left, wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; the celebrant and wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun; wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode; wife of Osun State governor, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola and others, during a Green Education for the Youth (GEFTY) programme to commemorate 50th birthday of Mrs Amosun, at the Hubert Ogunde Hall, Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday.

Buhari, Osinbajo, Danjuma, others celebrate Amosun’s wife at 50 Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta EMINENT Nigerians, including the wife of the President and Vice-President, Mrs Aishat Buhari and Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the ministers of Finance and Environment, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Mrs Aminat Muhammed, were among dignitaries that celebrated the 50th birthday anniversary of the wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, on Monday. Others were the Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo (Jnr), former Chief of Defence Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) and his wife, Daisy, wives of the governors of Osun, Lagos, Imo and Kebbi states and the deputy governor of Osun State, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori. Former Judge of the Hague, Prince Bola Ajibola, the paramount rulers of Egba, Ijebu and Yewa, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Oba Kayode Adetona and Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olowu of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu and the Osile of Oke-Ona

Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, among others. Mrs Buhari, in her short message at the ceremony held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, urged wives of governors of the states of the federation to

emulate Mrs Amosun’s programme on environment in their respective states. She also advised the celebrant to take her advocacy on making the environment green to other 35 states in the country.

She later presented a made in Nigeria Shea Butter to the celebrant. Part of the activities to mark the day was an environmental discourse tagged “Greening the Environment.”

Why APC can’t win again in 2019 —Fayose EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) should forget winning again in 2019, boasting that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will win and form the government at the federal level in 2019 because the ruling APC has failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. Fayose, who spoke on Sunday night, on the Channels Television Sunday Politics, also accused the APC of failing to fulfil the various promises made to the people. He also said rather than improving the lot of Nigerians since it came to power, the APC had worsened the situation. “Let me explain something to you; it is not what the opposition (APC) did before 2015 that made them win, it is what the party in power (PDP) failed

to do. In a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor, during the interview said, “When the party in government (APC) fails to provide fuel; queues are back in filling stations, they are daily trimming their promises. The exchange rate has almost killed the naira, average men can no longer do things, businesses are dead. You can’t import anymore. You can’t pay school fees of your children, power supply is terribly low and unbearable, herdsmen are killing people on a daily basis. Things are not working for Nigerians now. We are at the lowest ebb of our lives. “I was a young man of 24 when Buhari was Head of State, the same attitude he showed between 1984 and 1985 is what he is displaying today. The reason why they took government from him at that time is still play-

ing out today,” he said. He, however, commended the current regime for the fight against insurgents, adding that the menace of Fulani herdsmen was wiping out such gains. On the insinuation that the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, will contest the 2019 presidential election, Fayose said that would not be possible because the rules of the PDP would not allow that. “I take exception to that. How would he come out and say he wants to be president? Where? Don’t ask me questions based on packaging of opposition saying Fayose wants to be vice president. “If I want to be vice president of Nigeria, I would show interest legitimately. I’m a young man, it’s quite deserving, even people mentioning my name gladdens my heart.”

Department of State Security, Ogun State, Mr Kabir Sanni and some senior officers of the command. Ali appealed to members of the public to give useful information that could assist in the rescue operation of the kidnapped victim. He said anyone with reliable information can get across to the Commissioner of Police Ogun State, on 09020911911 or PPRO Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi on 08081774631, or officer in charge of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Gbenga Megbope on 08081766937 or any security agency around him. He assured any informant of adequate confidentiality and security as every information on this will be made confidential.

Nigerian Tribune

Aragbada mourns death of six Ekiti doctors A former newspaper editor and retired bank executive, Mr Phil Aragbada, has described the death of six Ekiti-based doctors, through a road accident on their way to Sokoto State for the annual convention of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), as an egregious fatality. In a release issued in Ibadan, Mr Aragbada said that the death was a national calamity that no amount of condolence could efface its grief from the hearts of their kiths and kins, Ekiti State people, colleagues and the medical association in general. While praying to God Almighty to give the immediate family of the victims, colleagues, and the entire people and government of Ekiti State the strength to bear the agony of this great loss, he called on the state government to immortalise the names of the doctors who met their untimely death in the course of serving the nation and humanity.

Impact assessment display on Ondo Free Trade Zone Oyo PDP federal project begins constituency tomorrow affirms Santos as

THE Ondo State government’s efforts at actualising its dream of a Free Trade Zone has recorded a major breakthrough as a public display of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project has been slated for tomorrow, May 4, through June 1 this year. According to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, the public display is at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Environment, which is acting in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act, which makes it mandatory for proponents of all new major development activities to carry out such assessment on their proposed projects. In view of this, Akinmade offered, the Federal Ministry of Environment has announced a “21 working days public notice for information and comments on the draft Environment Impact Assessment report earlier submitted by the state government.” He said five centres have been approved for the display exercise and they include the headquarters of the Ilaje Local Government Area in the state, the state Ministry of Environment, Alagbaka in Akure, Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Akure, among other centres in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

leader, commends national chairman By Tunde Ogunesan

MEMBERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo Federal constituency, have affirmed that the party still remains one entity under the leadership of Alhaji Yekini Ademola, popularly known as Santos and commended the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Alimodu Sheriff, for his effort at repositioning the party. The group made this known in a resolution signed by 13 members, a copy made available to journalists at the end of a meeting held at the constituency office at Hospital road, Oyo, at the weekend. According to the resolution jointly signed by Alhaji Yekini Ademola (Santos) Oyo East, Rt honourable Atilola Moruf (former Speaker Oyo House of Assembly), Honourable Saheed Arowosaye (Arosad), Jelili Adedeji (Alala), Honourable Lanre Bello (West), Honourable Ayoola Kolawole (Arabambi) Afijio, Rt Honourable Asimiyu Alarape (Atiba), Ambassador Makinde Akinlabi (Afijio), Wole Akanbi (Afijio), Mrs Abosede Ayoola (Atiba), Jimi, Mumuni Owolabi, among others.

south-westnews Ekiti doctors: Why I am being persecuted —CMD 33

By Bayo Alade

HE chief medical director of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele, has called on the minister of health and the Federal Government to save the institution from total destruction and individuals, which he referred to as terrorists, so that the huge government investment toward the development of the health sector

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

would not be wasted. Dr Ayodele who spoke with journalists at the weekend said the call was necessary, as a result of events which arose after the demise of five Ekiti doctors, who were on their way to the national conference of the National Medical Association in Sokoto, penultimate weekend. He added that since then, some hoodlums had held the hospital by the jugular, disrupting its peace by clos-

ing it up and covering the entrance with fetish items and idols. The hoodlums, he said, had also been preventing workers of the institution from carrying out their duties through physical assault and harassment. Narrating the events which culminated in the situation, Dr Ayodele said some of the characters involved in the crisis were disgruntled elements within the institution, who were accusing him of using dia-

bolical means to eliminate the doctors as well as not being sensitive to the situation when news broke that the doctors had died in an accident. Narrating the efforts made by him immediately the news broke, Dr Ayodele said he arrived in Sokoto on that same day and immediately he learnt of the accident from one Dr Yemisi Abidakun, he immediately called one of his friends, Dr Taiwo Lateef Sheikh to

ensure that there were no casualties among survivors. Apart from that, he said he was making efforts to contact FTH Ido Ekiti, but was not successful. He had to return to Ekiti to get in touch with the families of the deceased to commiserate with them. ‘’Right now, I am mourning. I am still in shock because two of the deceased doctors were from my own hospital. They were my colleagues who I have worked closely with.’’

Nigerian Tribune

His accusers, he said, came up with spurious allegations just to nail him, accusing him that 42 members of staff had died in 42 months under his watch, saying he was totally innocent of the accusations. He added that majority of his accusers were involved in the ongoing campaign of calumny because when he assumed the post of CMD, he effectively cut off all avenues of corrupt practices which had become a thing of the past in the institution.

Ondo 2016: I have no preferred candidate —Deji of Akure Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleosho (middle), surrounded by friends and well-wishers , cutting his 78th birthday cake, on Saturday.

Encomiums as Koleoso celebrates 78th birthday IT was a stream of encomiums as a former Secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG) and former National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy, Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleoso, celebrated his 78th birthday amidst pomp and ceremony at his Saki country home, on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, which was attended by representatives of the 10 local government councils in Oke-Ogun and members of Oyo State House of Assembly, Pa John Adegboola, a long time associate of the celebrant, described Chief Koleoso as a man of candour whose love for the truth was unparalleled. He said, “Michael will always say the truth irrespective of whose ox is gored. His love for the truth makes some people to feel uneasy whenever they are with him and so distance themselves from him at the earliest available opportunity.” Also speaking, Chief Isaac Koleoso, the celebrant’s immediate younger brother paid glowing tribute to Chief Koleoso saying “he made me what I am today and I will continue to follow his footsteps.” In his own tribute, Hon Gbenga Oyekola, a member of Oyo State House of As-

sembly, representing Atiba Constituency, described the celebrant as an epitome of humility, honesty and empathy who had “contributed in no small measure to the uplift of those that come across his path.” Earlier in his sermon, Revered M.A. Adegoke, the Shepherd in charge of Ajegunle Baptist Church, gave gratitude to God for His blessings, mercies and love over the life of the celebrant, urging Chief Koleoso to continue to serve God until the end so as to meet his creator with cheerfulness. He described the celebrant

as someone who was always concerned about the wellbeing of others and urged the gathering to take a cue from him. Addressing the gathering, the celebrant, Chief Michael

Koleoso, expressed gratitude to God for His mercies, blessings and protection over him and his household, saying that his concern was to ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Urbanisation crisis: Oyo State, Ibadan LGs urged to close ranks AUTHORITIES of the 11 local governments in Ibadanland and the state government have been urged to close ranks and evolve policies capable of solving the huge challenges occasioned by the rapid urbanisation of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

A lecturer at the College of Social and Management Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof Femi Olokesusi, gave the advice while delivering a lecture titled, “Crisis of Urbanisaton: A case study of Ibadan,” at Lead City Uni-

IGA appreciates Olubadan for peace among Igbo By Tunde Ogunesan THE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has been commended for ensuring peace reigns among Igbo residents in Ibadan. This was made known by the President General of the Igbo General Assembly (IGA) in Oyo State, Nze Emeka Enweronye, after a recent meeting of the central executive council of IGA, held at Adamasingba area, Ibadan. According to Enweronye,

AHEAD of the governorship election in Ondo State, the traditional ruler of Akure Kingdom, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, on Sunday, advocated for a candidate that would bring more development to the state as governor of the state. The monarch, who stated this in his palace, while hosting the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sola Ebiseni and his entourage, during the Saturday environmental exercise, said all ethnic agenda should be dropped to pursue the Ondo State agenda. Oba Aladelusi said what should be paramount to the people of the state was the development of the state and not rivalry of which area, ethnic or zone should produce the governor of the state. The monarch said when he was informed of Ebiseni’s visit, to the palace, he thought he was coming as a governorship aspirant to receive his blessings but was

surprised to meet him and his entourage who visited him to discuss environmental issues. He said “When I heard that Ebiseni was coming this morning, I thought he was coming as a governorship aspirant, I used to say that it must be an Akure candidate but when I realised that this present governor is not even from Akure and has performed wonders and much for Akure. I realised that anybody could be our governor from any zone. Anybody that will come in as the next governor must continue with the good work of the present governor. “I realise that this governor is not even from Akure and has made Akure proud, anybody from Ondo State with great vision could be governor that is my position. Ebiseni had led the monthly environmental sanitation monitoring team to the monarch’s palace to solicit his support to help sustain Akure’s status as ‘the cleanest state capital in the country.’

“It could be recalled that the Igbo in Oyo State were polarised over who is the authentic Igbo leader for the past 19 years. His royal majesty, having gone through the resolution of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers in 2008 that Eze Ndigbo in diaspora had been abolished and other documents, invited the principal actors, Chief Alloy Obi and Dr Alex Anozie, and directed that Eze Ndigbo in Ibadan had ceased to exist. “On Friday, April 22, 2016, Oba Saliu Adetunji, for-

mally confirmed Chief Alloy Obi as the authentic ‘Onyendu Ndigbo (Igbo leader) in Ibadan and Oyo State. “The Ndigbo will remain loyal to Oba Adetunji and the traditions of Ibadanland. We assure the Olubadan and his council of our unalloyed cooperation.” Enweronye, then enjoined all Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo State to come together under the Igbo General Assembly, which “remains the recognised and authentic Ohanaeze body in Oyo State.”

versity, Ibadan, on Sunday. The May Day annual lecture was organised by the Silver Knights Club, an Ibadan-based socio-philanthropic organisation, with membership cutting across the professional cadres. The lecturer also urged the state and councils to muster enough political will to implement and enforce existing policies aimed at restoring sanity to the city by formulating urban and land policies to guide urban management. Olokesusi blamed rising population, weak economic base, poverty, poor urban governance, lack of a master plan, inadequate resources, inadequate water supply and housing, as well as street trading for the rapid unplanned urbanisation of Ibadan. Another discussant, Prof Oka Obono, of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, however,

urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities inherent in the huge population of Ibadan, rather than dwell on the challenges alone. His view was echoed by the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented at the occasion by the state’s Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade. According to him, a careful analysis of the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in the urbanised city of Ibadan would reveal that the situation was not as hopeless as painted by the topic of the lecture. Ajimobi said, “We see the mass population, concentration of research institutes in Ibadan city, establishments of companies, large expanse of agrarian land, peace and security, among others as the strength of Ibadan. Urbanisation to us is not all about crisis.”

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Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Poor implementation of development plans, bane of N/Delta —NDDC MD Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt HE acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has attributed the lack of economic development and regional integration in the SouthSouth and the South-East, to poor implementation of existing plans for the region. She said this while speaking at the second SouthEast/South-South Development Forum, in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, insisting that the major problem of the region was not lack of plans but the non-implementation of existing ones. Mrs Semenitari cited the example of the Niger Delta Regional Development Masterplan, which she said, had not been fully embraced by critical stakeholders. She stressed the need for a more engaging and robust cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders, from communities to the civil society organisations (CSOs) and from companies and agencies operating in the Niger Delta to government at all levels.

“For us to succeed as one force unified against regional poverty, against infrastructural gaps and all the indices of adverse development, it is important for us to unite under one unimpeachable vision. “The Niger Delta Region-

al Development Master plan, which NDDC facilitated, provides such a platform, a worthy pathway and roadmap to sustainable development. “It is important that all of us work together to return that plan to its place

of pride as the central document to drive development in the region”, she said, adding that the Master plan was the aggregate of the collective yearnings and expectations of the entire Niger Delta. “It was developed by a co-

alition of all relevant stakeholders in the region, working with local, national and international agencies, collating data from every community of the Niger Delta, on every sphere of human activity.

15 million Nigerians have asthma —NTS By Sade Oguntola IN marking the World Asthma Day on Monday, Nigerian Thoracic Society (NTS), has said over 15 million Nigerians have asthma, warning a large number of them stand a high chance of dying from the disease due to inadequate education . President, NTS, Professor Peter Etete, in a release, said that currently in Nigeria, 75 per cent of hospital admissions from asthma and as many as 90 per cent of the deaths from the disease are avoidable. Etete, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Universality of Uyo, Alkwa Ibom State, said that this should not be so, saying that Nigeria has lost many gifted and illustrious people prematurely to asthma. The medical expert describing asthma as one of

the most common chronic lung diseases affecting approximately 400 million people worldwide, said despite the availability of different asthma drugs, the underlying reason for many of the deaths is inadequate education. Given that a significant number of asthma patients are still limited with their

asthma, he stressed the need for a strong patient education to ensure that Nigerians know that although, the disease may not be cured, it can be controlled. Etete said that globally, people with asthma will grow by more than 100 million by 2025, adding that the condition was typi-

cally characterised by recurring respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightening. “They can live optimally well with no limitation in spite of the asthma. Patient education should also focus on the appropriate use of controller medications

Nigerian Tribune

President of the SouthEast/South-South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN), Mr Emeka Ugwu-Ojo, called for regional integration and economic development to make the region a global investment destination.

and discourage injudicious use of relievers which are often abused,” he said. Etete, however, encouraged patients and relatives of individuals with recurrent cough, noisy breathing, and breathlessness to report to the nearest health facility for necessary tests to rule out asthma.

Saraki’s trial: Kwara APC appeals to national leadership for intervention Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwara State, has appealed to the national leadership of the party to explore political intervention to resolve the ongoing trial of the senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). In a statement signed by the chairman of APC in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Raji, which

was made available to journalists in Ilorin, the party described the trial of the senate president, as a political problem, saying, “A political problem deserves political solution”. Alhaji Raji, who said the ongoing trial had implication of affecting the country and APC as a political party, added that, “we view like some other Nigerians and international community that the trial is politically motivated”.

The party, including its stakeholders and members, also said that it had resolved at the end of its extra-ordinary meeting held at the local government headquarters, Araromi Opin, to reiterate their loyalty and support for the senate president in the trial. The statement also said that, “During Dr Saraki’s tenure as a governor of Kwara State, he brought purposeful direction to all aspects of public life de-

spite our lean resources and other challenges. “He introduced and upheld a new culture of governance that places premium on efficiency on the management of public resources. “His administration as a governor also witnessed transformation as a model for enterprises, innovation, cleanliness as well as peace; a legacy that is being anchored by the current governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.”

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

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Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

Fulani herdsmen: Enugu monarchs seek law strengthening vigilance groups to carry arm Jude Ossai - Enugu

one-day meeting between Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and traditional rulers ended in Enugu with a call to strengthen vigilance groups in each local government area of the state,

Northern govs under fire over preaching licence

for protection of lives and property in the state. To this end, the royal fathers urged the state Assembly to enact enabling laws allowing members of the neighbourhood watch to carry arms. The meeting, which was held at the old Government Lodge, Government Reservation Area (GRA), on Monday, had all the monarchs and caretaker committee chairmen, as

well as town union leaders from the 17 local government areas in attendance. All the speakers at the meeting condemned in strong terms the mayhem unleashed by the Fulani herdsmen on the people of Ukpabi-Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state. Governor Ugwuanyi, however, told the traditional rulers that the meeting was to proffer solutions

to the security challenges facing the state. “I have called you today not just to brief you on what has happened so far, but to discuss in-depth with you on what we must all do to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the future. “So long as we are Nigerians, we cannot live in isolation but those who come to Enugu must respect out values and not engage in

such dastardly act as we have witnessed recently,” he stated. He also told the monarchs that constituted a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of all the violent occurrences in the state associated with suspected Fulani herdsmen, and to recommend appropriate measures that would prevent future occurrence.

Isaac Shobayo - Jos THERE are strong indications that some governors in the northern part of the country are under intense heat over the issuance of preaching licence said to have been endorsed by 19 northern governors, at their recent meeting in Kaduna, at the weekend. The 19 northern governors had unanimously agreed through a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Kaduna State, on Friday, to commence issuance of licence to religious preachers, as part of the means to curb religious crisis in this part of the country. Nigerian Tribune findings revealed that the communique issued at the end of the meeting and endorsed by the 19 governors had pitched some of the governors, particularly those from Christian dominated states like Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Kogi against their people. A cross section of religious leaders who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on the communique, said they were still studying the situation and content of the communique, saying that they would meet their respective governors to know the rationale behind the endorsement. The chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Yakubu Pam, told the Nigerian Tribune in Jos that the association was still studying the situation, adding that it would soon come with a position, after it had deliberated on the issue. Chairman of the Plateau State, CAN, Reverend Soja Bewarang said he had not seen the communique and therefore could not comment on it. Chairman of theYouth Christian Association of Nigeria (YOUTHCAN), Mr Johnson Bistu said there was no way Christians in the North could accept such position.

Traditional ruler of Nimbo, Eze John Akor (right), taking the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (second left) and Senator Chuka Utazi on a tour of ruins in his community, aftermath the recent attack by suspected herdsmen.

Anambra govt launches aerial battle against herdsmen Suzy Oruya - Onitsha ANAMBRA State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has launched a helicopter for aerial surveillance of activities of herdsmen in the state. The governor, who stated

this during Workers’ Day celebration in Awka, the state capital, disclosed that before the growing menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the country, he had set up a special committee to foster peace between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

The committee, the governor noted, comprised the leaders of the HausaFulani community in the state, government officials, security agencies and some representatives of the agrarian communities across the state.

Grazing reserve: Yoruba Youth Council backs Ajimobi Urges southerners to protect their lands Christian Okeke - Abuja YORUBA Youth Council (YYC), the apex umbrella body of Yoruba youth groups, on Monday, threw its weight behind the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over his stance that there is no reserve for grazing in the state. It also urged other states in the southern part of the country to be more vigilant to ensure proper defence of their lands and territory. In a communique issued by the national body of the association at the end of its emergency meeting, and signed by its national president, Comrade Eric Oluwole and the national pub-

licity secretary, Comrade Oladeinde ‘Dare, the group also called on all members of the National Assembly, representing Yoruba people, to ensure the death of the bill on grazing reserve on its arrival. The group said it was compelled to respond to the reactions of HausaFulani leaders and the northern governors, over their support for the Fulani herdsmen whose activities, it noted, had threatened the unity of the country. In the communique, the council said it considered the position of the Northern governors and their leaders on the criminal display of their Fulani herds-

men, as an attestation to the colonisation agenda of the Fulani people on the southerners. According to the council, the violent activities of the Fulani herdsmen that had led to the kidnap of notable Yoruba leaders like Chief Olu Falae and their previous attack of Yoruba communities in Oke Ogun, Oyo State and the Imeko/Ipokai in Ogun State, without a feasible solution to the issue from government was a pointer to the fact that the Hausa/ Fulani was spoiling for war against the southerners, as was also manifested in the recent attack of innocent and harmless citizens in Enugu State.

“This committee has made the herdsmen pay compensations to communities whose crops were destroyed by their cattle seven times in the past. “And we have also paid compensation to the herdsmen when one community breached the peace against them. “That is the nature of our engagement with them in Anambra State,” Obiano stated. He warned that his administration would deal ruthlessly with the herdsmen should they grow “needlessly hostile against their host communities.” “There is routine helicopter surveillance across the borders of the state to ensure that any suspicious gathering of people (herdsmen) or curious movements across the borders are quickly picked up and analysed by security experts,” he added. The governor commended Anambra workers for their support to his administration, saying “if Willie is working, then the workers are also working.

Experts advocate collaboration among security agencies AS the nation continues to grapple with security challenges, an expert in security matters has called for a more effective and efficient collaboration among all the security organisations to stem the tide of insecurity in the country. The expert, Ahaji Yunusa Mohammed Sahabi who is the Niger State coordinator, International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), said sharing of information among the security organs in the country, would greatly assist to check the menace of insurgence in parts of the country. “We should be able to work together to achieve the common goal we are all pursuing,” he declared. Sahabi, who spoke at the annual dinner of the organisation in Minna, on Sunday night, however, commended the security organisations in the country, for the peace they had brought to the nation in recent times. He said the institute was ready to synergise with security operatives across the country, with a view to entrenching peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Northern CAN leader charges Buhari on Fulani herdsmen/ farmers clashes Adelowo Oladipo - Minna CHAIRMAN of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Reverend Dr Yakubu Pam, has called for a decisive action by the Federal Government to curb the ongoing violent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in their host communities in parts of the country, resuting in loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties. He made the call last weekend, at the main auditorium of the Presbyterian Church, off David Mark Road, Minna in Niger State, during the inauguration of the newly elected chairman of the state chapter of the association, Reverend (Dr) Mathias Echioda with other executive members. The clergyman stated further the solution to the needless problem of Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashes in parts of the country, is a courageous leader, who would come out boldly not only to condemn it politically, but also to ensure that he resolved the ugly development for lasting peace in the country.

communitynews Don proffers strategies for growth of Yewaland

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016

N order to develop a holistic roadmap for educational development of Yewaland and the resultant socioeconomic growth of the area, it has been suggested that the people of the area should stop the blame game and come together as one entity. The advice was made by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Professor Taiwo Edun, while speaking at the official launch of Yewa Newsline, a community news magazine and the maiden edition of Yewa Newsline Thought Leadership Series Awards at ASUP Hall of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State recently. In a keynote address entitled: “Education as Catalyst for SocioEconomic Development of Yewaland: Issues and Challenges,” Professor Edun opined that strategies must be outlined to accelerate educational and socio-economic development of Yewaland, among which include rallying support for Yewa Education Trust Fund, strengthening of old students associations, and

the establishment of Yewa academic and career mentorship programme. The don attributed the low level of education in Yewaland to past and contemporary issues,

‘Odeh street in Agbor not yet commissioned’

OSUN State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the state, in collaboration with the UN Habitat, has developed a structure plan in nine selected communities in the state to indicate direction of development for the cities over a plan period in order to achieve orderly growth and coordinated physical development. Governor Aregbesola disclosed this during the official handover of the report of the structure plan to the governor at the state secretariat, Abere, Osogbo. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Titi-Laoye Tomori, said the structure plan became imperative in addressing the problem of urbanisation with its attendant effects of improper waste disposal, unplanned development, urban sprawl and slums as well as inadequate infrastructural facilities. He noted that the plan was introduced to complement the urban renewal initiative which is aimed at ridding the communities of shanties and haphazard development. He expressed optimism that the proposed land use policy and legislative reform contained in the plan would assist the state to realise sustainable economic development and social growth. Governor Aregbesola hinted that his administra-

Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

Landlords and landladies of Odeh Street in Boji Boji Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, have said that the street has not been commissioned, contrary to speculation. ThThe landlords described as erroneous the news report on radio and a community newspaper that the road had been commissioned, saying that no government had been there to commission the road in spite of the banner placed near the road indicating that the commissioning tok place on April 13, 2016. Speaking to Community News, the chairman of the Landlords and Landladies Association, Mr. Michael Omordia and his vice, Elder Moses Egbudu, said they were surprised to hear that the street was commissioned on Wednesday, April 13, without the knowledge of the people. The association, however, lamented the poor work done on the street, adding that unlike Cemetry Street adjacent to Odeh Street, with two side drainages, Odeh Street has one drainage.

stating that limited missionary activities in the then Egbadoland in the 19th Century created a gap in educational attainment. He also noted that

slave trade in the days of tribal warfare between Egbas and Dahomeans was also a part of the problem as the area was a buffer zone between the combatants.

He also pointed out that lack of access to political power, late evolution of traditional leadership, as well as the passive nature of Yewa people also contributed

to educational backwardness in Yewaland. In his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of MediaMix Limited, Mr. Deji Adeyemi, emphasised the need to promote community magazines, in order to give voice to the people, noting that such platforms would also serve as watchdogs to make elected public officials accountable to the people.

Eburu lauds Aregbesola for support, creation of area council by gbenga olumide

From left, immediate past President of Club 66, Idanre, Chief Akinbiyi Akinseye; Owa of Idanre Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye and President of Club 66, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, when the new executive of Club 66, Idanre paid a courtesy visit on the monarch in his palace at Odode, Idanre, Ondo State, recently.

‘Structure plan is to address problem of urbanisation’ tion would continue to design programmes and policies that would enhance the healthy living of the people as well as open windows of economic potentialities in the state. Also speaking at the event, the UN Habitat Programme Manager, Mallam Kabir Yari, said Osun State was the only state in the country that had involved nine cities in a single project. He added that the cities were divided into three clusters to ensure effective implementation of the structure plan. Mallam Yari, who advo-

cated legal backing for the plan to ensure effective implementation, noted that, it would facilitate the harnessing of all required resources for the industrial and economic growth of the state. In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning, Mr Wale Ojo, said the present administration in the state was committed to the urban renewal programme with emphasis on nine cities which include: Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ikirun, Ila-Orangun, Ede, Ikire,

Iwo and Ejigbo. He maintained that the urban renewal programme covered a radius of one kilometre from the palace of the benefiting community except Osogbo, which covered two kilometres radius, adding that the structure plan would cover 25 kilometres radius. In his remarks, the Director of Town Planning in the state, Mr. Akintunde Oladejo, explained that the structure plan was aimed at placing the state in the world map as one of the most organised in the globe.

Include Ona-Ara in development plan—Landlords akin adewakun-lagos

Landlords in Ona-Ara, under the aegis of Association of Landlords of Ona-Ara Community Development Area in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, have appealed to the state government to include the area in its development plan. Describing it as frustrating, the lack of significant development projects in the community in its over 15 years of existence, the newly elected chairman of the association, Pastor Matthew Ojugbele, assured government of the readiness of members of the community to

play their own part in the state government’s bid at improving the lives of the people of the state. He stated that the community, situated along Idi-Iroko road in Ota and bounded by the popular Tower Cooperative Society Estate and three other communities, had been deprived of government projects, especially roads and electricity, despite its efforts at getting government’s attention. The community leader expressed dismay that virtually all basic amenities in the community were provided by the joint efforts of landlords, without any form of government

support. He, however, made a passionate appeal to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and authorities of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area to urgently intervene by providing a transformer, good roads and drainages so as to improve the lives of residents of the area. “Our community urgently needs a transformer and good roads especially now that the rains are here. From experience, it is always a difficult task accessing the community whenever it rains, simply because all the access roads are in bad shape,” he said.

THE Eburu of Iba in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye Oyedeji II, has commended the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for the support he had given him since he assumed the throne of his forebears. Oba Okunoye, who gave the commendation while speaking with Community News at his palace, said the governor needed to be commended for his approval for the official presentation of the staff of office and instrument of appointment to him as the new Eburu of Ibaland. The traditional ruler also expressed his gratitude to the governor for the creation of Ifelodun Area Council at Iba out of Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. He said that the idea of breaking the state into micro units was laudable, noting that “that this what is happening in developed countries. Government is brought to the grass roots. What Governor Aregbesola did recently creating Ifelodun Council Area is laudable and that is one of the good things that our constitution permits. Ours is to support the state government by paying our tax regularly in order to get the needed social infrastructure.” He added that in spite of the lean purse of the state government, the governor had performed creditably by providing social amenities to the people of the state. The royal father, however, appealed to the state governor to reconstruct the major road that links the community with others for easy movement of people and goods and to fast-track the development of the area.

Tuesday, 3 May, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Rio 2016: Rowing and Canoeing federation

assures on better outing for Nigeria

Mikel being tackled by an opponent.

Less than five months to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the board of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation is confident that Team Nigeria will not come back home without a medal this time. The secretary of the federation, Mrs Olubunmi Ola-Oluode while speaking in Lagos, last weekend assured Nigerians who are anxious over the repeat of the London 2012 Olympics where Team Nigeria had no medal to their credit that, with divine providence on their side coupled with the hard work already being displayed by the duo of Chierika Coco Ukogu and Jonathan Akinyemi, Nigerians should expect at least a medal.

Mikel rejects Turkish deals — Report N igerian international, John Obi Mikel has reportedly rejected

two massive deals from a pair of Turkish clubs to remain at Stamford Bridge. The Super Eagles mid-

Portugal, Russia, 13 others for ITTF Nigeria Open

European super-powers, Portugal, Russia and Hungary as well as African giant, Egypt including 11 others have confirmed their participation in this year’s ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open (Lagos 2016). With the expiration of registration last week, this year will witness the presence of players from Portugal, Russia, Hungary, Egypt, Finland, Slovakia, Romania, Iran, Mexico, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, Tunisia, Congo DRC and Cameroun. Nigerian players dominated the entry with two-time ITTF World Tour champion, Hungary’s Szandra Pergel squaring up against women’s singles defending champion, Portugal’s Jieni Shao as well as her Nigerian counterparts, Edem Offiong and Olufunke Oshonaike. In the men’s singles, home-boy, Aruna Quadri will have his hand full

when he battles against top players from Europe as well his Egyptian rivals. Thrilled by the turnout of players for this year’s tournament, Tournament Director, Ranti Olajide said this once again confirmed the importance players across the world now attached to the championship. “As the highest prize money in the Challenge Series of the ITTF World Tour, more players are now willing to be part of the competition in Lagos. Apart from aiming to share from the prize money, they intend to use the championship to amass points for their world ranking as well as qualify for the end-ofyear ITTF World Tour Finals. We are indeed excited about the turnout and we hope this year will be more competitive and glamorous based on the quality of the players coming to Lagos,” Olajide said.

fielder has enjoyed a revival in his career under caretaker manager, Guus Hiddink, re-establishing himself as a regular since the departure of Jose Mourinho from Stamford Bridge. According to The Sun, Galatasaray was willing to offer Mikel wages of £110,000-per-week to leave the Blues in January. It is understood that Fenerbahce were also tabling such money and both

could go back in for him when the transfer window reopens in the European summer. However, the Nigerian wants to stay with Chelsea and is eager to renew his contract with the club. His current deal in West London expires at the end of next season. It is not yet known whether Mikel will figure in the plans of incoming coach, Antonio Conte.

she said: “With the situation on the ground, we have one athlete that has qualified for Canoe slalom in person of Jonathan Akinyemi who is an Olympian. “With the experience he has gathered in the last Olympics in London, we believe he will be on the medals table courtesy of the training he is going through now.”

On Chierika Ukogu who will be the first black African to qualify for the Olympics in 100 years, Olubunmi revealed that, “She is undergoing her training and we are also hopeful that she will be on the medals’ table because she is training hard and with the support of the British Rowing and International Federation, we believe she will perform creditably.”

Yobo honoured on Everton return FORMER Nigerian international, Joseph Yobo was a guest of honour as his former club, Everton took on Bournemouth in a Barclays Premier League game last weekend. The former defender was presented to the fans at half time and received a stadium wide ovation from all present. “It was a humbling and emotional moment for me,” Said Yobo, who spent a decade at the Premier League club, which he joined from French side Olympic Marseille. Everton has endured a torrid season, with fans booing the team and calling for manager Roberto Martinez to be fired. But they still took a time out to give a former servant a welcome worth remembering. Yobo

From left, the Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike; the Chairman Ekeson Motors, Chief Eugene Ojokwu; the wife of Ejidike, Evangelist Chidi Ejidike; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SportPro International, Bayour Issah, the National President of the the Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mallam Saidu Abubakar; the former Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo and others, at the investiture of Chief Ejidike as Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports/ presentation of a brand new bus to the national secretariat of SWAN held at Bovina Hotels, Ilorin, last weekend. PHOTO: KAYODE OKUNOLA.

SIDELINES

NO 16,492

TUESDAY, 3 MAY, 2016

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The National Association of Seadogs have blamed Nigerians for not holding their leaders accountable, the reason they toss electorate round as they wish. Good talk, but what the Seadogs have probably not addressed is the reason most Nigerians stand aloof, as there is a question most people ask when such Seadogs' charge is given that: how many of those they've held accountable in the past have been punished in a manner that fosters a culture of responsible governence in the leaders.

Wenger defends Iwobi's removal ARSENAL manager, Arsene Wenger has offered an insight to why he replaced Nigerian youngster, Alex Iwobi just over 10 minutes into the second half of the 1-0 win over Norwich City. ‘The Gunners’ secured a 1-0 win over ‘The Canaries’ at the Emirates last Saturday in the Premier League with Iwobi making way for match-winner, Danny Welbeck and Wenger has defended the substitution. “I saw the opportunity there, because Alex Iwobi comes more towards the ball but, with a runner in behind on our left side, there was some room to exploit, and Danny did that very well,” the Frenchman told the club’s official website. “On top of that he scored a goal when he came on.” Wenger who is under pressure as some fans of Arsenal carried placards during the game to show displeasure with his reign, praised Welbeck for his heroics, just as he stated that his gameplan against Norwich worked out as planned. “That is good for his (Welbeck) c o n f i dence as well. Overall I’m very happy. “We were a bit subdued at the start serious, but not fluent enough and not quick enough or sharp enough. During that period in the first half, we needed not to concede a goal. “After that, we slowly took over and in the end we won 1-0. That’s what we needed above all. It was a bit of a strange atmosphere and the most important thing for us was to win the game. “In these kind of games, you know that you will have a fight until the last second. We’ve just played two teams who fight not to go down."

Iheanacho (right) celebrates with a team-mate after scoring.

Iheanacho rues loss to Southampton Says City is ready for Real Madrid tonight

IGERIA forward, Kelechi Iheanacho has explained why Manchester City fell 2-4 at Southampton last Sunday. The Citizens were beaten at St. Mary’s by a Sadio Mane-inspired Southampton side and e v e n

though the young Nigerian scored a brace, it wasn’t enough to earn them any points, which has now put their top-four place in the balance. “Many things went wrong in our team. We lost so many balls and didn’t defend well,” Iheanacho said in a post-match interview. “We lost and we are not happy.” The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup Most Valuable Player also admitted that

the loss didn’t offer them enough encouragements going into the Champions League clash with Real Madrid tonight, but said they will put it behind them and come out stronger. “I think we’re going to come stronger in the next game. This game didn’t give us enough encouragement. But we will put

it behind us and focus on the Real Madrid game,” he said. Meanwhile, Iheanacho has acknowledged that they must now win the remaining two games to hold on to their current position. “We have two games left and we must now win those games to secure our

place in the top-four,” he said. Iheanacho has now scored seven Premier League goals and 13 in all competitions in his debut season with City. City remains fourth on the Premier League table, but is now four points ahead of eternal rivals Manchester United.

Why local coach could get Eagles' job

Iwobi

NIGERIA may be forced to settle for a local coach for the Super Eagles next month after a proposed company to foot the bills of an expatriate handler “developed cold feet”. AfricanFootball.com gathered that the recent leadership tussle in Nigerian football may have thrown the oil company off forking out close to $2 million spread over two years for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to hire a toprated foreign coach. “The oil company was ready to give the NFF close to $100,000 a month to take care of a top foreign coach and his assistants, but since

the latest round of instability in the Nigerian football polity, the company has developed cold feet,” a top source informed. “The NFF on their own do not have the cash to pay for such a coach and the government through the sports minister has made it very clear it will not pay for a foreign coach. “That could well have informed the NFF recent announcement that the vacant Super Eagles top post will be taken up by the best candidate whether he is local or

foreign.” Sunday Oliseh quit the post in February for Samson Siasia to take temporary charge of the Eagles for the AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt in March. Former Kano Pillars and Enyimba coach Salisu Yusuf will be in charge in the interim for two friendlies against Mali on May 27 and Luxembourg on June 1. The NFF has disclosed a new Eagles coach will be named next month after shortlisted candidates might have been interviewed.

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